,,jesus ,,the ,,christ ,a ,study of the ,messiah and ,his ,mission according to ,holy ,scriptures both ,ancient and ,modern ,by ,,james ,e4 ,,talmage ,one of the ,twelve ,apostles of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints ,,published ,,by ,,the ,,church ,,sixth ,,edition ,,twenty-,,eighth ,,to ,,thirtieth ,,thousand ,,inclusive ,salt ,lake ,city1 ,utah ,deseret ,book ,company #aibb ,copyright ,september #aiae1 ,december #aiae1 ,april #aiaf and ,november #aiaf ,by ,,joseph ,f4 ,,smith ,trustee-in-,trust for the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints ,copyright1 ,october1 #aibb ,by ,,heber ,j4 ,,grant ,trustee-in-,trust for the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints ,printed in the ,united ,states of ,america ,,preface4 ,the scope of the subject presented in this work is expressed on the title page4 ,it will be readily seen that the author has departed from the course usually followed by writers on the ,life of ,jesus ,christ1 which course1 as a rule1 begins with the birth of ,mary's ,babe and ends with the ascension of the slain and risen ,lord from ,olivet4 ,the treatment embodied in these pages1 in addition to the narrative of the ,lord's life in the flesh comprizes the antemortal existence and activities of the world's ,redeemer1 the revelations and personal manifestations of the glorified and exalted ,son of ,god during the apostolic period of old and in modern times1 the assured nearness of the ,lord's second advent1 and predicted events beyond--all so far as the ,holy ,scriptures make plain4 ,it is particularly congruous and appropriate that the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints--the only ,church that affirms authority based on specific revelation and commission to use the ,lord's ,holy ,name as a distinctive designation--should set forth her doctrines concerning the ,messiah and ,his mission4 ,the author of this volume entered upon his welcome service under request and appointment from the presiding authorities of the ,church2 and the completed work has been read to and is approved by the ,first ,presidency and the ,council of the ,twelve4 ,it presents1 however1 the writer's personal belief and profoundest conviction as to the truth of what he has written4 ,the book is published by the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints4 ,a characteristic feature of the work is the guidance afforded by modern scriptures and the explication of the ,holy ,writ of olden times in the light of present day revelation1 which1 as a powerful and well directed beam1 illumines many dark passages of ancient construction4 ,the spirit of the sacredness inherent in the subject has been a constant companion of the writer throughout his pleasing labor1 and he reverently invokes the same as a minister to the readers of the volume4 ,,james ,e4 ,,talmage4 ,salt ,lake ,city1 ,utah1 ,september1 #aiae4 ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,sixth ,,edition4 ,the second edition of this work appeared in ,december1 #aiae1 and the third in ,march1 #aiaf4 ,the third edition presented several minor alterations in wording and contained additional notes and references4 ,succeeding issues1 including the fifth which was printed on ,india paper1 and the present edition are practically uniform with the third4 ,,james ,e4 ,,talmage4 ,salt ,lake ,city1 ,utah1 ,october1 #aibb4 ,,contents4 ,chapter #a4 ,,introduction4 ,historicity of ,jesus the ,christ4--,scope and purpose of the present treatise ,chapter #b4 ,,preexistence ,,and ,,foreordination ,,of ,,the ,,christ4 ,antemortal existence of spirits4--,primeval council in heaven4--,rebellion of ,lucifer4--,his defeat and expulsion4--,free agency of man insured4--,the ,beloved ,son chosen to be the ,savior and ,redeemer of mankind ,chapter #c4 ,,the ,,need ,,of ,a ,,redeemer4 ,spirits of diverse capacities4--,entrance of sin into the world foreseen4--,god's foreknowledge not a determining cause4--,creation of man in the flesh4--,fall of man4--,atonement necessary4--,jesus ,christ the only ,being eligible as ,redeemer and ,savior4--,universal resurrection provided ,chapter #d4 ,,the ,,antemortal ,,godship ,,of ,,christ4 ,the ,godhead4--,jesus ,christ the ,word of power4--,jesus ,christ the ,creator4--,jehovah4--,the ,eternal ,i ,,am4--,proclamations of ,jesus ,christ by the ,father ,chapter #e4 ,,earthly ,,advent ,,of ,,the ,,christ ,,predicted4 ,biblical prophecies4--,revelation to ,enoch4--,the ,prophet predicted by ,moses4--,sacrifices as prototypes4--,book of ,mormon predictions ,chapter #f4 ,,the ,,meridian ,,of ,,time4 ,significance of the designation4--,epitome of ,israel's history4--,jews in vassalage to ,rome4--,scribes and rabbis4--,pharisees and ,sadducees4--,other sects and parties ,chapter #g4 ,,gabriel',s ,,annunciation ,,of ,,john ,,and ,,of ,,jesus4 ,angelic visitation to ,zacharias4--,birth of ,john the forerunner4--,annunciation to ,mary the ,virgin4--,mary and ,joseph4--,their genealogies4--,jesus ,christ heir to the throne of ,david ,chapter #h4 ,,the ,,babe ,,of ,,bethlehem4 ,birth of ,jesus ,christ4--,his presentation in the temple4--,visit of the magi4--,herod's evil designs4--,the ,child taken into ,egypt4--,birth of ,christ made known to ,nephites4--,time of the birth ,chapter #i4 ,,the ,,boy ,,of ,,nazareth4 ,jesus to be called a ,nazarene4--,at the temple when twelve years of age4--,jesus and the doctors of the law4--,jesus of ,nazareth ,chapter #aj4 ,,in ,,the ,,wilderness ,,of ,,judea4 ,john the ,baptist4--,the voice in the wilderness4--,baptism of ,jesus4--,the ,father's proclamation4--,descent of the ,holy ,ghost4--,sign of the dove4--,temptations of ,christ ,chapter #aa4 ,,from ,,judea ,,to ,,galilee4 ,john ,baptist's testimony of ,christ4--,first disciples4--,the ,son of ,man1 significance of title4--,miracle of transmuting water into wine4--,miracles in general ,chapter #ab4 ,,early ,,incidents ,,in ,,our ,,lord',s ,,public ,,ministry4 ,first clearing of the temple4--,jesus and ,nicodemus4--,john ,baptist's disciples in disputation4--,john's tribute to and repeated testimony of the ,christ ,chapter #ac4 ,,honored ,,by ,,strangers1 ,,rejected ,,by ,,his ,,own4 ,jesus and the ,samaritan woman4--,among the ,samaritans4--,while at ,cana ,christ heals a nobleman's son in ,capernaum4--,at ,nazareth ,christ preaches in synagog4--,nazarenes attempt to kill him4--,demons subdued in ,capernaum4--,demoniacal possession ,chapter #ad4 ,,continuation ,,of ,,our ,,lord',s ,,ministry ,,in ,,galilee4 ,a leper healed4--,leprosy4--,palsied man healed and forgiven4--,imputation of blasphemy4--,publicans and sinners4--,old cloth1 old bottles1 and the new4--,preliminary call of disciples4--,fishers of men ,chapter #ae4 ,,lord ,,of ,,the ,,sabbath4 ,sabbath distinctively sacred to ,israel4--,cripple healed on ,sabbath day4--,accusations by the ,jews and the ,lord's reply thereto4--,disciples charged with ,sabbath-breaking4--,man with a withered hand healed on ,sabbath day ,chapter #af4 ,,the ,,chosen ,,twelve4 ,their call and ordination4--,the ,twelve considered individually4--,their characteristics in general4--,disciples and apostles ,chapter #ag4 ,,the ,,sermon ,,on ,,the ,,mount4 ,the ,beatitudes4--,dignity and responsibility in the ministry4--,the ,mosaic law superseded by the gospel of ,christ4--,sincerity of purpose4 ,the ,lord's ,prayer4--,true wealth4--,promise and re-assurance4--,hearing and doing ,chapter #ah4 ,,as ,,one ,,having ,,authority4 ,healing of centurion's servant4--,young man of ,nain raised from the dead4--,john ,baptist's message to ,jesus4--,the ,lord's commentary thereon4--,death of ,john ,baptist4--,jesus in house of ,simon the ,pharisee4--,penitent woman forgiven4--,christ's authority ascribed to ,beelzebub4--,the sin against the ,holy ,ghost4--,sign-seekers ,chapter #ai4 ,,he ,,spake ,,many ,,things ,,unto ,,them ,,in ,,parables4 ,the ,sower4--,wheat and ,tares4--,seed growing secretly4--,mustard ,seed4--,leaven4--,hidden ,treasure4--,pearl of ,great ,price4--,gospel ,net4--,the ,lord's purpose in parabolic teaching4--,parables in general ,chapter #bj4 ,,peace1 ,,be ,,still4 ,candidates for discipleship4--,stilling the storm4--,quieting the demons in region of ,gadara4--,raising of daughter of ,jairus4--,restoration to life and resurrection4--,a woman healed amidst the throng4--,blind see and dumb speak ,chapter #ba4 ,,the ,,apostolic ,,mission1 ,,and ,,events ,,related ,,thereto4 ,jesus again in ,nazareth4--,the ,twelve charged and sent out4--,their return4--,five thousand people miraculously fed4--,miracle of walking upon the water4--,people seek ,christ for more loaves and fishes4--,christ the bread of life4--,many disciples turn away ,chapter #bb4 ,a ,,period ,,of ,,darkening ,,opposition4 ,ceremonial washings4--,pharisees rebuked4--,jesus in borders of ,tyre and ,sidon4--,daughter of ,syro-,phoenician woman healed4--,miracles wrought in coasts of ,decapolis4--,four thousand people miraculously fed4--,more seekers after signs4--,leaven of the ,pharisees1 ,sadducees1 and ,herodians4--,peter's great confession1 ,thou art the ,christ ,chapter #bc4 ,,the ,,transfiguration4 ,visitation of ,moses and ,elijah4--,the ,father again proclaims the ,son4--,the apostles temporarily restrained from testifying concerning the transfiguration4--,elias and ,elijah4--,the ,lesser and the ,higher ,priesthood ,chapter #bd4 ,,from ,,sunshine ,,to ,,shadow4 ,youthful demoniac healed4--,further prediction of ,christ's death and resurrection4--,the tribute money2 supplied by a miracle4--,humility illustrated by a little child4--,parable of the ,lost ,sheep4--,in ,christ's name4--,my brother and ,i4--,parable of the ,unmerciful ,servant ,chapter #be4 ,,jesus ,,again ,,in ,,jerusalem4 ,departure from ,galilee4--,at the ,feast of ,tabernacles4--,another charge of ,sabbath desecration4--,living water for the spiritually thirsty4--,plans to arrest ,jesus4--,nicodemus protests4--,woman taken in adultery4--,christ the light of the world4--,the truth shall make men free4--,christ's seniority over ,abraham4--,sight restored on ,sabbath day4--,physical and spiritual blindness4--,shepherd and sheep-herder4--,christ the ,good ,shepherd4--,his inherent power over life and death4--,sheep of another fold ,chapter #bf4 ,,our ,,lord',s ,,ministry ,,in ,,perea ,,and ,,judea4 ,jesus rejected in ,samaria4--,james and ,john reproved for revengeful desire4--,the ,seventy charged and sent4--,their return4--,a lawyer's question4--,parable of ,good ,samaritan4--,martha and ,mary4--,ask and receive4--,parable of ,friend at ,midnight4--,criticism on ,pharisees and lawyers4--,parable of ,foolish ,rich ,man4--,the unrepentant to perish4--,parable of ,barren ,fig ,tree4--,a woman healed on the ,sabbath4--,many or few to be saved8--,jesus warned of ,herod's design ,chapter #bg4 ,,continuation ,,of ,,the ,,perean ,,and ,,judean ,,ministry4 ,in the house of one of the chief ,pharisees4--,parable of the ,great ,supper4--,counting the cost4--,salvation even for publicans and sinners4--,parable of the ,lost ,sheep repeated4--,of the ,lost ,coin4--,of the ,prodigal ,son4--,of the ,unrighteous ,steward4--,of the ,rich ,man and ,lazarus4--,of the ,unprofitable ,servants4--,ten lepers healed4--,parable of the ,pharisee and ,publican4--,on marriage and divorce4--,jesus and the little ones4--,the rich young ruler4--,first may be last and last first4--,parable of the ,laborers ,chapter #bh4 ,,the ,,last ,,winter4 ,at the ,feast of ,dedication4--,sheep know the ,shepherd's ,voice4--,the ,lord's retirement in ,perea4--,lazarus raised from the dead4--,jewish hierarchy agitated over the miracle4--,prophecy by ,caiaphas1 the high priest4--,jesus in retirement at ,ephraim ,chapter #bi4 ,,on ,,to ,,jerusalem4 ,jesus again foretells ,his death and resurrection4--,aspiring request of ,james and ,john4--,sight restored near ,jericho4--,zaccheus the chief publican4--,parable of the ,pounds4--,the supper in the house of ,simon the leper4--,mary's tribute in anointing ,jesus4--,iscariot's protest4-- ,christ's triumphal entry into ,jerusalem4--,certain ,greeks seek interview with ,jesus4--,the ,voice from heaven ,chapter #cj4 ,,jesus ,,returns ,,to ,,the ,,temple ,,daily4 ,a leafy but fruitless fig tree cursed4--,second clearing of the temple4--,children shout ,hosanna4--,christ's authority challenged by the rulers4--,parable of the two sons4 ,of the ,wicked ,husbandmen4--,the rejected ,stone to be head of the corner4--,parable of the ,royal ,marriage ,feast4--,the wedding garment lacking ,chapter #ca4 ,,the ,,close ,,of ,,our ,,lord',s ,,public ,,ministry4 ,pharisees and ,herodians in conspiracy4--,csar to have his due4--,the image on the coin4--,sadducees and the resurrection4--,levirate marriages4--,the great commandment4--,jesus turns questioner4--,scathing denunciation of scribes and ,pharisees1 hypocrites6--,lamentation over ,jerusalem4--,the widow's mites4--,christ's final withdrawal from temple4--,destruction of temple predicted ,chapter #cb4 ,,further ,,instruction ,,to ,,the ,,apostles4 ,prophecies relating to destruction of ,jerusalem and the ,lord's future advent4--,watch6--,parable of ,ten ,virgins4--,of the ,entrusted ,talents4--,the inevitable judgment4--,another and specific prediction of the ,lord's impending death ,chapter #cc4 ,,the ,,last ,,supper ,,and ,,the ,,betrayal4 ,judas ,iscariot in conspiracy with the ,jews4--,preparations for the ,lord's last ,passover4--,the last supper of ,jesus with the ,twelve4--,the traitor designated4--,ordinance of washing of feet4--,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper4--,the betrayer goes out into the night4--,discourse following the supper4--,the ,high-,priestly ,prayer4--,the ,lord's agony in ,gethsemane4--,the betrayal and the arrest ,chapter #cd4 ,,the ,,trial ,,and ,,condemnation4 ,the ,jewish trial4--,christ before ,annas and ,caiaphas4--,the illegal night court4--,the morning session4--,false witnesses and unrighteous conviction4--,peter's denial of his ,lord4--,christ's first arraignment before ,pilate4--,before ,herod4--,second appearance before ,pilate4--,pilate's surrender to ,jewish clamor4--,the sentence of crucifixion4--,suicide of ,judas ,iscariot ,chapter #ce4 ,,death ,,and ,,burial4 ,on the way to ,calvary4--,the ,lord's address to the daughters of ,jerusalem4--,the crucifixion4--,occurrences between the ,lord's death and burial4--,the burial4--,the sepulchre guarded ,chapter #cf4 ,,in ,,the ,,realm ,,of ,,disembodied ,,spirits4 ,actuality of the ,lord's death4--,condition of spirits between death and resurrection4--,the ,savior among the dead4--,the gospel preached to the spirits in prison ,chapter #cg4 ,,the ,,resurrection ,,and ,,the ,,ascension4 ,christ is risen4--,the women at the sepulchre4--,angelic communications4--,the risen ,lord seen by ,mary ,magdalene4--,and by other women4--,a priestly conspiracy of falsehood4--,the ,lord and two disciples on the ,emmaus road4--,he appears to disciples in ,jerusalem and eats in their presence4--,doubting ,thomas4--,the ,lord appears to the apostles at the sea of ,tiberias4--,other manifestations in ,galilee4--,final commission to the apostles4--,the ascension ,chapter #ch4 ,,the ,,apostolic ,,ministry4 ,matthias ordained to the apostleship4--,bestowal of the ,holy ,ghost at ,pentecost4--,the apostles' preaching4--,imprisoned and delivered4-- ,gamaliel's advice to the council4--,stephen the martyr4--,saul of ,tarsus1 his conversion4--,becomes ,paul the apostle4--,the record by ,john the ,revelator4--,close of the apostolic ministry ,chapter #ci4 ,,ministry ,,of ,,the ,,resurrected ,,christ ,,on ,,the ,,western ,,hemisphere4 ,the ,lord's death signalized by great calamities on western continent4--,the ,voice of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ heard4--,his visitations to the ,nephites4--,the ,nephite ,twelve4--,baptism among ,nephites4--,the ,mosaic law fulfilled4--,address to ,nephites compared with ,sermon on the ,mount4--,sacrament of bread and wine instituted among ,nephites4--,name of ,christ's ,church4--,the ,three ,nephites4--,growth of the ,church4--,final apostasy of ,nephite nation ,chapter #dj4 ,,the ,,long ,,night ,,of ,,apostasy4 ,the great falling away as predicted4--,individual apostasy from the ,church4--,apostasy of the ,church4--,constantine makes ,christianity the religion of state4--,papal claims to secular authority4--,churchly tyranny4--,the ,dark ,ages4--,the inevitable revolt4--,the ,reformation4--,rise of ,church of ,england4--,catholicism and ,protestantism4--,the apostasy affirmed4--,mission of ,columbus and the ,pilgrim ,fathers predicted in ancient scripture4--,fulfilment of the prophecies4--,establishment of ,american nation provided for ,chapter #da4 ,,personal ,,manifestations ,,of ,,god ,,the ,,eternal ,,father ,,and ,,of ,,his ,,son ,,jesus ,,christ ,,in ,,modern ,,times4 ,a new dispensation4--,joseph ,smith's perplexity over sectarian strife4--,the ,eternal ,father and ,his ,son ,jesus ,christ appear to and personally instruct ,joseph ,smith4--,visitation of ,moroni4--,the ,book of ,mormon4--,aaronic ,priesthood restored by ,john the ,baptist4--,melchizedek ,priesthood restored by ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john4--,the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints4--,divine manifestations in ,kirtland ,temple4--,the ,lord ,jesus ,christ appears4--,specific authority of olden dispensations conferred by ,moses1 ,elias1 and ,elijah4--,the ,holy ,priesthood now operative on earth ,chapter #db4 ,,jesus ,,the ,,christ ,,to ,,return4 ,ancient predictions of the ,lord's second advent4--,modern revelation affirms the same4--,today and tomorrow4--,the great and dreadful day near at hand4--,kingdom of ,god and ,kingdom of ,heaven4--,the ,millennium4--,the celestial consummation ,index ,,chapter #a4 ,,introduction4 ,it is a matter of history that1 at or near the beginning of what has since come to be known as the ,christian era1 the ,man ,jesus1 surnamed the ,christ1 was born in ,bethlehem of ,judea4#a ,the principal data as to ,his birth1 life1 and death are so well attested as to be reasonably indisputable2 they are facts of record1 and are accepted as essentially authentic by the civilized world at large4 ,true1 there are diversities of deduction based on alleged discrepancies in the records of the past as to circumstantial details2 but such differences are of strictly minor importance1 for none of them nor all taken together cast a shadow of rational doubt upon the historicity of the earthly existence of the ,man known in literature as ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,as to who and what ,he was there are dissensions of grave moment dividing the opinions of men2 and this divergence of conception and belief is most pronounced upon those matters to which the greatest importance attaches4 ,the solemn testimonies of millions dead and of millions living unite in proclaiming ,him as divine1 the ,son of the ,living ,god1 the ,redeemer and ,savior of the human race1 the ,eternal ,judge of the souls of men1 the ,chosen and ,anointed of the ,father--in short1 the ,christ4 ,others there are who deny ,his ,godhood while extolling the transcendent qualities of ,his unparalleled and unapproachable ,manhood4 ,to the student of history this ,man among men stands first1 foremost1 and alone1 as a directing personality in the world's progression4 ,mankind has never produced a leader to rank with ,him4 ,regarded solely as a historic personage ,he is unique4 ,judged by the standard of human estimation1 ,jesus of ,nazareth is supreme among men by reason of the excellence of ,his personal character1 the simplicity1 beauty1 and genuine worth of ,his precepts1 and the influence of ,his example and doctrines in the advancement of the race4 ,to these distinguishing characteristics of surpassing greatness the devout ,christian soul adds an attribute that far exceeds the sum of all the others--the divinity of ,christ's origin and the eternal reality of ,his status as ,lord and ,god4 ,christian and unbeliever alike acknowledge ,his supremacy as a ,man1 and respect the epoch-making significance of ,his birth4 ,christ was born in the meridian of time2#b and ,his life on earth marked at once the culmination of the past and the inauguration of an era distinctive in human hope1 endeavor1 and achievement4 ,his advent determined a new order in the reckoning of the years2 and by common consent the centuries antedating ,his birth have been counted backward from the pivotal event and are designated accordingly4 ,the rise and fall of dynasties1 the birth and dissolution of nations1 all the cycles of history as to war and peace1 as to prosperity and adversity1 as to health and pestilence1 seasons of plenty and of famine1 the awful happenings of earthquake and storm1 the triumphs of invention and discovery1 the epochs of man's development in godliness and the long periods of his dwindling in unbelief--all the occurrences that make history--are chronicled throughout ,christendom by reference to the year before or after the birth of ,jesus ,christ4 ,his earthly life covered a period of thirty-three years2 and of these but three were spent by ,him as an acknowledged ,teacher openly engaged in the activities of public ministry4 ,he was brought to a violent death before ,he had attained what we now regard as the age of manhood's prime4 ,as an individual ,he was personally known to but few2 and ,his fame as a world character became general only after ,his death4 ,brief account of some of ,his words and works has been preserved to us2 and this record1 fragmentary and incomplete though it be1 is rightly esteemed as the world's greatest treasure4 ,the earliest and most extended history of ,his mortal existence is embodied within the compilation of scriptures known as the ,new ,testament2 indeed but little is said of ,him by secular historians of ,his time4 ,few and short as are the allusions to ,him made by non-scriptural writers in the period immediately following that of ,his ministry1 enough is found to corroborate the sacred record as to the actuality and period of ,christ's earthly existence4 ,no adequate biography of ,jesus as ,boy and ,man has been or can be written1 for the sufficing reason that a fulness of data is lacking4 ,nevertheless1 man never lived of whom more has been said and sung1 none to whom is devoted a greater proportion of the world's literature4 ,he is extolled by ,christian1 ,mohammedan and ,jew1 by skeptic and infidel1 by the world's greatest poets1 philosophers1 statesmen1 scientists1 and historian4 ,even the profane sinner in the foul1 sacrilege of his oath acclaims the divine supremacy of ,him whose name he desecrates4 ,the purpose of the present treatise is that of considering the life and mission of ,jesus as the ,christ4 ,in this undertaking we are to be guided by the light of both ancient and modern scriptures2 and1 thus led1 we shall discover1 even in the early stages of our course1 that the word of ,god as revealed in latter days is effective in illuming and making plain the ,holy ,writ of ancient times1 and this1 in many matters of the profoundest imports4#c ,instead of beginning our study with the earthly birth of the ,holy ,babe of ,bethlehem1 we shall consider the part taken by the ,firstborn ,son of ,god in the primeval councils of heaven1 at the time when ,he was chosen and ordained to be the ,savior of the unborn race of mortals1 the ,redeemer of a world then in its formative stages of development4 ,we are to study ,him as the ,creator of the world1 as the ,word of ,power1 through whom the purposes of the ,eternal ,father were realized in the preparation of the earth for the abode of ,his myriad spirit-children during the appointed period of their mortal probation4 ,jesus ,christ was and is ,jehovah1 the ,god of ,adam and of ,noah1 the ,god of ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 the ,god of ,israel1 the ,god at whose instance the prophets of the ages have spoken1 the ,god of all nations1 and ,he who shall yet reign on earth as ,king of kings and ,lord of lords4 ,his wondrous yet natural birth1 ,his immaculate life in the flesh1 and ,his voluntary death as a consecrated sacrifice for the sins of mankind1 shall claim our reverent attention2 as shall also ,his redeeming service in the world of disembodied spirits2 ,his literal resurrection from bodily death to immortality2 ,his several appearings to men and ,his continued ministry as the ,resurrected ,lord on both continents2 the reestablishment of ,his ,church through ,his personal presence and that of the ,eternal ,father in the latter days2 and ,his coming to ,his temple in the current dispensation4 ,all these developments in the ministration of the ,christ are already of the past4 ,our proposed course of investigation will lead yet onward1 into the future concerning which the word of divine revelation is of record4 ,we shall consider the conditions incident to the ,lord's return in power and glory to inaugurate the dominion of the ,kingdom of ,heaven on earth1 and to usher in the predicted ,millennium of peace and righteousness4 ,and yet beyond we shall follow ,him1 through the post-,millennial conflict between the powers of heaven and the forces of hell1 to the completion of ,his victory over ,satan1 sin1 and death1 when ,he shall present the glorified earth and its sanctified hosts1 spotless and celestialized1 unto the ,father4 ,the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints affirms her possession of divine authority for the use of the sacred name1 ,jesus ,christ1 as the essential part of her distinctive designation4 ,in view of this exalted claim1 it is pertinent to inquire as to what special or particular message the ,church has to give to the world concerning the ,redeemer and ,savior of the race1 and as to what she has to say in justification of her solemn affirmation1 or in vindication of her exclusive name and title4 ,as we proceed with our study1 we shall find that among the specific teachings of the ,church respecting the ,christ are these3 7#a7 ,the unity and continuity of ,his mission in all ages--this of necessity involving the verity of ,his preexistence and foreordination4 7#b7 ,the fact of ,his antemortal ,godship4 7#c7 ,the actuality of ,his birth in the flesh as the natural issue of divine and mortal parentage4 7#d7 ,the reality of ,his death and physical resurrection1 as a result of which the power of death shall be eventually overcome4 7#e7 ,the literalness of the atonement wrought by ,him1 including the absolute requirement of individual compliance with the laws and ordinances of ,his gospel as the means by which salvation may be attained4 7#f7 ,the restoration of ,his ,priesthood and the reestablishment of ,his ,church in the current age1 which is verily the ,dispensation of the ,fulness of ,times4 7#g7 ,the certainty of ,his return to earth in the near future1 with power and great glory1 to reign in ,person and bodily presence as ,lord and ,king4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,as to the year of ,christ's birth1 see chapter #h4 #b ,see chapter #f4 #c ,the ,holy ,bible1 the ,book of ,mormon1 the ,doctrine and ,covenants1 and the ,pearl of ,great ,price constitute the standard works of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints4 ,these will be cited alike as ,scriptures in the following pages1 for such they are4 ,,chapter #b4 ,,preexistence ,,and ,,foreordination ,,of ,,the ,,christ4 ,we affirm1 on the authority of ,holy ,scripture1 that the ,being who is known among men as ,jesus of ,nazareth1 and by all who acknowledge ,his ,godhood as ,jesus the ,christ1 existed with the ,father prior to birth in the flesh2 and that in the preexistent state ,he was chosen and ordained to be the one and only ,savior and ,redeemer of the human race4 ,foreordination implies and comprizes preexistence as an essential condition2 therefore scriptures bearing upon the one are germane to the other2 and consequently in this presentation no segregation of evidence as applying specifically to the preexistence of ,christ or to ,his foreordination will be attempted4 ,john the ,revelator beheld in vision some of the scenes that had been enacted in the spirit-world before the beginning of human history4 ,he witnessed strife and contention between loyalty and rebellion1 with the hosts defending the former led by ,michael the archangel1 and the rebellious forces captained by ,satan1 who is also called the devil1 the serpent1 and the dragon4 ,we read3 ,and there was war in heaven2 ,michael and his angels fought against the dragon2 and the dragon fought and his angels4#d ,in this struggle between unembodied hosts the forces were unequally divided2 ,satan drew to his standard only a third part of the children of ,god1 who are symbolized as the stars of heaven2#e the majority either fought with ,michael1 or at least refrained from active opposition1 thus accomplishing the purpose of their first estate2 while the angels who arrayed themselves on the side of ,satan kept not their first estate1#f and therefore rendered themselves ineligible for the glorious possibilities of an advanced condition or second estate4#g ,the victory was with ,michael and his angels2 and ,satan or ,lucifer1 theretofore a son of the morning1 was cast out of heaven1 yea he was cast out into the earth1 and his angels were cast out with him4#h ,the prophet ,isaiah1 to whom these momentous occurrences had been revealed about eight centuries prior to the time of ,john's writings1 laments with inspired pathos the fall of so great a one2 and specifies selfish ambition as the occasion3 ,how art thou fallen from heaven1 ,o ,lucifer1 son of the morning6 how art thou cut down to the ground1 which didst weaken the nations6 ,for thou hast said in thine heart1 ,i will ascent into heaven1 ,i will exalt my throne above the stars of ,god3 ,i will sit also upon the mount of the congregation1 in the sides of the north3 ,i will ascend above the heights of the clouds2 ,i will be like the most ,high4 ,yet thou shalt be brought down to hell1 to the sides of the pit4#i ,justification for citing these scriptures in connection with our present consideration will be found in the cause of the great contention--the conditions that led to this war in heaven4 ,it is plain from the words of ,isaiah that ,lucifer1 already of exalted rank1 sought to aggrandize himself without regard to the rights and agency of others4 ,the matter is set forth1 in words that none may misapprehend1 in a revelation given to ,moses and repeated through the first prophet of the present dispensation3 ,and ,i1 the ,lord ,god1 spake unto ,moses1 saying3 ,that ,satan1 whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine ,only ,begotten1 is the same which was from the beginning1 and he came before me1 saying--,behold1 here am ,i1 send me1 ,i will be thy son1 and ,i will redeem all mankind1 that one soul shall not be lost1 and surely ,i will do it2 wherefore give me thine honor4 ,but1 behold1 my ,beloved son1 which was my ,beloved and ,chosen from the beginning1 said unto me--,father1 thy will be done1 and the glory be thine forever4 ,wherefore1 because that ,satan rebelled against me1 and sought to destroy the agency of man1 which ,i1 the ,lord ,god1 had given him1 and also1 that ,i should give unto him mine own power2 by the power of mine ,only ,begotten1 ,i caused that he should be cast down2 and he became ,satan1 yea1 even the devil1 the father of all lies1 to deceive and to blind men1 and to lead them captive at his will1 even as many as would not hearken unto my voice4#aj ,thus it is shown that prior to the placing of man upon the earth1 how long before we do not know1 ,christ and ,satan1 together with the hosts of the spirit-children of ,god1 existed as intelligent individuals1#aa possessing power and opportunity to choose the course they would pursue and the leaders whom they would follow and obey4#ab ,in that great concourse of spirit-intelligences1 the ,father's plan1 whereby ,his children would be advanced to their second estate1 was submitted and doubtless discussed4 ,the opportunity so placed within the reach of the spirits who were to be privileged to take bodies upon the earth was so transcendently glorious that those heavenly multitudes burst forth into song and shouted for joy4#ac ,satan's plan of compulsion1 whereby all would be safely conducted through the career of mortality1 bereft of freedom to act and agency to choose1 so circumscribed that they would be compelled to do right--that one soul would not be lost--was rejected2 and the humble offer of ,jesus the ,first-born--to assume mortality and live among men as their ,exemplar and ,teacher1 observing the sanctity of man's agency but teaching men to use aright that divine heritage--was accepted4 ,the decision brought war1 which resulted in the vanquishment of ,satan and his angels1 who were cast out and deprived of the boundless privileges incident to the mortal or second estate4 ,in that august council of the angels and the ,gods1 the ,being who later was born in flesh as ,mary's ,son1 ,jesus1 took prominent part1 and there was ,he ordained of the ,father to be the ,savior of mankind4 ,as to time1 the term being used in the sense of all duration past1 this is our earliest record of the ,firstborn among the sons of ,god2 to us who read1 it marks the beginning of the written history of ,jesus the ,christ4#ad ,old ,testament scriptures1 while abounding in promises relating to the actuality of ,christ's advent in the flesh1 are less specific in information concerning ,his antemortal existence4 ,by the children of ,israel1 while living under the law and still unprepared to receive the gospel1 the ,messiah was looked for as one to be born in the lineage of ,abraham and ,david1 empowered to deliver them from personal and national burdens1 and to vanquish their enemies4 ,the actuality of the ,messiah's status as the chosen ,son of ,god1 who was with the ,father from the beginning1 a ,being of preexistent power and glory1 was but dimly perceived1 if conceived at all1 by the people in general2 and although to prophets specially commissioned in the authorities and privileges of the ,holy ,priesthood1 revelation of the great truth was given1#ae they transmitted it to the people rather in the language of imagery and parable than in words of direct plainness4 ,nevertheless the testimony of the evangelists and the apostles1 the attestation of the ,christ ,himself while in the flesh1 and the revelations given in the present dispensation leave us without dearth of scriptural proof4 ,in the opening lines of the ,gospel book written by ,john the apostle1 we read3 ,in the beginning was the ,word1 and the word was with ,god1 and the word was ,god4 ,the same was in the beginning with ,god4 ,all things were made by him2 and without him was not anything made that was made4444 ,and the ,word was made flesh1 and dwelt among us1 7and we beheld his glory1 the glory as of the only begotten of the ,father71 full of grace and truth4#af ,the passage is simple1 precise and unambiguous4 ,we may reasonably give to the phrase ,in the beginning the same meaning as attaches thereto in the first line of ,genesis2 and such signification must indicate a time antecedent to the earliest stages of human existence upon the earth4 ,that the ,word is ,jesus ,christ1 who was with the ,father in that beginning and who was ,himself invested with the powers and rank of ,godship1 and that ,he came into the world and dwelt among men1 are definitely affirmed4 ,these statements are corroborated through a revelation given to ,moses1 in which he was permitted to see many of the creations of ,god1 and to hear the voice of the ,father with respect to the things that had been made3 ,and by the word of my power1 have ,i created them1 which is mine ,only ,begotten ,son1 who is full of grace and truth4#ag ,john the apostle repeatedly affirms the preexistence of the ,christ and the fact of ,his authority and power in the antemortal state4#ah ,to the same effect is the testimony of ,paul#ai and of ,peter4 ,instructing the saints concerning the basis of their faith1 the last-named apostle impressed upon them that their redemption was not to be secured through corruptible things nor by the outward observance of traditional requirements1 ,but with the precious blood of ,christ1 as of a lamb without blemish and without spot3 who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world1 but was manifest in these last times for you4#bj ,even more impressive and yet more truly conclusive are the personal testimonies of the ,savior as to ,his own pre-existent life and the mission among men to which ,he had been appointed4 ,no one who accepts ,jesus as the ,messiah can consistently reject these evidences of ,his eternal nature4 ,when1 on a certain occasion1 the ,jews in the synagogue disputed among themselves and murmured because of their failure to understand aright ,his doctrine concerning ,himself1 especially as touching ,his relationship with the ,father1 ,jesus said unto them3 ,for ,i came down from heaven1 not to do mine own will1 but the will of him that sent me4 ,and then1 continuing the lesson based upon the contrast between the manna with which their fathers had been fed in the wilderness and the bread of life which ,he had to offer1 ,he added3 ,i am the living bread which came down from heaven1 and again declared the living ,father hath sent me4 ,not a few of the disciples failed to comprehend ,his teachings2 and their complaints drew from ,him these words3 ,doth this offend you8 ,what and if ye shall see the ,son of man ascend up where he was before8#ba ,to certain wicked ,jews1 wrapped in the mantle of racial pride1 boastful of their descent through the lineage of ,abraham1 and seeking to excuse their sins through an unwarranted use of the great patriarch's name1 our ,lord thus proclaimed ,his own preeminence3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,before ,abraham was1 ,i am4#bb ,the fuller significance of this remark will be treated later2 suffice it in the present connection to consider this scripture as a plain avowal of our ,lord's seniority and supremacy over ,abraham4 ,but as ,abraham's birth had preceded that of ,christ by more than nineteen centuries1 such seniority must have reference to a state of existence antedating that of mortality4 ,when the hour of ,his betrayal was near1 in the last interview with the apostles prior to ,his agonizing experience in ,gethsemane1 ,jesus comforted them saying3 ,for the ,father himself loveth you1 because ye have loved me1 and have believed that ,i came out from ,god4 ,i came forth from the ,father1 and am come into the world again1 ,i leave the world1 and go to the ,father4#bc ,furthermore1 in the course of upwelling prayer for those who had been true to their testimony of ,his ,messiahship1 ,he addressed the ,father with this solemn invocation3 ,and this is the life eternal1 that they might know thee the only true ,god1 and ,jesus ,christ1 whom thou hast sent4 ,i have glorified thee on the earth3 ,i have finished the work which thou gavest me to do4 ,and now1 ,o ,father glorify thou with thine own self with the glory which ,i had with thee before the world was4#bd ,book of ,mormon scriptures are likewise explicit in proof of the preexistence of the ,christ and of ,his foreappointed mission4 ,one only of the many evidences therein found will be cited here4 ,an ancient prophet1 designated in the record as the brother of ,jared1#be once pleaded with the ,lord in special supplication3 ,and the ,lord said unto him1 ,believest thou the words which ,i shall speak8 ,and he answered1 ,yea1 ,lord1 ,i know that thou speakest the truth1 for thou art a ,god of truth1 and canst not lie4 ,and when he had said these words1 behold1 the ,lord shewed himself unto him1 and said1 ,because thou knowest these things1 ye are redeemed from the fall3 therefore ye are brought back into my presence2 therefore ,i shew myself unto you4 ,behold1 ,i am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people4 ,behold1 ,i am ,jesus ,christ4 ,i am the ,father and the ,son4 ,in me shall all mankind have light1 and that eternally1 even they who shall believe on my name2 and they shall become my sons and my daughters4 ,and never have ,i shewed myself unto man whom ,i have created1 for never has man believed in me as thou hast4 ,seest thou that ye are created after mine own image8 ,yea1 even all men were created in the beginning1 after mine own image4 ,behold1 this body1 which ye now behold1 is the body of my spirit2 and man have ,i created after the body of my spirit2 and even as ,i appear unto thee to be in the spirit1 will ,i appear unto my people in the flesh4#bf ,the main facts attested by this scripture as having a direct bearing upon our present subject are those of the ,christ manifesting ,himself while yet in ,his antemortal state1 and of ,his declaration that ,he had been chosen from the foundation of the world as the ,redeemer4 ,revelation given through the prophets of ,god in the present dispensation is replete with evidence of ,christ's appointment and ordination in the primeval world2 and the whole tenor of the scriptures contained in the ,doctrine and ,covenants may be called in witness4 ,the following instances are particularly in point4 ,in a communication to ,joseph ,smith the prophet1 in ,may1 #ahcc1 the ,lord declared ,himself as the ,one who had previously come into the world from the ,father1 and of whom ,john had borne testimony as the ,word2 and the solemn truth is reiterated that ,he1 ,jesus ,christ1 was in the beginning1 before the world was1 and further1 that ,he was the ,redeemer who came into the world1 because the world was made by him1 and in him was the life of men and the light of men4 ,again1 ,he is referred to as the ,only ,begotten of the ,father1 full of grace and truth1 even the ,spirit of truth1 which came and dwelt in the flesh4 ,in the course of the same revelation the ,lord said3 ,and now1 verily ,i say unto you1 ,i was in the beginning with the ,father and am the firstborn4#bg ,on an earlier occasion1 as the modern prophet testifies1 he and an associate in the priesthood were enlightened by the ,spirit so that they were able to see and understand the things of ,god--,even those things which were from the beginning before the world was1 which were ordained of the ,father1 through his ,only ,begotten ,son1 who was in the bosom of the ,father1 even from the beginning1 of whom we bear record1 and the record which we bear is the fulness of the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 who is the ,son1 whom we saw and with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision4#bh ,the testimony of scriptures written on both hemispheres1 that of records both ancient and modern1 the inspired utterances of prophets and apostles1 and the words of the ,lord ,himself1 are of one voice in proclaiming the preexistence of the ,christ and ,his ordination as the chosen ,savior and ,redeemer of mankind--in the beginning1 yea1 even before the foundation of the world4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #b4 #a4 ,graded ,intelligences in the ,antemortal ,state4--,that the spirits of men existed as individual intelligences1 of varying degrees of ability and power1 prior to the inauguration of the mortal state upon this earth and even prior to the creation of the world as a suitable abode for human beings1 is shown in great plainness through a divine revelation to ,abraham3 ,now the ,lord had shown unto me1 ,abraham1 the intelligences that were organized before the world was2 and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones2 and ,god saw these souls that they were good1 and he stood in the midst of them1 and he said3 ,these ,i will make my rulers2 for he stood among those that were spirits1 and he saw that they were good2 and he said unto me3 ,abraham1 thou art one of them2 thou wast chosen before thou wast born4 7,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,abraham #c3bb1 #bc47 ,that both ,christ and ,satan were among those exalted intelligences1 and that ,christ was chosen while ,satan was rejected as the future ,savior of mankind1 are shown by the portions of the revelation immediately following that above quoted3 ,and there stood one among them that was like unto ,god1 and he said unto those who were with him3 ,we will go down1 for there is space there1 and we will take of these materials1 and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell2 and we will prove them herewith1 to see if they will do all things whatsoever the ,lord their ,god shall command them2 and they who keep their first estate shall be added upon1 and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate2 and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads forever and ever4 ,and the ,lord said3 ,whom shall ,i send8 ,and one answered like unto the ,son of ,man3 ,here am ,i1 send me4 ,and another answered and said3 ,here am ,i1 send me4 ,and the ,lord said3 ,i will send the first4 ,and the second was angry1 and kept not his first estate2 and1 at that day1 many followed after him 7verses #bd-bh74 #b4 ,the ,primeval ,council in the ,heavens4--,it is definitely stated in the ,book of ,genesis that ,god said1 ',let us make man in our image1 after our likeness2' and again1 after ,adam had taken of the forbidden fruit the ,lord said1 ',behold1 the man has become as one of us2' and the inference is direct that in all that related to the work of the creation of the world there was a consultation2 and though ,god spake as it is recorded in the ,bible1 yet it is evident ,he counseled with others4 ,the scriptures tell us there are ',gods many and ,lords many4 ,but to us there is but one ,god1 the ,father' 7#a ,cor4 #h3e74 ,and for this reason1 though there were others engaged in the creation of the worlds1 it is given to us in the ,bible in the shape that it is2 for the fulness of these truths is only revealed to highly favored persons for certain reasons known to ,god2 as we are told in the scriptures3 ',the secret of the ,lord is with them that fear him2 and he will show them his covenant4'--,psalms #be3ad4 ,it is consistent to believe that at this ,council in the heavens the plan that should be adopted in relation to the sons of ,god who were then spirits1 and had not yet obtained tabernacles1 was duly considered4 ,for1 in view of the creation of the world and the placing of men upon it1 whereby it would be possible for them to obtain tabernacles1 and in those tabernacles obey laws of life1 and with them again be exalted among the ,gods1 we are told that at that time1 'the morning stars sang together1 and all the sons of ,god shouted for joy4' ,the question then arose1 how1 and upon what principle1 should the salvation1 exaltation and eternal glory of ,god's sons be brought about8 ,it is evident that at that ,council certain plans had been proposed and discussed1 and that after a full discussion of those principles1 and the declaration of the ,father's will pertaining to ,his design1 ,lucifer came before the ,father with a plan of his own1 saying1 ',behold here am ,i2 send me1 ,i will be thy son1 and ,i will redeem all mankind1 that one soul shall not be lost1 and surely ,i will do it2 wherefore1 give me thine honor4' ,but ,jesus1 on hearing this statement made by ,lucifer1 said1 ',father1 thy will be done1 and the glory be thine forever4' ,from these remarks made by the well beloved ,son1 we should naturally infer that in the discussion of this subject the ,father had made known ,his will and developed ,his plan and design pertaining to these matters1 and all that ,his well beloved ,son wanted to do was to carry out the will of ,his ,father1 as it would appear had been before expressed4 ,he also wished the glory to be given to ,his ,father1 who1 as ,god the ,father1 and the originator and designer of the plan1 had a right to all the honor and glory4 ,but ,lucifer wanted to introduce a plan contrary to the will of his ,father1 and then wanted ,his honor1 and said3 ',i will save every soul of man1 wherefore give me thine honor4' ,he wanted to go contrary to the will of his ,father1 and presumptuously sought to deprive man of his free agency1 thus making him a serf1 and placing him in a position in which it was impossible for him to obtain that exaltation which ,god designed should be man's1 through obedience to the law which ,he had suggested2 and again1 ,lucifer wanted the honor and power of his ,father1 to enable him to carry out principles which were contrary to the ,father's wish4--,john ,taylor--,mediation and ,atonement1 pp4 #ic1 #id4 #c4 ,the ,jaredites4--,of the two nations whose histories constitute the ,book of ,mormon1 the first in order of time consisted of the people of ,jared1 who followed their leader from the ,tower of ,babel at the time of the confusion of tongues4 ,their history was written on twenty-four plates of gold by ,ether1 the last of their prophets1 who1 foreseeing the destruction of his people because of their wickedness1 hid away the historical plates4 ,they were afterward found1 ,b4,c4 #abc1 by an expedition sent out by ,king ,limhi1 a ,nephite ruler4 ,the record engraved on these plates was subsequently abridged by ,moroni1 and the condensed account was attached by him to the ,book of ,mormon record2 it appears in the modern translation under the name of the ,book of ,ether4 ,the first and chief prophet of the ,jaredites is not mentioned by name in the record as we have it2 he is known only as the brother of ,jared4 ,of the people1 we learn that1 amid the confusion of ,babel1 ,jared and his brother importuned the ,lord that ,he would spare them and their associates from the impending disruption4 ,their prayer was heard1 and the ,lord led them with a considerable company1 who1 like themselves1 were free from the taint of idolatry1 away from their homes1 promising to conduct them to a land choice above all other lands4 ,their course of travel is not given with exactness2 we learn only that they reached the ocean1 and there constructed eight vessels1 called barges1 in which they set out upon the waters4 ,these vessels were small and dark within2 but the ,lord made luminous certain stones1 which gave light to the imprisoned voyagers4 ,after a passage of three hundred and forty-four days1 the colony landed on the western shore of ,north ,america1 probably at a place south of the ,gulf of ,california1 and north of the ,isthmus of ,panama4 ,here they became a flourishing nation2 but1 giving way in time to internal dissensions1 they divided into factions1 which warred with one another until the people were totally destroyed4 ,this destruction1 which occurred near the hill ,ramah1 afterward known among the ,nephites as ,cumorah1 probably took place at about the time of ,lehi's landing in ,south ,america--#eij ,b4,c4--,the author1 ,articles of ,faith1 xiv3#aj-ab4 ,,footnotes3 #d ,rev4 #ab3g2 see also verses #h and #i4 #e ,rev4 #ab3d2 see also ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bi3cf-ch2 and #gf3be-bg4 #f ,jude #f4 #g ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,abraham #c3bf4 #h ,rev4 #ab3i4 #i ,isa4 #ad3ab-ae2 compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bi3cf-ch2 and #gf3bc-bg4 #aj ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #d3a-d2 see also ,abraham #c3bg1 #bh4 #aa ,for a further treatment of the preexistence of spirits see the author's ,articles of ,faith x3#ba-cj4 #ab ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #ac ,job #ch3g4 #ad ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #ae ,psalm #be3ad2 ,amos #c3g4 #af ,john #a3a-c1 #ad2 see also #a ,john #a3a2 #e3 #g2 ,rev4 #ai3ac2 compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ic3a-ag1 #ba4 #ag ,p4 of ,c4,p41 ,moses #a3cb1 #cc2 see also #b3e4 #ah #a ,john #a3a-c2 #b3ac1 #ad2 #d3i2 ,rev4 #c3ad4 #ai #b ,tim4 #a3i1 #aj2 ,rom4 #af3be2 ,eph4 #a3d2 #c3i1 #aa2 ,titus #a3b4 ,see especially ,rom4 #c3be2 and note the marginal rendering--foreordained-- making the passage read3 ,whom ,god hath foreordained to be a propitiation4 #bj #a ,peter #a3ai1 #bj4 #ba ,john #f3ch1 #ea1 #eg1 #fa1 #fb4 #bb ,john #h3eh2 see also #ag3e1 #bd2 and compare ,exo4 #c3ad4 ,page #cg4 #bc ,john #af3bg1 #bh2 see also #ac3c4 #bd ,john #ag3c-e2 see also verses #bd1 #be4 #be ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #bf ,b4 of ,m41 ,ether #c3aa-af4 ,see also #a ,nephi #ag3cj2 #ai3g2 #b ,nephi #i3e2 #aa3g2 #be3ab2 #bf3ab2 ,mosiah #c3e2 #d3b2 #g3bg2 #ac3cd2 #ae3a2 ,alma #aa3dj2 ,hela4 #ad3ab2 #c ,nephi #i3ae4 #bg ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ic3a-ag1 #ba4 #bh ,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf3ac1 #ad4 ,,chapter #c4 ,,the ,,need ,,of ,a ,,redeemer4 ,we have heretofore shown that the entire human race existed as spirit-beings in the primeval world1 and that for the purpose of making possible to them the experiences of mortality this earth was created4 ,they were endowed with the powers of agency or choice while yet but spirits2 and the divine plan provided that they be free-born in the flesh1 heirs to the inalienable birthright of liberty to choose and to act for themselves in mortality4 ,it is undeniably essential to the eternal progression of ,god's children that they be subjected to the influences of both good and evil1 that they be tried and tested and proved withal1 to see if they will do all things whatsoever the ,lord their ,god shall command them4#bi ,free agency is an indispensable element of such a test4 ,the ,eternal ,father well understood the diverse natures and varied capacities of ,his spirit-offspring2 and ,his infinite foreknowledge made plain to ,him1 even in the beginning1 that in the school of life some of ,his children would succeed and others would fail2 some would be faithful1 others false2 some would choose the good1 others the evil2 some would seek the way of life while others would elect to follow the road to destruction4 ,he further foresaw that death would enter the world1 and that the possession of bodies by ,his children would be of but brief individual duration4 ,he saw that ,his commandments would be disobeyed and ,his law violated2 and that men1 shut out from ,his presence and left to themselves1 would sink rather than rise1 would retrograde rather than advance1 and would be lost to the heavens4 ,it was necessary that a means of redemption be provided1 whereby erring man might make amends1 and by compliance with established law achieve salvation and eventual exaltation in the eternal worlds4 ,the power of death was to be overcome1 so that1 though men would of necessity die1 they would live anew1 their spirits clothed with immortalized bodies over which death could not again prevail4 ,let not ignorance and thoughtlessness lead us into the error of assuming that the ,father's foreknowledge as to what would be1 under given conditions1 determined that such must be4 ,it was not ,his design that the souls of mankind be lost2 on the contrary it was and is ,his work and glory1 to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man4#cj ,nevertheless ,he saw the evil into which ,his children would assuredly fall2 and with infinite love and mercy did ,he ordain means of averting the dire effect1 provided the transgressor would elect to avail himself thereof4#ca ,the offer of the firstborn ,son to establish through ,his own ministry among men the gospel of salvation1 and to sacrifice ,himself1 through labor1 humiliation and suffering even unto death1 was accepted and made the foreordained plan of man's redemption from death1 of his eventual salvation from the effects of sin1 and of his possible exaltation through righteous achievement4 ,in accordance with the plan adopted in the council of the ,gods1 man was created as an embodied spirit2 his tabernacle of flesh was composed of the elements of earth4#cb ,he was given commandment and law1 and was free to obey or disobey--with the just and inevitable condition that he should enjoy or suffer the natural results of his choice4#cc ,adam1 the first man#cd placed upon the earth in pursuance of the established plan1 and ,eve who was given unto him as companion and associate1 indispensable to him in the appointed mission of peopling the earth1 disobeyed the express commandment of ,god and so brought about the fall of man1 whereby the mortal state1 of which death is an essential element1 was inaugurated4#ce ,it is not proposed to consider here at length the doctrine of the fall2 for the present argument it is sufficient to establish the fact of the momentous occurrence and its portentous consequences4#cf ,the woman was deceived1 and in direct violation of counsel and commandment partook of the food that had been forbidden1 as a result of which act her body became degenerate and subject to death4 ,adam realized the disparity that had been brought between him and his companion1 and with some measure of understanding followed her course1 thus becoming her partner in bodily degeneracy4 ,note in this matter the words of ,paul the apostle3 ,adam was not deceived1 but the woman being deceived was in the transgression4#cg ,the man and the woman had now become mortal2 through indulgence in food unsuited to their nature and condition and against which they had been specifically warned1 and as the inevitable result of their disobeying the divine law and commandment1 they became liable to the physical ailments and bodily frailties to which mankind has since been the natural heir4#ch ,those bodies1 which before the fall had been perfect in form and function1 were now subjects for eventual dissolution or death4 ,the arch-tempter through whose sophistries1 half-truths and infamous falsehoods1 ,eve had been beguiled1 was none other than ,satan1 or ,lucifer1 that rebellious and fallen son of the morning1 whose proposal involving the destruction of man's liberty had been rejected in the council of the heavens1 and who had been cast out into the earth1 he and all his angels as unbodied spirits1 never to be tabernacled in bodies of their own4#ci ,as an act of diabolic reprisal following his rejection in the council1 his defeat by ,michael and the heavenly hosts1 and his ignominious expulsion from heaven1 ,satan planned to destroy the bodies in which the faithful spirits--those who had kept their first estate--would be born2 and his beguilement of ,eve was but an early stage of that infernal scheme4 ,death has come to be the universal heritage2 it may claim its victim in infancy or youth1 in the period of life's prime1 or its summons may be deferred until the snows of age have gathered upon the hoary head2 it may befall as the result of accident or disease1 by violence1 or as we say1 through natural causes2 but come it must1 as ,satan well knows2 and in this knowledge is his present though but temporary triumph4 ,but the purposes of ,god1 as they ever have been and ever shall be1 are infinitely superior to the deepest designs of men or devils2 and the ,satanic machinations to make death inevitable1 perpetual and supreme were provided against even before the first man had been created in the flesh4 ,the atonement to be wrought by ,jesus the ,christ was ordained to overcome death and to provide a means of ransom from the power of ,satan4 ,as the penalty incident to the fall came upon the race through an individual act1 it would be manifestly unjust1 and therefore impossible as part of the divine purpose1 to make all men suffer the results thereof without provision for deliverance4#dj ,moreover1 since by the transgression of one man sin came into the world and death was entailed upon all1 it is consistent with reason that the atonement thus made necessary should be wrought by one4#da ,wherefore1 as by one man sin entered into the world1 and death by sin2 and so death passed upon all men1 for that all have sinned 444 ,therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation2 even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life4#db ,so taught the apostle ,paul2 and1 further3 ,for since by man came death1 by man came also the resurrection of the dead4 ,for as in ,adam all die1 even so in ,christ shall all be made alive4#dc ,the atonement was plainly to be a vicarious sacrifice1 voluntary and love-inspired on the ,savior's part1 universal in its application to mankind so far as men shall accept the means of deliverance thus placed within their reach4 ,for such a mission only one who was without sin could be eligible4 ,even the altar victims of ancient ,israel offered as a provisional propitiation for the offenses of the people under the ,mosaic law had to be clean and devoid of spot or blemish2 otherwise they were unacceptable and the attempt to offer them was sacrilege4#dd ,jesus ,christ was the only ,being suited to the requirements of the great sacrifice3 #a--;,as the one and only sinless ,man2 #b--;,as the ,only ,begotten of the ,father and therefore the only ,being born to earth possessing in their fulness the attributes of both ,godhood and manhood2 #c--;,as the ,one who had been chosen in the heavens and foreordained to this service4 ,what other man has been without sin1 and therefore wholly exempt from the dominion of ,satan1 and to whom death1 the wage of sin1 is not naturally due8 ,had ,jesus ,christ met death as other men have done--the result of the power that ,satan has gained over them through their sins--,his death would have been but an individual experience1 expiatory in no degree of any faults or offenses but ,his own4 ,christ's absolute sinlessness made ,him eligible1 ,his humility and willingness rendered ,him acceptable to the ,father1 as the atoning sacrifice whereby propitiation could be made for the sins of all men4 ,what other man has lived with power to withstand death1 over whom death could not prevail except through his own submission8 ,yet ,jesus ,christ could not be slain until ,his hour had come1 and that1 the hour in which ,he voluntarily surrendered ,his life1 and permitted ,his own decease through an act of will4 ,born of a mortal mother ,he inherited the capacity to die2 begotten by an immortal ,sire ,he possessed as a heritage the power to withstand death indefinitely4 ,he literally gave up ,his life2 to this effect is ,his own affirmation3 ,therefore doth my ,father love me1 because ,i lay down my life1 that ,i might take it again4 ,no man taketh it from me1 but ,i lay it down of myself4 ,i have power to lay it down1 and ,i have power to take it again4#de ,and further3 ,for as the ,father hath life in himself2 so hath he given to the ,son to have life in himself4#df ,only such a ,one could conquer death2 in none but ,jesus the ,christ was realized this requisite condition of a ,redeemer of the world4 ,what other man has come to earth with such appointment1 clothed with the authority of such foreordination8 ,the atoning mission of ,jesus ,christ was no self-assumption4 ,true1 ,he had offered ,himself when the call was made in the heavens2 true1 ,he had been accepted1 and in due time came to earth to carry into effect the terms of that acceptance2 but ,he was chosen by ,one greater than ,himself4 ,the burden of ,his confession of authority was ever to the effect that ,he operated under the direction of the ,father1 as witness these words3 ,i came down from heaven1 not to do mine own will1 but the will of him that sent me4#dg ,my meat is to do the will of him that sent me1 and to finish his work4#dh ,i can of mine own self do nothing3 as ,i hear1 ,i judge3 and my judgment is just2 because ,i seek not mine own will but the will of the ,father which hath sent me4#di ,through the atonement accomplished by ,jesus ,christ--a redeeming service1 vicariously rendered in behalf of mankind1 all of whom have become estranged from ,god by the effects of sin both inherited and individually incurred--the way is opened for a reconciliation whereby man may come again into communion with ,god1 and be made fit to dwell anew and forever in the presence of his ,eternal ,father4 ,this basal thought is admirably implied in our ,english word1 atonement1 which1 as its syllables attest1 is at-one-ment1 denoting reconciliation1 or the bringing into agreement of those who have been estranged4#ej ,the effect of the atonement may be conveniently considered as twofold3 #a--,the universal redemption of the human race from death invoked by the fall of our first parents2 and1 #b--,salvation1 whereby means of relief from the results of individual sin are provided4 ,the victory over death was made manifest in the resurrection of the crucified ,christ2 ,he was the first to pass from death to immortality and so is justly known as the first fruits of them that slept4#ea ,that the resurrection of the dead so inaugurated is to be extended to every one who has or shall have lived is proved by an abundance of scriptural evidence4 ,following our ,lord's resurrection1 others who had slept in the tomb arose and were seen of many1 not as spirit-apparitions but as resurrected beings possessing immortalized bodies3 ,and the graves were opened2 and many bodies of the saints which slept arose1 and came out of the graves after his resurrection1 and went into the holy city1 and appeared unto many4#eb ,those who thus early came forth are spoken of as the saints2 and other scriptures confirm the fact that only the righteous shall be brought forth in the earlier stages of the resurrection yet to be consummated2 but that all the dead shall in turn resume bodies of flesh and bones is placed beyond doubt by the revealed word4 ,the ,savior's direct affirmation ought to be conclusive3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,the hour is coming1 and now is1 when the dead shall hear the voice of the ,son of ,god3 and they that hear shall live4444 ,marvel not at this3 for the hour is coming1 in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice1 and shall come forth2 they that have done good1 unto the resurrection of life2 and they that have done evil1 unto the resurrection of damnation4#ec ,the doctrine of a universal resurrection was taught by the apostles of old1#ed as also by the ,nephite prophets2#ee and the same is confirmed by revelation incident to the present dispensation4#ef ,even the heathen who have not known ,god shall be brought forth from their graves2 and1 inasmuch as they have lived and died in ignorance of the saving law1 a means of making the plan of salvation known unto them is provided4 ,and then shall the heathen nations be redeemed1 and they that knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection4#eg ,jacob1 a ,nephite prophet1 taught the universality of the resurrection1 and set forth the absolute need of a ,redeemer1 without whom the purposes of ,god in the creation of man would be rendered futile4 ,his words constitute a concise and forceful summary of revealed truth directly bearing upon our present subject3 ,for as death hath passed upon all men1 to fulfil the merciful plan of the great ,creator1 there must needs be a power of resurrection1 and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall2 and the fall came by reason of transgression2 and because man became fallen1 they were cut off from the presence of the ,lord2 wherefore it must needs be an infinite atonement2 save it should be an infinite atonement1 this corruption could not put on incorruption4 ,wherefore1 the first judgment which came upon man1 must needs have remained to an endless duration4 ,and if so1 this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth1 to rise no more4 ,o the wisdom of ,god6 his mercy and grace6 ,for behold1 if the flesh should rise no more1 our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the eternal ,god1 and became the devil1 to rise no more4 ,and our spirits must have become like unto him1 and we become devils1 angels to a devil1 to be shut out from the presence of our ,god1 and to remain with the father of lies1 in misery1 like unto himself2 yea1 to that being who beguiled our first parents2 who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light1 and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder1 and all manner of secret works of darkness4 ,o how great the goodness of our ,god1 who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster2 yea1 that monster1 death and hell1 which ,i call the death of the body1 and also the death of the spirit4 ,and because of the way of deliverance of our ,god1 the ,holy ,one of ,israel1 this death1 of which ,i have spoken1 which is the temporal1 shall deliver up its dead2 which death is the grave4 ,and this death of which ,i have spoken1 which is the spiritual death1 shall deliver up its dead2 which spiritual death is hell2 wherefore1 death and hell must deliver up their dead1 and hell must deliver up its captive spirits1 and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies1 and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other2 and it is by the power of the resurrection of the ,holy ,one of ,israel4 ,o how great the plan of our ,god6 ,for on the other hand1 the paradise of ,god must deliver up the spirits of the righteous1 and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous2 and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again1 and all men become incorruptible1 and immortal1 and they are living souls1 having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh2 save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect4#eh ,the application of the atonement to individual transgression1 whereby the sinner may obtain absolution through compliance with the laws and ordinances embodied in the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 is conclusively attested by scripture4 ,since forgiveness of sins can be secured in none other way1 there being either in heaven or earth no name save that of ,jesus ,christ whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men1#ei every soul stands in need of the ,savior's mediation1 since all are sinners4 ,for all have sinned and come short of the glory of ,god1 said ,paul of old1#fj and ,john the apostle added his testimony in these words3 ,if we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves1 and the truth is not in us4#fa ,who shall question the justice of ,god1 which denies salvation to all who will not comply with the prescribed conditions on which alone it is declared obtainable8 ,christ is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him1#fb and ,god will render to every man according to his deeds3 to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality1 eternal life3 but unto them that are contentious1 and do not obey the truth1 but obey unrighteousness1 indignation and wrath1 tribulation and anguish1 upon every soul of man that doeth evil4#fc ,such then is the need of a ,redeemer1 for without ,him mankind would forever remain in a fallen state1 and as to hope of eternal progression would be inevitably lost4#fd ,the mortal probation is provided as an opportunity for advancement2 but so great are the difficulties and the dangers1 so strong is the influence of evil in the world1 and so weak is man in resistance thereto1 that without the aid of a power above that of humanity no soul would find its way back to ,god from whom it came4 ,the need of a ,redeemer lies in the inability of man to raise himself from the temporal to the spiritual plane1 from the lower kingdom to the higher4 ,in this conception we are not without analogies in the natural world4 ,we recognize a fundamental distinction between inanimate and living matter1 between the inorganic and the organic1 between the lifeless mineral on the one hand and the living plant or animal on the other4 ,within the limitations of its order the dead mineral grows by accretion of substance1 and may attain a relatively perfect condition of structure and form as is seen in the crystal4 ,but mineral matter1 though acted upon favorably by the forces of nature--light1 heat1 electric energy and others--can never become a living organism2 nor can the dead elements1 through any process of chemical combination dissociated from life1 enter into the tissues of the plant as essential parts thereof4 ,but the plant1 which is of a higher order1 sends its rootlets into the earth1 spreads its leaves in the atmosphere1 and through these organs absorbs the solutions of the soil1 inspires the gases of the air1 and from such lifeless materials weaves the tissue of its wondrous structure4 ,no mineral particle1 no dead chemical substance has ever been made a constituent of organic tissue except through the agency of life4 ,we may1 perhaps with profit1 carry the analogy a step farther4 ,the plant is unable to advance its own tissue to the animal plane4 ,though it be the recognized order of nature that the animal kingdom is dependent upon the vegetable kingdom for its sustenance1 the substance of the plant may become part of the animal organism only as the latter reaches down from its higher plane and by its own vital action incorporates the vegetable compounds with itself4 ,in turn1 animal matter can never become1 even transitorily1 part of a human body1 except as the living man assimilates it1 and by the vital processes of his own existence lifts1 for the time being1 the substance of the animal that supplied him food to the higher plane of his own existence4 ,the comparison herein employed is admittedly defective if carried beyond reasonable limits of application2 for the raising of mineral matter to the plane of the plant1 vegetable tissue to the level of the animal1 and the elevation of either to the human plane1 is but a temporary change2 with the dissolution of the higher tissues the material thereof falls again to the level of the inanimate and the dead4 ,but1 as a means of illustration the analogy may not be wholly without value4 ,so1 for the advancement of man from his present fallen and relatively degenerate state to the higher condition of spiritual life1 a power above his own must cooperate4 ,through the operation of the laws obtaining in the higher kingdom man may be reached and lifted2 himself he cannot save by his own unaided effort4#fe ,a ,redeemer and ,savior of mankind is beyond all question essential to the realization of the plan of the ,eternal ,father1 to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man2#ff and that ,redeemer and ,savior is ,jesus the ,christ1 beside whom there is and can be none other4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #c4 #a4 ,god's ,foreknowledge ,not a ,determining ,cause4--,respecting the foreknowledge of ,god1 let it not be said that divine omniscience is of itself a determining cause whereby events are inevitably brought to pass4 ,a mortal father1 who knows the weaknesses and frailties of his son1 may by reason of that knowledge sorrowfully predict the calamities and sufferings awaiting his wayward boy4 ,he may foresee in that son's future a forfeiture of blessings that could have been won1 loss of position1 self-respect1 reputation and honor2 even the dark shadows of a felon's cell and the night of a drunkard's grave may appear in the saddening visions of that fond father's soul2 yet1 convinced by experience of the impossibility of bringing about that son's reform1 he foresees the dread developments of the future1 and he finds but sorrow and anguish in his knowledge4 ,can it be said that the father's foreknowledge is a cause of the son's sinful life8 ,the son1 perchance1 has reached his maturity2 he is the master of his own destiny2 a free agent unto himself4 ,the father is powerless to control by force or to direct by arbitrary command2 and1 while he would gladly make any effort or sacrifice to save his son from the fate impending1 he fears for what seems to be an awful certainty4 ,but surely that thoughtful1 prayerful1 loving parent does not1 because of his knowledge1 contribute to the son's waywardness4 ,to reason otherwise would be to say that a neglectful father1 who takes not the trouble to study the nature and character of his son1 who shuts his eyes to sinful tendencies1 and rests in careless indifference as to the probable future1 will by his very heartlessness be benefitting his child1 because his lack of forethought cannot operate as a contributory cause to dereliction4 ,our ,heavenly ,father has a full knowledge of the nature and disposition of each of ,his children1 a knowledge gained by long observation and experience in the past eternity of our primeval childhood2 a knowledge compared with which that gained by earthly parents through mortal experience with their children is infinitesimally small4 ,by reason of that surpassing knowledge1 ,god reads the future of child and children1 of men individually and of men collectively as communities and nations2 ,he knows what each will do under given conditions1 and sees the end from the beginning4 ,his foreknowledge is based on intelligence and reason4 ,he foresees the future as a state which naturally and surely will be2 not as one which must be because ,he has arbitrarily willed that it shall be4--,from the author's ,great ,apostasy1 pp4 #ai1 #bj4 #b4 ,man ,free to ,choose for ,himself4--,the ,father of souls has endowed ,his children with the divine birthright of free agency2 ,he does not and will not control them by arbitrary force2 ,he impels no man toward sin2 ,he compels none to righteousness4 ,unto man has been given freedom to act for himself2 and1 associated with this independence1 is the fact of strict responsibility and the assurance of individual accountability4 ,in the judgment with which we shall be judged1 all the conditions and circumstances of our lives shall be considered4 ,the inborn tendencies due to heredity1 the effect of environment whether conducive to good or evil1 the wholesome teachings of youth1 or the absence of good instruction--these and all other contributory elements must be taken into account in the rendering of a just verdict as to the soul's guilt or innocence4 ,nevertheless1 the divine wisdom makes plain what will be the result with given conditions operating on known natures and dispositions of men1 while every individual is free to choose good or evil within the limits of the many conditions existing and operative4--,great ,apostasy1 p4 #ba2 see also ,articles of ,faith1 iii3#a1 #b4 #c4 ,the ,fall a ,process of ,physical ,degeneracy4--,a modern revelation given to the ,church in #ahcc 7,doc4 and ,cov4 ,sec4 #hi71 prescribes rules for right living1 particularly as regards the uses of stimulants1 narcotics1 and foods unsuited to the body4 ,concerning the physical causes by which the fall was brought about1 and the close relation between those causes and current violations of the ,word of ,wisdom embodied in the revelation referred to above1 the following is in point4 ,this1 the ,word of ,wisdom like other revelations that have come in the present dispensation1 is not wholly new4 ,it is as old as the human race4 ,the principle of the ,word of ,wisdom was revealed unto ,adam4 ,all the essentials of the ,word of ,wisdom were made known unto him in his immortal state1 before he had taken into his body those things that made of it a thing of earth4 ,he was warned against that very practise4 ,he was not told to treat his body as something to be tortured4 ,he was not told to look upon it as the fakir of ,india has come to look upon his body1 or professes to look upon it1 as a thing to be utterly contemned2 but he was told that he must not take into that body certain things which were there at hand4 ,he was warned that1 if he did1 his body would lose the power which it then held of living for ever1 and that he would become subject to death4 ,it was pointed out to him1 as it has been pointed out to you1 that there are many good fruits to be plucked1 to be eaten1 to be enjoyed4 ,we believe in enjoying good food4 ,we think that these good things are given us of ,god4 ,we believe in getting all the enjoyment out of eating that we can2 and1 therefore1 we should avoid gluttony1 and we should avoid extremes in all our habits of eating2 and as was told unto ,adam1 so is it told unto us3 ,touch not these things2 for in the day that thou doest it thy life shall be shortened and thou shalt die4 ,here let me say that therein consisted the fall--the eating of things unfit1 the taking into the body of the things that made of that body a thing of earth3 and ,i take this occasion to raise my voice against the false interpretation of scripture1 which has been adopted by certain people1 and is current in their minds1 and is referred to in a hushed and half-secret way1 that the fall of man consisted in some offense against the laws of chastity and of virtue4 ,such a doctrine is an abomination4 ,what right have we to turn the scriptures from their proper sense and meaning8 ,what right have we to declare that ,god meant not what ,he said8 ,the fall was a natural process1 resulting through the incorporation into the bodies of our first parents of the things that came from food unfit1 through the violation of the command of ,god regarding what they should eat4 ,don't go around whispering that the fall consisted in the mother of the race losing her chastity and her virtue4 ,it is not true2 the human race is not born of fornication4 ,these bodies that are given unto us are given in the way that ,god has provided4 ,let it not be said that the patriarch of the race1 who stood with the gods before he came here upon the earth1 and his equally royal consort1 were guilty of any such foul offense4 ,the adoption of that belief has led many to excuse departures from the path of chastity and the path of virtue1 by saying that it is the sin of the race1 that it is as old as ,adam4 ,it was not introduced by ,adam4 ,it was not committed by ,eve4 ,it was the introduction of the devil and came in order that he might sow the seeds of early death in the bodies of men and women1 that the race should degenerate as it has degenerated whenever the laws of virtue and of chastity have been transgressed4 ,our first parents were pure and noble1 and when we pass behind the veil we shall perhaps learn something of their high estate1 more than we know now4 ,but be it known that they were pure2 they were noble4 ,it is true that they disobeyed the law of ,god1 in eating things they were told not to eat2 but who amongst you can rise up and condemn8--,from an address by the author at the ,eighty-fourth ,semiannual ,conference of the ,church1 ,oct4 #f1 #aiac2 published in the ,proceedings of the ,conference1 pp4 #aah1 #aai4 #d4 ,christ ,wrought ,redemption from the ,fall4--,the ,savior thus becomes master of the situation--the debt is paid1 the redemption made1 the covenant fulfilled1 justice satisfied1 the will of ,god done1 and all power is now given into the hands of the ,son of ,god--the power of the resurrection1 the power of the redemption1 the power of salvation1 the power to enact laws for the carrying out and accomplishment of this design4 ,hence life and immortality are brought to light1 the gospel is introduced1 and ,he becomes the author of eternal life and exaltation4 ,he is the ,redeemer1 the ,resurrector1 the ,savior of man and the world2 and ,he has appointed the law of the gospel as the medium which must be complied with in this world or the next1 as ,he complied with ,his ,father's law2 hence 'he that believeth shall be saved1 and he that believeth not shall be damned4' ,the plan1 the arrangement1 the agreement1 the covenant was made1 entered into and accepted before the foundation of the world2 it was prefigured by sacrifices1 and was carried out and consummated on the cross4 ,hence being the mediator between ,god and man1 ,he becomes by right the dictator and director on earth and in heaven for the living and for the dead1 for the past1 the present and the future1 pertaining to man as associated with this earth or the heavens1 in time or eternity1 the ,captain of our salvation1 the ,apostle and ,high-,priest of our profession1 the ,lord and ,giver of life4--,john ,taylor1 ,mediation and ,atonement1 p4 #aga4 #e4 ,redemption from the ,effect of the ,fall4--',mormonism' accepts the doctrine of the fall1 and the account of the transgression in ,eden1 as set forth in ,genesis2 but it affirms that none but ,adam is or shall be answerable for ,adam's disobedience2 that mankind in general are absolutely absolved from responsibility for that 'original sin1' and that each shall account for his own transgressions alone2 that the fall was foreknown of ,god1 that it was turned to good effect by which the necessary condition of mortality should be inaugurated2 and that a ,redeemer was provided before the world was2 that general salvation1 in the sense of redemption from the effects of the fall1 comes to all without their seeking it2 but that individual salvation or rescue from the effects of personal sins is to be acquired by each for himself by faith and good works through the redemption wrought by ,jesus ,christ4--,from the author's ,story and ,philosophy of ',mormonism1' p4 #aaa4 ,,footnotes3 #bi ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,abraham #c3be4 ,for a fuller treatment of man's ,free ,agency1 see the author's ,articles of ,faith1 iii3#a-aj1 and the numerous references there given4 #cj ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #a3ci2 compare #f3ei4 ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #ca ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #cb ,gen4 #a3bf1 #bg2 #b3g2 compare ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #b3bf1 #bg2 #c3g2 ,abraham #d3bf-bh2 #e3g4 #cc ,gen4 #a3bh-ca2 #b3af1 #ag2 compare ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #b3bh-ca2 #c3af1 #ag2 ,abraham #d3bh-ca2 #e3ab1 #ac4 #cd ,gen4 #b3h2 compare statement in verse #e--that prior to that time there was not a man to till the ground2 see also ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #c3g2 ,abraham #a3c2 and ,b4 of ,m41 #a ,nephi #e3aa4 #ce ,gen4 chap4 #c2 compare ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses chap4 #d4 #cf ,see ,articles of ,faith1 iii3#ba-cb4 #cg #a ,tim4 #b3ad2 see also #b ,cor4 #aa3c4 #ch ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #ci ,see page #g4 #dj ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #da ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #db ,rom4 #e3ab1 #ah4 #dc #a ,cor4 #ae3ba1 #bb4 #dd ,lev4 #bb3bj2 ,deut4 #ae3ba2 #ag3a2 ,mal4 #a3h1 #ad2 compare ,heb4 #i3ad2 #a ,peter #a3ai4 #de ,john #aj3ag-ah #df ,john #e3bf #dg ,john #f3ch #dh ,john #d3cd #di ,john #e3cj2 see also verse #ai2 also ,matt4 #bf3db2 compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ai3b2 #bj3bd4 #ej ,new ,standard ,dictionary under propitiation4 #ea #a ,cor4 #ae3bj2 see also ,acts #bf3bc2 ,col4 #a3ah2 ,rev4 #a3e4 #eb ,matt4 #bg3eb1 #ec4 #ec ,john #e3be1 #bh1 #bi4 ,a modern scripture attesting the same truth reads3 ,they who have done good in the resurrection of the just2 and they who have done evil in the resurrection of the unjust4--,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf3ag4 #ed ,for instances see ,acts #bd3ae2 ,rev4 #bj3ab1 #ac4 #ee ,for instances see ,b4 of ,m41 #b ,nephi #i3f1 #ab1 #ac1 #ba1 #bb2 ,helaman #ad3ae-ag2 ,mosiah #ae3bj-bd2 ,alma #dj3b-af2 ,mormon #i3ac1 #ad4 #ef ,for instances see ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ah3aa1 #ab2 #de3dd1 #de2 #hh3ie-ih4 #eg ,doc4 and ,cov4 #de3ed4 #eh ,b4 of ,m41 #b ,nephi #i3f-ac2 read the entire chapter4 #ei ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #f3eb2 compare ,b4 of ,m41 #b ,nephi #be3bj2 ,mosiah #c3ag2 #e3h2 ,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf3a4 #fj ,rom4 #c3bc2 see also verse #i2 ,gal4 #c3bb4 #fa #a ,john #a3h4 #fb ,heb4 #e3i4 #fc ,rom4 #b3f-i4 #fd ,no special treatment relating to the ,fall1 the ,atonement1 or the ,resurrection has been either attempted or intended in this chapter4 ,for such the student is referred to doctrinal works dealing with these subjects4 ,see the author's ,articles of ,faith1 lectures iii1 iv1 and xxi4 #fe ,a comparison related to that given in the text is treated at length by ,henry ,drummond in his essay1 ,biogenesis1 which the reader may study with profit4 #ff ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #a3ci4 ,,chapter #d4 ,,the ,,antemortal ,,godship ,,of ,,christ4 ,it now becomes our purpose to inquire as to the position and status of ,jesus the ,christ in the antemortal world1 from the period of the solemn council in heaven1 in which ,he was chosen to be the future ,savior and ,redeemer of mankind1 to the time at which ,he was born in the flesh4 ,we claim scriptural authority for the assertion that ,jesus ,christ was and is ,god the ,creator1 the ,god who revealed ,himself to ,adam1 ,enoch1 and all the antediluvial patriarchs and prophets down to ,noah2 the ,god of ,abraham1 ,isaac and ,jacob2 the ,god of ,israel as a united people1 and the ,god of ,ephraim and ,judah after the disruption of the ,hebrew nation2 the ,god who made ,himself known to the prophets from ,moses to ,malachi2 the ,god of the ,old ,testament record2 and the ,god of the ,nephites4 ,we affirm that ,jesus ,christ was and is ,jehovah1 the ,eternal ,one4 ,the scriptures specify three personages in the ,godhead2 7#a7 ,god the ,eternal ,father1 7#b7 ,his ,son ,jesus ,christ1 and 7#c7 the ,holy ,ghost4 ,these constitute the ,holy ,trinity1 comprizing three physically separate and distinct individuals1 who together constitute the presiding council of the heavens4#fg ,at least two of these appear as directing participants in the work of creation2 this fact is instanced by the plurality expressed in ,genesis3 ,and ,god said1 ,let us make man in our image1 after our likeness2 and later1 in the course of consultation concerning ,adam's act of transgression1 the ,lord ,god said1 ,behold1 the man is become as one of us4#fh ,from the words of ,moses1 as revealed anew in the present dispensation1 we learn more fully of the ,gods who were actively engaged in the creation of this earth3 ,and ,i1 ,god1 said unto mine ,only ,begotten1 which was with me from the beginning3 ,let us make man in our image1 after our likeness4 ,then1 further1 with regard to the condition of ,adam after the fall3 ,i1 the ,lord ,god1 said unto mine ,only ,begotten3 ,behold1 the man is become as one of us4#fi ,in the account of the creation recorded by ,abraham1 the ,gods are repeatedly mentioned4#gj ,as heretofore shown in another connection1 the ,father operated in the work of creation through the ,son1 who thus became the executive through whom the will1 commandment1 or word of the ,father was put into effect4 ,it is with incisive appropriateness therefore1 that the ,son1 ,jesus ,christ1 is designated by the apostle ,john as the ,word2 or as declared by the ,father the word of my power4#ga ,the part taken by ,jesus ,christ in the creation1 a part so prominent as to justify our calling ,him the ,creator1 is set forth in many scriptures4 ,the author of the ,epistle to the ,hebrews refers in this wise distinctively to the ,father and the ,son as separate though associated ,beings3 ,god1 who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets1 hath in these last days spoken unto us by his ,son1 whom he hath appointed heir of all things1 by whom also he made the worlds4#gb ,paul is even more explicit in his letter to the ,colossians1 wherein1 speaking of ,jesus the ,son1 he says3 ,for by him were all things created1 that are in heaven1 and that are in earth1 visible and invisible1 whether they be thrones1 or dominions1 or principalities1 or powers3 all things were created by him1 and for him3 and he is before all things1 and by him all things consist4#gc ,and here let be repeated the testimony of ,john1 that by the ,word1 who was with ,god1 and who was ,god even in the beginning1 all things were made2 and without him was not anything made that was made4#gd ,that the ,christ who was to come was in reality ,god the ,creator was revealed in plainness to the prophets on the western hemisphere4 ,samuel1 the converted ,lamanite1 in preaching to the unbelieving ,nephites justified his testimony as follows3 ,and also that ye might know of the coming of ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 the ,father of heaven and of earth1 the ,creator of all things1 from the beginning2 and that ye might know of the signs of his coming1 to the intent that ye might believe on his name4#ge ,to these citations of ancient scripture may most properly be added the personal testimony of the ,lord ,jesus after ,he had become a resurrected ,being4 ,in ,his visitation to the ,nephites ,he thus proclaimed ,himself3 ,behold1 ,i am ,jesus ,christ the ,son of ,god4 ,i created the heavens and the earth1 and all things that in them are4 ,i was with the ,father from the beginning4 ,i am in the ,father1 and the ,father in me2 and in me hath the ,father glorified his name4#gf ,to the ,nephites1 who failed to comprehend the relation between the gospel declared unto them by the ,resurrected ,lord1 and the ,mosaic law which they held traditionally to be in force1 and who marveled at ,his saying that old things had passed away1 ,he explained in this wise3 ,behold ,i say unto you1 that the law is fulfilled that was given unto ,moses4 ,behold1 ,i am he that gave the law1 and ,i am he who covenanted with my people ,israel3 therefore1 the law in me is fulfilled1 for ,i have come to fulfil the law2 therefore it hath an end4#gg ,through revelation in the present or last dispensation the voice of ,jesus ,christ1 the ,creator of heaven and earth1 has been heard anew3 ,hearken1 ,o ye people of my church to whom the kingdom has been given--hearken ye and give ear to him who laid the foundation of the earth1 who made the heavens and all the hosts thereof1 and by whom all things were made which live1 and move1 and have a being4#gh ,and again1 ,behold1 ,i am ,jesus ,christ the ,son of the living ,god1 who created the heavens and the earth2 a light which cannot be hid in darkness4#gi ,the divinity of ,jesus ,christ is indicated by the specific names and titles authoritatively applied to ,him4 ,according to man's judgment there may be but little importance attached to names2 but in the nomenclature of the ,gods every name is a title of power or station4 ,god is righteously zealous of the sanctity of ,his own name#hj and of names given by ,his appointment4 ,in the case of children of promise names have been prescribed before birth2 this is true of our ,lord ,jesus and of the ,baptist1 ,john1 who was sent to prepare the way for the ,christ4 ,names of persons have been changed by divine direction1 when not sufficiently definite as titles denoting the particular service to which the bearers were called1 or the special blessings conferred upon them4#ha ,jesus is the individual name of the ,savior1 and as thus spelled is of ,greek derivation2 its ,hebrew equivalent was ,yehoshua or ,yeshua1 or1 as we render it in ,english1 ,joshua4 ,in the original the name was well understood as meaning ,help of ,jehovah1 or ,savior4 ,though as common an appellation as ,john or ,henry or ,charles today1 the name was nevertheless divinely prescribed1 as already stated4 ,thus1 unto ,joseph1 the espoused husband of the ,virgin1 the angel said1 ,and thou shalt call his name ,,jesus3 for he shall save his people from their sins4#hb ,christ is a sacred title1 and not an ordinary appellation or common name2 it is of ,greek derivation1 and in meaning is identical with its ,hebrew equivalent ,messiah or ,messias1 signifying the ,anointed ,one4#hc ,other titles1 each possessing a definitive meaning1 such as ,emmanuel1 ,savior1 ,redeemer1 ,only ,begotten ,son1 ,lord1 ,son of ,god1 ,son of ,man1 and many more1 are of scriptural occurrence2 the fact of main present importance to us is that these several titles are expressive of our ,lord's divine origin and ,godship4 ,as seen1 the essential names or titles of ,jesus the ,christ were made known before ,his birth1 and were revealed to prophets who preceded ,him in the mortal state4#hd ,jehovah is the ,anglicized rendering of the ,hebrew1 ,yahveh or ,jahveh1 signifying the ,self-existent ,one1 or ,the ,eternal4 ,this name is generally rendered in our ,english version of the ,old ,testament as ,,lord1 printed in capitals4#he ,the ,hebrew1 ,ehyeh1 signifying ,i ,am1 is related in meaning and through derivation with the term ,yahveh or ,jehovah2 and herein lies the significance of this name by which the ,lord revealed ,himself to ,moses when the latter received the commission to go into ,egypt and deliver the children of ,israel from bondage3 ,moses said unto ,god1 ,behold1 when ,i come unto the children of ,israel1 and shall say unto them1 ,the ,god of your fathers hath sent me unto you2 and they shall say to me1 ,what is his name8 what shall ,i say unto them8 ,and ,god said unto ,moses1 ,i ,,am ,,that ,i ,,am3 and he said1 ,thus shalt thou say unto the children of ,israel1 ,i ,,am hath sent me unto you4#hf ,in the succeeding verse the ,lord declares ,himself to be the ,god of ,abraham1 the ,god of ,isaac1 and the ,god of ,jacob4 ,while ,moses was in ,egypt1 the ,lord further revealed ,himself1 saying ,i am the ,,lord3 and ,i appeared unto ,abraham1 unto ,isaac1 and unto ,jacob1 by the name of ,god ,almighty1 but by my name ,,jehovah was ,i not known to them4#hg ,the central fact connoted by this name1 ,i ,am1 or ,jehovah1 the two having essentially the same meaning1 is that of existence or duration that shall have no end1 and which1 judged by all human standards of reckoning1 could have had no beginning2 the name is related to such other titles as ,alpha and ,omega1 the first and the last1 the beginning and the end4#hh ,jesus1 when once assailed with question and criticism from certain ,jews who regarded their ,abrahamic lineage as an assurance of divine preferment1 met their abusive words with the declaration3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,before ,abraham was1 ,i am4#hi ,the true significance of this saying would be more plainly expressed were the sentence punctuated and pointed as follows3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,before ,abraham1 was ,i ,,am2 which means the same as had ,he said--,before ,abraham1 was ,i1 ,jehovah4 ,the captious ,jews were so offended at hearing ,him use a name which1 through an erroneous rendering of an earlier scripture1#ij they held was not to be uttered on pain of death1 that they immediately took up stones with the intent of killing ,him4 ,the ,jews regarded ,jehovah as an ineffable name1 not to be spoken2 they substituted for it the sacred1 though to them the not-forbidden name1 ,adonai1 signifying the ,lord4 ,the original of the terms ,lord and ,god as they appear in the ,old ,testament1 was either ,yahveh or ,adonai2 and the divine ,being designated by these sacred names was1 as shown by the scriptures cited1 ,jesus the ,christ4 ,john1 evangelist and apostle1 positively identifies ,jesus ,christ with ,adonai1 or the ,lord who spoke through the voice of ,isaiah1#ia and with ,jehovah who spoke through ,zechariah4#ib ,the name ,elohim is of frequent occurrence in the ,hebrew texts of the ,old ,testament1 though it is not found in our ,english versions4 ,in form the word is a ,hebrew plural noun2#ic but it connotes the plurality of excellence or intensity1 rather than distinctively of number4 ,it is expressive of supreme or absolute exaltation and power4 ,elohim1 as understood and used in the restored ,church of ,jesus ,christ1 is the name-title of ,god the ,eternal ,father1 whose firstborn ,son in the spirit is ,jehovah--the ,only ,begotten in the flesh1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,jesus of ,nazareth1 who in solemn testimony to the ,jews declared ,himself the ,i ,am or ,jehovah1 who was ,god before ,abraham lived on earth1 was the same ,being who is repeatedly proclaimed as the ,god who made covenant with ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob2 the ,god who led ,israel from the bondage of ,egypt to the freedom of the promised land1 the one and only ,god known by direct and personal revelation to the ,hebrew prophets in general4 ,the identity of ,jesus ,christ with the ,jehovah of the ,israelites was well understood by the ,nephite prophets1 and the truth of their teachings was confirmed by the risen ,lord who manifested ,himself unto them shortly after ,his ascension from the midst of the apostles at ,jerusalem4 ,this is the record3 ,and it came to pass that the ,lord spake unto them saying1 ,arise and come forth unto me1 that ye may thrust your hands into my side1 and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet1 that ye may know that ,i am the ,god of ,israel1 and the ,god of the whole earth1 and have been slain for the sins of the world4#id ,it would appear unnecessary to cite at greater length in substantiating our affirmation that ,jesus ,christ was ,god even before ,he assumed a body of flesh4 ,during that antemortal period there was essential difference between the ,father and the ,son1 in that the former had already passed through the experiences of mortal life1 including death and resurrection1 and was therefore a ,being possessed of a perfect1 immortalized body of flesh and bones1 while the ,son was yet unembodied4 ,through ,his death and subsequent resurrection ,jesus the ,christ is today a ,being like unto the ,father in all essential characteristics4 ,a general consideration of scriptural evidence leads to the conclusion that ,god the ,eternal ,father has manifested ,himself to earthly prophets or revelators on very few occasions1 and then principally to attest the divine authority of ,his ,son1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,as before shown1 the ,son was the active executive in the work of creation2 throughout the creative scenes the ,father appears mostly in a directing or consulting capacity4 ,unto ,adam1 ,enoch1 ,noah1 ,abraham and ,moses the ,father revealed ,himself1 attesting the ,godship of the ,christ1 and the fact that the ,son was the chosen ,savior of mankind4#ie ,on the occasion of the baptism of ,jesus1 the ,father's voice was heard1 saying1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased2#if and at the transfiguration a similar testimony was given by the ,father4#ig ,on an occasion yet later1 while ,jesus prayed in anguish of soul1 submitting ,himself that the ,father's purposes be fulfilled and the ,father's name glorified1 ,then came there a voice from heaven1 saying1 ,i have both glorified it1 and will glorify it again4#ih ,the resurrected and glorified ,christ was announced by the ,father to the ,nephites on the western hemisphere1 in these words3 ,behold my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased1 in whom ,i have glorified my name3 hear ye him4#ii ,from the time of the occurrence last noted1 the voice of the ,father was not heard again among men1 so far as the scriptures aver1 until the spring of #ahbj1 when both the ,father and the ,son ministered unto the prophet ,joseph ,smith1 the ,father saying1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 hear him6#ajj ,these are the instances of record in which the ,eternal ,father has been manifest in personal utterance or other revelation to man apart from the ,son4 ,god the ,creator1 the ,jehovah of ,israel1 the ,savior and ,redeemer of all nations1 kindreds and tongues1 are the same1 and ,he is ,jesus the ,christ4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #d4 #a4 ,names ,given of ,god4--,the significance of names when given of ,god finds illustration in many scriptural instances4 ,the following are examples3 ,jesus meaning ,savior 7,matt4 #a3ba2 ,luke #a3ca72 ,john1 signifying ,jehovah's gift1 specifically applied to the ,baptist1 who was sent to earth to prepare the way for ,jehovah's coming in the flesh 7,luke #a3ac72 ,ishmael1 signifying ,god shall hear him 7,gen4 #af3aa72 ,isaac1 meaning laughter 7,gen4 #ag3ai1 compare #ah3aj-ae74 ,as instances of names changed by divine authority to express added blessings1 or special callings1 consider the following3 ,abram1 which connoted nobility or exaltation and as usually rendered1 father of elevation1 was changed to ,abraham1 father of a multitude which expressed the reason for the change as given at the time thereof1 for a father of many nations have ,i made thee 7,gen4 #ag3e74 ,sarai1 the name of ,abraham's wife1 and of uncertain distinctive meaning1 was substituted by ,sarah which signified the princess 7,gen #ag3ae74 ,jacob1 a name given to the son of ,isaac with reference to a circumstance attending his birth1 and signifying a supplanter1 was superseded by ,israel meaning a soldier of ,god1 a prince of ,god2 as expressed in the words effecting the change1 ,thy name shall be called no more ,jacob1 but ,israel1 for as a prince hast thou power with ,god and with men1 and hast prevailed4 7,gen4 #cb3bh2 compare #ce3i1 #aj47 ,simon1 meaning a hearer1 the name of the man who became the chief apostle of ,jesus ,christ1 was changed by the ,lord to ,cephas 7,aramaic7 or ,peter 7,greek7 meaning a rock 7,john #a3db2 ,matt #af3ah2 ,luke #f3ad74 ,on ,james and ,john the sons of ,zebedee1 the ,lord conferred the name or title ,boanerges meaning sons of thunder 7,mark #c3ag74 ,the following is an instructive excerpt3 ,name in the scriptures not only that by which a person is designated1 but frequently all that is known to belong to the person having this designation1 and the person himself4 ,thus 'the name of ,god' or 'of ,jehovah1' etc41 indicates ,his authority 7,deut4 #ah3bj2 ,matt4 #ba3i1 etc471 ,his dignity and glory 7,isa4 #dh3i1 etc471 ,his protection and favor 7,prov4 #ah3aj1 etc471 ,his character 7,exo4 #cd3e1 #ad1 compare #f1 #g1 etc471 ,his divine attributes in general 7,matt4 #f3i1 etc471 etc4 ,the ,lord is said to set or put ,his name where the revelation or manifestation of ,his perfections is made 7,deut4 #ab3e1 #ad3bd1 etc474 ,to believe in or on the name of ,christ is to receive and treat ,him in accordance with the revelation which the scriptures make of ,him 7,john #a3ab2 #b3bc71 etc4--,smith's ,comprehensive ,dictionary of the ,bible1 article ,name4 #b4 ,jesus ,christ1 the ,god of ,israel4--,that ,jesus ,christ was the same ,being who called ,abraham from his native country1 who led ,israel out of the land of ,egypt with mighty miracles and wonders1 who made known to them ,his law amid the thunderings of ,sinai1 who delivered them from their enemies1 who chastened them for their disobedience1 who inspired their prophets1 and whose glory filled ,solomon's temple1 is evident from all the inspired writings1 and in none more so than in the ,bible4 ,his lamentation over ,jerusalem evidences that1 in ,his humanity1 ,he had not forgotten ,his former exalted position3 ',o ,jerusalem1 ,jerusalem1 thou that killest the prophets1 and stonest them which are sent unto thee1 how often would ,i have gathered thy children together 444 and ye would not6' 7,matt4 #bc3cg74 ,it was this ,creator of the world1 this mighty ,ruler1 this ,controller of the destinies of the human family1 who1 in ,his last moments1 cried out in the agony of ,his soul1 ',my ,god1 my ,god1 why hast thou forsaken me8' 7,mark #ae3cd47--;,from ,compendium of the ,doctrines of the ,gospel1 by ,franklin ,d4 ,richards and ,james ,a4 ,little4 #c4 ,jehovah a ,name ,not ,uttered by the ,jews4--,long prior to the time of ,christ1 certain schools among the ,jews1 ever intent on the observance of the letter of the law1 though not without disregard of its spirit1 had taught that the mere utterance of the name of ,god was blasphemous1 and that the sin of so doing constituted a capital offense4 ,this extreme conception arose from the accepted though uninspired interpretation of ,lev4 #bd3af1 ,and he that blasphemeth the name of the ,lord1 he shall surely be put to death1 and all the congregation shall certainly stone him3 as well the stranger1 as he that is born in the land1 when he blasphemeth the name of the ,lord1 shall be put to death4 ,we take the following from ,smith's ,comprehensive ,dictionary of the ,bible1 article ,jehovah3 ,the true pronunciation of this name1 ,yehovah by which ,god was known to the ,hebrews1 has been entirely lost1 the ,jews themselves scrupulously avoiding every mention of it1 and substituting in its stead one or other of the words with whose proper vowel-points it may happen to be written ,adonai1 ,lord1 or ,elohim1 ,god4444 ,according to ,jewish tradition it was pronounced but once a year by the high priest on the day of atonement when he entered the ,holy of ,holies2 but on this point there is some doubt4 ,,footnotes3 #fg ,see ,god and the ,godhead1 in the author's ,articles of ,faith1 lecture ii4 #fh ,gen4 #a3bf2 and #c3bb4 #fi ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #b3bf2 and #d3bh4 #gj ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,abraham1 chaps4 #d and #e4 #ga ,see page #aj2 ,john #a3a2 and ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #a3cb4 #gb ,heb4 #a3a1 #b2 see also #a ,cor4 #h3f4 #gc ,colos4 #a3af1 #ag4 #gd ,john #a3a-c4 #ge ,b4 of ,m41 ,helaman #ad3ab2 see also ,mosiah #c3h2 #d3b3 ,alma #aa3ci4 #gf ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #i3ae4 #gg ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ae3d1 #e4 #gh ,doc4 and ,cov4 #de3a4 #gi ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ad3i2 see also #bi3a1 #ca2 #gf3bd4 #hj ,exo4 #bj3g2 ,lev4 #ai3ab2 ,deut4 #e3aa4 #ha ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #hb ,matt4 #a3ba2 see also verses #bc1 #be2 ,luke #a3ca4 #hc ,john #a3da2 #d3be4 #hd ,luke #a3ca2 #b3ba2 ,matt4 #a3ba1 #be2 see also verse #bc and compare ,isa4 #g3ad2 ,luke #b3aa4 ,see further ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #f3ea1 #eg2 #g3bj2 #h3bd4 ,b4 of ,m41 #a ,nephi #aj3d2 #b ,nephi #aj3c2 ,mosiah #c3h4 #he ,the name appears thus in ,gen4 #b3e2 see also ,exo4 #f3b-d2 and read for comparison ,gen4 #ag3a2 #ce3aa4 #hf ,exo4 #c3ac1 #ad2 compare with respect to the fact of eternal duration expressed in this name1 ,isa4 #dd3f2 ,john #h3eh2 ,colos4 #a3ag2 ,heb4 #ac3h2 ,rev4 #a3d2 see also ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #a3c and the references there given4 #hg ,exo4 #f3b1 #c4 ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #hh ,rev4 #a3aa1 #ag2 #b3h2 #bb3ac2 compare ,isa4 #da3d2 #dd3f2 #dh3ab4 #hi ,john #h3eh4 #ij ,lev4 #bd3af4 ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #ia ,isa4 #f3h-aa2 and compare ,john #ab3dj1 #da4 #ib ,zech4 #ab3aj2 compare ,john #ai3cg4 #ic ,the singular1 ,eloah1 appears only in poetic usage4 #id ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #aa3ac1 #ad2 also #a ,nephi #ag3dj and observe from verse #cj that the ,redeemer is here spoken of as the ,god who delivered ,israel4 ,see further ,mosiah #g3ai4 ,chapter #ci herein4 #ie ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #a3f1 #ca-cc2 #b3a2 #d3b1 #c2 #f3eg2 compare #g3ce1 #ci1 #dg1 #ec-ei2 #h3af1 #ai1 #bc1 #bd2 ,abraham #c3bb-bh4 ,see chapter #e herein4 #if ,matt4 #c3ag2 also ,mark #a3aa2 ,luke #c3bb4 #ig ,matt4 #ag3e2 ,luke #i3ce4 #ih ,john #ab3bh4 #ii ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #aa3g4 #ajj ,p4 of ,g4,p4 ,joseph ,smith #b3ag4 ,,chapter #e4 ,,earthly ,,advent ,,of ,,the ,,christ ,,predicted4 ,the coming of ,christ to earth to tabernacle in the flesh was no unexpected or unheralded event4 ,for centuries prior to the great occurrence the ,jews had professed to be looking for the advent of their ,king2 and1 in the appointed ceremonials of worship as in private devotions1 the coming of the promised ,messiah was prominent as a matter of the supplication of ,israel to ,jehovah4 ,true1 there was much diversity in lay opinion and in rabbinical exposition as to the time and manner of ,his appearing2 but the certainty thereof was fundamentally established in the beliefs and hopes of the ,hebrew nation4 ,the records known to us as the books of the ,old ,testament1 together with other inspired writings once regarded as authentic but excluded from later compilations as not strictly canonical1 were current among the ,hebrews at and long before the time of ,christ's birth4 ,these scriptures had their beginning in the proclamation of the law through ,moses1#aja who wrote the same1 and delivered the writing into the official custody of the priests with an express command that it be read in the assemblies of the people at stated times4 ,to these earlier writings were added the utterances of divinely commissioned prophets1 the records of appointed historians1 and the songs of inspired poets1 as the centuries passed2 so that at the time of our ,lord's ministry the ,jews possessed a great accumulation of writings accepted and revered by them as authoritative4#ajb ,these records are rich in prediction and promise respecting the earthly advent of the ,messiah1 as are other scriptures to which the ,israel of old had not access4 ,adam1 the patriarch of the race1 rejoiced in the assurance of the ,savior's appointed ministry1 through the acceptance of which1 he1 the transgressor1 might gain redemption4 ,brief mention of the plan of salvation1 the author of which is ,jesus ,christ1 appears in the promise given of ,god following the fall--that though the devil1 represented by the serpent in ,eden1 should have power to bruise the heel of ,adam's posterity1 through the seed of the woman should come the power to bruise the adversary's head4#ajc ,it is significant that this assurance of eventual victory over sin and its inevitable effect1 death1 both of which were introduced to earth through ,satan the arch-enemy of mankind1 was to be realized through the offspring of woman2 the promise was not made specifically to the man1 nor to the pair4 ,the only instance of offspring from woman dissociated from mortal fatherhood is the birth of ,jesus the ,christ1 who was the earthly ,son of a mortal mother1 begotten by an immortal ,father4 ,he is the ,only ,begotten of the ,eternal ,father in the flesh1 and was born of woman4 ,through scriptures other than those embodied in the ,old ,testament we learn with greater fulness of the revelations of ,god to ,adam respecting the coming of the ,redeemer4 ,as a natural and inevitable result of his disobedience1 ,adam had forfeited the high privilege he once enjoyed--that of holding direct and personal association with his ,god2 nevertheless in his fallen state he was visited by an angel of the ,lord1 who revealed unto him the plan of redemption3 ,and after many days an angel of the ,lord appeared unto ,adam1 saying3 ,why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the ,lord8 ,and ,adam said unto him3 ,i know not1 save the ,lord commanded me4 ,and then the angel spake1 saying3 ,this thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the ,only ,begotten of the ,father1 which is full of grace and truth4 ,wherefore1 thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the ,son1 and thou shalt repent and call upon ,god in the name of the ,son for evermore4 ,and in that day the ,holy ,ghost fell upon ,adam1 which beareth record of the ,father and the ,son1 saying3 ,i am the ,only ,begotten of the ,father from the beginning1 henceforth and for ever1 that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed1 and all mankind1 even as many as will4#ajd ,the ,lord's revelation to ,adam making known the ordained plan whereby the ,son of ,god was to take upon ,himself flesh in the meridian of time1 and become the ,redeemer of the world1 was attested by ,enoch1 son of ,jared and father of ,methuselah4 ,from the words of ,enoch we learn that to him as to his great progenitor1 ,adam1 the very name by which the ,savior would be known among men was revealed--which is ,jesus ,christ1 the only name which shall be given under heaven1 whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men4#aje ,the recorded covenant of ,god with ,abraham1 and the reiteration and confirmation thereof with ,isaac and in turn with ,jacob--that through their posterity should all nations of the earth be blessed--presaged the birth of the ,redeemer through that chosen lineage4#ajf ,its fulfilment is the blessed heritage of the ages4 ,in pronouncing his patriarchal blessing upon the head of ,judah1 ,jacob prophesied3 ,the sceptre shall not depart from ,judah1 nor a lawgiver from between his feet1 until ,shiloh come2 and unto him shall the gathering of the people be4#ajg ,that by ,shiloh is meant the ,christ is evidenced by the fulfilment of the conditions set forth in the prediction1 in the state of the ,jewish nation at the time of our ,lord's birth4#ajh ,moses proclaimed the coming of a great ,prophet in ,israel1 whose ministry was to be of such importance that all men who would not accept ,him would be under condemnation2 and that this prediction had sole reference to ,jesus ,christ is conclusively shown by later scriptures4 ,thus spake the ,lord unto ,moses3 ,i will raise them up a ,prophet from among their brethren1 like unto thee1 and will put my words in his mouth2 and he shall speak unto them all that ,i shall command him4 ,and it shall come to pass1 that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name1 ,i will require it of him4#aji ,the system of sacrifice expressly enjoined in the ,mosaic code was essentially a prototype of the sacrificial death to be accomplished by the ,savior on ,calvary4 ,the blood of countless altar victims1 slain by ,israel's priests in the course of prescribed ritual1 ran throughout the centuries from ,moses to ,christ as a prophetic flood in similitude of the blood of the ,son of ,god appointed to be shed as an expiatory sacrifice for the redemption of the race4 ,but1 as already shown1 the institution of bloody sacrifice as a type of the future death of ,jesus ,christ dates from the beginning of human history2 since the offering of animal sacrifices through the shedding of blood was required of ,adam1 to whom the significance of the ordinance1 as a similitude of the sacrifice of the ,only ,begotten of the ,father1 was expressly defined4#aaj ,the paschal lamb1 slain for every ,israelitish household at the annually recurring feast of the ,passover1 was a particular type of the ,lamb of ,god who in due time would be slain for the sins of the world4 ,the crucifixion of ,christ was effected at the ,passover season2 and the consummation of the supreme ,sacrifice1 of which the paschal lambs had been but lesser prototypes1 led ,paul the apostle to affirm in later times3 ,for even ,christ our passover is sacrificed for us4#aaa ,job in the day of dire affliction rejoiced in his testimony of the coming ,messiah1 and declared with prophetic conviction3 ,i know that my redeemer liveth1 and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth4#aab ,the songs of ,david the psalmist abound in oft-recurring allusion to the earthly life of ,christ1 many circumstances of which are described in detail1 and1 as to these1 corroboration of the utterances is found in ,new ,testament scriptures4#aac ,isaiah1 whose prophetic office was honored by the personal testimony of ,christ and the apostles1 manifested in numerous passages the burden of his conviction relating to the great event of the ,savior's advent and ministry on earth4 ,with the forcefulness of direct revelation he told of the ,virgin's divine maternity1 whereof ,immanuel should be born1 and his prediction was reiterated by the angel of the ,lord1 over seven centuries later4#aad ,looking down through the ages the prophet saw the accomplishment of the divine purposes as if already achieved1 and sang in triumph3 ,for unto us a child is born1 unto us a son is given3 and the government shall be upon his shoulder3 and his name shall be called ,wonderful1 ,counselor1 ,the mighty ,god1 ,the everlasting ,father1 ,the ,prince of ,peace4 ,of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end1 upon the throne of ,david1 and upon his kingdom1 to order it1 and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever4#aae ,immediately prior to its fulfilment1 the blessed promise was repeated by ,gabriel1 sent from the presence of ,god to the chosen ,virgin of ,nazareth4#aaf ,as made known to the prophet and by him proclaimed1 the coming ,lord was the living ,branch that should spring from the undying root typified in the family of ,jesse2#aag the foundation ,stone insuring the stability of ,zion2#aah the ,shepherd of the house of ,israel2#aai the ,light of the world1#abj to ,gentile as well as ,jew2 the ,leader and ,commander of ,his people4#aba ,the same inspired voice predicted the forerunner who should cry in the wilderness3 ,prepare ye the way of the ,lord1 make straight in the desert a highway for our ,god4#abb ,isaiah was permitted to read the scroll of futurity as to many distinguishing conditions to attend the ,messiah's lowly life and atoning death4 ,in ,him the prophet saw ,one who would be despized and rejected of men1 a ,man of sorrows1 acquainted with grief1 ,one to be wounded and bruised for the transgressions of the race1 on whom would be laid the iniquity of us all--a patient and willing ,sacrifice1 silent under affliction1 as a lamb brought to the slaughter4 ,the ,lord's dying with sinners1 and ,his burial in the tomb of the wealthy were likewise declared with prophetic certainty4#abc ,unto ,jeremiah came the word of the ,lord in terms of plainness1 declaring the sure advent of the ,king by whom the safety of both ,judah and ,israel should be assured2#abd the ,prince of the ,house of ,david1 through whom the divine promise to the son of ,jesse should be realized4#abe ,under the same spirit prophesied ,ezekiel1#abf ,hosea1#abg and ,micah4#abh ,zechariah broke off in the midst of fateful prediction to voice the glad song of thanksgiving and praise as he beheld in vision the simple pageantry of the ,king's triumphal entry into the city of ,david4#abi ,then the prophet bewailed the grief of the conscience-smitten nation1 by whom1 as was foreseen1 the ,savior of humankind would be pierced1 even unto death2#acj and showed that1 when subdued by contrition ,his own people would ask1 ,what are these wounds in thy hands81 the ,lord would answer3 ,those with which ,i was wounded in the house of my friends4#aca ,the very price to be paid for the betrayal of the ,christ to ,his death was foretold as in parable4#acb ,the fact1 that these predictions of the ,old ,testament prophets had reference to ,jesus ,christ and to ,him only1 is put beyond question by the attestation of the resurrected ,lord4 ,to the assembled apostles ,he said3 ,these are the words which ,i spake unto you1 while ,i was yet with you1 that all things must be fulfilled1 which were written in the law of ,moses1 and in the prophets1 and in the psalms1 concerning me4 ,then opened he their understanding1 that they might understand the scriptures1 and said unto them1 ,thus it is written1 and thus it behoved ,christ to suffer1 and to rise from the dead the third day4#acc ,john the ,baptist1 whose ministry immediately preceded that of the ,christ1 proclaimed the coming of ,one mightier than himself1 ,one who should baptize with the ,holy ,ghost1 and specifically identified ,jesus of ,nazareth as that ,one1 the ,son of ,god1 the ,lamb who should assume the burden of the world's sins4#acd ,the predictions thus far cited as relating to the life1 ministry1 and death of the ,lord ,jesus1 are the utterances of prophets who1 excepting ,adam and ,enoch1 lived and died on the eastern hemisphere4 ,all save ,john the ,baptist are of ,old ,testament record1 and he1 a contemporary of the ,christ in mortality1 figures in the early chapters of the ,gospels4 ,it is important to know that the scriptures of the western hemisphere are likewise explicit in the declaration of the great truth that the ,son of ,god would be born in the flesh4 ,the ,book of ,mormon contains a history of a colony of ,israelites1 of the tribe of ,joseph1 who left ,jerusalem #fjj ,b4,c41 during the reign of ,zedekiah1 king of ,judah1 on the eve of the subjugation of ,judea by ,nebuchadnezzar and the inauguration of the ,babylonian captivity4 ,this colony was led by divine guidance to the ,american continent1 whereon they developed into a numerous and mighty people2 though1 divided by dissension1 they formed two opposing nations known respectively as ,nephites and ,lamanites4 ,the former cultivated the arts of industry and refinement1 and preserved a record embodying both history and scripture1 while the latter became degenerate and debased4 ,the ,nephites suffered extinction about #djj ,a4,d41 but the ,lamanites lived on in their degraded course1 and are today extant upon the land as the ,american ,indians4#ace ,the ,nephite annals from the beginning thereof down to the time of our ,lord's birth abound in prediction and promise of the ,christ2 and this chronicle is followed by a record of the actual visitation of the resurrected ,savior to the ,nephites1 and the establishment of ,his ,church among them4 ,unto ,lehi1 the leader of the colony1 the ,lord revealed the time1 place1 and manner of ,christ's then future advent1 together with many important facts of ,his ministry1 and the preparatory work of ,john the forerunner4 ,this revelation was given while the company was journeying in the wilderness of ,arabia1 prior to their crossing the great waters4 ,the prophecy is thus written by ,nephi1 a son of ,lehi and his successor in the prophetic calling3 ,yea1 even six hundred years from the time that my father left ,jerusalem1 a prophet would the ,lord ,god raise up among the ,jews2 even a ,messiah2 or1 in other words1 a ,savior of the world4 ,and he also spake concerning the prophets1 how great a number had testified of these things concerning this ,messiah1 of whom he had spoken1 or this ,redeemer of the world4 ,wherefore all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state1 and ever would be1 save they should rely on this ,redeemer4 ,and he spake also concerning a prophet who should come before the ,messiah1 to prepare the way of the ,lord2 yea1 even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness4 ,prepare ye the way of the ,lord1 and make his paths straight2 for there standeth one among you whom ye know not2 and he is mightier than ,i1 whose shoe's latchet ,i am not worthy to unloose4 ,and much spake my father concerning this thing4 ,and my father said he should baptize in ,bethabara1 beyond ,jordan2 and he also said he should baptize with water2 even that he should baptize the ,messiah with water4 ,and after he had baptized the ,messiah with water1 he should behold and bear record1 that he had baptized the ,lamb of ,god1 who should take away the sins of the world4 ,and it came to pass after my father had spoken these words1 he spake unto my brethren concerning the gospel which should be preached among the ,jews2 and also concerning the dwindling of the ,jews in unbelief4 ,and after they had slain the ,messiah1 who should come1 and after he had been slain1 he should rise from the dead1 and should make himself manifest1 by the ,holy ,ghost1 unto the ,gentiles4#acf ,at a later time ,nephi writes1 not as his father's scribe1 but as a prophet and revelator voicing the word of ,god as made known to himself4 ,he was permitted to behold in vision and to declare to his people the circumstances of the ,messiah's birth1 ,his baptism by ,john and the ministration of the ,holy ,ghost with its accompanying sign of the dove2 he beheld our ,lord moving as a ,teacher of righteousness among the people1 healing the afflicted and rebuking spirits of evil2 he saw and bore record of the dread scenes of ,calvary2 he beheld and predicted the calling of the chosen ,twelve1 the apostles of the ,lamb1 for so these were designated by ,him who vouchsafed the vision4 ,moreover he told of the iniquity of the ,jews1 who were seen in contention with the apostles2 and thus concludes the portentous prophecy3 ,and the angel of the ,lord spake unto me again1 saying1 ,thus shall be the destruction of all nations1 kindreds1 tongues1 and people1 that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the ,lamb4#acg ,soon after the defection whereby the distinction between ,nephites and ,lamanites was established1 ,jacob1 a brother of ,nephi1 continued in prophecy of the assured coming of the ,messiah1 specifically declaring that ,he would minister at ,jerusalem and affirming the necessity of ,his atoning death as the ordained means of human redemption4#ach ,the prophet ,abinadi1 in his fearless denunciation of sin to the wicked king ,noah1 preached the ,christ who was to come2#aci and righteous ,benjamin1 who was at once prophet and king1 proclaimed the same great truth to his people about #abe ,b4,c4 ,so taught ,alma#adj in his inspired admonition to his wayward son1 ,corianton2 and so also ,amulek#ada in his contention with ,zeezrom4 ,so proclaimed the ,lamanite prophet1 ,samuel1 only five years prior to the actual occurrence2 furthermore he specified the signs by which the birth of ,jesus in ,judea would be made known to the people of the western world4 ,said he3 ,behold1 ,i give unto you a sign2 for five years more cometh1 and behold1 then cometh the ,son of ,god to redeem all those who shall believe on his name4 ,and behold1 this will ,i give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming2 for behold1 there shall be great lights in heaven1 insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness1 insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day1 therefore there shall be one day and a night1 and a day1 as if it were one day1 and there were no night2 and this shall be unto you for a sign2 for ye shall know of the rising of the sun1 and also of its setting2 therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night2 nevertheless the night shall not be darkened2 and it shall be the night before he is born4 ,and behold there shall a new star arise1 such an one as ye never have beheld2 and this also shall be a sign unto you4 ,and behold this is not all1 there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven4#adb ,thus the scriptures of both hemispheres and in all ages of ante-meridian time bore solemn testimony to the certainty of ,messiah's advent2 thus the holy prophets of old voiced the word of revelation predicting the coming of the world's ,king and ,lord1 through whom alone is salvation provided1 and redemption from death made sure4 ,it is a characteristic of prophets sent of ,god that they possess and proclaim a personal assurance of the ,christ1 for the testimony of ,jesus is the spirit of prophecy4#adc ,not a word of inspired prophecy relating to the great event has been found void4 ,the literal fulfilment of the predictions is ample attestation of their origin in divine revelation1 and proof conclusive of the divinity of ,him whose coming was so abundantly foretold4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #e4 #a4 ,the ,antiquity of ,sacrifice as a ,prototype of ,christ's ,atoning ,death4--,while the ,biblical record expressly attests the offering of sacrifices long prior to ,israel's exodus from ,egypt--e4g4 by ,abel and by ,cain 7,gen4 #d3c1 #d72 by ,noah after the deluge 7,gen4 #h3bj72 by ,abraham 7,gen4 #bb3b1 #ac72 by ,jacob 7,gen4 #ca3ed2 #df3a7--;it is silent concerning the divine origin of sacrifice as a propitiatory requirement prefiguring the atoning death of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the difficulty of determining time and circumstance1 under which the offering of symbolical sacrifices originated amongst mankind1 is recognized by all investigators save those who admit the validity of modern revelation4 ,the necessity of assuming early instruction from ,god to man on the subject has been asserted by many ,bible scholars4 ,thus1 the writer of the article ,sacrifice in the ,cassell ,bible ,dictionary says3 ,the idea of sacrifice is prominent throughout the scriptures1 and one of the most ancient and widely recognized in the rites of religion throughout the world4 ,there is also a remarkable similarity in the developments and applications of the idea4 ,on these and other accounts it has been judiciously inferred that sacrifice formed an element in the primeval worship of man2 and that its universality is not merely an indirect argument for the unity of the human race1 but an illustration and confirmation of the first inspired pages of the world's history4 ,the notion of sacrifice can hardly be viewed as a product of unassisted human nature1 and must therefore be traced to a higher source and viewed as a divine revelation to primitive man4 ,smith's ,dic4 of the ,bible presents the following3 ,in tracing the history of sacrifice from its first beginning to its perfect development in the ,mosaic ritual1 we are at once met by the long-disputed question as to the origin of sacrifice1 whether it arose from a natural instinct of man1 sanctioned and guided by ,god1 or was the subject of some distinct primeval revelation4 ,there can be no doubt that sacrifice was sanctioned by ,god's ,law1 with a special1 typical reference to the ,atonement of ,christ2 its universal prevalence1 independent of1 and often opposed to1 man's natural reasonings on his relation to ,god1 shows it to have been primeval1 and deeply rooted in the instincts of humanity4 ,whether it was first enjoined by an external command1 or was based on that sense of sin and lost communion with ,god1 which is stamped by ,his hand on the heart of man--is an historical question1 perhaps insoluble4 ,the difficulty vanishes1 and the historical question as to the origin of sacrifice is definitely solved by the revelations of ,god in the current dispensation1 whereby parts of the record of ,moses--not contained in the ,bible--have been restored to human knowledge4 ,the scripture quoted in the text 7pp4 #dc1 #dd7 makes clear the fact that the offering of sacrifices was required of ,adam after his transgression1 and that the significance of the divinely established requirement was explained in fulness to the patriarch of the race4 ,the shedding of the blood of animals in sacrifice to ,god1 as a prototype of the sacrifice of the ,only ,begotten of the ,father1 dates from the time immediately following the fall4 ,its origin is based on a specific revelation to ,adam4 ,see ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #e3e-h4 #b4 ,jacob's ,prophecy ,concerning ,shiloh4--,the prediction of the patriarch ,jacob--that the sceptre should not depart from ,judah before the coming of ,shiloh--has given rise to much disputation among ,bible students4 ,some insist that ,shiloh is the name of a place and not that of a person4 ,that there was a place known by that name is beyond question 7see ,josh4 #ah3a2 #ai3ea2 #ba3b2 #bb3i2 #a ,sam4 #a3c2 ,jer4 #g3ab72 but the name occurring in ,gen4 #di3aj is plainly that of a person4 ,it should be known that the use of the word in the ,king ,james or authorized version of the ,bible is held to be correct by many eminent authorities4 ,thus1 in ,dummelow's ,commentary on the ,holy ,bible1 we read3 ,this verse has always been regarded by both ,jews and ,christians as a remarkable prophecy of the coming of the ,messiah4444 ,on the rendering given above1 the whole verse foretells that ,judah would retain authority until the advent of the rightful ruler1 the ,messiah1 to whom all peoples would gather4 ,and1 broadly speaking1 it may be said that the last traces of ,jewish legislative power 7as vested in the ,sanhedrin7 did not disappear until the coming of ,christ and the destruction of ,jerusalem1 from which time ,his kingdom was set up among men4 ,adam ,clarke1 in his exhaustive ,bible ,commentary1 briefly analyzes the objections urged against the admissibility of this passage as applying to the ,messiah's advent1 and dismisses them all as unfounded4 ,his conclusion as to the meaning of the passage is thus worded3 ,judah shall continue a distinct tribe until the ,messiah shall come2 and it did so2 and after ,his coming it was confounded with the others1 so that all distinction has been ever since lost4 ,prof4 ,douglas1 as cited in ,smith's ,dictionary1 claims that something of ,judah's sceptre still remained1 a total eclipse being no proof that the day is at an end--that the proper fulfilment of the prophecy did not begin till ,david's time1 and is consummated in ,christ according to ,luke #a3cb1 #cc4 ,the accepted meaning of the word by derivation is ,peaceable1 and this is applicable to the attributes of the ,christ1 who in ,isa4 #i3f1 is designated the ,prince of ,peace4 ,eusebius1 who lived between #bfj and #cci ,a4,d41 and is known in ecclesiastical history as ,bishop of ,csarea1 wrote3 ,at the time that ,herod was king1 who was the first foreigner that reigned over the ,jewish people1 the prophecy recorded by ,moses received its fulfilment1 viz4 ',that a prince should not fail of ,judah1 nor a ruler from his loins1 until ,he should come for whom it is reserved1 the expectation of nations4' 7,the quoted passage is founded on the ,septuagint rendering of ,genesis #di3aj74 ,some critics have held that in ,jacob's use of the word ,shiloh he did not intend it as a name or proper noun at all4 ,the writer of the article ,shiloh in ,cassell's ,bible ,dictionary says3 ,the preponderance of evidence is in favor of the ,messianic interpretation1 but opinions are very divided respecting the retention of the word ',shiloh' as a proper name4444 ,notwithstanding all the objections that are urged against it being so regarded1 we are of the opinion that it is rightly considered to be a proper name1 and that the ,english version represents the true sense of the passage4 ,we recommend those who wish to enter more fully into a question which cannot well be discussed without ,hebrew criticism1 to the excellent notes upon ,gen4 #di3aj in the ',commentary on the ,pentateuch' by ,keil and ,delitzsch4 ,here the text is thus rendered3 ',the sceptre shall not depart from ,judah1 nor the ruler's staff from between his feet1 till ,shiloh come1 and the willing obedience of the nations be to him4' ,notwithstanding the slight put upon the ,messianic interpretation by some writers1 even those from whom we should scarcely expect it1 we see this explanation confirmed and not weakened in the events of history4 ,the text is not taken to mean that ,judah should at no time be without a royal ruler of his own1 but that the regal power should not finally cease from ,judah until ,shiloh had come4 ,the objections founded on the ,babylonian captivity1 and similar intermissions1 are of no force1 because it is the complete and final termination which is pointed out1 and that only happened after the time of ,christ4 ,see further ,the ,book of ,prophecy1 by ,g4 ,smith1 ,,ll4,d41 p4 #cbj4 ,see also ,compendium of the ,doctrines of the ,gospel1 by ,franklin ,d4 ,richards and ,james ,a4 ,little1 article ,christ's ,first ,coming4 #c4 ,nephites and ,lamanites4--,the progenitors of the ,nephite nation were led from ,jerusalem1 #fjj ,b4,c41 by ,lehi1 a ,jewish prophet of the tribe of ,manasseh4 ,his immediate family1 at the time of their departure from ,jerusalem1 comprized his wife ,sariah1 and their sons1 ,laman1 ,lemuel1 ,sam1 and ,nephi2 at a later stage of the history1 daughters are mentioned1 but whether any of these were born before the family exodus we are not told4 ,beside his own family1 the colony of ,lehi included ,zoram1 and ,ishmael1 the latter an ,israelite of the tribe of ,ephraim4 ,ishmael1 with his family1 joined ,lehi in the wilderness2 and his descendants were numbered with the nation of whom we are speaking4 ,the company journeyed somewhat east of south1 keeping near the borders of the ,red ,sea2 then1 changing their course to the eastward1 crossed the peninsula of ,arabia2 and there1 on the shores of the ,arabian ,sea1 built and provisioned a vessel in which they committed themselves to divine care upon the waters4 ,their voyage carried them eastward across the ,indian ,ocean1 then over the south ,pacific ,ocean to the western coast of ,south ,america1 whereon they landed 7#eij ,b4,c474444 ,the people established themselves on what to them was the land of promise2 many children were born1 and in the course of a few generations a numerous posterity held possession of the land4 ,after the death of ,lehi1 a division occurred1 some of the people accepting as their leader1 ,nephi1 who had been duly appointed to the prophetic office2 while the rest proclaimed ,laman1 the eldest of ,lehi's sons1 as their chief4 ,henceforth the divided people were known as ,nephites and ,lamanites respectively4 ,at times they observed toward each other fairly friendly relations2 but generally they were opposed1 the ,lamanites manifesting implacable hatred and hostility toward their ,nephite kindred4 ,the ,nephites advanced in the arts of civilization1 built large cities and established prosperous commonwealths2 yet they often fell into transgression2 and the ,lord chastened them by allowing their foes to become victorious4 ,they spread northward1 occupying the northern part of ,south ,america2 then1 crossing the ,isthmus1 they extended their domain over the southern1 central and eastern portions of what is now the ,united ,states of ,america4 ,the ,lamanites1 while increasing in numbers1 fell under the curse of darkness2 they became dark in skin and benighted in spirit1 forgot the ,god of their fathers1 lived a wild nomadic life1 and degenerated into the fallen state in which the ,american ,indians--their lineal descendants--were found by those who rediscovered the western continent in later times4 ,see the author's ,articles of ,faith xiv3#g1 #h4 #d4 ,the ,first ,gospel ,dispensation4--,the gospel of ,jesus ,christ was revealed to ,adam4 ,faith in ,god the ,eternal ,father1 and in ,his ,son the ,savior of ,adam and all his posterity1 repentance of sin1 water baptism by immersion1 and the reception of the ,holy ,ghost as a divine bestowal were proclaimed in the beginning of human history as the essentials to salvation4 ,the following scriptures attest this fact4 ,and thus the ,gospel began to be preached1 from the beginning1 being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of ,god1 and by his own voice and by the gift of the ,holy ,ghost 7,moses #e3eh74 ,the prophet ,enoch thus testified3 ,but ,god hath made known unto our fathers that all men must repent4 ,and he called upon our father ,adam by his own voice1 saying3 ,i am ,god2 ,i made the world1 and men before they were in the flesh4 ,and he also said unto him3 ,if thou wilt turn unto me1 and hearken unto my voice1 and believe1 and repent of all thy transgressions1 and be baptized1 even in water1 in the name of mine ,only ,begotten ,son1 who is full of grace and truth1 which is ,jesus ,christ1 the only name which shall be given under heaven1 whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men1 ye shall receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 asking all things in his name1 and whatsoever ye shall ask1 it shall be given you 7,moses #f3ej-eb2 read also #ec-fa74 ,and now1 behold1 ,i say unto you3 ,this is the plan of salvation unto all men1 through the blood of mine ,only ,begotten1 who shall come in the meridian of time 7#fb74 ,and it came to pass1 when the ,lord had spoken with ,adam1 our father1 that ,adam cried unto the ,lord1 and he was caught away by the ,spirit of the ,lord1 and was carried down into the water1 and was laid under the water1 and was brought forth out of the water4 ,and thus he was baptized1 and the ,spirit of ,god descended upon him1 and thus he was born of the ,spirit and became quickened in the inner man4 ,and he heard a voice out of heaven1 saying3 ,thou art baptized with fire1 and with the ,holy ,ghost4 ,this is the record of the ,father1 and the ,son1 from henceforth and for ever 7#fd-ff74 ,compare ,doc4 and ,cov #bi3db4 ,,footnotes3 #aja ,deut4 #ca3i1 #bd-bf2 compare #ag3ah-bj4 #ajb ,articles of ,faith1 xiii3#g-aj4 #ajc ,gen4 #c3ae2 compare ,heb4 #b3ad2 ,rev1 #ab3i2 #bj3c4 #ajd ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #e3f-i4 ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #aje ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #f3eb2 study paragraphs #ej-ef2 see also ,gen4 #e3ah1 #ba-bd2 ,jude #ad4 ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #ajf ,gen4 #ab3c2 #ah3ah2 #bb3ah2 #bf3d2 #bh3ad2 compare ,acts #c3be2 ,gal4 #c3h4 #ajg ,gen4 #di3aj4 #ajh ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #aji ,deut4 #ah3ae-ai2 compare ,john #a3de2 ,acts #c3bb2 #g3cg2 see also a specific confirmation by our ,lord after ,his resurrection1 #c ,nephi #bj3bc4 #aaj ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #aaa #a ,cor4 #e3g4 ,for references to ,christ as the ,lamb of ,god1 see ,john #a3bi1 #cf2 #a ,peter #a3ai2 ,rev4 chaps4 #e1 #f1 #g1 #ab1 #ac1 #ad1 #ae1 #ag1 #ai1 #ba1 #bb2 also ,b4 of ,m41 #a ,nephi #aj3aj1 and chaps4 #aa1 #ab1 #ac1 #ad2 #b ,nephi #ca3d1 #e1 #f2 #cc3ad2 ,alma #g3ad2 ,mormon #i3b1 #c2 ,doc4 and ,cov4 #eh3aa2 #acb3ai4 #aab ,job #ai3be2 see also verses #bf-bg4 #aac ,instances3 ,psalm #b3g2 compare ,acts #ac3cc2 ,heb4 #a3e2 #e3e4 ,psa4 #af3aj2 compare ,acts #ac3cd-cg4 ,psa4 #bb3ah2 compare ,matt4 #bg3ce2 ,mark #ae3bd2 ,luke #bc3cd2 ,john #ai3bd4 ,psa4 #da3i2 compare ,john #ac3ah4 ,psa4 #fi3i and #ba2 compare ,matt4 #bg3cd1 #dh2 ,mark #ae3bc2 ,john #ai3bi2 and ,john #b3ag4 ,psa4 #aaj3a and #d2 compare ,matt4 #bb3dd2 ,mark #ab3ce-cg2 ,luke #bj3da-dd2 and ,heb4 #e3f4 ,psa4 #aah3bb1 #bc2 compare ,matt4 #ba3db2 ,mark #ab3aj2 ,luke #bj3ag2 ,acts #d3aa2 ,eph4 #b3bj2 #a ,peter #b3d1 #g4 ,the following are known specifically as ,messianic ,psalms3 #b1 #ba1 #bb1 #de1 #fg1 #fi1 #hi1 #if1 #aaj1 #acb2 in them the psalmist extols in poetic measure the excellencies of the ,messiah1 and the certainty of ,his coming4 #aad ,isa4 #g3ad2 compare ,matt4 #a3ba-bc4 #aae ,isa4 #i3f1g4 #aaf ,luke #a3bf-cc4 #aag ,isa4 #aa3a and #aj2 compare ,rom4 #ae3ab2 ,rev4 #e3e2 #bb3af2 see also ,jer4 #bc3e1 #f4 #aah ,isa4 #bh3af2 compare ,psa4 #aah3bb2 ,matt4 #ba3db2 ,acts #d3aa2 ,rom4 #i3cc2 #aj3aa2 ,eph4 #b3bj2 #a ,peter #b3f-h4 #aai ,isa4 #dj3i-aa2 compare ,john #aj3aa1 #ad2 ,heb4 #ac3bj2 #a ,peter #b3be2 #e3d2 see also ,ezek4 #cd3bc4 #abj ,isa4 #db-a2 see also #i3b2 #di3f2 #fj3c2 compare ,matt4 #d3ad-af2 ,luke #b3cb2 ,acts #ac3dg2 #bf3ah2 ,eph4 #e3h1 #ad4 #aba ,isa4 #ee3d2 compare ,john #ah3cg4 #abb ,isa4 #dj3c2 compare ,matt4 #c3c2 ,mark #a3c2 ,luke #c3d2 ,john #a3bc4 #abc ,isa4 #ec2 study the entire chapter2 compare ,acts #h3cb-ce4 #abd ,jer4 #bc3e1 #f2 see also #cc3ad-af4 #abe ,jer4 #cj3i4 #abf ,ezek4 #cd3bc2 #cg3bd1 #be4 #abg ,hos4 #aa3aa2 compare ,matt4 #b3ae4 #abh ,mic4 #e3b2 compare ,matt #b3f2 ,john #g3db4 #abi ,zech4 #i3i2 compare ,matt4 #ba3d-i4 #acj ,zech4 #ab3aj2 compare ,john #ai3cg4 #aca ,zech4 #ac3f4 #acb ,zech4 #aa3ab1 #ac2 compare ,matt4 #bf3ae2 #bg3c-aj4 #acc ,luke #bd3dd1 #df2 see also verses #be-bg4 #acd ,matt4 #c3aa2 ,mark #a3h2 ,luke #c3af2 ,john #a3ae1 #bf1 #bg1 #bi-cf2 see also ,acts #a3e1 #h2 #aa3af2 #ai3d4 #ace ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #acf ,b4 of ,m41 #a ,nephi #aj3d-aa4 #acg ,b4 of ,m41 #a ,nephi chapters #aa and #ab2 see also #ai3aj4 #ach ,b4 of ,m41 #b ,nephi #i3e1 #f2 #aj3c4 ,see also ,nephi's prophecy #be3ab-ad2 and chap4 #bf4 #aci ,b4 of ,m41 ,mosiah #ac3cc-ce2 #ae3a-ac4 #adj ,b4 of ,m41 ,alma #ci3ae2 #dj3a-c4 #ada ,b4 of ,m41 ,alma #aa3ca-dd4 #adb ,b4 of ,m41 ,helaman #ad3a-f2 compare #c ,nephi #a3d-ba4 #adc ,rev4 #ai3aj4 ,,chapter #f4 ,,the ,,meridian ,,of ,,time4 ,unto ,moses1 with whom the ,lord spake face to face1 as a man speaketh unto his friend1#add the course of the human race1 both as then past and future1 was made known2 and the coming of the ,redeemer was recognized by him as the event of greatest import in all the happenings to which the earth and its inhabitants would be witness4 ,the curse of ,god had aforetime fallen upon the wicked1 and upon the earth because of them1 ,for they would not hearken unto his voice1 nor believe on his ,only ,begotten ,son1 even him whom he declared should come in the meridian of time1 who was prepared from before the foundation of the world4#ade ,in this scripture appears the earliest mention of the expressive and profoundly significant designation of the period in which the ,christ should appear--the meridian of time4 ,if the expression be regarded as figurative1 be it remembered the figure is the ,lord's4 ,the term meridian1 as commonly used1 conveys the thought of a principal division of time or space#adf thus we speak of the hours before the daily noon as ante-meridian 7a4m47 and those after noon as post-meridian 7p4m474 ,so the years and the centuries of human history are divided by the great event of the birth of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the years preceding that epoch-making occurrence are now designated as time ,before ,christ 7,b4,c472 while subsequent years are each specified as a certain ,year of our ,lord1 or1 as in the ,latin tongue1 ,anno ,domini 7,a4,d474 ,thus the world's chronology has been adjusted and systematized with reference to the time of the ,savior's birth2 and this method of reckoning is in use among all ,christian nations4 ,it is instructive to note that a similar system was adopted by the isolated branch of the house of ,israel that had been brought from the land of ,palestine to the western continent2 for from the appearance of the promised sign among the people betokening the birth of ,him who had been so abundantly predicted by their prophets1 the ,nephite reckoning of the years1 starting with the departure of ,lehi and his colony from ,jerusalem1 was superseded by the annals of the new era4#adg ,the occasion of the ,savior's advent was preappointed2 and the time thereof was specifically revealed through authorized prophets on each of the hemispheres4 ,the long history of the ,israelitish nation had unfolded a succession of events that found a relative culmination in the earthly mission of the ,messiah4 ,that we may the better comprehend the true significance of the ,lord's life and ministry while in the flesh1 some consideration should be given to the political1 social1 and religious condition of the people amongst whom ,he appeared and with whom ,he lived and died4 ,such consideration involves at least a brief review of the antecedent history of the ,hebrew nation4 ,the posterity of ,abraham through ,isaac and ,jacob had early come to be known by the title in which they took undying pride and found inspiring promise1 ,israelites1 or the children of ,israel4#adh ,collectively they were so designated throughout the dark days of their bondage in ,egypt2#adi so during the four decades of the exodus and the return to the land of promise1#aej and on through the period of their prosperity as a mighty people under the administration of the judges1 and as a united monarchy during the successive reigns of ,saul1 ,david1 and ,solomon4#aea ,immediately following the death of ,solomon1 about #ige ,b4,c4 according to the most generally accepted chronology1 the nation was disrupted by revolt4 ,the tribe of ,judah1 part of the tribe of ,benjamin1 and small remnants of a few other tribes remained true to the royal succession1 and accepted ,rehoboam1 son of ,solomon1 as their king2 while the rest1 usually spoken of as the ,ten ,tribes1 broke their allegiance to the house of ,david1 and made ,jeroboam1 an ,ephraimite1 their king4 ,the ,ten ,tribes retained the title ,kingdom of ,israel though also known as ,ephraim4#aeb ,rehoboam and his adherents were distinctively called the ,kingdom of ,judah4 ,for about two hundred and fifty years the two kingdoms maintained their separate autonomy2 then1 about #gbb or #gba ,b4,c41 the independent status of the ,kingdom of ,israel was destroyed1 and the captive people were transported to ,assyria by ,shalmanezer and others4 ,subsequently they disappeared so completely as to be called the ,lost ,tribes4 ,the ,kingdom of ,judah was recognized as a nation for about one hundred and thirty years longer2 then1 about #ehh ,b4,c41 it was brought into subjection by ,nebuchadnezzar1 through whom the ,babylonian captivity was inaugurated4 ,for three score years and ten ,judah was kept in exile and virtual bondage1 in consequence of their transgression as had been predicted through ,jeremiah4#aec ,then the ,lord softened the hearts of their captors1 and their restoration was begun under the decree of ,cyrus the ,persian1 who had subdued the ,babylonian kingdom4 ,the ,hebrew people were permitted to return to ,judea1 and to enter upon the work of rebuilding the temple at ,jerusalem4#aed ,a great company of the exiled ,hebrews availed themselves of this opportunity to return to the lands of their fathers1 though many elected to remain in the country of their captivity1 preferring ,babylon to ,israel4 ,the whole congregation of the ,jews who returned from the ,babylonian exile were but forty and two thousand three hundred and three score1 beside their servants and their maids1 of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven4 ,the relatively small size of the migrating nation is further shown by the register of their beasts of burden4#aee ,while those who did return strove valiantly to reestablish themselves as the house of ,david1 and to regain some measure of their former prestige and glory1 the ,jews were never again a truly independent people4 ,in turn they were preyed upon by ,greece1 ,egypt1 and ,syria2 but about #afd-afc ,b4,c41 the people threw off1 in part at least1 the alien yoke1 as a result of the patriotic revolt led by the ,maccabees1 the most prominent of whom was ,judas ,maccabeus4 ,the temple service1 which had been practically abolished through the proscription of victorious foes1 was reestablished4#aef ,in the year #afc ,b4,c41 the sacred structure was rededicated1 and the joyful occasion was thereafter celebrated in annual festival as the ,feast of ,dedication4#aeg ,during the reign of the ,maccabees1 however1 the temple fell into an almost ruinous condition1 more as a result of the inability of the reduced and impoverished people to maintain it than through any further decline of religious zeal4 ,in the hope of insuring a greater measure of national protection1 the ,jews entered into an unequal alliance with the ,romans and eventually became tributary to them1 in which condition the ,jewish nation continued throughout the period of our ,lord's ministry4 ,in the meridian of time ,rome was virtually mistress of the world4 ,when ,christ was born ,augustus ,csar#aeh was emperor of ,rome1 and the ,idumean1 ,herod1#aei surnamed the ,great1 was the vassal king of ,judea4 ,some semblance of national autonomy was maintained by the ,jews under ,roman dominion1 and their religious ceremonials were not seriously interfered with4 ,the established orders in the priesthood were recognized1 and the official acts of the national council1 or ,sanhedrin1#afj were held to be binding by ,roman law2 though the judicial powers of this body did not extend to the infliction of capital punishment without the sanction of the imperial executive4 ,it was the established policy of ,rome to allow to her tributary and vassal peoples freedom in worship so long as the mythological deities1 dear to the ,romans1 were not maligned nor their altars desecrated4#afa ,needless to say1 the ,jews took not kindly to alien domination1 though for many generations they had been trained in that experience1 their reduced status having ranged from nominal vassalage to servile bondage4 ,they were already largely a dispersed people4 ,all the ,jews in ,palestine at the time of ,christ's birth constituted but a small remnant of the great ,davidic nation4 ,the ,ten ,tribes1 distinctively the aforetime kingdom of ,israel1 had then long been lost to history1 and the people of ,judah had been widely scattered among the nations4 ,in their relations with other peoples the ,jews generally endeavored to maintain a haughty exclusiveness1 which brought upon them ,gentile ridicule4 ,under ,mosaic law ,israel had been required to keep apart from other nations2 they attached supreme importance to their ,abrahamic lineage as children of the covenant1 an holy people unto the ,lord1 whom ,he had chosen to be a special people unto himself1 above all people that are upon the face of the earth4#afb ,judah had experienced the woful effects of dalliance with pagan nations1 and1 at the time we are now considering1 a ,jew who permitted himself unnecessary association with a ,gentile became an unclean being requiring ceremonial cleansing to free him from defilement4 ,only in strict isolation did the leaders find hope of insuring the perpetuity of the nation4 ,it is no exaggeration to say that the ,jews hated all other peoples and were reciprocally despized and contemned by all others4 ,they manifested especial dislike for the ,samaritans1 perhaps because this people persisted in their efforts to establish some claim of racial relationship4 ,these ,samaritans were a mixed people1 and were looked upon by the ,jews as a mongrel lot1 unworthy of decent respect4 ,when the ,ten ,tribes were led into captivity by the king of ,assyria1 foreigners were sent to populate ,samaria4#afc ,these intermarried with such ,israelites as had escaped the captivity2 and some modification of the religion of ,israel1 embodying at least the profession of ,jehovah worship1 survived in ,samaria4 ,the ,samaritan rituals were regarded by the ,jews as unorthodox1 and the people as reprobate4 ,at the time of ,christ the enmity between ,jew and ,samaritan was so intense that travelers between ,judea and ,galilee would make long detours rather than pass through the province of ,samaria which lay between4 ,the ,jews would have no dealings with the ,samaritans4#afd ,the proud feeling of self-sufficiency1 the obsession for exclusiveness and separation--so distinctively a ,jewish trait at that time--was inculcated at the maternal knee and emphasized in synagog and school4 ,the ,talmud1#afe which in codified form post-dates the time of ,christ's ministry1 enjoined all ,jews against reading the books of alien nations1 declaring that none who so offended could consistently hope for ,jehovah's favor4#aff ,josephus gives his endorsement to similar injunction1 and records that wisdom among the ,jews meant only familiarity with the law and ability to discourse thereon4#afg ,a thorough acquaintanceship with the law was demanded as strongly as other studies were discountenanced4 ,thus the lines between learned and unlearned came to be rigidly drawn2 and1 as an inevitable consequence those who were accounted learned1 or so considered themselves1 looked down upon their unscholarly fellows as a class distinct and inferior4#afh ,long before the birth of ,christ1 the ,jews had ceased to be a united people even in matters of the law1 though the law was their chief reliance as a means of maintaining national solidarity4 ,as early as four score years after the return from the ,babylonian exile1 and we know not with accuracy how much earlier1 there had come to be recognized1 as men having authority1 certain scholars afterward known as scribes1 and honored as rabbis#afi or teachers4 ,in the days of ,ezra and ,nehemiah these specialists in the law constituted a titled class1 to whom deference and honor were paid4 ,ezra is designated the priest1 the scribe1 even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the ,lord1 and of his statutes to ,israel4#agj ,the scribes of those days did valuable service under ,ezra1 and later under ,nehemiah1 in compiling the sacred writings then extant2 and in ,jewish usage those appointed as guardians and expounders of the law came to be known as members of the ,great ,synagog1 or ,great ,assembly1 concerning which we have little information through canonical channels4 ,according to ,talmudic record1 the organization consisted of one hundred and twenty eminent scholars4 ,the scope of their labors1 according to the admonition traditionally perpetuated by themselves1 is thus expressed3 ,be careful in judgment2 set up many scholars1 and make a hedge about the law4 ,they followed this behest by much study and careful consideration of all traditional details in administration2 by multiplying scribes and rabbis unto themselves2 and1 as some of them interpreted the requirement of setting up many scholars1 by writing many books and tractates2 moreover1 they made a fence or hedge about the law by adding numerous rules1 which prescribed with great exactness the officially established proprieties for every occasion4 ,scribes and rabbis were exalted to the highest rank in the estimation of the people1 higher than that of the ,levitical or priestly orders2 and rabbinical sayings were given precedence over the utterances of the prophets1 since the latter were regarded as but messengers or spokesmen1 whereas the living scholars were of themselves sources of wisdom and authority4 ,such secular powers as ,roman suzerainty permitted the ,jews to retain were vested in the hierarchy1 whose members were able thus to gather unto themselves practically all official and professional honors4 ,as a natural result of this condition1 there was practically no distinction between ,jewish civil and ecclesiastical law1 either as to the code or its administration4 ,rabbinism comprized as an essential element the doctrine of the equal authority of oral rabbinical tradition with the written word of the law4 ,the aggrandizement implied in the application of the title ,rabbi and the self-pride manifest in welcoming such adulation were especially forbidden by the ,lord1 who proclaimed ,himself the one ,master2 and1 as touching the interpretation of the title held by some as father1 ,jesus proclaimed but one ,father and ,he in heaven3 ,but be not ye called ,rabbi3 for one is your ,master1 even ,christ2 and all ye are brethren4 ,and call no man your father upon the earth3 for one is your ,father1 which is in heaven4 ,neither be ye called masters3 for one is your ,master1 even ,christ4#aga ,the scribes1 whether so named or designated by the more distinguishing appellation1 rabbis1 were repeatedly denounced by ,jesus1 because of the dead literalism of their teachings1 and the absence of the spirit of righteousness and virile morality therefrom2 and in such denunciations the ,pharisees are often coupled with the scribes4 ,the judgment of the ,christ upon them is sufficiently expressed by ,his withering imprecation3 ,woe unto you1 scribes and ,pharisees1 hypocrites6#agb ,the origin of the ,pharisees is not fixed by undisputed authority as to either time or circumstance2 though it is probable that the sect or party had a beginning in connection with the return of the ,jews from the ,babylonian captivity4 ,new ideas and added conceptions of the meaning of the law were promulgated by ,jews who had imbibed of the spirit of ,babylon2 and the resulting innovations were accepted by some and rejected by others4 ,the name ,pharisee does not occur in the ,old ,testament1 nor in the ,apocrypha1 though it is probable that the ,assideans mentioned in the books of the ,maccabees#agc were the original ,pharisees4 ,by derivation the name expresses the thought of separatism2 the ,pharisee1 in the estimation of his class1 was distinctively set apart from the common people1 to whom he considered himself as truly superior as the ,jews regarded themselves in contrast with other nations4 ,pharisees and scribes were one in all essentials of profession1 and rabbinism was specifically their doctrine4 ,in the ,new ,testament the ,pharisees are often mentioned as in opposition to the ,sadducees2 and such were the relations of the two parties that it becomes a simpler matter to contrast one with the other than to consider each separately4 ,the ,sadducees came into existence as a reactionary organization during the second century ,b4,c41 in connection with an insurgent movement against the ,maccabean party4 ,their platform was that of opposition to the ever-increasing mass of traditional lore1 with which the law was not merely being fenced or hedged about for safety1 but under which it was being buried4 ,the ,sadducees stood for the sanctity of the law as written and preserved1 while they rejected the whole mass of rabbinical precept both as orally transmitted and as collated and codified in the records of the scribes4 ,the ,pharisees formed the more popular party2 the ,sadducees figured as the aristocratic minority4 ,at the time of ,christ's birth the ,pharisees existed as an organized body numbering over six thousand men1 with ,jewish women very generally on their side in sympathy and effort2#agd while the ,sadducees were so small a faction and of such limited power that1 when they were placed in official positions1 they generally followed the policy of the ,pharisees as a matter of incumbent expediency4 ,the ,pharisees were the ,puritans of the time1 unflinching in their demand for compliance with the traditional rules as well as the original law of ,moses4 ,in this connection note ,paul's confession of faith and practise when arraigned before ,agrippa--,that after the most straitest sect of our religion ,i lived a ,pharisee4#age ,the ,sadducees prided themselves on strict compliance with the law1 as they construed it1 irrespective of all scribes or rabbis4 ,the ,sadducees stood for the temple and its prescribed ordinances1 the ,pharisees for the synagog and its rabbinical teachings4 ,it is difficult to decide which were the more technical if we judge each party by the standard of its own profession4 ,by way of illustration3 the ,sadducees held to the literal and full exaction of the ,mosaic penalty--an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth#agf--while the ,pharisees contended on the authority of rabbinical dictum1 that the wording was figurative1 and that therefore the penalty could be met by a fine in money or goods4 ,pharisees and ,sadducees differed on many important if not fundamental matters of belief and practise1 including the preexistence of spirits1 the reality of a future state involving reward and punishment1 the necessity for individual self-denial1 the immortality of the soul1 and the resurrection from the dead2 in each of which the ,pharisees stood for the affirmative while the ,sadducees denied4#agg ,josephus avers--the doctrine of the ,sadducees is that the soul and body perish together2 the law is all that they are concerned to observe4#agh ,they were a skeptical school of aristocratic traditionalists2 adhering only to the ,mosaic law4#agi ,among the many other sects and parties established on the ground of religious or political differences1 or both1 are the ,essenes1 the ,nazarites1 the ,herodians and the ,galileans4 ,the ,essenes were characterized by professions of ultra-piety2 they considered even the strictness of ,pharisaic profession as weak and insufficient2 they guarded membership in their order by severe exactions extending through a first and a second novitiate2 they were forbidden even to touch food prepared by strangers2 they practised strict temperance and rigid self-denial1 indulged in hard labor--preferably that of agriculture1 and were forbidden to trade as merchants1 to take part in war1 or to own or employ slaves4#ahj ,nazarites are not named in the ,new ,testament1 though of specific record in the earlier scriptures2#aha and from sources other than scriptural we learn of their existence at and after the time of ,christ4 ,the ,nazarite was one of either sex who was bound to abstinence and sacrifice by a voluntary vow for special service to ,god2 the period of the vow might be limited or for life4 ,while the ,essenes cultivated an ascetic brotherhood1 the ,nazarites were devoted to solitary discipline4 ,the ,herodians constituted a politico-religious party who favored the plans of the ,herods under the professed belief that through that dynasty alone could the status of the ,jewish people be maintained and a reestablishment of the nation be secured4 ,we find mention of the ,herodians laying aside their partisan antipathies and acting in concert with the ,pharisees in the effort to convict the ,lord ,jesus and bring ,him to death4#ahb ,the ,galileans or people of ,galilee were distinguished from their fellow ,israelites of ,judea by greater simplicity and less ostentatious devotion in matters pertaining to the law4 ,they were opposed to innovations1 yet were generally more liberal or less bigoted than some of the professedly devout ,judeans4 ,they were prominent as able defenders in the wars of the people1 and won for themselves a reputation for bravery and patriotism4 ,they are mentioned in connection with certain tragical occurrences during our ,lord's lifetime4#ahc ,the authority of the priesthood was outwardly acknowledged by the ,jews at the time of ,christ2 and the appointed order of service for priest and ,levite was duly observed4 ,during the reign of ,david1 the descendants of ,aaron1 who were the hereditary priests in ,israel1 had been divided into twenty-four courses1#ahd and to each course the labors of the sanctuary were alloted in turn4 ,representatives of but four of these courses returned from the captivity1 but from these the orders were reconstructed on the original plan4 ,in the days of ,herod the ,great the temple ceremonies were conducted with great display and outward elaborateness1 as an essential matter of consistency with the splendor of the structure1 which surpassed in magnificence all earlier sanctuaries4#ahe ,priests and ,levites1 therefore1 were in demand for continuous service1 though the individuals were changed at short intervals according to the established system4 ,in the regard of the people the priests were inferior to the rabbis1 and the scholarly attainments of a scribe transcended in honor that pertaining to ordination in the priesthood4 ,the religion of the time was a matter of ceremony and formality1 of ritual and performance2 it had lost the very spirit of worship1 and the true conception of the relationship between ,israel and ,israel's ,god was but a dream of the past4 ,such in brief were the principal features of the world's condition1 and particularly as concerns the ,jewish people1 when ,jesus the ,christ was born in the meridian of time4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #f4 #a4 ,the ,sanhedrin4--,this1 the chief court or high council of the ,jews1 derives its name from the ,greek sunedrion1 signifying a council4 ,in ,english it is sometimes though inaccurately1 written ,sanhedrim4 ,the ,talmud traces the origin of this body to the calling of the seventy elders whom ,moses associated with himself1 making seventy-one in all1 to administer as judges in ,israel 7,numb4 #aa3af1 #ag74 ,the ,sanhedrin in the time of ,christ1 as also long before1 comprized seventy-one members1 including the high-priest who presided in the assembly4 ,it appears to have been known in its earlier period as the ,senate1 and was occasionally so designated even after ,christ's death 7,josephus1 ,antiquities xii1 #c3c2 compare ,acts #e3ba72 the name ,sanhedrin came into general use during the reign of ,herod the ,great2 but the term is not of ,biblical usage2 its equivalent in the ,new ,testament is council 7,matt4 #e3bb2 #aj3ag2 #bf3ei7 though it must be remembered that the same term is applied to courts of lesser jurisdiction than that of the ,sanhedrin1 and to local tribunals4 7,matt #e3bb2 #aj3ag2 #bf3ei2 ,mark #ac3i2 see also ,acts #be3ab47 ,the following1 from the ,standard ,bible ,dictionary1 is instructive3 ,those qualified to be members were in general of the priestly house and especially of the ,sadducean nobility4 ,but from the days of ,queen ,alexandra 7#fi-fh ,b4,c47 onward1 there were with these chief priests also many ,pharisees in it under the name of scribes and elders4 ,these three classes are found combined in ,matt4 #bg3da2 ,mark #aa3bg2 #ad3dc1 #ec2 #ae3a4 ,how such members were appointed is not entirely clear4 ,the aristocratic character of the body and the history of its origin forbid the belief that it was by election4 ,its nucleus probably consisted of the members of certain ancient families1 to which1 however1 from time to time others were added by the secular rulers4 ,the presiding officer was the high priest1 who at first exercized in it more than the authority of a member1 claiming a voice equal to that of the rest of the body4 ,but after the reduction of the high priesthood from a hereditary office to one bestowed by the political ruler according to his pleasure1 and the frequent changes in the office introduced by the new system1 the high priest naturally lost his prestige4 ,instead of holding in his hands the 'government of the nation1' he came to be but one of many to share this power2 those who had served as high priests being still in esteem among their nation1 and having lost their office not for any reason that could be considered valid by the religious sense of the community1 exerted a large influence over the decisions of the assembly4 ,in the ,new ,testament they are regarded as the rulers 7,matt4 #bf3ei2 #bg3da2 ,acts #d3e1 #h2 ,luke #bc3ac1 #ce2 ,john #g3bf71 and ,josephus' testimony supports this view4 ,the functions of the ,sanhedrin were religious and moral1 and also political4 ,in the latter capacity they further exercized administrative as well as judicial functions4 ,as a religious tribunal1 the ,sanhedrin wielded a potent influence over the whole of the ,jewish world 7,acts #i3b72 but as a court of justice1 after the division of the country upon the death of ,herod1 its jurisdiction was limited to ,judea4 ,here1 however1 its power was absolute even to the passing of sentence of death 7,josephus1 ,ant4 xiv1 #i3c1 #d2 ,matt4 #bf3c2 ,acts #d3e2 #f3ab2 #bb3cj71 although it had no authority to carry the sentence into execution except as approved and ordered by the representative of the ,roman government4 ,the law by which the ,sanhedrin governed was naturally the ,jewish1 and in the execution of it this tribunal had a police of its own1 and made arrests at its discretion 7,matt #bf3dg74444 ,while the general authority of the ,sanhedrin extended over the whole of ,judea1 the towns in the country had local councils of their own 7,matt4 #e3bb2 #aj3ag2 ,mark #ac3i2 ,josephus1 ,b4 ,j4 ii1 #ad3a71 for the administration of local affairs4 ,these were constituted of elders 7,luke #g3c71 at least seven in number1 7,josephus1 ,ant4 iv1 #h3ad2 ,b4 ,j4 ii1 #bj3e71 and in some of the largest towns as many as twenty-three4 ,what the relation of these to the central council in ,jerusalem was does not appear clearly4444 ,some sort of mutual recognition existed among them2 for whenever the judges of the local court could not agree it seems that they were in the habit of referring their cases to the ,sanhedrin in ,jerusalem4 7,josephus1 ,ant4 iv1 #h3ad2 ,mishna1 ,sanh4 #aa3b74 #b4 ,talmud4--,the body of ,jewish civil and religious law 7and discussion directly or remotely relating thereto7 not comprized in the ,pentateuch1 commonly including the ,mishna and the ,gemara1 but sometimes limited to the latter2 written in ,aramaic4 ,it exists in two great collections1 the ,palestinian ,talmud1 or ,talmud of the ,land of ,israel1 or ,talmud of the ,west1 or1 more popularly1 ,jerusalem ,talmud1 embodying the discussions on the ,mishna of the ,palestinian doctors from the #b;d to the middle of the #eth century2 and the ,babylonian1 embodying those of the ,jewish doctors in ,babylonia1 from about #aij to the #gth century4--,new ,standard ,dict4 ,the ,mishna comprizes the earlier portions of the ,talmud2 the ,gemara is made up of later writings and is largely an exposition of the ,mishna4 ,an edition of the ,babylonian ,talmud alone 7issued at ,vienna in #afhb7 comprized twenty-four tomes4 7,geikie47 #c4 ,rabbis4--,the title ,rabbi is equivalent to our distinctive appellations ,doctor1 ,master1 or ,teacher4 ,by derivation it means ,master or my ,master1 thus connoting dignity and rank associated with politeness of address4 ,a definite explanation of the term is given by ,john 7#a3ch71 and the same meaning attaches by implication to its use as recorded by ,matthew 7#bc3h74 ,it was applied as a title of respect to ,jesus on several occasions 7,matt4 #bc3g1 #h2 #bf3be1 #di2 ,mark #i3e2 #aa3ba2 #ad3de2 ,john #a3ch1 #di2 #c3b1 #bf2 #d3ca2 #f3be2 #i3b2 #aa3h74 ,the title was of comparatively recent usage in the time of ,christ1 as it appears to have first come into general use during the reign of ,herod the ,great1 though the earlier teachers1 of the class without the name of ,rabbis1 were generally reverenced1 and the title was carried back to them by later usage4 ,rab was an inferior title and ,rabban a superior one to ,rabbi4 ,rabboni was expressive of most profound respect1 love and honor 7see ,john #bj3af74 ,at the time of our ,lord's ministry the ,rabbis were held in high esteem1 and rejoiced in the afflations of precedence and honor among men4 ,they were almost exclusively of the powerful ,pharisaic party4 ,the following is from ,geikie's ,life and ,words of ,christ1 vol4 ,i1 chap4 #f3 ,if the most important figures in the society of ,christ's day were the ,pharisees1 it was because they were the ,rabbis or teachers of the ,law4 ,as such they received superstitious honor1 which was1 indeed1 the great motive1 with many1 to court the title or join the party4 ,the ,rabbis were classed with ,moses1 the patriarchs1 and the prophets1 and claimed equal reverence4 ,jacob and ,joseph were both said to have been ,rabbis4 ,the ,targum of ,jonathan substitutes ,rabbis1 or ,scribes1 for the word 'prophets' where it occurs4 ,josephus speaks of the prophets of ,saul's day as ,rabbis4 ,in the ,jerusalem ,targum all the patriarchs are learned ,rabbis4444 ,they were to be dearer to ,israel than father or mother--because parents avail only in this world as was then taught but the ,rabbi forever4 ,they were set above kings1 for is it not written ',through me kings reign'8 ,their entrance into a house brought a blessing2 to live or to eat with them was the highest good fortune4444 ,the ,rabbis went even further than this in exalting their order4 ,the ,mishna declares that it is a greater crime to speak anything to their discredit1 than to speak against the words of the ,law4444 ,yet in form1 the ,law received boundless honor4 ,every saying of the ,rabbis had to be based on some words of it1 which were1 however1 explained in their own way4 ,the spirit of the times1 the wild fanaticism of the people1 and their own bias1 tended alike to make them set value only on ceremonies and worthless externalisms1 to the utter neglect of the spirit of the sacred writings4 ,still it was held that the ,law needed no confirmation1 while the words of the ,rabbis did4 ,so far as the ,roman authority under which they lived left them free1 the ,jews willingly put all power in the hands of the ,rabbis4 ,they or their nominees filled every office1 from the highest in the priesthood to the lowest in the community4 ,they were the casuists1 the teachers1 the priests1 the judges1 the magistrates1 and the physicians of the nation4444 ,the central and dominant characteristic of the teaching of the ,rabbis was the certain advent of a great national ,deliverer--the ,messiah or ,anointed of ,god or in the ,greek translation of the title1 the ,christ4 ,in no other nation than the ,jews has such a conception ever taken such root or shown such vitality4444 ,it was agreed among the ,rabbis that ,his birthplace must be ,bethlehem1 and that ,he must rise from the tribe of ,judah4 ,individual rabbis gathered disciples about them1 and1 inevitably1 rivalry became manifest4 ,rabbinical schools and academies were established1 each depending for its popularity on the greatness of some rabbi4 ,the most famous of these institutions in the time of ,herod ,i4 were the school of ,hillel and that of his rival ,shammai4 ,later1 tradition invested these with the title the fathers of old4 ,it appears from the trifling matters over which the followers of these two disagreed1 that only by opposition could either maintain a distinguishing status4 ,hillel is reputed as the grandfather of ,gamaliel1 the rabbi and doctor of the law at whose feet ,saul of ,tarsus1 afterward ,paul the apostle1 received his early instruction 7,acts #bb3c74 ,so far as we have historic record of the views1 principles or beliefs advocated by the rival schools of ,hillel and ,shammai1 it appears that the former stood for a greater degree of liberality and tolerance1 while the later emphasized a strict and possibly narrow interpretation of the law and its associated traditions4 ,the dependence of the rabbinical schools on the authority of tradition is illustrated by an incident of record to the effect that even the prestige of the great ,hillel did not insure him against uproar when once he spoke without citing precedent2 only when he added that so had his masters ,abtalion and ,shemajah spoken did the tumult subside4 #d4 ,sadducean ,denial of the ,resurrection4--,as set forth in the text1 the ,sadducees formed an association numerically small as compared with the more popular and influential ,pharisees4 ,in the ,gospels the ,pharisees are of frequent mention1 and very commonly in connection with the scribes1 while the ,sadducees are less frequently named4 ,in the ,acts of the ,apostles1 the ,sadducees appear frequently as opponents of the ,church4 ,this condition was doubtless due to the prominence given the resurrection from the dead among the themes of the apostolic preaching1 the ,twelve continually bearing testimony to the actual resurrection of ,christ4 ,sadducean doctrine denied the actuality and possibility of a bodily resurrection1 the contention resting mainly on the ground that ,moses1 who was regarded as the supreme mortal lawgiver in ,israel1 and the chief mouthpiece of ,jehovah1 had written nothing concerning life after death4 ,the following is taken from ,smith's ,dictionary of the ,bible1 article ,sadducees1 as touching this matter3 ,the denial of man's resurrection after death followed in the conception of the ,sadducees as a logical conclusion from their denial that ,moses had revealed to the ,israelites the ,oral ,law4 ,for on a point so momentous as a second life beyond the grave1 no religious party among the ,jews would have deemed themselves bound to accept any doctrine as an article of faith1 unless it had been proclaimed by ,moses1 their great legislator2 and it is certain that in the written ,law of the ,pentateuch there is a total absence of any assertion by ,moses of the resurrection of the dead4 ,this fact is presented to ,christians in a striking manner by the well-known words of the ,pentateuch which are quoted by ,christ in argument with the ,sadducees on this subject 7,exo4 #c3f1 #af2 ,mark #ab3bf1 #bg2 ,matt4 #bb3ca1 #cb2 ,luke #bj3cg74 ,it cannot be doubted that in such a case ,christ would quote to ,his powerful adversaries the most cogent text in the ,law2 and yet the text actually quoted does not do more than suggest an inference on this great doctrine4 ,it is true that passages in other parts of the ,old ,testament express a belief in the resurrection 7,isa4 #bf3ai2 ,dan4 #ab3b2 ,job #ai3bf2 and in some of the ,psalms72 and it may at first sight be a subject of surprize that the ,sadducees were not convinced by the authority of those passages4 ,but although the ,sadducees regarded the books which contained these passages as sacred1 it is more than doubtful whether any of the ,jews regarded them as sacred in precisely the same sense as the written ,law4 ,to the ,jews ,moses was and is a colossal form1 preeminent in authority above all subsequent prophets4 #e4 ,the ,temple of ,herod4--,herod's purpose in the great undertaking that of restoring the temple1 and of enlarging it on a plan of unprecedented magnificence was that of aggrandizing himself and the nation1 rather than the rendering of homage to ,jehovah4 ,his proposition to rebuild or restore the temple on a scale of increased magnificence was regarded with suspicion and received with disfavor by the ,jews1 who feared that were the ancient edifice demolished1 the arbitrary monarch might abandon his plan and the people would be left without a temple4 ,to allay these fears the king proceeded to reconstruct and restore the old edifice1 part by part1 directing the work so that at no time was the temple service seriously interrupted4 ,so little of the ancient structure was allowed to stand1 however1 that the temple of ,herod must be regarded as a new creation4 ,the work was begun about sixteen years before the birth of ,christ2 and while the ,holy ,house itself was practically completed within a year and a half1 this part of the labor having been performed by a body of one thousand priests specially trained for the purpose1 the temple area was a scene of uninterrupted building operations down to the year #fc ,a4,d4 ,we read that in the time of ,christ's ministry the temple had been forty-six years in building2 and at that time it was unfinished4 ,the ,biblical record gives us little information regarding this the last and the greatest of ancient temples2 for what we know concerning it we are indebted1 mainly to ,josephus1 with some corroborative testimony found in the ,talmud4 ,in all essentials the ,holy ,house1 or ,temple proper1 was similar to the two earlier houses of sanctuary1 though externally far more elaborate and imposing than either2 but in the matter of surrounding courts and associated buildings1 the ,temple of ,herod preeminently excelled4444 ,yet its beauty and grandeur lay in architectural excellence rather than in the sanctity of its worship or in the manifestation of the ,divine ,presence within its walls4 ,its ritual and service were largely man-prescribed2 for while the letter of the ,mosaic ,law was professedly observed1 the law had been supplemented and in many features supplanted by rule and priestly prescription4 ,the ,jews professed to consider it holy1 and by them it was proclaimed as the ,house of the ,lord4 ,devoid though it was of the divine accompaniments of earlier shrines accepted of ,god1 and defiled as it was by priestly arrogance and usurpation1 as also by the selfish interest of traffic and trade1 it was nevertheless recognized even by our ,lord the ,christ as ,his ,father's ,house4 7,matt4 #ba3ab2 compare ,mark #aa3ae2 ,luke #ai3de474444 ,for thirty or more years after the death of ,christ1 the ,jews continued the work of adding to and embellishing the temple buildings4 ,the elaborate design conceived and projected by ,herod had been practically completed2 the temple was well-nigh finished1 and1 as soon afterward appeared1 was ready for destruction4 ,its fate had been definitely foretold by the ,savior ,himself4--,from the author's ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #ed-fa4 #f4 ,state of the ,world at the ,time of the ,savior's ,birth4--,at the beginning of the ,christian era1 the ,jews1 in common with most other nations1 were subjects of the ,roman empire4 ,they were allowed a considerable degree of liberty in maintaining their religious observances and national customs generally1 but their status was far from that of a free and independent people4 ,the period was one of comparative peace--a time marked by fewer wars and less dissension than the empire had known for many years4 ,these conditions were favorable for the mission of the ,christ1 and for the founding of ,his ,church on earth4 ,the religious systems extant at the time of ,christ's earthly ministry may be classified in a general way as ,jewish and ,pagan1 with a minor system--the ,samaritan--which was essentially a mixture of the other two4 ,the children of ,israel alone proclaimed the existence of the true and living ,god2 they alone looked forward to the advent of the ,messiah1 whom mistakenly they awaited as a prospective conqueror coming to crush the enemies of their nation4 ,all other nations1 tongues1 and peoples1 bowed to pagan deities1 and their worship comprized nought but the sensual rites of heathen idolatry4 ,paganism was a religion of form and ceremony1 based on polytheism--a belief in the existence of a multitude of gods1 which deities were subject to all the vices and passions of humanity1 while distinguished by immunity from death4 ,morality and virtue were unknown as elements of heathen service2 and the dominant idea in pagan worship was that of propitiating the gods1 in the hope of averting their anger and purchasing their favor4--,see the author's ,the ,great ,apostasy1 #a3b-d1 and notes following the chapter cited4 ,,footnotes3 #add ,exo4 #cc3aa2 see also ,numb4 #ab3h2 ,deut4 #cd3aj2 compare ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #a3b1 #aa1 #ca4 #ade ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #e3eg2 for later mention of the meridian of time1 see #f3ef-fb2 and #g3df2 and compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bj3bf2 #ci3c4 #adf ,meridian3 444 figuratively1 the highest point or culminating-point of anything2 the zenith2 as the meridian of life4--,new ,stand4 ,dict4 #adg ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #b3h2 compare #d ,nephi #a3a1 #ba2 ,mormon #h3f2 ,moroni #aj3a4 #adh ,gen4 #cb3bh2 #ce3aj4 #adi ,exo4 #a3a1 #g2 #i3f1 #g2 #ab3c1 etc4 #aej ,exo4 #ab3ce1 #dj2 #ac3ai2 #ae3a2 ,numb4 #bj3a1 #ai1 #bd1 etc4 #aea ,see mention throughout the books of ,judges1 #a and #b ,samuel1 #a and #b ,kings1 and references therein4 #aeb ,isa4 #aa3ac2 #ag3c2 ,ezek1 #cg3af-bb2 ,hos4 #d3ag4 #aec ,jer4 #be3aa1 #ab2 see also #bi3aj4 #aed ,ezra #a3a-d2 the author1 ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #dg-ec2 also ,articles of ,faith xvii3#a-bb4 #aee ,ezra #b3fd-fg4 #aef ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #ea-ec4 #aeg ,josephus1 ,ant4 xii3#f and #g2 #b ,maccabees #b3ai2 #aj3a-h2 also ,john #aj3bb4 #aeh ,luke #b3a4 #aei ,matt4 #b3a4 ,page #ajf4 #afj ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #afa ,deut4 #g3f2 see also #aj3ae2 ,exo4 #ai3e1 #f2 ,psa4 #ace3d2 ,isa4 #da3h2 #de3d2 compare #a ,peter #b3i4 #afb ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #afc #b ,kings #ag3bd4 #afd ,john #d3i2 ,luke #i3ea-ec4 ,pages #agb1 #ahc herein4 #afe ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #aff ,bab4 ,talmud1 ,sanhedrin1 #ij4 #afg ,josephus1 ,ant4 xx1 #aa3b4 #afh ,note the emphasis given to this distinction in ,john #g3de-di2 see also #i3cd4 #afi ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #agj ,ezra #g3aa2 see also verses #f1 #aj1 #ab4 #aga ,matt4 #bc3h-aj2 see also ,john #a3ch2 #c3b4 #agb ,matt4 #bc3ac1 #ad1 #ae1 #bc4 etc41 read the entire chapter2 compare ,mark #ab3ch-dj2 ,luke #bj3df2 see also as instances of special denunciation of the ,pharisees ,luke #aa3cg-dd4 ,note also that the lawyers1 who were professionally associated with the scribes1 are included in the sweeping criticism3 verses #de-ed4 ,see pages #eeb-efj herein4 #agc #a ,maccabees #b3db2 #g3ac-ag2 #b ,maccabees #ad3f4 #agd ,josephus1 ,antiquities1 xvii1 #b3d4 #age ,acts #bf3e2 see also #bc3f2 ,philip4 #c3e4 #agf ,exo4 #ba3bc-ce2 ,lev4 #bd3bj2 ,deut4 #ai3ba2 contrast ,matt #e3ch-dd4 #agg ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #agh ,josephus1 ,antiquities xviii1 #a3d4 #agi ,new ,stand4 ,dict41 under ,sadducees4 #ahj ,josephus1 ,antiquities xviii1 #a3e4 #aha ,numb4 #f3b-ba2 ,judges #ac3e1 #g2 #af3ag2 ,amos4 #b3aa1 #ab4 ,page #hg4 #ahb ,matt4 #bb3ae1 #af2 ,mark #ab3ac4 #ahc ,luke #ac3a1 #b2 see also ,john #d3de2 ,mark #ad3gj2 ,acts #b3g4 #ahd #a ,chron4 #bd3a-ah4 #ahe ,note #e1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #g4 ,,gabriel',s ,,annunciation ,,of ,,john ,,and ,,of ,,jesus4 ,,john ,,the ,,forerunner4 ,associated with the prophecies of the birth of ,christ are predictions concerning one who should precede ,him1 going before to prepare the way4 ,it is not surprizing that the annunciation of the immediate advent of the forerunner was speedily followed by that of the ,messiah2 nor that the proclamations were made by the same heavenly embassador--,gabriel1 sent from the presence of ,god4#ahf ,about fifteen months prior to the ,savior's birth1 ,zacharias1 a priest of the ,aaronic order1 was officiating in the functions of his office in the temple at ,jerusalem4 ,his wife1 ,elisabeth1 was also of a priestly family1 being numbered among the descendants of ,aaron4 ,the couple had never been blessed with children2 and at the time of which we speak they were both well stricken in years and had sorrowfully given up hope of posterity4 ,zacharias belonged to the course of priests named after ,abijah1 and known in later time as the course of ,abia4 ,this was the eighth in the order of the twenty-four courses established by ,david the king1 each course being appointed to serve in turn a week at the sanctuary4#ahg ,it will be remembered that on the return of the people from ,babylon only four of the courses were represented2 but of these four each averaged over fourteen hundred men4#ahh ,during his week of service each priest was required to maintain scrupulously a state of ceremonial cleanliness of person2 he had to abstain from wine1 and from food except that specifically prescribed2 he had to bathe frequently2 he lived within the temple precincts and thus was cut off from family association2 he was not allowed to come near the dead1 nor to mourn in the formal manner if death should rob him of even his nearest and dearest of kin4 ,we learn that the daily selection of the priest who should enter the ,holy ,place1 and there burn incense on the golden altar1 was determined by lot2#ahi and furthermore we gather1 from non-scriptural history1 that because of the great number of priests the honor of so officiating seldom fell twice to the same person4 ,on this day the lot had fallen to ,zacharias4 ,it was a very solemn occasion in the life of the humble ,judean priest--this one day in his life on which the special and particularly sacred service was required of him4 ,within the ,holy ,place he was separated by the veil of the temple only from the ,oracle or ,holy of ,holies--the inner sanctuary into which none but the high priest might enter1 and he only on the ,day of ,atonement1 after long ceremonial preparation4#aij ,the place and the time were conducive to the highest and most reverential feelings4 ,as ,zacharias ministered within the ,holy ,place1 the people without bowed themselves in prayer1 watching for the clouds of incense smoke to appear above the great partition which formed the barrier between the place of general assembly and the ,holy ,place1 and awaiting the reappearance of the priest and his pronouncement of the benediction4 ,before the astonished gaze of ,zacharias1 at this supreme moment of his priestly service1 there appeared1 standing on the right of the golden altar of incense1 an angel of the ,lord4 ,many generations had passed in ,jewry since any visible presence other than mortal had been manifest within the temple1 either in the ,holy ,place or the ,holy of ,holies2 the people regarded personal visitations of heavenly beings as occurrences of the past2 they had come almost to believe that there were no longer prophets in ,israel4 ,nevertheless1 there was always a feeling of anxiety1 akin to that of troubled expectancy1 whenever a priest approached the inner sanctuary1 which was regarded as the particular abode of ,jehovah should ,he ever again condescend to visit ,his people4 ,in view of these conditions we read without surprize that this angelic presence troubled ,zacharias and caused fear to fall upon him4 ,the words of the heavenly visitant1 however1 were comforting though of startling import1 embodying as they did the unqualified assurance that the man's prayers had been heard1 and that his wife should bear him a son1 who must be named ,john4#aia ,the promise went even further1 specifying that the child to be born of ,elisabeth would be a blessing to the people2 many would rejoice at his birth2 he would be great in the sight of the ,lord1 and must be guarded against wine and strong drink2#aib he would be filled with the ,holy ,ghost1 would be the means of turning many souls to ,god1 and would go before to make ready a people prepared to receive the ,messiah4 ,doubtless ,zacharias recognised in the predicted future of the yet unborn child the great forerunner1 of whom the prophets had told and the psalmist had sung2 but that such a one should be offspring of himself and his aged wife seemed impossible despite the angel's promise4 ,the man doubted1 and asked whereby he should know that what his visitant had spoken was true3 ,and the angel answering said unto him1 ,i am ,gabriel1 that stand in the presence of ,god2 and am sent to speak unto thee1 and to show thee these glad tidings4 ,and1 behold1 thou shalt be dumb1 and not able to speak1 until the day that these things shall be performed1 because thou believest not my words1 which shall be fulfilled in their season4#aic ,when the highly blessed though sorely smitten priest at length came from within and appeared before the expectant congregation1 already made anxious by his delayed return1 he could but mutely dismiss the assembly and by signs indicate that he had seen a vision4 ,the penalty for doubt was already operative2 ,zacharias was dumb4 ,in due time the child was born1 there in the hill country of ,judea#aid where ,zacharias and ,elisabeth had their home2 and1 on the eighth day following the birth the family assembled in accordance with custom and ,mosaic requirement1 to name the babe in connection with the rite of circumcision4#aie ,all suggestions that he be called after his father were overruled by ,zacharias1 who wrote with decisive finality3 ,his name is ,john4 ,thereupon the dumb#aif priest's tongue was loosed1 and being filled with the ,holy ,ghost he burst forth in prophecy1 praise and song2 his inspired utterances have been set to music and are sung in worship by many ,christian congregations as the ,benedictus3 ,blessed be the ,lord ,god of ,israel2 for he hath visited and redeemed his people1 and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant ,david2 as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets1 which have been since the world began3 that we should be saved from our enemies1 and from the hand of all that hate us2 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers1 and to remember his holy covenant2 the oath which he sware to our father ,abraham1 that he would grant unto us1 that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear1 in holiness and righteousness before him1 all the days of our life4 ,and thou1 child1 shalt be called the prophet of the ,highest3 for thou shalt go before the face of the ,lord to prepare his ways2 to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins1 through the tender mercy of our ,god2 whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us1 to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death1 to guide our feet into the way of peace4#aig ,the last words ,zacharias had uttered prior to the infliction of dumbness were words of doubt and unbelief1 words in which he had called for a sign as proof of authority of one who came from the presence of the ,almighty2 the words with which he broke his long silence were words of praise unto ,god in whom he had all assurance1 words that were as a sign to all who heard1 and the fame whereof spread throughout the region4 ,the unusual circumstances attending the birth of ,john1 notably the months of dumbness passed by the father and his sudden recovery of speech on the bestowal of the fore-appointed name1 caused many to marvel and some to fear1 as they asked3 ,what manner of child shall this be8 ,when1 a man grown1 ,john raised his voice in the wilderness1 again in fulfillment of prophecy1 the people questioned as to whether he was not the ,messiah4#aih ,of his life between infancy and the beginning of his public ministry1 a period of approximately thirty years1 we have of record but a single sentence3 ,and the child grew1 and waxed strong in spirit1 and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto ,israel4#aii ,,the ,,annunciation ,,to ,,the ,,virgin4 ,six months after the visitation of ,gabriel to ,zacharias1 and three months prior to the birth of ,john1 the same heavenly messenger was sent to a young woman named ,mary1 who lived at ,nazareth1 a town in ,galilee4 ,she was of the lineage of ,david2 and though unmarried was betrothed or espoused to a man named ,joseph1 who also was of royal descent through the ,davidic line4 ,the angel's salutation1 while full of honor and blessing1 caused ,mary to wonder and to feel troubled4 ,hail1 thou that art highly favoured1 the ,lord is with thee3 blessed art thou among women2#bjj thus did ,gabriel greet the virgin4 ,in common with other daughters of ,israel1 specifically those of the tribe of ,judah and of known descent from ,david1 ,mary had doubtless contemplated1 with holy joy and ecstasy1 the coming of the ,messiah through the royal line2 she knew that some ,jewish maiden was yet to become the mother of the ,christ4 ,was it possible that the angel's words to her had reference to this supreme expectation and hope of the nation8 ,she had little time to turn these things in her mind1 for the angel continued3 ,fear not1 ,mary3 for thou hast found favour with ,god4 ,and1 behold1 thou shalt conceive in thy womb1 and bring forth a son1 and shalt call his name ,,jesus4 ,he shall be great1 and shall be called the ,son of the ,highest3 and the ,lord ,god shall give unto him the throne of his father ,david3 and he shall reign over the house of ,jacob for ever2 and of his kingdom there shall be no end4#bja ,even yet she comprehended but in part the import of this momentous visitation4 ,not in the spirit of doubt such as had prompted ,zacharias to ask for a sign1 but through an earnest desire for information and explanation1 ,mary1 conscious of her unmarried status and sure of her virgin condition1 asked3 ,how shall this be1 seeing ,i know not a man8 ,the answer to her natural and simple inquiry was the announcement of a miracle such as the world had never known--not a miracle in the sense of a happening contrary to nature's law1 nevertheless a miracle through the operation of higher law1 such as the human mind ordinarily fails to comprehend or regard as possible4 ,mary was informed that she would conceive and in time bring forth a ,son1 of whom no mortal man would be the father3--,and the angel answered and said unto her1 ,the ,holy ,ghost shall come upon thee1 and the power of the ,highest shall overshadow thee3 therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the ,son of ,god4#bjb ,then the angel told her of the blessed condition of her cousin ,elisabeth1 who had been barren2 and by way of sufficient and final explanation added3 ,for with ,god nothing shall be impossible4 ,with gentle submissiveness and humble acceptance1 the pure young virgin replied3 ,behold the handmaid of the ,lord2 be it unto me according to thy word4 ,his message delivered1 ,gabriel departed1 leaving the chosen ,virgin of ,nazareth to ponder over her wondrous experience4 ,mary's promised ,son was to be ,the ,only ,begotten of the ,father in the flesh2 so it had been both positively and abundantly predicted4 ,true1 the event was unprecedented2 true also it has never been paralleled2 but that the virgin birth would be unique was as truly essential to the fulfilment of prophecy as that it should occur at all4 ,that ,child to be born of ,mary was begotten of ,elohim1 the ,eternal ,father1 not in violation of natural law but in accordance with a higher manifestation thereof2 and1 the offspring from that association of supreme sanctity1 celestial ,sireship1 and pure though mortal maternity1 was of right to be called the ,son of the ,highest4 ,in ,his nature would be combined the powers of ,godhood with the capacity and possibilities of mortality2 and this through the ordinary operation of the fundamental law of heredity1 declared of ,god1 demonstrated by science1 and admitted by philosophy1 that living beings shall propagate--after their kind4 ,the ,child ,jesus was to inherit the physical1 mental1 and spiritual traits1 tendencies1 and powers that characterized ,his parents--one immortal and glorified--,god1 the other human--woman4 ,jesus ,christ was to be born of mortal woman1 but was not directly the offspring of mortal man1 except so far as ,his mother was the daughter of both man and woman4 ,in our ,lord alone has been fulfilled the word of ,god spoken in relation to the fall of ,adam1 that the seed of the woman should have power to overcome ,satan by bruising the serpent's head4#bjc ,in respect to place1 condition1 and general environment1 ,gabriel's annunciation to ,zacharias offers strong contrast to the delivery of his message to ,mary4 ,the prospective forerunner of the ,lord was announced to his father within the magnificent temple1 and in a place the most exclusively sacred save one other in the ,holy ,house1 under the light shed from the golden candlestick1 and further illumined by the glow of living coals on the altar of gold2 the ,messiah was announced to ,his mother in a small town far from the capital and the temple1 most probably within the walls of a simple ,galilean cottage4 ,,mary',s ,,visit ,,to ,,her ,,cousin ,,elisabeth4 ,it was natural that ,mary1 left now to herself with a secret in her soul1 holier1 greater1 and more thrilling than any ever borne before or since1 should seek companionship1 and that of some one of her own sex1 in whom she could confide1 from whom she might hope to derive comfort and support1 and to whom it would be not wrong to tell what at that time was probably known to no mortal save herself4 ,her heavenly visitant had indeed suggested all this in his mention of ,elisabeth1 ,mary's cousin1 herself a subject of unusual blessing1 and a woman through whom another miracle of ,god had been wrought4 ,mary set out with haste from ,nazareth for the hill country of ,judea1 on a journey of about a hundred miles if the traditional account be true that the little town of ,juttah was the home of ,zacharias4 ,there was mutual joy in the meeting between ,mary the youthful virgin1 and ,elisabeth1 already well advanced in life4 ,from what of ,gabriel's words her husband had communicated1 ,elisabeth must have known that the approaching birth of her son would soon be followed by that of the ,messiah1 and that therefore the day for which ,israel had waited and prayed through the long dark centuries was about to dawn4 ,when ,mary's salutation fell upon her ears1 the ,holy ,ghost bore witness that the chosen mother of the ,lord stood before her in the person of her cousin2 and as she experienced the physical thrill incident to the quickening spirit of her own blessed conception1 she returned the greeting of her visitor with reverence3 ,blessed art thou among women1 and blessed is the fruit of thy womb4 ,and whence is this to me1 that the mother of my ,lord should come to me8#bjd ,mary responded with that glorious hymn of praise1 since adopted in the musical ritual of churches as the ,magnificat3 ,my soul doth magnify the ,lord1 and my spirit hath rejoiced in ,god my ,saviour4 ,for he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden3 for1 behold1 from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed4 ,for he that is mighty hath done to me great things2 and holy is his name4 ,and his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation4 ,he hath shewed strength with his arm2 he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts4 ,he hath put down the mighty from their seats1 and exalted them of low degree4 ,he hath filled the hungry with good things2 and the rich he hath sent empty away4 ,he hath holpen his servant ,israel1 in remembrance of his mercy2 as he spake to our fathers1 to ,abraham1 and to his seed for ever4#bje ,,mary ,,and ,,joseph4 ,the visit lasted about three months1 after which time ,mary returned to ,nazareth4 ,the real embarrassment of her position she had now to meet4 ,at the home of her cousin she had been understood2 her condition had served to confirm the testimony of ,zacharias and ,elisabeth2 but how would her word be received at her own home8 ,and especially1 how would she be regarded by her espoused husband8#bjf ,betrothal1 or espousal1 in that time was in some respects as binding as the marriage vow1 and could only be set aside by a ceremonial separation akin to divorce2 yet an espousal was but an engagement to marry1 not a marriage4 ,when ,joseph greeted his promised bride after her three months' absence1 he was greatly distressed over the indications of her prospective maternity4 ,now the ,jewish law provided for the annulment of a betrothal in either of two ways--by public trial and judgment1 or by private agreement attested by a written document signed in the presence of witnesses4 ,joseph was a just man1 a strict observer of the law1 yet no harsh extremist2 moreover he loved ,mary and would save her all unnecessary humiliation1 whatever might be his own sorrow and suffering4 ,for ,mary's sake he dreaded the thought of publicity2 and therefore determined to have the espousal annulled with such privacy the law allowed4 ,he was troubled and thought much of his duty in the matter1 when1 behold1 the angel of the ,lord appeared unto him in a dream1 saying1 ,joseph1 thou son of ,david1 fear not to take unto thee ,mary thy wife3 for that which is conceived in her is of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,and she shall bring forth a son1 and thou shalt call his name ,,jesus3 for he shall save his people from their sins4#bjg ,great was ,joseph's relief of mind2 and great his joy in the realization that the long predicted coming of the ,messiah was at hand2 the words of the prophets would be fulfilled2 a virgin1 and she the one in the world most dear to him1 had conceived1 and in due time would bring forth that blessed ,son1 ,emmanuel1 which name by interpretation means ,god with us4#bjh ,the angel's salutation was significant2 ,joseph1 thou son of ,david1 was the form of address2 and the use of that royal title must have meant to ,joseph that1 though he was of kingly lineage1 marriage with ,mary would cast no shadow upon his family status4 ,joseph waited not2 to insure ,mary all possible protection and establish his full legal right as her lawful guardian he hastened the solemnization of the marriage1 and did as the angel of the ,lord had bidden him1 and took unto him his wife3 and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son3 and he called his name ,,jesus4#bji ,the national hope of a ,messiah based on promise and prophecy had become confused in the ,jewish mind1 through the influence of rabbinism with its many vagaries1 and its private interpretation#baj made to appear authoritative by the artificially sustained prestige of the expositors2 yet certain conditions had been emphasized as essential1 even by the rabbis1 and by these essentials would be judged the claim of any ,jew who might declare himself to be the long expected ,one4 ,it was beyond question that the ,messiah was to be born within the tribe of ,judah and through the line of descent from ,david1 and1 being of ,david ,he must of necessity be of the lineage of ,abraham1 through whose posterity1 according to the covenant1 all nations of the earth were to be blessed4#baa ,two genealogical records1 purporting to give the lineage of ,jesus are found in the ,new ,testament1 one in the first chapter of ,matthew1 the other in the third chapter of ,luke4 ,these records present several apparent discrepancies1 but such have been satisfactorily reconciled by the research of specialists in ,jewish genealogy4 ,no detailed analysis of the matter will be attempted here2 but it should be borne in mind that the consensus of judgment on the part of investigators is that ,matthew's account is that of the royal lineage1 establishing the order of sequence among the legal successors to the throne of ,david1 while the account given by ,luke is a personal pedigree1 demonstrating descent from ,david without adherence to the line of legal succession to the throne through primogeniture or nearness of kin4#bab ,luke's record is regarded by many1 however1 as the pedigree of ,mary1 while ,matthew's is accepted as that of ,joseph4 ,the all important fact to be remembered is that the ,child promised by ,gabriel to ,mary1 the virginal bride of ,joseph1 would be born in the royal line4 ,a personal genealogy of ,joseph was essentially that of ,mary also1 for they were cousins4 ,joseph is named as son of ,jacob by ,matthew1 and as son of ,heli by ,luke2 but ,jacob and ,heli were brothers1 and it appears that one of the two was the father of ,joseph and the other the father of ,mary and therefore father-in-law to ,joseph4 ,that ,mary was of ,davidic descent is plainly set forth in many scriptures2 for since ,jesus was to be born of ,mary1 yet was not begotten by ,joseph1 who was the reputed1 and1 according to the law of the ,jews1 the legal1 father1 the blood of ,david's posterity was given to the body of ,jesus through ,mary alone4 ,our ,lord1 though repeatedly addressed as ,son of ,david1 never repudiated the title but accepted it as rightly applied to ,himself4#bac ,apostolic testimony stands in positive assertion of the royal heirship of ,christ through earthly lineage1 as witness the affirmation of ,paul1 the scholarly ,pharisee3 ,concerning his ,son ,jesus ,christ our ,lord1 which was made of the seed of ,david according to the flesh2 and again3 ,remember that ,jesus ,christ of the seed of ,david was raised from the dead4#bad ,in all the persecutions waged by ,his implacable haters1 in all the false accusations brought against ,him1 in the specific charges of sacrilege and blasphemy based on ,his acknowledgment of the ,messiahship as ,his own1 no mention is found of even an insinuation that ,he could not be the ,christ through any ineligibility based on lineage4 ,genealogy was assiduously cared for by the ,jews before1 during1 and after the time of ,christ2 indeed their national history was largely genealogical record2 and any possibility of denying the ,christ because of unattested descent would have been used to the fullest extent by insistent ,pharisee1 learned scribe1 haughty rabbi1 and aristocratic ,sadducee4 ,at the time of the ,savior's birth1 ,israel was ruled by alien monarchs4 ,the rights of the royal ,davidic family were unrecognized2 and the ruler of the ,jews was an appointee of ,rome4 ,had ,judah been a free and independent nation1 ruled by her rightful sovereign1 ,joseph the carpenter would have been her crowned king2 and his lawful successor to the throne would have been ,jesus of ,nazareth1 the ,king of the ,jews4 ,gabriel's annunciation to ,mary was that of the ,son of ,david1 on whose coming the hope of ,israel rested as on a sure foundation4 ,the ,one1 thus announced1 was ,emmanuel1 even ,god who was to dwell in flesh with ,his people1#bae the ,redeemer of the world1 ,jesus the ,christ4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #g4 #a4 ,john the ,baptist ,regarded as a ,nazarite4--,the instruction of the angel ,gabriel to ,zacharias1 that the promised son1 ,john1 was to drink neither wine nor strong drink1 and the adult life of ,john as a dweller in the desert1 together with his habit of wearing rough garb1 have led commentators and ,biblical specialists to assume that he was a ,nazarite for life4 ,it is to be remembered1 however1 that nowhere in scripture extant is ,john the ,baptist definitely called a ,nazarite4 ,a ,nazarite1 the name signifying consecrated or separated1 was one1 who by personal vow or by that made for him by his parents1 was set apart to some special labor or course of life involving self denial4 7,see page #fg74 ,smith's ,comp4 ,dict1 of the ,bible says3 ,there is no notice in the ,pentateuch of ,nazarites for life2 but the regulations for the vow of a ,nazarite of days are given 7,numb4 #f3a-b74 ,the ,nazarite1 during the term of his consecration1 was bound to abstain from wine1 grapes1 and every production of the vine1 and from every kind of intoxicating drink4 ,he was forbidden to cut the hair of his head1 or to approach any dead body1 even that of his nearest relation4 ,the sole instance of a ,nazarite for life named in the scriptures is that of ,samson1 whose mother was required to put herself under ,nazarite observances prior to his birth1 and the child was to be a ,nazarite to ,god from his birth 7,judges #ac3c-g1 #ad74 ,in the strictness of his life1 ,john the ,baptist is to be credited with all the personal discipline required of ,nazarites whether he was under voluntary or parental vows or was not so bound4 #b4 ,circumcision1 while not exclusively a ,hebrew or an ,israelitish practise1 was made a definite requirement through the revelations of ,god to ,abraham1 as the sign of the covenant between ,jehovah and the patriarch4 7,gen4 #ag3i-ad47 ,this covenant was made to include the establishment of ,abraham's posterity as a great nation1 and provided that through his descendants should all nations of the earth be blessed 7,gen4 #bb3ah7--;a promise which has been proved to mean that through that lineage should the ,messiah be born4 ,circumcision was a binding condition2 and its practise therefore became a national characteristic4 ,every male was to be circumcized eight days after birth 7,gen4 #ag3ab2 ,lev4 #ab3c74 ,this requirement as to age came to be so rigidly enforced1 that even if the eighth day fell on a ,sabbath the rite had to be performed on that day 7,john #g3bb1 #bc74 ,all male slaves had to be circumcized 7,gen4 #ag3ab1 #ac7 and even strangers who sojourned with the ,hebrews and desired to partake of the ,passover with them had to submit to the requirement 7,exo4 #ab3dh74 ,from the ,standard ,bible ,dictionary we take the following3 ,the ceremony indicated the casting off of uncleanness as a preparation for entrance into the privileges of membership in ,israel4 ,in the ,new ,testament1 with its transfer of emphasis from the external and formal to the inner and spiritual side of things1 it was first declared unnecessary for ,gentile converts to the gospel to be circumcized 7,acts #ae3bh71 and afterward the rite was set aside even by ,jewish ,christians4 ,it became customary to name a child at the time it was circumcized1 as is instanced in the case of ,john1 son of ,zacharias 7,luke #a3ei74 #c4 ,zacharias' ,affliction4--,the sign for which ,zacharias asked was thus given by the angel3 ,behold1 thou shalt be dumb1 and not able to speak1 until the day that these things shall be performed1 because thou believest not my words1 which shall be fulfilled in their season4 7,luke #a3bj47 ,from the account of the circumcision and naming of the boy1 ,john1 it is held by some that the afflicted father was also deaf1 as the company made signs to him as to how he would have his son named 7verse #fb74 #d4 ,jewish ,betrothal4--,the vow of espousal1 or betrothal1 has always been regarded as sacred and binding in ,jewish law4 ,in a manner it was as binding as a marriage ceremony1 though it carried none of the particular rights of marriage4 ,the following succinct statements are taken from ,geikie's ,life and ,words of ,christ1 vol4 ,i4 p4 #ii3 ,among the ,jews of ,mary's day it was even more of an actual engagement than it later came to be4 ,the betrothal was formally made with rejoicings in the house of the bride under a tent or slight canopy raised for the purpose4 ,it was called the 'making sacred' as the bride thenceforth was sacred to her husband in the strictest sense4 ,to make it legal1 the bridegroom gave his betrothed a piece of money1 or the worth of it1 before witnesses1 with the words1 ',lo1 thou art betrothed unto me1' or by a formal writing in which similar words and the maiden's name were given1 and this in the same way was handed to her before witnesses4 #e4 ,genealogies of ,joseph and ,mary4--,it is now almost certain that the genealogies in both ,gospels are genealogies of ,joseph1 which if we may rely on early traditions of their consanguinity involve genealogies of ,mary also4 ,the ,davidic descent of ,mary is implied in ,acts #b3cj2 #ac3bc2 ,rom4 #a3c2 ,luke #a3cb1 etc4 ,st4 ,matthew gives the legal descent of ,joseph through the elder and regal line1 as heir to the throne of ,david2 ,st4 ,luke gives the natural descent4 ,thus1 the real father of ,salathiel was heir of the house of ,nathan1 but the childless ,jeconiah 7,jer4 #bb3cj7 was the last lineal representative of the elder kingly line4 ,the omission of some obscure names and the symmetrical arrangement1 into tesseradecads were common ,jewish customs4 ,it is not too much to say that after the labors of ,mill 7,on the ,mythical ,interpretation of the ,gospels1 pp4 #adg-bag7 and ,lord ,a4 ,c4 ,hervey 7,on the ,genealogies of ,our ,lord1 #ahec7 scarcely a single difficulty remains in reconciling the apparent divergencies4 ,and thus in this as in so many other instances1 the very discrepancies which appear to be most irreconcilable1 and most fatal to the historic accuracy of the four evangelists1 turn out1 on closer and more patient investigation1 to be fresh proofs that they are not only entirely independent1 but also entirely trustworthy4--,farrar1 ,life of ,christ1 p4 #bg1 note4 ,the writer of the article ,genealogy of ,jesus ,christ in ,smith's ,bible ,dict1 says3 ,the ,new ,testament gives us the genealogy of but one person1 our ,savior 7,matt4 #a2 ,luke #c74444 ,the following propositions will explain the true construction of these genealogies 7so ,lord ,a4 ,c4 ,hervey73 #a4 ,they are both the genealogies of ,joseph1 i4e4 of ,jesus ,christ1 as the reputed and legal son of ,joseph and ,mary4 #b4 ,the genealogy of ,matthew is1 as ,grotius asserted1 ,joseph's genealogy as legal successor to the throne of ,david4 ,that of ,luke is ,joseph's private genealogy1 exhibiting his real birth1 as ,david's son1 and thus showing why he was heir to ,solomon's crown4 ,the simple principle that one evangelist exhibits that genealogy which contained the successive heirs to ,david's and ,solomon's throne1 while the other exhibits the paternal stem of him who was the heir1 explains all the anomalies of the two pedigrees1 their agreements as well as their discrepancies1 and the circumstance of there being two at all4 #c4 ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 was probably the daughter of ,jacob1 and first cousin to ,joseph her husband4 ,a valuable contribution to the literature of this subject appears in the ,journal of the ,transactions of the ,victoria ,institute1 or ,philosophical ,society of ,great ,britain1 #aiab1 vol4 #dd1 pp4 #i-cf1 as an article1 ,the ,genealogies of our ,lord1 by ,mrs4 ,a4 ,s4 ,lewis1 and discussion thereof by many scholars of acknowledged ability4 ,the author1 ,mrs4 ,lewis1 is an authority on ,syriac manuscripts1 and is one of the two women who1 in #ahib1 discovered in the library of ,st4 ,catherine's monastery on ,mount ,sinai1 the ,syriac palimpsest ,,ms4 of the four ,gospels4 ,the gifted author holds that ,matthew's account attests the royal pedigree of ,joseph1 and that ,luke's genealogical table proves the equally royal descent of ,mary4 ,mrs4 ,lewis says3 ,the ,sinai ,palimpsest also tells us that ,joseph and ,mary went to ,bethlehem1 to be enrolled there1 because they were both of the house and lineage of ,david4 ,canon ,girdlestone1 in discussing the article1 says in pertinent emphasis of ,mary's status as a princess of royal blood through descent from ,david3 ,when the angel was foretelling to ,mary the birth of the ,holy ,child1 he said1 ',the ,lord ,god shall give ,him the throne of ,his father ,david4' ,now if ,joseph1 her betrothed1 had alone been descended from ,david1 ,mary would have answered1 ',i am not yet married to ,joseph1' whereas she did answer simply1 ',i am an unmarried woman1' which plainly implies--if ,i were married1 since ,i am descended from ,david1 ,i could infuse my royal blood into a son1 but how can ,i have a royal son while ,i am a virgin8' ,after brief mention of the ,jewish law relating to adoption1 wherein it is provided 7according to ,hammurabi's ,code1 section #ahh71 that if a man teach his adopted son a handicraft1 the son is thereby confirmed in all the rights of heirship1 ,canon ,girdlestone adds3 ,if the crown of ,david had been assigned to his successor in the days of ,herod it would have been placed on the head of ,joseph4 ,and who would have been the legal successor to ,joseph8 ,jesus of ,nazareth would have been then the ,king of the ,jews1 and the title on the cross spoke the truth4 ,god had raised ,him up to the house of ,david4 #f4 ,the ,inner ,sanctuary of the ,temple4--,the ,holy of ,holies in the ,temple of ,herod retained the form and dimensions of the ,oracle in the ,temple of ,solomon2 it was therefore a cube1 twenty cubits in each principal measurement4 ,between this and the ,holy ,place hung a double veil1 of finest material1 elaborately embroidered4 ,the outer of the two veils was open at the north end1 the inner at the south2 so that the high priest who entered at the appointed time once a year could pass between the veils without exposing the ,holy of ,holies4 ,the sacred chamber was empty save for a large stone upon which the high priest sprinkled the sacrificial blood on the ,day of ,atonement2 this stone occupied the place of the ,ark and its ,mercy ,seat4 ,outside the veil1 in the ,holy ,place1 stood the altar of incense1 the seven-branched candlestick1 and the table of shewbread4--,the ,house of the ,lord1 p4 #ei4 ,,footnotes3 #ahf ,luke #a3ai1 #bf2 see also ,dan4 #h3af2 #i3ba-bc4 #ahg ,luke #a3e2 compare #a ,chron4 #bd3aj4 #ahh ,ezra #b3cf-ci4 #ahi ,luke #a3h1 #i2 read the entire chapter4 #aij ,lev4 chap4 #af2 ,heb4 #i3a-g2 see also ,house of the ,lord1 p4 #ei1 and compare pp4 #bd and #ci4 ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #aia ,page #de4 ,for other instances of children promised in spite of barrenness due to age or other causes1 see ,isaac 7,gen4 #ag3af1 #ag and #ba3a-c72 ,samson1 7,judges1 chap4 #ac72 ,samuel 7#a ,sam4 chap4 #a72 son of the ,shunammite 7#b ,kings #d3ad-ag74 #aib ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #aic ,luke #a3ai1 #bj4 #aid ,luke #a3eg2 compare verse #ci4 #aie ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #aif ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #aig ,luke #a3fh-gi4 #aih ,luke #a3fe1 #ff2 see also #c3ae4 #aii ,luke #a3hj4 #bjj ,luke #a3bh4 #bja ,luke #a3cj-cc4 #bjb ,luke #a3ce2 see also preceding verses1 #ca-cc4 #bjc ,page #dc2 and ,gen4 #c3ae4 #bjd ,luke #a3db2 read verses #ci-ef4 #bje ,luke #a3df-ee4 #bjf ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #bjg ,matt4 #a3bj1 #ba2 read #ah-be4 #bjh ,matt4 #a3bb-bc2 compare ,isa4 #g3ad2 see also #i3f4 #bji ,matt4 #a3bd1 #be4 #baj #b ,peter #a3bj4 #baa ,gen4 #ab3c2 #ah3ah2 #bb3ah2 #bf3d2 compare ,acts #c3be2 ,gal4 #c3h4 #bab ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #bac ,for instances see ,matt4 #i3bg2 #ae3bb2 #ba3i2 #bj3cj1 #ca1 with which compare ,luke #ah3ch1 #ci4 #bad ,rom4 #a3c2 #b ,tim4 #b3h2 see also ,acts #b3cj2 #ac3bc2 compare ,psa4 #acb3aa2 see also ,luke #a3cb4 #bae ,matt4 #a3bc4 ,,chapter #h4 ,,the ,,babe ,,of ,,bethlehem4 ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,jesus4 ,equally definite with the prophecies declaring that the ,messiah would be born in the lineage of ,david are the predictions that fix the place of ,his birth at ,bethlehem1 a small town in ,judea4 ,there seems to have been no difference of opinion among priests1 scribes1 or rabbis on the matter1 either before or since the great event4 ,bethlehem1 though small and of little importance in trade or commerce1 was doubly endeared to the ,jewish heart as the birthplace of ,david and as that of the prospective ,messiah4 ,mary and ,joseph lived in ,nazareth of ,galilee1 far removed from ,bethlehem of ,judea2 and1 at the time of which we speak1 the maternity of the ,virgin was fast approaching4 ,at that time a decree went out from ,rome ordering a taxing of the people in all kingdoms and provinces tributary to the empire2 the call was of general scope1 it provided that all the world should be taxed4#baf ,the taxing herein referred to may properly be understood as an enrolment1#bag or a registration1 whereby a census of ,roman subjects would be secured1 upon which as a basis the taxation of the different peoples would be determined4 ,this particular census was the second of three such general registrations recorded by historians as occurring at intervals of about twenty years4 ,had the census been taken by the usual ,roman method1 each person would have been enrolled at the town of his residence2 but the ,jewish custom1 for which the ,roman law had respect1 necessitated registration at the cities or towns claimed by the respective families as their ancestral homes4 ,as to whether the requirement was strictly mandatory that every family should thus register at the city of its ancestors1 we need not be specially concerned2 certain it is that ,joseph and ,mary went to ,bethlehem1 the city of ,david1 to be inscribed under the imperial decree4#bah ,the little town was crowded at the time1 most likely by the multitude that had come in obedience to the same summons2 and1 in consequence1 ,joseph and ,mary failed to find the most desirable accommodations and had to be content with the conditions of an improvised camp1 as travelers unnumbered had done before1 and as uncounted others have done since1 in that region and elsewhere4 ,we cannot reasonably regard this circumstance as evidence of extreme destitution2 doubtless it entailed inconvenience1 but it gives us no assurance of great distress or suffering4#bai ,it was while she was in this situation that ,mary the ,virgin gave birth to her firstborn1 the ,son of the ,highest1 the ,only ,begotten of the ,eternal ,father1 ,jesus the ,christ4 ,but few details of attendant circumstances are furnished us4 ,we are not told how soon the birth occurred after the arrival of ,mary and her husband at ,bethlehem4 ,it may have been the purpose of the evangelist who made the record to touch upon matters of purely human interest as lightly as was consistent with the narration of fact1 in order that the central truth might neither be hidden nor overshadowed by unimportant incident4 ,we read in ,holy ,writ this only of the actual birth3 ,and so it was1 that1 while they were there1 the days were accomplished that she should be delivered4 ,and she brought forth her firstborn son1 and wrapped him in swaddling clothes1 and laid him in a manger2 because there was no room for them at the inn4#bbj ,in vivid contrast with the simplicity and brevity of the scriptural account and of its paucity of incidental details1 is the mass of circumstance supplied by the imagination of men1 much of which is wholly unsupported by authoritative record and in many respects is plainly inconsistent and untrue4 ,it is the part of prudence and wisdom to segregate and keep distinctly separate the authenticated statements of fact1 in so momentous a matter1 from the fanciful commentaries of historians1 theologians1 and writers of fiction1 as also from the emotional rhapsodies of poets and artistic extravaganzas wrought by chisel or brush4 ,from the period of its beginning1 ,bethlehem had been the home of people engaged mostly in pastoral and agricultural pursuits4 ,it is quite in line with what is known of the town and its environs to find at the season of ,messiah's birth1 which was in the springtime of the year1 that flocks were in the field both night and day under the watchful care of their keepers4 ,unto certain of these humble shepherds came the first proclamation that the ,savior had been born4 ,thus runs the simple record3 ,and there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field1 keeping watch over their flock by night4 ,and1 lo1 the angel of the ,lord came upon them1 and the glory of the ,lord shone round about them3 and they were sore afraid4 ,and the angel said unto them1 ,fear not3 for1 behold1 ,i bring you good tidings of great joy1 which shall be to all people4 ,for unto you is born this day in the city of ,david a ,saviour1 which is ,christ the ,lord4 ,and this shall be a sign unto you3 ,ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes1 lying in a manger4 ,and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising ,god1 and saying1 ,glory to ,god in the highest1 and on earth peace1 good will toward men4#bba ,tidings of such import had never before been delivered by angel or received by man--good tidings of great joy1 given to but few and those among the humblest of earth1 but destined to spread to all people4 ,there is sublime grandeur in the scene1 as there is divine authorship in the message1 and the climax is such as the mind of man could never have conceived--the sudden appearance of a multitude of the heavenly host1 singing audibly to human ears the briefest1 most consistent and most truly complete of all the songs of peace ever attuned by mortal or spirit choir4 ,what a consummation to be wished--,peace on earth6 ,but how can such come except through the maintenance of good will toward men8 ,and through what means could glory to ,god in the highest be more effectively rendered8 ,the trustful and unsophisticated keepers of sheep had not asked for sign or confirmation2 their faith was in unison with the heavenly communication2 nevertheless the angel had given them what he called a sign1 to guide them in their search4 ,they waited not1 but went in haste1 for in their hearts they believed1 yea1 more than believed1 they knew1 and this was the tenor of their resolve3 ,let us now go even unto ,bethlehem1 and see this thing which is come to pass1 which the ,lord hath made known unto us4#bbb ,they found the ,babe in the manger1 with the mother and ,joseph near by2 and1 having seen1 they went out and testified to the truth concerning the ,child4 ,they returned to their flocks1 glorifying and praising ,god for all they had heard and seen4 ,there is meaning as deep as the pathos that all must feel in the seemingly parenthetical remark by ,luke4 ,but ,mary kept all these things1 and pondered them in her heart4#bbc ,it is apparent that the great truth as to the personality and mission of her divine ,son had not yet unfolded itself in its fulness to her mind4 ,the whole course of events1 from the salutation of ,gabriel to the reverent testimony of the shepherds concerning the announcing angel and the heavenly hosts1 was largely a mystery to that stainless mother and wife4 ,,requirements ,,of ,,the ,,law ,,strictly ,,observed4 ,the ,child was born a ,jew2 the mother was a ,jewess1 and the reputed and legal father1 ,joseph1 was a ,jew4 ,the true paternity of the ,child was known to but few1 perhaps at that time to none save ,mary1 ,joseph1 and possibly ,elisabeth and ,zacharias2 as ,he grew ,he was regarded by the people as ,joseph's son4#bbd ,the requirements of the law were carried out with exactitude in all matters pertaining to the ,child4 ,when eight days old ,he was circumcized1 as was required of every male born in ,israel2#bbe and at the same time ,he received as an earthly bestowal the name that had been prescribed at the annunciation4 ,he was called ,,jesus1 which1 being interpreted is ,savior2 the name was rightfully ,his for ,he came to save the people from their sins4#bbf ,part of the law given through ,moses to the ,israelites in the wilderness and continued in force down through the centuries1 related to the procedure prescribed for women after childbirth4#bbg ,in compliance therewith1 ,mary remained in retirement forty days following the birth of her ,son2 then she and her husband brought the ,boy for presentation before the ,lord as prescribed for the male firstborn of every family4 ,it is manifestly impossible that all such presentations could have taken place in the temple1 for many ,jews lived at great distances from ,jerusalem2 it was the rule1 however1 that parents should present their children in the temple when possible4 ,jesus was born within five or six miles from ,jerusalem2 ,he was accordingly taken to the temple for the ceremonial of redemption from the requirement applying to the firstborn of all ,israelites except ,levites4 ,it will be remembered that the children of ,israel had been delivered from the bondage of ,egypt with the accompaniment of signs and wonders4 ,because of ,pharaoh's repeated refusals to let the people go1 plagues had been brought upon the ,egyptians1 one of which was the death of the firstborn throughout the land1 excepting only the people of ,israel4 ,in remembrance of this manifestation of power1 the ,israelites were required to dedicate their firstborn sons to the service of the sanctuary4#bbh ,subsequently the ,lord directed that all males belonging to the tribe of ,levi should be devoted to this special labor instead of the firstborn in every tribe2 nevertheless the eldest son was still claimed as particularly the ,lord's own1 and had to be formally exempted from the earlier requirement of service by the paying of a ransom4#bbi ,in connection with the ceremony of purification1 every mother was required to furnish a yearling lamb for a burnt offering1 and a young pigeon or dove for a sin offering2 but in the case of any woman who was unable to provide a lamb1 a pair of doves or pigeons might be offered4 ,we learn of the humble circumstances of ,joseph and ,mary from the fact that they brought the less costly offering1 two doves or pigeons1 instead of one bird and a lamb4 ,among the righteous and devout ,israelites were some who1 in spite of traditionalism1 rabbinism1 and priestly corruption1 still lived in righteous expectation of inspired confidence1 awaiting patiently the consolation of ,israel4#bcj ,one of these was ,simeon1 then living in ,jerusalem4 ,through the power of the ,holy ,ghost he had gained the promise that he should not see death until he had looked upon the ,lord's ,christ in the flesh4 ,prompted by the ,spirit he repaired to the temple on the day of the presentation of ,jesus1 and recognized in the ,babe the promised ,messiah4 ,in the moment of realization that the hope of his life had found glorious consummation1 ,simeon raised the ,child reverently in his arms1 and1 with the simple but undying eloquence that comes of ,god uttered this splendid supplication1 in which thanksgiving1 resignation and praise are so richly blended3 ,lord1 now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace1 according to thy word3 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation1 which thou hast prepared before the face of all people2 a light to lighten the ,gentiles1 and the glory of thy people ,israel4#bca ,then under the spirit of prophecy1 ,simeon told of the greatness of the ,child's mission1 and of the anguish that the mother would be called to endure because of ,him1 which would be even like unto that of a sword piercing her soul4 ,the ,spirit's witness to the divinity of ,jesus was not to be confined to a man4 ,there was at that time in the temple a godly woman of great age1 ,anna1 a prophetess who devoted herself exclusively to temple service2 and she1 being inspired of ,god1 recognized her ,redeemer1 and testified of ,him to all about her4 ,both ,joseph and ,mary marveled at the things that were spoken of the ,child2 seemingly they were not yet able to comprehend the majesty of ,him who had come to them through so miraculous a conception and so marvelous a birth4 ,,wise ,,men ,,search ,,for ,,the ,,king4 ,some time after the presentation of ,jesus in the temple1 though how long we are not told1 possibly but a few days1 possibly weeks or even months1 ,herod1 king of ,judea1 was greatly troubled1 as were the people of ,jerusalem in general1 over the report that a ,child of ,prophecy--one destined to become ,king of the ,jews--had been born4 ,herod was professedly an adherent of the religion of ,judah1 though by birth an ,idumean1 by descent an ,edomite or one of the posterity of ,esau1 all of whom the ,jews hated2 and of all ,edomites not one was more bitterly detested than was ,herod the king4 ,he was tyrannical and merciless1 sparing neither foe nor friend who came under suspicion of being a possible hindrance to his ambitious designs4 ,he had his wife and several of his sons1 as well as others of his blood kindred1 cruelly murdered2 and he put to death nearly all of the great national council1 the ,sanhedrin4 ,his reign was one of revolting cruelty and unbridled oppression4 ,only when in danger of inciting a national revolt or in fear of incurring the displeasure of his imperial master1 the ,roman emperor1 did he stay his hand in any undertaking4#bcb ,rumors of the birth of ,jesus reached ,herod's ears in this way4 ,there came to ,jerusalem certain men from afar1 wise men they were called1 and they asked1 ,where is he that is born ,king of the ,jews8 for we have seen his star in the east1 and are come to worship him4#bcc ,herod summoned all the chief priests and scribes of the people1 and demanded of them where1 according to the prophets1 ,christ should be born4 ,they answered him3 ,in ,bethlehem of ,judea3 for thus it is written by the prophet1 ,and thou ,bethlehem1 in the land of ,juda1 art not the least among the princes of ,juda3 for out of thee shall come a ,governor1 that shall rule my people ,israel4#bcd ,herod sent secretly for the wise men1 and inquired of them as to the source of their information1 and particularly as to the time at which the star1 to which they attached such significance1 had appeared4 ,then he directed them to ,bethlehem1 saying3 ,go and search diligently for the young child2 and when ye have found him1 bring me word again1 that ,i may come and worship him also4 ,as the men set out from ,jerusalem on the last stage of their journey of inquiry and search1 they rejoiced exceedingly1 for the new star they had seen in the east was again visible4 ,they found the house wherein ,mary was living with her husband and the ,babe1 and as they recognized the royal ,child they fell down1 and worshipped him3 and when they had opened their treasures1 they presented unto him gifts2 gold1 and frankincense1 and myrrh4#bce ,having thus gloriously accomplished the purpose of their pilgrimage1 these devout and learned travelers prepared to return home1 and would have stopped at ,jerusalem to report to the king as he had requested1 but being warned of ,god in a dream that they should not return to ,herod1 they departed into their own country another way4#bcf ,much has been written1 beyond all possible warrant of scriptural authority1 concerning the visit of the magi1 or wise men1 who thus sought and found the infant ,christ4 ,as a matter of fact1 we are left without information as to their country1 nation1 or tribal relationship2 we are not even told how many they were1 though unauthenticated tradition has designated them as the three wise men1 and has even given them names2 whereas they are left unnamed in the scriptures1 the only true record of them extant1 and may have numbered but two or many4 ,attempts have been made to identify the star whose appearance in their eastern sky had assured the magi that the ,king was born2 but astronomy furnishes no satisfactory confirmation4 ,the recorded appearance of the star has been associated by both ancient and modern interpreters with the prophecy of ,balaam1 who1 though not an ,israelite had blessed ,israel1 and under divine inspiration had predicted3 there shall come a ,star out of ,jacob1 and a ,sceptre shall rise out of ,israel4#bcg ,moreover1 as already shown1 the appearance of a new star was a predicted sign recognized and acknowledged among the people of the western world as witness of ,messiah's birth4#bch ,,the ,,flight ,,into ,,egypt4 ,herod's perfidy in directing the magi to return and report to him where the royal ,infant was to be found1 falsely professing that he wished to worship ,him also1 while in his heart he purposed taking the ,child's life1 was thwarted by the divine warning given to the wise men as already noted4 ,following their departure1 the angel of the ,lord appeared to ,joseph1 saying3 ,arise1 and take the young child and his mother1 and flee into ,egypt1 and be thou there until ,i bring thee word3 for ,herod will seek the young child to destroy him4#bci ,in obedience to this command1 ,joseph took ,mary and her ,child1 and set out by night on the journey to ,egypt2 and there the family remained until divinely directed to return4 ,when it was apparent to the king that the wise men had ignored his instructions1 he was exceedingly angry2 and1 estimating the earliest time at which the birth could have occurred according to the magis' statement of the star's appearing1 he ruthlessly ordered the slaughter of all the children that were in ,bethlehem1 and in all the coasts thereof1 from two years old and under4#bdj ,in this massacre of the innocents1 the evangelist found a fulfilment of ,jeremiah's fateful voicing of the word of the ,lord1 spoken six centuries earlier and expressed in the forceful past tense as though then already accomplished3 ,in ,rama was there a voice heard1 lamentation1 and weeping1 and great mourning1 ,rachel weeping for her children1 and would not be comforted1 because they are not4#bda ,,birth ,,of ,,jesus ,,made ,,known ,,to ,,the ,,nephites4 ,as heretofore shown1 the prophets of the western hemisphere had foretold in great plainness the earthly advent of the ,lord1 and had specifically set forth the time1 place1 and circumstances of ,his birth4#bdb ,as the time drew near the people were divided by conflicting opinions concerning the reliability of these prophecies2 and intolerant unbelievers cruelly persecuted those1 who1 like ,zacharias1 ,simeon1 ,anna1 and other righteous ones in ,palestine1 had maintained in faith and trust their unwavering expectation of the coming of the ,lord4 ,samuel1 a righteous ,lamanite1 who1 because of his faithfulness and sacrificing devotion had been blessed with the spirit and power of prophecy1 fearlessly proclaimed the birth of ,christ as near3 ,and behold1 he said unto them1 ,behold ,i give unto you a sign2 for five years more cometh1 and behold1 then cometh the ,son of ,god to redeem all those who shall believe on his name4#bdc ,the prophet told of many signs and wonders1 which were to mark the great event4 ,as the five years ran their course1 the believers grew more steadfast1 the unbelievers more violent1 until the last day of the specified period dawned2 and this was the day set apart by the unbelievers1 that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death1 except the sign should come to pass which had been given by ,samuel the prophet4#bdd ,nephi1 a prophet of the time1 cried unto the ,lord in anguish of soul because of the persecution of which his people were the victims2 and behold1 the voice of the ,lord came unto him1 saying1 ,lift up your head and be of good cheer1 for behold1 the time is at hand1 and on this night shall the sign be given1 and on the morrow come ,i into the world1 to shew unto the world that ,i will fulfil all that which ,i have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets4 ,behold1 ,i come unto my own1 to fulfil all things which ,i have made known unto the children of men1 from the foundation of the world1 and do the will1 both of the ,father1 and of the ,son2 of the ,father1 because of me1 and of the ,son1 because of my flesh4 ,and behold1 the time is at hand1 and this night shall the sign be given4#bde ,the words of the prophet were fulfilled that night2 for though the sun set in its usual course there was no darkness2 and on the morrow the sun rose on a land already illumined2 a day and a night and another day had been as one day2 and this was but one of the signs4 ,a new star appeared in the firmament of the west1 even as was seen by the magi in the east2 and there were many other marvelous manifestations as the prophets had predicted4 ,all these things occurred on what is now known as the ,american continent1 six hundred years after ,lehi and his little company had left ,jerusalem to come hither4 ,,the ,,time ,,of ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,jesus4 ,the time of ,messiah's birth is a subject upon which specialists in theology and history1 and those who are designated in literature the learned1 fail to agree4 ,numerous lines of investigation have been followed1 only to reach divergent conclusions1 both as to the year and as to the month and day within the year at which the ,christian era in reality began4 ,the establishment of the birth of ,christ as an event marking a time from which chronological data should be calculated1 was first effected about #ecb ,a4,d4 by ,dionysius ,exiguus2 and as a basis for the reckoning of time this method has come to be known as the ,dionysian system1 and takes for its fundamental datum ,a4,u4,c4 #gec1 that is to say #gec years after the founding of ,rome1 as the year of our ,lord's birth4 ,so far as there exists any consensus of opinion among later scholars who have investigated the subject1 it is to the effect that the ,dionysian calculation is wrong1 in that it places the birth of ,christ between three and four years too late2 and that therefore our ,lord was born in the third or fourth year before the beginning of what is designated by the scholars of ,oxford and ,cambridge1 the ,common ,account called ,anno ,domini4#bdf ,without attempting to analyze the mass of calculation data relating to this subject1 we accept the ,dionysian basis as correct with respect to the year1 which is to say that we believe ,christ to have been born in the year known to us as ,b4,c4 #a1 and1 as shall be shown1 in an early month of that year4 ,in support of this belief we cite the inspired record known as the ,revelation on ,church ,government1 given through ,joseph the ,prophet1 in ,april1 #ahcj1 which opens with these words3 ,the rise of the ,church of ,christ in these last days1 being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ in the flesh4#bdg ,another evidence of the correctness of our commonly accepted chronology is furnished by the ,book of ,mormon record4 ,therein we read that in the commencement of the first year of the reign of ,zedekiah1 king of ,judah1 the word of the ,lord came to ,lehi at ,jerusalem1 directing him to take his family and depart into the wilderness4#bdh ,in the early stages of their journey toward the sea1 ,lehi prophesied1 as had been shown him of the ,lord1 concerning the impending destruction of ,jerusalem and the captivity of the ,jews4 ,furthermore1 he predicted the eventual return of the people of ,judah from their exile in ,babylon1 and the birth of the ,messiah1 which latter event he definitely declared would take place six hundred years from the time he and his people had left ,jerusalem4#bdi ,this specification of time was repeated by later prophecy2#bej and the signs of the actual fulfilment are recorded as having been realized six hundred years from the time that ,lehi left ,jerusalem4#bea ,these scriptures fix the time of the beginning of ,zedekiah's reign as six hundred years before the birth of ,christ4 ,according to the commonly accepted reckoning1 ,zedekiah was made king in the year #eig ,b4,c4#beb ,this shows a discrepancy of about three years between the commonly accepted date of ,zedekiah's inauguration as king and that given in the ,book of ,mormon statement2 and1 as already seen1 there is a difference of between three and four years between the ,dionysian reckoning and the nearest approach to an agreement among scholars concerning the beginning of the current era4 ,book of ,mormon chronology therefore sustains in general the correctness of the common or ,dionysian system4 ,as to the season of the year in which ,christ was born1 there is among the learned as great a diversity of opinion as that relating to the year itself4 ,it is claimed by many ,biblical scholars that ,december #beth1 the day celebrated in ,christendom as ,christmas1 cannot be the correct date4 ,we believe ,april #fth to be the birthday of ,jesus ,christ as indicated in a revelation of the present dispensation already cited1#bec in which that day is made without qualification the completion of the one thousand eight hundred and thirtieth year since the coming of the ,lord in the flesh4 ,this acceptance is admittedly based on faith in modern revelation1 and in no wise is set forth as the result of chronological research or analysis4 ,we believe that ,jesus ,christ was born in ,bethlehem of ,judea1 ,april #f1 ,b4,c4 #a4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #h4 #a4 ,the ,taxing4--,regarding the presence of ,joseph and ,mary in ,bethlehem1 far from their ,galilean home1 and the imperial decree by compliance with which they were led there1 the following notes are worthy of consideration4 ,farrar 7,life of ,christ1 p4 #bd1 note71 says3 ,it appears to be uncertain whether the journey of ,mary with her husband was obligatory or voluntary4444 ,women were liable to a capitation tax1 if this enrolment also involved taxation4 ,but1 apart from any legal necessity1 it may easily be imagined that at such a moment ,mary would desire not to be left alone4 ,the cruel suspicion of which she had been the subject1 and which had almost led to the breaking off of her betrothal 7,matt4 #a3ai7 would make her cling all the more to the protection of her husband4 ,the following excerpt is from ,geikie's ,life and ,words of ,christ1 vol4 #a1 chap4 #i2 p4 #ajh3 ,the ,jewish nation had paid tribute to ,rome through their rulers1 since the days of ,pompey2 and the methodical ,augustus1 who now reigned1 and had to restore order and soundness to the finances of the empire1 after the confusion and exhaustion of the civil wars1 took good care that this obligation should neither be forgotten nor evaded4 ,he was accustomed to require a census to be taken periodically in every province of his vast dominions1 that he might know the number of soldiers he could levy in each1 and the amount of taxes due to the treasury4444 ,in an empire embracing the then known world1 such a census could hardly have been made simultaneously1 or in any short or fixed time2 more probably it was the work of years1 in successive provinces or kingdoms4 ,sooner or later1 however1 even the dominions of vassal kings like ,herod had to furnish the statistics demanded by their master4 ,he had received his kingdom on the footing of a subject1 and grew more entirely dependent on ,augustus as years passed1 asking his sanction at every turn for steps he proposed to take4 ,he would1 thus1 be only too ready to meet his wish1 by obtaining the statistics he sought1 as may be judged from the fact that in one of the last years of his life1 just before ,christ's birth1 he made the whole ,jewish nation take a solemn oath of allegiance to the emperor as well as to himself4 ,it is quite probable that the mode of taking the required statistics was left very much to ,herod1 at once to show respect to him before his people1 and from the known opposition of the ,jews to anything like a general numeration1 even apart from the taxation to which it was designed to lead4 ,at the time to which the narrative refers1 a simple registration seems to have been made1 on the old ,hebrew plan of enrolling by families in their ancestral districts1 of course for future use2 and thus it passed over quietly4444 ,the proclamation having been made through the land1 ,joseph had no choice but to go to ,bethlehem1 the city of ,david1 the place in which his family descent1 from the house and lineage of ,david1 required him to be inscribed4 #b4 ,jesus ,born ,amidst ,poor ,surroundings4--,undoubtedly the accommodations for physical comfort amidst which ,jesus was born were few and poor4 ,but the environment1 considered in the light of the customs of the country and time1 was far from the state of abject deprivation which modern and western ways would make it appear4 ,camping out was no unusual exigency among travelers in ,palestine at the time of our ,lord's birth2 nor is it considered such to-day4 ,it is1 however1 beyond question that ,jesus was born into a comparatively poor family1 amidst humble surroundings associated with the inconveniences incident to travel4 ,cunningham ,geikie1 ,life and ,words of ,christ1 chap4 #i1 pp4 #aab1 #aac1 says3 ,it was to ,bethlehem that ,joseph and ,mary were coming1 the town of ,ruth and ,boaz1 and the early home of their own great forefather ,david4 ,as they approached it from ,jerusalem they would pass1 at the last mile1 a spot sacred to ,jewish memory1 where the light of ,jacob's life went out1 when his first love1 ,rachel1 died1 and was buried1 as her tomb still shows1 'in the way to ,ephrath1 which is ,bethlehem4' 444 ,traveling in the ,east has always been very different from ,western ideas4 ,as in all thinly-settled countries1 private hospitality1 in early times1 supplied the want of inns1 but it was the peculiarity of the ,east that this friendly custom continued through a long series of ages4 ,on the great roads through barren or uninhabited parts1 the need of shelter led1 very early1 to the erection of rude and simple buildings1 of varying size1 known as khans1 which offered the wayfarer the protection of walls and a roof1 and water1 but little more4 ,the smaller structures consisted of sometimes only a single empty room1 on the floor of which the traveler might spread his carpet for sleep2 the larger ones1 always built in a hollow square1 enclosing a court for the beasts1 with water in it for them and their masters4 ,from immemorial antiquity it has been a favorite mode of benevolence to raise such places of shelter1 as we see so far back as the times of ,david1 when ,chimham built a great khan near ,bethlehem1 on the caravan road to ,egypt4 ,canon ,farrar 7,life of ,christ1 chap1 #a7 accepts the traditional belief that the shelter within which ,jesus was born was that of one of the numerous limestone caves which abound in the region1 and which are still used by travelers as resting places4 ,he says3 ,in ,palestine it not infrequently happens that the entire khan1 or at any rate the portion of it in which the animals are housed1 is one of those innumerable caves which abound in the limestone rocks of its central hills4 ,such seems to have been in the case at the little town of ,bethlehem-,ephratah1 in the land of ,judah4 ,justin ,martyr1 the ,apologist1 who1 from his birth at ,shechem1 was familiar with ,palestine1 and who lived less than a century after the time of our ,lord1 places the scene of the nativity in a cave4 ,this is1 indeed1 the ancient and constant tradition both of the ,eastern and the ,western ,churches1 and it is one of the few to which1 though unrecorded in the ,gospel history1 we may attach a reasonable probability4 #c4 ,herod the ,great4--,the history of ,herod ,i1 otherwise known as ,herod the ,great1 must be sought in special works1 in which the subject is treated at length4 ,some of the principal facts should be considered in our present study1 and for the assistance of the student a few extracts from works regarded as reliable are presented herewith4 ,condensed from part of article in the ,standard ,bible ,dictionary1 edited by ,jacobus1 ,nourse1 and ,zenos2 published by ,funk and ,wagnalls ,co41 #aiji3--;,herod ,i1 the son of ,antipater1 was early given office by his father1 who had been made procurator of ,judea4 ,the first office which ,herod held was that of governor of ,galilee4 ,he was then a young man of about twenty-five1 energetic and athletic4 ,immediately he set about the eradication of the robber bands that infested his district1 and soon was able to execute the robber chief ,hezekiah and several of his followers4 ,for this he was summoned to ,jerusalem by the ,sanhedrin1 tried and condemned1 but with the connivance of ,hyrcanus ,,ii the high priest and ethnarch he escaped by night4--,he went to ,rome where he was appointed ,king of ,judea by ,antony and ,octavius4--,for the next two years he was engaged in fighting the forces of ,antigonus1 whom he finally defeated1 and in #cg ,b4,c4 gained possession of ,jerusalem4--,as king1 ,herod confronted serious difficulties4 ,the ,jews objected to him because of his birth and reputation4 ,the ,asmonean family regarded him as a usurper1 notwithstanding the fact that he had married ,mariamne4 ,the ,pharisees were shocked at his ,hellenistic sympathies1 as well as at his severe methods of government4 ,on the other hand the ,romans held him responsible for the order of his kingdom1 and the protection of the eastern frontier of the ,republic4 ,herod met these various difficulties with characteristic energy and even cruelty1 and generally with cold sagacity4 ,although he taxed the people severely1 in times of famine he remitted their dues and even sold his plate to get means to buy them food4 ,while he never became actually friendly with the ,pharisees1 they profited by his hostility to the party of the ,asmoneans1 which led at the beginning of his reign to the execution of a number of ,sadducees who were members of the ,sanhedrin4 ,from ,smith's ,comprehensive ,dictionary of the ,bible3 ,the latter part of the reign of ,herod was undisturbed by external troubles1 but his domestic life was embittered by an almost uninterrupted series of injuries and cruel acts of vengeance4 ,the terrible acts of bloodshed which ,herod perpetrated in his own family were accompanied by others among his subjects equally terrible1 from the number who fell victims to them4 ,according to the well-known story1 he ordered the nobles whom he had called to him in his last moments to be executed immediately after his decease1 that so at least his death might be attended by universal mourning4 ,it was at the time of his fatal illness that he must have caused the slaughter of the infants at ,bethlehem 7,matt4 #b3af-ah74 ,the mortal end of the tyrant and multi-murderer is thus treated by ,farrar in his ,life of ,christ1 pp4 #ed1 #ee3--;,it must have been very shortly after the murder of the innocents that ,herod died4 ,only five days before his death he had made a frantic attempt at suicide1 and had ordered the execution of his eldest son ,antipater4 ,his death-bed1 which once more reminds us of ,henry ,,viii41 was accompanied by circumstances of peculiar horror2 and it has been asserted that he died of a loathsome disease1 which is hardly mentioned in history1 except in the case of men who have been rendered infamous by an atrocity of persecuting zeal4 ,on his bed of intolerable anguish1 in that splendid and luxurious palace which he had built for himself1 under the palms of ,jericho1 swollen with disease and scorched by thirst1 ulcerated externally and glowing inwardly with a 'soft slow fire1' surrounded by plotting sons and plundering slaves1 detesting all and detested by all1 longing for death as a release from his tortures yet dreading it as the beginning of worse terrors1 stung by remorse yet still unslaked with murder1 a horror to all around him yet in his guilty conscience a worse terror to himself1 devoured by the premature corruption of an anticipated grave1 eaten of worms as though visibly smitten by the finger of ,god's wrath after seventy years of successful villainy1 the wretched old man1 whom men had called the ,great1 lay in savage frenzy awaiting his last hour4 ,as he knew that none would shed one tear for him1 he determined that they should shed many for themselves1 and issued an order that1 under pain of death1 the principal families of the kingdom and the chiefs of the tribes should come to ,jericho4 ,they came1 and then1 shutting them in the hippodrome1 he secretly commanded his sister ,salome that at the moment of his death they should all be massacred4 ,and so1 choking as it were with blood1 devising massacres in its very delirium1 the soul of ,herod passed forth into the night4 ,for mention of the ,temple of ,herod see ,note #e1 following ,chapter #f4 #d4 ,gifts from the ,wise ,men to the ,child ,jesus4--,the scriptural account of the visit of the wise men to ,jesus and ,his mother states that they fell down and worshipped him1 and furthermore that when they had opened their treasures1 they presented unto him gifts2 gold1 and frankincense1 and myrrh4 ,the offering of gifts to a superior in rank1 either as to worldly status or recognized spiritual endowment1 was a custom of early days and still prevails in many oriental lands4 ,it is worthy of note that we have no record of these men from the east offering gifts to ,herod in his palace2 they did1 however1 impart of their treasure to the lowly ,infant1 in whom they recognized the ,king they had come to seek4 ,the tendency to ascribe occult significance to even trifling details mentioned in scripture1 and particularly as regards the life of ,christ1 has led to many fanciful suggestions concerning the gold and frankincense and myrrh specified in this incident4 ,some have supposed a half-hidden symbolism therein--gold a tribute to ,his royal estate1 frankincense an offering in recognition of ,his priesthood1 and myrrh for ,his burial4 ,the sacred record offers no basis for such conjecture4 ,myrrh and frankincense are aromatic resins derived from plants indigenous to eastern lands1 and they have been used from very early times in medicine and in the preparation of perfumes and incense mixtures4 ,they were presumably among the natural productions of the lands from which the magi came1 though probably even there they were costly and highly esteemed4 ,such1 together with gold1 which is of value among all nations1 were most appropriate as gifts for a king4 ,any mystical significance one may choose to attach to the presents must be remembered as his own supposition or fancy1 and not as based on scriptural warrant4 #e4 ,testimonies from ,shepherds and ,magi4--,the following instructive note on the testimonies relating to ,messiah's birth1 is taken from the ,young ,men's ,mutual ,improvement ,association ,manual for #ahig-h3 ,it will be observed that the testimonies concerning the birth of the ,messiah are from two extremes1 the lowly shepherds in the ,judean field1 and the learned magi from the far east4 ,we cannot think this is the result of mere chance1 but that in it may be discerned the purpose and wisdom of ,god4 ,all ,israel was looking forward to the coming of the ,messiah1 and in the birth of ,jesus at ,bethlehem1 the hope of ,israel--though unknown to ,israel--is fulfilled4 ,messiah1 of whom the prophet spake1 is born4 ,but there must be those who can testify of that truth1 and hence to the shepherds who watched their flocks by night an angel was sent to say3 ',fear not1 behold ,i bring you good tidings of great joy1 which shall be to all people2 for unto you is born this day1 in the city of ,david1 a ,saviour1 which is ,christ1 the ,lord4' ,and for a sign of the truth of the message1 they were to find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes1 lying in a manger in ,bethlehem4 ,and they went with haste and found ,mary and ,joseph1 and the babe lying in a manger2 and when they had seen it1 they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child4 ,god had raised up to ,himself witnesses among the people to testify that ,messiah was born1 that the hope of ,israel was fulfilled4 ,but there were classes of people among the ,jews whom these lowly shepherd witnesses could not reach1 and had they been able to reach them1 the story of the angel's visit1 and the concourse of angels singing the magnificent song of ',peace on earth1 good will to men1' would doubtless have been accounted an idle tale of superstitious folk1 deceived by their own over-wrought imaginations or idle dreams4 ,hence ,god raised up another class of witnesses--the 'wise men from the east'--witnesses that could enter the royal palace of proud ,king ,herod and boldly ask3 ',where is he that is born king of the ,jews8 for we have seen his star in the east1 and are come to worship him'2 a testimony that startled ,herod and troubled all ,jerusalem4 ,so that indeed ,god raised up witnesses for ,himself to meet all classes and conditions of men--the testimony of angels for the poor and the lowly2 the testimony of wise men for the haughty king and proud priests of ,judea4 ,so that of the things concerning the birth of ,messiah1 no less than of the things of ,his death and resurrection from the dead1 ,his disciples could say1 'these things were not done in a corner4' #f4 ,the ,year of ,christ's ,birth4--,in treating this topic ,dr4 ,charles ,f4 ,deems 7,the ,light of the ,nations1 p4 #bh71 after giving careful consideration of the estimates1 calculations1 and assumptions of men who have employed many means in their investigation and reach only discordant results says3 ,it is annoying to see learned men use the same apparatus of calculation and reach the most diverse results4 ,it is bewildering to attempt a reconciliation of these varying calculations4 ,in an appended note the same author states3 ,for example3 the birth of our ,lord is placed in ,b4,c4 #a by ,pearson and ,hug2 ,b4,c4 #b by ,scalinger2 ,b4,c4 #c by ,baronius and ,paulus2 ,b4,c4 #d by ,bengel1 ,wieseler1 and ,greswell2 ,b4,c4 #e by ,usher and ,petavius2 ,b4,c4 #f by ,strong1 ,luvin1 and ,clark2 ,b4,c4 #g by ,ideler and ,sanclemente4 ,,footnotes3 #baf ,luke #b3a2 see also verses #b-d4 ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #bag ,note marginal reading1 ,oxford and ,bagster ,bibles4 #bah ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #bai ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #bbj ,luke #b3f1 #g4 #bba ,luke #b3h-ad4 #bbb ,luke #b3ae4 #bbc ,luke #b3ai4 #bbd ,luke #d3bb2 ,matt4 #ac3ee2 ,mark #f3c4 #bbe ,gen4 #ag3ab1 #ac2 ,lev4 #ab3c2 compare ,john #g3bb4 ,page #hh4 #bbf ,luke #b3ba2 compare #a3ca2 ,matt4 #a3ba1 #be4 #bbg ,lev4 chap4 #ab4 #bbh ,exo4 #ab3bi2 #ac3b1 #ab2 #bb3bi1 #cj4 #bbi ,numb4 #h3ae-ah2 #ah3ae1 #af4 #bcj ,luke #b3be2 see also verse #ch2 ,mark #ae3dc2 compare ,psa4 #dj3a4 #bca ,luke #b3bi-cb4 ,these verses are known in ,christian hymnology as the ,nunc ,dimittis2 the name has reference to the first two words of the ,latin version4 #bcb ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #bcc ,matt4 #b3b2 read #a-aj4 #bcd ,matt4 #b3e1 #f2 compare ,micah #e3b2 ,john #g3db4 #bce ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #bcf ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #bcg ,numb4 #bd3ag4 #bch ,b4 of ,m41 ,helaman #ad3e2 #c ,nephi #a3ba4 ,pp4 #eb1 #aja and #gba herein4 #bci ,matt4 #b3ac4 #bdj ,matt4 #b3af4 #bda ,matt4 #b3ag1 #ah2 compare ,jer4 #ca3ae4 #bdb ,page #di4 #bdc ,b4 of ,m41 ,helaman #ad3b2 read #a-i4 #bdd ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #a3i2 read verses #d-ba4 #bde ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #a3ab-ba4 #bdf ,marginal reading1 ,oxford and ,bagster ,bibles1 ,matt4 #b3a4 #bdg ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bj3a2 compare #ba3c4 ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #bdh ,b4 of ,m41 #a ,nephi #a3d2 #b3b-d4 #bdi ,b4 of ,m41 #a ,nephi #aj3d4 #bej ,b4 of ,m41 #a ,nephi #ai3h2 #b ,nephi #be3ai4 #bea ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #a3a4 #beb ,standard ,bible ,dictionary1 edited by ,jacobus1 ,nourse1 and ,zenos1 pub4 by ,funk ,wagnalls ,co41 ,new ,york and ,london1 #aiji1 p4 #iae1 article ,zedekiah4 #bec ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bj3a2 compare #ba3b ,,chapter #i4 ,,the ,,boy ,,of ,,nazareth4 ,joseph1 ,mary1 and her ,son remained in ,egypt until after the death of ,herod the ,great1 which event was made known by another angelic visitation4 ,their stay in the foreign land was probably brief1 for ,herod did not long survive the babes he had slain in ,bethlehem4 ,in the return of the family from ,egypt the evangelist finds a fulfilment of ,hosea's prophetic vision of what should be3 ,out of ,egypt have ,i called my son4#bed ,it appears to have been ,joseph's intention to make a home for the family in ,judea1 possibly at ,bethlehem--the city of his ancestors and a place now even more endeared to him as the birthplace of ,mary's ,child--but1 learning on the way that ,herod's son ,archelaus ruled in the place of his wicked father1 ,joseph modified his purpose2 and1 being warned of ,god in a dream1 he turned aside into the parts of ,galilee3 and he came and dwelt in a city called ,nazareth3 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets1 ,he shall be called a ,nazarene4#bee ,while ,archelaus1 who appears to have been a natural heir to his infamous father's wickedness and cruelty1 ruled in ,judea1#bef for a short time as king1 then with the less exalted title of ethnarch1 which had been decreed to him by the emperor1 his brother ,antipas governed as tetrarch in ,galilee4 ,herod ,antipas was well nigh as vicious and reprobate as others of his unprincipled family1 but he was less aggressive in vindictiveness1 and in that period of his reign was comparatively tolerant4#beg ,concerning the home life of ,joseph and his family in ,nazareth1 the scriptural record makes but brief mention4 ,the silence with which the early period of the life of ,jesus is treated by the inspired historians is impressive2 while the fanciful accounts written in later years by unauthorized hands are full of fictitious detail1 much of which is positively revolting in its puerile inconsistency4 ,none but ,joseph1 ,mary1 and the other members of the immediate family or close associates of the household could have furnished the facts of daily life in the humble home at ,nazareth2 and from these qualified informants ,matthew and ,luke probably derived the knowledge of which they wrote4 ,the record made by those who knew is marked by impressive brevity4 ,in this absence of detail we may see evidence of the genuineness of the scriptural account4 ,inventive writers would have supplied1 as1 later1 such did supply1 what we seek in vain within the chapters of the ,gospels4 ,with hallowed silence do the inspired scribes honor the boyhood of their ,lord2 he who seeks to invent circumstances and to invest the life of ,christ with fictitious additions1 dishonors ,him4 ,read thoughtfully the attested truth concerning the childhood of the ,christ3 ,and the child grew1 and waxed strong in spirit1 filled with wisdom3 and the grace of ,god was upon him4#beh ,in such simplicity is the normal1 natural development of the ,boy ,jesus made clear4 ,he came among men to experience all the natural conditions of mortality2 ,he was born as truly a dependent1 helpless babe as is any other child2 ,his infancy was in all common features as the infancy of others2 ,his boyhood was actual boyhood1 ,his development was as necessary and as real as that of all children4 ,over ,his mind had fallen the veil of forgetfulness common to all who are born to earth1 by which the remembrance of primeval existence is shut off4 ,the ,child grew1 and with growth there came to ,him expansion of mind1 development of faculties1 and progression in power and understanding4 ,his advancement was from one grace to another1 not from gracelessness to grace2 from good to greater good1 not from evil to good2 from favor with ,god to greater favor1 not from estrangement because of sin to reconciliation through repentance and propitiation4#bei ,our knowledge of ,jewish life in that age justifies the inference that the ,boy was well taught in the law and the scriptures1 for such was the rule4 ,he garnered knowledge by study1 and gained wisdom by prayer1 thought1 and effort4 ,beyond question ,he was trained to labor1 for idleness was abhorred then as it is now2 and every ,jewish boy1 whether carpenter's son1 peasant's child1 or rabbi's heir1 was required to learn and follow a practical and productive vocation4 ,jesus was all that a boy should be1 for ,his development was unretarded by the dragging weight of sin2 ,he loved and obeyed the truth and therefore was free4#bfj ,joseph and ,mary1 devout and faithful in all observances of the law1 went up to ,jerusalem every year at the feast of the ,passover4 ,this religious festival1 it should be remembered1 was one of the most solemn and sacred among the many ceremonial commemorations of the ,jews2 it had been established at the time of the peoples' exodus from ,egypt1 in remembrance of the outstretched arm of power by which ,god had delivered ,israel after the angel of destruction had slain the firstborn in every ,egyptian home and had mercifully passed over the houses of the children of ,jacob4#bfa ,it was of such importance that its annual recurrence was made the beginning of the new year4 ,the law required all males to present themselves before the ,lord at the feast4 ,the rule was that women should likewise attend if not lawfully detained2 and ,mary appears to have followed both the spirit of the law and the letter of the rule1 for she habitually accompanied her husband to the annual gathering at ,jerusalem4 ,when ,jesus had attained the age of twelve years ,he was taken by ,his mother and ,joseph to the feast as the law required2 whether the ,boy had ever before been present on such an occasion we are not told3 ,at twelve years of age a ,jewish boy was recognized as a member of his home community2 he was required then to enter with definite purpose upon his chosen vocation2 he attained an advanced status as an individual in that thereafter he could not be arbitrarily disposed of as a bond-servant by his parents2 he was appointed to higher studies in school and home2 and1 when accepted by the priests1 he became a son of the law4 ,it was the common and very natural desire of parents to have their sons attend the feast of the ,passover and be present at the temple ceremonies as recognized members of the congregation when of the prescribed age4 ,thus came the ,boy ,jesus to the temple4 ,the feast proper lasted seven days1 and in the time of ,christ was annually attended by great concourses of ,jews2 ,josephus speaks of such a ,passover gathering as an innumerable multitude4#bfb ,the people came from distant provinces in large companies and caravans1 as a matter of convenience and as a means of common protection against the marauding bands which are known to have infested the country4 ,as members of such a company ,joseph and his family traveled4 ,when1 following the conclusion of the ,passover1 the ,galilean company had gone a day's journey toward home1 ,joseph and ,mary discovered to their surprize and deep concern that ,jesus was not with their company4 ,after a fruitless search among their friends and acquaintances1 they turned back toward ,jerusalem seeking the ,boy4 ,their inquiries brought little comfort or assistance until three days had passed2 then they1 found him in the temple1 sitting in the midst of the doctors1 both hearing them and asking them questions4#bfc ,it was no unusual thing for a twelve year old boy to be questioned by priests1 scribes1 or rabbis1 nor to be permitted to ask questions of these professional expounders of the law1 for such procedure was part of the educational training of ,jewish youths2 nor was there anything surprizing in such a meeting of students and teachers within the temple courts1 for the rabbis of that time were accustomed to give instruction there2 and people1 young and old1 gathered about them1 sitting at their feet to learn2 but there was much that was extraordinary in this interview as the demeanor of the learned doctors showed1 for never before had such a student been found1 inasmuch as all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers4 ,the incident furnishes evidence of a wellspent boyhood and proof of unusual attainments4#bfd ,the amazement of ,mary and her husband on finding the ,boy in such distinguished company1 and so plainly the object of deference and respect1 and the joy of seeing again the beloved ,one who to them had been lost1 did not entirely banish the memory of the anguish ,his absence had caused them4 ,in words of gentle yet unmistakable reproof the mother said3 ,son1 why hast thou thus dealt with us8 behold1 thy father and ,i have sought thee sorrowing4 ,the ,boy's reply astonished them1 in that it revealed1 to an extent they had not before realized1 ,his rapidly maturing powers of judgment and understanding4 ,said ,he3 ,how is it that ye sought me8 wist ye not that ,i must be about my ,father's business8 ,let us not say that there was unkind rebuke or unfilial reproof in the answer of this most dutiful of sons to ,his mother4 ,his reply was to ,mary a reminder of what she seems to have forgotten for the moment--the facts in the matter of her ,son's paternity4 ,she had used the words thy father and ,i2 and her ,son's response had brought anew to her mind the truth that ,joseph was not the ,boy's father4 ,she appears to have been astonished that ,one so young should so thoroughly understand ,his position with respect to herself4 ,he had made plain to her the inadvertent inaccuracy of her words2 ,his ,father had not been seeking ,him2 for was ,he not even at that moment in ,his ,father's house1 and particularly engaged in ,his ,father's business1 the very work to which ,his ,father had appointed ,him8 ,he had in no wise intimated a doubt as to ,mary's maternal relationship to ,himself2 though ,he had indisputably shown that ,he recognized as ,his ,father1 not ,joseph of ,nazareth1 but the ,god of ,heaven4 ,both ,mary and ,joseph failed to comprehend the full import of ,his words4 ,though ,he understood the superior claim of duty based on ,his divine ,sonship1 and had shown to ,mary that her authority as earthly mother was subordinate to that of ,his immortal and divine ,father1 nevertheless ,he obeyed her4 ,interested as were the doctors in this remarkable ,boy1 much as ,he had given them to ponder over through ,his searching questions and wise answers1 they could not detain ,him1 for the very law they professed to uphold enjoined strict obedience to parental authority4 ,and he went down with them1 and came to ,nazareth1 and was subject unto them3 but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart4 ,what marvelous and sacred secrets were treasured in that mother's heart2 and what new surprizes and grave problems were added day after day in the manifestations of unfolding wisdom displayed by her more than mortal ,son6 ,though she could never have wholly forgotten1 at times she seemingly lost sight of her ,son's exalted personality4 ,that such conditions should exist was perhaps divinely appointed4 ,there could scarcely have been a full measure of truly human experience in the relationship between ,jesus and ,his mother1 or between ,him and ,joseph1 had the fact of ,his divinity been always dominant or even prominently apparent4 ,mary appears never to have fully understood her ,son2 at every new evidence of ,his uniqueness she marveled and pondered anew4 ,he was hers1 and yet in a very real sense not wholly hers4 ,there was about their relation to each other a mystery1 awful yet sublime1 a holy secret which that chosen and blessed mother hesitated even to tell over to herself4 ,fear must have contended with joy within her soul because of ,him4 ,the memory of ,gabriel's glorious promises1 the testimony of the rejoicing shepherds1 and the adoration of the magi must have struggled with that of ,simeon's portentous prophecy1 directed to herself in person3 ,yea1 a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also4#bfe ,as to the events of the eighteen years following the return of ,jesus from ,jerusalem to ,nazareth1 the scriptures are silent save for one rich sentence of greatest import3 ,and ,jesus increased in wisdom and stature1 and in favor with ,god and man4#bff ,plainly this ,son of the ,highest was not endowed with a fulness of knowledge1 nor with the complete investiture of wisdom1 from the cradle4#bfg ,slowly the assurance of ,his appointed mission as the ,messiah1 of whose coming ,he read in the law1 the prophets1 and the psalms1 developed within ,his soul2 and in devoted preparation for the ministry that should find culmination on the cross ,he passed the years of youth and early manhood4 ,from the chronicles of later years we learn that ,he was reputed without question to be the son of ,joseph and ,mary1 and was regarded as the brother of other and younger children of the family4 ,he was spoken of both as a carpenter and a carpenter's son2 and1 until the beginning of ,his public ministry ,he appears to have been of little prominence even in the small home community4#bfh ,he lived the simple life1 at peace with ,his fellows1 in communion with ,his ,father1 thus increasing in favor with ,god and men4 ,as shown by ,his public utterances after ,he had become a man1 these years of seclusion were spent in active effort1 both physical and mental4 ,jesus was a close observer of nature and men4 ,he was able to draw illustrations with which to point ,his teachings from the varied occupations1 trades and professions2 the ways of the lawyer and the physician1 the manners of the scribe1 the ,pharisee and the rabbi1 the habits of the poor1 the customs of the rich1 the life of the shepherd1 the farmer1 the vinedresser and the fisherman--were all known to ,him4 ,he considered the lilies of the field1 and the grass in meadow and upland1 the birds which sowed not nor gathered into barns but lived on the bounty of their ,maker1 the foxes in their holes1 the petted house dog and the vagrant cur1 the hen sheltering her brood beneath protecting wings--all these had contributed to the wisdom in which ,he grew1 as had also the moods of the weather1 the recurrence of the seasons1 and all the phenomena of natural change and order4 ,nazareth was the abode of ,jesus until ,he was about thirty years of age2 and1 in accordance with the custom of designating individuals by the names of their home towns as additions to their personal names1#bfi our ,lord came to be generally known as ,jesus of ,nazareth4#bgj ,he is also referred to as a ,nazarene1 or a native of ,nazareth1 and this fact is cited by ,matthew as a fulfilment of earlier prediction1 though our current compilation of scriptures constituting the ,old ,testament contains no record of such prophecy4 ,it is practically certain that this prediction was contained in some one of the many scriptures extant in earlier days but since lost4#bga ,that ,nazareth was an obscure village1 of little honor or renown1 is evidenced by the almost contemptuous question of ,nathanael1 who1 on being informed that the ,messiah had been found in ,jesus of ,nazareth1 asked3 ,can there any good thing come out of ,nazareth8#bgb ,the incredulous query has passed into a proverb current even today as expressive of any unpopular or unpromising source of good4 ,nathanael lived in ,cana1 but a few miles from ,nazareth1 and his surprize at the tidings brought by ,philip concerning the ,messiah incidentally affords evidence of the seclusion in which ,jesus had lived4 ,so passed the boyhood1 youth1 and early manhood of the ,savior of mankind4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #i4 #a4 ,archelaus ,reigned in ,herod's ,stead4--,at his death ,herod the ,great left a will according to which his kingdom was to be divided among his three sons4 ,archelaus was to have ,judea1 ,idumea1 and ,samaria1 with the title of king 7,matt #b3bb74 ,herod ,antipas was to receive ,galilee and ,perea1 with the title of tetrarch2 ,philip was to come into possession of the trans-,jordan territory with the title of tetrarch 7,luke #c3a74 ,this will was ratified by ,augustus with the exception of the title given to ,archelaus4 ,archelaus1 after the ratification of ,herod's will by ,augustus1 succeeded to the rule of ,judea1 ,samaria1 and ,idumea1 having the title of ethnarch1 with the understanding that1 if he ruled well1 he was to become king4 ,he was1 however1 highly unpopular with the people1 and his reign was marked by disturbances and acts of oppression4 ,the situation became finally so intolerable that the ,jews appealed to ,augustus1 and ,archelaus was removed and sent into exile4 ,this accounts for the statement in ,matt4 #b3bb1 and possibly also suggested the point of the parable 7,luke #ai3ab1 etc474--,standard ,bible ,dictionary1 ,funk and ,wagnalls ,co41 article ,herod4 ,early in his reign he wreaked summary vengeance on the people who ventured to protest against a continuation of his father's violence1 by slaughtering three thousand or more2 and the awful deed of carnage was perpetrated in part within the precincts of the temple4 7,josephus1 ,antiquities xvii1 #i3a-c47 #b4 ,herod ,antipas4--,son of ,herod ,i 7the ,great7 by a ,samaritan woman1 and full brother to ,archelaus4 ,by the will of his father he became tetrarch of ,galilee and ,perea 7,matt4 #ad3a2 ,luke #c3ai2 #i3g2 ,acts #ac3a2 compare ,luke #c3a74 ,he repudiated his wife1 a daughter of ,aretas1 king of ,arabia ,petrea1 and entered into an unlawful union with ,herodias1 the wife of his half-brother ,herod ,philip ,i 7not the tetrarch ,philip74 ,john the ,baptist was imprisoned and finally put to death1 through the anger of ,herodias over his denunciation of her union with ,herod ,antipas4 ,herodias urged ,antipas to go to ,rome and petition ,csar for the title of king 7compare ,mark #f3ad1 etc474 ,antipas is the ,herod most frequently mentioned in the ,new ,testament 7,mark #f3ag2 #h3ae2 ,luke #c3a2 #i3g2 #ac3ca2 ,acts #d3bg2 #ac3a74 ,he was the ,herod to whom ,pilate sent ,jesus for examination1 taking advantage of ,christ being known as a ,galilean1 and of the coincident fact of ,herod's presence in ,jerusalem at the time in attendance at the ,passover 7,luke #bc3f1 etc474 ,for further details see ,smith's1 ,cassell's1 or the ,standard ,bible ,dictionary4 #c4 ,testimony of ,john the ,apostle ,concerning ,christ's ,development in ,knowledge and ,grace4--,in a modern revelation1 ,jesus the ,christ has confirmed the record of ,john the apostle1 which record appears but in part in our compilation of ancient scriptures4 ,john thus attests the actuality of natural development in the growth of ,jesus from childhood to maturity3 ,and ,i1 ,john1 saw that he received not of the fullness at the first1 but received grace for grace2 and he received not of the fullness at first1 but continued from grace to grace1 until he received a fullness2 and thus he was called the ,son of ,god1 because he received not of the fullness at the first4 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #ic3ab-ad74 ,notwithstanding this graded course of growth and development after ,his birth in the flesh1 ,jesus ,christ had been associated with the ,father from the beginning1 as is set forth in the revelation cited4 ,we read therein3 ,and he ,john bore record1 saying1 ,i saw his glory that he was in the beginning before the world was2 therefore in the beginning the ,word was1 for he was the ,word1 even the messenger of salvation1 the light and the ,redeemer of the world2 the ,spirit of truth1 who came into the world1 because the world was made by him1 and in him was the life of men and the light of men4 ,the worlds were made by him3 men were made by him3 all things were made by him1 and through him1 and of him4 ,and ,i1 ,john1 bear record that ,i beheld his glory1 as the glory of the ,only ,begotten of the ,father1 full of grace and truth1 even the ,spirit of truth1 which came and dwelt in the flesh1 and dwelt among us 7verses #g-aa74 #d4 ,missing ,scripture4--,matthew's commentary on the abode of ,joseph1 ,mary and ,jesus at ,nazareth1 and he came and dwelt in a city called ,nazareth3 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets1 he shall be called a ,nazarene 7#b3bc71 with the fact that no such saying of the prophets is found in any of the books contained in the ,bible1 suggests the certainty of lost scripture4 ,those who oppose the doctrine of continual revelation between ,god and ,his ,church1 on the ground that the ,bible is complete as a collection of sacred scriptures1 and that alleged revelation not found therein must therefore be spurious1 may profitably take note of the many books not included in the ,bible1 yet mentioned therein1 generally in such a way as to leave no doubt that they were once regarded as authentic4 ,among these extra-,biblical scriptures1 the following may be named2 some of them are in existence to-day1 and are classed with the ,apocrypha2 but the greater number are unknown4 ,we read of the ,book of the ,covenant 7,exo4 #bd3g72 ,book of the ,wars of the ,lord 7,numb4 #ba3ad72 ,book of ,jasher 7,josh4 #aj3ac72 ,book of the ,statutes 7#a ,sam4 #aj3be72 ,book of ,enoch 7,jude #ad72 ,book of the ,acts of ,solomon 7#a ,kings #aa3da72 ,book of ,nathan the ,prophet1 and that of ,gad the ,seer 7#a ,chron4 #bi3bi72 ,book of ,ahijah the ,shilonite1 and visions of ,iddo the ,seer 7#b ,chron4 #i3bi72 ,book of ,shemaiah 7#b ,chron4 #ab3ae72 ,story of the ,prophet ,iddo 7#b ,chron4 #ac3bb72 ,book of ,jehu 7#b ,chron4 #bj3cd72 the ,acts of ,uzziah1 by ,isaiah1 the son of ,amoz 7#b ,chron4 #bf3bb72 ,sayings of the ,seers 7#b ,chron4 #cc3ai72 a missing epistle of ,paul to the ,corinthians 7#a ,cor4 #e3i72 a missing epistle to the ,ephesians 7,eph4 #c3c72 missing epistle to the ,colossians1 written from ,laodicea 7,col4 #d3af72 a missing epistle of ,jude 7,jude #c74 #e4 ,nazareth4--,a town or city in ,galilee1 of which ,biblical mention is found in the ,new ,testament only4 ,josephus says nothing concerning the place4 ,the name of the existing village1 or the ,nazareth of to-day1 is ,en-,nazirah4 ,this occupies an upland site on the southerly ridge of ,lebanon1 and commands a splendid view of the ,plain of ,esdraelon and ,mount ,carmel1 and is very picturesque in general 7,zenos74 ,the author of the article ,nazareth in ,smith's ,bible ,dict4 identifies the modern ,en-,nazirah1 with the ,nazareth of old on the following grounds3 ,it is on the lower declivities of a hill or mountain 7,luke #d3bi72 it is within the limits of the province of ,galilee 7,mark #a3i72 it is near ,cana 7,john #b3a1 #b1 #aa72 a precipice exists in the neighborhood 7,luke #d3bi72 and a series of testimonials reaching back to ,eusebius represent the place as having occupied the same position4 ,the same writer adds3 ,its population is #cjjj or #djjj2 a few are ,mohammedans1 the rest ,latin and ,greek ,christians4 ,most of the houses are well built of stone1 and appear neat and comfortable4 ,the streets or lanes are narrow and crooked1 and after rain are so full of mud and mire as to be almost impassable4 ,at the time of ,christ's life the town was not only regarded as unimportant by the ,judeans who professed but little respect for ,galilee or the ,galileans1 but as without honor by the ,galileans themselves1 as appears from the fact that the seemingly contemptuous question1 ,can there any good thing come out of ,nazareth8 was uttered by ,nathanael 7,john #a3df71 who was a ,galilean and a native of ,cana1 a neighboring town to ,nazareth 7,john #ba3b74 ,nazareth owes its celebrity to its association with events in the life of ,jesus ,christ 7,matt4 #b3bc2 #ac3ed2 ,mark #a3i2 #f3a2 ,luke #a3bf2 #b3d2 #d3bc1cd2 ,john #a3de1df2 #ai3ai2 ,acts #b3bb74 ,,footnotes3 #bed ,matt4 #b3ae2 compare ,hos4 #aa3a4 #bee ,matt4 #b3ai-bc4 ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #bef ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #beg ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #beh ,luke #b3dj4 #bei ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #bfj ,compare ,his teachings after ,he had reached manhood1 e4g4 ,john #h3cb4 #bfa ,deut4 #af3a-f2 compare ,exo4 #ab3b4 #bfb ,josephus2 ,wars of the ,jews1 ii1 #a3c4 #bfc ,luke #b3df2 read #da-eb4 #bfd ,compare ,matt4 #g3bh1 #bi2 #ac3ed2 ,mark #f3b2 ,luke #d3bb4 #bfe ,luke #b3ce4 #bff ,luke #b3eb4 #bfg ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #bfh ,matt4 #ac3ee1 #ef2 ,mark #f3c2 ,luke #d3bb2 compare ,matt4 #ab3df1 #dg2 ,gal4 #a3ai4 #bfi ,for illustrative examples see ,joseph of ,arimathea 7,mark #ae3dc72 ,mary ,magdalene1 so known from her native town of ,magdala 7,matt4 #bg3ef72 ,judas ,iscariot1 possibly named after his home in ,kerioth 7,matt4 #aj3d2 see page #bbe herein47 #bgj ,matt4 #ba3aa2 ,john #ah3e2 #ai3ai2 ,acts #b3bb2 #c3f2 see also ,luke #d3af4 #bga ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #bgb ,john #a3de1 #df4 ,,chapter #aj4 ,,in ,,the ,,wilderness ,,of ,,judea4 ,,the ,,voice ,,in ,,the ,,wilderness4 ,at a time definitely stated as the fifteenth year of the reign of ,tiberius ,csar1 emperor of ,rome1 the people of ,judea were greatly aroused over the strange preaching of a man theretofore unknown4 ,he was of priestly descent1 but untrained in the schools2 and1 without authorization of the rabbis or license from the chief priests1 he proclaimed himself as one sent of ,god with a message to ,israel4 ,he appeared not in the synagogs nor within the temple courts1 where scribes and doctors taught1 but cried aloud in the wilderness4 ,the people of ,jerusalem and of adjacent rural parts went out in great multitudes to hear him4 ,he disdained the soft garments and flowing robes of comfort1 and preached in his rough desert garb1 consisting of a garment of camel's hair held in place by a leathern girdle4 ,the coarseness of his attire was regarded as significant4 ,elijah the ,tishbite1 that fearless prophet whose home had been the desert1 was known in his day as an hairy man1 and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins2#bgc and rough garments had come to be thought of as a distinguishing characteristic of prophets4#bgd ,nor did this strange preacher eat the food of luxury and ease1 but fed on what the desert supplied1 locusts and wild honey4#bge ,the man was ,john1 son of ,zacharias1 soon to be known as the ,baptist4 ,he had spent many years in the desert1 apart from the abodes of men1 years of preparation for his particular mission4 ,he had been a student under the tutelage of divine teachers2 and there in the wilderness of ,judea the word of the ,lord reached him2#bgf as in similar environment it had reached ,moses#bgg and ,elijah#bgh of old4 ,then was heard ,the voice of one crying in the wilderness1 ,prepare ye the way of the ,lord1 make his paths straight4#bgi ,it was the voice of the herald1 the messenger who1 as the prophets had said1 should go before the ,lord to prepare ,his way4#bhj ,the burden of his message was ,repent ye1 for the kingdom of heaven is at hand4 ,and to such as had faith in his words and professed repentance1 confessing their sins1 he administered baptism by immersion in water--proclaiming the while1 ,i indeed baptize you with water unto repentance3 but he that cometh after me is mightier than ,i1 whose shoes ,i am not worthy to bear3 he shall baptize you with the ,holy ,ghost1 and with fire4#bha ,neither the man nor his message could be ignored2 his preaching was specific in promise to the repentant soul1 and scathingly denunciatory to the hypocrite and the hardened sinner4 ,when ,pharisees and ,sadducees came to his baptism1 prating of the law1 the spirit of which they ceased not to transgress1 and of the prophets1 whom they dishonored1 he denounced them as a generation of vipers1 and demanded of them3 ,who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come8 ,he brushed aside their oft-repeated boasts that they were the children of ,abraham1 saying1 ,bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance3 and think not to say within yourselves1 ,we have ,abraham to our father3 for ,i say unto you1 that ,god is able of these stones to raise up children unto ,abraham4#bhb ,the ignoring of their claims to preferment as the children of ,abraham was a strong rebuke1 and a cause of sore affront alike to aristocratic ,sadducee and rule-bound ,pharisee4 ,judaism held that the posterity of ,abraham had an assured place in the kingdom of the expected ,messiah1 and that no proselyte from among the ,gentiles could possibly attain the rank and distinction of which the children were sure4 ,john's forceful assertion that ,god could raise up1 from the stones on the river bank1 children to ,abraham1 meant to those who heard that even the lowest of the human family might be preferred before themselves unless they repented and reformed4#bhc ,their time of wordy profession had passed2 fruits were demanded1 not barren though leafy profusion2 the ax was ready1 aye1 at the very root of the tree2 and every tree that produced not good fruit was to be hewn down and cast into the fire4 ,the people were astonished2 and many1 seeing themselves in their actual condition of dereliction and sin1 as ,john1 with burning words laid bare their faults1 cried out3 ,what shall we do then8#bhd ,his reply was directed against ceremonialism1 which had caused spirituality to wither almost to death in the hearts of the people4 ,unselfish charity was demanded--,he that hath two coats1 let him impart to him that hath none2 and he that hath meat1 let him do likewise4 ,the publicans or tax-farmers and collectors1 under whose unjust and unlawful exactions the people had suffered so long1 came asking3 ,master1 what shall we do8 ,and he said unto them1 ,exact no more than that which is appointed you4 ,to the soldiers who asked what to do he replied3 ,do violence to no man1 neither accuse any falsely2 and be content with your wages4#bhe ,the spirit of his demands was that of a practical religion1 the only religion of any possible worth--the religion of right living4 ,with all his vigor1 in spite of his brusqueness1 notwithstanding his forceful assaults on the degenerate customs of the times1 this ,john was no agitator against established institutions1 no inciter of riot1 no advocate of revolt1 no promoter of rebellion4 ,he did not assail the tax system but the extortions of the corrupt and avaricious publicans2 he did not denounce the army1 but the iniquities of the soldiers1 many of whom had taken advantage of their position to bear false witness for the sake of gain and to enrich themselves by forcible seizure4 ,he preached1 what in the now current dispensation we call the first or fundamental principles of the gospel--the beginning of the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1#bhf comprizing faith1 which is vitalized belief1 in ,god2 genuine repentance1 which comprizes contrition for past offenses and a resolute determination to turn from sin2 baptism by immersion in water at his hands as the hands of one having authority2 and the higher baptism by fire or the bestowal of the ,holy ,ghost by an authority greater than that possessed by himself4 ,his preaching was positive1 and in many respects opposed to the conventions of the times2 he made no appeal to the people through the medium of miraculous manifestations2#bhg and though many of his hearers attached themselves to him as disciples1#bhh he established no formal organization1 nor did he attempt to form a cult4 ,his demand for repentance was an individual call1 as unto each acceptable applicant the rite of baptism was individually administered4 ,to the ,jews1 who were living in a state of expectancy1 waiting for the long-predicted ,messiah1 the words of this strange prophet in the wilderness were fraught with deep portent4 ,could it be that he was the ,christ8 ,he spoke of ,one yet to come1 mightier than himself1 whose shoe-latchet he was not worthy to loosen1#bhi ,one who would separate the people as the thresher1 fan in hand1 blew the chaff from the wheat2 and1 he added1 that mightier ,one will gather the wheat into his garner2 but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable4#bij ,in such wise did the predicted herald of the ,lord deliver his message4 ,himself he would not exalt2 his office1 however1 was sacred to him1 and with its functions he brooked no interference from priest1 ,levite1 or rabbi4 ,he was no respecter of persons2 sin he denounced1 sinners he excoriated1 whether in priestly vestments1 peasant garb1 or royal robes4 ,all the claims the ,baptist had made for himself and his mission were later confirmed and vindicated by the specific testimony of ,christ4#bia ,john was the harbinger not alone of the kingdom but of the ,king2 and to him the ,king in person came4 ,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,jesus--,,to ,,fulfil ,,all ,,righteousness4 ,when ,jesus began to be about thirty years of age1 ,he journeyed from ,his home in ,galilee to ,jordan unto ,john1 to be baptized of him4 ,but ,john forbad him1 saying1 ,i have need to be baptized of thee1 and comest thou to me8 ,and ,jesus answering said unto him1 ,suffer it to be so now2 for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness4 ,then he suffered him4#bib ,john and ,jesus were second cousins2 as to whether there had existed any close companionship between the two as boys or men we are not told4 ,it is certain1 however1 that when ,jesus presented ,himself for baptism1 ,john recognized in ,him a sinless ,man who stood in no need of repentance2 and1 as the ,baptist had been commissioned to baptize for the remission of sins1 he saw no necessity of administering the ordinance to ,jesus4 ,he who had received the confessions of multitudes now reverently confessed to ,one whom he knew was more righteous than himself4 ,in the light of later events it appears that at this time ,john did not know that ,jesus was the ,christ1 the ,mightier ,one for whom he waited and whose forerunner he knew himself to be4 ,when ,john expressed his conviction that ,jesus needed no baptismal cleansing1 our ,lord1 conscious of ,his own sinlessness1 did not deny the ,baptist's imputation1 but nevertheless pressed ,his application for baptism with the significant explanation3 ,thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness4 ,if ,john was able to comprehend the deeper meaning of this utterance1 he must have found therein the truth that water baptism is not alone the means provided for gaining remission of sins1 but is also an indispensable ordinance established in righteousness and required of all mankind as an essential condition for membership in the kingdom of ,god4#bic ,jesus ,christ thus humbly complied with the will of the ,father1 and was baptized of ,john by immersion in water4 ,that ,his baptism was accepted as a pleasing and necessary act of submission was attested by what immediately ensued3 ,and ,jesus1 when he was baptized1 went up straightway out of the water3 and1 lo1 the heavens were opened unto him1 and he saw the ,spirit of ,god descending like a dove1 and lighting upon him3 and lo a voice from heaven1 saying1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased4#bid ,then ,john knew his ,redeemer4 ,the four ,gospel-writers record the descent of the ,holy ,ghost upon the baptized ,jesus as accompanied by a visible manifestation like a dove2 and this sign had been indicated to ,john as the foreappointed means by which the ,messiah should be made known to him2 and to that sign1 before specified1 was now added the supreme testimony of the ,father as to the literal ,sonship of ,jesus4 ,matthew records the ,father's acknowledgment as given in the third person1 ,this is my beloved ,son2 while both ,mark and ,luke give the more direct address1 ,thou art my beloved ,son4 ,the variation1 slight and essentially unimportant as it is though bearing on so momentous a subject1 affords evidence of independent authorship and discredits any insinuation of collusion among the writers4 ,the incidents attending the emergence of ,jesus from the baptismal grave demonstrate the distinct individuality of the three ,personages of the ,godhead4 ,on that solemn occasion ,jesus the ,son was present in the flesh2 the presence of the ,holy ,ghost was manifest through the accompanying sign of the dove1 and the voice of the ,eternal ,father was heard from heaven4 ,had we no other evidence of the separate personality of each member of the ,holy ,trinity1 this instance should be conclusive2 but other scriptures confirm the great truth4#bie ,,the ,,temptations ,,of ,,christ4 ,soon after ,his baptism1 immediately thereafter as ,mark asserts1 ,jesus was constrained by the promptings of the ,spirit to withdraw from men and the distractions of community life1 by retiring into the wilderness where ,he would be free to commune with ,his ,god4 ,so strong was the influence of the impelling force that ,he was led thereby1 or1 as stated by the evangelist1 driven1 into solitary seclusion1 in which ,he remained during forty days1 with the wild beasts of the desert4 ,this remarkable episode in our ,lord's life is described1 though not with equal fulness1 in three of the ,gospels2#bif ,john is silent thereon4 ,the circumstances attending this time of exile and test must have been related by ,jesus ,himself1 for of other human witnesses there were none4 ,the recorded narratives deal principally with events marking the close of the forty-day period1 but considered in their entirety they place beyond doubt the fact that the season was one of fasting and prayer4 ,christ's realization that ,he was the chosen and foreordained ,messiah came to ,him gradually4 ,as shown by ,his words to ,his mother on the occasion of the memorable interview with the doctors in the temple courts1 ,he knew1 when but a ,boy of twelve years1 that in a particular and personal sense ,he was the ,son of ,god2 yet it is evident that a comprehension of the full purport of ,his earthly mission developed within ,him only as ,he progressed step by step in wisdom4 ,his acknowledgment by the ,father1 and the continued companionship of the ,holy ,ghost1 opened ,his soul to the glorious fact of ,his divinity4 ,he had much to think about1 much that demanded prayer and the communion with ,god that prayer alone could insure4 ,throughout the period of retirement1 he ate not1 but chose to fast1 that ,his mortal body might the more completely be subjected to ,his divine spirit4 ,then1 when ,he was hungry and physically weak1 the tempter came with the insidious suggestion that ,he use ,his extraordinary powers to provide food4 ,satan had chosen the most propitious time for his evil purpose4 ,what will mortals not do1 to what lengths have men not gone1 to assuage the pangs of hunger8 ,esau bartered his birthright for a meal4 ,men have fought like brutes for food4 ,women have slain and eaten their own babes rather than endure the gnawing pangs of starvation4 ,all this ,satan knew when he came to the ,christ in the hour of extreme physical need1 and said unto ,him3 ,if thou be the ,son of ,god1 command that these stones be made bread4 ,during the long weeks of seclusion1 our ,lord had been sustained by the exaltation of spirit that would naturally attend such all-absorbing concentration of mind as ,his protracted meditation and communion with the heavens undoubtedly produced2 in such profound devotion of spirit1 bodily appetites were subdued and superseded2 but the reaction of the flesh was inevitable4 ,hungry as ,jesus was1 there was a temptation in ,satan's words even greater than that embodied in the suggestion that ,he provide food for ,his famishing body--the temptation to put to proof the possible doubt implied in the tempter's ,if4 ,the ,eternal ,father had proclaimed ,jesus as ,his ,son2 the devil tried to make the ,son doubt that divine relationship4 ,why not prove the ,father's interest in ,his ,son at this moment of dire necessity8 ,was it proper that the ,son of ,god should go hungry8 ,had the ,father so soon forgotten as to leave ,his ,beloved ,son thus to suffer8 ,was it not reasonable that ,jesus1 faint from long abstinence1 should provide for ,himself1 and particularly so since ,he could provide1 and that by a word of command1 if the voice heard at ,his baptism was that of the ,eternal ,father4 ,if thou be in reality the ,son of ,god1 demonstrate thy power1 and at the same time satisfy thy hunger--such was the purport of the diabolical suggestion4 ,to have yielded would have been to manifest positive doubt of the ,father's acknowledgment4 ,moreover1 the superior power that ,jesus possessed had not been given to ,him for personal gratification1 but for service to others4 ,he was to experience all the trials of mortality2 another man1 as hungry as ,he1 could not provide for himself by a miracle2 and though by miracle such a one might be fed1 the miraculous supply would have to be given1 not provided by himself4 ,it was a necessary result of our ,lord's dual nature1 comprizing the attributes of both ,god and man1 that ,he should endure and suffer as a mortal while possessing at all times the ability to invoke the power of ,his own ,godhood by which all bodily needs could be supplied or overcome4 ,his reply to the tempter was sublime and positively final3 ,it is written1 ,man shall not live by bread alone1 but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of ,god4#big ,the word that had proceeded from the mouth of ,god1 upon which ,satan would have cast mistrust1 was that ,jesus was the ,beloved ,son with whom the ,father was well pleased4 ,the devil was foiled2 ,christ was triumphant4 ,realizing that he had utterly failed in his attempt to induce ,jesus to use ,his inherent power for personal service1 and to trust in ,himself rather than rely upon the ,father's providence1 ,satan went to the other extreme and tempted ,jesus to wantonly throw ,himself upon the ,father's protection4#bih ,jesus was standing upon one of the high parts of the temple1 a pinnacle or battlement1 overlooking the spacious courts1 when the devil said unto ,him3 ,if thou be the ,son of ,god1 cast thyself down3 for it is written1 ,he shall give his angels charge concerning thee3 and in their hands they shall bear thee up1 lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone4 ,again appears the implication of doubt4#bii ,if ,jesus was in fact the ,son of ,god1 could ,he not trust ,his ,father to save ,him1 and particularly so as it was written#cjj that angels would guard ,him and bear ,him up8 ,christ's reply to the tempter in the wilderness had embodied a scriptural citation1 and this ,he had introduced with the impressive formula common to expounders of sacred writ--,it is written4 ,in the second attempt1 the devil tried to support his suggestion by scripture1 and employed a similar expression--for it is written4 ,our ,lord met and answered the devil's quotation with another1 saying3 ,it is written again1 ,thou shalt not tempt the ,lord thy ,god4#cja ,beside the provocation to sin by wantonly placing ,himself in danger1 so that the ,father's love might be manifested in a miraculous rescue1 or by refusing so to challenge the ,father's interposition demonstrate that ,he doubted ,his status as the ,beloved ,son1 there lurked an appeal to the human side of ,christ's nature1 in thought of the fame which an astounding exploit1 such as that of leaping from the dizzy height of the temple turrets and alighting unhurt1 would surely bring4 ,we cannot resist the thought1 though we be not justified in saying that any such had even momentary place in the ,savior's mind1 that to act upon ,satan's suggestion1 provided of course the outcome proved to be such as he had indicated1 would have been to insure public recognition of ,jesus as a ,being superior to mortals4 ,it would have been a sign and a wonder indeed1 the fame of which would have spread as fire in the dry grass2 and all ,jewry would have been aflame with excitement and interest in the ,christ4 ,the glaring sophistry of ,satan's citation of scripture was unworthy a categorical reply2 his doctrine deserved neither logic nor argument2 his misapplication of the written word was nullified by scripture that was germane2 the lines of the psalmist were met by the binding fiat of the prophet of the exodus1 in which he had commanded ,israel that they should not provoke nor tempt the ,lord to work miracles among them4 ,satan tempted ,jesus to tempt the ,father4 ,it is as truly a blasphemous interference with the prerogatives of ,deity to set limitations or make fixations of time or place at which the divine power shall be made manifest as it is to attempt to usurp that power4 ,god alone must decide when and how ,his wonders shall be wrought4 ,once more the purposes of ,satan were thwarted and ,christ again was victor4 ,in the third temptation the devil refrained from further appeal to ,jesus to put either ,his own power or that of the ,father to the test4 ,twice completely foiled1 the tempter abandoned that plan of assault2 and1 discarding all disguise of purpose1 submitted a definite proposition4 ,from the top of a high mountain ,jesus looked over the land with its wealth of city and field1 of vineyard and orchard1 of flocks and of herds2 and in vision ,he saw the kingdoms of the world and contemplated the wealth1 the splendor1 the earthly glory of them all4 ,then saith ,satan unto ,him3 ,all these things will ,i give thee1 if thou wilt fall down and worship me4 ,so wrote ,matthew2 the more extended version by ,luke follows3 ,and the devil said unto him1 ,all this power will ,i give thee1 and the glory of them3 for that is delivered unto me2 and to whomsoever ,i will ,i give it4 ,if thou therefore wilt worship me1 all shall be thine4 ,we need not concern ourselves with conjecture as to whether ,satan could have made good his promise in the event of ,christ's doing him homage2 certain it is ,christ could have reached out1 and have gathered to ,himself the wealth and glory of the world had ,he willed so to do1 and thereby have failed in ,his ,messianic mission4 ,this fact ,satan knew full well4 ,many men have sold themselves to the devil for a kingdom and for less1 aye1 even for a few paltry pence4 ,the effrontery of his offer was of itself diabolical4 ,christ1 the ,creator of heaven and earth1 tabernacled as ,he then was in mortal flesh1 may not have remembered ,his preexistent state1 nor the part ,he had taken in the great council of the ,gods1#cjb while ,satan1 an unembodied spirit--he the disinherited1 the rebellious and rejected son--seeking to tempt the ,being through whom the world was created by promising ,him part of what was wholly ,his1 still may have had1 as indeed he may yet have1 a remembrance of those primeval scenes4 ,in that distant past1 antedating the creation of the earth1 ,satan1 then ,lucifer1 a son of the morning1 had been rejected2 and the ,firstborn ,son had been chosen4 ,now that the ,chosen ,one was subject to the trials incident to mortality1 ,satan thought to thwart the divine purpose by making the ,son of ,god subject to himself4 ,he who had been vanquished by ,michael and his hosts and cast down as a defeated rebel1 asked the embodied ,jehovah to worship him4 ,then saith ,jesus unto him1 ,get thee hence1 ,satan for it is written1 ,thou shalt worship the ,lord thy ,god1 and him only shalt thou serve4 ,then the devil leaveth him1 and behold1 angels came and ministered unto him4#cjc ,it is not to be supposed that ,christ's victorious emergence from the dark clouds of the three specified temptations exempted ,him from further assaults by ,satan1 or insured ,him against later trials of faith1 trust1 and endurance4 ,luke closes his account of the temptations following the forty-day fast as follows3 ,and when the devil had ended all the temptation1 he departed from him for a season4#cjd ,this victory over the devil and his wiles1 this triumph over the cravings of the flesh1 the harassing doubts of the mind1 the suggested reaching out for fame and material wealth1 were great but not final successes in the struggle between ,jesus1 the embodied ,god1 and ,satan1 the fallen angel of light4 ,that ,christ was subject to temptation during the period of ,his association with the apostles ,he expressly affirmed4#cje ,that ,his temptations extended even to the agony in ,gethsemane will appear as we proceed with this study4 ,it is not given to the rest of us1 nor was it given to ,jesus1 to meet the foe1 to fight and overcome in a single encounter1 once for all time4 ,the strife between the immortal spirit and the flesh1 between the offspring of ,god on the one hand1 the world and the devil on the other1 is persistent through life4 ,few events in the evangelical history of ,jesus of ,nazareth have given rise to more discussion1 fanciful theory1 and barren speculation1 than have the temptations4 ,all such surmizes we may with propriety ignore4 ,to any believer in the holy scriptures1 the account of the temptations therein given is sufficiently explicit to put beyond doubt or question the essential facts2 to the unbeliever neither the ,christ nor ,his triumph appeals4 ,what shall it profit us to speculate as to whether ,satan appeared to ,jesus in visible form1 or was present only as an unseen spirit2 whether he spoke in audible voice1 or aroused in the mind of his intended victim the thoughts later expressed by the written lines2 whether the three temptations occurred in immediate sequence or were experienced at longer intervals8 ,with safety we may reject all theories of myth or parable in the scriptural account1 and accept the record as it stands2 and with equal assurance may we affirm that the temptations were real1 and that the trials to which our ,lord was put constituted an actual and crucial test4 ,to believe otherwise1 one must regard the scriptures as but fiction4 ,a question deserving some attention in this connection is that of the peccability or impeccability of ,christ--the question as to whether ,he was capable of sinning4 ,had there been no possibility of ,his yielding to the lures of ,satan1 there would have been no real test in the temptations1 no genuine victory in the result4 ,our ,lord was sinless yet peccable2 ,he had the capacity1 the ability to sin had ,he willed so to do4 ,had ,he been bereft of the faculty to sin1 ,he would have been shorn of ,his free agency2 and it was to safeguard and insure the agency of man that ,he had offered ,himself1 before the world was1 as a redeeming sacrifice4 ,to say that ,he could not sin because ,he was the embodiment of righteousness is no denial of ,his agency of choice between evil and good4 ,a thoroughly truthful man cannot culpably lie2 nevertheless his insurance against falsehood is not that of external compulsion1 but of internal restraint due to his cultivated companionship of the spirit of truth4 ,a really honest man will neither take nor covet his neighbor's goods1 indeed it may be said that he cannot steal2 yet he is capable of stealing should he so elect4 ,his honesty is an armor against temptation2 but the coat of mail1 the helmet1 the breastplate1 and the greaves1 are but an outward covering2 the man within may be vulnerable if he can be reached4 ,but why proceed with labored reasoning1 which can lead to but one conclusion1 when our ,lord's own words and other scriptures confirm the fact8 ,shortly before ,his betrayal1 when admonishing the ,twelve to humility1 ,he said3 ,ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations4#cjf ,while here we find no exclusive reference to the temptations immediately following ,his baptism1 the exposition is plain that ,he had endured temptations1 and by implication1 these had continued throughout the period of ,his ministry4 ,the writer of the epistle to the ,hebrews expressly taught that ,christ was peccable1 in that ,he was tempted in all points as are the rest of mankind4 ,consider the unambiguous declaration3 ,seeing then that we have a great high priest1 that is passed into the heavens1 ,jesus the ,son of ,god1 let us hold fast our profession4 ,for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities2 but was in all points tempted like as we are1 yet without sin4#cjg ,and further3 ,though he were a ,son1 yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered4#cjh ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #aj4 #a4 ,raiment of ,camel's ,hair4--,through the prophet ,zechariah 7#ac3d7 a time was foretold in which professing prophets would no longer wear a rough garment to deceive4 ,of the raiment of camel's hair worn by ,john the ,baptist1 the ,oxford and other marginal readings render the expression a garment of hair as more literal than the ,bible text4 ,deems 7,light of the ,nations1 p4 #gd1 note7 says3 ,the garment of camel's hair was not the camel's skin with the hair on1 which would be too heavy to wear1 but raiment woven of camel's hair1 such as ,josephus speaks of 7,b4 ,j4 i1 #bd3c74 #b4 ,locusts and ,wild ,honey4--,insects of the locust or grasshopper kind were specifically declared clean and suitable for food in the law given to ,israel in the wilderness4 ,yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four1 which have legs above their feet1 to leap withal upon the earth2 even these of them ye may eat2 the locust after his kind1 and the bald locust after his kind1 and the beetle after his kind1 and the grasshopper after his kind4 7,lev4 #aa3ba1 #bb47 ,at the present time locusts are used as food by many oriental peoples1 though usually by the poorer classes only4 ,of the passage referring to locusts as part of the ,baptist's food while he lived as a recluse in the desert1 ,farrar 7,life of ,christ1 p4 #ig1 note17 says3 ,the fancy that it means the pods of the so-called locust tree 7carob7 is a mistake4 ,locusts are sold as articles of food in regular shops for the purpose at ,medina2 they are plunged into salt boiling water1 dried in the sun1 and eaten with butter1 but only by the poorest beggars4 ,geikie 7,life and ,words of ,christ1 vol4 #a1 pp4 #ced1 #cee7 gives place to the following as applied to the ,baptist's life3 ,his only food was the locusts which leaped or flew on the bare hills1 and the honey of wild bees which he found1 here and there1 in the clifts of the rocks1 and his only drink a draught of water from some rocky hollow4 ,locusts are still the food of the poor in many parts of the ,east4 ',all the ,bedouins of ,arabia1 and the inhabitants of towns in ,nedj and ,hedjaz1 are accustomed to eat them1' says ,burckhardt4 ',i have seen at ,medina and ,tayi1 locust shops1 where they are sold by measure4 ,in ,egypt and ,nubia they are eaten only by the poorest beggars4 ,the ,arabs1 in preparing them for eating1 throw them alive into boiling water1 with which a good deal of salt has been mixed1 taking them out after a few minutes1 and drying them in the sun4 ,the head1 feet1 and wings1 are then torn off1 the bodies cleansed from the salt1 and perfectly dried4 ,they are sometimes eaten boiled in butter1 or spread on unleavened bread mixed with butter4' ,in ,palestine1 they are eaten only by the ,arabs on the extreme frontiers2 elsewhere they are looked on with disgust and loathing1 and only the very poorest use them4 ,tristram1 however1 speaks of them as 'very palatable4' ',i found them very good1' says he1 'when eaten after the ,arab fashion1 stewed with butter4 ,they tasted somewhat like shrimps1 but with less flavour4' ,in the wilderness of ,judea1 various kinds abound at all seasons1 and spring up with a drumming sound1 at every step1 suddenly spreading their bright hind wings1 of scarlet1 crimson1 blue1 yellow1 white1 green1 or brown1 according to the species4 ,they were 'clean1' under the ,mosaic ,law1 and hence could be eaten by ,john without offence4 ,concerning the mention of wild honey as food used by ,john1 the author last quoted says in a continuation of the same paragraph3 ,the wild bees in ,palestine are far more numerous than those kept in hives1 and the greater part of the honey sold in the southern districts is obtained from wild swarms4 ,few countries1 indeed1 are better adapted for bees4 ,the dry climate1 and the stunted but varied flora1 consisting largely of aromatic thymes1 mints1 and other similar plants1 with crocuses in the spring1 are very favourable to them1 while the dry recesses of the limestone rocks everywhere afford them shelter and protection for their combs4 ,in the wilderness of ,judea1 bees are far more numerous than in any other part of ,palestine1 and it is1 to this day1 part of the homely diet of the ,bedouins1 who squeeze it from the combs and store it in skins4 #c4 ,john's ,inferiority to the ,mightier ,one ,he ,proclaimed4--,one mightier than ,i cometh1 the latchet of whose shoes ,i am not worthy to unloose 7,luke #c3af71 or whose shoes ,i am not worthy to bear 7,matt4 #c3aa72 this was the way by which the ,baptist declared his inferiority to the ,mightier ,one1 who was to succeed and supersede him2 and a more effective illustration would be difficult to frame4 ,to loosen the shoe latchet or sandal thong1 or to carry the shoes of another1 was a menial office betokening great inferiority on the part of the person performing it4 7,smith's ,dict4 of the ,bible47 ,a passage in the ,talmud 7,tract4 ,kidduschin xxii3#b7 requires a disciple to do for his teacher whatever a servant might be required to do for his master1 except the loosing of his sandal thong4 ,some teachers urged that a disciple should carry his humility even to the extreme of carrying his master's shoes4 ,the humility of the ,baptist1 in view of the widespread interest his call aroused1 is impressive4 #d4 ,the ,order in which the ,temptations ,were ,presented4--,but two of the ,gospel-writers specify the temptations to which ,christ was subjected immediately after ,his baptism2 ,mark merely mentions the fact that ,jesus was tempted4 ,matthew and ,luke place first the temptation that ,jesus provide for ,himself by miraculously creating bread2 the sequence of the later trials is not the same in the two records4 ,the order followed in the text is that of ,matthew4 #e4 ,the ,devil's ,if4--,note the later taunting use of that diabolical if as the ,christ hung upon the cross4 ,the rulers of the ,jews1 mocking the crucified ,jesus in ,his agony said1 ,let him save himself if he be the ,christ4 ,and the soldier1 reading the inscription at the head of the cross derided the dying ,god1 saying3 ,if thou be the king of the ,jews1 save thyself4 ,and yet again1 the unrepentant malefactor by ,his side cried but1 ,if thou be ,christ1 save thyself and us4 7,luke #bc3ce-ci47 ,how literally did those railers and mockers quote the very words of their father the devil 7see ,john #h3dd74 ,see further1 page #feh herein4 #f4 ,baptism ,required of ,all4--,baptism is required of all persons who live to the age of accountability in the flesh4 ,none are exempt4 ,jesus ,christ1 who lived as a ,man without sin in the midst of a sinful world1 was baptized to fulfil all righteousness4 ,six centuries before this event1 ,nephi1 prophesying to the people on the western continent1 foretold the baptism of the ,savior1 and thus drew therefrom the necessity of baptism as a universal requirement3 ,and now1 if the ,lamb of ,god1 he being holy1 should have need to be baptized by water1 to fulfil all righteousness1 ,o then1 how much more need have we1 being unholy1 to be baptized1 yea1 even by water4444 ,know ye not that he was holy8 ,but notwithstanding he being holy1 he sheweth unto the children of men1 that according to the flesh1 he humbleth himself before the ,father1 and witnesseth unto the ,father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments 7,b4 of ,m41 #b ,nephi #ca3e1 #g74 ,see ,the ,articles of ,faith1 vi3#ah-bi4 ,,footnotes3 #bgc #b ,kings #a3h4 #bgd ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #bge ,matt4 #c3a-e2 compare ,lev4 #aa3bb2 see also ,mark #a3a-h4 ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #bgf ,luke #c3b4 #bgg ,exo4 #c3a1 #b4 #bgh #a ,kings #ag3b-g4 #bgi ,mark #a3c4 #bhj ,mark #a3b2 compare ,isa4 #dj3c2 ,mal4 #c3a2 ,matt4 #aa3aj2 ,luke #g3bg4 #bha ,matt4 #c3aa4 #bhb ,matt4 #c3g-aj2 see also ,luke #c3c-i4 #bhc ,compare a later instance1 in which ,christ similarly taught 7,john #h3cc-ei74 #bhd ,luke #c3aj2 compare ,acts #b3cg4 #bhe ,luke #c3aj-ae4 #bhf ,mark #a3a4 #bhg ,john #aj3da4 #bhh ,john #a3ce1 #cg2 ,matt4 #aa3b2 ,luke #g3ah4 #bhi ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #bij ,luke #c3ag2 see also ,matt4 #c3ab2 compare ,mal4 #c3b4 #bia ,matt4 #aa3aa-ad2 #ag3ab2 ,luke #g3bd-cj4 #bib ,luke #c3bc4 #bic ,for treatment of ,baptism as a universal requirement1 see the author's ,articles of ,faith vi3#ah-bi4 ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #bid ,matt4 #c3af1 #ag2 compare ,mark #a3i-aa2 ,luke #c3ba1 #bb4 #bie ,shortly before ,his death1 the ,savior promised the apostles that the ,father would send unto them the ,comforter1 which is the ,holy ,ghost 7,john #ad3bf1 and #ae3bf74 ,see the author's ,articles of ,faith ii3#bj-bd4 #bif ,matt4 #d3a-aa2 ,mark #a3ab1 #ac2 ,luke #d3a-ac4 #big ,matt4 #d3d2 compare ,deut4 #h3c4 #bih ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #bii ,note #e1 end of chapter4 ,page #feh herein4 #cjj ,matt4 #d3f2 ,psalm #ia3aa1 #ab4 #cja ,matt4 #d3e-g2 compare ,deut4 #f3af4 #cjb ,pages #f-i4 #cjc ,matt4 #d3aj1 #aa2 compare ,exo4 #bj3c2 ,deut4 #f3ac2 #aj3bj2 ,josh4 #bd3ad2 #a ,sam4 #g3c4 #cjd ,luke #d3ac4 #cje ,luke #bb3bh4 #cjf ,luke #bb3bh4 #cjg ,heb4 #d3ad1 #ae4 #cjh ,heb4 #e3h4 ,,chapter #aa4 ,,from ,,judea ,,to ,,galilee4 ,,the ,,baptist',s ,,testimony ,,of ,,jesus4 ,during the period of our ,lord's retirement in the wilderness the ,baptist continued his ministry1 crying repentance to all who would pause to hear1 and administering baptism to such as came duly prepared and asking with right intent4 ,the people generally were greatly concerned over the identity of ,john2 and as the real import of the voice#cji dawned upon them1 their concern deepened into fear4 ,the ever recurring question was1 ,who is this new prophet8 ,then the ,jews1 by which expression we may understand the rulers of the people1 sent a delegation of priests and ,levites of the ,pharisaic party to personally question him4 ,he answered without evasion1 ,i am not the ,christ1 and with equal decisiveness denied that he was ,elias1 or more accurately1 ,elijah1 the prophet who1 the rabbis said through a misinterpretation of ,malachi's prediction1 was to return to earth as the immediate precursor of the ,messiah4#caj ,furthermore1 he declared that he was not that prophet1 by which was meant the ,prophet whose coming ,moses had foretold1#caa and who was not universally identified in the ,jewish mind with the expected ,messiah4 ,then said they unto him1 ,who art thou8 that we may give an answer to them that sent us4 ,what sayest thou of thyself8 ,he said1 ,i am the voice of one crying in the wilderness1 ,make straight the way of the ,lord1 as said the prophet ,esaias4#cab ,the ,pharisaic envoys then demanded of him his authority for baptizing2 in reply he affirmed that the validity of his baptisms would be attested by ,one who even then was amongst them1 though they knew ,him not1 and averred3 ,he it is1 who coming after me is preferred before me1 whose shoe's latchet ,i am not worthy to unloose4#cac ,john's testimony1 that ,jesus was the ,redeemer of the world1 was declared as boldly as had been his message of the imminent coming of the ,lord4 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god1 which taketh away the sin of the world1 he proclaimed2 and1 that none might fail to comprehend his identification of the ,christ1 he added3 ,this is he of whom ,i said1 ,after me cometh a man which is preferred before me3 for he was before me4 ,and ,i knew him not3 but that he should be made manifest to ,israel1 therefore am ,i come baptizing with water4#cad ,that the attestation of the ministering presence of the ,holy ,ghost through the material appearance like a dove was convincing to ,john is shown by his further testimony3 ,and ,john bare record saying1 ,i saw the ,spirit descending from heaven like a dove1 and it abode upon him4 ,and ,i knew him not3 but he that sent me to baptize with water1 the same said unto me1 ,upon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending1 and remaining on him1 the same is he which baptizeth with the ,holy ,ghost4 ,and ,i saw1 and bare record that this is the ,son of ,god4#cae ,on the day following that of the utterance last quoted1 ,john repeated his testimony to two of his disciples1 or followers1 as1 ,jesus passed1 saying again3 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god4#caf ,,the ,,first ,,disciples ,,of ,,jesus4#cag ,two of the ,baptist's followers1 specifically called disciples1 were with him when for the second time he expressly designated ,jesus as the ,lamb of ,god4 ,these were ,andrew and ,john2 the latter came to be known in after years as the author of the fourth ,gospel4 ,the first is mentioned by name1 while the narrator suppresses his own name as that of the second disciple4 ,andrew and ,john were so impressed by the ,baptist's testimony that they immediately followed ,jesus2 and ,he1 turning toward them asked3 ,what seek ye8 ,possibly somewhat embarrassed by the question1 or with a real desire to learn where ,he might be found later1 they replied by another inquiry3 ,rabbi1 where dwellest thou8 ,their use of the title ,rabbi was a mark of honor and respect1 to which ,jesus did not demur4 ,his courteous reply to their question assured them that their presence was no unwelcome intrusion4 ,come and see1 said ,he4#cah ,the two young men accompanied ,him1 and remained with ,him to learn more4 ,andrew1 filled with wonder and joy over the interview so graciously accorded1 and thrilled with the spirit of testimony that had been enkindled within his soul1 hastened to seek his brother ,simon1 to whom he said3 ,we have found the ,messias4 ,he brought ,simon to see and hear for himself2 and ,jesus1 looking upon ,andrew's brother1 called him by name and added an appellation of distinction by which he was destined to be known throughout all later history3 ,thou art ,simon the son of ,jona2 thou shalt be called ,cephas4 ,the new name thus bestowed is the ,aramaic or ,syro-,chaldaic equivalent of the ,greek ,petros1 and of the present ,english ,peter1 meaning a stone4#cai ,on the following day ,jesus set out for ,galilee1 possibly accompanied by some or all of his newly-made disciples2 and on the way ,he found a man named ,philip1 in whom ,he recognized another choice son of ,israel4 ,unto ,philip ,he said3 ,follow me4 ,it was customary with rabbis and other teachers of that time to strive for popularity1 that many might be drawn to them to sit at their feet and be known as their disciples4 ,jesus1 however1 selected ,his own immediate associates2 and1 as ,he found them and discerned in them the spirits who1 in their preexistent state had been chosen for the earthly mission of the apostleship1 ,he summoned them4 ,they were the servants2 ,he was the ,master4#cbj ,philip soon found his friend ,nathanael1 to whom he testified that ,he of whom ,moses and the prophets had written had at last been found2 and that ,he was none other than ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,nathanael1 as his later history demonstrates1 was a righteous man1 earnest in his hope and expectation of the ,messiah1 yet seemingly imbued with the belief common throughout ,jewry--that the ,christ was to come in royal state as seemed befitting the ,son of ,david4 ,the mention of such a ,one coming from ,nazareth1 the reputed son of a humble carpenter1 provoked wonder if not incredulity in the guileless mind of ,nathanael1 and he exclaimed3 ,can there any good thing come out of ,nazareth8 ,philip's answer was a repetition of ,christ's words to ,andrew and ,john--,come and see4 ,nathanael left his seat under the fig tree1#cba where ,philip had found him1 and went to see for himself4 ,as he approached1 ,jesus said3 ,behold an ,israelite indeed1 in whom is no guile4 ,nathanael saw that ,jesus could read his mind1 and asked in surprize3 ,whence knowest thou me8 ,in reply ,jesus showed even greater powers of penetration and perception under conditions that made ordinary observation unlikely if not impossible3 ,before that ,philip called thee1 when thou wast under the fig tree1 ,i saw thee4 ,nathanael replied with conviction3 ,rabbi1 thou art the ,son of ,god2 thou art the ,king of ,israel4 ,earnest as the man's testimony was1 it rested mainly on his recognition of what he took to be a supernatural power in ,jesus2 our ,lord assured him that he should see yet greater things3 ,and he saith unto him1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,hereafter ye shall see heaven open1 and the angels of ,god ascending and descending upon the ,son of man4 ,,the ,,son ,,of ,,man4 ,in the promise and prediction made by ,christ to ,nathanael1 we find the significant title--,the ,son of ,man--appearing for the first time1 chronologically speaking1 in the ,new ,testament4 ,it recurs1 however1 about forty times1 excluding repetitions in parallel accounts in the several ,gospels4 ,in each of these passages it is used by the ,savior distinctively to designate ,himself4 ,in three other instances the title appears in the ,new ,testament1 outside the ,gospels2 and in each case it is applied to the ,christ with specific reference to ,his exalted attributes as ,lord and ,god4#cbb ,in the ,old ,testament1 the phrase son of man occurs in ordinary usage1 denoting any human son#cbc and it appears over ninety times as an appellation by which ,jehovah addressed ,ezekiel1 though it is never applied by the prophet to himself4#cbd ,the context of the passages in which ,ezekiel is addressed as son of man indicates the divine intention of emphasizing the human status of the prophet as contrasted with the divinity of ,jehovah4 ,the title is used in connection with the record of ,daniel's vision1#cbe in which was revealed the consummation1 yet future1 when ,adam--the ,ancient of ,days--shall sit to judge his posterity2#cbf on which great occasion1 the ,son of ,man is to appear and receive a dominion that shall be everlasting1 transcendently superior to that of the ,ancient of ,days1 and embracing every people and nation1 all of whom shall serve the ,lord1 ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,man4#cbg ,in applying the designation to ,himself1 the ,lord invariably uses the definite article4 ,the ,son of ,man was and is1 specifically and exclusively1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,while as a matter of solemn certainty ,he was the only male human being from ,adam down who was not the son of a mortal man1 ,he used the title in a way to conclusively demonstrate that it was peculiarly and solely ,his own4 ,it is plainly evident that the expression is fraught with a meaning beyond that conveyed by the words in common usage4 ,the distinguishing appellation has been construed by many to indicate our ,lord's humble station as a mortal1 and to connote that ,he stood as the type of humanity1 holding a particular and unique relationship to the entire human family4 ,there is1 however1 a more profound significance attaching to the ,lord's use of the title ,the ,son of ,man2 and this lies in the fact that ,he knew ,his ,father to be the one and only supremely exalted ,man1#cbh whose ,son ,jesus was both in spirit and in body--the ,firstborn among all the spirit-children of the ,father1 the ,only ,begotten in the flesh--and therefore in sense applicable to ,himself alone1 ,he was and is the ,son of the ,man of ,holiness1 ,elohim1#cbi the ,eternal ,father4 ,in ,his distinctive titles of ,sonship1 ,jesus expressed ,his spiritual and bodily descent from1 and ,his filial submission to1 that exalted ,father4 ,as revealed to ,enoch the ,seer1 ,man of ,holiness is one of the names by which ,god the ,eternal ,father is known2 and the name of his ,only ,begotten is the ,son of ,man1 even ,jesus ,christ4 ,we learn further that the ,father of ,jesus ,christ thus proclaimed ,himself to ,enoch3 ,behold1 ,i am ,god2 ,man of ,holiness is my name2 ,man of ,counsel is my name2 and ,endless and ,eternal is my name1 also4#ccj ,the ,son of ,man is in great measure synonymous with ,the ,son of ,god1 as a title denoting divinity1 glory1 and exaltation2 for the ,man of ,holiness1 whose ,son ,jesus ,christ reverently acknowledges ,himself to be1 is ,god the ,eternal ,father4 ,,the ,,miracle ,,at ,,cana ,,in ,,galilee4 ,soon after the arrival of ,jesus in ,galilee we find ,him and ,his little company of disciples at a marriage party in ,cana1 a neighboring town to ,nazareth4 ,the mother of ,jesus was at the feast2 and for some reason not explained in ,john's narrative1#cca she manifested concern and personal responsibility in the matter of providing for the guests4 ,evidently her position was different from that of one present by ordinary invitation4 ,whether this circumstance indicates the marriage to have been that of one of her own immediate family1 or some more distant relative1 we are not informed4 ,it was customary to provide at wedding feasts a sufficiency of wine1 the pure though weak product of the local vineyards1 which was the ordinary table beverage of the time4 ,on this occasion the supply of wine was exhausted1 and ,mary told ,jesus of the deficiency4 ,said ,he3 ,woman1 what have ,i to do with thee8 mine hour is not yet come4 ,the noun of address1 ,woman1 as applied by a son to his mother may sound to our ears somewhat harsh1 if not disrespectful2 but its use was really an expression of opposite import4#ccb ,to every son1 the mother ought to be preeminently the woman of women2 she is the one woman in the world to whom the son owes his earthly existence2 and though the title ,mother belongs to every woman who has earned the honors of maternity1 yet to no child is there more than one woman whom by natural right he can address by that title of respectful acknowledgment4 ,when1 in the last dread scenes of ,his mortal experience1 ,christ hung in dying agony upon the cross1 ,he looked1 down upon the weeping ,mary1 ,his mother1 and commended her to the care of the beloved apostle ,john1 with the words3 ,woman1 behold thy son6#ccc ,can it be thought that in this supreme moment1 our ,lord's concern for the mother from whom ,he was about to be separated by death was associated with any emotion other than that of honor1 tenderness and love8#ccd ,nevertheless1 ,his words to ,mary at the marriage feast may have conveyed a gentle reminder of her position as the mother of a ,being superior to herself2 even as on that earlier occasion when she had found her ,boy1 ,jesus1 in the temple1 ,he had brought home to her the fact that her jurisdiction over ,him was not supreme4 ,the manner in which she told ,him of the insufficiency of wine probably suggested an intimation that ,he use ,his more than human power1 and by such means supply the need4 ,it was not her function to direct or even to suggest the exercize of the power inherent in ,him as the ,son of ,god2 such had not been inherited from her4 ,what have ,i to do with thee8 ,he asked2 and added3 ,mine hour is not yet come4 ,here we find no disclaimer of the ability to do what she apparently wanted ,him to do1 but the plain implication that ,he would act only when the time was right for the purpose1 and that ,he1 not she1 must decide when that time had come4 ,she understood ,his meaning1 in part at least1 and contented herself by instructing the servants to do whatsoever ,he directed4 ,here again is evidence of her position of responsibility and domestic authority at the social gathering4 ,the time for ,his intervention soon arrived4 ,there stood within the place six water pots2#cce these ,he directed the servants to fill with water4 ,then1 without audible command or formula of invocation1 as best we know1 ,he caused to be effected a transmutation within the pots1 and when the servants drew therefrom1 it was wine1 not water that issued4 ,at a ,jewish social gathering1 such as was this wedding festival1 some one1 usually a relative of the host or hostess1 or some other one worthy of the honor1 was made governor of the feast1 or1 as we say in this day1 chairman1 or master of ceremonies4 ,to this functionary the new wine was first served2 and he1 calling the bridegroom1 who was the real host1 asked him why he had reserved his choice wine till the last1 when the usual custom was to serve the best at the beginning1 and the more ordinary later4 ,the immediate result of this1 the first recorded of our ,lord's miracles1 is thus tersely stated by the inspired evangelist3 ,this beginning of miracles did ,jesus in ,cana of ,galilee1 and manifested forth his glory2 and his disciples believed on him4#ccf ,the circumstances incident to the miraculous act are instructive to contemplate4 ,the presence of ,jesus at the marriage1 and ,his contribution to the successful conduct of the feast1 set the seal of ,his approval upon the matrimonial relationship and upon the propriety of social entertainment4 ,he was neither a recluse nor an ascetic2 ,he moved among men1 eating and drinking1 as a natural1 normal ,being4#ccg ,on the occasion of the feast ,he recognized and heeded the demands of the liberal hospitality of the times1 and provided accordingly4 ,he1 who but a few days before had revolted at the tempter's suggestion that ,he provide bread for ,his impoverished body1 now used ,his power to supply a luxury for others4 ,one effect of the miracle was to confirm the trust of those whose belief in ,him as the ,messiah was yet young and untried4 ,his disciples believed on him2 surely they had believed in some measure before1 otherwise they would not have followed ,him2 but their belief was now strengthened and made to approach1 if indeed it did not attain1 the condition of abiding faith in their ,lord4 ,the comparative privacy attending the manifestation is impressive2 the moral and spiritual effect was for the few1 the inauguration of the ,lord's ministry was not to be marked by public display4 ,,miracles ,,in ,,general ,the act of transmutation whereby water became wine was plainly a miracle1 a phenomenon not susceptible of explanation1 far less of demonstration1 by what we consider the ordinary operation of natural law4 ,this was the beginning of ,his miracles1 or as expressed in the revized version of the ,new ,testament1 his signs4 ,in many scriptures miracles are called signs1 as also wonders1 powers1 works1 wonderful works1 mighty works1#cch etc4 ,the spiritual effect of miracles would be unattained were the witnesses not caused to inwardly wonder1 marvel1 ponder and inquire2 mere surprize or amazement may be produced by deception and artful trickery4 ,any miraculous manifestation of divine power would be futile as a means of spiritual effect were it unimpressive4 ,moreover1 every miracle is a sign of ,god's power2 and signs in this sense have been demanded of prophets who professed to speak by divine authority1 though such signs have not been given in all cases4 ,the ,baptist was credited with no miracle1 though he was pronounced by the ,christ as more than a prophet2#cci and the chronicles of some earlier prophets#cdj are devoid of all mention of miracles4 ,on the other hand1 ,moses1 when commissioned to deliver ,israel from ,egypt1 was made1 to understand that the ,egyptians would look for the testimony of miracles1 and he was abundantly empowered therefore4#cda ,miracles cannot be in contravention of natural law1 but are wrought through the operation of laws not universally or commonly recognized4 ,gravitation is everywhere operative1 but the local and special application of other agencies may appear to nullify it--as by muscular effort or mechanical impulse a stone is lifted from the ground1 poised aloft1 or sent hurtling through space4 ,at every stage of the process1 however1 gravity is in full play1 though its effect is modified by that of other and locally superior energy4 ,the human sense of the miraculous wanes as comprehension of the operative process increases4 ,achievements made possible by modern invention of telegraph and telephone with or without wires1 the transmutation of mechanical power into electricity with its manifold present applications and yet future possibilities1 the development of the gasoline motor1 the present accomplishments in aerial navigation--these are no longer miracles in man's estimation1 because they are all in some degree understood1 are controlled by human agency1 and1 moreover1 are continuous in their operation and not phenomenal4 ,we arbitrarily classify as miracles only such phenomena as are unusual1 special1 transitory1 and wrought by an agency beyond the power of man's control4 ,in a broader sense1 all nature is miracle4 ,man has learned that by planting the seed of the grape in suitable soil1 and by due cultivation1 he may conduce to the growth of what shall be a mature and fruitful vine2 but is there no miracle1 even in the sense of inscrutable processes1 in that development8 ,is there less of real miracle in the so-called natural course of plant development--the growth of root1 stem1 leaves1 and fruit1 with the final elaboration of the rich nectar of the vine--than there was in what appears supernatural in the transmutation of water into wine at ,cana8 ,in the contemplation of the miracles wrought by ,christ1 we must of necessity recognize the operation of a power transcending our present human understanding4 ,in this field1 science has not yet advanced far enough to analyze and explain4 ,to deny the actuality of miracles on the ground that1 because we cannot comprehend the means1 the reported results are fictitious1 is to arrogate to the human mind the attribute of omniscience1 by implying that what man cannot comprehend cannot be1 and that therefore he is able to comprehend all that is4 ,the miracles of record in the ,gospels are as fully supported by evidence as are many of the historical events which call forth neither protest nor demand for further proof4 ,to the believer in the divinity of ,christ1 the miracles are sufficiently attested2 to the unbeliever they appear but as myths and fables4#cdb ,to comprehend the works of ,christ1 one must know ,him as the ,son of ,god2 to the man who has not yet learned to know1 to the honest soul who would inquire after the ,lord1 the invitation is ready2 let him ,come and see4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #aa4 #a4 ,misunderstanding of ,malachi's ,prediction4--,in the closing chapter of the compilation of scriptures known to us as the ,old ,testament1 the prophet ,malachi thus describes a condition incident to the last days1 immediately preceding the second coming of ,christ3 ,for1 behold1 the day cometh1 that shall burn as an oven1 and all the proud1 yea1 and all that do wickedly1 shall be stubble3 and the day that cometh shall burn them up1 saith the ,lord of hosts1 that it shall leave them neither root nor branch4 ,but unto you that fear my name shall the ,sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings4 ,the fateful prophecy concludes with the following blessed and far-reaching promise3 ,behold1 ,i will send you ,elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the ,lord3 and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children1 and the heart of the children to their fathers1 lest ,i come and smite the earth with a curse4 7,malachi #d3a1 #b1 #e1 #f47 ,it has been held by theologians and ,bible commentators that this prediction had reference to the birth and ministry of ,john the ,baptist1 7compare ,matt4 #aa3ad2 #ag3aa2 ,mark #i3aa2 ,luke #a3ag71 upon whom rested the spirit and power of ,elias 7,luke #a3ag74 ,however1 we have no record of ,elijah having ministered unto the ,baptist1 and furthermore1 the latter's ministry1 glorious though it was1 justifies no conclusion that in him did the prophecy find its full realization4 ,in addition1 it should be remembered1 that the ,lord's declaration through ,malachi1 relative to the day of burning in which the wicked would be destroyed as stubble1 yet awaits fulfilment4 ,it is evident1 therefore1 that the commonly accepted interpretation is at fault1 and that we must look to a later date than the time of ,john for the fulfilment of ,malachi's prediction4 ,the later occasion has come2 it belongs to the present dispensation1 and marks the inauguration of a work specially reserved for the ,church in these latter days4 ,in the course of a glorious manifestation to ,joseph ,smith and ,oliver ,cowdery1 in the temple at ,kirtland1 ,ohio1 ,april #c;d1 #ahcf1 there appeared unto them ,elijah1 the prophet of old1 who had been taken from earth while still in the body4 ,he declared unto them3 ,behold1 the time has fully come1 which was spoken of by the mouth of ,malachi1 testifying that he 7,elijah7 should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the ,lord come1 to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children1 and the children to the fathers1 lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse4 ,therefore the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands1 and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the ,lord is near1 even at the doors4 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #aaj3ac-af47 ,see also ,the ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #hb-hc4 #b4 ,the ,sign of the ,dove4--,john the ,baptist 444 had the privilege of beholding the ,holy ,ghost descend in the form of a dove1 or rather in the sign of the dove1 in witness of that administration4 ,the sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world1 a witness for the ,holy ,ghost1 and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is a personage1 and is in the form of a personage4 ,it does not confine itself to the form of the dove1 but in sign of the dove4 ,the ,holy ,ghost cannot be transformed into a dove2 but the sign of a dove was given to ,john to signify the truth of the deed1 as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence4--,from ,sermon by ,joseph ,smith1 ,history of the ,church1 vol4 #e1 pp4 #bfj-bfa4 #c4 ,the ,testimony of ,john the ,baptist4--,observe that the ,baptist's testimony to the divinity of ,christ's mission is recorded as having been given after the period of our ,lord's forty-day fast and temptations1 and therefore approximately six weeks subsequent to the baptism of ,jesus4 ,to the deputation of priests and ,levites of the ,pharisaic party1 who visited him by direction of the rulers1 probably by appointment from the ,sanhedrin1 ,john1 after disavowing that he was the ,christ or any one of the prophets specified in the inquiry1 said3 ,there standeth one among you whom ye know not2 he it is who coming after me is preferred before me4 ,on the next day1 and again on the day following that1 he bore public testimony to ,jesus as the ,lamb of ,god2 and on the third day after the visit of the priests and ,levites to ,john1 ,jesus started on the journey to ,galilee 7,john #a3ai-dc74 ,john's use of the designation ,lamb of ,god implied his conception of the ,messiah as ,one appointed for sacrifice1 and his use of the term is the earliest mention found in the ,bible4 ,for later ,biblical applications1 direct or implied1 see ,acts #h3cb2 #a ,peter #a3ai2 ,rev4 #e3f1 #h1 #ab1 #ac2 #f3a1 #af2 #g3i1 #aj1 #ag2 etc4 #d4 ,come and ,see4--,the spirit of our ,lord's invitation to the young truth seekers1 ,andrew and ,john1 is manifest in a similar privilege extended to all4 ,the man who would know ,christ must come to ,him1 to see and hear1 to feel and know4 ,missionaries may carry the good tidings1 the message of the gospel1 but the response must be an individual one4 ,are you in doubt as to what that message means to-day8 ,then come and see for yourself4 ,would you know where ,christ is to be found8 ,come and see4 #e4 ,the ,eternal ,father a ,resurrected1 ,exalted ,being4--,as the ,father hath power in himself1 so hath the ,son power in himself1 to lay down his life and take it again1 so he has a body of his own4 ,the ,son doeth what he hath seen the ,father do3 then the ,father hath some day laid down his life and taken it again2 so he has a body of his own2 each one will be in his own body4--,joseph ,smith2 see ,hist1 of the ,church1 vol4 #e1 p4 #dbf4 ,god himself was once as we are now1 and is an exalted ,man1 and sits enthroned in yonder heavens6 ,that is the great secret4 ,if the veil was rent to-day1 and the ,great ,god who holds this world in its orbit1 and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power1 was to make himself visible1--,i say1 if you were to see him to-day1 you would see him like a man in form--like yourselves in all the person1 image1 and very form as a man2 for ,adam was created in the very fashion1 image1 and likeness of ,god1 and received instruction from1 and walked1 talked and conversed with him1 as one man talks and communes with another4--,joseph ,smith2 see ,compendium1 p4 #aij4 #f4 ,waterpots for ,ceremonial ,cleansing4--,in the house at ,cana there stood in a place specially reserved1 six waterpots of stone after the manner of the purifying of the ,jews4 ,vessels of water were provided as a matter of prescribed order in ,jewish homes1 to facilitate the ceremonial washings enjoined by the law4 ,from these pots or jars the water was drawn off as required2 they were reservoirs holding the supply1 not vessels used in the actual ablution4 #g4 ,the ,attitude of ,science ,towards ,miracles is the subject of a valuable article by ,prof4 ,h4 ,l4 ,orchard1 published in ,journal of the ,transactions of the ,victoria ,institute1 or ,philosophical ,society of ,great ,britain1 #aiaj1 ,vol4 #db1 pp4 #ha-abb4 ,this article was the ,gunning ,prize ,essay for #aiji4 ,after a lengthy analytical treatment of his subject1 the author presents the following summation1 which was concurred in by those who took part in the ensuing discussions3 ,we here complete our scientific investigation of ,bible ,miracles4 ,it has embraced 7#a7 the nature of the phenomenon2 7#b7 the conditions under which it is alleged to have occurred2 7#c7 the character of the testimony to its occurrence4 ,to the inquiry--,were the ,bible miracles probable8 science answers in the affirmative4 ,to the further inquiry--,did they actually occur8 the answer of science is again1 and very emphatically1 in the affirmative4 ,if we liken them to gold1 she has made her assay and says the gold is pure4 ,or the ,bible miracles may be compared to a string of pearls4 ,if science seeks to know whether the pearls are genuine1 she may apply chemical and other tests to the examination of their character2 she may search into the conditions and circumstances in which the alleged pearls were found4 ,were they first found in an oyster1 or in some manufacturing laboratory8 ,and she may investigate the testimony of experts4 ,should the result of any one of these examinations affirm the genuineness of the pearls1 science will be slow to believe that they are 'paste'2 if all the results declare their genuineness1 science will not hesitate to say that they are true pearls4 ,this1 as we have seen1 is the case of the ,bible miracles4 ,science1 therefore1 affirms their actual occurrence4 #h4 ,the ,testimony of ,miracles4--,the ,savior's promise in a former day 7,mark #af3ag-ah71 as in the present dispensation 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #hd3fe-gc71 is definite1 to the effect that specified gifts of the ,spirit are to follow the believer as signs of divine favor4 ,the possession and exercize of such gifts may be taken therefore as essential features of the ,church of ,christ4 ,nevertheless we are not justified in regarding the evidence of miracles as infallible testimony of authority from heaven2 on the other hand1 the scriptures furnish abundant proof that spiritual powers of the baser sort have wrought miracles1 and will continue so to do1 to the deceiving of many who lack discernment4 ,if miracles be accepted as infallible evidence of godly power1 the magicians of ,egypt1 through the wonders which they accomplished in opposition to the ordained plan for ,israel's deliverance1 have as good a claim to our respect as has ,moses 7,exo4 #g3aa74 ,john the ,revelator saw in vision a wicked power working miracles1 and thereby deceiving many2 doing great wonders1 even bringing fire from heaven 7,rev4 #ac3aa-ah74 ,again1 he saw three unclean spirits1 whom he knew to be the spirits of devils working miracles 7,rev4 #af3ac-ad74 ,consider1 in connection with this1 the prediction made by the ,savior3--,there shall arise false ,christs1 and false prophets1 and shall show great signs and wonders1 insomuch that1 if it were possible1 they shall deceive the very elect 7,matt4 #bd3bd74 ,the invalidity of miracles as a proof of righteousness is indicated in an utterance of ,jesus ,christ regarding the events of the great judgment3--,many will say to me in that day1 ,lord1 ,lord1 have we not prophesied in thy name8 and in thy name have cast out devils8 and in thy name done many wonderful works8 ,and then will ,i profess unto them1 ,i never knew you2 depart from me1 ye that work iniquity 7,matt4 #g3bb-bc74 ,the ,jews1 to whom these teachings were addressed1 knew that wonders could be wrought by evil powers2 for they charged ,christ with working miracles by the authority of ,beelzebub the prince of devils 7,matt4 #ab3bb-cj2 ,mark #c3bb2 ,luke #aa3ae74--;,from the author's ,the ,articles of ,faith1 xii3#be1 #bf4 ,,footnotes3 #cji ,luke #c3d4 #caj ,john #a3ba2 compare ,mal4 #d3e4 ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #caa ,deut4 #ah3ae1 #ah2 see page #de herein4 #cab ,john #a3bb1 #bc2 compare ,isa4 #dj3c4 #cac ,john #a3be-bg4 #cad ,john #a3bi-ca4 #cae ,john #a3cb1 #cd2 also verses #ce1 #cf4 ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #caf ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #cag ,john #a3ce-ea4 #cah ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #cai ,the name thus given was afterward confirmed1 with accompaniments of promise2 ,matt4 #af3ah4 #cbj ,to the apostles the ,lord said on a subsequent occasion3 ,ye have not chosen me1 but ,i have chosen you 7,john #ae3af2 see also #f3gj74 #cba ,a favorite situation for rest1 meditation1 and study2 #a ,kings #d3be2 ,micah #d3d4 #cbb ,acts #g3ef2 ,rev4 #a3ac2 #ad3ad4 #cbc ,job #be3f2 ,psalms #add3c2 #adf3c2 see also #h3d and compare ,heb4 #b3f-i4 #cbd ,ezek4 #b3a1 #c1 #f1 #h2 #c3a1 #c1 #d2 #d3a2 etc4 #cbe ,dan4 #g3ac4 #cbf ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bg3aa2 #gh3ae1 #af2 #ajg3ed-eg2 #aaf4 #cbg ,doc4 and ,cov4 #di3f2 #eh3fe2 #fe3e2 #abb3h4 ,observe that in modern revelation the title is used only as applying to the ,christ in ,his resurrected and glorified state4 #cbh ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #cbi ,page #ch4 #ccj ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #f3eg2 #g3ce2 see also #g3bd1 #dg1 #ed1 #ef1 #ei1 #fe4 ,observe that ,satan addressed ,moses as son of man in a blasphemous attempt to coerce ,moses into worshiping him by emphasizing the mortal weakness and inferiority of the man in contrast with his own false pretension of godship4 7,moses #a3ab47 #cca ,john #b3a-aa4 #ccb ,the address ',woman' was so respectful that it might be and was1 addressed to the queenliest4--7,farrar1 ,the ,life of ,christ1 p4 #acd47 #ccc ,john #ai3bf4 #ccd ,on a few occasions ,jesus used the address ,woman in a general way3 ,matt4 #ae3bh2 ,luke #ac3ab2 ,john #d3ba2 #h3aj2 etc4 #cce ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #ccf ,john #b3aa4 #ccg ,the absence of all false austerity and outward show of abnormal abstinence in ,his life furnished an imagined excuse for unfounded charges of excess1 through which ,he was said to be a glutton and a winebibber4 7,matt4 #aa3ai2 ,luke #g3cd47 #cch ,matt4 #g3bb2 #aa3bj2 #ab3ch2 #af3a2 #bd3bd2 ,mark #f3ad2 ,luke #aj3ac2 ,john #b3ah2 #g3ba2 #aj3be2 #ad3aa2 ,acts #f3h2 #h3f2 #ad3c2 #ai3aa2 ,rom4 #ae3ai2 ,rev4 #ac3ac2 etc4 #cci ,john #aj3da2 ,matt4 #aa3i4 #cdj ,for example ,zechariah and ,malachi4 #cda ,exo4 #c3bj2 #d3a-i4 ,note #h1 end of chapter4 #cdb ,note #g1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #ab4 ,,early ,,incidents ,,in ,,our ,,lord',s ,,public ,,ministry4 ,,first ,,clearing ,,of ,,the ,,temple4 ,soon after the marriage festivities in ,cana1 ,jesus1 accompanied by ,his disciples1 as also by ,his mother and other members of the family1 went to ,capernaum1 a town pleasantly situated near the northerly end of the ,sea of ,galilee or ,lake of ,gennesaret#cdc and the scene of many of our ,lord's miraculous works2 indeed it came to be known as ,his own city4#cdd ,because of the unbelief of its people it became a subject of lamentation to ,jesus when in sorrow ,he prefigured the judgment that would befall the place4#cde ,the exact site of the city is at present unknown4 ,on this occasion ,jesus tarried but a few days at ,capernaum2 for the time of the annual ,passover was near1 and in compliance with ,jewish law and custom ,he went up to ,jerusalem4 ,the synoptic ,gospels1#cdf which are primarily devoted to the labors of ,christ in ,galilee1 contain no mention of ,his attendance at the paschal festival between ,his twelfth year and the time of ,his death2 to ,john alone are we indebted for the record of this visit at the beginning of ,christ's public ministry4 ,it is not improbable that ,jesus had been present at other ,passovers during the eighteen years over which the evangelists pass in complete and reverent silence2 but at any or all such earlier visits1 ,he1 not being thirty years old1 could not have assumed the right or privilege of a teacher without contravening established customs4#cdg ,it is worth our attention to note that on this1 the first recorded appearance of ,jesus in the temple subsequent to ,his visit as a ,boy1 ,he should resume ,his ,father's business where ,he had before been engaged4 ,it was in ,his ,father's service that ,he had been found in discussion with the doctors of the law1#cdh and in ,his ,father's cause ,he was impelled to action on this later occasion4 ,the multitudinous and mixed attendance at the ,passover celebration has already received passing mention2#cdi some of the unseemly customs that prevailed are to be held in mind4 ,the law of ,moses had been supplemented by a cumulative array of rules1 and the rigidly enforced requirements as to sacrifices and tribute had given rise to a system of sale and barter within the sacred precincts of the ,house of the ,lord4 ,in the outer courts were stalls of oxen1 pens of sheep1 cages of doves and pigeons2 and the ceremonial fitness of these sacrificial victims was cried aloud by the sellers1 and charged for in full measure4 ,it was the custom also to pay the yearly poll tribute of the sanctuary at this season--the ransom offering required of every male in ,israel1 and amounting to half a shekel#cej for each1 irrespective of his relative poverty or wealth4 ,this was to be paid after the shekel of the sanctuary1 which limitation1 as rabbis had ruled1 meant payment in temple coin4 ,ordinary money1 varieties of which bore effigies and inscriptions of heathen import1 was not acceptable1 and as a result1 money-changers plied a thriving trade on the temple grounds4 ,righteously indignant at what ,he beheld1 zealous for the sanctity of ,his ,father's ,house1 ,jesus essayed to clear the place2#cea and1 pausing not for argument in words1 ,he promptly applied physical force almost approaching violence--the one form of figurative language that those corrupt barterers for pelf could best understand4 ,hastily improvizing a whip of small cords1 ,he laid about ,him on every side1 liberating and driving out sheep1 oxen1 and human traffickers1 upsetting the tables of the exchangers and pouring out their heterogeneous accumulations of coin4 ,with tender regard for the imprisoned and helpless birds ,he refrained from assaulting their cages2 but to their owners ,he said3 ,take these things hence2 and to all the greedy traders ,he thundered forth a command that made them quail3 ,make not my ,father's house an house of merchandise4 ,his disciples saw in the incident a realization of the psalmist's line3 ,the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up4#ceb ,the ,jews1 by which term we mean the priestly officials and rulers of the people1 dared not protest this vigorous action on the ground of unrighteousness2 they1 learned in the law1 stood self-convicted of corruption1 avarice1 and of personal responsibility for the temple's defilement4 ,that the sacred premises were in sore need of a cleansing they all knew2 the one point upon which they dared to question the ,cleanser was as to why ,he should thus take to ,himself the doing of what was their duty4 ,they practically submitted to ,his sweeping intervention1 as that of one whose possible investiture of authority they might be yet compelled to acknowledge4 ,their tentative submission was based on fear1 and that in turn upon their sin-convicted consciences4 ,christ prevailed over those haggling ,jews by virtue of the eternal principle that right is mightier than wrong1 and of the psychological fact that consciousness of guilt robs the culprit of valor when the imminence of just retribution is apparent to his soul4#cec ,yet1 fearful lest ,he should prove to be a prophet with power1 such as no living priest or rabbi even professed to be1 they timidly asked for credentials of ,his authority--,what sign shewest thou unto us1 seeing that thou doest these things8 ,curtly1 and with scant respect for this demand1 so common to wicked and adulterous men1#ced ,jesus replied3 ,destroy this temple and in three days ,i will raise it up4#cee ,blinded by their own craft1 unwilling to acknowledge the ,lord's authority1 yet fearful of the possibility that they were opposing one who had the right to act1 the perturbed officials found in the words of ,jesus reference to the imposing temple of masonry within whose walls they stood4 ,they took courage2 this strange ,galilean1 who openly flouted their authority1 spoke irreverently of their temple1 the visible expression of the profession they so proudly flaunted in words--that they were children of the covenant1 worshipers of the true and living ,god1 and hence superior to all heathen and pagan peoples4 ,with seeming indignation they rejoined3 ,forty and six years was this temple in building1 and wilt thou rear it up in three days8#cef ,though frustrated in their desire to arouse popular indignation against ,jesus at this time1 the ,jews refused to forget or forgive ,his words4 ,when afterward ,he stood an undefended prisoner1 undergoing an illegal pretense of trial before a sin-impeached court1 the blackest perjury uttered against ,him was that of the false witnesses who testified3 ,we heard him say1 ,i will destroy this temple that is made with hands1 and within three days ,i will build another made without hands4#ceg ,and while ,he hung in mortal suffering1 the scoffers who passed by the cross wagged their heads and taunted the dying ,christ with ,ah1 thou that destroyest the temple1 and buildest it in three days1 save thyself1 and come down from the cross4#ceh ,yet ,his words to the ,jews who had demanded the credentials of a sign had no reference to the colossal ,temple of ,herod1 but to the sanctuary of ,his own body1 in which1 more literally than in the man-built ,holy of ,holies1 dwelt the ever living ,spirit of the ,eternal ,god4 ,the ,father is in me was ,his doctrine4#cei ,he spake of the temple of ,his body1 the real tabernacle of the ,most ,high4#cfj ,this reference to the destruction of the temple of ,his body1 and the renewal thereof after three days1 is ,his first recorded prediction relating to ,his appointed death and resurrection4 ,even the disciples did not comprehend the profound meaning of ,his words until after ,his resurrection from the dead2 then they remembered and understood4 ,the priestly ,jews were not as dense as they appeared to be1 for we find them coming to ,pilate while the body of the crucified ,christ lay in the tomb1 saying3 ,sir1 we remember that that deceiver said1 while he was yet alive1 ,after three days ,i will rise again4#cfa ,though we have many records of ,christ having said that ,he would die and on the third day would rise again1 the plainest of such declarations were made to the apostles rather than openly to the public4 ,the ,jews who waited upon ,pilate almost certainly had in mind the utterance of ,jesus when they had stood1 nonplussed before ,him1 at the clearing of the temple courts4#cfb ,such an accomplishment as that of defying priestly usage and clearing the temple purlieus by force could not fail to impress1 with varied effect1 the people in attendance at the feast2 and they1 returning to their homes in distant and widely separated provinces1 would spread the fame of the courageous ,galilean ,prophet4 ,many in ,jerusalem believed on ,him at the time1 mainly because they were attracted by the miracles ,he wrought2 but ,he refused to commit himself unto them1 realizing the insecure foundation of their professions4 ,popular adulation was foreign to ,his purpose2 ,he wanted no motley following1 but would gather around ,him such as received the testimony of ,his ,messiahship from the ,father4 ,he knew all men1 and needed not that any should testify of man3 for he knew what was in man4#cfc ,the incident of ,christ's forcible clearing of the temple is a contradiction of the traditional conception of ,him as of ,one so gentle and unassertive in demeanor as to appear unmanly4 ,gentle ,he was1 and patient under affliction1 merciful and long-suffering in dealing with contrite sinners1 yet stern and inflexible in the presence of hypocrisy1 and unsparing in ,his denunciation of persistent evil-doers4 ,his mood was adapted to the conditions to which ,he addressed ,himself2 tender words of encouragement or burning expletives of righteous indignation issued with equal fluency from ,his lips4 ,his nature was no poetic conception of cherubic sweetness ever present1 but that of a ,man1 with the emotions and passions essential to manhood and manliness4 ,he1 who often wept with compassion1 at other times evinced in word and action the righteous anger of a ,god4 ,but of all ,his passions1 however gently they rippled or strongly surged1 ,he was ever master4 ,contrast the gentle ,jesus moved to hospitable service by the needs of a festal party in ,cana1 with the indignant ,christ plying ,his whip1 and amidst commotion and turmoil of ,his own making1 driving cattle and men before ,him as an unclean herd4 ,,jesus ,,and ,,nicodemus4#cfd ,that the wonderful deeds wrought by ,christ at and about the time of this memorable ,passover had led some of the learned1 in addition to many of the common people1 to believe in ,him1 is evidenced by the fact that ,nicodemus1 who was a ,pharisee in profession and who occupied a high place as one of the rulers of the ,jews1 came to ,him on an errand of inquiry4 ,there is significance in the circumstance that this visit was made at night4 ,apparently the man was impelled by a genuine desire to learn more of the ,galilean1 whose works could not be ignored2 though pride of office and fear of possible suspicion that he had become attached to the new ,prophet led him to veil his undertaking with privacy4#cfe ,addressing ,jesus by the title he himself bore1 and which he regarded as one of honor and respect1 he said3 ,rabbi1 we know that thou art a teacher come from ,god3 for no man can do these miracles that thou doest1 except ,god be with him4#cff ,whether his use of the plural pronoun we indicates that he was sent by the ,sanhedrin1 or by the society of ,pharisees--the members of which were accustomed to so speak1 as representatives of the order--or was employed in the rhetorical sense as indicating himself alone1 is of little importance4 ,he acknowledged ,jesus as a teacher come from ,god1 and gave reasons for so regarding ,him4 ,whatever of feeble faith might have been stirring in the heart of the man1 such was founded on the evidence of miracles1 supported mainly by the psychological effect of signs and wonders4 ,we must accord him credit for sincerity and honesty of purpose4 ,without waiting for specific questions1 ,jesus answered and said unto him1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto thee1 ,except a man be born again1 he cannot see the kingdom of ,god4 ,nicodemus appears to have been puzzled2 he asked how such a rejuvenation was possible4 ,how can a man be born when he is old8 can he enter the second time into his mother's womb1 and be born8 ,we do ,nicodemus no injustice in assuming that he as a rabbi1 a man learned in the scriptures1 ought to have known that there was other meaning in the words of ,jesus than that of a mortal1 literal birth4 ,moreover1 were it possible that a man could be born a second time literally and in the flesh1 how could such a birth profit him in spiritual growth8 ,it would be but a reentrance on the stage of physical existence1 not an advancement4 ,the man knew that the figure of a new birth was common in the teachings of his day4 ,every proselyte to ,judaism was spoken of at the time of his conversion as one new-born4 ,the surprize manifested by ,nicodemus was probably due1 in part at least1 to the universality of the requirement as announced by ,christ4 ,were the children of ,abraham included8 ,the traditionalism of centuries was opposed to any such view4 ,pagans had to be born again through a formal acceptance of ,judaism1 if they would become even small sharers of the blessings that belonged as a heritage to the house of ,israel2 but ,jesus seemed to treat all alike1 ,jews and ,gentiles1 heathen idolaters and the people who with their lips at least called ,jehovah1 ,god4 ,jesus repeated the declaration1 and with precision1 emphasizing by the impressive ,verily1 verily1 the greatest lesson that had ever saluted the ears of this ruler in ,israel3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto thee1 ,except a man be born of water and of the ,spirit1 he cannot enter into the kingdom of ,god4 ,that the new birth thus declared to be absolutely essential as a condition of entrance into the kingdom of ,god1 applicable to every man1 without limitation or qualification1 was a spiritual regeneration1 was next explained to the wondering rabbi3 ,that which is born of the flesh is flesh2 and that which is born of the ,spirit is spirit4 ,marvel not that ,i said unto thee1 ,ye must be born again4 ,still the learned ,jew pondered yet failed to comprehend4 ,possibly the sound of the night breeze was heard at that moment2 if so1 ,jesus was but utilizing the incident as a skilful teacher would do to impress a lesson when ,he continued3 ,the wind bloweth where it listeth1 and thou hearest the sound thereof1 but canst not tell whence it cometh1 and whither it goeth3 so is every one that is born of the ,spirit4 ,plainly stated1 ,nicodemus was given to understand that his worldly learning and official status availed him nothing in any effort to understand the things of ,god2 through the physical sense of hearing he knew that the wind blew2 by sight he could be informed of its passage3 yet what did he know of the ultimate cause of even this simple phenomenon8 ,if ,nicodemus would really be instructed in spiritual matters1 he had to divest himself of the bias due to his professed knowledge of lesser things4 ,rabbi and eminent ,sanhedrist though he was1 there at the humble lodging of the ,teacher from ,galilee1 he was in the presence of a ,master4 ,in the bewilderment of ignorance he asked1 ,how can these things be8 ,the reply must have been humbling if not humiliating to the man3 ,art thou a master of ,israel1 and knowest not these things8 ,plainly a knowledge of some of the fundamental principles of the gospel had been before accessible2 ,nicodemus was held in reproach for his lack of knowledge1 particularly as he was a teacher of the people4 ,then our ,lord graciously expounded at greater length1 testifying that ,he spoke from sure knowledge1 based upon what ,he had seen1 while ,nicodemus and his fellows were unwilling to accept the witness of ,his words4 ,furthermore1 ,jesus averred ,his mission to be that of the ,messiah1 and specifically foretold ,his death and the manner thereof--that ,he1 the ,son of ,man1 must be lifted up1 even as ,moses had lifted the serpent in the wilderness as a prototype1 whereby ,israel might escape the fatal plague4#cfg ,the purpose of the foreappointed death of the ,son of ,man was3 ,that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have eternal life2 for to this end1 and out of ,his boundless love to man had the ,father devoted ,his ,only ,begotten ,son4 ,and further1 while it was true that in ,his mortal advent the ,son had not come to sit as a judge1 but to teach1 persuade and save1 nevertheless condemnation would surely follow rejection of that ,savior1 for light had come1 and wicked men avoided the light1 hating it in their preference for the darkness in which they hoped to hide their evil deeds4 ,here again1 perhaps1 ,nicodemus experienced a twinge of conscience1 for had not he been afraid to come in the light1 and had he not chosen the dark hours for his visit8 ,our ,lord's concluding words combined both instruction and reproof3 ,but he that doeth truth cometh to the light1 that his deeds may be made manifest1 that they are wrought in ,god4 ,the narrative of this interview between ,nicodemus and the ,christ constitutes one of our most instructive and precious scriptures relating to the absolute necessity of unreserved compliance with the laws and ordinances of the gospel1 as the means indispensable to salvation4 ,faith in ,jesus ,christ as the ,son of ,god1 through whom alone men may gain eternal life2 the forsaking of sin by resolute turning away from the gross darkness of evil to the saving light of righteousness2 the unqualified requirement of a new birth through baptism in water1 and this of necessity by the mode of immersion1 since otherwise the figure of a birth would be meaningless2 and the completion of the new birth through baptism by the ,spirit--all these principles are taught herein in such simplicity and plainness as to make plausible no man's excuse for ignorance4 ,if ,jesus and ,nicodemus were the only persons present at the interview1 ,john1 the writer1 must have been informed thereof by one of the two4 ,as ,john was one of the early disciples1 afterward one of the apostles1 and as he was distinguished in the apostolic company by his close personal companionship with the ,lord1 it is highly probable that he heard the account from the lips of ,jesus4 ,it was evidently ,john's purpose to record the great lesson of the occasion rather than to tell the circumstantial story4 ,the record begins and ends with equal abruptness2 unimportant incidents are omitted2 every line is of significance2 the writer fully realized the deep import of his subject and treated it accordingly4 ,later mention of ,nicodemus tends to confirm the estimate of the man as he appears in this meeting with ,jesus--that of one who was conscious of a belief in the ,christ1 but whose belief was never developed into such genuine and virile faith as would impel to acceptance and compliance irrespective of cost or consequence4#cfh ,,from ,,city ,,to ,,country4 ,leaving ,jerusalem1 ,jesus and ,his disciples went into the rural parts of ,judea1 and there tarried1 doubtless preaching as opportunity was found or made2 and those who believed on ,him were baptized4#cfi ,the prominent note of ,his early public utterances was that of ,his forerunner in the wilderness3 ,repent3 for the kingdom of heaven is at hand4#cgj ,the ,baptist continued his labors2 though doubtless1 since his recognition of the ,greater ,one for whose coming he had been sent to prepare1 he considered the baptism he administered as of somewhat different significance4 ,he had at first baptized in preparation for ,one who was to come2 now he baptized repentant believers unto ,him who had come4 ,disputation had arisen between some of ,john's zealous adherents and one or more ,jews#cga concerning the doctrine of purifying4 ,the context#cgb leaves little room for doubt that a question was involved as to the relative merits of ,john's baptism and that administered by the disciples of ,jesus4 ,with excusable ardor and well-intended zeal for their master1 the disciples of ,john1 who had been embroiled in the dispute1 came to him saying3 ,rabbi1 he that was with thee beyond ,jordan1 to whom thou bearest witness1 behold1 the same baptizeth1 and all men come to him4 ,john's supporters were concerned at the success of ,one whom they regarded in some measure as a rival to their beloved teacher4 ,had not ,john given to ,jesus ,his first attestation8 ,he to whom thou bearest witness said they1 not deigning even to designate ,jesus by name4 ,following the example of ,andrew1 and of ,john the future apostle1 the people were leaving the ,baptist and gathering about the ,christ4 ,john's reply to his ardent followers constitutes a sublime instance of self-abnegation4 ,his answer was to this effect3 ,a man receives only as ,god gives unto him4 ,it is not given to me to do the work of ,christ4 ,ye yourselves are witnesses that ,i disclaimed being the ,christ1 and that ,i said ,i was one sent before ,him4 ,he is as the ,bridegroom2 ,i am only as the friend of the bridegroom1#cgc ,his servant2 and ,i rejoice greatly in being thus near ,him2 ,his voice gives me happiness2 and thus my joy is fulfilled4 ,he of whom you speak stands at the beginning of ,his ministry2 ,i near the end of mine4 ,he must increase but ,i must decrease4 ,he came from heaven and therefore is superior to all things of earth2 nevertheless men refuse to receive ,his testimony4 ,to such a ,one1 the ,spirit of ,god is not apportioned2 it is ,his in full measure4 ,the ,father loveth ,him1 the ,son1 and hath given all things into ,his hand1 and3 ,he that believeth on the ,son hath everlasting life2 and he that believeth not the ,son shall not see life2 but the wrath of ,god abideth on him4#cgd ,in such a reply1 under the existent conditions1 is to be found the spirit of true greatness1 and of a humility that could rest only on a conviction of divine assurance to the ,baptist as to himself and the ,christ4 ,in more than one sense was ,john great among all who are born of women4#cge ,he had entered upon his work when sent of ,god so to do2#cgf he realized that his work had been in a measure superseded1 and he patiently awaited his release1 in the meantime continuing in the ministry1 directing souls to his ,master4 ,the beginning of the end was near4 ,he was soon seized and thrown into a dungeon2 where1 as shall be shown1 he was beheaded to sate the vengeance of a corrupt woman whose sins he had boldly denounced4#cgg ,the ,pharisees observed with increasing apprehension the growing popularity of ,jesus1 evidenced by the fact that even more followed after ,him and accepted baptism at the hands of ,his disciples than had responded to the ,baptist's call4 ,open opposition was threatened2 and as ,jesus desired to avert the hindrance to ,his work which such persecution at that time would entail1 ,he withdrew from ,judea and retired to ,galilee1 journeying by way of ,samaria4 ,this return to the northern province was effected after the ,baptist had been cast into prison4#cgh ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ab4 #a4 ,sea of ,galilee4--,this1 the largest body of fresh water in ,palestine1 is somewhat pear-shape in outline and measures approximately thirteen miles in extreme length on a northerly-southerly line and between six and seven miles in greatest width4 ,the river ,jordan enters it at the northeast extremity and flows out at the south-west2 the lake may be regarded1 therefore1 as a great expansion of the river1 though the water-filled depression is about two hundred feet in depth4 ,the outflowing ,jordan connects the sea of ,galilee with the ,dead ,sea1 the latter a body of intensely saline water1 which in its abundance of dissolved salts and in the consequent density of its brine is comparable to the ,great ,salt ,lake in ,utah1 though the chemical composition of the waters is materially different4 ,the sea of ,galilee is referred to by ,luke1 in accordance with its more appropriate classification as a lake 7,luke #e3a1 #b2 #h3bb1 #bc1 #cc74 ,adjoining the lake on the north-west is a plain1 which in earlier times was highly cultivated3 this was known as the land of ,gennesaret 7,matt4 #ad3cd2 ,mark #f3ec72 and the water body came to be known as the sea or lake of ,gennesaret 7,luke #e3a74 ,from the prominence of one of the cities on its western shore1 it was known also as the sea of ,tiberias 7,john #f3a1bc2 #ba3a74 ,in the ,old ,testament it is called the sea of ,chinnereth 7,numb4 #cd3aa7 or ,chinneroth 7,josh4 #ab3c7 after the name of a contiguous city 7,josh4 #ai3ce74 ,the surface of the lake or sea is several hundred feet below normal sea-level1 #fha feet lower than the ,mediterranean according to ,zenos1 or #gjj feet as stated by some others4 ,this low-lying position gives to the region a semi-tropical climate4 ,zenos1 in the ,standard ,bible ,dictionary1 says3 ,the waters of the lake are noted for abundant fish4 ,the industry of fishing was accordingly one of the most stable resources of the country round about4444 ,another feature of the sea of ,galilee is its susceptibility to sudden storms4 ,these are occasioned partly by its lying so much lower than the surrounding tableland 7a fact that creates a difference of temperature and consequent disturbances in the atmosphere71 and partly by the rushing of gusts of wind down the ,jordan valley from the heights of ,hermon4 ,the event recorded in ,matt4 #h3bd is no extraordinary case4 ,those who ply boats on the lake are obliged to exercize great care to avoid peril from such storms4 ,the shores of the sea of ,galilee as well as the lake itself were the scenes of many of the most remarkable events recorded in the ,gospels4 #b4 ,the ,four ,gospels4--,all careful students of the ,new ,testament must have observed that the books of ,matthew1 ,mark1 and ,luke1 treat the events of the ,savior's sayings and doings in ,galilee with greater fulness than they accord to ,his work in ,judea2 the book or ,gospel of ,john1 on the other hand1 treats particularly the incidents of our ,lord's ,judean ministry1 without excluding1 however1 important events that occurred in ,galilee4 ,in style of writing and method of treatment1 the authors of the first three ,gospels 7evangelists as they and ,john are collectively styled in theologic literature7 differ more markedly from the author of the fourth ,gospel than among themselves4 ,the events recorded by the first three can be more readily classified1 collated1 or arranged1 and in consequence the ,gospels written by ,matthew1 ,mark1 and ,luke are now commonly known as the ,synoptics1 or ,synoptic ,gospels4 #c4 ,thirty ,years of ,age4--,according to ,luke 7#c3bc7 ,jesus was about thirty years of age at the time of ,his baptism1 and we find that soon thereafter1 ,he entered publicly upon the work of ,his ministry4 ,the law provided that at the age of thirty years the ,levites were required to enter upon their special service 7,numb4 #d3c74 ,clarke1 ,bible ,commentary1 treating the passage in ,luke #c3bc1 says3 ,this was the age required by the law to which the priests must arrive before they could be installed in their office4 ,jesus may possibly have had regard for what had become a custom of the time1 in waiting until ,he had attained that age before entering publicly on the labors of a ,teacher among the people4 ,not being of ,levitical descent ,he was not eligible to priestly ordination in the ,aaronic order1 and therefore1 certainly did not wait for such before beginning ,his ministry4 ,to have taught in public at an earlier age would have been to arouse criticism1 and objection1 which might have resulted in serious handicap or hindrance at the outset4 #d4 ,throngs and ,confusion at the ,passover ,festival4--,while it is admittedly impossible that even a reasonably large fraction of the ,jewish people could be present at the annual ,passover gatherings at ,jerusalem1 and in consequence provision was made for local observance of the feast1 the usual attendance at the temple celebration in the days of ,jesus was undoubtedly enormous4 ,josephus calls the ,passover throngs an innumerable multitude 7,wars1 ii1 #a3c71 and in another place 7,wars1 vi1 #i3c7 states that the attendance reached the enormous aggregate of three millions of souls2 such is the record1 though many modern writers treat the statement as an exaggeration4 ,josephus says that for the purpose of giving the emperor ,nero information as to the numerical strength of the ,jewish people1 particularly in ,palestine1 the chief priests were asked by ,cestius to count the number of lambs slain at the feast1 and the number reported was #bef1ejj1 which on the basis of between ten and eleven persons to each paschal table would indicate the presence1 he says1 of at least #b1gjj1bjj1 not including visitors other than ,jews1 and such of the people of ,israel as were debarred from participation in the paschal meal because of ceremonial unfitness4 ,the scenes of confusion1 inevitable under the conditions then prevailing1 are admirably summarized by ,geikie 7,life and ,words of ,christ1 chap4 #cj71 who cites many earlier authorities for his statements3 ,the streets were blocked by the crowds from all parts1 who had to make their way to the ,temple1 past flocks of sheep1 and droves of cattle1 pressing on in the sunken middle part of each street reserved for them1 to prevent contact and defilement4 ,sellers of all possible wares beset the pilgrims1 for the great feasts were1 as has been said1 the harvest time of all trades at ,jerusalem1 just as1 at ,mecca1 even at this day1 the time of the great concourse of worshippers at the tomb of the ,prophet1 is that of the busiest trade among the merchant pilgrims1 who form the caravans from all parts of the ,mohammedan world4 ,inside the ,temple space1 the noise and pressure were1 if possible1 worse4 ,directions were posted up to keep to the right or the left1 as in the densest thoroughfares of ,london4 ,the outer court1 which others than ,jews might enter1 and which was1 therefore1 known as the ,court of the ,heathen1 was in part1 covered with pens for sheep1 goats1 and cattle1 for the feast and the thank-offerings4 ,sellers shouted the merits of their beasts1 sheep bleated1 and oxen lowed4 ,it was1 in fact1 the great yearly fair of ,jerusalem1 and the crowds added to the din and tumult1 till the services in the neighboring courts were sadly disturbed4 ,sellers of doves1 for poor women coming for purification from all parts of the country1 and for others1 had a space set apart for them4 ,indeed1 the sale of doves was1 in great measure1 secretly1 in the hands of the priests themselves3 ,hannas1 the high priest1 especially1 gaining great profits from his dove cotes on ,mount ,olivet4 ,the rents of the sheep and cattle pens1 and the profits on the doves1 had led the priests to sanction the incongruity of thus turning the ,temple itself into a noisy market4 ,nor was this all4 ,potters pressed on the pilgrims their clay dishes and ovens for the ,passover lamb2 hundreds of traders recommended their wares aloud2 shops for wine1 oil1 salt1 and all else needed for sacrifices1 invited customers2 and1 in addition1 persons going across the city1 with all kinds of burdens1 shortened their journey by crossing the ,temple grounds4 ,the provision for paying the tribute1 levied on all1 for the support of the ,temple1 added to the distraction4 ,on both sides of the east ,temple gate1 stalls had for generations been permitted for changing foreign money4 ,from the fifteenth of the preceding month money-changers had been allowed to set up their tables in the city1 and from the twenty-first1--or twenty days before the ,passover1--to ply their trade in the ,temple itself4 ,purchasers of materials for offerings paid the amount at special stalls1 to an officer of the ,temple1 and received a leaden cheque for which they got what they had bought1 from the seller4 ,large sums1 moreover1 were changed1 to be cast1 as free offerings1 into one of the thirteen chests which formed the ,temple treasury4 ,every ,jew1 no matter how poor1 was1 in addition1 required to pay yearly a half-shekel--about eighteen pence--as atonement money for his soul1 and for the support of the ,temple4 ,as this would not be received except in a native coin1 called the ,temple shekel1 which was not generally current1 strangers had to change their ,roman1 ,greek1 or ,eastern money1 at the stalls of the money-changers1 to get the coin required4 ,the trade gave ready means for fraud1 which was only too common4 ,five per cent4 exchange was charged1 but this was indefinitely increased by tricks and chicanery1 for which the class had everywhere earned so bad a name1 that like the publicans1 their witness would not be taken before a court4 ,touching the matter of the defilement to which the temple courts had been subjected by traffickers acting under priestly license1 ,farrar1 7,life of ,christ1 p4 #aeb71 gives us the following3 ,and this was the entrance-court to the ,temple of the ,most ,high6 ,the court which was a witness that that house should be a ,house of ,prayer for all nations had been degraded into a place which1 for foulness1 was more like shambles1 and for bustling commerce more like a densely-crowded bazaar2 while the lowing of oxen1 the bleating of sheep1 the ,babel of many languages1 the huckstering and wrangling1 and the clinking of money and of balances 7perhaps not always just71 might be heard in the adjoining courts1 disturbing the chant of the ,levites and the prayers of priests6 #e4 ,the ,servility of the ,jews in the ,presence of ,jesus4--,the record of the achievement of ,jesus1 in ridding the temple courts of those who had made the ,house of the ,lord a market place1 contains nothing to suggest the inference that ,he exercized superhuman strength or more than manly vigor4 ,he employed a whip of ,his own making1 and drove all before ,him4 ,they fled helter-skelter4 ,none are said to have voiced an objection until the expulsion had been made complete4 ,why did not some among the multitude object8 ,the submission appears to have been abject and servile in the extreme4 ,farrar1 7,life of ,christ1 pp4 #aea1 #aeb7 raises the question and answers it with excellent reasoning and in eloquent lines3 ,why did not this multitude of ignorant pilgrims resist8 ,why did these greedy chafferers content themselves with dark scowls and muttered maledictions1 while they suffered their oxen and sheep to be chased into the streets and themselves ejected1 and their money flung rolling on the floor1 by one who was then young and unknown1 and in the garb of despised ,galilee8 ,why1 in the same way we might ask1 did ,saul suffer ,samuel to beard him in the very presence of his army8 ,why did ,david abjectly obey the orders of ,joab8 ,why did ,ahab not dare to arrest ,elijah at the door of ,naboth's vineyard8 ,because sin is weakness2 because there is in the world nothing so abject as a guilty conscience1 nothing so invincible as the sweeping tide of a ,godlike indignation against all that is base and wrong4 ,how could these paltry sacrilegious buyers and sellers1 conscious of wrongdoing1 oppose that scathing rebuke1 or face the lightnings of those eyes that were enkindled by an outraged holiness8 ,when ,phinehas the priest was zealous for the ,lord of ,hosts1 and drove through the bodies of the prince of ,simeon and the ,midianitish woman with one glorious thrust of his indignant spear1 why did not guilty ,israel avenge that splendid murder8 ,why did not every man of the tribe of ,simeon become a ,goel to the dauntless assassin8 ,because ,vice cannot stand for one moment before ,virtue's uplifted arm4 ,base and grovelling as they were1 these money-mongering ,jews felt1 in all that remnant of their souls which was not yet eaten away by infidelity and avarice1 that the ,son of ,man was right4 ,nay1 even the ,priests and ,pharisees1 and ,scribes and ,levites1 devoured as they were by pride and formalism1 could not condemn an act which might have been performed by a ,nehemiah or a ,judas ,maccabaeus1 and which agreed with all that was purest and best in their traditions4 ,but when they had heard of this deed1 or witnessed it1 and had time to recover from the breathless mixture of admiration1 disgust1 and astonishment which it inspired1 they came to ,jesus1 and though they did not dare to condemn what ,he had done1 yet half indignantly asked ,him for some sign that ,he had a right to act thus4 #f4 ,jewish ,regard for the ,temple4--,the ,jews professed high regard for the temple4 ,an utterance of the ,savior1 construed by the dark-minded as an aspersion upon the temple1 was used against ,him as one of the chief accusations on which ,his death was demanded4 ,when the ,jews clamored for a sign of ,his authority ,he predicted ,his own death and subsequent resurrection1 saying1 ',destroy this temple1 and in three days ,i will raise it up1' 7,john #b3ai-bb2 see also ,matt4 #bf3fa2 #bg3dj2 ,mark #ad3eh2 #ae3bi74 ,they blindly regarded this remark as a disrespectful allusion to their temple1 a structure built by human hands1 and they refused to forget or forgive4 ,that this veneration continued after the crucifixion of our ,lord is evident from accusations brought against ,stephen1 and still later against ,paul4 ,in their murderous rage the people accused ,stephen of disrespect for the temple1 and brought false witnesses who uttered perjured testimony saying1 ',this man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place4' 7,acts #f3ac47 ,and ,stephen was numbered with the martyrs4 ,when it was claimed that ,paul had brought with him into the temple precincts1 a ,gentile1 the whole city was aroused1 and the infuriated mob dragged ,paul from the place and sought to kill him4 7,acts #ba3bf-ca47--,the author2 ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #fj1 #fa4 #g4 ,some of the ,chief ,rulers ,believed4--,nicodemus was not the only one among the ruling classes who believed in ,jesus2 but of most of these we learn nothing to indicate that they had sufficient courage to come even by night to make independent and personal inquiry4 ,they feared the result in loss of popularity and standing4 ,we read in ,john #ab3db1 #dc3 ,nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him2 but because of the ,pharisees they did not confess him1 lest they should be put out of the synagogue3 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of ,god4 ,note also the instance of the scribe who proffered to become a professed disciple1 but1 probably because of some degree of insincerity or unfitness1 was rather discouraged than approved by ,jesus4 7,matt4 #h3ai1 #bj47 #h4 ,nicodemus4--,the course followed by this man evidences at once that he really believed in ,jesus as one sent of ,god1 and that his belief failed of development into a condition of true faith1 which1 had it but been realized1 might have led to a life of devoted service in the ,master's cause4 ,when at a later stage than that of his interview with ,christ the chief priests and ,pharisees upbraided the officers whom they had sent to take ,jesus into custody and who returned to report their failure1 ,nicodemus1 one of the council1 ventured to mildly expostulate against the murderous determination of the rulers1 by stating a general proposition in interrogative form3 ,doth our law judge any man before it hear him and know what he doeth8 ,he was answered by his colleagues with contempt1 and appears to have abandoned his well-intended effort 7,john #g3ej-ec2 read preceding verses #cj-di74 ,we next hear of him bringing a costly contribution of myrrh and aloes1 about a hundred-weight1 to be used in the burial of ,christ's then crucified body2 but even in this deed of liberality and devotion1 in which his sincerity of purpose cannot well be questioned1 he had been preceded by ,joseph of ,arimathea1 a man of rank1 who had boldly asked for and secured the body for reverent burial 7,john #ai3ch-db74 ,nevertheless ,nicodemus did more than did most of his believing associates among the noble and great ones2 and to him let all due credit be given2 he will not fail of his reward4 #i4 ,the ,jews or ,a ,jew4--,we read that there arose a question between some of ,john's disciples and the ,jews about purifying 7,john #c3be74 ,bearing in mind that the expression the ,jews is very commonly used by the author of the fourth ,gospel to designate the officials or rulers among the people1 the passage quoted may be understood to mean that the ,baptist's disciples were engaged in disputation with the priestly rulers4 ,it is held1 however1 by ,biblical scholars generally1 that the ,jews in this passage is a mistranslation1 and that the true rendering is a ,jew4 ,the disputation concerning purifying appears to have arisen between some of the ,baptist's followers and a single opponent2 and the passage as it appears in the ,king ,james version of the ,bible is an instance of scripture not translated correctly4 #aj4 ,friend of the ,bridegroom4--,judean marriage customs in the days of ,christ required the appointing of a chief grooms-man1 who attended to all the preliminaries and made arrangements for the marriage feast1 in behalf of the bridegroom4 ,he was distinctively known as the friend of the bridegroom4 ,when the ceremonial requirements had been complied with1 and the bride had been legally and formally given unto her spouse1 the joy of the bridegroom's friend was fulfilled inasmuch as his appointed duties had been successfully discharged4 7,john #c3bi47 ,according to ,edersheim1 7,life and ,times of ,jesus the ,messiah1 vol4 #a1 p4 #adh71 by the simpler customs prevalent in ,galilee a friend of the bridegroom was not often chosen2 and 7pp4 #ffc-d7 the expression children of the bridechamber 7,matt4 #i3ae2 ,mark #b3ai2 ,luke #e3cd1 in all of which citations the expression is used by ,jesus71 was applied collectively to all the invited guests at a wedding festival4 ,he says3 ,as the institution of 'friends of the bridegroom' prevailed in ,judea1 but not in ,galilee1 this marked distinction of the 'friend of the bridegroom' in the mouth of the ,judean ,john1 and 'sons 7children7 of the bridechamber' in that of the ,galilean ,jesus1 is itself evidential of historic accuracy4 #aa4 ,the ,atonement ,money4--,in the course of the exodus1 the ,lord required of every male in ,israel who was twenty years old or older at the time of a census the payment of a ransom1 amounting to half a shekel 7,exo4 #cj3ab-af74 ,see pages #chc and #cif herein4 ,as to the use to which this money was to be put1 the ,lord thus directed ,moses3 ,and thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of ,israel1 and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation2 that it may be a memorial unto the children of ,israel before the ,lord1 to make an atonement for your souls 7,exo4 #cj3af2 see also #ch3be-ca74 ,in time1 the tax of half a shekel1 equivalent to a bekah 7,exo4 #ch3bf71 was collected annually1 though for this exaction no scriptural authority is of record4 ,this tax must not be confused with the redemption money1 amounting to five shekels for every firstborn male1 the payment of which exempted the individual from service in the labors of the sanctuary4 ,in place of the firstborn sons in all the tribes1 the ,lord designated the ,levites for this special ministry2 nevertheless ,he continued to hold the firstborn males as peculiarly ,his own1 and required the payment of a ransom as a mark of their redemption from the duties of exclusive service4 ,see ,exo4 #ac3ab1 #ac-ae2 ,numb4 #c3ac1 #dj-ea2 #h3ae-ah2 #ah3ae1 #af2 also pages #ie1 #if herein4 ,,footnotes3 #cdc ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #cdd ,john #b3ab2 compare ,matt4 #d3ac2 #i3a4 #cde ,matt4 #aa3bc2 ,luke #aj3ae4 #cdf ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #cdg ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #cdh ,page #aad2 ,luke #b3df-di4 #cdi ,page #aac4 ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #cej ,exo4 #cj3aa-af4 ,note #aa1 end of chapter4 #cea ,john #b3ad-ag4 #ceb ,compare ,psalm #fi3i4 #cec ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #ced ,matt4 #ab3ch1 #ci2 compare #af3a2 ,mark #h3aa2 ,john #f3cj2 #a ,cor4 #a3bb4 #cee ,john #b3ai2 read verses #ah-bb4 #cef ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #ceg ,mark #ad3eh4 ,page #fbd herein4 #ceh ,mark #ae3bi1 #cj4 #cei ,john #aj3ch2 #ag3ba4 #cfj ,john #b3ai-bb2 compare #a ,cor4 #c3af1 #ag2 #f3ai2 #b ,cor4 #f3af2 see further ,col4 #b3i2 ,heb4 #h3b4 #cfa ,matt4 #bg3fc4 ,page #ffe4 #cfb ,as ,canon ,farrar has tersely written1 ,unless the 'we remember' was a distinct falsehood1 they could have been referring to no other occasion than this4 7,life of ,christ1 p4 #aee47 #cfc ,john #b3bc-be4 #cfd ,john #c3a-ba4 #cfe ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #cff ,john #c3b2 read verses #a-ba4 #cfg ,numb4 #ba3g-i4 #cfh ,note #h1 end of chapter4 ,see ,articles of ,faith1 v3#a-e4 #cfi ,john #c3bb2 compare #d3b4 #cgj ,matt4 #d3ag2 compare ,mark #a3ae4 #cga ,note #i1 end of chapter4 #cgb ,john #c3be-cf4 #cgc ,note #aj1 end of chapter4 #cgd ,john #c3bg-cf4 #cge ,matt4 #aa3aa4 #cgf ,luke #c3b1c4 #cgg ,matt4 #ad3c-ab4 #cgh ,matt4 #d3ab4 ,,chapter #ac4 ,,honored ,,by ,,strangers1 ,,rejected ,,by ,,his ,,own4 ,,jesus ,,and ,,the ,,samaritan ,,woman4 ,the direct route from ,judea to ,galilee lay through ,samaria2 but many ,jews1 particularly ,galileans1 chose to follow an indirect though longer way rather than traverse the country of a people so despized by them as were the ,samaritans4 ,the ill-feeling between ,jews and ,samaritans had been growing for centuries1 and at the time of our ,lord's earthly ministry had developed into most intense hatred4#cgi ,the inhabitants of ,samaria were a mixed people1 in whom the blood of ,israel was mingled with that of the ,assyrians and other nations2 and one cause of the animosity existing between them and their neighbors both on the north and the south was the ,samaritans' claim for recognition as ,israelites2 it was their boast that ,jacob was their father2 but this the ,jews denied4 ,the ,samaritans had a version of the ,pentateuch1 which they revered as the law1 but they rejected all the prophetical writings of what is now the ,old ,testament1 because they considered themselves treated with insufficient respect therein4 ,to the orthodox ,jew of the time a ,samaritan was more unclean than a ,gentile of any other nationality4 ,it is interesting to note the extreme and even absurd restrictions then in force in the matter of regulating unavoidable relations between the two peoples4 ,the testimony of a ,samaritan could not be heard before a ,jewish tribunal4 ,for a ,jew to eat food prepared by a ,samaritan was at one time regarded by rabbinical authority as an offense as great as that of eating the flesh of swine4 ,while it was admitted that produce from a field in ,samaria was not unclean1 inasmuch as it sprang directly from the soil1 such produce became unclean if subjected to any treatment at ,samaritan hands4 ,thus1 grapes and grain might be purchased from ,samaritans1 but neither wine nor flour manufactured therefrom by ,samaritan labor4 ,on one occasion the epithet ,samaritan was hurled at ,christ as an intended insult4 ,say we not well that thou art a ,samaritan1 and hast a devil8#chj ,the ,samaritan conception of the mission of the expected ,messiah was somewhat better founded than was that of the ,jews1 for the ,samaritans gave greater prominence to the spiritual kingdom the ,messiah would establish1 and were less exclusive in their views as to whom the ,messianic blessings would be extended4 ,in ,his journey to ,galilee ,jesus took the shorter course1 through ,samaria2 and doubtless ,his choice was guided by purpose1 for we read that ,he must needs go that way4#cha ,the road led through or by the town called ,sychar1#chb near to the parcel of ground that ,jacob gave to his son ,joseph4#chc ,there was ,jacob's well1 which was held in high esteem1 not only for its intrinsic worth as an unfailing source of water1 but also because of its association with the great patriarch's life4 ,jesus1 travel-warn and weary1 rested at the well1 while ,his disciples went to the town to buy food4 ,a woman came to fill her water-jar1 and ,jesus said to her3 ,give me to drink4 ,by the rules of oriental hospitality then prevailing1 a request for water was one that should never be denied if possible to grant2 yet the woman hesitated1 for she was amazed that a ,jew should ask a favor of a ,samaritan1 however1 great the need4 ,she expressed her surprize in the question ,how is it that thou1 being a ,jew1 askest drink of me1 which am a woman of ,samaria8 for the ,jews have no dealings with the ,samaritans4 ,jesus1 seemingly forgetful of thirst in ,his desire to teach1 answered her by saving3 ,if thou knewest the gift of ,god1 and who it is that saith to thee1 ,give me to drink2 thou wouldest have asked of him1 and he would have given thee living water4 ,the woman reminded ,him that ,he had no bucket or cord with which to draw from the deep well1 and inquired further as to ,his meaning1 adding3 ,art thou greater than our father ,jacob1 which gave us the well1 and drank thereof himself1 and his children1 and his cattle8 ,jesus found in the woman's words a spirit similar to that with which the scholarly ,nicodemus had received ,his teachings2 each failed alike to perceive the spiritual lesson ,he would impart4 ,he explained to her that water from the well would be of but temporary benefit2 to one who drank of it thirst would return4 ,but1 he added1 whosoever drinketh of the water that ,i shall give him shall never thirst2 but the water that ,i shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life4 ,the woman's interest was keenly aroused1 either from curiosity or as an emotion of deeper concern1 for she now became the petitioner1 and1 addressing ,him by a title of respect1 said3 ,sir1 give me this water1 that ,i thirst not1 neither come hither to draw4 ,she could see nothing beyond the material advantage attaching to water that would once and for all quench thirst4 ,the result of the draught she had in mind would be to give her immunity from one bodily need1 and save her the labor of coming to draw from the well4 ,the subject of the conversation was abruptly changed by ,jesus bidding her to go1 call her husband1 and return4 ,to her reply that she had no husband ,jesus revealed to her ,his superhuman powers of discernment1 by telling her she had spoken truthfully1 inasmuch as she had had five husbands1 while the man with whom she was then living was not her husband4 ,surely no ordinary being could have so read the unpleasing story of her life2 she impulsively confessed her conviction1 saying3 ,sir1 ,i perceive that thou art a prophet4 ,she desired to turn the conversation1 and1 pointing to ,mount ,gerizim1 upon which the sacrilegious priest ,manasseh had erected a ,samaritan temple1 she remarked with little pertinence to what had been said before3 ,our fathers worshipped in this mountain2 and ye say1 that in ,jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship4 ,jesus replied in yet deeper vein1 telling her that the time was near when neither that mountain nor ,jerusalem would be preeminently a place of worship2 and ,he clearly rebuked her presumption that the traditional belief of the ,samaritans was equally good with that of the ,jews2 for1 said ,he3 ,ye worship ye know not what3 we know what we worship3 for salvation is of the ,jews4 ,changed and corrupted as the ,jewish religion had become1 it was better than that of her people2 for the ,jews did accept the prophets1 and through ,judah the ,messiah had come4 ,but1 as ,jesus expounded the matter to her1 the place of worship was of lesser importance than the spirit of the worshiper4 ,god is a ,spirit3 and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth4 ,unable or unwilling to understand ,christ's meaning1 the woman sought to terminate the lesson by a remark that probably was to her but casual3 ,i know that ,messias cometh1 which is called ,christ3 when he is come1 he will tell us all things4 ,then1 to her profound amazement1 ,jesus rejoined with the awe-inspiring declaration3 ,i that speak unto thee am he4 ,the language was unequivocal1 the assertion one that required no elucidation4 ,the woman must regard ,him thereafter as either an imposter or the ,messiah4 ,she left her pitcher at the well1 and hastening to the town told of her experience1 saying3 ,come1 see a man1 which told me all things that ever ,i did3 is not this the ,christ8 ,near the conclusion of the interview between ,jesus and the woman1 the returning disciples arrived with the provisions they had gone to procure4 ,they marveled at finding the ,master in conversation with a woman1 and a ,samaritan woman at that1 yet none of them asked of ,him an explanation4 ,his manner must have impressed them with the seriousness and solemnity of the occasion4 ,when they urged ,him to eat ,he said3 ,i have meat to eat that ye know not of4 ,to them ,his words had no significance beyond the literal sense1 and they queried among themselves as to whether some one had brought ,him food during their absence2 but ,he enlightened them in this way3 ,my meat is to do the will of him that sent me1 and to finish his work4 ,a crowd of ,samaritans appeared1 coming from the city4 ,looking upon them and upon the grain fields nearby1 ,jesus continued3 ,say not ye1 ,there are yet four months1 and then cometh harvest8 behold1 ,i say unto you1 ,lift up your eyes1 and look on the fields2 for they are white already to harvest4 ,the import of the saying seems to be that while months would elapse before the wheat and the barley were ready for the sickle1 the harvest of souls1 exemplified by the approaching crowd1 was even then ready2 and that from what ,he had sown the disciples might reap1 to their inestimable advantage1 since they would have wages for their hire and would gather the fruits of other labor than their own4 ,many of the ,samaritans believed on ,christ1 at first on the strength of the woman's testimony1 then because of their own conviction2 and they said to the woman at whose behest they had at first gone to meet ,him3 ,now we believe1 not because of thy saying3 for we have heard him ourselves1 and know that this is indeed the ,christ1 the ,saviour of the world4 ,graciously ,he acceded to their request to remain1 and tarried with them two days4 ,it is beyond question that ,jesus did not share in the national prejudice of the ,jews against the people of ,samaria2 an honest soul was acceptable to ,him come whence he may4 ,probably the seed sown during this brief stay of our ,lord among the despized people of ,samaria was that from which so rich a harvest was reaped by the apostles in after years4#chd ,,jesus ,,again ,,in ,,galilee3 ,,at ,,cana ,,and ,,nazareth4 ,following the two days' sojourn among the ,samaritans1 ,jesus1 accompanied by the disciples who had traveled with ,him from ,judea1 resumed the journey northward into ,galilee1 from which province ,he had been absent several months4 ,realizing that the people of ,nazareth1 the town in which ,he had been brought up1 would be probably loath to acknowledge ,him as other than the carpenter1 or1 as ,he stated1 knowing that a prophet hath no honour in his own country1#che ,he went first to ,cana4 ,the people of that section1 and indeed the ,galileans generally1 received ,him gladly2 for many of them had attended the last ,passover and probably had been personal witnesses of the wonders ,he had wrought in ,judea4 ,while at ,cana ,he was visited by a nobleman1 most likely a high official of the province1 who entreated ,him to proceed to ,capernaum and heal his son1 who was then lying at the point of death4 ,with the probable design of showing the man the true condition of his mind1 for we cannot doubt that ,jesus could read his thoughts1 our ,lord said to him3 ,except ye see signs and wonders1 ye will not believe4#chf ,as observed in earlier instances1 notably in the refusal of ,jesus to commit ,himself to the professing believers at ,jerusalem1 whose belief rested solely on their wonder at the things ,he did1#chg our ,lord would not regard miracles1 though wrought by ,himself1 as a sufficient and secure foundation for faith4 ,the entreating nobleman1 in anguish over the precarious state of his son1 in no way resented the rebuke such as a captious mind may have found in the ,lord's reply2 but with sincere humility1 which showed his belief that ,jesus could heal the boy1 he renewed and emphasized his plea3 ,sir1 come down ere my child die4 ,probably the man had never paused to reason as to the direct means or process by which death might be averted and healing be insured through the words of any being2 but in his heart he believed in ,christ's power1 and with pathetic earnestness besought our ,lord to intervene in behalf of his dying son4 ,he seemed to consider it necessary that the ,healer be present1 and his great fear was that the boy would not live until ,jesus could arrive4 ,jesus saith unto him1 ,go thy way2 thy son liveth4 ,and the man believed the word that ,jesus had spoken unto him1 and he went his way4 ,the genuineness of the man's trust is shown by his grateful acceptance of the ,lord's assurance1 and by the contentment that he forthwith manifested4 ,capernaum1 where his son lay1 was about twenty miles away2 had he been still solicitous and doubtful he would probably have tried to return home that day1 for it was one o'clock in the afternoon when ,jesus spoke the words that had given to him such relief2 but he journeyed leisurely1 for on the following day he was still on the road1 and was met by some of his servants who had been sent to cheer him with the glad word of his son's recovery4 ,he inquired when the boy had begun to amend1 and was told that at the seventh hour on the yesterday the fever had left him4 ,that was the time at which ,christ had said1 ,thy son liveth4 ,the man's belief ripened fast1 and both he and his household accepted the gospel4#chh ,this was the second miracle wrought by ,jesus when in ,cana1 though in this instance the subject of the blessing was in ,capernaum4 ,our ,lord's fame spread through all the region round about4 ,during a period not definitely stated1 ,he taught in the synagogs of the towns and was received with favor1 being glorified of all4#chi ,he then returned to ,nazareth1 ,his former home1 and as was his custom1 attended the synagog on the ,sabbath day4 ,many times as boy and man ,he had sat in that house of worship1 listening to the reading of the law and the prophets and to the commentaries or ,targums#cij relating thereto1 as delivered by appointed readers2 but now1 as a recognized teacher of legal age ,he was eligible to take the reader's place4 ,on this occasion ,he stood up to read1 when the service had reached the stage at which extracts from the prophetical books were to be read to the congregation4 ,the minister in charge handed ,him the roll1 or book1 of ,isaiah2 ,he turned to the part known to us as the beginning of the sixty-first chapter1 and read3 ,the ,spirit of the ,lord is upon me1 because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor2 he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted1 to preach deliverance to the captives1 and recovering of sight to the blind1 to set at liberty them that are bruised1 to preach the acceptable year of the ,lord4#cia ,handing the book to the minister1 ,he sat down4 ,it was allowable for the reader in the service of the ,jewish synagog to make comments in explanation of what had been read2 but to do so he must sit4 ,when ,jesus took ,his seat the people knew that ,he was about to expound the text1 and the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him4 ,the scripture ,he had quoted was one recognized by all classes as specifically referring to the ,messiah1 for whose coming the nation waited4 ,the first sentence of our ,lord's commentary was startling2 it involved no labored analysis1 no scholastic interpretation1 but a direct and unambiguous application3 ,this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears4 ,there was such graciousness in ,his words that all wondered1 and they said1 ,is not this ,joseph's son8#cib ,jesus knew their thoughts even if ,he heard not their words1 and1 forestalling their criticism1 ,he said3 ,ye will surely say unto me this proverb1 ,physician1 heal thyself3 whatsoever we have heard done in ,capernaum1 do also here in thy country4 ,and he said1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,no prophet is accepted in his own country4 ,in their hearts the people were eager for a sign1 a wonder1 a miracle4 ,they knew that ,jesus had wrought such in ,cana1 and a boy in ,capernaum had been healed by ,his word2 at ,jerusalem too ,he had astonished the people with mighty works4 ,were they1 ,his townsmen1 to be slighted8 ,why would ,he not treat them to some entertaining exhibition of ,his powers8 ,he continued ,his address1 reminding them that in the days of ,elijah1 when for three years and a half no rain had fallen1 and famine had reigned1 the prophet had been sent to but one of the many widows1 and she a woman of ,sarepta in ,sidon1 a ,gentile1 not a daughter of ,israel4 ,and again1 though there had been many lepers in ,israel in the days of ,elisha1 but one leper1 and he a ,syrian1 not an ,israelite1 had been cleansed through the prophet's ministration1 for ,naaman alone had manifested the requisite faith4 ,then great was their wrath4 ,did ,he dare to class them with ,gentiles and lepers8 ,were they to be likened unto despized unbelievers1 and that too by the son of the village carpenter1 who had grown from childhood in their community8 ,victims of diabolical rage1 they seized the ,lord and took ,him to the brow of the hill on the slopes of which the town was built1 determined to avenge their wounded feelings by hurling ,him from the rocky cliffs4 ,thus early in ,his ministry did the forces of opposition attain murderous intensity4 ,but our ,lord's time to die had not yet come4 ,the infuriated mob was powerless to go one step farther than their supposed victim would permit4 ,but he passing through the midst of them went his way4 ,whether they were overawed by the grace of ,his presence1 silenced by the power of ,his words1 or stayed by some more appalling intervention1 we are not informed4 ,he departed from the unbelieving ,nazarenes1 and thenceforth ,nazareth was no longer ,his home4 ,,in ,,capernaum4 ,jesus wended ,his way to ,capernaum1#cic which became to ,him as nearly a place of abode as any ,he had in ,galilee4 ,there ,he taught1 particularly on ,sabbath days2 and the people were astonished at ,his doctrine1 for ,he spoke with authority and power4#cid ,in the synagog1 on one of these occasions1 was a man who was a victim of possession1 and subject to the ravages of an evil spirit1 or1 as the text so forcefully states1 one who had a spirit of an unclean devil4 ,it is significant that this wicked spirit1 which had gained such power over the man as to control his actions and utterances1 was terrified before our ,lord and cried out with a loud voice1 though pleadingly3 ,let us alone2 what have we to do with thee1 thou ,jesus of ,nazareth8 art thou come to destroy us8 ,i know thee who thou art2 the ,holy ,one of ,god4 ,jesus rebuked the unclean spirit1 commanding him to be silent1 and to leave the man2 the demon obeyed the ,master1 and after throwing the victim into violent though harmless paroxysm1 left him4 ,such a miracle caused the beholders to wonder the more1 and they exclaimed3 ,what a word is this6 for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits1 and they come out4 ,and the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about4#cie ,in the evening of the same day1 when the sun had set1 and therefore after the ,sabbath had passed#cif1 the people flocked about ,him1 bringing their afflicted friends and kindred2 and these ,jesus healed of their divers maladies whether of body or of mind4 ,among those so relieved were many who had been possessed of devils1 and these cried out1 testifying perforce of the ,master's divine authority3 ,thou art ,christ the ,son of ,god4#cig ,on these as on other occasions1 we find evil spirits voicing through the mouths of their victims their knowledge that ,jesus was the ,christ2 and in all such instances the ,lord silenced them with a word2 for ,he wanted no such testimony as theirs to attest the fact of ,his ,godship4 ,those spirits were of the devil's following1 members of the rebellious and defeated hosts that had been cast down through the power of the very ,being whose authority and power they now acknowledged in their demoniac frenzy4 ,together with ,satan himself1 their vanquished chief1 they remained unembodied1 for to all of them the privileges of the second or mortal estate had been denied2#cih their remembrance of the scenes that had culminated in their expulsion from heaven was quickened by the presence of the ,christ1 though ,he stood in a body of flesh4 ,many modern writers have attempted to explain the phenomenon of demoniacal possession2 and beside these there are not a few who deny the possibility of actual domination of the victim by spirit personages4 ,yet the scriptures are explicit in showing the contrary4 ,our ,lord distinguished between this form of affliction and that of simple bodily disease in ,his instructions to the ,twelve3 ,heal the sick1 cleanse the lepers1 raise the dead1 cast out devils4#cii ,in the account of the incidents under consideration1 the evangelist ,mark observes the same distinction1 thus3 ,they brought unto him all that were diseased1 and them that were possessed with devils4 ,in several instances1 ,christ1 in rebuking demons1 addressed them as individuals distinct from the human being afflicted1#djj and in one such instance commanded the demon to come out of him1 and enter no more into him4#dja ,in this matter as in others the simplest explanation is the pertinent truth2 theory raised on other than scriptural foundation is unstable4 ,christ unequivocally associated demons with ,satan1 specifically in ,his comment on the report of the ,seventy whom ,he authorized and sent forth1 and who testified with joy on their return that even the devils had been subject unto them through ,his name2 and to those faithful servants ,he said3 ,i beheld ,satan as lightning fall from heaven4#djb ,the demons that take possession of men1 overruling their agency and compelling them to obey ,satanic bidding1 are the unembodied angels of the devil1 whose triumph it is to afflict mortals1 and if possible to impel them to sin4 ,to gain for themselves the transitory gratification of tenanting a body of flesh1 these demons are eager to enter even into the bodies of beasts4#djc ,possibly it was during the interval between the rebuking of the evil spirit in the synagog and the miracles of healing and casting out devils in the evening of that ,sabbath1 that ,jesus went to the house of ,simon1 whom ,he had before named ,peter1 and there found the mother-in-law of ,his disciple lying ill of fever4 ,acceding to the request of faith ,he rebuked the disease2 the woman was healed forthwith1 rose from her bed1 and ministered the hospitality of her home unto ,jesus and those who were with ,him4#djd ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ac4 #a4 ,animosity ,between ,jews and ,samaritans4--,in any consideration of the ,samaritans1 it must be kept in mind that a certain city and the district or province in which it was situated were both known as ,samaria4 ,the principal facts pertaining to the origin of the ,samaritans and the explanation of the mutual animosity existing between that people and the ,jews in the time of ,christ1 have been admirably summarized by ,geikie 7,life and ,words of ,christ1 vol4 i1 pp4 #die-f74 ,omitting his citation of authorities1 we quote3 ,after the deportation of the ,ten ,tribes to ,assyria1 ,samaria had been repeopled by heathen colonists from various provinces of the ,assyrian empire1 by fugitives from the authorities of ,judea1 and by stragglers of one or other of the ,ten ,tribes1 who found their way home again4 ,the first heathen settlers1 terrified at the increase of wild animals1 especially lions1 and attributing it to their not knowing the proper worship of the ,god of the country1 sent for one of the exiled priests1 and1 under his instructions1 added the worship of ,jehovah to that of their idols--an incident in their history from which later ,jewish hatred and derision taunted them as 'proselytes of the lions1' as it branded them1 from their ,assyrian origin1 with the name of ,cuthites4 ,ultimately1 however1 they became even more rigidly attached to the ,law of ,moses than the ,jews themselves4 ,anxious to be recognized as ,israelites1 they set their hearts on joining the ,two ,tribes1 on their return from captivity1 but the stern ,puritanism of ,ezra and ,nehemiah admitted no alliance between the pure blood of ,jerusalem and the tainted race of the north4 ,resentment at this affront was natural1 and excited resentment in return1 till1 in ,christ's day1 centuries of strife and mutual injury1 intensified by theological hatred on both sides1 had made them implacable enemies4 ,the ,samaritans had built a temple on ,mount ,gerizim1 to rival that of ,jerusalem1 but it had been destroyed by ,john ,hyrcanus1 who had also levelled ,samaria to the ground4 ,they claimed for their mountain a greater holiness than that of ,moriah2 accused the ,jews of adding to the word of ,god1 by receiving the writings of the prophets1 and prided themselves on owning only the ,pentateuch as inspired2 favoured ,herod because the ,jews hated him1 and were loyal to him and the equally hated ,romans2 had kindled false lights on the hills1 to vitiate the ,jewish reckoning by the new moons1 and thus throw their feasts into confusion1 and1 in the early youth of ,jesus1 had even defiled the very ,temple itself1 by strewing human bones in it1 at the ,passover4 ,nor had hatred slumbered on the side of the ,jews4 ,they knew the ,samaritans only as ,cuthites1 or heathens from ,cuth4 ',the race that ,i hate is no race1' says the son of ,sirach4 ,it was held that a people who once had worshipped five gods could have no part in ,jehovah4 ,the claim of the ,samaritans that ,moses had buried the ,tabernacle and its vessels on the top of ,gerizim1 was laughed to scorn4 ,it was said that they had dedicated their temple1 under ,antiochus ,epiphanes1 to the ,greek ,jupiter4 ,their keeping the commands of ,moses even more strictly than the ,jews1 that it might seem they were really of ,israel1 was not denied2 but their heathenism1 it was said1 had been proved by the discovery of a brazen dove1 which they worshipped1 on the top of ,gerizim4 ,it would have been enough that they boasted of ,herod as their good king1 who had married a daughter of their people2 that he had been free to follow1 in their country1 his ,roman tastes1 so hated in ,judea2 that they had remained quiet1 after his death1 when ,judea and ,galilee were in uproar1 and that for their peacefulness a fourth of their taxes had been remitted and added to the burdens of ,judea4 ,their friendliness to the ,romans was an additional provocation4 ,while the ,jews were kept quiet only by the sternest severity1 and strove to the utmost against the introduction of anything foreign1 the ,samaritans rejoiced in the new importance which their loyalty to the empire had given them4 ,shechem flourished3 close by1 in ,csarea1 the procurator held his court3 a division of cavalry1 in barracks at ,sebaste--the old ,samaria--had been raised in the territory4 ,the ,roman strangers were more than welcome to while away the summer in their umbrageous valleys4 ,the illimitable hatred1 rising from so many sources1 found vent in the tradition that a special curse had been uttered against the ,samaritans1 by ,ezra1 ,zerubbabel1 and ,joshua4 ,it was said that these great ones assembled the whole congregation of ,israel in the ,temple1 and that three hundred priests1 with three hundred trumpets1 and three hundred books of the ,law1 and three hundred scholars of the ,law1 had been employed to repeat1 amidst the most solemn ceremonial1 all the curses of the ,law against the ,samaritans4 ,they had been subjected to every form of excommunication2 by the incommunicable name of ,jehovah2 by the ,tables of the ,law1 and by the heavenly and earthly synagogues4 ,the very name became a reproach4 ',we know that ,thou art a ,samaritan1 and hast a devil1' said the ,jews1 to ,jesus1 in ,jerusalem4444 ,a ,samaritan egg1 as the hen laid it1 could not be unclean1 but what of a boiled egg8 ,yet interest and convenience strove1 by subtle casuistry1 to invent excuses for what intercourse was unavoidable4 ,the country of the ,cuthites was clean1 so that a ,jew might1 without scruple1 gather and eat its produce4 ,the waters of ,samaria were clean1 so that a ,jew might drink them or wash in them4 ,their dwellings were clean1 so that he might enter them1 and eat or lodge in them4 ,their roads were clean1 so that the dust of them did not defile a ,jew's feet4 ,the ,rabbis even went so far in their contradictory utterances1 as to say that the victuals of the ,cuthites were allowed1 if none of their wine or vinegar were mixed with them1 and even their unleavened bread was to be reckoned fit for use at the ,passover4 ,opinions thus wavered1 but1 as a rule1 harsher feeling prevailed4 ,that the hostile sentiment has continued unto this day1 at least on the part of the ,jews1 is affirmed by ,frankl and others4 ,thus1 as quoted by ,farrar 7p4 #aff note73 ',are you a ,jew8' asked ,salameh ,cohen1 the ,samaritan high priest1 of ,dr4 ,frankl2 'and do you come to us1 the ,samaritans1 who are despised by the ,jews8' 7,jews in the ,east1 ii1 #cbi74 ,he added that they would willingly live in friendship with the ,jews1 but that the ,jews avoided all intercourse with them4 ,soon after1 visiting ,sepharedish ,jews of ,nablous1 ,dr4 ,frankl asked one of that sect1 'if he had any intercourse with the ,samaritans8' ,the women retreated with a cry of horror1 and one of them said1 ',have you been among the worshipers of the pigeons8' ,i said that ,i had4 ,the women again fell back with the same expression of repugnance and one of them said1 ',take a purifying bath6' 7idem1 p4 #ccd74 ,canon ,farrar adds1 ,i had the pleasure of spending a day among the ,samaritans encamped on ,mount ,gerizim1 for their annual passover1 and neither in their habits nor apparent character could ,i see any cause for all this horror and hatred4 #b4 ,sychar4--,the town where dwelt the ,samaritan woman with whom ,jesus conversed at ,jacob's well1 is named ,sychar in ,john #d3e2 the name occurs nowhere else in the ,bible4 ,attempts have been made to identify the place with ,shechem1 a city dear to the ,jewish heart because of its prominence in connection with the lives of the early patriarchs4 ,it is now generally admitted1 however1 that ,sychar was a small village on the site of the present ,askar1 which is1 says ,zenos1 a village with a spring and some ancient rock-hewn tombs1 about five eighths of a mile north of ,jacob's well4 #c4 ,the ,nobleman of ,capernaum4--,the name of the nobleman whose son was healed by the word of ,jesus is not given4 ,attempts to identify him with ,chuza1 the steward of ,herod ,antipas1 are based on unreliable tradition4 ,the family of the nobleman accepted the teachings of ,christ4 ,joanna the wife of ,chuza ,herod's steward 7,luke #h3c7 was among the grateful and honorable women who had been recipients of our ,lord's healing ministry1 and who contributed of their substance for the furtherance of ,his work4 ,unconfirmed tradition should not be confounded with authentic history4 #d4 ,the ,targums are ancient ,jewish paraphrases on the scriptures1 which were delivered in the synagogs in the languages of the common people4 ,in the time of ,christ the language spoken by the ,jews was not ,hebrew1 but an ,aramaic dialect4 ,edersheim states that pure ,hebrew was the language of scholars and of the synagog1 and that the public readings from the scriptures had to be rendered by an interpreter4 ,in earliest times indeed1 says he1 it was forbidden to the ,methurgeman interpreter to read his translation1 or to write down a ,targum1 lest the paraphrase should be regarded as of equal authority with the original4 ,the use of written targums was authoritatively sanctioned before the end of the second century after ,christ4 ,this is the origin of our two oldest extant ,targumim--that of ,onkelos 7as it is called7 on the ,pentateuch2 and that on the ,prophets1 attributed to ,jonathan the son of ,uzziel4 ,these names do not indeed1 accurately represent the authorship of the oldest ,targumim1 which may more correctly be regarded as later and authoritative recensions of what1 in some form1 had existed before4 ,but although these works had their origin in ,palestine1 it is noteworthy that in the form in which at present we possess them1 they are the outcome of the schools of ,babylon4 7,life and ,times of ,jesus the ,messiah1 vol4 i1 pp4 #aj1 #aa47 #e4 ,capernaum4--,the name ,capernaum signifies1 according to some authorities1 'the ,village of ,nahum1' according to others1 'the ,village of ,consolation4' ,as we follow the history of ,jesus we shall discover that many of ,his mighty works were wrought1 and many of ,his most impressive words were spoken in ,capernaum4 ,the infidelity of the inhabitants1 after all the discourses and wonderful works which ,he had done among them1 brought out the saying of ,jesus1 ',and thou1 ,capernaum1 which art exalted unto heaven1 shalt be cast down to hell4' 7,matt4 #aa3bc47 ,so thoroughly has this prediction been fulfilled that no trace of the city remains1 and the very site which it occupied is now a matter of conjecture1 there being even no ecclesiastical tradition of the locality4 ,at the present day two spots have claims which are urged1 each with such arguments of probability as to make the whole question the most difficult in sacred topography4444 ,we shall probably never be able to know the exact fact4 ,jesus damned it to oblivion1 and there it lies4 ,we shall content ourselves with the ,new ,testament notices as bearing on the work of ,jesus4 ,we learn that it was somewhere on the borders of ,zabulun and ,nephtali1 on the western shore of the ,sea of ,galilee1 7compare ,matt #d3ac1 with ,john #f3bd74 ,it was near or in 'the land of ,gennesaret' 7compare ,matt #ad3cd1 with ,john #f3ag1 #ba1 #bd71 a plain about three miles long and one mile wide1 which we learn from ,josephus was one of the most prosperous and crowded districts of ,palestine4 ,it was probably on the great road leading from ,damascus to the south1 'by the way of the sea1' 7,matt4 #d3ae47 ,there was great wisdom in selecting this as a place to open a great public ministry4 ,it was full of a busy population4 ,the exceeding richness of the wonderful plain of ,gennesaret supported the mass of inhabitants it attracted4 ,josephus 7,b4 ,j41 iii1 #aj3h7 gives a glowing description of this land4--,deems ,light of the ,nations1 pp4 #afg1 #afh4 #f4 ,knowledge ,does ,not ,insure ,salvation4--,james of old chided his brethren for certain empty professions 7,james #b3ai74 ,said he in effect3 ,you take pride and satisfaction in declaring your belief in ,god2 you boast of being distinguished from the idolaters and the heathen because you accept one ,god2 you do well to so profess1 and so believe2 but1 remember1 others do likewise2 even the devils believe2 and1 we may add1 so firmly that they tremble at thought of the fate which that belief makes sure4 ,those confessions of the devils1 that ,christ was the ,son of ,god1 were founded on knowledge2 yet their knowledge of the great truth did not change their evil natures4 ,how different was their acknowledgment of the ,savior from that of ,peter1 who1 to the ,master's question ,whom say ye that ,i am8 replied in practically the words used by the unclean spirits before cited1 ,thou art the ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god 7,matt4 #af3ae-af2 see also ,mark #h3bi2 ,luke #i3bj74 ,peter's faith had already shown its vital power2 it had caused him to forsake much that had been dear1 to follow his ,lord through persecution and suffering1 and to put away worldliness with all its fascinations1 for the sacrificing godliness which his faith made so desirable4 ,his knowledge of ,god as the ,father1 and of the ,son as the ,redeemer1 was perhaps no greater than that of the unclean spirits2 but while to them that knowledge was but an added cause of condemnation1 to him it was a means of salvation4--,abridged from ,the ,articles of ,faith4 ,,footnotes3 #cgi ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #chj ,john #h3dh4 #cha ,john #d3d2 for incidents following see verses #e-dc4 #chb ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #chc ,gen4 #cc3ai2 and ,josh4 #bd3cb4 #chd ,acts #h3e2 #i3ca2 #ae3c4 #che ,john #d3dd2 compare ,matt4 #ac3eg2 ,mark #f3d2 ,luke #d3bd4 #chf ,john #d3dh2 read verses #df-ed4 #chg ,john #b3bc1 #bd4 #chh ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #chi ,luke #d3ad1 #ae2 read verses #af-cb4 #cij ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #cia ,luke #d3ah1 #ai2 compare ,isa4 #fa3a1 #b4 #cib ,luke #d3bb2 compare ,matt4 #ac3ee-eg2 ,mark #f3c2 ,john #f3db4 #cic ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #cid ,luke #d3cb2 compare ,matt4 #g3bh1 #bi2 #ac3ed2 ,mark #a3bb4 #cie ,luke #d3cc-cg2 and ,mark #a3bc-bh4 ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #cif ,the ,jews' ,sabbath began at sunset ,friday and ended with the setting of the sun on ,saturday4 #cig ,luke #d3da2 compare ,mark #a3cd2 #c3aa1 #ab2 #e3a-ah2 ,matt4 #h3bh-cd4 #cih ,pages #f1 #g4 #cii ,matt4 #aj3h2 see verse #a2 compare #d3bd2 ,mark #a3cb2 #af3ag1 #ah2 ,luke #i3a #djj ,matt4 #h3cb2 ,mark #a3be2 ,luke #d3ce4 #dja ,mark #i3be4 #djb ,luke #aj3ag1 #ah2 compare ,rev4 #ab3g-i4 #djc ,matt4 #h3bi-cc2 ,mark #e3aa-ad2 ,luke #h3cb-cd4 #djd ,matt4 #h3ad1 #ae2 ,mark #a3bi-ca2 ,luke #d3ch1 #ci4 ,,chapter #ad4 ,,continuation ,,of ,,our ,,lord',s ,,ministry ,,in ,,galilee4 ,a ,,leper ,,made ,,clean4 ,early in the morning following that eventful ,sabbath in ,capernaum1 our ,lord arose a great while before day and went in quest of seclusion beyond the town4 ,in a solitary place ,he gave ,himself to prayer1 thus demonstrating the fact that1 ,messiah though ,he was1 ,he was profoundly conscious of ,his dependence upon the ,father1 whose work ,he had come to do4 ,simon ,peter and other disciples found the place of ,his retirement1 and told ,him of the eager crowds who sought ,him4 ,soon the people gathered about ,him1 and urged that ,he remain with them2 but he said unto them1 ,i must preach the kingdom of ,god to other cities also3 for therefore am ,i sent4#dje ,and to the disciples ,he said3 ,let us go into the next towns1 that ,i may preach there also3 for therefore came ,i forth4#djf ,thence ,he departed1 accompanied by the few whom ,he had already closely associated with ,himself1 and ministered in many towns of ,galilee1 preaching in the synagogs1 healing the sick1 and casting out devils4 ,among the afflicted seeking the aid that ,he alone could give came a leper1#djg who knelt before ,him1 or bowed with his face to the ground1 and humbly professed his faith1 saying3 ,if thou wilt1 thou canst make me clean4 ,the petition implied in the words of this poor creature was pathetic2 the confidence he expressed is inspiring4 ,the question in his mind was not--,can ,jesus heal me8 but--,will ,he heal me8 ,in compassionate mercy ,jesus laid ,his hand upon the sufferer1 unclean though he was1 both ceremonially and physically1 for leprosy is a loathsome affliction1 and we know that this man was far advanced in the disease since we are told that he was full of leprosy4 ,then the ,lord said3 ,i will3 be thou clean4 ,the leper was immediately healed4 ,jesus instructed him to show himself to the priest1 and make the offerings prescribed in the law of ,moses for such cases as his4#djh ,in this instruction we see that ,christ had not come to destroy the law1 but1 as ,he affirmed at another time1 to fulfil it2#dji and at this stage of ,his work the fulfilment was incomplete4 ,moreover1 had the legal requirements been disregarded in as serious a matter as that of restoring an outcast leper to the society of the community from which he had been debarred1 priestly opposition1 already waxing strong and threatening against ,jesus1 would have been augmented1 and further hindrance to the ,lord's work might have resulted4 ,there was to be no delay in the man's compliance with the ,master's instruction2 ,jesus straitly charged him1 and forthwith sent him away4 ,furthermore ,he explicitly directed the man to tell nobody of the manner of his healing4 ,there was perhaps good reason for this injunction of silence1 aside from the very general course of our ,lord in discountenancing undesirable notoriety2 for1 had word of the miracle preceded the man's appearing before the priest1 obstacles might have been thrown in the way of his ,levitical recognition as one who was clean4 ,the man1 however1 could not keep the good word to himself1 but went about and began to publish it much1 and to blaze abroad the matter1 insomuch that ,jesus could no more openly enter into the city1 but was without in desert places3 and they came to him from every quarter4#daj ,a ,,palsied ,,man ,,healed ,,and ,,forgiven4 ,it must be borne in mind that no one of the evangelists attempts to give a detailed history of all the doings of ,jesus1 nor do all follow the same order in relating the incidents with which they associate the great lessons of the ,master's teachings4 ,there is much uncertainty as to the actual sequence of events4 ,some days after the healing of the leper1 ,jesus was again in ,capernaum4 ,the details of ,his employment during the interval are not specified2 but1 we may be sure that ,his work continued1 for ,his characteristic occupation was that of going about doing good4#daa ,his place of abode in ,capernaum was well known1 and word was soon noised about that ,he was in the house4#dab ,a great throng gathered1 so that there was no room to receive them2 even the doorway was crowded1 and later comers could not get near the ,master4 ,to all who were within hearing ,jesus preached the gospel4 ,a little party of four approached the house bearing a litter or pallet on which lay a man afflicted with palsy1 a species of paralysis which deprived the subject of the power of voluntary motion and usually of speech2 the man was helpless4 ,his friends1 disappointed at finding themselves unable to reach ,jesus because of the press1 resorted to an unusual expedient1 which exhibited in an unmistakable way their faith in the ,lord as ,one who could rebuke and stay disease1 and their determination to seek the desired blessing at ,his hands4 ,by some means they carried the afflicted man to the flat roof of the house1 probably by an outside stairway or by the use of a ladder1 possibly by entering an adjoining house1 ascending the stairs to its roof and crossing therefrom to the house within which ,jesus was teaching4 ,they broke away part of the roof1 making an opening1 or enlarging that of the trapdoor such as the houses of that place and time were usually provided with2 and1 to the surprize of the assembled crowd1 they then let down through the tiling the portable couch upon which the palsied sufferer lay4 ,jesus was deeply impressed by the faith and works#dac of those who had thus labored to place a helpless paralytic before ,him2 doubtless1 too1 ,he knew of the trusting faith in the heart of the sufferer2 and1 looking compassionately upon the man1 ,he said3 ,son1 thy sins be forgiven thee4 ,among the people there assembled were scribes1 ,pharisees1 and doctors of the law1 not only representatives of the local synagog but some who had come from distant towns in ,galilee1 and some from ,judea1 and even from ,jerusalem4 ,the official class had opposed our ,lord and ,his works on earlier occasions1 and their presence in the house at this time boded further unfriendly criticism and possible obstruction4 ,they heard the words spoken to the paralytic1 and were angered thereat4 ,in their hearts they accused ,jesus of the awful offense of blasphemy1 which consists essentially in claiming for human or demon power the prerogatives of ,god1 or in dishonoring ,god by ascribing to ,him attributes short of perfection4#dad ,these unbelieving scholars1 who incessantly wrote and talked of the coming of the ,messiah1 yet rejected ,him when ,he was there present1 murmured in silence1 saying to themselves3 ,who can forgive sins but ,god only8 ,jesus knew their inmost thoughts1#dae and made reply thereto1 saying3 ,why reason ye these things in your hearts8 ,whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy1 ,thy sins be forgiven thee2 or to say1 ,arise1 and take up thy bed1 and walk8 ,and then to emphasize1 and to put beyond question ,his possession of divine authority1 ,he added3 ,but that ye may know that the ,son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins1 7he saith to the sick of the palsy17 ,i say unto thee1 ,arise1 and take up thy bed1 and go thy way into thine house4 ,the man arose1 fully restored2 and1 taking up the mattress upon which he had been brought1 walked out before them4 ,the amazement of the people was mingled with reverence1 and many glorified ,god1 of whose power they were witnesses4 ,the incident demands our further study4 ,according to one of the accounts1 the ,lord's first words to the afflicted one were3 ,son1 be of good cheer2 followed directly by the comforting and authoritative assurance3 ,thy sins be given thee4#daf ,the man was probably in a state of fear2 he may have known that his ailment was the result of wicked indulgences2 nevertheless1 though he may have considered the possibility of hearing only condemnation for his transgression1 he had faith to be brought4 ,in this man's condition there was plainly a close connection between his past sins and his present affliction2 and in this particular his case is not unique1 for we read that ,christ admonished another1 whom ,he healed1 to sin no more lest a worse thing befall him4#dag ,we are not warranted1 however1 in assuming that all bodily ills are the result of culpable sin2 and against such a conception stands the ,lord's combined instruction and rebuke to those who1 in the case of a man born blind1 asked who had sinned1 the man or his parents to bring so grievous an affliction upon him1 to which inquiry our ,lord replied that the man's blindness was due neither to his own sin nor to that of his parents4#dah ,in many instances1 however1 disease is the direct result of individual sin4 ,whatever may have been the measure of past offense on the part of the man suffering from palsy1 ,christ recognized his repentance together with the faith that accompanied it1 and it was the ,lord's rightful prerogative to decide upon the man's fitness to receive remission of his sins and relief from his bodily affliction4 ,the interrogative response of ,jesus to the muttered criticism of the scribes1 ,pharisees1 and doctors1 has been interpreted in many ways4 ,he inquired which was easier1 to say1 ,thy sins be forgiven thee1 or to say1 ,arise1 and take up thy bed1 and walk4 ,is it not a rational explanation that1 when spoken authoritatively by ,him1 the two expressions were of allied meaning8 ,the circumstance should have been a sufficient demonstration to all who heard1 that ,he1 the ,son of ,man1 claimed and possessed the right and the power to remit both physical and spiritual penalties1 to heal the body of visible disease1 and to purge the spirit of the no less real malady of sin4 ,in the presence of people of all classes ,jesus thus openly asserted ,his divinity1 and affirmed the same by a miraculous manifestation of power4 ,the charge of blasphemy1 which the rabbinical critics formulated in their minds against the ,christ1 was not to end as a mental conception of theirs1 nor to be nullified by our ,lord's later remarks4 ,it was through perjured testimony that ,he finally received unrighteous condemnation and was sent to ,his death4#dai ,already1 in that house at ,capernaum1 the shadow of the cross had fallen athwart the course of ,his life4 ,,publicans ,,and ,,sinners4 ,from the house ,jesus repaired to the seaside1 whither the people followed ,him2 there ,he taught them again4 ,at the close of ,his discourse ,he walked farther and saw a man named ,levi1 one of the publicans#dbj or official collectors of taxes1 sitting at the custom-house where the tariff levied under ,roman law had to be paid4 ,this man was known also as ,matthew1 a name less distinctively ,jewish than is ,levi4#dba ,he afterward became one of the ,twelve and the author of the first of the evangelical ,gospels4 ,to him ,jesus said1 ,follow me4 ,matthew left his place and followed the ,lord4 ,some time later the new disciple provided a great feast at his house1 in honor of the ,master2 and other disciples were present4 ,so obnoxious to the ,jews was the power of ,rome to which they were subject1 that they regarded with aversion all officials in ,roman employ4 ,particularly humiliating to them was the system of compulsory taxation1 by which they1 the people of ,israel1 had to pay tribute to an alien nation1 which in their estimation was wholly pagan and heathen4 ,naturally1 the collectors of these taxes were abhorred2 and they1 known as publicans1 probably resented the discourteous treatment by inconsiderate enforcement of the tax requirements1 and1 as affirmed by historians1 often inflicted unlawful extortion upon the people4 ,if publicans in general were detested1 we can readily understand how bitter would be the contempt in which the ,jews would hold one of their own nation who had accepted appointment as such an official4 ,in this unenviable status was ,matthew when ,jesus called him4 ,the publicans formed a distinct social class1 for from the community in general they were practically ostracized4 ,all who associated with them were made to share in the popular odium1 and publicans and sinners became a common designation for the degraded caste4 ,to ,matthew's feast many of his friends and some of his fellow officials were invited1 so that the gathering was largely made up of these despized publicans and sinners4 ,and to such an assemblage went ,jesus with ,his disciples4 ,the scribes and ,pharisees could not let pass such an opportunity for faultfinding and caustic criticism4 ,they hesitated to address themselves directly to ,jesus1 but of the disciples they asked in disdain3 ,why eateth your ,master with publicans and sinners8 ,the ,master heard1 and replied with edifying incisiveness mingled with splendid irony4 ,citing one of the common aphorisms of the day1 ,he said3 ,they that be whole need not a physician1 but they that are sick4 ,to this ,he added3 ,i am not come to call the righteous1 but sinners to repentance4 ,the hypercritical ,pharisees were left to make their own application of the rejoinder1 which some may have understood to mean that their self-righteousness was arraigned and their claims to superiority derided4 ,aside from the veiled sarcasm in the ,master's words1 they ought to have perceived the wisdom enshrined in ,his answer and to have profited thereby4 ,is not the physician's place among the afflicted ones8 ,would he be justified in keeping aloof from the sick and the suffering8 ,his profession is that of combating disease1 preventing when possible1 curing when necessary1 to the full extent of his ability4 ,if the festive assembly at ,matthew's house really did comprize a number of sinners1 was not the occasion one of rare opportunity for the ministrations of the ,physician of ,souls8 ,the righteous need no call to repentance2 but are the sinners to be left in sin1 because those who profess to be spiritual teachers will not condescend to extend a helping hand8 ,,the ,,old ,,and ,,the ,,new4 ,shortly after the entertainment provided by ,matthew1 the ,pharisees were ready with another criticism1 and in this they were associated with some of the ,baptist's adherents4 ,john was in prison2 but many of those who had been drawn to his baptism1 and had professed discipleship to him1 still clung to his teachings1 and failed to see that the ,greater ,one of whom he had testified was then ministering amongst them4 ,the ,baptist had been a scrupulous observer of the law2 his strict asceticism vied with the rigor of ,pharisaic profession4 ,his non-progressive disciples1 now left without a leader1 naturally fell in with the ,pharisees4 ,some of ,john's disciples came to ,jesus1 and questioned ,him concerning ,his seeming indifference in the matter of fasting4 ,they propounded a plain question3 ,why do the disciples of ,john and of the ,pharisees fast1 but thy disciples fast not8#dbb ,to the friends of the now imprisoned ,baptist our ,lord's reply must have brought memories of their beloved leader's words1 when he had compared himself to the ,bridegroom's friend1 and had plainly told them who was the real ,bridegroom4#dbc ,jesus said unto them1 ,can the children of the bridechamber fast1 while the bridegroom is with them8 as long as they have the bridegroom with them1 they cannot fast4 ,but the days will come1 when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them1 and then shall they fast in those days4#dbd ,if the questioners were able to comprehend the true import of this reply1 they could not fail to find therein an implied abrogation of purely ceremonial observances comprized in the code of rabbinical rules and the numerous traditions associated with the law4 ,but to make the subject clearer to their biased minds1 ,jesus gave them illustrations1 which may be classed as parabolic4 ,no man also1 said ,he1 seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment3 else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old1 and the rent is made worse4 ,and no man putteth new wine into old bottles3 else the new wine doth burst the bottles1 and the wine is spilled1 and the bottles will be marred3 but new wine must be put into new bottles4#dbe ,in such wise did our ,lord proclaim the newness and completeness of ,his gospel4 ,it was in no sense a patching up of ,judaism4 ,he had not come to mend old and torn garments2 the cloth ,he provided was new1 and to sew it on the old would be but to tear afresh the threadbare fabric and leave a more unsightly rent than at first4 ,or to change the figure1 new wine could not safely be entrusted to old bottles4 ,the bottles here referred to were really bags1 made of the skins of animals1 and of course they deteriorated with age4 ,just as old leather splits or tears under even slight strain1 so the old bottle-skins would burst from the pressure of fermenting juice1 and the good wine would be lost4 ,the gospel taught by ,christ was a new revelation1 superseding the past1 and marking the fulfilment of the law2 it was no mere addendum1 nor was it a reenactment of past requirements2 it embodied a new and an everlasting covenant4 ,attempts to patch the ,judaistic robe of traditionalism with the new fabric of the covenant could result in nothing more sightly than a rending of the fabric4 ,the new wine of the gospel could not be held in the old time-worn containers of ,mosaic libations4 ,judaism would be belittled and ,christianity perverted by any such incongruous association4#dbf ,,fishers ,,of ,,men4 ,it is improbable that the disciples who followed ,jesus in the early months of ,his ministry had remained with ,him continuously down to the time now under consideration4 ,we find that some of those who were later called to the apostleship were following their vocation as fishermen even while ,jesus was actively engaged as a ,teacher in their own neighborhood4 ,one day1 as the ,lord stood by the lake or sea of ,galilee1 the people pressed about ,him in great numbers1 eager to hear more of the wondrous words ,he was wont to speak4#dbg ,near the place were two fishing boats drawn in upon the beach2 the owners were close by1 washing and mending their nets4 ,one of the boats belonged to ,simon ,peter1 who had already become identified with the ,master's work2 this boat ,jesus entered1 and then asked ,simon to thrust out a little from the land4 ,seating ,himself1 as teachers of that time usually did in delivering discourses1 the ,lord preached from this floating pulpit to the multitude on shore4 ,the subject of the address is not given us4 ,when the sermon was ended1 ,jesus directed ,simon to launch out into deep water and then let down the nets for a draught4 ,presumably ,andrew was with his brother and possibly other assistants were in the boat4 ,simon replied to ,jesus3 ,master1 we have toiled all the night1 and have taken nothing3 nevertheless at thy word ,i will let down the net4 ,it was soon filled with fishes2 so great was the haul that the net began to break1 and the busy fishermen signalled to those in the other boat to come to their assistance4 ,the catch filled both boats so that they appeared to be in danger of sinking4 ,simon ,peter was overcome with this new evidence of the ,master's power1 and1 falling at the feet of ,jesus1 he exclaimed3 ,depart from me2 for ,i am a sinful man1 ,o ,lord4 ,jesus answered graciously and with promise3 ,fear not2 from henceforth thou shalt catch men4#dbh ,the occupants of the second boat were ,zebedee and his two sons ,james and ,john1 the last named being he who with ,andrew had left the ,baptist to follow ,jesus at the ,jordan4#dbi ,zebedee and his sons were partners with ,simon in the fishing business4 ,when the two boats were brought to land1 the brothers ,simon and ,andrew1 and ,zebedee's two sons ,james and ,john1 left their boats and accompanied ,jesus4 ,the foregoing treatment is based on ,luke's record2 the briefer and less circumstantial accounts given by ,matthew and ,mark omit the incident of the miraculous draught of fishes1 and emphasize the calling of the fishermen4 ,to ,simon and ,andrew ,jesus said3 ,come ye after me1 and ,i will make you to become fishers of men4 ,the contrast thus presented between their former vocation and their new calling is strikingly forceful4 ,theretofore they had caught fish1 and the fate of the fish was death2 thereafter they were to draw men--to a life eternal4 ,to ,james and ,john the call was no less definite2 and they too left their all to follow the ,master4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ad4 #a4 ,leprosy4--,in ,biblical usage this name is applied to several diseases1 all1 however having some symptoms in common1 at least in the earlier stages of the malady4 ,the real leprosy is a scourge and a plague in many oriental lands to-day4 ,zenos1 in ,standard ,bible ,dict41 says3 ,true leprosy1 as known in modern times1 is an affection characterized by the appearance of nodules in the eye-brows1 the cheeks1 the nose1 and the lobes of the ears1 also in the hands and feet1 where the disease eats into the joints1 causing the falling off of fingers and toes4 ,if nodules do not appear1 their place is taken by spots of blanched or discolored skin 7,mascular leprosy74 ,both forms are based upon a functional degeneration of the nerves of the skin4 ,its cause was discovered by ,hansen in #ahga to be a specific bacillus4 ,defective diet1 however1 seems to serve as a favorable condition for the culture of the bacillus4 ,leprosy was one of the few abnormal conditions of the body which the ,levitical law declared unclean4 ,elaborate provision was therefore made for testing its existence and for the purification of those who were cured of it4 ,deems1 ,light of the ,nations1 p4 #ahe1 summing up the conditions incident to the advanced stages of the dread disease1 writes3 ,the symptoms and the effects of this disease are very loathsome4 ,there comes a white swelling or scab1 with a change of the color of the hair on the part from its natural hue to yellow2 then the appearance of a taint going deeper than the skin1 or raw flesh appearing in the swelling4 ,then it spreads and attacks the cartilaginous portions of the body4 ,the nails loosen and drop off1 the gums are absorbed1 and the teeth decay and fall out2 the breath is a stench1 the nose decays2 fingers1 hands1 feet1 may be lost1 or the eyes eaten out4 ,the human beauty has gone into corruption1 and the patient feels that he is being eaten as by a fiend1 who consumes him slowly in a long remorseless meal that will not end until he be destroyed4 ,he is shut out from his fellows4 ,as they approach he must cry1 ',unclean6 unclean6' that all humanity may be warned from his precincts4 ,he must abandon wife and child4 ,he must go to live with other lepers1 in disheartening view of miseries similar to his own4 ,he must dwell in dismantled houses or in the tombs4 ,he is1 as ,trench says1 a dreadful parable of death4 ,by the laws of ,moses 7,lev4 #ac3de2 ,numb4 #f3i2 ,ezek4 #bd3ag7 he was compelled1 as if he were mourning for his own decease1 to bear about him the emblems of death1 the rent garments2 he was to keep his head bare and his lip covered1 as was the custom with those who were in communion with the dead4 ,when the ,crusaders brought the leprosy from the ,east1 it was usual to clothe the leper in a shroud1 and to say for him the masses for the dead4444 ,in all ages this indescribably horrible malady has been considered incurable4 ,the ,jews believed that it was inflicted by ,jehovah directly1 as a punishment for some extraordinary perversity or some transcendent act of sinfulness1 and that only ,god could heal it4 ,when ,naaman was cured1 and his flesh came back like that of a little child1 he said1 ',now ,i know that there is no ,god in all the earth but in ,israel1' 7#b ,kings #e3ad1 #ae47 ,the fact that leprosy is not ordinarily communicable by mere outward contact is accentuated by ,trench1 ,notes on the ,miracles1 pp4 #afe-afh1 and the isolation of lepers required by the ,mosaic law is regarded by him as an intended object lesson and figure to illustrate spiritual uncleanness4 ,he says3 ,i refer to the mistaken assumption that leprosy was catching from one person to another2 and that the lepers were so carefully secluded from their fellowmen lest they might communicate the disease to others1 as in like manner that the torn garment1 the covered lip1 the cry1 ',unclean1 unclean' 7,lev4 #ac3de7 were warnings to all that they should keep aloof1 lest unawares touching a leper1 or drawing unto too great a nearness1 they should become partakers of this disease4 ,so far from any danger of the kind existing1 nearly all who have looked closest into the matter agree that the sickness was incommunicable by ordinary contact from one person to another4 ,a leper might transmit it to his children1 or the mother of a leper's children might take it from him2 but it was by no ordinary contact communicable from one person to another4 ,all the notices in the ,old ,testament1 as well as in other ,jewish books1 confirm the statement that we have here something very much higher than a mere sanitary regulation4 ,thus1 when the law of ,moses was not observed1 no such exclusion necessarily found place2 ,naaman the leper commanded the armies of ,syria 7#b ,kings #e3a72 ,gehazi1 with his leprosy that never should be cleansed1 7#b ,kings #e3bg7 talked familiarly with the king of apostate ,israel 7#b ,kings #h3e74444 ,how1 moreover1 should the ,levitical priests1 had the disease been this creeping infection1 have ever themselves escaped it1 obliged as they were by their very office to submit the leper to actual handling and closest examination8444 ,leprosy was nothing short of a living death1 a corrupting of all the humors1 a poisoning of the very springs1 of life2 a dissolution1 little by little1 of the whole body1 so that one limb after another actually decayed and fell away4 ,aaron exactly describes the appearance which the leper presented to the eyes of the beholders1 when1 pleading for ,miriam1 he says1 ',let her not be as one dead1 of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb4' 7,numb4 #ab3ab47 ,the disease1 moreover1 was incurable by the art and skill of man2 not that the leper might not return to health2 for1 however rare1 such cases are contemplated in the ,levitical law4444 ,the leper1 thus fearfully bearing about the body the outward and visible tokens of sin in the soul1 was treated throughout as a sinner1 as one in whom sin had reached its climax1 as one dead in trespasses and sins4 ,he was himself a dreadful parable of death4 ,he bore about him the emblems of death 7,lev4 #ac3de72 the rent garments1 mourning for himself as one dead2 the head bare as they were wont to have it who were defiled by communion with the dead 7,numb4 #f3i2 ,ezek4 #bd3bg72 and the lip covered 7,ezek4 #bd3ag74444 ,but the leper was as one dead1 and as such was shut out of the camp 7,lev4 #ac3df2 ,numb4 #e3b-d74 and the city 7#b ,kings #g3c71 this law being so strictly enforced that even the sister of ,moses might not be exempted from it 7,numb4 #ab3ad1 #ae72 and kings themselves1 as ,uzziah 7#b ,chron4 #bf3ba2 #b ,kings #ae3e7 must submit to it2 men being by this exclusion taught that what here took place in a figure1 should take place in the reality with every one who was found in the death of sin4 ,for the elaborate ceremonies incident to the cleansing of a recovered leper see ,lev4 chap4 #ad4 #b4 ,blasphemy4--,the essence of the deep sin of blasphemy lies not1 as many suppose1 in profanity alone1 but as ,dr4 ,kelso1 ,stand4 ,bible ,dict41 summarizes3 ,every improper use of the divine name 7,lev4 #bd3aa71 speech derogatory to the ,majesty of ,god 7,matt4 #bf3fe71 and sins with a high hand--i4e4 premeditated transgressions of the basal principles of the theocracy 7,numb4 #i3ac2 #ae3cj2 ,exo4 #ca3ad7--were regarded as blasphemy2 the penalty was death by stoning 7,lev4 #bd3af74 ,smith's ,bible ,dict4 states3 ,blasphemy1 in its technical ,english sense1 signifies the speaking evil of ,god1 and in this sense it is found in ,psalm #gd3ah2 ,isa4 #eb3e2 ,rom4 #b3bd1 etc4444 ,on this charge both our ,lord and ,stephen were condemned to death by the ,jews4 ,when a person heard blasphemy he laid his hand on the head of the offender1 to symbolize his sole responsibility for the guilt1 and rising on his feet1 tore his robe1 which might never again be mended4 7,see ,matt4 #bf3fe47 #c4 ,publican4--,a word originally meaning a contractor for public works or supplies1 or a farmer of public lands1 but later applied to ,romans who bought from the government the right to collect taxes in a given territory4 ,these buyers1 always knights 7senators were excluded by their rank71 became capitalists and formed powerful stock companies1 whose members received a percentage on the capital invested4 ,provincial capitalists could not buy taxes1 which were sold in ,rome to the highest bidders1 who to recoup themselves sublet their territory 7at a great advance on the price paid the government7 to the native 7local7 publicans1 who in their turn had to make a profit on their purchase money1 and being assessors of property as well as collectors of taxes1 had abundant opportunities for oppressing the people1 who hated them both for that reason and also because the tax itself was the mark of their subjection to foreigners4--,j4 ,r4 ,sterrett in ,stand4 ,bible ,dict4 #d4 ,fishers of ,men4--,follow me1 and ,i will make you fishers of men1 said ,jesus to fishermen who afterward became ,his apostles 7,matt4 #d3ai74 ,mark's version is nearly the same 7#a3ag71 while that of ,luke 7#e3aj7 reads3 ,from henceforth thou shalt catch men4 ,the correct translation is1 as commentators practically agree1 ,from henceforth thou shalt take men alive4 ,this reading emphasizes the contrast given in the text--that between capturing fish to kill them and winning men to save them4 ,consider in this connection the ,lord's prediction through ,jeremiah 7#af3af71 that in reaching scattered ,israel1 ,behold1 ,i will send for many fishers1 saith the ,lord1 and they shall fish them2 etc4 #e4 ,thy ,sins ,be ,forgiven ,thee4--,the following commentary by ,edersheim 7,life and ,times of ,jesus the ,messiah1 vol4 i1 pp4 #eje1 #ejf7 on the incident under consideration is instructive3 ,in this forgiveness of sins ,he presented ,his person and authority as divine1 and ,he proved it such by the miracle of healing which immediately followed4 ,had the two been inverted1 i4e4 had ,christ first healed the man and afterward told him that his sins were forgiven there would have been evidence1 indeed1 of ,his power1 but not of ,his divine personality1 nor of ,his having authority to forgive sins2 and this1 not the doing of miracles1 was the object of ,his teaching and mission1 of which the miracles were only secondary evidence4 ,thus the inward reasoning of the scribes1 which was open and known to ,him who readeth all thoughts1 issued in quite the opposite of what they could have expected4 ,most unwarranted1 indeed1 was the feeling of contempt which we trace in their unspoken words1 whether we read them3 ',why does this one thus speak blasphemies8' or1 according to a more correct transcript of them3 ',why does this one speak thus8 ,he blasphemeth6' ,yet from their point of view they were right1 for ,god alone can forgive sins2 nor has that power ever been given or delegated to man4 ,but was ,he a mere man1 like even the most honored of ,god's servants8 ,man1 indeed2 but 'the ,son of ,man4' 444 ,it seemed easy to say3 ',thy sins have been forgiven4' ,but to ,him1 who had authority to do so on earth1 it was neither more easy nor more difficult than to say3 ',rise1 take up thy bed1 and walk4' ,yet this latter1 assuredly1 proved the former1 and gave it in the sight of all men unquestioned reality4 ,and so it was the thoughts of these scribes1 which1 as applied to ,christ1 were 'evil'--since they imputed to ,him blasphemy--that gave occasion for offering real evidence of what they would have impugned and denied4 ,in no other manner could the object alike of miracles and of this special miracle have been so attained as by the 'evil thoughts' of these scribes1 when1 miraculously brought to light1 they spoke out the inmost possible doubt1 and pointed to the highest of all questions concerning the ,christ4 ,and so it was once more the wrath of man which praised ,him4 ,,footnotes3 #dje ,luke #d3db-dd4 #djf ,mark #a3ch4 #djg ,mark #a3dj-de2 ,matt4 #h3b-d2 ,luke #e3ab-ae4 #djh ,lev4 #ad3b-aj4 ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #dji ,matt4 #e3ag4 #daj ,mark #a3de4 #daa ,acts #aj3ch4 #dab ,mark #b3a-ab2 compare ,matt4 #i3b-h2 ,luke #e3ag-bd4 #dac ,compare ,james #b3ad-ah4 #dad ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #dae ,see another instance of our ,lord reading unuttered thoughts4 ,luke #g3ci-ej4 #daf ,matt4 #i3b4 ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #dag ,john #e3ad4 ,page #bjh4 #dah ,john #i3a-c4 #dai ,compare ,john #aj3cc1 and #e3ah2 ,matt4 #bf3fe1 #ff4 #dbj ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #dba ,matt4 #i3i-ac2 ,mark #b3ac-ag2 ,luke #e3bg-cb4 #dbb ,mark #b3ah-bb2 ,matt4 #i3ad-ag2 ,luke #e3cc-ci4 #dbc ,page #afd4 #dbd ,mark #b3ai1 #bj4 #dbe ,mark #b3ba1 #bb4 #dbf ,see ,the ,great ,apostasy #g3e4 #dbg ,luke #e3a-aa2 compare ,matt4 #d3ah-bb2 ,mark #a3af-bj4 #dbh ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #dbi ,page #adj4 ,,chapter #ae4 ,,lord ,,of ,,the ,,sabbath4 ,,the ,,sabbath ,,distinctively ,,sacred ,,to ,,israel4 ,the observance of the ,sabbath as a holy day was prominent among the ,lord's requirements of ,his people1 ,israel1 from a very early period in their history as a nation4 ,indeed1 the keeping of the ,sabbath as a day of surcease from ordinary toil was a national characteristic1 by which the ,israelites were distinguished from pagan peoples1 and rightly so1 for the holiness of the ,sabbath was made a mark of the covenant between the chosen people and their ,god4 ,the sanctity of the ,sabbath had been prefigured in the account of the creation1 antedating the placing of man upon the earth1 as shown by the fact that ,god rested after the six periods or days of creative work1 and blessed the seventh day and hallowed it4#dcj ,in the course of ,israel's exodus1 the seventh day was set apart as one of rest1 upon which it was not allowed to bake1 seethe1 or otherwise cook food4 ,a double supply of manna had to be gathered on the sixth day1 while on other days the laying-by of a surplus of this daily bread sent from heaven was expressly forbidden4 ,the ,lord observed the sacredness of the holy day by giving no manna thereon4#dca ,the commandment to celebrate the ,sabbath in strictness was made definite and explicit in the decalog1 written by the hand of ,god amidst the awful glory of ,sinai2 and the injunction was kept before the people through frequent proclamation4#dcb ,it was unlawful to kindle a fire on that day2 and record is made of a man who was put to death for gathering sticks on the seventh day4#dcc ,under the administration of later prophets1 the holiness of the ,sabbath1 the blessings promised to those who sanctified the day unto themselves1 and the sin of ,sabbath desecration were reiterated in words of inspired forcefulness4#dcd ,nehemiah admonished and reproved in the matter1 and attributed the affliction of the nation to the forfeiture of ,jehovah's favor through ,sabbath violation4#dce ,by the mouth of ,ezekiel the ,lord affirmed that the institution of the ,sabbath was a sign of the covenant between ,himself and the people of ,israel2 and with stern severity ,he upbraided those who heeded not the day4#dcf ,to the separate branch of the ,israelitish nation that had been colonized on the western hemisphere1 regard for the sanctity of the ,sabbath was no less an imperative requirement4#dcg ,the observance demanded1 however1 was the very opposite of affliction and burden2 the ,sabbath was consecrated to rest and righteous enjoyment1 and was to be a day of spiritual feasting before the ,lord4 ,it was not established as a day of abstinence2 all might eat1 but both mistress and maid were to be relieved from the work of preparing food2 neither master nor man was to plow1 dig or otherwise toil2 and the ,weekly day of rest was as much the boon of the cattle as of their owners4 ,in addition to the weekly ,sabbath1 the ,lord in mercy prescribed also a sabbatic year2 in every seventh year the land was to rest1 and thereby its fertility was enhanced4#dch ,after seven times seven years had passed1 the fiftieth was to be celebrated throughout as a year of jubilee1 during which the people should live on the accumulated increase of the preceding seasons of plenty1 and rejoice in liberality by granting to one another redemption from mortgage and bond1 forgiveness of debt1 and general relief from burdens--all of which had to be done in mercy and justice4#dci ,the ,sabbaths established by the ,lord1 whether of days1 of years1 or of weeks of years1 were to be times of refreshing1 relief1 blessing1 bounty1 and worship4 ,to the many who profess to regard the necessity of toil as a part of the curse evoked through ,adam's fall1 the ,sabbath should appeal as a day of temporary reprieve1 a time of exemption from labor1 and as affording blessed opportunity of closer approach to the ,presence from which mankind has been shut out through sin4 ,and to those who take the higher view of life1 and find in work both happiness and material blessing1 the periodical relief brings refreshment and gives renewed zest for the days that follow4 ,but long before the advent of ,christ1 the original purpose of the ,sabbath had come to be largely ignored in ,israel2 and the spirit of its observance had been smothered under the weight of rabbinical injunction and the formalism of restraint4 ,in the time of the ,lord's ministry1 the technicalities prescribed as rules appended to the law were almost innumerable2 and the burden thus forced upon the people had become well nigh unbearable4 ,among the many wholesome requirements of the ,mosaic law1 which the teachers and spiritual rulers of the ,jews had made thus burdensome1 that of ,sabbath observance was especially prominent4 ,the hedge1 which by unwarranted assumption they professedly set about the law1#ddj was particularly thorny in the sections devoted to the ,jewish ,sabbath4 ,even trifling infractions of traditional rules were severely punished1 and the capital penalty was held before the eyes of the people as a supreme threat for extreme desecration4#dda ,,the ,,healing ,,of ,a ,,cripple ,,on ,,the ,,sabbath4 ,in view of these conditions1 we are not surprized to find our ,lord confronted with charges of ,sabbath violation relatively early in the course of ,his public work4 ,an instance attended with many great developments is recorded by ,john1#ddb whose narrative covers the incident of a very impressive miracle4 ,jesus was again in ,jerusalem at the time of one of the ,jewish festivals4#ddc ,there was a pool of water1 called ,bethesda1 near the sheep market in the city4 ,from the recorded description1 we may understand this to have been a natural spring2 possibly the water was rich in dissolved solids or gases1 or both1 making it such as we would call today a mineral spring2 for we find that the water was reputed to possess curative virtues1 and many afflicted folk came to bathe therein4 ,the spring was of the pulsating variety2 at intervals its waters rose with bubbling disturbance1 and then receded to the normal level4 ,mineral springs of this kind are known today in many parts of the world4 ,some believed that the periodical upwelling of the ,bethesda waters was the result of supernatural agency2 and it was said that whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had4 ,the ,bethesda pool was wholly or partly enclosed2 and five porches had been built for the shelter of those who waited at the spring for the intermittent bubbling up of the water4 ,on a certain ,sabbath day1 ,jesus visited the pool and saw many afflicted folk thus waiting4 ,among them lay a man who for thirty-eight years had been grievously afflicted4 ,from the man's statement of his helplessness we may infer that his malady was paralysis1 or possibly an extreme form of rheumatism2 whatever his affliction1 it was so disabling as to give him little chance of getting into the pool at the critical time1 for others less crippled crowded him away2 and1 according to the legends regarding the curative properties of the spring1 only the first to enter the pool after the agitation of the water might expect to be healed4 ,jesus recognized in the man a fit subject for blessing1 and said to him3 ,wilt thou be made whole8 ,the question was so simple as almost to appear superfluous4 ,of course the man wanted to be made well1 and on the small chance of being able to reach the water at the right moment was patiently yet eagerly waiting4 ,there was purpose1 however1 in these as in all other words of the ,master4 ,the man's attention was drawn to ,him1 fixed upon ,him2 the question aroused in the sufferer's heart renewed yearning for the health and strength of which he had been bereft since the days of his youth4 ,his answer was pitiful1 and revealed his almost hopeless state of mind2 he thought only of the rumored virtues of ,bethesda pool as he said3 ,sir1 ,i have no man1 when the water is troubled1 to put me into the pool3 but while ,i am coming1 another steppeth down before me4 ,then spake ,jesus3 ,rise1 take up thy bed1 and walk4 ,immediately strength returned to the man1 who for nearly four decades had been a helpless invalid2 he obeyed the ,master1 and1 taking up the little mattress or pallet on which he had rested1 walked away4 ,he had not gone far1 before the ,jews1 that is to say1 some of the official class1 for so the evangelist ,john employs the term1 saw him carrying his bed2 and it was the ,sabbath day4 ,to their peremptory reprimand he replied out of the gratitude and honest simplicity of his heart1 that ,he who had healed him had told him to take up his bed and walk4 ,the interest of the inquisitors was instantly turned from the man toward ,him who had wrought the miracle2 but the erstwhile cripple could not name his ,benefactor1 as he had lost sight of ,jesus in the crowd before he had found opportunity for question or thanks4 ,the man who had been healed went to the temple1 possibly impelled by a desire to express in prayer his gratitude and joy4 ,there ,jesus found him1 and said unto him3 ,behold1 thou art made whole3 sin no more1 lest a worse thing come unto thee4#ddd ,the man had probably brought about his affliction through his own sinful habits4 ,the ,lord decided that he had suffered enough in body1 and terminated his physical suffering with the subsequent admonition to sin no more4 ,the man went and told the rulers who it was that had healed him4 ,this he may have done with a desire to honor and glorify the ,giver of his boon2 we are not justified in ascribing to him any unworthy purpose1 though by his act he was instrumental in augmenting the persecution of his ,lord4 ,so intense was the hatred of the priestly faction that the rulers sought a means of putting ,jesus to death1 under the specious pretense of ,his being a ,sabbath-breaker4 ,we may well ask of what act they could possibly have hoped to convict ,him1 even under the strictest application of their rules4 ,there was no proscription against speaking on the ,sabbath2 and ,jesus had but spoken to heal4 ,he had not carried the man's bed1 nor had ,he attempted even the lightest physical labor4 ,by their own interpretation of the law they had no case against ,him4 ,,our ,,lord',s ,,reply ,,to ,,the ,,accusing ,,jews4 ,nevertheless1 the ,jewish officials confronted ,jesus with accusations4 ,whether the interview took place within the temple walls1 on the open street1 at the market place1 or in the judgment hall1 matters not4 ,his reply to their charges is not confined to the question of ,sabbath observance2 it stands as the most comprehensive sermon in scripture on the vital subject of the relationship between the ,eternal ,father and ,his ,son1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,his first sentence added to the already intense anger of the ,jews4 ,referring to the work ,he had done on the holy day1 ,he said3 ,my ,father worketh hitherto1 and ,i work4 ,this remark they construed to be a blasphemy4#dde ,therefore the ,jews sought the more to kill him1 because he not only had broken the ,sabbath1 but said also that ,god was his ,father1 making himself equal with ,god4 ,to their spoken or unuttered protest1 ,jesus replied1 that ,he1 the ,son1 was not acting independently1 and in fact could do nothing except what was in accordance with the ,father's will1 and what ,he had seen the ,father do2 that the ,father so loved the ,son as to show unto ,him the ,father's works4 ,be it observed that ,jesus in no way attempted to explain away their construction of ,his words2 on the contrary ,he confirmed their deductions as correct4 ,he did associate ,himself with the ,father1 even in a closer and more exalted relationship than they had conceived4 ,the authority given to ,him by the ,father was not limited to the healing of bodily infirmities2 ,he had power even to raise the dead--,for as the ,father raiseth up the dead1 and quickeneth them2 even so the ,son quickeneth whom he will4 ,moreover1 the judgment of men had been committed unto ,him2 and no one could honor the ,father except by honoring the ,son4 ,then followed this incisive declaration3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,he that heareth my word1 and believeth on him that sent me1 hath everlasting life1 and shall not come into condemnation2 but is passed from death unto life4 ,christ's realm was not bounded by the grave2 even the dead were wholly dependent upon ,him for their salvation2 and to the terrified ears of ,his dumbfounded accusers ,he proclaimed the solemn truth1 that even then the hour was near in which the dead should hear the voice of the ,son of ,god4 ,ponder ,his profound affirmation3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,the hour is coming1 and now is1 when the dead shall hear the voice of the ,son of ,god3 and they that hear shall live4 ,the murderous rage of the ,jews was rebuffed by the declaration that without ,his submission they could not take ,his life3 ,for as the ,father hath life in himself2 so hath he given to the ,son to have life in himself4 ,another utterance was equally portentous3 ,and hath given him authority to execute judgment also1 because he is the ,son of man4 ,he1 the ,son of the exalted and glorified ,man of ,holiness and now ,himself a mortal ,man1#ddf was to be the judge of men4 ,no wonder they marveled2 such doctrine they had never before heard nor read2 it was not of the scribes nor of the rabbis1 of neither the ,pharisaic nor ,sadducean schools4 ,but ,he reproved their amazement1 saying3 ,marvel not at this3 for the hour is coming1 in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice1 ,and shall come forth2 they that have done good1 unto the resurrection of life2 and they that have done evil1 unto the resurrection of damnation4#ddg ,this enunciation of the resurrection1 so plainly made that the most unlettered could understand1 must have offended any ,sadducees present1 for they emphatically denied the actuality of the resurrection4 ,the universality of a resurrection is here unquestionably affirmed2 not only the righteous but even those who merit condemnation are to come forth from their graves in their bodies of flesh and bones4#ddh ,then1 renewing ,his solemn asseveration of the unity of ,his ,father's will and ,his own1 ,christ discussed the matter of witnesses to ,his work4 ,he admitted what was a recognized tenet of the time1 that no man's unsupported witness of himself was sufficient2 but1 ,he added3 ,there is another that beareth witness of me2 and ,i know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true4 ,he cites ,john the ,baptist1 and reminds them that they had sent a delegation to him1 and that ,john had answered them by bearing testimony of the ,messiah2 and ,john had been a burning and a shining light1 in whose illuminating ministry many had temporarily rejoiced4 ,the hostile ,jews were left to see that the witness of ,john was valid under their strictest construction of the rules of evidence2 ,but1 ,he continued1 ,i receive not testimony from man 444 ,but ,i have greater witness than that of ,john3 for the works which the ,father hath given me to finish1 the same works that ,i do1 bear witness of me1 that the ,father hath sent me4 ,and the ,father himself1 which hath sent me1 hath borne witness of me4 ,then in terms of unqualified condemnation1 ,he told them they were devoid of the ,father's word1 for they refused to accept ,himself whom the ,father had sent4 ,with humiliating directness ,he admonished these learned men of the law1 these interpreters of the prophets1 these professional expounders of sacred writ1 to betake themselves to reading and study4 ,search the scriptures1 said ,he1 for in them ye think ye have eternal life3 and they are they which testify of me4 ,convictingly ,he continued--that they who admitted and taught that in the scriptures lay the way to eternal life1 refused to come to ,him1 of whom those same scriptures testified1 though by coming they might obtain eternal life4 ,i receive not honour from men1 ,he added1 ,but ,i know you1 that ye have not the love of ,god in you4 ,they knew that they sought for honor among men1 received honors from one another1 were made rabbis and doctors1 scribes and teachers1 by the bestowal of titles and degrees--all of men2 but they rejected ,him who came in the name of ,one infinitely greater than all their schools or societies--,he had come in the supreme name of the ,father4 ,the cause of their spiritual ignorance was pointed out--they relied upon the honors of men1 and sought not the honor of real service in the cause of ,god4 ,he had spoken of the authority of judgment that had been committed to ,himself2 now ,he explained that they should not think ,he would accuse them before the ,father2 a lesser one than ,he would accuse1 even ,moses1 another of ,his witnesses in whom they professed such trust--,moses whom they all were said to believe--and1 driving home the full effect of ,his powerful arraignment1 the ,lord continued3 ,for had ye believed ,moses1 ye would have believed me3 for he wrote of me4 ,but if ye believe not his writings1 how shall ye believe my words8 ,such was the illuminating instruction combined with burning denunciation that these men had called forth by their futile attempt to convict ,jesus on the charge of ,sabbath desecration4 ,this was but one of many evil machinations by which they so determinedly plotted1 and strove to attach the stigma and invoke the penalty of ,sabbath-breaking upon the very ,one who had ordained the ,sabbath and was in truth and verity the one and only ,lord thereof4 ,,the ,,disciples ,,charged ,,with ,,sabbath-,,breaking4 ,we may profitably consider in this connection other instances of good work done by our ,lord on ,sabbath days2 and this we may do without undue regard to the order of the events in time4 ,we again find ,jesus in ,galilee1 whether prior to or after ,his visit to ,jerusalem at the time of the unidentified feast1 on which occasion ,he wrought the miracle of healing at the ,bethesda pool1 matters not4 ,on a certain ,sabbath1 ,he and the disciples walked through a field of grain1#ddi and1 being hungry1 the disciples began to pluck some of the ripening ears2 rubbing out the kernels between their hands1 they ate4 ,there was no element of theft in what they did1 for the ,mosaic law provided that in passing through another's vineyard or corn field one might pluck grapes or corn to relieve hunger2 but it was forbidden to use a sickle in the field1 or to carry away any of the grapes in a vessel4#dej ,the permission extended only to the relief of present need4 ,when the disciples of ,jesus availed themselves of this lawful privilege1 there were ,pharisees on the watch1 and these came at once to the ,master1 saying3 ,behold1 thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day4 ,the accusers doubtless had in mind the rabbinical dictum that rubbing out an ear of grain in the hands was a species of threshing2 that blowing away the chaff was winnowing2 and that it was unlawful to thresh or winnow on the ,sabbath4 ,indeed1 some learned rabbis had held it to be a sin to walk on grass during the ,sabbath1 inasmuch as the grass might be in seed1 and the treading out of the seed would be as the threshing of grain4 ,jesus defended the disciples by citing a precedent applicable to the case1 and of much greater import4 ,the instance was that of ,david1 who with a small company of men had asked bread of the priest ,ahimelech2 for they were hungry and in haste4 ,the priest had none but consecrated bread1 the loaves of shewbread which were placed in the sanctuary at intervals1 and which none but the priests were allowed to eat4 ,in view of the condition of urgent need the priest had given the shewbread to the hungry men4#dea ,jesus also reminded the critical ,pharisees that the priests in the temple regularly did much work on the ,sabbath in the slaughtering of sacrificial victims and in altar service generally1 yet were held blameless because of the higher requirements of worship which rendered such labor necessary2 and added with solemn emphasis3 ,but ,i say unto you1 ,that in this place is one greater than the temple4 ,he cited the word of ,god spoken through ,hosea1 ,i will have mercy1 and not sacrifice1#deb and reproved at once their ignorance and their unrighteous zeal by telling them that had they known what that scripture meant they would not have condemned the guiltless4 ,be it remembered1 ,the sabbath was made for man1 and not man for the sabbath4#dec ,his reproof was followed by the affirmation of ,his personal supremacy3 ,for the ,son of man is ,lord even of the sabbath day6 ,what can we gather from that declaration but that ,he1 ,jesus1 there present in the flesh1 was the ,being through whom the ,sabbath had been ordained1 that it was ,he who had given and written in stone the decalog1 including ,remember the sabbath day1 to keep it holy1 and1 the seventh day is the sabbath of the ,lord thy ,god8 ,a ,,pharisaical ,,plot4 ,again on a ,sabbath1 ,jesus went into a synagog1 and saw in the congregation a man whose right hand was withered4#ded ,there were ,pharisees present1 and they watched to see whether ,jesus would heal the man1 their purpose being to accuse ,him if ,he did so4 ,the ,pharisees asked3 ,is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days8 ,our ,lord countered their poorly veiled purpose by asking3 ,is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days8 and extended the question1 or to do evil8 to save life1 or to kill8 ,they held their peace1 for the question was double-edged4 ,to reply in the affirmative would have been to justify the work of healing2 a negative answer would have stultified them4 ,he put another question3 ,what man shall there be among you1 that shall have one sheep1 and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day1 will he not lay hold on it1 and lift it out8 ,how much then is a man better than a sheep8 ,as the ,pharisees could not or would not reply1 ,he summed up the whole matter thus3 ,wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days4 ,he called upon the man with the withered hand to stand forth before the congregation4 ,grief and anger were mingled in ,his penetrating and sweeping glance2 but1 turning with compassion toward the afflicted one1 ,he commanded him to stretch forth his hand2 the man obeyed1 and lo6 the hand was restored whole1 like as the other4 ,the discomfited ,pharisees were furious1 filled with madness ,luke says2 and they went out to plot anew against the ,lord4 ,so bitter was their hatred that they allied themselves with the ,herodians1 a political party generally unpopular among the ,jews4#dee ,the rulers of the people were ready to enter into any intrigue or alliance to accomplish their avowed purpose of bringing about the death of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,aware of the wicked determination against ,him1 ,jesus withdrew ,himself from the locality4 ,other accusations of ,sabbath-breaking1 brought against ,christ by ,jewish casuists1 will be considered later4#def ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ae4 #a4 ,rabbinical ,requirements ,concerning ,sabbath ,observance4--,no feature of the ,jewish system was so marked as their extraordinary strictness in the outward observance of the ,sabbath1 as a day of entire rest4 ,the ,scribes had elaborated from the command of ,moses1 a vast array of prohibitions and injunctions1 covering the whole of social1 individual1 and public life1 and carried it to the extreme of ridiculous caricature4 ,lengthened rules were prescribed as to the kinds of knots which might legally be tied on the ,sabbath4 ,the camel-driver's knot and the sailor's were unlawful1 and it was equally illegal to tie or to loose them4 ,a knot which could be untied with one hand might be undone4 ,a shoe or sandal1 a woman's cup1 a wine or oil-skin1 or a flesh-pot might be tied4 ,a pitcher at a spring might be tied to the body-sash1 but not with a cord4444 ,to kindle or extinguish a fire on the ,sabbath was a great desecration of the day1 nor was even sickness allowed to violate ,rabbinical rules4 ,it was forbidden to give an emetic on the ,sabbath--to set a broken bone1 or put back a dislocated joint1 though some ,rabbis1 more liberal1 held that whatever endangered life made the ,sabbath law void1 'for the commands were given to ,israel only that they might live by them4' ,one who was buried under ruins on the ,sabbath1 might be dug for and taken out1 if alive1 but1 if dead1 he was to be left where he was1 till the ,sabbath was over4--,geikie1 ,life and ,words of ,christ1 chap4 #ch4 #b4 ,the ,unnamed ,feast4--,there has been no little discussion as to the particular festival referred to in ,john #e3a1 at the time of which ,jesus healed the cripple at the pool of ,bethesda4 ,many writers hold that it was the ,passover1 others that it was the feast of ,purim1 or some other ,jewish celebration4 ,the only semblance of importance attaching to the question is the possibility of learning from the fact1 if it could be proved1 something of the chronological order of events at this period of our ,lord's life4 ,we are not told which feast this was1 neither the year nor the time of the year when it occurred4 ,the miracle wrought on the occasion1 and the doctrinal discourse delivered as a result thereof1 depend for their value in no degree on the determination of date4 #c4 ,shewbread4--,the name means bread of the presence1 signifying that it was placed in the presence of ,jehovah4 ,the bread so sanctified consisted of twelve loaves1 made without leaven4 ,they were to be deposited in the ,holy ,place in two columns of six loaves each4 ,zenos1 in ,stand4 ,bible ,dict4 writes3 ,they were allowed to remain there for a whole week1 at the end of which period they were removed1 and eaten by the priest upon holy ground1 i4e4 within the precincts of the sanctuary4 ,for other persons than priests to eat of the loaves of the shewbread was regarded as sacrilegious1 for they were 'holy4' ,see ,exo4 #be3cj2 ,lev4 #bd3e-i2 #a ,sam4 #ba3a-f4 #d4 ,the ,sabbath ,was ,made for ,man and ,not ,man for the ,sabbath4--,edersheim 7vol4 i1 pp4 #eg1 #eh7 says3 ,when on his flight from ,saul1 ,david had1 'when an hungered1' eaten of the shewbread and given it to his followers1 although1 by the letter of the ,levitical law1 it was only to be eaten by the priests4 ,jewish tradition vindicated his conduct on the plea that 'danger to life superseded the ,sabbath law1' and hence1 all laws connected with it4444 ,in truth1 the reason why ,david was blameless in eating the shewbread was the same as that which made the ,sabbath labor of the priests lawful4 ,the ,sabbath law was not one merely of rest1 but of rest for worship4 ,the service of the ,lord was the object in view4 ,the priests worked on the ,sabbath1 because this service was the object of the ,sabbath2 and ,david was allowed to eat of the shewbread1 not solely because there was danger to life from starvation1 but because he pleaded that he was on the service of the ,lord1 and needed this provision4 ,the disciples1 when following the ,lord1 were similarly on the service of the ,lord2 ministering to ,him was more than ministering in the temple1 for ,he was greater than the temple4 ,if the ,pharisees had believed this1 they would not have questioned their conduct1 nor in so doing have themselves infringed that higher law which enjoined mercy1 not sacrifice4 ,,footnotes3 #dcj ,gen4 #b3c4 #dca ,exo4 #af3af-ca4 #dcb ,exo4 #bj3h-aa2 #bc3ab2 #ca3ac-ae2 #cd3ba2 ,lev4 #ai3c2 #bc3c2 ,deut4 #e3ab-ad4 #dcc ,exo4 #ce3c2 ,numb4 #ae3cb-cf4 #dcd ,isa4 #ef3b2 #eh3ac2 ,jer4 #ag3ba-bd4 #dce ,neh4 #h3i-ab2 #ac3ae-bb4 #dcf ,ezek4 #bj3ab-bd4 #dcg ,b4 of ,m41 ,jarom #a3e2 ,mosiah #ac3af-ai2 #ah3bc4 #dch ,lev4 #be3a-h2 compare #bf3cd1 #ce4 #dci ,lev4 #be3aj-ee4 #ddj ,page #fd4 #dda ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #ddb ,john1 chapter #e4 #ddc ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #ddd ,see another instance1 pages #aij-aib4 #dde ,pages #aia and #bja4 ,for further justification of this act of healing on the ,sabbath1 see ,john #g3ba-bd4 #ddf ,page #adb4 #ddg ,compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf3af1 #ag4 ,see page #bd herein4 #ddh ,page #be4 #ddi ,matt4 #ab3a-h2 compare ,mark #b3bc-bh2 ,luke #f3a-e4 #dej ,deut4 #bc3bd1 #be4 #dea ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #deb ,hos4 #f3f2 compare ,micah #f3f-i4 #dec ,mark #b3bg4 ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #ded ,matt4 #ab3aj-ac2 ,mark #c3a-f2 ,luke #f3f-h4 #dee ,page #fh4 #def ,for instances1 see ,luke #ac3ad-af2 #ad3c-f2 ,john #i3ad-af4 ,,chapter #af4 ,,the ,,chosen ,,twelve4 ,,their ,,call ,,and ,,ordination4#deg ,the night preceding the morn on which the ,twelve ,apostles were called and ordained was spent by the ,lord in solitary seclusion2 ,he had continued all night in prayer to ,god4#deh ,then1 when day had come1 and while many people were gathering to hear more of the new and wonderful gospel of the kingdom1 ,he called to come closer some who had theretofore been devotedly associated together as ,his disciples or followers1 and from among them ,he chose twelve1 whom he ordained and named apostles4#dei ,prior to that time none of these had been distinguished by any special delegation of authority or appointment2 they had been numbered with the disciples in general1 though1 as we have seen1 seven had received a preliminary call1 and had promptly responded thereto by abandoning wholly or in part their business affairs1 and had followed the ,master4 ,these were ,andrew1 ,john1 ,simon ,peter1 ,philip1 ,nathanael1 ,james1 and ,levi ,matthew4 ,prior to this eventful day1 however1 none of the ,twelve had been ordained or set apart to their sacred office4 ,the three ,gospel-writers who make record of the organization of the ,twelve place ,simon ,peter first and ,judas ,iscariot last in the category2 they agree also in the relative position of some but not of all the others4 ,following the order given by ,mark1 and this may be the most convenient since he names as the first three those who later became most prominent1 we have the following list3 ,simon ,peter1 ,james 7son of ,zebedee71 ,john 7brother of the last-named71 ,andrew 7brother of ,simon ,peter71 ,philip1 ,bartholomew 7or ,nathanael71 ,matthew1 ,thomas1 ,james 7son of ,alpheus71 ,judas 7also known as ,lebbeus or ,thaddeus71 ,simon 7distinguished by his surname ,zelotes1 also known as the ,canaanite71 and ,judas ,iscariot4 ,,twelve ,,considered ,,individually4 ,simon1 named as the first apostle1 is more commonly known as ,peter--the appellation given him by the ,lord on the occasion of their first meeting1 and afterward confirmed4#dfj ,he was the son of ,jona1 or ,jonas1 and by vocation was a fisherman4 ,he and his brother ,andrew were partners with ,james and ,john1 the sons of ,zebedee2 and apparently the fishing business was a prosperous one with them1 for they owned their boats and gave employment to other men4#dfa ,peter's early home had been at the little fishery town of ,bethsaida1#dfb on the west shore of the ,sea of ,galilee2 but about the time of his first association with ,jesus1 or soon thereafter1 he1 with others of his family1 removed to ,capernaum1 where he appears to have become an independent householder4#dfc ,simon ,peter was a married man before his call to the ministry4 ,he was well to do in a material way2 and when he once spoke of having left all to follow ,jesus1 the ,lord did not deny that ,peter's sacrifice of temporal possessions was as great as had been implied4 ,we are not justified in regarding him as unlettered or ignorant4 ,true1 both he and ,john were designated by the council of rulers as unlearned and ignorant men1#dfd but this was spoken of them as indicating their lack of training in the schools of the rabbis2 and it is worthy of note1 that the members of that same council were amazed at the wisdom and power manifested by the two apostles1 whom they professed to despize4 ,in temperament ,peter was impulsive and stern1 and1 until trained by severe experience1 was lacking in firmness4 ,he had many human weaknesses1 yet in spite of them all he eventually overcame the temptations of ,satan and the frailties of the flesh1 and served his ,lord as the appointed and acknowledged leader of the ,twelve4 ,of the time and place of his death the scriptures do not speak2 but the manner thereof was prefigured by the resurrected ,lord1#dfe and in part was foreseen by ,peter himself4#dff ,tradition1 originating in the writings of the early ,christian historians other than the apostles1 states that ,peter met death by crucifixion as a martyr during the persecution incident to the reign of ,nero1 probably between ,a4,d4 #fd and #fh4 ,origen states that the apostle was crucified with his head downward4 ,peter1 with ,james and ,john1 his associates in the presidency of the ,twelve1 has ministered as a resurrected being in the present dispensation1 in restoring to earth the ,melchizedek ,priesthood1 including the ,holy ,apostleship1 which had been taken away because of the apostasy and unbelief of men4#dfg ,james and ,john1 brothers by birth1 partners in business as fishermen1 brethren in the ministry1 were associated together and with ,peter in the apostolic calling4 ,the ,lord bestowed upon the pair a title in common--,boanerges1 or ,sons of ,thunder#dfh--possibly with reference to the zeal they developed in ,his service1 which1 indeed1 at times had to be restrained1 as when they would have had fire called from heaven to destroy the ,samaritan villagers who had refused hospitality to the ,master4#dfi ,they and their mother aspired to the highest honors of the kingdom1 and asked that the two be given places1 one on the right the other on the left of ,christ in ,his glory4 ,this ambition was gently reproved by the ,lord1 and the request gave offense to the other apostles4#dgj ,with ,peter these two brothers were witnesses of many of the most important incidents in the life of ,jesus2 thus1 the three were the only apostles admitted to witness the raising of the daughter of ,jairus from death to life2#dga they were the only members of the ,twelve present at the transfiguration of ,christ2#dgb they were nearest the ,lord during the period of ,his mortal agony in ,gethsemane2#dgc and1 as heretofore told1 they have ministered in these modern days in the restoration of the ,holy ,apostleship with all its ancient authority and power of blessing4#dgd ,james is commonly designated in theological literature as ,james ,i1 to distinguish him from the other apostle bearing the same name4 ,james1 the son of ,zebedee1 was the first of the apostles to meet a martyr's violent death2 he was beheaded by order of the king1 ,herod ,agrippa4#dge ,john had been a disciple of the ,baptist1 and had demonstrated his confidence in the latter's testimony of ,jesus by promptly turning from the forerunner and following the ,lord4#dgf ,he became a devoted servant1 and repeatedly refers to himself as the disciple whom ,jesus loved4#dgg ,at the last supper ,john sat next to ,jesus leaning his head upon the ,master's breast2#dgh and next day as he stood beneath the cross he received from the dying ,christ the special charge to care for the ,lord's mother2#dgi and to this he promptly responded by conducting the weeping ,mary to his own house4 ,he was the first to recognize the risen ,lord on the shores of ,galilee1 and received from ,his immortal lips encouragement of his hope that his life would be continued in the body1 in order that he might minister among men until the ,christ shall come in ,his glory4#dhj ,the realization of that hope has been attested by revelation in modern days4#dha ,andrew1 son of ,jona and brother of ,simon ,peter1 is mentioned less frequently than the three already considered4 ,he had been one of the ,baptist's followers1 and with ,john1 the son of ,zebedee1 left the ,baptist to learn from ,jesus2 and having learned he went in search of ,peter1 solemnly averred to him that the ,messiah had been found1 and brought his brother to the ,savior's feet4#dhb ,he shared with ,peter in the honor of the call of the ,lord on the sea shore1 and in the promise ,i will make you fishers of men4#dhc ,in one instance we read of ,andrew as present with ,peter1 ,james and ,john1 in a private interview with the ,lord2#dhd and he is mentioned in connection with the miraculous feeding of the five thousand1#dhe and as associated with ,philip in arranging an interview between certain inquiring ,greeks and ,jesus4#dhf ,he is named with others in connection with our ,lord's ascension4#dhg ,tradition is rife with stories about this man1 but of the extent of his ministry1 the duration of his life1 and the circumstances of his death1 we have no authentic record4 ,philip may have been the first to receive the authoritative call ,follow me from the lips of ,jesus1 and we find him immediately testifying that ,jesus was the long expected ,messiah4 ,his home was in ,bethsaida1 the town of ,peter1 ,andrew1 ,james1 and ,john4 ,it is said that ,jesus found him1#dhh whereas the others concerned in that early affiliation seem to have come of themselves severally to ,christ4 ,we find brief mention of him at the time the five thousand were fed1 on which occasion ,jesus asked him ,whence shall we buy bread1 that these may eat8 ,this was done to test and prove him1 for ,jesus knew what would be done4 ,philip's reply was based on a statement of the small amount of money at hand1 and showed no expectation of miraculous intervention4#dhi ,it was to him the ,greeks applied when they sought a meeting with ,jesus as noted in connection with ,andrew4 ,he was mildly reproved for his misunderstanding when he asked ,jesus to show to him and the others the ,father--,have ,i been so long time with you1 and yet hast thou not known me1 ,philip8#dij ,aside from incidental mention of his presence as one of the ,eleven after the ascension1 the scriptures tell us nothing more concerning him4 ,bartholomew is mentioned in scripture by this name only in connection with his ordination to the apostleship1 and as one of the ,eleven after the ascension4 ,the name means son of ,tolmai4 ,it is practically certain1 however1 that he is the man called ,nathanael in ,john's ,gospel--the one whom ,christ designated as an ,israelite indeed1 in whom is no guile4#dia ,he is named again as among those who went fishing with ,peter after the resurrection of ,christ4#dib ,his home was in ,cana of ,galilee4 ,the reasons for assuming that ,bartholomew and ,nathanael are the same persons are these3 ,bartholomew is named in each of the three synoptic ,gospels as an apostle1 but ,nathanael is not mentioned4 ,nathanael is named twice in ,john's ,gospel1 and ,bartholomew not at all2 ,bartholomew and ,philip1 or ,nathanael and ,philip1 are mentioned together4 ,matthew1 or ,levi1 son of ,alpheus1 was one of the seven who received a call to follow ,christ before the ordination of the ,twelve4 ,he it was who gave a feast1 for attending which ,jesus and the disciples were severely criticized by the ,pharisees1#dic on the charge that it was unseemly for ,him to eat with publicans and sinners4 ,matthew was a publican2 he so designates himself in the ,gospel he wrote2#did but the other evangelists omit the mention when including him with the ,twelve4 ,his ,hebrew name1 ,levi1 is understood by many as an indication of priestly lineage4 ,of his ministry we have no detailed account2 though he is the author of the first ,gospel1 he refrains from special mention of himself except in connection with his call and ordination4 ,he is spoken of by other than scriptural writers as one of the most active of the apostles after ,christ's death1 and as operating in lands far from ,palestine4 ,thomas1 also known as ,didymus1 the ,greek equivalent of his ,hebrew name1 meaning a twin1 is mentioned as a witness of the raising of ,lazarus4 ,his devotion to ,jesus is shown by his desire to accompany the ,lord to ,bethany1 though persecution in that region was almost certain4 ,to his fellow apostles ,thomas said3 ,let us also go1 that we may die with him4#die ,even as late in his experience as the night before the crucifixion1 ,thomas had failed to comprehend the impending necessity of the ,savior's sacrifice2 and when ,jesus referred to going away and leaving the others to follow1 ,thomas asked how they could know the way4 ,for his lack of understanding he stood reproved4#dif ,he was absent when the resurrected ,christ appeared to the assembled disciples in the evening of the day of ,his rising2 and on being informed by the others that they had seen the ,lord1 he forcefully expressed his doubt1 and declared he would not believe unless he could see and feel for himself the wounds in the crucified body4 ,eight days later the ,lord visited the apostles again1 when1 as on the earlier occasion1 they were within closed doors2 and to ,thomas the ,lord said3 ,reach hither thy finger1 and behold my hands2 and reach hither thy hand1 and thrust it into my side4 ,then ,thomas1 no longer doubting but with love and reverence filling his soul1 exclaimed ,my ,lord and my ,god4 ,the ,lord said unto him3 ,thomas1 because thou hast seen me1 thou hast believed3 blessed are they that have not seen1 and yet have believed4#dig ,of ,thomas no further record appears in the ,new ,testament aside from that of his presence with his fellows after the ascension4 ,james1 son of ,alpheus1 is mentioned in the ,gospels only in the matter of his ordination to the apostleship2 and but once elsewhere in the ,new ,testament by the appellation son of ,alpheus4#dih ,in writings other than scriptural he is sometimes designated as ,james ,,ii to avoid confusing him with ,james the son of ,zebedee4 ,there is acknowledged uncertainty concerning the identity of ,james the son of ,alpheus as the ,james or one of the ,james's referred to in the ,acts and the ,epistles2#dii and a plenitude of controversial literature on the subject is extant4#ejj ,judas is called ,lebbeus ,thaddeus by ,matthew1 ,thaddeus by ,mark1 and ,judas the brother of ,james by ,luke4#eja ,the only other specific reference to this apostle is made by ,john1 and is incident to the last long interview between ,jesus and the apostles1 when this ,judas1 not ,iscariot1 asked how or why ,jesus would manifest ,himself to ,his chosen servants and not to the world at large4 ,the man's question shows that the really distinguishing character of the apostleship was not fully comprehended by him at that time4 ,simon ,zelotes1 so designated in ,acts1#ejb and as ,simon called ,zelotes in ,luke's ,gospel1 is distinguished by both ,matthew and ,mark as the ,canaanite4 ,the last designation has no reference to the town of ,cana1 nor to the land of ,canaan1 neither is it in any sense of geographical signification2 it is the ,syro-,chaldaic equivalent of the ,greek word which is rendered in the ,english translation ,zelotes4 ,the two names1 therefore1 have the same fundamental meaning1 and each refers to the ,zealots1 a ,jewish sect or faction1 known for its zeal in maintaining the ,mosaic ritual4 ,doubtless ,simon had learned moderation and toleration from the teachings of ,christ2 otherwise he would scarcely have been suited to the apostolic ministry4 ,his zealous earnestness1 properly directed1 may have developed into a most serviceable trait of character4 ,this apostle is nowhere in the scriptures named apart from his colleagues4 ,judas ,iscariot is the only ,judean named among the ,twelve2 all the others were ,galileans4 ,he is generally understood to have been a resident of ,kerioth1 a small town in the southerly part of ,judea1 but a few miles west from the ,dead ,sea1 though for this tradition1 as also for the signification of his surname1 we lack direct authority4 ,so too we are uninformed as to his lineage1 except that his father's name was ,simon4#ejc ,he served as treasurer or agent of the apostolic company1 receiving and disbursing such offerings as were made by disciples and friends1 and purchasing supplies as required4#ejd ,that he was unprincipled and dishonest in the discharge of this trust is attested by ,john4 ,his avaricious and complaining nature revealed itself in his murmuring against what he called a waste of costly spikenard1 in the anointing of the ,lord by ,mary but a few days before the crucifixion2 he hypocritically suggested that the precious ointment could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor4#eje ,the crowning deed of perfidy in the career of ,iscariot was his deliberate betrayal of his ,master to death2 and this the infamous creature did for a price1 and accomplished the foul deed with a kiss4 ,he brought his guilty life to a close by a revolting suicide and his spirit went to the awful fate reserved for the sons of perdition4#ejf ,,general ,,characteristics ,,of ,,the ,,twelve4 ,a survey of the general characteristics and qualifications of this body of twelve men reveals some interesting facts4 ,before their selection as apostles they had all become close disciples of the ,lord2 they believed in ,him2 several of them1 possibly all1 had openly confessed that ,he was the ,son of ,god2 and yet it is doubtful that any one of them fully understood the real significance of the ,savior's work4 ,it is evident by the later remarks of many of them1 and by the instructions and rebuke they called forth from the ,master1 that the common ,jewish expectation of a ,messiah who would reign in splendor as an earthly sovereign after ,he had subdued all other nations1 had a place even in the hearts of these chosen ones4 ,after long experience1 ,peter's concern was3 ,behold1 we have forsaken all1 and followed thee2 what shall we have therefore8#ejg ,they were as children to be trained and taught2 but they were mostly willing pupils1 receptive of soul1 and imbued with a sincere eagerness to serve4 ,to ,jesus they were ,his little ones1 ,his children1 ,his servants1 and ,his friends1 as they merited4#ejh ,they were all of the common people1 not rabbis1 scholars1 nor priestly officials4 ,their inner natures1 not their outward accomplishments1 were taken into prime account in the ,lord's choosing4 ,the ,master chose them2 they did not choose themselves2 by ,him they were ordained1#eji and they could in consequence rely the more implicitly upon ,his guidance and support4 ,to them much was given2 much of them was required4 ,with the one black exception they all became shining lights in the kingdom of ,god1 and vindicated the ,master's selection4 ,he recognized in each the characteristics of fitness developed in the primeval world of spirits4#eaj ,,disciples ,,and ,,apostles4 ,discipleship is general2 any follower of a man or devotee to a principle may be called a disciple4 ,the ,holy ,apostleship is an office and calling belonging to the ,higher or ,melchizedek ,priesthood1 at once exalted and specific1 comprizing as a distinguishing function that of personal and special witness to the divinity of ,jesus ,christ as the one and only ,redeemer and ,savior of mankind4#eaa ,the apostleship is an individual bestowal1 and as such is conferred only through ordination4 ,that the ,twelve did constitute a council or quorum having authority in the ,church established by ,jesus ,christ1 is shown by their ministrations after the ,lord's resurrection and ascension4 ,their first official act was that of filling the vacancy in their organization occasioned by the apostasy and death of ,judas ,iscariot2 and in connection with this procedure1 the presiding apostle1 ,peter1 set forth the essential qualifications of the one who would be chosen and ordained1 which comprized such knowledge of ,jesus1 ,his life1 death1 and resurrection1 as would make the new apostle one with the ,eleven as special witnesses of the ,lord's work4#eab ,the ordination of the ,twelve ,apostles marked the inauguration of an advanced epoch in the earthly ministry of ,jesus1 an epoch characterized by the organization of a body of men invested with the authority of the ,holy ,priesthood1 upon whom would rest1 more particularly after the ,lord's departure1 the duty and responsibility of continuing the work ,he had begun1 and of building up the ,church established by ,him4 ,the word apostle is an ,anglicized form derived from the ,greek apostolos1 meaning literally one who is sent1 and connoting an envoy or official messenger1 who speaks and acts by the authority of one superior to himself4 ,in this sense ,paul afterward applied the title to ,christ as one specially sent and commissioned of the ,father4#eac ,the ,lord's purpose in choosing and ordaining the ,twelve is thus enunciated by ,mark3 ,and he ordained twelve1 that they should be with him1 and that he might send them forth to preach1 and to have power to heal sicknesses1 and to cast out devils4#ead ,for a season following their ordination the apostles remained with ,jesus1 being specially trained and instructed by ,him for the work then before them2 afterward they were specifically charged and sent forth to preach and to administer in the authority of their priesthood1 as shall be hereafter considered4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #af4 #a4 ,judas ,lebbeus ,thaddeus4--,this ,judas 7not ,iscariot7 is designated in the authorized version of ,luke #f3af1 and ,acts #a3ac1 as the brother of ,james4 ,that the words the brother are an addition to the original text is indicated by italics4 ,the revised version of these passages reads in each instance the son of ,james1 with italics of corresponding significance4 ,the original reads ,judas of ,james4 ,we are uninformed as to which ,james is referred to1 and as to whether the ,judas here mentioned was the son1 the brother1 or some other relative of the unidentified ,james4 #b4 ,the ,meaning of ,apostle4--,the title ',apostle' is likewise one of special significance and sanctity2 it has been given of ,god1 and belongs only to those who have been called and ordained as 'special witnesses of the name of ,christ in all the world1 thus differing from other officers in the ,church in the duties of their calling' 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #ajg3bc74 ,by derivation the word 'apostle' is the ,english equivalent of the ,greek apostolos1 indicating a messenger1 an ambassador1 or literally 'one who is sent'4 ,it signifies that he who is rightly so called1 speaks and acts not of himself1 but as the representative of a higher power whence his commission issued2 and in this sense the title is that of a servant1 rather than that of a superior4 ,even the ,christ1 however1 is called an ,apostle with reference to ,his ministry in the flesh 7,hebrews #c3a71 and this appellation is justified by ,his repeated declaration that ,he came to earth to do not ,his own will but that of the ,father by whom ,he was sent4 ,though an apostle is thus seen to be essentially an envoy1 or ambassador1 his authority is great1 as is also the responsibility associated therewith1 for he speaks in the name of a power greater than his own--the name of ,him whose special witness he is4 ,when one of the ,twelve is sent to minister in any stake1 mission or other division of the ,church1 or to labor in regions where no ,church organization has been effected1 he acts as the representative of the ,first ,presidency1 and has the right to use his authority in doing whatever is requisite for the furtherance of the work of ,god4 ,his duty is to preach the ,gospel1 administer the ordinances thereof1 and set in order the affairs of the ,church1 wherever he is sent4 ,so great is the sanctity of this special calling1 that the title ',apostle' should not be used lightly as the common or ordinary form of address applied to living men called to this office4 ,the quorum or council of the ,twelve ,apostles as existent in the ,church to-day may better be spoken of as the ',quorum of the ,twelve1' the ',council of the ,twelve1' or simply as the ',twelve1' than as the ',twelve ,apostles1' except as particular occasion may warrant the use of the more sacred term4 ,it is advized that the title ',apostle' be not applied as a prefix to the name of any member of the ,council of the ,twelve2 but that such a one be addressed or spoken of as ',brother ----1' or ',elder ----1' and when necessary or desirable1 as in announcing his presence in a public assembly1 an explanatory clause may be added1 thus1 ',elder ----1 one of the ,council of the ,twelve1'--,from ,the ,honor and ,dignity of ,priesthood1 by the author1 ,improvement ,era1 ,vol4 #ag1 ,no4 #e1 pp4 #dji-daj4 #c4 ,of ,alpheus2 or ,son of ,alpheus4--,in all ,bible passages specifying ,james son of ,alpheus 7,matt4 #aj3c2 ,mark #c3ah2 ,luke #f3ae2 ,acts #a3ac7 the word son has been supplied by the translators1 and therefore properly appears in ,italics4 ,the phrase in the ,greek reads ,james of ,alpheus4 ,this fact must not be given undue weight in support of the thought that the ,james spoken of was not the son of ,alpheus2 for the word son has been similarly added in the translation of other passages1 in all of which ,italics are used to indicate the words supplied1 e4g4 ,james the son of ,zebedee 7,matt4 #aj3b2 see also ,mark #c3ag74 ,read in this connection ,note #a on the opposite page4 ,,footnotes3 #deg ,matt4 #aj3a-d2 ,mark #c3ac-ai2 ,luke #f3ab-af4 #deh ,luke #f3ab4 #dei ,luke #c3ac2 compare ,john #ae3af2 see also ,acts #a3bb4 #dfj ,john #a3db2 compare ,matt4 #af3ah4 #dfa ,mark #a3af-bj2 ,luke #e3aj4 #dfb ,john #a3dd2 #ab3ba4 #dfc ,matt4 #h3ad2 ,mark #a3bi2 ,luke #d3ch4 #dfd ,acts #d3ac4 #dfe ,john #ba3ah1 #ai4 #dff #b ,peter #a3ad4 #dfg ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bg3ab4 ,page #gfh herein4 #dfh ,mark #c3ag4 #dfi ,luke #i3ed4 ,see also ,mark #i3ch1 for instance of ,john's impulsive zeal4 #dgj ,mark #aj3ce-da2 compare ,matt4 #bj3bj-bd4 #dga ,mark #e3cg2 ,luke #h3ea4 #dgb ,matt4 #ag3a-b2 ,luke #i3bh-bi4 #dgc ,matt4 #bf3cf1 #cg4 #dgd ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bg3ab4 ,page #gfh herein4 #dge ,acts #ab3a1 #b4 #dgf ,john #a3ce-dj2 see page #adj4 #dgg ,john #ac3bc2 #ai3bf2 #bj3b4 #dgh ,john #ac3bc1 #be4 #dgi ,john #ai3be-bg4 #dhj ,john #ba3g1 #ba-bc4 #dha ,doc4 and ,cov4 ,sec4 #g2 compare ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #bh3a-ab4 #dhb ,john #a3ce-dj4 #dhc ,matt4 #d3ah1 #ai4 #dhd ,mark #ac3c4 #dhe ,john #f3h4 #dhf ,john #ab3bj-bb4 #dhg ,acts #a3ac4 #dhh ,john #a3dc-de4 #dhi ,john #f3e-g4 #dij ,john #ad3h1 #i4 #dia ,john #a3de-ea2 see page #ada4 #dib ,john #ba3b1 #c4 #dic ,page #aid4 #did ,matt4 #aj3c4 #die ,john #aa3af4 #dif ,john #ad3a-g4 #dig ,john #bj3bd-bi4 ,page #fhi herein4 #dih ,acts #a3ac4 ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #dii ,acts #ab3ag2 #ae3ac-ba2 #ba3ah2 #a ,cor4 #ae3g2 ,gal4 #a3ai2 #b3i1 #ab2 and the ,epistle of ,james4 #ejj ,concerning the ,james's mentioned in the ,new ,testament1 the opinion of ,bible scholars is divided1 the question being as to whether two or three individuals are indicated4 ,those who hold that there were three men of this name distinguish them as follows3 7#a7 ,james the son of ,zebedee and brother of ,john the apostle2 all scriptural references to him are explicit2 7#b7 ,james the son of ,alpheus2 and 7#c7 ,james the brother of the ,lord 7,matt4 #ac3ee2 ,mark #f3c2 ,gal4 #a3ai74 ,if we accept this classification1 the references given in the previous footnote on this page apply to ,james the ,lord's brother4 ,both the ,oxford and ,bagster ,bible ,helps treat ,james the son of ,alpheus and ,james the ,lord's brother as one person1 the expression son of being understood in its general sense only 7see page #bhj74 ,the ,bagster designation is3 ,james ,,ii1 apostle1 son of ,alpheus1 brother or cousin to ,jesus4 7,see ,note #c1 end of chapter47 ,the ,nave ,student's ,bible states 7page #acbg7 that the question as to whether ,james the ,lord's brother is identical with ,james the son of ,alpheus is one of the most difficult questions in the biographical history of the ,gospels4 ,faussett 7in his ,cyclopedia ,critical and ,expository7 supports the contention that but one ,james is meant2 and other acknowledged authorities treat the two as one4 ,for detailed consideration of the subject the reader is referred to special works4 #eja ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #ejb ,acts #a3ac2 compare ,luke #f3ae4 #ejc ,john #f3ga2 #ab3d2 #ac3bf4 #ejd ,john #ab3f2 #ac3bi4 #eje ,john #ab3a-g2 compare ,matt4 #bf3f-ac2 ,mark #ad3c-i4 #ejf ,matt4 #bg3e2 compare ,acts #a3ah2 see also ,john #ag3ab2 ,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf2 #ca-dh2 #acb3bg4 #ejg ,matt4 #ai3bg4 #ejh ,matt4 #aj3db2 ,john #ba3e2 #ac3af4 compare verse #ac2 #ae3ad1 #ae4 #eji ,john #ae3af4 #eaj ,pages #h and #ag4 #eaa ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ah3bg-cc2 #bj3ch-dd2 #ajg3a-i1 #bc1 #bd1 #ci4 #eab ,acts #a3ae-bf4 #eac ,heb4 #c3a2 see ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #ead ,mark #c3ad1 #ae4 ,,chapter #ag4 ,,the ,,sermon ,,on ,,the ,,mount4 ,at some time very near that of the ordination of the ,twelve1 ,jesus delivered a remarkable discourse1 which1 in reference to the place where it was given1 has come to be known as the ,sermon on the ,mount4 ,matthew presents an extended account occupying three chapters of the first ,gospel2 ,luke gives a briefer synopsis4#eae ,circumstantial variations appearing in the two records are of minor importance2#eaf it is the sermon itself to which we may profitably devote attention4 ,luke introduces in different parts of his writings many of the precious precepts given as parts of the sermon recorded as a continuous discourse in the ,gospel written by ,matthew4 ,in our present study we shall be guided principally by ,matthew's account4 ,some portions of this comprehensive address were expressly directed to the disciples1 who had been or would be called to the apostleship and in consequence be required to renounce all their worldly interests for the labors of the ministry2 other parts were and are of general application4 ,jesus had ascended the mountain side1 probably to escape the crowds that thronged ,him in or near the towns4#eag ,the disciples gathered about ,him1 and there ,he sat and taught them4#eah ,,the ,,beatitudes4#eai ,the opening sentences are rich in blessing1 and the first section of the discourse is devoted to an explanation of what constitutes genuine blessedness2 the lesson1 moreover1 was made simple and unambiguous by specific application1 each of the blessed being assured of recompense and reward in the enjoyment of conditions directly opposite to those under which he had suffered4 ,the blessings particularized by the ,lord on this occasion have been designated in literature of later time as the ,beatitudes4 ,the poor in spirit are to be made rich as rightful heirs to the kingdom of heaven2 the mourner shall be comforted for he shall see the divine purpose in his grief1 and shall again associate with the beloved ones of whom he has been bereft2 the meek1 who suffer spoliation rather than jeopardize their souls in contention1 shall inherit the earth2 those that hunger and thirst for the truth shall be fed in rich abundance2 they that show mercy shall be judged mercifully2 the pure in heart shall be admitted to the very presence of ,god2 the peacemakers1 who try to save themselves and their fellows from strife1 shall be numbered among the children of ,god2 they that suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness shall inherit the riches of the eternal kingdom4 ,to the disciples the ,lord spake directly1 saying3 ,blessed are ye1 when men shall revile you1 and persecute you1 and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely1 for my sake4 ,rejoice1 and be exceeding glad3 for great is your reward in heaven3 for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you4#ebj ,it is evident that the specified blessings and the happiness comprized therein are to be realized in their fulness only beyond the grave2 though the joy that comes from the consciousness of right living brings1 even in this world1 a rich return4 ,an important element in this splendid elucidation of the truly blessed state is the implied distinction between pleasure and happiness4#eba ,mere pleasure is at best but fleeting2 happiness is abiding1 for in the recollection thereof is joy renewed4 ,supreme happiness is not an earthly attainment2 the promised fulness of joy lies beyond death and the resurrection4#ebb ,while man exists in this mortal state he needs some of the things of the world2 he must have food and clothing and provision for shelter2 and beside these bare necessities he may righteously desire the facilities of education1 the incidentals of advancing civilization1 and the things that are conducive to refinement and culture2 yet all of these are but aids to achievement1 not the end to attain which man was made mortal4 ,the ,beatitudes are directed to the duties of mortal life as a preparation for a greater existence yet future4 ,in the kingdom of heaven1 twice named in this part of the ,lord's discourse1 are true riches and unfailing happiness to be found4 ,the kingdom of heaven was the all-comprizing text of this wonderful sermon2 the means of reaching the kingdom and the glories of eternal citizenship therein are the main divisions of the treatise4 ,,dignity ,,and ,,responsibility ,,in ,,the ,,ministry4#ebc ,the ,master next proceeded to instruct with particular directness those upon whom would devolve the responsibility of the ministry as ,his commissioned representatives4 ,ye are the salt of the earth1 said ,he4 ,salt is the great preservative2 as such it has had practical use since very ancient times4 ,salt was prescribed as an essential addition to every meat offering under the ,mosaic law4#ebd ,long before the time of ,christ1 the use of salt had been accorded a symbolism of fidelity1 hospitality1 and covenant4#ebe ,to be of use salt must be pure2 to be of any saving virtue as salt1 it must be salt indeed1 and not the product of chemical alteration or of earthy admixture1 whereby its saltiness or savor would be lost2#ebf and1 as worthless stuff1 it would be fit only to be thrown away4 ,against such change of faith1 against such admixture with the sophistries1 so-called philosophies1 and heresies of the times1 the disciples were especially warned4 ,then1 changing the figure1 ,jesus likened them to the light of the world1 and enjoined upon them the duty of keeping their light before the people1 as prominently as stands a city built upon a hill1 to be seen from all directions1 a city that cannot be hid4 ,of what service would a lighted candle be if hidden under a tub or a box8 ,let your light so shine before men1 said ,he1 that they may see your good works1 and glorify your ,father which is in heaven4 ,that they should make no error as to the relationship of the ancient law and the gospel of the kingdom which ,he was elucidating1 ,jesus assured them that ,he had not come to destroy the law nor to nullify the teachings and predictions of the prophets1 but to fulfil such and to establish that for which the developments of the centuries gone had been but preparatory4 ,the gospel may be said to have destroyed the ,mosaic law only as the seed is destroyed in the growth of the new plant1 only as the bud is destroyed by the bursting forth of the rich1 full1 and fragrant flowers1 only as infancy and youth pass forever as the maturity of years develops4 ,not a jot or a tittle of the law was to be void4 ,a more effective analogy than the last could scarcely have been conceived2 the jot or yod1 and the tittle1 were small literary marks in the ,hebrew script2 for present purposes we may regard them as equivalent to the dot of an i or the cross of a t2 with the first1 the jot1 our ,english word iota1 signifying a trifle1 is related4 ,not even the least commandment could be violated without penalty2 but the disciples were admonished to take heed that their keeping of the commandments was not after the manner of the scribes and ,pharisees1 whose observance was that of ceremonial externalism1 lacking the essentials of genuine devotion2 for they were assured that by such an insincere course they could in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven4 ,,the ,,law ,,superseded ,,by ,,the ,,gospel4#ebg ,the next section of the sermon deals with the superiority of the gospel of ,christ over the law of ,moses1 and contrasts the requirements of the two in particular instances4 ,whereas the law forbade murder1 and provided a just penalty for the crime1 ,christ taught that one's giving way to anger1 which might possibly lead to violence or even murder1 was of itself a sin4 ,to maliciously use an offensive epithet such as ,raca laid one liable to punishment under the decree of the council1 and to call another a fool placed one in danger of hell fire4 ,these objectionable designations were regarded at that time as especially opprobrious and were therefore expressive of hateful intent4 ,the murderer's hand is impelled by the hatred in his heart4 ,the law provided penalty for the deed2 the gospel rebuked the evil passion in its incipiency4 ,to emphasize this principle1 the ,master showed that hatred was not to be atoned by a material sacrifice2 and that if one came to make an offering at the altar1 and remembered that he was at enmity with his brother1 he should first go to that brother and be reconciled1 even though such a course involved the interruption of the ceremonial1 which was a particularly grievous incident according to the judgment of the priests4 ,differences and contentions were to be adjusted without delay4 ,the law forbade the awful sin of adultery2 ,christ said that the sin began in the lustful glance1 the sensual thought2 and ,he added that it was better to become blind than to look with evil eye2 better to lose a hand than to work iniquity therewith4 ,touching the matter of divorcement1 in which great laxity prevailed in that day1 ,jesus declared that except for the most serious offense of infidelity to marriage vows1 no man could divorce his wife without becoming himself an offender1 in that she1 marrying again while still a wife not righteously divorced1 would be guilty of sin1 and so would be the man to whom she was so married4 ,of old it had been forbidden to swear or take oaths except in solemn covenant before the ,lord2 but in the gospel dispensation the ,lord forbade that men swear at all2 and the heinousness of wanton oaths was expounded4 ,grievously sinful indeed it was and is to swear by heaven1 which is the abode of ,god2 or by earth1 which is ,his creation and by ,him called ,his footstool2 or by ,jerusalem1 which was regarded by those who swore as the city of the great ,king2 or by one's own head1 which is part of the body ,god has created4 ,moderation in speech1 decision and simplicity were enjoined1 to the exclusion of expletives1 profanity and oaths4 ,of old the principle of retaliation had been tolerated1 by which one who had suffered injury could exact or inflict a penalty of the same nature as the offense4 ,thus an eye was demanded for the loss of an eye1 a tooth for a tooth1 a life for a life4#ebh ,in contrast1 ,christ taught that men should rather suffer than do evil1 even to the extent of submission without resistance under certain implied conditions4 ,his forceful illustrations--that if one were smitten on one cheek he should turn the other to the smiter2 that if a man took another's coat by process of law1 the loser should allow his cloak to be taken also2 that if one was pressed into service to carry another's burden a mile1 he should willingly go two miles2 that one should readily give or lend as asked--are not to be construed as commanding abject subserviency to unjust demands1 nor as an abrogation of the principle of self-protection4 ,these instructions were directed primarily to the apostles1 who would be professedly devoted to the work of the kingdom to the exclusion of all other interests4 ,in their ministry it would be better to suffer material loss or personal indignity and imposition at the hands of wicked oppressors1 than to bring about an impairment of efficiency and a hindrance in work through resistance and contention4 ,to such as these the ,beatitudes were particularly applicable--,blessed are the meek1 the peace-makers1 and they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake4 ,of old it had been said3 ,love thy neighbour1 and hate thine enemy2#ebi but the ,lord now taught3 ,love your enemies1 bless them that curse you1 do good to them that hate you1 and pray for them which despitefully use you1 and persecute you4 ,this was a new doctrine4 ,never before had ,israel been required to love their foes4 ,friendship for enemies had found no place in the ,mosaic code3 indeed the people had grown to look upon ,israel's enemies as ,god's enemies2 and now ,jesus required that tolerance1 mercy1 and even love be meted out to such6 ,he supplemented the requirement by an explanation--through the course indicated by ,him men may become children of ,god1 like unto their ,heavenly ,father to the extent of their obedience2 for the ,father is kind1 long-suffering and tolerant1 causing ,his sun to shine on the evil and on the good1 and sending rain for the sustenance of both just and unjust4#ecj ,and further1 what excellence has the man who gives only as he receives1 acknowledges only those who salute him with respect1 loves only as he is loved8 ,even the publicans#eca did that much4 ,of the disciples of ,christ much more was expected4 ,the admonition closing this division of the discourse is an effective and comprehensive summary of all that had preceded3 ,be ye therefore perfect1 even as your ,father which is in heaven is perfect4#ecb ,,sincerity ,,of ,,purpose4#ecc ,in the matter of alms-giving the ,master warned against1 and inferentially denounced1 ostentation and hypocritical display4 ,to give to the needy is praiseworthy2 but to give for the purpose of winning the praise of men is rank hypocrisy4 ,the tossing of alms to a beggar1 the pouring of offerings into the temple treasure chests1 to be seen of men1#ecd and similar displays of affected liberality1 were fashionable among certain classes in the time of ,christ2 and the same spirit is manifest today4 ,some there be now who cause a trumpet to be sounded1 through the columns of the press perchance1 or by other means of publicity1 to call attention to their giving1 that they may have glory of men--to win political favor1 to increase their trade or influence1 to get what in their estimation is worth more than that from which they part4 ,with logical incisiveness the ,master demonstrated that such givers have their reward4 ,they have received what they bid for2 what more can such men demand or consistently expect8 ,but said the ,lord1 when thou doest alms1 let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth3 ,that thine alms may be in secret3 and thy ,father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly6 ,in the same spirit did the ,preacher denounce hypocritical prayers--the saying of prayers in place of praying4 ,there were many who sought places of public resort1 in the synagogs1 and even on the street-corners1 that they might be seen and heard of men when saying their prayers4 ,they secured the publicity they sought2 what more could they ask8 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,they have their reward1 ,he who would really pray--pray as nearly as possible as ,christ prayed1 pray in actual communion with ,god to whom the prayer is addressed--will seek privacy1 seclusion1 isolation2 if opportunity permits he will retire to his chamber1 and will shut the door1 that none may intrude2 there he may pray indeed1 if the spirit of prayer be in his heart2 and this course was commended by the ,lord4 ,wordy supplications1 made up largely of iterations and repetitions such as the heathen use1 thinking that their idol deities will be pleased with their much speaking1 were forbidden4 ,it is well to know that prayer is not compounded of words1 words that may fail to express what one desires to say1 words that so often cloak inconsistencies1 words that may have no deeper source than the physical organs of speech1 words that may be spoken to impress mortal ears4 ,the dumb may pray1 and that too with the eloquence that prevails in heaven4 ,prayer is made up of heart throbs and the righteous yearnings of the soul1 of supplication based on the realization of need1 of contrition and pure desire4 ,if there lives a man who has never really prayed1 that man is a being apart from the order of the divine in human nature1 a stranger in the family of ,god's children4 ,prayer is for the uplifting of the suppliant4 ,god without our prayers would be ,god2 but we without prayer cannot be admitted to the kingdom of ,god4 ,so did ,christ instruct3 your ,father knoweth what things ye have need of1 before ye ask him4 ,then gave ,he unto those who sought wisdom at ,his feet1 a model prayer1 saying3 ,after this manner therefore pray ye3 ,our ,father which art in heaven1 ,hallowed by thy name4 ,in this we acknowledge the relation we bear to our ,heavenly ,father1 and while reverencing ,his great and holy ,name1 we avail ourselves of the inestimable privilege of approaching ,him1 less with the thought of ,his infinite glory as the ,creator of all that is1 the ,supreme ,being above all creation1 than with the loving realization that ,he is ,father1 and that we are ,his children4 ,this is the earliest ,biblical scripture giving instruction1 permission1 or warrant1 for addressing ,god directly as ,our ,father4 ,therein is expressed the reconciliation which the human family1 estranged through sin1 may attain by the means provided through the well beloved ,son4 ,this instruction is equally definite in demonstrating the brotherhood between ,christ and humanity4 ,as ,he prayed so pray we to the same ,father1 we as brethren and ,christ as our ,elder ,brother4 ,thy kingdom come4 ,thy will be done in earth1 as it is in heaven4 ,the kingdom of ,god is to be a kingdom of order1 in which toleration and the recognition of individual rights shall prevail4 ,one who really prays that this kingdom come will strive to hasten its coming by living according to the law of ,god4 ,his effort will be to keep himself in harmony with the order of the kingdom1 to subject the flesh to the spirit1 selfishness to altruism1 and to learn to love the things that ,god loves4 ,to make the will of ,god supreme on earth as it is in heaven is to be allied with ,god in the affairs of life4 ,there are many who profess belief that as ,god is omnipotent1 all that is is according to ,his will4 ,such a supposition is unscriptural1 unreasonable1 and untrue4#ece ,wickedness is not in harmony with ,his will2 falsehood1 hypocrisy1 vice and crime are not ,god's gifts to man4 ,by ,his will these monstrosities that have developed as hideous deformities in human nature and life shall be abolished1 and this blessed consummation shall be reached when by choice1 without surrender or abrogation of their free agency1 men shall do the will of ,god4 ,give us this day our daily bread4 ,food is indispensable to life4 ,as we need it we should ask for it4 ,true1 the ,father knows our need before we ask1 but by asking we acknowledge ,him as the ,giver1 and are made humble1 grateful1 contrite1 and reliant by the request4 ,though the sun shines and the rain falls alike upon the just and the unjust1 the righteous man is grateful for these blessings2 the ungodly man receives the benefits as a matter of course with a soul incapable of gratitude4 ,the capacity to be grateful is a blessing1 for the possession of which we should be further grateful4 ,we are taught to pray day by day for the food we need1 not for a great store to be laid by for the distant future4 ,israel in the desert received manna as a daily supply#ecf and were kept in mind of their reliance upon ,him who gave4 ,the man with much finds it easier to forget his dependence than he who must ask with each succeeding day of need4 ,and forgive us our debts1 as we forgive our debtors4 ,he who can thus pray with full intent and unmixed purpose merits forgiveness4 ,in this specification of personal supplication we are taught to expect only as we deserve4 ,the selfish and sinful would rejoice in exemption from their lawful debts1 but being selfish and sinful would exact the last farthing from those who owe them4#ecg ,forgiveness is too precious a pearl to be cast at the feet of the unforgiving2#ech and1 without the sincerity that springs from a contrite heart1 no man may justly claim mercy4 ,if others owe us1 either in actual money or goods as suggested by debts and debtors1 or through some infringement upon our rights included under the broader designation as a trespass1 our mode of dealing with them will be taken into righteous account in the judgment of our own offenses4 ,and lead us not into temptation1 but deliver us from evil3 ,the first part of this petition has occasioned comment and question4 ,we are not to understand that ,god would ever lead a man into temptation except1 perhaps1 by way of wise permission1 to test and prove him1 thereby affording him opportunity of overcoming and so of gaining spiritual strength1 which is the only true advancement in man's eternal course of progress4 ,the one purpose of providing bodies for the preexistent spirits of the race1 and of advancing them to the mortal state1 was to prove them herewith1 to see if they will do all things whatsoever the ,lord their ,god shall command them4#eci ,the plan of mortality involved the certainty of temptation4 ,the intent of the supplication appears to be that we be preserved from temptation beyond our weak powers to withstand2 that we be not abandoned to temptation without the divine support that shall be as full a measure of protection as our exercize of choice will allow4 ,how inconsistent then to go1 as many do1 into the places where the temptations to which we are most susceptible are strongest2 for the man beset with a passion for strong drink to so pray and then resort to the dramshop2 for the man whose desires are lustful to voice such a prayer and then go where lust is kindled2 for the dishonest man1 though he say the prayer1 to then place himself where he knows the opportunity to steal will be found6 ,can such souls as these be other than hypocrites in asking ,god to deliver them from the evils they have sought8 ,temptation will fall in our way without our seeking1 and evil will present itself even when we desire most to do right2 for deliverance from such we may pray with righteous expectation and assurance4 ,for thine is the kingdom1 and the power1 and the glory1 for ever4 ,amen4 ,herein we acknowledge the supremacy of the ,being whom we addressed at the beginning as ,father4 ,he is the ,almighty in whom and through whose provision we live and move and have our existence4#edj ,to assert independence of ,god is both sacrilege and blasphemy2 to acknowledge ,him is a filial duty and a just confession of ,his majesty and dominion4 ,the ,lord's ,prayer is closed with a solemn ,amen1 set as a seal to the document of the supplication1 attesting its genuineness as the true expression of the suppliant's soul2 gathering within the compass of a word the meaning of all that has been uttered or thought4 ,so let it be is the literal signification of ,amen4 ,from the subject of prayer the ,master turned to that of fasting1 and emphasized the important truth that to be of avail fasting must be a matter between the man and his ,god1 not between man and his kind4 ,it was a common thing in the ,master's day to see men parading the fact of their abstinence as an advertisement of their assumed piety4#eda ,that they might appear haggard and faint1 this class of hypocrites disfigured their faces1 went with unkempt hair1 gazed about with sad countenances4 ,of these also the ,lord said1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,they have their reward4 ,believers were admonished to fast secretly1 with no outward display1 and to fast unto ,god1 who could see in secret and would heed their sacrifice and prayer4 ,,treasures ,,of ,,earth ,,and ,,of ,,heaven4#edb ,the transitory character of worldly wealth was next contrasted with the enduring riches of eternity4 ,many there were and many there are whose principal effort in life has been that of amassing treasures of earth1 the mere possession of which entails responsibility1 care1 and disturbing anxiety4 ,some kinds of wealth are endangered by the ravages of moths1 such as silks and velvets1 satins and furs2 some are destroyed by corrosion and rust--silver and copper and steel2 while these and others are not infrequently made the booty of thieves4 ,infinitely more precious are the treasures of a life well spent1 the wealth of good deeds1 the account of which is kept in heaven1 where the riches of righteous achievement are safe from moth1 rust1 and robbers4 ,then followed the trenchant lesson3 ,for where your treasure is1 there will your heart be also4 ,spiritual light is shown to be greater than any product of physical illuminants4 ,what does the brightest light avail the man who is blind8 ,it is the bodily eye that discerns the light of the candle1 the lamp1 or the sun2 and the spiritual eye sees by spiritual light2 if then man's spiritual eye be single1 that is1 pure and undimmed by sin1 he is filled with the light that shall show him the way to ,god2 whereas if his soul's eye be evil1 he will be as one full of darkness4 ,solemn caution is expressed in the summary1 ,if therefore the light that is in thee be darkness1 how great is that darkness6 ,those whom the ,master was addressing had received of the light of ,god2 the degree of belief they had already professed was proof of that4 ,should they turn from the great emprise on which they had embarked1 the light would be lost1 and the succeeding darkness would be denser than that from which they had been relieved4#edc ,there was to be no indecision among the disciples4 ,no one of them could serve two masters2 if he professed so to do he would be an untrue servant to the one or the other4 ,then followed another profound generalization3 ,ye cannot serve ,god and mammon4#edd ,they were told to trust the ,father for what they needed1 taking no thought of food1 drink1 clothing1 or even of life itself1 for all these were to be supplied by means above their power to control4 ,with the wisdom of a ,teacher of teachers1 the ,master appealed to their hearts and their understanding by citing the lessons of nature1 in language of such simple yet forceful eloquence that to amplify or condense it is but to mar3 ,behold the fowls of the air3 for they sow not1 neither do they reap1 nor gather into barns2 yet your heavenly ,father feedeth them4 ,are ye not much better than they8 ,which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature8 ,and why take ye thought for raiment8 ,consider the lilies of the field1 how they grow2 they toil not1 neither do they spin3 ,and yet ,i say unto you1 ,that even ,solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these4 ,the weakness of faith was reproved in the reminder that the ,father who cared even for the grass of the field1 which one day flourishes and on the next is gathered up to be burned1 would not fail to remember ,his own4 ,therefore the ,master added3 ,seek ye first the kingdom of ,god1 and his righteousness2 and all these things shall be added unto you4 ,,hypocrisy ,,further ,,condemned4#ede ,men are prone to judge their fellows and to praise or censure without due consideration of fact or circumstance4 ,on prejudiced or unsupported judgment the ,master set ,his disapproval4 ,judge not1 that ye be not judged1 ,he admonished1 for1 according to one's own standard of judging others1 shall he himself be judged4 ,the man who is always ready to correct his brother's faults1 to remove the mote from his neighbor's eye so that that neighbor may see things as the interested and interfering friend would have him see1 was denounced as a hypocrite4 ,what was the speck in his neighbor's vision to the obscuring beam in his own eye8 ,have the centuries between the days of ,christ and our own time made us less eager to cure the defective vision of those who cannot or will not assume our point of view1 and see things as we see them8 ,these disciples1 some of whom were soon to minister in the authority of the ,holy ,apostleship1 were cautioned against the indiscreet and indiscriminate scattering of the sacred truths and precepts committed to them4 ,their duty would be to discern the spirits of those whom they essayed to teach1 and to impart unto them in wisdom4 ,the words of the ,master were strong3 ,give not that which is holy unto the dogs1 neither cast ye your pearls before1 swine1 lest they trample them under their feet1 and turn again and rend you4#edf ,,promise ,,and ,,reassurance#edg ,that their supplications would be heard and answered followed as a rich promise4 ,they were to ask and they would receive2 they were to knock and the door would be opened4 ,surely the ,heavenly ,father would not be less considerate than a human parent2 and what father would answer his son's plea for bread by giving him a stone1 or who would give a serpent when a fish was desired8 ,with greater certainty would ,god bestow good gifts upon those who asked according to their need1 in faith4 ,therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you1 do ye even so to them3 for this is the law and the prophets4 ,the straight and narrow way by which man may walk in ,godliness was compared with the broad highway leading to destruction4 ,false prophets were to be shunned1 such as were then among the people1 comparable in their pretense to sheep1 and in their reality to ravening wolves4 ,these were to be recognized by their works and the results thereof1 even as a tree to be judged as good or bad according to its fruit4 ,a thorn bush does not produce grapes1 nor can thistles bear figs4 ,conversely1 it is as truly impossible for a good tree to produce evil fruit as for a useless and corrupt tree to bring forth good fruit4 ,religion is more than the confession and profession of the lips4 ,jesus averred that in the day of judgment many would pretend allegiance to ,him1 saying3 ,lord1 ,lord1 have we not prophesied in thy name8 and in thy name have cast out devils8 and in thy name done many wonderful works8 ,and then will ,i profess unto them1 ,i never knew you3 depart from me1 ye that work iniquity4 ,only by doing the will of the ,father is the saving grace of the ,son obtainable4 ,to assume to speak and act in the name of the ,lord without the bestowal of authority1 such as the ,lord alone can give1 is to add sacrilege to hypocrisy4 ,even miracles wrought will be no vindication of the claims of those who pretend to minister in the ordinances of the gospel while devoid of the authority of the ,holy ,priesthood4#edh ,,hearing ,,and ,,doing4#edi ,the ,sermon on the ,mount has stood through all the years since its delivery without another to be compared with it4 ,no mortal man has ever since preached a discourse of its kind4 ,the spirit of the address is throughout that of sincerity and action1 as opposed to empty profession and neglect4 ,in the closing sentences the ,lord showed the uselessness of hearing alone1 as contrasted with the efficacy of doing4 ,the man who hears and acts is likened unto the wise builder who set the foundation of his house upon a rock2 and in spite of rain and hurricane and flood1 the house stood4 ,he that hears and obeys not is likened unto the foolish man who built his house upon the sand2 and when rain fell1 or winds blew1 or floods came1 behold it fell1 and great was the fall thereof4 ,such doctrines as these astonished the people4 ,for ,his distinctive teachings the ,preacher had cited no authority but ,his own4 ,his address was free from any array of rabbinical precedents2 the law was superseded by the gospel3 ,for he taught them as one having authority1 and not as the scribes6 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ag4 #a4 ,time and ,place of the ,sermon on the ,mount4--,matthew gives the address early mention1 placing it even before the record of his own call from the seat of custom--which call certainly preceded the ordination of the ,twelve as a body--and before his account of many sayings and doings of the ,lord already considered in these pages4 ,luke's partial summary of the sermon follows his record of the ordination of the apostles4 ,matthew tells us that ,jesus had gone up the mountain and that ,he sat while speaking2 ,luke's account suggests the inference that ,jesus and the ,twelve first descended from the mountain heights to a plain1 where they were met by the multitude1 and that ,jesus preached unto them1 standing4 ,critics who rejoice in trifles1 often to the neglect of weightier matters1 have tried to make much of these seeming variations4 ,is it not probable that ,jesus spoke at length on the mountain-side to the disciples then present1 and from whom ,he had chosen the ,twelve1 and that after finishing ,his discourse to them ,he descended with them to the plain where a multitude had assembled1 and that to these ,he repeated parts of what ,he had before spoken8 ,the relative fulness of ,matthew's report may be due to the fact that he1 as one of the ,twelve1 was present at the first and more extended delivery4 #b4 ,pleasure ,versus ,happiness4--,the present is an age of pleasure-seeking1 and men are losing their sanity in the mad rush for sensations that do but excite and disappoint4 ,in this day of counterfeits1 adulterations1 and base imitations1 the devil is busier than he has ever been in the course of human history1 in the manufacture of pleasures1 both old and new2 and these he offers for sale in most attractive fashion1 falsely labeled1 ,happiness4 ,in this soul-destroying craft he is without a peer2 he has had centuries of experience and practise1 and by his skill he controls the market4 ,he has learned the tricks of the trade1 and knows well how to catch the eye and arouse the desire of his customers4 ,he puts up the stuff in bright-colored packages1 tied with tinsel string and tassel2 and crowds flock to his bargain counters1 hustling and crushing one another in their frenzy to buy4 ,follow one of the purchasers as he goes off gloatingly with his gaudy packet1 and watch him as he opens it4 ,what finds he inside the gilded wrapping8 ,he has expected fragrant happiness1 but uncovers only an inferior brand of pleasure1 the stench of which is nauseating4 ,happiness includes all that is really desirable and of true worth in pleasure1 and much beside4 ,happiness is genuine gold1 pleasure but gilded brass1 which corrodes in the hand1 and is soon converted into poisonous verdigris4 ,happiness is as the genuine diamond1 which1 rough or polished1 shines with its own inimitable luster2 pleasure is as the paste imitation that glows only when artificially embellished4 ,happiness is as the ruby1 red as the heart's blood1 hard and enduring2 pleasure1 as stained glass1 soft1 brittle1 and of but transitory beauty4 ,happiness is true food1 wholesome1 nutritious and sweet2 it builds up the body and generates energy for action1 physical1 mental and spiritual2 pleasure is but a deceiving stimulant which1 like spirituous drink1 makes one think he is strong when in reality enfeebled2 makes him fancy he is well when in fact stricken with deadly malady4 ,happiness leaves no bad after-taste1 it is followed by no depressing reaction2 it calls for no repentance1 brings no regret1 entails no remorse2 pleasure too often makes necessary repentance1 contrition1 and suffering2 and1 if indulged to the extreme1 it brings degradation and destruction4 ,true happiness is lived over and over again in memory1 always with a renewal of the original good2 a moment of unholy pleasure may leave a barbed sting1 which1 like a thorn in the flesh1 is an ever-present source of anguish4 ,happiness is not akin with levity1 nor is it one with light-minded mirth4 ,it springs from the deeper fountains of the soul1 and is not infrequently accompanied by tears4 ,have you never been so happy that you have had to weep8 ,i have4 ,from an article by the author1 ,improvement ,era1 vol4 #ag1 ,no4 #b1 pp4 #agb1 #agc4 #c4 ,salt of the ,earth4--,dummelow's ,commentary1 on ,matt4 #e3ac1 states3 ,salt in ,palestine1 being gathered in an impure state1 often undergoes chemical changes by which its flavor is destroyed while its appearance remains4 ,perhaps a reasonable interpretation of the expression1 if the salt have lost his savor1 may be suggested by the fact that salt mixed with insoluble impurities may be dissolved out by moisture1 leaving the insoluble residue but slightly salty4 ,the lesson of the ,lord's illustration is that spoiled salt is of no use as a preservative4 ,the corresponding passage in the sermon delivered by ,jesus to the ,nephites after ,his resurrection reads3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,i give unto you to be the salt of the earth2 but if the salt shall lose its savor1 wherewith shall the earth be salted8 ,the salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing1 but to be cast out1 and to be trodden under foot of men4 7#c ,nephi #ab3ac47 #d4 ,reference to ,publicans4--,observe that ,matthew1 who had been a publican1 frankly records this reference 7#e3df1 #dg7 to his despized class4 ,luke writes sinners instead of publicans 7#f3cb-cd74 ,of course1 if the accounts of the two writers refer to separate addresses 7see ,note #a1 above71 both may be accurate4 ,but we find ,matthew's designation of himself as a publican in his list of the apostles 7#aj3c7 and the considerate omission of the unenviable title by the other evangelists 7,mark #c3ah2 ,luke #f3ae74 #e4 ,relative ,perfection4--,our ,lord's admonition to men to become perfect1 even as the ,father is perfect 7,matt4 #e3dh7 cannot rationally be construed otherwise than as implying the possibility of such achievement4 ,plainly1 however1 man cannot become perfect in mortality in the sense in which ,god is perfect as a supremely glorified ,being4 ,it is possible1 though1 for man to be perfect in his sphere in a sense analogous to that in which superior intelligences are perfect in their several spheres2 yet the relative perfection of the lower is infinitely inferior to that of the higher4 ,a college student in his freshman or sophomore year may be perfect as freshman or sophomore2 his record may possibly be a hundred per cent on the scale of efficiency and achievement2 yet the honors of the upper classman are beyond him1 and the attainment of graduation is to him remote1 but of assured possibility1 if he do but continue faithful and devoted to the end4 ,,footnotes3 #eae ,matt4 chaps4 #e1 #f1 #g2 ,luke #f3bj-di4 ,see also the version of the ,sermon as delivered by ,jesus ,christ after ,his resurrection1 to the ,nephites on the western continent2 ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi1 chaps4 #ab1 #ac1 #ad4 ,see also chapter #ci herein4 #eaf ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #eag ,matt4 #d3bc-be2 read these verses in connection with #e3a2 see also ,luke #f3ag-ai4 #eah ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #eai ,matt4 #e3c-ab2 compare ,luke #f3bj-bf2 and ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ab3a-ab4 #ebj ,matt4 #e3aa1ab2 compare ,luke #f3bf2 ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ab3aa1ab4 #eba ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #ebb ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ic3cc4 #ebc ,matt4 #e3ac-bj2 compare ,luke #ad3cd-ce2 ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ab3ac-bj4 #ebd ,lev4 #b3ac2 compare ,ezra #f3i2 ,ezek4 #dc3bd4 #ebe ,note the expression covenant of salt1 indicating the covenant between ,jehovah and ,israel1 ,lev4 #b3ac2 ,numb4 #ah3ai2 compare #b ,chron4 #ac3e4 #ebf ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #ebg ,matt4 #e3ba-dh2 ,luke #f3bg-cf2 compare ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ab3ba-dh4 #ebh ,exo4 #ba3bc-be2 ,lev4 #bd3ag-bb2 ,deut4 #ai3ba4 #ebi ,compare ,lev4 #ai3ah2 ,deut4 #bc3f2 and ,psa4 #da3aj4 #ecj ,compare the lesson taught in the ,parable of the ,tares1 ,matt4 #ac3bd-cj4 #eca ,note #d1 end of chapter2 see also pages #aic and #bja4 #ecb ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #ecc ,matt4 #f3a-ah2 compare ,luke #aa3b-d2 ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ac3a-ah4 #ecd ,consider the incident of the gifts of the rich and the widow's mite1 ,mark #ab3da-dd2 ,luke #ba3a-d4 #ece ,page #ah4 #ecf ,exo4 #af3af-ba4 #ecg ,note the lesson of the parable of the ,unmerciful ,servant1 ,matt4 #ah3cc-be4 #ech ,compare ,matt4 #g3f4 #eci ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,abraham #c3be2 see pages #ad1 #ae1 herein4 #edj ,acts #ag3bh4 #eda ,compare the instance connected with the parable of the ,pharisee and the ,publican1 ,luke #ah3aj-ad4 #edb ,matt4 #f3ai-cd2 compare ,luke #ab3bd-cd2 #af3ac2 #ah3bb2 ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ac3ai-cd4 #edc ,luke #aa3cd-cf4 #edd ,compare ,gal4 #a3aj2 #a ,tim4 #f3ag2 ,james #d3d2 #a ,john #b3ae4 #ede ,matt4 #g3a-e2 ,luke #f3cg1 #ch1 #da1 #db2 compare ,b1 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ad3a-e4 #edf ,matt4 #g3f2 compare ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ad3f4 #edg ,matt4 #g3g-bc2 ,luke #f3dc-dd1 #df2 #aa3i-ac2 #ac3bd-cj2 compare ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ad3g-bc4 #edh ,articles of ,faith1 x3#a-bj2 and xii3#a-cj4 #edi ,matt4 #g3bd-bi2 ,luke #f3df-di2 compare ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ad3bd-bg4 ,,chapter #ah4 ,,as ,,one ,,having ,,authority4 ,matthew's account of the invaluable address1 known to us as the ,sermon on the ,mount1 is closed with a forceful sentence of his own1 referring to the effect of the ,master's words upon the people3 ,for he taught them as one having authority1 and not as the scribes4#eej ,a striking characteristic of ,christ's ministry was the entire absence of any claim of human authority for ,his words or deeds2 the commission ,he professed to have was that of the ,father who sent ,him4 ,his addresses1 whether delivered to multitudes or spoken in relative privacy to few1 were free from the labored citations in which the teachers of the day delighted4 ,his authoritative ,i say unto you took the place of invocation of authority and exceeded any possible array of precedent commandment or deduction4 ,in this ,his words differed essentially from the erudite utterances of scribes1 ,pharisees and rabbis4 ,throughout ,his ministry1 inherent power and authority were manifest over matter and the forces of nature1 over men and demons1 over life and death4 ,it now becomes our purpose to consider a number of instances in which the ,lord's power was demonstrated in divers mighty works4 ,,the ,,centurion',s ,,servant ,,healed4#eea ,from the ,mount of ,beatitudes ,jesus returned to ,capernaum1 whether directly or by a longer way marked by other works of power and mercy is of little importance4 ,there was at that time a ,roman garrison in the city4 ,a military officer1 a centurion or captain of a hundred men1 was stationed there4 ,attached to the household of this officer was an esteemed servant1 who was ill1 and ready to die4 ,the centurion had faith that ,christ could heal his servant1 and invoked the intercession of the ,jewish elders to beg of the ,master the boon desired4 ,these elders implored ,jesus most earnestly1 and urged the worthiness of the man1 who1 though a ,gentile1 loved the people of ,israel and out of his munificence had built for them a synagog in the town4 ,jesus went with the elders1 but the centurion1 probably learning of the approach of the little company1 hastily sent other envoys to say that he did not consider himself worthy to have ,jesus enter his home1 from which sense of unworthiness he had not ventured to make his request in person4#eeb ,but1 ran the message of supplication1 say in a word1 and my servant shall be healed4 ,we may well contrast this man's conception of ,christ's power with that of the nobleman of the same town1 who had requested ,jesus to hasten in person to the side of his dying son4#eec ,the centurion seems to have reasoned in this way3 ,he himself was a man of authority1 though under the direction of superior officers4 ,to his subordinates he gave orders which were obeyed4 ,he did not find it necessary to personally attend to the carrying out of his instructions4 ,surely ,one who had such power as ,jesus possessed could command and be obeyed4 ,moreover1 the man may have heard of the marvelous restoration of the nobleman's dying son1 in accomplishing which the ,lord spoke the effective word when miles away from the sufferer's bed4 ,that the centurion's trust and confidence1 his belief and faith1 were genuine1 is not to be doubted1 since ,jesus expressly commended the same4 ,the afflicted one was healed4 ,jesus is said to have marveled#eed at the centurion's manifestation of faith1 and1 turning to the people who followed1 ,he thus spake3 ,i say unto you1 ,i have not found so great faith1 no1 not in ,israel4 ,this remark may have caused some of the listeners to wonder2 the ,jews were unaccustomed to hear the faith of a ,gentile so extolled1 for1 according to the traditionalism of the day1 a ,gentile1 even though an earnest proselyte to ,judaism1 was accounted essentially inferior to even the least worthy of the chosen people4 ,our ,lord's comment plainly indicated that ,gentiles would be preferred in the kingdom of ,god if they excelled in worthiness4 ,turning to ,matthew's record we find this additional teaching1 introduced as usual with ,i say unto you--,that many shall come from the east and west1 and shall sit down with ,abraham1 and ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 in the kingdom of heaven4 ,but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness3 there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth4#eee ,this lesson1 that the supremacy of ,israel can be attained only through excellence in righteousness1 is reiterated and enlarged upon in the ,lord's teachings1 as we shall see4 ,a ,,young ,,man ,,of ,,nain ,,raised ,,from ,,the ,,dead4#eef ,on the day after that of the miracle last considered1 ,jesus went to the little town of ,nain1 and1 as usual1 many people accompanied ,him4 ,this day witnessed what in human estimation was a wonder greater than any before wrought by ,him4 ,he had already healed many1 sometimes by a word spoken to afflicted ones present1 and again when ,he was far from the subject of ,his beneficent power2 bodily diseases had been overcome1 and demons had been rebuked at ,his command2 but1 though the sick who were nigh unto death had been saved from the grave1 we have no earlier record of our ,lord having commanded dread death itself to give back one it had claimed4#eeg ,as ,jesus and ,his followers approached the town1 they met a funeral cortege of many people2 the only son of a widow was being borne to the tomb2 the body was carried according to the custom of the day on an open bier4 ,our ,lord looked with compassion upon the sorrowing mother1 now bereft of both husband and son2 and1 feeling in ,himself#eeh the pain of her grief1 ,he said in gentle tone1 ,weep not4 ,he touched the stretcher upon which the dead man lay1 and the bearers stood still4 ,then addressing the corpse ,he said3 ,young man1 ,i say unto thee1 ,arise4 ,and the dead heard the voice of ,him who is ,lord of all1#eei and immediately sat up and spoke4 ,graciously ,jesus delivered the young man to his mother4 ,we read without wonder that there came a fear on all who were present1 and that they glorified ,god1 testifying that a great prophet was amongst them and that ,god has visited ,his people4 ,reports of this miracle were carried throughout the land1 and even reached the ears of ,john the ,baptist1 who was confined in the prison of ,herod4 ,the effect of the information conveyed to ,john concerning this and other mighty works of ,christ1 now claims our attention4 ,,john ,,baptist',s ,,message ,,to ,,jesus4 ,even before ,jesus had returned to ,galilee after ,his baptism and the forty days of solitude in the wilderness1 ,john the ,baptist had been imprisoned by order of ,herod ,antipas1 tetrarch of ,galilee and ,perea4#efj ,during the subsequent months of our ,lord's activities1 in preaching the gospel1 teaching the true significance of the kingdom1 reproving sin1 healing the afflicted1 rebuking evil spirits and even raising the dead to life1 ,his forerunner1 the ,god-fearing1 valiant ,john1 had lain a prisoner in the dungeons of ,machrus1 one of the strongest of ,herod's citadels4#efa ,the tetrarch had some regard for ,john1 having found him to be a holy man2 and many things had ,herod done on the direct advice of the ,baptist or because of the influence of the latter's general teaching4 ,indeed1 ,herod had listened to ,john gladly1 and had imprisoned him through a reluctant yielding to the importunities of ,herodias1 whom ,herod claimed as a wife under cover of an illegal marriage4 ,herodias had been and legally was still the wife of ,herod's brother ,philip1 from whom she had never been lawfully divorced2 and her pretended marriage to ,herod ,antipas was both adulterous and incestuous under ,jewish law4 ,the ,baptist had fearlessly denounced this sinful association2 to ,herod he had said3 ,it is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife4 ,though ,herod might possibly have ignored this stern rebuke1 or at least might have allowed it to pass without punishment1 ,herodias would not condone4 ,it was she1 not the tetrarch1 who most hated ,john2 she had a quarrel against him1 and succeeded in inducing ,herod to have the ,baptist seized and incarcerated as a step toward the consummation of her vengeful plan of having him put to death4#efb ,moreover1 ,herod feared an uprising of the people in the event of ,john being slain by his order4#efc ,in the course of his long imprisonment ,john had heard much of the marvelous preaching and works of ,christ2 these things must have been reported to him by some of his disciples and friends who were allowed to visit him4#efd ,particularly was he informed of the miraculous raising of the young man at ,nain2#efe and forthwith he commissioned two of his disciples to bear a message of inquiry to ,jesus4#eff ,these came to ,christ and reported the purpose of their visit thus3 ,john ,baptist hath sent us unto thee1 saying1 ,art thou he that should come8 or look we for another8 ,the messengers found ,jesus engaged in beneficent ministrations2 and1 instead of giving an immediate reply in words1 ,he continued ,his labor1 relieving in that same hour many who were afflicted by blindness or infirmities1 or who were troubled by evil spirits4 ,then1 turning to the two who had communicated the ,baptist's question1 ,jesus said3 ,go your way1 and tell ,john what things ye have seen and heard2 how that the blind see1 the lame walk1 the lepers are cleansed1 the deaf hear1 the dead are raised1 to the poor the gospel is preached4 ,and blessed is he1 whosoever shall not be offended in me4 ,the words of ,john's inquiring disciples were answered by wondrous deeds of beneficence and mercy4 ,when the reply was reported to ,john1 the imprisoned prophet could scarcely have failed to remember the predictions of ,isaiah1 that by those very tokens of miracle and blessing should the ,messiah be known2#efg and the reproof must have been convincing and convicting as he called to mind his own citations of ,isaiah's prophecies1 when he had proclaimed in fiery1 withering eloquence the fulfilment of those earlier predictions in his own mission and in that of the ,mightier ,one to whom he had borne personal testimony4#efh ,the concluding sentence of our ,lord's answer to ,john was the climax of what had preceded1 and a further though yet gentle rebuke of the ,baptist's defective comprehension of the ,messiah's mission4 ,blessed is he1 whosoever shall not be offended in me1 said the ,lord4 ,misunderstanding is the prelude to offense4 ,gaged by the standard of the then current conception of what the ,messiah would be1 the work of ,christ must have appeared to many as failure2 and those who were looking for some sudden manifestation of ,his power in the conquest of ,israel's oppressors and the rehabilitation of the house of ,david in worldly splendor1 grew impatient1 then doubtful2 afterward they took offense and were in danger of turning in open rebellion against their ,lord4 ,christ has been an offender to many because they1 being out of harmony with ,his words and works1 have of themselves taken offense4#efi ,john's situation must be righteously considered by all who assume to render judgment as to his purpose in sending to inquire of ,christ1 ,art thou he that should come8 ,john thoroughly understood that his own work was that of preparation2 he had so testified and had openly borne witness that ,jesus was the ,one for whom he had been sent to prepare4 ,with the inauguration of ,christ's ministry1 ,john's influence had waned1 and for many months he had been shut up in a cell1 chafing under his enforced inactivity1 doubtless yearning for the freedom of the open1 and for the locusts and wild honey of the desert4 ,jesus was increasing while he decreased in popularity1 influence1 and opportunity2 and he had affirmed that such condition was inevitable4#egj ,but1 left in prison1 he may have become despondent1 and may have permitted himself to wonder whether that ,mightier ,one had forgotten him4 ,he knew that were ,jesus to speak the word of command the prison of ,machrus could no longer hold him2 nevertheless ,jesus seemed to have abandoned him to his fate1 which comprized not only confinement but other indignities1 and physical torture4#ega ,it may have been a part of ,john's purpose to call ,christ's attention to his pitiable plight2 and in this respect his message was rather a reminder than a plain inquiry based on actual doubt4 ,indeed1 we have good grounds for inference that ,john's purpose in sending disciples to inquire of ,christ was partly1 and perhaps largely1 designed to confirm in these disciples an abiding faith in the ,christ4 ,the commission with which they were charged brought them into direct communication with the ,lord1 whose supremacy they could not well fail to comprehend4 ,they were personal witnesses of ,his power and authority4 ,our ,lord's commentary on ,john's message indicated that the ,baptist had no full understanding of what the spiritual kingdom of ,god comprized4 ,after the envoys had departed1 ,jesus addressed ,himself to the people who had witnessed the interview4 ,he would not have them underrate the importance of the ,baptist's service4#egb ,he reminded them of the time of ,john's popularity1 when some of those then present1 and multitudes of others1 had gone into the wilderness to hear the prophet's stern admonition2 and they had found him to be no reed1 shaken by the wind1 but a firm and unbending oak4 ,they had not gone to see a man in fashionable attire2 those who wore soft raiment were to be looked for in the court of the king1 not in the wilderness1 nor in the dungeon where ,john now lay4 ,they had found in ,john a prophet indeed1 yea1 more than a prophet2 ,for1 affirmed the ,lord1 ,i say unto you1 ,among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than ,john the ,baptist3 but he that is least in the kingdom of ,god is greater than he4#egc ,what stronger testimony of the ,baptist's integrity is needed8 ,other prophets had told of the ,messiah's coming1 but ,john had seen ,him1 had baptized ,him1 and had been to ,jesus as a body servant to his master4 ,nevertheless from the day of ,john's preaching to the time at which ,christ then spoke1 the kingdom of heaven had been rejected with violence1 and this even though all the prophets and even the fundamental law had told of its coming1 and though both ,john and ,christ had been abundantly predicted4 ,concerning ,john1 the ,lord continued3 ,and if ye will receive it1 this is ,elias1 which was for to come4 ,he that hath ears to hear1 let him hear4#egd ,it is important to know that the designation1 ,elias1 here applied by ,jesus to the ,baptist1 is a title rather than a personal name1 and that it has no reference to ,elijah1 the ancient prophet called the ,tishbite4#ege ,many of those who heard the ,lord's eulogy on the ,baptist rejoiced1 for they had accepted ,john1 and had turned from him to ,jesus as from the lesser to the ,greater2 as from the priest to the great ,high ,priest1 as from the herald to the ,king4 ,but ,pharisees and lawyers were present1 those of the class that ,john had so vehemently denounced as of a generation of vipers1 and those who had rejected the counsel of ,god in refusing to heed the ,baptist's call to repentance4#egf ,at this point the ,master resorted to analogy to make ,his meaning clearer4 ,he compared the unbelieving and dissatisfied generation to fickle children at play1 disagreeing among themselves4 ,some wanted to enact the pageantry of a mock wedding1 and though they piped the rest would not dance2 then they changed to a funeral procession and essayed the part of mourners1 but the others would not weep as the rules of the game required4 ,ever critical1 ever skeptical1 by nature fault-finders and defamers1 hard of hearing and of heart1 they grumbled4 ,john the ,baptist had come amongst them like the eremitic prophets of old1 as strict as any ,nazarite1 refusing to eat with the merry-makers or drink with the convivial1 and they had said ,he hath a devil4 ,now came the ,son of ,man1#egg without austerity or hermit ways1 eating and drinking as a normal man would do1 a guest at the houses of the people1 a participant in the festivities of a marriage party1 mingling alike with the publicans and the ,pharisees--and they complained again1 saying3 ,behold a gluttonous man1 and a winebibber1 a friend of publicans and sinners6 ,the ,master explained that such inconsistency1 such wicked trifling with matters most sacred1 such determined opposition to truth1 would surely be revealed in their true light1 and the worthlessness of boasted learning would appear4 ,but1 said ,he1 wisdom is justified of all her children4 ,from reproof for unbelieving individuals ,he turned to unappreciative communities1 and upbraided the cities in which ,he had wrought so many mighty works1 and wherein the people repented not3 ,woe unto thee1 ,chorazin6 woe unto thee1 ,bethsaida6 for if the mighty works1 which were done in you1 had been done in ,tyre and ,sidon1 they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes4 ,but ,i say unto you1 ,it shall be more tolerable for ,tyre and ,sidon at the day of judgment1 than for you4 ,and thou1 ,capernaum1 which art exalted unto heaven1 shalt be brought down to hell3 for if the mighty works1 which have been done in thee1 had been done in ,sodom1 it would have remained until this day4 ,but ,i say unto you1 ,that it shall be more tolerable for the land of ,sodom in the day of judgment1 than for thee4#egh ,seemingly faint at heart over the unbelief of the people1 ,jesus sought strength in prayer4#egi ,with the eloquence of soul for which one looks in vain save in the anguish-laden communion of ,christ with ,his ,father1 ,he voiced ,his reverent gratitude that ,god had imparted a testimony of the truth to the humble and simple rather than to the learned and great2 though misunderstood by men ,he was known for what ,he really was by the ,father4 ,turning again to the people1 ,he urged anew their acceptance of ,him and ,his gospel1 and ,his invitation is one of the grandest outpourings of spiritual emotion known to man3 ,come unto me1 all ye that labour and are heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest4 ,take my yoke upon you1 and learn of me2 for ,i am meek and lowly in heart3 and ye shall find rest unto your souls4 ,for my yoke is easy1 and my burden is light4#ehj ,he invited them from drudgery to pleasant service2 from the well-nigh unbearable burdens of ecclesiastical exactions and traditional formalism1 to the liberty of truly spiritual worship2 from slavery to freedom2 but they would not4 ,the gospel ,he offered them was the embodiment of liberty1 but not of license2 it entailed obedience and submission2 but even if such could be likened unto a yoke1 what was its burden in comparison with the incubus under which they groaned8 ,,death ,,of ,,john ,,the ,,baptist4 ,reverting to ,john ,baptist in his dungeon solitude1 we are left without information as to how he received and understood the reply to his inquiry1 as brought by his messengers4 ,his captivity was destined soon to end1 though not by restoration to liberty on earth4 ,the hatred of ,herodias increased against him4 ,an opportunity for carrying into effect her fiendish plots against his life soon appeared4#eha ,the king celebrated his birthday by a great feast1 to which his lords1 high captains1 and the principal officials of ,galilee were bidden4 ,to grace the occasion1 ,salome1 daughter of ,herodias though not of ,herod1 came in and danced before the company4 ,so enchanted were ,herod and his guests that the king bade the damsel ask whatever she would1 and he swore he would give it unto her1 even though the gift were half of his kingdom4 ,she retired to consult her mother as to what she should ask1 and1 being instructed1 returned with the appalling demand3 ,i will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of ,john the ,baptist4 ,the king was astounded2 his amazement was followed by sorrow and regret2 nevertheless1 he dreaded the humiliation that would follow a violation of the oath he had sworn in the presence of his court2 so1 summoning an executioner1 he immediately gave the fatal order2 and ,john was forthwith beheaded in the dungeon4 ,the headsman returned1 carrying a dish in which lay the ghastly trophy of the corrupt queen's vengeance4 ,the bloody gift was delivered to ,salome1 who carried it with inhuman triumph to her mother4 ,some of ,john's disciples came1 secured the corpse1 laid it in a tomb2 and bore the tidings of his death to ,jesus4 ,herod was sorely troubled over the murder he had ordered2 and when1 later1 the marvels wrought by ,jesus were reported to him1 he was afraid1 and said3 ,that ,john the ,baptist was risen from the dead1 and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him4 ,to those who dissented1 the terrified king replied3 ,it is ,john1 whom ,i beheaded3 he is risen from the dead4#ehb ,so ended the life of the prophet-priest1 the direct precursor of the ,christ2 thus was stilled the mortal voice of him who had cried so mightily in the wilderness3 ,prepare ye the way of the ,lord4 ,after many centuries his voice has been heard again1 as the voice of one redeemed and resurrected2 and the touch of his hand has again been felt1 in this the dispensation of restoration and fulness4 ,in ,may1 #ahbi1 a resurrected personage appeared to ,joseph ,smith and ,oliver ,cowdery1 announced himself as ,john1 known of old as the ,baptist1 laid his hands upon the two young men1 and conferred upon them the priesthood of ,aaron1 which comprizes authority to preach and minister the gospel of repentance and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins4#ehc ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,simon ,,the ,,pharisee4 ,and one of the ,pharisees desired him that he would eat with him4 ,and he went into the ,pharisee's house1 and sat down to meat4#ehd ,from the place of this incident in ,luke's narration of events1 it appears that it may have occurred on the day of the visit of ,john's messengers4 ,jesus accepted the ,pharisee's invitation1 as ,he had accepted the invitations of others1 including even publicans1 and those called by the rabbis1 sinners4 ,his reception at ,simon's house appears to have been somewhat lacking in warmth1 hospitality and honorable attendance4 ,the narrative suggests an attitude of condescension on the part of the host4 ,it was the custom of the times to treat a distinguished guest with marked attention2 to receive him with a kiss of welcome1 to provide water for washing the dust from his feet1 and oil for anointing the hair of the head and the beard4 ,all these courteous attentions were omitted by ,simon4 ,jesus took ,his place1 probably on one of the divans or couches on which it was usual to partly sit1 partly recline1 while eating4#ehe ,such an attitude would place the feet of the person outward from the table4 ,in addition to these facts relating to the usages of the time it should be further remembered that dwellings were not protected against intrusion by such amenities of privacy as now prevail4 ,it was not unusual at that time in ,palestine for visitors and even strangers1 usually men however1 to enter a house at meal time1 observe the procedure and even speak to the guests1 all without bidding or invitation4 ,among those who entered ,simon's house while the meal was in progress1 was a woman2 and the presence of a woman1 though somewhat unusual1 was not strictly a social impropriety and could not well be forbidden on such an occasion4 ,but this woman was one of the fallen class1 a woman who had been unvirtuous1 and who had to bear1 as part of the penalty for her sins1 outward scorn and practical ostracism from those who professed to be morally superior4 ,she approached ,jesus from behind1 and bent low to kiss ,his feet as a mark of humility on her part and of respectful homage to ,him4 ,she may have been one of those who had heard ,his gracious words1 spoken possibly that day3 ,come unto me1 all ye that labour and are heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest4 ,whatever her motive in coming1 she had certainly come in a repentant and deeply contrite state4 ,as she leaned over the feet of ,jesus her tears rained upon them4 ,seemingly oblivious of her surroundings and of disapproving eyes watching her movements1 she shook out her tresses and wiped the ,lord's feet with her hair4 ,then1 opening an alabaster box of ointment1 she anointed them1 as a slave might do to his master4 ,jesus graciously permitted the woman to proceed unrebuked and uninterrupted in her humble service inspired by contrition and reverent love4 ,simon had observed the whole proceeding2 by some means he had knowledge as to the class to which this woman belonged2 and though not aloud1 within himself he said3 ,this man1 if he were a prophet1 would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him3 for she is a sinner4 ,jesus read the man's thoughts1 and thus spake3 ,simon1 ,i have somewhat to say unto thee1 to which the ,pharisee replied1 ,master1 say on4 ,jesus continued1 ,there was a certain creditor which had two debtors3 the one owed five hundred pence1 and the other fifty4 ,and when they had nothing to pay1 he frankly forgave them both4 ,tell me therefore1 which of them will love him most8 ,but one answer could be given with reason1 and that ,simon gave1 though apparently with some hesitation or reserve4 ,he possibly feared that he might involve himself4 ,i suppose he ventured1 that he1 to whom he forgave most4 ,jesus said1 ,thou hast rightly judged1 and proceeded3 ,seest thou this woman8 ,i entered into thine house1 thou gavest me no water for my feet2 but she hath washed my feet with tears1 and wiped them with the hairs of her head4 ,thou gavest me no kiss3 but this woman since the time ,i came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet4 ,my head with oil thou didst not anoint3 but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment4 ,the ,pharisee could not fail to note so direct a reminder of his having omitted the ordinary rites of respect to a specially invited guest4 ,the lesson of the story had found its application in him1 even as ,nathan's parable had drawn from ,david the king a self-convicting answer4#ehf ,wherefore1 ,jesus continued1 ,i say unto thee1 her sins1 which are many1 are forgiven2 for she loved much3 but to whom little is forgiven1 the same loveth little4 ,then to the woman ,he spake the words of blessed relief3 ,thy sins are forgiven4 ,simon and the others at table murmured within themselves1 ,who is this that forgiveth sins also8 ,understanding their unspoken protest1 ,christ addressed the woman again1 saying1 ,thy faith hath saved thee2 go in peace4 ,the latter part of the narrative brings to mind another occasion on which ,christ granted remission of sins1 and because of opposition in the minds of some hearers1 opposition none the less real because unvoiced1 had supplemented ,his authoritative utterance by another pronouncement4#ehg ,the name of the woman who thus came to ,christ1 and whose repentance was so sincere as to bring to her grateful and contrite soul the assurance of remission1 is not recorded4 ,there is no evidence that she figures in any other incident recorded in scripture4 ,by certain writers she has been represented as the ,mary of ,bethany who1 shortly before ,christ's betrayal1 anointed the head of ,jesus with spikenard2#ehh but the assumption of identity is wholly unfounded1#ehi and constitutes an unjustifiable reflection upon the earlier life of ,mary1 the devoted and loving sister of ,martha and ,lazarus4 ,equally wrong is the attempt made by others to identify this repentant and forgiven sinner with ,mary ,magdalene1 no period of whose life was marked by the sin of unchastity so far as the scriptures aver4 ,the importance of guarding against mistakes in the identity of these women renders advisable the following addition to the foregoing treatment4 ,in the chapter following that in which are recorded the incidents last considered1 ,luke#eij states that ,jesus went throughout the region1 visiting every city and village1 preaching the gospel of the kingdom and showing the glad tidings thereof4 ,with ,him on this tour were the ,twelve1 and also certain women1 which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities1 ,mary called ,magdalene1 out of whom went seven devils1 and ,joanna the wife of ,chuza ,herod's steward1 and ,susanna1 and many others1 which ministered unto him of their substance4 ,further reference is made to some or all of these honorable women in connection with the death1 burial1 and resurrection of our ,lord1 and of ,mary ,magdalene particular mention appears4#eia ,mary ,magdalene1 whose second name is probably derived from her home town1 ,magdala1 had been healed through the ministrations of ,jesus from both physical and mental maladies1 the latter having been associated with possession by evil spirits4 ,out of her we are told ,christ had cast seven devils1#eib but even such grievous affliction affords no warrant for the assertion that the woman was unvirtuous or unchaste4 ,mary ,magdalene became one of the closest friends ,christ had among women2 her devotion to ,him as her ,healer and as the ,one whom she adored as the ,christ1 was unswerving2 she stood close by the cross while other women tarried afar off in the time of ,his mortal agony2 she was among the first at the sepulchre on the resurrection morning1 and was the first mortal to look upon and recognize a resurrected ,being--the ,lord whom she had loved with all the fervor of spiritual adoration4 ,to say that this woman1 chosen from among women as deserving of such distinctive honors1 was once a fallen creature1 her soul seared by the heat of unhallowed lust1 is to contribute to the perpetuating of an error for which there is no excuse4 ,nevertheless the false tradition1 arising from early and unjustifiable assumption1 that this noble woman1 distinctively a friend of the ,lord1 is the same who1 admittedly a sinner1 washed and anointed the ,savior's feet in the house of ,simon the ,pharisee and gained the boon of forgiveness through contrition1 has so tenaciously held its place in the popular mind through the centuries1 that the name1 ,magdalene1 has come to be a generic designation for women who fall from virtue and afterward repent4 ,we are not considering whether the mercy of ,christ could have been extended to such a sinner as ,mary of ,magdala is wrongly reputed to have been2 man cannot measure the bounds nor fathom the depths of divine forgiveness2 and if it were so that this ,mary and the repentant sinner who ministered to ,jesus as ,he sat at the ,pharisee's table were one and the same1 the question would stand affirmatively answered1 for that woman who had been a sinner was forgiven4 ,we are dealing with the scriptural record as a history1 and nothing said therein warrants the really repellent though common imputation of unchastity to the devoted soul of ,mary ,magdalene4 ,,christ',s ,,authority ,,ascribed ,,to ,,beelzebub4#eic ,at the time of our ,lord's earthly ministry1 the curing of the blind1 deaf1 or dumb was regarded as among the greatest possible achievements of medical science or spiritual treatment2 and the subjection or casting out of demons was ranked among the attainments impossible to rabbinical exorcism4 ,demonstrations of the ,lord's power to heal and restore1 even in cases universally considered as incurable1 had the effect of intensifying the hostility of the sacerdotal classes2 and they1 represented by the ,pharisaic party1 evolved the wholly inconsistent and ridiculous suggestion that miracles were wrought by ,jesus through the power of the prince of devils1 with whom ,he was in league4#eid ,while the ,lord was making ,his second missionary tour through ,galilee1 going about through all the cities and villages1 teaching in their synagogues1 and preaching the gospel of the kingdom1 and healing every sickness and every disease among the people1#eie the absurd theory that ,christ was ,himself a victim of demoniacal possession1 and that ,he operated by the power of the devil1 was urged and enlarged upon until it became the generally accepted explanation among the ,pharisees and their kind4 ,jesus had withdrawn ,himself for a time from the more populous centers1 where ,he was constantly watched by emissaries1 whom the ruling classes had sent from ,jerusalem into ,galilee2 for the ,pharisees were in conspiracy against ,him1 seeking excuse and opportunity to take ,his life2 but even in the smaller towns and rural districts ,he was followed and beset by great multitudes1 to whom ,he ministered for both physical and spiritual ailments4#eif ,he urged the people to refrain from spreading ,his fame2 and this ,he may have done for the reason that at that stage of ,his work an open rupture with the ,jewish hierarchy would have been a serious hindrance2 or possibly ,he desired to leave the rulers1 who were plotting against ,him1 time and opportunity to brew their bitter enmity and fill to the brim the flagons of their determined iniquity4 ,matthew sees in the ,lord's injunctions against publicity a fulfilment of ,isaiah's prophecy that the chosen ,messiah would not strive nor cry out on the street to attract attention1 nor would ,he use ,his mighty power to crush even a bruised reed1 or to quench even the smoking flax2 ,he would not fail nor be discouraged1 but would victoriously establish just judgment upon the earth for the ,gentiles1 as well as1 by implication1 for ,israel4#eig ,the figure of the bruised reed and the smoking flax is strikingly expressive of the tender care with which ,christ treated even the weakest manifestation of faith and genuine desire to learn the truth1 whether exhibited by ,jew or ,gentile4 ,soon after ,his return from the missionary tour referred to1 an excuse for the ,pharisees to assail ,him was found in ,his healing of a man who was under the influence of a demon1 and was both blind and dumb4 ,this combination of sore afflictions1 affecting body1 mind1 and spirit1 was rebuked1 and the sightless1 speechless demoniac was relieved of his three-fold burden4#eih ,at this triumph over the powers of evil the people were the more amazed and said3 ,is not this the son of ,david8 in other words1 ,can this be any other than the ,christ we have been so long expecting8 ,the popular judgment so voiced maddened the ,pharisees1 and they told the almost adoring people3 ,this fellow doth not cast out devils1 but by ,beelzebub the prince of devils4 ,jesus took up the malicious charge and replied thereto1 not in anger but in terms of calm reason and sound logic4 ,he laid the foundation of ,his defense by stating the evident truth that a kingdom divided against itself cannot endure but must surely suffer disruption4 ,if their assumption were in the least degree founded on truth1 ,satan through ,jesus would be opposing ,satan4 ,then1 referring to the superstitious practises and exorcisms of the time1 by which some such effects as we class today under mind cures were obtained1 ,he asked3 ,if ,i by ,beelzebub cast out devils1 by whom do your children cast them out8 therefore they shall be your judges4 ,and to make the demonstration plainer by contrast1 ,he continued3 ,but if ,i cast out devils by the ,spirit of ,god1 then the kingdom of ,god is come upon you4 ,by the acceptance of either proposition1 and surely one was true1 for the fact that ,jesus did cast out devils was known throughout the land and was conceded in the very terms of the charge now brought against ,him1 the accusing ,pharisees stood defeated and condemned4 ,but the illustration went further4 ,jesus continued3 ,or else how can one enter into a strong man's house1 and spoil his goods1 except he first bind the strong man8 and then he will spoil his house4 ,christ had attacked the stronghold of ,satan1 had driven his evil spirits from the human tabernacles of which they had unwarrantably taken possession2 how could ,christ have done this had ,he not first subdued the strong man1 the master of devils1 ,satan himself8 ,and yet those ignorant scholars dared to say in the face of such self-evident refutation of their own premises1 that the powers of ,satan were subdued by ,satanic agency4 ,there could be no agreement1 no truce nor armistice between the contending powers of ,christ and ,satan4 ,offering a suggestion of self-judgment to ,his accusers1 that they might severally decide on which side they were aligned1 ,jesus added3 ,he that is not with me is against me2 and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad4 ,then1 the demonstration being complete1 and the absurdity of ,his opponents' assumption proved1 ,christ directed their thoughts to the heinous sin of condemning the power and authority by which ,satan was overcome4 ,he had proved to them on the basis of their own proposition that ,he1 having subdued ,satan1 was the embodiment of the ,spirit of ,god1 and that through ,him the kingdom of ,god was brought to them4 ,they rejected the ,spirit of ,god1 and sought to destroy the ,christ through whom that ,spirit was made manifest4 ,what blasphemy could be greater8 ,speaking as one having authority1 with the solemn affirmation ,i say unto you1 ,he continued3 ,all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men3 but the blasphemy against the ,holy ,ghost shall not be forgiven unto men4 ,and whosoever speaketh a word against the ,son of man1 it shall be forgiven him3 but whosover speaketh against the ,holy ,ghost1 it shall not be forgiven him1 neither in this world1 neither in the world to come4 ,who among men can word a more solemn and awful warning against the danger of committing the dread unpardonable sin8#eii ,jesus was merciful in ,his assurance that words spoken against ,himself as a ,man1 might be forgiven2 but to speak against the authority ,he possessed1 and particularly to ascribe that power and authority to ,satan1 was very near to blasphemy against the ,holy ,ghost1 for which sin there could be no forgiveness4 ,then1 in stronger terms1 which developed into cutting invective1 ,he told them to be consistent--if they admitted that the result of ,his labors was good1 as the casting out of devils surely was1 to be likened unto good fruit--why did they not acknowledge that the power by which such results were attained1 in other words that the tree itself1 was good8 ,either make the tree good1 and his fruit good2 or else make the tree corrupt1 and his fruit corrupt3 for the tree is known by his fruit4 ,with burning words of certain conviction ,he continued3 ,o generation of vipers1 how can ye1 being evil1 speak good things8 for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh4 ,by the truths ,he had made so plain it was evident that their accusing words were drawn from hearts stored with evil treasure4 ,moreover their words were shown to be not only malicious but foolish1 idle and vain1 and therefore doubly saturated with sin4 ,another authoritative declaration followed3 ,but ,i say unto you1 ,that every idle word that men shall speak1 they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment4 ,,seekers ,,after ,,signs8#fjj ,the ,master's lesson1 enforced though it was by illustration and analogy1 by direct application1 and by authoritative avowal1 fell on ears that were practically deaf to spiritual truth1 and found no place in hearts already stuffed with great stores of evil4 ,to the profound wisdom and saving instruction of the word of ,god to which they had listened1 they responded with a flippant request3 ,master1 we would see a sign from thee4 ,had they not already seen signs in profusion8 ,had not the blind and the deaf1 the dumb and the infirm1 the palsied and the dropsical1 and people afflicted with all manner of diseases1 been healed in their houses1 on their streets1 and in their synagogs2 had not devils been cast out and their foul utterances been silenced by ,his word2 and had not the dead been raised1 and all by ,him whom they now importuned for a sign8 ,they would have some surpassing wonder wrought1 to satisfy curiosity1 or perhaps to afford them further excuse for action against ,him--they wanted signs to waste on their lust4#fja ,small wonder1 that he sighed deeply in his spirit when such demands were made4#fjb ,to the scribes and ,pharisees who had shown such inattention to ,his words1 ,he replied3 ,an evil and adulterous generation#fjc seeketh after a sign2 and there shall no sign be given to it1 but the sign of the prophet ,jonas4 ,the sign of ,jonas 7or ,jonah7 was that for three days he had been in the belly of the fish and then had been restored to liberty2 so would the ,son of ,man be immured in the tomb1 after which ,he would rise again4 ,that was the only sign ,he would give them1 and by that would they stand condemned4 ,against them and their generation would the men of ,nineveh rise in judgment1 for they1 wicked as they were1 had repented at the preaching of ,jonas2 and behold a greater than ,jonas was among them4#fjd ,the queen of ,sheba would rise in judgment against them1 for she had journeyed far to avail herself of ,solomon's wisdom2 and behold a greater than ,solomon stood before them4#fje ,then1 reverting to the matter of unclean and evil spirits1 in connection with which they had spread the accusation that ,he was one of the devil's own1 ,he told them1 that when a demon is cast out1 he tries after a season of loneliness to return to the house or body from which he had been expelled2 and1 finding that house in order1 sweet and clean since his filthy self had been forced to vacate it1 he calls other spirits more wicked than himself1 and they take possession of the man1 and make his state worse than it was at first4#fjf ,in this weird example is typified the condition of those who have received the truth1 and thereby have been freed from the unclean influences of error and sin1 so that in mind and spirit and body they are as a house swept and garnished and set in cleanly order1 but who afterward renounce the good1 open their souls to the demons of falsehood and deceit1 and become more corrupt than before4 ,even so1 declared the ,lord1 shall it be also unto this wicked generation4 ,though the scribes and ,pharisees were mostly unconvinced1 if at all really impressed by ,his teachings1 our ,lord was not entirely without appreciative listeners4 ,a woman in the company raised her voice in an invocation of blessing on the mother who had given birth to such a ,son1 and on the breasts that had suckled ,him4 ,while not rejecting this tribute of reverence1 which applied to both mother and ,son1 ,jesus answered3 ,yea rather1 blessed are they that hear the word of ,god1 and keep it4#fjg ,,christ',s ,,mother ,,and ,,brethren ,,come ,,to ,,see ,,him4#fjh ,while ,jesus was engaged with the scribes and ,pharisees1 and a great number of others1 possibly at or near the conclusion of the teachings last considered1 word was passed to ,him that ,his mother and ,his brethren were present and desired to speak with ,him4 ,on account of the press of people they had been unable to reach ,his side4 ,making use of the circumstance to impress upon all the fact that ,his work took precedence over the claims of family and kinship1 and thereby explaining that ,he could not meet ,his relatives at that moment1 ,he asked1 ,who is my mother8 and who are my brethren8 ,answering ,his own question and expressing in the answer the deeper thought in ,his mind1 ,he said1 pointing toward ,his disciples3 ,behold my mother and my brethren6 ,for whosoever shall do the will of my ,father which is in heaven1 the same is my brother1 and sister1 and mother4 ,the incident reminds one of the answer ,he made to ,his mother1 when she and ,joseph had found ,him in the temple after their long and anxious search3 ,how is it that ye sought me8 wist ye not that ,i must be about my ,father's business8#fji ,in that business ,he was engaged when ,his mother and brethren desired to speak with ,him as ,he sat amidst the crowd4 ,the superior claims of ,his ,father's work caused ,him to let all minor matters wait4 ,we are not justified in construing these remarks as evidence of disrespect1 far less of filial and family disloyalty4 ,devotion1 similar in kind at least1 was expected by ,him of the apostles1 who were called to devote without reserve their time and talents to the ministry4#faj ,the purpose on which the relatives of ,jesus had come to see ,him is not made known2 we may infer1 therefore1 that it was of no great importance beyond the family circle4#faa ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ah4 #a4 ,the ,two ,accounts of the ,miracle4--,in the commentary on the miraculous healing of the centurion's servant1 as given in the text1 we have followed in the main ,luke's more circumstantial account4 ,matthew's briefer statement of the officer's petition1 and the ,lord's gracious compliance therewith1 represents the man as coming in person to ,jesus2 while ,luke refers to the elders of the local synagog as presenting the request4 ,there is here no real discrepancy4 ,it was then allowable1 as in our time it is1 to speak of one who causes something to be done as doing that thing himself4 ,one may properly be said to notify another1 when he sends the notification by a third party4 ,a man may say he has built a house1 when in reality others did the work of building though at his instance4 ,an architect may with propriety be said to have constructed a building1 when as a matter of fact he made the design1 and directed others who actually reared the structure4 #b4 ,jesus ,marveled4--,both ,matthew and ,luke tell us that ,jesus marveled at the faith shown by the centurion1 who begged that his beloved servant be healed 7,matt4 #h3aj2 ,luke #g3i74 ,some have queried how ,christ1 whom they consider to have been omniscient during ,his life in the flesh1 could have marveled at anything4 ,the meaning of the passage is evident in the sense that when the fact of the centurion's faith was brought to ,his attention1 ,he pondered over it1 and contemplated it1 probably as a refreshing contrast to the absence of faith ,he so generally encountered4 ,in similar way1 though with sorrow in place of joy1 ,he is said to have marveled at the peoples' unbelief 7,mark #f3f74 #c4 ,sequence of the ,miracles of ,raising the ,dead4--,as stated and reiterated in the text the chronology of the events in our ,lord's ministry1 as recorded by the ,gospel-writers1 is uncertain4 ,literature on the subject embodies much disputation and demonstrates absence of any near approach to agreement among ,biblical scholars4 ,we have record of three instances of miraculous restoration of the dead to life at the word of ,jesus--the raising of the son of the widow of ,nain1 the raising of the daughter of ,jairus1 and the raising of ,lazarus2 and on the sequence of two of these there is difference of opinion4 ,of course the placing of the raising of ,lazarus as the latest of the three is based on certainty4 ,dr4 ,richard ,c4 ,trench1 in his scholarly and very valuable ,notes on the ,miracles of our ,lord definitely asserts that the raising of the daughter of ,jairus is the first of the three works of restoration to life4 ,dr4 ,john ,laidlaw1 in ,the ,miracles of our ,lord1 treats this first among the miracles of its class though without affirming its chronological precedence2 many other writers make it the second of the three4 ,the incentive to arrange the three miracles of this group in the sequence indicated may1 perhaps1 be found in the desire to present them in the increasing order of apparent greatness--the raising of the damsel being an instance of recalling to life one who had but just died1 7hardly dead as some wrongly describe her condition71 the raising of the young man of ,nain being the restoration of one on the way to the tomb1 and the raising of ,lazarus an instance of recalling to life one who had lain four days in the sepulchre4 ,we cannot consistently conceive of these cases as offering grades of greater or lesser difficulty to the power of ,christ2 in each case ,his word of authority was sufficient to reunite the spirit and body of the dead person4 ,luke1 the sole recorder of the miracle at ,nain1 places the event before that of the raising of the daughter of ,jairus1 with many incidents between4 ,the great preponderance of evidence is in favor of considering the three miracles in the order followed herein1 7#a7 the raising of the young man of ,nain1 7#b7 that of the daughter of ,jairus1 and 7#c7 that of ,lazarus4 #d4 ,tetrarch4--,this title by derivation of the term and as originally used was applied to the ruler of a fourth part1 or one of four divisions of a region that had formerly been one country4 ,later it came to be the designation of any ruler or governor over a part of a divided country1 irrespective of the number or extent of the fractions4 ,herod ,antipas is distinctively called the tetrarch in ,matt4 #ad3a2 ,luke #c3a1 #ai2 #i3g2 and ,acts #ac3a2 and is referred to as king in ,matt4 #ad3i2 ,mark #f3ad1 #bb1 #be1 #bf4 #e4 ,machrus4--,according to the historian ,josephus 7,antiquities xviii2 #e3b71 the prison to which ,john the ,baptist was consigned by ,herod ,antipas was the strong fortress ,machrus4 #f4 ,christ an ,offender to ,many4--,the concluding part of our ,lord's message to the imprisoned ,baptist1 in answer to the latter's inquiry1 was1 ,blessed is he whosoever is not offended in me4 ,in passing it may be well to observe that whatever of reproof or rebuke these words may connote1 the lesson was given in the gentlest way and in the form most easy to understand4 ,as ,deems has written1 ,instead of saying ',woe to him who is offended in me1' ,he puts it in the softer way ',blessed is he who is not offended4' ,in our ,english version of the ,holy ,bible the word offend and its cognates1 are used in place of several different expressions which occur in the original ,greek4 ,thus1 actual infractions of the law1 sin1 and wickedness in general are all called offenses1 and the perpetrators of such are guilty offenders who deserve punishment4 ,in other instances even the works of righteousness are construed as causes of offense to the wicked2 but this is so1 not because the good works were in any way offenses against law or right1 but because the law-breaker takes offense thereat4 ,the convicted felon1 if unrepentant and still of evil mind1 is offended and angry at the law by which he has been brought to justice2 to him the law is a cause of offense4 ,in a very significant sense ,jesus ,christ stands as the greatest offender in history2 for all who reject ,his gospel1 take offense thereat4 ,on the night of ,his betrayal ,jesus told the apostles that they would be offended because of ,him 7,matt4 #bf3ca2 see also verse #cc74 ,the ,lord's personal ministry gave offense not alone to ,pharisees and priestly opponents1 but to many who had professed belief in ,him 7,john #f3fa2 compare #af3a74 ,the gospel of ,jesus ,christ is designated by ,peter as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense1 even to them which stumble at the word1 being disobedient 7#a ,peter #b3h2 compare ,paul's words1 ,romans #i3cc74 ,indeed blessed is he to whom the gospel is welcome1 and who finds therein no cause for offense4 #g4 ,the ,greatness of the ,baptist's ,mission4--,the exalted nature of the mission of ,john the ,baptist was thus testified to by ,jesus3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than ,john the ,baptist3 notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he 7,matt4 #aa3aa2 compare ,luke #g3bh74 ,in elucidation of the first part of this testimony1 the prophet ,joseph ,smith said1 in the course of a sermon delivered ,may #bd1 #ahdc1 7,hist4 of the ,church1 under date named73 ,it could not have been on account of the miracles ,john performed1 for he did no miracles2 but it was--,first1 because he was trusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the ,lord4 ,who was trusted with such a mission before or since8 ,no man4 ,second1 he was trusted and it was required at his hands1 to baptise the ,son of ,man4 ,who ever did that8 ,who ever had so great a privilege or glory8 ,who ever led the ,son of ,god into the waters of baptism1 beholding the ,holy ,ghost descend upon ,him in the sign of a dove8 ,no man4 ,third1 ,john at that time was the only legal administrator holding the keys of power there was on earth4 ,the keys1 the kingdom1 the power1 the glory had departed from the ,jews2 and ,john1 the son of ,zacharias1 by the holy anointing and decree of heaven1 held the keys of power at that time4 ,the latter part of our ,lord's statement--notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he 7,john71 has given rise to diverse interpretations and comment4 ,the true meaning may be1 that surpassingly great as was ,john's distinction among the prophets1 he had not learned1 at the time of the incident under consideration1 the full purpose of the ,messiah's mission1 and such he would surely have to learn before he became eligible for admission into the kingdom of heaven2 therefore1 the least of those who through knowledge gained and obedience rendered1 would be prepared for a place in the kingdom of which ,jesus taught1 was greater than was ,john the ,baptist at that time4 ,through latter-day inspiration we learn that it is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #aca3f71 and that ,the glory of ,god in intelligence1 or1 in other words1 light and truth 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #ic3cf74 ,the ,baptist's inquiry showed that he was then lacking in knowledge1 imperfectly enlightened and unable to comprehend the whole truth of the ,savior's appointed death and subsequent resurrection as the ,redeemer of the world4 ,but we must not lose sight of the fact1 that ,jesus in no wise intimated that ,john would remain less than the least in the kingdom of heaven4 ,as he increased in knowledge of the vital truths of the kingdom1 and rendered obedience thereto1 he would surely advance1 and become great in the kingdom of heaven as he was great among the prophets of earth4 #h4 ,john the ,baptist the ,elias that was to ,come4--,in the days of ,christ the people clung to the traditional belief that the ancient prophet ,elijah was to return in person4 ,concerning this tradition the ,dummelow ,commentary says1 on ,matt4 #aa3ad3 ,it was supposed that his ,elijah's peculiar activity would consist in settling ceremonial and ritual questions1 doubts and difficulties and that he would restore to ,israel 7#a7 the golden pot of manna1 7#b7 the vessel containing the anointing oil1 7#c7 the vessel containing the waters of purification1 7#d7 ,aaron's rod that budded and bore fruit4 ,for this belief there was no scriptural affirmation4 ,that ,john was to go before the ,messiah in the spirit and power of ,elias was declared by the angel ,gabriel in his announcement to ,zacharias 7,luke #a3ag72 and our ,lord made plain the fact that ,john was that predicted ,elias4 ,elias is both a name and a title of office4 ,through revelation in the present dispensation we learn of the separate individuality of ,elias and ,elijah1 each of whom appeared in person and committed to modern prophets the particular powers pertaining to his respective office 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #aaj3ab1 #ac74 ,we learn that the office of ,elias is that of restoration 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #bg3f1 #g2 #gf3ajj2 #gg3i1 #ad74 ,under date of ,march #aj1 #ahdd1 the following is recorded 7,hist4 of ,church7 as the testimony of the prophet ,joseph ,smith3-- ,the spirit of ,elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of ,god1 which is the ,priesthood of ,elias1 or the ,priesthood that ,aaron was ordained unto4 ,and when ,god sends a man into the world to prepare for a greater work1 holding the keys of the power of ,elias1 it was called the doctrine of ,elias1 even from the early ages of the world4 ,john's mission was limited to preaching and baptizing2 but what he did was legal2 and when ,jesus ,christ came to any of ,john's disciples1 ,he baptized them with fire and the ,holy ,ghost4 ,we find the apostles endowed with greater power than ,john3 their office was more under the spirit and power of ,elijah than ,elias4 ,in the case of ,philip1 when he went down to ,samaria1 when he was under the spirit of ,elias1 he baptized both men and women4 ,when ,peter and ,john heard of it1 they went down and laid hands upon them1 and they received the ,holy ,ghost4 ,this shows the distinction between the two powers4 ,when ,paul came to certain disciples1 he asked if they had received the ,holy ,ghost8 ,they said1 ,no4 ,who baptized you1 then8 ,we were baptized unto ,john's baptism4 ,no1 you were not baptized unto ,john's baptism1 or you would have been baptized by ,john4 ,and so ,paul went and baptized them1 for he knew what the true doctrine was1 and he knew that ,john had not baptized them4 ,and these principles are strange to me1 that men who have read the ,scriptures of the ,new ,testament are so far from it4 ,what ,i want to impress upon your minds is the difference of power in the different parts of the ,priesthood1 so that when any man comes among you1 saying1 ',i have the spirit of ,elias1' you can know whether he be true or false2 for any man that comes having the spirit and power of ,elias1 he will not transcend his bounds4 ,john did not transcend his bounds1 but faithfully performed that part belonging to his office2 and every portion of the great building should be prepared right and assigned to its proper place2 and it is necessary to know who holds the keys of power1 and who does not1 or we may be likely to be deceived4 ,that person who holds the keys of ,elias hath a preparatory work4 99 99 99 99 99 ,this is the ,elias spoken of in the last days1 and here is the rock upon which many split1 thinking the time was past in the days of ,john and ,christ1 and no more to be4 ,but the spirit of ,elias was revealed to me1 and ,i know it is true2 therefore ,i speak with boldness1 for ,i know verily my doctrine is true4 #i4 ,at the ,pharisee's ,table4--,the expression sat at meat1 as in ,luke #g3cg and in other instances1 is stated by good authority to be a mistranslation2 it should be rendered lay or reclined 7see ,smith's ,comp4 ,dict4 of the ,bible1 article ,meals74 ,that sitting was the early ,hebrew posture at meals is not questioned 7,gen4 #bg3ai2 ,judges #ai3f2 #a ,sam4 #af3aa2 #bj3e1 #ah1 #bd2 #a ,kings #ac3bj72 but the custom of reclining on couches set around the table seems to date back long before the days of ,jesus 7,amos #c3ab2 #f3d74 ,the ,roman usage of arranging the tables and adjoining couches along three sides of a square1 leaving the fourth side open for the passage of the attendants who served the diners was common in ,palestine4 ,tables and couches so placed constituted the triclinium4 ,in reference to the ceremonial of the ,pharisees in the matter of prescribed washing of articles used in eating1 ,mark 7#g3d7 specifies tables2 this mention is conceded to be a mistranslation1 as couches or literally beds1 are meant by the ,greek expression4 7,see marginal reading1 beds in ,oxford ,bible1 and others47 ,a person reclining at table would have the feet directed outward4 ,thus it was a simple matter for the contrite woman to approach ,jesus from behind and anoint ,his feet without causing disturbance to others at the table4 #aj4 ,the ,woman's ,identity not ,specified4--,the attempt to identify the contrite sinner who anointed the feet of ,jesus in the house of ,simon the ,pharisee with ,mary of ,bethany is thus strongly condemned by ,farrar 7p4 #bbh1 note73 ,those who identify this feast at the house of ,simon the ,pharisee1 in ,galilee1 with the long-subsequent feast at the house of ,simon the leper1 at ,bethany1 and the anointing of the feet by 'a woman that was a sinner' in the city1 with the anointing of the head by ,mary the sister of ,martha1 adopt principles of criticism so reckless and arbitrary that their general acceptance would rob the ,gospels of all credibility1 and make them hardly worth study as truthful narratives4 ,as for the names ,simon and ,judas1 which have led to so many identifications of different persons and different incidents1 they were at least as common among the ,jews of that day as ,smith and ,jones among ourselves4 ,there are five or six ,judes and nine ,simons mentioned in the ,new ,testament1 and two ,judes and two ,simons among the ,apostles alone2 ,josephus speaks of some ten ,judes and twenty ,simons in his writings1 and there must1 therefore1 have been thousands of others who at this period had one of these two names4 ,the incident 7of anointing with ointment7 is one quite in accordance with the customs of the time and country1 and there is not the least improbability in its repetition under different circumstances4 7,eccles4 #i3h2 ,cant4 #d3aj2 ,amos #f3f47 ,the custom still continues4 ,the learned canon is fully justified in his vigorous criticism2 nevertheless he endorses the commonly-accepted identification of the woman mentioned in connection with the meal in the house of ,simon the ,pharisee with ,mary ,magdalene1 although he admits that the foundation of the assumed identification is an ancient tradition1--especially prevalent in the ,western ,church1 and followed by the translation of our ,english version 7p4 #bcc74 ,as stated in our text1 there is an entire absence of trustworthy evidence that ,mary ,magdalene was ever tainted with the sin for which the repentant woman in the ,pharisee's house was so graciously pardoned by our ,lord4 #aa4 ,the ,unpardonable ,sin4--,the nature of the awful sin against the ,holy ,ghost1 against which the ,lord warned the ,pharisaic accusers who sought to ascribe ,his divine power to ,satan1 is more fully explained1 and its dread results are more explicitly set forth in modern revelation4 ,concerning them and their dreadful fate1 the ,almighty has said3--,i say that it had been better for them never to have been born1 for they are vessels of wrath1 doomed to suffer the wrath of ,god1 with the devil and his angels in eternity2 concerning whom ,i have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come4444 ,they shall go away into everlasting punishment1 which is endless punishment1 which is eternal punishment1 to reign with the devil and his angels in eternity1 where their worm dieth not1 and the fire is not quenched1 which is their torment2 and the end thereof1 neither the place thereof1 nor their torment1 no man knows1 neither was it revealed1 neither is1 neither will be revealed unto man1 except to them who are made partakers thereof3 nevertheless ,i1 the ,lord1 show it by vision unto many1 but straightway shut it up again2 wherefore the end1 the width1 the height1 the depth1 and the misery thereof1 they understand not1 neither any man except them who are ordained unto this condemnation4 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf3ca-dh2 see also ,heb4 #f3d-f2 ,b4 of ,m41 ,alma #ci3f47 #ab4 ,an ,adulterous ,generation ,seeking after ,signs4--,our ,lord's reply to those who clamored for a sign1 that ,an evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign 7,matt4 #ab3ci2 see also #af3d2 ,mark #h3ch7 could only be interpreted by the ,jews as a supreme reproof4 ,that the descriptive designation adulterous was literally applicable to the widespread immorality of the time1 they all knew4 ,adam ,clarke in his commentary on ,matt4 #ab3ci1 says of this phase of our topic3 ,there is the utmost proof from their the ,jews' own writings1 that in the time of our ,lord1 they were most literally an adulterous race of people2 for at this very time ,rabbi ,jachanan ben ,zacchi abrogated the trial by the bitter waters of jealousy1 because so many were found to be thus criminal4 ,for the information concerning the trial of the accused by the bitter waters1 see ,numb4 #e3aa-ca4 ,although ,jesus designated the generation in which ,he lived as adulterous1 we find no record that the ,jewish rulers1 who by their demand for a sign had given occasion for the accusation1 ventured to deny or attempt to repel the charge4 ,the sin of adultery was included among capital offenses 7,deut4 #bb3bb-be74 ,the severity of the accusation as applied by ,jesus1 however1 was intensified by the fact that the older scriptures represented the covenant between ,jehovah and ,israel as a marriage bond 7,isa4 #ed3e-g2 ,jer4 #c3ad2 #ca3cb2 ,hos4 #b3ai1 #bj72 even as the later scriptures typify the ,church as a bride1 and ,christ as the husband 7#b ,cor4 #aa3b2 compare ,rev4 #ba3b74 ,to be spiritually adulterous1 as the rabbis construed the utterances of the prophets1 was to be false to the covenant by which the ,jewish nations claimed distinction1 as the worshipers of ,jehovah1 and to be wholly recreant and reprobate4 ,convicted on such a charge those sign-seeking ,pharisees and scribes understood that ,jesus classed them as worse than the idolatrous heathen4 ,the words adultery and idolatry are of related origin1 each connoting the act of unfaithfulness and the turning away after false objects of affection or worship4 #ac4 ,the ,mother and the ,brethren of ,jesus4--,the attempt of ,mary and some members of her family to speak with ,jesus on the occasion referred to in the text has been construed by many writers to mean that the mother and sons had come to protest against the energy and zeal with which ,jesus was pursuing ,his work4 ,some indeed have gone so far as to say that the visiting members of the family had come to put ,him under restraint1 and to stem1 if they could1 the tide of popular interest1 criticism1 and offense1 which surged about ,him4 ,the scriptural record furnishes no foundation for even a tentative conception of the kind4 ,the purpose of the desired visit is not intimated4 ,it is a fact as will be shown in pages to follow1 that some members of ,mary's household had failed to understand the great import of the work in which ,jesus was so assiduously engaged2 and we are told that some of ,his friends 7marginal rendering1 kinsmen17 on one occasion set out with the purpose of laying hold on ,him and stopping ,his public activities by physical force1 for they said ,he is beside himself4 7,mark #c3ba72 furthermore we learn that ,his brethren did not believe on ,him 7,john #g3e74 ,these facts1 however1 scarcely warrant the assumption that the desire of ,mary and her sons to speak with ,him on the occasion referred to was other than peaceful4 ,and to assume that ,mary1 ,his mother1 had so far forgotten the wondrous scenes of the angelic annunciation1 the miraculous conception1 the heavenly accompaniments of the birth1 the more than human wisdom and power exhibited in youth and manhood1 as to believe her divine ,son an unbalanced enthusiast1 whom she ought to restrain1 is to assume responsibility for injustice to the character of one whom the angel ,gabriel declared was blessed among women1 and highly favored of the ,lord4 ,the statement that the brethren of ,jesus did not believe on ,him at the time referred to by the recorder 7,john #g3e7 is no proof that some or even all of those same brethren did not later believe on their divine ,brother4 ,immediately after the ,lord's ascension1 ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 and ,his brethren were engaged in worship and supplication with the ,eleven and other disciples 7,acts #a3ad74 ,the attested fact of ,christ's resurrection converted many who had before declined to accept ,him as the ,son of ,god4 ,paul records a special manifestation of the resurrected ,christ to ,james 7#a ,cor4 #ae3g7 and the ,james here referred to may be the same person elsewhere designated as the ,lord's brother 7,gal4 #a3ai72 compare ,matt4 #ac3ee2 ,mark #f3c4 ,it appears that brethren of the ,lord were engaged in the work of the ministry in the days of ,paul's active service 7#a ,cor4 #i3e74 ,the specific family relationship of our ,lord to ,james1 ,joses1 ,simon1 ,judas and the sisters referred to by ,matthew 7#ac3ee1 #ef71 and ,mark 7#f3c71 has been questioned2 and several theories have been invented in support of divergent views4 ,thus1 the ,eastern or ,epiphanian hypothesis holds1 on no firmer basis than assumption1 that the brethren of ,jesus were children of ,joseph of ,nazareth by a former wife1 and not the children of ,mary the ,lord's mother4 ,the ,levirate theory assumes that ,joseph of ,nazareth and ,clopas 7the latter name1 it is interesting to note1 is regarded as the equivalent of ,alpheus1 see footnote page #bbd7 were brothers2 and that1 after the death of ,clopas or ,alpheus1 ,joseph married his brother's widow according to the levirate law 7page #edh74 ,the ,hieronymian hypothesis is based on the belief that the persons referred to as brethren and sisters of ,jesus were children of ,clopas 7,alpheus7 and ,mary the sister of the ,lord's mother1 and therefore cousins to ,jesus4 7,see ,matt4 #bg3ef2 ,mark #ae3dj2 ,john #ai3be47 ,it is beyond reasonable doubt that ,jesus was regarded by those1 who were acquainted with the family of ,joseph and ,mary as a close blood relative of other sons and daughters belonging to the household4 ,if these others were children of ,joseph and ,mary1 they were all juniors to ,jesus1 for ,he was undoubtedly ,his mother's firstborn child4 ,the acceptance of this relationship between ,jesus and ,his brethren and sisters mentioned by the synoptists constitutes what is known in theological literature as the ,helvidian view4 ,,footnotes3 #eej ,matt4 #g3bi2 compare ,luke #d3cb2 ,john #g3df4 #eea ,luke #g3a-aj2 compare ,matt4 #h3e-ac4 #eeb ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #eec ,john #d3df-ec2 see page #agg4 #eed ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #eee ,matt4 #h3aa1 #ab2 see also ,luke #ac3bh1 #bi2 compare ,acts #aj3de4 #eef ,luke #g3aa-ag4 #eeg ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #eeh ,matt4 #h3ag2 compare ,isa4 #ec3d4 #eei ,luke #bj3cf1 #ch2 compare ,acts #aj3db2 #b ,tim4 #d3a2 #a ,peter #d3e2 ,rom4 #ad3i4 #efj ,matt4 #d3ab2 ,mark #a3ad2 ,luke #c3ai1 #bj2 see ,note #b1 chap4 #i1 page #aai1 and ,note #d1 end of this chapter4 #efa ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #efb ,mark #f3ag-bj4 #efc ,matt4 #ad3e4 #efd ,matt4 #aa3b4 ,note a similar liberty allowed to ,paul when in durance1 ,acts #bd3bc4 #efe ,luke #g3ah2 ,matt4 #aa3b4 #eff ,matt4 #aa3b-f2 ,luke #g3ah-bc4 #efg ,isa4 #ce3e1 #f4 #efh ,matt4 #c3c2 compare ,isa4 #dj3c2 ,matt4 #c3g2 compare ,isa4 #ei3e2 ,luke #c3f2 compare ,isa4 #eb3aj4 #efi ,matt4 #ac3eg2 #bd3aj2 #bf3ca2 ,mark #f3c2 #ad3bg2 ,john #f3fa4 ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #egj ,john #c3cj4 #ega ,note that ,jesus compared the sufferings of ,john while in prison as in part comparable to those ,he would ,himself have to endure1 in that they did unto ,john whatsoever they listed 7,matt4 #ag3ab2 ,mark #i3ac74 #egb ,luke #g3bd-cj2 see also ,matt4 #aa3g-ad2 compare ,christ's testimony of ,john ,baptist delivered at ,jerusalem1 ,john #e3cc-ce4 #egc ,luke #g3bh2 see ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #egd ,matt4 #aa3ab-ae2 compare #ag3ab2 ,luke #a3ag4 #ege ,note #h1 end of chapter4 #egf ,matt4 #c3g2 ,luke #g3cj4 #egg ,page #adb4 #egh ,matt4 #aa3bj-bd2 compare ,luke #aj3ac-ae4 #egi ,matt4 #aa3be-bg2 compare ,luke #aj3ba1 #bb4 #ehj ,matt4 #aa3bh-cj4 #eha ,mark #f3ba-bi4 #ehb ,mark #f3ad-af4 #ehc ,articles of ,faith1 x3#ah2 also chapter #da1 herein4 #ehd ,luke #g3cf2 see further1 verses #cg-ej4 #ehe ,note #i1 end of chapter4 #ehf #b ,sam4 #ab3a-g4 #ehg ,matt4 #i3b-f2 ,mark #b3e-g2 page #aia herein4 #ehh ,matt4 #bf3f1 #g2 ,mark #ad3c2 ,john #aa3b4 #ehi ,note #aj1 end of chapter4 #eij ,luke #h3a-c4 #eia ,matt4 #bg3ee1 #ef1 #fa2 #bh3a1 #e2 ,mark #ae3dj1 #dg2 #af3a1 #i2 ,luke #bc3di1 #ee2 #bd3aj1 #bb2 ,john #ai3be2 #bj3a1 #ac1 #ah4 #eib ,mark #af3i2 ,luke #h3b4 #eic ,matt4 #ab3bd-de2 compare #i3cc1 #cd3 see also ,mark #c3bb-cj2 ,luke #aa3ad-bf4 #eid ,matt4 #i3cd4 #eie ,matt4 #i3ce4 #eif ,matt4 #ab3ad-ae4 #eig ,matt4 #ab3ag-bj2 compare ,isa4 #db3a4 #eih ,matt4 #ab3bb1 #bc4 #eii ,note #aa1 end of chapter4 #fjj ,matt4 #ab3ch-de2 compare #af3a2 ,mark #h3aa2 ,luke #aa3af1 #bi2 ,john #b3ah2 #a ,cor4 #a3bb4 #fja ,doc4 and ,cov4 #df3i2 compare #fc3g-ab4 #fjb ,mark #h3ab4 #fjc ,note #ab1 end of chapter4 #fjd ,jonah chaps4 #a-d4 #fje ,kings #aj3a2 #b ,chron4 #i3a2 compare ,luke #aa3ca4 #fjf ,matt4 #ab3dc-de2 ,luke #aa3bd-bf4 #fjg ,luke #aa3bg1 #bh4 #fjh ,matt4 #ab3df-ej2 ,mark #c3ca-ce2 ,luke #h3ai-ba4 #fji ,luke #b3di4 ,page #aad herein4 #faj ,matt4 #aj3cg2 compare ,luke #ad3bf4 #faa ,note #ac1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #ai4 ,,he ,,spake ,,many ,,things ,,unto ,,them ,,in ,,parables4 ,throughout the period of ,christ's ministry with which we have thus far dealt1 ,his fame had continuously increased1 because of the authority with which ,he spoke and of the many mighty works ,he did2 ,his popularity had become such that whenever ,he moved abroad great multitudes followed ,him4 ,at times the people so thronged as to impede ,his movements1 some with a desire to hear more of the new doctrine1 others to plead at ,his feet for relief from physical or other ills2 and many there were who had faith that could they but reach ,him1 or even touch the border of ,his robe1 they would be healed4#fab ,one effect of the people's eagerness1 which led them to press and crowd around ,him1 was to render difficult if not impossible at times the effective delivery of any discourse4 ,his usual place for open-air teaching while ,he tarried in the vicinity of the sea1 or lake1 of ,galilee was the shore2 and thither flocked the crowds to hear ,him4 ,at ,his request1 the disciples had provided a small ship1 which was kept in readiness on the beach2#fac and it was usual with ,him to sit in the boat a short distance off shore1 and preach to the people1 as ,he had done when in the earlier days ,he called the chosen fishermen to leave their nets and follow ,him4#fad ,on one such occasion ,he employed a means of instruction1 which1 prior to that time1 had not been characteristic of ,his teaching2 this consisted in the use of parables1#fae simple stories to illustrate ,his doctrines4 ,some of these we shall here consider briefly1 in the order most advantageous for treatment1 and as best we know1 in what may have been the sequence in which they were given4 ,a ,,sower ,,went ,,forth ,,to ,,sow4 ,first in the order of delivery is the ,parable of the ,sower4 ,it is a splendid type of our ,lord's parables in general1 and is particularly valuable for its great intrinsic worth and because we possess a comprehensive interpretation of it by the divine ,author4 ,this is the story3 ,behold1 a sower went forth to sow2 and when he sowed1 some seeds fell by the way side1 and the fowls came and devoured them up3 some fell upon stony places1 where they had not much earth3 and forthwith they sprung up1 because they had no deepness of earth3 and when the sun was up1 they were scorched2 and because they had no root1 they withered away4 ,and some fell among thorns2 and the thorns sprung up1 and choked them3 but other fell into good ground1 and brought forth fruit1 some an hundredfold1 some sixtyfold1 some thirtyfold4 ,who hath ears to hear1 let him hear4#faf ,this new way of teaching1 this departure from the ,master's earlier method of doctrinal exposition1 caused even the most devoted of the disciples to marvel4 ,the ,twelve and a few others came to ,jesus when ,he was apart from the multitude1 and asked why ,he had spoken to the people in this manner1 and what was the meaning of this particular parable4 ,our ,lord's reply to the first part of the inquiry we shall consider presently2 concerning the second1 ,he asked ,know ye not the parable8 and how then will ye know all parables8#fag ,thus did ,he indicate the simplicity of this the first of ,his parables1 together with its typical and fundamental character1 and at the same time intimate that other parables would follow in the course of ,his teaching4 ,then ,he gave the interpretation3 ,hear ye therefore the parable of the sower4 ,when anyone heareth the word of the kingdom1 and understandeth it not1 then cometh the wicked one1 and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart4 ,this is he which received seed by the way side4 ,but he that received the seed into stony places1 the same is he that heareth the word1 and anon with joy receiveth it2 yet hath he not root in himself1 but dureth for a while3 for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word1 by and by he is offended4 ,he also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word2 and the care of this world1 and the deceitfulness of riches1 choke the word1 and he becometh unfruitful4 ,but he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word1 and understandeth it2 which also beareth fruit1 and bringeth forth1 some an hundredfold1 some sixty1 some thirty4#fah ,further exposition may appear superfluous2 some suggestion as to the individual application of the contained lessons may be in place1 however4 ,observe that the prominent feature of the story is that of the prepared or unprepared condition of the soil4 ,the seed was the same whether it fell on good ground or bad1 on mellow mold or among stones and thistles4 ,the primitive method of sowing still followed in many countries1 consists in the sower throwing the grain by handfuls against the wind1 thus securing a widespread scattering4 ,running through the ,galilean fields1 were pathways1 hard trodden by feet of men and beasts4 ,though seed should fall on such tracts1 it could not grow2 birds would pick up the living kernels lying unrooted and uncovered and some of the grains would be crushed and trodden down4 ,so with the seed of truth falling upon the hardened heart2 ordinarily it cannot take root1 and ,satan1 as a marauding crow1 steals it away1 lest a grain of it perchance find a crack in the trampled ground1 send down its rootlet1 and possibly develop4 ,seed falling in shallow soil1 underlain by a floor of unbroken stone or hard-pan1 may strike root and flourish for a brief season2 but as the descending rootlets reach the impenetrable stratum they shrivel1 and the plant withers and dies1 for the nutritive juices are insufficient where there is no depth of earth4#fai ,so with the man whose earnestness is but superficial1 whose energy ceases when obstacles are encountered or opposition met2 though he manifest enthusiasm for a time persecution deters him2 he is offended1#fbj and endures not4 ,grain sown where thorns and thistles abound is soon killed out by their smothering growth2 even so with a human heart set on riches and the allurements of pleasure--though it receive the living seed of the gospel it will produce no harvest of good grain1 but instead1 a rank tangle of noxious weeds4 ,the abundant yield of thorny thistles demonstrates the fitness of the soil for a better crop1 were it only free from the cumbering weeds4 ,the seed that falls in good deep soil1 free from weeds and prepared for the sowing1 strikes root and grows2 the sun's heat scorches it not1 but gives it thrift2 it matures and yields to the harvester according to the richness of the soil1 some fields producing thirty1 others sixty1 and a few even a hundred times as much grain as was sown4 ,even according to literary canons1 and as judged by the recognized standards of rhetorical construction and logical arrangement of its parts1 this parable holds first place among productions of its class4 ,though commonly known to us as the ,parable of the ,sower1 the story could be expressively designated as the ,parable of the ,four ,kinds of ,soil4 ,it is the ground upon which the seed is cast1 to which the story most strongly directs our attention1 and which so aptly is made to symbolize the softened or the hardened heart1 the clean or the thorn-infested soil4 ,observe the grades of soil1 given in the increasing order of their fertility3 7,a7 the compacted highway1 the wayside path1 on which1 save by a combination of fortuitous circumstances practically amounting to a miracle1 no seed can possibly strike root or grow2 7,b7 the thin layer of soil covering an impenetrable bed-rock1 wherein seed may sprout yet can never mature2 7,c7 the weed-encumbered field1 capable of producing a rich crop but for the jungle of thistles and thorns2 and 7,d7 the clean rich mold receptive and fertile4 ,yet even soils classed as good are of varying degrees of productiveness1 yielding an increase of thirty1 sixty1 or even a hundred fold1 with many inter-gradations4 ,some ,bible expositors have professed to find in this splendid parable evidence of decisive fatalism in the lives of individuals1 so that those whose spiritual state is comparable to the hardened pathway or wayside ground1 to the shallow soil on stony floor1 or to the neglected1 thorn-ridden tract1 are hopelessly and irredeemably bad2 while the souls who may be likened unto good soil are safe against deterioration and will be inevitably productive of good fruit4 ,let it not be forgotten that a parable is but a sketch1 not a picture finished in detail2 and that the expressed or implied similitude in parabolic teaching cannot logically and consistently be carried beyond the limits of the illustrative story4 ,in the parable we are considering1 the ,teacher depicted the varied grades of spiritual receptivity existing among men1 and characterized with incisive brevity each of the specified grades4 ,he neither said nor intimated that the hard-baked soil of the wayside might be plowed1 harrowed1 fertilized1 and so be rendered productive2 nor that the stony impediment to growth might not be broken up and removed1 or an increase of good soil be made by actual addition2 nor that the thorns could never be uprooted and their former habitat be rendered fit to support good plants4 ,the parable is to be studied in the spirit of its purpose2 and strained inferences or extensions are unwarranted4 ,a strong metaphor1 a striking simile1 or any other expressive figure of speech1 is of service only when rationally applied2 if carried beyond the bounds of reasonable intent1 the best of such may become meaningless or even absurd4 ,,the ,,wheat ,,and ,,the ,,tares4 ,another parable1 somewhat closely related to the foregoing as to the actual story1 dealing again with seed and sowing1 and1 like the first1 accompanied by an interpretation1 was delivered by the ,master as follows3 ,the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field3 but while men slept1 his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat1 and went his way4 ,but when the blade was sprung up1 and brought forth fruit1 then appeared the tares also4 ,so the servants of the householder came and said unto him1 ,sir1 didst not thou sow good seed in thy field8 from whence then hath it tares8 ,he said unto them1 ,an enemy hath done this4 ,the servants said unto him1 ,wilt thou then that we go and gather them up8 ,but he said1 ,nay2 lest while ye gather up the tares1 ye root up also the wheat with them4 ,let both grow together until the harvest3 and in the time of harvest ,i will say to the reapers1 ,gather ye together first the tares1 and bind them in bundles to burn them3 but gather the wheat into my barn4#fba ,when ,jesus had retired to the house in which ,he lodged1 the disciples came1 saying3 ,declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field4 ,he answered and said unto them1 ,he that soweth the good seed is the ,son of man2 the field is the world2 the good seed are the children of the kingdom2 but the tares are the children of the wicked one2 the enemy that sowed them is the devil2 the harvest is the end of the world2 and the reapers are the angels4 ,as therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire2 so shall it be in the end of this world4 ,the ,son of man shall send forth his angels1 and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend1 and them which do iniquity2 and shall cast them into a furnace of fire3 there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth4 ,then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their ,father4 ,who hath ears to hear1 let him hear4#fbb ,by the ,author's explication1 the sower was ,himself1 the ,son of ,man2 and1 as the condition of wheat and tares growing together was one that shall continue until the end of the world1 those who were ordained to carry on the ministry after ,him are by direct implication also sowers4 ,the seed as here represented is not1 as in the last parable1 the gospel itself1 but the children of men1 the good seed typifying the honest in heart1 righteous-minded children of the kingdom2 while the tares are those souls who have given themselves up to evil and are counted as children of the wicked one4 ,inspired by zeal for their ,master's profit1 the servants would have forcibly rooted up the tares1 but were restrained1 for their unwise though well-intended course would have endangered the wheat while yet tender1 since in the early stages of growth it would have been difficult to distinguish the one from the other1 and the intertwining of the roots would have caused much destruction of the precious grain4 ,one cardinal lesson of the parable1 apart from the representation of actual conditions present and future1 is that of patience1 long-suffering1 and toleration--each an attribute of ,deity and a trait of character that all men should cultivate4 ,the tares mentioned in the story may be considered as any kind of noxious weed1 particularly such as in early growth resembles the wholesome grain4#fbc ,over-sowing with the seed of weeds in a field already sown with grain is a species of malignant outrage not unknown even in the present day4#fbd ,the certainty of a time of separation1 when the wheat shall be garnered in the store-house of the ,lord1 and the tares be burned1 that their poisonous seed may reproduce no more1 is placed beyond question by the ,lord's own exposition4 ,so important is the lesson embodied in this parable1 and so assured is the literal fulfilment of its contained predictions1 that the ,lord has given a further explication through revelation in the current dispensation1 a period in which the application is direct and immediate4 ,speaking through ,joseph ,smith the ,prophet in #ahcb1 ,jesus ,christ said3 ,but behold1 in the last days1 even now while the ,lord is beginning to bring forth the word1 and the blade is springing up and is yet tender4 ,behold1 verily ,i say unto you1 the angels are crying unto the ,lord day and night1 who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields2 but the ,lord saith unto them1 pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender1 7for verily your faith is weak17 lest you destroy the wheat also4 ,therefore1 let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe1 then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares1 and after the gathering of the wheat1 behold and lo6 the tares are bound in bundles1 and the field remaineth to be burned4#fbe ,,the ,,seed ,,growing ,,secretly4 ,matthew records the ,parable of the ,tares as immediately following that of the ,sower2 ,mark places in the same position of sequence a parable found in his writings alone4 ,it is presented in outline form1 and by critical expositors would be classed rather as a simple analogy than a typical parable4 ,read it3 ,and he said1 ,so is the kingdom of ,god1 as if a man should cast seed into the ground2 and should sleep1 and rise night and day1 and the seed should spring and grow up1 he knoweth not how4 ,for the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself2 first the blade1 then the ear1 after that the full corn in the ear4 ,but when the fruit is brought forth1 immediately he putteth in the sickle1 because the harvest is come4#fbf ,we have no record of the disciples asking nor of the ,master giving any interpretation of this1 or of any later parable4#fbg ,in this story we find effectively illustrated the fact of the vitality of the seed of truth1 though the secret processes of its growth be a mystery to all save ,god alone4 ,a man having planted seed must needs leave it alone4 ,he may tend the field1 removing weeds1 protecting the plants as best he may1 but the growth itself is dependent upon conditions and forces beyond his power to ultimately control4 ,though it were ,paul who planted and ,apollos who watered1 none but ,god could insure the increase4#fbh ,the one who sowed may go about his other affairs1 for the field does not demand continuous or exclusive attention2 nevertheless1 under the influences of sunshine and shower1 of breeze and dew1 the blade develops1 then the ear1 and in due time the full corn in the ear4 ,when the grain is ripe the man gladly harvests his crop4 ,the sower in this story is the authorized preacher of the word of ,god2 he implants the seed of the gospel in the hearts of men1 knowing not what the issue shall be4 ,passing on to similar or other ministry elsewhere1 attending to his appointed duties in other fields1 he1 with faith and hope1 leaves with ,god the result of his planting4 ,in the harvest of souls converted through his labor1 he is enriched and made to rejoice4#fbi ,this parable was probably directed more particularly to the apostles and the most devoted of the other disciples1 rather than to the multitude at large2 the lesson is one for teachers1 for workers in the ,lord's fields1 for the chosen sowers and reapers4 ,it is of perennial value1 as truly applicable today as when first spoken4 ,let the seed be sown1 even though the sower be straightway called to other fields or other duties2 in the gladsome harvest he shall find his recompense4 ,,the ,,mustard ,,seed4 ,another parable put he forth unto them1 saying1 ,the kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed1 which a man took1 and sowed in his field3 which indeed is the least of all seeds3 but when it is grown1 it is the greatest among herbs1 and becometh a tree1 so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof4#fcj ,this little story1 addressed to the assembled multitude1 must have set many thinking1 because of the simplicity of the incident related and the thoroughly un-,jewish application made of it4 ,to the mind taught by teachers of the time the kingdom was to be great and glorious from its beginning2 it was to be ushered in by blare of trumpets and tramp of armies1 with ,king ,messiah at the head2 yet this new ,teacher spoke of it as having so small a beginning as to be comparable to a mustard seed4 ,to make the illustration more effective ,he specified that the seed spoken of was the least of all seeds4 ,this superlative expression was made in a relative sense2 for there were and are smaller seeds than the mustard1 even among garden plants1 among which rue and poppy have been named2 but each of these plants is very small in maturity1 while the well-cultivated mustard plant is one of the greatest among common herbs1 and presents a strong contrast of growth from tiny seed to spreading shrub4 ,moreover1 the comparison as small as a mustard seed was in every-day use among ,jews of the time4 ,the comparison employed by ,jesus on another occasion evidences the common usage1 as when ,he said3 ,if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed 444 nothing shall be impossible unto you4#fca ,it should be known that the mustard plant attains in ,palestine a larger growth than in more northerly climes4#fcb ,the lesson of the parable is easy to read4 ,the seed is a living entity4 ,when rightly planted it absorbs and assimilates the nutritive matters of soil and atmosphere1 grows1 and in time is capable of affording lodgment and food to the birds4 ,so the seed of truth is vital1 living1 and capable of such development as to furnish spiritual food and shelter to all who come seeking4 ,in both conceptions1 the plant at maturity produces seed in abundance1 and so from a single grain a whole field may be covered4 ,,the ,,leaven4 ,another parable spake he unto them2 ,the kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven1 which a woman took1 and hid in three measures of meal1 till the whole was leavened4#fcc ,points of both similarity and contrast between this parable and the last are easily discerned4 ,in each the inherent vitality and capacity for development1 so essentially characteristic of the kingdom of ,god1 are illustrated4 ,the mustard seed however1 typifies the effect of vital growth in gathering the substance of value from without2 while the leaven or yeast disseminates and diffuses outward its influence throughout the mass of otherwise dense and sodden dough4 ,each of these processes represents a means whereby the ,spirit of ,truth is made effective4 ,yeast is no less truly a living organism than a mustard seed4 ,as the microscopic yeast plant develops and multiplies within the dough1 its myriad living cells permeate the lump1 and every bit of the leavened mass is capable of affecting likewise another batch of properly prepared meal4 ,the process of leavening1 or causing dough to rise1 by the fermentation of the yeast placed in the mass1 is a slow one1 and moreover as quiet and seemingly secret as that of the planted seed growing without the sower's further attention or concern4#fcd ,,the ,,hidden ,,treasure4 ,again1 the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field2 the which when a man hath found1 he hideth1 and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath1 and buyeth that field4#fce ,this and the two parables following are recorded by ,matthew only2 and the place assigned them in his narrative indicates that they were spoken to the disciples alone1 in the house1 after the multitude had departed4 ,the quest for treasure-trove is always fascinating4 ,instances of finding buried valuables were not uncommon in the time of which we speak1 since the practise of so concealing treasure was usual with people exposed to bandit incursions and hostile invasion4 ,observe that the fortunate and happy man is represented as finding the treasure seemingly by accident rather than as a result of diligent search4 ,he gladly sold all that he possessed to make possible his purchase of the field4 ,the hidden treasure is the kingdom of heaven2 when a man finds that1 he ought to be ready to sacrifice all that he has1 if by so doing he may gain possession4 ,his joy in the new acquisition will be unbounded2 and1 if he but remain a worthy holder1 the riches thereof shall be his beyond the grave4#fcf ,casuists have raised the question of propriety as to the man's course of action in the story1 inasmuch as he concealed the fact of his discovery from the owner of the field1 to whom the treasure1 they say1 rightly belonged4 ,whatever opinion one may hold as to the ethics of the man's procedure1 his act was not illegal1 since there was an express provision in ,jewish law that the purchaser of land became the legal owner of everything the ground contained4#fcg ,assuredly ,jesus commended no dishonest course2 and had not the story been in every detail probable1 its effect as a parable would have been lost4 ,the ,master taught by this illustration that when once the treasure of the kingdom is found1 the finder should lose no time nor shrink from any sacrifice needful to insure his title thereto4 ,,the ,,pearl ,,of ,,great ,,price4 ,again1 the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man1 seeking goodly pearls3 who1 when he had found one pearl of great price1 went and sold all that he had1 and bought it4#fch ,pearls have always held high place among gems1 and long before1 as indeed ever since1 the time of ,christ1 pearl-merchants have been active and diligent in seeking the largest and richest to be had4 ,unlike the man in the last parable1 who found a hidden treasure with little or no search1 the merchant in this story devoted his whole energy to the quest for goodly pearls1 to find and secure which was his business4 ,when at last he beheld the pearl that excelled all others1 though it was1 as of right it ought to have been1 held at high cost1 he gladly sold all his other gems2 indeed he sacrificed all that he had--gems and other possessions--and purchased the pearl of great price4 ,seekers after truth may acquire much that is good and desirable1 and not find the greatest truth of all1 the truth that shall save them4 ,yet1 if they seek persistently and with right intent1 if they are really in quest of pearls and not of imitations1 they shall find4 ,men who by search and research discover the truths of the kingdom of heaven may have to abandon many of their cherished traditions1 and even their theories of imperfect philosophy and science falsely so called1#fci if they would possess themselves of the pearl of great price4 ,observe that in this parable as in that of the hidden treasure1 the price of possession is one's all4 ,no man can become a citizen of the kingdom by partial surrender of his earlier allegiances2 he must renounce everything foreign to the kingdom or he can never be numbered therein4 ,if he willingly sacrifices all that he has1 he shall find that he has enough4 ,the cost of the hidden treasure1 and of the pearl1 is not a fixed amount1 alike for all2 it is all one has4 ,even the poorest may come into enduring possession2 his all is a sufficient purchase price4 ,,the ,,gospel ,,net4 ,again1 the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net1 that was cast into the sea1 and gathered of every kind3 which1 when it was full1 they drew to shore1 and sat down1 and gathered the good into vessels1 but cast the bad away4 ,so shall it be at the end of the world3 the angels shall come forth1 and sever the wicked from among the just1 and shall cast them into the furnace of fire3 there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth4#fdj ,men of many minds1 men good and bad1 all nationalities and races1 are affected by the gospel of the kingdom4 ,the fishers of men#fda are skilful1 active1 and comprehensive in their haul4 ,the sorting takes place after the net is brought to shore2 and1 as the fisherman discards every bad fish while he saves the good1 so shall the angels who do the bidding of the ,son of ,man separate the just and the wicked1 preserving the one kind to life eternal2 consigning the other to destruction4 ,unwise efforts to carry the application of the parable beyond the ,author's intent have suggested the criticism that whether the fish be good or bad they die4 ,the good1 however1 die to usefulness1 the bad to utter waste4 ,though all men die1 they die not alike2 some pass to rest1 and shall come forth in the resurrection of the just2 others go to a state of sorrow and disquiet there to anxiously and with dread await the resurrection of the wicked4#fdb ,similarity of application in the present parable as in that of the tares1 is apparent in the emphasis given to the decreed separation of the just from the unjust1 and in the awful fate of those who are fit subjects for condemnation4 ,a further parallelism is noticed in the postponement of the judgment until the end of the world1 by which expression we may understand the consummation of the ,redeemer's work1 subsequent to the ,millennium and the final resurrection of all who have had existence on earth4#fdc ,following ,his delivery of this1 the last of the group of parables recorded in the thirteenth chapter of ,matthew1 ,jesus asked the disciples1 ,have ye understood all these things8 ,they answered1 ,yea1 ,lord4 ,he impressed upon them that they should be ready1 like well-taught teachers1 to bring1 from the store-house of their souls1 treasures of truth both old and new1 for the edification of the world4#fdd ,,christ',s ,,purpose ,,in ,,using ,,parables4 ,as before stated1 the ,twelve and other disciples were surprized at the ,lord's innovation of parabolic instruction4 ,prior to that time ,his doctrines had been set forth in unveiled plainness1 as witness the explicit teachings in the ,sermon on the ,mount4 ,it is noticeable that the introduction of parables occurred when opposition to ,jesus was strong1 and when scribes1 ,pharisees1 and rabbis were alert in maintaining a close watch upon ,his movements and ,his works1 ever ready to make ,him an offender for a word4 ,the use of parables was common among ,jewish teachers2 and in adopting this mode of instruction ,jesus was really following a custom of the time2 though between the parables ,he spake and those of the scholars there is possible no comparison except that of most pronounced contrast4#fde ,to the chosen and devoted followers who came asking the ,master why ,he had changed from direct exposition to parables1 ,he explained#fdf that while it was their privilege to receive and understand the deeper truths of the gospel1 the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven as ,he expressed it1 with people in general1 who were unreceptive and unprepared1 such fulness of understanding was impossible4 ,to the disciples who had already gladly accepted the first principles of the gospel of ,christ1 more should be given2 while from those who had rejected the proffered boon1 even what they had theretofore possessed should be taken away4#fdg ,therefore1 said ,he1 speak ,i to them in parables3 because they seeing see not2 and hearing they hear not1 neither do they understand4 ,that the state of spiritual darkness then existing among the ,jews had been foreseen was instanced by a citation of ,isaiah's words1 in which the ancient prophet had told of the people becoming blind1 deaf1 and hard of heart respecting the things of ,god1 whereby though they would both hear and see in a physical sense yet should they not understand4#fdh ,there is plainly shown an element of mercy in the parabolic mode of instruction adopted by our ,lord under the conditions prevailing at the time4 ,had ,he always taught in explicit declaration1 such as required no interpretation1 many among ,his hearers would have come under condemnation1 inasmuch as they were too weak in faith and unprepared in heart to break the bonds of traditionalism and the prejudice engendered by sin1 so as to accept and obey the saving word4 ,their inability to comprehend the requirements of the gospel would in righteous measure give ,mercy some claim upon them1 while had they rejected the truth with full understanding1 stern ,justice would surely demand their condemnation4#fdi ,that the lesson of the parables was comprehensible through study1 prayer and search was intimated in the ,teacher's admonishment3 ,who hath ears to hear1 let him hear4#fej ,to the more studious inquirers1 the ,master added3 ,take heed what ye hear3 with what measure ye mete1 it shall be measured to you3 and unto you that hear shall more be given4 ,for he that hath1 to him shall be given3 and he that hath not1 from him shall be taken even that which he hath4#fea ,two men may hear the same words2 one of them listens in indolence and indifference1 the other with active mind intent on learning all that the words can possibly convey2 and1 having heard1 the diligent man goes straightway to do the things commended to him1 while the careless one neglects and forgets4 ,the one is wise1 the other foolish2 the one has heard to his eternal profit1 the other to his everlasting condemnation4#feb ,another example of the merciful adaptation of the word of truth to the varied capacities of the people who heard the parables is found in the psychological fact1 that the incidents of an impressive though simple story will live1 even in minds which for the time being are incapable of comprehending any meaning beyond that of the common-place story itself4 ,many a peasant who had heard the little incident of the sower and the four kinds of soil1 of the tares sown by an enemy at night1 of the seed that grew though the planter had temporarily forgotten it1 would be reminded by the recurring circumstances of his daily work2 the gardener would recollect the story of the mustard seed whenever he planted afresh1 or when he looked upon the umbrageous plant with birds nesting in its branches2 the housewife would be impressed anew by the story of the leaven as she mixed and kneaded and baked2 the fisherman at his nets would think again of the good fish and the bad and compare the sorting of his catch with the judgment to come4 ,and then1 when time and experience1 including suffering perhaps1 had prepared them for deeper thought1 they would find the living kernel of gospel truth within the husk of the simple tale4 ,,parables ,,in ,,general4 ,the essential feature of a parable is that of comparison or similitude1 by which some ordinary1 well-understood incident is used to illustrate a fact or principle not directly expressed in the story4 ,the popular thought that a parable necessarily rests on a fictitious incident is incorrect2 for1 inasmuch as the story or circumstance of the parable must be simple and indeed common-place1 it may be real4 ,there is no fiction in the parables we have thus far studied2 the fundamental stories are true to life and the given circumstances are facts of experience4 ,the narrative or incident upon which a parable is constructed may be an actual occurrence or fiction2 but1 if fictitious1 the story must be consistent and probable1 with no admixture of the unusual or miraculous4 ,in this respect the parable differs from the fable1 the latter being imaginative1 exaggerated and improbable as to fact2 moreover1 the intent is unlike in the two1 since the parable is designed to convey some great spiritual truth1 while the so-called moral of the fable is at best suggestive only of worldly achievement and personal advantage4 ,stories of trees1 animals and inanimate things talking together or with men are wholly fanciful2 they are fables or apologues whether the outcome be depicted as good or bad2 to the parable these show contrast1 not similarity4 ,the avowed purpose of the fable is rather to amuse than to teach4 ,the parable may embody a narrative as in the instances of the sower and the tares1 or merely an isolated incident1 as in those of the mustard seed and the leaven4 ,allegories are distinguished from parables by greater length and detail of the story1 and by the intimate admixture of the narrative with the lesson it is designed to teach2 these are kept distinctly separate in the parable4 ,myths are fictitious stories1 sometimes with historic basis of fact1 but without symbolism of spiritual worth4 ,a proverb is a short1 sententious saying1 in the nature of a maxim1 connoting a definite truth or suggestion by comparison4 ,proverbs and parables are closely related1 and in the ,bible the terms are sometimes used interchangeably4#fec ,the ,old ,testament contains two parables1 a few fables and allegories1 and numerous proverbs2 of the last-named we possess an entire book4#fed ,nathan the prophet reproved ,king ,david by the parable of the poor man's ewe lamb1 and so effective was the story that the king decreed punishment for the wealthy offender1 and was overcome by sorrow and contrition when the prophet made application of his parable by the fateful words1 ,thou art the man4#fee ,the story of the vineyard1 which though fenced and well-tended yet brought forth only wild1 useless fruit1 was used by ,isaiah to portray the sinful state of ,israel in his attempt to awaken the people to lives of righteousness4#fef ,the parables of the ,new ,testament1 spoken by the ,teacher of teachers1 are of such beauty1 simplicity1 and effectiveness1 as to stand unparalleled in literature4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ai4 #a4 ,the ,first ,group of ,parables4--,many ,bible scholars hold that the seven parables recorded in the thirteenth chapter of ,matthew were spoken at different times and to different people1 and that the writer of the first ,gospel grouped them for convenience in recording and with prime consideration of their subjective interest4 ,some color is found for this claim in ,luke's mention of some of these parables in different relations of both time and place2 thus1 the parables of the ,mustard ,seed and the ,leaven are given 7,luke #ac3ah1 #ba7 as directly following the healing of the infirm woman in the synagog1 and the rebuke to the hypocritical ruler4 ,while we must admit that ,matthew may have grouped with the parables spoken on that particular day some of other dates1 it is probable that ,jesus repeated some of ,his parables1 as ,he certainly did other teachings1 and thus presented the same lesson on more occasions than one4 ,as a matter of fact each parable is a lesson in itself1 and holds its high intrinsic value whether considered as an isolated story or in connection with related teachings4 ,let us give heed to the lesson of each whatever opinions men may promulgate as to the circumstances of its first delivery4 #b4 ,local ,setting for the ,parable of the ,sower4--,dr4 ,r4 ,c4 ,trench1 in his excellent work ,notes on the ,parables of our ,lord 7p4 #eg1 note71 quotes ,dean ,stanley's description of existing conditions in the place where the ,parable of the ,sower was given by ,jesus2 and as there is reason to believe that the environment has changed but little since the days of ,christ1 the account is here reproduced3 ,a slight recess in the hillside close upon the plain disclosed at once in detail1 and with a conjunction which ,i remember nowhere else in ,palestine1 every feature of the great parable4 ,there was the undulating corn-field descending to the water's edge4 ,there was the trodden pathway running through the midst of it1 with no fence or hedge to prevent the seed falling here or there on either side of it1 or upon it--itself hard with the constant tramp of horse and mule and human feet4 ,there was the 'good' rich soil1 which distinguishes the whole of that plain and its neighborhood from the bare hills elsewhere1 descending into the lake1 and which1 where there is no interruption1 produces one vast mass of corn4 ,there was the rocky ground of the hillside protruding here and there through the corn-fields1 as elsewhere1 through the grassy slopes4 ,there were the large bushes of thorn1 the 'nabk' 444 springing up1 like the fruit-trees of the more inland parts1 in the very midst of the waving wheat4 #c4 ,tares4--,this term occurs nowhere within the ,bible except in this instance of the parable4 ,plainly any kind of weed1 particularly a poisonous sort1 such as would seriously depreciate the garnered crop1 would serve the ,master's purpose in the illustration4 ,the traditional belief commonly held is that the plant referred to in the parable is the darnel weed1 known to botanists as ,lolium temulenium1 a species of bearded rye-grass4 ,this plant closely resembles wheat in the early period of growth1 and exists as a pest to the farmers in ,palestine to-day2 it is called by the ,arabians ,zowan or ,zawan which name1 says ,arnot1 citing ,thompson1 bears some resemblance to the original word in the ,greek text4 ,the writer of the article ,tares in ,smith's ,dictionary says3 ,critics and expositors are agreed that the ,greek plural zizania1 ,a4,v4 'tares1' of the parable 7,matt #ac3be7 denotes the weed called 'bearded darnel' 7,lolium temulentum71 a widely-distributed grass1 and the only species of the order that has deleterious properties4 ,the bearded darnel before it comes into ear is very similar in appearance to wheat1 and the roots of the two are often intertwined2 hence the command that the 'tares' should be left till the harvest1 lest while men plucked up the tares 'they should root up also the wheat with them4' ,this darnel is easily distinguishable from the wheat and barley when headed out1 but when both are less developed1 'the closest scrutiny will often fail to detect it4 ,even the farmers1 who in this country generally weed their fields1 do not attempt to separate the one from the other 444 ,the taste is bitter1 and1 when eaten separately1 or even when diffused in ordinary bread1 it causes dizziness1 and often acts as a violent emetic4' ,the secondary quotation is from ,thompson's ,the ,land and the ,book1 ii1 #aaa1 #aab4 ,it has been asserted that the darnel is a degenerated kind of wheat2 and attempts have been made to give additional significance to our ,lord's instructive parable by injecting this thought2 there is no scientific warrant for the strained conception1 however1 and earnest students will not be misled thereby4 #d4 ,the ,wickedness of the ,sower of ,tares4--,attempts have been made to disparage the ,parable of the ,tares on the ground that it rests on an unusual if not unknown practise4 ,trench thus meets the criticism 7,notes on the ,parables1 pp4 #gb1 #gc73 ,our ,lord did not imagine here a form of malice without example1 but adduced one which may have been familiar enough to ,his hearers1 one so easy of execution1 involving so little risk1 and yet effecting so great and lasting a mischief1 that it is not strange1 where cowardice and malice meet1 that this should have been often the shape in which they displayed themselves4 ,we meet traces of it in many quarters4 ,in ,roman law the possibility of this form of injury is contemplated2 and a modern writer1 illustrating ,scripture from the manners and habits of the ,east1 with which he had become familiar through a sojourn there1 affirms the same to be now practised in ,india4 ,in a subjoined note the author adds3 ,we are not without this form of malice nearer home4 ,thus in ,ireland ,i have known an outgoing tenant1 in spite at his eviction1 to sow wild oats in the fields which he was leaving4 ,these1 like the tares in the parable1 ripening and seeding themselves before the crops in which they were mingled1 it became next to impossible to extirpate42 #e4 ,the ,parable of the ,seed ,growing ,secretly4--,this parable has given rise to much discussion among expositors1 the question being as to who is meant by the man who cast seed into the ground4 ,if1 as in the parables of the ,sower and the ,tares1 the ,lord ,jesus be the planter1 then1 some ask1 how can it be said that the seed should spring and grow up1 he knoweth not how1 when all things are known unto ,him8 ,if on the other hand the planter represents the authorized teacher or preacher of the gospel1 how can it be said that at the harvest time he putteth in the sickle1 since the final harvesting of souls is the prerogative of ,god8 ,the perplexities of the critics arise from their attempt to find in the parable a literalism never intended by the ,author4 ,whether the seed be planted by the ,lord ,himself1 as when ,he taught in ,person1 or by any one of ,his authorized servants1 the seed is alive and will grow4 ,time is required2 the blade appears first and is followed by the ear1 and the ear ripens in season1 without the constant attention which a shaping of the several parts by hand would require4 ,the man who figures in the parable is presented as an ordinary farmer1 who plants1 and waits1 and in due time reaps4 ,the lesson imparted is the vitality of the seed as a living thing1 endowed by its ,creator with the capacity to both grow and develop4 #f4 ,the ,mustard ,plant4--,the wild mustard1 which in the temperate zone seldom attains a height of more than three or four feet1 reaches in semitropical lands the height of a horse and its rider 7,thompson1 ,the ,land and the ,book ii1 #ajj74 ,those who heard the parable evidently understood the contrast between size of seed and that of the fully developed plant4 ,arnot1 7,the ,parables1 p4 #ajb71 aptly says3 ,this plant obviously was chosen by the ,lord1 not on account of its absolute magnitude1 but because it was1 and was recognized to be1 a striking instance of increase from very small to very great4 ,it seems to have been in ,palestine1 at that time1 the smallest seed from which so large a plant was known to grow4 ,there were1 perhaps1 smaller seeds1 but the plants which sprung from them were not so great2 and there were greater plants1 but the seeds from which they sprung were not so small4 ,edersheim 7i1 p4 #eic7 states that the diminutive size of the mustard seed was commonly used in comparison by the rabbis1 to indicate the smallest amount such as the least drop of blood1 the least defilement1 etc4 ,the same author continues1 in speaking of the grown plant3 ,indeed1 it looks no longer like a large garden-herb or shrub1 but 'becomes' or rather appears like 'a tree'--as ,st4 ,luke puts it1 'a great tree1' of course1 not in comparison with other trees1 but with garden-shrubs4 ,such growth of mustard seed was also a fact well known at the time1 and1 indeed1 still observed in the ,east4444 ,and the general meaning would the more easily be apprehended1 that a tree1 whose wide-spreading branches afforded lodgment to the birds of heaven1 was a familiar ,old ,testament figure for a mighty kingdom that gave shelter to the nations 7,ezek4 #ca3f1 #ab2 ,dan4 #d3ab1 #ad1 #ba1 #bb74 ,indeed1 it is specifically used as an illustration of the ,messianic ,kingdom 7,ezek4 #ag3bc74 #g4 ,the ,symbolism of ,leaven4--,in the parable1 the kingdom of heaven is likened unto leaven4 ,in other scriptures1 leaven is figuratively mentioned as representing evil1 thus1 the leaven of the ,pharisees and of the ,sadducees 7,matt4 #af3f1 see also ,luke #ab3a71 the leaven of ,herod 7,mark #h3ae74 ,these instances1 and others 7#a ,cor4 #e3g1 #h7 are illustrative of the contagion of evil4 ,in the incident of the woman using leaven in the ordinary process of bread-making1 the spreading1 penetrating vital effect of truth is symbolized by the leaven4 ,the same thing in different aspects may very properly be used to represent good in one instance and evil in another4 #h4 ,treasure ,belonging to the ,finder4--,as to the justification of the man who found a treasure hidden in another's field and then1 concealing the fact of his discovery1 bought the field that he might possess the treasure1 ,edersheim 7i1 p4 #eie-f7 says3 ,some difficulty has been expressed in regard to the morality of such a transaction4 ,in reply it may be observed1 that it was1 at least1 in entire accordance with ,jewish law4 ,if a man had found a treasure in loose coins among the corn it would certainly be his if he bought the corn4 ,if he had found it on the ground1 or in the soil1 it would equally certainly belong to him if he could claim ownership of the soil1 and even if the field were not his own1 unless others could prove their right to it4 ,the law went so far as to adjudge to the purchaser of fruits anything found among these fruits4 ,this will suffice to vindicate a question of detail1 which1 in any case1 should not be too closely pressed in a parabolic history4 #i4 ,superiority of our ,lord's ,parables4--,perhaps no other mode of teaching was so common among the ,jews as that by parables4 ,only in their case1 they were almost entirely illustrations of what had been said or taught2 while in the case of ,christ1 they served as the foundation for ,his teaching4444 ,in the one case it was intended to make spiritual teaching appear ,jewish and national1 in the other to convey spiritual teaching in a form adapted to the stand-point of the hearers4 ,this distinction will be found to hold true1 even in instances where there seems the closest parallelism between a ,rabbinic and an ,evangelic parable4444 ,it need scarcely be said that comparison between such parables1 as regards their spirit1 is scarcely possible1 except by way of contrast 7,edersheim1 i1 pp4 #ehj-a74 ,geikie tersely says3 ,others have uttered parables1 but ,jesus so far transcends them1 that ,he may justly be called the creator of this mode of instruction 7ii1 p4 #ade74 #aj4 ,parables and ,other ,forms of ,analogy4--,the parable is also clearly distinguishable from the proverb1 though it is true that1 in a certain degree1 the words are used interchangeably in the ,new ,testament1 and as equivalent the one to the other4 ,thus ',physician1 heal thyself' 7,luke #d3bc7 is termed a parable1 being more strictly a proverb2 so again1 when the ,lord had used that proverb1 probably already familiar to ,his hearers ',if the blind lead the blind1 both shall fall into the ditch'2 ,peter said ',declare unto us this parable' 7,matt4 #ae3ad1 #ae72 and ,luke #e3cf is a proverb or proverbial expression1 rather than a parable1 which name it bears4444 ,so1 upon the other hand1 those are called 'proverbs' in ,st4 ,john1 which if not strictly parables1 yet claim much closer affinity to the parable than to the proverb1 being in fact allegories2 thus ,christ's setting forth of ,his relations to ,his people under those of a shepherd to his sheep is termed a 'proverb1' though our translators1 holding fast to the sense rather than to the letter1 have rendered it a 'parable' 7,john #aj3f2 compare #af3be1 #bi74 ,it is easy to account for this interchange of words4 ,partly it arose from one word in ,hebrew signifying both parable and proverb4--,trench1 ,notes on the ,parables1 pp4 #i1 #aj4 ,for the convenience of readers who may not have a dictionary at hand as they read1 the following definitions are given3 ,allegory4--,the setting forth of a subject under the guise of some other subject or aptly suggestive likeness4 ,apologue4--,a fable or moral tale1 especially one in which animals or inanimate things speak or act1 and by which a useful lesson is suggested or taught4 ,fable4--,a brief story or tale feigned or invented to embody a moral1 and introducing animals and sometimes even inanimate things as rational speakers and actors2 a legend or myth4 ,myth4--,a fictitious or conjectural narrative presented as historical1 but without any basis of fact4 ,parable4--,a brief narrative or descriptive allegory founded on real scenes or events such as occur in nature and human life1 and usually with a moral or religious application4 ,proverb4--,a brief1 pithy saying1 condensing in witty or striking form the wisdom of experience2 a familiar and widely known popular saying in epigrammatic form4 #aa4 ,old ,testament ,parables1 ,etc4--,of parables in the strictest sense the ,old ,testament contains only two 7#b ,sam4 #ab3a-2 and ,isa4 #e3a-74 ,other stories1 such as that of the trees assembled to elect a king 7,judges #i3h71 and of the thistle and cedar 7#b ,kings #ad3i71 are more strictly fables4 ,still others1 such as ,ezekiel's account of the two eagles and the vine 7#ag3b-71 and of the caldron 7#bd3c-7 are allegories4 ,the small number of parabolic narratives to be found in the ,old ,testament must not1 however1 be taken as an indication of indifference toward this literary form as suitable for moral instruction4 ,the number is only apparently small4 ,in reality1 similitudes1 which1 though not explicitly couched in the terms of fictitious narrative1 suggest and furnish the materials for such narrative1 are abundant4--,zenos1 ,stand4 ,bible ,dict41 article ,parables4 ,by applying the term parable in its broadest sense1 to include all ordinary forms of analogy1 we may list the following as the most impressive parables of the ,old ,testament4 ,trees electing a king 7,judges #i3g-72 the poor man's ewe lamb 7#b ,sam4 #ab3a-72 the contending brothers and the avengers 7#b ,sam4 #ad3a-72 story of the escaped captive 7#a ,kings #bj3ce-72 the thistle and the cedar 7#b ,kings #ad3i72 the vineyard and its wild grapes 7,isa4 #e3a-72 the eagles and the vine 7,ezek4 #ag3c-72 the lion's whelps 7,ezek4 #ai3b-72 the seething pot 7,ezek4 #bd3c-74 ,,footnotes3 #fab ,mark #c3aj2 compare ,matt4 #i3bj1 #ba2 #ad3cf2 ,mark #f3ef2 ,luke #f3ai #fac ,mark #c3i4 #fad ,luke #e3aj2 page #aig herein4 #fae ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #faf ,matt4 #ac3c-i2 compare ,mark #d3c-i2 ,luke #h3e-h4 #fag ,mark #d3ac4 #fah ,matt4 #ac3ah-bc2 compare ,mark #d3ac-bj2 ,luke #h3aa-ae4 #fai ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #fbj ,pages #bed and #bgd4 #fba ,matt4 #ac3bd-cj4 #fbb ,verses #cf-dc4 #fbc ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #fbd ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #fbe ,doc4 and ,cov4 #hf3d-g2 read the entire section4 #fbf ,mark #d3bf-bi4 #fbg ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #fbh #a ,cor4 #c3f4 #fbi ,read the ,lord's early promise of souls as the hire of the appointed harvesters3 ,john #d3ce-ch2 see also ,matt4 #i3cg1 #ch2 ,luke #aj3b4 #fcj ,matt4 #ac3ca1 #cb2 compare ,mark #d3cj-cb2 ,luke #ac3ah1 #ai4 #fca ,matt4 #ag3bj2 compare ,luke #ag3f4 #fcb ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #fcc ,matt4 #ac3cc2 compare ,luke #ac3bj1 #ba4 #fcd ,page #bhh4 ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #fce ,matt4 #ac3dd4 #fcf ,compare ,matt4 #f3ai1 #bj4 #fcg ,note #h1 end of chapter4 #fch ,matt4 #ac3de1 #dh4 #fci #a ,tim4 #f3bj4 #fdj ,matt4 #ac3dg-ej4 #fda ,matt4 #d3ai2 ,mark #a3ag2 ,luke #e3aj4 #fdb ,john #e3bi2 see also ,b4 of ,m41 ,alma #dj3aa-ad2 and the author1 ,articles of ,faith1 xxi3#bd-ci4 #fdc ,see chapter #db4 #fdd ,matt4 #ac3ea1 #eb4 #fde ,note #i1 end of chapter4 #fdf ,matt4 #ac3aj-ag2 compare ,mark #d3aj-ac2 ,luke #h3i1 #aj4 #fdg ,matt4 #ac3ab2 compare #be3bi2 ,mark #d3be2 ,luke #h3ah2 #ai3bf4 #fdh ,isa4 #f3i2 see also #db3bj2 #dc3h2 ,ezek4 #ab3b2 ,john #ab3dj2 ,acts #bh3bf1 #bg4 #fdi ,see the author's ,articles of ,faith1 iii3#ab1 #ac2 ,b4 of ,m41 #b ,nephi #i3be-bg2 ,rom4 #b3ab2 ,doc4 and ,cov4 #de3ed2 #gf3gb4 #fej ,matt4 #ac3i1 #dc2 see also #aa3ae2 ,mark #d3i4 #fea ,mark #d3bd1 #be4 #feb ,read again ,matt4 #g3bd-bg2 ,luke #f3df-di4 #fec ,note #aj1 end of chapter4 #fed ,note #aa1 end of chapter4 #fee #b ,sam4 #ab3a-g1 #ac4 #fef ,isa4 #e3a-g4 ,,chapter #bj4 ,,peace1 ,,be ,,still4 ,,incidents ,,preliminary ,,to ,,the ,,voyage4 ,near the close of the day on which ,jesus had taught the multitudes for the first time by parables1 ,he said to the disciples1 ,let us pass over unto the other side4#feg ,the destination so indicated is the east side of the sea of ,galilee4 ,while the boat was being made ready1 a certain scribe came to ,jesus and said3 ,master1 ,i will follow thee whithersoever thou goest4 ,prior to that time1 few men belonging to the titled or ruling class had offered to openly ally themselves with ,jesus4 ,had the ,master been mindful of policy and desirous of securing official recognition1 this opportunity to attach to ,himself as influential a person as a scribe would have received careful consideration if not immediate acceptance2 but ,he1 who could read the minds and know the hearts of men1 chose rather than accepted4 ,he had called men who were to be thenceforth ,his own1 from their fishing boats and nets1 and had numbered one of the ostracized publicans among the ,twelve2 but ,he knew them1 every one1 and chose accordingly4 ,the gospel was offered freely to all2 but authority to officiate as a minister thereof was not to be had for the asking2 for that sacred labor1 one must be called of ,god4#feh ,in this instance1 ,christ knew the character of the man1 and1 without wounding his feelings by curt rejection1 pointed out the sacrifice required of one who would follow whithersoever the ,lord went1 saying3 ,the foxes have holes1 and the birds of the air have nests2 but the ,son of man hath not where to lay his head4 ,as ,jesus had no fixed place of abode1 but went wherever ,his duty called ,him1 so was it necessary that they who represented ,him1 men ordained or set apart to ,his service1 be ready to deny themselves the enjoyment of their homes and the comfort of family associations1 if the duties of their calling so demanded4 ,we do not read that the aspiring scribe pressed his offer4 ,another man indicated his willingness to follow the ,lord1 but asked first for time to go and bury his father2 to him ,jesus said3 ,follow me2 and let the dead bury their dead4 ,some readers have felt that this injunction was harsh1 though such an inference is scarcely justified4 ,while it would be manifestly unfilial for a son to absent himself from his father's funeral under ordinary conditions1 nevertheless1 if that son had been set apart to service of importance transcending all personal or family obligations1 his ministerial duty would of right take precedence4 ,moreover1 the requirement expressed by ,jesus was no greater than that made of every priest during his term of active service1 nor was it more afflicting than the obligation of the ,nazarite vow1#fei under which many voluntarily placed themselves4 ,the duties of ministry in the kingdom pertained to spiritual life2 one dedicated thereto might well allow those who were negligent of spiritual things1 and figuratively speaking1 spiritually dead1 to bury their dead4 ,a third instance is presented2 a man who wanted to be a disciple of the ,lord asked that1 before entering upon his duties1 he be permitted to go home and bid farewell to his family and friends4 ,the reply of ,jesus has become an aphorism in life and literature3 ,no man1 having put his hand to the plough1 and looking back1 is fit for the kingdom of ,god4#ffj ,from ,matthew's record we draw the inference that the first two of these candidates for discipleship offered themselves to our ,lord as ,he stood on the shore or in the boat ready to begin the evening voyage across the lake4 ,luke places the instances in a different connection1 and adds to the offers of the scribe and the man who would first bury his father1 that of the one who wished to go home and then return to ,christ4 ,the three incidents may be profitably considered together1 whether all occurred in the evening of that same eventful day or at different times4 ,,stilling ,,the ,,storm4#ffa ,the instruction to launch forth and cross to the opposite side of the lake was given by ,jesus1 who probably desired a respite after the arduous labors of the day4 ,no time had been lost in unnecessary preparation2 they took him1 even as he was1 into the ship1 and set out without delay4 ,even on the water some of the eager people tried to follow2 for a number of small boats1 little ships as ,mark styles them1 accompanied the vessel on which ,jesus was embarked2 but these lesser craft may have turned back1 possibly on account of the approaching storm2 anyway1 we do not hear of them further4 ,jesus found a resting place near the stern of the ship and soon fell asleep4 ,a great storm arose1#ffb and still ,he slept4 ,the circumstance is instructive as it evidences at once the reality of the physical attributes of ,christ1 and the healthy1 normal condition of ,his body4 ,he was subject to fatigue and bodily exhaustion from other causes1 as are all men2 without food ,he grew hungry2 without drink ,he thirsted2 by labor ,he became weary4 ,the fact that after a day of strenuous effort ,he could calmly sleep1 even amidst the turmoil of a tempest1 indicates an unimpaired nervous system and a good state of health4 ,nowhere do we find record of ,jesus having been ill4 ,he lived according to the laws of health1 yet never allowed the body to rule the spirit2 and ,his daily activities1 which were of a kind to make heavy demands on both physical and mental energy1 were met with no symptoms of nervous collapse nor of functional disturbance4 ,sleep after toil is natural and necessary4 ,the day's work done1 ,jesus slept4 ,meanwhile the storm increased in fury2 the wind rendered the boat unmanageable2 waves beat over the side2 so much water was shipped that the vessel seemed about to founder4 ,the disciples were terror-stricken2 yet through it all ,jesus rested peacefully4 ,in their extremity of fear1 the disciples awakened ,him1 crying out1 according to the several independent accounts1 ,master1 ,master1 we perish2 ,lord1 save us3 we perish2 and1 ,master1 carest thou not that we perish8 ,they were abjectly frightened1 and at least partly forgetful that there was with them ,one whose voice even death had to obey4 ,their terrified appeal was not wholly devoid of hope nor barren of faith3 ,lord1 save us they cried4 ,calmly ,he replied to their piteous call1 ,why are ye fearful1 ,o ye of little faith8 ,then ,he arose2 and out through the darkness of that fearsome night1 into the roaring wind1 over the storm-lashed sea1 went the voice of the ,lord as ,he rebuked the wind1 and said unto the sea1 ,peace1 be still4 ,and the wind ceased1 and there was a great calm4 ,turning to the disciples1 ,he asked in tones of gentle yet unmistakable reproof3 ,where is your faith8 and ,how is it that ye have no faith8 ,gratitude for rescue from what but a moment before had seemed impending death was superseded by amazement and fear4 ,what manner of man is this1 they asked one of another1 that even the wind and the sea obey him8 ,among the recorded miracles of ,christ1 none has elicited greater diversity in comment and in attempt at elucidation than has this marvelous instance of control over the forces of nature4 ,science ventures no explanation4 ,the ,lord of earth1 air1 and sea spoke and was obeyed4 ,he it was who1 amidst the black chaos of creation's earliest stages1 had commanded with immediate effect--,let there be light2 ,let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters2 ,let the dry land appear--and1 as ,he had decreed1 so it was4 ,the dominion of the ,creator over the created is real and absolute4 ,a small part of that dominion has been committed to man#ffc as the offspring of ,god1 tabernacled in the very image of his divine ,father4 ,but man exercizes that delegated control through secondary agencies1 and by means of complicated mechanism4 ,man's power over the objects of his own devizing is limited4 ,it is according to the curse evoked by ,adam's fall1 which came through transgression1 that by the strain of his muscles1 by the sweat of his brow1 and by stress of his mind1 shall he achieve4 ,his word of command is but a sound-wave in air1 except as it is followed by labor4 ,through the ,spirit that emanates from the very ,person of ,deity1 and which pervades all space1 the command of ,god is immediately operative4 ,not man alone1 but also the earth and all the elemental forces pertaining thereto came under the ,adamic curse#ffd and as the soil no longer brought forth only good and useful fruits1 but gave of its substance to nurture thorns and thistles1 so the several forces of nature ceased to be obedient to man as agents subject to his direct control4 ,what we call natural forces--heat1 light1 electricity1 chemical affinity--are but a few of the manifestations of eternal energy through which the ,creator's purposes are subserved2 and these few1 man is able to direct and utilize only through mechanical contrivance and physical adjustment4 ,but the earth shall yet be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory2 then soil1 water1 air1 and the forces acting upon them1 shall directly respond to the command of glorified man1 as now they obey the word of the ,creator4#ffe ,,quieting ,,the ,,demons4#fff ,jesus and the disciples with ,him landed on the eastern or ,perean side of the lake1 in a region known as the country of the ,gadarenes or ,gergesenes4 ,the precise spot has not been identified1 but it was evidently a country district apart from the towns4#ffg ,as the party left the boat1 two maniacs1 who were sorely tormented by evil spirits1 approached4 ,matthew states there were two2 the other writers speak of but one2 it is possible that one of the afflicted pair was in a condition so much worse than that of his companion that to him is accorded greater prominence in the narrative2 or1 one may have run away while the other remained4 ,the demoniac was in a pitiful plight4 ,his frenzy had become so violent and the physical strength incident to his mania so great that all attempts to hold him in captivity had failed4 ,he had been bound in chains and fetters1 but these he had broken asunder by the aid of demon power2 and he had fled to the mountains1 to the caverns that served as tombs1 and there he had lived more like a wild beast than a man4 ,night and day his weird1 terrifying shrieks had been heard1 and through dread of meeting him people traveled by other ways rather than pass near his haunts4 ,he wandered about naked1 and in his madness often gashed his flesh with sharp stones4 ,seeing ,jesus1 the poor creature ran toward ,him1 and1 impelled by the power of his demon control1 prostrated himself before ,christ1 the while crying out with a loud voice3 ,what have ,i to do with thee1 ,jesus1 thou ,son of the most high ,god8 ,as ,jesus commanded the evil spirits to leave1 one or more of them1 through the voice of the man1 pleaded to be left alone1 and with blasphemous presumption exclaimed3 ,i adjure thee by ,god1 that thou torment me not4 ,matthew records the further question addressed to ,jesus3 ,art thou come hither to torment us before the time8 ,the demons1 by whom the man was possessed and controlled1 recognized the ,master1 whom they knew they had to obey2 but they pleaded to be left alone until the decreed time of their final punishment would come4#ffh ,jesus asked1 ,what is thy name8 and the demons within the man answered1 ,my name is ,legion1 for we are many4 ,the fact of the man's dual consciousness or multi-personality is here apparent4 ,so complete was his possession by wicked spirits that he could no longer distinguish between his individual personality and theirs4 ,the devils implored that ,jesus would not banish them from that country2 or as ,luke records in words of awful import1 that he would not command them to go out into the deep4#ffi ,in their wretched plight1 and out of diabolical eagerness to find abode in bodies of flesh even though of beasts1 they begged that1 being compelled to leave the man they be allowed to enter a herd of hogs feeding nearby4 ,jesus gave permission2 the unclean demons entered the swine2 and the whole herd1 numbering about two thousand1 went wild1 stampeded in terror1 ran violently down a steep place into the sea1 and were drowned4 ,the swineherds were frightened1 and1 hastening to the town1 told what had happened to the hogs4 ,people came out in crowds to see for themselves2 and all were astounded to behold the once wild man of whom they had all been afraid1 now clothed1 and restored to a normal state of mind1 sitting quietly and reverently at the feet of ,jesus4 ,they were afraid of ,one who could work such wonders1 and1 conscious of their sinful unworthiness1 begged ,him to leave their country4#fgj ,the man who had been rid of the demons feared not2 in his heart love and gratitude superseded all other feelings2 and as ,jesus returned to the boat he prayed that he might go also4 ,but ,jesus forbade1 saying3 ,go home to thy friends1 and tell them how great things the ,lord hath done for thee1 and hath had compassion on thee4 ,the man became a missionary1 not alone in his home town but throughout ,decapolis1 the region of the ten cities2 wherever he went he told of the marvelous change ,jesus had wrought on him4 ,the testimony of wicked and unclean spirits to the divinity of ,christ as the ,son of ,god is not confined to this instance4 ,we have already considered the case of the demoniac in the synagog at ,capernaum2#fga and another instance appeared1 when ,jesus1 withdrawing from the towns in ,galilee1 betook ,himself to the sea shore1 and was followed by a great multitude comprizing ,galileans and ,judeans1 and people from ,jerusalem and ,idumea1 and from beyond ,jordan 7i4e4 from ,perea71 and inhabitants of ,tyre and ,sidon1 amongst whom ,he had healed many of divers diseases2 and those who were in bondage to unclean spirits had fallen down and worshiped ,him2 while the demons cried out3 ,thou art the ,son of ,god4#fgb ,in the course of the short journey considered in this chapter1 the power of ,jesus as ,master of earth1 men and devils1 was manifest in miraculous works of the most impressive kind4 ,we cannot classify the ,lord's miracles as small and great1 nor as easy and difficult of accomplishment2 what one may consider the least is to another of profound import4 ,the ,lord's word was sufficient in every instance4 ,to the wind and the waves1 and to the demon-ridden mind of the man possessed1 ,he had but to speak and be obeyed4 ,peace1 be still4 ,,the ,,raising ,,of ,,the ,,daughter ,,of ,,jairus4#fgc ,jesus and ,his attendants recrossed the lake from the land of ,gadara to the vicinity of ,capernaum1 where ,he was received with acclamation by a multitude of people1 for they were all waiting for him4 ,immediately after landing1 ,jesus was approached by ,jairus1 one of the rulers of the local synagog1 who besought him greatly1 saying1 ,my little daughter lieth at the point of death3 ,i pray thee1 come and lay thy hands on her1 that she may be healed2 and she shall live4 ,the fact of this man's coming to ,jesus1 with the spirit of faith and supplication1 is an evidence of the deep impression the ministry of ,christ had made even in priestly and ecclesiastical circles4 ,many of the ,jews1 rulers and officials as well as the people in common1 believed in ,jesus2#fgd though few belonging to the upper classes were willing to sacrifice prestige and popularity by acknowledging their discipleship4 ,that ,jairus1 one of the rulers of the synagog1 came only when impelled by grief over the impending death of his only daughter1 a girl of twelve years1 is no evidence that he had not before become a believer2 certainly at this time his faith was genuine and his trust sincere1 as the circumstances of the narrative prove4 ,he approached ,jesus with the reverence due ,one whom he considered able to grant what he asked1 and fell at the ,lord's feet1 or as ,matthew says1 worshiped ,him4 ,when the man had started from his home to seek aid of ,jesus1 the maiden was at the point of death2 he feared lest she had died in the interval4 ,in the very brief account given in the first ,gospel1 he is reported as saying to ,jesus3 ,my daughter is even now dead3 but come and lay thy hand upon her and she shall live4#fge ,jesus went with the imploring father1 and many followed4 ,on the way to the house an incident occurred to hinder progress4 ,a sorely afflicted woman was healed1 under circumstances of peculiar interest2 this occurrence we shall consider presently4 ,no intimation is given that ,jairus showed impatience or displeasure over the delay2 he had placed trust in the ,master and awaited ,his time and pleasure2 and while ,christ was engaged in the matter of the suffering woman1 messengers came from the ruler's house with the saddening word that the girl was dead4 ,we may infer that even these dread tidings of certainty failed to destroy the man's faith2 he seems to have still looked to the ,lord for help1 and those who had brought the message asked1 ,why troublest thou the ,master any further8 ,jesus heard what was said1 and sustained the man's sorely-taxed faith by the encouraging behest3 ,be not afraid1 only believe4 ,jesus permitted none of ,his followers save three of the apostles to enter the house with ,himself and the bereaved but trusting father4 ,peter and the two brothers ,james and ,john were admitted4 ,the house was no place of such respectful silence or subdued quiet as we now consider appropriate to the time and place of death2 on the contrary it was a scene of tumult1 but that condition was customary in the orthodox observances of mourning at the time4#fgf ,professional mourners1 including singers of weird dirges1 and minstrels who made great noise with flutes and other instruments1 had already been summoned to the house4 ,to all such ,jesus said1 on entering3 ,why make ye this ado1 and weep8 the damsel is not dead but sleepeth4 ,it was in effect a repetition of ,his command uttered on a then recent occasion--,peace1 be still4 ,his words drew scorn and ridicule from those who were paid for the noise they made1 and who1 if what ,he said proved true1 would lose this opportunity of professional service4 ,moreover1 they knew the maid was dead2 preparations for the funeral1 which custom required should follow death as speedily as possible1 were already in progress4 ,jesus ordered these people out1 and restored peace to the house4#fgg ,he then entered the death chamber1 accompanied only by the three apostles and the parents of the girl4 ,taking the dead maiden by the hand ,he said unto her1 ,talitha cumi2 which is1 being interpreted1 ,damsel1 ,i say unto thee1 arise4 ,to the astonishment of all but the ,lord1 the girl arose1 left her bed1 and walked4 ,jesus directed that food be given her1 as bodily needs1 suspended by death1 had returned with the girl's renewal of life4 ,the ,lord imposed an obligation of secrecy1 charging all present to refrain from telling what they had seen4 ,the reasons for this injunction are not stated4 ,in some other instances a similar instruction was given to those who had been blessed by ,christ's ministrations2 while on many occasions of healing no such instructions are recorded1 and in one case at least the man who had been relieved of demons was told to go and tell how great a thing had been done for him4#fgh ,in ,his own wisdom ,christ knew when to prudently forbid and when to permit publication of ,his doings4 ,though the grateful parents1 the girl herself1 and the three apostles who had been witnesses of the restoration1 may all have been loyal to the ,lord's injunction of silence1 the fact that the maiden had been raised to life could not be kept secret1 and the means by which so great a wonder had been wrought would certainly be inquired into4 ,the minstrels and the wailers who had been expelled from the place while it was yet a house of mourning1 and who had scornfully laughed at the ,master's assertion that the maiden was asleep and not dead as they thought1 would undoubtedly1 spread reports4 ,it is not surprizing1 therefore1 to read in ,matthew's short version of the history1 that the fame of the miracle went abroad into all that land4 ,,restoration ,,to ,,life ,,and ,,resurrection4 ,the vital distinction between a restoration of the dead to a resumption of mortal life1 and the resurrection of the body from death to a state of immortality1 must be thoughtfully heeded4 ,in each of the instances thus far considered--that of the raising of the dead man of ,nain1#fgi and that of the daughter of ,jairus1 as also the raising of ,lazarus to be studied later--the miracle consisted in reuniting the spirit and the body in a continuation of the interrupted course of mortal existence4 ,that the subject of each of these miracles had to subsequently die is certain4 ,jesus ,christ was the first of all men who have lived on earth to come forth from the tomb an immortalized ,being2 ,he is therefore properly designated as the first fruits of them that slept4#fhj ,though both ,elijah and ,elisha1 many centuries prior to the time of ,christ1 were instrumental in restoring life to the dead1 the former to the widow's son in ,zareptha1 the latter to the child of the ,shunammite woman1#fha in these earlier miracles the restoration was to mortal existence1 not to immortality4 ,it is instructive to observe the difference in the procedure of each of the ,old ,testament prophets mentioned as compared with that of ,christ in analogous miracles4 ,by both ,elijah and ,elisha the wonderful change was brought about only after long and labored ministrations1 and earnest invocation of the power and intervention of ,jehovah2 but ,jehovah1 embodied in flesh as ,jesus ,christ1 did nothing outwardly but command1 and the bonds of death were immediately broken4 ,he spoke in ,his own name and by inherent authority1 for by the power with which ,he was invested ,he held control of both life and death4 ,a ,,remarkable ,,healing ,,by ,,the ,,way4#fhb ,while ,jesus was walking to the house of ,jairus with a great crowd of people thronging about ,him1 the progress of the company was arrested by another case of suffering4 ,in the throng was a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with a serious ailment involving frequent hemorrhage4 ,she had spent in medical treatment all she had owned1 and had suffered many things of many physicians1 but had steadily grown worse4 ,she worked her way through the crowd1 and1 approaching ,jesus from behind1 touched ,his robe2 ,for she said1 ,if ,i may touch but his clothes ,i shall be whole4 ,the effect was more than magical2 immediately she felt the thrill of health throughout her body1 and knew that she had been healed of her affliction4 ,her object attained1 the blessing she sought being now secured1 she tried to escape notice1 by hastily dropping back into the crowd4 ,but her touch was not unheeded by the ,lord4 ,he turned to look over the throng and asked1 ,who touched my clothes8 or as ,luke puts it1 ,who touched me8 ,as the people denied1 the impetuous ,peter speaking for himself and the others said3 ,master1 the multitude throng thee and press thee1 and sayest thou1 ,who touched me8 ,but ,jesus answered3 ,somebody hath touched me3 for ,i perceive that virtue is gone out of me4 ,the woman1 finding that she could not escape identification1 came tremblingly forward1 and1 kneeling before the ,lord1 confessed what she had done1 her reason for so doing1 and the beneficent result4 ,if she had expected censure her fears were promptly set at rest1 for ,jesus1 addressing her by a term of respect and kindness1 said3 ,daughter1 be of good comfort3 thy faith hath made thee whole2 go in peace1 and as ,mark adds1 be whole of thy plague4 ,this woman's faith was sincere and free from guile1 nevertheless it was in a sense defective4 ,she believed that the influence of ,christ's person1 and even that attaching to ,his raiment1 was a remedial agency1 ample to cure her malady2 but she did not realize that the power to heal was an inherent attribute to be exercized at ,his will1 and as the influence of faith might call it forth4 ,true1 her faith had already been in part rewarded1 but of greater worth to her than the physical cure of her illness would be the assurance that the divine ,healer had granted the desire of her heart1 and that the faith she had manifested was accepted by ,him4 ,to correct her misapprehension and to confirm her faith1 ,jesus gently subjected her to the necessary ordeal of confession1 which must have been made easier through her consciousness of the great relief already experienced4 ,he confirmed the healing and let her depart with the comforting assurance that her recovery was permanent4 ,in contrast with the many cases of healing in connection with which the ,lord charged the beneficiaries that they should tell none how or by whom they had been relieved1 we see here that publicity was made sure by ,his own action1 and that too1 when secrecy was desired by the recipient of the blessing4 ,the purposes and motives of ,jesus may be but poorly understood by man2 but in this woman's case we see the possibility of stories strange and untrue getting afloat1 and it appears to have been the wiser course to make plain the truth then and there4 ,moreover the spiritual worth of the miracle was greatly enhanced by the woman's confession and by the ,lord's gracious assurance4 ,observe the significant assertion1 ,thy faith hath made thee whole4 ,faith is of itself a principle of power2#fhc and by its presence or absence1 by its fulness or paucity1 even the ,lord was and is influenced1 and in great measure controlled1 in the bestowal or withholding of blessings2 for ,he ministers according to law1 and not with caprice or uncertainty4 ,we read that at a certain time and place ,jesus could there do no mighty work because of the people's unbelief4#fhd ,modern revelation specifies that faith to be healed is one of the gifts of the ,spirit1 analogous to the manifestations of faith in the work of healing others through the exercize of the power of the ,holy ,priesthood4#fhe ,our ,lord's inquiry as to who had touched ,him in the throng affords us another example of ,his asking questions in pursuance of a purpose1 when ,he could readily have determined the facts directly and without aid from others4 ,there was a special purpose in the question1 as every teacher finds a means of instruction in questioning his pupils4#fhf ,but there is in ,christ's question1 ,who touched me8 a deeper significance than could inhere in a simple inquiry as to the identity of an individual2 and this is implied in the ,lord's further words3 ,somebody hath touched me3 for ,i perceive that virtue is gone out of me4 ,the usual external act by which ,his miracles were wrought was a word or a command1 sometimes accompanied by the laying on of hands1 or by some other physical ministration as in anointing the eyes of a blind man4#fhg ,that there was an actual giving of ,his own strength to the afflicted whom ,he healed is evident from the present instance4 ,passive belief on the part of a would-be recipient of blessing is insufficient2 only when it is vitalized into active faith is it a power2 so also of one who ministers in the authority given of ,god1 mental and spiritual energy must be operative if the service is to be effective4 ,,the ,,blind ,,see ,,and ,,the ,,dumb ,,speak4#fhh ,two other instances of miraculous healing are chronicled by ,matthew as closely following the raising of the daughter of ,jairus4 ,as ,jesus passed down the streets of ,capernaum1 presumably on ,his departure from the house of the ruler of the synagog1 two blind men followed ,him1 crying out3 ,thou son of ,david1 have mercy on us4 ,this title of address was voiced by others at sundry times1 and in no case do we find record of our ,lord disclaiming it or objecting to its use4#fhi ,jesus paused not to heed this call of the blind1 and the two sightless men followed ,him1 even entering the house after ,him4 ,then ,he spoke to them1 asking3 ,believe ye that ,i am able to do this8 ,and they replied1 ,yea1 ,lord4 ,their persistency in following the ,lord was evidence of their belief that in some way1 though to them unknown and mysterious1 ,he could help them2 and they promptly and openly confessed that belief4 ,our ,lord touched their eyes1 saying3 ,according to your faith be it unto you4 ,the effect was immediate2 their eyes were opened4 ,they were explicitly instructed to say nothing of the matter to others2 but1 rejoicing in the inestimable blessing of sight1 they spread abroad his fame in all that country4 ,so far as we can unravel the uncertain threads of sequence in the works of ,christ1 this is the earliest instance1 recorded with attendant details1 of ,his giving sight to the blind4 ,many remarkable cases follow4#fij ,it is worthy of note that in blessing the sightless by the exercize of ,his healing power1 ,jesus usually ministered by some physical contact in addition to uttering the authoritative words of command or assurance4 ,in this instance1 as also in that of two blind men who sat by the wayside1 ,he touched the sightless eyes2 in the giving of sight to the blind indigent in ,jerusalem ,he anointed the man's eyes with clay2 to the eyes of another ,he applied saliva4#fia ,an analogous circumstance is found in the healing of one who was deaf and defective of speech1 in which instance the ,lord put ,his fingers into the man's ears and touched his tongue4#fib ,in no case can such treatment be regarded as medicinal or therapeutic4 ,christ was not a physician who relied upon curative substances1 nor a surgeon to perform physical operations2 ,his healings were the natural results of the application of a power of ,his own4 ,it is conceivable that confidence1 which is a stepping-stone to belief1 as that in turn is to faith1 may have been encouraged by these physical ministrations1 strengthened1 and advanced to a higher and more abiding trust in ,christ1 on the part of the afflicted who had not sight to look upon the ,master's face and derive inspiration therefrom1 nor hearing to hear ,his uplifting words4 ,there is apparent not alone an entire absence of formula and formalism in ,his ministration1 but a lack of uniformity of procedure quite as impressive4 ,as the two men1 once sightless but now seeing1 departed1 others came1 bringing a dumb friend whose affliction seems to have been primarily due to the malignant influence of an evil spirit rather than to any organic defect4 ,jesus rebuked the wicked spirit--cast out the demon that had obsessed the afflicted one and held him in the tyranny of speechlessness4 ,the man's tongue was loosened1 he was freed from the evil incubus1 and was no longer dumb4#fic ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #bj4 #a4 ,storms on the ,lake of ,galilee4--,it is a matter of record that sudden and violent storms are common on the lake or sea of ,galilee2 and the tempest that was quieted by the ,lord's word of command was of itself no unusual phenomenon1 except perhaps in its intensity4 ,another incident connected with a storm on this small body of water is of scriptural record1 and will be considered later in the text 7,matt4 #ad3bb-bf2 ,mark #f3de-ef2 ,john #f3ae-ba74 ,dr4 ,thompson 7,the ,land and the ,book ii3#cb7 gives a description founded on his personal experience on the shores of the lake3 ,i spent a night in that ,wady ,shukaiyif1 some three miles up it1 to the left of us4 ,the sun had scarcely set when the wind began to rush down toward the lake1 and it continued all night long with constantly increasing violence1 so that when we reached the shore next morning the face of the lake was a huge boiling caldron4 ,the wind howled down every wady from the north-east and east with such fury that no efforts of rowers could have brought a boat to shore at any point along that coast4444 ,to understand the causes of these sudden and violent tempests1 we must remember that the lake lies low--six hundred feet lower than the ocean2 that the vast and naked plateaus of the ,jaulan rise to a great height1 spreading backward to the wilds of the ,hauran1 and upward to snowy ,hermon2 and the water-courses have cut out profound ravines and wild gorges1 converging to the head of this lake1 and that these act like gigantic funnels to draw down the cold winds from the mountains4 #b4 ,the ,earth ,before and ,after ,its ,regeneration4--,that the earth itself fell under the curse incident to the fall of the first parents of the race1 and that even as man shall be redeemed so shall the earth be regenerated1 is implied in ,paul's words3 ,because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of ,god4 ,for we know that the whole ,creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now4 ,and not only they1 but ourselves also1 which have the firstfruits of the ,spirit1 even we ourselves groan within ourselves1 waiting for the adoption1 to wit1 the redemption of our body 7,rom4 #h3ba-bc74 ,the present author has written elsewhere3 ,according to the scriptures1 the earth has to undergo a change analogous to death1 and to be regenerated in a manner comparable to a resurrection4 ,references to the elements melting with heat1 and to the earth being consumed and passing away1 such as occur in many scriptures already cited1 are suggestive of death2 and the new earth1 really the renewed or regenerated planet1 which is to result1 may be compared with a resurrected organism4 ,the change has been likened unto a transfiguration 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #fc3bj1 #ba74 ,every created thing has been made for a purpose2 and everything that fills the measure of its creation is to be advanced in the scale of progression1 be it an atom or a world1 an animalcule1 or man--the direct and literal offspring of ,deity4 ,in speaking of the degrees of glory provided for ,his creations1 and of the laws of regeneration and sanctification1 the ,lord1 in a revelation dated #ahcb1 speaks plainly of the approaching death and subsequent quickening of the earth4 ,these are his words3--',and again1 verily ,i say unto you1 the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom1 for it filleth the measure of its creation1 and transgresseth not the law4 ,wherefore it shall be sanctified2 yea1 notwithstanding it shall die1 it shall be quickened again1 and shall abide the power by which it is quickened1 and the righteous shall inherit it4' 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #hh3be-bf47 ,the vital ,spirit that emanates from ,god and is coextensive with space1 may operate directly and with as positive effect upon inanimate things1 and upon energy in its diverse manifestations known to us as the forces of nature1 as upon organized intelligences1 whether yet unembodied1 in the flesh1 or disembodied4 ,thus1 the ,lord may speak directly to the earth1 the air1 the sea1 and be heard and obeyed1 for the divine affluence1 which is the sum of all energy and power may and does operate throughout the universe4 ,in the course of a revelation from ,god to ,enoch1 the earth is personified1 and her groans and lamentations over the wickedness of men were heard by the prophet3 ,and it came to pass that ,enoch looked upon the earth2 and he heard a voice from the bowels thereof1 saying3 ,wo1 wo is me1 the mother of men2 ,i am pained1 ,i am weary1 because of the wickedness of my children4 ,when shall ,i rest1 and be cleansed from the filthiness which is gone forth out of me8 ,when will my ,creator sanctify me1 that ,i may rest1 and righteousness for a season abide upon my face8 ,enoch pleaded3 ,o ,lord1 wilt thou not have compassion upon the earth8 ,following further revelation as to the then future course of mankind in sin and in the rejection of the ,messiah who was to be sent1 the prophet wept with anguish1 and asked of ,god ,when shall the earth rest8 ,it was then shown unto him that the crucified ,christ shall return to earth and establish a millennial reign of peace3 ,and the ,lord said unto ,enoch3 ,as ,i live1 even so will ,i come in the last days1 in the days of wickedness and vengeance1 to fulfil the oath which ,i have made unto you concerning the children of ,noah2 and the day shall come that the earth shall rest1 but before that day the heavens shall be darkened1 and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth2 and the heavens shall shake1 and also the earth2 and great tribulations shall be among the children of men4 ,and the glorious assurance followed that for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest4 7,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #g3dh1 #di1 #eh1 #fj1 #fa1 #fd47 ,a partial description of the earth in its regenerated state has been given through the prophet ,joseph ,smith in the present dispensation3 ,this earth1 in its sanctified and immortal state1 will be made like unto crystal and will be a ,urim and ,thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon1 whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom1 or all kingdoms of a lower order1 will be manifest to those who dwell on it2 and this earth will be ,christ's4 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #acj3i74 ,that ,jesus ,christ1 in the exercize of ,his powers of ,godship1 should speak directly to the wind or the sea and be obeyed1 is no less truly in accord with the natural law of heaven1 than that ,he should effectively command a man or an unembodied spirit4 ,that through faith even mortal man may set in operation the forces that act upon matter and with assurance of stupendous results has been explicitly declared by ,jesus ,christ3 ,for verily ,i say unto you1 ,if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed1 ye shall say unto this mountain1 ,remove hence to yonder place2 and it shill remove2 and nothing shall be impossible unto you 7,matt4 #ag3bj2 compare ,mark #aa3bc2 ,luke #ag3f74 #c4 ,the ,land of the ,gergesenes4--,attempts have been made to discredit the account of ,christ's healing the demoniac in the country of the ,gadarenes 7,mark #e3a2 ,luke #h3bf7 on the claim that the ancient town of ,gadara the capital of the district 7see ,josephus1 ,wars1 iii1 #g3a71 was too far inland to make possible the precipitous dash of the swine into the sea from that place4 ,others lay stress on the fact that ,matthew differs from the two other ,gospel-historians1 in specifying the country of the ,gergesenes 7#h3bh74 ,as stated in the text1 a whole region or section is referred to1 not a town4 ,the keepers of the swine ran off to the towns to report the disaster that had befallen their herd4 ,in that district of ,perea there were at the time towns named respectively ,gadara1 ,gerasa1 and ,gergesa2 the region in general1 therefore1 could properly be called the land of the ,gadarenes or of the ,gergesenes4 ,farrar 7,life of ,christ1 p4 #bed note7 says3 ,after the researches of ,dr4 ,thompson 7,the ,land and the ,book1 ii3#be71 there can be no doubt that ,gergesa 444 was the name of a little town nearly opposite ,capernaum1 the ruined site of which is still called ,kerza or ,gersa by the ,bedawin4 ,the existence of this little town was apparently known both to ,origen1 who first introduced the reading1 and to ,eusebius and ,jerome2 and in their day a steep declivity near it1 where the hills approach to within a little distance from the lake1 was pointed out as the scene of the miracle4 #d4 ,jesus ,entreated to ,leave the ,country4--,the people were frightened over the power possessed by ,jesus1 as demonstrated in the cure of the demoniac1 and in the destruction of the swine1 which latter occurrence1 however1 was not in pursuance of ,his command4 ,it was the fear that sinful men feel in the presence of the ,righteous4 ,they were not prepared for other manifestations of divine power1 and they dreaded to think who among them might be directly affected thereby should it be exerted4 ,we must judge the people mercifully1 however1 if at all4 ,they were in part heathen1 and had but superstitious conceptions of ,deity4 ,their prayer that ,jesus leave them brings to mind the ejaculation of ,simon ,peter in his witnessing one of ,christ's miracles3 ,depart from me3 for ,i am a sinful man1 ,o ,lord 7,luke #e3h74 #e4 ,dead1 or ,at the ,point of ,death4--,according to ,luke 7#h3db7 the daughter of ,jairus lay a dying when the grief-stricken father sought help of the ,lord2 ,mark 7#e3bc7 reports the man as stating that the girl lay at the point of death4 ,these two accounts agree2 but ,matthew 7#i3ah7 represents the father as saying3 ,my daughter is even now dead4 ,unbelieving critics have dwelt at length on what they designate an inconsistency if not a contradiction in these versions2 and yet both accounts embodied in the three records are plainly true4 ,the maid was seemingly breathing her last1 she was in the very throes of death1 when the father hurried away4 ,before he met ,jesus he felt that the end had probably come2 nevertheless his faith endured4 ,his words attest his trust1 that even had his daughter actually died since he left her side1 the ,master could recall her to life4 ,he was in a state of frenzied grief1 and still his faith held true4 #f4 ,mourning ,customs ,among ,orientals4--,observances that to us seem strange1 weird1 and out of place1 prevailed from very early times among oriental peoples1 some of which customs were common to the ,jews in the days of ,christ4 ,noise and tumult1 including screeching lamentations by members of the bereaved family and by professional mourners1 as also the din of instruments1 were usual accompaniments of mourning4 ,geikie1 citing ,buxtorf's quotation from the ,talmud1 gives place to the following3 ,even a poor ,israelite was required to have not fewer than two flute players and one mourning woman at the death of his wife2 but if he be rich all things are to be done according to his quality4 ,in ,smith's ,dictionary of the ,bible1 we read3 ,the number of words 7about eleven ,hebrew and as many ,greek7 employed in scripture to express the various actions characteristic of mourning1 shows in a great degree the nature of ,jewish customs in this respect4 ,they appear to have consisted chiefly in the following particulars3 7#a7 ,beating upon the breast or other parts of the body4 7#b7 ,weeping and screaming in an excessive degree4 7#c7 ,wearing sad-colored garments4 7#d7 ,songs of lamentation4 7#e7 ,funeral feasts4 7#f7 ,employment of persons1 especially women1 to lament4 ,one marked feature of oriental mourning is what may be called its studied publicity1 and the careful observance of prescribed ceremonies 7,gen4 #bc3b2 ,job #a3bj2 #b3h2 ,isa4 #ae3c2 etc474 #g4 ,not ,dead1 but ,sleepeth4--,that the daughter of ,jairus was dead is placed beyond reasonable doubt by the scriptural record4 ,our ,lord's statement to the noisy mourners that the damsel is not dead but sleepeth told that her sleep was to be of short duration4 ,it was a rabbinical and common custom of the time to speak of death as a sleep1 and those who laughed ,jesus to scorn for ,his statement chose to construe ,his words in a sense of such literalism as the context scarcely warrants4 ,it is noticeable that the ,lord used a strictly equivalent expression with respect to the death of ,lazarus4 ,our friend ,lazarus sleepeth1 said ,he1 but ,i go that ,i may awake him out of sleep4 ,the literal construction placed upon these words by the apostles evoked the plain declaration ,lazarus is dead 7,john #aa3aa1 #ad74 ,in the ,talmud death is repeatedly designated as sleep--hundreds of times says ,lightfoot1 a recognized authority on ,hebrew literature4 #h4 ,why ,did ,jesus ,make ,inquiries8--,we have already considered many instances of ,christ's possession of what man would call superhuman knowledge1 extending even to the reading of unuttered thoughts4 ,some people find difficulty in reconciling this superior quality with the fact that ,jesus often asked questions even on matters of minor circumstance4 ,we should realize that even complete knowledge may not preclude the propriety of making inquiries1 and1 moreover1 that even omniscience does not imply ever-present consciousness of all that is4 ,undoubtedly through his paternal heritage of divine attributes1 ,jesus had the power of ascertaining for ,himself1 by means not possessed by others1 any facts ,he might have desired to know2 nevertheless we find ,him repeatedly asking questions on circumstantial detail 7,mark #i3ba2 #h3bg2 ,matt4 #af3ac2 ,luke #h3de72 and this ,he did even after ,his resurrection 7,luke #bd3da2 ,john #ba3e2 ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ag3g74 ,that catechization is one of the most effective means of mind development is exampled in the methods followed by the best of human teachers4 ,trench 7,notes on the ,miracles1 pp4 #adh-i71 thus instructively points the lesson as illustrated by our ,lord's question concerning the woman who was healed of her issue of blood3 ,with little force can it be urged that it would have been inconsistent with absolute truth for the ,lord to profess ignorance1 and to ask the question which ,he did ask1 if all the while ,he perfectly knew what ,he thus seemed implicitly to say that ,he did not know4 ,a father among his children1 and demanding ,who committed this fault8 himself conscious1 even while he asks1 but at the same time willing to bring the culprit to a full confession1 and so to put him in a pardonable state1 can he be said1 in any way to violate the law of the highest truth8 ,the same offense might be found in ,elisha's ',whence comest thou1 ,gehazi8' 7#b ,kings #e3be7 when his heart went with his servant all the way that he had gone2 and even in the question of ,god ,himself to ,adam1 ',where art thou8' 7,gen4 #c3i71 and to ,cain1 ',where is ,abel thy brother8' 7,gen4 #d3i74 ,in every case there is a moral purpose in the question1 an opportunity given even at the latest moment for making good at least a part of the error by its unreserved confession4 #i4 ,the ,blind ,see4--,in his treatment of the miraculous healing of the two blind men who had followed ,jesus into the house1 ,trench 7,notes on the ,miracles of our ,lord1 p4 #aeb7 says3 ,we have here the first of those many healings of the blind recorded 7,matt4 #ab3bb2 #bj3cj2 #ba3ad2 ,john #i7 or alluded to 7,matt4 #aa3e7 in the ,gospels2 each of them a literal fulfilment of that prophetic word of ,isaiah concerning the days of ,messiah3 ',then the eyes of the blind shall be opened' 7#ce3e74 ,frequent as these miracles are1 they yet will none of them be found without distinguishing features of their own4 ,that they should be so numerous is nothing wonderful1 whether we regard the fact from a natural or spiritual point of view4 ,regarded naturally they need not surprize us if we keep in mind how far commoner a calamity is blindness in the ,east than with us4 ,regarded from a spiritual point of view we have only to remember how commonly sin is contemplated in ,scripture as a moral blindness 7,deut4 #bh3bi2 ,isa4 #ei3aj2 ,job #ab3be2 ,zeph4 #a3ag71 and deliverance from sin as a removal of this blindness 7,isa4 #f3i1 #aj2 #dc3h2 ,eph4 #a3ah2 ,matt4 #ae3ad72 and we shall at once perceive how fit it was that ,he who was the 'light of the world' should often accomplish works which symbolized so well that higher work which ,he came into the world to accomplish4 #aj4 ,imputation of ,satanic ,agency4--,observe that in the matter of healing the dumb demoniac referred to in the text1 ,christ was charged with being in league with the devil4 ,although the people1 impressed by the manifestation of divine power in the healing1 exclaimed in reverence1 ,it was never so seen in ,israel1 the ,pharisees1 intent on counteracting the good effect of the ,lord's miraculous ministration1 said ,he casteth out devils through the prince of the devils4 7,matt4 #i3cb-cd47 ,for further treatment of this inconsistent and1 strictly speaking blasphemous charge1 see pages #bfe-bfi4 ,,footnotes3 #feg ,mark #d3ce4 #feh ,articles of ,faith1 x3#a-bj--,men called of ,god4 #fei ,page #hg4 #ffj ,luke #i3eg-fb2 see also ,matt4 #h3ai-bb4 #ffa ,matt #h3bc-bg2 ,mark #d3ce-da2 ,luke #h3bb-be4 #ffb ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #ffc ,gen4 #a3bh2 ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #b3bf2 #e3a4 #ffd ,gen4 #c3ag-ai4 #ffe ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #fff ,matt4 #h3bh-cd2 ,mark #e3a-ai2 ,luke #h3bf-ci4 #ffg ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #ffh ,compare ,rev4 #bj3c4 #ffi ,revised version1 abyss instead of deep4 #fgj ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #fga ,mark #a3bd2 ,luke #d3cd1 also verse #da2 see page #aha herein4 #fgb ,mark #c3g-aa2 compare ,luke #f3ag-ai4 ,see page #ahg4 #fgc ,mark #e3bb-bd1 #ce-dc2 ,luke #h3da1 #db1 #di-ef2 ,matt4 #i3ah1 #ai1 #bc-bf4 #fgd ,john #aa3de2 compare #h3cj2 #aj3db4 #fge ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #fgf ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #fgg ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #fgh ,mark #e3ai-bj2 ,luke #h3ci4 ,page #cab4 #fgi ,page #bea4 #fhj #a ,cor4 #ae3bj1 #bc2 see also ,acts #bf3bc2 ,col4 #a3ah2 ,rev4 #a3e2 and ,articles of ,faith1 xxi3#bd-bg4 #fha #a ,kings #ag3ag-bd2 #b ,kings #d3ca-cg4 #fhb ,mark #e3be-cd2 ,matt4 #i3bj-bb2 ,luke #h3dc-dh4 #fhc ,articles of ,faith1 v3#aa-ac4 #fhd ,mark #f3e1 #f2 compare ,matt4 #ac3eh4 #fhe ,doc4 and ,cov4 #df3ai2 compare ,matt4 #h3aj2 #i3bh1 #bi4 ,acts #ad3i4 #fhf ,note #h1 end of chapter4 #fhg ,matt4 #h3c2 ,luke #d3dj2 #ac3ac2 ,john #i3f2 compare ,mark #f3e2 #g3cc2 #h3bc4 #fhh ,matt4 #i3bg-ce4 #fhi ,matt4 #ae3bb2 #bj3cj1 #ca2 ,mark #aj3dg1 #dh2 ,luke #ah3ch1 #ci4 #fij ,note #i1 end of chapter4 #fia ,matt4 #bj3cj-cd2 ,john #i3f2 ,mark #h3bc4 #fib ,mark #g3cb-cg4 #fic ,matt4 #i3cb1 #cc4 ,note #aj1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #ba4 ,,the ,,apostolic ,,mission1 ,,and ,,events ,,related ,,thereto4 ,,jesus ,,again ,,in ,,nazareth4#fid ,it will be remembered that1 in the early days of ,his public ministry1 ,jesus had been rejected by the people of ,nazareth1 who thrust ,him out from their synagog and tried to kill ,him4#fie ,it appears that subsequent to the events noted in our last chapter1 ,he returned to the town of ,his youth1 and again raised ,his voice in the synagog1 thus mercifully affording the people another opportunity to learn and accept the truth4 ,the ,nazarenes1 as they had done before1 now again openly expressed their astonishment at the words ,he spoke1 and at the many miraculous works ,he had wrought2 nevertheless they rejected ,him anew1 for ,he came not as they expected the ,messiah to come2 and they refused to know ,him save as the carpenter1 the son of ,mary1 the brother of ,james1 and ,joses1 and of ,juda1 and ,simon2 all of whom were common folk as were also ,his sisters4 ,and they were offended at him4#fif ,jesus reminded them of the proverb then current among the people1 ,a prophet is not without honour1 but in his own country1 and among his own kin1 and in his own house4 ,their unbelief was so dense as to cause ,him to marvel2#fig and because of their lack of faith ,he was unable to accomplish any great work except to heal a few exceptional believers upon whom ,he laid ,his hands4 ,leaving ,nazareth1 ,he entered upon ,his third tour of the ,galilean towns and villages1 preaching and teaching as ,he went4#fih ,,the ,,twelve ,,charged ,,and ,,sent4#fii ,about this time1 also1 ,jesus inaugurated a notable expansion of the ministry of the kingdom1 by sending forth the ,twelve on assigned missions4 ,since their ordination the apostles had been with their ,lord1 learning from ,him by public discourse and private exposition1 and acquiring invaluable experience and training through that privileged and blessed companionship4 ,the purpose of their ordination was specified--that they should be with him1 and that he might send them forth to preach4#gjj ,they had been pupils under the ,master's watchful guidance for many months2 and now they were called to enter upon the duties of their calling as preachers of the gospel and individual witnesses of the ,christ4 ,by way of final preparation they were specifically and solemnly charged4#gja ,some of the instructions given them on this occasion had particular reference to their first mission1 from which they would in due time return and report2 other directions and admonitions were to be of effect throughout their ministry1 even after the ,lord's ascension4 ,they were directed to confine their ministrations for the time being to the lost sheep of the house of ,israel1 and not to open a propaganda among the ,gentiles1#gjb nor even in ,samaritan cities4 ,this was a temporary restriction1 imposed in wisdom and prudence2 later1 as we shall see1 they were directed to preach among all nations1 with the world for their field4#gjc ,the subject of their discourses was to be that upon which they had heard the ,master preach--the kingdom of heaven is at hand4 ,they were to exercize the authority of the ,holy ,priesthood as conferred upon them by ordination2 it was a specified part of their mission to heal the sick1 cleanse the lepers1 raise the dead1 cast out devils1 as occasion presented itself2 and they were commanded to give freely1 even as they had freely received4 ,personal comfort and bodily needs they were not to provide for2 the people were to be proved as to their willingness to receive and assist those who came in the name of the ,lord2 and the apostles themselves were to learn to rely upon a ,provider more to be trusted than man2 therefore money1 extra clothing1 and things of mere convenience were to be left behind4 ,in the several towns they entered they were to seek entertainment and leave their blessing upon every worthy family into which they were received4 ,if they found themselves rejected by a household or by a town as a whole1 they were to shake the dust from their feet on leaving1 as a testimony against the people2#gjd and it was decreed that1 in the day of judgment1 the place so denounced would fare worse than wicked ,sodom and ,gomorrha upon which fire from heaven had descended4 ,the apostles were told to be prudent1 to give no needless offense1 but to be wise as serpents1 and harmless as doves2 for they were sent forth as sheep into the midst of wolves4 ,they were not to recklessly entrust themselves to the power of men2 for wicked men would persecute them1 seek to arraign them before councils and courts1 and to afflict them in the synagogs4 ,moreover they might expect to be brought before governors and kings1 under which extreme conditions1 they were to rely upon divine inspiration as to what they should say1 and not depend upon their own wisdom in preparation and premeditation2 ,for1 said the ,master1 it is not ye that speak1 but the ,spirit of your ,father which speaketh in you4#gje ,they were not to trust even the claims of kinship for protection1 for families would be divided over the truth1 brother against brother1 children against parents1 and the resulting strife would be deadly4 ,these servants of ,christ were told that they would be hated of all men1 but were assured that their sufferings were to be for ,his name's sake4 ,they were to withdraw from the cities that persecuted them1 and go to others2 and the ,lord would follow them1 even before they would be able to complete the circuit of the cities of ,israel4 ,they were admonished to humility1 and were always to remember that they were servants1 who ought not to expect to escape when even their ,master was assailed4 ,nevertheless they were to be fearless1 hesitating not to preach the gospel in plainness2 for the most their persecutors could do was to kill the body1 which fate was as nothing compared to that of suffering destruction of the soul in hell4 ,assurance of the ,father's watchful care was impressed upon them by the simple reminder that though sparrows were sold two for a farthing1 and yet not a sparrow could be sacrificed without the ,father's concern1 they1 who were of more value than many sparrows1 would not be forgotten4 ,they were solemnly warned that whosoever would freely confess the ,christ before men would be acknowledged by ,him in the ,father's presence1 while they who denied ,him before men would be denied in heaven4 ,and again they were told that the gospel would bring strife1 whereby households would be disrupted2 for the doctrine the ,lord had taught would be as a sword to cut and divide4 ,the duties of their special ministry were to supersede the love for kindred2 they must be willing to leave father1 mother1 son1 or daughter1 whatever the sacrifice2 for1 said ,jesus ,he that taketh not his cross1 and followeth after me1 is not worthy of me4 ,the significance of this figure must have been solemnly impressive1 and actually terrifying2 for the cross was a symbol of ignominy1 extreme suffering1 and death4 ,however1 should they lose their lives for ,his sake1 they would find life eternal2 while he who was not willing to die in the ,lord's service should lose his life in a sense at once literal and awful4 ,they were never to forget in whose name they were sent2 and were comforted with the assurance that whoever received them would be rewarded as one who had received the ,christ and ,his ,father2 and that though the gift were only that of a cup of cold water1 the giver should in no wise lose his reward4 ,thus charged and instructed1 the twelve special witnesses of the ,christ set out upon their mission1 traveling in pairs1#gjf while ,jesus continued ,his personal ministry4 ,,the ,,twelve ,,return4 ,we are without definite information as to the duration of the apostles' first mission1 and as to the extent of the field they traversed4 ,the period of their absence was marked by many important developments in the individual labors of ,jesus4 ,it is probable that during this time our ,lord visited ,jerusalem1 on the occasion mentioned by ,john as coincident with the unnamed feast of the ,jews4#gjg ,while the apostles were absent1 ,jesus was visited by the ,baptist's disciples1 as we have already seen#gjh and the return of the ,twelve occurred near the time of the infamous execution of ,john the ,baptist in prison4#gji ,the missionary labors of the apostles greatly augmented the spread of the new doctrine of the kingdom1 and the name and works of ,jesus were proclaimed throughout the land4 ,the people of ,galilee were at that time in a state of discontent threatening open insurrection against the government2 their unrest had been aggravated by the murder of the ,baptist4 ,herod ,antipas1 who had given the fatal order1 trembled in his palace4 ,he heard1 with fear due to inward conviction of guilt1 of the marvelous works wrought by ,jesus1 and in terror averred that ,christ could be none other than ,john ,baptist returned from the tomb4 ,his fawning courtiers essayed to allay his fears by saying that ,jesus was ,elijah1 or some other of the prophets whose advent had been predicted2 but the conscience-stricken ,herod said3 ,it is ,john whom ,i beheaded3 he is risen from the dead4 ,herod desired to see ,jesus2 perhaps through the fascination of fear1 or with the faint hope that sight of the renowned ,prophet of ,nazareth might dispel his superstitious dread that the murdered ,john had returned to life4 ,upon the completion of their missionary tour1 the apostles rejoined the ,master and reported to ,him both what they had taught and what they had done by way of authoritative ministration4 ,they had preached the gospel of repentance in all the cities1 towns1 and villages to which they had gone2 they had anointed with oil many afflicted ones1 and the power of their priesthood had been attested by consequent healings2 even unclean spirits and devils had been subject unto them4#gaj ,they found ,jesus attended by great multitudes2 and they had little opportunity of private conference with ,him2 for there were many coming and going1 and they had no leisure so much as to eat4 ,the apostles must have heard in gladness the ,lord's invitation3 ,come ye yourselves apart into a desert place1 and rest awhile4 ,in quest of seclusion1 ,jesus and the ,twelve withdrew from the throng1 and privately entered a boat in which they crossed to a rural spot adjacent to the city of ,bethsaida4#gaa ,their departure had not been unobserved1 however1 and eager crowds hastened along the shore1 and partly around the northerly end of the lake1 to join the party at the landing place4 ,from ,john's account we are led to infer that1 before the arrival of great numbers1 ,jesus and ,his companions had ascended the hillside near the shore1 where1 for a short time they had rested4 ,as the multitude gathered on the lower slopes1 our ,lord looked upon them as upon sheep without a shepherd2 and1 yielding to their desire and to ,his own emotions of divine pity1 ,he taught them many things1 healed their afflicted ones1 and comforted their hearts with compassionate tenderness4 ,,five ,,thousand ,,fed ,,in ,,the ,,desert4#gab ,so intent were the people on hearing the ,lord's words1 and so concerned in the miraculous relief resulting from ,his healing ministrations1 that they remained in the wilderness1 oblivious to the passing of the hours1 until the evening approached4 ,it was the springtime1 near the recurrence of the annual ,passover festival1 the season of grass and flowers4#gac ,jesus1 realizing that the people were hungry1 asked ,philip1 one of the ,twelve1 ,whence shall we buy bread1 that these may eat8 ,the purpose of the question was to test the apostle's faith2 for the ,lord had already determined as to what was to be done4 ,philip's reply showed surprize at the question1 and conveyed his thought that the suggested undertaking was impossible4 ,two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them1 that every one of them may take a little1 said he4 ,andrew added that there was a lad present who had five barley loaves1 and two small fishes1 ,but1 said he1 what are they among so many8 ,such is ,john's account2 the other writers state that the apostles reminded ,jesus of the lateness of the hour1 and urged that ,he send the people away to seek for themselves food and lodging in the nearest towns4 ,it appears most probable that the conversation between ,jesus and ,philip occurred earlier in the afternoon2#gad and that as the hours sped1 the ,twelve became concerned and advized that the multitude be dismissed4 ,the ,master's reply to the apostles was3 ,they need not depart2 give ye them to eat4 ,in amazed wonder they replied3 ,we have here but five loaves and two fishes2 and ,andrew's despairing comment is implied again--,what are they among so many8 ,jesus gave command1 and the people seated themselves on the grass in orderly array2 they were grouped in fifties and hundreds2 and it was found that the multitude numbered about five thousand men1 beside women and children4 ,taking the loaves and the fishes1 ,jesus looked toward heaven and pronounced a blessing upon the food2 then1 dividing the provisions1 ,he gave to the apostles severally1 and they in turn distributed to the multitude4 ,the substance of both fish and bread increased under the ,master's touch2 and the multitude feasted there in the desert1 until all were satisfied4 ,to the disciples ,jesus said3 ,gather up the fragments that remain1 that nothing be lost2 and twelve baskets were filled with the surplus4 ,as to the miracle itself1 human knowledge is powerless to explain4 ,though wrought on so great a scale1 it is no more nor less inexplicable than any other of the ,lord's miraculous works4 ,it was a manifestation of creative power1 by which material elements were organized and compounded to serve a present and pressing need4 ,the broken but unused portion exceeded in bulk and weight the whole of the original little store4 ,our ,lord's direction to gather up the fragments was an impressive object-lesson against waste2 and it may have been to afford such lesson that an excess was supplied4 ,the fare was simple1 yet nourishing1 wholesome and satisfying4 ,barley bread and fish constituted the usual food of the poorer classes of the region4 ,the conversion of water into wine at ,cana was a qualitative transmutation2 the feeding of the multitude involved a quantitative increase2 who can say that one1 or which1 of these miracles of provision was the more wonderful8 ,the multitude1 now fed and filled1 gave some consideration to the miracle4 ,in ,jesus1 by whom so great a work had been wrought1 they recognized ,one having superhuman powers4 ,this is of a truth the prophet that should come into the world1 said they--the ,prophet whose coming had been foretold by ,moses and who should be like unto himself4 ,even as ,israel had been miraculously fed during the time of ,moses1 so now was bread provided in the desert by this new ,prophet4 ,in their enthusiasm the people proposed to proclaim ,him king1 and forcibly compel ,him to become their leader4 ,such was their gross conception of ,messianic supremacy4 ,jesus directed ,his disciples to depart by boat1 while ,he remained to dismiss the now excited multitude4 ,the disciples hesitated to leave their ,master2 but ,he constrained them and they obeyed4 ,his insistence1 that the ,twelve depart from both ,himself and the multitude1 may have been due to a desire to protect the chosen disciples against possible infection by the materialistic and unrighteous designs of the throng to make ,him king4 ,by means that are not detailed1 ,he caused the people to disperse2 and1 as night came on1 ,he found that for which ,he had come in quest1 solitude and quiet4 ,ascending the hill1 ,he chose a secluded place1 and there remained in prayer during the greater part of the night4 ,,it ,,is ,i2 ,,be ,,not ,,afraid4#gae ,the return by boat proved to be a memorable journey for the disciples4 ,they encountered a boisterous head-wind1 which of course rendered impossible the use of sails2 and though they toiled heavily at the oars the vessel became practically unmanageable and wallowed in the midst of the sea4#gaf ,though they had labored through the night they had progressed less than four miles on their course2 to turn and run before the wind would have been to invite disastrous wreck2 their sole hope lay in their holding the vessel to the wind by sheer power of muscle4 ,jesus1 in ,his place of solitary retirement1 was aware of their sad plight1 and along in the fourth watch1#gag that is1 between three and six o'clock in the morning1 ,he came to their assistance1 walking upon the storm-tossed water as though treading solid ground4 ,when the voyagers caught sight of ,him as ,he approached the ship in the faint light of the near-spent night1 they were overcome by superstitious fears1 and cried out in terror1 thinking that they saw a ghostly apparition4 ,but straightway ,jesus spake unto them1 saying1 ,be of good cheer2 it is ,i2 be not afraid4 ,relieved by these assuring words1 ,peter1 impetuous and impulsive as usual1 cried out3 ,lord1 if#gah it be thou1 bid me come unto thee on the water4 ,jesus assenting1 ,peter descended from the ship and walked toward his ,master2 but as the wind smote him and the waves rose about him1 his confidence wavered and he began to sink4 ,strong swimmer though he was1#gai he gave way to fright1 and cried1 ,lord1 save me4 ,jesus caught him by the hand1 saying3 ,o thou of little faith1 wherefore didst thou doubt8 ,from ,peter's remarkable experience1 we learn that the power by which ,christ was able to walk the waves could be made operative in others1 provided only their faith was enduring4 ,it was on ,peter's own request that he was permitted to attempt the feat4 ,had ,jesus forbidden him1 the man's faith might have suffered a check2 his attempt1 though attended by partial failure1 was a demonstration of the efficacy of faith in the ,lord1 such as no verbal teaching could ever have conveyed4 ,jesus and ,peter entered the vessel2 immediately the wind ceased1 and the boat soon reached the shore4 ,the amazement of the apostles1 at this latest manifestation of the ,lord's control over the forces of nature1 would have been more akin to worship and less like terrified consternation had they remembered the earlier wonders they had witnessed2 but they had forgotten even the miracle of the loaves1 and their hearts had hardened4#gbj ,marveling at the power of ,one to whom the wind-lashed sea was a sustaining floor1 the apostles bowed before the ,lord in reverent worship1 saying3 ,of a truth thou art the ,son of ,god4#gba ,aside from the marvelous circumstances of its literal occurrence1 the miracle is rich in symbolism and suggestion4 ,by what law or principle the effect of gravitation was superseded1 so that a human body could be supported upon the watery surface1 man is unable to affirm4 ,the phenomenon is a concrete demonstration of the great truth that faith is a principle of power1 whereby natural forces may be conditioned and controlled4#gbb ,into every adult human life come experiences like unto the battling of the storm-tossed voyagers with contrary winds and threatening seas2 ofttimes the night of struggle and danger is far advanced before succor appears2 and then1 too frequently the saving aid is mistaken for a greater terror4 ,as came unto ,peter and his terrified companions in the midst of the turbulent waters1 so comes to all who toil in faith1 the voice of the ,deliverer--,it is ,i2 be not afraid4 ,,in ,,the ,,land ,,of ,,gennesaret4 ,the night voyage1 in the course of which ,jesus had reached the boat with its frightened occupants while in the midst of the sea1 ended at some point within the district known as the land of ,gennesaret1 which1 as generally believed1 embraced the rich and fertile region in the vicinity of ,tiberias and ,magdala4 ,of the natural beauties1 for which the region was famed much has been written4#gbc ,word of our ,lord's presence there spread rapidly1 and1 from all that country round about the people flocked to ,him1 bringing their afflicted to receive of ,his beneficence by word or touch4 ,in the towns through which ,he walked1 the sick were laid in the streets that the blessing of ,his passing might fall upon them2 and many besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment2 and as many as touched him were made whole4#gbd ,bounteously did ,he impart of ,his healing virtue to all who came asking with faith and confidence4 ,thus1 accompanied by the ,twelve1 ,he wended ,his way northward to ,capernaum1 making the pathway bright by the plentitude of ,his mercies4 ,,in ,,search ,,of ,,loaves ,,and ,,fishes4#gbe ,the multitude who1 on the yesterday1 had partaken of ,his bounty on the other side of the lake1 and who dispersed for the night after their ineffectual attempt to force upon ,him the dignity of earthly kingship1 were greatly surprized in the morning to discover that ,he had departed4 ,they had seen the disciples leave in the only boat there present1 while ,jesus had remained on shore2 and they knew that the night tempest had precluded the possibility of other boats reaching the place4 ,nevertheless their morning search for ,him was futile2 and they concluded that ,he must have returned by land round the end of the lake4 ,as the day advanced some boats were sighted1 bound for the western coast2 these they hailed1 and1 securing passage1 crossed to ,capernaum4 ,their difficulty in locating ,jesus was at an end1 for ,his presence was known throughout the town4 ,coming to ,him1 probably as ,he sat in the synagog1 for on this day ,he taught there1 some of the most intrusive of the crowd asked1 brusquely and almost rudely1 ,rabbi1 when camest thou hither8 ,to this impertinent inquiry ,jesus deigned no direct reply2 in the miracle of the preceding night the people had no part1 and no account of our ,lord's movements was given them4 ,in tone of impressive rebuke ,jesus said unto them3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,ye seek me1 not because ye saw the miracles1 but because ye did eat of the loaves1 and were filled4 ,their concern was for the bread and fishes4 ,one who could supply them with victuals as ,he had done must not be lost sight of4 ,the ,master's rebuke was followed by admonition and instruction3 ,labour not for the meat which perisheth1 but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life1 which the ,son of man shall give unto you3 for him hath ,god the ,father sealed4 ,this contrast between material and spiritual food they could not entirely fail to understand1 and some of them asked what they should do to serve ,god as ,jesus required4 ,the answer was3 ,this is the work of ,god1 that ye believe on him whom he hath sent4 ,that ,jesus was referring to ,himself1 none could doubt2 and straightway they demanded of ,him further evidence of ,his divine commission2 they would see greater signs4 ,the miracle of the loaves and fishes was nearly a day old2 and its impressiveness as evidence of ,messianic attributes was waning4 ,moses had fed their fathers with manna in the desert1 they said2 and plainly they regarded a continued daily supply as a greater gift than a single meal of bread and fish1 however much the latter may have been appreciated in the exigency of hunger4 ,moreover1 the manna was heavenly food2#gbf whereas the bread ,he had given them was of earth1 and only common barley bread at that4 ,he must show them greater signs1 and give them richer provender1 before they would accept ,him as the ,one whom they at first had taken ,him to be and whom ,he now declared ,himself to be4 ,,christ1 ,,the ,,bread ,,of ,,life4#gbg ,then ,jesus said unto them1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,moses gave you not that bread from heaven2 but my ,father giveth you the true bread from heaven4 ,for the bread of ,god is he which cometh down from heaven1 and giveth life unto the world4 ,they were mistaken in assuming that ,moses had given them manna2 and after all1 the manna had been but ordinary food in that those who ate of it hungered again2 but now the ,father offered them bread from heaven such as would insure them life4 ,as the ,samaritan woman at the well1 on hearing the ,lord speak of water that would satisfy once for all1 had begged impulsively and with thought only of physical convenience1 ,sir1 give me this water1 that ,i thirst not1 neither come hither to draw1#gbh so these people1 eager to secure so satisfying a food as that of which ,jesus spake1 implored3 ,lord1 evermore give us this bread4 ,perhaps this request was not wholly gross2 there may have been in the hearts of some of them at least a genuine desire for spiritual nourishment4 ,jesus met their appeal with an explanation3 ,i am the bread of life3 he that cometh to me shall never hunger2 and he that believeth on me shall never thirst4 ,he reminded them that though they had seen ,him they believed not ,his words2 and assured them that those who really accepted ,him would do as the ,father directed4 ,then1 without metaphor or symbolism1 ,he affirmed3 ,i came down from heaven1 not to do mine own will1 but the will of him that sent me4 ,and the ,father's will was that all who would accept the ,son should have everlasting life4 ,there were present in the synagog some of the rulers--,pharisees1 scribes1 rabbis--and these1 designated collectively as the ,jews1 criticized ,jesus1 and murmured against ,him because ,he had said1 ,i am the bread which came down from heaven4 ,they averred that ,he could do nothing more than any man could do2 ,he was known to them as the son of ,joseph1 and as far as they knew was of ordinary earthly parentage1 and yet ,he had the temerity to declare that ,he had come down from heaven4 ,chiefly to this class rather than to the promiscuous crowd who had hastened after ,him1 ,jesus appears to have addressed the remainder of ,his discourse4 ,he advized them to cease their murmurings2 for it was a certainty that they could not apprehend ,his meaning1 and therefore would not believe ,him1 unless they had been taught of ,god as the prophets had written2#gbi and none could come to ,him in the sense of accepting ,his saving gospel unless the ,father drew them to the ,son2 and none save those who were receptive1 willing1 and prepared1 could be so drawn4#gcj ,yet belief in the ,son of ,god is an indispensable condition to salvation1 as ,jesus indicated in ,his affirmation3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 he that believeth on me hath everlasting life4 ,then1 reverting to the symbolism of the bread1 ,he reiterated3 ,i am the bread of life4 ,in further elucidation ,he explained that while their fathers did truly eat manna in the wilderness1 yet they were dead2 whereas the bread of life of which ,he spake would insure eternal life unto all who partook thereof4 ,that bread1 ,he averred1 was ,his flesh4 ,against this solemn avowal the ,jews complained anew1 and disputed among themselves1 some asking derisively3 ,how can this man give us his flesh to eat4 ,emphasizing the doctrine1 ,jesus continued3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,except ye eat the flesh of the ,son of man1 and drink his blood1 ye have no life in you4 ,whoso eateth my flesh1 and drinketh my blood1 hath eternal life2 and ,i will raise him up at the last day4 ,for my flesh is meat indeed1 and my blood is drink indeed4 ,he that eateth my flesh1 and drinketh my blood1 dwelleth in me1 and ,i in him4 ,as the living ,father hath sent me1 and ,i live by the ,father3 so he that eateth me1 even he shall live by me4 ,this is that bread which came down from heaven3 not as your fathers did eat manna1 and are dead3 he that eateth of this bread shall live forever4 ,there was little excuse for the ,jews pretending to understand that our ,lord meant an actual eating and drinking of ,his material flesh and blood4 ,the utterances to which they objected were far more readily understood by them than they are by us on first reading2 for the representation of the law and of truth in general as bread1 and the acceptance thereof as a process of eating and drinking1 were figures in every-day use by the rabbis of that time4#gca ,their failure to comprehend the symbolism of ,christ's doctrine was an act of will1 not the natural consequence of innocent ignorance4 ,to eat the flesh and drink the blood of ,christ was and is to believe in and accept ,him as the literal ,son of ,god and ,savior of the world1 and to obey ,his commandments4 ,by these means only may the ,spirit of ,god become an abiding part of man's individual being1 even as the substance of the food he eats is assimilated with the tissues of his body4 ,it is not sufficing to accept the precepts of ,christ as we may adopt the doctrines of scientists1 philosophers1 and savants1 however great the wisdom of these sages may be2 for such acceptance is by mental assent or deliberate exercize of will1 and has relation to the doctrine only as independent of the author4 ,the teachings of ,jesus ,christ endure because of their intrinsic worth2 and many men respect ,his aphorisms1 proverbs1 parables1 and ,his profoundly philosophical precepts1 who yet reject ,him as the ,son of ,god1 the ,only ,begotten in the flesh1 the ,god-,man in whom were united the attributes of ,deity with those of humanity1 the chosen and foreordained ,redeemer of mankind1 through whom alone may salvation be attained4 ,but the figure used by ,jesus--that of eating ,his flesh and drinking ,his blood as typical of unqualified and absolute acceptance of ,himself as the ,savior of men1 is of superlative import2 for thereby are affirmed the divinity of ,his ,person1 and the fact of ,his pre-existent and eternal ,godship4 ,the sacrament of the ,lord's supper1 established by the ,savior on the night of ,his betrayal1 perpetuates the symbolism of eating ,his flesh and drinking ,his blood1 by the partaking of bread and wine in remembrance of ,him4#gcb ,acceptance of ,jesus as the ,christ implies obedience to the laws and ordinances of ,his gospel2 for to profess the ,one and refuse the other is but to convict ourselves of inconsistency1 insincerity1 and hypocrisy4 ,a ,,crucial ,,test--,,many ,,turn ,,away4#gcc ,the truth respecting ,himself1 as taught by the ,lord in this1 ,his last1 discourse in the synagog at ,capernaum1 proved to be a test of faith through which many fell away4 ,not alone critical ,jews of the official class1 whose hostility was openly avowed1 but those who had professed some measure of belief in ,him were affected4 ,many therefore of his disciples1 when they had heard this1 said1 ,this is an hard saying2 who can hear it8 ,jesus1 cognizant of their disaffection1 asked3 ,doth this offend you8 and added3 ,what and if ye shall see the ,son of man ascend up where he was before8 ,his ascension1 which was to follow ,his death and resurrection1 is here definitely implied4 ,the spiritual significance of ,his teachings was put beyond question by the explanation that only through the ,spirit could they comprehend2 ,therefore1 ,he added1 said ,i unto you1 that no man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my ,father4 ,many deserted ,him1 and from that time sought ,him no more4 ,the occasion was crucial2 the effect was that of sifting and separation4 ,the portentous prediction of the ,baptist-prophet had entered upon the stage of fulfilment3 ,one mightier than ,i cometh 444 ,whose fan is in his hand1 and he will thoroughly purge his floor1 and gather his wheat into the garner2 but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire4#gcd ,the fan was in operation1 and much chaff was blown aside4 ,it appears that even the ,twelve were unable to comprehend the deeper meaning of these latest teachings2 they were puzzled1 though none actually deserted4 ,nevertheless1 the state of mind of some was such as to evoke from ,jesus the question3 ,will ye also go away8 ,peter1 speaking for himself and his brethren1 answered with pathos and conviction3 ,lord1 to whom shall we go8 thou hast the words of eternal life4#gce ,the spirit of the ,holy ,apostleship was manifest in this confession4 ,though they were unable to comprehend in fulness the doctrine1 they knew ,jesus to be the ,christ1 and were faithful to ,him while others turned away into the dark depths of apostasy4 ,while ,peter spoke for the apostolic body as a whole1 there was among them one who silently revolted2 the treacherous ,iscariot1 who was in worse plight than an openly avowed apostate1 was there4 ,the ,lord knew this man's heart1 and said3 ,have not ,i chosen you twelve1 and one of you is a devil8 ,the historian adds3 ,he spake of ,judas ,iscariot the son of ,simon3 for he it was that should betray him1 being one of the twelve4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ba4 #a4 ,jesus at ,nazareth4--,as no one of the ,gospel-writers records two occasions of our ,lord's ministry in ,nazareth1 and as the separate accounts appearing in the synoptic ,gospels closely resemble one another in a few particulars1 some commentators hold that our ,lord preached to ,his townsmen in ,nazareth and was rejected by them but once4 ,luke's account 7#d3ad-cj7 refers to an occasion immediately following the first return of ,jesus to ,galilee after ,his baptism and temptations1 and directly preceding the preliminary call of the fishermen-disciples1 who afterward were numbered among the apostles4 ,matthew 7#ac3ec-eh7 and ,mark 7#f3a-f7 chronicle a visit of ,jesus to ,nazareth later than the occasion of the first teaching in parables1 and the events immediately following the same4 ,we have good reason for accepting ,luke's record as that of an early incident1 and the accounts given by ,matthew and ,mark as those of a later visit4 #b4 ,gentiles4--,in a general way the ,jews designated all other peoples as ,gentiles2 though the same ,hebrew word is rendered in the ,old ,testament variously1 as ,gentiles 7,gen4 #aj3e2 ,judg4 #d3b1 #ac1 #af2 ,isa4 #aa3aj2 etc471 nations 7,gen4 #aj3e1 #bj1 #ca1 #cb2 #ad3a1 #i2 etc471 and heathen 7,neh4 #e3h2 ,psa4 #b3a1 #h1 etc471 the essential element of designation being that of foreigners4 ,in ,smith's ,dict4 of the ,bible1 we read ,it the name ',gentiles' acquired an ethnographic and also an invidious meaning1 as other nations were idolatrous1 rude1 hostile1 etc41 yet the ,jews were able to use it in a purely technical1 geographical sense1 when it was usually translated 'nations4' ,dr4 ,edward ,e4 ,nourse1 writing for the ,standard ,bible ,dictionary1 says3 ,in ,new ,testament times1 the ,jew divided mankind into three classes1 7#a7 ,jews1 7#b7 ,greeks 7,hellenes1 made to include ,romans1 thus meaning the civilized peoples of the ,roman ,empire1 often rendered ',gentiles' in ,authorized ,version71 and 7#c7 barbarians 7the uncivilized1 ,acts #bh3d2 ,rom4 #a3ad2 #a ,cor4 #ad3aa74 ,the injunction laid by ,jesus upon the ,twelve--,go not into the way of the ,gentiles--was to restrain them for the time being from attempting to make converts among the ,romans and ,greeks1 and to confine their ministry to the people of ,israel4 #c4 ,shaking the ,dust from the ,feet4--,to ceremonially shake the dust from one's feet as a testimony against another was understood by the ,jews to symbolize a cessation of fellowship and a renunciation of all responsibility for consequences that might follow4 ,it became an ordinance of accusation and testimony by the ,lord's instructions to ,his apostles as cited in the text4 ,in the current dispensation1 the ,lord has similarly directed ,his authorized servants to so testify against those who wilfully and maliciously oppose the truth when authoritatively presented 7see ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bd3ae2 #fj3ae2 #ge3bj2 #hd3ib2 #ii3d74 ,the responsibility of testifying before the ,lord by this accusing symbol is so great that the means may be employed only under unusual and extreme conditions1 as the ,spirit of the ,lord may direct4 #d4 ,the ,two ,bethsaidas4--,it is held by many ,bible students that ,bethsaida1 in the desert region adjoining which ,jesus and the ,twelve sought rest and seclusion1 was the town of that name in ,perea1 on the eastern side of the ,jordan1 and known more specifically as ,bethsaida ,julias to distinguish it from ,bethsaida in ,galilee1 which latter was close to ,capernaum4 ,the ,perean village of ,bethsaida had been enlarged and raised to the rank of a town by the tetrarch1 ,philip1 and by him had been named ,julias in honor of ,julia1 daughter of the reigning emperor4 ,the ,gospel narratives of the voyage by which ,jesus and ,his companions reached the place1 and of the return therefrom1 are conformable to the assumption that ,bethsaida ,julias in ,perea and not ,bethsaida in ,galilee1 was the town to which the desert place referred to was an outlying district4 #e4 ,the ,earlier and the ,later ,evening4--,matthew specifies two evenings of the day on which the five thousand were fed2 thus when it was evening the disciples asked ,jesus to send away the multitude2 and later1 after the miraculous feeding and after the disciples had left by boat1 and after the crowds had departed1 when the evening was come ,jesus was alone on the mountain 7,matt4 #ad3ae1 #bc2 compare ,mark #f3ce1 #dg74 ,trench ,notes on the ,miracles1 7p4 #bag7 says3 ,st4 ,matthew and ,st4 ,mark with him1 makes two evenings to this day--one which had already commenced before the preparations for the feeding of the multitude had begun 7verse #ae71 the other now1 when the disciples had entered into the ship and set forth on their voyage 7verse #bc74 ,and this was an ordinary way of speaking among the ,jews1 the first evening being very much our afternoon 444 the second evening being the twilight1 or from six o'clock to twilight1 on which absolute darkness followed4 ,see ,smith's ,dict41 article ,chronology1 from which the following excerpt is taken3 ',between the two evenings' 7margin of ,exo4 #ab3f2 ,numb4 #i3c2 #bh3d7 is a natural division between the late afternoon when the sun is low1 and the evening when his light has not wholly disappeared1 the two evenings into which the natural evening would be cut by the commencement of the civil day if it began at sunset4 #f4 ,watches of the ,night4--,during the greater part of ,old ,testament time1 the people of ,israel divided the night into three watches1 each of four hours1 such a period being that of individual sentinel duty4 ,before the beginning of the ,christian era1 however1 the ,jews had adopted the ,roman order of four night-watches1 each lasting three hours4 ,these were designated numerically1 e4g4 the fourth watch mentioned in the text 7see ,matt4 #ad3be71 or as even1 midnight1 cock-crowing1 and morning 7see ,mark #ac3ce74 ,the fourth watch was the last of the three-hour periods between sunset and sunrise1 or between #f p4m4 and #f a4m4 and therefore extended from #c to #f o'clock in the morning4 #g4 ,the ,hem of the ,garment4--,the faith of those who believed that if they could but touch the border of the ,lord's garment they would be healed1 is in line with that of the woman who was healed of her long-standing malady by so touching ,his robe 7see ,matt4 #i3ba2 ,mark #e3bg1 #bh2 ,luke #h3dd74 ,the ,jews regarded the border or hem of their outer robes as of particular importance1 because of the requirement made of ,israel in earlier days 7,numb4 #ae3ch1 #ci7 that the border be fringed and supplied with a band of blue1 as a reminder to them of their obligations as the covenant people4 ,the desire to touch the hem of ,christ's robe may have been associated with this thought of sanctity attaching to the hem or border4 #h4 ,traditions ,concerning ,manna4--,the supplying of manna to the ,israelites incident to the exodus and the long travel in the wilderness1 was rightly regarded as a work of surpassing wonder 7,exo4 #af3ad-cf2 ,numb4 #aa3g-i2 ,deut4 #h3c1 #af2 ,josh4 #e3ab2 ,psa4 #gh3bd1 #be74 ,many traditions1 some of them perniciously erroneous1 gathered about the incident1 and were transmitted with invented additions from generation to generation4 ,in the time of ,christ the rabbinical teaching was that the manna on which the fathers had fed was literally the food of the angels1 sent down from heaven2 and that it was of diverse taste and flavor to suit all ages1 conditions1 or desires2 to one it tasted like honey1 to another as bread1 etc42 but in all ,gentile mouths it was bitter4 ,moreover it was said that the ,messiah would give an unfailing supply of manna to ,israel when ,he came amongst them4 ,these erroneous conceptions in part explain the demand of those who had been fed on barley loaves and fishes1 for a sign that would surpass the giving of manna in the olden days1 as evidence of the ,messiahship of ,jesus4 #i4 ,faith a ,gift of ,god4--,though within the reach of all who diligently strive to gain it1 faith is nevertheless a divine gift1 and can be obtained only from ,god 7,matt4 #af3ag2 ,john #f3dd1 #fe2 ,eph4 #b3h2 #a ,cor4 #ab3i2 ,rom4 #ab3c2 ,moroni #aj3aa74 ,as is fitting for so priceless a pearl1 it is given to those only who show by their sincerity that they are worthy of it1 and who give promise of abiding by its dictates4 ,although faith is called the first principle of the ,gospel of ,christ1 though it be in fact the foundation of all religion1 yet even faith is preceded by sincerity of disposition and humility of soul1 whereby the word of ,god may make an impression upon the heart 7,rom4 #aj3ag74 ,no compulsion is used in bringing men to a knowledge of ,god2 yet1 as fast as we open our hearts to the influences of righteousness1 the faith that leads to life eternal will be given us of our ,father4--,articles of ,faith1 v3#af4 #aj4 ,spiritual ,symbolism of ,eating4--,the idea of eating1 as a metaphor for receiving spiritual benefit1 was familiar to ,christ's hearers1 and was as readily understood as our expressions--'devouring a book1' or 'drinking in' instruction4 ,in ,isaiah #c3a1 the words 'the whole stay of bread1' were explained by the rabbis as referring to their own teaching1 and they laid it down as a rule1 that wherever1 in ,ecclesiastes1 allusion was made to food or drink1 it meant study of the law1 and the practise of good works4 ,it was a saying among them--',in the time of the ,messiah the ,israelites will be fed by ,him4' ,nothing was more common in the schools and synagogs than the phrases of eating and drinking1 in a metaphorical sense4 ',messiah is not likely to come to ,israel1' said ,hillel1 'for they have already eaten ,him'--that is1 greedily received ,his words--'in the days of ,hezekiah4' ,a current conventionalism in the synagogs was that the just would 'eat the ,shekinah4' ,it was peculiar to the ,jews to be taught in such metaphorical language4 ,their rabbis never spoke in plain words1 and it is expressly said that ,jesus submitted to the popular taste1 for 'without a parable spake he not unto them' 7,mark #d3cd74--;,geikie1 ,life and ,words of ,christ1 vol4 i1 p4 #ahd4 #aa4 ,the ,crucial ,nature of the ,discourse4--,commenting on the effect of our ,lord's discourse 7,john #f3bf-ga71 ,edersheim 7vol4 ii1 p4 #cf7 says3 ,here then we are at the parting of the two ways2 and just because it was the hour of decision1 did ,christ so clearly set forth the highest truths concerning ,himself1 in opposition to the views which the multitude entertained about the ,messiah4 ,the result was yet another and a sorer defection4 ,upon this many of ,his disciples went back1 and walked no more with ,him4 ,nay1 the searching trial reached even unto the hearts of the ,twelve4 ,would they also go away8 ,it was an anticipation of ,gethsemane--its first experience4 ,but one thing kept them true4 ,it was the experience of the past4 ,this was the basis of their present faith and allegiance4 ,they could not go back to their old past2 they must cleave to ,him4 ,so ,peter spake it in name of them all3 ,lord1 to whom shall we go8 ,words of eternal life hast thou6 ,nay1 and more than this1 as the result of what they had learned3 ,and we have believed and know that thou art the ,holy ,one of ,god4 ,it is thus1 also1 that many of us1 whose thoughts may have been sorely tossed1 and whose foundations terribly assailed1 may have found our first resting-place in the assured1 unassailable spiritual experience of the past4 ,whither can we go for words of eternal life1 if not to ,christ8 ,if ,he fails us1 then all hope of the eternal is gone4 ,but ,he has the words of eternal life--and we believed when they first came to us2 nay1 we know that ,he is the ,holy ,one of ,god4 ,and this conveys all that faith needs for further learning4 ,the rest will ,he show when ,he is transfigured in our sight4 ,but of these ,twelve ,christ knew one to be a devil--like that angel1 fallen from highest height to lowest depth4 ,the apostasy of ,judas had already commenced in his heart4 ,and the greater the popular expectancy and disappointment had been1 the greater the reaction and the enmity that followed4 ,the hour of decision was past1 and the hand on the dial pointed to the hour of ,his death4 ,,footnotes3 #fid ,matt4 #ac3ec-eh2 ,mark #f3a-f4 #fie ,luke #d3bh-cj4 ,see pages #agi-aha4 #fif ,pages #bed1 #bgd4 #fig ,note #b1 page #bgc4 #fih ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #fii ,matt4 #aj3e-db2 ,mark #f3g-ac2 ,luke #i3a-e4 #gjj ,mark #c3ad4 #gja ,matt4 #aj3e-db2 ,mark #f3g-ac2 ,luke #i3a-f4 #gjb ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #gjc ,matt4 #bh3ai2 ,mark #af3ae4 ,page #fie herein4 #gjd ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #gje ,matt4 #aj3ah-bj2 compare ,mark #ac3i2 ,luke #ab3aj-ab4 #gjf ,mark #f3g4 #gjg ,john #e2 pages #bjf1 #baf4 #gjh ,matt4 #aa3b-ai2 ,luke #g3ah-cd2 see page #beb4 #gji ,page #bei4 #gaj ,mark #f3ab1 #ac2 ,luke #i3aj4 ,note similar testimony of the ,seventy1 who were sent out at a later time1 and who returned rejoicing in the power that had been manifest in their ministry2 ,luke #aj3ag4 #gaa ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #gab ,john #f3e-ad2 compare ,matt4 #ad3ae-ba2 ,mark #f3ce-dd2 ,luke #i3ab-ag4 #gac ,john #f3d2 ,matt4 #ad3ai2 ,mark #f3ci4 #gad ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #gae ,matt4 #ad3bb-cc2 compare ,mark #f3de-eb2 ,john #f3ae-ba4 #gaf ,page #cba4 #gag ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #gah ,that is to say1 since or inasmuch4 #gai ,compare ,peter's impetuous leap into the sea to reach the resurrected ,lord on the shore1 ,john #ba3g4 #gbj ,mark #f3eb4 #gba ,note that this is the first occurrence of this title in the ,synoptic ,gospels1 as applied to ,jesus by mortals2 compare an earlier instance of its application by ,nathanael1 ,john #a3di4 #gbb ,articles of ,faith1 v3#aa-ac--;,faith a ,principle of ,power4 #gbc ,josephus1 ,wars4 iii1 #aj3g1 #h4 #gbd ,mark #f3ec-ef2 compare ,matt4 #ad3cd-cf4 ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #gbe ,john #f3bb-bg4 #gbf ,note #h1 end of chapter4 #gbg ,john #f3cb-ei4 #gbh ,john #d3ac-ae2 page #agd herein4 #gbi ,isa4 #ed3ac2 ,jer4 #ca3cd2 ,micah #d3b2 compare ,heb4 #h3aj2 #aj3af4 #gcj ,note #i1 end of chapter4 #gca ,note #aj1 end of chapter4 #gcb ,matt4 #bf3bf-bh2 ,mark #ad3bb-be2 ,luke #bb3ai1 #bj4 ,page #eif4 #gcc ,john #f3ei-ga4 #gcd ,luke #c3af1 #ag2 ,matt4 #c3aa1 #ab4 #gce ,compare this confession 7,john #f3fh1 #fi7 with ,peter's later testimony 7,matt4 #af3af74 ,note #aa1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #bb4 ,a ,,period ,,of ,,darkening ,,opposition4 ,our ,lord's last recorded discourse in the synagog at ,capernaum1 which followed close upon the miracle of feeding the five thousand and that of walking upon the water1 marked the beginning of another epoch in the development of ,his life's work4 ,it was the season of an approaching ,passover festival2#gcf and at the next succeeding ,passover1 one year later1 as shall be shown1 ,jesus would be betrayed to ,his death4 ,at the time of which we now speak1 therefore1 ,he was entering upon the last year of ,his ministry in the flesh4 ,but the significance of the event is other and greater than that of a chronological datum-plane4 ,the circumstance marked the first stage of a turn in the tide of popular regard toward ,jesus1 which theretofore had been increasing1 and which now began to ebb4 ,true1 ,he had been repeatedly criticized and openly assailed by complaining ,jews on many earlier occasions2 but these crafty and even venomous critics were mostly of the ruling classes2 the common people had heard ,him gladly1 and indeed many of them continued so to do2#gcg nevertheless ,his popularity1 in ,galilee at least1 had begun to wane4 ,the last year of ,his earthly ministration was inaugurated by a sifting of the people who professed to believe ,his word1 and this process of test1 trial1 and separation1 was to continue to the end4 ,we are without information as to ,jesus having attended this ,passover feast2 and it is reasonable to infer that in view of the increasing hostility on the part of the rulers1 ,he refrained from going to ,jerusalem on the occasion4 ,conjecture as to whether any of the ,twelve went up to the festival is profitless2 we are not told4 ,certain it is that immediately after this time1 the detectives and spies1 who had been sent from ,jerusalem into ,galilee to watch ,jesus1 became more active than ever in their critical espionage4 ,they dogged ,his footsteps1 noted every act1 and every instance of omission of traditional or customary observance1 and were constantly on the alert to make ,him out an offender4 ,,ceremonial ,,washings1 ,,and ,,many ,,such ,,like ,,things1#gch ,shortly after the ,passover to which allusion has been made1 and probably in accordance with a plan decided upon by the ,jewish rulers1 ,jesus was visited by a delegation of ,pharisees and scribes who had come from ,jerusalem1 and who made protest against the disregard of traditional requirements by ,his followers4 ,it appears that the disciples1 and almost certainly the ,master ,himself1 had so far transgressed the tradition of the elders as to omit the ceremonial washing of hands before eating2 the ,pharisaic critics found fault1 and came demanding explanation1 and justification if such were possible4 ,mark tells us that the disciples were charged with having eaten with defiled1 or1 as the marginal reading gives it1 with common hands2 and he interpolates the following concise and lucid note concerning the custom which the disciples were said to have ignored3 ,for the ,pharisees1 and all the ,jews1 except they wash their hands oft1 eat not1 holding the tradition of the elders4 ,and when they come from the market1 except they wash1 they eat not4 ,and many other things there be1 which they have received to hold1 as the washing of cups1 and pots1 brasen vessels1 and of tables4#gci ,it should be borne in mind that the offense charged against the disciples was that of ceremonial uncleanness1 not physical uncleanliness or disregard of sanitary propriety2 they were said to have eaten with common or defiled hands1 not specifically with dirty fingers4 ,in all the externals of their man-made religionism1 the ,jews were insistent on scrupulous exactitude2 every possibility of ceremonial defilement was to be carefully guarded against1 and the effects thereof had to be counteracted by prescribed washings4#gdj ,to the question3 ,why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders8 for they wash not their hands when they eat bread1 ,jesus gave no direct reply2 but asked as a rejoinder3 ,why do ye also transgress the commandment of ,god by your tradition8 ,to the ,pharisaic mind this must have been a very sharp rebuke2 for rabbinism held that rigorous compliance with the traditions of the elders was more important than observance of the law itself2 and ,jesus in ,his counter question put their cherished traditions as in direct conflict with the commandment of ,god4 ,adding to their discomfiture1 ,he cited the prophecy of ,isaiah1 and applied to them whom ,he designated hypocrites1 the prophet's words3 ,well hath ,esaias prophesied of you hypocrites1 as it is written1 ,this people honoureth me with their lips1 but their heart is far from me4 ,howbeit in vain do they worship me1 teaching for doctrines the commandments of men4#gda ,with deserved severity ,jesus carried the lesson home to their consciences1 declaring that they had laid aside the commandments of ,god in order that they might follow the traditions of men4 ,this accusing affirmation was followed by the citing of an undeniable instance3 ,moses had voiced the direct commandment of ,god in saying3 ,honour thy father and thy mother1 and had proclaimed the ordained penalty in extreme cases of unfilial conduct thus3 ,whoso curseth father or mother1 let him die2#gdb but this law1 though given of ,god direct to ,israel1 had been so completely superseded that any ungrateful and wicked son could find ready means1 which their traditions had made lawful1 of escaping all filial obligations1 even though his parents were destitute4 ,if a needy father or mother craved help of a son1 he had but to say--,what you ask of me is ,corban--or in other words1 an intended gift to ,god2 and he was held to be legally exempt from all requirements to contribute of that substance to the support of his parents4#gdc ,other obligations could be similarly evaded4 ,to declare that any article of property real or personal1 or any part or proportion of one's possessions was corban1 was generally understood as an averment that the property so characterized was dedicated to the temple1 or at least was intended to be devoted to ecclesiastical purposes1 and would eventually be turned over to the officials1 though the donor might continue to hold possession during a specified period1 extending even to the end of his life4 ,property was often declared to be corban for other purposes than dedication to ecclesiastical use4 ,the result of such established though utterly unlawful and pernicious traditions was1 as ,jesus emphatically stated to the ,pharisees and scribes1 to make the word of ,god of none effect1 and1 ,he added1 ,many such like things do ye4 ,turning from ,his titled visitors1 ,he called the people together and proclaimed unto them the truth1 as follows3 ,hearken unto me every one of you1 and understand3 ,there is nothing from without a man1 that entering into him can defile him3 but the things which come out of him1 those are they that defile the man4 ,if any man have ears to hear1 let him hear4 ,this was directly in conflict with rabbinical precept and practise2 the ,pharisees were offended1 for they had said that to eat with hands that had not been ritualistically cleansed was to defile the food touched1 and in turn to become yet more defiled from the food thus rendered unclean4 ,the apostles were not sure that they understood the ,master's lesson2 though couched in plain1 non-figurative language1 it was to some of them very like a parable1 and ,peter asked an exposition4 ,the ,lord explained that the food one eats is but temporarily part of his body2 having served its purpose of nourishing the tissues and supplying energy to the organism1 it is eliminated2 therefore the food that enters the body through the mouth is of small and transient importance compared with the utterances that issue from the mouth1 for these1 if evil1 are truly defiling4 ,as ,jesus set forth3 ,those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart2 and they defile the man4 ,for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts1 murders1 adulteries1 fornications1 thefts1 false witness1 blasphemies3 these are the things which defile a man2 but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man4#gdd ,some of the disciples asked ,jesus whether ,he knew that the ,pharisees had taken offense at ,his saying2 ,his answer was a further denunciation of ,pharisaism3 ,every plant1 which my heavenly ,father hath not planted1 shall be rooted up4 ,let them alone3 they be blind leaders of the blind4 ,and if the blind lead the blind1 both shall fall into the ditch4 ,there could be no compromize between ,his doctrine of the kingdom and the corrupt ,judaism of the time4 ,the rulers were plotting against ,his life2 if their emissaries chose to take offense at ,his words1 let them be offended and stand the consequences2 but blessed would they be if they were not offended because of ,him4#gde ,he had no conciliatory measures to offer those whose inability to understand ,his meaning was the result of wilful obstinacy1 or darkness of mind produced by persistence in sin4 ,,within ,,the ,,borders ,,of ,,tyre ,,and ,,sidon4#gdf ,unable to find in ,galilee rest1 seclusion1 or adequate opportunity of instructing the ,twelve as ,he desired to do1 ,jesus departed with them northward1 and journeyed into the coasts or borders of ,phenicia1 a district commonly known by the names of its prominent cities1 ,tyre and ,sidon4 ,in one of the little towns near the border1 the party took lodgings2 but the attempt to secure privacy was futile1 for the ,master's presence could not be hid4 ,his fame had preceded ,him beyond the boundaries of the land of ,israel4 ,on earlier occasions1 people from the region of ,tyre and ,sidon had been among ,his listeners1 and some of them had been blessed by ,his healing mercies4#gdg ,a woman1 hearing of ,his presence within her own land1 came asking a boon4 ,mark tells us she was a ,greek1 or more literally a ,gentile#gdh who spoke ,greek1 and by nationality a ,syro-,phenician2 ,matthew says she was a woman of ,canaan2 these statements are in harmony1 since the ,phenicians were of ,canaanite descent4 ,the ,gospel-historians make clear the fact that this woman was of pagan or heathen birth2 and we know that among the peoples so classed the ,canaanites were held in particular disrepute by the ,jews4 ,the woman cried aloud to ,jesus1 saying3 ,have mercy on me1 ,o ,lord1 thou son of ,david2 my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil4 ,her words expressed at once faith in the ,lord's power1 and a fulness of mother-love1 for she implored as though she were the afflicted sufferer4 ,the fact that she addressed ,jesus as ,son of ,david demonstrates her belief that ,he was the ,messiah of ,israel4 ,at first ,jesus refrained from answering her4 ,undeterred1 she pleaded the more1 until the disciples besought the ,lord saying3 ,send her away2 for she crieth after us4 ,their intervention was probably an intercession in her behalf2 she could be quieted by the granting of her request2 as it was1 she was making an undesirable scene1 probably on the street1 and the ,twelve knew well that their ,master sought quietude4 ,to them ,jesus said3 ,i am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of ,israel1 and the remark must have reminded them of the restriction under which they had been sent out4#gdi ,the woman1 with importunate desire came near1 possibly entering the house2 she fell at the ,lord's feet and worshiped ,him1 pleading pitifully1 ,lord1 help me4 ,to her ,jesus said1 ,it is not meet to take the children's bread1 and to cast it to dogs4 ,the words1 harsh as they may sound to us1 were understood by her in the spirit of the ,lord's intent4 ,the original term here translated dogs connoted1 as the narrative shows1 not the vagrant and despized curs elsewhere spoken of in the ,bible as typical of a degraded state1 or of positive badness1#gej but literally the little dogs or domestic pets1 such as were allowed in the house and under the table4 ,certainly the woman took no offense at the comparison1 and found therein no objectionable epithet4 ,instantly she adopted the analogy1 and applied it in combined argument and supplication1#gea ,truth1 ,lord3 yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table2 or1 in the words of ,mark's version3 ,yes1 ,lord3 yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs4 ,her prayer was immediately granted2 for ,jesus said unto her1 ,o woman1 great is thy faith3 be it unto thee even as thou wilt4 ,and her daughter was made whole from that very hour4 ,mark emphasizes the special recognition of her final plea1 and adds3 ,and when she was come to her house1 she found the devil gone out1 and her daughter laid upon the bed4 ,the woman's commendable persistency was based on the faith that overcomes apparent obstacles and endures even under discouragement4 ,her case reminds one of the lesson taught by the ,lord on another occasion through the story of the importunate widow4#geb ,many have queried as to why ,jesus delayed the blessing4 ,we may not be able to fathom ,his purposes2 but we see that1 by the course ,he adopted1 the woman's faith was demonstrated and the disciples were instructed4 ,jesus impressed upon her that she was not of the chosen people1 to whom ,he had been sent2 but ,his words prefigured the giving of the gospel to all1 both ,jew and ,gentile3 ,let the children first be filled ,he had said4 ,the resurrected ,christ was to be made known to every nation2#gec but ,his personal ministry as a mortal1 as also that of the apostles while ,he was with them in the flesh1 was directed to the house of ,israel4#ged ,,in ,,the ,,coasts ,,of ,,decapolis4#gee ,we are not told how long ,jesus and the ,twelve tarried in the land of ,tyre and ,sidon1 nor which portions of the district they traversed4 ,they went thence into the region adjoining the sea of ,galilee on the east1 through the midst of the coasts of ,decapolis4#gef ,though still among semi-pagan peoples1 our ,lord was greeted by great crowds1 amongst whom were many lame1 blind1 dumb1 maimed1 and otherwise afflicted2 and them ,he healed4 ,great was the astonishment of these aliens1 when they saw the dumb to speak1 the maimed to be whole1 the lame to walk1 and the blind to see3 and they glorified the ,god of ,israel4 ,among the many who were healed was one of whom special mention is made4 ,he was deaf and defective in speech4 ,the people asked the ,lord to lay ,his hands upon the man2 but ,jesus led him away from the multitude1 put ,his fingers in the man's ears1 spat1 and touched the man's tongue2 then looking upward in prayer1 and sighing the while1 ,he uttered a word of command in ,aramaic1 ,ephphatha1 that is1 ,be opened4 ,and straightway his ears were opened1 and the string of his tongue was loosed1 and he spake plain4 ,the manner of effecting this cure was different again from the usual mode of our ,lord's healing ministrations4 ,it may be that by the finger-touch to the closed ears and to the bound tongue1 the man's faith was strengthened and his confidence in the ,master's power increased4 ,the people were forbidden to tell abroad what they had witnessed2 but the more they were charged the more they published the news4 ,their conclusion as to ,jesus and ,his works was3 ,he hath done all things well3 he maketh both the deaf to hear1 and the dumb to speak4 ,,another ,,meal ,,in ,,the ,,desert2 ,,over ,,four ,,thousand ,,fed4#geg ,for three days the glad crowds remained with ,jesus and the apostles4 ,camping out at that season and in that region entailed no great hardship incident to exposure4 ,their supply of food1 however1 had become exhausted2 and many of them were far from home4 ,jesus had compassion upon the people1 and was loath to send them away fasting1 lest they would faint by the way4 ,when ,he spoke to the disciples on the matter they intimated the impossibility of feeding so great a number1 for the entire stock of food at hand comprized but seven loaves and a few little fishes4 ,had they forgotten the former occasion on which a greater multitude had been fed and filled with but five loaves and two small fishes8 ,rather let us believe that the disciples remembered well1 yet deemed it beyond their duty or privilege to suggest a repetition of the miracle4 ,but the ,master commanded2 and the people seated themselves on the ground4 ,blessing and dividing the small provision as before1 ,he gave to the disciples and they distributed to the multitude4 ,four thousand men1 beside women and children1 were abundantly fed2 and of the broken but uneaten food there remained enough to fill seven baskets4 ,with no semblance of the turbulent enthusiasm that had followed the feeding of the five thousand1 this multitude dispersed quietly and returned to their homes1 grateful and doubly blessed4 ,,again ,,beset ,,by ,,sign-,,seekers4#geh ,jesus and the apostles returned by boat to the western shore of the lake1 and landed near ,magdala and ,dalmanutha4 ,these towns are understood to have been so close together as to virtually make the latter a suburb of the other4 ,here the party was met by the ever-vigilant ,pharisees1 who on this occasion were accompanied by their usually unfriendly rivals1 the ,sadducees4 ,that the two parties had temporarily laid aside their mutual differences1 and had combined their forces in the common cause of opposition to ,christ1 is a demonstration of the determined purpose of the ecclesiastical authorities to find occasion against ,him1 and1 if possible1 destroy ,him4 ,their immediate object was to further alienate the common people1 and to counteract the influence of ,his former teachings with the masses4 ,they set anew the old-time snare of demanding from ,him a supernatural sign of ,his ,messiahship1 though thrice already had they or others of their kind so attempted to entrap ,him1 and thrice had they been foiled4#gei ,before them1 ,satan in person had similarly tried and failed4#gfj ,to their present impertinent and impious demand ,he gave a brief and definite refusal coupled with an exposure of their hypocrisy4 ,this was ,his reply3 ,when it is evening1 ye say1 ,it will be fair weather3 for the sky is red4 ,and in the morning1 ,it will be foul weather today3 for the sky is red and lowring4 ,o ye hypocrites1 ye can discern the face of the sky2 but can ye not discern the signs of the times8 ,a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign2 and there shall no sign be given unto it1 but the sign of the prophet ,jonas4 ,and he left them1 and departed4#gfa ,,the ,,leaven ,,of ,,the ,,pharisees ,,and ,,of ,,the ,,sadducees4#gfb ,again with the ,twelve upon the water1 since on the ,galilean coast neither peace nor opportunity for effective teaching was found1 ,jesus directed the vessel's course toward the north-easterly shore4 ,when well out from land1 ,he said to ,his companions3 ,take heed and beware of the leaven of the ,pharisees and of the ,sadducees1 and1 as ,mark adds1 and of the leaven of ,herod4 ,in their hasty departure the disciples had forgotten to take a supply of food2 they had with them but a single loaf4 ,they construed ,his words respecting leaven as a reference to bread1 and possibly as a reproof for their neglect4 ,jesus chided them as of little faith for thinking then of material bread1 and refreshed their recollection of the miracles by which the multitudes had been fed1 so that their lack of loaves would not further trouble them4 ,finally they were made to understand that the ,master's warning was directed against the false doctrines of the ,pharisees and those of the ,sadducees1 and against the political aspirations of the scheming ,herodians4#gfc ,the party left the boat near the site of the first miraculous feeding of the multitude1 and made their way to ,bethsaida ,julias4 ,a blind man was brought1 and ,jesus was asked to touch him4 ,he took the sightless one by the hand1 led him outside the town1 applied saliva to his eyes1 laid hands upon him in a ministration1 and asked him if he could see4 ,the man answered that he saw dimly1 but was unable to distinguish men from trees4 ,applying ,his hands to the man's eyes1 ,jesus told him to look up2 the man did so and saw clearly4 ,bidding him not to enter the town1 nor to tell of his deliverance from blindness to any in the place1 the ,lord sent him away rejoicing4 ,this miracle presents the unique feature of ,jesus healing a person by stages2 the result of the first ministration was but a partial recovery4 ,no explanation of the exceptional circumstance is given4 ,,thou ,,art ,,the ,,christ4#gfd ,accompanied by the ,twelve1 ,jesus continued ,his way northward to the neighborhood or coasts of ,csarea ,philippi1 an inland city situated near the eastern and principal source of the ,jordan1 and near the foot of ,mount ,hermon4#gfe ,the journey afforded opportunity for special and confidential instruction to the apostles4 ,of them ,jesus asked3 ,whom do men say that ,i the ,son of man am8 ,in reply they reported the rumors and popular fancies that had come to their notice4 ,some people1 sharing the superstitious fears of the conscience-stricken ,herod ,antipas1 said that ,jesus was ,john the ,baptist returned to life1 though such a belief could not have been entertained seriously by many1 as ,john and ,jesus were known to have been contemporaries2 others said ,he was ,elias1 or more exactly1 ,elijah2 still others suggested ,he was ,jeremiah or some other one of the ancient prophets of ,israel4 ,it is significant that among all the conceptions of the people as to the identity of ,jesus there was no intimation of belief that ,he was the ,messiah4 ,neither by word nor deed had ,he measured up to the popular and traditional standard of the expected ,deliverer and ,king of ,israel4 ,fleeting manifestations of evanescent hope that ,he might prove to be the looked-for ,prophet1 like unto ,moses1 had not been lacking2 but all such incipient conceptions had been neutralized by the hostile activity of the ,pharisees and their kind4 ,to them it was a matter of supreme though evil determination to maintain in the minds of the people the thought of a yet future1 not a present1 ,messiah4 ,with deep solemnity1 and as a soul-searching test for which the ,twelve had been in unconscious preparation through many months of close and privileged companionship with their ,lord1 ,jesus asked of them3 ,but whom say ye that ,i am8 ,answering for all1 but more particularly testifying as to his own conviction1 ,peter1 with all the fervor of his soul1 voiced the great confession3 ,thou art the ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god4 ,this was no avowal of mere belief1 no expression of a result at which he had arrived by mental process1 no solution of a problem laboriously worked out1 no verdict based on the weighing of evidence2 he spoke in the sure knowledge that knows no question and from which doubt and reservation are as far removed as is the sky from the ground4 ,and ,jesus answered and said unto him1 ,blessed art thou1 ,simon ,barjona3 for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee1 but my ,father which is in heaven4 ,peter's knowledge1 which was also that of his brethren1 was of a kind apart from all that man may find out for himself2 it was a divine bestowal1 in comparison with which human wisdom is foolishness and the treasure of earth but dross1 ,addressing ,himself further to the first of the apostles1 ,jesus continued3 ,and ,i say also unto thee1 ,that thou art ,peter1 and upon this rock ,i will build my church2 and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it4 ,and ,i will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven3 and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven3 and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven4 ,through direct revelation from ,god ,peter knew that ,jesus was the ,christ2 and upon revelation1 as a rock of secure foundation1 the ,church of ,christ was to be built4#gff ,though torrents should fall1 floods roll1 winds rage1 and all beat together upon that structure1 it would not1 could not1 fall1 for it was founded upon a rock2#gfg and even the powers of hell would be impotent to prevail against it4 ,by revelation alone could or can the ,church of ,jesus ,christ be builded and maintained2 and revelation of necessity implies revelators1 through whom the will of ,god may be made known respecting ,his ,church4 ,as a gift from ,god comes the testimony of ,jesus into the heart of man4 ,this principle was comprized in the ,master's teachings at ,capernaum1 that none could come to ,him save such as the ,father would bring4#gfh ,the ,lord's promise1 that unto ,peter ,he would give the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 embodies the principle of divine authority in the ,holy ,priesthood1 and of the commission of presidency4 ,allusion to keys as symbolical of power and authority is not uncommon in ,jewish literature1 as was well understood in that period and is generally current today4#gfi ,so also the analogies of binding and loosing as indicative of official acts were then usual1 as they are now1 particularly in connection with judicial functions4 ,peter's presidency among the apostles was abundantly manifest and generally recognized after the close of our ,lord's mortal life4 ,thus1 it was he who spoke in behalf of the ,eleven1 in the council meeting at which a successor to the traitor ,iscariot was chosen2 he was the spokesman of his brethren on the occasion of the ,pentecostal conversion2 it was he who opened the doors of the ,church to the ,gentiles2#ggj and his office of leadership is apparent throughout the apostolic period4 ,the confession by which the apostles avowed their acceptance of ,jesus as the ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god1 was evidence of their actual possession of the spirit of the ,holy ,apostleship1 by which they were made particular witnesses of their ,lord4 ,the time for a general proclamation of their testimony had not arrived1 however2 nor did it come until after ,christ had emerged from the tomb a resurrected1 immortalized ,personage4 ,for the time being they were charged that they should tell no man that he was ,jesus the ,christ4 ,proclamation of ,jesus as the ,messiah1 particularly if made by the apostles who were publicly known as ,his most intimate disciples and associates1 or open assumption of the ,messianic title by ,himself1 would have aggravated the hostility of the rulers1 which had already become a grave interference if not an actual menace to the ,savior's ministry2 and seditious uprisings against the political government of ,rome might easily have resulted4 ,a yet deeper reason for the secrecy enjoined upon the ,twelve appears in the fact that the ,jewish nation was not prepared to accept their ,lord2 and to ignore ,him through lack of certain knowledge involved a lesser degree of culpability than would have attached to an unpalliated rejection4 ,the particular mission of the apostles at a time then future was to proclaim to all nations ,jesus1 the crucified and resurrected ,christ4 ,from the time of ,peter's confession however1 ,jesus instructed the ,twelve more plainly and with greater intimacy concerning the future developments of ,his mission1 and particularly as touching ,his appointed death4 ,on earlier occasions ,he had referred in their hearing to the cross1 and to ,his approaching death1 burial and ascension2 but the mention in each case was in a measure figurative1 and they had apprehended but imperfectly if at all4 ,now1 however1 ,he began to show1 and often afterward made plain unto them1 how that he must go unto ,jerusalem1 and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes1 and be killed1 and be raised again the third day4 ,peter was shocked at this unqualified declaration1 and1 yielding to impulse1 remonstrated with ,jesus1 or1 as two of the evangelists state1 began to rebuke him1 even going so far as to say3 ,this shall not be unto thee4#gga ,the ,lord turned upon him with this sharp reproof3 ,get thee behind me1 ,satan3 thou art an offence unto me3 for thou savourest not the things that be of ,god1 but those that be of men4 ,peter's words constituted an appeal to the human element in ,christ's nature2 and the sensitive feelings of ,jesus were wounded by this suggestion of unfaithfulness to ,his trust1 coming from the man whom ,he had so signally honored but a few moments before4 ,peter saw mainly as men see1 understanding but imperfectly the deeper purposes of ,god4 ,though deserved1 the rebuke he received was severe4 ,the adjuration1 ,get thee behind me1 ,satan1 was identical with that used against the arch-tempter himself1 who had sought to beguile ,jesus from the path upon which ,he had entered1#ggb and the provocation in the two instances was in some respects similar--the temptation to evade sacrifice and suffering1 though such was the world's ransom1 and to follow a more comfortable way4#ggc ,the forceful words of ,jesus show the deep emotion that ,peter's ill-considered attempt to counsel if not to tempt his ,lord had evoked4 ,beside the ,twelve1 who were immediately about the ,lord's person1 others were nearby2 it appears that even in those remote parts1 far removed from the borders of ,galilee--the habitat of a heathen population1 with whom1 however1 many ,jews were intermixed--the people gathered around the ,master4 ,these ,he now called together1 and to them and the disciples said3 ,if any man will come after me1 let him deny himself1 and take up his cross1 and follow me4 ,here the frightful figure of the cross was again made prominent4 ,there was left no shadow of excuse for the thought that devotion to ,christ would not mean denial and privation4 ,he who would save his life at the cost of duty1 as ,peter had just suggested that ,christ should do1 would surely lose it in a sense worse than that of physical death2 whereas he who stood willing to lose all1 even life itself1 should find the life that is eternal4 ,as evincing the soundness of ,his teachings1 ,jesus uttered what has since become an inspiring aphorism of life3 ,for what is a man profited1 if he shall gain the whole world1 and lose his own soul8 or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul8 ,whosoever is ashamed of ,christ because of ,his lowly estate1 or through offense at ,his teachings1 shall yet find that the ,son of ,man1 when ,he comes in the glory of the ,father1 with attending cohorts of angels1 will be ashamed of that man4 ,the record of this memorable day in the ,savior's life closes with ,his blessed promise3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,there be some standing here1 which shall not taste of death1 till they see the ,son of man coming in his kingdom4#ggd ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #bb4 #a4 ,passover ,celebrations ,comprized within the ,period of ,our ,lord's ,public ,ministry4--,the dates on which specific acts occurred in the ministry of ,jesus are difficult if not impossible to fix1 except in few instances2 and as heretofore stated and reiterated1 even the order of events is often found to be uncertain4 ,it will be remembered that ,jesus was in ,jerusalem at the time of the ,passover soon after ,his baptism1 and that on the visit referred to ,he forcibly cleared the temple courts of traffickers and their property4 ,this is known as the first ,passover during the public life of ,jesus4 ,if the unnamed feast of the ,jews referred to by ,john 7#e3a7 was a ,passover1 as many ,bible students hold1 it marked the close of the year following the cleansing the temple2 it is commonly spoken of and written about as the second ,passover in the course of our ,lord's ministry4 ,then the ,passover near which ,jesus fed the five thousand 7,john #f3d7 would be the third1 and would mark the expiration of two years and a fraction since the baptism of ,jesus2 it certainly marks the beginning of the last year of the ,savior's life on earth4 #b4 ,ceremonial ,ablutions4--,the numerous washings required by ,jewish custom in the time of ,christ were admittedly incident to rabbinism and the tradition of the elders and not in compliance with the ,mosaic law4 ,under certain conditions1 successive washings were prescribed1 in connection with which we find mention of first1 second and other waters1 the second water being necessary to wash away the first water1 which had become defiled by contact with the common hands2 and so further with the later waters4 ,sometimes the hands had to be dipped or immersed2 at other times they were to be cleansed by pouring1 it being necessary that the water be allowed to run to the wrist or the elbow according to the degree of supposed defilement2 then again1 as the disciples of ,rabbi ,shammai held1 only the finger tips1 or the fingers up to the knuckles1 needed to be wetted under particular circumstances4 ,rules for the cleansing of vessels and furniture were detailed and exacting2 distinct methods applied respectively to vessels of clay1 wood1 and metal4 ,fear of unwittingly defiling the hands led to many extreme precautions4 ,it being known that the ,roll of the ,law1 the ,roll of the ,prophets1 and other scriptures1 when laid away were sometimes touched1 scratched1 or even gnawed by mice1 there was issued a rabbinical decree1 that the ,holy ,scriptures1 or any part thereof comprizing as many as eighty-five letters 7the shortest section in the law having just that number71 defiled the hands by mere contact4 ,thus the hands had to be ceremonially cleansed after touching a copy of the scriptures1 or even a written passage therefrom4 ,emancipation from these and many such like things must have been relief indeed4 ,escape from this thraldom ,jesus freely offered1 saying3 ,come unto me1 all ye that labour and are heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest4 ,take my yoke upon you1 and learn of me2 for ,i am meek and lowly in heart2 and ye shall find rest unto your souls4 ,for my yoke is easy1 and my burden is light4 7,matt4 #aa3bh-cj47 #c4 ,corban1 a ,gift4--,the law of ,moses prescribed rules relating to vows 7,lev4 #bg2 ,numb4 #cj74 ,upon these rules1 says the writer in ,smith's ,bible ,dict41 the traditionalists enlarged1 and laid down that a man might interdict himself by vow1 not only from using for himself1 but from giving to another or receiving from him1 some particular object whether of food or any other kind whatsoever4 ,the thing thus interdicted was considered as corban4 ,a person might thus exempt himself from any inconvenient obligation under plea of corban4 ,our ,lord denounced practises of this sort 7,matt4 #ae3e2 ,mark #g3aa71 as annulling the spirit of the law4 ,the revised version1 ,matt4 #ae3e is made to read ,but ye say1 ,whosoever shall say to his father or his mother1 ,that wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is given to ,god2 he shall not honor his father 7or1 his mother74 ,the following account of this pernicious custom appears in the ,commentary on ,the ,holy ,bible edited by ,dummelow1 ',corban1' meaning originally a sacrifice or a gift to ,god1 was used in ,new ,testament times as a mere word of vowing1 without implying that the thing vowed would actually be offered or given to ,god4 ,thus a man would say ',corban to me is wine for such a time1' meaning that he took a vow to abstain from wine4 ,or a man would say to a friend ',corban to me for such a time is whatsoever ,i might be profited by thee1' meaning that for such a time he vowed that he would receive neither hospitality nor any other benefit from his friend4 ,similarly1 if a son said to his father or mother1 ',corban is whatsoever thou mightest have profited by me' he took a vow not to assist his father or mother in any way1 however much they might require it4 ,a vow of this kind was held by the scribes to excuse a man from the duty of supporting his parents1 and thus by their tradition they made void the word of ,god4 #d4 ,the ,dogs that ,eat of the ,crumbs4--,the woman's fervid rejoinder1 ,truth1 ,lord3 yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table1 7,matt4 #ae3bg71 is thus commented upon and paraphrased by ,trench 7,notes on the ,miracles1 p4 #bga73 ,the rendering of her answer in our translation is not1 however1 altogether satisfactory4 ,for1 indeed1 she accepts the ,lord's declaration1 not immediately to make exception against the conclusion which ,he draws from it1 but to show how in that very declaration is involved the granting of her petition4 ',saidest thou dogs8 ,it is well2 ,i accept the title and the place2 for the dogs have a portion of the meal1--not the first1 not the children's portion1 but a portion still1--the crumbs which fall from the master's table4 ,in this very putting of the case1 ,thou bringest us heathen1 ,thou bringest me1 within the circle of the blessings which ,god1 the ,great ,householder1 is ever dispensing to ,his family4 ,we also belong to ,his household1 though we occupy but the lowest place therein4' ,the ,dummelow ,commentary1 on ,matt4 #ae3bf1 reads in part as follows3 ,the rabbis often spoke of the ,gentiles as dogs1 e4g4 ',he who eats with an idolater is like one who eats with a dog4' 444 ',the nations of the world are compared to dogs4' ',the holy convocation belongs to you1 not to the dogs4' ,yet ,jesus in adopting the contemptuous expression slightly softens it4 ,he says not 'dogs1' but 'little dogs1' i4e4 household1 favorite1 dogs2 and the woman cleverly catches at the expression1 arguing that if the ,gentiles are household dogs1 then it is only right that they should be fed with the crumbs that fall from their masters' table4 ,edersheim1 referring to the original text1 says3 ,the term means 'little dogs1' or 'house dogs4' #e4 ,decapolis4--,the name means the ten cities1 and was applied to a region of indefinite boundaries lying mostly on the east of ,jordan and southerly from the sea of ,galilee4 ,scythopolis1 which ,josephus 7,wars of the ,jews1 iii1 #i3g7 refers to as the largest of the ten cities1 was on the west side of the river4 ,there is lack of agreement among historians as to the cities comprized under the name4 ,biblical mention 7,matt4 #d3be2 ,mark #e3bj2 #g3ca7 implies a general region rather than a definite area4 #f4 ,the ,coasts of ,csarea ,philippi4--,the term coast as it appears in the ,bible 7authorized1 or ,king ,james version71 is used to connote boundary1 limit1 or border1 and not distinctively a seashore4 7,for examples see ,exo4 #aj3d1 #ad1 #ai2 ,josh4 #ae3a1 #d2 ,judg4 #aa3bj2 ,matt4 #b3af1 etc47 ,it is applied therefore to inland areas1 and frequently occurs as indicating a vicinity or neighborhood4 ,csarea ,philippi1 a town located1 as stated in the text1 near ,mount ,hermon at the source of the ,jordan1 had been enlarged and beautified by ,philip the tetrarch1 and by him was named ,csarea in honor of the ,roman emperor4 ,it was called ,csarea ,philippi to distinguish it from the already existing ,csarea1 which was situated on the ,mediterranean shore of ,samaria1 and which in later literature came to be known as ,csarea ,palestina4 ,csarea ,philippi is believed to be identical with the ancient ,baal ,gad 7,josh4 #aa3ag7 and ,baal ,hermon 7,judg4 #c3c74 ,it was known as a place of idolatrous worship1 and while under ,greek sovereignty was called ,paneas in recognition of the mythological deity ,pan4 ,see ,josephus1 ,ant4 xviii1 #b3a2 this designation persists in the present ,arabic name of the place1 ,banias4 #g4 ,simon ,peter and the ,rock of ,revelation4--,simon the son of ,jonas1 on the occasion of his first recorded interview with ,jesus had received from the ,lord's lips the distinguishing name-title ,peter1 or in the ,aramaic tongue ,cephas1 the ,english equivalent of which is a rock or a stone 7,john #a3db2 see also page #adj herein74 ,the name was confirmed upon the apostle on the occasion now under consideration 7,matt4 #af3ah74 ,jesus said to him thou art ,peter1 adding1 and upon this rock ,i will build my church4 ,in the course of the general apostasy subsequent to the ancient apostolic ministry1 the ,bishop of ,rome laid claim to supreme authority as the alleged lineal successor to ,peter2 and an erroneous doctrine gained currency to the effect that ,peter was the rock upon which the ,church of ,christ was founded4 ,detailed consideration of this inconsistent and infamous claim cannot be undertaken here2 it is sufficient to say that a church founded or dependent upon ,peter or any other man would be ,peter's or the other man's church1 and not the ,church of ,jesus ,christ4 7,see ,the ,great ,apostasy1 chap #i2 also ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #bg3a-h2 also chapter #dj herein74 ,that upon ,peter rested the responsibility of presidency in the ministry1 after the ascension of the resurrected ,christ1 is not questioned2 but that he was1 even typically1 the foundation upon which the ,church was built1 is at once unscriptural and untrue4 ,the ,church of ,jesus ,christ must authoritatively bear ,his name1 and be guided by revelation1 direct and continuous1 as the conditions of its building require4 ,revelation from ,god to ,his servants invested with the ,holy ,priesthood through authorized ordination as was ,peter1 is the impregnable rock upon which the ,church is built4 7,see ,articles of ,faith1 xvi1--,revelation47 #h4 ,christ's ,rebuke to ,peter4--,in addressing ,peter as ,satan1 ,jesus was obviously using a forceful figure of speech1 and not a literal designation2 for ,satan is a distinct personage1 ,lucifer1 that fallen1 unembodied son of the morning 7see page #g72 and certainly ,peter was not he4 ,in his remonstrance or rebuke addressed to ,jesus1 ,peter was really counseling what ,satan had before attempted to induce ,christ to do1 or tempting1 as ,satan himself had tempted4 ,the command1 ,get thee behind me1 ,satan1 as directed to ,peter1 is rendered in ,english by some authorities ,get thee behind me1 tempter4 ,the essential meaning attached to both ,hebrew and ,greek originals for our word ,satan is that of an adversary1 or one who places himself in another's way and thus opposes him4 7,zenos47 ,the expression ,thou art an offense unto me is admittedly a less literal translation than ,thou art a stumbling-block unto me4 ,the man whom ,jesus had addressed as ,peter--the rock1 was now likened to a stone in the path1 over which the unwary might stumble4 #i4 ,some to ,live ,until ,christ ,returns4--,the ,savior's declaration to the apostles and others in the neighborhood of ,csarea ,philippi1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,there be some standing here which shall not taste of death1 till they see the ,son of man coming in his kingdom1 7,matt4 #af3bh2 compare ,mark #i3a2 ,luke #i3bg71 has occasioned great and diverse comment4 ,the event referred to1 that of the ,son of ,man coming in the glory of ,his ,father attended by the angels1 is yet future4 ,at least a partial fulfilment of the prediction is presented in the prolongation of the life of ,john the apostle1 who was there present1 and who yet lives in the flesh according to his desire 7,john #ba3bj-bd2 see further ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #bh3a-f2 ,doc4 and ,cov4 ,sec4 #g74 #aj4 ,thou ,art the ,christ4--,peter's solemn and soulful confession of ,jesus as the ,christ is worded differently by each of the three synoptists4 ,to many the most expressive version is that of ,luke3 ,the ,christ of ,god4 ,on earlier occasions1 some or all of the ,twelve had acknowledged ,jesus ,christ to be the ,son of ,god1 e4g4 following the miracle of walking upon the sea 7,matt4 #ad3cc71 and again1 after the crucial sermon at ,capernaum 7,john #f3fi72 but it is evident that ,peter's upwelling and reverential confession in answer to the ,lord's question ,but whom say ye that ,i am8 had a significance1 greater in assurance and more exalted in kind1 than had any prior expression of his conception concerning his ,lord4 ,yet even the conviction given through direct revelation 7,matt4 #af3ag7 did not at the time comprize a comprehensive knowledge of the ,savior's mission4 ,indeed1 a fulness of understanding and assurance came to the apostles after the ,lord's resurrection 7compare ,romans #a3d74 ,nevertheless1 ,peter's testimony in the land of ,csarea ,philippi evidences a very exalted attainment4 ,at that stage of the ,savior's ministry1 the public proclamation of ,his divine status would have been as the casting of pearls before swine 7,matt4 #g3f72 therefore the ,lord instructed the apostles that at that time they should tell no man that he was ,jesus the ,christ4 ,,footnotes3 #gcf ,john #f3d4 ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #gcg ,mark #ab3cg4 #gch ,matt4 #ae3a-i2 ,mark #g3a-ac4 #gci ,as the ,oxford marginal note shows beds is a more literal rendering than tables1 the couches upon which the eaters reclined at table being meant4 ,see page #bfa4 #gdj ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #gda ,mark #g3f1 #g2 see also ,matt4 #ae3g-i2 ,isa4 #bi3ac2 compare the words of the resurrected ,christ to the prophet ,joseph ,smith1 in the present dispensation1 ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,joseph ,smith1 #b3ai4 #gdb ,exo4 #bj3ab2 ,deut4 #e3af2 ,exo4 #ba3ag2 ,lev4 #bj3i4 #gdc ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #gdd ,matt4 #ae3aj-bj2 compare ,mark #g3ad-bc4 #gde ,matt4 #aa3f2 ,luke #g3bc2 pages #bee and #bgd herein4 #gdf ,matt4 #ae3ba-bh2 ,mark #g3ba-cj4 #gdg ,mark #c3h2 ,luke #f3ag4 #gdh ,see marginal reading in ,oxford and ,bagster ,bibles2 see also ,note #b1 page #cde4 #gdi ,matt4 #aj3e1 #f2 see also page #cbh herein4 #gej ,deut4 #bc3ah2 #a ,sam4 #ag3dc2 #bd3ad2 #b ,sam4 #c3h2 #af3i2 ,job #cj3a2 ,matt4 #g3f2 ,philip #c3b2 ,rev4 #bb3ae4 #gea ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #geb ,luke #ah3a-h4 ,page #dcf4 #gec ,matt4 #bh3ai2 ,mark #af3ae4 #ged ,acts #c3be1 #bf2 #ac3df-dh2 ,rom4 #ae3h4 #gee ,mark #g3ca-cg2 compare ,matt4 #ae3bi-ca4 #gef ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #geg ,matt4 #ae3cb-ci2 ,mark #h3a-i4 #geh ,matt4 #ae3bi2 #af3a-e2 ,mark #h3aj-ac4 #gei ,john #b3ah2 #f3cj2 ,matt4 #ab3ch4 #gfj ,matt4 #d3f1 #g2 ,luke #d3i-ab4 #gfa ,matt4 #af3b-d2 compare #ab3ch-da2 pages #aee-aeg herein4 #gfb ,matt4 #af3f-ab2 ,mark #h3ad-ba2 compare ,luke #ab3a4 #gfc ,page #fh4 #gfd ,matt4 #af3ac-bj2 ,mark #h3bg-cj2 ,luke #i3ah-ba4 ,note #aj1 end of chapter4 #gfe ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #gff ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #gfg ,compare ,matt4 #g3bd1 #be4 #gfh ,john #f3df2 compare verses #cg1 #ci1 #dj4 #gfi ,see ,isa4 #bb3bb2 ,luke #aa3eb2 ,rev4 #a3ah2 #c3g2 compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #f3bh2 #g3g2 #bg3e1 #f1 #i2 #bh3g2 #db3fi2 #hd3bf2 etc4 #ggj ,acts #a3ae-bf2 #b3ad-dj2 chap4 #aj1 compare with #ae3g4 #gga ,matt4 #af3bb1 #bc2 ,mark #h3cb1 #cc4 #ggb ,luke #d3h4 #ggc ,note #h1 end of chapter4 #ggd ,note #i1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #bc4 ,,the ,,transfiguration4 ,of the week following the events last considered1 no record is found in the ,gospels4 ,we may safely assume that the time was devoted1 in part at least1 to the further instruction of the ,twelve respecting the rapidly approaching consummation of the ,savior's mission on earth1 the awful circumstances of which the apostles were loath to believe possible4 ,when the week had passed#gge ,jesus took ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john#ggf and with them ascended a high mountain1 where they would be reasonably safe from human intrusion4#ggg ,there the three apostles witnessed a heavenly manifestation1 which stands without parallel in history2 in our ,bible captions it is known as the ,transfiguration of ,christ4#ggh ,one purpose of the ,lord's retirement was that of prayer1 and a transcendent investiture of glory came upon ,him as ,he prayed4 ,the apostles had fallen asleep1 but were awakened by the surpassing splendor of the scene1 and gazed with reverent awe upon their glorified ,lord4 ,the fashion of his countenance was altered1 and his raiment was white and glistering4 ,his garments1 though made of earth-woven fabric1 became shining1 exceeding white as snow2 so as no fuller on earth can white them2 and his face did shine as the sun4 ,thus was ,jesus transfigured before the three privileged witnesses4 ,with ,him were two other personages1 who also were in a state of glorified radiance1 and who conversed with the ,lord4 ,these1 as the apostles learned by means not stated though probably as gathered from the conversation in progress1 were ,moses and ,elias1 or more literally to us1 ,elijah2 and the subject of their conference with ,christ was his decease which he should accomplish at ,jerusalem4 ,as the prophet visitants were about to depart1 ,peter said unto ,jesus1 ,master1 it is good for us to be here3 and let us make three tabernacles2 one for thee1 and one for ,moses1 and one for ,elias3 not knowing what he said4 ,undoubtedly ,peter and his fellow apostles were bewildered1 sore afraid indeed2 and this condition may explain the suggestion respecting the three tabernacles4 ,he wist not what to say2 yet1 though his remark appears confused and obscure1 it becomes somewhat plainer when we remember that1 at the annual feast of ,tabernacles1 it was customary to erect a little bower1 or booth of wattled boughs1 for each individual worshiper1 into which he might retire for devotion4 ,so far as there was a purpose in ,peter's proposition1 it seems to have been that of delaying the departure of the visitants4 ,the sublime and awful solemnity of the occasion had not yet reached its climax4 ,even as ,peter spake1 behold1 a bright cloud overshadowed them3 and behold a voice out of the cloud1 which said1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased2 hear ye him4 ,it was ,elohim1#ggi the ,eternal ,father1 who spake2 and at the sound of that voice of supreme ,majesty1 the apostles fell prostrate4 ,jesus came and touched them1 saying1 ,arise1 and be not afraid4 ,when they looked they saw that again they were alone with ,him4 ,the impression made upon the three apostles by this manifestation was one never to be forgotten2 but they were expressly charged to speak of it to no man until after the ,savior had risen from the dead4 ,they were puzzled as to the significance of the ,lord's reference to ,his prospective rising from the dead4 ,they had heard with great sorrow1 and reluctantly they were being brought to understand it to be an awful certainty1 that their beloved ,master was to suffer many things1 and be rejected of the elders1 and of the chief priests1 and scribes1 and be killed4#ghj ,such had been declared to them before1 in language devoid of ambiguity and admitting of no figurative construction2 and with equal plainness they had been told that ,jesus would rise again2 but of this latter eventuality they had but dim comprehension4 ,the present reiteration of these teachings seems to have left the three with no clearer understanding of their ,lord's resurrection from the dead than they had before4 ,they seem to have had no definite conception as to what was meant by a resurrection2 ,and they kept that saying with themselves1 questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean4#gha ,the comprehensiveness of the ,lord's injunction1 that until after ,his rising from the dead they tell no man of their experiences on the mount1 prohibited them from informing even their fellows of the ,twelve4 ,later1 after the ,lord had ascended to ,his glory1 ,peter testified to the ,church of the wondrous experience1 in this forceful way3 ,for we have not followed cunningly devised fables1 when we made known unto you the power and coming of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 but were eyewitnesses of his majesty4 ,for he received from ,god the ,father honour and glory1 when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased4 ,and this voice which came from heaven we heard1 when we were with him in the holy mount4#ghb ,and ,john1 reverently confessing before the world the divinity of the ,word1 the ,son of ,god who had been made flesh to dwell among men1 solemnly affirmed3 ,and we beheld his glory1 the glory as of the only begotten of the ,father1 full of grace and truth4#ghc ,the divine purpose as shown forth in the ,transfiguration may be as incomprehensible to the human mind as is a full conception of the attendant splendor from verbal description2 some features of the results achieved are apparent1 however4 ,unto ,christ the manifestation was strengthening and encouraging4 ,the prospect of the experiences immediately ahead must naturally have been depressing and disheartening in the extreme4 ,in faithfully treading the path of ,his life's work1 ,he had reached the verge of the valley of the shadow of death2 and the human part of ,his nature called for refreshing4 ,as angels had been sent to minister unto ,him after the trying scenes of the forty days' fast and the direct temptation of ,satan1#ghd and as1 in the agonizing hour of ,his bloody sweat1 ,he was to be sustained anew by angelic ministry1#ghe so at this critical and crucial period1 the beginning of the end1 visitants from the unseen world came to comfort and support ,him4 ,what of actual communication passed in the conference of ,jesus with ,moses and ,elijah is not of full record in the ,new ,testament ,gospels4 ,the voice of ,his ,father1 to whom ,he was the ,firstborn in the spirit-world1 and the ,only ,begotten in the flesh1 was of supreme assurance2 yet that voice had been addressed to the three apostles rather than to ,jesus1 who had already received the ,father's acknowledgment and attestation on the occasion of ,his baptism4 ,the fullest version of the ,father's words to ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john is that recorded by ,matthew3 ,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased2 hear ye him4 ,aside from the proclamation of the ,son's divine nature1 the ,father's words were otherwise decisive and portentous4 ,moses1 the promulgator of the law1 and ,elijah the representative of the prophets and especially distinguished among them as the one who had not died1#ghf had been seen ministering unto ,jesus and subservient to ,him4 ,the fulfillment of the law and the superseding of the prophets by the ,messiah was attested in the command--,hear ye ,him4 ,a new dispensation had been established1 that of the gospel1 for which the law and the prophets had been but preparatory4 ,the apostles were to be guided neither by ,moses nor ,elijah1 but by ,him1 their ,lord1 ,jesus the ,christ4 ,the three selected apostles1 the ,man of ,rock and the ,sons of ,thunder had seen the ,lord in glory2 and they marveled that such a thing could be at that time1 since as they had interpreted the scriptures1 it had been predicted that ,elijah should precede the ,messiah's triumphal advent4 ,as they wended their way down the mountain-side1 they asked the ,master3#ghg ,why then say the scribes that ,elias must first come8 ,jesus confirmed the prophecy that ,elias should first come1 that is1 before the ,lord's advent in glory1 which event they had in mind2 ,but1 ,he added1 ,i say unto you1 ,that ,elias is come already1 and they knew him not1 but have done unto him whatsoever they listed4 ,likewise shall also the ,son of man suffer of them4 ,then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of ,john the ,baptist4 ,that ,john the ,baptist would officiate in the spirit and power of ,elias1 as the forerunner of the ,christ1 had been announced by the angel ,gabriel to ,zacharias1#ghh before the ,baptist's birth2 and that ,john was that particular ,elias had been shown by ,jesus in ,his memorable tribute to the ,baptist's fidelity and greatness4 ,that ,his words would not be generally accepted with understanding is evidenced by the context2 ,jesus1 on that occasion1 had said3 ,and if ye will receive it1 this is ,elias1 which was for to come4#ghi ,it is not possible that ,jesus could have meant that ,john was the same individual as ,elijah2 nor could the people have so understood ,his words1 since the false doctrine of transmigration or reincarnation of spirits was repudiated by the ,jews4#gij ,the seeming difficulty is removed when we consider that1 as the name appears in the ,new ,testament1 ,elias is used for ,elijah1#gia with no attempt at distinction between ,elijah the ,tishbite1 and any other person known as ,elias4 ,gabriel's declaration that the then unborn ,john should manifest the spirit and power of ,elias indicates that ,elias is a title of office2 every restorer1 forerunner1 or one sent of ,god to prepare the way for greater developments in the gospel plan1 is an ,elias4 ,the appellative ,elias is in fact both a personal name and a title4 ,in the present dispensation both the ancient ,elias1 who belonged to the ,abrahamic dispensation and in the spirit of whose office many have officiated in different periods1 and also the prophet ,elijah1 have appeared in person and have conferred their particular and separate authority upon latter-day bearers of the ,holy ,priesthood1 and the keys of the powers exercized by them while on earth are today inherent in the restored ,church of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the authority of ,elias is inferior to that of ,elijah1 the first being a function of the ,lesser or ,aaronic order of ,priesthood1 while the latter belongs to the ,higher or ,melchizedek ,priesthood4 ,malachi's prediction1 that before the great and dreadful day of the ,lord ,elijah the prophet would be sent to earth to turn the heart of the fathers to the children1 and the hearts of the children to their fathers1#gib did not reach fulfilment in the mission of ,john the ,baptist1 nor in that of any other ,elias2#gic its complete realization was inaugurated on the third day of ,april1 #ahcf1 when ,elijah appeared in the temple at ,kirtland1 ,ohio1 and committed to ,joseph ,smith and ,oliver ,cowdery the keys of the authority theretofore vested in himself4 ,the great and dreadful day of the ,lord was not the meridian of time2 that awful though blessed period of consummation is yet future1 but near1 even at the doors4#gid ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #bc4 #a4 ,interval ,between ,time of ,peter's ,confession and that of the ,transfiguration4--,both ,matthew 7#ag3a7 and ,mark 7#i3b7 state that the ,transfiguration occurred after six days following the time of ,peter's great confession that ,jesus was the ,christ2 while ,luke 7#i3bh7 notes an interval of about an eight days4 ,it is probable that the six-day period was meant to be exclusive of the day on which the earlier events had occurred and of that on which ,jesus and the three apostles retired to the mountain2 and that ,luke's about an eight days was made to include these two days4 ,there is here no ground for a claim of discrepancy4 #b4 ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john who were selected from among the ,twelve as the only earthly witnesses of the transfiguration of ,christ1 had been similarly chosen as witnesses of a special manifestation1 that of the raising of the daughter of ,jairus 7,mark #e3cg2 ,luke #h3ea72 and1 later1 the same three were the sole witnesses of our ,lord's night agony in ,gethsemane 7,matt4 #bf3cg2 ,mark #ad3cc74 #c4 ,place of the ,transfiguration4--,the mountain on which the ,transfiguration occurred is neither named nor otherwise indicated by the ,gospel-writers in such a way as to admit of its positive identification4 ,mount ,tabor1 in ,galilee1 has long been held by tradition as the site1 and in the sixth century three churches were erected on its plateau-like summit1 possibly in commemoration of ,peter's desire to make three tabernacles or booths1 one each for ,jesus1 ,moses1 and ,elijah4 ,later a monastery was built there4 ,nevertheless1 ,mt4 ,tabor is now rejected by investigators1 and ,mt4 ,hermon is generally regarded as the place4 ,hermon stands near the northerly limits of ,palestine1 just beyond ,csarea ,philippi1 where ,jesus is known to have been a week before the ,transfiguration4 ,mark 7#i3cj7 distinctly tells us that after ,his descent from the mount1 ,jesus and the apostles departed and went through ,galilee4 ,weight of evidence is in favor of ,hermon as the ,mount of ,transfiguration1 though nothing that may be called decisive is known in the matter4 #d4 ,the ,names ,elias and ,elijah4--,the following statement which appears in ,smith's ,bible ,dictionary is supported by authorities in general3 ',elias' is the ,greek and ,latin form of ',elijah' given in the ,authorized ,version of the ,apocrypha and ,new ,testament4 #e4 ,the ,spirit and ,power of ,elias4--,that ,john the ,baptist1 in his capacity as a restorer1 a forerunner1 or as one sent to prepare the way for a work greater than his own1 did officiate as an ,elias is attested by both ancient and latter-day scripture4 ,through him water baptism for the remission of sins was preached and administered1 and the higher baptism1 that of the ,spirit1 was made possible4 ,true to his mission1 he has come in the last dispensation1 and has restored by ordination the ,priesthood of ,aaron1 which has authority to baptize4 ,he thus prepared the way for the vicarious labor of baptism for the dead1 the authority for which was restored by ,elijah1 7see page #adi herein71 and which is preeminently the work by which the children and the fathers shall be united in an eternal bond4 ,on the #ajth of ,march1 #ahdd1 the ,prophet ,joseph ,smith gave the following exposition of the power of ,elias as compared with higher authority3 ,the spirit of ,elias is first1 ,elijah second1 and ,messiah last4 ,elias is a forerunner to prepare the way1 and the spirit and power of ,elijah is to come after1 holding the keys of power1 building the temple to the cap-stone1 placing the seals of the ,melchizedek ,priesthood upon the house of ,israel1 and making all things ready2 then ,messiah comes to ,his temple1 which is last of all4 ,messiah is above the spirit and power of ,elijah1 for ,he made the world1 and was that spiritual rock unto ,moses in the wilderness4 ,elijah was to come and prepare the way and build up the kingdom before the coming of the great day of the ,lord1 although the spirit of ,elias might begin it4--,hist4 of the ,church1 under date named4 #f4 ,mention of the ,lord's ,approaching ,decease4--,of the three synoptists1 ,luke alone makes even brief mention of the matter upon which ,moses and ,elijah conversed with the ,lord at the ,transfiguration4 ,the record states that the visitants1 who appeared in glory1 spake of his decease which he should accomplish at ,jerusalem 7,luke #i3ca74 ,it is significant that the decease1 which the ,lord should accomplish1 not the death that ,he should suffer or die1 was the subject of that exalted communion4 ,the ,greek word of which decease appears as the ,english equivalent in many of the ,,mss4 of the ,gospels1 is one connoting exodus1 or departure1 and the word occurring in other early versions signifies glory4 ,so also the ,greek original of accomplish1 in the account of the ,transfiguration1 connotes the successful filling out or completion of a specific undertaking1 and not distinctively the act of dying4 ,both the letter of the record and the spirit in which the recorder wrote indicate that ,moses and ,elijah conversed with their ,lord on the glorious consummation of ,his mission in mortality--a consummation recognized in the law 7personified in ,moses7 and the prophets 7represented by ,elijah7--and an event of supreme import1 determining the fulfilment of both the law and the prophets1 and the glorious inauguration of a new and higher order as part of the divine plan4 ,the decease that the ,savior was then so soon to accomplish was the voluntary surrender of ,his life in fulfilment of a purpose at once exalted and foreordained1 not a death by which ,he would passively die through conditions beyond ,his control4 7,see pp4 #dah1 and #ffb74 ,,footnotes3 #gge ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #ggf ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #ggg ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #ggh ,matt4 #ag3a-h2 ,mark #i3b-h2 ,luke #i3bh-cf4 #ggi ,page #ch4 #ghj ,mark #h3ca4 ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #gha ,mark #i3aj4 #ghb #b ,peter #a3af-ah4 #ghc ,john #a3ad4 #ghd ,matt4 #d3aa2 ,mark #a3ac4 #ghe ,luke #bb3dc2 compare ,john #ab3bg-bh4 #ghf #b ,kings #b3aa4 #ghg ,matt4 #ag3aj-ac2 ,mark #i3aa-ac4 #ghh ,luke #a3ag2 pages #gg and #beg herein4 #ghi ,matt4 #aa3ad4 #gij ,edersheim1 ,life and ,times of ,jesus1 vol4 ii1 p4 #gi4 #gia ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #gib ,mal4 #d3e1 #f2 see page #adi herein4 #gic ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #gid ,doc4 and ,cov4 #aaj3ac-af4 ,see chapter #da1 herein4 ,,chapter #bd4 ,,from ,,sunshine ,,to ,,shadow4 ,our ,lord's descent from the holy heights#gie of the ,mount of ,transfiguration was more than a physical return from greater to lesser altitudes2 it was a passing from sunshine into shadow1 from the effulgent glory of heaven to the mists of worldly passions and human unbelief2 it was the beginning of ,his rapid descent into the valley of humiliation4 ,from lofty converse with divinely-appointed ministers1 from supreme communion with ,his ,father and ,god1 ,jesus came down to a scene of disheartening confusion and a spectacle of demonized dominion before which even ,his apostles stood in impotent despair4 ,to ,his sensitive and sinless soul the contrast must have brought superhuman anguish2 even to us who read the brief account thereof it is appalling4 ,,healing ,,of ,,youthful ,,demoniac4 ,jesus and the three apostles returned from the mount on the morrow following the ,transfiguration2#gif this fact suggests the assumption that the glorious manifestation had occurred during the night4 ,at or near the base of the mountain the party found the other apostles1 and with them a multitude of people1 including some scribes or rabbis4#gig ,there was evidence of disputation and disturbance amongst the crowd2 and plainly the apostles were on the defensive4 ,at the unexpected approach of ,jesus many of the people ran to meet ,him with respectful salutations4 ,of the contentious scribes ,he asked3 ,what question ye with them8 thus assuming the burden of the dispute1 whatever it might be1 and so relieving the distressed disciples from further active participation4 ,the scribes remained silent2 their courage had vanished when the ,master appeared4 ,a man1 one of the multitude1 gave1 though indirectly1 the answer4 ,master1 said he1 kneeling at the feet of ,christ1 ,i have brought unto thee my son1 which hath a dumb spirit2 and wheresoever he taketh him1 he teareth him3 and he foameth1 and gnasheth with his teeth1 and pineth away3 and ,i spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out2 and they could not4 ,the disciples' failure to heal the stricken youth had evidently brought upon them hostile criticism1 taunts and ridicule from the unbelieving scribes2 and their discomfiture must have been intensified by the thought that through them doubt had been cast upon the authority and power of their ,lord4 ,pained in spirit at this--another instance of dearth of faith and consequent lack of power among ,his chosen and ordained servants--,jesus uttered an exclamation of intense sorrow3 ,o faithless generation1 how long shall ,i be with you8 how long shall ,i suffer you8 ,these words1 in which there is evident reproof1 however mild and pitying it may be1 were addressed primarily to the apostles2 whether exclusively so or to them and others is of minor importance4 ,as ,jesus directed1 the afflicted lad was brought nearer2 and the tormenting demon1 finding himself in the ,master's presence1 threw his youthful victim into a terrible paroxysm1 so that the boy fell to the ground and wallowed in convulsions1 the while frothing and foaming at the mouth4 ,with calm deliberation1 which contrasted strongly with the eager impatience of the distracted parent1 ,jesus inquired as to when the malady had first befallen the lad4 ,of a child1 answered the father1 adding1 ,and ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire1 and into the waters1 to destroy him4 ,with pathetic eagerness he implored1 ,if thou canst do anything1 have compassion on us and help us4 ,the man spoke of his son's affliction as though shared by himself4 ,help us1 was his prayer4 ,to this qualifying expression ,if thou canst do anything1 which implied a measure of uncertainty as to the ability of the ,master to grant what he asked1 and this perhaps as in part a result of the failure of the apostles1 ,jesus replied3 ,if thou canst believe2 and added1 all things are possible to him that believeth4 ,the man's understanding was enlightened2 up to that moment he had thought that all depended upon ,jesus2 he now saw that the issue rested largely with himself4 ,it is noteworthy that the ,lord specified belief rather than faith as the condition essential to the case4 ,the man was evidently trustful1 and assuredly fervent in his hope that ,jesus could help2 but it is doubtful that he knew what faith really meant4 ,he was receptive and eagerly teachable1 however1 and the ,lord strengthened his feeble and uncertain belief4 ,the encouraging explanation of the real need stimulated him to a more abounding trust4 ,weeping in an agony of hope he cried out3 ,lord1 ,i believe2 and then1 realizing the darkness of error from which he was just beginning to emerge1 he added penitently help thou mine unbelief #gih ,looking compassionately upon the writhing sufferer at ,his feet1 ,jesus rebuked the demon1 thus3 ,thou dumb and deaf spirit1 ,i charge thee1 come out of him1 and enter no more into him4 ,and the spirit cried1 and rent him sore1 and came out of him3 and he was as one dead2 insomuch that many said1 ,he is dead4 ,but ,jesus took him by the hand1 and lifted him up2 and he arose2 and as ,luke adds1 and delivered him again to his father4 ,the permanency of the cure was assured by the express command that the evil spirit enter no more into the lad2#gii it was no relief from that present attack alone2 the healing was permanent4 ,the people were amazed at the power of ,god manifested in the miracle2 and the apostles who had tried and failed to subdue the evil spirit were disturbed4 ,while on their mission1 though away from their ,master's helpful presence1 they had successfully rebuked and cast out evil spirits as they had received special power and commission to do1#hjj but now1 during ,his absence of a day they had found themselves unable4 ,when they had retired to the house1 they asked of ,jesus1 ,why could not we cast him out8 ,the reply was3 ,because of your unbelief2 and in further explanation the ,lord said1 ,howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting4#hja ,hereby we learn that the achievements possible to faith are limited or conditioned by the genuineness1 the purity1 the unmixed quality of that faith4 ,o ye of little faith2 ,where is your faith8 and ,wherefore didst thou doubt8#hjb are forms of admonitory reproof that had been repeatedly addressed to the apostles by the ,lord4 ,the possibilities of faith were now thus further affirmed3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed1 ye shall say unto this mountain1 ,remove hence to yonder place2 and it shall remove2 and nothing shall be impossible unto you4#hjc ,the comparison between effective faith and a grain of mustard seed is one of quality rather than of quantity2 it connotes living1 virile faith1 like unto the seed1 however small1 from which a great plant may spring1#hjd in contrast with a lifeless1 artificial imitation1 however prominent or demonstrative4 ,,the ,,lord',s ,,death ,,and ,,resurrection ,,again ,,predicted4#hje ,from the locality whereat the last miracle was wrought1 ,jesus departed with the ,twelve1 and passed through ,galilee toward ,capernaum4 ,it is probable that they traveled by the less frequented roads1 as ,he desired that ,his return should not be publicly known4 ,he had gone into comparative retirement for a season1 primarily it seems in quest of opportunity to more thoroughly instruct the apostles in their preparation for the work1 which within a few months they would be left to carry on without ,his bodily companionship4 ,they had solemnly testified that they knew ,him to be the ,christ2 to them therefore ,he could impart much that the people in general were wholly unprepared to receive4 ,the particular theme of ,his special and advanced instruction to the ,twelve was that of ,his approaching death and resurrection2 and this was dwelt upon again and again1 for they were slow or unwilling to comprehend4 ,let these sayings sink down into your ears was ,his forceful prelude on this occasion1 in ,galilee4 ,then followed the reiterated prediction1 spoken in part in the present tense as though already begun in fulfilment3 ,the ,son of man is delivered into the hands of men1 and they shall kill him2 and after that he is killed1 he shall rise the third day4 ,we read with some surprize that the apostles still failed to understand4 ,luke's comment is3 ,but they understood not this saying1 and it was hid from them1 that they perceived it not3 and they feared to ask him of that saying4 ,the thought of what the ,lord's words might mean1 even in its faintest outline1 was terrifying to those devoted men2 and their failure to comprehend was in part due to the fact that the human mind is loath to search deeply into anything it desires not to believe4 ,,the ,,tribute ,,money--,,supplied ,,by ,a ,,miracle4#hjf ,jesus and ,his followers were again in ,capernaum4 ,there ,peter was approached by a collector of the temple tax1 who asked3 ,doth not your ,master pay tribute8#hjg ,peter answered ,yes4 ,it is interesting to find that the inquiry was made of ,peter and not directly of ,jesus2 this circumstance may be indicative of the respect in which the ,lord was held by the people at large1 and may suggest the possibility of doubt in the collector's mind as to whether ,jesus was amenable to the tax1 since priests and rabbis generally claimed exemption4 ,the annual capitation tax here referred to amounted to half a shekel or a didrachm1 corresponding to about thirty-three cents in our money2 and this had been required of every male adult in ,israel since the days of the exodus2 though1 during the period of captivity the requirement had been modified4#hjh ,this tribute1 as prescribed through ,moses1 was originally known as atonement money1 and its payment was in the nature of a sacrifice to accompany supplication for ransom from the effects of individual sin4 ,at the time of ,christ the annual contribution was usually collected between early ,march and the ,passover4 ,if ,jesus was subject to this tax1 ,he was at this time several weeks in arrears4 ,the conversation between ,peter and the tax-collector had occurred outside the house4 ,when ,peter entered1 and was about to inform the ,master concerning the interview1 ,jesus forestalled him1 saying3 ,what thinkest thou1 ,simon8 of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute8 of their own children1 or of strangers8 ,peter saith unto him1 ,of strangers4 ,jesus saith unto him1 ,then are the children free4 ,peter must have seen the inconsistency of expecting ,jesus1 the acknowledged ,messiah1 to pay atonement money1 or a tax for temple maintenance1 inasmuch as the temple was the ,house of ,god1 and ,jesus was the ,son of ,god1 and particularly since even earthly princes were exempted from capitation dues4 ,peter's embarrassment over his inconsiderate boldness1 in pledging payment for his ,master without first consulting ,him1 was relieved however by ,jesus1 who said3 ,notwithstanding1 lest we should offend them1 go thou to the sea1 and cast an hook1 and take up the fish that first cometh up2 and when thou hast opened his mouth1 thou shalt find a piece of money3 that take1 and give unto them for me and thee4 ,the money was to be paid1 not because it could be rightfully demanded of ,jesus1 but lest non-payment give offense and furnish to ,his opponents further excuse for complaint4 ,the piece of money1 which ,jesus said ,peter would find in the mouth of the first fish that took his bait1 is more correctly designated by the literal translation stater1#hji indicating a silver coin equivalent to a shekel1 or two didrachms1 and therefore the exact amount of the tax for two persons4 ,that take1 and give unto them for me and thee said ,jesus4 ,it is notable that ,he did not say for us4 ,in ,his associations with men1 even with the ,twelve1 who of all were nearest and dearest to ,him1 our ,lord always maintained ,his separate and unique status1 in every instance making the fact apparent that ,he was essentially different from other men4 ,this is illustrated by ,his expressions ,my ,father and your ,father1 ,my ,god and your ,god1#haj instead of our ,father and our ,god4 ,he reverently acknowledged that ,he was the ,son of ,god in a literal sense that did not apply to any other being4 ,while the circumstances of the finding of the stater in the fish are not detailed1 and the actual accomplishment of the miracle is not positively recorded1 we cannot doubt that what ,jesus had promised was realized1 as otherwise there would appear no reason for introducing the incident into the ,gospel narrative4 ,the miracle is without a parallel or even a remotely analogous instance4 ,we need not assume that the stater was other than an ordinary coin that had fallen into the water1 nor that it had been taken by the fish in any unusual way4 ,nevertheless1 the knowledge that there was in the lake a fish having a coin in its gullet1 that the coin was of the denomination specified1 and that that particular fish would rise1 and be the first to rise to ,peter's hook1 is as incomprehensible to man's finite understanding as are the means by which any of ,christ's miracles were wrought4 ,the ,lord ,jesus held and holds dominion over the earth1 the sea1 and all that in them is1 for by ,his word and power were they made4 ,the ,lord's purpose in so miraculously supplying the money should be studiously considered4 ,the assumption that superhuman power had to be invoked because of a supposed condition of extreme poverty on the part of ,jesus and ,peter is unwarranted4 ,even if ,jesus and ,his companions had been actually penniless1 ,peter and his fellow fishermen could easily have cast their net1 and1 with ordinary success have obtained fish enough to sell for the needed amount4 ,moreover1 we find no instance of a miracle wrought by the ,lord for personal gain or relief of ,his own need1 however pressing4 ,it appears probable1 that by the means employed for obtaining the money1 ,jesus intentionally emphasized ,his exceptional reasons for redeeming ,peter's pledge that the tax would be paid4 ,the ,jews1 who did not know ,jesus as the ,messiah1 but only as a ,teacher of superior ability and a ,man of unusual power1 might have taken offense had ,he refused to pay the tribute required of every ,jew4 ,on the other hand1 to the apostles and particularly to ,peter who had been the mouth-piece of all in the great confession1 the payment of the tax in ordinary course and without explanation by ,jesus might have appeared as an admission that ,he was subject to the temple1 and therefore less than ,he had claimed and less than they had confessed ,him to be4 ,his catechization of ,peter had clearly demonstrated that ,he maintained ,his right as the ,king's ,son1 and yet would condescend to voluntarily give what could not be righteously demanded4 ,then1 in conclusive demonstration of ,his exalted status1 ,he provided the money by the utilization of knowledge such as no other man possessed4 ,,as ,a ,,little ,,child4#haa ,on the way to ,capernaum the apostles had questioned among themselves1 as they supposed beyond the ,master's hearing2 questioning had led to argument1 and argument to disputation4 ,the matter about which they were so greatly concerned was as to who among them should be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven4 ,the testimony they had received convinced them beyond all doubt1 that ,jesus was the long-awaited ,christ1 and this had been supplemented and confirmed by ,his unqualified acknowledgment of ,his ,messianic dignity4 ,with minds still tinctured by the traditional expectation of the ,messiah as both spiritual ,lord and temporal ,king1 and remembering some of the ,master's frequent references to ,his kingdom and the blessed state of those who belonged thereto1 and furthermore realizing that ,his recent utterances indicated a near crisis or climax in ,his ministry1 they surrendered themselves to the selfish contemplation of their prospective stations in the new kingdom1 and the particular offices of trust1 honor1 and emolument each most desired4 ,who of them was to be prime minister2 who would be chancellor1 who the commander of the troops8 ,personal ambition had already engendered jealousy in their hearts4 ,when they were together with ,jesus in the house at ,capernaum1 the subject was brought up again4 ,mark tells us that ,jesus asked3 ,what was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way8 and that they answered not1 because1 as may be inferred1 they were ashamed4 ,from ,matthew's record it may be understood that the apostles submitted the question for the ,master's decision4 ,the apparent difference of circumstance is unimportant2 both accounts are correct2 ,christ's question to them may have eventually brought out their questions to ,him4 ,jesus1 comprehending their thoughts and knowing their unenlightened state of mind on the matter that troubled them1 gave them an illustrated lesson4 ,calling a little child1 whom ,he lovingly took into ,his arm1 ,he said3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,except ye be converted1 and become as little children1 ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven4 ,whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child1 the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven4 ,and whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me4 ,but whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me1 it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck1 and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea4 ,with this lesson we may profitably associate a later teaching1 that little children are typical of the kingdom of heaven4#hab ,even the apostles were in need of conversion2#hac respecting the matter at issue their hearts were turned1 partly at least1 from ,god and ,his kingdom4 ,they had to learn that genuine humility is an attribute essential to citizenship in the community of the blessed2 and that the degree of humility conditions whatsoever there is akin to rank in the kingdom2 for therein the humblest shall be greatest4 ,christ would not have had ,his chosen representatives become childish2 far from it1 they had to be men of courage1 fortitude1 and force2 but ,he would have them become childlike4 ,the distinction is important4 ,those who belong to ,christ must become like children in obedience1 truthfulness1 trustfulness1 purity1 humility and faith4 ,the child is an artless1 natural1 trusting believer2 the childish one is careless1 foolish1 and neglectful4 ,in contrasting these characteristics1 note the counsel of ,paul3 ,brethren1 be not children in understanding3 howbeit in malice be ye children1 but in understanding be men4#had ,children as such1 and children as types of adults who are true believers1 are closely associated in this lesson4 ,whosoever shall offend1 that is cause to stumble or go astray1 one such child of ,christ1 incurs guilt so great that it would have been better for him had he met death even by violence before he had so sinned4 ,dwelling upon offenses1 or causes of stumbling1 the ,lord continued3 ,woe unto the world because of offences6 for it must needs be that offences come2 but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh6 ,then1 repeating some of the precious truths embodied in ,his memorable ,sermon on the ,mount1#hae ,he urged the overcoming of evil propensities whatever the sacrifice4 ,as it is better that a man undergo surgical treatment though he lose thereby a hand1 a foot1 or an eye1 than that his whole body be involved and his life forfeited1 so is it commended that he cut off1 tear away1 or root out from his soul the passions of evil1 which1 if suffered to remain shall surely bring him under condemnation4 ,in that state his conscience shall gnaw as an undying worm1 and his remorse shall be as a fire that cannot be quenched4 ,every human soul shall be tested as by fire2 and as the flesh of the altar sacrifices had to be seasoned with salt1 as a type of preservation from corruption1#haf so also the soul must receive the saving salt of the gospel2 and that salt must be pure and potent1 not a dirty mixture of inherited prejudice and unauthorized tradition that has lost whatever saltness it may once have had4 ,have salt in yourselves1 and have peace one with another1 was the ,lord's admonition to the disputing ,twelve4#hag ,as applicable to children of tender years1 and to child-like believers young and old1 the ,savior gave to the apostles this solemn warning and profound statement of fact3 ,take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones2 for ,i say unto you1 ,that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my ,father which is in heaven4 ,the mission of the ,christ was presented as that of saving those who are temporarily lost1 and who1 but for ,his aid would be lost forever4 ,in elucidation of ,his meaning1 the ,teacher presented a parable which has found place among the literary treasures of the world4 ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,lost ,,sheep4#hah ,how think ye8 if a man have an hundred sheep1 and one of them be gone astray1 doth he not leave the ninety and nine1 and goeth into the mountains1 and seeketh that which is gone astray8 ,and if so be that he find it1 verily ,i say unto you1 he rejoiceth more of that sheep1 than of the ninety and nine which went not astray4 ,even so it is not the will of your ,father which is in heaven1 that one of these little ones should perish4 ,in this effective analogy the saving purpose of ,christ's mission is made prominent4 ,he is verily the ,savior4 ,the shepherd is portrayed as leaving the ninety and nine1 pastured or folded in safety we cannot doubt1 while he goes alone into the mountains to seek the one that has strayed4 ,in finding and bringing back the wayward sheep1 he has more joy than that of knowing the others are yet safe4 ,in a later version of this splendid parable1 as addressed to the murmuring ,pharisees and scribes at ,jerusalem1 the ,master said of the shepherd on his finding the lost sheep3 ,and when he hath found it1 he layeth it on his shoulders1 rejoicing4 ,and when he cometh home1 he calleth together his friends and neighbours1 saying unto them1 ,rejoice with me2 for ,i have found my sheep which was lost4 ,i say unto you1 that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth1 more than over ninety and nine just persons1 which need no repentance4#hai ,many have marveled that there should be greater rejoicing over the recovery of one stray sheep1 or the saving of a soul that had been as one lost1 than over the many who have not been in such jeopardy4 ,in the safe-folded ninety and nine the shepherd had continued joy2 but to him came a new accession of happiness1 brighter and stronger because of his recent grief1 when the lost was brought back to the fold4 ,to this parable in connection with others of analogous import we shall recur in a later chapter4 ,,in ,,my ,,name4#hbj ,in continuation of the lesson illustrated by the little child1 ,jesus said3 ,whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me3 and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me3 for he that is least among you all1 the same shall be great4 ,it may have been ,christ's reference to deeds done in ,his name that prompted ,john to interject a remark at this point3 ,master1 we saw one casting out devils in thy name1 and he followeth not us3 and we forbad him1 because he followeth not us4 ,but ,jesus said1 ,forbid him not3 for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name1 that can lightly speak evil of me4 ,for he that is not against us is on our part4 ,the young apostle had allowed his zeal for the ,master's name to lead to intolerance4 ,that the man who had attempted to do good in the name of ,jesus was evidently sincere1 and that his efforts were acceptable to the ,lord we cannot doubt2 his act was essentially different from the unrighteous assumptions for which some others were afterward rebuked2#hba he was certainly a believer in ,christ1 and may have been one of the class from which the ,lord was soon to select and commission special ministers and the ,seventy4#hbb ,in the state of divided opinion then existing among the people concerning ,jesus1 it was fair to say that all who were not opposed to ,him were at least tentatively on ,his side4 ,on other occasions ,he asserted that those who were not with ,him were against ,him4#hbc ,,my ,,brother ,,and ,i4#hbd ,the proper method of adjusting differences between brethren and the fundamental principles of ,church discipline were made subjects of instruction to the ,twelve4 ,the first step is thus prescribed3 ,moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee1 go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone3 if he shall hear thee1 thou hast gained thy brother4 ,the rule of the rabbis was that the offender must make the first advance2 but ,jesus taught that the injured one should not wait for his brother to come to him1 but go himself1 and seek to adjust the difficulty2 by so doing he might be the means of saving his brother's soul4 ,if the offender proved to be obdurate1 the brother who had suffered the trespass was to take two or three others with him1 and again try to bring the transgressor to repentant acknowledgment of his offense2 such a course provided for witnesses1 by whose presence later misrepresentation would be guarded against4 ,extreme measures were to be adopted only after all gentler means had failed4 ,should the man persist in his obstinacy1 the case was to be brought before the ,church1 and in the event of his neglect or refusal to heed the decision of the ,church1 he was to be deprived of fellowship1 thereby becoming in his relationship to his former associates as an heathen man and a publican4 ,in such state of non-membership he would be a fit subject for missionary effort2 but1 until he became repentant and manifested willingness to make amends1 he could claim no rights or privileges of communion in the ,church4 ,continued association with the unrepentant sinner may involve the spread of his disaffection1 and the contamination of others through his sin4 ,justice is not to be dethroned by ,mercy4 ,the revealed order of discipline in the restored ,church is similar to that given to the apostles of old4#hbe ,the authority of the ,twelve to administer the affairs of ,church government was attested by the ,lord's confirming to them as a body the promise before addressed to ,peter3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven3 and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven4#hbf ,through unity of purpose and unreserved sincerity they would have power with ,god1 as witness the ,master's further assurance3 ,again ,i say unto you1 ,that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask1 it shall be done for them of my ,father which is in heaven4 ,for where two or three are gathered together in my name1 there am ,i in the midst of them4 ,peter here broke in with a question3 ,lord1 how oft shall my brother sin against me1 and ,i forgive him8 till seven times8 ,he would fain have some definite limit set1 and he probably considered the tentative suggestion of seven times as a very liberal measure1 inasmuch as the rabbis prescribed a triple forgiveness only4#hbg ,he may have chosen seven as the next number above three having a special ,pharisaical significance4 ,the ,savior's answer was enlightening3 ,jesus saith unto him1 ,i say not unto thee1 ,until seven times3 but1 ,until seventy times seven4 ,this reply must have meant to ,peter as it means to us1 that to forgiveness man may set no bounds2 the forgiveness1 however1 must be merited by the recipient4#hbh ,the instruction was made memorable by the following story4 ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,unmerciful ,,servant4 ,therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king1 which would take account of his servants4 ,and when he had begun to reckon1 one was brought unto him1 which owed him ten thousand talents4 ,but forasmuch as he had not to pay1 his lord commanded him to be sold1 and his wife1 and children1 and all that he had1 and payment to be made4 ,the servant therefore fell down1 and worshipped him1 saying1 ,lord1 have patience with me1 and ,i will pay thee all4 ,then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion1 and loosed him1 and forgave him the debt4 ,but the same servant went out1 and found one of his fellowservants1 which owed him an hundred pence3 and he laid hands on him1 and took him by the throat1 saying1 ,pay me that thou owest4 ,and his fellowservant fell down at his feet1 and besought him1 saying1 ,have patience with me1 and ,i will pay thee all4 ,and he would not3 but went and cast him into prison1 till he should pay the debt4 ,so when his fellowservants saw what was done1 they were very sorry1 and came and told unto their lord all that was done4 ,then his lord1 after that he had called him1 said unto him1 ,o thou wicked servant1 ,i forgave thee all that debt1 because thou desiredst me3 ,shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant1 even as ,i had pity on thee8 ,and his lord was wroth1 and delivered him to the tormentors1 till he should pay all that was due unto him4 ,so likewise shall my heavenly ,father do also unto you1 if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses4#hbi ,ten thousand talents are specified as expressive of a sum so great as to put the debtor beyond all reasonable possibility of paying4 ,we may regard the man as a trusted official1 one of the king's ministers1 who had been charged with the custody of the royal revenues1 or one of the chief treasurers of taxes2 that he is called a servant introduces no inconsistency1 as in an absolute monarchy all but the sovereign are subjects and servants4 ,the selling of the debtor's wife and children and all that he had would not have been in violation of the law in the supposed case1 which implies the legal recognition of slavery4#hcj ,the man was in arrears for debt4 ,he did not come before his lord voluntarily but had to be brought4 ,so in the affairs of our individual lives periodical reckonings are inevitable2 and while some debtors report of their own accord1 others have to be cited to appear4 ,the messengers who serve the summons may be adversity1 illness1 the approach of death2 but1 whatever1 whoever they are1 they enforce a rendering of our accounts4 ,the contrast between ten thousand talents and a hundred pence is enormous4#hca ,in his fellowservant's plea for time in which to pay the hundred pence1 the greater debtor should have been reminded of the dire straits from which he had just been relieved2 the words1 ,have patience with me1 and ,i will pay thee all1 were identical with those of his own prayer to the king4 ,the base ingratitude of the unmerciful servant justified the king in revoking the pardon once granted4 ,the man came under condemnation1 not primarily for defalcation and debt1 but for lack of mercy after having received of mercy so abundantly4 ,he1 as an unjust plaintiff1 had invoked the law2 as a convicted transgressor he was to be dealt with according to the law4 ,mercy is for the merciful4 ,as a heavenly jewel it is to be received with thankfulness and used with sanctity1 not to be cast into the mire of undeservedness4 ,justice may demand retribution and punishment3 ,with what measure ye mete1 it shall be measured to you again4#hcb ,the conditions under which we may confidently implore pardon are set forth in the form of prayer prescribed by the ,lord3 ,forgive us our debts1 as we forgive our debtors4#hcc ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #bd4 #a4 ,faith in ,behalf of ,others4--,the supplication of the agonized father for the benefit of his sorely afflicted son--,have compassion on us1 and help us 7,mark #i3bb7--shows that he made the boy's case his own4 ,in this we are reminded of the ,canaanite woman who implored ,jesus to have mercy on her1 though her daughter was the afflicted one 7,matt4 #ae3bb2 page #ced herein74 ,in these cases1 faith was exercized in behalf of the sufferers by others2 and the same is true of the centurion who pleaded for his servant and whose faith was specially commended by ,jesus 7,matt #h3e-aj2 page #bdi herein72 of ,jairus whose daughter lay dead 7,luke #h3da1 #db1 #di1 #ej2 page #cac herein71 and of many who brought their helpless kindred or friends to ,christ and pleaded for them4 ,as heretofore shown1 faith to be healed is as truly a gift of ,god as is faith to heal 7page #cah72 and1 as the instances cited prove1 faith may be exercized with effect in behalf of others4 ,in connection with the ordinance of administering to the afflicted1 by anointing with oil and the laying on of hands1 as authoritatively established in the restored ,church of ,jesus ,christ1 the elders officiating should encourage the faith of all believers present1 that such be exerted in behalf of the sufferer4 ,in the case of infants and of persons who are unconscious1 it is plainly useless to look for active manifestation of faith on their part1 and the supporting faith of kindred and friends is all the more requisite4 #b4 ,power ,developed by ,prayer and ,fasting4--,the ,savior's statement concerning the evil spirit that the apostles were unable to subdue--,howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting--indicates gradation in the malignity and evil power of demons1 and gradation also in the results of varying degrees of faith4 ,the apostles who failed on the occasion referred to had been able to cast out demons at other times4 ,fasting1 when practised in prudence1 and genuine prayer are conducive to the development of faith with its accompanying power for good4 ,individual application of this principle may be made with profit4 ,have you some besetting weakness1 some sinful indulgence that you have vainly tried to overcome8 ,like the malignant demon that ,christ rebuked in the boy1 your sin may be of a kind that goeth out only through prayer and fasting4 #c4 ,nothing ,impossible to ,faith4--,many people have questioned the literal truth of the ,lord's declaration that by faith mountains may be removed from their place4 ,plainly there would have to be a purpose in harmony with the divine mind and plan1 in order that faith could be exerted at all in such an undertaking4 ,neither such a miracle nor any other is possible as a gratification of the yearning for curiosity1 nor for display1 nor for personal gain or selfish satisfaction4 ,christ wrought no miracle with any such motive2 ,he persistently refused to show signs to mere sign-seekers4 ,but to deny the possibility of a mountain being removed through faith1 under conditions that would render such removal acceptable to ,god1 is to deny the word of ,god1 both as to this specific possibility1 and as to the general assurance that nothing shall be impossible to him who hath faith adequate to the end desired4 ,it is worthy of note1 however1 that the ,jews in the days of ,christ and since often spoke of removing mountains as a figurative expression for the overcoming of difficulties4 ,according to ,lightfoot and other authorities a man able to solve intricate problems1 or of particular power in argument or acumen in judgment1 was referred to as a rooter up of mountains4 #d4 ,the ,temple ,tribute4--,that the tribute money referred to in the text was a ,jewish contribution to the temple and not a tax levied by the ,roman government1 is apparent from the specification of the didrachma1 which in the authorized version is translated tribute4 ,this coin was equivalent to the half shekel1 reckoned after the shekel of the sanctuary1 which was the fixed amount to be paid annually by every male from twenty years old and above1 with the provision that the rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less 7,exo4 #cj3ac-ae74 ,a tax levied by the political powers would not be designated as the didrachma4 ,moreover1 had the collector who approached ,peter been one of the official publicans1 he probably would have demanded the tax instead of inquiring as to whether or not the ,master was to be counted among the contributors4 ,among the many humiliations to which the ,jews were subjected in later years1 after the destruction of the temple1 was the compulsory payment of what had been their temple tribute1 to the ,romans1 who decreed it as a revenue to the pagan temple of ,jupiter ,capitolinus4 ,of the emperor ,vespasian1 ,josephus 7,wars of the ,jews1 vii1 #f3f7 says3 ,that he also laid a tribute wheresoever they were1 and enjoined every one of them to bring two drachm every year into the capitol1 as they used to pay the same to the temple at ,jerusalem4 #e4 ,talents and ,pence4--,it is evident that by specifying ten thousand talents as the debt due the king1 and a hundred pence as that owed by the fellow-servant1 the ,lord intended to present a case of great disparity and striking contrast4 ,the actual amounts involved are of minor significance in the story4 ,we are not told which variety of talent was meant2 there were ,attic talents1 and both silver and gold talents of ,hebrew reckoning2 and each differed from the others in value4 ,the ,oxford marginal explanation is3 ,a talent is #gej ounces of silver1 which after five shillings the ounce is #ahg pounds1 ten shillings4 ,this would be in ,american money over nine and a quarter millions of dollars as the sum of the ten thousand talents4 ,the same authority gives as the value of the penny 7,roman7 sevenpence half-penny1 or fifteen cents1 making the second debt equivalent to about fifteen dollars4 ,comparison with talents mentioned elsewhere may be allowable4 ,trench says3 ,how vast a sum it was we can most vividly realize to ourselves by comparing it with other sums mentioned in ,scripture4 ,in the construction of the tabernacle1 twenty-nine talents of gold were used 7,exo4 #ch3bd72 ,david prepared for the temple three thousand talents of gold1 and the princes five thousand 7#a ,chron4 #bi3d-g72 the queen of ,sheba presented to ,solomon one hundred and twenty talents 7#a ,kings #aj3aj72 the king of ,assyria laid upon ,hezekiah thirty talents of gold 7#b ,kings #ah3ad72 and in the extreme impoverishment to which the land was brought at the last1 one talent of gold was laid upon it1 after the death of ,josiah1 by the king of ,egypt 7#b ,chron4 #cf3c74 ,farrar estimates the debt owed to the king as #a1bej1jjj times that owed by the lesser to the greater debtor4 #f4 ,an ,assumed ,approval of ,slavery4--,some readers have assumed that they find in the ,parable of the ,unmerciful ,servant an implied approval of the institution of slavery4 ,the greater debtor1 who figures in the story1 was to be sold1 together with his wife and children and all that he had4 ,a rational consideration of the story as a whole is likely to find at most1 in the particular incident of the king's command that the debtor and his family be sold1 that the system of buying and selling bondservants1 serfs1 or slaves1 was legally recognized at the time4 ,the purpose of the parable was not even remotely to endorse or condemn slavery or any other social institution4 ,the ,mosaic law is explicit in matters relating to bondservants4 ,the angel of the ,lord who brought to ,hagar a message of encouragement and blessing respected the authority of her mistress 7,gen4 #af3h1 #i74 ,in the apostolic epoch1 instruction was directed toward right living under the secular law1 not rebellion against the system 7,eph4 #f3e2 ,col4 #c3bb2 #a ,tim4 #f3a-c2 #a ,peter #b3ah74 ,recognition of established customs1 institutions1 and laws1 and proper obedience thereto1 do not necessarily imply individual approval4 ,the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 which shall yet regenerate the world1 is to prevail--not by revolutionary assaults upon existing governments1 nor through anarchy and violence--but by the teaching of individual duty and by the spread of the spirit of love4 ,when the love of ,god shall be given a place in the hearts of mankind1 when men shall unselfishly love their neighbors1 then social systems and governments shall be formed and operated to the securing of the greatest good to the greatest number4 ,until men open their hearts to the reception of the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 injustice and oppression1 servitude and slavery1 in some form or other1 are sure to exist4 ,attempts to extirpate social conditions that spring from individual selfishness cannot be otherwise than futile so long as selfishness is left to thrive and propagate4 ,,footnotes3 #gie ,compare #b ,peter #a3ah4 #gif ,luke #i3cg4 #gig ,matt4 #ag3ad-ba2 ,mark #i3ad-bi2 ,luke #i3cg-db4 #gih ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #gii ,compare ,matt4 #ab3dj-de4 #hjj ,mark #f3ab1 #ac2 compare verse #g2 also #c3ae2 ,matt4 #aj3a4 #hja ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #hjb ,matt4 #ad3ca2 #af3h2 ,luke #h3be4 #hjc ,matt4 #ag3bj2 compare #ba3ba2 ,mark #aa3bc2 ,luke #ag3f2 see also ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #hjd ,compare ,parable of the ,mustard ,seed1 page #bij4 #hje ,matt4 #ag3bb-bc2 ,mark #i3cj-cb2 ,luke #i3dd1 #de4 #hjf ,matt4 #ag3bd-bg4 #hjg ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #hjh ,exo4 #cj3ac2 #ch3bf4 ,page #aga4 #hji ,see reading in revised version1 and in margin of ,oxford and ,bagster ,bibles4 #haj ,john #bj3ag4 #haa ,matt4 #ah3a-aa2 ,mark #i3cc-cg1 #db2 ,luke #i3df-dh4 #hab ,matt4 #ai3ac-ae2 ,mark #aj3ac-af2 ,luke #ah3ae-ag4 #hac ,compare ,luke #bb3cb4 #had #a ,cor4 #ad3bj2 compare #ac3aa2 ,matt4 #aa3be2 ,psa4 #aca3b4 #hae ,page #bcd4 #haf ,mark #i3di1 #ej2 compare ,lev4 #b3ac2 ,ezek4 #dc3bd4 #hag ,mark #i3dc-ej2 compare ,matt4 #ah3h1 #i4 ,page #bcb herein4 #hah ,matt4 #ah3ab-ad2 compare ,luke #ae3c-g in which occurs a repetition of this impressive parable1 as given on a later occasion to ,pharisees and scribes at ,jerusalem with a somewhat different application4 #hai ,luke #ae3a-g4 ,see further page #dea herein4 #hbj ,luke #i3dh-ej2 ,mark #i3cg-da4 #hba ,contrast the instance of the sons of ,sceva1 ,acts #ai3ac-ag4 #hbb ,compare ,luke #i3eb2 #aj3a4 #hbc ,matt4 #ab3cj2 ,luke #aa3bc4 #hbd ,matt4 #ah3ae-bj2 compare ,luke #ag3c1 #d4 #hbe ,compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bj3hj2 #db3hh-ic2 #ih3ci-dh4 #hbf ,matt4 #ah3ah2 compare #af3ai1 and ,john #bj3bc4 #hbg ,they based this limitation on ,amos #a3c and ,job #cc3bi4 ,in the latter passage1 as it appears in the authorized version1 the word oftentimes is an erroneous rendering of the original1 which really signified twice and thrice4 #hbh ,compare ,luke #ag3c1 #d4 #hbi ,matt4 #ah3bc-ce4 #hcj ,compare #b ,kings #d3a2 ,lev4 #be3ci4 #hca ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #hcb ,matt4 #g3a2 see also verse #f4 #hcc ,matt4 #f3ab2 compare ,luke #aa3d2 ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ac3aa2 page #bdj4 ,,chapter #be4 ,,jesus ,,again ,,in ,,jerusalem4 ,,departure ,,from ,,galilee4#hcd ,of our ,lord's labors during ,his brief sojourn in ,galilee following ,his return from the region of ,csarea ,philippi we have no record aside from that of ,his instructions to the apostles4 ,his ,galilean ministry1 so far as the people in general were concerned1 had practically ended with the discourse at ,capernaum on ,his return thither after the miracles of feeding the five thousand and walking upon the sea4 ,at ,capernaum many of the disciples had turned away from the ,master1#hce and now1 after another short visit1 ,he prepared to leave the land in which so great a part of ,his public work had been accomplished4 ,it was autumn2 about six months had passed since the return of the apostles from their missionary tour2 and the ,feast of ,tabernacles was near at hand4 ,some of the kinsmen of ,jesus came to ,him1 and proposed that ,he go to ,jerusalem and take advantage of the opportunity offered by the great national festival1 to declare ,himself more openly than ,he had theretofore done4 ,his brethren1 as the visiting relatives are called1 urged that ,he seek a broader and more prominent field than ,galilee for the display of ,his powers1 arguing that it was inconsistent for any man to keep himself in comparative obscurity when he wanted to be widely known4 ,shew thyself to the world1 said they4 ,whatever their motives may have been1 these brethren of ,his did not advize more extended publicity through any zeal for ,his divine mission2 indeed1 we are expressly told that they did not believe in ,him4#hcf ,jesus replied to their presumptuous advice3 ,my time is not yet come3 but your time is alway ready4 ,the world cannot hate you2 but me it hateth1 because ,i testify of it1 that the works thereof are evil4 ,go ye up unto this feast3 ,i go not up yet unto this feast2 for my time is not yet full come4 ,it was not their prerogative to direct ,his movements1 not to say when ,he should do even what ,he intended to do eventually4#hcg ,he made it plain that between their status and ,his there was essential difference2 they were of the world1 which they loved as the world loved them2 but the world hated ,him because of ,his testimony4 ,this colloquy between ,jesus and ,his brethren took place in ,galilee4 ,they soon started for ,jerusalem leaving ,him behind4 ,he had not said that ,he would not go to the feast2 but only ,i go not up yet unto this feast2 for my time is not yet full come4 ,some time after their departure ,he followed1 traveling not openly1 but as it were in secret4 ,whether ,he went alone1 or accompanied by any or all of the ,twelve1 we are not told4 ,,at ,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,tabernacles4#hch ,the agitated state of the public mind respecting ,jesus is shown by the interest manifest in ,jerusalem as to the probability of ,his presence at the feast4 ,his brethren1 who probably were questioned1 could give no definite information as to ,his coming4 ,he was sought for in the crowds2 there was much discussion and some disputation concerning ,him4 ,many people expressed their conviction that ,he was a good man1 while others contradicted on the claim that ,he was a deceiver4 ,there was little open discussion1 however1 for the people were afraid of incurring the displeasure of the rulers4 ,as originally established1 the ,feast of ,tabernacles was a seven day festival1 followed by a holy convocation on the eighth day4 ,each day was marked by special and in some respects distinctive services1 all characterized by ceremonies of thanksgiving and praise4#hci ,now about the midst of the feast1 probably on the third or fourth day1 ,jesus went up into the temple1 and taught4 ,the first part of ,his discourse is not recorded1 but its scriptural soundness is intimated in the surprize of the ,jewish teachers1 who asked among themselves3 ,how knoweth this man letters1 having never learned8 ,he was no graduate of their schools2 ,he had never sat at the feet of their rabbis2 ,he had not been officially accredited by them nor licensed to teach4 ,whence came ,his wisdom1 before which all their academic attainments were as nothing8 ,jesus answered their troubled queries1 saying3 ,my doctrine is not mine1 but his that sent me4 ,if any man will do his will1 he shall know of the doctrine1 whether it be of ,god1 or whether ,i speak of myself4 ,his ,teacher1 greater even than ,himself1 was the ,eternal ,father1 whose will ,he proclaimed4 ,the test proposed to determine the truth of ,his doctrine was in every way fair1 and withal simple2 anyone who would earnestly seek to do the will of the ,father should know of himself whether ,jesus spoke truth or error4#hdj ,the ,master proceeded to show that a man who speaks on his own authority alone seeks to aggrandize himself4 ,jesus did not so2 ,he honored ,his ,teacher1 ,his ,father1 ,his ,god1 not ,himself2 and therefore was ,he free from the taint of selfish pride or unrighteousness4 ,moses had given them the law1 and yet1 as ,jesus affirmed1 none of them kept the law4 ,then1 with startling abruptness1 ,he challenged them with the question1 ,why go ye about to kill me8 ,on many occasions had they held dark counsel with one another as to how they could get ,him into their power and put ,him to death2 but they thought that the murderous secret was hidden within their own circle4 ,the people had heard the seducing assertions of the ruling classes1 that ,jesus was possessed by a demon1 and that ,he wrought wonders through the power of ,beelzebub2 and in the spirit of this blasphemous slander1 they cried out3 ,thou hast a devil3 who goeth about to kill thee8 ,jesus knew that the two specifications of alleged guilt on which the rulers were striving most assiduously to convict ,him in the popular mind1 and so turn the people against ,him1 were those of ,sabbath-breaking and blasphemy4 ,on an earlier visit to ,jerusalem ,he had healed an afflicted man on the ,sabbath1 and had utterly disconcerted the hypercritical accusers who even then had sought to compass ,his death4#hda ,to this act of mercy and power ,jesus now referred1 saying3 ,i have done one work1 and ye all marvel4 ,seemingly they were still of unsettled mind1 in doubt as to accepting ,him because of the miracle or denouncing ,him because ,he had done it on the ,sabbath4 ,then ,he showed the inconsistency of charging ,him with ,sabbath-desecration for such a merciful deed1 when the law of ,moses expressly allowed acts of mercy1 and even required that the mandatory rite of circumcision should not be deferred because of the ,sabbath4 ,judge not according to the appearance1 but judge righteous judgment said ,he4 ,the masses were still divided in their estimate of ,jesus1 and were moreover puzzled over the indecision of the rulers4 ,some of the ,jerusalem ,jews knew of the plan to arrest ,him1 and if possible to bring ,him to death1 and the people queried why nothing was done when ,he was there teaching publicly within reach of the officials4 ,they wondered whether the rulers had not at last come to believe that ,jesus was indeed the ,messiah4 ,the thought1 however1 was brushed aside when they remembered that all knew whence ,he came2 ,he was a ,galilean1 and from ,nazareth1 whereas as they had been taught1 however wrongly1 the advent of the ,christ was to be mysterious so that none would know whence ,he came4 ,strange it was1 indeed1 that men should reject ,him because of a lack of mystery and miracle in ,his advent2 when1 had they known the truth1 they would have seen in ,his birth a miracle without precedent or parallel in the annals of time4 ,jesus directly answered their weak and faulty reasoning4 ,crying aloud within the temple courts1 ,he assured them that while they knew whence ,he came as one of their number1 yet they did not know that ,he had come from ,god1 neither did they know ,god who had sent ,him3 ,but1 ,he added1 ,i know him3 for ,i am from him1 and he hath sent me4 ,at this reiterated testimony of ,his divine origin1 the ,jews were the more enraged1 and they determined anew to take ,him by force2 nevertheless none laid hands upon him because his hour was not yet come4 ,many of the people believed in their hearts that ,he was of ,god1 and ventured to ask among themselves whether ,christ would do greater works than ,jesus had done4 ,the ,pharisees and chief priests feared a possible demonstration in favor of ,jesus1 and forthwith sent officers to arrest ,him and bring him before the ,sanhedrin4#hdb ,the presence of the temple police caused no interruption to the ,master's discourse1 though we may reasonably infer that ,he knew the purpose of their errand4 ,he spoke on1 saying that ,he would be with the people but a little while2 and that after ,he had returned to the ,father1 they would seek ,him vainly1 for where ,he would then be they could not come4 ,this remark evoked more bitter discussion4 ,some of the ,jews wondered whether ,he intended to leave the borders of the land and go among the ,gentiles to teach them and the dispersed ,israelites4 ,as part of the temple service incident to the feast1 the people went in procession to the ,pool of ,siloam#hdc where a priest filled a golden ewer1 which he then carried to the altar and there poured out the water to the accompaniment of trumpet blasts and the acclamations of the assembled hosts4#hdd ,according to authorities on ,jewish customs1 this feature was omitted on the closing day of the feast4 ,on this last or great day1 which was marked by ceremonies of unusual solemnity and rejoicing1 ,jesus was again in the temple4 ,it may have been with reference to the bringing of water from the pool1 or to the omission of the ceremony from the ritualistic procedure of the great day1 that ,jesus cried aloud1 ,his voice resounding through the courts and arcades of the temple3 ,if any man thirst1 let him come unto me1 and drink4 ,he that believeth on me1 as the scripture hath said1 out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water4#hde ,john1 the recorder1 remarks parenthetically that this promise had reference to the bestowal of the ,holy ,ghost1 which at that time had not been granted1 nor was it to be until after the ascension of the risen ,lord4#hdf ,again many of the people were so impressed that they declared ,jesus could be none other than the ,messiah2 but others objected1 saying that the ,christ must come from ,bethlehem of ,judea and ,jesus was known to have come from ,galilee4#hdg ,so there was further dissension2 and though some wanted ,him apprehended1 not a man was found who would venture to lay hold on ,him4 ,the police officers returned without their intended prisoner4 ,to the angry demand of the chief priests and ,pharisees as to why they had not brought ,him1 they acknowledged that they had been so affected by ,his teachings as to be unable to make the arrest4 ,never man spake like this man1 they said4 ,their haughty masters were furious4 ,are ye also deceived8 they demanded2 and further1 ,have any of the rulers or of the ,pharisees believed on him8 ,what was the opinion of the common people worth8 ,they had never learned the law1 and were therefore accursed and of no concern4 ,yet with all this show of proud disdain1 the chief priests and ,pharisees were afraid of the common people1 and were again halted in their wicked course4 ,one voice of mild protest was heard in the assembly4 ,nicodemus1 a member of the ,sanhedrin1 and the same who had come to ,jesus by night to inquire into the new teaching1#hdh mustered courage enough to ask3 ,doth our law judge any man1 before it hear him1 and know what he doeth8 ,the answer was insulting4 ,maddened with bigotry and blood-thirsty fanaticism1 some of his colleagues turned upon him with the savage demand3 ,art thou also of ,galilee8 meaning1 ,art thou also a disciple of this ,galilean whom we hate8 ,nicodemus was curtly told to study the scriptures1 and he would fail to find any prediction of a prophet arising in ,galilee4 ,the anger of these learned bigots had blinded them even to their own vaunted knowledge1 for several of the ancient prophets were regarded as ,galileans2#hdi if1 however they had meant to refer only to that ,prophet of whom ,moses had spoken1 the ,messiah1 they were correct1 since all predictions pointed to ,bethlehem in ,judea as ,his birthplace4 ,it is evident that ,jesus was thought of as a native of ,nazareth1 and that the circumstances of ,his birth were not of public knowledge4 ,,go1 ,,and ,,sin ,,no ,,more4#hej ,after the festivities were over1 ,jesus went to the temple one morning early2 and as ,he sat1 probably in the ,court of the ,women1 which was the usual place of public resort1 many gathered about ,him and ,he proceeded to teach them as was ,his custom4 ,his discourse was interrupted by the arrival of a party of scribes and ,pharisees with a woman in charge1 who1 they said1 was guilty of adultery4 ,to ,jesus they presented this statement and question3 ,now ,moses in the law commanded us1 that such should be stoned2 but what sayest thou8 ,the submitting of the case to ,jesus was a prearranged snare1 a deliberate attempt to find or make a cause for accusing ,him4 ,though it was not unusual for ,jewish officials to consult rabbis of recognized wisdom and experience when difficult cases were to be decided1 the case in point involved no legal complications4 ,the woman's guilt seems to have been unquestioned1 though the witnesses required by the statutes are not mentioned as appearing unless the accusing scribes and ,pharisees are to be so considered2 the law was explicit1 and the custom of the times in dealing with such offenders was well known4 ,while it is true that the law of ,moses had decreed death by stoning as the penalty for adultery1 the infliction of the extreme punishment had lapsed long before the time of ,christ4 ,one may reasonably ask why the woman's partner in the crime was not brought for sentence1 since the law so zealously cited by the officious accusers provided for the punishment of both parties to the offense4#hea ,the question of the scribes and ,pharisees1 ,but what sayest thou8 may have intimated their expectation that ,jesus would declare the law obsolete2 perhaps they had heard of the ,sermon on the ,mount1 in which many requirements in advance of the ,mosaic code had been proclaimed4#heb ,had ,jesus decided that the wretched woman ought to suffer death1 her accusers might have said that he was defying the existing authorities2 and possibly the charge of opposition to the ,roman government might have been formulated1 since power to inflict the death penalty had been taken from all ,jewish tribunals2 and moreover1 the crime with which this woman was charged was not a capital offense under ,roman law4 ,had ,he said that the woman should go unpunished or suffer only minor infliction1 the crafty ,jews could have charged ,him with disrespect for the law of ,moses4 ,to these scribes and ,pharisees ,jesus at first gave little heed4 ,stooping down ,he traced with ,his finger on the ground2 but as ,he wrote they continued to question ,him4 ,lifting ,himself up ,he answered them1 in a terse sentence that has become proverbial3 ,he that is without sin among you1 let him first cast a stone at her4 ,such was the law2 the accusers on whose testimony the death penalty was pronounced were to be the first to begin the work of execution4#hec ,having spoken1 ,jesus again stooped and wrote upon the ground4 ,the woman's accusers were convicted by their own conscience2 shamed and in disgrace they slunk away1 all of them from the eldest to the youngest4 ,they knew themselves to be unfit to appear either as accusers or judges4#hed ,what cowards doth conscience make6 ,when ,jesus had lifted up himself1 and saw none but the woman1 he said unto her1 ,woman1 where are those thine accusers8 hath no man condemned thee8 ,she said1 ,no man1 ,lord4 ,and ,jesus said unto her1 ,neither do ,i condemn thee3 go and sin no more4#hee ,the woman was repentant2 she remained humbly awaiting the ,master's decision1 even after her accusers had gone4 ,jesus did not expressly condone2 ,he declined to condemn2 but ,he sent the sinner away with a solemn adjuration to a better life4#hef ,,the ,,light ,,of ,,the ,,world4#heg ,sitting within the temple enclosure in the division known as the ,treasury1 which was connected with the ,court of the ,women1#heh our ,lord continued ,his teaching1 saying3 ,i am the light of the world3 he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life4#hei ,the great lamps set up in the court as a feature of the joyful celebration just ended gave point to our ,lord's avowal of ,himself as the ,light of the ,world4 ,it was another proclamation of ,his divinity as ,god and the ,son of ,god4 ,the ,pharisees challenged ,his testimony1 declaring it of no worth because ,he bore record of ,himself4 ,jesus admitted that ,he testified of ,himself1 but affirmed nevertheless that what ,he said was true1 for ,he knew whereof ,he spoke1 whence ,he came and whither ,he would go1 while they spoke in ignorance4 ,they thought1 talked1 and judged after the ways of men and the frailties of the flesh2 ,he was not sitting in judgment1 but should ,he choose to judge1 then ,his judgment would be just1 for ,he was guided by the ,father who sent ,him4 ,their law required the testimony of two witnesses for the legal determination of any question of fact2#hfj and ,jesus cited ,himself and ,his ,father as witnesses in support of ,his affirmation4 ,his opponents then asked with contemptuous or sarcastic intent1 ,where is thy ,father8 ,the reply was in lofty tone2 ,ye neither know me1 nor my ,father3 if ye had known me1 ye should have known my ,father also4 ,enraged at their own discomfiture1 the ,pharisees would have seized ,him1 but found themselves impotent4 ,no man laid hands on him2 for his hour was not yet come4 ,,the ,,truth ,,shall ,,make ,,you ,,free4#hfa ,again addressing the mixed assemblage1 which probably comprized ,pharisees1 scribes1 rabbis1 priests1 ,levites1 and lay people1 ,jesus repeated ,his former assertion that soon ,he would leave them1 and that whither ,he went they could not follow2 and added the fateful assurance that they would seek ,him in vain and would die in their sins4 ,his solemn portent was treated with light concern if not contempt4 ,some of them asked querulously1 ,will he kill himself8 the implication being that in such case they surely would not follow ,him2 for according to their dogma1 ,gehenna was the place of suicides1 and they1 being of the chosen people1 were bound for heaven not hell4 ,the ,lord's dignified rejoinder was3 ,ye are from beneath2 ,i am from above3 ye are of this world2 ,i am not of this world4 ,i said therefore unto you1 that ye shall die in your sins3 for if ye believe not that ,i am he1 ye shall die in your sins4 ,this reiteration of ,his distinctive supremacy brought forth the challenging question1 ,who art thou8 ,jesus replied1 ,even the same that ,i said unto you from the beginning4 ,the many matters on which ,he might have judged them ,he refrained from mentioning1 but testified anew of the ,father1 saying3 ,he that sent me is true2 and ,i speak to the world those things which ,i have heard of him4 ,explicit as ,his earlier explanations had been1 the ,jews in their gross prejudice understood not that he spake to them of the ,father4 ,to ,his ,father ,jesus ascribed all honor and glory1 and repeatedly declared ,himself as sent to do the ,father's will4 ,then said ,jesus unto them1 ,when ye have lifted up the ,son of man1 then shall ye know that ,i am he1 and that ,i do nothing of myself2 but as my ,father hath taught me1 ,i speak these things4 ,and he that sent me is with me3 the ,father hath not left me alone2 for ,i do always those things that please him4 ,the evident earnestness and profound conviction with which ,jesus spoke caused many of ,his hearers to believe on ,him2 and these ,he addressed with the promise that if they continued in that belief1 and shaped their lives according to ,his word1 they should be ,his disciples indeed4 ,a further promise followed3 ,and ye shall know the truth1 and the truth shall make you free4 ,at these words1 so rich in blessing1 so full of comfort for the believing soul1 the people were stirred to angry demonstrations2 their ,jewish temper was immediately ablaze4 ,to promise them freedom was to imply that they were not already free4 ,we be ,abraham's seed1 and were never in bondage to any man3 how sayest thou1 ,ye shall be made free8 ,in their unbridled fanaticism they had forgotten the bondage of ,egypt1 the captivity of ,babylon1 and were oblivious of their existing state of vassalage to ,rome4 ,to say that ,israel had never been in bondage was not only to convict themselves of falsehood but to stultify themselves wretchedly4 ,jesus made it clear that ,he had not referred to freedom in its physical or political sense alone1 though to this conception their false disavowal had been directed2 the liberty ,he proclaimed was spiritual liberty2 the grievous bondage from which ,he would deliver them was the serfdom of sin4 ,to their vaunted boast that they were free men1 not slaves1 ,he replied3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin4 ,as a sinner1 every one of them was in slavery4 ,a bond-servant1 ,jesus reminded them1 was allowed in the master's house by sufferance only2 it was not his inherent right to remain there2 his owner could send him away at any time1 and might even sell him to another2 but a son of the family had of his own right a place in his father's home4 ,now1 if the ,son of ,god made them free they would be free indeed4 ,though they were of ,abrahamic lineage in the flesh1 they were no heirs of ,abraham in spirit or works4 ,our ,lord's mention of ,his ,father as distinct from their father drew forth the angry reiteration1 ,abraham is our father1 to which ,jesus replied3 ,if ye were ,abraham's children1 ye would do the works of ,abraham4 ,but now ye seek to kill me1 a man that hath told you the truth1 which ,i have heard of ,god3 this did not ,abraham4 ,ye do the deeds of your father4 ,in their blind anger they apparently construed this to imply that though they were children of ,abraham's household some other man than ,abraham was their actual progenitor1 or that they were not of unmixed ,israelitish blood4 ,we be not born of fornication they cried1 we have one ,father1 even ,god4 ,jesus said unto them1 ,if ,god were your ,father1 ye would love me3 for ,i proceeded forth and came from ,god2 neither came ,i of myself1 but he sent me4 ,they failed to understand because of their stubborn refusal to listen dispassionately4 ,with forceful accusation ,jesus told them whose children they actually were1 as evinced by the hereditary traits manifest in their lives3 ,ye are of your father the devil1 and the lusts of your father ye will do4 ,he was a murderer from the beginning1 and abode not in the truth1 because there is no truth in him4 ,when he speaketh a lie1 he speaketh of his own3 for he is a liar1 and the father of it4#hfb ,and because ,i tell you the truth1 ye believe me not4 ,he challenged them to find sin in ,him2 and then asked why1 if ,he spake the truth1 they so persistently refused to believe ,him4 ,answering ,his own question1 ,he told them that they were not of ,god and therefore they understood not the words of ,god4 ,the ,master was unimpeachable2 ,his terse1 cogent assertions were unanswerable4 ,in impotent rage the discomfited ,jews resorted to invective and calumny4 ,say we not well that thou art a ,samaritan1 and hast a devil8 they shrieked4 ,they had before called ,him a ,galilean2 that appellative was but mildly depreciatory1 and moreover was a truthful designation according to their knowledge2 but the epithet ,samaritan was inspired by hate1#hfc and by its application they meant to disown ,him as a ,jew4 ,the charge that ,he was a demoniac was but a repetition of earlier slanders4 ,jesus answered1 ,i have not a devil2 but ,i honour my ,father1 and ye do dishonour me4 ,reverting to the eternal riches offered by ,his gospel1 the ,master said3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,if a man keep my saying1 he shall never see death4 ,this rendered them the more infuriate3 ,now we know that thou hast a devil they cried1 and as evidence of what they professed to regard as ,his insanity1 they cited the fact that great as were ,abraham and the prophets they were dead1 yet ,jesus dared to say that all who kept ,his sayings should be exempt from death4 ,did ,he pretend to exalt ,himself above ,abraham and the prophets8 ,whom makest thou thyself8 they demanded4 ,the ,lord's reply was a disclaimer of all self-aggrandizement2 ,his honor was not of ,his own seeking1 but was the gift of ,his ,father1 whom ,he knew2 and were ,he to deny that ,he knew the ,father ,he would be a liar like unto themselves4 ,touching the relationship between ,himself and the great patriarch of their race1 ,jesus thus affirmed and emphasized ,his own supremacy3 ,your father ,abraham rejoiced to see my day3 and he saw it1 and was glad4 ,not only angered but puzzled1 the ,jews demanded further explanation4 ,construing the last declaration as applying to the mortal state only1 they said3 ,thou art not yet fifty years old1 and hast thou seen ,abraham8 ,jesus answered1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,before ,abraham was1 ,i am4 ,this was an unequivocal and unambiguous declaration of our ,lord's eternal ,godship4 ,by the awful title ,i ,,am ,he had made ,himself known to ,moses and thereafter was so known in ,israel4#hfd ,as already shown1 it is the equivalent of ,yahveh1 or ,jahveh1 now rendered ,jehovah1 and signifies ,the ,self-existent ,one1 ,the ,eternal1 ,the ,first and the ,last4#hfe ,jewish traditionalism forbade the utterance of the sacred ,name2 yet ,jesus claimed it as ,his own4 ,in an orgy of self-righteous indignation1 the ,jews seized upon the stones that lay in the unfinished courts1 and would have crushed their ,lord1 but the hour of ,his death had not yet come1 and unseen of them ,he passed through the crowd and departed from the temple4 ,his seniority to ,abraham plainly referred to the status of each in the antemortal or preexistent state2 ,jesus was as literally the ,firstborn in the spirit-world1 as ,he was the ,only ,begotten in the flesh4 ,christ is as truly the ,elder ,brother of ,abraham and ,adam as of the last-born child of earth4#hff ,,bodily ,,and ,,spiritual ,,blindness--,,sight ,,given ,,to ,a ,,man ,,on ,,the ,,sabbath4#hfg ,at ,jerusalem ,jesus mercifully gave sight to a man who had been blind from his birth4#hfh ,the miracle is an instance of ,sabbath-day healing1 of more than ordinary interest because of its attendant incidents4 ,it is recorded by ,john alone1 and1 as usual with that writer1 his narrative is given with descriptive detail4 ,jesus and ,his disciples saw the sightless one upon the street4 ,the poor man lived by begging4 ,the disciples1 eager to learn1 asked3 ,master1 who did sin1 this man1 or his parents1 that he was born blind8 ,the ,lord's reply was3 ,neither hath this man sinned1 nor his parents3 but that the works of ,god should be made manifest in him4 ,the disciples' question implied their belief in a state of moral agency and choice antedating mortality2 else1 how could they have thought of the man having sinned so as to bring upon himself congenital blindness8 ,we are expressly told that he was born blind4 ,that he might have been a sufferer from the sins of his parents was conceivable4#hfi ,the disciples evidently had been taught the great truth of an antemortal existence4 ,it is further to be seen that they looked upon bodily affliction as the result of personal sin4 ,their generalization was too broad2 for1 while as shown by instances heretofore cited1#hgj individual wickedness may and does bring physical ills in its train1 man is liable to err in his judgment as to the ultimate cause of affliction4 ,the ,lord's reply was sufficing2 the man's blindness would be turned to account in bringing about a manifestation of divine power4 ,as ,jesus explained respecting ,his own ministry1 it was necessary that ,he do the ,father's work in the season appointed1 for ,his time was short4 ,with impressive pertinency as relating to the state of the man who had been in darkness all his days1 our ,lord repeated the affirmation before made in the temple1 ,i am the light of the world4 ,the outward ministration to the blind man was different from the usual course followed by ,jesus4 ,he spat on the ground1 and made clay of the spittle1 and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay2 and then directed him to go to the pool of ,siloam and wash in its waters4#hga ,the man went1 washed1 and came seeing4 ,he was evidently a well-known character2 many had seen him in his accustomed place begging alms1 and the fact that he had been blind from birth was also of common knowledge4 ,when1 therefore1 it was noised about that he could see1 there was much excitement and comment4 ,some doubted that the man they questioned was the once sightless beggar2 but he assured them of his identity1 and told how he had been made to see4 ,they brought the man to the ,pharisees1 who questioned him rigorously2 and1 having heard his account of the miracle1 tried to undermine his faith by telling him that ,jesus who had healed him could not be a man of ,god since ,he had done the deed on the ,sabbath4 ,some of those who heard demurred to the ,pharisaic deduction1 and asked3 ,how can a man that is a sinner do such miracles8 ,the man was questioned as to his personal opinion of ,jesus1 and promptly answered3 ,he is a prophet4 ,the man knew his ,benefactor to be more than any ordinary being2 as yet1 however1 he had no knowledge of ,him as the ,christ4 ,the inquisitorial ,jews were afraid of the result of such a wondrous healing1 in that the people would support ,jesus whom the rulers were determined to destroy4 ,they assumed it to be possible that the man had not been really blind2 so they summoned his parents1 who answered their interrogatories by affirming that he was their son1 and they knew him to have been born blind2 but as to how he had received sight1 or through whose ministration1 they refused to commit themselves1 knowing the rulers had decreed that any one who confessed ,jesus to be the ,christ should be cast out from the community of the synagog1 or1 as we would say today1 excommunicated from the ,church4 ,with pardonable astuteness the parents said of their son3 ,he is of age2 ask him3 he shall speak for himself4 ,compelled to acknowledge1 to themselves at least1 that the fact and the manner of the man's restoration to sight were supported by irrefutable evidence1 the crafty ,jews called the man again1 and insinuatingly said unto him3 ,give ,god the praise3 we know that this man is a sinner4 ,he replied fearlessly1 and with such pertinent logic as to completely offset their skill as cross-examiners3 ,whether he be a sinner or no1 ,i know not3 one thing ,i know1 that1 whereas ,i was blind1 now ,i see4 ,he very properly declined to enter into a discussion with his learned questioners as to what constituted sin under their construction of the law2 of what he was ignorant he declined to speak2 but on one matter he was happily and gratefully certain1 that whereas he had been blind1 now he could see4 ,the ,pharisaical inquisitors next tried to get the man to repeat his story of the means employed in the healing1 probably with the subtle purpose of leading him into inconsistent or contradictory statements2 but he replied with emphasis1 and possibly with some show of impatience1 ,i have told you already1 and ye did not hear3#hgb wherefore would ye hear it again8 will ye also be his disciples8 ,they retorted with anger1 and reviled the man2 the ironical insinuation that they perchance wished to become disciples of ,jesus was an insult they would not brook4 ,thou art his disciple1 said they1 but we are ,moses' disciples4 ,we know that ,god spake unto ,moses3 as for this fellow1 we know not from whence he is4 ,they were enraged that this unlettered mendicant should answer so boldly in their scholarly presence2 but the man was more than a match for all of them4 ,his rejoinder was maddening because it flouted their vaunted wisdom1 and withal was unanswerable4 ,why herein is a marvellous thing1 said he1 that ye know not from whence he is1 and yet he hath opened mine eyes4 ,now we know that ,god heareth not sinners3 but if any man be a worshipper of ,god1 and doeth his will1 him he heareth4 ,since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind4 ,if this man were not of ,god1 he could do nothing4 ,for such an affront from a layman there was no precedent in all the lore of rabbis or scribes4 ,thou wast altogether born in sins1 and dost thou teach us8 was their denunciatory though weak and inadequate rejoinder4 ,unable to cope with the sometime sightless beggar in argument or demonstration1 they could at least exercize their official authority1 however unjustly1 by excommunicating him2 and this they promptly did4 ,jesus heard that they had cast him out2 and when he had found him1 he said unto him1 ,dost thou believe on the ,son of ,god8 he answered and said1 ,who is he1 ,lord1 that ,i might believe on him8 ,and ,jesus said unto him1 ,thou hast both seen him1 and it is he that talketh with thee4 ,and he said1 ,lord1 ,i believe4 ,and he worshipped him4 ,in commenting upon the matter ,jesus was heard to say that one purpose of ,his coming into the world was that they which see not might see2 and that they which see might be made blind4 ,some of the ,pharisees caught the remark1 and asked in pride3 ,are we blind also8 ,the ,lord's reply was a condemnation3 ,if ye were blind1 ye should have no sin3 but now ye say1 ,we see2 therefore your sin remaineth4 ,,shepherd ,,and ,,sheepherder4#hgc ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,he that entereth not by the door into the sheep fold1 but climbeth up some other way1 the same is a thief and a robber4 ,but he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep4 ,with these words ,jesus prefaced one of ,his most impressive discourses4 ,the mention of shepherd and sheep must have brought to the minds of ,his hearers many of the oft-quoted passages from prophets and psalms4#hgd ,the figure is an effective one1 and all the more so when we consider the circumstances under which it was used by the ,master4 ,pastoral conditions prevailed in ,palestine1 and the dignity of the shepherd's vocation was very generally recognized4 ,by specific prophecy a ,shepherd had been promised to ,israel4 ,david1 the king of whom all ,israelites were proud1 had been taken directly from the sheepfold1 and had come with a shepherd's crook in his hand to the anointing that made him royal4 ,as the ,teacher showed1 a shepherd has free access to the sheep4 ,when they are folded within the enclosure of safety1 he enters at the gate2 he neither climbs over nor creeps in4#hge ,he1 the owner of the sheep loves them2 they know his voice and follow him as he leads from fold to pasture1 for he goes before the flock2 while the stranger1 though he be the herder1 they know not2 he must needs drive1 for he cannot lead4 ,continuing the allegory1 which the recorder speaks of as a parable1 ,jesus designated ,himself as the door to the sheepfold1 and made plain that only through ,him could the under-shepherds rightly enter4 ,true1 there were some who sought by avoiding the portal and climbing over the fence to reach the folded flock2 but these were robbers1 trying to get at the sheep as prey2 their selfish and malignant purpose was to kill and carry off4 ,changing the figure1 ,christ proclaimed3 ,i am the good shepherd4 ,he then further showed1 and with eloquent exactness1 the difference between a shepherd and a hireling herder4 ,the one has personal interest in and love for his flock1 and knows each sheep by name1 the other knows them only as a flock1 the value of which is gaged by number2 to the hireling they are only as so many or so much4 ,while the shepherd is ready to fight in defense of his own1 and if necessary even imperil his life for his sheep1 the hireling flees when the wolf approaches1 leaving the way open for the ravening beast to scatter1 rend1 and kill4 ,never has been written or spoken a stronger arraignment of false pastors1 unauthorized teachers1 self-seeking hirelings who teach for pelf and divine for dollars1 deceivers who pose as shepherds yet avoid the door and climb over some other way1 prophets in the devil's employ1 who to achieve their master's purpose1 hesitate not to robe themselves in the garments of assumed sanctity1 and appear in sheep's clothing1 while inwardly they are ravening wolves4#hgf ,with effective repetition ,jesus continued3 ,i am the good shepherd1 and know my sheep1 and am known of mine4 ,as the ,father knoweth me1 even so know ,i the ,father3 and ,i lay down my life for the sheep4 ,for this cause was ,jesus the ,father's ,beloved ,son--that ,he was ready to lay down ,his life for the sake of the sheep4 ,that the sacrifice ,he was soon to render was in fact voluntary1 and not a forfeiture under compulsion1 is solemnly affirmed in the ,savior's words3 ,therefore doth my ,father love me1 because ,i lay down my life1 that ,i might take it again4 ,no man taketh it from me1 but ,i lay it down of myself4 ,i have power to lay it down1 and ,i have power to take it again4 ,this commandment have ,i received of my ,father4 ,the certainty of ,his death and of ,his subsequent resurrection are here reiterated4 ,a natural effect of ,his immortal origin1 as the earth-born ,son of an immortal ,sire1 was that ,he was immune to death except as ,he surrendered thereto4 ,the life of ,jesus the ,christ could not be taken save as ,he willed and allowed4 ,the power to lay down ,his life was inherent in ,himself1 as was the power to take up ,his slain body in an immortalized state4#hgg ,these teachings caused further division among the ,jews4 ,some pretended to dispose of the matter by voicing anew the foolish assumption that ,jesus was but an insane demoniac1 and that therefore ,his words were not worthy of attention4 ,others with consistency said ,these are not the words of him that hath a devil4 ,can a devil open the eyes of the blind8 ,so it was that a few believed1 many doubted though partly convinced1 and some condemned4 ,as part of this profound discourse1 ,jesus said3 ,and other sheep ,i have1 which are not of this fold3 them also ,i must bring1 and they shall hear my voice2 and there shall be one fold1 and one shepherd4#hgh ,the other sheep here referred to constituted the separated flock or remnant of the house of ,joseph1 who1 six centuries prior to the birth of ,christ1 had been miraculously detached from the ,jewish fold in ,palestine1 and had been taken beyond the great deep to the ,american continent4 ,when to them the resurrected ,christ appeared ,he thus spake3 ,and verily1 ,i say unto you1 that ye are they of whom ,i said1 other sheep ,i have which are not of this fold2 them also ,i must bring1 and they shall hear my voice2 and there shall be one fold1 and one shepherd4#hgi ,the ,jews had vaguely understood ,christ's reference to other sheep as meaning in some obscure way1 the ,gentile nations2 and because of their unbelief and consequent inability to rightly comprehend1 ,jesus had withheld any plainer exposition of ,his meaning1 for so1 ,he informed the ,nephites1 had the ,father directed4 ,this much did the ,father command me1 ,he explained1 that ,i should tell unto them1 ,that other sheep ,i have1 which are not of this fold2 them also ,i must bring1 and they shall hear my voice2 and there shall be one fold1 and one shepherd4 ,on the same occasion the ,lord declared that there were yet other sheep1 those of the ,lost1 or ,ten1 ,tribes1 to whom ,he was then about to go1 and who would eventually be brought forth from their place of exile1 and become part of the one blessed fold under the governance of the one supreme ,shepherd and ,king4#hhj ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #be4 #a4 ,the ,feast of ,tabernacles4--,in the order of yearly occurrence this was the third of the great festivals1 the observance of which was among the national characteristics of the people of ,israel2 the others were the ,passover1 and the feast of ,weeks or ,pentecost2 at each of the three all the males in ,israel were required to appear before the ,lord in formal celebration of the respective feast 7,exo4 #bc3ag74 ,the feast of ,tabernacles was also known as the feast of ingathering 7,exo4 #bc3af72 it was both a memorial and a current harvest celebration4 ,in commemoration of their long journeying in the wilderness following their deliverance from ,egypt1 in the course of which journey they had to live in tents and improvized booths1 the people of ,israel were required to observe annually a festival lasting seven days1 with an added day of holy convocation4 ,during the week the people lived in booths1 bowers1 or tabernacles1 made of the branches or boughs of goodly trees wattled with willows from the brook 7,lev4 #bc3cd-dc2 ,numb4 #bi3ab-ch2 ,deut4 #af3ac-ae2 #ca3aj-ac74 ,the festival lasted from the #aeth to the #bb;d of the month ,tizri1 the seventh in the ,hebrew calendar1 corresponding to parts of our ,september and ,october4 ,it was made to follow soon after the annual ,day of ,atonement which was a time of penitence and affliction of the soul in sorrow for sin 7,lev4 #bc3bf-cb74 ,the altar sacrifices at the feast of ,tabernacles exceeded those prescribed for other festivals1 and comprized a daily offering of two rams1 fourteen lambs1 and a kid as a sin offering1 and in addition a varying number of young bullocks1 thirteen of which were sacrificed on the first day1 twelve on the second1 eleven on the third1 and so on to the seventh day1 on which seven were offered1 making in all seventy bullocks 7,numb4 #bi3ab-ch74 ,rabbinism invested this number1 seventy1 and the graded diminution in the number of altar victims1 with much symbolical significance not set forth in the law4 ,at the time of ,christ1 tradition had greatly embellished many of the prescribed observances4 ,thus the boughs of goodly trees1 more literally rendered fruit 7,lev4 #bc3dj71 had come to be understood as the citron fruit2 and this every orthodox ,jew carried in one hand1 while in the other he bore a leafy branch or a bunch of twigs1 known as the lulab1 when he repaired to the temple for the morning sacrifice1 and in the joyous processions of the day4 ,the ceremonial carrying of water from the spring of ,siloam to the altar of sacrifice was a prominent feature of the service4 ,this water was mingled with wine at the altar and the mixture was poured upon the sacrificial offering4 ,many authorities hold that the bringing of water from the pool was omitted on the last or great day of the feast1 and it is inferred that ,jesus had in mind the circumstance of the omission when ,he cried3 ,if any man thirst1 let him come unto me1 and drink4 ,at night1 during the progress of the feast1 great lamps were kept burning in the temple courts1 and this incident ,christ may have used as an objective illustration in his proclamation3 ,i am the light of the world4 ,for fuller account see any reliable and comprehensive ,bible ,dictionary1 and ,josephus ,ant4 viii1 #d3a2 xv1 #c3c1 etc4 ,the following is an excerpt from ,edersheim1 ,life and ,times of ,jesus ,the ,messiah1 vol4 ii1 p4 #aeh-afj3 ,when the ,temple-procession had reached the ,pool of ,siloam1 the priest filled his golden pitcher from its waters4 ,then they went back to the ,temple1 so timing it that they should arrive just as they were laying the pieces of the sacrifice on the great altar of burnt-offering1 towards the close of the ordinary morning-sacrifice service4 ,a threefold blast of the priests' trumpets welcomed the arrival of the priest as he entered through the ,water ,gate1 which obtained its name from this ceremony1 and passed straight into the ,court of the ,priests4444 ,immediately after the 'pouring of the water1' the great ',hallel1' consisting of ,psalms #aac to #aah inclusive1 was chanted antiphonally1 or rather1 with responses1 to the accompaniment of the flute4444 ,in further symbolism of this ,feast1 as pointing to the ingathering of the heathen nations1 the public services closed with a procession round the altar by the priests4444 ,but on 'the last1 the ,great ,day of the ,feast1' this procession of priests made the circuit of the altar1 not only once1 but seven times1 'as if they were again compassing1 but now with prayer1 the ,gentile ,jericho which barred their possession of the promised land4' #b4 ,the ,test of our ,lord's ,doctrine4--,any man may know for himself whether the doctrine of ,christ is of ,god or not by simply doing the will of the ,father 7,john #g3ag74 ,surely it is a more convincing course than that of relying upon another's word4 ,the writer was once approached by an incredulous student in college1 who stated that he could not accept as true the published results of a certain chemical analysis1 since the specified amounts of some of the ingredients were so infinitesimally small that he could not believe it possible to determine such minute quantities4 ,the student was but a beginner in chemistry2 and with his little knowledge he had undertaken to judge as to the possibilities of the science4 ,he was told to do the things his instructor prescribed1 and he should some day know for himself whether the results were true or false4 ,in the senior year of his course1 he received for laboratory analysis a portion of the very substance whose composition he had once questioned4 ,with the skill attained by faithful devotion he successfully completed the analysis1 and reported results similar to those1 which in his inexperience he had thought impossible to obtain4 ,he was manly enough to acknowledge as unfounded his earlier skepticism and rejoiced in the fact that he had been able to demonstrate the truth for himself4 #c4 ,the ,pool of ,siloam4--,the names ',shiloah' 7',shelah1' ,neh4 #c3ae1 ',siloah' in authorized version7 and ',siloam' are the exact equivalent in ,hebrew and ,greek1 respectively1 of ',silwan' in the modern ,arabic name 7',ain ,silwan'7 of the pool at the mouth of ,el-,wad4 ,all the ancient references agree with this identification 7compare ,neh4 #c3ae2 ,josephus1 ,wars of the ,jews1 v1 #d3a1 #b2 #f3a2 #i3d2 #ab3b2 ii1 #af3b2 vi1 #g3b2 #h3e74 ,in spite of its modern designation as an 'ain' 7spring71 ,siloam is not a spring1 but is fed by a tunnel cut through the rock from the ,gihon1 or ,virgin's ,fountain4--,l4 ,b4 ,paton1 in article ,jerusalem1 ,stand4 ,bible ,dictionary4 #d4 ,whence was the ,messiah to ,come8--,many stifled their inward promptings to a belief in ,jesus as the ,messiah1 by the objection that all prophecies relating to ,his coming pointed to ,bethlehem as ,his birthplace1 and ,jesus was of ,galilee4 ,others rejected ,him because they had been taught that no man was to know whence the ,messiah came and they all knew ,jesus came from ,galilee4 ,the seeming inconsistency is thus explained3 ,the city of ,david1 or ,bethlehem in ,judea1 was beyond question the fore-appointed place of the ,messiah's birth2 but the rabbis had erroneously taught that soon after birth the ,christ ,child would be caught away1 and after a time would appear as a ,man1 and that no one would know whence or how ,he had returned4 ,geikie 7ii1 p4 #bgd71 citing ,lightfoot in part1 thus states the popular criticism3 ',do not the rabbis tell us' said some1 'that the ,messiah will be born at ,bethlehem1 but that ,he will be snatched away by spirits and tempests soon after ,his birth1 and that when ,he returns the second time no one will know from whence ,he has come8' ,but we know this man comes from ,nazareth4 #e4 ,the ,record ,relating to the ,woman ,taken in ,adultery4--,some modern critics claim that the verses ,john #g3ec and #h3a-aa inclusive are out of place as they appear in the authorized or ,king ,james version of the ,bible1 on the grounds that the incident therein recorded does not appear in certain of the ancient manuscript copies of ,john's ,gospel1 and that the style of the narrative is distinctive4 ,in some manuscripts it appears at the end of the book4 ,other manuscripts contain the account as it appears in the ,english ,bible4 ,canon ,farrar pertinently asks 7p4 #djd1 note71 why1 if the incident is out of place or not of ,john's authorship1 so many important manuscripts give place to it as we have it8 #f4 ,the ,treasury1 and ,court of the ,women4--,part of the space within the inner courts was open to ,israelites of both sexes1 and was known distinctively as the ,court of the ,women4 ,this was a colonnaded enclosure1 and constituted the place of general assembly in the prescribed course of public worship4 ,chambers used for ceremonial purposes occupied the four corners of this court2 and between these and the houses at the gates1 were other buildings1 of which one series constituted the ,treasury wherein were set trumpet-shaped receptacles for gifts4 7,see ,mark #ab3da-dd47--,the ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #eg-eh4 #g4 ,the ,sheepfold4--,dummelow's ,commentary says1 on ,john #aj3b3 ,to understand the imagery1 it must be remembered that ,eastern folds are large open enclosures1 into which several flocks are driven at the approach of night4 ,there is only one door1 which a single shepherd guards1 while the others go home to rest4 ,in the morning the shepherds return1 are recognized by the doorkeeper1 call their flocks round them1 and lead them forth to pasture4 ,,footnotes3 #hcd ,john #g3a-aj4 #hce ,page #cdc4 #hcf ,john #g3e2 compare ,mark #c3ba in which friends is an inaccurate rendition for kinsmen4 #hcg ,compare ,christ's answer to ,his mother1 ,john #b3d2 see also #g3cj2 #h3bj4 #hch ,john #g3aa-ec4 #hci ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #hdj ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #hda ,john #e2 see pages #bjf-bjh herein4 #hdb ,page #fi4 #hdc ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #hdd ,this was regarded as a literal fulfilment of ,isa4 #ab3c4 #hde ,john #g3cg1 #ch2 compare with the assurance respecting living water given to the ,samaritan woman1 #d3aj-ae4 #hdf ,john #g3ci2 compare #ad3af1 #ag1 #bf2 #ae3bf2 #af3g2 ,luke #bd3di2 ,acts #b3d4 #hdg ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #hdh ,john #c2 page #aeh herein4 #hdi ,according to many excellent authorities1 ,jonah1 ,nahum1 and ,hosea were all of ,galilee2 and it is further believed that ,elijah also was of ,galilean nativity4 #hej ,john #h3a-aa4 #hea ,deut4 #bb3bb-bg4 #heb ,matt4 #e3ba-dh4 #hec ,deut4 #ag3f1 #g2 also #ac3i4 #hed ,compare ,rom4 #b3a1 #bb2 ,matt4 #g3a1 #b2 ,luke #f3cg2 #b ,sam4 #ab3e-g4 #hee ,john #h3aj1 #aa2 compare #e3aa4 ,consider another instance of mercy granted through contrition ,luke #g3cf-ej4 #hef ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #heg ,john #h3ab-bj4 #heh ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #hei ,john #h3ab2 compare #a3d1 #e1 #i2 #c3ai2 #i3e2 #ab3ce1 #cf1 #df4 ,see also ,doc4 and ,cov4 #f3ba2 #aj3eh1 #gj2 #aa3aa2 #ad3i2 #hd3de1 #df2 #hh3f-ac4 #hfj ,deut4 #ag3f2 #ai3ae2 ,numb4 #ce3cj2 ,matt4 #ah3af4 #hfa ,john #h3ba-ei4 #hfb ,compare ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #d3d2 #e3bd2 ,b4 of ,m41 #b ,nephi #b3ah2 ,doc4 and ,cov4 #aj3be2 #ic3be4 #hfc ,pages #agd1 #ahc4 #hfd ,exo4 #c3ad2 compare #f3c4 #hfe ,compare ,isa4 #dd3f2 ,rev4 #a3d1 #h2 see also ,john #ag3e1 #bd2 ,col4 #a3ag4 ,page #cf herein4 #hff ,page #ac4 #hfg ,john #i4 #hfh ,whether this incident occurred in immediate sequence to the events last considered1 or at a later time after the return of ,jesus to ,jerusalem following an unrecorded departure therefrom1 is not stated in the scriptural record4 ,the value of the lesson is not affected by its place in the catalog of our ,lord's works4 #hfi ,exo4 #bj3e2 #cd3g2 ,lev4 #bf3ci2 ,numb4 #ad3ah2 #a ,kings #ba3bi2 compare ,ezek4 chap4 #ah4 #hgj ,pages #aib and #bjh4 #hga ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #hgb ,that is1 heed or believe4 #hgc ,john #aj3a-ba4 #hgd ,note the promise of a ,shepherd to ,israel1 ,isa4 #dj3aa2 #di3i1 #aj2 ,ezek4 #cd3bc2 #cg3bd2 compare ,jer4 #c3ae2 #bc3d2 ,heb1 #ac3bj2 #a ,peter #b3be2 #e3d2 ,rev4 #g3ag4 ,read studiously ,psalm #bc4 #hge ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #hgf ,matt4 #g3ae2 compare #bd3d1 #e1 #aa1 #bd2 ,mark #ac3bb2 ,rom4 #af3ag1 #ah2 ,eph4 #e3f2 ,col4 #b3h2 #b ,peter #b3a-c2 #a ,john #d3a2 ,acts #bj3bi4 #hgg ,pages #bb and #ha4 #hgh ,john #aj3af2 compare as to one fold and one shepherd1 ,ezek4 #cg3bb2 ,isa4 #aa3ac2 ,jer4 #c3ah2 #ej3d4 ,see ,articles of ,faith1 xviii1--,the ,gathering of ,israel4 #hgi ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ae3ba2 read verses #ab-bd2 see chapter #ci herein4 #hhj #c ,nephi #af3a-e4 ,,chapter #bf4 ,,our ,,lord',s ,,ministry ,,in ,,perea ,,and ,,judea4 ,when or under what attendant circumstances our ,lord departed from ,jerusalem after the ,feast of ,tabernacles1 in the last autumn of ,his earthly life1 we are not told4 ,the writers of the synoptic ,gospels have recorded numerous discourses1 parables1 and miracles1 as incidents of a journey toward ,jerusalem1 in the course of which1 ,jesus1 accompanied by the apostles1 traversed parts of ,samaria and ,perea1 and the outlying sections of ,judea4 ,we read of ,christ's presence in ,jerusalem at the ,feast of ,dedication1#hha between two and three months after the ,feast of ,tabernacles2 and it is probable that some of the events now to be considered occurred during that interval4#hhb ,that ,jesus left ,jerusalem soon after the ,feast of ,tabernacles is certain2 whether ,he returned to ,galilee1 or went only into ,perea1 possibly with a short detour across the border into ,samaria1 is not conclusively stated4 ,we shall here as heretofore devote our study primarily to ,his words and works1 with but minor regard to place1 time1 or sequence4 ,as the time of ,his foreknown betrayal and crucifixion drew near1 he steadfastly set his face to go to ,jerusalem1#hhc though1 as we shall find1 ,he turned northward on two occasions1 once when ,he retired to the region of ,bethabara1 and again to ,ephraim4#hhd ,,his ,,rejection ,,in ,,samaria4#hhe ,jesus sent messengers ahead1 to announce ,his coming and to prepare for ,his reception4 ,in one of the ,samaritan villages ,he was refused entertainment and a hearing1 because his face was as though he would go to ,jerusalem4 ,racial prejudice had superseded the obligations of hospitality4 ,this repulse is in unfavorable contrast with the circumstances of ,his earlier visit among the ,samaritans1 when ,he had been received with gladness and entreated to remain2 but on that occasion ,he was journeying not toward but farther from ,jerusalem4#hhf ,the disrespect shown by the ,samaritans was more than the disciples could endure without protest4 ,james and ,john1 those ,sons of ,thunder1 were so resentful as to yearn for vengeance4 ,said they3 ,lord1 wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven1 and consume them1 even as ,elias did8#hhg ,jesus rebuked ,his uncharitable servants thus3 ,ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of4 ,for the ,son of man is not come to destroy men's lives1 but to save them4 ,repulsed in this village the little company went to another1 as the ,twelve had been instructed to do under like circumstances4#hhh ,this was but one of the impressive lessons given to the apostles in the matter of tolerance1 forbearance1 charity1 patience1 and long-suffering4 ,luke gives next place to the incident of three men who were desirous or willing to become disciples of ,christ2 one of them seems to have been discouraged at the prospect of hardship such as the ministry entailed2 the others wished to be temporarily excused from service1 one that he might attend the burial of his father1 the other that he might first bid his loved ones farewell4 ,this1 or a similar occurrence1 is recorded by ,matthew in another connection1 and has already received attention in these pages4#hhi ,,the ,,seventy ,,charged ,,and ,,sent4 ,the supreme importance of our ,lord's ministry1 and the shortness of the time remaining to ,him in the flesh1 demanded more missionary laborers4 ,the ,twelve were to remain with ,him to the end2 every hour of possible instruction and training had to be utilized in their further preparation for the great responsibilities that would rest upon them after the ,master's departure4 ,as assistants in the ministry1 ,he called and commissioned the ,seventy1 and straightway sent them forth1#hij two and two before his face into every city and place1 whither he himself would come4 ,the need of their service was explained in the introduction to the impressive charge by which they were instructed in the duties of their calling4 ,therefore said he unto them1 ,the harvest truly is great1 but the labourers are few3 pray ye therefore the ,lord of the harvest1 that he would send forth labourers into his harvest4#hia ,many matters on which the ,twelve had been instructed prior to their missionary tour were now repeated to the ,seventy4 ,they were told that they must expect unfriendly and even hostile treatment2 their situation would be as that of lambs among wolves4 ,they were to travel without purse or scrip1 and thus necessarily to depend upon the provision that ,god would make through those to whom they came4 ,as their mission was urgent1 they were not to stop on the way to make or renew personal acquaintanceships4 ,on entering a house they were to invoke peace upon it2 if the household deserved the gift peace would rest therein1 but otherwise the ,lord's servants would feel that their invocation was void4#hib ,to any family by whom they were received they were to impart blessing--healing the afflicted1 and proclaiming that the kingdom of ,god had come nigh unto that house4 ,they were not to go from one house to another seeking better entertainment1 nor should they expect or desire to be feasted1 but they should accept what was offered1 eating that which was set before them1 thus sharing with the family4 ,if rejected in any city1 they were to depart therefrom1 leaving1 however1 their solemn testimony that the city had turned away from the kingdom of ,god1 which had been brought to its doors1 and attesting the same by ridding themselves of the dust of that place4#hic ,it was not for them to pronounce anathema or curse1 but the ,lord assured them that such a city would bring upon itself a fate worse than the doom of ,sodom4#hid ,he reminded them that they were ,his servants1 and therefore whoever heard or refused to hear them would be judged as having so treated ,him4 ,they were not restrained1 as the ,twelve had been1 from entering ,samaritan towns or the lands of the ,gentiles4 ,this difference is consistent with the changed conditions1 for now the prospective itinerary of ,jesus would take ,him into non-,jewish territory1 where ,his fame had already spread2 and furthermore1 ,his plan provided for an extension of the gospel propaganda1 which was to be ultimately world-wide4 ,the narrow ,jewish prejudice against ,gentiles in general and ,samaritans in particular was to be discountenanced2 and proof of this intent could not be better given than by sending authorized ministers among those peoples4 ,we must keep in mind the progressiveness of the ,lord's work4 ,at first the field of gospel preaching was confined to the land of ,israel1#hie but the beginning of its extension was inaugurated during our ,lord's life1 and was expressly enjoined upon the apostles after ,his resurrection4#hif ,duly instructed1 the ,seventy set out upon their mission4#hig ,mention of the condemnation that would follow wilful rejection of the authorized servants of ,god aroused in our ,lord's mind sad memories of the repulses ,he had suffered1 and of the many unrepentant souls1 in the cities wherein ,he had accomplished so many mighty works4 ,in profound sorrow ,he predicted the woes then impending over ,chorazin1 ,bethsaida1 and ,capernaum4#hih ,,the ,,seventy ,,return4 ,considerable time may have elapsed1 weeks or possibly months1 between the departure of the ,seventy and their return4 ,we are not told when or where they rejoined the ,master2 but this we know1 that the authority and power of ,christ had been abundantly manifest in their ministry2 and that they had rejoiced in the realization4 ,lord1 said they1 even the devils are subject unto us through thy name4#hii ,this testimony was followed by the ,lord's solemn statement3 ,i beheld ,satan as lightning fall from heaven4 ,this was said with reference to the expulsion of the rebellious son of the morning1 after his defeat by ,michael and the heavenly hosts4#ijj ,commending the ,seventy for their faithful labors1 the ,lord gave them assurance of further power1 on the implied condition of their continued worthiness3 ,i give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions1 and over all the power of the enemy3 and nothing shall by any means hurt you4#ija ,the promise that they should tread on serpents and scorpions included immunity from injury by venomous creatures if encountered in the path of duty#ijb and power to prevail over the wicked spirits that serve the devil1 who is elsewhere expressly called the serpent4#ijc ,great as was the power and authority thus imparted1 these disciples were told not to rejoice in such1 nor primarily in the fact that evil spirits were subject unto them1 but rather because they were accepted of the ,lord1 and that their names were written in heaven4#ijd ,the righteous joy of ,his servants and ,his contemplation of their faithfulness caused ,jesus to rejoice4 ,his happiness found its most appropriate expression in prayer1 and thus ,he prayed3 ,i thank thee1 ,o ,father1 ,lord of heaven and earth1 that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent1 and hast revealed them unto babes3 even so1 ,father2 for so it seemed good in thy sight4 ,compared with the learned men of the time1 such as the rabbis and scribes1 whose knowledge served but to harden their hearts against the truth1 these devoted servants were as babes in humility1 trust1 and faith4 ,such children were and are among the nobles of the kingdom4 ,as in the hours of darkest sorrow1 so in this moment of righteous exultation over the faithfulness of ,his followers1 ,jesus communed with the ,father1 to do whose will was ,his sole purpose4 ,our ,lord's joy on this occasion is comparable to that which ,he experienced when ,peter had burst forth with the confession of his soul3 ,thou art the ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god4 ,in solemn discourse ,jesus said3 ,all things are delivered to me of my ,father3 and no man knoweth who the ,son is1 but the ,father2 and who the ,father is1 but the ,son1 and he to whom the ,son will reveal him4 ,then in more intimate communion with the disciples ,he added3 ,blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see3 ,for ,i tell you1 that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see1 and have not seen them2 and to hear those things which ye hear1 and have not heard them4 ,,who ,,is ,,my ,,neighbor8 ,we have seen that the ,pharisees and their kind were constantly on the alert to annoy and if possible disconcert ,jesus on questions of law and doctrine1 and to provoke ,him to some overt utterance or deed4#ije ,it may be such an attempt that is recorded by ,luke in immediate sequence to his account of the joyous return of the ,seventy1#ijf for he tells us that the certain lawyer1 of whom he speaks1 put a question to tempt ,jesus4 ,viewing the questioner's motive with all possible charity1 for the basal meaning of the verb which appears in our version of the ,bible as to tempt is that of putting to test or trial and not necessarily and solely to allure into evil1#ijg though the element of entrapping or ensnaring is connoted1 we may assume that he wished to test the knowledge and wisdom of the famous ,teacher1 probably for the purpose of embarrassing ,him4 ,certainly his purpose was not that of sincere search for truth4 ,this lawyer1 standing up among the people who had gathered to hear ,jesus1 asked3 ,master1 what shall ,i do to inherit eternal life8#ijh ,jesus replied by a counter question1 in which was plainly intimated that if this man1 who was professedly learned in the law1 had read and studied properly1 he should know without asking what he ought to do4 ,what is written in the law8 how readest thou8 ,the man replied with an admirable summary of the commandments3 ,thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with all thy heart1 and with all thy soul1 and with all thy strength1 and with all thy mind2 and thy neighbour as thyself#iji ,the answer was approved4 ,this do1 and thou shalt live said ,jesus4 ,these simple words conveyed a rebuke1 as the lawyer must have realized2 they indicated the contrast between knowing and doing4 ,having thus failed in his plan to confound the ,master1 and probably realizing that he1 a lawyer1 had made no creditable display of his erudition by asking so simple a question and then answering it himself1 he tamely sought to justify himself by inquiring further2 ,and who is my neighbour8 ,we may well be grateful for the lawyer's question2 for it served to draw from the ,master's inexhaustible store of wisdom one of ,his most appreciated parables4 ,the story is known as the ,parable of the ,good ,samaritan2 it runs as follows3 ,a certain man went down from ,jerusalem to ,jericho1 and fell among thieves1 which stripped him of his raiment1 and wounded him1 and departed1 leaving him half dead4 ,and by chance there came down a certain priest that way3 and when he saw him1 he passed by on the other side4 ,and likewise a ,levite1 when he was at the place1 came and looked on him1 and passed by on the other side4 ,but a certain ,samaritan1 as he journeyed1 came where he was3 and when he saw him1 he had compassion on him1 and went to him1 and bound up his wounds1 pouring in oil and wine1 and set him on his own beast1 and brought him to an inn1 and took care of him4 ,and on the morrow when he departed1 he took out two pence1 and gave them to the host1 and said unto him1 ,take care of him2 and whatsoever thou spendest more1 when ,i come again1 ,i will repay thee4 ,then of the lawyer ,jesus asked3 ,which now of these three1 thinkest thou1 was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves8 ,and he said1 ,he that shewed mercy on him4 ,then said ,jesus unto him1 ,go1 and do thou likewise4#iaj ,whatever of motive there may have been in the lawyer's query1 ,who is my neighbour8 aside from that of self-justification and a desire to retreat in the best form possible from an embarrassing situation1 we may conceive to lie in the wish to find a limitation in the application of the law1 beyond which he would not be bound to go4 ,if he had to love his neighbors as he loved himself1 he wanted to have as few neighbors as possible4 ,his desire may have been somewhat akin to that of ,peter1 who was eager to learn just how many times he was required to forgive an offending brother4#iaa ,the parable with which our ,lord replied to the lawyer's question is rich in interest as a story alone1 and particularly so as an embodiment of precious lessons4 ,it was withal so true to existing conditions1 that1 like the story of the sower who went forth to sow1 and other parables given by the ,lord ,jesus1 it may be true history as well as parable4 ,the road between ,jerusalem and ,jericho was known to be infested by highway robbers2 indeed a section of the thoroughfare was called the ,red ,path or ,bloody ,way because of the frequent atrocities committed thereon4 ,jericho was prominent as a residence place for priests and ,levites4 ,a priest1 who1 out of respect to his office1 if for none other cause1 should have been willing and prompt in acts of mercy1 caught sight of the wounded traveler and passed by on the far side of the road4 ,a ,levite followed2 he paused to look1 then passed on4 ,these ought to have remembered the specified requirement of the law--that if one saw an ass or an ox fall down by the way1 he should not hide himself1 but should surely help the owner to lift the creature up again4#iab ,if such was their duty toward a brother's beast1 much greater was their obligation when a brother himself was in so extreme a plight4 ,doubtless priest as well as ,levite salved his conscience with ample excuse for his inhumane conduct2 he may have been in a hurry1 or was fearful1 perhaps1 that the robbers would return and make him also a victim of their outrage4 ,excuses are easy to find2 they spring up as readily and plentifully as weeds by the wayside4 ,when the ,samaritan came along and saw the wretched state of the wounded man1 he had no excuse for he wanted none4 ,having done what he could by way of emergency treatment as recognized in the medical practise of the day1 he placed the injured one upon his own beast1 probably a mule or an ass1 and took him to the nearest inn1 where he tended him personally and made arrangements for his further care4 ,the essential difference between the ,samaritan and the others was that the one had a compassionate heart1 while they were unloving and selfish4 ,though not definitely stated1 the victim of the robbers was almost certainly a ,jew2 the point of the parable requires it to be so4 ,that the merciful one was a ,samaritan1 showed that the people called heretic and despized by the ,jews could excel in good works4 ,to a ,jew1 none but ,jews were neighbors4 ,we are not justified in regarding priest1 ,levite1 or ,samaritan as the type of his class2 doubtless there were many kind and charitable ,jews1 and many heartless ,samaritans2 but the ,master's lesson was admirably illustrated by the characters in the parable2 and the words of ,his application were pungent in their simplicity and appropriateness4 ,,martha ,,and ,,mary4#iac ,on one of ,his visits to ,bethany1 a small town about two miles from ,jerusalem1 ,jesus was received at the home where dwelt two sisters1 ,martha and ,mary4 ,martha was housekeeper1 and therefore she assumed responsibility for the proper treatment of the distinguished ,guest4 ,while she busied herself with preparations and was cumbered about much serving1 well intended for the comfort and entertainment of ,jesus1 ,mary sat at the ,master's feet1 listening with reverent attention to ,his words4 ,martha grew fretful in her bustling anxiety1 and came in1 saying3 ,lord1 dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone8 bid her therefore that she help me4 ,she was talking to ,jesus but really at ,mary4 ,for the moment she had lost her calmness in undue worry over incidental details4 ,it is reasonable to infer that ,jesus was on terms of familiarity in the household1 else the good woman would scarcely have appealed to ,him in a little matter of domestic concern4 ,he replied to her complaining words with marked tenderness3 ,martha1 ,martha1 thou art careful and troubled about many things3 but one thing is needful3 and ,mary hath chosen that good part1 which shall not be taken away from her4 ,there was no reproof of ,martha's desire to provide well2 nor any sanction of possible neglect on ,mary's part4 ,we must suppose that ,mary had been a willing helper before the ,master's arrival2 but now that ,he had come1 she chose to remain with ,him4 ,had she been culpably neglectful of her duty1 ,jesus would not have commended her course4 ,he desired not well-served meals and material comforts only1 but the company of the sisters1 and above all their receptive attention to what ,he had to say4 ,he had more to give them than they could possibly provide for ,him4 ,jesus loved the two sisters and their brother as well4#iad ,both these women were devoted to ,jesus1 and each expressed herself in her own way4 ,martha was of a practical turn1 concerned in material service2 she was by nature hospitable and self-denying4 ,mary1 contemplative and more spiritually inclined1 showed her devotion through the service of companionship and appreciation4#iae ,by inattention to household duties1 the little touches that make or mar the family peace1 many a woman has reduced her home to a comfortless house2 and many another has eliminated the essential elements of home by her self-assumed and persistent drudgery1 in which she denies to her dear ones the cheer of her loving companionship4 ,one-sided service1 however devoted1 may become neglect4 ,there is a time for labor inside the home as in the open2 in every family time should be found for cultivating that better part1 that one thing needful--true1 spiritual development4 ,,ask1 ,,and ,,it ,,shall ,,be ,,given ,,you4#iaf ,and it came to pass1 that1 as he was praying in a certain place1 when he ceased1 one of his disciples said unto him1 ,lord1 teach us to pray4 ,our ,lord's example and the spirit of prayer manifest in ,his daily life moved the disciples to ask for instruction as to how they should pray4 ,no form of private prayer was given in the law1 but formal prayers had been prescribed by the ,jewish authorities1 and ,john the ,baptist had instructed his followers in the mode or manner of prayer4 ,responding to the disciples' request1 ,jesus repeated that brief epitome of soulful adoration and supplication which we call the ,lord's ,prayer4 ,this ,he had before given in connection with the ,sermon on the ,mount4#iag ,on this occasion of its repetition1 the ,lord supplemented the prayer by explaining the imperative necessity of earnestness and enduring persistency in praying4 ,the lesson was made plain by the ,parable of the ,friend at ,midnight3 ,and he said unto them1 ,which of you shall have a friend1 and shall go unto him at midnight1 and say unto him1 ,friend1 lend me three loaves2 ,for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me1 and ,i have nothing to set before him8 ,and he from within shall answer and say1 ,trouble me not3 the door is now shut1 and my children are with me in bed2 ,i cannot rise and give thee4 ,i say unto you1 ,though he will not rise and give him1 because he is his friend1 yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth4 ,the man to whose home a friend had come at midnight could not let his belated and weary guest go hungry1 yet there was no bread in the house4 ,he made his visitor's wants his own1 and pleaded at his neighbor's door as though asking for himself4 ,the neighbor was loath to leave his comfortable bed and disturb his household to accommodate another2 but1 finding that the man at the door was importunate1 he at last arose and gave him what he asked1 so as to get rid of him and be able to sleep in peace4 ,the ,master added by way of comment and instruction3 ,ask1 and it shall be given you2 seek1 and ye shall find2 knock1 and it shall be opened unto you4 ,the hospitable man in the parable had refused to be repulsed2 he kept on knocking until the door was opened2 and as a result received what he wanted1 found what he had set out to obtain4 ,the parable is regarded by some as a difficult one to apply1 since it deals with the selfish and comfort-loving element of human nature1 and apparently uses this to symbolize ,god's deliberate delay4 ,the explanation1 however1 is clear when the context is duly considered4 ,the ,lord's lesson was1 that if man1 with all his selfishness and disinclination to give1 will nevertheless grant what his neighbor with proper purpose asks and continues to ask in spite of objection and temporary refusal1 with assured certainty will ,god grant what is persistently asked in faith and with righteous intent4 ,no parallelism lies between man's selfish refusal and ,god's wise and beneficent waiting4 ,there must be a consciousness of real need for prayer1 and real trust in ,god1 to make prayer effective2 and in mercy the ,father sometimes delays the granting that the asking may be more fervent4 ,but in the words of ,jesus3 ,if ye then1 being evil1 know how to give good gifts unto your children3 how much more shall your heavenly ,father give the ,holy ,spirit to them that ask him8 ,sometime later ,jesus spake another parable1 the moral of which is so closely akin to that of the story of the midnight visitor1 as to suggest the study of the later lesson here4 ,it is known as the ,parable of the ,unjust ,judge1 or of the ,importunate ,widow3 ,there was in a city a judge1 which feared not ,god1 neither regarded man3 ,and there was a widow in that city2 and she came unto him1 saying1 ,avenge me of mine adversary4 ,and he would not for a while3 but afterward he said within himself1 ,though ,i fear not ,god1 nor regard man2 ,yet because this widow troubleth me1 ,i will avenge her1 lest by her continual coming she weary me4#iah ,the judge was of wicked character2 he denied justice to the widow1 who could obtain redress from none other4 ,he was moved to action by the desire to escape the woman's importunity4 ,let us beware of the error of comparing his selfish action with the ways of ,god4 ,jesus did not indicate that as the wicked judge finally yielded to supplication so would ,god do2 but ,he pointed out that if even such a being as this judge1 who feared not ,god1 neither regarded man1 would at last hear and grant the widow's plea1 no one should doubt that ,god1 the ,just and ,merciful1 will hear and answer4 ,the judge's obduracy1 though wholly wicked on his part1 may have been ultimately advantageous to the widow4 ,had she easily obtained redress she might have become again unwary1 and perchance a worse adversary than the first might have oppressed her4 ,the ,lord's purpose in giving the parable is specifically stated2 it was to this end1 that men ought always to pray1 and not to faint4#iai ,,criticism ,,on ,,pharisees ,,and ,,lawyers4#ibj ,varied comment as to the source of our ,lord's superhuman powers was aroused afresh by ,his merciful act of expelling a demon from a man1 who1 in consequence of this evil possession had been dumb4 ,the old ,pharisaic theory1 that ,he cast out devils through the power of ,beelzebub1 the chief of the devils1 was revived4 ,the utter foolishness of such a conception was demonstrated1 as it had been on an earlier occasion to which we have given attention4#iba ,the spiritual darkness1 in which evil men grope for signs1 the disappointment and condemnation that await them1 and other precious precepts1 ,jesus elucidated in further discourse4#ibb ,then1 by invitation ,he went to the house of a certain ,pharisee to dine4 ,other ,pharisees1 as also lawyers and scribes1 were present4 ,jesus intentionally omitted the ceremonial washing of hands1 which all others in the company scrupulously performed before taking their places at table4 ,this omission caused a murmur of disapproval if not an open expression of fault-finding4 ,jesus utilized the occasion by voicing a pungent criticism of ,pharisaic externalism1 which ,he likened to the cleansing of cups and platters on the outside1 while the inside is left filthy4 ,fools said ,he1 did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also8 ,in another form we may ask1 ,did not ,god who established the outward observances of the law1 ordain the inward and spiritual requirements of the gospel also8 ,in response to a question by one of the lawyers1 ,jesus included them in ,his sweeping reproof4 ,pharisees and scribes resented the censure to which they had been subjected1 and began to urge him vehemently1 and to provoke him to speak of many things3 laying wait for him1 and seeking to catch something out of his mouth1 that they might accuse him4 ,as our ,lord's recorded utterances on this occasion appear also in ,his final denunciation of ,pharisaism1 later delivered at the temple1 we may well defer further consideration of the matter until we take up in order that notable occurrence4#ibc ,,the ,,disciples ,,admonished ,,and ,,encouraged4#ibd ,popular interest in our ,lord's movements was strong in the region beyond ,jordan1 as it had been in ,galilee4 ,we read of ,him surrounded by an innumerable multitude of people1 insomuch that they trode one upon another4 ,addressing the multitude1 and more particularly ,his disciples1 ,jesus warned them of the leaven of the ,pharisees1 which ,he characterized as hypocrisy4#ibe ,the recent scene at the table of a ,pharisee gave special significance to the warning4 ,some of the precepts recorded in connection with ,his ,galilean ministry were here repeated1 and particular stress was laid upon the superiority of the soul to the body1 and of eternal life as contrasted with the brief duration of mortal existence4 ,one man in the company1 intent on selfish interests and unable to see beyond the material affairs of life1 spoke out saying1 ,master1 speak to my brother1 that he divide the inheritance with me4 ,jesus promptly refused to act as mediator or judge in the matter4 ,man1 who made me a judge or a divider over you8 was the ,master's rejoinder4 ,the wisdom underlying ,his refusal to interfere is apparent4 ,as in the case of the guilty woman who had been brought before ,him for judgment1#ibf so in this instance1 ,he refrained from intervention in matters of legal administration4 ,an opposite course would have probably involved ,him in useless disputation1 and might have given color to a complaint that ,he was arrogating to ,himself the functions of the legally established tribunals4 ,the man's appeal1 however1 was made the nucleus of valuable instruction2 his clamor for a share in the family inheritance caused ,jesus to say3 ,take heed1 and beware of covetousness3 for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth4 ,this combined admonition and profound statement of truth was emphasized by the ,parable of the ,foolish ,rich ,man4 ,thus runs the story3 ,the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully3 ,and he thought within himself1 saying1 ,what shall ,i do1 because ,i have no room where to bestow my fruits8 ,and he said1 ,this will ,i do3 ,i will pull down my barns1 and build greater2 and there will ,i bestow all my fruits and my goods4 ,and ,i will say to my soul1 ,soul1 thou hast much goods laid up for many years2 take thine ease1 eat1 drink1 and be merry4 ,but ,god said unto him1 ,thou fool1 this night thy soul shall be required of thee3 then whose shall those things be1 which thou hast provided8 ,so is he that layeth up treasure for himself1 and is not rich toward ,god4#ibg ,the man's abundance had been accumulated through labor and thrift2 neglected or poorly-tilled fields do not yield plentifully4 ,he is not represented as one in possession of wealth not rightfully his own4 ,his plans for the proper care of his fruits and goods were not of themselves evil1 though he might have considered better ways of distributing his surplus1 as for the relief of the needy4 ,his sin was twofold2 first1 he regarded his great store chiefly as the means of securing personal ease and sensuous indulgence2 secondly1 in his material prosperity he failed to acknowledge ,god1 and even counted the years as his own4 ,in the hour of his selfish jubilation he was smitten4 ,whether the voice of ,god came to him as a fearsome presentiment of impending death1 or by angel messenger1 or how otherwise1 we are not informed2 but the voice spoke his doom3 ,thou fool1 this night thy soul shall be required of thee4#ibh ,he had used his time and his powers of body and mind to sow1 reap and garner--all for himself4 ,and what came of it all8 ,whose should be the wealth1 to amass which he had jeopardized his soul8 ,had he been other than a fool he might have realized as ,solomon had done1 the vanity of hoarding wealth for another1 and he perhaps of uncertain character1 to possess4#ibi ,turning to the disciples ,jesus reiterated some of the glorious truths ,he had uttered when preaching on the mount1#icj and pointed to the birds of the air1 the lilies and grass of the field1 as examples of the ,father's watchful care2 ,he admonished ,his hearers to seek the kingdom of ,god1 and1 doing so1 they should find all needful things added4 ,fear not1 little flock1 ,he added in tone of affectionate and paternal regard1 for it is your ,father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom4 ,they were urged to store their wealth in bags that wax not old1#ica containers suited to the heavenly treasure which1 unlike the goods of the foolish rich man1 shall not be left behind when the soul is summoned4 ,the man whose treasure is of earth leaves it all at death2 he whose wealth is in heaven goes to his own1 and death is but the portal to his treasury4 ,the disciples were admonished to be ever ready1 waiting as servants wait at night with lights burning1 for their master's return2 and1 inasmuch as the lord of the household comes at his will1 in the early or later watches1 if when he comes he finds his faithful servants ready to open immediately to his knock he will honor them as they deserve4 ,so is the ,son of ,man to come1 perhaps when least expected4 ,to a question interjected by ,peter as to whether this parable was spoken to the ,twelve only or to all1 ,jesus made no direct reply2 the answer1 however1 was conveyed in the continuation of the allegory of contrast between faithful and wicked servants4#icb ,who then is that faithful and wise steward1 whom his lord shall make ruler over his household1 to give them their portion of meat in due season8 ,the faithful steward is a good type of the apostles1 individually or as a body4 ,as stewards they were charged with the care of the other servants1 and of the household2 and as to them more had been given than to the others1 so of them more would be required2 and they would be held to strict accountability for their stewardship4 ,the ,lord then referred feelingly to ,his own mission1 and especially to the dreadful experiences then soon to befall ,him1 saying3 ,i have a baptism to be baptised with2 and how am ,i straitened till it be accomplished6 ,he told again of the strife and dissension that would follow the preaching of ,his gospel1 and dwelt upon the significance of then current events4 ,to those who1 ever ready to interpret the signs of the weather1 yet remained wilfully blind to the important developments of the times1 ,he applied the caustic epithet1 hypocrites6#icc ,,except ,,ye ,,repent ,,ye ,,shall ,,all ,,likewise ,,perish4#icd ,some of the people who had been listening to our ,lord's discourse reported to ,him the circumstances of a tragical event that had taken place1 probably but a short time before1 inside the temple walls4 ,a number of ,galileans had been slain by ,roman soldiers1 at the base of the altar1 so that their blood had mingled with that of the sacrificial victims4 ,it is probable that the slaughter of these ,galileans was incident to some violent demonstration of ,jewish resentment against ,roman authority1 which the procurator1 ,pilate1 construed as an incipient insurrection1 to be promptly and forcibly quelled4 ,such outbursts were not uncommon1 and the ,roman tower or fortress of ,antonia had been erected in a commanding position overlooking the temple grounds1 and connected therewith by a wide flight of steps1 so that soldiers could have ready access to the enclosure at the first indication of turmoil4 ,the purpose of the informants who brought this matter to the attention of ,jesus is not stated2 but we find probability in the thought that ,his reference to the signs of the times had reminded them of the tragedy1 and that they were inclined to speculate as to the deeper significance of the occurrence4 ,some may have wondered as to whether the fate of the ,galilean victims had befallen them as a merited retribution4 ,anyway1 to some such conception as this ,jesus directed ,his reply4 ,by question and answer ,he assured them that those who had so been slain were not to be considered as sinners above other ,galileans2 ,but1 said ,he1 except ye repent1 ye shall all likewise perish4 ,then1 referring on ,his own initiative to another catastrophe1 ,he cited the instance of eighteen persons who had been killed by the fall of a tower at ,siloam1 and affirmed that these were not to be counted greater sinners than other ,jerusalemites4 ,but1 came the reiteration1 except ye repent1 ye shall all likewise perish4 ,there were perhaps some who believed that the men upon whom the tower had fallen had deserved their fate2 and this conception is the more probable if the generally accepted assumption be correct1 that the calamity came upon the men while they were engaged under ,roman employ in work on the aqueduct1 for the construction of which ,pilate had used the corban or sacred treasure1 given by vow to the temple4#ice ,it is not man's prerogative to pass upon the purposes and designs of ,god1 nor to judge by human reason alone that this person or that suffers disaster as a direct result of individual sin4#icf ,nevertheless men have ever been prone to so judge4 ,there are many inheritors of the spirit of ,job's friends1 who assumed his guilt as certain because of the great misfortunes and sufferings that had come upon him4#icg ,even while ,jesus spake1 calamity dark and dire was impending over temple1 city and nation2 and unless the people would repent and accept the ,messiah then in their midst1 the decree of destruction would be carried to its dread fulfilment4 ,hence1 as ,jesus said1 except the people repented they should perish4 ,the imperative need of reformation was illustrated by the ,parable of the ,barren ,fig ,tree4 ,a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard2 and he came and sought fruit thereon1 and found none4 ,then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard1 ,behold1 these three years ,i come seeking fruit on this fig tree1 and find none3 cut it down2 why cumbereth it the ground8 ,and he answering said unto him1 ,lord1 let it alone this year also1 till ,i shall dig about it1 and dung it3 ,and if it bear fruit1 well3 and if not1 then after that thou shalt cut it down4#ich ,in ,jewish literature1 particularly in rabbinical lore1 the fig tree is of frequent mention as a symbol of the nation4 ,the warning conveyed in the parable is plain2 the element of possible escape is no less evident4 ,if the fig tree represents the covenant people1 then the vineyard is naturally the world at large1 and the dresser of the vineyard is the ,son of ,god1 who by personal ministry and solicitous care makes intercession for the barren tree1 in the hope that it may yet bear fruit4 ,the parable is of universal application2 but so far as it had special bearing upon the ,jewish fig tree of that time1 it was attended by an awful sequel4 ,the ,baptist had cried out in warning that the ax was even then in readiness1 and every unfruitful tree would be hewn down4#ici ,a ,,woman ,,healed ,,on ,,the ,,sabbath4#idj ,on a certain ,sabbath ,jesus was teaching in a synagog1 of what place we are not told1 though it was probably in one of the towns of ,perea4 ,there was present a woman who for eighteen years had been suffering from an infirmity that had so drawn and atrophied the muscles as to bend her body so that she could in no wise straighten herself4 ,jesus called her to ,him1 and without waiting for petition or request1 said simply1 ,woman1 thou art loosed from thine infirmity4 ,these words ,he accompanied by the laying-on of hands1 a feature of ,his healing ministrations not always performed4 ,she was healed forthwith and stood erect2 and1 acknowledging the source of the power by which she had been released from her bonds1 glorified ,god in a fervent prayer of thanksgiving4 ,doubtless many of the beholders rejoiced with her2 but there was one whose soul was stirred by indignation only2 and he1 the ruler of the synagog4 ,instead of addressing himself to ,jesus1 of whose power he may have been afraid1 he vented his ill feeling upon the people1 by telling them there were six days in which men ought to work1 and that on those days they who wished to be healed should come1 but not on the ,sabbath4 ,the rebuke was ostensibly directed to the people1 especially to the woman who had received the blessing1 but in reality against ,jesus2 for if there were any element of work in the healing it had been done by ,him1 not by the woman nor by others4 ,upon the ruler of the synagog the ,lord turned with direct address3 ,thou hypocrite1 doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall1 and lead him away to watering8 ,and ought not this woman1 being a daughter of ,abraham1 whom ,satan hath bound1 lo1 these eighteen years1 be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day8 ,it may be inferred that the woman's affliction had been more deeply seated than in the muscles2 for ,luke who was himself a physician#ida tells us she had a spirit of infirmity1 and records the significant words of the ,lord to the effect that ,satan had held her bound for eighteen years4 ,but whatever her ailment1 whether wholly physical or in part mental and spiritual1 she was freed from her bonds4 ,again was the ,christ triumphant2 ,his adversaries were shamed into silence1 while the believers rejoiced4 ,the rebuke to the ruler of the synagog was followed by a brief discourse in which ,jesus gave to these people some of the teachings before delivered in ,galilee2 these included the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven4#idb ,,will ,,many ,,or ,,few ,,be ,,saved8#idc ,continuing ,his journey toward ,jerusalem1 ,jesus taught in many of the cities and towns of ,perea4 ,his coming had probably been announced by the ,seventy1 who had been sent to prepare the people for ,his ministry4 ,one of those who had been impressed by ,his doctrines submitted this question3 ,lord1 are there few that be saved8 ,jesus replied3 ,strive to enter in at the strait gate3 for many1 ,i say unto you1 will seek to enter in1 and shall not be able4#idd ,the counsel was enlarged upon to show that neglect or procrastination in obeying the requirements for salvation may result in the soul's loss4 ,when the door is shut in judgment many will come knocking1 and some will plead that they had known the ,lord1 having eaten and drunk in ,his company1 and that ,he had taught upon their streets2 but to them who had failed to accept the truth when offered the ,lord shall say3 ,i tell you1 ,i know you not whence ye are2 depart from me1 all ye workers of iniquity4 ,the people were warned that their ,israelitish lineage would in no wise save them1 for many who were not of the covenant people would believe and be saved1 while unworthy ,israelites would be thrust out4#ide ,so is it that ,there are last which shall be first1 and there are first which shall be last4 ,,jesus ,,warned ,,of ,,herod',s ,,design4#idf ,on the day of the discourse last noted1 certain ,pharisees came to ,jesus with this warning and advice3 ,get thee out1 and depart hence3 for ,herod will kill thee4#idg ,we have heretofore found the ,pharisees in open hostility to the ,lord1 or secretly plotting against ,him2 and some commentators regard this warning as another evidence of ,pharisaic cunning--possibly intended to rid the province of ,christ's presence1 or designed to drive ,him toward ,jerusalem1 where ,he would be again within easy reach of the supreme tribunal4 ,ought we not to be liberal and charitable in our judgment as to the intent of others8 ,doubtless there were good men in the fraternity of ,pharisees1#idh and those who came informing ,christ of a plot against ,his life were possibly impelled by humane motives1 and may even have been believers at heart4 ,that ,herod had designs against our ,lord's liberty or life appears most probable in the answer ,jesus made4 ,he received the information in all seriousness1 and ,his comment thereon is one of the strongest of ,his utterances against an individual4 ,go ye1 said ,he1 and tell that fox1 ,behold1 ,i cast out devils1 and ,i do cures to day and to morrow1 and the third day ,i shall be perfected4 ,the specifying of today1 tomorrow1 and the third day1 was a means of expressing the present in which the ,lord was then acting1 the immediate future1 in which ,he would continue to minister1 since1 as ,he knew1 the day of ,his death was yet several months distant1 and the time at which his earthly work would be finished and ,he be perfected4 ,he placed beyond doubt the fact that ,he did not intend to hasten ,his steps1 neither cut short ,his journey nor cease ,his labors through fear of ,herod ,antipas1 who for craft and cunning was best typified by a sly and murderous fox4 ,nevertheless it was ,christ's intention to go on1 and soon in ordinary course ,he would leave ,perea1 which was part of ,herod's domain1 and enter ,judea2 and at the foreknown time would make ,his final entry into ,jerusalem1 for in that city was ,he to accomplish his sacrifice4 ,it cannot be1 ,he explained1 that a prophet perish out of ,jerusalem4 ,the awful reality that ,he1 the ,christ1 would be slain in the chief city of ,israel wrung from ,him the pathetic apostrophe over ,jerusalem1 which was repeated when for the last time ,his voice was heard within the temple walls4#idi ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #bf4 #a4 ,christ's ,ministry ,following ,his ,final ,withdrawal ,from ,galilee4--,john tells us that when ,jesus went from ,galilee to ,jerusalem to attend the ,feast of ,tabernacles1 ,he went not openly1 but as it were in secret 7#g3aj74 ,it appears improbable that the numerous works recorded by the synoptic writers as features of our ,lord's ministry1 which extended from ,galilee through ,perea1 into ,samaria and parts of ,judea1 could have attended that special and1 as it were secret1 journey1 at the time of the ,feast of ,tabernacles4 ,the lack of agreement among writers as to the sequence of events in ,christs' life is wide4 ,a comparison of the ,harmonies published in the most prominent ,bible ,helps 7see e4g4 ,oxford and ,bagster ,helps7 exemplifies these divergent views4 ,the subject-matter of our ,lord's teachings maintains its own intrinsic worth irrespective of merely circumstantial incidents4 ,the following excerpt from ,farrar 7,life of ,christ1 chap4 #db7 will be of assistance to the student1 who should bear in mind1 however1 that it is professedly but a tentative or possible arrangement4 ,it is well known that the whole of one great section in ,st4 ,luke--from #i3ea to #ah3cj--;forms an episode in the ,gospel narrative of which many incidents are narrated by this ,evangelist alone1 and in which the few identifications of time and place all point to one slow and solemn progress from ,galilee to ,jerusalem 7#i3ea2 #ac3bb2 #ag3aa2 #aj3ch74 ,now after the ,feast of ,dedication our ,lord retired into ,perea1 until ,he was summoned thence by the death of ,lazarus 7,john #aj3dj1 #db2 #aa3a-df72 after the resurrection raising of ,lazarus1 ,he fled to ,ephraim 7#aa3ed72 and ,he did not leave ,his retirement at ,ephraim until ,he went to ,bethany1 six days before ,his final ,passover 7#ab3a74 ,this great journey1 therefore1 from ,galilee to ,jerusalem1 so rich in occasions which called forth some of ,his most memorable utterances1 must have been either a journey to the ,feast of ,tabernacles or to the ,feast of ,dedication4 ,that it could not have been the former may be regarded as settled1 not only on other grounds1 but decisively because that was a rapid and secret journey1 this an eminently public and leisurely one4 ,almost every inquirer seems to differ to a greater or less degree as to the exact sequence and chronology of the events which follow4 ,without entering into minute and tedious disquisitions where absolute certainty is impossible1 ,i will narrate this period of our ,lord's life in the order which1 after repeated study of the ,gospels1 appears to me to be the most probable1 and in the separate details of which ,i have found myself again and again confirmed by the conclusions of other independent inquirers4 ,and here ,i will only premise my conviction-- #a4 ,that the episode of ,st4 ,luke up to #ah3cj1 mainly refers to a single journey1 although unity of subject1 or other causes1 may have led the sacred writer to weave into his narrative some events or utterances which belong to an earlier or later epoch4 #b4 ,that the order of the facts narrated even by ,st4 ,luke alone is not1 and does not in any way claim to be1 strictly chronological2 so that the place of any event in the narrative by no means necessarily indicates its true position in the order of time4 #c4 ,that this journey is identical with that which is partially recorded in ,matt4 #ah3a2 #bj3af2 ,mark #aj3a-ca4 #d4 ,that 7as seems obvious from internal evidence7 the events narrated in ,matt4 #bj3ag-bh2 ,mark #aj3cb-de2 ,luke #ah3ca-cd1 belong not to this journey but to the last which ,jesus ever took--the journey from ,ephraim to ,bethany and ,jerusalem4 #b4 ,jesus at the ,home in ,bethany4--,some writers 7e4g4 ,edersheim7 place this incident as having occurred in the course of our ,lord's journey to ,jerusalem to attend the ,feast of ,tabernacles2 others 7e4g4 ,geikie7 assume that it took place immediately after that feast2 and yet others 7e4g4 ,farrar7 assign it to the eve of the ,feast of ,dedication1 nearly three months later4 ,the place given it in the text is that in which it appears in the scriptural record4 #c4 ,shall but ,few be ,saved8--,through latter-day revelation we learn that graded conditions await us in the hereafter1 and that beyond salvation are the higher glories of exaltation4 ,the specified kingdoms or glories of the redeemed1 excepting the sons of perdition1 are the ,celestial1 the ,terrestrial1 and the ,telestial4 ,those who obtain place in the ,telestial1 the lowest of the three1 are shown to be as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven1 or as the sand upon the seashore4 ,and these shall not be equal1 ,for they shall be judged according to their works1 and every man shall receive according to his own works1 his own dominion1 in the mansions which are prepared4 ,and they shall be servants of the ,most ,high1 but where ,god and ,christ dwell they cannot come1 worlds without end4 ,see ,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf3aaa1 #aab2 read the entire section2 see also ,the ,articles of ,faith xxii3#af-bg2 and p4 #fja herein4 ,,footnotes3 #hha ,john #aj3bb4 #hhb ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #hhc ,luke #i3ea4 #hhd ,john #aj3dj2 #aa3ed4 #hhe ,luke #i3ea-ef4 #hhf ,john #d3d-db2 page #agf herein4 #hhg ,luke #i3ed2 compare #b ,kings #a3aj1 #ab4 #hhh ,matt4 #aj3bc4 #hhi ,luke #i3eg-fb2 see pages #cje-cjg herein4 #hij ,luke #aj3a-ab4 #hia ,compare ,matt4 #i3cg1 #ch2 see also ,john #d3ce4 #hib ,edersheim 7vol4 ii1 p4 #ach7 says3 ,the expression 'if the son of peace be there' is a ,hebraism1 equivalent to 'if the house be worthy' 7compare ,matt4 #aj3ac7 and refers to the character of the head of the house and the tone of the household4 #hic ,compare ,matt4 #aj3ad2 page #cbi herein4 #hid ,compare the charge given the ,seventy with that of the ,twelve1 ,matt4 #aj3e-db2 ,mark #f3g-aa2 ,luke #i3a-e2 see page #cbh herein4 #hie ,matt4 #aj3e1 #f2 #ae3bd4 #hif ,matt4 #bh3ai2 ,mark #af3ae4 #hig ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ajg3be2 #abd3acg-adj2 see also ,articles of ,faith1 xi3#bj1 #bh4 ,the special office of the ,seventy has been reestablished in the restored ,church2 and in this1 the last dispensation1 many quorums of ,seventy are maintained for the work of the ministry4 ,the office of the ,seventy is one belonging to the ,higher or ,melchizedek ,priesthood4 #hih ,luke #aj3ac-ae2 compare ,matt4 #aa3bj-bd2 see page #beh herein4 #hii ,luke #aj3ag4 #ijj ,rev4 #i3a2 #ab3h1 #i2 see pages #f and #g herein4 #ija ,luke #aj3ai2 read verses #bj-bd4 #ijb ,compare ,mark #af3ah2 ,acts #bh3e4 #ijc ,rev4 #ab3i2 #bj3b2 compare ,gen4 #c3a-d1 #ad1 #ae4 #ijd ,compare ,rev4 #ac3h2 #bj3ab2 #ba3bg4 #ije ,compare ,mark #ab3ac2 see also ,luke #aa3ec1 #ed4 #ijf ,luke #aj3be-cg4 #ijg ,compare ,gen4 #bb3a4 #ijh ,compare ,matt4 #ai3af2 ,mark #aj3ag2 ,luke #ah3ah4 #iji ,luke #aj3bg2 compare ,deut4 #f3e1 and ,lev4 #ai3ah2 see also ,matt4 #bb3ce-dj4 #iaj ,luke #aj3cj-cg4 #iaa ,matt4 #ah3ba1 #bb2 compare ,luke #ag3d2 page #cib herein4 #iab ,deut4 #bb3d2 compare4 ,exo4 #bc3e4 #iac ,luke #aj3ch-db4 ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #iad ,john #aa3e4 #iae ,compare ,john #ab3b1 #c4 #iaf ,luke #aa3a-ac4 #iag ,pages #bch-bda4 #iah ,luke #ah3b-e2 read verses #a1 and #f-h4 ,see also ,doc4 and ,cov4 #aja3ha-id4 #iai ,luke #ah3a2 compare #ba3cf2 ,rom4 #ab3ab2 ,eph4 #f3ah2 ,col4 #d3b2 #a ,thess4 #e3ag4 #ibj ,luke #aa3cg-ed4 #iba ,luke #aa3ad-bh2 see page #bfe herein4 #ibb ,luke #aa3bi-cf2 see page #bgj herein4 #ibc ,matt4 #bc2 see chapter #ca herein4 #ibd ,luke #ab3a-ab4 #ibe ,page #cei4 #ibf ,page #djd4 #ibg ,luke #ab3ad-ba4 #ibh ,compare the fate that overtook ,nebuchadnezzar1 while the words of boastful pride were yet in his mouth 7,dan4 #d3bd-cc72 and that of ,belshazzar1 before whose eyes appeared the hand of destiny in the midst of his riotous feast2 in that night was the king's soul required of him4 7,dan4 #e47 #ibi ,eccles4 #b3ah1 #ai2 compare succeeding verses2 see also ,psa4 #ci3f3 #di3f-bj2 ,job #bg3 #af1 #ag4 #icj ,luke #ab3bb-ca2 compare ,matt4 #f3be-cd4 #ica ,compare ,matt4 #f3bj4 #icb ,luke #ab3ce-dh4 #icc ,luke #ab3di-eg2 compare ,matt4 #aj3cd-cg4 #icd ,luke #ac3a-e4 #ice ,josephus1 ,wars ii1 #i3d2 also page #ceb herein4 #icf ,compare ,john #i3b1 #c2 also page #dac herein4 #icg ,job #d3g2 #h3b-ad1 #bj2 #bb3e4 #ich ,luke #ac3f-i4 #ici ,luke #c3i4 #idj ,luke #ac3aa-ag4 #ida ,colos4 #d3ad4 #idb ,luke #ac3ai-ba2 see pages #bij1 #bia herein4 #idc ,luke #ac3bc-cj4 ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #idd ,compare ,matt4 #g3ac4 #ide ,compare ,matt4 #g3bc2 #h3aa1 #ab2 #ai3cj2 ,mark #aj3ca4 #idf ,luke #ac3ca-cc4 #idg ,in the revised version the last clause reads for ,herod would fain kill thee4 #idh ,paul the apostle had been a ,pharisee of the most pronounced type4 7,acts #bc3f2 #bf3e47 #idi ,luke #ac3cd1 #ce3 compare ,matt4 #bc3cg-ci4 ,,chapter #bg4 ,,continuation ,,of ,,the ,,perean ,,and ,,judean ,,ministry4 ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,chief ,,pharisees4#iej ,on a certain ,sabbath ,jesus was a guest at the house of a prominent ,pharisee4 ,a man afflicted with dropsy was there2 he may have come with the hope of receiving a blessing1 or possibly his presence had been planned by the host or others as a means of tempting ,jesus to work a miracle on the holy day4 ,the exercize of our ,lord's healing power was at least thought of if not openly intimated or suggested1 for we read that ,jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and ,pharisees1 saying1 ,is it lawful to heal on the ,sabbath day8#iea ,no one ventured to reply4 ,jesus forthwith healed the man2 then ,he turned to the assembled company and asked3 ,which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit1 and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day8#ieb ,the learned expositors of the law remained prudently silent4 ,observing the eager activity of the ,pharisee's guests in securing for themselves prominent places at table1 ,jesus instructed them in a matter of good manners1 pointing out not only the propriety but the advantage of decent self-restraint4 ,an invited guest should not select for himself the seat of honor1 for some one more distinguished than he may come1 and the host would say3 ,give this man place4 ,better is it to take a lower seat1 then possibly the lord of the feast may say3 ,friend1 go up higher4 ,the moral follows3 ,for whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased2 and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted4#iec ,this festive gathering at the house of the chief ,pharisee included persons of prominence and note1 rich men and officials1 leading ,pharisees1 renowned scholars1 famous rabbis and the like4 ,looking over the distinguished company1 ,jesus said3 ,when thou makest a dinner or a supper1 call not thy friends1 nor thy brethren1 neither thy kinsmen1 nor thy rich neighbours2 lest they also bid thee again1 and a recompence be made thee4 ,but when thou makest a feast1 call the poor1 the maimed1 the lame1 the blind3 ,and thou shalt be blessed2 for they cannot recompense thee3 for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just4 ,this bit of wholesome advice was construed as a reproof2 and some one attempted to relieve the embarrassing situation by exclaiming3 ,blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of ,god4#ied ,the remark was an allusion to the great festival1 which according to ,jewish traditionalism was to be a feature of signal importance in the ,messianic dispensation4 ,jesus promptly turned the circumstance to good account by basing thereon the profoundly significant ,parable of the ,great ,supper3 ,a certain man made a great supper1 and bade many3 ,and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden1 ,come2 for all things are now ready4 ,and they all with one consent began to make excuse4 ,the first said unto him1 ,i have bought a piece of ground1 and ,i must needs go and see it3 ,i pray thee have me excused4 ,and another said1 ,i have bought five yoke of oxen1 and ,i go to prove them3 ,i pray thee have me excused4 ,and another said1 ,i have married a wife1 and therefore ,i cannot come4 ,so that servant came1 and shewed his lord these things4 ,then the master of the house being angry said to his servant1 ,go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city1 and bring in hither the poor1 and the maimed1 and the halt1 and the blind4 ,and the servant said1 ,lord1 it is done as thou hast commanded1 and yet there is room4 ,and the lord said unto the servant1 ,go out into the highways and hedges1 and compel them to come in1 that my house may be filled4 ,for ,i say unto you1 ,that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper4#iee ,the story implies that invitations had been given sufficiently early to the chosen and prospective guests2 then on the day of the feast a messenger was sent to notify them again1 as was the custom of the time4 ,though called a supper1 the meal was to be a sumptuous one2 moreover1 the principal meal of the day was commonly spoken of as supper4 ,one man after another declined to attend1 one saying3 ,i pray thee have me excused2 another3 ,i cannot come4 ,the matters that engaged the time and attention of those who had been bidden1 or as we would say1 invited1 to the feast1 were not of themselves discreditable1 far less sinful2 but to arbitrarily allow personal affairs to annul an honorable engagement once accepted was to manifest discourtesy1 disrespect and practical insult toward the provider of the feast4 ,the man who had bought a field could have deferred the inspection2 he who had just purchased cattle could have waited a day to try them under the yoke2 and the newly married man could have left his bride and his friends for the period of the supper that he had promised to attend4 ,plainly none of these people wanted to be present4 ,the master of the house was justly angry4 ,his command to bring in the poor and the maimed1 the halt and the blind from the city streets must have appealed to those who listened to our ,lord's recital as a reminiscence of ,his counsel given a few minutes before1 concerning the kind of guests a rich man could invite with profit to his soul4 ,the second sending out of the servant1 this time into the highways and hedges outside the city walls1 to bring in even the country poor1 indicated boundless benevolence and firm determination on the householder's part4 ,explication of the parable was left to the learned men to whom the story was addressed4 ,surely some of them would fathom its meaning1 in part at least4 ,the covenant people1 ,israel1 were the specially invited guests4 ,they had been bidden long enough aforetime1 and by their own profession as the ,lord's own had agreed to be partakers of the feast4 ,when all was ready1 on the appointed day1 they were severally summoned by the ,messenger who had been sent by the ,father2 ,he was even then in their midst4 ,but the cares of riches1 the allurement of material things1 and the pleasures of social and domestic life had engrossed them2 and they prayed to be excused or irreverently declared they could not or would not come4 ,then the gladsome invitation was to be carried to the ,gentiles1 who were looked upon as spiritually poor1 maimed1 halt1 and blind4 ,and later1 even the pagans beyond the walls1 strangers in the gates of the holy city1 would be bidden to the supper4 ,these1 surprized at the unexpected summons1 would hesitate1 until by gentle urging and effective assurance that they were really included among the bidden guests1 they would feel themselves constrained or compelled to come4 ,the possibility of some of the discourteous ones arriving later1 after they had attended to their more absorbing affairs1 is indicated in the ,lord's closing words3 ,for ,i say unto you1 ,that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper4 ,,counting ,,the ,,cost4#ief ,as had been in ,galilee1 so was it in ,perea and ,judea--great multitudes attended the ,master whenever ,he appeared in public4 ,when once a scribe has presented himself as a disciple1 offering to follow wherever the ,master led1 ,jesus had indicated the self-denial1 privation and suffering incident to devoted service1 with the result that the man's enthusiasm was soon spent4#ieg ,so now to the eager multitude ,jesus applied a test of sincerity4 ,he would have only genuine disciples1 not enthusiasts of a day1 ready to desert ,his cause when effort and sacrifice were most needed4 ,thus did ,he sift the people3 ,if any man come to me1 and hate not his father1 and mother1 and wife1 and children1 and brethren1 and sisters1 yea1 and his own life also1 he cannot be my disciple4 ,and whosoever doth not bear his cross1 and come after me1 cannot be my disciple4 ,literal hatred toward one's family was not specified as a condition of discipleship2 indeed a man who indulges hatred or any other evil passion is a subject for repentance and reformation4 ,the preeminence of duty toward ,god over personal or family demands on the part of one who had assumed the obligations of a disciple was the precept4#ieh ,as ,jesus pointed out1 it is good common-sense to count well the cost before one enters upon a great undertaking1 even in ordinary affairs4 ,a man who wishes to build1 say a tower or a house1 tries to determine1 before he begins the work1 what the expense will be2 otherwise he may be able to do no more than lay the foundation2 then1 not only will he find himself a loser1 for the unfinished structure will be of no service1 but people may laugh at his lack of prudent forethought4 ,so also a king1 finding his realm menaced by hostile invaders1 does not rush into battle recklessly2 he first tries to ascertain the strength of the enemy's forces2 and then1 if the odds against him be too great1 he sends an embassage to treat for peace4 ,so likewise1 said ,jesus to the people around ,him1 whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath1 he cannot be my disciple4 ,all who entered ,his service would be expected to maintain their self-sacrificing devotion4 ,he wanted no disciples who would become like salt that had spoiled1 unsavory and useless4 ,he that hath ears to hear1 let him hear4#iei ,,salvation ,,for ,,publicans ,,and ,,sinners--,,illustrative ,,parables4#ifj ,the ,pharisees in ,galilee had intolerantly criticized ,jesus because of ,his friendly and helpful ministry among the publicans and their associates1 who were disparagingly classed together as publicans and sinners4#ifa ,he had replied to these uncharitable aspersions by saying that a physician is most needed by them that are sick1 and that ,he had come to call sinners to repentance4 ,the ,judean ,pharisees raised a similar complaint1 and were particularly virulent when they saw that all the publicans and sinners drew near to hear ,him4 ,he met their murmurs by presenting a number of parables1 designed to show the incumbent duty of trying to recover the lost1 and the joy of success in such ,god-like endeavor4 ,the first of the series of parables was that of the ,lost ,sheep2 this we have considered in connection with its earlier delivery in the course of instruction to the disciples in ,galilee4#ifb ,its application in the present instance1 however1 is somewhat different from that of its former presentation4 ,the lesson on this later occasion was directed to the self-seeking ,pharisees and scribes who personified the theocracy1 and whose bounden duty it should have been to care for the strayed and the lost4 ,if the publicans and sinners1 whom these ecclesiasts so generally contemned1 were nearly as bad as they were represented to be1 if they were men who had broken through the close-hedged path of the law and had become in a measure apostate1 they were the ones toward whom the helping hand of missionary service could be best extended4 ,in no instance of ,pharisaic slur upon1 or open denunciation of1 these publicans and sinners1 do we find ,jesus defending their alleged evil ways2 ,his attitude toward these spiritually sick folk was that of a devoted physician3 ,his concern over these strayed sheep was that of a loving shepherd whose chief desire was to find them out and bring them back to the fold4 ,this neither the theocracy as a system nor its officials as individual ministers even attempted to do4 ,the shepherd1 on finding the sheep that was lost1 thinks not at the time of reprimand or punishment2 on the contrary1 when he hath found it1 he layeth it on his shoulders1 rejoicing4 ,and when he cometh home1 he calleth together his friends and neighbours1 saying unto them3 ,rejoice with me2 for ,i have found my sheep which was lost4 ,a direct application of the parable appears in the ,lord's concise address to the ,pharisees and scribes3 ,i say unto you1 that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth1 more than over ninety and nine just persons1 which need no repentance4 ,were they the ninety and nine1 who1 by self-estimation had strayed not1 being just persons1 which need no repentance8 ,some readers say they catch this note of just sarcasm in the ,master's concluding words4 ,in the earlier part of the story1 the ,lord ,himself appears as the solicitous ,shepherd1 and by plain implication ,his example is such as the theocratic leaders ought to emulate4 ,such a conception puts the ,pharisees and scribes in the position of shepherds rather than of sheep4 ,both explications are tenable2 and each is of value as portraying the status and duty of professing servants of the ,master in all ages4 ,without break in the narrative1 the ,lord passed from the story of the lost sheep to the ,parable of the ,lost ,coin4 ,either what woman having ten pieces of silver1 if she lose one piece1 doth not light a candle1 and sweep the house1 and seek diligently till she find it8 ,and when she hath found it1 she calleth her friends and her neighbours together1 saying1 ,rejoice with me2 for ,i have found the piece which ,i had lost4 ,likewise1 ,i say unto you1 there is joy in the presence of the angels of ,god over one sinner that repenteth4 ,between this parable and that of the lost sheep there are certain notable differences1 though the lesson in each is in general the same4 ,the sheep had strayed by its own volition2 the coin#ifc had been dropped1 and so was lost as a result of inattention or culpable carelessness on the part of its owner4 ,the woman1 discovering her loss institutes a diligent search2 she sweeps the house1 and perhaps learns of dirty corners1 dusty recesses1 cobwebby nooks1 to which she had been oblivious in her self-complacency as an outwardly clean and conventional housewife4 ,her search is rewarded by the recovery of the lost piece1 and is incidentally beneficial in the cleansing of her house4 ,her joy is like that of the shepherd wending his way homeward with the sheep upon his shoulders--once lost but now regained4 ,the woman who by lack of care lost the precious piece may be taken to represent the theocracy of the time1 and the ,church as an institution in any dispensational period2 then the pieces of silver1 every one a genuine coin of the realm1 bearing the image of the great ,king1 are the souls committed to the care of the ,church2 and the lost piece symbolizes the souls that are neglected and1 for a time at least1 lost sight of1 by the authorized ministers of the ,gospel of ,christ4 ,these cogent illustrations were followed by one yet richer in imagery and more impressively elaborate in detail4 ,it is the never to be forgotten ,parable of the ,prodigal ,son4#ifd ,and he said1 ,a certain man had two sons2 ,and the younger of them said to his father1 ,father1 give me the portion of goods that falleth to me4 ,and he divided unto them his living4 ,and not many days after the younger son gathered all together1 and took his journey into a far country1 and there wasted his substance with riotous living4 ,and when he had spent all1 there arose a mighty famine in that land2 and he began to be in want4 ,and he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country2 and he sent him into his fields to feed swine4 ,and he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat3 and no man gave unto him4 ,and when he came to himself1 he said1 ,how many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare1 and ,i perish with hunger6 ,i will arise and go to my father1 and will say unto him1 ,father1 ,i have sinned against heaven1 and before thee1 ,and am no more worthy to be called thy son3 make me as one of thy hired servants4 ,and he arose1 and came to his father4 ,but when he was yet a great way off1 his father saw him1 and had compassion1 and ran1 and fell on his neck1 and kissed him4 ,and the son said unto him1 ,father1 ,i have sinned against heaven1 and in thy sight1 and am no more worthy to be called thy son4 ,but the father said to his servants1 ,bring forth the best robe1 and put it on him2 and put a ring on his hand1 and shoes on his feet3 ,and bring hither the fatted calf1 and kill it2 and let us eat1 and be merry3 ,for this my son was dead1 and is alive again2 he was lost1 and is found4 ,and they began to be merry4 ,now his elder son was in the field3 and as he came and drew nigh to the house1 he heard musick and dancing4 ,and he called one of the servants1 and asked what these things meant4 ,and he said unto him1 ,thy brother is come2 and thy father hath killed the fatted calf1 because he hath received him safe and sound4 ,and he was angry1 and would not go in3 therefore came his father out1 and intreated him4 ,and he answering said to his father1 ,lo1 these many years do ,i serve thee1 neither transgressed ,i at any time thy commandment3 and yet thou never gavest me a kid1 that ,i might make merry with my friends3 ,but as soon as this thy son was come1 which hath devoured thy living with harlots1 thou hast killed for him the fatted calf4 ,and he said unto him1 ,son1 thou art ever with me1 and all that ,i have is thine4 ,it was meet that we should make merry1 and be glad3 for this thy brother was dead1 and is alive again2 and was lost1 and is found4 ,the demand of the younger son for a portion of the patrimony even during his father's lifetime1 is an instance of deliberate and unfilial desertion2 the duties of family cooperation had grown distasteful to him1 and the wholesome discipline of the home had become irksome4 ,he was determined to break away from all home ties1 forgetful of what home had done for him and the debt of gratitude and duty by which he was morally bound4 ,he went into a far country1 and1 as he thought1 beyond the reach of the father's directing influence4 ,he had his season of riotous living1 of unrestrained indulgence and evil pleasure1 through it all wasting his strength of body and mind1 and squandering his father's substance2 for what he had received had been given as a concession and not as the granting of any legal or just demand4 ,adversity came upon him1 and proved to be a more effective minister for good than pleasure had been4 ,he was reduced to the lowest and most menial service1 that of herding swine1 which occupation1 to a ,jew1 was the extreme of degradation4 ,suffering brought him to himself4 ,he1 the son of honorable parentage1 was feeding pigs and eating with them1 while even the hired servants at home had good food in plenty and to spare4 ,he realized not alone his abject foolishness in leaving his father's well-spread table to batten with hogs1 but the unrighteousness of his selfish desertion2 he was not only remorseful but repentant4 ,he had sinned against his father and against ,god2 he would return1 confess his sin1 and ask1 not to be reinstated as a son1 but to be allowed to work as a hired servant4 ,having resolved he delayed not1 but immediately set out to find his long way back to home and father4 ,the father became aware of the prodigal's approach and hastened to meet him4 ,without a word of condemnation1 the loving parent embraced and kissed the wayward but now penitent boy1 who1 overcome by this undeserved affection1 humbly acknowledged his error1 and sorrowfully confessed that he was not worthy to be known as his father's son4 ,it is noteworthy that in his contrite confession he did not ask to be accepted as a hired servant as he had resolved to do2 the father's joy was too sacred to be thus marred1 he would please his father best by placing himself unreservedly at that father's disposal4 ,the rough garb of poverty was discarded for the best robe2 a ring was placed on his finger as a mark of reinstatement2 shoes told of restored sonship1 not of employment as a hired servant4 ,the father's glad heart could express itself only in acts of abundant kindness2 a feast was made ready2 for was not the son1 once counted as dead now alive8 ,had not the lost been found again8 ,so far the story sustains a relation of close analogy to the two parables that preceded it in the same discourse2 the part following introduces another important symbolism4 ,no one had complained at the recovery of the stray sheep nor at the finding of the lost coin2 friends had rejoiced with the finder in each case4 ,but the father's happiness at the return of the prodigal was interrupted by the grumbling protest of the elder son4 ,he1 on approaching the house1 had observed the evidences of festal joy2 and1 instead of entering as was his right1 had inquired of one of the servants as to the cause of the unusual rejoicing4 ,on learning that his brother had returned and that the father had prepared a festival in honor of the event1 this elder son grew angry1 and churlishly refused to enter the house even after his father had come out and entreated him4 ,he cited his own faithfulness and devotion to the routine labor of the farm1 to which claim of excellence the father did not demur2 but the son and heir reproached his father for having failed to give him so much as a kid with which to make merry with his friends2 while now that the wayward and spendthrift son had come back the father had killed for him even the fatted calf4 ,there is significance in the elder one's designation of the penitent as this thy son1 rather than my brother4 ,the elder son1 deafened by selfish anger1 refused to hear aright the affectionate assurance2 ,son1 thou art ever with me1 and all that ,i have is thine1 and with heart hardened by unbrotherly resentment he stood unmoved by the emotional and loving outburst1 this thy brother was dead1 and is alive again2 and was lost1 and is found4 ,we are not justified in extolling the virtue of repentance on the part of the prodigal above the faithful1 plodding service of his brother1 who had remained at home1 true to the duties required of him4 ,the devoted son was the heir2 the father did not disparage his worth1 nor deny his deserts4 ,his displeasure over the rejoicing incident to the return of his wayward brother was an exhibition of illiberality and narrowness2 but of the two brothers the elder was the more faithful1 whatever his minor defects may have been4 ,the particular point emphasized in the ,lord's lesson1 however1 had to do with his uncharitable and selfish weaknesses4 ,pharisees and scribes1 to whom this masterpiece of illustrative incident was delivered1 must have taken to themselves its personal application4 ,they were typified by the elder son1 laboriously attentive to routine1 methodically plodding by rule and rote in the multifarious labors of the field1 without interest except that of self1 and all unwilling to welcome a repentant publican or a returned sinner4 ,from all such they were estranged2 such a one might be to the indulgent and forgiving ,father1 this thy son1 but never to them1 a brother4 ,they cared not who or how many were lost1 so long as they were undisturbed in heirship and possession by the return of penitent prodigals4 ,but the parable was not for them alone2 it is a living perennial yielding the fruit of wholesome doctrine and soul-sustaining nourishment for all time4 ,not a word appears in condonation or excuse for the prodigal's sin2 upon that the ,father could not look with the least degree of allowance2#ife but over that sinner's repentance and contrition of soul1 ,god and the household of heaven rejoiced4 ,the three parables which appear in the scriptural record as parts of a continuous discourse1 are as one in portraying the joy that abounds in heaven over the recovery of a soul once numbered among the lost1 whether that soul be best symbolized by a sheep that had wandered afar1 a coin that had dropped out of sight through the custodian's neglect1 or a son who would deliberately sever himself from home and heaven4 ,there is no justification for the inference that a repentant sinner is to be given precedence1 over a righteous soul who has resisted sin2 were such the way of ,god1 then ,christ1 the one sinless ,man1 would be surpassed in the ,father's esteem by regenerate offenders4 ,unqualifiedly offensive as is sin1 the sinner is yet precious in the ,father's eyes1 because of the possibility of his repentance and return to righteousness4 ,the loss of a soul is a very real and a very great loss to ,god4 ,he is pained and grieved thereby1 for it is ,his will that not one should perish4#iff ,,disciples ,,instructed ,,by ,,parable4 ,addressing ,himself more directly to the disciples present1 who on this occasion probably comprized in addition to the apostles1 many believers1 including even some of the publicans1 ,jesus spake the ,parable of the ,unrighteous ,steward4#ifg ,and he said also unto his disciples1 ,there was a certain rich man1 which had a steward2 and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods4 ,and he called him1 and said unto him1 ,how is it that ,i hear this of thee8 give an account of thy stewardship2 for thou mayest be no longer steward4 ,then the steward said within himself1 ,what shall ,i do8 for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship3 ,i cannot dig2 to beg ,i am ashamed4 ,i am resolved what to do1 that1 when ,i am put out of the stewardship1 they may receive me into their houses4 ,so he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him1 and said unto the first1 ,how much owest thou unto my lord8 ,and he said1 ,an hundred measures of oil4 ,and he said unto him1 ,take thy bill1 and sit down quickly1 and write fifty4 ,then said he to another1 ,and how much owest thou8 ,and he said1 ,an hundred measures of wheat4 ,and he said unto him1 ,take thy bill1 and write fourscore4 ,and the lord commended the unjust steward1 because he had done wisely3 for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light4 ,the three preceding parables show forth their lessons through the relationship of close analogy and intimate similarities2 this one teaches rather by its contrast of situations4 ,the steward in the story was the duly authorized agent of his employer1 holding what we would call the power-of-attorney to act in his master's name4#ifh ,he was called to account because a report of his wastefulness and lack of care had reached the master's ears4 ,the steward did not deny his guilt1 and forthwith he received notice of dismissal4 ,considerable time would be required for making up his accounts preparatory to turning the stewardship over to his successor4 ,this interval1 during which he remained in authority1 he determined to use so far as possible to his own advantage1 even though he wrought further injustice to his master's interests4 ,he contemplated the condition of dependence in which he would soon find himself4 ,through unthrift and extravagance he had failed to lay by any store from his earnings2 he had wasted his own and his lord's substance4 ,he felt that he was unfit for hard manual labor2 and he would be ashamed to beg1 particularly in the community in which he had been a lavish spender and a man of influence4 ,with the desire to put others under some obligation to himself so that when he was deposed he could the more effectively appeal to them1 he called his lord's debtors and authorized them to change their bonds1 bills of sale1 or notes of hand1 so as to show a greatly decreased indebtedness4 ,without doubt these acts were unrighteous2 he defrauded his employer1 and enriched the debtors through whom he hoped to be benefited4 ,most of us are surprized to know that the master1 learning what his far-seeing though selfish and dishonest steward had done1 condoned the offense and actually commended him for his foresight1 because he had done wisely as our version reads1 or because he had done prudently as many scholars aver to be the better rendering4 ,in pointing the moral of the parable ,jesus said3#ifi ,for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light4 ,and ,i say unto you1 ,make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness2 that1 when ye fail1 they may receive you into everlasting habitations4 ,our ,lord's purpose was to show the contrast between the care1 thoughtfulness1 and devotion of men engaged in the money-making affairs of earth1 and the half hearted ways of many who are professedly striving after spiritual riches4 ,worldly-minded men do not neglect provision for their future years1 and often are sinfully eager to amass plenty2 while the children of light1 or those who believe spiritual wealth to be above all earthly possessions1 are less energetic1 prudent1 or wise4 ,by mammon of unrighteousness we may understand material wealth or worldly things4 ,while far inferior to the treasures of heaven1 money or that which it represents may be the means of accomplishing good1 and of furthering the purposes of ,god4 ,our ,lord's admonition was to utilize mammon in good works1 while it lasted1 for some day it shall fail1 and only the results achieved through its use shall endure4#igj ,if the wicked steward1 when cast out from his master's house because of unworthiness1 might hope to be received into the homes of these whom he had favored1 how much more confidently may they who are genuinely devoted to the right hope to be received into the everlasting mansions of ,god6 ,such seems to be part of the lesson4 ,it was not the steward's dishonesty that was extolled2 his prudence and foresight were commended1 however2 for while he misapplied his master's substance1 he gave relief to the debtors2 and in so doing he did not exceed his legal powers1 for he was still steward though he was morally guilty of malfeasance4 ,the lesson may be summed up in this wise3 ,make such use of your wealth as shall insure you friends hereafter4 ,be diligent2 for the day in which you can use your earthly riches will soon pass4 ,take a lesson from even the dishonest and the evil2 if they are so prudent as to provide for the only future they think of1 how much more should you1 who believe in an eternal future1 provide therefor6 ,if you have not learned wisdom and prudence in the use of unrighteous mammon1 how can you be trusted with the more enduring riches8 ,if you have not learned how to use properly the wealth of another1 which has been committed to you as steward1 how can you expect to be successful in the handling of great wealth should such be given you as your own8 ,emulate the unjust steward and the lovers of mammon1 not in their dishonesty1 cupidity1 and miserly hoarding of the wealth that is at best but transitory1 but in their zeal1 forethought1 and provision for the future4 ,moreover1 let not wealth become your master2 keep it to its place as a servant1 for1 ,no servant can serve two masters3 for either he will hate the one1 and love the other2 or else he will hold to the one1 and despise the other4 ,ye cannot serve ,god and mammon4 ,,derision ,,of ,,the ,,pharisees ,,met2 ,,another ,,illustrative ,,parables4#iga ,the ,pharisees1 who were covetous1 or more precisely stated1 who were lovers of money1#igb overheard the foregoing instructions to the disciples1 and openly scoffed at the ,teacher and the lesson4 ,what did this ,galilean1 who owned nothing but the clothes ,he wore1 know about money or the best way of administering wealth8 ,our ,lord's reply to their words of derision was a further condemnation4 ,they knew all the tricks of the business-world1 and could outdo the unrighteous steward in crafty manipulation2 and yet so successfully could they justify themselves before men as to be outwardly honest and straightforward2 furthermore1 they made ostentatious display of a certain type of simplicity1 plainness1 and self-denial1 in which external observances they asserted superiority over the luxury-loving ,sadducees2 they had grown arrogantly proud of their humility1 but ,god knew their hearts1 and the traits and practises they most esteemed were an abomination in ,his sight4 ,they posed as custodians of the law and expounders of the prophets4 ,the law and the prophets had been in force until the ,baptist's time1 since which the gospel of the kingdom had been preached1 and people were eager to enter it#igc though the theocracy strove mightily to prevent4 ,the law had not been invalidated2 easier were it that heaven and earth pass away than that one tittle of the law fail of fulfilment2#igd yet those ,pharisees and scribes had tried to nullify the law4 ,in the matter of divorce1 for example1 they1 by their unlawful additions and false interpretations1 had condoned even the sin of adultery4 ,the ,master gave as a further lesson the ,parable of the ,rich ,man and ,lazarus3 ,there was a certain rich man1 which was clothed in purple and fine linen1 and fared sumptuously every day3 ,and there was a certain beggar named ,lazarus1 which was laid at his gate1 full of sores1 ,and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table3 moreover the dogs came and licked his sores4 ,and it came to pass1 that the beggar died1 and was carried by the angels into ,abraham's bosom3 the rich man also died1 and was buried2 ,and in hell he lift up his eyes1 being in torments1 and seeth ,abraham afar off1 and ,lazarus in his bosom4 ,and he cried and said1 ,father ,abraham1 have mercy on me1 and send ,lazarus1 that he may dip the tip of his finger in water1 and cool my tongue2 for ,i am tormented in this flame4 ,but ,abraham said1 ,son1 remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things1 and likewise ,lazarus evil things3 but now he is comforted1 and thou art tormented4 ,and beside all this1 between us and you there is a great gulf fixed3 so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot2 neither can they pass to us1 that would come from thence4 ,then he said1 ,i pray thee therefore1 father1 that thou wouldest send him to my father's house3 ,for ,i have five brethren2 that he may testify unto them1 lest they also come into this place of torment4 ,abraham saith unto him1 ,they have ,moses and the prophets2 let them hear them4 ,and he said1 ,nay1 father ,abraham2 but if one went unto them from the dead1 they will repent4 ,and he said unto him1 ,if they hear not ,moses and the prophets1 neither will they be persuaded1 though one rose from the dead4#ige ,the afflicted beggar is honored with a name2 the other is designated simply as a certain rich man4#igf ,the two are presented as the extremes of contrast between wealth and destitution4 ,the rich man was clothed in the costliest attire1 purple and fine linen2 and his every-day fare was a sumptuous feast4 ,lazarus had been brought to the gates of the rich man's palace1 and there left1 a helpless mendicant1 his body covered with sores4 ,the rich man was attended by servitors ready to gratify his slightest desire2 the poor beggar at his gates had neither companions nor attendants except the dogs1 which like himself waited for the refuse from the rich man's table4 ,such is the picture of the two in life4 ,an abrupt change of scene brings into view the same two on the far side of the veil that hangs between the here and the hereafter4 ,lazarus died2 no mention is made of his funeral2 his festering body was probably thrown into a pauper's grave2 but angels bore his immortal spirit into ,paradise1 the resting place of the blessed and commonly known in the figurative lore of the rabbis as ,abraham's bosom4 ,the rich man also died2 his burial was doubtless an elaborate affair1 but we read not of any angelic escort receiving his spirit4 ,in hell he lifted up his eyes and saw1 afar1 ,lazarus at peace in the abode of ,abraham4 ,as a ,jew the man had often boasted of having ,abraham for his father2 and now the wretched spirit appealed to the patriarch of his race by the paternal address1 ,father ,abraham1 and asked only the boon of a single drop of water to be placed on his parched tongue2 this he prayed that ,lazarus1 the erstwhile beggar1 might bring4 ,the reply throws light on certain conditions existing in the spirit world1 though as in the use of parables generally1 the presentation is largely figurative4 ,addressing the poor tormented spirit as ,son1 ,abraham reminded him of all the good things he had kept for himself on earth1 whilst ,lazarus had lain a suffering1 neglected beggar at his gates2 now by the operation of divine law1 ,lazarus had received recompense1 and he1 retribution4 ,moreover1 to grant his pitiful request was impossible1 for between the abode of the righteous where ,lazarus rested and that of the wicked where he suffered there is a great gulf fixed1 and passage between the two is interdicted4 ,the next request of the miserable sufferer was not wholly selfish2 in his anguish he remembered those from whom he had been separated by death1 fain would he save his brothers from the fate he had met2 and he prayed that ,lazarus be sent back to earth to visit the ancestral home1 and warn those selfish1 pleasure-seeking1 and yet mortal brothers1 of the awful doom awaiting them except they would repent and reform4 ,there may have been in this petition an insinuation that had he been sufficiently warned he would have done better1 and would have escaped the torment4 ,to the reminder that they had the words of ,moses and the prophets1 which they should obey1 he replied that if one went to them from the dead they would surely repent4 ,abraham answered that if they would not heed ,moses and the prophets neither would they be persuaded1 though one rose from the dead4 ,in any attempt to interpret the parable as a whole or definitely apply any of its parts1 we should bear in mind that it was addressed to the ,pharisees as an instructive rebuke for the derision and scorn with which they had received the ,lord's warning concerning the dangers attending servitude to mammon4 ,jesus employed ,jewish metaphors1 and the imagery of the parable is such as would most directly appeal to the official expounders of ,moses and the prophets4 ,while as a practise it would be critically unfair to deduce doctrinal principles from parabolic incidents1 we cannot admit that ,christ would teach falsely even in parable2 and therefore we accept as true the portrayal of conditions in the world of the disembodied4 ,that righteous and unrighteous dwell apart during the interval between death and resurrection is clear4 ,paradise1 or as the ,jews like to designate that blessed abode1 ,abraham's bosom1 is not the place of final glory1 any more than the hell to which the rich man's spirit was consigned is the final habitation of the condemned4#igg ,to that preliminary or intermediate state1 however1 men's works do follow them2#igh and the dead shall surely find that their abode is that for which they have qualified themselves while in the flesh4 ,the rich man's fate was not the effect of riches1 nor was the rest into which ,lazarus entered the resultant of poverty4 ,failure to use his wealth aright1 and selfish satisfaction with the sensuous enjoyment of earthly things to the exclusion of all concern for the needs or privations of his fellows1 brought the one under condemnation2 while patience in suffering1 faith in ,god and such righteous life as is implied though not expressed1 insured happiness to the other4 ,the proud self-sufficiency of the rich man1 who lacked nothing that wealth could furnish1 and who kept aloof from the needy and suffering1 was his besetting sin4 ,the aloofness of the ,pharisees1 on which indeed they prided themselves1 as their very name1 signifying separatists1 expressed1 was thus condemned4 ,the parable teaches the continuation of individual existence after death1 and the relation of cause to effect between the life one leads in mortality and the state awaiting him beyond4 ,,unprofitable ,,servants4#igi ,from the ,pharisees1 ,jesus turned to ,his disciples and admonished them to diligence4 ,having cautioned them against unguarded utterances or actions at which others might take offense1 ,he proceeded to impress the absolute necessity of unselfish devotion1 toleration and forgiveness4 ,the apostles1 realizing the whole-souled service required of them1 implored the ,lord1 saying3 ,increase our faith4 ,they were shown that faith was less fitly reckoned in terms of quantity than by test of quality2 and the analogy of the mustard seed was again invoked4 ,and the ,lord said1 ,if ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed1 ye might say unto this sycamine tree1 ,be thou plucked up by the root1 and be thou planted in the sea2 and it should obey you4#ihj ,their faith could best be gaged by obedience and untiring service4 ,this was emphasized by the ,parable of the ,unprofitable ,servants4 ,but which of you1 having a servant plowing or feeding cattle1 will say unto him by and by1 when he is come from the field1 ,go and sit down to meat8 ,and will not rather say unto him1 ,make ready wherewith ,i may sup1 and gird thyself1 and serve me1 till ,i have eaten and drunken2 and afterward thou shalt eat and drink8 ,doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him8 ,i trow not4 ,so likewise ye1 when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you1 say1 ,we are unprofitable servants3 we have done that which was our duty to do4 ,the servant might well feel that after a day's work in the field he is entitled to rest2 but on reaching the house he finds other demands made upon him4 ,the master has a right to the servant's time and attention2 such was among the conditions under which the servant had been engaged2 and while his employer might thank him or give some substantial reward1 the servant cannot demand such recompense4 ,so the apostles1 who had given themselves entirely up to their ,master's service1 were not to hesitate nor demur1 whatever the effort or sacrifice required4 ,the best they could do would be no more than their duty required2 and1 without regard to the ,master's estimate of their worth1 they were to account themselves as unprofitable servants4#iha ,,ten ,,lepers ,,healed4#ihb ,in the course of ,his journey toward ,jerusalem ,jesus passed through the midst of ,samaria and ,galilee4 ,ten men afflicted with leprosy approached1 probably they came as near as the law permitted1 yet they were afar off4 ,these men were of mixed nationality2 the plague under which they suffered in common had made them companions in distress4 ,they cried aloud ,jesus1 ,master1 have mercy on us4 ,the ,lord answered3 ,go shew yourselves unto the priests4#ihc ,this instruction implied their ultimate healing2 obedience would be the test of their faith4 ,none who had been leprous could be lawfully restored to community life until pronounced clean by a priest4 ,the stricken ten hastened to obey the ,lord's command1 and it came to pass1 that1 as they went1 they were cleansed4#ihd ,one of the ten turned back1 and with loud voice glorified ,god2 then he prostrated himself at the feet of ,christ1 giving thanks4 ,we are told that the grateful one was a ,samaritan1 from which we infer that some or all of the others were ,jews4 ,pained over the lack of gratitude on the part of the nine1 ,jesus exclaimed3 ,were there not ten cleansed8 but where are the nine8 ,there are not found that return to give glory to ,god1 save this stranger4 ,and to the cleansed ,samaritan1 still worshiping at ,his feet1 the ,lord said3 ,arise1 go thy way3 thy faith hath made thee whole4 ,doubtless the nine who came not back were obedient to the strict letter of the ,lord's command2 for ,he had told them to go to the priests2 but their lack of gratitude and their failure to acknowledge the power of ,god in their restoration stand in unfavorable contrast with the spirit of the one2 and he was a ,samaritan4 ,the occurrence must have impressed the apostles as another evidence of acceptability and possible excellence on the part of aliens1 to the disparagement of ,jewish claims of superiority irrespective of merit4 ,,the ,,pharisee ,,and ,,the ,,publican4#ihe ,and he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous1 and despised others3 ,two men went up into the temple to pray2 the one a ,pharisee1 and the other a publican4 ,the ,pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself1 ,god1 ,i thank thee1 that ,i am not as other men are1 extortioners1 unjust1 adulterers1 or even as this publican4 ,i fast twice in the week1 ,i give tithes of all that ,i possess4 ,and the publican1 standing afar off1 would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven1 but smote upon his breast1 saying1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,i tell you1 this man went down to his house justified rather than the other3 for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased2 and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted4 ,we are expressly told that this parable was given for the benefit of certain ones who trusted in their self-righteousness as an assurance of justification before ,god4 ,it was not addressed to the ,pharisees nor to the publicans specifically4 ,the two characters are types of widely separated classes4 ,there may have been much of the ,pharisaic spirit of self-complacency among the disciples and some of it even among the ,twelve4 ,a ,pharisee and a publican went up to the temple to pray4 ,the ,pharisee prayed with himself2 his words can hardly be construed as a prayer to ,god4 ,that he stood while praying was not an impropriety1 for the standing attitude was usual in prayer2 the publican also stood4 ,the ,pharisee thanked ,god that he was so much better than other men2 he was true to his class1 a separatist who looked with disdain upon all who were not like him4 ,that he was not like this publican was made a point of special thanksgiving4 ,his boast1 that he fasted twice a week and gave tithes of all that he possessed1 was a specification of worthiness above what was required by the law as then administered2 he thus implied that ,god was his debtor4#ihf ,the publican1 standing afar off1 was so oppressed by his consciousness of sin and his absolute need of divine help1 that he cast down his eyes and smote upon his breast1 craving mercy as a penitent sinner4 ,the ,pharisee departed1 justified in his own conscience and before man1 prouder than ever2 the other went down to his house justified before ,god though still a despized publican4 ,the parable is applicable to all men2 its moral was summed up in a repetition of our ,lord's words spoken in the house of the chief ,pharisee3 ,for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased2 and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted4#ihg ,,on ,,marriage ,,and ,,divorce4#ihh ,while wending ,his way by short stages toward ,jerusalem1 and while still beyond or on the farther side of ,jordan1 and therefore in ,perean territory1 ,jesus was met by a body of ,pharisees1 who had come with the deliberate purpose of inciting ,him to say or do something on which they could base an accusation4 ,the question they had agreed to submit related to marriage and divorce1 and no subject had been more vehemently contested in their own schools and among their own rabbis4#ihi ,the crafty questioners may have hoped that ,jesus would denounce the adulterous state in which ,herod ,antipas was then living1 and so bring upon ,himself the fury of ,herodias1 to which the ,baptist had already died a victim4 ,is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause8 they asked4 ,jesus cited the original and eternal law of ,god in the matter2 and indicated the only rational conclusion to be drawn therefrom3 ,have ye not read1 that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female1 and said1 ,for this cause shall a man leave father and mother1 and shall cleave to his wife3 and they twain shall be one flesh8 ,wherefore they are no more twain1 but one flesh4 ,what therefore ,god hath joined together1 let not man put asunder4#iij ,god had provided for honorable marriage1 and had made the relation between husband and wife paramount even to that of children to parents2 the severing of such a union was an invention of man1 not a command of ,god4 ,the ,pharisees had a ready rejoinder3 ,why did ,moses then command to give a writing of divorcement1 and to put her away8 ,be it remembered that ,moses had not commanded divorce1 but had required that in case a man should separate from his wife he give her a bill of divorcement4#iia ,jesus made this fact plain1 saying3 ,moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives3 but from the beginning it was not so4 ,the higher requirement of the gospel followed3 ,and ,i say unto you1 ,whosoever shall put away his wife1 except it be for fornication1 and shall marry another1 committeth adultery3 and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery4#iib ,the ,mosaic provision had been but permissive1 and was justified only because of existing unrighteousness4 ,strict compliance with the doctrine enunciated by ,jesus ,christ is the only means by which a perfect social order can be maintained4 ,it is important to note1 however1 that in ,his reply to the casuistical ,pharisees1 ,jesus announced no specific or binding rule as to legal divorces2 the putting away of a wife1 as contemplated under the ,mosaic custom1 involved no judicial investigation or action by an established court4 ,in our ,lord's day the prevailing laxity in the matter of marital obligation had produced a state of appalling corruption in ,israel2 and woman1 who by the law of ,god had been made a companion and partner with man1 had become his slave4 ,the world's greatest champion of woman and womanhood is ,jesus the ,christ4#iic ,the ,pharisees retired foiled in purpose and convicted in conscience4 ,the ,lord's strict construction of the marriage bond was startling even to some of the disciples2 these came to ,him privately1 saying that if a man was so bound it would be better not to marry at all4 ,such a broad generalization the ,lord disapproved except so far as it might apply in special cases4 ,true1 there were some who were physically incapacitated for marriage2 others voluntarily devoted themselves to a celibate life1 and some few adopted celibacy for the kingdom of heaven's sake1 that thereby they might be free to render all their time and energy to the ,lord's service4 ,but the disciples' conclusion that it is not good to marry was true only in the exceptional instances stated4 ,marriage is honorable2#iid for neither man without woman nor woman without man can be perfect in the ,lord's sight4#iie ,,jesus ,,and ,,the ,,little ,,ones4#iif ,the next event of record is one of surpassing sweetness1 rich in precept and invaluable in example4 ,mothers brought their little children to ,jesus1 reverently desiring that the lives of those little ones be brightened by a sight of the ,master and be blessed by a touch of ,his hand or a word from ,his lips4 ,the circumstance appears in appropriate sequence to that of the ,lord's instructions concerning the sacredness of marriage and the sanctity of the home4 ,the disciples1 zealous that their ,master be not troubled unnecessarily1 and conscious of the continuous demands on ,his time and attention1 rebuked those who had so ventured to trespass4 ,even the disciples seem to have been yet under the influence of the traditional conception that women and children were of inferior status1 and that for such to seek the ,lord's attention was an act of presumption4 ,jesus was displeased over the misdirected zeal of ,his followers1 and rebuked them4 ,then ,he uttered that memorable sentence of infinite tenderness and divine affection3 ,suffer the little children to come unto me1 and forbid them not3 for of such is the kingdom of ,god4 ,taking the children one by one into ,his arms1 ,he laid ,his hands upon them and blessed them4#iig ,then said ,he3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of ,god as a little child1 he shall not enter therein4#iih ,,one ,,thing ,,thou ,,lackest4#iii ,jesus was accosted on the way by a young man1 who came running to meet or overtake ,him1 and who knelt at ,his feet1 inquiring3 ,good ,master1 what shall ,i do that ,i may inherit eternal life8 ,the question was asked in earnestness2 the questioner was in very different spirit from that of the lawyer who made a similar inquiry with the purpose of tempting the ,master4#ajjj ,jesus said3 ,why callest thou me good8 there is none good but one1 that is1 ,god4 ,this remark was no denial of sinlessness on the ,savior's part2 the young man had called ,him good by way of polite compliment rather than in recognition of ,his ,godship1 and ,jesus declined to acknowledge the distinction when applied in that sense4 ,the ,lord's remark must have deepened the young man's conception as to the seriousness of his question4 ,then said ,jesus3 ,if thou wilt enter into life1 keep the commandments4 ,to the further inquiry1 as to which commandments were meant1 ,jesus cited the prohibitions against murder1 adultery1 theft1 and the bearing of false witness1 and the requirements as to honoring parents1 and loving one's neighbor as one's self4 ,in simplicity and without pride or sense of self-righteousness1 the young man said3 ,all these things have ,i kept from my youth up3 what lack ,i yet8 ,his evident sincerity appealed to ,jesus1 who looked upon him lovingly and said3 ,one thing thou lackest3 go thy way1 sell whatsoever thou hast1 and give to the poor1 and thou shalt have treasure in heaven3 and come1 take up the cross1 and follow me4#ajja ,the young man was disappointed and saddened4 ,he had probably expected to hear the great ,teacher prescribe some one special observance1 by which excellence could be achieved4 ,luke tells us that the young man was a ruler2 this may mean that he was a presiding official in the local synagog or possibly a ,sanhedrist4 ,he was well versed in the law1 and had been strict in obedience thereto4 ,he desired to advance in good works and make clear his title to an eternal heritage4 ,but the ,master prescribed what he had least expected2 ,and he was sad at that saying1 and went away grieved3 for he had great possessions4 ,in his way1 he yearned for the kingdom of ,god1 yet more devotedly he loved his great possessions4 ,to give up wealth1 social position1 and official distinction1 was too great a sacrifice2 and the necessary self-denial was a cross too heavy for him to bear1 even though treasure in heaven and life eternal were offered him4 ,love of worldly things was this man's besetting weakness2 ,jesus diagnosed his case and prescribed a suitable remedy4 ,we are not warranted in saying that the same treatment would be best in all cases of spiritual defection2 but where the symptoms indicate the need1 it may be employed with confidence as to the cure4 ,gazing sorrowfully upon the retreating figure of the wealthy young ruler ,jesus said to the disciples3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven4 ,to impress the lesson more thoroughly ,he applied one of the figurative proverbs of the age1 and said3 ,it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle1 than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of ,god4#ajjb ,at this statement the disciples were amazed4 ,who then can be saved8 they wondered4 ,jesus understood their perplexity1 and encouraged them with the assurance that with ,god all things are possible4 ,thus were they given to understand that while wealth is a means of temptation to which many succumb1 it is no insuperable obstacle1 no insurmountable barrier1 in the way of entrance to the kingdom4 ,had the young ruler followed the advice called forth by his inquiry1 his possession of riches would have made possible to him meritorious service such as few are able to render4 ,willingness to place the kingdom of ,god above all material possessions was the one thing he lacked4#ajjc ,everyone of us may pertinently ask1 ,what do ,i lack8 ,,the ,,first ,,may ,,be ,,last1 ,,and ,,the ,,last ,,first4#ajjd ,the sorrowful departure of the rich young ruler1 whose great possessions were so much a part of his life that he could not give them up at the time1 though we may hope that he afterward did1 brought forth from ,peter an abrupt question1 which revealed the course of his thoughts and aspirations3 ,behold1 we have forsaken all1 and followed thee2 what shall we have therefore8 ,whether he spoke for himself alone1 or by his use of the plural we meant to include all the ,twelve1 is uncertain and unimportant4 ,he was thinking of the home and family he had left1 and a longing for them was pardonable2 he was thinking also of boats and nets1 hooks and lines1 and the lucrative business for which such things stood4 ,all these he had forsaken2 what was to be his reward8 ,jesus answered3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,that ye which have followed me1 in the regeneration when the ,son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory1 ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones1 judging the twelve tribes of ,israel4 ,it is doubtful that ,peter or any other of the ,twelve had ever conceived of so great a distinction4 ,the day of regeneration1 when the ,son of ,man shall sit on the throne of ,his glory1 as ,judge and ,king1 is even yet future2 but in that day1 those of the ,lord's ,twelve who endured to the end shall be enthroned as judges in ,israel4 ,the further assurance was given that every one that hath forsaken houses1 or brethren1 or sisters1 or father1 or mother1 or wife1 or children1 or lands1 for my name's sake1 shall receive an hundredfold1 and shall inherit everlasting life4 ,rewards of such transcendent worth could scarcely be reckoned or their meaning comprehended4 ,lest those to whom they were promised might count too surely upon successful attainment1 to the neglect of effort1 and become proud withal1 the ,lord added this profound precept of caution3 ,but many that are first shall be last2 and the last shall be first4 ,it was the text of the sermon known to us as the ,parable of the ,laborers4#ajje ,hear it3 ,for the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder1 which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard4 ,and when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day1 he sent them into his vineyard4 ,and he went out about the third hour1 and saw others standing idle in the marketplace1 and said unto them3 ,go ye also into the vineyard1 and whatsoever is right ,i will give you4 ,and they went their way4 ,again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour1 and did likewise4 ,and about the eleventh hour he went out1 and found others standing idle1 and saith unto them1 ,why stand ye here all the day idle8 ,they say unto him1 ,because no man hath hired us4 ,he saith unto them1 ,go ye also into the vineyard2 and whatsoever is right1 that shall ye receive4 ,so when even was come1 the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward1 ,call the labourers1 and give them their hire1 beginning from the last unto the first4 ,and when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour1 they received every man a penny4 ,but when the first came1 they supposed that they should have received more2 and they likewise received every man a penny4 ,and when they had received it1 they murmured against the goodman of the house1 saying1 ,these last have wrought but one hour1 and thou hast made them equal unto us1 which have borne the burden and heat of the day4 ,but he answered one of them1 and said1 ,friend1 ,i do thee no wrong3 didst not thou agree with me for a penny8 ,take that thine is1 and go thy way3 ,i will give unto this last1 even as unto thee4 ,is it not lawful for me to do what ,i will with mine own8 ,is thine eye evil1 because ,i am good8 ,so the last shall be first1 and the first last3 for many be called1 but few chosen4 ,the procedure of a householder going into the marketplace to hire laborers was common to the time and place1 and is still an ordinary occurrence in many lands4 ,the first to be hired in the course of the story made a definite bargain as to wages4 ,those who were employed at nine1 twelve1 and three o'clock respectively went willingly without agreement as to what they were to receive2 so glad were they to find a chance to work that they lost no time in specifying terms4 ,at five o'clock in the afternoon or evening1 when but a single hour of the working day remained1 the last band of laborers went to work1 trusting to the master's word that whatever was right they should receive4 ,that they had not found work earlier in the day was no fault of theirs2 they had been ready and willing1 and had waited at the place where employment was most likely to be secured4 ,at the close of the day1 the laborers came for their wages2 this was in accordance with law and custom1 for it had been established by statute in ,israel that the employer should pay the servant1 hired by the day1 before the sun went down4#ajjf ,under instructions1 the steward who acted as paymaster began with those who had been engaged at the eleventh hour2 and to each of them he gave a denarius1 or ,roman penny1 worth about fifteen cents in our money1 and the usual wage for a day's work4 ,this was the amount for which those who began earliest had severally bargained2 and as these saw their fellow-workers1 who had served but an hour1 receive each a penny1 they probably exulted in the expectation of receiving a wage proportionately larger1 notwithstanding their stipulation4 ,but each of them received a penny and no more4 ,then they complained2 not because they had been underpaid1 but because the others had received a full day's pay for but part of a day's work4 ,the master answered in all kindness1 reminding them of their agreement4 ,could he not be just to them and charitable to the rest if he so chose8 ,his money was his own1 and he could give of it as he liked4 ,were those grumblers justified in their evil displeasure because their master was charitable and good8 ,so1 said ,jesus1 passing directly from the story to one of the lessons it was designed to teach1 the last shall be first1 and the first last3 for many be called1 but few chosen4#ajjg ,the parable was plainly intended for the edification of the ,twelve4 ,it was called out by ,peter's question1 ,what shall we have therefore8 ,it stands as truly in force today as when it was delivered by the ,master1 as a rebuke of the bargaining spirit in the ,lord's work4 ,god needs workers1 and such as will labor faithfully and effectively are welcomed into the vineyard4 ,if1 before beginning they insist on the stipulation of a wage1 and this be agreed to1 each shall receive his penny provided he has not lost his place through idleness or transgression4 ,but those who diligently labor1 knowing that the ,master will give to them whatever is right1 and with thought for the work rather than for the wage1 shall find themselves more bountifully enriched4 ,a man may work for wages and yet not be a hireling4 ,between the worthy hired servant and the hireling there is the difference that distinguishes the shepherd from the sheep herder4#ajjh ,was there not a suggestion of the hireling's spirit in the query of even the first of the apostles1 ,what shall we have therefore8 ,the ,twelve had been called into service early in the ,savior's ministry2 they had responded to the call1 without promise of even a penny2 they were yet to feel the burden and heat of the day2 but they were solemnly cautioned against attempt or desire to fix their reward4 ,the ,master shall judge as to the deserts of each servant2 the wage at best is a free gift2 for on the basis of strict accounting who of us is not in debt to ,god8 ,the last called is as likely as the first to prove unworthy4 ,no general reversal is implied whereby all the late comers shall be advanced and all the early workers demoted4 ,many that are first shall be last was the ,lord's statement1 and by implication we may understand that not all the last1 though some of them1 may be counted among the first4 ,of the many called or permitted to labor in the vineyard of the ,lord1 few may so excel as to be chosen for exaltation above their fellows4 ,even the call and ordination to the ,holy ,apostleship is no guarantee of eventual exaltation in the celestial kingdom4 ,iscariot was so called and placed among the first2 now1 verily he is far below the last in the kingdom of ,god4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #bg4 #a4 ,rich ,men and ,their ,stewards4--',a certain rich man had a steward1' ,we learn here1 incidentally1 how evenly balanced are the various conditions of life in a community1 and how little of substantial advantage wealth can confer on its possessor4 ,as your property increases1 your personal control over it diminishes2 the more you possess the more you must entrust to others4 ,those who do their own work are not troubled with disobedient servants2 those who look after their own affairs1 are not troubled with unfaithful overseers4--,arnot's ,parables of our ,lord1 p4 #ded4 #b4 ,the ,mammon of ,unrighteousness4--,the revised version of ,luke #af3i1 reads3 ,and ,i say unto you1 ,make to yourself friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness1 that1 when it shall fail1 they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles4 ,the ,lord's counsel to the disciples was to so use worldly wealth as to accomplish good thereby1 that when it1 i4e4 all earthly possessions1 fail1 they would have friends to welcome them into the eternal tabernacles or heavenly mansions4 ,in studying a parable based on contrasts1 such as this one is1 care must be exercized not to carry too far any one point of analogy4 ,thus1 we cannot reasonably gather that ,jesus intended even to intimate that the prerogative of receiving any soul into the eternal tabernacles or excluding therefrom1 rests with those who on earth had been benefited or injured through that person's acts1 except so far as their witness to his deeds may be taken into account in the final judgment4 ,the whole parable is full of wisdom for him who is in search of such2 to the hypercritical mind it may appear inconsistent1 as so it did appear to the ,pharisees who derided ,jesus for the story ,he had told4 ,luke #af3ad is rendered in the revised version1 ,and the ,pharisees1 who were lovers of money1 heard all these things2 and they scoffed at him4 #c4 ,lazarus and ,dives4--,of all our ,lord's recorded parables this is the only one in which a personal name is applied to any of the characters4 ,the name ,lazarus used in the parable was also the true name of a man whom ,jesus loved1 and who1 subsequent to the delivery of this parable1 was restored to life after he had lain for days in the tomb4 ,the name1 a ,greek variant of ,eleazar1 signifies ,god is my help4 ,in many theological writings1 the rich man of this parable is called ,dives1 but the name is not of scriptural usage4 ,dives is a ,latin adjective meaning rich4 ,lazarus the brother of ,martha and ,mary 7,john #aa3a1 #b1 #e7 is one of three men mentioned by name as subjects of our ,lord's beneficent miracles2 the other two are ,bartimeus 7,mark #aj3df7 and ,malchus 7,john #ah3aj74 ,commenting on the fact that our ,lord gave a name to the beggar but left the rich man nameless in the parable1 ,augustine 7in ,sermon xli7 suggestively asks3 ,seems ,he not to you to have been reading from that book where ,he found the name of the poor man written1 but found not the name of the rich2 for that book is the ,book of ,life8 #d4 ,divergent ,views ,concerning ,divorce4--,in relation to the different opinions upon this subject among ,jewish authorities in the time of ,christ1 ,geikie 7vol4 ii1 p4 #cdg-h7 says3 ,among the questions of the day fiercely debated between the great rival schools of ,hillel and ,shammai1 no one was more so than that of divorce4 ,the school of ,hillel contended that a man had a right to divorce his wife for any cause he might assign1 if it were no more than his having ceased to love her1 or his having seen one he liked better1 or her having cooked a dinner badly4 ,the school of ,shammai1 on the contrary1 held that divorce could be issued only for the crime of adultery1 and offences against chastity4 ,if it were possible to get ,jesus to pronounce in favor of either school1 the hostility of the other would be roused1 and hence1 it seemed a favorable chance for compromising ,him4 ,the following from ,dummelow's ,commentary1 dealing with ,matt4 #e3cb1 is further illustrative3 ,rabbi ,akiba 7,hillelite7 said1 ',if a man sees a woman handsomer than his own wife he may put her his wife away1 because it is said1 ,if she find not favor in his eyes4' ,the school of ,hillel said ',if the wife cook her husband's food ill1 by over-salting or over-roasting it1 she is to be put away4' ,on the other hand ,rabbi ,jochanan 7a ,shammaite7 said ',the putting away of a wife is odious4' ,both schools agreed that a divorced wife could not be taken back4444 ,rabbi ,chananiah said ',god has not subscribed ,his name to divorces1 except among ,israelites1 as if ,he had said3 ,i have conceded to the ,israelites the right of dismissing their wives2 but to the ,gentiles ,i have not conceded it4' ,jesus retorts that it is not the privilege but the infamy and reproach of ,israel1 that ,moses found it necessary to tolerate divorce4 #e4 ,jesus the ,ennobler of ,woman4--,geikie thus paraphrases part of ,christ's reply to the ,pharisee's question concerning divorce1 and comments thereon4 ',i say1 therefore1 that whoever puts away his wife1 except for fornication1 which destroys the very essence of marriage by dissolving the oneness it had formed1 and shall marry another1 commits adultery2 and whoever marries her who is put away for any other cause commits adultery1 because the woman is still1 in ,god's sight1 wife of him who had divorced her4' ,this statement was of far deeper moment than the mere silencing of malignant spies4 ,it was designed to set forth for all ages the law of ,his ,new ,kingdom in the supreme matter of family life4 ,it swept away for ever from ,his ,society the conception of woman as a mere toy or slave of man1 and based true relations of the sexes on the eternal foundation of truth1 right1 honor1 and love4 ,to ennoble the ,house and the ,family by raising woman to her true position was essential to the future stability of ,his ,kingdom1 as one of purity and spiritual worth4 ,by making marriage indissoluble1 ,he proclaimed the equal rights of woman and man within the limits of the family1 and1 in this1 gave their charter of nobility to the mothers of the world4 ,for her nobler position in the ,christian era1 compared with that granted her in antiquity1 woman is indebted to ,jesus ,christ4--,life and ,words of ,christ1 vol4 ii1 p4 #cdi4 #f4 ,the ,blessing of ,children4--,when ,christ1 a resurrected ,being1 appeared among the ,nephites on the western continent1 ,he took the children1 one by one1 and blessed them2 and the assembled multitude saw the little ones encircled as with fire1 while angels ministered unto them4 7#c ,nephi #ag3aa-be47 ,through modern revelation the ,lord has directed that all children born in the ,church be brought for blessing to those who are authorized to administer this ordinance of the ,holy ,priesthood4 ,the commandment is as follows3 ,every member of the church of ,christ having children1 is to bring them unto the elders before the church1 who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 and bless them in ,his name4 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #bj3gj47 ,accordingly1 it is now the custom in the ,church to bring the little ones to the ,fast-day service in the several wards1 at which they are received one by one into the arms of the elders1 and blessed1 names being given them at the same time4 ,the father of the child1 if he be an elder1 is expected to participate in the ordinance4 ,the blessing of children is in no sense analogous to1 far less is it a substitution for1 the ordinance of baptism1 which is to be administered only to those who have come to years of understanding1 and who are capable of repentance4 ,as the author has written elsewhere1 ,some point to the incident of ,christ blessing little children1 and rebuking those who would forbid the little ones coming unto ,him1 7,matt4 #ai3ac2 ,mark #aj3ac2 ,luke #ah3ae7 as an evidence in favor of infant baptism2 but1 as has been tersely said3--',from the action of ,christ's blessing infants1 to infer they are to be baptized1 proves nothing so much as that there is a want of better argument2 for the conclusion would with more probability be derived thus3 ,christ blessed infants1 and so dismissed them1 but baptized them not2 therefore infants are not to be baptized4'--,the author1 ,articles of ,faith1 vi3#ad4 ,see paragraphs #aa-ag in same lecture4 #g4 ,the ,camel and the ,needle's ,eye4--,in comparing the difficulty of a rich man entering the kingdom with that of a camel passing through the eye of a needle1 ,jesus used a rhetorical figure1 which1 strong and prohibitory as it appears in our translation1 was of a type familiar to those who heard the remark4 ,there was a common ,jewish proverb1 that a man did not even in his dreams see an elephant pass through the eye of a needle 7,edersheim74 ,some interpreters insist that a rope1 not a camel1 was mentioned by ,jesus1 and these base their contention on the fact that the ,greek word kamelos 7camel7 differs in but a single letter from kamilos 7rope71 and that the alleged error of substituting camel for rope in the scriptural text is chargeable to the early copyists4 ,farrar 7p4 #dgf7 rejects this possible interpretation on the ground that proverbs involving comparisons of a kind with that of a camel passing through the eye of a needle are common in the ,talmud4 ,it has been asserted that the term needle's eye was applied to a small door or wicket set in or alongside the great gates in the walls of cities2 and the assumption has been raised that ,jesus had such a wicket in mind when ,he spoke of the seeming impossibility of a camel passing through a needle's eye4 ,it would be possible though very difficult for a camel to squeeze its way through the little gate1 and it could in no wise do so except when relieved of its load and stripped of all its harness4 ,if this conception be correct1 we may find additional similitude between the fact that the camel must first be unloaded and stripped1 however costly its burden or rich its accoutrement1 and the necessity of the rich young ruler1 and so of any man1 divesting himself of the burden and trappings of wealth1 if he would enter by the narrow way that leadeth into the kingdom4 ,the ,lord's exposition of ,his saying is all-sufficient for the purposes of the lesson3 ,with men this is impossible1 but with ,god all things are possible4 7,matt4 #ai3bf47 #h4 ,undue ,concern as to ,wages in the ,lord's ,service4--,the instructive and inspiring ,parable of the ,laborers was called forth by ,peter's question of self-interest--,what shall we have therefore8 ,in tender mercy the ,lord refrained from directly rebuking ,his impulsive servant for undue concern as to the wage to be expected2 but ,he turned the incident to excellent purpose by making it the text of a valuable lesson4 ,the following treatment by ,edersheim 7vol4 ii1 p4 #daf7 is worth consideration4 ,there was here deep danger to the disciples3 danger of lapsing into feelings akin to those with which the ,pharisees viewed the pardoned publicans1 or the elder son in the parable his younger brother2 danger of misunderstanding the right relations1 and with it the very character of the kingdom1 and of work in and for it4 ,it is to this that the ,parable of the ,laborers in the ,vineyard refers4 ,the principle which ,christ lays down is1 that1 while nothing done for ,him shall lose its reward1 yet1 from one reason or another1 no forecast can be made1 no inferences of self-righteousness may be drawn4 ,it does not by any means follow1 that most work done--at least1 to our seeing and judging--shall entail a greater reward4 ,on the contrary1 'many that are first shall be last2 and the last shall be first4' ,not all1 nor yet always and necessarily1 but 'many4' ,and in such cases no wrong has been done2 there exists no claim1 even in view of the promises of due acknowledgment of work4 ,spiritual pride and self assertion can only be the outcome either of misunderstanding ,god's relation to us1 or else of a wrong state of mind towards others--that is1 it betokens mental or moral unfitness4 ,of this the ,parable of the ,laborers is an illustration4444 ,but1 while illustrating how it may come that some who were first are last1 and how utterly mistaken or wrong is the thought that they must necessarily receive more than others1 who1 seemingly1 have done more--how1 in short1 work for ,christ is not a ponderable quantity1 so much for so much1 nor yet we be the judges of when and why a worker has come--it also conveys much that is new1 and1 in many respects1 most comforting4 ,,footnotes3 #iej ,luke #ad3a-bd4 #iea ,the question is identical with that asked of ,jesus in the synagog at ,capernaum preliminary to the healing of the man with the withered hand 7,matt4 #ab3aj74 #ieb ,exo4 #bc3e2 ,deut4 #bb3d2 ,luke #ac3ae4 #iec ,compare ,matt4 #bc3ab2 ,luke #a3eb2 #ah3ad2 ,james #d3f2 #a ,peter #e3e4 #ied ,compare ,matt4 #h3aa2 ,rev4 #ai3i4 ,the expression eat bread is a ,hebraism1 signifying eating in full as at a feast rather than partaking of bread only4 #iee ,luke #ad3af-bd4 ,compare the parable relating to the marriage of the king's son 7,matt4 #bb3b-aj72 study points of resemblance and difference between the two and the distinctive lessons of each4 ,see page #ecf4 #ief ,luke #ad3be-ce4 #ieg ,matt4 #h3ai1 #bj2 compare ,luke #i3eg1 #eh2 page #cje herein4 #ieh ,compare the requirement under the ,mosaic administration1 ,deut4 #ac3f-aa2 and note the application of the principle to the apostles1 ,matt4 #aj3cg-ci4 #iei ,compare ,matt4 #e3ac2 ,mark #i3ej #ifj ,luke #ae4 #ifa ,matt4 #i3aj-ac2 ,mark #b3ae-ag2 ,luke #e3bi-cb4 ,see page #aic herein4 #ifb ,matt4 #ah3ab-ad4 ,see page #chi herein4 #ifc ,that the lost piece of silver was a coin1 and not a piece of unstamped bullion nor an ornament1 is apparent from the original1 drachma1 a silver coin4 ,see page #chd herein4 #ifd ,luke #ae3aa-cb4 #ife ,compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #a3ca2 ,b4 of ,m41 ,alma #de3af4 #iff ,compare ,matt4 #ah3ad2 ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #a3ci4 #ifg ,luke #af3a-h4 #ifh ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #ifi ,luke #af3i-ac4 #igj ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #iga ,luke #af3ad-ca4 #igb ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #igc ,revised version1 ,luke #af3af3 ,the law and the prophets were until ,john2 from that time the gospel of the kingdom of ,god is preached1 and every man entereth violently into it4 #igd ,compare ,matt4 #e3ah2 see page #bcc herein4 #ige ,luke #af3ai-ca4 #igf ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #igg ,compare ,b4 of ,m41 ,alma #dj3aa-ad2 see ,articles of ,faith1 xxi1 ,note #e4 ,the ,intermediate ,state of the ,soul4 #igh ,rev4 #ad3ac4 #igi ,luke #ag3a-aj4 #ihj ,compare ,matt4 #ag3bj2 #ba3ba2 ,mark #i3bc2 #aa3bc2 see page #cha herein4 #iha ,compare ,job #bb3c2 #ce3g4 #ihb ,luke #ag3aa-ai4 ,many writers treat this occurrence as having immediately followed the repulse of ,jesus and the apostles in a certain ,samaritan village 7,luke #i3eb-ef74 ,we give it place in the order followed by ,luke1 the sole recorder of the two incidents4 #ihc ,compare ,lev4 #ac3b2 #ad3b2 see also page #ahi herein4 #ihd ,compare case of ,naaman the ,syrian1 #b ,kings #e3ad4 #ihe ,luke #ah3i-ad4 ,luke's narrative1 the order of which we have followed in the events succeeding ,christ's departure from ,jerusalem after the ,feast of ,tabernacles1 includes our ,lord's reply to the ,pharisee's question as to when the kingdom of ,god should come1 and additions thereto 7#ag3bj-cg72 these matters were afterward treated with greater fulness in a discourse near ,jerusalem 7,matt4 #bd7 and will be considered in connection with that later event4 ,the ,parable of the ,importunate ,widow 7,luke #ah3a-g7 has already received attention1 7page #dcf74 #ihf ,note to what blasphemous extreme the doctrine of supererogation1 or excess of merit1 was carried by the papacy in the #acth century2 see ,the ,great ,apostasy1 #iac-ae4 #ihg ,compare ,luke #ad3aa4 #ihh ,matt4 #ai3c-ab2 see also ,mark #aj3b-ab4 ,this subject is introduced by ,matthew and ,mark directly preceding that of ,christ blessing little children2 which latter is recorded by ,luke next after the ,parable of the ,pharisee and the ,publican4 ,we therefore turn from ,luke's record to the accounts given by the other synoptic writers4 #ihi ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #iij ,compare ,gen4 #a3bg2 #b3bd2 #e3b2 ,eph4 #e3ca4 #iia ,deut4 #bd3a-d4 #iib ,compare ,matt4 #e3cb2 ,luke #af3ah2 see also #a ,cor4 #g3aj-ac4 #iic ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #iid ,compare ,heb4 #ac3d4 #iie ,compare #a ,cor4 #aa3aa4 #iif ,mark #aj3ac-af2 compare ,matt4 #ai3ac-ae2 ,luke #ah3ae-ag4 #iig ,compare ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ag3aa-be4 ,see ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #iih ,page #chf4 #iii ,matt4 #ai3af-bf2 ,mark #aj3ag-bg2 ,luke #ah3ah-cj4 #ajjj ,luke #aj3be2 page #dbi herein4 #ajja ,this is ,mark's record1 7#aj3ba7 which is the most detailed of the three accounts4 #ajjb ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #ajjc ,consider the lessons of the parables of the ,hidden ,treasure1 and the ,pearl of ,great ,price1 pages #bib-d4 #ajjd ,matt4 #ai3bg-cj2 ,mark #aj3bh-ca2 ,luke #ah3bh-cj4 #ajje ,matt4 #bj3a-af4 ,the parable is the outgrowth of the events immediately preceding it4 ,matt4 #ai3bg-cj should be read as part of the narrative continued in chap4 #bj4 ,the existing division into chapters is unfortunate4 #ajjf ,deut4 #bd3ae4 #ajjg ,the concluding clause1 for many be called but few chosen1 is omitted from the revised version4 ,note #h1 end of chapter4 #ajjh ,page #daf4 ,,chapter #bh4 ,,the ,,last ,,winter4 ,,at ,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,dedication4#ajji ,jesus returned to ,jerusalem in time to attend the ,feast of ,dedication during the last winter of ,his earthly life4 ,this feast1 like that of ,tabernacles1 was one of national rejoicing1 and was celebrated annually for a period of eight days beginning on the #beth of ,chislev1#ajaj which corresponds in part to our ,december4 ,it was not one of the great feasts prescribed by ,mosaic statute1 but had been established in #afd or #afc ,b4,c4 at the time of the rededication of the ,temple of ,zerubbabel following the rehabilitation of the sacred structure after its profane desecration by ,antiochus ,epiphanes1 the pagan king of ,syria4#ajaa ,while the festival was in progress1 ,jesus went to the temple and was seen walking in the part of the enclosure known as ,solomon's ,porch4#ajab ,his presence soon became known to the ,jews1 who came crowding about ,him in unfriendly spirit1 ostensibly to ask questions4 ,their inquiry was3 ,how long dost thou make us to doubt8 ,if thou be the ,christ1 tell us plainly1 ,the mere asking of such a question evidences the deep and disturbing impression which the ministry of ,christ had produced among the official classes and the people generally2 in their estimation1 the works he had wrought appeared as worthy of the ,messiah4 ,the ,lord's reply was indirect in form1 though in substance and effect incisive and unmistakable4 ,he referred them to ,his former utterances and to ,his continued works4 ,i told you1 ,he said1 and ye believed not3 the works that ,i do in my ,father's name1 they bear witness of me4 ,but ye believe not1 because ye are not of my sheep1 as ,i said unto you4 ,my sheep hear my voice1 and ,i know them1 and they follow me3 ,and ,i give unto them eternal life2 and they shall never perish1 neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand4 ,my ,father1 which gave them me1 is greater than all2 and no man is able to pluck them out of my ,father's hand4 ,i and my ,father are one4 ,the reference to what had been before told was a reminder of ,his teachings on the occasion of an earlier sojourn among them1 when ,he had proclaimed ,himself as the ,i ,,am1 who was older and greater than ,abraham1 and of ,his other proclamation of ,himself as the ,good ,shepherd4#ajac ,he could not well answer their inquiry by a simple unqualified affirmation1 for by such ,he would have been understood as meaning that ,he claimed to be the ,messiah according to their conception1 the earthly king and conqueror for whom they professed to be looking4 ,he was no such ,christ as they had in mind2 yet was ,he verily ,shepherd and ,king to all who would hear ,his words and do ,his works2 and to such ,he renewed the promise of eternal life and the assurance that no man could pluck them out of ,his own or the ,father's hand4 ,to this doctrine1 both exalted and profound in scope1 the casuistical ,jews could offer no refutation1 nor could they find therein the much desired excuse for open accusation2 our ,lord's concluding sentence1 however1 stirred the hostile throng to frenzy4 ,i and my ,father are one was ,his solemn declaration4#ajad ,in their rage they scrambled for stones wherewith to crush ,him4 ,owing to the unfinished state of the temple buildings1 there were probably many blocks and broken fragments of rock at hand2 and this was the second murderous attempt upon our ,lord's life within the purlieus of ,his ,father's ,house4#ajae ,fearless1 and with the compelling calmness of more than human majesty1 ,jesus said3 ,many good works have ,i shewed you from my ,father2 for which of those works do ye stone me8 ,they angrily retorted3 ,for a good work we stone thee not2 but for blasphemy2 and because that thou1 being a man1 makest thyself ,god4#ajaf ,plainly they had found no ambiguity in ,his words4 ,he then cited to them the scriptures1 wherein even judges empowered by divine authority are called gods1#ajag and asked3 ,is it not written in your law1 ,i said1 ,ye are gods8 ,if he called them gods1 unto whom the word of ,god came1 and the scripture cannot be broken3 say ye of him1 whom the ,father hath sanctified1 and sent into the world1 ,thou blasphemest2 because ,i said1 ,i am the ,son of ,god8 ,then1 reverting to the first avouchment that ,his own commission was of the ,father who is greater than all1 ,he added3 ,if ,i do not the works of my ,father1 believe me not4 ,but if ,i do1 though ye believe not me1 believe the works3 that ye may know1 and believe1 that the ,father is in me1 and ,i in him4#ajah ,again the ,jews sought to take ,him1 but were foiled by means not stated2 ,he passed from their reach and departed from the temple4 ,,our ,,lord',s ,,retirement ,,in ,,perea4#ajai ,the violent hostility of the ,jews in ,jerusalem1 the headquarters of the theocracy1 was such that ,jesus withdrew from the city and its neighborhood4 ,the day for ,his sacrifice had not yet come1 and while ,his enemies could not kill ,him until ,he allowed ,himself to be taken into their hands1 ,his work would be retarded by further hostile disturbances4 ,he retired to the place at which ,john the ,baptist had begun his public ministry1 which is probably also the place of our ,lord's baptism4 ,the exact location is not specified2 it was certainly beyond ,jordan and therefore in ,perea4 ,we read that ,jesus abode there1 and from this we gather that ,he remained in one general locality instead of traveling from town to town as had been ,his custom4 ,people resorted to ,him even there1 however1 and many believed on ,him4 ,the place was endeared to those who had gone to hear ,john and to be baptized by him2#ajbj and as these recalled the impassioned call to repentance1 the stirring proclamation of the kingdom by the now murdered and lamented ,baptist1 they remembered his affirmation of ,one mightier than himself1 and saw in ,jesus the realization of that testimony4 ,john1 they said1 did no miracle3 but all things that ,john spake of this man were true4 ,the duration of this sojourn in ,perea is nowhere recorded in our scriptures4 ,it could not have lasted more than a few weeks at most4 ,possibly some of the discourses1 instructions1 and parables already treated as following the ,lord's departure from ,jerusalem after the ,feast of ,tabernacles in the preceding autumn1 may chronologically belong to this interval4 ,from this retreat of comparative quiet1 ,jesus returned to ,judea in response to an earnest appeal from some whom ,he loved4 ,he left the ,bethany of ,perea for the ,judean ,bethany1 where dwelt ,martha and ,mary4#ajba ,,lazarus ,,restored ,,to ,,life4#ajbb ,lazarus1 the brother of ,mary and ,martha1 lay ill in the family home at ,bethany of ,judea4 ,his devoted sisters sent a messenger to ,jesus1 with the simple announcement1 in which1 however1 we cannot fail to recognize a pitiful appeal3 ,lord1 behold1 he whom thou lovest is sick4 ,when ,jesus received the message1 ,he remarked3 ,this sickness is not unto death1 but for the glory of ,god1 that the ,son of ,god might be glorified thereby4 ,this was probably the word carried back to the sisters1 whom ,jesus loved4 ,lazarus had died in the interval2 indeed he must have expired soon after the messenger had started with the tidings of the young man's illness4 ,the ,lord knew that ,lazarus was dead2 yet ,he tarried where ,he was for two days after receiving the word2 then ,he surprized the disciples by saying3 ,let us go into ,judea again4 ,they sought to dissuade the ,master by reminding ,him of the recent attempt upon ,his life at ,jerusalem1 and asked wonderingly1 ,goest thou thither again8 ,jesus made clear to them that ,he was not to be deterred from duty in the time thereof1 nor should others be2 for as ,he illustrated1 the working day is twelve hours long2 and during that period a man may walk without stumbling1 for he walks in the light1 but if he let the hours pass and then try to walk or work in darkness1 he stumbles4 ,it was then ,his day to work1 and ,he was making no mistake in returning to ,judea4 ,he added3 ,our friend ,lazarus sleepeth2 but ,i go1 that ,i may awake him out of sleep4 ,the simile between death and sleep was as common among the ,jews as with us2#ajbc but the disciples construed the saying literally1 and remarked that if the sick man was sleeping it would be well with him4 ,jesus set them right4 ,lazarus is dead1 ,he said1 and added1 ,and ,i am glad for your sakes that ,i was not there1 to the intent ye may believe2 nevertheless let us go unto him4 ,it is evident that ,jesus had already decided to restore ,lazarus to life2 and1 as we shall see1 the miracle was to be a testimony of our ,lord's ,messiahship1 convincing to all who would accept it4 ,a return to ,judea at that time was viewed by at least some of the apostles with serious apprehension2 they feared for their ,master's safety1 and thought that their own lives would be in peril2 nevertheless they did not hesitate to go4 ,thomas boldly said to the others3 ,let us also go1 that we may die with him4 ,arriving on the outskirts of ,bethany1 ,jesus found that ,lazarus had lain in the grave four days already4#ajbd ,the bereaved sisters were at home1 where had gathered1 according to custom1 friends to console them in their grief4 ,among these were many prominent people1 some of whom had come from ,jerusalem4 ,word of the ,master's approach reached ,martha first1 and she hastened to meet ,him4 ,her first words were3 ,lord1 if thou hadst been here1 my brother had not died4 ,it was an expression of anguish combined with faith2 but1 lest it appear as lacking in trust1 she hastened to add3 ,but ,i know1 that even now1 whatsoever thou wilt ask of ,god1 ,god will give it thee4 ,then said ,jesus in words of assuring tenderness3 ,thy brother shall rise again4 ,perhaps some of the ,jews who had come to comfort her had said as much1 for they1 the ,sadducees excepted1 believed in a resurrection2 and ,martha failed to find in the ,lord's promise anything more than a general assurance that her departed brother should be raised with the rest of the dead4 ,in natural and seemingly casual assent she remarked3 ,i know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day4 ,then said ,jesus3 ,i am the resurrection1 and the life3 he that believeth in me1 though he were dead1 yet shall he live3 ,and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die4 ,believest thou this8 ,the sorrowing woman's faith had to be lifted and centered in the ,lord of ,life with whom she was speaking4 ,she had before confessed her conviction that whatever ,jesus asked of ,god would be granted2 she had to learn that unto ,jesus had already been committed power over life and death4 ,she was hopefully expectant of some superhuman interposition by the ,lord ,jesus in her behalf1 yet she knew not what that might be4 ,apparently at this time she had no well-defined thought or even hope that ,he would call her brother from the tomb4 ,to the ,lord's question as to whether she believed what ,he had just said1 she answered with simple frankness2 all of it she was not able to understand2 but she believed in the ,speaker even while unable to fully comprehend ,his words4 ,yea1 ,lord1 she said1 ,i believe that thou art the ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 which should come into the world4 ,then she returned to the home1 and with precaution of secrecy on account of the presence of some whom she knew to be unfriendly to ,jesus1 said to ,mary3 ,the ,master is come1 and calleth for thee4 ,mary left the house in haste4 ,the ,jews who had been with her thought that she had been impelled by a fresh resurgence of grief to go again to the grave1 and they followed her4 ,when she reached the ,master1 she knelt at ,his feet1 and gave expression to her consuming sorrow in the very words ,martha had used3 ,lord1 if thou hadst been here1 my brother had not died4 ,we cannot doubt that the conviction so voiced had been the burden of comment and lamentation between the two sisters--if only ,jesus had been with them they would not have been bereft of their brother4 ,the sight of the two women so overcome by grief1 and of the people wailing with them1 caused ,jesus to sorrow1 so that ,he groaned in spirit and was deeply troubled4 ,where have ye laid him8 ,he asked2 and ,jesus wept4 ,as the sorrowing company went toward the tomb1 some of the ,jews1 observing the ,lord's emotion and tears1 said3 ,behold how he loved him6 but others1 less sympathetic because of their prejudice against ,christ1 asked critically and reproachfully3 ,could not this man1 which opened the eyes of the blind1 have caused that even this man should not have died8 ,the miracle by which a man blind from birth had been made to see was very generally known1 largely because of the official investigation that had followed the healing4#ajbe ,the ,jews had been compelled to admit the actuality of the astounding occurrence2 and the question now raised as to whether or why ,one who could accomplish such a wonder could not have preserved from death a man stricken with an ordinary illness1 and that man one whom ,he seemed to have dearly loved1 was an innuendo that the power possessed by ,jesus was after all limited1 and of uncertain or capricious operation4 ,this manifestation of malignant unbelief caused ,jesus again to groan with sorrow if not indignation4#ajbf ,the body of ,lazarus had been interred in a cave1 the entrance to which was closed by a great block of stone4 ,such burial-places were common in that country1 natural caves or vaults hewn in the solid rock being used as sepulchres by the better classes of people4 ,jesus directed that the tomb be opened4 ,martha1 still unprepared for what was to follow1 ventured to remonstrate1 reminding ,jesus that the corpse had been four days immured1 and that decomposition must have already set in4#ajbg ,jesus thus met her objection3 ,said ,i not unto thee1 that1 if thou wouldest believe1 thou shouldest see the glory of ,god8 ,this may have had reference both to ,his promise spoken to ,martha in person--that her brother should rise again--and to the message sent from ,perea--that the illness of ,lazarus was not unto final death at that time1 but for the glory of ,god and that the ,son of ,god might be glorified thereby4 ,the stone was removed4 ,standing before the open portal of the tomb1 ,jesus looked upward and prayed3 ,father1 ,i thank thee that thou hast heard me4 ,and ,i knew that thou hearest me always3 but because of the people which stand by ,i said it1 that they may believe that thou hast sent me4 ,he did not ask the ,father for power or authority2 such had already been given ,him2 but ,he gave thanks1 and in the hearing of all who stood by acknowledged the ,father and expressed the oneness of ,his own and the ,father's purposes4 ,then1 with a loud voice ,he cried3 ,lazarus1 come forth4 ,the dead man heard that voice of authoritative command2 the spirit straightway reentered the tabernacle of flesh1 the physical processes of life were resumed2 and ,lazarus1 again alive1 came forth4 ,his freedom of motion was limited1 for the grave clothes hampered his movements1 and his face was still bound by the napkin by which the lifeless jaw had been held in place4 ,to those who stood near1 ,jesus said3 ,loose him1 and let him go4 ,the procedure throughout was characterized by deep solemnity and by the entire absence of every element of unnecessary display4 ,jesus1 who when miles away and without any ordinary means of receiving the information knew that ,lazarus was dead1 doubtless could have found the tomb2 yet ,he inquired3 ,where have ye laid him8 ,he who could still the waves of the sea by a word could have miraculously effected the removal of the stone that sealed the mouth of the sepulchre2 yet ,he said3 ,take ye away the stone4 ,he who could reunite spirit and body could have loosened without hands the cerements by which the reanimated ,lazarus was bound2 yet ,he said3 ,loose him1 and let him go4 ,all that human agency could do was left to man4 ,in no instance do we find that ,christ used unnecessarily the superhuman powers of ,his ,godship2 the divine energy was never wasted2 even the material creation resulting from its exercize was conserved1 as witness ,his instructions regarding the gathering up of the fragments of bread and fish after the multitudes had been miraculously fed4#ajbh ,the raising of ,lazarus stands as the third recorded instance of restoration to life by ,jesus4#ajbi ,in each the miracle resulted in a resumption of mortal existence1 and was in no sense a resurrection from death to immortality4 ,in the raising of the daughter of ,jairus1 the spirit was recalled to its tenement within the hour of its quitting2 the raising of the widow's son is an instance of restoration when the corpse was ready for the grave2 the crowning miracle of the three was the calling of a spirit to reenter its body days after death1 and when1 by natural processes the corpse would be already in the early stages of decomposition4 ,lazarus was raised from the dead1 not simply to assuage the grief of mourning relatives2 myriads have had to mourn over death1 and so myriads more shall have to do4 ,one of the ,lord's purposes was that of demonstrating the actuality of the power of ,god as shown forth in the works of ,jesus the ,christ1 and ,lazarus was the accepted subject of the manifestation2 just as the man afflicted with congenital blindness had been chosen to be the one through whom the works of ,god should be made manifest4#ajcj ,that the ,lord's act of restoring ,lazarus to life was of effect in testifying to ,his ,messiahship is explicitly stated4#ajca ,all the circumstances leading up to final culmination in the miracle contributed to its attestation4 ,no question as to the actual death of ,lazarus could be raised1 for his demise had been witnessed1 his body had been prepared and buried in the usual way1 and he had lain in the grave four days4 ,at the tomb1 when he was called forth1 there were many witnesses1 some of them prominent ,jews1 many of whom were unfriendly to ,jesus and who would have readily denied the miracle had they been able4 ,god was glorified and the divinity of the ,son of ,man was vindicated in the result4 ,,the ,,hierarchy ,,greatly ,,agitated ,,over ,,the ,,miracle4#ajcb ,as in connection with most of our ,lord's public acts--while some of those who heard and saw were brought to believe in ,him1 others rejected the proffered lesson and reviled the ,master--so with this mighty work--some were stirred to faith and others went their ways each with mind darkened and spirit more malignant than ever4 ,some of those who had seen the dead man raised to life went immediately and reported the matter to the rulers1 whom they knew to be intensely hostile toward ,jesus4 ,in the parable we have recently studied1 the spirit of the rich man pleaded from his place of anguish that ,lazarus1 the once pitiable beggar1 be sent from paradise to earth1 to warn others of the fate awaiting the wicked1 to which appeal ,abraham replied3 ,if they hear not ,moses and the prophets1 neither will they be persuaded1 though one rose from the dead4#ajcc ,now a ,lazarus had been in reality raised from the dead1 and many of the ,jews rejected the testimony of his return and refused to believe in ,christ through whom alone death is overcome4 ,the ,jews tried to get ,lazarus into their power that they might kill him and1 as they hoped1 silence forever his testimony of the ,lord's power over death4#ajcd ,the chief priests1 who were mostly ,sadducees1 and the ,pharisees with them assembled in council to consider the situation created by this latest of our ,lord's great works4 ,the question they discussed was3 ,what do we8 for this man doeth many miracles4 ,if we let him thus alone1 all men will believe on him3 and the ,romans shall come and take away both our place and nation4 ,as stated by themselves1 there was no denying the fact of the many miracles wrought by ,jesus2 but instead of earnestly and prayerfully investigating as to whether these mighty works were not among the predicted characteristics of the ,messiah1 they thought only of the possible effect of ,christ's influence in alienating the people from the established theocracy1 and of the fear that the ,romans1 taking advantage of the situation1 would deprive the hierarchs of their place and take from the nation what little semblance of distinct autonomy it still possessed4 ,caiaphas1 the high priest1#ajce cut short the discussion by saying3 ,ye know nothing at all4 ,this sweeping assertion of ignorance was most likely addressed to the ,pharisees of the ,sanhedrin2 ,caiaphas was a ,sadducee4 ,his next utterance was of greater significance than he realized3 ,nor consider that it is expedient for us1 that one man should die for the people1 and that the whole nation perish not4 ,john solemnly avers that ,caiaphas spake not of himself1 but by the spirit of prophecy1 which1 in spite of his implied unworthiness1 came upon him by virtue of his office1 and that thus3 ,he prophesied that ,jesus should die for that nation2 and not for that nation only1 but that also he should gather together in one the children of ,god that were scattered abroad4 ,but a few years after ,christ had been put to death1 for the salvation of the ,jews and of all other nations1 the very calamities which ,caiaphas and the ,sanhedrin had hoped to avert befell in full measure2 the hierarchy was overthrown1 the temple destroyed1 ,jerusalem demolished and the nation disrupted4 ,from the day of that memorable session of the ,sanhedrin1 the rulers increased their efforts to bring about the death of ,jesus1 by whatever means they might find available4 ,they issued a mandate that whosoever knew of ,his whereabouts should give the information to the officials1 that they might promptly take ,him into custody4#ajcf ,,jesus ,,in ,,retirement ,,at ,,ephraim4#ajcg ,the hostility of the ecclesiastical rulers became so great that ,jesus once more sought retirement in a region sufficiently far from ,jerusalem to afford ,him security from the watchful and malignant eyes of ,his powerful and openly avowed enemies4 ,but a few weeks of mortal life remained to ,him1 and the greater part of this brief period had to be devoted to the further instruction of the apostles4 ,he prudently withdrew from the vicinity of ,bethany and went thence unto a country near to the wilderness1 into a city called ,ephraim1 and there continued with his disciples4 ,thus did our ,lord spend the rest of the winter and probably the early days of the succeeding spring4 ,that ,his retreat was private if not practically secret is suggested by ,john's statement that ,jesus therefore walked no more openly among the ,jews2 and further indication is found in the fact that although the chief priests and ,pharisees had virtually set a price upon ,his head1 no man gave information as to ,his whereabouts4 ,the place of this last retirement is not definitely known2 it is generally thought to be the locality elsewhere called ,ephrain and ,ephron1#ajch which lay a little less than twenty miles northerly from ,jerusalem4 ,equally uncertain is the duration of our ,lord's abode there4 ,when ,he emerged again into public notice1 it was to enter upon ,his solemn march toward ,jerusalem and the cross4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #bh4 #a4 ,origin of the ,feast of ,dedication4--,concerning the second temple1 known as the ,temple of ,zerubbabel1 the author has written elsewhere3 ,of the later history of this temple the biblical record gives but few details2 but from other sources we learn of its vicissitudes4 ,in connection with the ,maccabean persecution the ,house of the ,lord was profaned4 ,a ,syrian king1 ,antiochus ,epiphanes1 captured ,jerusalem 7#afh to #afe ,b4,c47 and perpetrated blasphemous outrage against the religion of the people4 ,he plundered the temple and carried away its golden candlestick1 its golden altar of incense1 its table of shewbread1 and even tore down the sacred veils1 which were of fine linen and scarlet4 ,his malignity was carried so far that he purposely desecrated the altar of sacrifice by offering swine thereon1 and erected a heathen altar within the sacred enclosure4 ,not content with the violation of the temple1 this wicked monarch had altars erected in the towns1 and ordered the offering of unclean beasts upon them4 ,the rite of circumcision was forbidden on pain of death1 and the worship of ,jehovah was declared a crime4 ,as a result of this persecution many of the ,jews apostatized1 and declared that they belonged to the ,medes and ,persians--the nations from whose dominion they had been delivered by the power of ,god4444 ,then in the year #afc ,b4,c4 the ,house was rededicated2 and the occasion was remembered in annual festival thereafter under the name of the ,feast of ,dedication4--,the ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #ea-ec4 ,according to ,josephus 7,ant4 xii1 #g3g7 the festival came to be known as ,the ,lights2 and brilliant illumination both of the temple and of dwellings1 was a feature of the celebration4 ,traditional accounts say that eight days had been set as the duration of the feast1 in commemoration of a legendary miracle by which the consecrated oil in the only jar found intact1 and bearing the unbroken seal of the high priest1 had been made to serve for temple purposes through eight days1 which time was required for the ceremonial preparation of a new supply4 #b4 ,solomon's ,porch4--,this name had been applied to the eastern colonnade or row of porticoes within the temple enclosure1 in recognition of a tradition that the porch covered and included a portion of the original wall belonging to the ,temple of ,solomon4 ,see ,the ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #ee-eg4 #c4 ,the ,oneness of ,christ and the ,father4--,the revised version gives for ,john #aj3cj3 ,i and the ,father are one instead of ,i and my ,father are one4 ,by the ,father the ,jews rightly understood the ,eternal ,father1 ,god4 ,in the original ,greek one appears in the neuter gender1 and therefore expresses oneness in attributes1 power1 or purpose1 and not a oneness of personality which would have required the masculine form4 ,for treatment of the unity of the ,godhead1 and the separate personality of each ,member1 see ,articles of ,faith1 ii1 #bj-bd4 #d4 ,the ,place of our ,lord's ,retirement4--,jesus went beyond ,jordan into the place where ,john at first baptized 7,john #aj3dj74 ,this was probably ,bethabara 7#a3bh71 which is called ,bethany in some of the earliest manuscripts and is so designated in the latest revised version4 ,care must be taken not to confuse this ,perean ,bethany with the ,bethany in ,judea1 the home of ,martha and ,mary1 which was within two miles of ,jerusalem4 #e4 ,lazarus in the ,tomb ,four ,days4--,on the very probable assumption that the journey from ,bethany in ,judea to the place where ,jesus was1 in ,perea1 would require one day1 ,lazarus must have died on the day of the messenger's departure2 for this day and the two days that elapsed before ,jesus started toward ,judea1 and the day required for the return1 would no more than cover the four days specified4 ,it was and still is the custom in ,palestine as in other oriental countries to bury on the day of death4 ,it was the popular belief that on the fourth day after death the spirit had finally departed from the vicinity of the corpse1 and that thereafter decomposition proceeded unhindered4 ,this may explain ,martha's impulsive though gentle objection to having the tomb of her brother opened four days after his death 7,john #aa3ci74 ,it is possible that the consent of the next of kin was required for the lawful opening of a grave4 ,both ,martha and ,mary were present1 and in the presence of many witnesses assented to the opening of the tomb in which their brother lay4 #f4 ,jesus ,groaned in ,spirit4--,the marginal readings for he groaned in the spirit 7,john #aa3cc7 and again groaning in himself 7v4 #ch71 as given in the revised version1 are was moved with indignation in the spirit and being moved with indignation in himself4 ,all philological authorities agree that the words in the original ,greek express sorrowful indignation1 or as some aver1 anger1 and not alone a sympathetic emotion of grief4 ,any indignation the ,lord may have felt1 as intimated in verse #cc1 may be attributed to disapproval of the customary wailing over death1 which as vented by the ,jews on this occasion1 profaned the real and soulful grief of ,martha and ,mary2 and ,his indignation1 expressed by groaning as mentioned in verse #ch1 may have been due to the carping criticism uttered by some of the ,jews as recorded in verse #cg4 #g4 ,caiaphas1 ,high ,priest that ,year4--,john's statement that ,caiaphas was high priest that same year must not be construed as meaning that the office of high priest was of a single year's tenure4 ,under ,jewish law the presiding priest1 who was known as the high priest1 would remain in office indefinitely2 but the ,roman government had arrogated to itself the appointive power as applying to this office2 and frequent changes were made4 ,this ,caiaphas1 whose full name was ,josephus ,caiaphas1 was high priest under ,roman appointment during a period of eleven years4 ,to such appointments the ,jews had to submit1 though they often recognized as the high priest under their law1 some other than the civil high priest appointed by ,roman authority4 ,thus we find both ,annas and ,caiaphas exercizing the authority of the office at the time of our ,lord's arrest and later4 7,john #ah3ac1 #bd2 ,acts #d3f2 compare ,luke #c3b47 ,farrar 7p4 #dhd1 note7 says3 ,some have seen an open irony in the expression of ,st4 ,john 7#aa3di7 that ,caiaphas was high priest 'that same year1' as though the ,jews had got into this contemptuous way of speaking during the rapid succession of priests--mere phantoms set up and displaced by the ,roman fiat--who had in recent years succeeded each other4 ,there must have been at least five living high priests1 and ex-high priests at this council--,annas1 ,ismael ,ben ,phabi1 ,eleazar ,ben ,haman1 ,simon ,ben ,kamhith1 and ,caiaphas1 who had gained his elevation by bribery4 #h4 ,divinely ,appointed ,judges ,called gods4--,in ,psalm #hb3f1 judges invested by divine appointment are called gods4 ,to this scripture the ,savior referred in ,his reply to the ,jews in ,solomon's ,porch4 ,judges so authorized officiated as the representatives of ,god and are honored by the exalted title gods4 ,compare the similar appellation applied to ,moses 7,exo4 #d3af2 #g3a74 ,jesus ,christ possessed divine authorization1 not through the word of ,god transmitted to ,him by man1 but as an inherent attribute4 ,the inconsistency of calling human judges gods1 and of ascribing blasphemy to the ,christ who called ,himself the ,son of ,god1 would have been apparent to the ,jews but for their sin-darkened minds4 ,,footnotes3 #ajji ,john #aj3bb-ci4 #ajaj ,also rendered ,kislev1 ,chisleu1 and ,cisleu4 ,see ,zech4 #g3a4 #ajaa ,josephus1 ,antiquities1 xii1 #e3c-e4 ,see ,ezra #f3ag1 #ah2 also ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #ajab ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #ajac ,john #h3eh2 and #aj3aa2 see also pages #daa and #daf herein4 #ajad ,revised version gives ,i and the ,father4 ,see ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #ajae ,john #h3ei4 ,page #dab4 #ajaf ,concerning blasphemy see pages #aia and #bfi1 also page #fbi4 #ajag ,psa4 #hb1 particularly verses #a and #f4 ,note #h1 end of chapter4 #ajah ,a better rendering of the last verse is3 ,but if ,i do them i4e4 the ,father's works1 though ye believe not me1 believe the works2 that ye may know and understand that the ,father is in me1 and ,i in the ,father4--7,revised version47 #ajai ,john #aj3dj-db4 #ajbj ,pages #aba-abd4 #ajba ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #ajbb ,john #aa3a-df4 #ajbc ,compare ,matt4 #i3bd2 ,mark #e3ci2 ,luke #h3eb2 ,job #ad3ab2 #a ,thess4 #d3ad4 #ajbd ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #ajbe ,john #i2 see page #dab herein4 #ajbf ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #ajbg ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #ajbh ,john #f3ab2 ,matt4 #ae3cg2 see pages #ccd and #ceh herein4 #ajbi ,matt4 #i3bc-be2 ,luke #g3aa-ag2 pages #bea and #cac herein4 #ajcj ,john #i3c4 #ajca ,john #ab3i-aa1 #ag4 #ajcb ,john #aa3df-ed4 #ajcc ,luke #af3ca2 page #dff herein4 #ajcd ,john #ab3aj4 #ajce ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #ajcf ,john #aa3eg4 #ajcg ,john #aa3ed4 #ajch #b ,chron4 #ac3ai2 ,josh4 #ae3i4 ,,chapter #bi4 ,,on ,,to ,,jerusalem4 ,,jesus ,,again ,,fortells ,,his ,,death ,,and ,,resurrection4#ajci ,each of the three synoptic writers has made record of this last journey to ,jerusalem and of occurrences connected therewith4 ,the deep solemnity of the developments now so near at hand1 and of the fate ,he was setting out to meet so affected ,jesus that even the apostles were amazed at ,his absorption and evident sadness2 they fell behind in amazement and fear4 ,then ,he paused1 called the ,twelve about ,him1 and in language of absolute plainness1 without metaphor or simile1 ,he said3 ,behold1 we go up to ,jerusalem1 and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the ,son of man shall be accomplished4 ,for he shall be delivered unto the ,gentiles1 and shall be mocked1 and spitefully entreated1 and spitted on3 ,and they shall scourge him1 and put him to death3 and the third day he shall rise again4 ,it is to us an astounding fact that the ,twelve failed to comprehend ,his meaning2 yet ,luke unqualifiedly affirms3 ,and they understood none of these things3 and this saying was hid from them1 neither knew they the things which were spoken4 ,this avouchment of the ,savior's approaching death and resurrection spoken in confidential certainty to the ,twelve was the third of its kind2 and still they could not bring themselves to accept the awful truth4#ajdj ,according to ,matthew's account1 they were told of the very manner by which the ,lord should die--that the ,gentiles should crucify ,him2 yet they understood not4 ,to them there was some dreadful incongruity1 some dire inconsistency or inexplicable contradiction in the sayings of their beloved ,master4 ,they knew ,him to be the ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god2 and how could such a ,one be brought into subjection and be slain8 ,they could not fail to realize that some unprecedented development in ,his life was impending2 this they may have vaguely conceived to be the crisis for which they had been waiting1 the open proclamation of ,his ,messianic dignity1 ,his enthronement as ,lord and ,king4 ,and such indeed was to be1 though in a manner far different from their anticipations4 ,the culminating prediction--that on the third day ,he would rise again--seems to have puzzled them the most2 and1 at the same time1 this assurance of ultimate triumph may have made all intermediate occurrences appear as of but secondary and transitory import4 ,they persistently repelled the thought that they were following their ,lord to the cross and the sepulchre4 ,,the ,,question ,,of ,,precedence ,,again4#ajda ,notwithstanding all the instructions the apostles had received concerning humility1 and though they had before them the supreme example of the ,master's life and conduct1 in which the fact that service was the only measure of true greatness was abundantly demonstrated1 they continued to dream of rank and honor in the kingdom of the ,messiah4 ,perhaps because of the imminence of the ,master's triumph1 with which they all were particularly impressed at this time though ignorant of its real significance1 certain of the ,twelve appealed to the ,lord in the course of this journey with a most ambitious request4 ,the petitioners were ,james and ,john1 though according to ,matthew's record their mother#ajdb was the first to ask4 ,the request was that when ,jesus came into possession of ,his kingdom1 ,he would so signally honor the aspiring pair as to install them in seats of eminence1 one on ,his right hand1 the other on ,his left4 ,instead of sharply rebuking such presumption1 ,jesus gently but impressively asked3 ,are ye able to drink of the cup that ,i shall drink of1 and to be baptized with the baptism that ,i am baptized with8 ,the answer was full of self-confidence inspired by ignorant misapprehension4 ,we are able1 they replied4 ,then said ,jesus3 ,ye shall drink indeed of my cup1 and be baptized with the baptism that ,i am baptized with3 but to sit on my right hand1 and on my left1 is not mine to give1 but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my ,father4 ,the ten apostles were indignant at the two brothers1 possibly less through disapproval of the spirit that had prompted the petition than because the two had forestalled the others in applying for the chief posts of distinction4 ,but ,jesus1 patiently tolerant of their human weaknesses1 drew the ,twelve around ,him1 and taught them as a loving father might instruct and admonish his contentious children4 ,he showed them how earthly rulers1 such as princes among the ,gentiles1 domineer over their subjects1 manifesting lordship and arbitrarily exercizing the authority of office4 ,but it was not to be so among the ,master's servants2 whoever of them would be great must be a servant indeed1 willingly ministering unto his fellows2 the humblest and most willing servant would be the chief of the servants4 ,for even the ,son of man came not to be ministered unto1 but to minister1 and to give his life a ransom for many4#ajdc ,,sight ,,restored ,,to ,,the ,,blind ,,near ,,jericho4#ajdd ,in the course of ,his journey ,jesus came to ,jericho1 at or near which city ,he again exerted ,his wondrous power in opening the eyes of the blind4 ,matthew states that two sightless men were made to see1 and that the miracle was enacted as ,jesus was leaving ,jericho2 ,mark mentions but one blind man1 whom he names ,bartimeus or the son of ,timeus1 and agrees with ,matthew in saying that the healing was effected when ,jesus was departing from the city2 ,luke specifies but one subject of the ,lord's healing mercy1 a certain blind man1 and chronicles the miracle as an incident of ,christ's approach to ,jericho4 ,these slight variations attest the independent authorship of each of the records1 and the apparent discrepancies have no direct bearing upon the main facts1 nor do they detract from the instructional value of the ,lord's work4 ,as we have found to be the case on an earlier occasion1 two men were mentioned though but one figures in the circumstantial accounts4#ajde ,the man who is more particularly mentioned1 ,bartimeus1 sat by the wayside1 asking alms4 ,jesus approached1 accompanied by the apostles1 many other disciples1 and a great multitude of people1 probably made up largely of travelers on their way to ,jerusalem to attend the ,passover festival1 the time for which was about a week ahead4 ,hearing the tramp of so great a company the sightless beggar inquired what it all meant1 and was answered1 ,jesus of ,nazareth passeth by4 ,eager lest the opportunity of gaining the ,master's attention be lost1 he immediately cried in a loud voice3 ,jesus1 thou son of ,david1 have mercy on me4 ,his appeal1 and particularly his use of the title1 ,son of ,david1 show that he knew of the great ,teacher1 had confidence in ,his power to heal and faith in ,him as the promised ,king and ,deliverer of ,israel4#ajdf ,those who were in advance of ,jesus in the company tried to silence the man1 but the more they rebuked him the louder and more persistently did he cry3 ,thou son of ,david1 have mercy on me4 ,jesus halted in ,his course and directed that the man be brought to ,him4 ,those who but a moment before would have stopped the blind man's yearning appeal1 now that the ,master had noticed him were eager to be of service4 ,to the sightless one they brought the glad word3 ,be of good comfort1 rise2 he calleth thee2 and he1 casting aside his outer garment lest it hinder1 came in haste to ,christ4 ,to the ,lord's question1 ,what wilt thou that ,i shall do unto thee8 ,bartimeus answered3 ,lord1 that ,i may receive my sight4 ,then ,jesus spake the simple words of power and blessing3 ,receive thy sight3 thy faith hath saved thee4 ,the man1 full of gratitude and knowing that nothing short of divine interposition could have opened his eyes1 followed his ,benefactor1 glorifying ,god in heartfelt prayers of thanksgiving1 in which many of those who had witnessed the miracle fervently joined4 ,,zaccheus1 ,,the ,,chief ,,among ,,the ,,publicans4#ajdg ,jericho was a city of considerable importance2 among its resident officials was a staff of publicans1 or collectors of customs1 and of these the chief was ,zaccheus1#ajdh who had grown rich from the revenues of office4 ,he had doubtless heard of the great ,galilean who hesitated not to mingle with publicans1 detested though they were by the ,jews in general2 he may have known1 also1 that ,jesus had placed one of this publican class among the most prominent of the disciples4 ,that ,zaccheus was a ,jew is indicated by his name1 which is a variant of ,zacharias1 with a ,greek or ,latin termination2 he must have been particularly obnoxious to his people on account of his advanced status among the publicans1 all of whom were in ,roman employ4 ,he had a great desire to see ,jesus2 the feeling was not one of mere curiosity2 he had been impressed and set thinking by the things he had heard about this ,teacher from ,nazareth4 ,but ,zaccheus was a little man1 and could not ordinarily see over the heads of others2 so he ran ahead of the company and climbed a tree alongside the road4 ,when ,jesus reached the place1 to the great surprize of the man in the tree ,he looked up and said3 ,zaccheus1 make haste1 and come down2 for to day ,i must abide at thy house4 ,zaccheus came down with haste1 and joyfully received the ,lord as his guest4 ,the multitude by whom ,jesus had been accompanied appear to have been generally friendly toward ,him2 but at this turn of affairs they murmured and criticized1 saying that the ,master was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner2 for all publicans were sinners in ,jewish eyes1 and ,zaccheus admitted that the opprobrium in his case was possibly deserved4 ,but having seen and conversed with ,jesus1 this chief among the publicans believed and was converted4 ,as proof of his change of heart ,zaccheus then and there voluntarily vowed unto the ,lord to make amends and restitution if it were found that he owed such4 ,behold1 ,lord1 he said1 the half of my goods ,i give to the poor2 and if ,i have taken anything from any man by false accusation1 ,i restore him fourfold4 ,these were works meet for repentance4 ,the man realized that he could not change his past2 but he knew he could in part at least atone for some of his misdeeds4 ,his pledge to restore in fourfold measure whatever he had wrongfully acquired was in line with the ,mosaic law as to restitution1 but far in excess of the recompense required4#ajdi ,jesus accepted the man's profession of repentance1 and said3 ,this day is salvation come to this house1 forsomuch as he also is a son of ,abraham4 ,another stray sheep had been returned to the fold2 another lost treasure had been found2 another wayward son had come back to the ,father's house4#ajej ,for the ,son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost4 ,,unto ,,every ,,one ,,that ,,hath ,,shall ,,be ,,given4#ajea ,as the multitude approached ,jerusalem1 ,jesus being in their midst1 expectation ran high as to what the ,lord would do when ,he reached the capital of the nation4 ,many of those with ,him were looking for a proclamation of ,his royal authority and they thought that the kingdom of ,god should immediately appear4 ,jesus told them a story2 we call it the ,parable of the ,pounds3 ,a certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom1 and to return4 ,and he called his ten servants1 and delivered them ten pounds1 and said unto them1 ,occupy till ,i come4 ,but his citizens hated him1 and sent a message after him1 saying1 ,we will not have this man to reign over us4 ,and it came to pass1 that when he was returned1 having received the kingdom1 then he commanded these servants to be called unto him1 to whom he had given the money1 that he might know how much every man had gained by trading4 ,then came the first1 saying1 ,lord1 thy pound hath gained ten pounds4 ,and he said unto him1 ,well1 thou good servant3 because thou hast been faithful in a very little1 have thou authority over ten cities4 ,and the second came1 saying1 ,lord1 thy pound hath gained five pounds4 ,and he said likewise to him1 ,be thou also over five cities4 ,and another came1 saying1 ,lord1 behold1 here is thy pound1 which ,i have kept laid up in a napkin3 ,for ,i feared thee1 because thou art an austere man3 thou takest up that thou layedst not down1 and reapest that thou didst not sow4 ,and he saith unto him1 ,out of thine own mouth will ,i judge thee1 thou wicked servant4 ,thou knewest that ,i was an austere man1 taking up that ,i laid not down1 and reaping that ,i did not sow3 ,wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank1 that at my coming ,i might have required mine own with usury8 ,and he said unto them that stood by1 ,take from him the pound1 and give it to him that hath ten pounds4 7,and they said unto him1 ,lord1 he hath ten pounds47 ,for ,i say unto you1 ,that unto every one which hath shall be given2 and from him that hath not1 even that he hath shall be taken away from him4 ,but those mine enemies1 which would not that ,i should reign over them1 bring hither1 and slay them before me4 ,both the circumstances of the story and the application of the parable were more readily apparent to the ,jewish multitude than they are to us4 ,the departure of a certain nobleman from a vassal province to the court of the suzerain to seek investiture of kingly authority1 and the protest of the citizens over whom he asserted the right to reign1 were incidents of ,jewish history still fresh in the minds of the people to whom ,christ spoke4#ajeb ,the explication of the parable is this3 ,the people were not to look for an immediate establishment of the kingdom in temporal power4 ,he who would be king was pictured as having departed for a far country from which he would assuredly return4 ,before leaving he had given to each of his servants a definite sum of money2 and by their success in using this he would judge of their fitness to serve in offices of trust4 ,when he returned he called for an accounting1 in the course of which the cases of three servants are specified as types4 ,one had so used the pound as to gain ten pounds2 he was commended and received a reward such as only a sovereign could give1 the governorship of ten cities4 ,the second servant1 with equal capital had increased it only five fold2 he was properly rewarded in proportion by appointment as governor over five cities4 ,the third gave back what he had received1 without increase1 for he had failed to use it4 ,he had no reason and only a very poor excuse to offer for his dereliction4 ,in justice he was severely reprimanded1 and the money was taken from him4 ,when the king directed that the pound so forfeited by the unfaithful servant be given to him who already had ten1 some surprize was manifest amongst those who stood by2 but the king explained1 that unto every one that hath shall be given1 for such a one uses to advantage the means entrusted to his care1 while from him that hath not1 even that he hath shall be taken away from him2 for he has demonstrated his utter unfitness to possess and use aright4 ,this part of the parable1 while of general application1 must have appealed to the apostles as particularly apt2 for each of them had received in trust an equal endowment through ordination1 and each would be required to account for his administration4 ,the fact is apparent that ,christ was the nobleman who was to be invested with the authority of kingship1 and who would return to require the accounting at the hands of ,his trusted servants4#ajec ,but many of the citizens hated ,him and would protest ,his investiture1 saying they would not have ,him to reign over them4#ajed ,when ,he does return in power and authority1 these rebellious citizens shall surely receive the punishment they deserve4#ajee ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,simon ,,the ,,leper4#ajef ,six days before the ,feast of the ,passover1 that is to say before the day on which the paschal lamb was to be eaten1#ajeg ,jesus arrived at ,bethany1 the home town of ,martha and ,mary1 and of ,lazarus who had recently died and been restored to life4 ,the chronology of events during the last week of our ,lord's life supports the generally accepted belief that in this year1 the fourteenth day of ,nisan1 on which the ,passover festival began1 fell on ,thursday2 and this being so1 the day on which ,jesus reached ,bethany was the preceding ,friday1 the eve of the ,jewish ,sabbath4 ,jesus fully realized that this ,sabbath was the last ,he would live to see in mortality4 ,the ,gospel-writers have drawn a veil of reverent silence over the events of that day4 ,it appears that ,jesus passed ,his last ,sabbath in retirement at ,bethany4 ,the journey afoot from ,jericho had been no easy walk1 for the road ascended to an altitude of nearly three thousand feet1 and was withal otherwise a toilsome way4 ,on ,saturday1#ajeh probably in the evening after the ,sabbath had passed1 a supper was spread for ,jesus and the ,twelve in the house of ,simon the leper4 ,no other mention of this man1 ,simon1 appears in scripture4 ,if he was living at the time our ,lord was entertained in the house known by his name1 and if he was present1 he must have been previously healed of his leprosy1 as otherwise he could not have been allowed within the town1 far less to be one of a festal company4 ,it is reasonable to think that the man had once been a victim of leprosy and had come to be currently known as ,simon the leper1 and that he was one among the many sufferers from this dread disease who had been healed through the ,lord's ministrations4 ,martha was in charge of the supper arrangements on this memorable occasion1 and her sister ,mary was with her1 while ,lazarus sat at table with ,jesus4 ,many have assumed that the house of ,simon the leper was the family home of the two sisters and ,lazarus1 in which case it is possible that ,simon was the father of the three2 but of such relationship we have no proof4#ajei ,there was no attempt to secure unusual privacy at this supper4 ,such occasions were customarily marked by the presence of many uninvited lookers-on in that time2 and we are not surprized to learn1 therefore1 that many people were there and that they had come not for ,jesus' sake only1 but that they might see ,lazarus also1 whom he had raised from the dead4 ,lazarus was a subject of much interest and doubtless of curiosity among the people2 and at the time of his privileged and intimate association with ,jesus in ,bethany1 the chief priests were plotting to put him to death1 on account of the effect his restoration had had upon the people1 many of whom believed on ,jesus because of the miracle4 ,that supper in ,bethany was an event never to be forgotten4 ,mary1 the more contemplative and spiritually minded of the two sisters1 she who loved to sit at the feet of ,jesus and listen to ,his words1 and who had been commended for having so chosen the one needful thing1 which her more practical sister lacked1#ajfj brought from among her treasures an alabaster cruse containing a pound of costly spikenard ointment2 she broke the sealed flask#ajfa and poured its fragrant contents upon the head and feet of her ,lord1 and wiped ,his feet with her loosened tresses4#ajfb ,to anoint the head of a guest with ordinary oil was to do him honor2 to anoint his feet also was to show unusual and signal regard2 but the anointing of head and feet with spikenard1 and in such abundance1 was an act of reverential homage rarely rendered even to kings4#ajfc ,mary's act was an expression of adoration2 it was the fragrant outwelling of a heart overflowing with worship and affection4 ,but this splendid tribute of a devout woman's love was made the cause of disagreeable protest4 ,judas ,iscariot1 treasurer of the ,twelve1 but dishonest1 avaricious1 and small-souled in character1 vented his grumbling complaint1 saying3 ,why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence1 and given to the poor8#ajfd ,his seeming solicitude for the poor was all hypocrisy4 ,he was a thief and lamented that he had not been given the precious ointment to sell1 or that the price had not been turned into the bag of which he was the self-interested custodian4 ,mary's use of the costly unguent had been so lavish that others beside ,judas had let their surprize grow into murmuring2 but to him is attributed the distinction of being the chief complainer4 ,mary's sensitive nature was pained by the ungracious words of disapproval2 but ,jesus interposed1 saying3 ,why trouble ye the woman8 for she hath wrought a good work upon me4 ,then in further rebuke and by way of solemn instruction ,he continued2 ,for ye have the poor always with you2 but me ye have not always4 ,for in that she hath poured this ointment on my body1 she did it for my burial4 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world1 there shall also this1 that this woman hath done1 be told for a memorial of her4 ,we are left without certain information as to whether ,mary knew that within a few days her beloved ,lord would be in the tomb4 ,she may have been so informed in view of the hallowed intimacy between ,jesus and the family2 or she may have gathered from the remarks of ,christ to the apostles that the sacrifice of ,his life was impending2 or perhaps by inspired intuition she was impelled to render the loving tribute by which her memory has been enshrined in the hearts of all who know and love the ,christ4 ,john has preserved to us this remark of ,jesus in the rebuke called forth by the grumbling ,iscariot3 ,let her alone2 against the day of my burying hath she kept this2 and ,mark's version is likewise suggestive of definite and solemn purpose on ,mary's part3 ,she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying4 ,,christ',s ,,triumphal ,,entry ,,into ,,jerusalem4#ajfe ,while still in ,bethany or in the neighboring village of ,bethphage1 and according to ,john's account on the next day after the supper at ,simon's house1 ,jesus directed two of ,his disciples to go to a certain place1 where1 ,he told them1 they would find an ass tied1 and with her a colt on which no man had ever sat4 ,these they were to bring to ,him4 ,if stopped or questioned they were to say the ,lord had need of the animals4 ,matthew alone mentions both ass and colt2 the other writers specify the latter only2 most likely the mother followed as the foal was led away1 and the presence of the dam probably served to keep the colt tractable4 ,the disciples found all to be as the ,lord had said4 ,they brought the colt to ,jesus1 spread their coats on the gentle creature's back1 and set the ,master thereon4 ,the company started toward ,jerusalem1 ,jesus riding in their midst4 ,now1 as was usual1 great numbers of people had come up to the city many days before the beginning of the ,passover rites1 in order that they might attend to matters of personal purification1 and make good their arrears in the offering of prescribed sacrifices4 ,though the great day1 on which the festival was to be inaugurated1 was yet four days ahead1 the city was thronged with pilgrim crowds2 and among these much questioning had arisen as to whether ,jesus would venture to appear publicly in ,jerusalem during the feast1 in view of the well-known plans of the hierarchy to take ,him into custody4 ,the common people were interested in every act and movement of the ,master2 and word of ,his departure from ,bethany sped ahead of ,him2 so that by the time ,he began the descent from the highest part of the road on the flank of the ,mount of ,olives1 great crowds had gathered about ,him4 ,the people were jubilant over the spectacle of ,jesus riding toward the holy city2 they spread out their garments1 and cast palm fronds and other foliage in ,his path1 thus carpeting the way as for the passing of a king4 ,for the time being ,he was their king1 and they ,his adoring subjects4 ,the voices of the multitude sounded in reverberating harmony3 ,blessed be the ,king that cometh in the name of the ,lord3 peace in heaven1 and glory in the highest2 and again3 ,hosanna to the son of ,david3 ,blessed is he that cometh in the name of the ,lord2 ,hosanna in the highest4#ajff ,but amidst all this jubilation1 ,jesus was sad as ,he came in sight of the great city wherein stood the ,house of the ,lord2 and ,he wept1 because of the wickedness of ,his people1 and of their refusal to accept ,him as the ,son of ,god2 moreover ,he foresaw the awful scenes of destruction before which both city and temple were soon to fall4 ,in anguish and tears1 ,he thus apostrophized the doomed city3 ,if thou hadst known1 even thou1 at least in this thy day1 the things which belong unto thy peace6 but now they are hid from thine eyes4 ,for the days shall come upon thee1 that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee1 and compass thee round1 and keep thee in on every side1 ,and shall lay thee even with the ground1 and thy children within thee2 and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another2 because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation4 ,the multitude was increased by tributary crowds who fell in with the imposing procession at every crossway2 and the shouts of praise and homage were heard inside the city while the advancing company was yet far from the walls4 ,when the ,lord rode through the massive portal and actually entered the capital of the ,great ,king1 the whole city was thrilled4 ,to the inquiry of the uninformed1 ,who is this8 the multitude shouted3 ,this is ,jesus1 the prophet of ,nazareth of ,galilee4 ,it may be that the ,galilean pilgrims were first to answer and loudest in the gladsome proclamation2 for the proud ,judeans held ,galilee in low esteem1 and on this day1 ,jesus of ,galilee was the most prominent personage in ,jerusalem4 ,the ,pharisees1 resentful of the honors thus shown to ,one whom they had long plotted to destroy1 impotently condoled with one another over the failure of all their nefarious schemes1 saying3 ,perceive ye how ye prevail nothing8 behold1 the world is gone after him4 ,unable to check the surging enthusiasm of the multitudes1 or to silence the joyous acclamations1 some of the ,pharisees made their way through the throngs until they reached ,jesus1 and to ,him they appealed1 saying3 ,master1 rebuke thy disciples4 ,but the ,lord answered and said unto them1 ,i tell you that1 if these should hold their peace1 the stones would immediately cry out#ajfg ,dismounting1 ,he entered afoot the temple enclosure2 shouts of adulation greeted ,him there4 ,chief priests1 scribes1 and ,pharisees1 the official representatives of the theocracy1 the hierarchy of ,judaism1 were incensed2 there was no denying the fact that the people were rendering ,messianic honors to this troublesome ,nazarene2 and that too within the very purlieus of the temple of ,jehovah4 ,the purpose of ,christ in thus yielding ,himself for the day to the desires of the people and accepting their homage with kingly grace may not be fully comprehended by us of finite mind4 ,that the occasion was no accidental or fortuitous happening1 of which ,he took advantage without preconceived intention1 is evident4 ,he knew beforehand what would be1 and what ,he would do4 ,it was no meaningless pageantry2 but the actual advent of the ,king into ,his royal city1 and ,his entry into the temple1 the house of the ,king of kings4 ,he came riding on an ass1 in token of peace1 acclaimed by the ,hosanna shouts of multitudes2 not on a caparisoned steed with the panoply of combat and the accompaniment of bugle blasts and fanfare of trumpets4 ,that the joyous occasion was in no sense suggestive of physical hostility or of seditious disturbance is sufficiently demonstrated by the indulgent unconcern with which it was viewed by the ,roman officials1 who were usually prompt to send their legionaries swooping down from the fortress of ,antonia at the first evidence of an outbreak2 and they were particularly vigilant in suppressing all ,messianic pretenders1 for false ,messiahs had arisen already1 and much blood had been shed in the forcible dispelling of their delusive claims4 ,but the ,romans saw nothing to fear1 perhaps much to smile at1 in the spectacle of a ,king mounted upon an ass1 and attended by subjects1 who1 though numerous1 brandished no weapons but waved instead palm branches and myrtle sprigs4 ,the ass has been designated in literature as the ancient symbol of ,jewish royalty1 and one riding upon an ass as the type of peaceful progress4 ,such triumphal entry of ,jesus into the chief city of the ,jews would have been strikingly inconsistent with the general tenor of ,his ministry in its early stages4 ,even the intimation that ,he was the ,christ had been made with guarded care1 if at all2 and every manifestation of popular regard in which ,he might have figured as a national leader had been suppressed4 ,now1 however1 the hour of the great consummation was near at hand2 the public acceptance of the nation's homage1 and the acknowledgment of both kingly and ,messianic titles1 constituted an open and official proclamation of ,his divine investiture4 ,he had entered city and temple in such royal state as befitted the ,prince of ,peace4 ,by the rulers of the nation ,he had been rejected and ,his claims derided4 ,the manner of ,his entry should have appealed to the learned teachers of the law and the prophets2 for ,zechariah's impressive forecast1 the fulfilment of which the evangelist1 ,john1 finds in the events of this memorable ,sunday1#ajfh was frequently cited among them3 ,rejoice greatly1 ,o1 daughter of ,zion2 shout1 ,o1 daughter of ,jerusalem3 behold1 thy ,king cometh unto thee3 he is just1 and having salvation2 lowly1 and riding upon an ass1 and upon a colt1 the foal of an ass4#ajfi ,,certain ,,greeks ,,visit ,,christ4#ajgj ,among the multitudes who came to ,jerusalem at the time of the annual ,passover were people of many nations4 ,some of these1 though not of ,jewish descent1 had been converted to ,judaism2 they were admitted to the temple precincts1 but were not allowed to pass beyond the court of the ,gentiles4#ajga ,sometime during our ,lord's last week of mortal life1 possibly on the day of ,his royal entry into the city1#ajgb certain ,greeks1 who were evidently numbered among the proselytes since they had come to worship at the feast1 sought an interview with ,jesus4 ,imbued with a becoming sense of decorum they hesitated to directly approach the ,master1 and applied instead to ,philip1 one of the apostles1 saying3 ,sir1 we would see ,jesus4 ,philip consulted with ,andrew1 and the two then informed ,jesus1 who1 as we may reasonably infer from the context though the fact is not explicitly stated1 graciously received the foreign visitors and imparted to them precepts of the utmost worth4 ,it is evident that the desire of these ,greeks to meet the ,master was not grounded on curiosity or other unworthy impulse2 they earnestly wished to see and hear the ,teacher whose fame had reached their country1 and whose doctrines had impressed them4 ,to them ,jesus testified that the hour of ,his death was near at hand1 the hour in which the ,son of man should be glorified4 ,they were surprized and pained by the ,lord's words1 and possibly they inquired as to the necessity of such a sacrifice4 ,jesus explained by citing a striking illustration drawn from nature3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die1 it abideth alone3 but if it die1 it bringeth forth much fruit2#ajgc ,the simile is an apt one1--and at once impressively simple and beautiful4 ,a farmer who neglects or refuses to cast his wheat into the earth1 because he wants to keep it1 can have no increase2 but if he sow the wheat in good rich soil1 each living grain may multiply itself many fold1 though of necessity the seed must be sacrificed in the process4 ,so1 said the ,lord1 ,he that loveth his life shall lose it2 and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal4 ,the ,master's meaning is clear2 he that loves his life so well that he will not imperil it1 or1 if need be1 give it up1 in the service of ,god1 shall forfeit his opportunity to win the bounteous increase of eternal life2 while he who esteems the call of ,god as so greatly superior to life that his love of life is as hatred in comparison1 shall find the life he freely yields or is willing to yield1 though for the time being it disappear like the grain buried in the soil2 and he shall rejoice in the bounty of eternal development4 ,if such be true of every man's existence1 how transcendently so was it of the life of ,him who came to die that men may live8 ,therefore was it necessary that ,he die1 as ,he had said ,he was about to do2 but ,his death1 far from being life lost1 was to be life glorified4 ,,voice ,,from ,,heaven4#ajgd ,the realization of the harrowing experiences upon which ,he was about to enter1 and particularly the contemplation of the state of sin1 which made ,his sacrifice imperative1 so weighed upon the ,savior's mind that ,he sorrowed deeply4 ,now is my soul troubled1 ,he groaned2 and what shall ,i say8 ,he exclaimed in anguish4 ,should ,he say1 ,father1 save me from this hour when as ,he knew for this cause had ,he come unto this hour8 ,to ,his ,father alone could ,he turn for comforting support1 not to ask relief from1 but strength to endure1 what was to come2 and ,he prayed3 ,father1 glorify thy name4 ,it was the rising of a mighty ,soul to meet a supreme issue1 which for the moment had seemed to be overwhelming4 ,to that prayer of renewed surrender to the ,father's will1 ,then came there a voice from heaven1 saying1 ,i have both glorified it1 and will glorify it again4 ,the voice was real2 it was no subjective whisper of comfort to the inner consciousness of ,jesus1 but an external1 objective reality4 ,people who were standing by heard the sound1 and interpreted it variously2 some said it was thunder2 others1 of better spiritual discernment1 said3 ,an angel spake to him2 and some may have understood the words as had ,jesus4 ,now fully emerged from the passing cloud of enveloping anguish1 the ,lord turned to the people1 saying3 ,this voice came not because of me1 but for your sakes4 ,and then1 with the consciousness of assured triumph over sin and death1 ,he exclaimed in accents of divine jubilation1 as though the cross and the sepulchre were already of the past3 ,now is the judgment of this world3 now shall the prince of this world be cast out4 ,satan1 the prince of the world was doomed4#ajge ,and ,i1 the ,lord continued1 if ,i be lifted up from the earth1 will draw all men unto me4 ,john assures us that this last utterance signified the manner of the ,lord's death2 the people so understood1 and they asked an explanation of what seemed to them an inconsistency1 in that the scriptures1 as they had been taught to interpret the same1 declared that the ,christ was to abide forever1#ajgf and now ,he who claimed to be the ,messiah1 the ,son of ,man1 averred that ,he must be lifted up4 ,who is this ,son of man8 they asked4 ,mindful as ever not to cast pearls where they would not be appreciated1 the ,lord refrained from a direct avowal1 but admonished them to walk in the light while the light was with them1 for darkness would surely follow2 and as ,he reminded them1 he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth4 ,in conclusion the ,lord admonished them thus3 ,while ye have light1 believe in the light1 that ye may be the children of light4#ajgg ,at the close of this discourse ,jesus departed from the people and did hide himself from them4 ,the record of the first day of what has come to be known as the week of our ,lord's passion#ajgh is thus concluded by ,mark3 ,and when he had looked round about upon all things1 and now the eventide was come1 he went out unto ,bethany with the twelve4#ajgi ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #bi4 #a4 ,the ,mother of ,james and ,john4--,the mother of these two sons of ,zebedee 7,matt4 #bj3bj2 compare #d3ba7 is generally understood to have been the ,salome mentioned as one of the women present at the crucifixion 7,mark #ae3dj2 compare ,matt4 #bg3ef in which the mother of ,zebedee's children is mentioned1 and the name ,salome is omitted71 and one of those who arrived first at the tomb on the morning of the resurrection 7,mark #af3a74 ,from the fact that ,john mentions the mother of ,jesus and his mother's sister 7#ai3be7 and omits mention of ,salome by name1 some expositors hold that ,salome was the sister of ,mary the mother of ,jesus2 and therefore the ,savior's aunt4 ,this relationship would make ,james and ,john cousins to ,jesus4 ,while the scriptural record does not disprove this alleged kinship1 it certainly does not affirm the same4 #b4 ,jericho4--,this was an ancient city1 lying north-easterly from ,jerusalem1 a little less than fifteen miles in a straight line4 ,in the course of the exodus it was captured by the people of ,israel through a miraculous interposition of divine power4 7,josh4 #f74 ,the productiveness of the region is indicated by the descriptive appellation city of palm trees 7,deut4 #cd3c2 ,judg4 #a3af2 #c3ac2 #b ,chron4 #bh3ae74 ,the name ,jericho means place of fragrance4 ,its climate was semi-tropical1 a consequence of its low altitude4 ,it lay in a valley several hundred feet below the level of the ,mediterranean2 this explains ,luke's statement 7#ai3bh7 that after ,jesus had spoken the ,parable of the ,pounds when on the way from ,jericho1 he went before1 ascending up to ,jerusalem4 ,in the time of ,christ1 ,jericho was an important city2 and the abundance of its commercial products1 particularly balsam and spices1 led to the maintenance of a customs office there1 over which ,zaccheus seems to have presided4 #c4 ,the ,nobleman and the ,kingdom4--,the local setting of the part of the ,parable of the ,pounds that relates to a certain nobleman going into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom1 had its parallel in history4 ,archelaus1 who by the will of his father1 ,herod the ,great1 had been named king of the ,jews1 set out for ,rome to ask of the emperor the confirmation of his royal status4 ,he was opposed by a protest from the people4 ,on the utilization of this circumstance in the parable1 ,farrar 7p4 #dic1 note7 says3 ,a nobleman going into a far country to receive a kingdom would be utterly unintelligible1 had we not fortunately known that this was done both by ,archelaus and by ,antipas 7,jos4 ,ant4 xvii1 #i3d74 ,and in the case of ,archelaus the ,jews had actually sent to ,augustus a deputation of fifty1 to recount his cruelties and oppose his claims1 which1 though it failed at the time1 was subsequently successful 7,josephus1 ,ant4 xvii1 #ac3b74 ,philipus defended the property of ,archelaus1 during his absence1 from the encroachments of the ,proconsul ,sabinus4 ,the magnificent palace which ,archelaus had built at ,jericho 7,jos4 ,ant4 xvii1 #ac3a7 would naturally recall these circumstances to the mind of ,jesus1 and the parable is another striking example of the manner in which ,he utilized the most ordinary circumstances around ,him1 and made them the bases of ,his highest teachings4 ,it is also another unsuspected indication of the authenticity and truthfulness of the ,gospels4 #d4 ,we ,will ,not ,have this ,man to ,reign ,over ,us4--,on this phase of the parable1 ,trench 7,miracles1 p4 #cij7 very aptly remarks3 ,twice before ,he had gone to receive ,his kingdom1 this very declaration found formal utterance from their lips1--once when they cried to ,pilate1 ',we have no king but ,csar'2 and again when they remonstrated with him1 ',write not1 ,the ,king of the ,jews' 7,john #ai3ae1 #ba2 compare ,acts #ag3g74 ,but the stricter fulfilment of these words is to be found in the demeanor of the ,jews after ,his ascension1 their fierce hostility to ,christ in ,his infant ,church 7,acts #ab3c2 #ac3de2 #ad3ah2 #ag3e2 #ah3f2 #bb3bb2 #bc3ab2 #a ,thes4 #b3ae74 #e4 ,the ,day of the ,supper at ,bethany4--,john places this event as having occurred on the day following ,christ's arrival in ,bethany1 for as we see from #ab3ab1 the triumphal entry into ,jerusalem took place on the next day after the supper1 and1 as stated in the text1 ,jesus most probably reached ,bethany on ,friday4 ,the joyous processional into ,jerusalem did not occur on the day following ,friday1 for that was the ,jewish ,sabbath4 ,matthew 7#bf3b-ac7 and ,mark 7#ad3a-i7 give place to the incident of the supper after the record of the triumphal entry and other events1 from which some have drawn the inference that these two writers place the supper two days before the ,passover4 ,this inference lacks confirmation4 ,in this matter the chronological order given by ,john appears to be the true one4 #f4 ,the ,family ,home at ,bethany4--,the home of ,martha1 ,mary1 and ,lazarus appears to have been the usual abiding place of ,jesus when ,he was in ,bethany4 ,undoubtedly ,he was on terms of very close and affectionate acquaintanceship with all members of the family1 even before the miraculous raising of ,lazarus from the dead1 and1 this supremely blessed occurrence must have intensified into worshipful reverence the esteem in which our ,lord had been held in that household4 ,as to whether this home was identical with the house of ,simon the leper1 the scriptural record does not state4 ,john1 who gives a fairly detailed account of the supper served by ,martha1 makes no mention of ,simon or his house4 ,it is noticeable that the synoptic writers say very little about this home in ,bethany4 ,farrar has aptly remarked 7p4 #dhc73 ,we seem to trace in the ,synoptists a special reticence about the family at ,bethany4 ,the house in which they take a prominent position is called 'the house of ,simon the leper'2 ,mary is called simply 'a woman' by ,st4 ,matthew and ,st4 ,mark 7,matt4 #bf3f1 #g2 ,mark #ad3c72 and ,st4 ,luke contents himself with calling ,bethany 'a certain village' 7,luke #aj3ch71 although he was perfectly aware of the name 7,luke #ai3bi74 #g4 ,spikenard ,ointment4--,this was among the most highly prized of oriental unguents4 ,that with which ,mary anointed ,jesus is described by ,matthew and ,mark as very precious1 and by ,john as very costly4 ,in the original the adjective pistic appears2 this is translated by some as meaning liquid1 but by others as signifying genuine4 ,there were many inferior imitations of the real spikenard1 or nard2 and we are left without a doubt that ,mary's precious gift was of the best4 ,the plant from which the fragrant extract is obtained is a species of bearded grass indigenous in ,india4 ,spikenard is mentioned in ,song of ,solomon #a3ab2 #d3ac1 #ad4 #h4 ,hosanna6--,hosanna is a ,greek form of the ,hebrew expression for ,save us now1 or ,save1 we pray1 which occurs in the original of ,psalm #aah3be4 ,it occurs nowhere in the ,english ,bible except in the acclamations of the people at ,christ's triumphal entry into ,jerusalem1 and in the joyous shouts of children in the temple 7,matt4 #ba3i1 #ae74 ,note the rendering of the ,hosanna ,shout in the restored ,church of ,christ in the current dispensation on occasions of particular rejoicing before the ,lord 7see the ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #abj1 #aej1 #baj74 ,hallelujah1 literally rendered1 means ,praise ye ,jehovah4 ,it occurs in the ,greek form ,alleluia in ,rev4 #ai3a1 #c1 #d1 #f4 #i4 ,the ,first ,day in ,passion ,week4--,a comparison of the accounts of the ,lord's triumphal entry into ,jerusalem1 and of certain events following1 as recorded by the three synoptists1 shows at least a possibility of discrepancy as to sequence4 ,it appears certain that ,jesus visited the temple grounds on the day of the royal advent into the city4 ,from ,matthew #ba3ab and ,luke #ai3de and the context preceding these passages1 the inference has been drawn that the second clearing of the temple occurred on the day of the processional entry2 while others interpret ,mark #aa3aa and #ae as meaning that the event took place on a later day4 ,the question is admittedly an open one2 and the order of presentation followed in the text is one of convenience of treatment based on rational probability4 ,,footnotes3 #ajci ,matt4 #bj3ag-ai2 ,mark #aj3cb-cd2 ,luke #ah3ca-cd4 #ajdj ,the earlier predictions were3 7#a7 that spoken shortly before the ,transfiguration 7,matt4 #af3ba2 ,mark #h3ca71 and 7#b7 that which followed1 in ,galilee1 7,matt4 #ag3bb1 #bc2 ,mark #i3ca2 compare ,luke #i3dd74 #ajda ,matt4 #bj3bj-bh2 ,mark #aj3ce-de4 #ajdb ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #ajdc ,for earlier lessons on the greatness of humility see pages #chf and #dga2 for the significance of the title1 ,son of ,man1 see pages #adb-add4 #ajdd ,matt4 #bj3cj-cd2 ,mark #aj3df-eb2 ,luke #ah3ce-dc4 #ajde ,see account of the two demoniacs1 ,matt4 #h3bh1 compare ,mark #e3a1 ,luke #h3bg4 ,see also page #caj herein4 #ajdf ,compare ,matt4 #i3bg2 #ae3bb2 page #he herein4 #ajdg ,luke #ai3a-aj4 #ajdh ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #ajdi ,exo4 #bb3a-i4 #ajej ,compare pages #chi and #ded to #dfa4 #ajea ,luke #ai3aa-bg4 #ajeb ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #ajec ,compare ,mark #ac3cd4 #ajed ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #ajee ,comparison of similarities and differences between this parable and that of the ,talents 7,matt4 #be3ad-cj7 will be made in chapter #cb1 pages #ehj-ehd4 #ajef ,john #ab3a-h2 ,matt4 #bf3f-ac2 ,mark #ad3c-i4 #ajeg ,see ,exo4 #ab3a-aj2 also page #aab herein4 #ajeh ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #ajei ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #ajfj ,luke #aj3dj-db2 page #dcb herein4 #ajfa ,the better rendering is cruse or flask instead of box4 ,see revised version4 #ajfb ,this occurrence must not be confused with that of an earlier anointing of ,jesus by a penitent sinner in the house of ,simon the ,pharisee 7,luke #g3cf-ej7 in ,galilee4 ,see page #bfb herein4 #ajfc ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #ajfd ,three hundred pence or ,roman denarii would be approximately equal in value to forty-five dollars4 #ajfe ,matt4 #ba3a-aa2 ,mark #aa3a-aa2 ,luke #ai3bi-dd2 ,john #ab3ab-ai4 #ajff ,note #h1 end of chapter4 #ajfg ,compare ,hab4 #b3aa4 #ajfh ,the ,sunday before ,easter is annually celebrated by many ,christian sects as ,palm ,sunday1 in commemoration of our ,lord's triumphal entry into ,jerusalem4 #ajfi ,zech4 #i3i4 #ajgj ,john #ab3bj-bf4 #ajga ,see ,house of the ,lord1 pages #ef1 #eg4 #ajgb ,john records this event in immediate sequence to the ,lord's triumphal entry1 though without any specific indication of the time of its occurrence4 #ajgc ,compare #a ,cor4 #ae3cf4 #ajgd ,john #ab3bg-cf4 #ajge ,compare ,john #ad3cj2 #af3aa4 #ajgf ,see e4g4 ,isa4 #i3g2 ,dan4 #g3ad1 #bg2 ,ezek4 #cg3be4 #ajgg ,compare ,john #a3i2 #c3ai2 #h3ab2 #i3e2 #ab3df2 see page #djg4 #ajgh ,acts #a3c4 #ajgi ,mark #aa3aa4 ,note #i1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #cj4 ,,jesus ,,returns ,,to ,,the ,,temple ,,daily4 ,,an ,,instructive ,,incident ,,on ,,the ,,way4#ajhj ,on the morrow1 which1 as we reckon1 was ,monday1 the second day of ,passion week1 ,jesus and the ,twelve returned to ,jerusalem and spent the greater part of the day at the temple4 ,the start from ,bethany was an early one1 and ,jesus hungered by the way4 ,looking ahead ,he saw a fig tree that differed from the rest of the many fig trees of the region in that it was in full leaf though the season of fruit had not yet come4#ajha ,it is well known that the fruit-buds of a fig-tree appear earlier than do the leaves1 and that by the time the tree is in full foliage the figs are well advanced toward maturity4 ,moreover1 certain species of figs are edible while yet green2 indeed the unripe fruit is relished in the ,orient at the present time4 ,it would be reasonable1 therefore1 for one to expect to find edible figs even in early ,april on a tree that was already covered with leaves4 ,when ,jesus and ,his party reached this particular tree1 which had rightly been regarded as rich in promise of fruit1 they found on it nothing but leaves2 it was a showy1 fruitless1 barren tree4 ,it was destitute even of old figs1 those of the preceding season1 some of which are often found in spring on fruitful trees4 ,jesus pronounced upon that tree the sentence of perpetual barrenness4 ,no man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever ,he said according to ,mark's account2 or1 as ,matthew records the judgment1 ,let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever4 ,the latter writer tells us in immediate sequence that presently the fig tree withered away2 but the former makes it appear that the effect of the curse was not observed until the following morning1 when1 as ,jesus and the apostles were once again on the way between ,bethany and ,jerusalem1 they saw that the fig tree had withered and dried from the roots up4 ,peter called attention to the blasted tree1 and1 addressing ,jesus1 exclaimed3 ,master1 behold1 the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away4 ,applying the lesson of the occasion1 ,jesus said1 ,have faith in ,god2 and then ,he repeated some of ,his former assurances as to the power of faith1 by which even mountains may be removed1 should there be need of such miraculous accomplishment1 and through which1 indeed1 any necessary thing may be done4 ,the blighting of a tree was shown to be small in comparison with the greater possibilities of achievement through faith and prayer4 ,but to so achieve one must work and pray without reservation or doubt1 as the ,lord thus made plain3 ,therefore ,i say unto you1 ,what things soever ye desire1 when ye pray1 believe that ye receive them1 and ye shall have them4 ,prayer must be acceptable unto ,god to be effective2 and it follows that he who desires to accomplish any work through prayer and faith must be fit to present himself before the ,lord in supplication2 therefore ,jesus again instructed the apostles saying3 ,and when ye stand praying1 forgive1 if ye have ought against any3 that your ,father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses4 ,but if ye do not forgive1 neither will your ,father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses4#ajhb ,the blighting of the barren fig tree is regarded by many as unique among the recorded miracles of ,christ1 from the fact that while all the others were wrought for relief1 blessing1 and beneficent purposes generally1 this one appears as an act of judgment and destructive execution1 ,nevertheless in this miracle the ,lord's purpose is not hidden2 and the result1 while fatal to a tree1 is of lasting blessing to all who would learn and profit1 by the works of ,god4 ,if no more has been accomplished by the miracle than the presenting of so impressive an object lesson for the instructions that followed1 that smitten tree has proved of greater service to humanity than have all the fig orchards of ,bethphage4#ajhc ,to the apostles the act was another and an indisputable proof of the ,lord's power over nature1 ,his control of natural forces and all material things1 ,his jurisdiction over life and death4 ,he had healed multitudes2 the wind and the waves had obeyed ,his words2 on three occasions ,he had restored the dead to life2 it was fitting that ,he should demonstrate ,his power to smite and to destroy4 ,in manifesting ,his command over death1 ,he had mercifully raised a maiden from the couch on which she had died1 a young man from the bier on which he was being carried to the grave1 another from the sepulchre in which he had been laid away a corpse2 but in proof of ,his power to destroy by a word ,he chose a barren and worthless tree for ,his subject4 ,could any of the ,twelve doubt1 when1 a few days later they saw ,him in the hands of vindictive priests and heartless pagans1 that did ,he so will ,he could smite ,his enemies by a word1 even unto death8 ,yet not until after ,his glorious resurrection did even the apostles realize how truly voluntary ,his sacrifice had been4 ,but the fate that befell the barren fig tree is instructive from another point of view4 ,the incident is as much parable as miracle4 ,that leafy tree was distinguished among fig trees2 the others offered no invitation1 gave no promise2 the time of figs was not yet2 they1 in due season would bring forth fruit and leaves2 but this precocious and leafy pretender waved its umbrageous limbs as in boastful assertion of superiority4 ,for those who responded to its ostentatious invitation1 for the hungering ,christ who came seeking fruit1 it had naught but leaves4 ,even for the purposes of the lesson involved1 we cannot conceive of the tree being blighted primarily because it was fruitless1 for at that season the other fig trees were bare of fruit also2 it was made the object of the curse and the subject of the ,lord's instructive discourse1 because1 having leaves1 it was deceptively barren4 ,were it reasonable to regard the tree as possessed of moral agency1 we would have to pronounce it a hypocrite2 its utter barrenness coupled with its abundance of foliage made of it a type of human hypocrisy4 ,the leafy1 fruitless tree was a symbol of ,judaism1 which loudly proclaimed itself as the only true religion of the age1 and condescendingly invited all the world to come and partake of its rich ripe fruit2 when in truth it was but an unnatural growth of leaves1 with no fruit of the season1 nor even an edible bulb held over from earlier years1 for such as it had of former fruitage was dried to worthlessness and made repulsive in its worm-eaten decay4 ,the religion of ,israel had degenerated into an artificial religionism1 which in pretentious show and empty profession outclassed the abominations of heathendom4 ,as already pointed out in these pages1 the fig tree was a favorite type in rabbinical representation of the ,jewish race1 and the ,lord had before adopted the symbolism in the ,parable of the ,barren ,fig ,tree1 that worthless growth which did but cumber the ground4#ajhd ,,second ,,clearing ,,of ,,the ,,temple4#ajhe ,within the temple grounds ,jesus was filled with indignation at the scene of tumult and desecration which the place presented4 ,three years before1 at ,passover time1 ,he had been wrought up to a high state of righteous anger by a similar exhibition of sordid chaffering within the sacred precincts1 and had driven out the sheep and oxen and forcibly expelled the traders and the money-changers and all who were using ,his ,father's house as a house of merchandize4#ajhf ,that was near the beginning of ,his public labor1 and the vigorous action was among the first of ,his works to attract general attention2 now1 within four days of the cross1 ,he cleared the courts again by casting out all them that sold and bought in the temple1 and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers1 and the seats of them that sold doves2 nor would ,he suffer any to carry their buckets and baskets through the enclosure1 as many were in the habit of doing1 and so making the way a common thoroughfare4 ,is it not written1 ,he demanded of them in wrath1 ,my house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer8 but ye have made it a den of thieves4 ,on the former occasion1 before ,he had declared or even confessed ,his ,messiahship1 ,he had designated the temple as ,my ,father's house2 now that ,he had openly avowed ,himself to be the ,christ1 ,he called it ,my house4 ,the expressions are in a sense synonymous2 ,he and the ,father were and are one in possession and dominion4 ,the means by which the later expulsion was accomplished are not stated2 but it is plain that none could withstand ,his authoritative command2 ,he acted in the strength of righteousness1 before which the forces of evil had to give way4 ,his wrath of indignation was followed by the calmness of gentle ministry2 there in the cleared courts of ,his house1 blind and lame folk came limping and groping about ,him1 and ,he healed them4 ,the anger of the chief priests and scribes was raging against ,him2 but it was impotent4 ,they had decreed ,his death1 and had made repeated efforts to take ,him1 and there ,he sat within the very area over which they claimed supreme jurisdiction1 and they were afraid to touch ,him because of the common people1 whom they professed to despize yet heartily feared--for all the people were very attentive to hear him4 ,the rage of the officials was further aggravated by a touching incident1 which seems to have accompanied or to have immediately followed ,his merciful healing of the afflicted folk at the temple4 ,children saw what ,he did2 with their innocent minds yet unsullied by the prejudice of tradition and their sight yet undarkened by sin1 they perceived in ,him the ,christ1 and burst forth into praise and worship in a hymn that was heard by the angels3 ,hosanna to the son of ,david4 ,with ill-concealed anger the temple officials demanded of ,him3 ,hearest thou what these say8 ,they probably expected ,him to disclaim the title1 or possibly hoped that ,he would reassert ,his claim in a manner that would afford excuse for legal action against ,him1 for to most of them the ,son of ,david was the ,messiah1 the promised ,king4 ,would ,he clear ,himself of the blasphemy that attached to the unjustified acknowledgment of so awful a dignity8 ,jesus answered1 with an implied rebuke for their ignorance of the scriptures3 ,yea2 have ye never read1 ,out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise8#ajhg ,it was now ,monday evening2 ,jesus left the city and retired again to ,bethany1 where ,he lodged4 ,this course was a prudent one1 in view of the determination of the rulers to get ,him into their power provided they could do so without arousing the people4 ,this they could not accomplish by day1 for wherever ,he appeared ,he was the center of a multitude2 but had ,he remained in ,jerusalem over night the vigilant emissaries of the hierarchy might have succeeded in taking ,him1 unless ,he withstood them by some miraculous action4 ,near as was ,his hour1 it had not yet struck2 and ,he would be made captive only as ,he permitted ,himself1 a voluntary victim1 to be taken into the hands of ,his enemies4 ,,christ',s ,,authority ,,challenged ,,by ,,the ,,rulers4#ajhh ,on the following day1 that is on ,tuesday1 ,he returned to the temple with the ,twelve1 passing the withered fig tree on the way and impressing the moral of the combined miracle and parable as we have already seen4 ,as ,he taught in the sacred place1 preaching the gospel to all who would hear1 the chief priests with a number of scribes and elders came upon ,him in a body4 ,they had been debating about ,him over night1 and had resolved on at least one step2 they would challenge ,his authority for what ,he had done the day before4 ,they were the guardians of the temple1 both the material structure and the theocratic system for which the holy edifice stood2 and this ,galilean1 who permitted ,himself to be called the ,christ and defended those who so acclaimed ,him1 had for the second time ignored their authority within the temple walls and in the presence of the common people over whom they lorded so arrogantly4 ,so this official deputation1 with plans matured1 came to ,him saying3 ,by what authority doest thou these things8 and who gave thee this authority8 ,this action was doubtless a preliminary step in a preconcerted attempt to suppress the activities of ,jesus1 both of word and deed1 within the temple precincts4 ,it will be remembered that after the first cleansing of the temple1 the ,jews had angrily demanded of ,jesus a sign by which they might judge the question of ,his divine commission2#ajhi and it is significant that on this latter occasion no sign was asked1 but instead thereof1 a specific avowal as to the authority ,he possessed and by whom it had been given ,him4 ,a three years' course of miracle and teaching was known to them2 on the yesterday blind and lame had been healed inside the temple walls2 and ,lazarus1 the living testimony of the ,lord's power over death and the grave was before them4 ,to ask a further sign would have been to flagrantly expose themselves to the ridicule of the people4 ,they knew what authority the ,lord claimed2 their question was of sinister purpose4 ,jesus did not condescend to voice an answer in which they could possibly find further excuse for antagonizing ,him2 but ,he availed ,himself of a method very common among themselves--that of countering one question with another4 ,and ,jesus answered and said unto them1 ,i also will ask you one thing1 which if ye tell me1 ,i in like wise will tell you by what authority ,i do these things4 ,the baptism of ,john1 whence was it8 from heaven1 or of men8 ,they consulted among themselves as to what answer would best serve to extricate them from an embarrassing position2 no mention is made of any attempt to ascertain the truth and reply accordingly2 they were thoroughly nonplussed4 ,should they answer that ,john's baptism was of ,god1 ,jesus would probably demand of them why then they had not believed in the ,baptist1 and why they did not accept ,john's testimony concerning ,himself4 ,on the other hand1 should they aver that ,john had no divine authority to preach and baptize1 the people would turn against them1 for the martyred ,baptist was revered by the masses as a prophet4 ,in spite of their boasted learning1 they answered as puzzled school-boys might do when they perceive hidden difficulties in what at first seemed but a simple problem4 ,we cannot tell said they4 ,then ,jesus replied ,neither tell ,i you by what authority ,i do these things4 ,chief priests1 scribes1 and elders of the people were outwitted and humiliated4 ,the tables were completely turned upon them2 ,jesus1 whom they had come to question1 became the examiner2 they a class of cowed and unwilling listeners4 ,he the ready instructor1 and the multitude interested observers4 ,with little likelihood of immediate interruption the ,master proceeded in calm deliberation to relate to them a series of three splendid stories1 each of which they felt applied to themselves with incisive certainty4 ,the first of the narrations we call the ,parable of the ,two ,sons4 ,but what think ye8 ,a certain man had two sons2 and he came to the first1 and said1 ,son1 go work today in my vineyard4 ,he answered and said1 ,i will not3 but afterward he repented1 and went4 ,and he came to the second1 and said likewise4 ,and he answered and said1 ,i go1 sir3 and went not4 ,whether of them twain did the will of his father8 ,they say unto him1 ,the first4 ,jesus saith unto them1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of ,god before you4 ,for ,john came unto you in the way of righteousness1 and ye believed him not2 but the publicans and the harlots believed him3 and ye1 when ye had seen it1 repented not afterward1 that ye might believe him4#ajij ,the opening sentence1 ,but what think ye8 was a call to close attention4 ,it implied a question soon to follow2 and that proved to be3 ,which of the two sons was the obedient one8 ,there was but one consistent answer1 and they had to give it1 however loath4 ,the application of the parable followed with convicting promptness4 ,they1 the chief priests1 scribes1 ,pharisees and elders of the people1 were typified by the second son1 who1 when told to labor in the vineyard answered so assuringly1 but went not1 though the vines were running to wild growth for want of pruning1 and such poor fruit as might mature would be left to fall and rot upon the ground4 ,the publicans and sinners upon whom they vented their contempt1 whose touch was defilement1 were like unto the first son1 who in rude though frank refusal ignored the father's call1 but afterward relented and set to work1 repentantly hoping to make amends for the time he had lost and for the unfilial spirit he had shown4#ajia ,publicans and sinners1 touched in their hearts by the clarion call to repentance1 had flocked to the ,baptist in the wilderness with the earnest inquiry3 ,master1 what shall we do8#ajib ,john's call had been to no particular class2 but while self-confessed sinners had repented and sought baptism at his hands1 those very ,pharisees and elders of the people had rejected his testimony and had hypocritically sought to ensnare him4#ajic ,through the parable ,jesus answered ,his own question as to whether the baptism of ,john was of ,god or of man4 ,the ,lord's affirmation1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of ,god before you1 was condemnatory of the corrupt though sanctimonious polity of the hierarchy throughout4 ,it was not wholly without intimation of possible reformation1 however4 ,he did not say that the repentant sinners should enter1 and the priestly hypocrites stand forever excluded2 for the latter there was hope if they would but repent1 though they would have to follow1 not lead1 in the glorious procession of the redeemed4 ,in a continuation of the same discourse the ,lord presented the ,parable of the ,wicked ,husbandmen1 as follows3 ,hear another parable3 ,there was a certain householder1 which planted a vineyard1 and hedged it round about1 and digged a winepress in it1 and built a tower1 and let it out to husbandmen1 and went into a far country3 ,and when the time of the fruit drew near1 he sent his servants to the husbandmen1 that they might receive the fruits of it4 ,and the husbandmen took his servants1 and beat one1 and killed another1 and stoned another4 ,again1 he sent other servants more than the first3 and they did unto them likewise4 ,but last of all he sent unto them his son1 saying1 ,they will reverence my son4 ,but when the husbandmen saw the son1 they said among themselves1 ,this is the heir2 come1 let us kill him1 and let us seize on his inheritance4 ,and they caught him1 and cast him out of the vineyard1 and slew him4 ,when the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh1 what will he do unto those husbandmen8 ,they say unto him1 ,he will miserably destroy those wicked men1 and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen1 which shall render him the fruits in their seasons4#ajid ,again the ,jews were compelled to make answer to the great question with which the parable dealt1 and again by their answer they pronounced judgment upon themselves4 ,the vineyard1 broadly speaking1 was the human family1 but more specifically the covenant people1 ,israel2 the soil was good and capable of yielding in rich abundance2 the vines were choice and had been set out with care2 and the whole vineyard was amply protected with a hedge1 and suitably furnished with winepress and tower4#ajie ,the husbandmen could be none other than the priests and teachers of ,israel1 including the ecclesiastical leaders who were then and there present in an official capacity4 ,the ,lord of the vineyard had sent among the people prophets authorized to speak in ,his name2 and these the wicked tenants had rejected1 maltreated1 and1 in many instances1 cruelly slain4#ajif ,in the more detailed reports of the parable we read that when the first servant came1 the cruel husbandmen beat him and sent him away empty2 the next they wounded in the head1 and sent him away shamefully handled2 another they murdered and all who came later were brutally mistreated1 and some of them were killed4 ,those wicked men had used the vineyard of their ,lord for personal gain1 and had rendered no part of the vintage to the lawful ,owner4 ,when the ,lord sent other messengers1 more than the first1 or in other words1 greater than the earlier ones1 the most recent example being ,john the ,baptist1 the husbandmen rejected them with evil determination more pronounced than ever4 ,at last the ,son had come in person2 ,his authority they feared as that of the lawful heir1 and with malignity almost beyond belief1 they determined to kill ,him that they might perpetuate their unworthy possession of the vineyard and thenceforward hold it as their own4 ,jesus carried the story without break from the criminal past to the yet more tragic and awful future1 then but three days distant2 and calmly related in prophetic imagery1 as though already fulfilled1 how those evil men cast the well beloved ,son out of the vineyard and slew ,him4 ,unable to evade the searching question as to what the ,lord of the vineyard would naturally and righteously do to the wicked husbandmen1 the ,jewish rulers gave the only pertinent answer possible--that ,he would surely destroy those wretched sinners1 and let out ,his vineyard to tenants who were more honest and worthy4 ,suddenly changing the figure1 ,jesus saith unto them1 ,did ye never read in the scriptures1 ,the stone which the builders rejected1 the same is become the head of the corner3 this is the ,lord's doing1 and it is marvellous in our eyes8 ,therefore say ,i unto you1 ,the kingdom of ,god shall be taken from you1 and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof4 ,and whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken2 but on whomsoever it shall fall1 it will grind him to powder4#ajig ,there could be no misapprehension as to the ,lord's meaning2 the rejected ,stone which was eventually to have chief place1 the head of the corner1 in the edifice of salvation1 was ,himself1 the ,messiah4 ,to some that ,stone would be a cause of stumbling2 wo unto them1 for thereby would they be broken1 and only through repentance and works of righteousness could they even in part recover2 but upon others1 those who would persist in their opposition1 the ,stone would fall in judgment2 and wo1 wo to them1 for beneath it they would be destroyed as though ground to powder4#ajih ,from them1 the leaders1 and from the people who followed their unholy precepts and foul example1 the kingdom of ,god was about to be taken1 and would in time be given to the ,gentiles1 who1 the ,lord affirmed1 would prove more worthy than ,israel had been4 ,we gather from ,luke's account that in contemplation of this awful penalty1 they1 whether priestly rulers or common people we are not told1 exclaimed in despair1 ,god forbid6 ,as the chief priests and ,pharisees realized the completeness of their discomfiture and the extent of the humiliation to which they had been subjected in the eyes of the people1 they were incensed beyond measure1 and even attempted to lay hold on ,jesus there in the temple2 but the sympathies of the multitude were so unmistakably in ,his favor that the angry ecclesiasts desisted4 ,the people in general1 while not prepared to openly proclaim ,him as the ,christ1 knew that ,he was a prophet of ,god1 and their dread of official displeasure and possible penalty did not deter them from friendly demonstrations4 ,jesus resumed ,his teaching by relating the ,parable of the ,royal ,marriage ,feast4 ,and ,jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables1 and said1 ,the kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king1 which made a marriage for his son1 ,and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding3 and they would not come4 ,again1 he sent forth other servants1 saying1 ,tell them which are bidden1 ,behold1 ,i have prepared my dinner3 my oxen and my fatlings are killed1 and all things are ready3 come unto the marriage4 ,but they made light of it1 and went their ways1 one to his farm1 another to his merchandise3 ,and the remnant took his servants1 and entreated them spitefully1 and slew them4 ,but when the king heard thereof1 he was wroth3 and he sent forth his armies1 and destroyed those murderers1 and burned up their city4 ,then saith he to his servants1 ,the wedding is ready1 but they which were bidden were not worthy4 ,go ye therefore into the highways1 and as many as ye shall find1 bid to the marriage4 ,so those servants went out into the highways1 and gathered together all as many as they found1 both bad and good3 and the wedding was furnished with guests4#ajii ,the invitation of a king to his subjects is equivalent to a command4 ,the marriage feast was no surprize event1 for the selected guests had been bidden long aforetime2 and1 in accordance with oriental custom were notified again on the opening day of the festivities1#aajj which1 according to ,hebrew customs1 would be understood as extending over a period of seven or fourteen days2 in this case of a marriage in the royal family the greater duration would be assumed4 ,many of the bidden guests refused to come when formally summoned2 and of the tolerant king's later and more pressing message they made light and went their ways1 while the most wicked turned upon the servants who brought the royal summons1 mistreated them cruelly1 and some of them they killed4 ,it is plainly evident that the refusal to attend the king's feast was a deliberate rebellion against the royal authority and a personal indignity against both the reigning sovereign and his son4 ,it was as much a duty as an honor for loyal subjects to attend the marriage festival of the prince1 whom we cannot err in regarding as the lawful heir to the throne1 and therefore the one who might some day reign over them4 ,the turning away by one man to his farm and by another to his merchandize is in part an evidence of their engrossment in material pursuits to the utter disregard of their sovereign's will2 but it signifies further an effort to deaden their troubled consciences by some absorbing occupation2 and possibly also a premeditated demonstration of the fact that they placed their personal affairs above the call of their king4 ,the monarch executed a terrible retribution upon his rebellious subjects4 ,if the parable was intended to be an allegorical presentation of actual events1 it passes at this point from the story of the past to that of the future1 for the destruction of ,jerusalem postdates by several decades the death of ,christ4 ,finding the guests who had some claim on the royal invitation to be utterly unworthy1 the king sent out his servants again1 and these gathered in from the highways and cross-roads1 from the byways and the lanes1 all they could find1 irrespective of rank or station1 whether rich or poor1 good or bad2 and the wedding was furnished with guests4 ,the great feast by which the ,messianic reign was to be ushered in was a favorite theme of jubilant exposition in both synagog and school2 and exultation ran high in the rabbinical dictum that none but the children of ,abraham would be among the blessed partakers4 ,the king in the parable is ,god2 the son whose marriage was the occasion of the feast is ,jesus1 the ,son of ,god2 the guests who were bidden early1 yet who refused to come when the feast was ready1 are the covenant people who rejected their ,lord1 the ,christ2 the later guests1 who were brought in from the streets and the roads1 are the ,gentile nations1 to whom the gospel has been carried since its rejection by the ,jews2 the marriage feast is symbolical of the glorious consummation of the ,messiah's mission4#aaja ,all students of the subject must have noted the points of resemblance by which this parable is related to that of the great supper2#aajb fewer perhaps have considered the differences between the two4 ,the earlier story was told in the house of one of the chief ,pharisees1 probably in some town in ,perea2 the later one was related within the temple1 after ,pharisaic opposition to ,christ had reached its height4 ,the first is of simpler plot and of gentler climax4 ,the neglect of the invited guests in the first story was accompanied by excuses in which some approach to polite apology appears2 the refusal of those bidden in the second parable was markedly offensive1 and was coupled with outrageous abuse and murder4 ,the host in one instance was a wealthy though private citizen1 in the other the giver of the feast was a king4 ,in the first1 the occasion was one of ordinary though abundant entertainment2 in the second1 the determining time was that of the appointed marriage of the royal heir4 ,retribution in the first instance was limited to exclusion from the banquet2 in the latter the individual punishment was death1 which was followed by the punitive example of the city's destruction4 ,our account of the royal marriage feast is not yet complete2 the story already considered is supplemented by the following3 ,and when the king came in to see the guests1 he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment3 ,and he saith unto him1 ,friend1 how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment8 ,and he was speechless4 ,then said the king to the servants1 ,bind him hand and foot1 and take him away1 and cast him into outer darkness2 there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth4 ,for many are called1 but few are chosen4 ,the lessons embodied in this section of the parable may be advantageously considered apart from those of the first division4 ,as was befitting his dignity1 the king came into the banquet hall after the guests had taken their places in orderly array4 ,his immediate detection of one who was without the prescribed garment implies a personal scrutiny of the guests4 ,one may be led to inquire1 how1 under the circumstances of hurried summoning1 the several guests could have suitably attired themselves for the feast4 ,the unity of the narrative requires that some provision had been made whereby each one who properly applied was given the garment prescribed by the king's command1 and in keeping with the established custom at court4 ,that the unrobed guest was guilty of neglect1 intentional disrespect1 or some more grievous offense1 is plain from the context4 ,the king at first was graciously considerate1 inquiring only as to how the man had entered without a wedding garment4 ,had the guest been able to explain his exceptional appearance1 or had he any reasonable excuse to offer1 he surely would have spoken2 but we are told that he remained speechless4 ,the king's summons had been freely extended to all whom his servants had found2 but each of them had to enter the royal palace by the door2 and before reaching the banquet room1 in which the king would appear in person1 each would be properly attired2 but the deficient one1 by some means had entered by another way2 and not having passed the attendant sentinels at the portal1 he was an intruder1 of a kind with the man to whom the ,lord had before referred as a thief and a robber because1 not entering by the door1 he had climbed up some other way4#aajc ,the king gave a command1 and his ministers#aajd bound the offender and cast him forth from the palace into outer darkness1 where the anguish of remorse caused weeping and gnashing of teeth4 ,as summary and epilogue of the three great parables constituting this series1 the ,lord spake these words of solemn import3 ,for many are called1 but few are chosen4#aaje ,each of the parables has its own wealth of wisdom2 and the three are as one in declaring the great truth that even the children of the covenant will be rejected except they make good their title by godly works2 while to the heathen and the sinners the portals of heaven shall open1 if by repentance and compliance with the laws and ordinances of the gospel they shall merit salvation4 ,the story of the royal marriage feast was the last of our ,lord's parables delivered publicly to a mixed audience4 ,two others were spoken to the apostles1 as they sat in solemn converse with the ,lord on the ,mount of ,olives after the public ministry of ,christ had been brought to a close4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #cj4 #a4 ,fig ,tree4--,the fig tree is very common in ,palestine 7,deut4 #h3h74 ,its fruit is a well known and highly esteemed article of food4 ,in the ,east this is of three kinds2 7#a7 the early fig1 ripening about the end of ,june2 7#b7 the summer fig1 ripening in ,august2 7#c7 the winter fig1 larger and darker than ,no4 #b1 hanging and ripening late on the tree1 even after the leaves were shed1 and sometimes gathered in the spring4 ,the blossoms of the fig tree are within the receptacle or so-called fruit1 and not visible outwardly2 and this fruit begins to develop before the leaves4 ,hence the fig tree which had leaves before the usual time might naturally have been expected to have also some figs on it 7,mark #aa3ac72 but it was not true to its pretensions4 7,smith's ,comp4 ,bible ,dict47 #b4 ,the ,two ,sons in the ,parable4--,although this excellent parable was addressed to the chief priests1 scribes1 and elders1 who had come in hostile spirit to demand of ,christ the credentials of ,his authority1 its lesson is of universal application4 ,the two sons are yet alive in every human community--the one openly boastful of his sin1 the other a hypocritical pretender4 ,jesus did not commend the rough refusal of the first son of whom the father made a righteous demand for service2 it was his subsequent repentance attended by works that made him superior to his brother who had made fair promise but had kept it not4 ,there are many today who boast that they make no profession of religion1 nor pretense of godly life4 ,their frankness will not mitigate their sins2 it simply shows that a certain species of hypocrisy is not prominent among their numerous offenses2 but that a man is innocent of one vice1 say that of drunkenness1 in no wise diminishes his measure of guilt if he be a liar1 a thief1 an adulterer1 or a murderer4 ,both the sons in the parable were grievous sinners2 but the one turned from his evil ways1 which theretofore he had followed with flagrant openness1 while the other continued in dark deeds of sin1 which he sought to cover by a cloak of hypocrisy4 ,let no man think that because he becomes intoxicated at the public bar he is any the less a drunkard than is he who swallows the beverage of hell in comparative privacy1 though the latter be both drunkard and hypocrite4 ,for these sins1 as for all others1 genuine repentance is the only saving antidote4 #c4 ,israel ,symbolized by ,vineyard and ,vines4--,the aptness of our ,lord's representation of ,israel as a vineyard could not have escaped the perception of the ,jews1 to whom ,old ,testament similes of analogous form were familiar figures4 ,notable among others is the striking picture presented by ,isaiah 7#e3a-g71 in which the well provided vineyard is shown as producing wild grapes only1 for which grievous disappointment of his expectations the owner determined to break down the wall1 remove the hedge1 and leave the vineyard to its fate of abandonment4 ,the explication of the parable voiced by ,isaiah is thus given3 ,for the vineyard of the ,lord of hosts is the house of ,israel1 and the men of ,judah his pleasant plant3 and he looked for judgment1 but behold oppression2 for righteousness1 but behold a cry4 ,the worthlessness of a vine save only for its fruit was set forth by the ,lord through ,his prophet ,ezekiel 7#ae3b-e72 and truly it is so1 that the wood of the grape plant is fit for nothing but burning2 the whole vine as wood is inferior to a branch from a forest tree 7verse #c74 ,and ,israel is represented as such a vine1 precious if but fruitful1 otherwise nothing but fuel and that of poor quality4 ,the psalmist sang of the vine that ,jehovah had brought out of ,egypt and which1 planted with care and hedged about1 had flourished even with goodly boughs2 but the favor of the ,lord had been turned from the vine1 and it had been left desolate 7,psalm #hj3h-af74 ,for further allusions see ,isa4 #bg3b-f2 ,jer4 #b3ba2 ,ezek4 #ai3aj-ad2 ,hosea #aj3a4 #d4 ,the ,call to the ,marriage ,feast4--,the calling of the guests who had been bidden aforetime is thus commented upon by ,trench 7,parables1 pp4 #age-f73 ,this summoning of those already bidden1 was1 and1 as modern travellers attest1 is still1 quite in accordance with ,eastern manners4 ,thus ,esther invites ,haman to a banquet on the morrow 7,esth4 #e3h71 and when the time has actually arrived1 the chamberlain comes to usher him to the banquet 7#f3ad74 ,there is1 therefore1 no slightest reason why we should make 'them that were bidden' to mean them that were now to be bidden2 such an interpretation not merely violating all laws of grammar1 but the higher purpose with which the parable was spoken2 for our ,lord1 assuming that the guests had been invited long ago1 does thus remind ,his hearers that what ,he brought1 if in one sense new1 was in another a fulfilment of the old2 that ,he claimed to be heard1 not as one suddenly starting up1 unconnected with aught which had gone before but as ,himself 'the end of the law1' to which it had been ever tending1 the birth with which the whole ,jewish dispensation had been pregnant1 and which alone should give a meaning to it all4 ,in ,his words1 'them that were bidden1' is involved the fact that there was nothing abrupt in the coming of ,his kingdom1 that its rudiments had a long while before been laid1 that all to which ,his adversaries clung as precious in their past history was prophetic of blessings now actually present to them in ,him4 ,the original invitation1 which had now come to maturity1 reached back to the foundation of the ,jewish commonwealth1 was taken up and repeated by each succeeding prophet1 as he prophesied of the crowning grace that should one day be brought to ,israel 7,luke #aj3bd2 #a ,pet4 #a3ab71 and summoned the people to hold themselves in a spiritual readiness to welcome their ,lord and their ,king4 #e4 ,servants and ,ministers4--,according to good philological authority1 ministers or ministering attendants is a more literal rendering of the original than servants in ,matt4 #bb3ac4 ,in the earlier verses #c1 #d1 #f1 #h1 #aj1 of the same chapter1 servants or servitors best expresses the meaning of the original4 ,the distinction is significant1 as it implies an important difference of station between the servants who were sent out to bid the people to the feast1 and the ministers in immediate attendance upon the king4 ,the first are typical of ,god's servants who proclaim ,his word in the world2 the latter symbolize the angels who shall execute ,his judgments on the wicked by gathering out from ,his kingdom all things that offend4 ,compare ,matt4 #ac3cj1 #ci1 #da2 ,doc4 and ,cov4 #hf3e4 #f4 ,the ,called and the ,chosen4--,edersheim's reflections upon this subject follow in part 7vol4 ii1 pp4 #dbi1 #dcj73 ,the ,king entered to see ,his guests1 and among them he descried one who had not on a wedding garment4444 ,as the guests had been travelers1 and as the feast was in the ,king's palace1 we cannot be mistaken in supposing that such garments were supplied in the palace to all who sought them4 ,and with this agrees the circumstance1 that the man so addressed 'was speechless4' ,his conduct argued utter insensibility as regarded that to which he had been called--ignorance of what was due the ,king1 and what became such a feast4 ,for1 although no previous state of preparedness was required of the invited guests1 all being bidden1 whether good or bad1 yet the fact remained that1 if they were to take part in the feast they must put on a garment suited to the occasion4 ,all are invited to the gospel feast2 but they who will partake of it must put on the ,king's wedding garment of evangelical holiness4 ,and whereas it is said in the parable that only one was descried without this garment1 this is intended to teach1 that the ,king will not only generally view ,his guests1 but that each will be separately examined1 and that no one--no1 not a single individual--will be able to escape discovery amidst the mass of guests1 if he has not the wedding garment4 ,in short1 in that day of trial1 it is not a scrutiny of churches1 but of individuals in the ,church4444 ,the call comes to all2 but it may be outwardly accepted1 and a man may sit down to the feast1 and yet he may not be chosen to partake of the feast1 because he has not the wedding garment of converting1 sanctifying grace4 ,and so1 one may be thrust even from the marriage board into the darkness without1 with its sorrow and anguish4 ,thus1 side by side1 yet wide apart1 are these two--,god's call and ,god's choice4 ,the connecting link between them is the wedding garment1 freely given in the ,palace4 ,yet1 we must seek it1 ask it1 put it on4 ,and as here also1 we have1 side by side1 ,god's gift and man's activity4 ,and still1 to all time1 and to all men1 alike in its warning1 teaching1 and blessing1 is it true3 ',many are called1 but few chosen6' ,many words of related meaning1 both ,hebrew and ,greek1 are translated 'garment' in our ,english ,bible4 ,the ,greek original in the mention of the wedding garment is enduma2 this does not occur in other ,bible passages as the original of 'garment4' ,the noun is related to the ,greek verb enduein1 'to put on1 as a garment4' ,compare ,luke #bd3di1 'until ye be endued with power from on high4' ,,footnotes3 #ajhj ,matt4 #ba3ah-bb2 ,mark #aa3ab-ad1 #bj-bf4 #ajha ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #ajhb ,page #bdj4 #ajhc ,bethphage1 the name of a village close to ,bethany1 and therefore near to the ,mount of ,olives1 means house of figs4 ,see mention1 ,matt4 #ba3a2 ,mark #aa3a2 ,luke #ai3bi4 ,bethany signifies house of dates4 ,for house in the literal translation we may read place4 #ajhd ,luke #ac3f-i2 page #ddc herein4 #ajhe ,matt4 #ba3ab1 #ac3 ,mark #aa3ae-ag2 ,luke #ai3de1 #df4 #ajhf ,john #b3ad-ag2 pages #aec-aeh herein4 #ajhg ,matt4 #ba3af2 compare ,psalm #h3b2 see also ,matt4 #aa3be2 #a ,cor4 #a3bg4 #ajhh ,matt4 #ba3bc-bg2 ,mark #aa3bg-cc2 ,luke #bj3a-h4 #ajhi ,john #b3ah-ba2 page #aef herein4 #ajij ,matt4 #ba3bh-cb4 #ajia ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #ajib ,luke #c3ab2 compare #g3bi2 see page #abc herein4 #ajic ,matt4 #c3g4 #ajid ,matt4 #ba3cc-da2 compare ,mark #ab3a-i2 ,luke #bj3i-af4 #ajie ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #ajif ,compare ,luke #aa3dg1 #dh2 ,matt4 #bc3bi-cc4 #ajig ,matt4 #ba3db-dd2 see also ,mark #ab3aj1 #aa2 ,luke #bj3ag1 #ah2 compare ,psalm #aah3bb2 ,isa4 #bh3af2 ,acts #d3aa2 ,eph4 #b3bj2 #a ,peter #b3f1 #g4 #ajih ,compare ,dan4 #b3dd1 #de2 ,isa4 #fj3ab4 #ajii ,matt4 #bb3a-aj4 #aajj ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #aaja ,compare ,matt4 #be3aj2 #b ,cor4 #aa3b2 ,eph4 #e3cb2 ,rev4 #ai3g2 #ba3b1 #i4 #aajb ,luke #ad3af-bd2 page #dej herein4 #aajc ,compare page #daf4 #aajd ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #aaje ,matt4 #bb3ad2 compare #bj3af2 see page #dha4 ,note #f1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #ca4 ,,the ,,close ,,of ,,our ,,lord',s ,,public ,,ministry4 ,a ,,conspiracy ,,of ,,pharisees ,,and ,,herodians4#aajf ,the ,jewish authorities continued unceasingly active in their determined efforts to tempt or beguile ,jesus into some act or utterance on which they could base a charge of offense1 under either their own or ,roman law4 ,the ,pharisees counseled together as to how they might entangle him in his talk2 and then1 laying aside their partisan prejudices1 they conspired to this end with the ,herodians1 a political faction whose chief characteristic was the purpose of maintaining in power the family of the ,herods1#aajg which policy of necessity entailed the upholding of the ,roman power1 upon which the ,herods depended for their delegated authority4 ,the same incongruous association had been entered into before in an attempt to provoke ,jesus to overt speech or action in ,galilee2 and the ,lord had coupled the parties together in ,his warning to the disciples to beware of the leaven of both4#aajh ,so1 on the last day of our ,lord's teaching in public1 ,pharisees and ,herodians joined forces against ,him2 the one watchful for the smallest technical infringement of the ,mosaic law1 the other alert to seize upon the slightest excuse for charging ,him with disloyalty to the secular powers4 ,their plans were conceived in treachery1 and put into operation as the living embodiment of a lie4 ,choosing some of their number who had not before appeared in personal antagonism to ,jesus1 and who were supposed to be unknown to ,him1 the chief conspirators sent these with instructions to feign themselves just men1 that they might take hold of his words1 that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor4 ,this delegation of hypocritical spies came asking a question1 in pretended sincerity1 as though they were troubled in conscience and desired counsel of the eminent ,teacher4 ,master1 said they with fawning duplicity1 we know that thou art true1 and teachest the way of ,god in truth1 neither carest thou for any man3 for thou regardest not the person of men4 ,this studied tribute to our ,lord's courage and independence of thought and action was truthful in every word2 but as uttered by those fulsome dissemblers and in their nefarious intent1 it was egregiously false4 ,the honeyed address1 however1 by which the conspirators attempted to cajole the ,lord into unwariness1 indicated that the question they were about to submit was one requiring for its proper answer just such qualities of mind as they pretendingly attributed to ,him4 ,tell us therefore1 they continued1 ,what thinkest thou8 ,is it lawful to give tribute unto ,csar1 or not8 ,the question had been chosen with diabolic craft2 for of all acts attesting compulsory allegiance to ,rome that of having to pay the poll-tax was most offensive to the ,jews4 ,had ,jesus answered ,yes1 the guileful ,pharisees might have inflamed the multitude against ,him as a disloyal son of ,abraham2 had ,his answer been ,no1 the scheming ,herodians could have denounced ,him as a promoter of sedition against the ,roman government4 ,moreover the question was unnecessary2 the nation1 both rulers and people had settled it1 however grudgingly1 for they accepted and circulated among themselves the ,roman coinage as a common medium of exchange2 and it was a criterion of recognition among the ,jews that to make current the coins of any sovereign was to acknowledge his royal authority4 ,but ,jesus perceived their wickedness1 and said1 ,why tempt ye me1 ye hypocrites8 ,all their artful expressions of false adulation were countered by the withering epithet hypocrites4 ,shew me the tribute money1 ,he commanded1 and they produced a penny--a ,roman denarius bearing the effigy and name of ,tiberius ,csar1 emperor of ,rome4 ,whose is this image and superscription8 ,he asked4 ,they answered ,csar's4 ,then saith he unto them1 ,render therefore unto ,csar the things which are ,csar's2 and unto ,god the things that are ,god's4#aaji ,the reply was a masterly one by whatever standard we gage it2 it has become an aphorism in literature and life4 ,it swept away any lingering thought or expectation that in the mind of ,him who had so recently ridden into ,jerusalem as ,king of ,israel and ,prince of ,peace1 there was even the semblance of aspiration for earthly power or dominion4 ,it established for all time the one righteous basis of relationship between spiritual and secular duties1 between church and state4 ,the apostles in later years builded upon this foundation and enjoined obedience to the laws of established governments4#aaaj ,one may draw a lesson if he will1 from the association of our ,lord's words with the occurrence of ,csar's image on the coin4 ,it was that effigy with its accompanying superscription that gave special point to ,his memorable instruction1 ,render therefore unto ,csar the things which are ,csar's4 ,this was followed by the further injunction3 and unto ,god the things that are ,god's4 ,every human soul is stamped with the image and superscription of ,god1 however blurred and indistinct the lines may have become through the corrosion or attrition of sin2#aaaa and as unto ,csar should be rendered the coins upon which his effigy appeared1 so unto ,god should be given the souls that bear ,his image4 ,render unto the world the stamped pieces that are made legally current by the insignia of worldly powers1 and give unto ,god and ,his service1 yourselves--the divine mintage of ,his eternal realm4 ,pharisees and ,herodians were silenced by the unanswerable wisdom of the ,lord's reply to their crafty question4 ,try as they would1 they could not take hold of his words1 and they were put to shame before the people who were witnesses to their humiliation4 ,marveling at ,his answer1 and unwilling to take the chance of further and possibly greater embarrassment1 they left him1 and went their way4 ,nevertheless these perverted ,jews persisted in their base and treacherous purpose1 as appears nowhere more glaringly evident than in their utterly false accusation before ,pilate--that ,jesus was guilty of forbidding to give tribute to ,csar1 saying that he himself is ,christ a ,king4#aaab ,,sadducees ,,question ,,about ,,the ,,resurrection4#aaac ,next1 the ,sadducees tried to discomfit ,jesus by propounding what they regarded as an involved if not indeed a very difficult question4 ,the ,sadducees held that there could be no bodily resurrection1 on which point of doctrine as on many others1 they were the avowed opponents of the ,pharisees4#aaad ,the question submitted by the ,sadducees on this occasion related directly to the resurrection1 and was framed to discredit the doctrine by a most unfavorable and grossly exaggerated application thereof4 ,master1 said the spokesman of the party1 ,moses said1 ,if a man die1 having no children1 his brother shall marry his wife1 and raise up seed unto his brother4 ,now there were with us seven brethren3 and the first1 when he had married a wife1 deceased1 and1 having no issue1 left his wife unto his brother3 ,likewise the second also1 and the third1 unto the seventh4 ,and last of all the woman died also4 ,therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven8 for they all had her4 ,it was beyond question that the ,mosaic law authorized and required that the living brother of a deceased and childless husband should marry the widow with the purpose of rearing children to the name of the dead1 whose family lineage would thus be legally continued4#aaae ,such a state of affairs as that presented by the casuistical ,sadducees1 in which seven brothers in succession had as wife and left as childless widow the same woman1 was possible under the ,mosaic code relating to levirate marriages2 but it was a most improbable instance4 ,jesus stopped not1 however1 to question the elements of the problem as presented to ,him2 whether the case was assumed or real mattered not1 since the question ,whose wife shall she be8 was based on an utterly erroneous conception4 ,jesus answered and said unto them1 ,ye do err1 not knowing the scriptures1 nor the power of ,god4 ,for in the resurrection they neither marry1 nor are given in marriage1 but are as the angels of ,god in heaven4 ,the ,lord's meaning was clear1 that in the resurrected state there can be no question among the seven brothers as to whose wife for eternity the woman shall be1 since all except the first had married her for the duration of mortal life only1 and primarily for the purpose of perpetuating in mortality the name and family of the brother who first died4 ,luke records the ,lord's words as follows in part3 ,but they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world1 and the resurrection from the dead1 neither marry1 nor are given in marriage3 ,neither can they die any more3 for they are equal unto the angels2 and are the children of ,god1 being the children of the resurrection4 ,in the resurrection there will be no marrying nor giving in marriage2 for all questions of marital status must be settled before that time1 under the authority of the ,holy ,priesthood1 which holds the power to seal in marriage for both time and eternity4#aaaf ,from the case presented by ,his treacherous questioners1 ,jesus turned to the actuality of the resurrection1 which was involved in and implied by the inquiry4 ,but as touching the resurrection of the dead1 said ,he1 have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by ,god1 saying1 ,i am the ,god of ,abraham1 and the ,god of ,isaac1 and the ,god of ,jacob8 ,god is not the ,god of the dead1 but of the living4 ,this was a direct assault upon the ,sadducean doctrine of negation concerning the literal resurrection of the dead4 ,the ,sadducees were distinctively the zealous upholders of the law1 wherein ,jehovah affirms ,himself to be the ,god of ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob2#aaag yet they denied the possible resurrection of these patriarchs1 and made the exalted title1 under which the ,lord had revealed ,himself to ,moses1 valid only during the brief mortal existence of the progenitors of the ,israelitish nation4 ,the declaration that ,jehovah is not the ,god of the dead but of the living was an unanswerable denunciation of the ,sadducean perversion of scripture2 and with solemn finality the ,lord added3 ,ye therefore do greatly err4 ,certain of the scribes present were impressed by the incontrovertible demonstration of the truth1 and exclaimed with approbation3 ,master1 thou hast well said4 ,the proud ,sadducees were confuted and silenced2 and after that they durst not ask him any question at all4 ,,the ,,great ,,commandment4#aaah ,the ,pharisees1 covertly rejoicing over the discomfiture of their rivals1 now summoned courage enough to plan another attack of their own4 ,one of their number1 a lawyer1 by which title we may understand one of the scribes who was distinctively also a professor of ecclesiastical law1 asked3 ,which is the first commandment of all8 or1 as ,matthew states the question3 ,master1 which is the great commandment in the law8 ,the reply was prompt1 incisive1 and so comprehensive as to cover the requirements of the law in their entirety4 ,with the imperative call to attention with which ,moses had summoned ,israel to hear and heed1#aaai the very words of which were written on the phylacteries#aabj which the ,pharisees wore as frontlets between their eyes1 ,jesus answered3 ,hear1 ,o ,israel2 ,the ,lord our ,god is one ,lord3 ,and thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with all thy heart1 and with all thy soul1 and with all thy mind1 and with all thy strength3 this is the first commandment4 ,and the second is like1 namely this1 ,thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself4 ,there is none other commandment greater than these4 ,matthew's wording of the concluding declaration is3 ,on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets4 ,the philosophic soundness of the ,lord's profound generalization and comprehensive summarizing of the law and the prophets#aaba will appeal to all students of human nature4 ,it is a common tendency of man to reach after1 or at least to inquire after and marvel about1 the superlative4 ,who is the greatest poet1 philosopher1 scientist1 preacher or statesman8 ,who stands first and foremost in the community1 the nation1 or even1 as the apostles in their aspiring ignorance asked1 in the kingdom of heaven8 ,which mountain overtops all the rest8 ,which river is the longest or the largest8 ,such queries are ever current4 ,the ,jews had divided and subdivided the commandments of the law1 and had supplemented even the minutest subdivision with rules of their own contriving4 ,now came the ,pharisee asking which of all these requirements was the greatest4#aabb ,to love ,god with all one's heart and soul and mind is to serve ,him and keep all ,his commandments4 ,to love one's neighbor as one's self is to be a brother in the broadest and1 at the same time1 the most exacting sense of the term4 ,therefore the commandment to love ,god and man is the greatest1 on the basis of the simple and mathematical truth that the whole is greater than any part4 ,what need of the decalog could there be if mankind would obey this first and great and all-embracing commandment8 ,the ,lord's reply to the question was convincing even to the learned scribe who had acted as spokesman for his ,pharisaic colleagues4 ,the man was honest enough to admit the righteousness and wisdom on which the reply was grounded1 and impulsively he voiced acceptance1 saying1 ,well1 ,master1 thou hast said the truth3 for there is one ,god2 and there is none other but he3 ,and to love him with all the heart1 and with all the understanding1 and with all the soul1 and with all the strength1 and to love his neighbour as himself1 is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices4 ,jesus was no whit less prompt than the well-intending scribe in acknowledging merit in the words of an opponent2 and to the man ,he gave the encouraging assurance3 ,thou art not far from the kingdom of ,god4 ,as to whether the scribe remained firm in purpose and eventually gained entrance into that blessed abode1 the scriptural record is silent4 ,,jesus ,,turns ,,questioner4#aabc ,sadducees1 ,herodians1 ,pharisees1 lawyers1 and scribes1 all had in turn met discomfiture and defeat in their efforts to entangle ,jesus on questions of doctrine or practise1 and had utterly failed to incite ,him to any act or utterance on which they could lawfully charge ,him with offense4 ,having so effectually silenced all who had ventured to challenge ,him to debate1 either covertly or with open intent1 that no man after that durst ask him any question1 ,jesus in turn became the aggressive interrogator4 ,turning to the ,pharisees1 who had clustered together for greater facility in consultation1 ,jesus began a colloquy which proceeded as follows3 ,what think ye of ,christ8 whose son is he8 ,they say unto him1 ,the son of ,david4 ,he saith unto them1 ,how then doth ,david in spirit call him ,lord1 saying1 ,the ,lord said unto my ,lord1 ,sit thou on my right hand1 till ,i make thine enemies thy footstool8 ,if ,david then call him ,lord1 how is he his son8 ,the ,lord's citation of ,david's jubilant and worshipful song of praise1 which1 as ,mark avers1 ,jesus said was inspired by the ,holy ,ghost1 had reference to the ,messianic psalm#aabd in which the royal singer affirmed his own reverent allegiance1 and extolled the glorious reign of the promised ,king of kings1 who is specifically called therein a priest forever after the order of ,melchizedek4#aabe ,puzzling as was the unexpected question to the erudite ,jews1 we fail to perceive in it any inexplicable difficulty1 since to us1 less prejudiced than they who lived in expectation of a ,messiah who would be ,david's son only in the sense of family descent and royal succession in the splendor of temporal rule1 the eternal ,godship of the ,messiah is a fact demonstrated and undeniable4 ,jesus the ,christ is the ,son of ,david in the physical way of lineage by which both ,jesus and ,david are sons of ,jacob1 ,isaac1 ,abraham1 and ,adam4 ,but while ,jesus was born in the flesh as late in the centuries as the meridian of time#aabf ,he was ,jehovah1 ,lord and ,god1 before ,david1 ,abraham1 or ,adam was known on earth4#aabg ,,wicked ,,scribes ,,and ,,pharisees ,,denounced4#aabh ,the humiliating defeat of the ,pharisaic party was made all the more memorable and bitter by the ,lord's final denunciation of the system1 and ,his condemnation of its unworthy representatives4 ,addressing ,himself primarily to the disciples1 yet speaking in the hearing of the multitude1 ,he directed the attention of all to the scribes and ,pharisees1 who1 ,he pointed out1 occupied the seat of ,moses as doctrinal expounders and official administrators of the law1 and who were therefore to be obeyed in their authoritative rule2 but against their pernicious example the disciples were forcefully warned4 ,all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe1 that observe and do1 said the ,lord1 but do not ye after their works2 for they say1 and do not4 ,distinction between due observance of official precept and the personal responsibility of following evil example1 though it be that of men high in authority1 could not have been made plainer4 ,disobedience to law was not to be excused because of corruption among the law's representatives1 nor was wickedness in any individual to be condoned or palliated because of another's villainy4 ,in explanation of the caution ,he so openly blazoned against the vices of the rulers1 the ,lord continued3 ,for they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne1 and lay them on men's shoulders2 but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers4 ,rabbinism had practically superseded the law in the substitution of multitudinous rules and exactions1 with conditional penalties2 the day was filled with traditional observances by which even the trivial affairs of life were encumbered2 yet from bearing these and other grievous burdens hypocritical officials could find excuse for personal exemption4 ,their inordinate vanity and their irreverent assumption of excessive piety were thus stigmatized3 ,but all their works they do for to be seen of men3 they make broad their phylacteries1#aabi and enlarge the borders of their garments1 and love the uppermost rooms at feasts1 and the chief seats in the synagogues1 and greetings in the markets1 and to be called of men1 ,rabbi1 ,rabbi4 ,the high-sounding title1 ,rabbi1 signifying ,master1 ,teacher1 or ,doctor1 had eclipsed the divinely recognized sanctity of priesthood2 to be a rabbi of the ,jews was regarded as vastly superior to being a priest of the ,most ,high ,god4#aacj ,but be not ye called ,rabbi1 said ,jesus to the apostles and the other disciples present1 for one is your ,master1 even ,christ2 and all ye are brethren4 ,and call no man your father upon the earth3 for one is your ,father1 which is in heaven4 ,neither be ye called masters3 for one is your ,master1 even ,christ4#aaca ,those upon whom would rest the responsibility of building the ,church ,he had founded were not to aspire to worldly titles nor the honors of men2 for those chosen ones were brethren1 and their sole purpose should be the rendering of the greatest possible service to their one and only ,master4 ,as had been so strongly impressed on earlier occasions1 excellence or supremacy in the apostolic calling1 and similarly in the duties of discipleship or membership in the ,church of ,christ1 was and is to be achieved through humble and devoted service alone2 therefore said the ,master again1 he that is greatest among you shall be your servant4 ,and whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased2 and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted4 ,from the mixed multitude of disciples and unbelievers1 comprizing many of the common people who listened in glad eagerness to learn1#aacb ,jesus turned to the already abashed yet angry rulers1 and deluged them with a veritable torrent of righteous indignation1 through which flashed the lightning of scorching invective1 accompanied by thunder peals of divine anathema4 ,but woe unto you1 scribes and ,pharisees1 hypocrites6 for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men3 for ye neither go in yourselves1 neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in4 ,the ,pharisaic standard of piety was the learning of the schools2 one unversed in the technicalities of the law was accounted as unacceptable to ,god and veritably accursed4#aacc ,by their casuistry and perverted explications of scripture they confused and misled the common people1 and so stood as obstacles at the entrance to the kingdom of ,god1 refusing to go in themselves and barring the way to others4 ,woe unto you1 scribes and ,pharisees1 hypocrites6 for ye devour widows' houses1 and for a pretence make long prayer3 therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation4#aacd ,the avarice of the ,jewish hierarchy in our ,lord's lifetime was an open scandal4 ,by extortion and unlawful exaction under cover of religious duty the priestly rulers had amassed an enormous treasure1#aace of which the contributions of the poor1 and the confiscation of property1 including even the houses of dependent widows1 formed a considerable proportion2 and the perfidy of the practise was made the blacker by the outward pretense of sanctity and the sacrilegious accompaniment of wordy prayer4 ,woe unto you1 scribes and ,pharisees1 hypocrites6 for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte1 and when he is made1 ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves4 ,it is possible that this woe was directed more against the effort to secure proselytes to ,pharisaism than that of converting aliens to ,judaism2 but as the latter was thoroughly degraded and the former disgustingly corrupt1 the application of our ,lord's denunciation to either or both is warranted4 ,of the ,jews who strove to make proselytes it has been said that out of a bad heathen they made a worse ,jew4 ,many of their converts soon became perverts4 ,woe unto you1 ye blind guides1 which say1 ,whosoever shall swear by the temple1 it is nothing2 but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple1 he is a debtor6 ,ye fools and blind3 for whether is greater1 the gold1 or the temple that sanctifieth the gold8 ,and1 ,whosoever shall swear by the altar1 it is nothing2 but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it1 he is guilty4 ,ye fools and blind3 for whether is greater1 the gift1 or the altar that sanctifieth the gift8 ,whoso therefore shall swear by the altar1 sweareth by it1 and by all things thereon4 ,and whoso shall swear by the temple1 sweareth by it1 and by him that dwelleth therein4 ,and he that shall swear by heaven1 sweareth by the throne of ,god1 and by him that sitteth thereon4 ,thus did the ,lord condemn the infamous enactments of the schools and the ,sanhedrin concerning oaths and vows2 for they had established or endorsed a code of rules1 inconsistent and unjust1 as to technical trifles by which a vow could be enforced or invalidated4 ,if a man swore by the temple1 the ,house of ,jehovah1 he could obtain an indulgence for breaking his oath2 but if he vowed by the gold and treasure of the ,holy ,house1 he was bound by the unbreakable bonds of priestly dictum4 ,though one should swear by the altar of ,god1 his oath could be annulled2 but if he vowed by the corban gift or by the gold upon the altar1#aacf his obligation was imperative4 ,to what depths of unreason and hopeless depravity had men fallen1 how sinfully foolish and how wilfully blind were they1 who saw not that the temple was greater than its gold1 and the altar than the gift that lay upon it6 ,in the ,sermon on the ,mount the ,lord had said ,swear not at all2#aacg but upon such as would not live according to that higher law1 upon those who persisted in the use of oaths and vows1 the lesser and evidently just requirement of strict fidelity to the terms of self-assumed obligations was to be enforced1 without unrighteous quibble or inequitable discrimination4 ,woe unto you1 scribes and ,pharisees1 hypocrites6 for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin1 and have omitted the weightier matters of the law1 judgment1 mercy1 and faith3 these ought ye to have done1 and not to leave the other undone4 ,ye blind guides1 which strain at a gnat1 and swallow a camel4 ,the law of the tithe had been a characteristic feature of the theocratic requirements in ,israel from the days of ,moses2 and the practise really long antedated the exodus4 ,as literally construed1 the law required the tithing of flocks and herds1 fruit and grain1#aach but by traditional extension all products of the soil had been included4 ,the conscientious tithing of all one's possessions1 even pot-herbs and other garden produce1 was approved by the ,lord2 but ,he denounced as rank hypocrisy the observance of such requirements as an excuse for neglecting the other duties of true religion4 ,the reference to the weightier matters of the law may have been an allusion to the rabbinical classification of light and heavy requirements under the law2 though it is certain the ,lord approved no such arbitrary distinctions4 ,to omit the tithing of small things1 such as mint leaves1 and sprigs of anise and cummin1 was to fall short in dutiful observance2 but to ignore the claims of judgment1 mercy1 and faith1 was to forfeit one's claim to blessing as a covenant child of ,god4 ,by a strong simile1 the ,lord stigmatized such inconsistency as comparable to one's scrupulous straining at a gnat while figuratively willing to gulp down a camel4#aaci ,woe unto you1 scribes and ,pharisees1 hypocrites6 for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter1 but within they are full of extortion and excess4 ,thou blind ,pharisee1 cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter1 that the outside of them may be clean also4#aadj ,pharisaic scrupulosity in the ceremonial cleansing of platters and cups1 pots and brazen vessels1 has been already alluded to4 ,cleanliness the ,lord in no wise depreciated2 ,his shafts of disapprobation were aimed at the hypocrisy of maintaining at once outward spotlessness and inward corruption4 ,cups and platters though cleansed to perfection were filthy before the ,lord if their contents had been bought by the gold of extortion1 or were to be used in pandering to gluttony1 drunkenness or other excess4 ,woe unto you1 scribes and ,pharisees1 hypocrites6 for ye are like unto whited sepulchres1 which indeed appear beautiful outward1 but are within full of dead men's bones1 and of all uncleanness4 ,even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men1 but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity4 ,it was an awful figure1 that of likening them to whitewashed tombs1 full of dead bones and rotting flesh4 ,as the dogmas of the rabbis made even the slightest contact with a corpse or its cerements1 or with the bier upon which it was borne1 or the grave in which it had been lain1 a cause of personal defilement1 which only ceremonial washing and the offering of sacrifices could remove1 care was taken to make tombs conspicuously white1 so that no person need be defiled through ignorance of proximity to such unclean places2 and1 moreover1 the periodical whitening of sepulchres was regarded as a memorial act of honor to the dead4 ,but even as no amount of care or degree of diligence in keeping bright the outside of a tomb could stay the putrescence going on within1 so no externals of pretended righteousness could mitigate the revolting corruption of a heart reeking with iniquity4 ,jesus had before compared ,pharisees with unmarked graves1 over which men inadvertently walked and so became defiled though they knew it not2#aada on the occasion now under consideration ,he denounced them as whitened tombs1 flauntingly prominent1 but sepulchres nevertheless4 ,woe unto you1 scribes and ,pharisees1 hypocrites6 because ye build the tombs of the prophets1 and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous1 ,and say1 ,if we had been in the days of our fathers1 we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets4 ,wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves1 that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets4 ,national pride1 not wholly unlike patriotism1 had for centuries expressed itself in formal regard for the burial crypts of the ancient prophets1 many of whom had been slain because of their righteous and fearless zeal4 ,those modern ,jews were voluble to disavow all sympathy with the murderous deeds of their progenitors1 who had martyred the prophets1 and ostentatiously averred that if they had lived in the times of those martyrdoms they would have been no participators therein1 yet by such avouchment they proclaimed themselves the offspring of those who had shed innocent blood4 ,with scorching maledictions the ,lord thus consigned them to their fate3 ,fill ye up then the measure of your fathers4 ,ye serpents1 ye generation of vipers1 how can ye escape the damnation of hell8 ,wherefore1 behold1 ,i send unto you prophets1 and wise men1 and scribes3 and some of them ye shall kill and crucify2 and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues1 and persecute them from city to city3 ,that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth1 from the blood of righteous ,abel unto the blood of ,zacharias son of ,barachias1 whom ye slew between the temple and the altar4 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,all these things shall come upon this generation4 ,to their sanctimonious asseverations of superiority over their fathers who had slain ,jehovah's envoys1 ,jehovah ,himself replied by predicting that they would dye their hands in the blood of prophets1 wise men1 and righteous scribes1 whom ,he would send amongst them2 and thus would they prove themselves literal sons of murderers1 and murderers themselves1 so that upon them should rest the burden of all the righteous blood that had been shed for a testimony of ,god1 from righteous ,abel to the martyred ,zacharias4#aadb ,that dread fate1 outlined with such awful realism1 was to be no eventuality of the distant future2 every one of the frightful woes the ,lord had uttered was to be realized in that generation4 ,,the ,,lord',s ,,lamentation ,,over ,,jerusalem4#aadc ,concerning scribes1 ,pharisees1 and ,pharisaism1 ,jesus had uttered ,his last word4 ,looking from the temple heights out over the city of the great ,king1 soon to be abandoned to destruction1 the ,lord was obsessed by emotions of profound sorrow4 ,with the undying eloquence of anguish ,he broke forth in such a lamentation as no mortal father ever voiced over the most unfilial and recreant of sons4 ,o ,jerusalem1 ,jerusalem1 thou that killest the prophets1 and stonest them which are sent unto thee1 how often would ,i have gathered thy children together1 even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings1 and ye would not6 ,behold1 your house is left unto you desolate4 ,for ,i say unto you1 ,ye shall not see me henceforth1 till ye shall say1 ,blessed is he that cometh in the name of the ,lord4 ,had ,israel but received her ,king1 the world's history of post-meridian time would never have been what it is4 ,the children of ,israel had spurned the proffered safety of a protecting paternal wing2 soon the ,roman eagle would swoop down upon them and slay4 ,the stupendous temple1 which but a day before the ,lord had called ,my house1 was now no longer specifically ,his2 ,your house1 said ,he1 is left unto you desolate4 ,he was about to withdraw from both temple and nation2 and by the ,jews ,his face was not again to be seen1 until1 through the discipline of centuries of suffering they shall be prepared to acclaim in accents of abiding faith1 as some of them had shouted but the ,sunday before under the impulse of an erroneous conception1 ,blessed is he that cometh in the name of the ,lord4 ,a ,,widow',s ,,gift4#aadd ,from the open courts ,jesus moved over toward the colonnaded treasury of the temple1 and there ,he sat1 seemingly absorbed in a revery of sorrow4 ,within that space were thirteen chests1 each provided with a trumpet-shaped receptacle2 and into these the people dropped their contributions for the several purposes indicated by inscriptions on the boxes4 ,looking up1 ,jesus observed the lines of donors1 of all ranks and degrees of affluence and poverty1 some depositing their gifts with evident devoutness and sincerity of purpose1 others ostentatiously casting in great sums of silver and gold1 primarily to be seen of men4 ,among the many was a poor widow1 who with probable effort to escape observation dropped into one of the treasure-chests two small bronze coins known as mites2 her contribution amounted to less than half a cent in ,american money4 ,the ,lord called ,his disciples about ,him1 directed their attention to the poverty-stricken widow and her deed1 and said3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,that this poor widow hath cast more in1 than all they which have cast into the treasury3 ,for all they did cast in of their abundance2 but she of her want did cast in all that she had1 even all her living4 ,in the accounts kept by the recording angels1 figured out according to the arithmetic of heaven1 entries are made in terms of quality rather than of quantity1 and values are determined termined on the basis of capability and intent4 ,the rich gave much yet kept back more2 the widow's gift was her all4 ,it was not the smallness of her offering that made it especially acceptable1 but the spirit of sacrifice and devout intent with which she gave4 ,on the books of the heavenly accountants that widow's contribution was entered as a munificent gift1 surpassing in worth the largess of kings4 ,for if there be first a willing mind1 it is accepted according to that a man hath1 and not according to that he hath not4#aade ,,christ',s ,,final ,,withdrawal ,,from ,,the ,,temple4 ,our ,lord's public discourses and the open colloquies in which ,he had participated with professionals and priestly officials1 in the course of ,his daily visits to the temple during the first half of ,passion week1 had caused many of the chief rulers1 beside others1 to believe on ,him as the veritable ,son of ,god2 but the fear of ,pharisaic persecution and the dread of excommunication from the synagog#aadf deterred them from confessing the allegiance they felt1 and from accepting the means of salvation so freely offered4 ,they loved the praise of men more than the praise of ,god4#aadg ,it may have been while ,jesus directed ,his course for the last time toward the exit portal of the one-time holy place that ,he uttered the solemn testimony of ,his divinity recorded by ,john4#aadh ,crying with a loud voice to priestly rulers and the multitude generally1 ,he said3 ,he that believeth on me1 believeth not on me1 but on him that sent me4 ,and he that seeth me seeth him that sent me4 ,allegiance to ,himself was allegiance to ,god2 the people were plainly told that to accept ,him was in no degree a weakening of their adherence to ,jehovah1 but on the contrary a confirmation thereof4 ,repeating precepts of earlier utterance1 ,he again proclaimed ,himself the light of the world1 by whose rays alone mankind might be delivered from the enveloping darkness of spiritual unbelief4 ,the testimony ,he left with the people would be the means of judgment and condemnation to all who wilfully rejected it4 ,for1 said ,he in solemn finality1 ,i have not spoken of myself2 but the ,father which sent me1 he gave me a commandment1 what ,i should say1 and what ,i should speak4 ,and ,i know that his commandment is life everlasting2 whatsoever ,i speak therefore1 even as the ,father said unto me1 so ,i speak4 ,,destruction ,,of ,,the ,,temple ,,predicted4#aadi ,as ,jesus was departing from the enclosure wherein stood what once had been the ,house of the ,lord1 one or more of the disciples called ,his attention to the magnificent structures1 the massive stones1 the colossal columns1 and the lavish and costly adornment of the several buildings4 ,the ,lord's answering comment was an unqualified prophecy of the utter destruction of the temple and everything pertaining to it4 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,there shall not be left here one stone upon another1 that shall not be thrown down4 ,such was the definite and dire prediction4 ,those who heard were dumbfounded2 neither by question nor other response did they attempt to elicit more4 ,the literal fulfilment of that awful portent was but an incident in the annihilation of the city less than forty years later4 ,with the ,lord's final departure from the temple1 which probably occurred in the afternoon of the ,tuesday of that last week1 ,his public ministry was brought to its solemn ending4 ,whatever of discourse1 parable1 or ordinance was to follow1 would be directed only to the further instruction and investiture of the apostles4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ca4 #a4 ,the ,image on the ,coin4--,the ,jews had an aversion for images or effigies in general1 the use of which they professed to hold as a violation of the second commandment4 ,their scruples1 however1 did not deter them from accepting coins bearing the effigies of kings1 even though these monarchs were pagans4 ,their own coins bore other devices1 such as plants1 fruits1 etc41 in place of a human head2 and the ,romans had condescendingly permitted the issue of a special coinage for ,jewish use1 each piece bearing the name but not the effigy of the monarch4 ,the ordinary coinage of ,rome was current in ,palestine1 however4 #b4 ,submission to ,secular ,authority4--,governments are instituted of ,god1 sometimes by ,his direct interposition1 sometimes by ,his permission4 ,when the ,jews had been brought into subjection by ,nebuchadnezzar1 king of ,babylon1 the ,lord commanded through the prophet ,jeremiah 7#bg3d-h7 that the people render obedience to their conqueror1 whom ,he called ,his servant2 for verily the ,lord had used the pagan king to chastize the recreant and unfaithful children of the covenant4 ,the obedience so enjoined included the payment of taxes and extended to complete submission4 ,after the death of ,christ the apostles taught obedience to the powers that be1 which powers1 ,paul declared are ordained of ,god4 ,see ,rom4 #ac3a-g2 ,titus #c3a2 #a ,tim4 #b3a-c2 see also #a ,peter #b3ac1 #ad4 ,through the medium of modern revelation1 the ,lord has required of ,his people in the present dispensation1 obedience to and loyal support of the duly established and existing governments in all lands4 ,see ,doc4 and ,cov4 #eh3ba-bb2 #ih3d-f2 and section #acd throughout4 ,the restored ,church proclaims as an essential part of its belief and practise3 ,we believe in being subject to kings1 presidents1 rulers1 and magistrates1 in obeying1 honoring1 and sustaining the law4 ,see ,articles of ,faith1 xxiii4 #c4 ,marriage for ,eternity4--,divine revelation in the dispensation of the fulness of times has made plain the fact1 that contracts of marriage1 as indeed all other agreements between parties in mortality1 are of no validity beyond the grave1 except such contracts be ratified and validated by the duly established ordinances of the ,holy ,priesthood4 ,sealing in the marriage covenant for time and eternity1 which has come to be known as celestial marriage1 is an ordinance established by divine authority in the restored ,church of ,jesus ,christ4 ,see the author's treatment of this subject in ,articles of ,faith1 xxiv1 #ah-bd2 and ,house of the ,lord1 under ,sealing in ,marriage1 pp4 #aja-aji4 #d4 ,divisions and ,subdivisions of the ,law4--,the ,rabbinical schools1 in their meddling1 carnal1 superficial spirit of word-weaving and letter-worship1 had spun large accumulations of worthless subtlety all over the ,mosaic law4 ,among other things they had wasted their idleness in fantastic attempts to count1 and classify1 and weigh1 and measure all the separate commandments of the ceremonial and moral law4 ,they had come to the sapient conclusion that there were #bdh affirmative precepts1 being as many as the members in the human body1 and #cfe negative precepts1 being as many as the arteries and veins1 or the days of the year3 the total being #fac1 which was also the number of letters in the decalog4 ,they arrived at the same result from the fact that the ,jews were commanded 7,numb4 #ae3ch7 to wear fringes 7tsitsith7 on the corners of their tallith1 bound with a thread of blue2 and as each fringe had eight threads and five knots1 and the letters of the word tsitsith make #fjj1 the total number of commandments was1 as before #fac4 ,now surely1 out of such a large number of precepts and prohibitions1 all could not be of quite the same value2 some were 'light' 7kal71 and some were 'heavy' 7kobhed74 ,but which8 and what was the greatest commandment of all8 ,according to some ,rabbis1 the most important of all is that about the tephillin and the tsitsith1 the fringes and phylacteries2 and 'he who diligently observes it is regarded in the same light as if he had kept the whole ,law4' ,some thought the omission of ablutions as bad as homicide2 some that the precepts of the ,mishna were all 'heavy'2 those of the ,law were some 'heavy' and some 'light4' ,others considered the third to be the greatest commandment4 ,none of them had realized the great principle1 that the wilful violation of one commandment is the transgression of all 7,james #b3aj71 because the object of the entire ,law is the spirit of obedience to ,god4 ,on the question proposed by the lawyer the ,shammaites and ,hillelites were in disaccord1 and1 as usual1 both schools were wrong3 the ,shammaites1 in thinking that mere trivial external observances were valuable1 apart from the spirit in which they were performed1 and the principle which they exemplified2 the ,hillelites1 in thinking that any positive command could in itself be unimportant1 and in not seeing that great principles are essential to the due performance of even the slightest duties4--,farrar1 ,life of ,christ1 chap4 #eb4 #e4 ,phylacteries and ,borders4--,through a traditional interpretation of ,exo4 #ac3i and ,deut4 #f3h1 the ,hebrews adopted the custom of wearing phylacteries1 which consisted essentially of strips of parchment on which were inscribed in whole or in part the following texts3 ,exo4 #ac3b-aj and #aa-ag2 ,deut4 #f3d-i1 and #aa3ac-ba4 ,phylacteries were worn on the head and arm4 ,the parchment strips for the head were four1 on each of which one of the texts cited above was written4 ,these were placed in a cubical box of leather measuring from #a_/b inch to #a-a_/b inches along the edge2 the box was divided into four compartments and one of the little parchment rolls was placed in each4 ,thongs held the box in place on the forehead between the eyes of the wearer4 ,the arm phylactery comprized but a single roll of parchment on which the four prescribed texts were written2 this was placed in a little box which was bound by thongs to the inside of the left arm so as to be brought close to the heart when the hands were placed together in the attitude of devotion4 ,the ,pharisees wore the arm phylactery above the elbow1 while their rivals1 the ,sadducees1 fastened it to the palm of the hand 7see ,exo4 #ac3i74 ,the common people wore phylacteries only at prayer time2 but the ,pharisees were said to display them throughout the day4 ,our ,lord's reference to the ,pharisees' custom of making broad their phylacteries had reference to the enlarging of the containing box1 particularly the frontlet4 ,the size of the parchment strips was fixed by rigid rule4 ,the ,lord had required of ,israel through ,moses 7,numb4 #ae3ch7 that the people attach to the border of their garment a fringe with a ribbon of blue4 ,in ostentatious display of assumed piety1 the scribes and ,pharisees delighted to wear enlarged borders to attract public attention4 ,it was another manifestation of hypocritical sanctimoniousness4 #f4 ,ecclesiastical ,titles4--,our ,lord severely condemned the seeking after titles as insignia of rank in ,his service4 ,nevertheless ,he named the ,twelve whom ,he chose1 ,apostles2 and in the ,church founded by ,himself the offices of ,evangelist1 ,high ,priest1 ,pastor1 ,elder1 ,bishop1 ,priest1 ,teacher1 and ,deacon were established 7see ,articles of ,faith1 xi3#a-d74 ,it was the empty man-made title that attached to the individual1 not the authorized title of office to which men were called through authoritative ordination1 to which the ,lord affixed the seal of ,his disapproval4 ,titles of office in the ,holy ,priesthood are of too sacred a character to be used as marks of distinction among men4 ,in the restored ,church in the current dispensation1 men are ordained to the ,priesthood and to the several offices comprized within both the ,lesser or ,aaronic1 and the ,higher or ,melchizedek ,priesthood2 but though one be thus made an ,elder1 a ,seventy1 a ,high ,priest1 a ,patriarch or an ,apostle1 he should not court the usage of the title as a mere embellishment of his name4 7,see ,the ,honor and ,dignity of ,priesthood by the author in ,improvement ,era1 ,salt ,lake ,city1 ,march1 #aiad47 ,chas4 ,f4 ,deems1 in ,the ,light of the ,nations1 pp4 #ehc-d1 says in speaking of the irreverent use of ecclesiastical titles3 ,the ,pharisees loved also the highest places in the synagogs1 and it gratified their vanity to be called ,teacher1 ,doctor1 ,rabbi4 ,against these ,jesus warned ,his disciples4 ,they were not to love to be called ,rabbi1 a title which occurs in three forms1 ,rab1 ,teacher1 ,doctor2 ,rabbi1 ,my ,doctor or ,teacher2 ,rabboni1 ,my great ,doctor4 ,nor were they to call any man ',father1' in the sense of granting him any infallibility of judgment or power over their consciences4444 ',papa1' as the simple ,moravians call their great man1 ,count ,zinzendorf3 ',founder1' as ,methodists denominate good ,john ,wesley2 ',holy ,father in ,god1' as bishops are sometimes called2 ',pope1' which is the same as ',papa'2 ',doctor of ,divinity1' the ,christian equivalent of the ,jewish ',rabbi1' are all dangerous titles4 ,but it is not the employment of a name which ,jesus denounces1 it is the spirit of vanity which animated the ,pharisees1 and the servile spirit which the employment of titles is apt to engender4 ,paul and ,peter spoke of themselves as spiritual fathers4 ,jesus teaches that positions in the societies of his followers1 such as should afterward be formed1 were not to be regarded as dignities1 but rather as services2 that no man should seek them for the honor they might confer1 but for the field of usefulness they might afford2 and that no man should lead off a sect1 there being but one leader2 and that the whole body of believers are brethren1 of whom ,god is the ,father4 ,the writer last quoted very properly disparages aspirations1 stimulated by vanity and self-righteous assumption1 to the use of the title ,reverend as applied to men4 #g4 ,seven or ,eight ,woes8--,some of the early ,mss4 of the ,gospels omit verse #ad from ,matt4 #bc4 ,such omission reduces the number of specific utterances beginning ,woe unto you from eight to seven4 ,there is no question as to the appearance in the original of the passages in ,mark #ab3dj and ,luke #bj3dg1 which are one in meaning with ,matt4 #bc3ad4 #h4 ,the ,temple ,treasure4--,in connection with the incident of the widow's mites1 ,edersheim 7vol4 ii1 pp4 #chg-h7 writes3 ,some might come with appearance of self-righteousness1 some even with ostentation1 some as cheerfully performing a happy duty4 ',many that were rich cast in much'--yes1 very much1 for such was the tendency that a law had to be enacted forbidding the gift to the ,temple of more than a certain proportion of one's possessions4 ,and the amount of such contributions may be inferred by recalling the circumstance1 that at the time of ,pompey and ,crassus1 the ,temple treasury1 after having lavishly defrayed every possible expenditure1 contained in money nearly half a million1 and precious vessels to the value of nearly two millions sterling4 ,see also ,josephus1 ,antiquities xiv1 #d3d2 #g3a1 #b4 #i4 ,zacharias the ,martyr4--,in referring to the martyrs of ante-meridian time the ,lord is recorded as having used the expression from the blood of righteous ,abel unto the blood of ,zacharias son of ,barachias1 whom ye slew between the temple and the altar 7,matt4 #bc3ce74 ,the ,old ,testament as at present compiled1 contains no mention of a martyr named ,zacharias son of ,barachias1 but does chronicle the martyrdom of ,zechariah son of ,jehoiada 7#b ,chron4 #bd3bj-bb74 ,zechariah and ,zacharias are equivalent names4 ,it is the opinion of most ,bible scholars that the ,zacharias referred to in ,matthew's record is ,zechariah son of ,jehoiada4 ,in the ,jewish compilation of ,old ,testament scriptures1 the murder of ,zechariah appears as the last recorded martyrdom2 and the ,lord's reference to the righteous men who had been slain1 from ,abel to ,zechariah or ,zacharias1 may have been a sweeping inclusion of all the martyrs down to that time1 from first to last4 ,however1 we have a record of ,zechariah son of ,berechiah 7,zech4 #a3a1 #g71 and this ,berechiah was the son of ,iddo4 ,then again1 ,zechariah son of ,iddo is mentioned 7,ezra #e3a72 but1 as is elsewhere found in the older scriptures1 the grandson is called the son4 ,the ,old ,testament does not number this ,zechariah among the martyrs1 but traditional accounts 7,whitby's citation of the ,targum7 say that he was killed in the day of propitiation4 ,that the ,lord referred to a late and probably the latest of the recorded martyrdoms is probable2 and it is equally evident that the case was well known among the ,jews4 ,it is likely that a fuller account appeared in scriptures current among the ,jews at the time of ,christ but since lost4 ,see ,note #d1 page #aai4 #aj4 ,destruction of the ,temple4--,for thirty or more years after the death of ,christ1 the ,jews continued the work of adding to and embellishing the temple buildings4 ,the elaborate design conceived and projected by ,herod had been practically completed2 the ,temple was well-nigh finished1 and1 as soon afterward appeared1 was ready for destruction4 ,its fate had been definitely foretold by the ,savior ,himself4 ,commenting on a remark by one of the disciples concerning the great stones and the splendid buildings on the ,temple hill1 ,jesus had said1 ',seest thou these great buildings8 ,there shall not be left one stone upon another1 that shall not be thrown down4' 7,mark #ac3a1 #b2 see also ,matt4 #bd3a1 #b2 ,luke #ba3e1 #f47 ,this dire prediction soon found its literal fulfilment4 ,in the great conflict with the ,roman legions under ,titus1 many of the ,jews had taken refuge within the ,temple courts1 seemingly hoping that there the ,lord would again fight the battles of ,his people and give them victory4 ,but the protecting presence of ,jehovah had long since departed therefrom and ,israel was left a prey to the foe4 ,though ,titus would have spared the ,temple1 his legionaries1 maddened by the lust of conflict1 started the conflagration and everything that could be burned was burned4 ,the slaughter of the ,jews was appalling2 thousands of men1 women and children were ruthlessly butchered within the walls1 and the temple courts were literally flooded with human blood4 ,this event occurred in the year #gj ,a4,d42 and according to ,josephus1 in the same month and on the same day of the month as that on which the once glorious ,temple of ,solomon had fallen a prey to the flames kindled by the king of ,babylon4 7,josephus1 ,wars of the ,jews1 vi1 #d3e1 #h4 ,for a detailed and graphic account of the destruction of the ,temple see chapters #d and #e in their entirety47 ,of the ,temple furniture the golden candlestick and the table of shewbread from the ,holy ,place were carried by ,titus to ,rome as trophies of war2 and representations of these sacred pieces are to be seen on the arch erected to the name of the victorious general4 ,since the destruction of the splendid ,temple of ,herod no other structure of the kind1 no ,temple1 no ,house of the ,lord as the terms are used distinctively1 has been reared on the eastern hemisphere4--,the ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #fa1 #fb4 ,josephus ascribes the destruction of the ,temple of ,herod to the anger of ,god1 and states that the devouring flames took their rise from the ,jews themselves1 and were occasioned by them4 ,the soldier who applied the torch to the ,holy ,house1 which had remained intact while fire raged in the courts1 is regarded by the historian as an instrument of divine vengeance4 ,we read 7,wars1 vi1 #d3e73 ,one of the soldiers1 without staying for any orders1 and without any concern or dread upon him at so great an undertaking1 and being hurried on by a certain divine fury1 snatched somewhat out of the materials that were on fire1 and being lifted up by another soldier1 he set fire to a golden window1 through which there was a passage to the rooms that were round the ,holy ,house1 on the north side of it4 ,as the flames went upward the ,jews made a great clamor1 such as so mighty an affliction required4 ,,footnotes3 #aajf ,matt4 #bb3ae-bb2 ,mark #ab3ac-ag2 ,luke #bj3ai-bf4 #aajg ,page #fh4 #aajh ,mark #c3f2 #h3ae4 #aaji ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #aaaj ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #aaaa ,pages #ab1 #ac4 #aaab ,luke #bc3b4 ,page #fcc4 #aaac ,matt4 #bb3bc-cc2 ,mark #ab3ah-bg2 ,luke #bj3bg-ch4 #aaad ,pages #fe1 #gb4 #aaae ,deut4 #be3e4 #aaaf ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #aaag ,gen4 #bh3ac2 ,exo4 #c3f1 #ae4 #aaah ,matt4 #bb3cd-dj2 ,mark #ab3bh-cd4 #aaai ,deut4 #f3d1 #e4 #aabj ,note #e1 page #efe4 #aaba ,compare page #bde4 #aabb ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #aabc ,matt4 #bb3da-df2 ,mark #ab3ce-cg2 ,luke #bj3da-dd4 #aabd ,psalm #aaj4 #aabe ,psalm #aaj3d2 compare ,heb4 #e3f2 #f3bj2 #g3ag1 #ba4 #aabf ,chapter #f4 #aabg ,chapters #d and #e4 #aabh ,matt4 #bc2 ,mark #ab3ch-dj2 ,luke #bj3de-dg2 compare ,luke #aa3ci-eb4 #aabi ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #aacj ,pages #fc1 #ga4 #aaca ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #aacb ,mark #ab3cg4 #aacc ,john #g3di2 compare #i3cd4 #aacd ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #aace ,note #h1 end of chapter4 #aacf ,page #ceb4 #aacg ,matt4 #e3cc-cg2 page #bce herein4 #aach ,lev4 #bg3cj2 ,numb4 #ah3ba2 ,deut4 #ab3f2 #ad3bb-bh4 ,see also the author's ,the ,law of the ,tithe2 #bj pp41 #aiad4 #aaci ,the revised version1 generally admitted the more nearly correct1 reads strain out the gnat instead of strain at a gnat4 #aadj ,compare ,luke #aa3ci1 #dj2 ,mark #g3d2 page #dcg herein4 #aada ,luke #aa3dd4 #aadb ,note #i1 end of chapter4 #aadc ,matt4 #bc3cg-ci2 compare ,luke #ac3cd1 #ce4 #aadd ,mark #ab3da-dd2 ,luke #ba3a-d4 #aade #b ,cor4 #h3ab4 #aadf ,john #ab3db2 compare #g3ac2 #i3bb4 #aadg ,john #ab3dc2 compare #e3dd4 #aadh ,john #ab3dd-ej4 #aadi ,matt4 #bd3a1 #b2 ,mark #ac3a1 #b2 ,luke #ba3e1 #f4 ,note #aj1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #cb4 ,,further ,,instruction ,,to ,,the ,,apostles4 ,,prophecies ,,relating ,,to ,,the ,,destruction ,,of ,,jerusalem ,,and ,,the ,,lord',s ,,future ,,advent4#aaej ,in the course of ,his last walk from ,jerusalem back to the beloved home at ,bethany1 ,jesus rested at a convenient spot on the ,mount of ,olives1 from which the great city and the magnificent temple were to be seen in fullest splendor1 illumined by the declining sun in the late afternoon of that eventful ,april day4 ,as ,he sat in thoughtful revery ,he was approached by ,peter and ,james1 ,john and ,andrew1 of the ,twelve1 and to them certainly1 though probably to all the apostles1 ,he gave instruction1 embodying further prophecy concerning the future of ,jerusalem1 ,israel1 and the world at large4 ,his fateful prediction--that of the temple buildings not one stone would be left upon another--had caused the apostles to marvel and fear2 so they came privately requesting explanation4 ,tell us1 said they1 when shall these things be8 and what shall be the sign of thy coming1 and of the end of the world8 ,the compound character of the question indicates an understanding of the fact that the destruction of which the ,lord had spoken was to be apart from and precedent to the signs that were to immediately herald ,his glorious advent and the yet later ushering in of the consummation commonly spoken of then and now as the end of the world4 ,an assumption that the events would follow in close succession is implied by the form in which the question was put4 ,the inquiry referred specifically to time--when were these things to be8 ,the reply dealt not with dates1 but with events2 and the spirit of the subsequent discourse was that of warning against misapprehension1 and admonition to ceaseless vigilance4 ,take heed that no man deceive you was the first and all-important caution2 for within the lives of most of those apostles1 many blaspheming imposters would arise1 each claiming to be the ,messiah4 ,the return of ,christ to earth as ,lord and ,judge was more remote than any of the ,twelve realized4 ,before that glorious event1 many wonderful and appalling developments would be witnessed1 among the earliest of which would be wars and rumors of wars1 caused by nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom1 to the dread accompaniment of famines1 pestilences1 and earthquakes in many places2 yet all these would be but the beginning of the sorrow or travail to follow4 ,they1 the apostles1 were told to expect persecution1 not only at the hands of irresponsible individuals1 but at the instance of the officials such as they who were at that moment intent on taking the life of the ,lord ,himself1 and who would scourge them in the synagogs1 deliver them up to hostile tribunals1 cite them before rulers and kings1 and even put some of them to death--all because of their testimony of the ,christ4 ,as they had been promised before1 so again were they assured1 that when they would stand before councils1 magistrates1 or kings1 the words they should speak would be given them in the hour of their trial1 and therefore they were told to take no premeditative thought as to what they should say or how they should meet the issues confronting them2 for1 said the ,master1 it is not ye that speak1 but the ,holy ,ghost4#aaea ,even though they found themselves despized and hated of men1 and though they were to suffer ignominy1 torture1 and death1 yet as to their eternal welfare they were promised such security that by comparison they would lose not so much as a hair of their heads4 ,in consoling encouragement the ,lord bade them possess their souls in patience4#aaeb ,in face of all trials and even the direst persecution1 it was incumbent upon them to persevere in their ministry1 for the divine plan provided and required that the gospel of the kingdom be preached amongst all nations4 ,their labors would be complicated and opposed by the revolutionary propaganda of many false prophets1 and differences of creed would disrupt families1 and engender such bitterness that brothers would betray one another1 and children would rise against their parents1 accusing them of heresies and delivering them up to death4 ,even among those who had professed discipleship to ,christ many would be offended and hatred would abound2 love for the gospel would wax cold1 and iniquity would be rampant among men2 and only those who would endure to the end of their lives could be saved4 ,from this circumstantial forecast of conditions then directly impending1 the ,lord passed to other developments that would immediately precede the destruction of ,jerusalem and the total disruption of the ,jewish nation4 ,when ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation1 spoken of by ,daniel the prophet1 stand in the holy place1 said ,he1 according to ,matthew's account1 and virtually so also as stated by ,mark1 or when ye shall see ,jerusalem compassed with armies as ,luke writes1 then know that the desolation thereof is nigh4 ,this was a specific sign that none could misunderstand4 ,daniel the prophet had foreseen the desolation and abominations thereof1 which comprized the forcible cessation of temple rites1 and the desecration of ,israel's shrine by pagan conquerors4#aaec ,the realization of ,daniel's prophetic vision was to be heralded by the encompassing of ,jerusalem by armies4 ,then all who would escape should make haste2 from ,judea they should flee to the mountains2 he who was on the housetop would have no time to take his goods1 but should hasten down by the outer steps and flee2 he who was in the field would better leave without first returning to his house even for his clothes4 ,terrible1 indeed1 would that day be for women hampered by the conditions incident to approaching maternity1 or the responsibility of caring for their suckling babes4 ,all would do well to pray that their flight be not forced upon them in winter time2 nor on the ,sabbath1 lest regard for the restrictions as to ,sabbath-day travel1 or the usual closing of the city gates on that day1 should diminish the chances of escape4 ,the tribulations of the time then foreshadowed would prove to be unprecedented in horror and would never be paralleled in all their awful details in ,israel's history2 but in mercy ,god had decreed that the dreadful period should be shortened for the sake of the elect believers1 otherwise no flesh of ,israel would be saved alive4 ,multitudes were to fall by the sword2 other hosts were to be led away captive1 and so be scattered amongst all nations2 and ,jerusalem1 the pride and boast of degenerate ,israel1 should be trodden down of the ,gentiles1 until the times of the ,gentiles be fulfilled4 ,in every frightful detail was the ,lord's prediction brought to pass1 as history avouches4#aaed ,after the passing of those terrible times1 and thence onward for a period of unspecified duration1 ,satan would deceive the world through false doctrines1 spread by evil men masquerading as ministers of ,god1 who would continue to cry ,lo1 here is ,christ2 or1 lo1 he is there2 but against all such the ,twelve were put on their guard1 and through them and other teachers1 whom they would call and ordain1 would the world be warned4 ,deceiving prophets1 emissaries of the devil1 would be active1 some alluring people into the deserts1 and impelling them to hermit lives of pernicious asceticism1 others insisting that ,christ could be found in the secret chambers of monastic seclusion2 and some of them showing forth through the power of ,satan1 such signs and wonders as to seduce1 if it were possible1 even the elect2 but of all such scheming of the prince of evil1 the ,lord admonished ,his own3 ,believe it not2 and added1 take ye heed2 behold ,i have foretold you all things4#aaee ,in the day of the ,lord's advent in glory and vengeance1 no man shall be in doubt2 there shall be no chance of conflicting claims by contending sects1 ,for as the lightning cometh out of the east1 and shineth even unto the west2 so shall also the coming of the ,son of man be4#aaef ,the gathering of ,israel in the last days was pictured as the flocking of eagles to the place where the body of the ,church would be established4#aaeg ,the chronological order of the predicted occurrences so far considered in this wonderful discourse on things to come1 is clear2 first there was to be a period of virulent persecution of the apostles and the ,church of which they would be in charge2 then the destruction of ,jerusalem1 with all the horrors of merciless warfare was to follow2 and this in turn was to be succeeded by a long period of priestcraft and apostasy with bitter sectarian dissension and cruel persecution of the righteous4 ,the brief reference to the non-localized1 universal phenomena1 by which ,his advent is to be signalized1 is a parenthetical demonstration of the false claims as to where ,christ would be found2 later the ,lord passed to distinctive and unquestionable reference to the circumstances of ,his then and yet future advent4 ,following the age of man-made creeds1 and unauthorized ministry characteristic of the great apostasy1 marvelous occurrences are to be manifested through the forces of nature1 and the sign of the ,son of ,man shall ultimately appear1 one accompanying feature of which shall be the completion of the gathering of the elect from all parts of the earth to the places appointed4 ,the duty that ,jesus enjoined upon the apostles as of first importance throughout all the coming scenes of sorrow1 suffering and turmoil1 was that of vigilance4 ,they were to pray1 watch1 and work1 diligently and with unwavering faith4 ,the lesson was illustrated by a masterly analogy1 which1 under the broadest classification1 may be called a parable4 ,directing their attention to the fig tree and other trees which flourished on the sunny slopes of ,olivet1 the ,master said3 ,behold the fig tree1 and all the trees2 when they now shoot forth1 ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand4 ,so likewise ye1 when ye see these things come to pass1 know ye that the kingdom of ,god is nigh at hand4 ,of the fig tree in particular the ,lord remarked3 ,when his branch is yet tender1 and putteth forth leaves1 ye know that summer is nigh4 ,this sign of events near at hand was equally applicable to the premonitory conditions which were to herald the fall of ,jerusalem and the termination of the ,jewish autonomy1 and to the developments by which the ,lord's second advent shall be immediately preceded4 ,the next declaration in the order of the evangelical record reads3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,this generation shall not pass1 till all these things be fulfilled4 ,this may be understood as applying to the generation in which the portentous happenings before described would be realized4 ,so far as the predictions related to the overthrow of ,jerusalem1 they were literally fulfilled within the natural lifetime of several of the apostles and of multitudes of their contemporaries2 such of the ,lord's prophecies as pertain to the heralding of ,his second coming are to brought to pass within the duration of the generation of some who witness the inauguration of their fulfilment4 ,the certainty of fulfilment was emphasized by the ,lord in the profound affirmation3 ,heaven and ,earth shall pass away1 but my words shall not pass away4#aaeh ,all speculation concerning the time of the ,lord's appearing1 whether based on assumption1 deduction1 or calculation of dates1 was forestalled by ,christ's averment3 ,but of that day and that hour knoweth no man1 no1 not the angels which are in heaven1 neither the ,son1 but the ,father4#aaei ,that ,his advent in power and glory is to be sudden and unexpected to the unobserving and sinful world1 but in immediate sequence to the signs which the vigilant and devout may read and understand1 was made plain by comparison with the prevailing social conditions of ,noah's time1 when in spite of prophecy and warning the people had continued in their feasting and merry-making1 in marrying and giving in marriage1 until the very day of ,noah's entrance into the ark1 ,and knew not until the flood came1 and took them all away2 so shall also the coming of the ,son of man be4 ,in the last stages of the gathering of the elect1 the ties of companionship shall be quickly severed2 of two men laboring in the field1 or of two women engaged side by side in household duties1 the faithful one shall be taken and the sinner left4 ,watch therefore1 was the solemn behest1 for ye know not what hour your ,lord doth come4 ,in explication of this admonishment1 the ,lord condescended to compare the suddenness and secrecy of ,his coming to the movements of a night-prowling thief2 and pointed out1 that if a householder had certain knowledge as to the time of a burglar's predetermined visit1 he would remain on vigilant watch2 but because of uncertainty he may be found off his guard1 and the thief may enter and despoil the home4 ,again likening the apostles to duly appointed stewards in a great household1#aafj the ,lord spoke of ,himself as the householder1 saying3 ,the ,son of man is as a man taking a far journey1 who left his house1 and gave authority to his servants1 and to every man his work1 and commanded the porter to watch4 ,watch ye therefore3 for ye know not when the master of the house cometh1 at even1 or at midnight1 or at the cockcrowing1 or in the morning3 ,lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping4 ,and what ,i say unto you ,i say unto all1 ,watch4 ,but if the steward grow negligent because of his master's long absence1 and give himself up to feasting and unlicensed pleasure1 or become autocratic and unjust toward his fellow-servants1 his lord shall come in an hour when least expected1 and shall consign that wicked servant to a place among the hypocrites1 where he shall weep bitter tears of remorse1 and gnash his teeth in impotent despair4#aafa ,,the ,,need ,,of ,,watchfulness ,,and ,,diligence ,,illustrated ,,by ,,parables4 ,to more indelibly impress upon the apostles1 and1 through their subsequent ministry1 upon the world1 the absolute need of unceasing watchfulness and unwavering diligence in preparation for the coming of the ,lord in judgment1 ,jesus depicted in parables the prospective condition of mankind in the last times4 ,the first of these illustrative portrayals is the ,parable of the ,ten ,virgins4 ,the only report of it we have is that given by ,matthew1#aafb as follows3 ,then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins1 which took their lamps1 and went forth to meet the bridegroom4 ,and five of them were wise1 and five were foolish4 ,they that were foolish took their lamps1 and took no oil with them3 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps4 ,while the bridegroom tarried1 they all slumbered and slept4 ,and at midnight there was a cry made1 ,behold1 the bridegroom cometh2 go ye out to meet him4 ,then all those virgins arose1 and trimmed their lamps4 ,and the foolish said unto the wise1 ,give us of your oil2 for our lamps are gone out4 ,but the wise answered1 saying1 ,not so2 lest there be not enough for us and you3 but go ye rather to them that sell1 and buy for yourselves4 ,and while they went to buy1 the bridegroom came2 and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage3 and the door was shut4 ,afterward came also the other virgins1 saying1 ,lord1 ,lord1 open to us4 ,but he answered and said1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,i know you not4 ,watch therefore1 for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the ,son of man cometh4 ,the story itself is based on oriental marriage customs1 with which the ,lord's attentive listeners were familiar4 ,it was and yet is common in those lands1 particularly in connection with marriage festivities among the wealthy classes1 for the bridegroom to go to the home of the bride1 accompanied by his friends in processional array1 and later to conduct the bride to her new home with a larger body of attendants composed of groomsmen1 bridesmaids1 relatives and friends4 ,as the bridal party progressed1 to the accompaniment of gladsome music1 it was increased by little groups who had gathered in waiting at convenient places along the route1 and particularly near the end of the course where organized companies came forth to meet the advancing procession4 ,wedding ceremonies were appointed for the evening and night hours2 and the necessary use of torches and lamps gave brilliancy and added beauty to the scene4 ,in the parable ten maidens were waiting to welcome and join in with the bridal company1 the time of whose arrival was uncertain4 ,each had her lamp attached to the end of a rod so as to be held aloft in the festal march2 but of the ten virgins five had wisely carried an extra supply of oil1 while the other five1 probably counting on no great delay1 or assuming that they would be able to borrow from others1 or perchance having negligently given no thought at all to the matter1 had no oil except the one filling with which their lamps had been supplied at starting4 ,the bridegroom tarried1 and the waiting maidens grew drowsy and fell asleep4 ,at midnight1 the forerunners of the marriage party loudly proclaimed the bridegroom's approach1 and cried in haste3 ,go ye out to meet him4 ,the ten maidens1 no longer sleepy1 but eagerly active1 set to work to trim their lamps2 then the wise ones found use for the oil in their flasks1 while the thoughtless five bewailed their destitute condition1 for their lamps were empty and they had no oil for replenishment4 ,they appealed to their wiser sisters1 asking a share of their oil2 but these declined2 for1 in a time of such exigency1 to give of their store would have been to render themselves unfit1 inasmuch as there was oil enough for their own lamps only4 ,instead of oil they could impart only advice to their unfortunate sisters1 whom they directed to go to the nearest shop and buy for themselves4 ,while the foolish virgins were away in quest of oil1 the wedding party passed into the house wherein the feast was provided1 and the door was shut against all tardy comers4 ,in time the unwise maidens1 too late to participate in the processional entry1 called from without1 pleading for admittance2 but the bridegroom refused their request1 and disclaimed all acquaintanceship with them1 since they had not been numbered among his attendants or those of the bride4 ,the ,bridegroom is the ,lord ,jesus2 the marriage feast symbolizes ,his coming in glory1 to receive unto ,himself the ,church on earth as ,his bride4#aafc ,the virgins typify those who profess a belief in ,christ1 and who1 therefore1 confidently expect to be included among the blessed participants at the feast4 ,the lighted lamp1 which each of the maidens carried1 is the outward profession of ,christian belief and practise2 and in the oil reserves of the wiser ones we may see the spiritual strength and abundance which diligence and devotion in ,god's service alone can insure4 ,the lack of sufficient oil on the part of the unwise virgins is analogous to the dearth of soil in the stony field1 wherein the seed readily sprouted but soon withered away4#aafd ,the ,bridegroom's coming was sudden2 yet the waiting virgins were not held blamable for their surprize at the abrupt announcement1 but the unwise five suffered the natural results of their unpreparedness4 ,the refusal of the wise virgins to give of their oil at such a critical time must not be regarded as uncharitable2 the circumstance typifies the fact that in the day of judgment every soul must answer for himself2 there is no way by which the righteousness of one can be credited to another's account2 the doctrine of supererogation is wholly false4#aafe ,the ,bridegroom's condemnatory disclaimer1 ,i know you not1 was equivalent to a declaration that the imploring but neglectful ones1 who had been found unready and unprepared1 did not know ,him4#aaff ,the application of the parable and its wealth of splendid suggestion are summarized in a masterly manner by the ,lord's impressive adjuration3 ,watch therefore1 for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the ,son of man cometh4 ,the fulfilment of the predictions enshrined in this precious parable is yet future1 but near4 ,in #ahca the ,lord ,jesus ,christ revealed anew the indications by which the imminence of ,his glorious advent may be perceived4 ,through the mouth of ,his prophet ,joseph ,smith ,he thus spake3 ,and at that day1 when ,i shall come in my glory1 shall the parable be fulfilled which ,i spake concerning the ten virgins3 for they that are wise and have received the truth1 and have taken the ,holy ,spirit for their guide1 and have not been deceived2 verily ,i say unto you1 they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire1 but shall abide the day1 and the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance2 and they shall multiply and wax strong1 and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation1 for the ,lord shall be in their midst1 and his glory shall be upon them1 and he will be their ,king and their ,lawgiver4#aafg ,still discoursing in solemn earnestness to the apostles as the evening shadows gathered about the ,mount of ,olives1 the ,lord delivered the last of ,his recorded parables4 ,we call it the ,parable of the ,entrusted ,talents4#aafh ,for the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country1 who called his own servants1 and delivered unto them his goods4 ,and unto one he gave five talents1 to another two1 and to another one2 to every man according to his several ability2 and straightway took his journey4 ,then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same1 and made them other five talents4 ,and likewise he that had received two1 he also gained other two4 ,but he that had received one went and digged in the earth1 and hid his lord's money4 ,after a long time the lord of those servants cometh1 and reckoneth with them4 ,and so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents1 saying1 ,lord1 thou deliveredst unto me five talents3 behold1 ,i have gained beside them five talents more4 ,his lord said unto him1 ,well done1 thou good and faithful servant3 thou hast been faithful over a few things1 ,i will make thee ruler over many things3 enter thou into the joy of thy lord4 ,he also that had received two talents came and said1 ,lord1 thou deliveredst unto me two talents3 behold1 ,i have gained two other talents beside them4 ,his lord said unto him1 ,well done1 good and faithful servant2 thou hast been faithful over a few things1 ,i will make thee ruler over many things3 enter thou into the joy of thy lord4 ,then he which had received the one talent came and said1 ,lord1 ,i knew thee that thou art an hard man1 reaping where thou hast not sown1 and gathering where thou hast not strawed3 ,and ,i was afraid1 and went and hid thy talent in the earth3 lo1 there thou hast that is thine4 ,his lord answered and said unto him1 ,thou wicked and slothful servant1 thou knewest that ,i reap where ,i sowed not1 and gather where ,i have not strawed3 ,thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers1 and then at my coming ,i should have received mine own with usury4 ,take therefore the talent from him1 and give it unto him which hath ten talents4 ,for unto every one that hath shall be given1 and he shall have abundance3 but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath4 ,and cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness3 there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth4 ,some of the resemblances between this parable and that of the ,pounds#aafi appear on even a casual reading2 significant differences are discovered by comparison and study4 ,the earlier parable was spoken to a mixed multitude in the course of our ,lord's last journey from ,jericho to ,jerusalem2 the later one was given in privacy to the most intimate of ,his disciples in the closing hours of the last day of ,his public preaching4 ,the two should be studied together4 ,in the story of the ,pounds1 an equal amount of capital is given to each of the servants1 and men's diverse ability to use and apply1 with commensurate results in reward or penalty1 is demonstrated2 in that of the ,entrusted ,talents1 the servants receive different amounts1 every man according to his several ability2 and equal diligence1 though shown in one instance by great gain and in the other by small but proportionate increase1 is equally rewarded4 ,unfaithfulness and negligence are condemned and punished in both4 ,in the parable now under consideration1 the master is presented as delivering his wealth into the hands of his own servants1 literally1 bondservants2#aagj they1 as well as the possessions held by them in trust were his4 ,those servants had no rights of actual ownership1 nor title of permanent proprietorship in the treasure committed to their care2 all they had1 the time and opportunity to use their talents1 and they themselves1 belonged to their lord4 ,we cannot fail to perceive even in the early incidents of the story that the ,master of the servants was the ,lord ,jesus2 the servants1 therefore1 were the disciples and more particularly the apostles1 who1 while of equal authority through ordination in the ,holy ,priesthood1 as specifically illustrated by the earlier parable of the ,pounds1 were of varied ability1 of diverse personality1 and unequal generally in nature and in such accomplishments as would be called into service throughout their ministry4 ,the ,lord was about to depart2 ,he would return only after a long time2 the significance of this latter circumstance is in line with that expressed through the parable of the ,ten ,virgins in the statement that the ,bridegroom tarried4 ,at the time of reckoning1 the servants who had done well1 the one with his five talents1 the other with his two1 reported gladly1 conscious as they were of having at least striven to do their best4 ,the unfaithful servant prefaced his report with a grumbling excuse1 which involved the imputation of unrighteousness in the ,master4 ,the honest1 diligent1 faithful servants saw and reverenced in their ,lord the perfection of the good qualities which they possessed in measured degree2 the lazy and unprofitable serf1 afflicted by distorted vision1 professed to see in the ,master his own base defects4 ,the story in this particular1 as in the other features relating to human acts and tendencies1 is psychologically true2 in a peculiar sense men are prone to conceive of the attributes of ,god as comprizing in augmented degree the dominant traits of their own nature4 ,both the servant who had been entrusted with five talents and he who had received but two were equally commended1 and1 as far as we are told1 were equally recompensed4 ,the talents bestowed upon each were the gift of his ,lord1 who knew well whether that servant was capable of using to better advantage one1 two1 or five4 ,let no one conclude that good work of relatively small scope is less necessary or acceptable than like service of wider range4 ,many a man who has succeeded well in business with small capital would have failed in the administration of vast sums2 so also in spiritual achievements there are diversities of gifts1 but the same ,spirit4#aaga ,of the man endowed with many talents greater returns were expected2 of the one-talented man relatively little was required1 yet in that little he failed4#aagb ,at the least he could have delivered the money to the bank1 through which it would have been kept in circulation to the benefit of the community1 and would have earned interest meanwhile4 ,likewise1 in the spiritual application1 a man possessed of any good gift1 such as musical ability1 eloquence1 skill in handicraft1 or the like1 ought to use that gift to the full1 that he or others may be profited thereby3 but should he be too neglectful to exercize his powers in independent service1 he may assist others to profitable effort1 by encouragement if by nothing more4 ,who can doubt in the spirit of the ,lord's teaching1 that had the man been able to report the doubling of his single talent1 he would have been as cordially commended and as richly recompensed as were his more highly endowed and faithful fellows8 ,it is notable that to the charge of unrighteousness made by the unfaithful servant1 the ,lord deigns no refutation2 the spirit of the reply was the same as that expressed in the earlier parable3 ,out of thine own mouth will ,i judge thee1 thou wicked servant4#aagc ,the unworthy man sought to excuse himself by the despicable but all too common subterfuge of presumptuously charging culpability in another1 and in this instance1 that other was his ,lord4 ,talents are not given to be buried1 and then to be dug up and offered back unimproved1 reeking with the smell of earth and dulled by the corrosion of disuse4 ,the unused talent was justly taken from him who had counted it as of so little worth1 and was given to one1 who1 although possessing much1 would use the additional gift to his own profit1 to the betterment of his fellows1 and to the glory of his ,lord4 ,,the ,,inevitable ,,judgment4#aagd ,the ,lord had uttered ,his last parable4 ,in words of plainness1 though suffused with the beauty of effective simile1 ,he impressed upon the listening disciples the certainty of judgment by which the world shall be visited in the day of ,his appearing4 ,then shall the wheat be segregated from the tares1#aage and the sheep divided from the goats4 ,when the ,son of man shall come in his glory1 and all the holy angels with him1 then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory3 ,and before him shall be gathered all nations3 and he shall separate them one from another1 as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats3 ,and he shall set the sheep on his right hand1 but the goats on the left4 ,unto those on ,his right hand the ,king shall give commendation and blessing1 bestowing a rich recompense for their good works1 as attested by the hungry they had fed1 the thirsty to whom they had given drink1 the stranger they had lodged1 the naked they had clothed1 the sick to whom they had ministered1 the prisoners they had visited and encouraged1 all of which mercies are accredited to them as having been rendered to their ,lord in person4 ,the blessed company1 overwhelmed by the plenitude of the ,king's bounty1 of which they regard themselves as undeserving1 will fain disclaim the merit attributed to them2 ,and the ,king shall answer and say unto them1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren1 ye have done it unto me4 ,unto them who wait on the left in terrified expectancy1 the ,king shall recount their several deficiencies1 in that they had given ,him neither food nor drink1 shelter nor clothing despite ,his need2 neither had they visited ,him though ill1 nor ministered unto ,his wants when ,he lay in a prison cell4 ,in the desperation of anguish these shall ask when and where they had had such opportunity of comforting ,him1 and ,he shall answer1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these1 ye did it not to me4 ,the righteous shall be welcomed with ,come ye blessed of my ,father2 the wicked shall hear the awful sentence1 ,depart from me ye cursed4 ,eternal life is the inestimable reward2 everlasting punishment the unfathomable doom4#aagf ,viewing as one discourse the two parables and the teaching that directly followed1 we find in it such unity of subject and thoroughness of treatment as to give to the whole both beauty and worth beyond the sum of these qualities exhibited in the several parts4 ,vigilant waiting in the ,lord's cause1 and the dangers of unreadiness are exemplified in the story of the virgins2 diligence in work and the calamitous results of sloth are prominent features of the tale of the talents4 ,these two phases of service are of reciprocal and complementary import2 it is as necessary at times to wait as at others to work4 ,the lapse of a long period1 as while the ,bridegroom tarried1 and as during the ,master's absence in a far country1#aagg is made plain throughout as intervening between the ,lord's departure and ,his return in glory4 ,the absolute certainty of the ,christ coming to execute judgment upon the earth1 in the which every soul shall receive according to his deserts1 is the sublime summary of this unparalleled discourse4 ,,another ,,specific ,,prediction ,,of ,,the ,,lord',s ,,death4 ,following the instructions to the apostles at the resting place on ,olivet1 and probably in the course of the continued walk toward ,bethany that evening1 ,jesus reminded the ,twelve of the awful fate awaiting ,him1 and specified the time of ,his betrayal and the manner of ,his death4 ,ye know1 ,he said1 that after two days is the feast of the passover1 and the ,son of man is betrayed to be crucified4#aagh ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #cb4 #a4 ,early ,fulfilment of the ,lord's ,prophecies4--,as to the literal fulfilment of the ,lord's predictions relating to the times immediately following ,his ascension and down to the destruction of ,jerusalem1 the student must be referred to scriptural and other history4 ,only a brief summary of the most notable events can be attempted here4 ,on the matter of wars and rumors or threats of wars1 see ,josephus1 ,antiquities xviii1 ch4 #i1 and ,wars1 ii1 ch4 #aj4 ,the latter reference is to the account of the decree issued by ,caligula that his statue be set up and duly reverenced in the temple1 in consequence of which the ,jews protested so strenuously that war was declared against them1 but was averted by the death of the emperor4 ,concerning the death of ,caligula1 ,josephus remarks that it happened most happily for our nation in particular1 which would have almost utterly perished1 if he had not been suddenly slain4 ,other threats of war against the ,jews were severally made by the emperors ,claudius and ,nero4 ,nation rose against nation1 as for example1 in the assault of ,greeks and ,syrians upon the ,jews1 in the course of which #ej1jjj ,jews were slain at ,selucia on the ,tigris1 and #bj1jjj at ,csarea1 #ac1jjj at ,scythopolis1 and #b1ejj at ,ascalon4 ,famine and its attendant pestilence prevailed during the reign of ,claudius1 7#da-ed ,a4,d47 and such had been specifically predicted by inspiration1 through ,agabus 7,acts #aa3bh74 ,the famine was very severe in ,palestine 7,josephus1 ,antiquities1 xx1 ch4 #b74 ,earthquakes were of alarming frequency and of unusual severity1 between the death of ,christ and the destruction of ,jerusalem1 particularly in ,syria1 ,macedonia1 ,campania1 and ,achia4 ,see ,tacitus1 ,annals1 books xii and xiv2 and for account of violent seismic disturbances at ,rome1 see ,suetonius in his ,life of ,galba4 ,josephus 7,wars iv1 ch4 #d7 records a particularly severe earthquake that disrupted parts of ,judea1 and was accompanied by amazing concussions and bellowings of the earth--a manifest indication that some destruction was coming upon men4 ,the portent of fearful sights and great signs from heaven1 as recorded by ,luke was realized in the phenomenal events chronicled by ,josephus 7,preface to ,wars74 ,of the persecution that befell the apostles and others1 and of their arraignment before rulers1 ,dr4 ,adam ,clarke1 in his commentary on passages in ,matt #bd1 says3 ,we need go no farther than the ,acts of the ,apostles for the completion of these particulars4 ,some were delivered to councils1 as ,peter and ,john 7,acts #d3e74 ,some were brought before rulers and kings1 as ,paul before ,gallio 7#ah3ab72 before ,felix 7ch4 #bd72 before ,festus and ,agrippa 7ch4 #be74 ,some had utterance and wisdom which their adversaries were not able to resist2 so ,stephen 7#f3aj71 and ,paul who made even ,felix himself tremble 7#bd3be74 ,some were imprisoned1 as ,peter and ,john 7#d3c74 ,some were beaten1 as ,paul and ,silas 7#af3bc74 ,some were put to death1 as ,stephen 7#g3ei72 and ,james the brother of ,john 7#ab3b74 ,but if we look beyond the book of the ,acts of the ,apostles1 to the bloody persecutions under ,nero1 we shall find these predictions still more amply fulfilled2 in these1 numberless ,christians fell1 besides those two champions of the faith1 ,peter and ,paul4 ,and it was1 as says ,tertullian1 a war against the very name of ,christ2 for he who was called ,christian had committed crime enough in bearing the name to be put to death4 ,so true were our ,savior's words that they should be hated of all men for ,his ,name's sake4 ,among the false prophets1 and men who claimed to be the duly accredited ministers of ,christ1 were ,simon ,magus who drew many people after him 7,acts #h3i1 #ac1 #ah-bd2 see also ,the ,great ,apostasy1 #g3a1 #b71 ,menander1 ,dositheus1 and ,theudas1 and the false apostles referred to by ,paul 7#b ,cor4 #aa3ac7 and others1 such as ,hymeneus and ,philetus 7#b ,tim4 #b3ag1 #ah74 ,dummelow's ,commentary applies here the record by ,josephus concerning a body of wicked men1 who deceived and deluded the people under pretense of divine inspiration1 who prevailed with the multitude to act like madmen1 and went before them into the wilderness1 pretending that ,god would there show them the signals of victory4 ,compare #b ,peter #b3a2 #a ,john #b3ah2 #d3a4 ,that the love of many did wax cold1 both before and after the destruction of ,jerusalem1 is attested by the facts of the world-wide apostasy1 which was the result of corruption within and persecution from without the ,church 7see ,the ,great ,apostasy1 chaps4 #c-i74 ,the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom in all the world was no less truly an essential characteristic of the apostolic period than it is of the current or last dispensation4 ,the rapid spread of the gospel and the phenomenal growth of the ,church under the direction of the apostles of old1 is recorded as one of the marvels of history 7,great ,apostasy1 #a3ba1 and citation of ,eusebius74 ,paul1 writing about thirty years after ,christ's ascension1 affirms that the gospel had already been carried to every nation1 and preached to every creature under heaven 7,col4 #a3bc1 compare verse #f74 ,the abomination of desolation cited by the ,lord from the prophecy by ,daniel was strictly fulfilled in the investment of ,jerusalem by the ,roman army 7compare ,luke #ba3bj1 #ba74 ,to the ,jews the ensigns and images of the ,romans were a disgusting abomination4 ,josephus 7,wars vi1 ch4 #f7 states that the ,roman ensigns were set up inside the temple and that the soldiery offered sacrifices before them4 ,the warning to all to flee from ,jerusalem and ,judea to the mountains when the armies would begin to surround the city was so generally heeded by members of the ,church1 that according to the early ,church writers not one ,christian perished in the awful siege 7see ,eusebius1 ,eccles4 ,hist41 book iii1 ch4 #e74 ,the first siege by ,gallus was unexpectedly raised1 and then1 before the armies of ,vespasian arrived at the walls1 all ,jews who had faith in the warning given by ,christ to the apostles1 and by these to the people1 fled beyond ,jordan1 and congregated mostly at ,pella 7compare ,josephus1 ,wars ii1 ch4 #ai74 ,as to the unprecedented horrors of the siege1 which culminated in the utter destruction of ,jerusalem and the temple1 see ,josephus1 ,wars vi1 chaps4 #c and #d4 ,that historian estimates the number slain in ,jerusalem alone as #a1ajj1jjj and in other cities and rural parts a third as many more4 ,for details see ,josephus1 ,wars ii1 chaps4 #ah1 #bj2 iii1 #b1 #g1 #h1 #i2 iv1 #a1 #b1 #g1 #h1 #i2 vii1 #f1 #i1 #aa4 ,many tens of thousands were taken captive1 to be afterward sold into slavery1 or to be slain by wild beasts1 or in gladiatorial combat in the arena for the amusement of ,roman spectators4 ,in the course of the siege1 a wall was constructed about the entire city1 thus fulfilling the ,lord's prediction 7,luke #ai3dc71 thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee1 in which1 by the admittedly better translation1 bank or palisade should appear instead of trench4 ,in ,september ,a4,d4 #gj the city fell into the hands of the ,romans2 and its destruction was afterward made so thorough that its site was plowed up4 ,jerusalem was trodden down of the ,gentiles1 and ever since has been under ,gentile dominion1 and so shall continue to be until the times of the ,gentiles be fulfilled4 7,luke #ba3bd47 #b4 ,in the ,deserts and in ,secret ,chambers4--,the #bdth chapter of ,matthew1 and its parallel scriptures in ,mark #ac and ,luke #ba1 may be the more easily understood if we bear in mind that the ,lord therein speaks of two distinct events1 each a consummation of long ages of preparation1 and the first a prototype of the second4 ,many of the specific predictions are applicable both to the time preceding or at the destruction of ,jerusalem1 and to developments of succeeding time down to the second coming of ,christ4 ,the passage in ,matt4 #bd3bf may be given this two-fold application4 ,josephus tells of men leading others away into the desert1 saying under pretended inspiration that there should they find ,god2 and the same historian mentions a false prophet who led many into the secret chambers of the temple during the ,roman assault1 promising them that there would the ,lord give them deliverance4 ,men1 women1 and children followed this fanatical leader1 and were caught in the holocaust of destruction1 so that #f1jjj of them perished in the flames 7,josephus1 ,wars vi1 ch4 #e74 ,concerning an application of the ,lord's precepts to later times and conditions1 the author has elsewhere written 7,the ,great ,apostasy1 #g3bb-be73 ,one of the heresies of early origin and rapid growth in the ,church was the doctrine of antagonism between body and spirit1 whereby the former was regarded as an incubus and a curse4 ,from what has been said this will be recognized as one of the perversions derived from the alliance of ,gnosticism with ,christianity4 ,a result of this grafting in of heathen doctrines was an abundant growth of hermit practises1 by which men sought to weaken1 torture1 and subdue their bodies1 that their spirits or souls might gain greater freedom4 ,many who adopted this unnatural view of human existence retired to the solitude of the desert1 and there spent their time in practises of stern self-denial and in acts of frenzied self-torture4 ,others shut themselves up as voluntary prisoners1 seeking glory in privation and self-imposed penance4 ,it was this unnatural view of life that gave rise to the several orders of recluses1 hermits1 and monks4 ,think you not that the ,savior had such practises in mind1 when1 warning the disciples of the false claims to sanctity that would characterize the times then soon to follow1 ,he said3 ,wherefore if they shall say unto you4 ,behold he ,christ is in the desert1 go not forth3 behold1 he is in the secret chambers1 believe it not8 #c4 ,the ,time of ,christ's ,advent ,not ,known4--,the ,lord's statement that the time of ,his advent in glory was unknown to man1 and that the angels knew it not1 neither the ,son1 but that it was known to the ,father only1 appears plain and unambiguous notwithstanding many and conflicting commentaries thereon4 ,jesus repeatedly affirmed that ,his mission was to do the will of the ,father2 and it is evident that the ,father's will was revealed to ,him from time to time4 ,while in the flesh ,he laid no claim to omniscience2 though whatever ,he willed to know ,he learned through the medium of communication with the ,father4 ,christ had not asked to know what the ,father had not intimated ,his readiness to reveal1 which1 in this instance1 was the day and hour of the ,son's appointed return to earth as a glorified1 resurrected ,being4 ,we need not hesitate to believe that at the time ,jesus delivered to the apostles the discourse under consideration1 ,he was uninformed on the matter2 for ,he so states4 ,in the last interview between ,christ and the apostles immediately before ,his ascension 7,acts #a3f1 #g7 they asked ,lord1 wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to ,israel8 ,and he said unto them1 ,it is not for you to know the times or the seasons1 which the ,father hath put in his own power4 ,nor has the date of the ,messianic consummation been since revealed to any man2 though even now1 the fig tree is rapidly putting forth its leaves1 and he who hath eyes to see and a heart to understand knows that the summer of the ,lord's purpose is near at hand4 #d4 ,the ,false ,doctrine of ,supererogation4--,among the pernicious fallacies promulgated as authorized dogmas by the apostate church during the long period of spiritual darkness following the close of the apostolic ministry1 was the awful enormity known as the doctrine of supererogation4 ,as stated by ,mosheim 7,eccl4 ,hist4 ,cent4 xii1 part ii1 ch4 #c3d7 the dreadful doctrine was formulated in the thirteenth century as follows3 ,that there actually existed an immense treasure of merit1 composed of the pious deeds and virtuous actions which the saints had performed beyond what was necessary for their own salvation1 and which were therefore applicable to the benefit of others2 that the guardian and dispenser of this precious treasure was the ,roman pontiff1 and that of consequence he was empowered to assign to such as he thought proper a portion of this inexhaustible source of merit1 suitable to their respective guilt1 and sufficient to deliver them from the punishment due to their crimes4 ,concerning the fallacy of this doctrine the author has written 7,the ,great ,apostasy1 #i3ae71 in this wise3 ,this doctrine of supererogation is as unreasonable as it is unscriptural and untrue4 ,man's individual responsibility for his acts is as surely a fact as is his agency to act for himself4 ,he will be saved through the merits and by the atoning sacrifice of our ,redeemer and ,lord2 and his claim upon the salvation provided is strictly dependent on his compliance with the principles and ordinances of the gospel as established by ,jesus ,christ4 ,remission of sins and the eventual salvation of the human soul are provided for2 but these gifts of ,god are not to be purchased with money4 ,compare the awful fallacies of supererogation and the blasphemous practise of assuming to remit the sins of one man in consideration of the merits of another1 with the declaration of the one and only ,savior of mankind3 ',but ,i say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak1 they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment4' ,if conclusions as to doctrine may be drawn from our ,lord's parables1 the parable of the ,ten ,virgins affords refutation of the ,satanic suggestion that one man's sin may be neutralized by another's righteousness4 ,we know no supererogation but that of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 through whose merits salvation is placed within the reach of all men4 #e4 ,this ,generation4--,consult any reliable unabridged dictionary of the ,english language for evidence of the fact that the term generation1 as connoting a period of time1 has many meanings1 among which are race1 kind1 class4 ,the term is not confined to a body of people living at one time4 ,fausett's ,bible ,cyclopedia1 ,critical and ,expository1 after citing many meanings attached to the word1 says3 ,in ,matthew #bd3cd 'this generation shall not pass 7viz4 the ,jewish race1 of which the generation in ,christ's days was a sample in character2 compare ,christ's address to the generation1 #bc3ce1 #cf1 in proof that generation means at times the whole ,jewish race7 till all these things be fulfilled'--a prophecy that the ,jews shall be a distinct people still when ,he shall come again4 ,,footnotes3 #aaej ,matt4 #bd3c-ea2 ,mark #ac3c-cg3 ,luke #ba3e-ce4 ,compare ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,joseph ,smith1 #a4 #aaea ,mark #ac3aa2 compare ,matt4 #aj3ai1 #bj2 ,luke #ab3aa1 #ab2 #ba3ad1 #ae4 #aaeb ,luke #ba3ai2 compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #aja3ch4 #aaec ,dan4 #i3bg4 #aaed ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #aaee ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #aaef ,matt4 #bd3bg2 compare ,luke #ag3bb-bd4 #aaeg ,the body1 as that of the ,church1 is rendered carcase in both authorized and revised versions4 ,for the application of the figure--of eagles gathering about a carcase--to the assembling of scattered ,israel1 see ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,joseph ,smith1 #a3bg1 where we read3 so likewise shall mine elect be gathered from the four quarters of the earth4 ,among ,bible scholars1 a favorite interpretation of the passage1 ,for wheresoever the carcase is1 there will the eagles be gathered together1 is that ,christ was likening unto eagles 7revised version vultures7 the angels that shall come with ,him to execute judgment upon mankind1 and unto a carcase the corruption of sin4 ,see ,matt4 #bd3bh2 compare ,luke #ag3cg4 #aaeh ,matt4 #bd3ce2 compare #e3ah2 ,mark #ac3ca2 ,luke #ba3cc2 compare #af3ag2 see also ,heb4 #a3aj1 #aa2 #b ,peter #c3g-aj2 ,rev4 #ba3a4 ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #aaei ,this is ,mark's version2 in the parallel passage ,matt4 #bd3cf1 the words neither the ,son are not found in the ,king ,james text1 but do appear in the revised version4 ,see ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #aafj ,page #dda4 #aafa ,matt4 #bd3de-ea2 ,mark #ac3cd-cg2 ,luke #ba3cd-cf1 compare #ab3ce-dh4 #aafb ,matt4 #be3a-ac4 #aafc ,compare ,rev4 #ba3b1 #i2 #bb3ag2 see also ,matt4 #i3ae2 ,john #c3bi4 #aafd ,see ,parable of the ,sower1 ,matt4 #ac3e1 #f1 #bj1 #ba2 page #bhb herein4 #aafe ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #aaff ,compare ,john #aj3ad4 #aafg ,doc4 and ,cov4 #de3ef-ei2 see also #fc3ec1 #ed4 #aafh ,matt4 #be3ad-cj4 #aafi ,luke #ai3ab-bg2 see also page #ejh herein4 #aagj ,margin1 revised version4 #aaga #a ,cor4 #ab3d2 study the entire chapter4 #aagb ,luke #ab3dh4 #aagc ,luke #ai3bb2 compare ,matt4 #ab3cg4 #aagd ,matt4 #be3ca-df4 #aage ,matt4 #ac3bd-cj2 page #bhf herein4 #aagf ,page #bhf4 #aagg ,the revised version reads another country instead of a far country1 in ,matt4 #be3ad4 #aagh ,matt4 #bf3b4 ,,chapter #cc4 ,,the ,,last ,,supper ,,and ,,the ,,betrayal4 ,,priestly ,,conspirators ,,and ,,the ,,traitor4 ,as the time for the annual ,feast of the ,passover approached1 and particularly during the two days immediately preceding the beginning of the festival1 the chief priests1 scribes1 and elders of the people1 in short the ,sanhedrin and the entire priestly party1 conspired persistently together as to the best manner of taking ,jesus into custody and putting ,him to death4 ,at one of these gatherings of evil counsel1 which was held at the palace of the high priest1 ,caiaphas1#aagi it was decided that ,jesus should be taken by subtlety if possible1 as the probable effect of an open arrest would be an uprising of the people4 ,the rulers feared especially an outbreak by the ,galileans1 who had a provincial pride in the prominence of ,jesus as one of their countrymen1 and many of whom were then in ,jerusalem4 ,it was further concluded and for the same reasons1 that the ,jewish custom of making impressive examples of notable offenders by executing public punishment upon them at times of great general assemblages1 be set aside in the case of ,jesus2 therefore the conspirators said3 ,not on the feast day1 lest there be an uproar among the people4#aahj ,on earlier occasions they had made futile attempts to get ,jesus into their hands2#aaha and they were naturally dubious as to the outcome of their later machinations4 ,at this juncture they were encouraged and gladdened in their wicked plots by the appearance of an unexpected ally4 ,judas ,iscariot1 one of the ,twelve1 sought an audience with these rulers of the ,jews1 and infamously offered to betray his ,lord into their hands4#aahb ,under the impulse of diabolic avarice1 which1 however1 was probably but a secondary element in the real cause of his perfidious treachery1 he bargained to sell his ,master for money1 and chaffered with the priestly purchasers over the price of the ,savior's blood4 ,what will ye give me8 he asked2 and they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver4#aahc ,this amount1 approximately seventeen dollars in our money1 but of many times greater purchasing power with the ,jews in that day than now with us1 was the price fixed by the law as that of a slave2 it was also the foreseen sum of the blood-money to be paid for the ,lord's betrayal4#aahd ,that the silver was actually paid to ,judas1 either at this first interview or at some later meeting between the traitor and the priests1 is demonstrated by after events4#aahe ,he had pledged himself to the blackest deed of treachery of which man is capable1 and from that hour he sought the opportunity of superseding his infamous promise by its more villainous fulfilment4 ,we are yet to be afflicted by other glimpses of the evil-hearted ,iscariot in the course of this dread chronicle of tragedy and perdition2 for the present let it be said that before ,judas sold ,christ to the ,jews1 he had sold himself to the devil2 he had become ,satan's serf1 and did his master's bidding4 ,,the ,,last ,,supper4 ,the day preceding the eating of the passover lamb had come to be known among the ,jews as the first day of the feast of unleavened bread1#aahf since on that day all leaven had to be removed from their dwellings1 and thereafter for a period of eight days the eating of anything containing leaven was unlawful4 ,on the afternoon of this day1 the paschal lambs were slain within the temple court1 by the representatives of families or companies who were to eat together2 and a portion of the blood of each lamb was sprinkled at the foot of the altar of sacrifice by one of the numerous priests on duty for the day4 ,the slain lamb1 then said to have been sacrificed1 was borne away to the appointed gathering place of those by whom it was to be eaten4 ,during the first of the days of unleavened bread1 which in the year of our ,lord's death appears to have fallen on ,thursday1#aahg some of the ,twelve inquired of ,jesus where they should make preparations for the paschal meal4#aahh ,he instructed ,peter and ,john to return to ,jerusalem1 and added3 ,behold1 when ye are entered into the city1 there shall a man meet you1 bearing a pitcher of water2 follow him into the house where he entereth in4 ,and ye shall say unto the goodman of the house1 ,the ,master saith unto thee1 ,where is the guest chamber1 where ,i shall eat the passover with my disciples8 ,and he shall shew you a large upper room furnished3 there make ready4 ,and they went1 and found as he had said unto them3 and they made ready the passover4 ,in the evening1 ,thursday evening as we reckon time1 but the beginning of ,friday according to the ,jewish calendar1#aahi ,jesus came with the ,twelve1 and together they sat down to the last meal of which the ,lord would partake before ,his death4 ,under strain of profound emotion1 ,he said unto them1 ,with desire ,i have desired to eat this passover with you before ,i suffer3 for ,i say unto you1 ,i will not any more eat thereof1 until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of ,god4 ,and he took the cup1 and gave thanks1 and said1 ,take this1 and divide it among yourselves3 for ,i say unto you1 ,i will not drink of the fruit of the vine1 until the kingdom of ,god shall come4 ,the pronouncing of a blessing by the host upon a cup of wine1 which was afterward passed round the table to each participant in turn1 was the customary manner of beginning the ,passover supper4 ,at this solemn meal ,jesus appears to have observed the essentials of the ,passover procedure2 but we have no record of ,his compliance with the many supernumerary requirements with which the divinely established memorial of ,israel's deliverance from bondage had been invested by traditional custom and rabbinical prescription4 ,as we shall see1 the evening's proceedings in that upper room comprized much beside the ordinary observance of an annual festival4 ,the supper proceeded under conditions of tense sadness4 ,as they ate1 the ,lord sorrowfully remarked3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,one of you which eateth with me shall betray me4 ,most of the apostles fell into a state of introspection2 and one after another exclaimed3 ,is it ,i8 ,lord1 is it ,i8 ,it is pleasing to note that each of those who so inquired was more concerned with the dread thought that possibly he was an offender1 however inadvertently so1 than as to whether his brother was about to prove himself a traitor4 ,jesus answered that it was one of the ,twelve1 then and there eating with ,him from the common dish1 and continued with the terrifying pronouncement3 ,the ,son of man indeed goeth1 as it is written of him3 but woe to that man by whom the ,son of man is betrayed6 good were it for that man if he had never been born4 ,then ,judas ,iscariot1 who had already covenanted to sell his ,master for money1 and who at this moment probably feared that silence might arouse suspicion against himself1 asked with a brazen audacity that was veritably devilish3 ,master1 is it ,i8 ,with cutting promptness the ,lord replied3 ,thou hast said4#aaij ,there was further cause of sorrow to ,jesus at the supper4 ,some of the ,twelve had fallen into muttering dispute among themselves over the matter of individual precedence1#aaia possibly as to the order in which they should take their places at table1 over which triviality scribes and ,pharisees as well as the ,gentiles often quarreled2#aaib and again the ,lord had to remind the apostles that the greatest of them all was he who most willingly served his fellows4 ,they had been taught before2 yet now1 at this late and solemn hour1 they were suffused with vain and selfish ambition4 ,in sorrowful earnestness the ,lord pleaded with them1 asking who is greater1 he that sits at the table1 or he that serves8 ,and the obvious reply ,he supplemented by the statement3 ,but ,i am among you as he that serveth4 ,with loving pathos ,he added3 ,ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations2#aaic and then ,he assured them that they should lack neither honor nor glory in the kingdom of ,god1 for if they proved faithful they should be appointed to thrones as the judges of ,israel4 ,for those of ,his chosen ones who were true to ,him1 the ,lord had no feeling less than that of love1 and of yearning for their victory over ,satan and sin4 ,,the ,,ordinance ,,of ,,the ,,washing ,,of ,,feet#aaid ,leaving the table1 the ,lord laid aside ,his outer garments and girded ,himself with a towel as an apron2 then having provided ,himself with a basin and a supply of water1 ,he knelt before each of the ,twelve in turn1 washed his feet1 and wiped them with the towel4 ,when ,he reached ,peter1 that impulsive apostle protested1 saying3 ,lord1 dost thou wash my feet8 ,that the proceeding was something more than mere service for personal comfort1 and more than an object-lesson of humility1 appears in the ,lord's words to ,peter--,what ,i do thou knowest not now2 but thou shalt know hereafter4 ,peter1 failing to understand1 objected yet more vehemently2 ,thou shalt never wash my feet1 he exclaimed4 ,jesus answered3 ,if ,i wash thee not1 thou hast no part with me4 ,then1 with even greater impetuosity than before1 ,peter implored as he stretched forth both feet and hands1 ,lord1 not my feet only1 but also my hands and my head4 ,he had gone to the other extreme1 insisting1 though ignorantly and unthinkingly1 that things be done his way1 and failing yet to see that the ordinance had to be administered as the ,lord willed4 ,again correcting ,his well-intending though presumptuous servant1 ,jesus said to him3 ,he that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet1 but is clean every whit3 and ye are clean1 but not all4 ,each of them had been immersed at baptism2 the washing of feet was an ordinance pertaining to the ,holy ,priesthood1 the full import of which they had yet to learn4#aaie ,having resumed ,his garments and returned to ,his place at the table1 ,jesus impressed the significance of what he had done1 saying3 ,ye call me ,master and ,lord3 and ye say well2 for so ,i am4 ,if ,i then1 your ,lord and ,master1 have washed your feet2 ye also ought to wash one another's feet4 ,for ,i have given you an example1 that ye should do as ,i have done to you4 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,the servant is not greater than his lord2 neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him4 ,if ye know these things1 happy are ye if ye do them4#aaif ,,the ,,sacrament ,,of ,,the ,,lord',s ,,supper4#aaig ,while ,jesus with the ,twelve still sat at table1 ,he took a loaf or cake of bread1 and having reverently given thanks and by blessing sanctified it1 ,he gave a portion to each of the apostles1 saying3 ,take1 eat2 this is my body2 or1 according to the more extended account1 ,this is my body which is given for you3 this do in remembrance of me4 ,then1 taking a cup of wine1 ,he gave thanks and blessed it1 and gave it unto them with the command3 ,drink ye all of it2 for this is my blood of the new testament1 which is shed for many for the remission of sins4 ,but ,i say unto you1 ,i will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine1 until that day when ,i drink it new with you in my ,father's kingdom4#aaih ,in this simple but impressive manner was instituted the ordinance1 since known as the ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper4 ,the bread and wine1 duly consecrated by prayer1 become emblems of the ,lord's body and blood1 to be eaten and drunk reverently1 and in remembrance of ,him4 ,the proceedings at the institution of this sacred rite were afterward revealed to ,paul the apostle1 whose recorded testimony as to its establishment and sanctity is in accord with the accounts given by the ,gospel-writers4#aaii ,as shall be hereinafter shown1 the ordinance was instituted by the ,lord among the ,nephites1 on the western continent1 and has been reestablished in the present dispensation4#abjj ,during the dark ages of apostasy1 unauthorized changes in the administration of the ,sacrament were introduced1 and many false doctrines as to its meaning and effect were promulgated4#abja ,,the ,,betrayer ,,goes ,,out ,,into ,,the ,,night4#abjb ,in saying to the ,twelve1 whose feet ,he had washed1 ,ye are clean1 the ,lord had specified an exception by ,his after remark1 but not all4 ,john1 the recorder1 takes care to explain that ,jesus had in mind the traitor1 and1 therefore said he1 ,ye are not all clean4 ,the guilty ,iscariot had received without protest the ,lord's service in the washing of his recreant feet1 though after the ablution he was spiritually more filthy than before4 ,when ,jesus had again sat down1 the burden of ,his knowledge concerning the treacherous heart of ,judas again found expression4 ,i speak not of you all1 ,he said1 ,i know whom ,i have chosen3 but that the scripture may be fulfilled1 ,he that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me4#abjc ,the ,lord was intent on impressing the fact of ,his foreknowledge as to what was to come1 so that when the terrible development was an accomplished fact1 the apostles would realize that thereby the scriptures had been fulfilled4 ,troubled in spirit1 ,he reiterated the dreadful assertion that one of those present would betray ,him4 ,peter made signs to ,john1 who occupied the place next to ,jesus and was at that moment leaning his head on the ,lord's breast1 that he ask which of them was the traitor4 ,to ,john's whispered inquiry the ,lord replied3 ,he it is1 to whom ,i shall give a sop1 when ,i have dipped it4 ,there was nothing unusual for a person at table1 particularly the host1 to dip a piece of bread into the dish of gravy or savory mixture1 and hand it to another4 ,such action on the part of ,jesus attracted no general attention4 ,he dipped the morsel of bread and gave it to ,judas ,iscariot1 with the words3 ,that thou doest1 do quickly4 ,the others understood the ,lord's remark as an instruction to ,judas to attend to some duty or go upon some errand of ordinary kind1 perhaps to purchase something for the further celebration of the ,passover1 or to carry gifts to some of the poor1 for ,judas was the treasurer of the party and had the bag4 ,but ,iscariot understood4 ,his heart was all the more hardened by the discovery that ,jesus knew of his infamous plans1 and he was maddened by the humiliation he felt in the ,master's presence4 ,after the sop1 which he had opened his mouth to receive from the ,lord's hand1 ,satan entered into him and asserted malignant mastership4 ,judas went out immediately1 abandoning forever the blessed company of his brethren and the ,lord4 ,john chronicles the traitor's departure with the terse and ominous remark1 and it was night4 ,,discourse ,,following ,,the ,,supper4 ,the departure of ,judas ,iscariot appears to have dissipated to some degree the cloud of utter sadness by which the little company had been depressed2 and our ,lord ,himself was visibly relieved4 ,as soon as the door had closed upon the retreating deserter1 ,jesus exclaimed1 as though ,his victory over death had been already accomplished3 ,now is the ,son of man glorified1 and ,god is glorified in him4 ,addressing the ,eleven in terms of parental affection1 ,he said3 ,little children1 yet a little while ,i am with you4 ,ye shall seek me3 and as ,i said unto the ,jews1 ,whither ,i go1 ye cannot come2 so now ,i say to you4 ,a new commandment ,i give unto you1 ,that ye love one another2 as ,i have loved you1 that ye also love one another4 ,by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples1 if ye have love one to another4#abjd ,the law of ,moses enjoined mutual love among friends and neighbors2#abje but the new commandment1 by which the apostles were to be governed1 embodied love of a higher order4 ,they were to love one another as ,christ loved them2 and their brotherly affection was to be a distinguishing mark of their apostleship1 by which the world would recognize them as men set apart4 ,the ,lord's reference to ,his impending separation from them troubled the brethren4 ,peter put the question1 ,lord1 whither goest thou8 ,jesus answered3 ,whither ,i go1 thou canst not follow me now2 but thou shalt follow me afterwards4 ,peter said unto him1 ,lord1 why cannot ,i follow thee now8 ,i will lay down my life for thy sake4 ,peter seems to have realized that his ,master was going to ,his death2 yet1 undeterred1 he asserted his readiness to follow even that dark way rather than be separated from his ,lord4 ,we cannot doubt the earnestness of ,peter's purpose nor the sincerity of his desire at that moment4 ,in his bold avowal1 however1 he had reckoned with the willingness of his spirit only1 and had failed to take into full account the weakness of his flesh4 ,jesus1 who knew ,peter better than the man knew himself1 thus tenderly reproved his excess of self-confidence3 ,simon1 ,simon1 behold1 ,satan hath desired to have you1 that he may sift you as wheat3 but ,i have prayed for thee1 that thy faith fail not3 and when thou art converted1 strengthen thy brethren4 ,the first of the apostles1 the ,man of ,rock1 yet had to be converted1 or as more precisely rendered1 turned again2#abjf for as the ,lord foresaw1 ,peter would soon be overcome1 even to the extent of denying his acquaintanceship with ,christ4 ,when ,peter stoutly declared again his readiness to go with ,jesus1 even into prison or to death1 the ,lord silenced him with the remark3 ,i tell thee1 ,peter1 the cock shall not crow this day1 before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me4 ,the apostles had to be prepared to meet a new order of things1 new conditions and new exigencies2 persecution awaited them1 and they were soon to be bereft of the ,master's sustaining presence4 ,jesus asked of them3 ,when ,i sent you without purse1 and scrip1 and shoes1 lacked ye anything8 ,and they said1 ,nothing4 ,then said he unto them1 ,but now1 he that hath a purse1 let him take it1 and likewise his scrip3 and he that hath no sword1 let him sell his garment1 and buy one4 ,for ,i say unto you1 that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me1 ,and he was reckoned among the transgressors3 for the things concerning me have an end4 ,the ,lord was soon to be numbered among the transgressors1 as had been foreseen2#abjg and ,his disciples would be regarded as the devotees of an executed criminal4 ,in the mention of purse1 scrip1 shoes1 and sword1 some of the brethren caught at the literal meaning1 and said1 ,lord1 behold1 here are two swords1 ,jesus answered with curt finality1 ,it is enough1 or as we might say1 ,enough of this4 ,he had not intimated any immediate need of weapons1 and most assuredly not for ,his own defense4 ,again they had failed to fathom ,his meaning2 but experience would later teach them4#abjh ,for such information as we have concerning the last discourse delivered by ,jesus to the apostles before ,his crucifixion1 we are indebted to ,john alone among the ,gospel-writers2 and every reader is advized to study with care the three chapters in which these sublime utterances are preserved for the enlightenment of mankind4#abji ,observing the sorrowful state of the ,eleven1 the ,master bade them be of good cheer1 grounding their encouragement and hope on faith in ,himself4 ,let not your heart be troubled1 ,he said1 ye believe in ,god1 believe also in me4 ,then1 as though drawing aside the veil between the earthly and the heavenly state and giving ,his faithful servants a glimpse of conditions beyond1 ,he continued3 ,in my ,father's house are many mansions2 if it were not so1 ,i would have told you4 ,i go to prepare a place for you4 ,and if ,i go and prepare a place for you1 ,i will come again1 and receive you unto myself2 that where ,i am1 there ye may be also4 ,and whither ,i go ye know1 and the way ye know4#abaj ,thus in language simple and plain the ,lord declared the fact of graded conditions in the hereafter1 of variety of occupation and degrees of glory1 of place and station in the eternal worlds4#abaa ,he had affirmed ,his own inherent ,godship1 and through their trust in ,him and obedience to ,his requirements would they find the way to follow whither ,he was about to precede them4 ,thomas1 that loving1 brave1 though somewhat skeptical soul1 desiring more definite information ventured to say3 ,lord1 we know not whither thou goest2 and how can we know the way8 ,the ,lord's answer was a reaffirmation of ,his divinity2 ,i am the way1 the truth1 and the life3 no man cometh unto the ,father1 but by me4 ,if ye had known me1 ye should have known my ,father also3 and from henceforth ye know him1 and have seen him4 ,at this point ,philip interposed with the request1 ,lord1 shew us the ,father1 and it sufficeth us4 ,jesus answered with pathetic and mild reproof3 ,have ,i been so long time with you1 and yet hast thou not known me1 ,philip8 he that hath seen me hath seen the ,father2 and how sayest thou then1 ,shew us the ,father8 ,he was grieved by the thought that ,his nearest and dearest friends on earth1 those upon whom ,he had conferred the authority of the ,holy ,priesthood1 should be yet ignorant of ,his absolute oneness with the ,father in purpose and action4 ,had the ,eternal ,father stood amongst them1 in ,person1 under the conditions there existing1 ,he would have done as did the ,well ,beloved and ,only ,begotten ,son1 whom they knew as ,jesus1 their ,lord and ,master4 ,so absolutely were the ,father and the ,son of one heart and mind1 that to know either was to know both2 nevertheless the ,father could be reached only through the ,son4 ,so far as the apostles had faith in ,christ1 and did ,his will1 should they be able to do the works that ,christ in the flesh had done1 and even greater things1 for ,his mortal mission was of but a few hours further duration1 and the unfolding of the divine plan of the ages would call for yet greater miracles than those wrought by ,jesus in the brief period of ,his ministry4 ,for the first time the ,lord directed ,his disciples to pray in ,his name to the ,father1 and assurance of success in righteous supplication was given in these words3 ,and whatsoever ye shall ask in my name1 that will ,i do1 that the ,father may be glorified in the ,son4 ,if ye shall ask any thing in my name1 ,i will do it4#abab ,the name of ,jesus ,christ was to be thenceforth the divinely established talisman by which the powers of heaven could be invoked to operate in any righteous undertaking4 ,the ,holy ,ghost was promised to the apostles2 ,he would be sent through ,christ's intercession1 to be to them another ,comforter1 or as rendered in later translations1 another ,advocate or ,helper1 even the ,spirit of ,truth1 who1 though the world would reject ,him as they had rejected the ,christ1 should dwell with the disciples1 and in them even as ,christ then dwelt in them and the ,father in ,him4 ,i will not leave you comfortless1 ,jesus assured the brethren1 ,i will come to you4 ,yet a little while1 and the world seeth me no more2 but ye see me3 because ,i live1 ye shall live also4 ,at that day ye shall know that ,i am in my ,father1 and ye in me1 and ,i in you4#abac ,this was followed by the assurance that ,christ though unknown by the world would manifest ,himself to those who loved ,him and kept ,his commandments4 ,judas ,thaddeus1 otherwise known as ,lebbeus1#abad not ,iscariot1 as the recorder is careful to particularize1 was puzzled over the untraditional and un-,jewish thought of a ,messiah who would be known but to the chosen few and not to ,israel at large2 and he asked3 ,lord1 how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us1 and not unto the world8 ,jesus explained that ,his and the ,father's companionship was attainable only by the faithful4 ,he further cheered the apostles by the promise that when the ,comforter1 the ,holy ,ghost1 whom the ,father would send in the name of the ,son1 would come to them1 ,he would teach them further1 and would bring to their remembrance the teachings they had received from the ,christ4 ,the distinct personality of each member of the ,godhead1 ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost1 is here again plainly shown4#abae ,comforting the yet troubled disciples1 ,jesus said3 ,peace ,i leave with you1 my peace ,i give unto you2 and that they might realize that this meant more than the conventional salutation of the times1 for ,peace be with you was an every-day greeting among the ,jews1 the ,lord affirmed that ,he gave that invocation in a higher sense1 and not as the world giveth4 ,again bidding them put aside their grief and be not afraid1 ,jesus added3 ,ye have heard how ,i said unto you1 ,i go away1 and come again unto you4 ,if ye loved me1 ye would rejoice1 because ,i said1 ,i go unto the ,father3 for my ,father is greater than ,i4 ,the ,lord made clear to ,his servants that ,he had told them these things beforehand1 so that when the predicted events came to pass the apostles would be confirmed in their faith in ,him1 the ,christ4 ,he had time to say but little more1 for the next hour would witness the beginning of the supreme struggle2 the prince of this world cometh1 ,he said1 and with triumphal joy added1 and hath nothing in me4#abaf ,in superb allegory the ,lord thus proceeded to illustrate the vital relationship between the apostles and ,himself1 and between ,himself and the ,father1 by the figure of a vine-grower1 a vine1 and its branches3#abag ,i am the true vine1 and my ,father is the husbandman4 ,every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away3 and every branch that beareth fruit1 he purgeth it1#abah that it may bring forth more fruit4 ,a grander analogy is not to be found in the world's literature4 ,those ordained servants of the ,lord were as helpless and useless without ,him as is a bough severed from the tree4 ,as the branch is made fruitful only by virtue of the nourishing sap it receives from the rooted trunk1 and if cut away or broken off withers1 dries1 and becomes utterly worthless except as fuel for the burning1 so those men1 though ordained to the ,holy ,apostleship1 would find themselves strong and fruitful in good works1 only as they remained in steadfast communion with the ,lord4 ,without ,christ what were they1 but unschooled ,galileans1 some of them fishermen1 one a publican1 the rest of undistinguished attainments1 and all of them weak mortals8 ,as branches of the ,vine they were at that hour clean and healthful1 through the instructions and authoritative ordinances with which they had been blessed1 and by the reverent obedience they had manifested4 ,abide in me1 was the ,lord's forceful admonition1 else they would become but withered boughs4 ,i am the vine1 ,he added in explication of the allegory ye are the branches3 ,he that abideth in me1 and ,i in him1 the same bringeth forth much fruit3 for without me ye can do nothing4 ,if a man abide not in me1 he is cast forth as a branch1 and is withered2 and men gather them1 and cast them into the fire1 and they are burned4 ,if ye abide in me1 and my words abide in you1 ye shall ask what ye will1 and it shall be done unto you4 ,herein is my ,father glorified1 that ye bear much fruit3 so shall ye be my disciples4 ,their love for one another was again specified as an essential to their continued love for ,christ4#abai ,in that love would they find joy4 ,christ had been to them an exemplar of righteous love from the day of their first meeting2 and ,he was about to give the supreme proof of ,his affection1 as foreshadowed in ,his words1 ,greater love hath no man than this1 that a man lay down his life for his friends4 ,and that those men were the ,lord's friends was thus graciously affirmed2 ,ye are my friends1 if ye do whatsoever ,i command you4 ,henceforth ,i call you not servants2 for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth3 but ,i have called you friends2 for all things that ,i have heard of my ,father ,i have made known unto you4 ,this intimate relationship in no sense modified the position of ,christ as their ,lord and ,master1 for by ,him they had been chosen and ordained2 and it was ,his will that they should so live that whatever they asked in the name of the holy friendship which ,he acknowledged should be granted them of the ,father4 ,they were again told of the persecutions that awaited them1 and of their apostolic calling as special and individual witnesses of the ,lord4#abbj ,that the world then did1 and would yet more intensely hate them was a fact they had to face2 but they were to remember that the world had hated their ,master before them1 and that they had been chosen and by ordination had been set apart from the world2 therefore they must not hope to escape the world's hatred4 ,the servant was not greater than his master1 nor the apostle than his ,lord1 as on general principles they knew1 and as they had been specifically told4 ,they that hated them hated the ,christ2 and they that hated the ,son hated the ,father2 great shall be the condemnation of such4 ,had the wicked ,jews not closed their eyes and stopped their ears to the mighty works and gracious words of the ,messiah1 they would have been convinced of the truth1 and the truth would have saved them2 but they were left without cloak or excuse for their sin2 and ,christ affirmed that in their evil course had the scriptures been fulfilled in that they had hated ,him without a cause4#abba ,then1 reverting to the great and cheering promise of support through the coming of the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,lord said3 ,but when the ,comforter is come1 whom ,i will send unto you from the ,father1 even the ,spirit of truth1 which proceedeth from the ,father1 he shall testify of me3 and ye also shall bear witness1 because ye have been with me from the beginning4 ,these things had ,jesus declared unto them that they might not be offended1 or in other words1 taken by surprize1 misled1 and caused to doubt and stumble by the unprecedented events then impending4 ,the apostles were forewarned of persecution1 of their expulsion from the synagogs1 and of a time in which hatred against them should be so bitter and the ,satanic darkness of mind and spirit so dense that whosoever succeeded in killing one of them would profess that his foul deed had been done in ,god's service4 ,in view of their overwhelming sorrow at the ,lord's departure1 ,he sought again to cheer them1 saying3 ,nevertheless ,i tell you the truth2 ,it is expedient for you that ,i go away3 for if ,i go not away1 the ,comforter will not come unto you2 but if ,i depart1 ,i will send him unto you4 ,the assured descent of the ,holy ,ghost1 through whom they should be made strong to meet every need and emergency1 was the inspiring theme of this part of the ,lord's discourse4 ,many things which ,christ yet had to say to ,his apostles1 but which they were at that time unable to understand1 the ,holy ,ghost would teach them4 ,howbeit1 said ,jesus1 when he1 the ,spirit of truth1 is come1 he will guide you into all truth3 for he shall not speak of himself2 but whatsoever he shall hear1 that shall he speak3 and he will shew you things to come4 ,he shall glorify me3 for he shall receive of mine1 and shall shew it unto you4 ,all things that the ,father hath are mine3 therefore said ,i1 that he shall take of mine1 and shall shew it unto you4#abbb ,turning again to the matter of ,his departure1 then so near as to be reckoned by hours1 the ,lord said1 in amplified form of what ,he had before affirmed3 ,a little while1 and ye shall not see me3 and again1 a little while1 and ye shall see me1 because ,i go to the ,father4#abbc ,the apostles pondered and some questioned among themselves as to the ,lord's meaning1 yet so deep was the solemnity of the occasion that they ventured no open inquiry4 ,jesus knew of their perplexity and graciously explained that they would soon weep and lament while the world rejoiced2 this had reference to ,his death2 but ,he promised that their sorrow should be turned into joy2 and this was based on ,his resurrection to which they should be witnesses4 ,he compared their then present and prospective state to that of a woman in travail1 who in the after joy of blessed motherhood forgets her anguish4 ,the happiness that awaited them would be beyond the power of man to take away2 and thenceforth they should ask not of ,christ alone1 but of the ,father in ,christ's name2 ,and1 said the ,lord1 in that day ye shall ask me nothing4 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,whatsoever ye shall ask the ,father in my name1 he will give it you4 ,hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name3 ask1 and ye shall receive1 that your joy may be full4#abbd ,they were to be advanced to such honor and exalted recognition that they should approach the ,father in prayer direct1 but in the name of the ,son2 for they were beloved of the ,father because they had loved ,jesus1 the ,son1 and had accepted ,him as ,one sent by the ,father4 ,the ,lord again solemnly averred3 ,i came forth from the ,father1 and am come into the world3 again1 ,i leave the world1 and go to the ,father4 ,the disciples were gratified at this plain avouchment1 and exclaimed3 ,lo1 now speakest thou plainly1 and speakest no proverb4 ,now are we sure that thou knowest all things1 and needest not that any man should ask thee3 by this we believe that thou camest forth from ,god4 ,their satisfaction threatened danger through over-confidence2 and the ,lord cautioned them1 saying1 that in an hour then close they should all be scattered1 every man to his own1 leaving ,jesus alone1 except for the ,father's presence4 ,in the same connection ,he told them that before the night had passed every one of them would be offended because of ,him1 even as it had been written3 ,i will smite the shepherd1 and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad4#abbe ,peter1 the most vehement of all in his protestations1 had been told1 as we have seen1 that by cock-crow that night he would have thrice denied his ,lord2 but all of them had declared they would be faithful whatever the trial4#abbf ,in further affirmation of the material actuality of ,his resurrection1 ,jesus promised the apostles that after ,he had risen from the grave ,he would go before them into ,galilee4#abbg ,in conclusion of this last and most solemn of the discourses delivered by ,christ in the flesh1 the ,lord said3 ,these things ,i have spoken unto you1 that in me ye might have peace4 ,in the world ye shall have tribulation3 but be of good cheer2 ,i have overcome the world4#abbh ,,the ,,concluding ,,prayer4 ,the impressive discourse to the apostles was followed by a prayer such as could be addressed to none but the ,eternal ,father1 and such as none but the ,son of that ,father could offer4#abbi ,it has been called1 and not inappropriately1 the ,lord's ,high-,priestly ,prayer4 ,in it ,jesus acknowledged the ,father as the source of ,his power and authority1 which authority extends even to the giving of eternal life to all who are worthy3 ,and this is life eternal1 that they might know thee the only true ,god1 and ,jesus ,christ1 whom thou hast sent4 ,by way of reverent report as to the work assigned ,him1 the ,son said3 ,i have glorified thee on the earth3 ,i have finished the work which thou gavest me to do4 ,and now1 ,o ,father1 glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which ,i had with thee before the world was4 ,with unfathomable love the ,lord pleaded for those whom the ,father had given ,him1 the apostles then present1 who had been called out from the world1 and who had been true to their testimony of ,himself as the ,son of ,god4 ,of them but one1 the son of perdition1 had been lost4 ,in the fervor of devoted supplication1 the ,lord pleaded3 ,i pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world1 but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil4 ,they are not of the world1 even as ,i am not of the world4 ,sanctify them through thy truth3 thy word is truth4 ,as thou hast sent me into the world1 even so have ,i also sent them into the world4 ,and for their sakes ,i sanctify myself1 that they also might be sanctified through the truth4 ,neither pray ,i for these alone1 but for them also which shall believe on me through their word2 that they all may be one2 as thou1 ,father1 art in me1 and ,i in thee1 that they also may be one in us3 that the world may believe that thou hast sent me4 ,and the glory which thou gavest me ,i have given them2 that they may be one1 even as we are one3 ,i in them1 and thou in me1 that they may be made perfect in one2 and that the world may know that thou hast sent me1 and hast loved them1 as thou hast loved me4 ,father1 ,i will that they also1 whom thou hast given me1 be with me where ,i am2 that they may behold my glory1 which thou hast given me3 for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world4 ,o righteous ,father1 the world hath not known thee3 but ,i have known thee1 and these have known that thou hast sent me4 ,and ,i have declared unto them thy name1 and will declare it3 that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them1 and ,i in them4 ,when they had sung a hymn1 ,jesus and the ,eleven went out to the ,mount of ,olives4#abcj ,,the ,,lord',s ,,agony ,,in ,,gethsemane4#abca ,jesus and the eleven apostles went forth from the house in which they had eaten1 passed through the city gate1 which was usually left open at night during a public festival1 crossed the ravine of the ,cedron1 or more accurately ,kidron1 brook1 and entered an olive orchard known as ,gethsemane1#abcb on the slope of ,mount ,olivet4 ,eight of the apostles ,he left at or near the entrance1 with the instruction3 ,sit ye here1 while ,i go and pray yonder2 and with the earnest injunction3 ,pray that ye enter not into temptation4 ,accompanied by ,peter1 ,james and ,john1 ,he went farther2 and was soon enveloped by deep sorrow1 which appears to have been1 in a measure1 surprizing to ,himself1 for we read that ,he began to be sore amazed1 and to be very heavy4 ,he was impelled to deny ,himself the companionship of even the chosen three2 and1 ,saith he unto them1 ,my soul is exceeding sorrowful1 even unto death3 tarry ye here1 and watch with me4 ,and he went a little farther1 and fell on his face1 and prayed1 saying1 ,o my ,father1 if it be possible1 let this cup pass from me3 nevertheless not as ,i will1 but as thou wilt4 ,mark's version of the prayer is3 ,abba1 ,father1 all things are possible unto thee2 take away this cup from me3 nevertheless not what ,i will1 but what thou wilt4#abcc ,this part of ,his impassioned supplication was heard by at least one of the waiting three2 but all of them soon yielded to weariness and ceased to watch4 ,as on the ,mount of ,transfiguration1 when the ,lord appeared in glory1 so now in the hour of ,his deepest humiliation1 these three slumbered4 ,returning to them in an agony of soul ,jesus found them sleeping2 and addressing ,peter1 who so short a time before had loudly proclaimed his readiness to follow the ,lord even to prison and death1 ,jesus exclaimed3 ,what1 could ye not watch with me one hour8 ,watch and pray1 that ye enter not into temptation2 but in tenderness added1 the spirit indeed is willing1 but the flesh is weak4 ,the admonition to the apostles to pray at that time lest they be led into temptation may have been prompted by the exigencies of the hour1 under which1 if left to themselves1 they would be tempted to prematurely desert their ,lord4 ,aroused from slumber the three apostles saw the ,lord again retire1 and heard ,him pleading in agony3 ,o my ,father1 if this cup may not pass away from me1 except ,i drink it1 thy will be done4 ,returning a second time ,he found those whom ,he had so sorrowfully requested to watch with ,him sleeping again1 for their eyes were heavy2 and when awakened they were embarrassed or ashamed so that they wist not what to say4 ,a third time ,he went to ,his lonely vigil and individual struggle1 and was heard to implore the ,father with the same words of yearning entreaty4 ,luke tells us that there appeared an angel unto him from heaven1 strengthening him2 but not even the presence of this super-earthly visitant could dispel the awful anguish of ,his soul4 ,and being in an agony he prayed more earnestly3 and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground4#abcd ,peter had had a glimpse of the darksome road which he had professed himself so ready to tread2 and the brothers ,james and ,john knew now better than before how unprepared they were to drink of the cup which the ,lord would drain to its dregs4#abce ,when for the last time ,jesus came back to the disciples left on guard1 ,he said3 ,sleep on now1 and take your rest3 behold1 the hour is at hand1 and the ,son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners4 ,there was no use of further watching2 already the torches of the approaching band conducted by ,judas were observable in the distance4 ,jesus exclaimed3 ,rise1 let us be going3 behold1 he is at hand that doth betray me4 ,standing with the ,eleven1 the ,lord calmly awaited the traitor's coming4 ,christ's agony in the garden is unfathomable by the finite mind1 both as to intensity and cause4 ,the thought that ,he suffered through fear of death is untenable4 ,death to ,him was preliminary to resurrection and triumphal return to the ,father from whom ,he had come1 and to a state of glory even beyond what ,he had before possessed2 and1 moreover1 it was within ,his power to lay down ,his life voluntarily4#abcf ,he struggled and groaned under a burden such as no other being who has lived on earth might even conceive as possible4 ,it was not physical pain1 nor mental anguish alone1 that caused ,him to suffer such torture as to produce an extrusion of blood from every pore2 but a spiritual agony of soul such as only ,god was capable of experiencing4 ,no other man1 however great his powers of physical or mental endurance1 could have suffered so2 for his human organism would have succumbed1 and syncope would have produced unconsciousness and welcome oblivion4 ,in that hour of anguish ,christ met and overcame all the horrors that ,satan1 the prince of this world#abcg could inflict4 ,the frightful struggle incident to the temptations immediately following the ,lord's baptism#abch was surpassed and overshadowed by this supreme contest with the powers of evil4 ,in some manner1 actual and terribly real though to man incomprehensible1 the ,savior took upon ,himself the burden of the sins of mankind from ,adam to the end of the world4 ,modern revelation assists us to a partial understanding of the awful experience4 ,in ,march #ahcj1 the glorified ,lord1 ,jesus ,christ1 thus spake3 ,for behold1 ,i1 ,god1 have suffered these things for all1 that they might not suffer if they would repent1 but if they would not repent1 they must suffer even as ,i1 which suffering caused myself1 even ,god1 the greatest of all1 to tremble because of pain1 and to bleed at every pore1 and to suffer both body and spirit3 and would that ,i might not drink the bitter cup and shrink-- nevertheless1 glory be to the ,father1 and ,i partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men4#abci ,from the terrible conflict in ,gethsemane1 ,christ emerged a victor4 ,though in the dark tribulation of that fearful hour ,he had pleaded that the bitter cup be removed from ,his lips1 the request1 however oft repeated1 was always conditional2 the accomplishment of the ,father's will was never lost sight of as the object of the ,son's supreme desire4 ,the further tragedy of the night1 and the cruel inflictions that awaited ,him on the morrow1 to culminate in the frightful tortures of the cross1 could not exceed the bitter anguish through which ,he had successfully passed4 ,,the ,,betrayal ,,and ,,the ,,arrest4#abdj ,during the period of the ,lord's last and most loving communion with the ,eleven1 ,judas had been busy in his treacherous conspiracy with the priestly authorities4 ,it is probable that the determination to make the arrest that night was reached when ,judas reported that ,jesus was within the city walls and might easily be apprehended4 ,the ,jewish rulers assembled a body of temple guardsmen or police1 and obtained a band of ,roman soldiers under command of a tribune2 this band or cohort was probably a detachment from the garrison of ,antonia commissioned for the work of the night on requisition of the chief priests4#abda ,this company of men and officers representing a combination of ecclesiastical and military authority1 set forth in the night with ,judas at their head1 intent on the arrest of ,jesus4 ,they were equipped with lanterns1 torches1 and weapons4 ,it is probable that they were first conducted to the house in which ,judas had left his fellow apostles and the ,lord1 when the traitor had been dismissed2 and that finding the little company had gone out1 ,judas led the multitude to ,gethsemane1 for he knew the place1 and knew also that ,jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples4 ,while ,jesus was yet speaking to the ,eleven whom ,he had roused from slumber with the announcement that the betrayer was at hand1 ,judas and the multitude approached4 ,as a preconcerted sign of identification the recreant ,iscariot1 with treacherous duplicity1 came up with a hypocritical show of affection1 saying1 ,hail1 master1 and profaned his ,lord's sacred face with a kiss4#abdb ,that ,jesus understood the treacherous significance of the act appears in ,his pathetic1 yet piercing and condemning reproach3 ,judas1 betrayest thou the ,son of man with a kiss8 ,then1 applying the title with which the other apostles had been honored1 the ,lord said3 ,friend1 do that for which thou art come4#abdc ,it was a reiteration of the behest given at the supper table1 ,that thou doest1 do quickly4 ,the armed band hesitated1 though their guide had given the signal agreed upon4 ,jesus walked toward the officers1 with whom stood ,judas1 and asked1 ,whom seek ye8 ,to their reply1 ,jesus of ,nazareth1 the ,lord rejoined3 ,i am he4 ,instead of advancing to take ,him1 the crowd pressed backward1 and many of them fell to the ground in fright4 ,the simple dignity and gentle yet compelling force of ,christ's presence proved more potent than strong arms and weapons of violence4 ,again ,he put the question1 ,whom seek ye8 and again they answered1 ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,then said ,jesus3 ,i have told you that ,i am he2 if therefore ye seek me1 let these go their way4 ,the last remark had reference to the apostles1 who were in danger of arrest2 and in this evidence of ,christ's solicitude for their personal safety1 ,john saw a fulfilment of the ,lord's then recent utterance in prayer1 ,of them which thou gavest me have ,i lost none4#abdd ,it is possible that had any of the ,eleven been apprehended with ,jesus and made to share the cruel abuse and torturing humiliation of the next few hours1 their faith might have failed them1 relatively immature and untried as it then was2 even as in succeeding years many who took upon themselves the name of ,christ yielded to persecution and went into apostasy4#abde ,when the officers approached and seized ,jesus1 some of the apostles1 ready to fight and die for their beloved ,master1 asked1 ,lord1 shall we smite with the sword8 ,peter1 waiting not for a reply1 drew his sword and delivered a poorly aimed stroke at the head of one of the nearest of the crowd1 whose ear was severed by the blade4 ,the man thus wounded was ,malchus1 a servant of the high priest4 ,jesus1 asking liberty of ,his captors by the simple request1 ,suffer ye thus far1#abdf stepped forward and healed the injured man by a touch4 ,turning to ,peter the ,lord rebuked his rashness1 and commanded him to return the sword to its scabbard1 with the reminder that all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword4 ,then1 to show the needlessness of armed resistance1 and to emphasize the fact that ,he was submitting voluntarily and in accordance with foreseen and predicted developments1 the ,lord continued3 ,thinkest thou that ,i cannot now pray to my ,father1 and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels8 ,but how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled1 that thus it must be8#abdg ,and further1 the cup which my ,father hath given me1 shall ,i not drink it8#abdh ,but1 though surrendering ,himself unresistingly1 ,jesus was not unmindful of ,his rights2 and to the priestly officials1 chief priests1 captain of the temple guard1 and elders of the people who were present1 ,he voiced this interrogative protest against the illegal night seizure3 ,are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me8 ,i sat daily with you teaching in the temple1 and ye laid no hold on me4 ,but all this was done1 that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled4 ,luke records the ,lord's concluding words thus3 but this is your hour1 and the power of darkness4 ,unheeding ,his question1 and without deference to ,his submissive demeanor1 the captain and the officers of the ,jews bound ,jesus with cords and led ,him away1 a ,prisoner at the mercy of ,his deadliest enemies4 ,the eleven apostles1 seeing that resistance was useless1 not only on account of disparity of numbers and supply of weapons but chiefly because of ,christ's determination to submit1 turned and fled4 ,every one of them forsook ,him1 even as ,he had foretold4 ,that they were really in jeopardy is shown by an incident preserved by ,mark alone4 ,an unnamed young man1 aroused from sleep by the tumult of the marching band1 had sallied forth with no outer covering but a linen sheet4 ,his interest in the arrest of ,jesus and his close approach caused some of the guardsmen or soldiers to seize him2 but he broke loose and escaped leaving the sheet in their hands4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #cc4 #a4 ,the ,day of the ,passover ,feast4--,controversy has been rife for many centuries as to the day of the passover feast in the week of our ,lord's death4 ,that ,he was crucified on ,friday1 the day before the ,jewish ,sabbath1 and that ,he rose a resurrected ,being on ,sunday1 the day following the ,sabbath of the ,jews1 are facts attested by the four ,gospel-writers4 ,from the three synoptists we infer that the last supper occurred on the evening of the first day of unleavened bread1 and therefore at the beginning of the ,jewish ,friday4 ,that the ,lord's last supper was regarded by ,himself and the apostles as a passover meal appears from ,matt4 #bf3b1 #ag1 #ah1 #ai and parallel passages1 ,mark #ad3ad-af2 ,luke #bb3aa-ac2 as also from ,luke #bb3g1 #ae4 ,john1 however1 who wrote after the synoptists and who probably had their writings before him1 as is indicated by the supplementary character of his testimony or ,gospel1 intimates that the last supper of which ,jesus and the ,twelve partook together occurred before the ,feast of the ,passover 7,john #ac3a1 #b72 and the same writer informs us that on the following day1 ,friday1 the ,jews refrained from entering the ,roman hall of judgment1 lest they be defiled and so become unfit to eat the ,passover 7#ah3bh74 ,it should be remembered that by common usage the term ,passover was applied not only to the day or season of the observance1 but to the meal itself1 and particularly to the slain lamb 7,matt4 #bf3ag2 ,mark #ad3ab1 #ad1 #af2 ,luke #bb3h1 #aa1 #ac1 #ae2 ,john #ah3bh2 compare #a ,cor4 #e3g74 ,john also specifies that the day of the crucifixion was the preparation of the passover 7#ai3ad71 and that the next day1 which was ,saturday1 the ,sabbath1 was an high day 7verse #ca71 that is a ,sabbath rendered doubly sacred because of its being also a feast day4 ,much has been written by way of attempt to explain this seeming discrepancy4 ,no analysis of the divergent views of ,biblical scholars on this subject will be attempted here2 the matter is of incidental importance in connection with the fundamental facts of our ,lord's betrayal and crucifixion2 for brief summaries of opinions and concise arguments the student may be referred to ,smith's ,comprehensive ,bible ,dictionary1 article ,passover2 ,edersheim's ,life and ,times of ,jesus the ,messiah1 pp4 #dhj-b1 and #eff-h2 ,farrar's ,life of ,christ1 ,appendix1 ,excursus #aj2 ,andrews' ,life of our ,lord1 and ,gresswell's ,dissertations4 ,suffice it here to say that the apparent inconsistency may be explained by any of several assumptions4 ,thus1 first1 and very probably1 the ,passover referred to by ,john1 for the eating of which the priests were desirous of keeping themselves free from ,levitical defilement1 may not have been the supper at which the paschal lamb was eaten1 but the supplementary meal1 the ,chagigah4 ,this later meal1 the flesh part of which was designated as a sacrifice1 had come to be regarded with veneration equal to that attaching to the paschal supper4 ,secondly2 it is held by many authorities on ,jewish antiquities that before1 at1 and after the time of ,christ1 two nights were devoted yearly to the paschal observance1 during either of which the lamb might be eaten1 and that this extension of time had been made in consideration of the increased population1 which necessitated the ceremonial slaughtering of more lambs than could be slain on a single day2 and in this connection it is interesting to note that ,josephus 7,wars1 vi1 ch4 #i3c7 records the number of lambs slain at a single ,passover as #bef1ejj4 ,in the same paragraph1 ,josephus states that the lambs had to be slain between the ninth and the eleventh hour 7#c to #e p4m474 ,according to this explanation1 ,jesus and the ,twelve may have partaken of the passover meal on the first of the two evenings1 and the ,jews who next day feared defilement may have deferred their observance until the second4 ,thirdly2 the ,lord's last paschal supper may have been eaten earlier than the time of general observance1 ,he knowing that night to be ,his last in mortality4 ,supporters of this view explain the message to the man who provided the chamber for the last supper1 ,my time is at hand 7,matt4 #bf3ah7 as indicating a special urgency for the passover observance by ,christ and the apostles1 before the regularly appointed day4 ,some authorities assert that an error of one day had crept into the ,jewish reckoning of time1 and that ,jesus ate the passover on the true date1 while the ,jews were a day behind4 ,if the preparation of the passover 7,john #ai3ad7 on ,friday1 the day of ,christ's crucifixion1 means the slaughtering of the paschal lambs1 our ,lord1 the real sacrifice of which all earlier altar victims had been but prototypes1 died on the cross while the passover lambs were being slain at the temple4 #b4 ,did ,judas ,iscariot ,partake of the ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper8--,this question cannot be definitely answered from the brief accounts we have of the proceedings at the last supper4 ,at best1 only inference1 not conclusion1 is possible4 ,according to the records made by ,matthew and ,mark1 the ,lord's announcement that there was a traitor among the ,twelve was made early in the course of the meal2 and the institution of the ,sacrament occurred later4 ,luke records the prediction of treachery as following the administering of the sacramental bread and wine4 ,all the synoptists agree that the ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper was administered before the sitting at the ordinary meal had broken up2 though the ,sacrament was plainly made a separate and distinct feature4 ,john 7#ac3b-e7 states that the washing of feet occurred when supper was ended1 and gives us good reason for inferring that ,judas was washed with the rest 7verses #aj1 #aa71 and that he later 7verses #bf-cj7 went out into the night for the purpose of betraying ,jesus4 ,the giving of a sop to ,judas 7verses #bf1 #bg7 even though supper was practically over1 is not inconsistent with ,john's statement that the supper proper was ended before the washing of feet was performed2 the act does not appear to have been so unusual as to cause surprize4 ,to many it has appeared plausible1 that because of his utter baseness ,judas would not be permitted to participate with the other apostles in the holy ordinance of the ,sacrament2 others infer that he was allowed to partake1 as a possible means of moving him to abandon his evil purpose even at that late hour1 or of filling his cup of iniquity to overflowing4 ,the writer's personal opinion is based on the last conception4 #c4 ,washing of ,feet4--,the ordinance of the washing of feet was reestablished through revelation ,december #bg1 #ahcb4 ,it was made a feature of admission to the school of the prophets1 and detailed instructions relating to its administration were given 7see ,doc4 and ,cov4 #hh3adj1 #ada74 ,further direction as to the ordinances involving washing were revealed ,january #ai1 #ahda 7see ,doc4 and ,cov4 #abd3cg-ci74 #d4 ,discontinuity of the ,lord's ,last ,discourse to the ,apostles4--,it is certain that part of the discourse following the last supper was delivered in the upper room where ,christ and the ,twelve had eaten2 it is possible that the latter portion was spoken and the prayer offered 7,john #ae1 #af1 #ag7 outdoors as ,jesus and the ,eleven wended their way toward the ,mount of ,olives4 ,the #adth chapter of ,john ends with ,arise1 let us go hence2 the next chapter opens with another section of the discourse4 ,from ,matt #bf3cj-ce1 and ,mark #ad3bf-ca we may infer that the prediction of ,peter's denial of his ,lord was made as the little company walked from the city to the mount4 ,on the other hand1 ,john 7#ah3a7 states that ,when ,jesus had spoken these words1 namely1 the whole discourse1 and the concluding prayer1 he went forth with his disciples over the brook ,cedron4 ,not one of our ,lord's sublime utterances on that night of solemn converse with ,his own1 and of communion between ,himself and the ,father1 is affected by the circumstance of place4 #e4 ,gethsemane4--,the name means oil-press and probably has reference to a mill maintained at the place for the extraction of oil from the olives there cultivated4 ,john refers to the spot as a garden1 from which designation we may regard it as an enclosed space of private ownership4 ,that it was a place frequented by ,jesus when ,he sought retirement for prayer1 or opportunity for confidential converse with the disciples1 is indicated by the same writer 7,john #ah3a1 #b74 #f4 ,the ,bloody ,sweat4--,luke1 the only ,gospel-writer who mentions sweat and blood in connection with our ,lord's agony in ,gethsemane1 states that his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground 7#bb3dd74 ,many critical expositors deny that there was an actual extrusion of blood1 on the grounds that the evangelist does not positively affirm it1 and that the three apostles1 who were the only human witnesses1 could not have distinguished blood from sweat falling in drops1 as they watched from a distance in the night1 even if the moon1 which at the passover season was full1 had been unobscured4 ,modern scripture removes all doubt4 ,see ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ai3af-ai quoted in the text 7page #fac71 also #ah3aa4 ,see further a specific prediction of the bloody sweat1 ,b4 of ,m41 ,mosiah #c3g4 #g4 ,suffer ,ye thus ,far4--,many understand these words1 uttered by ,jesus as ,he raised ,his hand to heal the wounded ,malchus1 to have been addressed to the disciples1 forbidding their further interference4 ,trench 7,miracles1 #cee7 considers the meaning to be as follows3 ',hold now2 thus far ye have gone in resistance1 but let it be no further2 no more of this4' ,the disputed interpretation is of little importance as to the bearing of the incident on the events that followed4 #h4 ,the ,cup as a ,symbol4--,our ,lord's frequent mention of ,his foreseen sufferings as the cup of which the ,father would have ,him drink 7,matt4 #bf3ci1 #db2 ,mark #ad3cf2 ,luke #bb3db2 ,john #ah3aa2 compare ,matt4 #bj3bb2 ,mark #aj3ch2 #a ,cor4 #aj3ba7 is in line with ,old ,testament usage of the term cup as a symbolic expression for a bitter or poisonous potion typifying experiences of suffering4 ,see ,psa4 #aa3f2 #ge3h2 ,isa4 #ea3ag1 #bb2 ,jer4 #be3ae1 #ag2 #di3ab4 ,in contrast1 the opposite meaning is attached to the use of the term in some passages1 e4g4 ,psa4 #af3e2 #bc3e2 #aaf3ac2 ,jer4 #af3g4 ,,footnotes3 #aagi ,matt4 #bf3c-e2 see also ,mark #ad3a2 ,luke #bb3a1 #b4 #aahj ,revised version of ,matt4 #bf3e reads3 ,not during the feast1 lest there be a tumult among the people4 #aaha ,john #g3cj1 #dd1 #de-ec2 #aa3dg-eg4 #aahb ,matt4 #bf3ad-af2 ,mark #ad3aj1 #aa2 ,luke #bb3c-f4 #aahc ,matt4 #bf3ae4 ,the revised version reads3 ,and they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver4 ,compare ,zech4 #aa3ab4 #aahd ,exo4 #ba3cb2 ,zech4 #aa3ab1 #ac4 #aahe ,matt4 #bg3c-aj4 #aahf ,matt4 #bf3ag4 #aahg ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #aahh ,matt4 #bf3ag-ai2 ,mark #ad3ab-af2 ,luke #bb3g-ac4 #aahi ,it should be remembered that the ,jews counted their days as beginning at sunset1 not1 as with us1 at midnight4 #aaij ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #aaia ,luke #bb3bd-cj4 #aaib ,luke #ad3g-aa2 see page #ddi herein4 #aaic ,luke #bb3bh2 see page #acc herein4 #aaid ,john #ac3a-bj4 #aaie ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #aaif ,the ,lord's expression neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him 7,john #ac3af7 is more correctly rendered neither the apostle than he that sent him 7revised version1 margin72 see pages #bbh1 #bbi herein4 #aaig ,matt4 #bf3bf-bi2 ,mark #ad3bb-be2 ,luke #bb3ai1 #bj4 #aaih ,in the revised version we read covenant instead of testament in ,matt4 #bf3bh1 and in parallel passages4 #aaii #a ,cor4 #aa3bc-cd4 #abjj ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ah3f-aa2 ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bj3ge2 see also the ,articles of ,faith1 ix4 #abja ,see ,the ,great ,apostasy #h3ae-ai4 #abjb ,john #ac3ah-cj4 #abjc ,compare ,psalm #da3i4 #abjd ,john #ac3ca-cd4 #abje ,lev4 #ai3ah4 #abjf ,so reads the revised version of ,luke #bb3cb4 #abjg ,isa4 #ec3ab2 compare ,mark #ae3bh4 #abjh ,read ,john #ac3cf-ch2 ,luke #bb3ca-ch2 compare ,matt4 #bf3ca-ce2 ,mark #ad3 #bg-ca4 #abji ,john1 chaps4 #ad1 #ae1 #af4 #abaj ,john #ad3a-d4 #abaa ,see ,the ,articles of ,faith1 iv3#bh1 #bi2 and xxii3#af-bg4 #abab ,john #ad3ac1 #ad2 compare #af3bd4 #abac ,john #ad3ae-bj2 compare verse #bf2 and #ae3bf4 #abad ,matt4 #aj3c1 and ,luke #f3af2 also page #bbd herein4 #abae ,see ,articles of ,faith1 ii3#bj-bd2 page #abg herein4 #abaf ,john #ad3bb-ca4 #abag ,john #ae3a-h4 #abah ,revised version1 cleanseth it4 #abai ,john #ae3i-ag4 #abbj ,john #ae3ah-bg4 #abba ,verse #be2 compare ,psalms #ce3ai2 #fi3d2 #aji3c4 #abbb ,john #af3ac-ae2 read verses #a-ae4 #abbc ,john #af3af2 compare #g3cc2 #ac3cc2 #ad3ai4 #abbd ,john #af3ag1 #bc1 #bd2 read verses #ag-bh4 #abbe ,matt4 #bf3ca2 ,mark #ad3bg2 compare ,zech4 #ac3g2 see also ,matt4 #aa3f4 #abbf ,matt4 #bf3ca-ce2 ,mark #ad3bi-ca4 #abbg ,matt4 #bf3cb2 ,mark #ad3bh2 compare #af3g4 #abbh ,john #af3cc4 #abbi ,john #ag4 #abcj ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #abca ,matt4 #bf3cf-df2 ,mark #ad3cb-db2 ,luke #bb3ci-df4 #abcb ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #abcc ,abba is expressive of combined affection and honor1 and signifies ,father4 ,it is applied to the ,eternal ,father by ,jesus in the passage above1 and by ,paul 7,rom4 #h3ae2 ,gal4 #d3f74 #abcd ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #abce ,john #ac3cg2 ,matt4 #bj3bb2 ,mark #aj3ch1 #ci4 #abcf ,john #e3bf1 #bg2 and #aj3ag1 #ah2 also page #dah herein4 #abcg ,john #ad3cj4 #abch ,page #abg4 #abci ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ai3af-ai2 compare #ah3aa4 ,see also ,b4 of ,m41 #b ,nephi #i3e1 #g1 #ba2 ,mosiah #c3g-ad2 #ae3ab2 ,alma #g3aa-ac2 #aa3dj2 #bb3ad2 #cd3h-ae2 #c ,nephi #aa3aa2 #bg3ad1 #ae2 and chapter #d herein4 #abdj ,matt4 #bf3dg-ef2 ,mark #ad3dc-eb2 ,luke #bb3dg-ec2 ,john #ah3a-ab4 #abda ,cohort1 a term descriptive of a ,roman body1 and military tribune are more literal renderings of the ,greek original than band and captain in ,john #ah3c1 #ab4 ,see revised version1 margin4 #abdb ,the ,greek text of ,matt4 #bf3di1 and ,mark #ad3de clearly implies that ,judas kissed him much1 that is many times1 or effusively4 ,see margin of revised version4 #abdc ,this is a more nearly correct translation than wherefore art thou come8 in the common version4 ,see revised version4 ,matt4 #bf3ej4 #abdd ,john #ah3i2 compare #ag3ab4 #abde ,see ,the ,great ,apostasy1 chaps4 #d and #e4 #abdf ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #abdg ,compare ,isa4 #ec3h4 #abdh ,note #h1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #cd4 ,,the ,,trial ,,and ,,condemnation4 ,,the ,,jewish ,,trial4 ,from ,gethsemane the bound and captive ,christ was haled before the ,jewish rulers4 ,john alone informs us that the ,lord was taken first to ,annas1 who sent ,him1 still bound1 to ,caiaphas1 the high priest2#abdi the synoptists record the arraignment before ,caiaphas only4#abej ,no details of the interview with ,annas are of record2 and the bringing of ,jesus before him at all was as truly irregular and illegal1 according to ,hebrew law1 as were all the subsequent proceedings of that night4 ,annas1 who was father-in-law to ,caiaphas1 had been deposed from the high-priestly office over twenty years before2 but throughout this period he had exerted a potent influence in all the affairs of the hierarchy4#abea ,caiaphas1 as ,john is careful to remind us1 was he1 which gave counsel to the ,jews1 that it was expedient that one man should die for the people4#abeb ,at the palace of ,caiaphas1 the chief priests1 scribes1 and elders of the people were assembled1 in a meeting of the ,sanhedrin1 informal or otherwise1 all eagerly awaiting the result of the expedition led by ,judas4 ,when ,jesus1 the object of their bitter hatred and their predetermined victim1 was brought in1 a bound ,prisoner1 ,he was immediately put upon trial in contravention of the law1 both written and traditional1 of which those congregated rulers of the ,jews professed to be such zealous supporters4 ,no legal hearing on a capital charge could lawfully be held except in the appointed and official courtroom of the ,sanhedrin4 ,from the account given in the fourth ,gospel we infer that the ,prisoner was first subjected to an interrogative examination by the high priest in person4#abec ,that functionary1 whether ,annas or ,caiaphas is a matter of inference1 inquired of ,jesus concerning ,his disciples and ,his doctrines4 ,such a preliminary inquiry was utterly unlawful2 for the ,hebrew code provided that the accusing witnesses in any cause before the court should define their charge against the accused1 and that the latter should be protected from any effort to make him testify against himself4 ,the ,lord's reply should have been a sufficient protest to the high priest against further illegal procedure4 ,jesus answered him1 ,i spake openly to the world2 ,i ever taught in the synagogue1 and in the temple1 whither the ,jews always resort2 and in secret have ,i said nothing4 ,why askest thou me8--ask them which heard me1 what ,i have said unto them3 behold1 they know what ,i said4 ,this was a lawful objection against denying to a prisoner on trial his right to be confronted by his accusers4 ,it was received with open disdain2 and one of the officers who stood by1 hoping perhaps to curry favor with his superiors1 actually struck ,jesus a vicious blow1#abed accompanied by the question1 ,answerest thou the high priest so8 ,to this cowardly assault the ,lord replied with almost superhuman gentleness3#abee ,if ,i have spoken evil1 bear witness of the evil3 but if well1 why smitest thou me8 ,combined with submissiveness1 however1 this constituted another appeal to the principles of justice2 if what ,jesus had said was evil1 why did not the assailant accuse ,him2 and if ,he had spoken well1 what right had a police officer to judge1 condemn1 and punish1 and that too in the presence of the high priest8 ,law and justice had been dethroned that night4 ,now the chief priests1 and elders1 and all the council1 sought false witness against ,jesus1 to put him to death4#abef ,whether all the council means a legal quorum1 which would be twenty-three or more1 or a full attendance of the seventy-two ,sanhedrists1 is of small importance4 ,any sitting of the ,sanhedrin at night1 and more particularly for the consideration of a capital charge1 was directly in violation of ,jewish law4 ,likewise was it unlawful for the council to consider such a charge on a ,sabbath1 a feast day1 or on the eve of any such day4 ,in the ,sanhedrin1 every member was a judge2 the judicial body was to hear the testimony1 and1 according to that testimony and nought else1 render a decision on every case duly presented4 ,the accusers were required to appear in person2 and they were to receive a preliminary warning against bearing false witness4 ,every defendant was to be regarded and treated as innocent until convicted in due course4 ,but in the so-called trial of ,jesus1 the judges not only sought witnesses1 but specifically tried to find false witnesses4 ,though many false witnesses came1 yet there was no witness or testimony against the ,prisoner1 for the suborned perjurers failed to agree among themselves2 and even the lawless ,sanhedrists hesitated to openly violate the fundamental requirement that at least two concordant witnesses must testify against an accused person1 for1 otherwise1 the case had to be dismissed4 ,that ,jesus was to be convicted on some charge or other1 and be put to death1 had been already determined by the priestly judges2 their failure to find witnesses against ,him threatened to delay the carrying out of their nefarious scheme4 ,haste and precipitancy characterized their procedure throughout2 they had unlawfully caused ,jesus to be arrested at night2 they were illegally going through the semblance of a trial at night2 their purpose was to convict the ,prisoner in time to have ,him brought before the ,roman authorities as early as possible in the morning--as a criminal duly tried and adjudged worthy of death4 ,the lack of two hostile witnesses who would tell the same falsehoods was a serious hindrance4 ,but1 at the last came two false witnesses1 and said1 ,this fellow said1 ,i am able to destroy the temple of ,god1 and to build it in three days4 ,others1 however1 testified3 ,we heard him say1 ,i will destroy this temple that is made with hands1 and within three days ,i will build another made without hands4#abeg ,and so1 as ,mark observes1 even in this particular their witness or testimony did not agree4 ,surely in a case at bar1 such discrepancy as appears between ,i am able to and ,i will1 as alleged utterances of the accused1 is of vital importance4 ,yet this semblance of formal accusation was the sole basis of a charge against ,christ up to this stage of the trial4 ,it will be remembered that in connection with the first clearing of the temple1 near the commencement of ,christ's ministry1 ,he had answered the clamorous demand of the ,jews for a sign of ,his authority by saying ,destroy this temple1 and in three days ,i will raise it up4 ,he spoke not at all of ,himself as the one who would destroy2 the ,jews were to be the destroyers1 ,he the restorer4 ,but the inspired writer is particular to explain that ,jesus spake of the temple of his body1 and not at all of those buildings reared by man4#abeh ,one may reasonably inquire as to what serious import could be attached to even such a declaration as the perjured witnesses claimed to have heard from the lips of ,christ4 ,the veneration with which the ,jews professed to regard the ,holy ,house1 however wantonly they profaned its precincts1 offers a partial but insufficient answer4 ,the plan of the conspiring rulers appears to have been that of convicting ,christ on a charge of sedition1 making ,him out to be a dangerous disturber of the nation's peace1 an assailant of established institutions1 and consequently an inciter of opposition against the vassal autonomy of the ,jewish nation1 and the supreme dominion of ,rome4#abei ,the vaguely defined shadow of legal accusation produced by the dark and inconsistent testimony of the false witnesses1 was enough to embolden the iniquitous court4 ,caiaphas1 rising from his seat to give dramatic emphasis to his question1 demanded of ,jesus3 ,answerest thou nothing8 what is it which these witness against thee8 ,there was nothing to answer4 ,no consistent or valid testimony had been presented against ,him2 therefore ,he stood in dignified silence4 ,then ,caiaphas1 in violation of the legal proscription against requiring any person to testify in his own case except voluntarily and on his own initiative1 not only demanded an answer from the ,prisoner1 but exercized the potent prerogative of the high-priestly office1 to put the accused under oath1 as a witness before the sacerdotal court4 ,and the high priest answered and said unto him1 ,i adjure thee by the living ,god1 that thou tell us whether thou be the ,christ1 the ,son of ,god4#abfj ,the fact of a distinct specification of the ,christ and the ,son of ,god is significant1 in that it implies the ,jewish expectation of a ,messiah1 but does not acknowledge that ,he was to be distinctively of divine origin4 ,nothing that had gone before can be construed as a proper foundation for this inquiry4 ,the charge of sedition was about to be superseded by one of greater enormity--that of blasphemy4#abfa ,to the utterly unjust yet official adjuration of the high priest1 ,jesus answered3 ,thou hast said3 nevertheless ,i say unto you3 ,hereafter shall ye see the ,son of man sitting on the right hand of power1 and coming in the clouds of heaven4 ,this expression ,thou hast said was equivalent to--,i am what thou hast said4#abfb ,it was an unqualified avowal of divine parentage1 and inherent ,godship4 ,then the high priest rent his clothes1 saying1 ,he hath spoken blasphemy2 what further need have we of witnesses8 behold1 now ye have heard his blasphemy4 ,what think ye8 ,they answered and said1 ,he is guilty of death4#abfc ,thus the judges in ,israel1 comprizing the high priest1 the chief priests1 the scribes and elders of the people1 the ,great ,sanhedrin1 unlawfully assembled1 decreed that the ,son of ,god was deserving of death1 on no evidence save that of ,his own acknowledgment4 ,by express provision the ,jewish code forbade the conviction1 specifically on a capital charge1 of any person on his own confession1 unless that was amply supported by the testimony of trustworthy witnesses4 ,as in the ,garden of ,gethsemane ,jesus had voluntarily surrendered ,himself1 so before the judges did ,he personally and voluntarily furnish the evidence upon which they unrighteously declared ,him deserving of death4 ,there could be no crime in the claim of ,messiahship or divine ,sonship1 except that claim was false4 ,we vainly search the record for even an intimation that inquiry was made or suggested as to the grounds upon which ,jesus based ,his exalted claims4 ,the action of the high priest in rending his garments was a dramatic affectation of pious horror at the blasphemy with which his ears had been assailed4 ,it was expressly forbidden in the law that the high priest rend his clothes2#abfd but from extra-scriptural writings we learn that the rending of garments as an attestation of most grievous guilt1 such as that of blasphemy1 was allowable under traditional rule4#abfe ,there is no indication that the vote of the judges was taken and recorded in the precise and orderly manner required by the law4 ,jesus stood convicted of the most heinous offense known in ,jewry4 ,however unjustly1 ,he had been pronounced guilty of blasphemy by the supreme tribunal of the nation4 ,in strict accuracy we cannot say that the ,sanhedrists sentenced ,christ to death1 inasmuch as the power to authoritatively pronounce capital sentences had been taken from the ,jewish council by ,roman decree4 ,the high-priestly court1 however1 decided that ,jesus was worthy of death1 and so certified when they handed ,him over to ,pilate4 ,in their excess of malignant hate1 ,israel's judges abandoned their ,lord to the wanton will of the attendant varlets1 who heaped upon ,him every indignity their brutish instincts could suggest4 ,they spurted their foul spittle into ,his face2#abff and then1 having blindfolded ,him1 amused themselves by smiting ,him again and again1 saying the while3 ,prophesy unto us1 thou ,christ1 ,who is he that smote thee8 ,the miscreant crowd mocked ,him1 and railed upon ,him with jeers and taunts1 and branded themselves as blasphemers in fact4#abfg ,the law and the practise of the time required that any person found guilty of a capital offense1 after due trial before a ,jewish tribunal1 should be given a second trial on the following day2 and at this later hearing any or all of the judges who had before voted for conviction could reverse themselves2 but no one who had once voted for acquittal could change his ballot4 ,a bare majority was sufficient for acquittal1 but more than a majority was required for conviction4 ,by a provision that must appear to us most unusual1 if all the judges voted for conviction on a capital charge the verdict was not to stand and the accused had to be set at liberty2 for1 it was argued1 a unanimous vote against a prisoner indicated that he had had no friend or defender in court1 and that the judges might have been in conspiracy against ,him4 ,under this rule in ,hebrew jurisprudence the verdict against ,jesus1 rendered at the illegal night session of the ,sanhedrists1 was void1 for we are specifically told that they all condemned him to be guilty of death4#abfh ,apparently for the purpose of establishing a shadowy pretext of legality in their procedure1 the ,sanhedrists adjourned to meet again in early daylight4 ,thus they technically complied with the requirement--that on every case in which the death sentence had been decreed the court should hear and judge a second time in a later session--but they completely ignored the equally mandatory provision that the second trial must be conducted on the day following that of the first hearing4 ,between the two sittings on consecutive days the judges were required to fast and pray1 and to give the case on trial calm and earnest consideration4 ,luke1 who records no details of the night trial of ,jesus1 is the only ,gospel-writer to give place to a circumstantial report of the morning session4 ,he says3 ,and as soon as it was day1 the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together1 and led him into their council4#abfi ,some ,biblical scholars have construed the expression1 led him into their council1 as signifying that ,jesus was condemned by the ,sanhedrin in the appointed meeting-place of the court1 viz4 ,gazith or the ,hall of ,hewn ,stones1 as the law of the time required2 but against this we have the statement of ,john that they led ,jesus directly from ,caiaphas to the ,roman hall of judgment4#abgj ,it is probable1 that at this early daylight session1 the irregular proceedings of the dark hours were approved1 and the details of further procedure decided upon4 ,they took counsel against ,jesus to put him to death2 nevertheless they went through the form of a second trial1 the issue of which was greatly facilitated by the ,prisoner's voluntary affirmations4 ,the judges stand without semblance of justification for calling upon the ,accused to testify2 they should have examined anew the witnesses against ,him4 ,the first question put to ,him was1 ,art thou the ,christ8 tell us4 ,the ,lord made dignified reply3 ,if ,i tell you1 ye will not believe3 and if ,i also ask you1 ye will not answer me1 nor let me go4 ,hereafter shall the ,son of man sit on the right hand of the power of ,god4 ,neither did the question imply nor the answer furnish cause for condemnation4 ,the whole nation was looking for the ,messiah2 and if ,jesus claimed to be ,he1 the only proper judicial action would be that of inquiring into the merit of the claim4 ,the crucial question followed immediately3 ,art thou then the ,son of ,god8 ,and he said unto them1 ,ye say that ,i am4 ,and they said1 ,what need we any further witness8 for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth4#abga ,jehovah was convicted of blasphemy against ,jehovah4 ,the only mortal ,being to whom the awful crime of blasphemy1 in claiming divine attributes and powers1 was impossible1 stood before the judges of ,israel condemned as a blasphemer4 ,the whole council1 by which expression we may possibly understand a legal quorum1 was concerned in the final action4 ,thus ended the miscalled trial of ,jesus before the high-priest and elders#abgb of ,his people4 ,and straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council1 and bound ,jesus1 and carried him away1 and delivered him to ,pilate4#abgc ,during the few hours that remained to ,him in mortality1 ,he would be in the hands of the ,gentiles1 betrayed and delivered up by ,his own4#abgd ,,peter',s ,,denial ,,of ,,his ,,lord4#abge ,when ,jesus was taken into custody in the ,garden of ,gethsemane1 all the ,eleven forsook ,him and fled4 ,this is not to be accounted as certain evidence of cowardice1 for the ,lord had indicated that they should go4#abgf ,peter and at least one other disciple followed afar off2 and1 after the armed guard had entered the palace of the high priest with their ,prisoner1 ,peter went in1 and sat with the servants to see the end4 ,he was assisted in securing admittance by the unnamed disciple1 who was on terms of acquaintanceship with the high priest4 ,that other disciple was in all probability ,john1 as may be inferred from the fact that he is mentioned only in the fourth ,gospel1 the author of which characteristically refers to himself anonymously4#abgg ,while ,jesus was before the ,sanhedrists1 ,peter remained below with the servants4 ,the attendant at the door was a young woman2 her feminine suspicions had been aroused when she admitted ,peter1 and as he sat with a crowd in the palace court she came up1 and having intently observed him1 said3 ,thou also wast with ,jesus of ,galilee4 ,but ,peter denied1 averring he did not know ,jesus4 ,peter was restless2 his conscience and the fear of identification as one of the ,lord's disciples troubled him4 ,he left the crowd and sought partial seclusion in the porch2 but there another maid spied him out1 and said to those nearby3 ,this fellow was also with ,jesus of ,nazareth2 to which accusation ,peter replied with an oath3 ,i do not know the man4 ,the ,april night was chilly1 and an open fire had been made in the hall or court of the palace4 ,peter sat with others at the fire1 thinking1 perhaps1 that brazen openness was better than skulking caution as a possible safeguard against detection4 ,about an hour after his former denials1 some of the men around the fire charged him with being a disciple of ,jesus1 and referred to his ,galilean dialect as evidence that he was at least a fellow countryman with the high priest's ,prisoner2 but1 most threatening of all1 a kinsman of ,malchus1 whose ear ,peter had slashed with the sword1 asked peremptorily3 ,did not ,i see thee in the garden with him8 ,then ,peter went so far in the course of falsehood upon which he had entered as to curse and swear1 and to vehemently declare for the third time1 ,i know not the man4 ,as the last profane falsehood left his lips1 the clear notes of a crowing cock broke upon his ears1#abgh and the remembrance of his ,lord's prediction welled up in his mind4 ,trembling in wretched realization of his perfidious cowardice1 he turned from the crowd and met the gaze of the suffering ,christ1 who from the midst of the insolent mob looked into the face of ,his boastful1 yet loving but weak apostle4 ,hastening from the palace1 ,peter went out into the night1 weeping bitterly4 ,as his later life attests1 his tears were those of real contrition and true repentance4 ,,christ',s ,,first ,,appearance ,,before ,,pilate4 ,as we have already learned1 no ,jewish tribunal had authority to inflict the death penalty2 imperial ,rome had reserved this prerogative as her own4 ,the united acclaim of the ,sanhedrists1 that ,jesus was deserving of death1 would be ineffective until sanctioned by the emperor's deputy1 who at that time was ,pontius ,pilate1 the governor1 or more properly1 procurator1 of ,judea1 ,samaria1 and ,idumea4 ,pilate maintained his official residence at ,csarea1#abgi on the ,mediterranean shore2 but it was his custom to be present in ,jerusalem at the times of the great ,hebrew feasts1 probably in the interest of preserving order1 or of promptly quelling any disturbance amongst the vast and heterogeneous multitudes by which the city was thronged on these festive occasions4 ,the governor with his attendants was in ,jerusalem at this momentous ,passover season4 ,early on ,friday morning1 the whole council1 that is to say1 the ,sanhedrin1 led ,jesus1 bound1 to the judgment hall of ,pontius ,pilate2 but with strict scrupulosity they refrained from entering the hall lest they become defiled2 for the judgment chamber was part of the house of a ,gentile1 and somewhere therein might be leavened bread1 even to be near which would render them ceremonially unclean4 ,let every one designate for himself the character of men afraid of the mere proximity of leaven1 while thirsting for innocent blood6 ,in deference to their scruples ,pilate came out from the palace2 and1 as they delivered up to him their ,prisoner1 asked3 ,what accusation bring ye against this man8 ,the question1 though strictly proper and judicially necessary1 surprized and disappointed the priestly rulers1 who evidently had expected that the governor would simply approve their verdict as a matter of form and give sentence accordingly2 but instead of doing so1 ,pilate was apparently about to exercize his authority of original jurisdiction4 ,with poorly concealed chagrin1 their spokesman1 probably ,caiaphas1 answered3 ,if he were not a malefactor1 we would not have delivered him up unto thee4 ,it was now ,pilate's turn to feel or at least to feign umbrage1 and he replied in effect3 ,oh1 very well2 if you don't care to present the charge in proper order1 take ye him1 and judge him according to your law2 don't trouble me with the matter4 ,but the ,jews rejoined3 ,it is not lawful for us to put any man to death4 ,john the apostle intimates in this last remark a determination on the part of the ,jews to have ,jesus put to death not only by ,roman sanction but by ,roman executioners2#abhj for1 as we readily may see1 had ,pilate approved the death sentence and handed the ,prisoner over to the ,jews for its infliction1 ,jesus would have been stoned1 in accordance with the ,hebrew penalty for blasphemy2 whereas the ,lord had plainly foretold that ,his death would be by crucifixion1 which was a ,roman method of execution1 but one never practised by the ,jews4 ,furthermore1 if ,jesus had been put to death by the ,jewish rulers1 even with governmental sanction1 an insurrection among the people might have resulted1 for there were many who believed on ,him4 ,the crafty hierarchs were determined to bring about ,his death under ,roman condemnation4 ,and they began to accuse him1 saying1 ,we found this fellow perverting the nation1 and forbidding to give tribute to ,csar1 saying that he himself is ,christ a ,king4#abha ,it is important to note that no accusation of blasphemy was made to ,pilate2 had such been presented1 the governor1 thoroughly pagan in heart and mind1 would probably have dismissed the charge as utterly unworthy of a hearing2 for ,rome with her many gods1 whose number was being steadily increased by current heathen deification of mortals1 knew no such offense as blasphemy in the ,jewish sense4 ,the accusing ,sanhedrists hesitated not to substitute for blasphemy1 which was the greatest crime known to the ,hebrew code1 the charge of high treason1 which was the gravest offense listed in the ,roman category of crimes4 ,to the vociferous accusations of the chief priests and elders1 the calm and dignified ,christ deigned no reply4 ,to them ,he had spoken for the last time--until the appointed season of another trial1 in which ,he shall be the ,judge1 and they the prisoners at the bar4 ,pilate was surprized at the submissive yet majestic demeanor of ,jesus2 there was certainly much that was kingly about the ,man2 never before had such a ,one stood before him4 ,the charge1 however1 was a serious one2 men who claimed title to kingship might prove dangerous to ,rome2 yet to the charge the ,accused answered nothing4 ,entering the judgment hall1 ,pilate had ,jesus called4#abhb ,that some of the disciples1 and among them almost certainly ,john1 also went in1 is apparent from the detailed accounts of the proceedings preserved in the fourth ,gospel4 ,anyone was at liberty to enter1 for publicity was an actual and a widely proclaimed feature of ,roman trials4 ,pilate1 plainly without animosity or prejudice against ,jesus1 asked3 ,art thou the ,king of the ,jews8 ,jesus answered him1 ,sayest thou this thing of thyself1 or did others tell it thee of me8 ,the ,lord's counter-question1 as ,pilate's rejoinder shows1 meant1 and was understood to mean1 as we might state it3 ,do you ask this in the ,roman and literal sense--as to whether ,i am a king of an earthly kingdom--or with the ,jewish and more spiritual meaning8 ,a direct answer ,yes would have been true in the ,messianic sense1 but untrue in the worldly signification2 and ,no could have been inversely construed as true or untrue4 ,pilate answered1 ,am ,i a ,jew8 ,thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me3 what hast thou done8 ,jesus answered1 ,my kingdom is not of this world3 if my kingdom were of this world1 then would my servants fight1 that ,i should not be delivered to the ,jews3 but now is my kingdom not from hence4 ,pilate therefore said unto him1 ,art thou a king then8 ,jesus answered1 ,thou sayest that ,i am a king4 ,to this end was ,i born1 and for this cause came ,i into the world1 that ,i should bear witness unto the truth4 ,every one that is of the truth heareth my voice4 ,it was clear to the ,roman governor that this wonderful ,man1 with ,his exalted views of a kingdom not of this world1 and an empire of truth in which ,he was to reign1 was no political insurrectionist2 and that to consider ,him a menace to ,roman institutions would be absurd4 ,those last words--about truth--were of all the most puzzling2 ,pilate was restive1 and perhaps a little frightened under their import4 ,what is truth8 he rather exclaimed in apprehension than inquired in expectation of an answer1 as he started to leave the hall4 ,to the ,jews without he announced officially the acquittal of the ,prisoner4 ,i find in him no fault at all was the verdict4 ,but the chief priests and scribes and elders of the people were undeterred4 ,their thirst for the blood of the ,holy ,one had developed into mania4 ,wildly and fiercely they shrieked3 ,he stirreth up the people1 teaching throughout all ,jewry1 beginning from ,galilee to this place4 ,the mention of ,galilee suggested to ,pilate a new course of procedure4 ,having confirmed by inquiry that ,jesus was a ,galilean1 he determined to send the ,prisoner to ,herod1 the vassal ruler of that province1 who was in ,jerusalem at the time4#abhc ,by this action ,pilate hoped to rid himself of further responsibility in the case1 and moreover1 ,herod1 with whom he had been at enmity1 might be placated thereby4 ,,christ ,,before ,,herod4#abhd ,herod ,antipas1 the degenerate son of his infamous sire1 ,herod the ,great1#abhe was at this time tetrarch of ,galilee and ,perea1 and by popular usage1 though without imperial sanction1 was flatteringly called king4 ,he it was who1 in fulfilment of an unholy vow inspired by a woman's voluptuous blandishments1 had ordered the murder of ,john the ,baptist4 ,he ruled as a ,roman vassal1 and professed to be orthodox in the observances of ,judaism4 ,he had come up to ,jerusalem1 in state1 to keep the feast of the ,passover4 ,herod was pleased to have ,jesus sent to him by ,pilate2 for1 not only was the action a gracious one on the part of the procurator1 constituting as after events proved a preliminary to reconciliation between the two rulers1#abhf but it was a means of gratifying ,herod's curiosity to see ,jesus1 of whom he had heard so much1 whose fame had terrified him1 and by whom he now hoped to see some interesting miracle wrought4#abhg ,whatever fear ,herod had once felt regarding ,jesus1 whom he had superstitiously thought to be the reincarnation of his murdered victim1 ,john the ,baptist1 was replaced by amused interest when he saw the far-famed ,prophet of ,galilee in bonds before him1 attended by a ,roman guard1 and accompanied by ecclesiastical officials4 ,herod began to question the ,prisoner2 but ,jesus remained silent4 ,the chief priests and scribes vehemently voiced their accusations2 but not a word was uttered by the ,lord4 ,herod is the only character in history to whom ,jesus is known to have applied a personal epithet of contempt4 ,go ye and tell that fox ,he once said to certain ,pharisees who had come to ,him with the story that ,herod intended to kill ,him4#abhh ,as far as we know1 ,herod is further distinguished as the only being who saw ,christ face to face and spoke to ,him1 yet never heard ,his voice4 ,for penitent sinners1 weeping women1 prattling children1 for the scribes1 the ,pharisees1 the ,sadducees1 the rabbis1 for the perjured high priest and his obsequious and insolent underling1 and for ,pilate the pagan1 ,christ had words--of comfort or instruction1 of warning or rebuke1 of protest or denunciation--yet for ,herod the fox ,he had but disdainful and kingly silence4 ,thoroughly piqued1 ,herod turned from insulting questions to acts of malignant derision4 ,he and his men-at-arms made sport of the suffering ,christ1 set him at nought and mocked him2 then in travesty they arrayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him again to ,pilate4#abhi ,herod had found nothing in ,jesus to warrant condemnation4 ,,christ ,,again ,,before ,,pilate4#abij ,the ,roman procurator1 finding that he could not evade further consideration of the case1 called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people1 and said unto them1 ,ye have brought this man unto me1 as one that perverteth the people3 and1 behold1 ,i1 having examined him before you1 have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him2 ,no1 nor yet ,herod3 for ,i sent you to him2 and1 lo1 nothing worthy of death is done unto him4 ,i will therefore chastise him1 and release him4 ,pilate's desire to save ,jesus from death was just and genuine2 his intention of scourging the ,prisoner1 whose innocence he had affirmed and reaffirmed1 was an infamous concession to ,jewish prejudice4 ,he knew that the charge of sedition and treason was without foundation2 and that even the framing of such an accusation by the ,jewish hierarchy1 whose simulated loyalty to ,csar was but a cloak for inherent and undying hatred1 was ridiculous in the extreme2 and he fully realized that the priestly rulers had delivered ,jesus into his hands because of envy and malice4#abia ,it was the custom for the governor at the ,passover season to pardon and release any one condemned prisoner whom the people might name4 ,on that day there lay in durance1 awaiting execution1 a notable prisoner1 called ,barabbas1 who had been found guilty of sedition1 in that he had incited the people to insurrection1 and had committed murder4 ,this man stood convicted of the very charge on which ,pilate specifically and ,herod by implication had pronounced ,jesus innocent1 and ,barabbas was a murderer in addition4 ,pilate thought to pacify the priests and people by releasing ,jesus as the subject of ,passover leniency2 this would be a tacit recognition of ,christ's conviction before the ecclesiastical court1 and practically an endorsement of the death sentence1 superseded by official pardon4 ,therefore he asked of them3 ,whom will ye that ,i release unto you8 ,barabbas1 or ,jesus which is called ,christ8 ,there appears to have been a brief interval between ,pilate's question and the people's answer1 during which the chief priests and elders busied themselves amongst the multitude1 urging them to demand the release of the insurrectionist and murderer4 ,so1 when ,pilate reiterated the question3 ,whether of the twain will ye that ,i release unto you8 assembled ,israel cried ,barabbas4 ,pilate1 surprized1 disappointed1 and angered1 then asked3 ,what shall ,i do then with ,jesus which is called ,christ8 ,they all say unto him1 ,let him be crucified4 ,and the governor said1 ,why1 what evil hath he done8 ,but they cried out the more1 saying1 ,let him be crucified4 ,the ,roman governor was sorely troubled and inwardly afraid4 ,to add to his perplexity he received a warning message from his wife1 even as he sat on the judgment seat3 ,have thou nothing to do with that just man3 for ,i have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him4 ,those who know not ,god are characteristically superstitious4 ,pilate feared to think what dread portent his wife's dream might presage4 ,but1 finding that he could not prevail1 and foreseeing a tumult among the people if he persisted in the defense of ,christ1 he called for water and washed his hands before the multitude--a symbolic act of disclaiming responsibility1 which they all understood--proclaiming the while3 ,i am innocent of the blood of this just person3 see ye to it4 ,then rose that awful self-condemnatory cry of the covenant people3 ,his blood be on us and on our children4 ,history bears an appalling testimony to the literal fulfilment of that dread invocation4#abib ,pilate released ,barabbas1 and gave ,jesus into the custody of the soldiers to be scourged4 ,scourging was a frightful preliminary to death on the cross4 ,the instrument of punishment was a whip of many thongs1 loaded with metal and edged with jagged pieces of bone4 ,instances are of record in which the condemned died under the lash and so escaped the horrors of living crucifixion4 ,in accordance with the brutal customs of the time1 ,jesus1 weak and bleeding from the fearful scourging ,he had undergone1 was given over to the half-savage soldiers for their amusement4 ,he was no ordinary victim1 so the whole band came together in the ,pretorium1 or great hall of the palace1 to take part in the diabolical sport4 ,they stripped ,jesus of ,his outer raiment1 and placed upon ,him a purple robe4#abic ,then with a sense of fiendish realism they platted a crown of thorns1 and placed it about the ,sufferer's brows2 a reed was put into ,his right hand as a royal scepter2 and1 as they bowed in a mockery of homage1 they saluted ,him with3 ,hail1 ,king of the ,jews6 ,snatching away the reed or rod1 they brutally smote ,him with it upon the head1 driving the cruel thorns into ,his quivering flesh2 they slapped ,him with their hands1 and spat upon ,him in vile and vicious abandonment4#abid ,pilate had probably been a silent observer of this barbarous scene4 ,he stopped it1 and determined to make another attempt to touch the springs of ,jewish pity1 if such existed4 ,he went outside1 and to the multitude said3 ,behold1 ,i bring him forth to you1 that ye may know that ,i find no fault in him4 ,this was the governor's third definite proclamation of the ,prisoner's innocence4 ,then came ,jesus forth1 wearing the crown of thorns1 and the purple robe4 ,and ,pilate saith unto them1 ,behold the man6#abie ,pilate seems to have counted on the pitiful sight of the scourged and bleeding ,christ to soften the hearts of the maddened ,jews4 ,but the effect failed4 ,think of the awful fact--a heathen1 a pagan1 who knew not ,god1 pleading with the priests and people of ,israel for the life of their ,lord and ,king6 ,when1 unmoved by the sight1 the chief priests and officers cried with increasing vindictiveness1 crucify him1 crucify him1 ,pilate pronounced the fatal sentence1 ,take ye him and crucify him1 but added with bitter emphasis3 ,i find no fault in him4 ,it will be remembered that the only charge preferred against ,christ before the ,roman governor was that of sedition2 the ,jewish persecutors had carefully avoided even the mention of blasphemy1 which was the offense for which they had adjudged ,jesus worthy of death4 ,now that sentence of crucifixion had been extorted from ,pilate1 they brazenly attempted to make it appear that the governor's mandate was but a ratification of their own decree of death2 therefore they said3 ,we have a law1 and by our law he ought to die1 because he made himself the ,son of ,god4 ,what did it mean8 ,that awe-inspiring title1 ,son of ,god1 struck yet deeper into ,pilate's troubled conscience4 ,once more he took ,jesus into the judgment hall1 and in trepidation asked1 ,whence art thou8 ,the inquiry was as to whether ,jesus was human or superhuman4 ,a direct avowal of the ,lord's divinity would have frightened but could not have enlightened the heathen ruler2 therefore ,jesus gave no answer4 ,pilate was further surprized1 and perhaps somewhat offended at this seeming disregard of his authority4 ,he demanded an explanation1 saying3 ,speakest thou not unto me8 knowest thou not that ,i have power to crucify thee1 and have power to release thee8 ,then ,jesus replied3 ,thou couldest have no power at all against me1 except it were given thee from above3 therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin4 ,the positions were reversed2 ,christ was the ,judge1 and ,pilate the subject of ,his decision4 ,though not found guiltless1 the ,roman was pronounced less culpable than he or those who had forced ,jesus into his power1 and who had demanded of him an unrighteous committal4 ,the governor1 though having pronounced sentence1 yet sought means of releasing the submissive ,sufferer4 ,his first evidence of wavering was greeted by the ,jews with the cry1 ,if thou let this man go1 thou art not ,csar's friend3 whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against ,csar4 ,pilate took his place in the judgment seat1 which was set up in the place of the ,pavement1 or ,gabbatha1 outside the hall4 ,he was resentful against those ,jews who had dared to intimate that he was no friend of ,csar1 and whose intimation might lead to an embassy of complaint being sent to ,rome to misrepresent him in exaggerated accusation4 ,pointing to ,jesus1 he exclaimed with unveiled sarcasm3 ,behold your ,king6 ,but the ,jews answered in threatening and ominous shouts3 ,away with him1 away with him1 crucify him4 ,in stinging reminder of their national subjugation1 ,pilate asked with yet more cutting irony1 ,shall ,i crucify your ,king8 ,and the chief priests cried aloud3 ,we have no king but ,csar4 ,even so was it and was to be4 ,the people who had by covenant accepted ,jehovah as their ,king1 now rejected ,him in ,person1 and acknowledged no sovereign but ,csar4 ,csar's subjects and serfs have they been through all the centuries since4 ,pitiable is the state of man or nation who in heart and spirit will have no king but ,csar6#abif ,wherein lay the cause of ,pilate's weakness8 ,he was the emperor's representative1 the imperial procurator with power to crucify or to save2 officially he was an autocrat4 ,his conviction of ,christ's blamelessness and his desire to save ,him from the cross are beyond question4 ,why did ,pilate waver1 hesitate1 vacillate1 and at length yield contrary to his conscience and his will8 ,because1 after all1 he was more slave than freeman4 ,he was in servitude to his past4 ,he knew that should complaint be made of him at ,rome1 his corruption and cruelties1 his extortions and the unjustifiable slaughter he had caused would all be brought against him4 ,he was the ,roman ruler1 but the people over whom he exercized official dominion delighted in seeing him cringe1 when they cracked1 with vicious snap above his head1 the whip of a threatened report about him to his imperial master1 ,tiberius4#abig ,,judas ,,iscariot4#abih ,when ,judas ,iscariot saw how terribly effective had been the outcome of his treachery1 he became wildly remorseful4 ,during ,christ's trial before the ,jewish authorities1 with its associated humiliation and cruelty1 the traitor had seen the seriousness of his action2 and when the unresisting ,sufferer had been delivered up to the ,romans1 and the fatal consummation had become a certainty1 the enormity of his crime filled ,judas with nameless horror4 ,rushing into the presence of the chief priests and elders1 while the final preparations for the crucifixion of the ,lord were in progress1 he implored the priestly rulers to take back the accursed wage they had paid him1 crying in an agony of despair3 ,i have sinned1 in that ,i have betrayed the innocent blood4 ,he may have vaguely expected a word of sympathy from the conspirators in whose wickedly skilful hands he had been so ready and serviceable a tool2 possibly he hoped that his avowal might stem the current of their malignancy1 and that they would ask for a reversal of the sentence4 ,but the rulers in ,israel repulsed him with disgust4 ,what is that to us8 they sneered1 see thou to that4 ,he had served their purpose2 they had paid him his price2 they wished never to look upon his face again2 and pitilessly they flung him back into the haunted blackness of his maddened conscience4 ,still clutching the bag of silver1 the all too real remembrancer of his frightful sin1 he rushed into the temple1 penetrating even to the precincts of priestly reservation1 and dashed the silver pieces upon the floor of the sanctuary4#abii ,then1 under the goading impulse of his master1 the devil1 to whom he had become a bond-slave1 body and soul1 he went out and hanged himself4 ,the chief priests gathered up the pieces of silver1 and in sacrilegious scrupulosity1 held a solemn council to determine what they should do with the price of blood4 ,as they deemed it unlawful to add the attainted coin to the sacred treasury1 they bought with it a certain clay-yard1 once the property of a potter1 and the very place in which ,judas had made of himself a suicide2 this tract of ground they set apart as a burial place for aliens1 strangers1 and pagans4 ,the body of ,judas1 the betrayer of the ,christ1 was probably the first to be there interred4 ,and that field was called ,aceldama1 that is to say1 ,the field of blood4#acjj ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #cd4 #a4 ,annas1 and ,his ,interview with ,jesus4--,no figure is better known in contemporary ,jewish history than that of ,annas2 no person deemed more fortunate or successful1 but also none more generally execrated than the late high priest4 ,he had held the pontificate for only six or seven years2 but it was filled by not fewer than five of his sons1 by his son-in-law ,caiaphas1 and by a grandson4 ,and in those days it was1 at least for one of ,annas' disposition1 much better to have been than to be high priest4 ,he enjoyed all the dignity of the office1 and all its influence also1 since he was able to promote to it those most closely connected with him4 ,and while they acted publicly1 he really directed affairs1 without either the responsibility or the restraints which the office imposed4 ,his influence with the ,romans he owed to the religious views which he professed1 to his open partisanship of the foreigner1 and to his enormous wealth4444 ,we have seen what immense revenues the family of ,annas must have derived from the ,temple booths1 and how nefarious and unpopular was the traffic4 ,the names of those bold1 licentious1 unscrupulous1 degenerate sons of ,aaron were spoken with whispered curses4 ,without referring to ,christ's interference with that ,temple-traffic1 which1 if ,his authority had prevailed1 would of course have been fatal to it1 we can understand how antithetic in every respect a ,messiah1 and such a ,messiah as ,jesus1 must have been to ,annas4444 ,no account is given of what passed before ,annas4 ,even the fact of ,christ's being first brought to him is only mentioned in the fourth ,gospel4 ,as the disciples had all forsaken ,him and fled1 we can understand that they were in ignorance of what actually passed1 till they had again rallied1 at least so far1 that ,peter and 'another disciple'1 evidently ,john1 'followed ,him into the palace of the high priest'--that is1 into the palace of ,caiaphas1 not of ,annas4 ,for as1 according to the three synoptic ,gospels1 the palace of the high priest ,caiaphas was the scene of ,peter's denial1 the account of it in the fourth ,gospel must refer to the same locality1 and not to the palace of ,annas4--,edersheim1 ,life and ,times of ,jesus the ,messiah2 vol4 #b1 pp4 #edg-h4 #b4 ,christ's ,forbearance when ,smitten4--,that ,jesus maintained ,his equanimity and submissiveness even under the provocation of a blow dealt by a brutish underling in the presence of the high priest1 is confirmatory of our ,lord's affirmation that ,he had overcome the world 7,john #af3cc74 ,one cannot read the passage without comparing1 perhaps involuntarily1 the divine submissiveness of ,jesus on this occasion1 with the wholly natural and human indignation of ,paul under somewhat similar conditions at a later time 7,acts #bc3a-e74 ,the high priest ,ananias1 displeased at ,paul's remarks1 ordered someone who stood by to smite him on the mouth4 ,paul broke forth in angry protest3 ,god shall smite thee1 thou whited wall3 for sittest thou to judge me after the law1 and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law8 ,afterward he apologized1 saying that he knew not that it was the high priest who had given the command that he be smitten4 ,see ,articles of ,faith1 xxiii1 ,,ii1 and ,note #a following the same lecture2 and ,farrar's ,life and ,works of ,st4 ,paul1 pp4 #eci-edj4 #c4 ,high ,priests and ,elders4--,these titles as held by officials of the ,jewish hierarchy in the time of ,christ must not be confused with the same designations as applied to holders of the ,higher or ,melchizedek ,priesthood4 ,the high priest of the ,jews was the presiding priest2 he had to be of ,aaronic descent to be a priest at all2 he became high priest by ,roman appointment4 ,the elders1 as the name indicates1 were men of mature years and experience1 who were appointed to act as magistrates in the towns1 and as judges in the ecclesiastical tribunals1 either in the ,lesser ,sanhedrins of the provinces1 or in the ,great ,sanhedrin at ,jerusalem4 ,the term elder as commonly used among the ,jews in the days of ,jesus had no closer relation to eldership in the ,melchizedek ,priesthood than had the title scribe4 ,the duties of ,jewish high priests and elders combined both ecclesiastical and secular functions2 indeed both offices had come to be in large measure political perquisites4 ,see ,elder in ,smith's ,bible ,dictionary4 ,from the departure of ,moses to the coming of ,christ1 the organized theocracy of ,israel was that of the ,lesser or ,aaronic ,priesthood1 comprizing the office of priest1 which was confined to the lineage of ,aaron1 and the lesser offices of teacher and deacon1 which were combined in the ,levitical order4 ,see ,orders and ,offices in the ,priesthood by the author in ,the ,articles of ,faith1 xi3#ac-bd4 #d4 ,illegalities of the ,jewish ,trial of ,jesus4--,many volumes have been written on the so-called trial of ,jesus4 ,only a brief summary of the principal items of fact and law can be incorporated here4 ,for further consideration reference may be made to the following treatments3 ,edersheim1 ,life and ,times of ,jesus the ,messiah2 ,andrews1 ,life of ,our ,lord2 ,dupin1 ,jesus before ,caiaphas and ,pilate2 ,mendelsohn1 ,criminal ,jurisprudence of the ,ancient ,hebrews2 ,salvador1 ,institutions of ,moses2 ,innes1 ,the ,trial of ,jesus ,christ2 ,maimonides1 ,sanhedrin2 ,,mm4 ,lemann1 ,jesus before the ,sanhedrin2 ,benny1 ,criminal ,code of the ,jews2 and ,walter ,m4 ,chandler1 of the ,new ,york ,bar1 ,the ,trial of ,jesus from a ,lawyer's ,standpoint4 ,the last named is a two volume work treating respectively1 ,the ,hebrew ,trial and ,the ,roman ,trial1 and contains citations from the foregoing and other works4 ,edersheim 7vol4 #b1 pp4 #eef-h7 contends that the night arraignment of ,jesus in the house of ,caiaphas was not a trial before the ,sanhedrin1 and notes the irregularities and illegalities of the procedure as proof that the ,sanhedrin could not have done what was done that night4 ,with ample citations in corroboration of the legal requirements specified1 the author says3 ,but besides1 the trial and sentence of ,jesus in the palace of ,caiaphas would have outraged every principle of ,jewish criminal law and procedure4 ,such causes could only be tried1 and capital sentence pronounced1 in the regular meeting-place of the ,sanhedrin1 not1 as here1 in the high priest's palace2 no process1 least of all such an one1 might be begun in the night1 nor even in the afternoon1 although if the discussion had gone on all day1 sentence might be pronounced at night4 ,again1 no process could take place on ,sabbaths or feast-days1 or even on the eves of them1 although this would not have nullified proceedings2 and it might be argued on the other side1 that a process against one who had seduced the people should preferably be carried on1 and sentence executed1 on public feast-days1 for the warning of all4 ,lastly1 in capital causes there was a very elaborate system of warning1 and cautioning witnesses2 while it may safely be affirmed that at a regular trial ,jewish judges1 however prejudiced1 would not have acted as the ,sanhedrists and ,caiaphas did on this occasion4444 ,but although ,christ was not tried and sentenced in a formal meeting of the ,sanhedrin1 there can1 alas6 be no question that ,his condemnation and death were the work1 if not of the ,sanhedrin1 yet of the ,sanhedrists--of the whole body of them 7'all the council'7 in the sense of expressing what was the judgment and purpose of all the supreme council and leaders of ,israel1 with only very few exceptions4 ,we bear in mind that the resolution to sacrifice ,christ had for some time been taken4 ,the purpose in quoting the foregoing is to show on acknowledged and eminent authority1 some of the illegalities of the night trial of ,jesus1 which1 as shown by the above1 and by the scriptural record1 was conducted by the high priest and the council or ,sanhedrin1 in admittedly irregular and unlawful manner4 ,if the ,sanhedrists tried and condemned1 yet were not in session as the ,sanhedrin1 the enormity of the proceeding is1 if possible1 deeper and blacker than ever4 ,in ,chandler's excellent work 7vol4 ,i1 ,the ,hebrew ,trial71 the record of fact in the case1 and the ,hebrew criminal law bearing thereon are exhaustively considered4 ,then follows an elaborate ,brief1 in which the following points are set forth in order4 ,point #a3 ,the ,arrest of ,jesus was illegal1 since it was effected by night1 and through the treachery of ,judas1 an accomplice1 both of which features were expressly forbidden in the ,jewish law of that day4 ,point #b3 ,the private examination of ,jesus before ,annas or ,caiaphas was illegal2 for 7#a7 it was made by night2 7#b7 the hearing of any cause by a 'sole judge' was expressly forbidden2 7#c7 as quoted from ,salvador1 ',a principle perpetually reproduced in the ,hebrew scriptures relates to the two conditions of publicity and liberty4' ,point #c3 ,the indictment against ,jesus was1 in form1 illegal4 ',the entire criminal procedure of the ,mosaic code rests upon four rules3 certainty in the indictment2 publicity in the discussion2 full freedom granted to the accused2 and assurance against all dangers or errors of testimony'--,salvador1 p4 #cfe4 ',the ,sanhedrin did not and could not originate charges2 it only investigated those brought before it'--,edersheim1 vol4 ,i1 p4 #cji4 ',the evidence of the leading witnesses constituted the charge4 ,there was no other charge2 no more formal indictment4 ,until they spoke and spoke in the public assembly1 the prisoner was scarcely an accused man1'--,innes1 p4 #da4 ',the only prosecutors known to ,talmudic criminal jurisprudence are the witnesses to the crime4 ,their duty is to bring the matter to the cognizance of the court1 and to bear witness against the criminal4 ,in capital cases they are the legal executioners also4 ,of an official accuser or prosecutor there is nowhere any trace in the laws of the ancient ,hebrews4'-- ,mendelsohn1 p4 #aaj4 ,point #d3 ,the proceedings of the ,sanhedrin against ,jesus were illegal because they were conducted at night4 ',let a capital offense be tried during the day1 but suspend it at night1'--,mishna1 ,sanhedrin #d3a4 ',criminal cases can be acted upon by the various courts during daytime only1 by the ,lesser ,sanhedrions from the close of the morning service till noon1 and by the ,great ,sanhedrion till evening4'--,mendelsohn1 p4 #aab4 ,point #e3 ,the proceedings of the ,sanhedrin against ,jesus were illegal because the court convened before the offering of the morning sacrifice4 ',the ,sanhedrin sat from the close of the morning sacrifice to the time of the evening sacrifice1'--,talmud1 ,jer4 ,san4 #a3ai4 ',no session of the court could take place before the offering of the morning sacrifice'4--,,mm4 ,lemann1 p4 #aji4 ',since the morning sacrifice was offered at the dawn of day1 it was hardly possible for the ,sanhedrin to assemble until the hour after that time1'--,mishna1 ,tamid1 ch4 #c4 ,point #f3 ,the proceedings against ,jesus were illegal because they were conducted on the day preceding a ,jewish ,sabbath2 also on the first day of unleavened bread and the eve of the ,passover4 ',they shall not judge on the eve of the ,sabbath nor on that of any festival4'--,mishna1 ,san4 #d3a4 ',no court of justice in ,israel was permitted to hold sessions on the ,sabbath or any of the seven ,biblical holidays4 ,in cases of capital crime1 no trial could be commenced on ,friday or the day previous to any holiday1 because it was not lawful either to adjourn such cases longer than over night1 or to continue them on the ,sabbath or holiday4'--,rabbi ,wise1 ',martyrdom of ,jesus'1 p4 #fg4 ,point #g3 ,the trial of ,jesus was illegal because it was concluded within one day4 ',a criminal case resulting in the acquittal of the accused may terminate the same day on which the trial began4 ,but if a sentence of death is to be pronounced1 it cannot be concluded before the following day4'--,mishna1 ,san4 #d3a4 ,point #h3 ,the sentence of condemnation pronounced against ,jesus by the ,sanhedrin was illegal because it was founded upon ,his uncorroborated confession4 ',we have it as a fundamental principle of our jurisprudence that no one can bring an accusation against himself4 ,should a man make confession of guilt before a legally constituted tribunal1 such confession is not to be used against him unless properly attested by two other witnesses1'--,maimonides1 #d3b4 ',not only is self-condemnation never extorted from the defendant by means of torture1 but no attempt is ever made to lead him on to self-incrimination4 ,moreover1 a voluntary confession on his part is not admitted in evidence1 and therefore not competent to convict him1 unless a legal number of witnesses minutely corroborate his self-accusation4'--,mendelsohn1 p4 #acc4 ,point #i3 ,the condemnation of ,jesus was illegal because the verdict of the ,sanhedrin was unanimous4 ',a simultaneous and unanimous verdict of guilt rendered on the day of the trial has the effect of an acquittal4'--,mendelsohn1 p4 #ada4 ',if none of the judges defend the culprit1 i4e41 all pronounce him guilty1 having no defender in the court1 the verdict of guilty was invalid and the sentence of death could not be executed4'--,rabbi ,wise1 ',martyrdom of ,jesus'1 p4 #gd4 ,point #aj3 ,the proceedings against ,jesus were illegal in that3 7#a7 ,the sentence of condemnation was pronounced in a place forbidden by law2 7#b7 ,the high priest rent his clothes2 7#c7 ,the balloting was irregular4 ',after leaving the hall ,gazith no sentence of death can be passed upon any one soever1'--,talmud1 ,bab4 ',of ,idolatry' #a3h4 ',a sentence of death can be pronounced only so long as the ,sanhedrin holds its sessions in the appointed place4'--,maimonides1 #ad4 ,see further ,levit4 #ba3aj2 compare #aj3f4 ',let the judges each in his turn absolve or condemn4'--,mishna1 ,san4 #ae3e4 ',the members of the ,sanhedrin were seated in the form of a semicircle1 at the extremity of which a secretary was placed1 whose business it was to record the votes4 ,one of these secretaries recorded the votes in favor of the accused1 the other those against him4'--,mishna1 ,san4 #d3c4 ',in ordinary cases the judges voted according to seniority1 the oldest commencing2 in a capital case the reverse order was followed4'--,benny1 p4 #gc4 ,point #aa3 ,the members of the ,great ,sanhedrin were legally disqualified to try ,jesus4 ',nor must there be on the judicial bench either a relation or a particular friend1 or an enemy of either the accused or of the accuser4'--,mendelsohn1 p4 #ajh4 ',nor under any circumstances was a man known to be at enmity with the accused person permitted to occupy a position among the judges4'--,benny1 p4 #cg4 ,point #ab3 ,the condemnation of ,jesus was illegal because the merits of the defense were not considered4 ',then shalt thou enquire1 and make search1 and ask diligently4'--,deut4 #ac3ad4 ',the judges shall weigh the matter in the sincerity of their conscience4'--,mishna1 ,san4 #d3e4 ',the primary object of the ,hebrew judicial system was to render the conviction of an innocent person impossible4 ,all the ingenuity of the ,jewish legists was directed to the attainment of this end4'--,benny1 p4 #ef4 ,chandler's masterly statements of fact and his arguments on each of the foregoing points are commended to the investigator4 ,the author tersely avers3 ,the pages of human history present no stronger case of judicial murder than the trial and crucifixion of ,jesus of ,nazareth1 for the simple reason that all forms of law were outraged and trampled under foot in the proceedings instituted against ,him4 7p4 #baf47 #e4 ,his ,blood be on us1 and on ,our ,children4--,edersheim 7vol4 #b1 p4 #egh7 thus forcefully comments on the acknowledgment of responsibility for the death of ,christ3 ,the ,mishna tells us that1 after the solemn washing of hands of the elders and their disclaimer of guilt1 priests responded with this prayer3 ',forgive it to thy people ,israel1 whom thou hast redeemed1 ,o ,lord1 and lay not innocent blood upon thy people ,israel4' ,but here1 in answer to ,pilate's words1 came back that deep1 hoarse cry3 ',his blood be upon us1' and--,god help us6--'on our children4' ,some thirty years later1 and on that very spot1 was judgment pronounced against some of the best in ,jerusalem2 and among the #c1fjj victims of the governor's fury1 of whom not a few were scourged and crucified right over against the ,pretorium1 were many of the noblest of the citizens of ,jerusalem4 7,josephus1 ,wars1 xiv1 chap4 #h3i74 ,a few years more1 and hundreds of crosses bore ,jewish mangled bodies within sight of ,jerusalem4 ,and still have these wanderers seemed to bear1 from century to century1 and from land to land1 that burden of blood2 and still does it seem to weigh 'on us and on our children'4 #f4 ,we ,have no ,king but ,csar4--,with this cry ,judaism was1 in the person of its representatives1 guilty of denial of ,god1 of blasphemy1 of apostasy4 ,it committed suicide2 and ever since has its dead body been carried in show from land to land1 and from century to century1--to be dead and to remain dead1 till ,he come a second time1 who is the resurrection and the life4--,edersheim1 vol4 #b1 p4 #eha4 #g4 ,the ,underlying ,cause of ,pilate's ,surrender to the ,jewish ,demands4--,pilate knew what was right but lacked the moral courage to do it4 ,he was afraid of the ,jews1 and more afraid of hostile influence at ,rome4 ,he was afraid of his conscience1 but more afraid of losing his official position4 ,it was the policy of ,rome to be gracious and conciliatory in dealing with the religions and social customs of conquered nations4 ,pontius ,pilate had violated this liberal policy from the early days of his procuratorship4 ,in utter disregard of the ,hebrew antipathy against images and heathen insignia1 he had the legionaries enter ,jerusalem at night1 carrying their eagles and standards decorated with the effigy of the emperor4 ,to the ,jews this act was a defilement of the ,holy ,city4 ,in vast multitudes they gathered at ,csarea1 and petitioned the procurator that the standards and other images be removed from ,jerusalem4 ,for five days the people demanded and ,pilate refused4 ,he threatened a general slaughter1 and was amazed to see the people offer themselves as victims of the sword rather than relinquish their demands4 ,pilate had to yield 7,josephus1 ,ant4 xviii1 chap4 #c3a2 also ,wars1 ii1 chap4 #i3b1 #c74 ,again he gave offense in forcibly appropriating the ,corban1 or sacred funds of the temple1 to the construction of an aqueduct for supplying ,jerusalem with water from the pools of ,solomon4 ,anticipating the public protest of the people1 he had caused ,roman soldiers to disguise themselves as ,jews2 and with weapons concealed to mingle with the crowds4 ,at a given signal these assassins plied their weapons and great numbers of defenceless ,jews were killed or wounded 7,josephus1 ,ant4 xviii1 chap4 #c3b2 and ,wars1 ii1 chap4 #i3c1 #d74 ,on another occasion1 ,pilate had grossly offended the people by setting up in his official residence at ,jerusalem1 shields that had been dedicated to ,tiberius1 and this less for the honor of ,tiberius than for the annoyance of the ,jewish people4 ,a petition signed by the ecclesiastical officials of the nation1 and by others of influence1 including four ,herodian princes1 was sent to the emperor1 who reprimanded ,pilate and directed that the shields be removed from ,jerusalem to ,csarea 7,philo4 ,de ,legatione ad ,caium2 sec4 #ch74 ,these outrages on national feeling1 and many minor acts of violence1 extortion and cruelty1 the ,jews held against the procurator4 ,he realized that his tenure was insecure1 and he dreaded exposure4 ,such wrongs had he wrought that when he would have done good1 he was deterred through cowardly fear of the accusing past4 #h4 ,judas ,iscariot4--,today we speak of a traitor as a ,judas or an ,iscariot4 ,the man who made the combined name infamous has been for ages a subject of discussion among theologians and philosophers1 and in later times the light of psychological analysis has been turned upon him4 ,german philosophers were among the earliest to assert that the man had been judged in unrighteousness1 and that his real character was of brighter tint than that in which it had been painted4 ,indeed some critics hold that of all the ,twelve ,judas was the one most thoroughly convinced of our ,lord's divinity in the flesh2 and these apologists attempt to explain the betrayal as a deliberate and well-intended move to force ,jesus into a position of difficulty from which ,he could escape only by the exercize of ,his powers of ,godship1 which1 up to that time1 ,he had never used in ,his own behalf4 ,we are not the invested judges of ,judas nor of any other2 but we are competent to frame and hold opinions as to the actions of any4 ,in the light of the revealed word it appears that ,judas ,iscariot had given himself up to the cause of ,satan while ostensibly serving the ,christ in an exalted capacity4 ,such a surrender to evil powers could be accomplished only through sin4 ,the nature and extent of the man's transgressions through the years are not told us4 ,he had received the testimony that ,jesus was the ,son of ,god2 and in the full light of that conviction he turned against his ,lord1 and betrayed ,him to death4 ,modern revelation is no less explicit than ancient in declaring that the path of sin is that of spiritual darkness leading to certain destruction4 ,if the man who is guilty of adultery1 even in his heart only1 shall1 unless he repents1 surely forfeit the companionship of the ,spirit of ,god1 and shall deny the faith1 and so the voice of ,god hath affirmed 7see ,doc4 and ,cov4 #fc3af71 we cannot doubt that any and all forms of deadly sin shall poison the soul and1 if not forsaken through true repentance1 shall bring that soul to condemnation4 ,for his trained and skilful servants1 ,satan will provide opportunities of service commensurate with their evil ability4 ,whatever the opinion of modern critics as to the good character of ,judas1 we have the testimony of ,john1 who for nearly three years had been in close companionship with him1 that the man was a thief 7#ab3f72 and ,jesus referred to him as a devil 7#f3gj71 and as the son of perdition 7#ag3ab74 ,see in this connection ,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf3da-dh4 ,that the evil proclivities of ,judas ,iscariot were known to ,christ is evidenced by the ,lord's direct statement that among the ,twelve was one who was a devil2 7,john #f3gj2 compare #ac3bg2 ,luke #bb3c72 and furthermore that this knowledge was ,his when the ,twelve were selected is suggested by the words of ,jesus3 ,i know whom ,i have chosen1 coupled with the explanation that in the choice ,he had made would the scriptures be fulfilled4 ,as the sacrificial death of the ,lamb of ,god was foreknown and foretold so the circumstances of the betrayal were foreseen4 ,it would be contrary to both the letter and spirit of the revealed word to say that the wretched ,iscariot was in the least degree deprived of freedom or agency in the course he followed to so execrable an end4 ,his was the opportunity and privilege common to the ,twelve1 to live in the light of the ,lord's immediate presence1 and to receive from the source divine the revelation of ,god's purposes4 ,judas ,iscariot was no victim of circumstances1 no insensate tool guided by a superhuman power1 except as he by personal volition gave himself up to ,satan1 and accepted a wage in the devil's employ4 ,had ,judas been true to the right1 other means than his perfidy would have operated to bring the ,lamb to the slaughter4 ,his ordination to the apostleship placed him in possession of opportunity and privilege above that of the uncalled and unordained2 and with such blessed possibility of achievement in the service of ,god came corresponding capability to fall4 ,a trusted and exalted officer of the government can commit acts of treachery and treason such as are impossible to the citizen who has never learned the secrets of ,state4 ,advancement implies increased accountability1 even more literally so in the affairs of ,god's kingdom than in the institutions of men4 ,there is an apparent discrepancy between the account of ,judas ,iscariot's death given by ,matthew 7#bg3c-aj7 and that in ,acts 7#a3af-bj74 ,according to the first1 ,judas hanged himself2 the second states that he fell headlong1 and all his bowels gushed out4 ,if both records be accurate1 the wretched man probably hanged himself1 and afterward fell1 possibly through the breaking of the cord or the branch to which it was attached4 ,matthew says the ,jewish rulers purchased the field of blood2 the writer of the ,acts quotes ,peter as saying that ,judas bought the field with the money he had received from the priests4 ,as the ground was bought with the money that had belonged to ,iscariot1 and as this money had never been formally taken back by the temple officials1 the field bought therewith belonged technically to the estate of ,judas4 ,the variations are of importance mainly as showing independence of authorship4 ,the accounts agree in the essential feature1 that ,judas died a miserable suicide4 ,concerning the fate of the sons of perdition1 the ,lord has given a partial but awful account through a revelation dated ,february #af1 #ahcb3 ,thus saith the ,lord1 concerning all those who know my power1 and have been made partakers thereof1 and suffered themselves1 through the power of the devil1 to be overcome1 and to deny the truth and defy my power--,they are they who are the sons of perdition1 of whom ,i say that it had been better for them never to have been born1 ,for they are vessels of wrath1 doomed to suffer the wrath of ,god1 with the devil and his angels in eternity2 ,concerning whom ,i have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come1 ,having denied the ,holy ,spirit after having received it1 and having denied the ,only ,begotten ,son of the ,father--having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame4 ,these are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone1 with the devil and his angels1 ,and the only ones on whom the second death shall have any power4444 ,wherefore1 he saves all except them3 they shall go away into everlasting punishment1 which is endless punishment1 which is eternal punishment1 to reign with the devil and his angels in eternity1 where their worm dieth not1 and the fire is not quenched1 which is their torment2 ,and the end thereof1 neither the place thereof1 nor their torment1 no man knows4 ,neither was it revealed1 neither is1 neither will be revealed unto man1 except to them who are made partakers thereof3 ,nevertheless ,i1 the ,lord1 show it by vision unto many1 but straightway shut it up again3 ,wherefore the end1 the width1 the height1 the depth1 and the misery thereof1 they understand not1 neither any man except them who are ordained unto this condemnation4-- ,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf3ca-cg1 #dd-dh4 ,,footnotes3 #abdi ,john #ah3ac1 #bd4 #abej ,matt4 #bf3eg2 ,mark #ad3ec2 ,luke #bb3ed4 #abea ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #abeb ,john #ah3ad2 compare #aa3di1 #ej4 #abec ,john #ah3ai-bc4 #abed ,the common text of ,john #ah3bb1 says that the man struck ,jesus with the palm of his hand1 that is to say slapped ,him2 such an act added humiliating insult to violence2 the marginal reading of the revised version is with a rod4 ,there is lack of agreement on this point in the early ,mss4 #abee ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #abef ,matt4 #bf3ei-fa2 ,mark #ad3ee-ei4 #abeg ,matt4 #bf3fa and ,mark #ad3eh4 #abeh ,john #b3ah-bb2 see pages #aef1 #aeg herein4 #abei ,note the accusation reported to ,pilate that ,jesus was guilty of perverting the nation1 ,luke #bc3b4 #abfj ,matt4 #bf3fc-ff2 compare ,mark #ad3fa-fd4 #abfa ,pages #aia1 #bja4 #abfb ,compare ,mark #ad3fb4 #abfc ,matt4 #bf3fe1 #ff4 ,revised version reads3 ,he is worthy of death1 and gives in margin a yet more literal rendering3 liable to death4 #abfd ,lev4 #ba3aj4 #abfe ,josephus1 ,wars1 ii1 #ae3b1 #d2 also #a ,maccabees #aa3ga4 #abff ,matt4 #bf3fg2 ,mark #ad3fe2 compare ,luke #ah3cb2 see also ,isa4 #ej3f4 #abfg ,matt4 #bf3fh2 ,luke #bb3fb-fe4 #abfh ,mark #ad3fd4 #abfi ,luke #bb3ff4 #abgj ,john #ah3bh4 #abga ,luke #bb3ff-ga4 #abgb ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #abgc ,mark #ae3a2 compare ,matt4 #bg3a1 #b2 ,john #ah3bh4 #abgd ,note #d1 end of chapter1 gives further details of the unlawful irregularities of the ,jewish trial of ,jesus4 #abge ,matt4 #bf3eh1 #fi-ge2 ,mark #ad3ed1 #ff-gb2 ,luke #bb3ed-fb2 ,john #ah3ae-ah1 #be-bg4 #abgf ,john #ah3h1 #i2 page #fae herein4 #abgg ,john #a3ce1 #dj2 #ac3bc2 #ai3bf2 #bj3b2 #ba3g1 #bj1 #bd4 #abgh ,observe that ,mark1 who alone states that the ,lord said to ,peter before the cock crow twice1 thou shalt deny me thrice1 7#ad3cj7 records a first crowing of the cock after ,peter's first denial 7v4 #fh7 and a second crowing after the third denial 7v4 #gb74 #abgi ,csarea ,palestina1 not ,csarea ,philippi4 #abhj ,john #ah3bh-cb4 #abha ,luke #bc3b4 #abhb ,john #ah3cc-ch2 compare ,matt4 #bg3aa2 ,mark #ae3b2 ,luke #bc3c1 #d4 #abhc ,luke #bc3e-g4 #abhd ,luke #bc3h-ab4 #abhe ,pages #aaj1 #aah2 see also page #ajf4 #abhf ,luke #bc3ab4 #abhg ,matt4 #ad3a2 ,mark #f3ad2 ,luke #i3g1 #i4 #abhh ,luke #ac3ca1 #cb2 page #ddf herein4 #abhi ,luke #bc3aa4 ,revised version reads1 arraying him in gorgeous apparel4 ,clarke 7,commentaries7 and many other writers assume that the robe was white1 that being the usual color of dress amongst the ,jewish nobility4 #abij ,luke #bc3ac-be2 ,matt4 #bg3ae-ca2 ,mark #ae3f-bj2 ,john #ah3ci1 #dj2 #ai3a-af4 #abia ,matt4 #bg3ah2 ,mark #ae3aj4 #abib ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #abic ,matthew says scarlet1 ,mark and ,john say purple4 #abid ,compare ,luke #ah3cb4 #abie ,ecce ,homo4 #abif ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #abig ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #abih ,matt4 #bg3c-aj2 compare ,acts #a3af-bj4 #abii ,revised version of ,matt4 #bg3e reads1 ,and he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary instead of in the temple1 signifying that he flung the money into the ,porch of the ,holy ,house1 as distinguished from the outer and public courts4 #acjj ,acts #a3ai2 ,matt4 #bg3h4 ,note #h1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #ce4 ,,death ,,and ,,burial4 ,,on ,,the ,,way ,,to ,,calvary4#acja ,pontius ,pilate1 having reluctantly surrendered to the clamorous demands of the ,jews1 issued the fatal order2 and ,jesus1 divested of the purple robe and arrayed in ,his own apparel1 was led away to be crucified4 ,a body of ,roman soldiers had the condemned ,christ in charge2 and as the procession moved out from the governor's palace1 a motley crowd comprizing priestly officials1 rulers of the ,jews1 and people of many nationalities1 followed4 ,two convicted criminals1 who had been sentenced to the cross for robbery1 were led forth to death at the same time2 there was to be a triple execution2 and the prospective scene of horror attracted the morbidly minded1 such as delight to gloat over the sufferings of their fellows4 ,in the crowd1 however1 were some genuine mourners1 as shall be shown4 ,it was the ,roman custom to make the execution of convicts as public as possible1 under the mistaken and anti-psychological assumption1 that the spectacle of dreadful punishment would be of deterrent effect4 ,this misconception of human nature has not yet become entirely obsolete4 ,the sentence of death by crucifixion required that the condemned person carry the cross upon which he was to suffer4 ,jesus started on the way bearing ,his cross4 ,the terrible strain of the preceding hours1 the agony in ,gethsemane1 the barbarous treatment ,he had suffered in the palace of the high priest1 the humiliation and cruel usage to which ,he had been subjected before ,herod1 the frightful scourging under ,pilate's order1 the brutal treatment by the inhuman soldiery1 together with the extreme humiliation and the mental agony of it all1 had so weakened ,his physical organism that ,he moved but slowly under the burden of the cross4 ,the soldiers1 impatient at the delay1 peremptorily impressed into service a man whom they met coming into ,jerusalem from the country1 and him they compelled to carry the cross of ,jesus4 ,no ,roman or ,jew would have voluntarily incurred the ignominy of bearing such a gruesome burden2 for every detail connected with the carrying out of a sentence of crucifixion was regarded as degrading4 ,the man so forced to walk in the footsteps of ,jesus1 bearing the cross upon which the ,savior of the world was to consummate ,his glorious mission1 was ,simon1 a native of ,cyrene4 ,from ,mark's statement that ,simon was the father of ,alexander and ,rufus we infer that the two sons were known to the evangelist's readers as members of the early ,church1 and there is some indication that the household of ,simon the ,cyrenian came to be numbered with the believers4#acjb ,among those who followed or stood and watched the death-procession pass1 were some1 women particularly1 who bewailed and lamented the fate to which ,jesus was going4 ,we read of no man who ventured to raise his voice in protest or pity2 but on this dreadful occasion as at other times1 women were not afraid to cry out in commiseration or praise4 ,jesus1 who had been silent under the inquisition of the priests1 silent under the humiliating mockery of the sensual ,herod and his coarse underlings1 silent when buffeted and beaten by the brutal legionaries of ,pilate1 turned to the women whose sympathizing lamentations had reached ,his ears1 and uttered these pathetic and portentous words of admonition and warning3 ,daughters of ,jerusalem1 weep not for me1 but weep for yourselves1 and for your children4 ,for1 behold1 the days are coming1 in the which they shall say1 ,blessed are the barren1 and the wombs that never bare1 and the paps which never gave suck4 ,then shall they begin to say to the mountains1 ,fall on us2 and to the hills1 ,cover us4 ,for if they do these things in a green tree1 what shall be done in the dry8 ,it was the ,lord's last testimony of the impending holocaust of destruction that was to follow the nation's rejection of her ,king4 ,although motherhood was the glory of every ,jewish woman's life1 yet in the terrible scenes which many of those there weeping would live to witness1 barrenness would be accounted a blessing2 for the childless would have fewer to weep over1 and at least would be spared the horror of seeing their offspring die of starvation or by violence2 for so dreadful would be that day that people would fain welcome the falling of the mountains upon them to end their sufferings4#acjc ,if ,israel's oppressors could do what was then in process of doing to the ,green ,tree1 who bore the leafage of freedom and truth and offered the priceless fruit of life eternal1 what would the powers of evil not do to the withered branches and dried trunk of apostate ,judaism8 ,along the city streets1 out through the portal of the massive wall1 and thence to a place beyond but yet nigh unto ,jerusalem1 the cortege advanced4 ,the destination was a spot called ,golgotha1 or ,calvary1 meaning the place of a skull4#acjd ,,crucifixion4#acje ,at ,calvary the official crucifiers proceeded without delay to carry into effect the dread sentence pronounced upon ,jesus and upon the two criminals4 ,preparatory to affixing the condemned to the cross1 it was the custom to offer each a narcotic draught of sour wine or vinegar mingled with myrrh and possibly containing other anodyne ingredients1 for the merciful purpose of deadening the sensibility of the victim4 ,this was no ,roman practise1 but was allowed as a concession to ,jewish sentiment4 ,when the drugged cup was presented to ,jesus ,he put it to ,his lips1 but having ascertained the nature of its contents refused to drink1 and so demonstrated ,his determination to meet death with faculties alert and mind unclouded4 ,then they crucified ,him1 on the central cross of three1 and placed one of the condemned malefactors on ,his right hand1 the other on ,his left4 ,thus was realized ,isaiah's vision of the ,messiah numbered among the transgressors4#acjf ,but few details of the actual crucifixion are given us4 ,we know however that our ,lord was nailed to the cross by spikes driven through the hands and feet1 as was the ,roman method1 and not bound only by cords as was the custom in inflicting this form of punishment among some other nations4 ,death by crucifixion was at once the most lingering and most painful of all forms of execution4 ,the victim lived in ever increasing torture1 generally for many hours1 sometimes for days4 ,the spikes so cruelly driven through hands and feet penetrated and crushed sensitive nerves and quivering tendons1 yet inflicted no mortal wound4 ,the welcome relief of death came through the exhaustion caused by intense and unremitting pain1 through localized inflammation and congestion of organs incident to the strained and unnatural posture of the body4#acjg ,as the crucifiers proceeded with their awful task1 not unlikely with roughness and taunts1 for killing was their trade and to scenes of anguish they had grown callous through long familiarity1 the agonized ,sufferer1 void of resentment but full of pity for their heartlessness and capacity for cruelty1 voiced the first of the seven utterances delivered from the cross4 ,in the spirit of ,god-like mercy ,he prayed3 ,father1 forgive them2 for they know not what they do4 ,let us not attempt to fix the limits of the ,lord's mercy2 that it would be extended to all who in any degree could justly come under the blessed boon thereof ought to be a sufficing fact4 ,there is significance in the form in which this merciful benediction was expressed4 ,had the ,lord said1 ,i forgive you1 ,his gracious pardon may have been understood to be but a remission of the cruel offense against ,himself as ,one tortured under unrighteous condemnation2 but the invocation of the ,father's forgiveness was a plea for those who had brought anguish and death to the ,father's ,well ,beloved ,son1 the ,savior and ,redeemer of the world4 ,moses forgave ,miriam for her offense against himself as her brother2 but ,god alone could remit the penalty and remove the leprosy that had come upon her for having spoken against ,jehovah's high priest4#acjh ,it appears that under ,roman rule1 the clothes worn by a condemned person at the time of execution became the perquisites of the executioners4 ,the four soldiers in charge of the cross upon which the ,lord suffered distributed parts of ,his raiment among themselves2 and there remained ,his coat1#acji which was a goodly garment1 woven throughout in one piece1 without seam4 ,to rend it would be to spoil2 so the soldiers cast lots to determine who should have it2 and in this circumstance the ,gospel-writers saw a fulfilment of the psalmist's prevision3 ,they parted my garments among them1 and upon my vesture did they cast lots4#acaj ,to the cross above the head of ,jesus was affixed a title or inscription1 prepared by order of ,pilate in accordance with the custom of setting forth the name of the crucified and the nature of the offense for which he had been condemned to death4 ,in this instance the title was inscribed in three languages1 ,greek1 ,latin1 and ,hebrew1 one or more of which would be understood by every observer who could read4 ,the title so exhibited read3 ,this is ,jesus the ,king of the ,jews2 or in the more extended version given by ,john ,jesus of ,nazareth the ,king of the ,jews4#acaa ,the inscription was read by many1 for ,calvary was close to the public thoroughfare and on this holiday occasion the passers-by were doubtless numerous4 ,comment was aroused2 for1 if literally construed1 the inscription was an official declaration that the crucified ,jesus was in fact ,king of the ,jews4 ,when this circumstance was brought to the attention of the chief priests1 they excitedly appealed to the governor1 saying3 ,write not1 ,the ,king of the ,jews2 but that he said1 ,i am ,king of the ,jews4 ,pilate answered1 ,what ,i have written ,i have written4 ,pilate's action in so wording the title1 and his blunt refusal to permit an alteration1 may have been an intended rebuff to the ,jewish officials who had forced him against his judgment and will to condemn ,jesus2 possibly1 however1 the demeanor of the submissive ,prisoner1 and ,his avowal of ,kingship above all royalty of earth had impressed the mind if not the heart of the pagan governor with a conviction of ,christ's unique superiority and of ,his inherent right of dominion2 but1 whatever the purpose behind the writing1 the inscription stands in history as testimony of a heathen's consideration in contrast with ,israel's ruthless rejection of ,israel's ,king4#acab ,the soldiers whose duty it was to guard the crosses1 until loitering death would relieve the crucified of their increasing anguish1 jested among themselves1 and derided the ,christ1 pledging ,him in their cups of sour wine in tragic mockery4 ,looking at the title affixed above the ,sufferer's head1 they bellowed forth the devil-inspired challenge3 ,if thou be the king of the ,jews1 save thyself4 ,the morbid multitude1 and the passers-by railed on him1 wagging their heads1 and saying1 ,ah1 thou that destroyest the temple1 and buildest it in three days1 save thyself1 and come down from the cross4 ,but worst of all1 the chief priests and the scribes1 the elders of the people1 the unvenerable ,sanhedrists1 became ring-leaders of the inhuman mob as they gloatingly exulted and cried aloud3 ,he saved others2 himself he cannot save4 ,if he be the ,king of ,israel1 let him now come down from the cross1 and we will believe him4 ,he trusted in ,god2 let him deliver him now1 if he will have him3 for he said1 ,i am the ,son of ,god4#acac ,though uttered in ribald mockery1 the declaration of the rulers in ,israel stands as an attestation that ,christ had saved others1 and as an intended ironical but a literally true proclamation that ,he was the ,king of ,israel4 ,the two malefactors1 each hanging from his cross1 joined in the general derision1 and cast the same in his teeth4 ,one of them1 in the desperation incident to approaching death1 echoed the taunts of the priests and people3 ,if thou be ,christ1 save thyself and us4 ,the dominant note in all the railings and revilings1 the ribaldry and mockery1 with which the patient and submissive ,christ was assailed while ,he hung1 lifted up as ,he had said ,he would be1#acad was that awful ,if hurled at ,him by the devil's emissaries in the time of mortal agony2 as in the season of the temptations immediately after ,his baptism it had been most insidiously pressed upon ,him by the devil himself4#acae ,that ,if was ,satan's last shaft1 keenly barbed and doubly envenomed1 and it sped as with the fierce hiss of a viper4 ,was it possible in this the final and most dreadful stage of ,christ's mission1 to make ,him doubt ,his divine ,sonship1 or1 failing such1 to taunt or anger the dying ,savior into the use of ,his superhuman powers for personal relief or as an act of vengeance upon ,his tormentors8 ,to achieve such a victory was ,satan's desperate purpose4 ,the shaft failed4 ,through taunts and derision1 through blasphemous challenge and diabolical goading1 the agonized ,christ was silent4 ,then one of the crucified thieves1 softened into penitence by the ,savior's uncomplaining fortitude1 and perceiving in the divine ,sufferer's demeanor something more than human1 rebuked his railing fellow1 saying3 ,dost not thou fear ,god1 seeing thou art in the same condemnation8 ,and we indeed justly2 for we receive the due reward of our deeds3 but this man hath done nothing amiss4 ,his confession of guilt and his acknowledgment of the justice of his own condemnation led to incipient repentance1 and to faith in the ,lord ,jesus1 his companion in agony4 ,and he said unto ,jesus1 ,lord1 remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom4#acaf ,to the appeal of penitence the ,lord replied with such a promise as ,he alone could make3 ,verily ,i say unto thee1 ,to day shalt thou be with me in paradise4#acag ,among the spectators of this1 the greatest tragedy in history1 were some who had come in sympathy and sorrow4 ,no mention is found of the presence of any of the ,twelve1 save one1 and he1 the disciple whom ,jesus loved1 ,john the apostle1 evangelist1 and revelator2 but specific record is made of certain women who1 first at a distance1 and then close by the cross1 wept in the anguish of love and sorrow4 ,now there stood by the cross of ,jesus his mother1 and his mother's sister1 ,mary the wife of ,cleophas1 and ,mary ,magdalene4#acah ,in addition to the women named were many others1 some of whom had ministered unto ,jesus in the course of ,his labors in ,galilee1 and who were among those that had come up with ,him to ,jerusalem4#acai ,first in point of consideration among them all was ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 into whose soul the sword had pierced even as righteous ,simeon had prophesied4#acbj ,jesus looking with tender compassion upon ,his weeping mother1 as she stood with ,john at the foot of the cross1 commended her to the care and protection of the beloved disciple1 with the words1 ,woman1 behold thy son6 and to ,john1 ,behold thy mother6 ,the disciple tenderly led the heart-stricken ,mary away from her dying ,son1 and took her unto his own home1 thus immediately assuming the new relationship established by his dying ,master4 ,jesus was nailed to the cross during the forenoon of that fateful ,friday1 probably between nine and ten o'clock4#acba ,at noontide the light of the sun was obscured1 and black darkness spread over the whole land4 ,the terrifying gloom continued for a period of three hours4 ,this remarkable phenomenon has received no satisfactory explanation from science4 ,it could not have been due to a solar eclipse1 as has been suggested in ignorance1 for the time was that of full moon2 indeed the ,passover season was determined by the first occurrence of full moon after the spring equinox4 ,the darkness was brought about by miraculous operation of natural laws directed by divine power4 ,it was a fitting sign of the earth's deep mourning over the impending death of her ,creator4#acbb ,of the mortal agony through which the ,lord passed while upon the cross the ,gospel-scribes are reverently reticent4 ,at the ninth hour1 or about three in the afternoon1 a loud voice1 surpassing the most anguished cry of physical suffering issued from the central cross1 rending the dreadful darkness4 ,it was the voice of the ,christ3 ,eloi1 ,eloi1 lama sabachthani8 which is1 being interpreted1 ,my ,god1 my ,god1 why hast thou forsaken me8 ,what mind of man can fathom the significance of that awful cry8 ,it seems1 that in addition to the fearful suffering incident to crucifixion1 the agony of ,gethsemane had recurred1 intensified beyond human power to endure4 ,in that bitterest hour the dying ,christ was alone1 alone in most terrible reality4 ,that the supreme sacrifice of the ,son might be consummated in all its fulness1 the ,father seems to have withdrawn the support of ,his immediate ,presence1 leaving to the ,savior of men the glory of complete victory over the forces of sin and death4 ,the cry from the cross1 though heard by all who were near1 was understood by few4 ,the first exclamation1 ,eloi1 meaning ,my ,god1 was misunderstood as a call for ,elias4 ,the period of faintness1 the conception of utter forsakenness soon passed1 and the natural cravings of the body reasserted themselves4 ,the maddening thirst1 which constituted one of the worst of the crucifixion agonies1 wrung from the ,savior's lips ,his one recorded utterance expressive of physical suffering4 ,i thirst ,he said4 ,one of those who stood by1 whether ,roman or ,jew1 disciple or skeptic1 we are not told1 hastily saturated a sponge with vinegar1 a vessel of which was at hand1 and having fastened the sponge to the end of a reed1 or stalk of hyssop1 pressed it to the ,lord's fevered lips4 ,some others would have prevented this one act of human response1 for they said3 ,let be1 let us see whether ,elias will come to save him4 ,john affirms that ,christ uttered the exclamation1 ,i thirst1 only when ,he knew that all things were now accomplished2 and the apostle saw in the incident a fulfilment of prophecy4#acbc ,fully realizing that ,he was no longer forsaken1 but that ,his atoning sacrifice had been accepted by the ,father1 and that ,his mission in the flesh had been carried to glorious consummation1 ,he exclaimed in a loud voice of holy triumph3 ,it is finished6 ,in reverence1 resignation1 and relief1 ,he addressed the ,father saying3 ,father1 into thy hands ,i commend my spirit4#acbd ,he bowed ,his head1 and voluntarily gave up ,his life4 ,jesus the ,christ was dead4 ,his life had not been taken from ,him except as ,he had willed to permit4 ,sweet and welcome as would have been the relief of death in any of the earlier stages of ,his suffering from ,gethsemane to the cross1 ,he lived until all things were accomplished as had been appointed4 ,in the latter days the voice of the ,lord ,jesus has been heard affirming the actuality of ,his suffering and death1 and the eternal purpose thereby accomplished4 ,hear and heed ,his words3 ,for1 behold1 the ,lord your ,redeemer suffered death in the flesh2 wherefore he suffered the pain of all men1 that all men might repent and come unto him4#acbe ,,important ,,occurrences ,,between ,,the ,,lord',s ,,death ,,and ,,burial4 ,the death of ,christ was accompanied by terrifying phenomena4 ,there was a violent earthquake2 the rocks of the mighty hills were disrupted1 and many graves were torn open4 ,but1 most portentous of all in ,judaistic minds1 the veil of the temple which hung between the ,holy ,place and the ,holy of ,holies#acbf was rent from top to bottom1 and the interior1 which none but the high priest had been permitted to see1 was thrown open to common gaze4 ,it was the rending of ,judaism1 the consummation of the ,mosaic dispensation1 and the inauguration of ,christianity under apostolic administration4 ,the ,roman centurion and the soldiers under his command at the place of execution were amazed and greatly affrighted4 ,they had probably witnessed many deaths on the cross1 but never before had they seen a man apparently die of his own volition1 and able to cry in a loud voice at the moment of dissolution4 ,that barbarous and inhuman mode of execution induced slow and progressive exhaustion4 ,the actual death of ,jesus appeared to all who were present to be a miracle1 as in fact it was4 ,this marvel1 coupled with the earthquake and its attendant horrors1 so impressed the centurion that he prayed to ,god1 and solemnly declared3 ,certainly this was a righteous man4 ,others joined in fearsome averment3 ,truly this was the ,son of ,god4 ,the terrified ones who spoke and those who heard left the place in a state of fear1 beating their breasts1 and bewailing what seemed to be a state of impending destruction4#acbg ,a few loving women1 however1 watched from a distant point1 and saw all that took place until the ,lord's body was laid away4 ,it was now late in the afternoon2 at sunset the ,sabbath would begin4 ,that approaching ,sabbath was held to be more than ordinarily sacred for it was a high day1 in that it was the weekly ,sabbath and a paschal holy day4#acbh ,the ,jewish officials1 who had not hesitated to slay their ,lord1 were horrified at the thought of men left hanging on crosses on such a day1 for thereby the land would be defiled2#acbi so these scrupulous rulers went to ,pilate and begged that ,jesus and the two malefactors be summarily dispatched by the brutal ,roman method of breaking their legs1 the shock of which violent treatment had been found to be promptly fatal to the crucified4 ,the governor gave his consent1 and the soldiers broke the limbs of the two thieves with cudgels4 ,jesus1 however1 was found to be already dead1 so they broke not ,his bones4 ,christ1 the great ,passover sacrifice1 of whom all altar victims had been but suggestive prototypes1 died through violence yet without a bone of ,his body being broken1 as was a prescribed condition of the slain paschal lambs4#accj ,one of the soldiers1 to make sure that ,jesus was actually dead1 or to surely kill ,him if ,he was yet alive1 drove a spear into ,his side1 making a wound large enough to permit a man's hand to be thrust thereinto4#acca ,the withdrawal of the spear was followed by an outflow of blood and water1#accb an occurrence so surprizing that ,john1 who was an eye-witness1 bears specific personal testimony to the fact1 and cites the scriptures thereby fulfilled4#accc ,,the ,,burial4#accd ,a man known as ,joseph of ,arimathea1 who was at heart a disciple of ,christ1 but who had hesitated to openly confess his conversion through fear of the ,jews1 desired to give the ,lord's body a decent and honorable interment4 ,but for some such divinely directed intervention1 the body of ,jesus might have been cast into the common grave of executed criminals4 ,this man1 ,joseph1 was a counsellor2 and he was a good man1 and a just4 ,it is expressly said of him that he had not consented to the counsel and deed of them2 from which statement we infer that he was a ,sanhedrist and had been opposed to the action of his colleagues in condemning ,jesus to death1 or at least had refrained from voting with the rest4 ,joseph was a man of wealth1 station1 and influence4 ,he went in boldly unto ,pilate and begged the body of ,christ4 ,the governor was surprized to learn that ,jesus was already dead2 he summoned the centurion and inquired as to how long ,jesus had lived on the cross4 ,the unusual circumstance seems to have added to ,pilate's troubled concern4 ,he gave command and the body of ,christ was delivered to ,joseph4 ,the body was removed from the cross2 and in preparing it for the tomb ,joseph was assisted by ,nicodemus1 another member of the ,sanhedrin1 the same who had come to ,jesus by night three years before1 and who at one of the conspiracy meetings of the council had protested against the unlawful condemnation of ,jesus without a hearing4#acce ,nicodemus brought a large quantity of myrrh and aloes1 about a hundredweight4 ,the odorous mixture was highly esteemed for anointing and embalming1 but its cost restricted its use to the wealthy4 ,these two revering disciples wrapped the ,lord's body in clean linen1 with the spices1 as the manner of the ,jews is to bury2 and then laid it in a new sepulchre1 hewn in the rock4 ,the tomb was in a garden1 not far from ,calvary1 and was the property of ,joseph4 ,because of the nearness of the ,sabbath the interment had to be made with haste2 the door of the sepulchre was closed1 a large stone was rolled against it2#accf and thus laid away the body was left to rest4 ,some of the devoted women1 particularly ,mary ,magdalene1 and the other ,mary1 who was the mother of ,james and ,joses1 had watched the entombment from a distance2 and when it was completed they returned1 and prepared spices and ointments2 and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment4 ,,the ,,sepulchre ,,guarded4#accg ,on the day following the preparation1 that is to say on ,saturday1 the ,sabbath and high-day1#acch the chief priests and ,pharisees came in a body to ,pilate1 saying3 ,sir1 we remember that that deceiver said1 while he was yet alive1 ,after three days ,i will rise again4 ,command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day1 lest his disciples come by night1 and steal him away1 and say unto the people1 ,he is risen from the dead3 so the last error shall be worse than the first4 ,it is evident that the most inveterate of the human enemies of ,christ remembered ,his predictions of an assured resurrection on the third day after ,his death4 ,pilate answered with terse assent3 ,ye have a watch3 go your way1 make it as sure as ye can4 ,so the chief priests and ,pharisees satisfied themselves that the sepulchre was secure by seeing that the official seal was affixed at the junction of the great stone and the portal1 and that an armed guard was placed in charge4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ce4 #a4 ,simon the ,cyrenian4--,simon1 upon whom the cross of ,jesus was laid1 was a member of the ,jewish colony in northern ,africa1 which had been established nearly three centuries before the birth of ,christ by ,ptolemeus ,lagi1 who transported thither great numbers of ,jews from ,palestine 7,josephus1 ,antiquities1 xii1 chap4 #a74 ,cyrene1 the home of ,simon1 was in the province of ,libya2 its site is within the present boundaries of ,tunis4 ,that the ,african ,jews were numerous and influential is evidenced by the fact that they maintained a synagog in ,jerusalem 7,acts #f3i7 for the accommodation of such of their number as visited the city4 ,rufus and his mother are mentioned in friendly reference by ,paul over a quarter of a century after the death of ,christ 7,romans #af3ac74 ,if this ,rufus be one of the sons of ,simon named by ,mark 7#ae3ba71 as tradition indicates1 it is probable that ,simon's family was prominently identified with the ,primitive ,church4 ,as to whether ,simon had become a disciple before the crucifixion1 or was converted through his compulsory service in bearing the ,lord's cross1 or became a member of the ,church at a later date1 we are not definitely told4 #b4 ,christ's ,words to the ,daughters of ,jerusalem4--,the time would come1 when the ,old ,testament curse of barrenness 7,hosea #i3ad7 would be coveted as a blessing4 ,to show the fulfilment of this prophetic lament of ,jesus it is not necessary to recall the harrowing details recorded by ,josephus 7,wars1 vi1 #c3d71 when a frenzied mother roasted her own child1 and in the mockery of desperateness reserved the half of the horrible meal for those murderers who daily broke in upon her to rob her of what scanty food had been left her2 nor yet other of those incidents1 too revolting for needless repetition1 which the historian of the last siege of ,jerusalem chronicles4 ,but how often1 these many centuries1 must ,israel's women have felt that terrible longing for childlessness1 and how often must the prayer of despair for the quick death of falling mountains and burying hills rather than prolonged torture 7,hosea #aj3h71 have risen to the lips of ,israel's sufferers6 ,and yet1 even so1 these words were also prophetic of a still more terrible future 7,rev4 #f3aj74 ,for1 if ,israel had put such flame to its 'green tree' how terribly would the divine judgment burn among the dry wood of an apostate and rebellious people1 that had so delivered up its ,divine ,king1 and pronounced sentence upon itself by pronouncing it upon ,him6--,edersheim1 ,life and ,times of ,jesus the ,messiah vol4 #b1 p4 #ehh4 ,concerning the prayer that mountains fall to crush and hide1 ,farrar 7,life of ,christ1 p4 #fde1 note71 says3 ,these words of ,christ met with a painfully literal illustration when hundreds of the unhappy ,jews at the siege of ,jerusalem hid themselves in the darkest and vilest subterranean recesses1 and when1 besides those who were hunted out1 no less than two thousand were killed by being buried under the ruins of their hiding places4 ,a further fulfilment may be yet future4 ,consult ,josephus1 ,wars1 vi4 #i3d4 ,see also ,hos4 #i3ab-af2 #aj3h2 ,isa4 #b3aj2 compare ,rev4 #f3af4 #c4 ,the ,place of a ,skull4--,the ,aramaic ,hebrew name ,golgotha1 the ,greek ,kranion1 and the ,latin ,calvaria or1 as ,anglicized1 ,calvary1 have the same meaning1 and connote a skull4 ,the name may have been applied with reference to topographical features1 as we speak of the brow of a hill2 or1 if the spot was the usual place of execution1 it may have been so called as expressive of death1 just as we call a skull a death's head4 ,it is probable that the bodies of executed convicts were buried near the place of death2 and if ,golgotha or ,calvary was the appointed site for execution1 the exposure of skulls and other human bones through the ravages of beasts and by other means1 would not be surprizing2 though the leaving of bodies or any of their parts unburied was contrary to ,jewish law and sentiment4 ,the origin of the name is of as little importance as are the many divergent suppositions concerning the exact location of the spot4 #d4 ,crucifixion4--,it was unanimously considered the most horrible form of death4 ,among the ,romans also the degradation was a part of the infliction1 and the punishment if applied to freeman was only used in the case of the vilest criminals4444 ,the criminal carried his own cross1 or at any rate a part of it4 ,hence1 figuratively1 to take1 take up or bear one's cross is to endure suffering1 affliction1 or shame like a criminal on his way to the place of crucifixion 7,matt4 #aj3ch2 #af3bd2 ,luke #ad3bg1 etc474 ,the place of execution was outside the city 7#a ,kings #ba3ac2 ,acts #g3eh2 ,heb4 #ac3ab71 often in some public road or other conspicuous place4 ,arrived at the place of execution1 the sufferer was stripped naked1 the dress being the perquisite of the soldiers 7,matt4 #bg3ce74 ,the cross was then driven into the ground1 so that the feet of the condemned were a foot or two above the earth1 and he was lifted upon it2 or else stretched upon it on the ground and then lifted with it4 ,it was the custom to station soldiers to watch the cross1 so as to prevent the removal of the sufferer while yet alive4 ,this was necessary from the lingering character of the death1 which sometimes did not supervene even for three days1 and was at last the result of gradual benumbing and starvation4 ,but for this guard1 the persons might have been taken down and recovered1 as was actually done in the case of a friend of ,josephus4444 ,in most cases the body was suffered to rot on the cross by the action of sun and rain1 or to be devoured by birds and beasts4 ,sepulture was generally therefore forbidden2 but in consequence of ,deut4 #ba3bb1 #bc1 an express national exception was made in favor of the ,jews 7,matt4 #bg3eh74 ,this accursed and awful mode of punishment was happily abolished by ,constantine4 ,smith's ,bible ,dict4 #e4 ,pilate's ,inscription--,the ,king of the ,jews4--,no two of the ,gospel-writers give the same wording of the title or inscription placed by ,pilate's order above the head of ,jesus on the cross2 the meaning1 however1 is the same in all1 and the unessential variation is evidence of individual liberty among the recorders4 ,it is probable that there was actual diversity in the trilingual versions4 ,john's version is followed in the common abbreviations used in connection with ,roman ,catholic figures of ,christ3 ,j4 ,n4 ,r4 ,j42 or1 inasmuch as ,i used to be an ordinary equivalent of ,j1--,i4 ,n4 ,r4 ,i4--,jesus of ,nazareth1 ,king ,rex of the ,jews4 #f4 ,the ,women at the ,cross4--,according to the authorized version and revised version1 only three women are named1 but most modern critics hold that four are intended4 ,translate1 therefore1 ',his mother1 and ,his mother's sister1 7i4e4 ,salome1 the mother of the evangelist ,john72 and ,mary the wife of ,cleophas2 and ,mary ,magdalene4'--,taken from ,dummelow's commentary on ,john #ai3be4 #g4 ,the ,hour of the ,crucifixion4--,mark 7#ae3be7 says3 ,and it was the third hour and they crucified him2 the time so specified corresponds to the hour from #i to #aj a4m4 ,this writer and his fellow synoptists1 ,matthew and ,luke1 give place to many incidents that occurred between the nailing of ,christ to the cross and the sixth hour or the hour from #ab noon to #a p4m4 ,from these several accounts it is clear that ,jesus was crucified during the forenoon4 ,a discrepancy plainly appears between these records and ,john's statement 7#ai3ad7 that it was about the sixth hour 7noon7 when ,pilate gave the sentence of execution4 ,all attempts to harmonize the accounts in this particular have proved futile because the discrepancy is real4 ,most critics and commentators assume that about the sixth hour in ,john's account is a misstatement1 due to the errors of early copyists of the manuscript ,gospels1 who mistook the sign meaning #crd for that signifying #fth4 #h4 ,the ,physical ,cause of ,christ's ,death4--,while1 as stated in the text1 the yielding up of life was voluntary on the part of ,jesus ,christ1 for ,he had life in ,himself and no man could take ,his life except as ,he willed to allow it to be taken1 7,john #a3d2 #e3bf2 #aj3ae-ah7 there was of necessity a direct physical cause of dissolution4 ,as stated also the crucified sometimes lived for days upon the cross1 and death resulted1 not from the infliction of mortal wounds1 but from internal congestion1 inflammations1 organic disturbances1 and consequent exhaustion of vital energy4 ,jesus1 though weakened by long torture during the preceding night and early morning1 by the shock of the crucifixion itself1 as also by intense mental agony1 and particularly through spiritual suffering such as no other man has ever endured1 manifested surprizing vigor1 both of mind and body1 to the last4 ,the strong1 loud utterance1 immediately following which ,he bowed ,his head and gave up the ghost1 when considered in connection with other recorded details1 points to a physical rupture of the heart as the direct cause of death4 ,if the soldier's spear was thrust into the left side of the ,lord's body and actually penetrated the heart1 the outrush of blood and water observed by ,john is further evidence of a cardiac rupture2 for it is known that in the rare instances of death resulting from a breaking of any part of the wall of the heart1 blood accumulates within the pericardium1 and there undergoes a change by which the corpuscles separate as a partially clotted mass from the almost colorless1 watery serum4 ,similar accumulations of clotted corpuscles and serum occur within the pleura4 ,dr4 ,abercrombie of ,edinburgh1 as cited by ,deems 7,light of the ,nations1 p4 #fhb71 gives a case of the sudden death of a man aged seventy-seven years1 owing to a rupture of the heart4 ,in his case 'the cavities of the pleura contained about three pounds of fluid1 but the lungs were sound4' ,deems also cites the following instance3 ,dr4 ,elliotson relates the case of a woman who died suddenly4 ',on opening the body the pericardium was found distended with clear serum1 and a very large coagulum of blood1 which had escaped through a spontaneous rupture of the aorta near its origin1 without any other morbid appearance4' ,many cases might be cited1 but these suffice4 ,for detailed treatment of the subject the student may be referred to ,dr4 ,wm4 ,stroud's work ,on the ,physical ,cause of the ,death of ,christ4 ,great mental stress1 poignant emotion either of grief or joy1 and intense spiritual struggle are among the recognized causes of heart rupture4 ,the present writer believes that the ,lord ,jesus died of a broken heart4 ,the psalmist sang in dolorous measure according to his inspired prevision of the ,lord's passion3 ,reproach hath broken my heart2 and ,i am full of heaviness3 and ,i looked for some to take pity1 but there was none2 and for comforters1 but ,i found none4 ,they gave me also gall for my meat2 and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink4 7,psalm #fi3bj1 #ba2 see also #bb3ad47 #i4 ,the ,request that ,christ's ,tomb be ,sealed4--,many critics hold that the deputation called upon ,pilate on ,saturday evening1 after the ,sabbath had ended4 ,this assumption is made on the ground that to do what these priestly officials did1 in personally supervizing the sealing of the tomb1 would have been to incur defilement1 and that they would not have so done on the ,sabbath4 ,matthew's statement is definite--that the application was made on the next day1 that followed the day of the preparation4 ,the preparation day extended from sunset on ,thursday to the beginning of the ,sabbath at sunset on ,friday4 ,,footnotes3 #acja ,matt4 #bg3ca-cc2 ,mark #ae3bj-bb2 ,luke #bc3bf-cc2 ,john3 #af1 #ag4 #acjb ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #acjc ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #acjd ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #acje ,matt4 #bg3cd-ej2 ,mark #ae3bc-cg2 ,luke #bc3cc-df2 ,john #ai3ah-cj4 #acjf ,isa4 #ec3ab2 compare ,mark #ae3bh2 ,luke #bb3cg4 #acjg ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #acjh ,numb4 #ab4 #acji ,revised version1 marginal reading1 tunic4 #acaj ,matt4 #bg3ce2 ,mark #ae3bd2 ,luke #bc3cd2 ,john #ai3bc1bd2 compare ,psa4 #bb3ah4 #acaa ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #acab ,pages #he and #hi4 #acac ,matt4 #bg3db1 #dc4 ,the clause if he be the ,king of ,israel in verse #db of the common text is admittedly a mistranslation2 it should read ,he is the ,king of ,israel4 ,see revised version2 also ,edersheim1 vol4 #b1 p4 #eif2 compare ,mark #ae3cb4 #acad ,john #c3ad2 #h3bh2 #ab3cb4 #acae ,matt4 #d3c1 #f2 see pages #acj1 #acg herein4 #acaf ,luke #bc3db2 the revised version reads when thou comest in thy kingdom4 #acag ,see chapter #cf1 following4 #acah ,john #ai3be2 compare ,matt4 #bg3ee1 #ef2 ,mark #ae3dj1 #da2 ,luke #bc3dh1 #di4 ,see ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #acai ,see references last cited2 and ,luke #h3b1 #c2 also page #bfd herein4 #acbj ,luke #b3cd1 #ce2 page #ig herein4 #acba ,mark #ae3be2 see ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #acbb ,compare ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #g3cg1 #dj1 #dh1 #di1 #ef4 #acbc ,john #ai3bh2 compare ,psa4 #fi3ba4 #acbd ,the ,gospel writers leave us in some uncertainty as to which of the last two utterances from the cross4--,it is finished1 and ,father1 into thy hands ,i commend my spirit1 was spoken first4 #acbe ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ah3aa2 revelation given in ,june #ahbi2 see also #ai3af-ai1 and page #fac herein4 #acbf ,see ,the ,house of the ,lord1 pages #ei1 #fj4 #acbg ,matt4 #bg3ea-ed2 ,mark #ae3ch1 #ci2 ,luke #bc3dg-di4 #acbh ,john #ai3ca-cg4 #acbi ,deut4 #ba3bc4 #accj ,exo4 #ab3df2 ,numb4 #i3ab2 ,psa4 #cd3bj2 ,john #ai3cf2 #a ,cor4 #e3g4 #acca ,john #bj3bg2 ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #aa3ad1 #ae4 #accb ,note #h1 end of chapter4 #accc ,john #ai3cd-cg2 compare ,psa4 #bb3af1 #ag2 ,zech4 #ab3aj2 ,rev4 #a3g4 #accd ,matt4 #bg3eg-fa2 ,mark #ae3db-dg2 ,luke #bc3ej-ef2 ,john #ai3ch-db4 #acce ,john #c3a1 #b2 #g3ej2 see pages #aeh and #djd herein4 #accf ,see revised version1 ,mark #ae3df4 #accg ,matt4 #bg3fb-ff4 #acch ,note #i1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #cf4 ,,in ,,the ,,realm ,,of ,,disembodied ,,spirits4 ,jesus the ,christ died in the literal sense in which all men die4 ,he underwent a physical dissolution by which ,his immortal spirit was separated from ,his body of flesh and bones1 and that body was actually dead4 ,while the corpse lay in ,joseph's rock-hewn tomb1 the living ,christ existed as a disembodied ,spirit4 ,we are justified in inquiring where ,he was and what were ,his activities during the interval between ,his death on the cross and ,his emergence from the sepulchre with spirit and body reunited1 a resurrected ,soul4 ,the assumption that most naturally suggests itself is that ,he went where the spirits of the dead ordinarily go2 and that1 in the sense in which while in the flesh ,he had been a ,man among men1 ,he was1 in the disembodied state a ,spirit among spirits4 ,this conception is confirmed as a fact by scriptural attestation4 ,as heretofore shown#acci ,jesus ,christ was the chosen and ordained ,redeemer and ,savior of mankind2 to this exalted mission ,he had been set apart in the beginning1 even before the earth was prepared as the abode of mankind4 ,unnumbered hosts who had never heard the gospel1 lived and died upon the earth before the birth of ,jesus4 ,of those departed myriads many had passed their mortal probation with varying degrees of righteous observance of the law of ,god so far as it had been made known unto them1 but had died in unblamable ignorance of the gospel2 while other multitudes had lived and died as transgressors even against such moiety of ,god's law to man as they had learned and such as they had professed to obey4 ,death had claimed as its own all of these1 both just and unjust4 ,to them went the ,christ1 bearing the transcendently glorious tidings of redemption from the bondage of death1 and of possible salvation from the effects of individual sin4 ,this labor was part of the ,savior's foreappointed and unique service to the human family4 ,the shout of divine exultation from the cross1 ,it is finished1 signified the consummation of the ,lord's mission in mortality2 yet there remained to ,him other ministry to be rendered prior to ,his return to the ,father4 ,to the penitent transgressor crucified by ,his side1 who reverently craved remembrance when the ,lord should come into ,his kingdom1#acdj ,christ had given the comforting assurance3 ,verily ,i say unto thee1 ,today shalt thou be with me in paradise4 ,the spirit of ,jesus and the spirit of the repentant thief left their crucified bodies and went to the same place in the realm of the departed4#acda ,on the third day following1 ,jesus1 then a resurrected ,being1 positively stated to the weeping ,magdalene3 ,i am not yet ascended to my ,father4 ,he had gone to paradise but not to the place where ,god dwells4 ,paradise1 therefore1 is not ,heaven1 if by the latter term we understand the abode of the ,eternal ,father and ,his celestialized children4#acdb ,paradise is a place where dwell righteous and repentant spirits between bodily death and resurrection4 ,another division of the spirit world is reserved for those disembodied beings who have lived lives of wickedness and who remain impenitent even after death4 ,alma1 a ,nephite prophet1 thus spake of the conditions prevailing among the departed3 ,now concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection4 ,behold1 it has been made known unto me1 by an angel1 that the spirits of all men1 as soon as they are departed from this mortal body2 yea1 the spirits of all men1 whether they be good or evil1 are taken home to that ,god who gave them life4 ,and then shall it come to pass that the spirits of those who are righteous1 are received into a state of happiness1 which is called paradise2 a state of rest2 a state of peace1 where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care1 and sorrow1 c4 ,and then shall it come to pass1 that the spirits of the wicked1 yea1 who are evil2 for behold1 they have no part nor portion of the ,spirit of the ,lord2 for behold1 they chose evil works rather than good2 therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them1 and take possession of their house2 and these shall be cast out into outer darkness2 there shall be weeping1 and wailing1 and gnashing of teeth2 and this because of their own iniquity2 being led captive by the will of the devil4 ,now this is the state of the souls of the wicked3 yea1 in darkness1 and a state of awful1 fearful1 looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of ,god upon them2 thus they remain in this state1 as well as the righteous in paradise1 until the time of their resurrection4#acdc ,while divested of ,his body ,christ ministered among the departed1 both in paradise and in the prison realm where dwelt in a state of durance the spirits of the disobedient4 ,to this effect testified ,peter nearly three decades after the great event3 ,for ,christ also hath once suffered for sins1 the just for the unjust1 that he might bring us to ,god1 being put to death in the flesh1 but quickened by the ,spirit3 ,by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison2 ,which sometime were disobedient1 when once the longsuffering of ,god waited in the days of ,noah1 while the ark was a preparing1 wherein few1 that is1 eight souls were saved by water4#acdd ,the disobedient who had lived on earth in the ,noachian period are especially mentioned as beneficiaries of the ,lord's ministry in the spirit world4 ,they had been guilty of gross offenses1 and had wantonly rejected the teachings and admonitions of ,noah1 the earthly minister of ,jehovah4 ,for their flagrant sin they had been destroyed in the flesh1 and their spirits had endured in a condition of imprisonment1 without hope1 from the time of their death to the advent of ,christ1 who came as a ,spirit amongst them4 ,we are not to assume from ,peter's illustrative mention of the disobedient antediluvians that they alone were included in the blessed opportunities offered through ,christ's ministry in the spirit realm2 on the contrary1 we conclude in reason and consistency that all whose wickedness in the flesh had brought their spirits into the prison house were sharers in the possibilities of expiation1 repentance1 and release4 ,justice demanded that the gospel be preached among the dead as it had been and was to be yet more widely preached among the living4 ,let us consider the further affirmation of ,peter1 as part of his pastoral admonition to the members of the ,primitive ,church3 ,who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead4 ,for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead1 that they might be judged according to men in the flesh1 but live according to ,god in the spirit4#acde ,that ,jesus knew1 while yet in the body1 that ,his mission as the universal ,redeemer and ,savior of the race would not be complete when ,he came to die is sufficiently demonstrated by ,his words to the casuistical ,jews1 following the ,sabbath day healing at ,bethesda3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,the hour is coming1 and now is1 when the dead shall hear the voice of the ,son of ,god3 and they that hear shall live4 ,for as the ,father hath life in himself2 so hath he given to the ,son to have life in himself2 and hath given him authority to execute judgment also1 because he is the ,son of man4 ,marvel not at this3 for the hour is coming1 in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice1 and shall come forth2 they that have done good1 unto the resurrection of life2 and they that have done evil1 unto the resurrection of damnation4#acdf ,the solemn truth1 that through the atonement of ,christ salvation would be made possible to the dead as well as to the living1 was revealed to the prophets centuries before the meridian of time4 ,isaiah was permitted to foresee the fate of the ungodly1 and the state prepared for haughty and rebellious offenders against righteousness2 but the dread vision was in part brightened by the deliverance that had been provided4 ,and it shall come to pass in that day1 that the ,lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high1 and the kings of the earth upon the earth4 ,and they shall be gathered together1 as prisoners are gathered in the pit1 and shall be shut up in the prison1 and after many days shall they be visited4#acdg ,to the same mighty prophet was shown the universality of the ,savior's atoning victory1 as comprizing the redemption of ,jew and ,gentile1 living and dead2 and convincingly he voiced the word of revelation3 ,thus saith ,god the ,lord1 he that created the heavens1 and stretched them out2 he that spread forth the earth1 and that which cometh out of it2 he that giveth breath unto the people upon it1 and spirit to them that walk therein3 ,i the ,lord have called thee in righteousness1 and will hold thine hand1 and will keep thee1 and give thee for a covenant of the people1 for a light of the ,gentiles2 to open the blind eyes1 to bring out the prisoners from the prison1 and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house4#acdh ,david1 singing the praises of the ,redeemer whose dominion should extend even to the souls in hell1 shouted in joy at the prospect of deliverance3 ,therefore my heart is glad1 and my glory rejoiceth3 my flesh also shall rest in hope4 ,for thou wilt not leave my soul in hell2 neither wilt thou suffer thine ,holy ,one to see corruption4 ,thou wilt shew me the path of life3 in thy presence is fulness of joy2 at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore4#acdi ,from these and other scriptures it is evident that the ministry of ,christ among the disembodied was foreseen1 predicted1 and accomplished4 ,the fact that the gospel was preached to the dead necessarily implies the possibility of the dead accepting the same and availing themselves of the saving opportunities thereof4 ,in the merciful providence of the ,almighty1 provision has been made for vicarious service by the living for the dead1 in the ordinances essential to salvation2 so that all who in the spirit-world accept the word of ,god as preached to them1 develop true faith in ,jesus ,christ as the one and only ,savior1 and contritely repent of their transgressions1 shall be brought under the saving effect of baptism by water for the remission of sins1 and be recipients of the baptism of the ,spirit or the bestowal of the ,holy ,ghost4#acej ,paul cites the principle and practise of baptism by the living for the dead as proof of the actuality of the resurrection3 ,else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead1 if the dead rise not at all8 why are they then baptized for the dead8#acea ,free agency1 the divine birthright of every human soul1 will not be annulled by death4 ,only as the spirits of the dead become penitent and faithful will they be benefited by the vicarious service rendered in their behalf on earth4 ,missionary labor among the dead was inaugurated by the ,christ2 who of us can doubt that it has been continued by ,his authorized servants1 the disembodied1 who while in the flesh had been commissioned to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof through ordination in the ,holy ,priesthood8 ,that the faithful apostles who were left to build up the ,church on earth following the departure of its divine ,founder1 that other ministers of the word of ,god ordained to the ,priesthood by authority in the ,primitive as well as in the ,latter-day ,church1 have passed from ministerial service among mortals to a continuation of such labor among the disembodied1 is so abundantly implied in scripture as to be made a certainty4 ,they are called to follow in the footsteps of the ,master1 ministering here among the living1 and beyond among the dead4 ,the victory of ,christ over death and sin would be incomplete were its effects confined to the small minority who have heard1 accepted1 and lived the gospel of salvation in the flesh4 ,compliance with the laws and ordinances of the gospel is essential to salvation4 ,nowhere in scripture is a distinction made in this regard between the living and the dead4 ,the dead are those who have lived in mortality upon earth2 the living are mortals who yet shall pass through the ordained change which we call death4 ,all are children of the same ,father1 all to be judged and rewarded or punished by the same unerring justice1 with the same interposition of benign mercy4 ,christ's atoning sacrifice was offered1 not alone for the few who lived upon the earth while ,he was in the flesh1 nor for those who were to be born in mortality after ,his death1 but for all inhabitants of earth then past1 present1 and future4 ,he was ordained of the ,father to be a judge of both quick and dead2#aceb ,he is ,lord alike of living and dead1#acec as men speak of dead and living1 though all are to be placed in the same position before ,him2 there will be but a single class1 for all live unto ,him4#aced ,while ,his body reposed in the tomb1 ,christ was actively engaged in the further accomplishment of the ,father's purposes1 by offering the boon of salvation to the dead1 both in paradise and in hell4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #cf4 #a4 ,paradise4--,the scriptures prove that at the time of the final judgment every man will stand before the bar of ,god1 clothed in his resurrected body1 and this1 irrespective of his condition of righteousness or guilt4 ,while awaiting resurrection1 disembodied spirits exist in an intermediate state1 of happiness and rest or of suffering and suspense1 according to the course they have elected to follow in mortality4 ,reference to paradise as the abode of righteous spirits between the time of death and that of the resurrection is made by the prophet ,nephi 7#b ,nephi #i3ac71 by a later prophet of the same name 7#d ,nephi #ad71 by ,moroni 7,moroni #aj3cd72 as also by ,alma whose words are quoted in the text 7,alma #dj3ab1 #ad74 ,new ,testament scripture is of analogous import 7,luke #bc3dc2 #b ,cor4 #ab3d2 ,rev4 #b3g74 ,the word paradise by its derivation through the ,greek from the ,persian1 signifies a pleasant place1 or a place of restful enjoyment4 7,see ,the ,articles of ,faith1 xxi1 note #e74 ,by many the terms hades and sheol are understood to designate the place of departed spirits1 comprizing both paradise and the prison realm2 by others the terms are applied only to the latter1 the place of the wicked1 which is apart from paradise1 the abode of the just4 ,the assumption that the gracious assurance given by ,christ to the penitent sinner on the cross was a remission of the man's sins1 and a passport into heaven1 is wholly contrary to both the letter and spirit of scripture1 reason1 and justice4 ,confidence in the efficacy of death-bed professions and confessions on the basis of this incident is of the most insecure foundation4 ,the crucified malefactor manifested both faith and repentance2 his promised blessing was that he should that day hear the gospel preached in paradise2 in the acceptance or rejection of the word of life he would be an agent unto himself4 ,the requirement of obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel as an essential to salvation was not waived1 suspended1 or superseded in his case4 #b4 ,the ,scripture ,relating to ,christ ,among the ,spirits in ,prison4--,the revised version of #a ,peter #c3ah-bj reads3 ,because ,christ also suffered for sins once1 the righteous for the unrighteous1 that he might bring us to ,god2 being put to death in the flesh1 but quickened in the spirit2 in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison1 which aforetime were disobedient1 when the longsuffering of ,god waited in the days of ,noah1 while the ark was a preparing1 wherein few1 that is eight souls were saved through water4 ,this is regarded by scholars as a closer approach to accuracy in translation than the common version4 ,certain important differences between the two versions will appear to the studious reader4 ,the common version of the latter part of verse #ah and the whole of verse #ai reads3 being put to death in the flesh1 but quickened by the spirit3 ,by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison4 ,the revised text expresses the true thought that ,christ was quickened1 that is to say1 was active1 in ,his own spirit state1 although ,his body was inert and in reality dead at the time2 and that in that disembodied state ,he went and preached to the disobedient spirits4 ,the later reading fixes the time of our ,lord's ministry among the departed as the interval between ,his death and resurrection4 ,,footnotes3 #acci ,chapters #b and #c herein4 #acdj ,page #fei4 #acda ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #acdb ,note the distinction made by ,paul #b ,cor4 #ab3b-d4 #acdc ,b4 of ,m41 ,alma #dj3aa-ad4 #acdd #a ,peter #c3ah-bj2 see ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #acde #a ,peter #d3e1 #f4 ,see ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #acdf ,john #e3be-bi2 see also page #baj herein4 #acdg ,isa4 #bd3ba1 #bb4 #acdh ,isa4 #db3e-g4 #acdi ,psalm #af3i-aa4 #acej ,see page #abd herein2 also ,the ,articles of ,faith1 vii3#ah-cc2 and ,the ,house of the ,lord1 pages #fc-ic4 #acea #a ,cor4 #ae3bi2 see also ,house of the ,lord1 p4 #ib4 #aceb ,acts #aj3db2 #b ,tim4 #d3a2 #a ,peter #d3e4 #acec ,rom4 #ad3i4 #aced ,luke #bj3cf1 #ch2 ,the ,articles of ,faith1 vii3#ah4 ,,chapter #cg4 ,,the ,,resurrection ,,and ,,the ,,ascension4 ,,christ ,,is ,,risen4 ,saturday1 the ,jewish ,sabbath1 had passed1 and the night preceding the dawn of the most memorable ,sunday in history was well nigh spent1 while the ,roman guard kept watch over the sealed sepulchre wherein lay the body of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,while it was yet dark1 the earth began to quake2 an angel of the ,lord descended in glory1 rolled back the massive stone from the portal of the tomb1 and sat upon it4 ,his countenance was brilliant as the lightning1 and his raiment was as the driven snow for whiteness4 ,the soldiers1 paralyzed with fear1 fell to the earth as dead men4 ,when they had partially recovered from their fright1 they fled from the place in terror4 ,even the rigor of ,roman discipline1 which decreed summary death to every soldier who deserted his post1 could not deter them4 ,moreover1 there was nothing left for them to guard2 the seal of authority had been broken1 the sepulchre was open1 and empty4#acee ,at the earliest indication of dawn1 the devoted ,mary ,magdalene and other faithful women set out for the tomb1 bearing spices and ointments which they had prepared for the further anointing of the body of ,jesus4 ,some of them had been witnesses of the burial1 and were conscious of the necessary haste with which the corpse had been wrapped with spicery and laid away by ,joseph and ,nicodemus1 just before the beginning of the ,sabbath2 and now these adoring women came early to render loving service in a more thorough anointing and external embalmment of the body4 ,on the way as they sorrowfully conversed1 they seemingly for the first time thought of the difficulty of entering the tomb4 ,who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre8 they asked one of another4 ,evidently they knew nothing of the seal and the guard of soldiery4 ,at the tomb they saw the angel1 and were afraid2 but he said unto them3 ,fear not ye3 for ,i know that ye seek ,jesus1 which was crucified4 ,he is not here3 for he is risen1 as he said4 ,come1 see the place where the ,lord lay4 ,and go quickly1 and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead2 and1 behold1 he goeth before you into ,galilee2 there shall ye see him3 lo1 ,i have told you4#acef ,the women1 though favored by angelic visitation and assurance1 left the place amazed and frightened4 ,mary ,magdalene appears to have been the first to carry word to the disciples concerning the empty tomb4 ,she had failed to comprehend the gladsome meaning of the angel's proclamation ,he is risen1 as he said2 in her agony of love and grief she remembered only the words ,he is not here1 the truth of which had been so forcefully impressed by her own hasty glance at the open and tenantless tomb4 ,then she runneth1 and cometh to ,simon ,peter1 and to the other disciple1 whom ,jesus loved1 and saith unto them1 ,they have taken away the ,lord out of the sepulchre1 and we know not where they have laid him4 ,peter1 and that other disciple who1 doubtless1 was ,john1 set forth in haste1 running together toward the sepulchre4 ,john outran his companion1 and on reaching the tomb stooped to look in1 and so caught a glimpse of the linen cerements lying on the floor2 but the bold and impetuous ,peter rushed into the sepulchre1 and was followed by the younger apostle4 ,the two observed the linen grave-clothes1 and lying by itself1 the napkin that had been placed about the head of the corpse4 ,john frankly affirms that having seen these things1 he believed1 and explains in behalf of himself and his fellow apostles1 ,for as yet they knew not the scripture1 that he must rise again from the dead4#aceg ,the sorrowful ,magdalene had followed the two apostles back to the garden of the burial4 ,no thought of the ,lord's restoration to life appears to have found place in her griefstricken heart2 she knew only that the body of her beloved ,master had disappeared4 ,while ,peter and ,john were within the sepulchre1 she had stood without1 weeping4 ,after the men had left she stooped and looked into the rock-hewn cavern4 ,there she saw two personages1 angels in white2 one sat at the head1 and the other at the feet1 where the body of ,jesus had lain4 ,in accents of tenderness they asked of her3 ,woman1 why weepest thou8 ,in reply she could but voice anew her overwhelming sorrow3 ,because they have taken away my ,lord1 and ,i know not where they have laid him4 ,the absence of the body1 which she thought to be all that was left on earth of ,him whom she loved so deeply1 was a personal bereavement4 ,there is a volume of pathos and affection in her words1 ,they have taken away my ,lord4 ,turning from the vault1 which1 though at that moment illumined by angelic presence1 was to her void and desolate1 she became aware of another ,personage1 standing near4 ,she heard ,his sympathizing inquiry3 ,woman1 why weepest thou8 whom seekest thou8 ,scarcely lifting her tearful countenance to look at the ,questioner1 but vaguely supposing that ,he was the caretaker of the garden1 and that ,he might have knowledge of what had been done with the body of her ,lord1 she exclaimed3 ,sir1 if thou have borne him hence1 tell me where thou hast laid him1 and ,i will take him away4 ,she knew that ,jesus had been interred in a borrowed tomb2 and if the body had been dispossessed of that resting place1 she was prepared to provide another4 ,tell me where thou hast laid him1 she pleaded4 ,it was ,jesus to whom she spake1 her beloved ,lord1 though she knew it not4 ,one word from ,his living lips changed her agonized grief into ecstatic joy4 ,jesus saith unto her1 ,mary4 ,the voice1 the tone1 the tender accent she had heard and loved in the earlier days lifted her from the despairing depths into which she had sunk4 ,she turned1 and saw the ,lord4 ,in a transport of joy she reached out her arms to embrace ,him1 uttering only the endearing and worshipful word1 ,rabboni1 meaning ,my beloved ,master4 ,jesus1 restrained her impulsive manifestation of reverent love1 saying1 ,touch me not#aceh for ,i am not yet ascended to my ,father1 and adding1 but go to my brethren1 and say unto them1 ,i ascend unto my ,father1 and your ,father2 and to my ,god1 and your ,god4#acei ,to a woman1 to ,mary of ,magdala1 was given the honor of being the first among mortals to behold a resurrected ,soul1 and that ,soul1 the ,lord ,jesus4#acfj ,to other favored women did the risen ,lord next manifest ,himself1 including ,mary the mother of ,joses1 ,joanna1 and ,salome the mother of the apostles ,james and ,john4 ,these and the other women with them had been affrighted by the presence of the angel at the tomb1 and had departed with mingled fear and joy4 ,they were not present when ,peter and ,john entered the vault1 nor afterward when the ,lord made ,himself known to ,mary ,magdalene4 ,they may have returned later1 for some of them appear to have entered the sepulchre1 and to have seen that the ,lord's body was not there4 ,as they stood wondering in perplexity and astonishment1 they became aware of the presence of two men in shining garments1 and as the women bowed down their faces to the earth the angels said unto them3 ,why seek ye the living among the dead8 ,he is not here1 but is risen3 remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in ,galilee1 saying1 ,the ,son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men1 and be crucified1 and the third day rise again4 ,and they remembered his words4#acfa ,as they were returning to the city to deliver the message to the disciples1 ,jesus met them1 saying1 ,all hail4 ,and they came and held him by the feet1 and worshipped him4 ,then said ,jesus unto them1 ,be not afraid3 go tell my brethren that they go into ,galilee1 and there shall they see me4#acfb ,one may wonder why ,jesus had forbidden ,mary ,magdalene to touch ,him1 and then1 so soon after1 had permitted other women to hold ,him by the feet as they bowed in reverence4 ,we may assume that ,mary's emotional approach had been prompted more by a feeling of personal yet holy affection than by an impulse of devotional worship such as the other women evinced4 ,though the resurrected ,christ manifested the same friendly and intimate regard as ,he had shown in the mortal state toward those with whom ,he had been closely associated1 ,he was no longer one of them in the literal sense4 ,there was about ,him a divine dignity that forbade close personal familiarity4 ,to ,mary ,magdalene ,christ had said3 ,touch me not2 for ,i am not yet ascended to my ,father4 ,if the second clause was spoken in explanation of the first1 we have to infer that no human hand was to be permitted to touch the ,lord's resurrected and immortalized body until after ,he had presented ,himself to the ,father4 ,it appears reasonable and probable that between ,mary's impulsive attempt to touch the ,lord1 and the action of the other women who held ,him by the feet as they bowed in worshipful reverence1 ,christ did ascend to the ,father1 and that later ,he returned to earth to continue ,his ministry in the resurrected state4 ,mary ,magdalene and the other women told the wonderful story of their several experiences to the disciples1 but the brethren could not credit their words1 which seemed to them as idle tales1 and they believed them not4#acfc ,after all that ,christ had taught concerning ,his rising from the dead on that third day1#acfd the apostles were unable to accept the actuality of the occurrence2 to their minds the resurrection was some mysterious and remote event1 not a present possibility4 ,there was neither precedent nor analogy for the stories these women told--of a dead person returning to life1 with a body of flesh and bones1 such as could be seen and felt--except the instances of the young man of ,nain1 the daughter of ,jairus1 and the beloved ,lazarus of ,bethany1 between whose cases of restoration to a renewal of mortal life and the reported resurrection of ,jesus they recognized essential differences4 ,the grief and the sense of irreparable loss which had characterized the yesterday ,sabbath1 were replaced by profound perplexity and contending doubts on this first day of the week4 ,but while the apostles hesitated to believe that ,christ had actually risen1 the women1 less skeptical1 more trustful1 knew1 for they had both seen ,him and heard ,his voice1 and some of them had touched ,his feet4 ,a ,,priestly ,,conspiracy ,,of ,,falsehood4#acfe ,when the ,roman guardsmen had sufficiently recovered from fright to make their precipitate departure from the sepulchre1 they went to the chief priests1 under whose orders they had been placed by ,pilate1#acff and reported the supernatural occurrences they had witnessed4 ,the chief priests were ,sadducees1 of which sect or party a distinguishing feature was the denial of the possibility of resurrection from the dead4 ,a session of the ,sanhedrin was called1 and the disturbing report of the guard was considered4 ,in the spirit in which these deceiving hierarchs had tried to kill ,lazarus for the purpose of quelling popular interest in the miracle of his restoration to life1 they now conspired to discredit the truth of ,christ's resurrection by bribing the soldiers to lie4 ,these were told to say ,his disciples came by night1 and stole him away while we slept2 and for the falsehood they were offered large sums of money4 ,the soldiers accepted the tempting bribe1 and did as they were instructed2 for this course appeared to them the best way out of a critical situation4 ,if they were found guilty of sleeping at their posts1 immediate death would be their doom2#acfg but the ,jews encouraged them by the promise3 ,if this come to the governor's ears1 we will persuade him and secure you4 ,it must be remembered that the soldiers had been put at the disposal of the chief priests1 and presumably therefore were not required to report the details of their doings to the ,roman authorities4 ,the recorder adds that until the day of his writing1 the falsehood of ,christ's body having been stolen from the tomb by the disciples was current among the ,jews4 ,the utter untenability of the false report is apparent4 ,if all the soldiers were asleep--a most unlikely occurrence inasmuch as such neglect was a capital offense--how could they possibly know that any one had approached the tomb8 ,and1 more particularly1 how could they substantiate their statement even if it were true1 that the body was stolen and that the disciples were the grave-robbers8#acfh ,the mendacious fiction was framed by the chief priests and elders of the people4 ,not all the priestly circle were parties to it however4 ,some1 who perhaps had been among the secret disciples of ,jesus before ,his death1 were not afraid to openly ally themselves with the ,church1 when1 through the evidence of the ,lord's resurrection1 they had become thoroughly converted4 ,we read that but a few months later a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith4#acfi ,,christ ,,walks ,,and ,,talks ,,with ,,two ,,of ,,the ,,disciples4#acgj ,during the afternoon of that same ,sunday1 two disciples1 not of the apostles1 left the little band of believers in ,jerusalem and set out for ,emmaus1 a village between seven and eight miles from the city4 ,there could be but one topic of conversation between them1 and on this they communed as they walked1 citing incidents in the ,lord's life1 dwelling particularly upon the fact of ,his death through which their hopes of a ,messianic reign had been so sadly blighted1 and marveling deeply over the incomprehensible testimony of the women concerning ,his reappearance as a living ,soul4 ,as they went1 engrossed in sorrowful and profound discourse1 another ,wayfarer joined them2 it was the ,lord ,jesus1 but their eyes were holden that they should not know him4 ,in courteous interest1 ,he asked3 ,what manner of communications are these that ye have one to another1 as ye walk1 and are sad8 ,one of the disciples1 ,cleopas by name1 replied with surprize tinged with commiseration for the ,stranger's seeming ignorance3 ,art thou only a stranger in ,jerusalem1 and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days8 ,intent on drawing from the men a full statement of the matter by which they were so plainly agitated1 the unrecognized ,christ asked1 ,what things8 ,they could not be reticent4 ,concerning ,jesus of ,nazareth they explained1 which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before ,god and all the people3 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death1 and have crucified him4 ,in sorrowful mood they went on to tell how they had trusted that the now crucified ,jesus would have proved to be the ,messiah sent to redeem ,israel2 but alas6 this was the third day since ,he had been slain4 ,then1 with brightening countenances1 yet still perplexed1 they told of certain women of their company who had astonished them that morning by saying that they had visited the sepulchre early and had discovered that the ,lord's body was not there1 but1 that they had also seen a vision of angels1 which said that he was alive4 ,moreover1 others beside the women had gone to the tomb1 and had verified the absence of the body but had not seen the ,lord4 ,then ,jesus1 gently chiding ,his fellow travelers as foolish men and slow of heart in their hesitating acceptance of what the prophets had spoken1 asked impressively1 ,ought not ,christ to have suffered these things1 and to enter into his glory8 ,beginning with the inspired predictions of ,moses1 ,he expounded to them the scriptures1 touching upon all the prophetic utterances concerning the ,savior's mission4 ,having continued with the two men to their destination ,jesus made as though he would have gone further1 but they urged ,him to tarry with them1 for the day was already far spent4 ,he so far acceded to their hospitable entreaty as to enter the house1 and1 as soon as their simple meal was prepared1 to seat ,himself with them at the table4 ,as the ,guest of honor1 ,he took the loaf1 blessed it and brake1 and gave to them4 ,there may have been something in the fervency of the blessing1 or in the manner of breaking and distributing the bread1 that revived memories of former days2 or1 possibly1 they caught sight of the pierced hands2 but1 whatever the immediate cause1 they looked intently upon their ,guest1 and their eyes were opened1 and they knew him2 and he vanished out of their sight4 ,in a fulness of joyful wonderment they rose from the table1 surprized at themselves for not having recognized ,him sooner4 ,one said to the other1 ,did not our heart burn within us1 while he talked with us by the way1 and while he opened to us the scriptures8 ,straightway they started to retrace their steps and hastened back to ,jerusalem to confirm by their witness what1 before1 the brethren had been slow to believe4 ,,risen ,,lord ,,appears ,,to ,,the ,,disciples ,,in ,,jerusalem ,,and ,,eats ,,in ,,their ,,presence4#acga ,when ,cleopas and his companion reached ,jerusalem that night1 they found the apostles and other devoted believers assembled in solemn and worshipful discourse within closed doors4 ,precautions of secrecy had been taken for fear of the ,jews4 ,even the apostles had been scattered by the arrest1 arraignment1 and judicial murder of their ,master2 but they and the disciples in general rallied anew at the word of ,his resurrection1 as the nucleus of an army soon to sweep the world4 ,the two returning disciples were received with the joyous announcement1 ,the ,lord is risen indeed1 and hath appeared to ,simon4 ,this is the sole mention made by the ,gospel-writers of ,christ's personal appearance to ,simon ,peter on that day4 ,the interview between the ,lord and ,his once recreant but now repentant apostle must have been affecting in the extreme4 ,peter's remorseful penitence over his denial of ,christ in the palace of the high priest was deep and pitiful2 he may have doubted that ever again would the ,master call him ,his servant2 but hope must have been engendered through the message from the tomb brought by the women1 in which the ,lord sent greetings to the apostles1 whom for the first time ,he designated as ,his brethren1#acgb and from this honorable and affectionate characterization ,peter had not been excluded2 moreover1 the angel's commission to the women had given prominence to ,peter by particular mention4#acgc ,to the repentant ,peter came the ,lord1 doubtless with forgiveness and loving assurance4 ,the apostle himself maintains a reverent silence respecting the visitation1 but the fact thereof is attested by ,paul as one of the definite proofs of the ,lord's resurrection4#acgd ,following the jubilant testimony of the assembled believers1 ,cleopas and his fellow traveler told of the ,lord's companionship with them on the ,emmaus road1 of the things ,he had taught them1 and of the manner in which ,he had become known unto them in the breaking of bread4 ,as the little company communed together1 ,jesus himself stood in the midst of them1 and saith unto them1 ,peace be unto you4 ,they were affrighted1 supposing with superstitious dread that a ghost had intruded amongst them4 ,but the ,lord comforted them1 saying ,why are ye troubled8 and why do thoughts arise in your hearts8 ,behold my hands and my feet1 that it is ,i myself3 handle me1 and see2 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones1 as ye see me have4 ,then ,he showed them the wounds in ,his hands and feet and side4 ,they yet believed not for joy1 which is to say1 they thought the reality1 to which they all were witnesses1 too good1 too glorious1 to be true4 ,to further assure them that ,he was no shadowy form1 no immaterial being of tenuous substance1 but a living ,personage with bodily organs internal as well as outward1 ,he asked ,have ye here any meat8 ,they gave ,him a piece of a broiled fish and other food1#acge which ,he took and did eat before them4 ,these unquestionable evidences of their ,visitant's corporeity calmed and made rational the minds of the disciples2 and now that they were composed and receptive the ,lord reminded them that all things that had happened to ,him were in accordance with what ,he had told them while ,he had lived amongst them4 ,in ,his divine presence their understanding was quickened and enlarged so that they comprehended as never before the scriptures--the ,law of ,moses1 the books of the prophets and the psalms--concerning ,him4 ,that ,his now accomplished death was a necessity1 ,he attested as fully as ,he had predicted and affirmed the same aforetime4 ,then ,he said unto them3 ,thus it is written1 and thus it behoved ,christ to suffer1 and to rise from the dead the third day3 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations1 beginning at ,jerusalem4 ,and ye are witnesses of these things4 ,then were the disciples glad4 ,as ,he was about to depart the ,lord gave them ,his blessing1 saying ,peace be unto you3 as my ,father hath sent me1 even so send ,i you4 ,this specification of men sent by authority points directly to the apostles2 ,and when he had said this1 he breathed on them1 and saith unto them1 ,receive ye the ,holy ,ghost3 whose soever sins ye remit1 they are remitted unto them2 and whose soever sins ye retain1 they are retained1#acgf ,,doubting ,,thomas4#acgg ,when the ,lord ,jesus appeared in the midst of the disciples on the evening of the ,resurrection ,sunday1 one of the apostles1 ,thomas1 was absent4 ,he was informed of what the others had witnessed1 but was unconvinced2 even their solemn testimony1 ,we have seen the ,lord1 failed to awaken an echo of faith in his heart4 ,in his state of mental skepticism he exclaimed3 ,except ,i shall see in his hands the print of the nails1 and put my finger into the print of the nails1 and thrust my hand into his side1 ,i will not believe4 ,caution and charity must attend our judgment in any conclusion as to the incredulous attitude of this man4 ,he could scarcely have doubted the well attested circumstance of the empty sepulchre1 nor the veracity of ,mary ,magdalene and the other women as to the presence of angels and the ,lord's appearing1 nor ,peter's testimony nor that of the assembled company2 but he may have regarded the reported manifestations as a series of subjective visions2 and the absence of the ,lord's body may have been vaguely considered as a result of ,christ's supernatural restoration to life followed by a bodily and final departure from earth4 ,it was the corporeal manifestation of the risen ,lord1 the exhibition of the wounds incident to crucifixion1 the invitation to touch and feel the resurrected body of flesh and bones1 to which ,thomas demurred4 ,he had no such definite conception of the resurrection as would accord with a literal acceptance of the testimony of his brethren and sisters who had seen1 heard1 and felt4 ,a week later1 for so the ,jewish designation1 after eight days1 is to be understood1 therefore on the next ,sunday1 which day of the week afterward came to be known to the ,church as the ,lord's ,day and to be observed as the ,sabbath in place of ,saturday1 the ,mosaic ,sabbath1#acgh the disciples were again assembled1 and ,thomas was with them4 ,the meeting was held within closed and1 presumably1 guarded doors1 for there was danger of interference by the ,jewish officers4 ,then came ,jesus1 the doors being shut1 and stood in the midst1 and said1 ,peace be unto you4 ,then saith he to ,thomas1 ,reach hither thy finger1 and behold my hands2 and reach hither thy hand1 and thrust it into my side3 and be not faithless1 but believing4 ,the skeptical mind of ,thomas was instantly cleansed1 his doubting heart was purified2 and a conviction of the glorious truth flooded his soul4 ,in contrite reverence he bowed before his ,savior1 the while exclaiming in worshipful acknowledgment of ,christ's ,deity3 ,my ,lord and my ,god4 ,his adoration was accepted1 and the ,savior said3 ,thomas1 because thou hast seen me1 thou hast believed3 blessed are they that have not seen1 and yet have believed4 ,,at ,,the ,,sea ,,of ,,galilee4#acgi ,the angel at the sepulchre and the risen ,christ ,himself had severally sent word to the apostles to go into ,galilee1 where the ,lord would meet them as ,he had said before ,his death4#achj ,they deferred their departure until after the week following the resurrection1 and then once again in their native province1 they awaited further developments4 ,in the afternoon of one of those days of waiting1 ,peter said to six of his fellow apostles1 ,i go a fishing2 and the others replied1 ,we also go with thee4 ,without delay they embarked on a fishing boat2 and though they toiled through the night1 the net had been drawn in empty after every cast4 ,as morning approached they drew near the land1 disappointed and disheartened4 ,in the early dawn they were hailed from the shore by ,one who asked3 ,children1 have ye any meat8#acha ,they answered ,no4 ,it was ,jesus who made the inquiry1 though none in the boat recognized ,him4 ,he called to them again1 saying3 ,cast the net on the right side of the ship1 and ye shall find4 ,they cast therefore1 and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes4 ,they did as directed and the result was so surprizing as to appear to them miraculous2 it must have aroused memories of that other remarkable draught of fishes1 in the taking of which their fishermen's skill had been superseded2 and at least three witnesses of the earlier miracle were now in the boat4#achb ,john1 quick to discern1 said to ,peter1 ,it is the ,lord2 and ,peter1 impulsive as ever1 hastily girt his fisher's coat about him and sprang into the sea1 the sooner to reach land and prostrate himself at his ,master's feet4 ,the others left the vessel and entered a small boat in which they rowed to shore1 towing the heavily laden net4 ,on the land they saw a fire of coals1 with fish broiling thereon1 and alongside a supply of bread4 ,jesus told them to bring of the fish they had just caught1 to which instruction the stalwart ,peter responded by dashing into the shallows and dragging the net to shore4 ,when counted1 the haul was found to consist of a hundred and fifty-three great fishes2 and the narrator is careful to note that for all there were so many1 yet was not the net broken4 ,then ,jesus said ,come and dine2 and as the ,host at the meal1 ,he divided and distributed the bread and fish4 ,we are not told that ,he ate with ,his guests4 ,everyone knew that it was the ,lord who so hospitably served2 yet on this1 as on all other occasions of ,his appearing in the resurrected state1 there was about ,him an awe-inspiring and restraining demeanor4 ,they would have liked to question ,him1 but durst not4 ,john tells us that this was the third time that ,jesus shewed himself to his disciples1 after that he was risen from the dead2 by which we understand the occasion to have been the third on which ,christ had manifested ,himself to the apostles1 in complete or partial assembly2 for1 including also the appearing to ,mary ,magdalene1 to the other women1 to ,peter1 and to the two disciples on the country road1 this was the seventh recorded appearance of the risen ,lord4 ,when the meal was finished1 ,jesus saith to ,simon ,peter1 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 lovest thou me more than these8 ,the question1 however tenderly put1 must have wrung ,peter's heart1 coupled as it was with the reminder of his bold but undependable protestation1 ,though all men shall be offended because of thee1 yet will ,i never be offended1#achc followed by his denial that he had ever known the ,man4#achd ,to the ,lord's inquiry ,peter answered humbly1 ,yea1 ,lord2 thou knowest that ,i love thee4 ,then said ,jesus1 ,feed my lambs4 ,the question was repeated2 and ,peter replied in identical words1 to which the ,lord responded1 ,feed my sheep4 ,and yet the third time ,jesus asked1 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 lovest thou me8 ,peter was pained and grieved at this reiteration1 thinking perhaps that the ,lord mistrusted him2 but as the man had three times denied1 so now was he given opportunity for a triple confession4 ,to the thrice repeated question1 ,peter answered3 ,lord1 thou knowest all things2 thou knowest that ,i love thee4 ,jesus saith unto him4 ,feed my sheep4 ,the commission ,feed my sheep was an assurance of the ,lord's confidence1 and of the reality of ,peter's presidency among the apostles4 ,he had emphatically announced his readiness to follow his ,master even to prison and death4 ,now1 the ,lord who had died said unto him3 ,verily1 verily2 ,i say unto thee1 ,when thou wast young1 thou girdest thyself1 and walkedst whither thou wouldst3 but when thou shalt be old1 thou shalt stretch forth thy hands1 and another shall gird thee1 and carry thee whither thou wouldst not4 ,john informs us that the ,lord so spake signifying the death by which ,peter should find a place among the martyrs2 the analogy points to crucifixion1 and traditional history is without contradiction as to this being the death by which ,peter sealed his testimony of the ,christ4 ,then said the ,lord to ,peter1 ,follow me4 ,the command had both immediate and future significance4 ,the man followed as ,jesus drew apart from the others on the shore2 yet a few years and ,peter would follow his ,lord to the cross4 ,without doubt ,peter comprehended the reference to his martyrdom1 as his writings1 years later1 indicate4#ache ,as ,christ and ,peter walked together1 the latter1 looking backward1 saw that ,john was following1 and inquired3 ,lord1 and what shall this man do8 ,peter wished to peer into the future as to his companion's fate--was ,john also to die for the faith8 ,the ,lord replied3 ,if ,i will that he tarry till ,i come1 what is that to thee8 follow thou me4 ,it was an admonition to ,peter to look to his own course of duty1 and to follow the ,master1 wherever the road should lead4 ,concerning himself1 ,john adds3 ,then went this saying abroad among the brethren1 that that disciple should not die3 yet ,jesus said not unto him1 ,he shall not die2 but1 ,if ,i will that he tarry till ,i come1 what is that to thee8 ,that ,john still lives in the embodied state1 and shall remain in the flesh until the ,lord's yet future advent1 is attested by later revelation4#achf ,in company with his martyred and resurrected companions1 ,peter and ,james1 the disciple whom ,jesus loved has officiated in the restoration of the ,holy ,apostleship in this the dispensation of the fulness of times4 ,,other ,,manifestations ,,of ,,the ,,risen ,,lord ,,in ,,galilee4#achg ,jesus had designated a mountain in ,galilee whereon ,he would meet the apostles2 and thither the ,eleven went4 ,when they saw ,him at the appointed place1 they worshiped ,him4 ,the record adds but some doubted1 by which may be implied that others beside the apostles were present1 among whom were some who were unconvinced of the actual corporeity of the resurrected ,christ4 ,this occasion may have been that of which ,paul wrote a quarter of a century later1 concerning which he affirms that ,christ was seen of above five hundred brethren at once1 of whom1 though some had died1 the majority remained at the time of ,paul's writing1 living witnesses to his testimony4#achh ,to those assembled on the mount ,jesus declared3 ,all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth4 ,this could be understood as nothing less than an affirmation of ,his absolute ,godship4 ,his authority was supreme1 and those who were commissioned of ,him were to minister in ,his name1 and by a power such as no man could give or take away4 ,,final ,,commission ,,and ,,the ,,ascension4 ,throughout the forty days following ,his resurrection1 the ,lord manifested ,himself at intervals to the apostles1 to some individually and to all as a body1#achi and instructed them in the things pertaining to the kingdom of ,god4#acij ,the record is not always specific and definite as to time and place of particular events2 but as to the purport of the ,lord's instructions during this period there exists no cause for doubt4 ,much that ,he said and did is not written1#acia but such things as are of record1 ,john assures his readers1 are written1 that ye might believe that ,jesus is the ,christ1 the ,son of ,god2 and that believing ye might have life through his name4#acib ,as the time of ,his ascension drew nigh1 the ,lord said unto the eleven apostles3 ,go ye into all the world1 and preach the gospel to every creature4 ,he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved2 but he that believeth not shall be damned4 ,and these signs shall follow them that believe2 ,in my name shall they cast out devils2 they shall speak with new tongues2 they shall take up serpents2 and if they drink any deadly thing1 it shall not hurt them2 they shall lay hands on the sick1 and they shall recover4#acic ,in contrast with their earlier commission1 under which they were sent only to the lost sheep of the house of ,israel1#acid they were now to go to ,jew and ,gentile1 bond and free1 to mankind at large1 of whatever nation1 country1 or tongue4 ,salvation1 through faith in ,jesus the ,christ1 followed by repentance and baptism1 was to be freely offered to all2 the rejection of the offer thenceforth would bring condemnation4 ,signs and miracles were promised to follow them that believe1 thus confirming their faith in the power divine2 but no intimation was given that such manifestations were to precede belief1 as baits to catch the credulous wonder-seeker4 ,assuring the apostles anew that the promise of the ,father would be realized in the coming of the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,lord instructed them to remain in ,jerusalem1 whither they had now returned from ,galilee1 until they would be endued with power from on high2#acie and ,he added3 ,for ,john truly baptized with water2 but ye shall be baptized with the ,holy ,ghost not many days hence4#acif ,in that last solemn interview1 probably as the risen ,savior led the mortal ,eleven away from the city toward the old familiar resort on the ,mount of ,olives1 the brethren1 still imbued with their conception of the kingdom of ,god as an earthly establishment of power and dominion1 asked of ,him1 ,lord1 wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to ,israel8 ,jesus answered1 ,it is not for you to know the times or the seasons1 which the ,father hath put in his own power4 ,but ye shall receive power1 after that the ,holy ,ghost is come upon you3 and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in ,jerusalem1 and in all ,judea1 and in ,samaria1 and unto the uttermost part of the earth4#acig ,their duty was thus defined and emphasized3 ,go ye therefore1 and teach all nations1 baptizing them in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost3 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever ,i have commanded you3 and1 lo1 ,i am with you alway1 even unto the end of the world4 ,amen4#acih ,when ,christ and the disciples had gone as far as to ,bethany1 the ,lord lifted up ,his hands1 and blessed them2 and while yet ,he spake1 ,he rose from their midst1 and they looked upon ,him as ,he ascended until a cloud received ,him out of their sight4 ,while the apostles stood gazing steadfastly upward1 two personages1 clothed in white apparel1 appeared by them2 these spake unto the ,eleven1 saying3 ,ye men of ,galilee1 why stand ye gazing up into heaven8 this same ,jesus1 which is taken up from you into heaven1 shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven4#acii ,worshipfully and with great joy the apostles returned to ,jerusalem1 there to await the coming of the ,comforter4 ,the ,lord's ascension was accomplished2 it was as truly a literal departure of a material ,being as ,his resurrection had been an actual return of ,his spirit to ,his own corporeal body1 theretofore dead4 ,with the world abode and yet abides the glorious promise1 that ,jesus the ,christ1 the same ,being who ascended from ,olivet in ,his immortalized body of flesh and bones1 shall return1 descending from the heavens1 in similarly material form and substance4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #cg4 #a4 ,precise ,time and ,manner of ,christ's ,emergence from the ,tomb ,not ,known4--,our ,lord definitely predicted ,his resurrection from the dead on the third day1 7,matt4 #af3ba2 #ag3bc2 #bj3ai2 ,mark #i3ca2 #aj3cd2 ,luke #i3bb2 #ac3cb2 #ah3cc71 and the angels at the tomb 7,luke #bd3g71 and the risen ,lord in ,person 7,luke #bd3df7 verified the fulfilment of the prophecies2 and apostles so testified in later years 7,acts #aj3dj2 #a ,cor4 #ae3d74 ,this specification of the third day must not be understood as meaning after three full days4 ,the ,jews began their counting of the daily hours with sunset2 therefore the hour before sunset and the hour following belonged to different days4 ,jesus died and was interred during ,friday afternoon4 ,his body lay in the tomb1 dead1 during part of ,friday 7first day71 throughout ,saturday1 or as we divide the days1 from sunset ,friday to sunset ,saturday1 7second day71 and part of ,sunday 7third day74 ,we know not at what hour between ,saturday sunset and ,sunday dawn ,he rose4 ,the fact that an earthquake occurred1 and that the angel of the ,lord descended and rolled the stone from the portal of the tomb in the early dawn of ,sunday--for so we infer from ,matt4 #bh3a1 #b--;does not prove that ,christ had not already risen4 ,the great stone was rolled back and the inside of the sepulchre exposed to view1 so that those who came could see for themselves that the ,lord's body was no longer there2 it was not necessary to open the portal in order to afford an exit to the resurrected ,christ4 ,in ,his immortalized state ,he appeared in and disappeared from closed rooms4 ,a resurrected body1 though of tangible substance1 and possessing all the organs of the mortal tabernacle1 is not bound to earth by gravitation1 nor can it be hindered in its movements by material barriers4 ,to us who conceive of motion only in the directions incident to the three dimensions of space1 the passing of a solid1 such as a living body of flesh and bones1 through stone walls1 is necessarily incomprehensible4 ,but that resurrected beings move in accordance with laws making such passage possible and to them natural1 is evidenced not only by the instance of the risen ,christ1 but by the movements of other resurrected personages4 ,thus1 in ,september1 #ahbc1 ,moroni1 the ,nephite prophet who had died about #djj ,a4,d41 appeared to ,joseph ,smith in his chamber1 three times during one night1 coming and going without hindrance incident to walls or roof1 7see ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,joseph ,smith #b3dc2 also ,the ,articles of ,faith1 i3#ae-ag74 ,that ,moroni was a resurrected man is shown by his corporeity manifested in his handling of the metallic plates on which was inscribed the record known to us as the ,book of ,mormon4 ,so also resurrected beings possess the power of rendering themselves visible or invisible to the physical vision of mortals4 #b4 ,attempts to ,discredit the ,resurrection ,through ,falsehood4--,the inconsistent assertion that ,christ had not risen but that ,his body had been stolen from the tomb by the disciples1 has been sufficiently treated in the text4 ,the falsehood is its own refutation4 ,unbelievers of later date1 recognizing the palpable absurdity of this gross attempt at misrepresentation1 have not hesitated to suggest other hypotheses1 each of which is conclusively untenable4 ,thus1 the theory based upon the impossible assumption that ,christ was not dead when taken from the cross1 but was in a state of coma or swoon1 and that ,he was afterward resuscitated1 disproves itself when considered in connection with recorded facts4 ,the spear-thrust of the ,roman soldier would have been fatal1 even if death had not already occurred4 ,the body was taken down1 handled1 wrapped and buried by members of the ,jewish council1 who cannot be thought of as actors in the burial of a living man2 and so far as subsequent resuscitation is concerned1 ,edersheim 7vol4 #b1 p4 #fbf7 trenchantly remarks3 ,not to speak of the many absurdities which this theory involves1 it really shifts--if we acquit the disciples of complicity--the fraud upon ,christ ,himself4 ,a crucified person1 removed from the cross before death and subsequently revived1 could not have walked with pierced and mangled feet on the very day of his resuscitation1 as ,jesus did on the road to ,emmaus4 ,another theory that has had its day is that of unconscious deception on the part of those who claimed to have seen the resurrected ,christ1 such persons having been victims of subjective but unreal visions conjured up by their own excited and imaginative condition4 ,the independence and marked individuality of the several recorded appearings of the ,lord disprove the vision theory4 ,such subjective visual illusions as are predicated by this hypothesis1 presuppose a state of expectancy on the part of those who think they see2 but all the incidents connected with the manifestations of ,jesus after ,his resurrection were directly opposed to the expectations of those who were made witnesses of ,his resurrected state4 ,the foregoing instances of false and untenable theories regarding the resurrection of our ,lord are cited as examples of the numerous abortive attempts to explain away the greatest miracle and the most glorious fact of history4 ,the resurrection of ,jesus ,christ is attested by evidence more conclusive than that upon which rests our acceptance of historical events in general4 ,yet the testimony of our ,lord's rising from the dead is not founded on written pages4 ,to him who seeks in faith and sincerity shall be given an individual conviction which shall enable him to reverently confess as exclaimed the enlightened apostle of old3 ,thou art the ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god4 ,jesus1 who is ,god the ,son1 is not dead4 ,i know that my ,redeemer liveth4 7,job #ai3be47 #c4 ,recorded ,appearances of ,christ ,between ,resurrection and ,ascension4-- #a4 ,to ,mary ,magdalene1 near the sepulchre 7,mark #af3i1 #aj2 ,john #bj3ad74 #b4 ,to other women1 somewhere between the sepulchre and ,jerusalem 7,matt4 #bh3i74 #c4 ,to two disciples on the road to ,emmaus 7,mark #af3ab2 ,luke #bd3ac74 #d4 ,to ,peter1 in or near ,jerusalem 7,luke #bd3cd2 #a ,cor4 #ae3e74 #e4 ,to ten of the apostles and others at ,jerusalem 7,luke #bd3cf2 ,john #bj3ai74 #f4 ,to the eleven apostles at ,jerusalem 7,mark #af3ad2 ,john #bj3bf74 #g4 ,to the apostles at the ,sea of ,tiberias1 ,galilee1 7,john #ba74 #h4 ,to the eleven apostles on a mountain in ,galilee 7,matt4 #bh3af74 #i4 ,to five hundred brethren at once 7#a ,cor4 #ae3f72 locality not specified1 but probably in ,galilee4 #aj4 ,to ,james 7#a ,cor4 #ae3g74 ,note that no record of this manifestation is made by the ,gospel-writers4 #aa4 ,to the eleven apostles at the time of the ascension1 ,mount of ,olives1 near ,bethany 7,mark #af3ai2 ,luke #bd3ej1 #ea74 ,the ,lord's manifestations of ,himself to men subsequent to the ascension will be considered later4 ,,footnotes3 #acee ,matt4 #bh3a-d1 see also verse #aa4 #acef ,matt4 #bh3e-g2 compare ,mark #af3a-g2 ,luke #bd3a-h2 ,john #bj3a-b4 #aceg ,john #bj3a-aj4 #aceh ,revised version1 ,take not hold on me 7margin74 #acei ,john #bj3aa-ag4 #acfj ,mark #af3i4 #acfa ,luke #bd3c-h4 #acfb ,matt4 #bh3i1 #aj4 #acfc ,luke #bd3i-aa2 compare ,mark #af3i-ac4 #acfd ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #acfe ,matt4 #bh3aa-ae4 #acff ,matt4 #bg3fe1 #ff2 page #ffe herein4 #acfg ,compare ,acts #ab3ai4 #acfh ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #acfi ,acts #f3g2 compare ,john #ab3db4 #acgj ,luke #bd3ac-cb2 compare ,mark #af3ab4 #acga ,luke #bd3cc-dh2 ,john #bj3ai-bc4 #acgb ,matt4 #bh3aj2 ,john #bj3ag4 #acgc ,mark #af3g4 #acgd #a ,cor4 #ae3e4 #acge ,the words and of an honeycomb 7,luke #bd3db7 are omitted from the revised version1 and by many authorities are declared to be a spurious addition to the original text4 #acgf ,john #bj3ba-bc4 #acgg ,john #bj3bd-bi2 compare ,mark #af3ad4 #acgh ,rev4 #a3aj2 compare ,acts #bj3g2 #a ,cor4 #af3b4 #acgi ,john #ba3a-bc4 #achj ,matt #bh3aj2 ,mark #af3g2 compare ,matt4 #bf3cb1 ,mark #ad3bh4 #acha ,the noun of address1 ,children is equivalent to our modern use of ,sirs1 ,men or ,lads4 ,it was quite in harmony with the vernacular4 #achb ,luke #e3d-aj2 also page #aih herein4 #achc ,matt4 #bf3cc2 ,mark #ad3bi2 compare ,luke #bb3cc2 ,john #ac3cg2 p4 #fjj herein4 #achd ,matt4 #bf3gj1 #gb1 #gd2 also page #fbi herein4 #ache ,peter #a3ad4 #achf ,doc4 and ,cov4 ,sec4 #g2 compare ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #bh3a-ab4 #achg ,matt4 #bh3af-ah4 #achh #a ,cor4 #ae3f4 #achi ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #acij ,acts #a3c4 #acia ,john #bj3cj2 compare #ba3be remembering that the latter passage may have reference to occurrences both before and after the ,lord's death4 #acib ,john #bj3ca4 #acic ,mark #af3ae-ah4 #acid ,matt4 #aj3e1 #f4 #acie ,clothed with power from on high according to revised version1 ,luke #bd3di4 #acif ,acts #a3e2 see also ,luke #bd3di2 and compare ,john #ad3af1 #ag1 #bf2 #ae3bf2 #af3g1 #ac4 #acig ,acts #a3g1 #h2 compare ,matt4 #bd3cf2 ,mark #ac3cb4 #acih ,matt4 #bh3ai1 #bj4 #acii ,acts #a3i-aa2 see also ,luke #bd3ej1 #ea4 ,,chapter #ch4 ,,the ,,apostolic ,,ministry4 ,,matthias ,,ordained ,,to ,,the ,,apostleship4#adjj ,after witnessing the ,lord's ascension from ,olivet1 the eleven apostles returned to ,jerusalem filled with joy and thoroughly suffused with the spirit of adoring worship4 ,both in the temple and in a certain upper room1 which was their usual place of meeting1 they continued in prayer and supplication1 often in association with other disciples1 including ,mary the mother of the ,lord1 some of her sons1 and the little sisterhood of faithful women who had ministered to ,jesus in ,galilee and had followed ,him thence to ,jerusalem and to ,calvary4#adja ,the disciples1 most of whom had been dispersed by the tragic events of that last and fateful ,passover1 had gathered again1 with renewed and fortified faith1 about the great fact of the ,lord's resurrection4 ,christ had become the firstfruits of them that slept1 the first begotten of the dead1 and the firstborn of the race to rise from death to immortality4#adjb ,they knew that not only had the grave been compelled to give up the body of their ,lord1 but that a way had been provided for the striking of the fetters of death from every soul4 ,immediately following the resurrection of the ,lord ,jesus1 many righteous ones who had slept in the tomb had been resurrected1 and had appeared in ,jerusalem1 revealing themselves unto many4#adjc ,the universality of the resurrection of the dead was soon to become a prominent feature of apostolic teaching4 ,the first official act undertaken by the apostles was the filling of the vacancy in the council of the ,twelve1 occasioned by the apostasy and suicide of ,judas ,iscariot4 ,sometime between the ascension of ,christ and the feast of ,pentecost1 when the ,eleven and other disciples1 in all about a hundred and twenty1 were together with one accord in prayer and supplication1 ,peter laid the matter before the assembled ,church1 pointing out that the fall of ,judas had been foreseen1#adjd and citing the psalmist's invocation3 ,let his habitation be desolate1 and let no man dwell therein3 and his bishoprick let another take1#adje ,peter affirmed the necessity of completing the apostolic quorum2 and he thus set forth the qualifications essential in the one who should be ordained to the ,holy ,apostleship3 ,wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the ,lord ,jesus went in and out among us1 beginning from the baptism of ,john1 unto that same day that he was taken up from us1 must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection4 ,two faithful disciples were nominated by the ,eleven1 ,joseph ,barsabas and ,matthias4 ,in earnest supplication the assembly besought the ,lord to indicate whether either of these men1 and if so which1 was to be chosen for the exalted office2 then1 they gave forth their lots2 and the lot fell upon ,matthias2 and he was numbered with the eleven apostles4 ,the proceeding throughout is deeply significant and instructive4 ,the ,eleven fully realized that on them lay the responsibility1 and in them was vested the authority1 to organize and develop the ,church of ,christ2 that the council or quorum of the apostles was limited to a membership of twelve2 and that the new apostle1 like themselves1 must be competent to testify in special and personal witness concerning the earthly ministry1 death1 and resurrection of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,the selection of ,matthias was accomplished in a general assembly of the ,primitive ,church2 and while the nominations were made by the apostles1 all present appear by implication to have had a voice in the matter of installation4 ,the principle of authoritative administration through common consent of the membership1 so impressively exemplified in the choosing of ,matthias1 was followed1 a few weeks later1 by the selection of seven men of honest report1 full of the ,holy ,ghost and wisdom1 who having been sustained by the vote of the ,church1 were set apart to a special ministry by the laying-on of the apostles' hands4#adjf ,,the ,,bestowal ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,ghost4#adjg ,at the time of ,pentecost1 which fell on the fiftieth day after the ,passover1#adjh and therefore1 at this particular recurrence1 about nine days after ,christ's ascension1 the apostles were all with one accord in one place1 engaged in their customary devotions1 and waiting1 as instructed1 until they would be endowed with a particular bestowal of power from on high4#adji ,the promised baptism by fire and the ,holy ,ghost befell them on that day4 ,suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind1 and it filled all the house where they were sitting4 ,and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire1 and it sat upon each of them4 ,and they were all filled with the ,holy ,ghost1 and began to speak with other tongues1 as the ,spirit gave them utterance4 ,the sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind was heard abroad2#adaj and a multitude gathered about the place4 ,the visible manifestation of cloven tongues like as of fire1 by which each of the ,twelve was invested1 was seen by those within the house1 but apparently not by the gathering crowds4 ,the apostles spoke to the multitude1 and a great miracle was wrought1 by which every man heard them speak in his own language2 for the apostles1 now richly gifted1 spake in many tongues1 as the ,holy ,ghost1 by whom they had been endowed1 gave them utterance4 ,there were present men from many lands and of many nations1 and their languages were diverse4 ,in amazement some of them said3 ,behold1 are not all these which speak ,galileans8 ,and how hear we every man in our own tongue1 wherein we were born8 ,while many were impressed by the preternatural ability of the brethren1 others in mocking tones said the men were drunken4 ,this instance of ,satanic prompting to inconsiderate speech is especially illustrative of inconsistency and rash ineptitude4 ,strong drink gives to no man wisdom2 it steals away his senses and makes of him a fool4 ,then ,peter1 as the president of the ,twelve1 stood up and proclaimed in behalf of himself and his brethren3 ,ye men of ,judea1 and all ye that dwell at ,jerusalem1 be this known unto you1 and hearken to my words3 for these are not drunken1 as ye suppose1 seeing it is but the third hour of the day4 ,it was the ,jewish custom1 particularly on festival days1 to abstain from food and drink until after the morning service in synagog1 which was held about the third hour1 or nine o'clock in the forenoon4 ,the apostle cited ancient prophecy embodying the promise of ,jehovah that ,he would pour out ,his ,spirit upon all flesh1 so that wonders would be wrought1 even as those there present witnessed4#adaa ,then boldly did ,peter testify of ,jesus of ,nazareth1 whom he characterized as a man approved of ,god among you by miracles and wonders and signs1 which ,god did by him in the midst of you1 as ye yourselves also know2 and1 reminding them1 in accusing earnestness1 of the awful crime to which they had been in some degree parties1 he continued3 ,him1 being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of ,god1 ye have taken1 and by wicked hands have crucified and slain3 whom ,god hath raised up1 having loosed the pains of death3 because it was not possible that he should be holden of it4 ,citing the inspired outburst of the psalmist1 who had sung in jubilant measure of the soul that should not be left in hell1 and of the flesh that should not see corruption1 he showed the application of these scriptures to the ,christ2 and fearlessly affirmed3 ,this ,jesus hath ,god raised up1 whereof we all are witnesses4 ,therefore being by the right hand of ,god exalted1 and having received of the ,father the promise of the ,holy ,ghost1 he hath shed forth this1 which ye now see and hear4 ,with increasing fervency1 fearing neither derision nor violence1 and driving home to the hearts of his enthralled listeners the fearful fact of their guilt1 ,peter proclaimed as in voice of thunder3 ,therefore let all the house of ,israel know assuredly1 that ,god hath made that same ,jesus1 whom ye have crucified1 both ,lord and ,christ4 ,the power of the ,holy ,ghost could not be resisted2 to every earnest soul it carried conviction4 ,they that heard were pricked in their hearts1 and in contrition cried out to the apostles3 ,men and brethren1 what shall we do8 ,now that they were prepared for the message of salvation1 it was given without reserve4 ,repent1 answered ,peter1 and be baptized every one of you in the name of ,jesus ,christ for the remission of sins1 and ye shall receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,for the promise is unto you1 and to your children1 and to all that are afar off1 even as many as the ,lord our ,god shall call4 ,to the apostles' testimony1 to the exhortation and warning1 the people responded with profession of faith and repentance4 ,their joy was comparable to that of the spirits in prison1 to whom the disembodied ,christ had borne the authoritative word of redemption and salvation4 ,those who repented and confessed their belief in ,christ at that memorable ,pentecost were received into the ,church by baptism1 to the number of about three thousand4 ,that their conversion was genuine and not the effect of a passing enthusiasm1 that they were literally born again through baptism into a newness of life1 is evidenced by the fact that they endured in the faith--and they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship1 and in breaking of bread1 and in prayers4 ,so devoted were these early converts1 so richly blessed with the outpouring of the ,holy ,ghost was the ,church in those days1 that the members voluntarily disposed of their individual possessions and had all things in common4 ,to them faith in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ was of greater worth than the wealth of earth4#adab ,among them1 there was nothing called mine or thine1 but all things were theirs in the ,lord4#adac ,signs and wonders followed the apostles1 and the ,lord added to the church daily such as should be saved4 ,through the bestowal of the ,holy ,ghost the apostles had become changed men4 ,as made clear to them by the ,spirit of ,truth1 the scriptures constituted a record of preparation for the events to which they were special and ordained witnesses4 ,peter1 who but a few weeks earlier had quailed before a serving-maid1 now spoke openly1 fearing none4 ,seeing once a lame beggar at the ,gate ,beautiful which led into the temple court1 he took the afflicted one by the hand1 saying3 ,silver and gold have ,i none2 but such as ,i have give ,i thee3 ,in the name of ,jesus ,christ of ,nazareth rise up and walk4#adad ,the man was healed and leaped in the exuberance of his newly found strength2 then he went with ,peter and ,john into the temple1 praising ,god aloud4 ,an amazed crowd1 which grew to include about five thousand men1 gathered around the apostles in ,solomon's ,porch2 and ,peter1 observing their wonderment1 seized on the occasion to preach to them ,jesus the ,crucified4 ,he ascribed all praise for the miracle to the ,christ whom the ,jews had delivered up to be slain1 and in unambiguous accusation declared3 ,the ,god of ,abraham1 and of ,isaac1 and of ,jacob1 the ,god of our fathers1 hath glorified his ,son ,jesus2 whom ye delivered up1 and denied him in the presence of ,pilate1 when he was determined to let him go4 ,but ye denied the ,holy ,one and the ,just1 and desired a murderer to be granted unto you2 and killed the ,prince of life1 whom ,god hath raised from the dead2 whereof we are witnesses4 ,in merciful recognition of the ignorance in which they had sinned1 he exhorted them to expiatory penitence1 crying3 ,repent ye therefore1 and be converted1 that your sins may be blotted out1 when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the ,lord2 and he shall send ,jesus ,christ1 which before was preached unto you3 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things1 which ,god hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began4 ,there was no encouragement to a belief that their sins could be annulled by wordy profession2 a due season of repentance was their privilege1 if so be they would believe4 ,as ,peter and ,john thus testified1 the priests and the captain of the temple1 together with the ruling ,sadducees1 came upon them toward evening1 and put them in prison to await the action of the judges next day4#adae ,on the morrow they were arraigned before ,annas1 ,caiaphas1 and other officials1 who demanded of them by what power or in whose name they had healed the lame man4 ,peter1 impelled by the power of the ,holy ,ghost1 answered3 ,be it known unto you all1 and to all the people of ,israel1 that by the name of ,jesus ,christ of ,nazareth1 whom ye crucified1 whom ,god raised from the dead1 even by him doth this man stand here before you whole4 ,this is the stone which was set at nought of you builders1 which is become the head of the corner4 ,neither is there salvation in any other3 for there is none other name under heaven given among men1 whereby we must be saved4#adaf ,the hierarchy learned to their consternation that the work they had sought to destroy through the crucifixion of ,jesus ,christ was spreading now as it had never spread before4 ,in desperation they commanded the apostles1 ,not to speak at all nor teach in the name of ,jesus4 ,but ,peter and ,john answered boldly3 ,whether it be right in the sight of ,god to hearken unto you more than unto ,god1 judge ye4 ,for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard4 ,this rejoinder of righteous defiance the priestly rulers dared not openly resent2 they had to content themselves with threats4 ,the ,church grew with surprizing rapidity2 believers were the more added to the ,lord1 multitudes both of men and women4 ,so abundantly was the gift of healing manifest through the ministrations of the apostles that as formerly to ,christ1 now to them1 the people flocked1 bringing their sick folk and those possessed of evil spirits2 and all were healed4 ,so great was the faith of the believers that they laid their afflicted ones on couches in the streets1 that at the least the shadow of ,peter passing by might overshadow some of them4#adag ,the high priest and his haughty ,sadducean associates caused the apostles to be again arrested and thrown into the common prison4 ,but that night the angel of the ,lord opened the dungeon doors and brought the prisoners forth1 telling them to go into the temple and further proclaim their testimony of the ,christ4 ,this the apostles did1 and were so engaged when the ,sanhedrin assembled to put them on trial4 ,the officers who were sent to bring the prisoners to the judgment hall returned1 saying3 ,the prison truly found we shut with all safety1 and the keepers standing without before the doors2 but when we had opened1 we found no man within4 ,as the judges sat in impotent consternation1 an informer appeared with the word that the men they wanted were at that moment preaching in the courts4 ,the captain and his guard arrested the apostles a third time1 and brought them in1 but without violence1 for they feared the people4 ,the high priest accused the prisoners by question and affirmation3 ,did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name8 and1 behold1 ye have filled ,jerusalem with your doctrine1 and intend to bring this man's blood upon us4 ,yet1 how recently had those same rulers led the rabble in the awful imprecation1 ,his blood be on us1 and on our children4#adah ,peter and the other apostles1 undaunted by the august presence1 and undeterred by threatening words or actions1 answered with the direct counter-charge that they who sat there to judge were the slayers of the ,son of ,god4 ,ponder well the solemn affirmation3 ,we ought to obey ,god rather than men4 ,the ,god of our fathers raised up ,jesus1 whom ye slew and hanged on a tree4 ,him hath ,god exalted with his right hand to be a ,prince and a ,saviour1 for to give repentance to ,israel1 and forgiveness of sins4 ,and we are his witnesses of these things2 and so is also the ,holy ,ghost1 whom ,god hath given to them that obey him4 ,closing1 locking1 bolting their hearts against the testimony of the ,lord's own1 the chief priests1 scribes1 and elders of the people counseled together as to how they could put these men to death4 ,there was at least one honorable exception among the murderously inclined councilors4 ,gamaliel1 who was a ,pharisee and a noted doctor of the law1 the teacher of ,saul of ,tarsus afterward known through conversion1 works1 and divine commission1 as ,paul the apostle1#adai rose in the council1 and having directed that the apostles be removed from the hall1 warned his colleagues against the injustice they had in mind4 ,he cited the cases of men falsely claiming to have been sent of ,god1 everyone of whom had come to grief with utter and most ignominious failure of his seditious plans2 so would these men come to nought if the work they professed proved to be of men2 ,but1 added the dispassionate and learned doctor1 if it be of ,god1 ye cannot overthrow it2 lest haply ye be found even to fight against ,god4#adbj ,gamaliel's advice prevailed for the time being1 to the extent of causing the apostles' lives to be spared2 but the council1 in contravention of justice and propriety1 had the prisoners beaten4 ,then the brethren were discharged with the renewed injunction that they speak not in the name of ,jesus4 ,they went out rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer stripes and humiliation in defense of the ,lord's name2 and daily1 both in the temple1 and by house to house visitation1 they valiantly taught and preached ,jesus the ,christ4 ,converts to the ,church were not confined to the laity2 a great company of the priests swelled the number of the disciples1 who multiplied greatly in ,jerusalem4#adba ,,stephen ,,the ,,martyr2 ,,his ,,vision ,,of ,,the ,,lord4#adbb ,first among the seven men of honest report who were set apart under the hands of the apostles to administer the common store of the ,church community1 was ,stephen1 a man eminent in faith and good works1 through whom the ,lord wrought many miracles4 ,he was zealous in service1 aggressive in doctrine1 and fearless as a minister of ,christ4 ,some of the foreign ,jews1 who maintained a synagog in ,jerusalem1 engaged ,stephen in disputation1 and being unable to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake1 conspired to have him charged with heresy and blasphemy4 ,he was brought before the council on the word of men suborned to witness against him2 and these averred that they had heard him speak blasphemous words against ,moses1 and against ,god4 ,the perjured accusers further testified that he had repeatedly spoken blasphemously against the temple1 and the law1 and had even declared that ,jesus of ,nazareth would some day destroy the temple1 and change the ,mosaic ceremonies4 ,the charge was utterly false in spirit and fact1 though possibly in a sense partly true in form2 for1 judging by what we have of record concerning ,stephen's character and works1 he was a zealous preacher of the word as a world religion1 through which the exclusiveness and alleged sanctity of ,jerusalem as the holy city and of the now desecrated temple as the earthly abiding-place of ,jehovah1 would be abrogated2 furthermore he seems to have realized that the law of ,moses had been fulfilled in the mission of the ,messiah4 ,when the ,sanhedrists looked upon him1 his face was illumined1 and they saw it as it had been the face of an angel4 ,in answer to the charge1 he delivered an address1 which on critical analysis appears to have been extemporaneous1 nevertheless it is strikingly logical and impressive in argument4 ,the delivery was abruptly terminated1 however1 by a murderous assault4#adbc ,in effective epitome ,stephen traced the history of the covenant people from the time of ,abraham down1 showing that the patriarchs1 and in turn ,moses and the prophets1 had lived and ministered in progressive preparation for the development of which those present were witnesses4 ,he pointed out that ,moses had foretold the coming of a ,prophet1 who was none other than ,jehovah1 whom their fathers had worshipped in the wilderness1 before the tabernacle1 and later in the temple2 but1 he affirmed1 the most ,high dwelleth not in temples made with hands1 the most gorgeous of which could be but small to ,him who said3 ,heaven is my throne1 and earth is my footstool4#adbd ,it is plain to be seen that ,stephen's speech was not one of vindication1 and far from a plea in his own defense2 it was a proclamation of the word and purposes of ,god by a devoted servant who had no thought for personal consequences4 ,in forceful arraignment he thus addressed his judges3 ,ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears1 ye do always resist the ,holy ,ghost3 as your fathers did1 so do ye4 ,which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted8 and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the ,just ,one2 of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers4 ,maddened at this direct accusation1 the ,sanhedrists gnashed on him with their teeth4 ,he knew that they thirsted for his blood2 but1 energized by the ,holy ,ghost1 he looked steadfastly upward1 and exclaimed in rapture3 ,behold ,i see the heavens opened1 and the ,son of man standing on the right hand of ,god4#adbe ,this is the first ,new ,testament record of a manifestation of ,christ to mortal eyes by vision or otherwise1 subsequent to ,his ascension4 ,the priestly rulers cried aloud1 and stopped their ears to what they chose to regard as blasphemous utterances2 and1 rushing upon the prisoner with one accord1 they hurried him outside the city walls and stoned him to death4 ,true to his ,master1 he prayed3 ,lord ,jesus1 receive my spirit2 and then1 crushed to earth1 he cried with a loud voice3 ,lord1 lay not this sin to their charge4 ,and when he had said this1 he fell asleep4 ,so died the first martyr for the testimony of the risen ,christ4 ,he was slain by a mob comprizing chief priests1 scribes1 and elders of the people4 ,what cared they that no sentence had been pronounced against him1 or that they were acting in reckless defiance of ,roman law8 ,devout men bore the mangled body to its burial2 and all the disciples lamented greatly4 ,persecution increased1 and members of the ,church were scattered through many lands1 wherein they preached the gospel and won many to the ,lord4 ,the blood of ,stephen the martyr proved to be rich and virile seed1 from which sprang a great harvest of souls4#adbf ,,christ ,,manifests ,,himself ,,to ,,saul ,,of ,,tarsus1 ,,later ,,known ,,as ,,paul1 ,,the ,,apostle4 ,among the disputants who1 when defeated in discussion1 conspired against ,stephen and brought about his death1 were ,jews from ,cilicia4#adbg ,associated with them was a young man named ,saul1 a native of the ,cilician city of ,tarsus4 ,this man was an able scholar1 a forceful controversialist1 an ardent defender of what he regarded as the right1 and a vigorous assailant of what to him was wrong4 ,though born in ,tarsus he had been brought to ,jerusalem in early youth and had there grown up a strict ,pharisee and an aggressive supporter of ,judaism4 ,he was a student of the law under the tutelage of ,gamaliel1 one of the most eminent masters of the time#adbh and had the confidence of the high priest4#adbi ,his father1 or perhaps an earlier progenitor1 had acquired the rank of ,roman citizenship1 and ,saul was a born heir to that distinction4 ,saul was a violent opponent of the apostles and the ,church1 and had made himself a party to the death of ,stephen by openly consenting thereunto and by holding in personal custody the garments of the false witnesses while they stoned the martyr4 ,he wrought havoc in the ,church by entering private houses and haling thence men and women suspected of belief in the ,christ1 and these he caused to be cast into prison4#adcj ,the persecution in which he took so prominent a part caused a scattering of the disciples throughout ,judea1 ,samaria1 and other lands2 though the apostles remained and continued their ministry in ,jerusalem4#adca ,not content with local activity against the ,church1 ,saul1 yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the ,lord1 went unto the high priest1 and desired of him letters to ,damascus to the synagogues1 that if he found any of this way1 whether they were men or women1 he might bring them bound unto ,jerusalem4#adcb ,as ,saul and his attendants neared ,damascus they were halted by an occurrence of awe-inspiring grandeur4#adcc ,at noontide there suddenly appeared a light far exceeding the brightness of the sun1 and in this dazzling splendor the whole party was enveloped1 so that they fell to the ground in terror4 ,in the midst of the unearthly glory1 a sound was heard1 which to ,saul alone was intelligible as an articulate voice2 he heard and understood the reproving question spoken in the ,hebrew tongue3 ,saul1 ,saul1 why persecutest thou me8 ,in trepidation he inquired3 ,who art thou1 ,lord8 ,the reply sounded the heart of ,saul to its depths3 ,i am ,jesus of ,nazareth1 whom thou persecutest2 and continued1 as in sympathetic consideration of the persecutor's situation and the renunciation that would be required of him3 ,it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks4#adcd ,the enormity of his hostility and enmity against the ,lord and ,his people filled the man's soul with horror1 and in trembling contrition he asked3 ,lord1 what wilt thou have me to do8 ,the reply was3 ,arise1 and go into the city1 and it shall be told thee what thou must do4 ,the brilliancy of the heavenly light had blinded ,saul4 ,his companions led him into ,damascus1 where1 at the house of ,judas1 in the street called ,straight1 he sat in darkness for three days1 during which period he neither ate nor drank4 ,there lived in that city a faithful disciple named ,ananias1 to whom the ,lord spake1 instructing him to visit ,saul and minister unto him that he might be healed of his blindness4 ,ananias was astonished at the commission1 and ventured to remind the ,lord that ,saul was a notorious persecutor of the saints1 and had come at that time to ,damascus to arrest and put in bonds all believers4 ,but the ,lord answered3 ,go thy way3 for he is a chosen vessel unto me1 to bear my name before the ,gentiles1 and kings1 and the children of ,israel3 for ,i will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake4 ,ananias went to ,saul1 laid his hands upon the penitent sufferer1 saying3 ,brother ,saul1 the ,lord1 even ,jesus1 that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest1 hath sent me1 that thou mightest receive thy sight1 and be filled with the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the physical obstruction to vision was removed2 scaly particles fell from the eyes of ,saul1 and his sight was restored4 ,without delay or hesitation1 he was baptized4 ,when strengthened by food he communed with the disciples at ,damascus and straightway began to preach in the synagogs1 declaring ,jesus to be the ,son of ,god4#adce ,when ,saul returned to ,jerusalem1 the disciples were doubtful of his sincerity1 they having known of him as a violent persecutor2 but ,barnabas1 a trusted disciple1 brought him to the apostles1 told of his miraculous conversion and testified of his valiant service in preaching the word of ,god4 ,he was received into fellowship1 and afterward was ordained under the hands of the apostles4#adcf ,his ,hebrew name1 ,saul1 was in time substituted by the ,latin ,paulus1 or as to us1 ,paul4#adcg ,in view of his commission to carry the ,gospel to the ,gentiles1 the use of his ,roman name may have been of advantage1 and particularly so as he was a ,roman citizen and therefore could claim the rights and exemptions attaching to the status of citizenship4#adch ,it is no part of our present purpose to follow even in outline the labors of the man thus peremptorily and miraculously called into the ministry2 the fact of ,christ's personal manifestations to him is the sole subject of present consideration4 ,while in ,jerusalem ,paul was blessed with a visual manifestation of the ,lord ,jesus1 accompanied by the giving of specific instructions4 ,his own testimony is to this effect3 ,while ,i prayed in the temple1 ,i was in a trance2 and saw him saying unto me1 ,make haste1 and get thee quickly out of ,jerusalem3 for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me4 ,in explanation of his rejection by the people1 ,paul confessed his evil past1 saying1 ,lord1 they know that ,i imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee3 and when the blood of thy martyr ,stephen was shed1 ,i also was standing by1 and consenting unto his death1 and kept the raiment of them that slew him4 ,to this the ,lord replied3 ,depart2 for ,i will send thee far hence unto the ,gentiles4#adci ,once again1 as he lay a prisoner in the ,roman castle1 the ,lord stood by him in the night1 and said3 ,be of good cheer1 ,paul3 for as thou hast testified of me in ,jerusalem1 so must thou bear witness also at ,rome4#addj ,paul's personal witness that he had seen the resurrected ,christ is explicit and emphatic4 ,with his enumeration of some of the risen ,lord's appearances he associates his own testimony1 as addressed to the ,corinthian saints1 in this wise3 ,for ,i delivered unto you first of all that which ,i also received1 how that ,christ died for our sins according to the scriptures2 and that he was buried1 and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures3 and that he was seen of ,cephas1 then of the ,twelve3 after that1 he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once2 of whom the greater part remain unto this present1 but some are fallen asleep4 ,after that1 he was seen of ,james2 then of all the apostles4 ,and last of all he was seen of me also1 as of one born out of due time4 ,for ,i am the least of the apostles1 that am not meet to be called an apostle1 because ,i persecuted the church of ,god4#adda ,,close ,,of ,,the ,,apostolic ,,ministry--,,the ,,revelation ,,through ,,john4 ,the period of apostolic ministry continued until near the close of the first century of our era1 approximately sixty to seventy years from the time of the ,lord's ascension4 ,in the course of that epoch the ,church experienced both prosperity and vicissitude4 ,at first the organized body increased in membership and influence in a manner regarded as phenomenal1 if not miraculous4#addb ,the apostles and the many other ministers who labored under their direction in graded positions of authority strove so effectively to spread the word of ,god1 that ,paul writing approximately thirty years after the ascension affirmed that the gospel had already been carried to every nation1 or1 to use his words1 preached to every creature under heaven4#addc ,through the agency of the ,holy ,ghost ,christ continued to direct the affairs of ,his ,church on the earth2 and ,his mortal representatives1 the apostles1 traveled and taught1 healed the afflicted1 rebuked evil spirits1 and raised the dead to a renewal of life4#addd ,we are without record of any direct or personal appearance of ,christ to mortals between the manifestations to ,paul and the revelation to ,john on the isle of ,patmos4 ,tradition confirms ,john's implication that he had been banished thither for the word of ,god1 and for the testimony of ,jesus ,christ4#adde ,he avers that what he wrote1 now known as the book of ,revelation1 is ,the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ1 which ,god gave unto him1 to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass2 and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant ,john4#addf ,the apostle gives a vivid description of the glorified ,christ as seen by him3 and of the ,lord's words he made record as follows3 ,fear not2 ,i am the first and the last3 ,i am he that liveth1 and was dead2 and1 behold1 ,i am alive for evermore1 ,amen2 and have the keys of hell and of death4#addg ,john was commanded to write to each of the seven churches1 or branches of the ,church of ,christ1 then existing in ,asia1 administering reproof1 admonition and encouragement1 as the condition of each required4 ,the final ministry of ,john marked the close of the apostolic administration in the ,primitive ,church4 ,his fellow apostles had gone to their rest1 most of them having entered through the gates of martyrdom1 and although it was his special privilege to tarry in the flesh until the ,lord's advent in glory1#addh he was not to continue his service as an acknowledged minister1 known to and accepted by the ,church4 ,even while many of the apostles lived and labored1 the seed of apostasy had taken root in the ,church and had grown with the rankness of pernicious weeds4 ,this condition had been predicted1 both by ,old ,testament prophets#addi and by the ,lord ,jesus4#adej ,the apostles also spake in plain prediction of the growth of the apostasy all too grievously apparent to them as then in progress4#adea ,personal manifestations of the ,lord ,jesus to mortals appear to have ceased with the passing of the apostles of old1 and were not again witnessed until the dawn of the ,dispensation of the ,fulness of ,times4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ch4 #a4 ,presiding ,authority and ,common ,consent4--,another instance of official action in choosing and setting apart men to special office in the ,church arose soon after the ordination of ,matthias4 ,it appears that one feature of the ,church organization in early apostolic days was a common ownership of material things1 distribution being made according to need4 ,as the members increased1 it was found impracticable for the apostles to devote the necessary attention and time to these temporal matters1 so they called upon the members to select seven men of honest report1 whom the apostles would appoint to take special charge of these affairs4 ,these men were set apart by prayer and by the laying on of hands4 ,the instance is instructive as showing that the apostles realized their possession of authority to direct in the affairs of the ,church1 and that they observed with strictness the principle of common consent in the administration of their high office4 ,they exercized their priestly powers in the spirit of love1 and with due regard to the rights of the people over whom they were placed to preside4--,the author1 ,the ,great ,apostasy1 #a3ai4 #b4 ,pentecost4--,the name means fiftieth and was applied to the ,jewish feast that was celebrated fifty days after the second day of unleavened bread1 or the ,passover day4 ,it is also known as the feast of weeks 7,exo4 #cd3bb2 ,deut4 #af3aj71 because according to the ,hebrew style1 it fell seven weeks1 or a week of weeks1 after the ,passover2 as the feast of harvest 7,exo4 #bc3af72 and as the day of the first-fruits 7,numb4 #bh3bf74 ,pentecost was one of the great feasts in ,israel1 and was of mandatory observance4 ,special sacrifices were appointed for the day1 as was also an offering suitable to the harvest season1 comprizing two leavened loaves made of the new wheat2 these were to be waved before the altar and then given to the priests 7,lev4 #bc3ae-bj74 ,because of the unprecedented events that characterized the first ,pentecost after our ,lord's ascension1 the name has become current in ,christian literature as expressive of any great spiritual awakening or unusual manifestation of divine grace4 #c4 ,having ,all ,things in ,common4--,no condition recorded of the early apostolic ministry expresses more forcefully the unity and devotion of the ,church in those days than does the fact of the members establishing a system of common ownership of property 7,acts #b3dd1 #df2 #d3cb-cg2 #f3a-d74 ,one result of this community of interest in temporal things was a marked unity in spiritual matters2 they were of one heart and of one soul4 ,lacking nothing1 they lived in contentment and godliness4 ,over thirty centuries earlier the people of ,enoch had rejoiced in a similar condition of oneness1 and their attainments in spiritual excellence were so effective that the ,lord came and dwelt with his people 444 ,and the ,lord called his people ,zion1 because they were of one heart and one mind1 and dwelt in righteousness2 and there was no poor among them4 7,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #g3af-ah47 ,the ,nephite disciples grew in holiness1 as they had all things common among them1 every man dealing justly1 one with another4 7,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #bf3ai2 see also #d ,nephi #a3b-c47 ,a system of unity in material affairs has been revealed to the ,church in this current dispensation1 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #hb3ag1 #ah2 #ea3aj-ac1 #ah2 #ajd3gj-gg71 to the blessings of which the people may attain as they learn to replace selfish concern by altruism1 and individual advantage by devotion to the general welfare4--,see ,the ,articles of ,faith1 xxiv3#ac-ae4 #d4 ,saul's ,conversion4--,the sudden change of heart by which an ardent persecutor of the saints was so transformed as to become a true disciple1 is to the average mind a miracle4 ,saul of ,tarsus was a devoted student and observer of the law1 a strict ,pharisee4 ,we find no intimation that he ever met or saw ,jesus during the ,lord's life in the flesh2 and his contact with the ,christian movement appears to have been brought about through disputation with ,stephen4 ,in determining what he would call right and what wrong the young enthusiast was guided too much by mind and too little by heart4 ,his learning1 which should have been his servant1 was instead his master4 ,he was a leading spirit in the cruel persecution of the first converts to ,christianity2 yet none can doubt his belief that even in such he was rendering service to ,jehovah 7compare ,john #af3b74 ,his unusual energy and superb ability were misdirected4 ,as soon as he realized the error of his course1 he turned about1 without counting risk1 cost1 or the certainty of persecution and probable martyrdom4 ,his repentance was as genuine as had been his persecuting zeal4 ,all through his ministry he was tortured by the past 7,acts #bb3d1 #ai1 #bj2 #a ,cor4 #ae3i2 #b ,cor4 #ab3g2 ,gal4 #a3ac72 yet he found a measure of relief in the knowledge that he had acted in good conscience 7,acts #bf3i-aa74 ,it was hard for him to kick against the pricks 7revised version goad1 ,acts #i3e2 #bf3ad7 of tradition1 training1 and education2 yet he hesitated not4 ,he was a chosen instrument for the work of the ,lord 7,acts #i3ae72 and promptly he responded to the ,master's will4 ,whatever of error ,saul of ,tarsus had committed through youthful zeal1 ,paul the apostle gave his all--his time1 talent1 and life--to expiate4 ,he was preeminently the ,lord's apostle to the ,gentiles2 and this opening of the doors to others than ,jews was the main contention between himself and ,stephen4 ,in accordance with the divine and fateful purpose1 ,paul was called to do the work1 in opposition to which he had been a participant in the martyrdom of ,stephen4 ,at the ,lord's word of direction ,paul was ready to preach ,christ to the ,gentiles2 only by a miracle could the ,jewish exclusiveness of ,peter and the ,church generally be overcome 7,acts #aj2 and #aa3a-ah74 #e4 ,rapid ,growth of the ,primitive ,church4--,eusebius1 who wrote in the early part of the fourth century1 speaking of the first decade after the ,savior's ascension1 says3 ,thus1 then1 under a celestial influence and cooperation1 the doctrine of the ,savior1 like the rays of the sun1 quickly irradiated the whole world4 ,presently1 in accordance with divine prophecy1 the sound of ,his inspired evangelists and apostles had gone throughout all the earth1 and their words to the ends of the world4 ,throughout every city and village1 like a replenished barn floor1 churches were rapidly abounding and filled with members from every people4 ,those who1 in consequence of the delusions that had descended to them from their ancestors1 had been fettered by the ancient disease of idolatrous superstition1 were now liberated by the power of ,christ1 through the teachings and miracles of ,his messengers4--7,eusebius1 ,eccles4 ,hist41 ,book ,i1 ch4 #c47 #f4 ,patmos4--,a small island in the ,icarian section of the ,aegean ,sea4 ,dr4 ,john ,r4 ,sterret writes of it in the ,standard ,bible ,dictionary as follows3 ,a volcanic island of the ,sporades group1 now nearly treeless4 ,it is characterized by an indented coast and has a safe harbor4 ,by the ,romans it was made a place of exile for the lower class of criminals4 ,john1 the author of ',revelation' was banished thither by ,domitian1 #id ,a4,d4 ,according to tradition he lived there at hard labor for eighteen months4 #g4 ,the ,holy ,ghost ,given4--,in answer to a question as to whether the ,holy ,ghost was received by the apostles at or before ,pentecost1 a statement was published by the ,first ,presidency of the ,church on ,february #e1 #aiaf 7see ,deseret ,news of that date71 from which statement the following excerpts are taken3 ,the answer to this question depends upon what is meant by 'receiving' the ,holy ,ghost4 ,if reference is made to the promise of ,jesus to ,his apostles about the endowment or gift of the ,holy ,ghost by the presence and ministration of the 'personage of ,spirit1' called the ,holy ,ghost by revelation 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #acj3bb71 then the answer is1 it was not until the day of ,pentecost that the promise was fulfilled4 ,but the divine essence called the ,spirit of ,god1 or ,holy ,spirit1 or ,holy ,ghost1 by which ,god created or organized all things1 and by which the prophets wrote and spoke1 was bestowed in former ages1 and inspired the apostles in their ministry long before the day of ,pentecost4444 ,we read that ,jesus1 after ,his resurrection1 breathed upon ,his disciples and said1 ',receive ye the ,holy ,ghost4' ,but we also read that ,he said1 ',behold1 ,i send the promise of my ,father upon you3 but tarry ye in the city of ,jerusalem1 until ye be endued with power from on high' 7,john #bj3bb2 ,luke #bd3di74 ,we read further3 ',for the ,holy ,ghost was not yet given2 because that ,jesus was not yet glorified4' 7,john #g3ci47 ,thus the promise was made1 but the fulfilment came after1 so that the ,holy ,ghost sent by ,jesus from the ,father did not come in person until the day of ,pentecost1 and the cloven tongues of fire were the sign of ,his coming4 ,,footnotes3 #adjj ,acts #a3ae-bf4 #adja ,luke #bd3eb1ec2 ,acts #a3ab-ad4 #adjb #a ,cor4 #ae3bj2 ,rev4 #a3e2 ,colos4 #a3ah4 #adjc ,matt4 #bg3eb1 #ec4 #adjd ,acts #a3af2 compare ,psalm #da3i2 see also ,john #ac3ah4 #adje ,acts #a3bj4 ,the revised version substitutes on a preponderance of authority office or1 7marginal reading71 overseership1 for the erroneous rendering bishoprick in the common version4 ,compare ,psalm #aji3h4 #adjf ,acts #f3a-f2 ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #adjg ,acts #b3a-da4 ,note #g1 end of chapter4 #adjh ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #adji ,luke #bd3di2 ,acts #a3d1 #e1 #h4 #adaj ,acts #b3f1 in a better rendering than that of the common text 7see revised version7 reads3 ,and when this sound was heard1 the multitude came together4 #adaa ,joel #b3bh1 #bi2 compare ,zech4 #ab3aj4 #adab ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #adac ,acts #b3dd-df2 #d3cb-cg2 #f3a-d4 #adad ,acts #c3f2 read the entire chapter4 #adae ,acts #d3a-bb4 #adaf ,acts #d3h-ab2 compare ,psalm #aah3bb2 ,isa4 #bh3af2 ,matt4 #ba3db4 #adag ,acts #e3ab-ag4 #adah ,matt4 #bg3be2 compare #bc3ce2 see pages #fch and #fdh herein4 #adai ,acts #bb3c4 #adbj ,acts #e3cc-dj4 #adba ,acts #f3g4 #adbb ,acts #f3h-ae2 and #g4 #adbc ,acts #g3a-ec4 #adbd ,isa4 #ff3a1 #b2 see also ,matt4 #e3cd1 #ce2 #bc3bb4 #adbe ,acts #g3ef4 ,note this exceptional application of the title1 ,son of ,man1 to ,christ by anyone other than ,himself4 ,see page #adb herein4 #adbf ,acts #h3d2 #aa3ai4 #adbg ,acts #f3i4 #adbh ,acts #bb3c2 compare #e3cd2 page #gjh herein4 #adbi ,in view of ,saul's social status and recognized ability1 many believe him to have been a member of the ,sanhedrin2 but for this assumption we find no definite warrant in scripture4 #adcj ,acts #g3eh2 #h3a-c4 #adca ,acts #h3a4 #adcb ,acts #i3a1 #b4 ,observe that way here used for the first time to connote the gospel or religion of ,christ1 occurs frequently in ,acts 7#af3ag2 #ah3be1 #bf2 #ai3i1 #bc2 #bb3d2 #bd3ad1 #bb74 #adcc ,three versions of this manifestation and its immediate results appear in ,acts 7#i3c-bi2 #bb3f-af2 and #bf3ab-ah73 the first is the historian's narrative1 while the others are given as reports of ,saul's own words4 #adcd ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #adce ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #adcf ,acts #i3bf-bh2 #ac3b1 #c4 #adcg ,acts #ac3i4 #adch ,acts #af3cg-dj2 #bb3be-bh2 #bc3bg2 #be3aa2 #bf3cb2 #bh3ai4 #adci ,acts #bb3ag-ba4 #addj ,acts #bc3aa4 #adda #a ,cor4 #ae3c-i4 #addb ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #addc ,col4 #a3bc2 see verse #f2 also ,the ,great ,apostasy1 #a3bj1 #ba4 #addd ,acts #i3cf-dc4 #adde ,rev4 #a3i2 see ,note #f1 end of chapter4 #addf ,rev4 #a3a2 read the whole chapter4 #addg ,rev4 #a3aj-bj4 #addh ,page #fid herein4 #addi ,isa4 #bd3a-f2 ,amos4 #h3aa1 #ab4 #adej ,matt4 #bd3d1 #e1 #aj-ac1 #bc-bf4 #adea ,acts #bj3ag-ca1 particularly #bi1 #cj2 #a ,tim4 #d3a-c2 #b ,tim4 #d3a-d2 #b ,thess4 #b3c1 #d1 #g1 #h2 #b ,peter #b3a-c1 read the entire chapter and observe its application to conditions in the world today2 ,jude #c1 #d1 #ag-ai2 ,rev4 #ac3d1 #f-i2 #ad3f1 #g4 ,see ,the ,great ,apostasy1 chapter #b4 ,,chapter #ci4 ,,ministry ,,of ,,the ,,resurrected ,,christ ,,on ,,the ,,western ,,hemisphere4 ,by considering the apostolic ministry in immediate sequence to our study of the ,lord's ascension from the ,mount of ,olives1 we have departed from the chronological order of the several personal manifestations of the risen ,savior to mortals2 for very soon after ,his final farewell to the apostles in ,judea ,he visited ,his other sheep1 not of the eastern fold1 whose existence ,he had affirmed in that impressive sermon concerning the ,good ,shepherd and ,his sheep4#adeb ,those other sheep who were to hear the ,shepherd's voice and eventually be made part of the united fold1 were the descendants of ,lehi who1 with his family and a few others1 had left ,jerusalem #fjj ,b4,c4 and had crossed the great deep to what we now know as the ,american continent1 whereon they had grown to be a mighty though a divided people4#adec ,,the ,,lord',s ,,death ,,signalized ,,by ,,great ,,calamities ,,on ,,the ,,american ,,continent4 ,as already set forth in these pages1 the birth of ,jesus at ,bethlehem had been made known to the ,nephite nation on the western hemisphere by divine revelation2 and the glad event had been marked by the appearance of a new star1 by a night devoid of darkness so that two days and the night between had been as one day1 and by other wonderful occurrences1 all of which had been predicted through the prophets of the western world4#aded ,samuel the ,lamanite1 who through faithfulness and good works had become a prophet1 mighty in word and deed1 duly chosen and commissioned of ,god1 had coupled with his predictions of the glorious occurrences that were to mark the birth of ,christ1 prophecies of other signs--of darkness1 terror1 and destruction--by which the ,savior's death on the cross would be signalized4#adee ,every prophetic word concerning the phenomena that were to attend the ,lord's birth had been fulfilled2 and many people had been brought thereby to believe in ,christ as the promised ,redeemer2 but1 as is usual with those whose belief rests on miracles1 many among the ,nephites began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard1 and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven1 insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts1 and blind in their minds1 and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen4#adef ,thirty and three years had sped their course since the illumined night and the other signs of ,messiah's advent2 then1 on the fourth day of the first month1 or1 according to our calendar1 during the first week of ,april1 in the thirty-fourth year1 there arose a great and terrible tempest1 with thunderings1 lightnings1 and both elevations and depressions of the earth's surface1 so that the highways were broken up1 mountains were sundered1 and many cities were utterly destroyed by earthquake1 fire1 and the inrush of the sea4 ,for three hours the unprecedented holocaust continued2 and then thick darkness fell1 in the which it was found impossible to kindle a fire2 the awful gloom was like unto the darkness of ,egypt#adeg in that its clammy vapors could be felt4 ,this condition lasted until the third day1 so that a night a day and a night were as one unbroken night1 and the impenetrable blackness was rendered the more terrible by the wailing of the people1 whose heart-rending refrain was everywhere the same1 ,o that we had repented before this great and terrible day4#adeh ,then1 piercing the darkness1 came a ,voice1#adei before which the frightful chorus of human lamentation was silenced2 ,wo1 wo1 wo unto this people resounded throughout the land4 ,the ,voice proclaimed increasing woes except the people should repent4 ,destruction had befallen because of wickedness1 and the devil was then laughing over the number of the dead and the retributive cause of their destruction4 ,the extent of the dread calamity was detailed2 cities that had been burned with their inhabitants1 others that had sunk into the sea1 yet others buried in the earth1 were enumerated2 and the divine reason for this widespread destruction was plainly set forth--that the wickedness and abominations of the people might be hidden from the face of the earth4 ,those who had lived to hear were declared to be the more righteous of the inhabitants2 and to them hope was offered on conditions of more thorough repentance and reformation4 ,the identity of the ,voice was thus made known3 ,behold1 ,i am ,jesus ,christ the ,son of ,god4 ,i created the heavens and the earth1 and all things that in them are4 ,i was with the ,father from the beginning4 ,i am in the ,father1 and the ,father in me2 and in me hath the ,father glorified his name4 ,the ,lord commanded that the people should no longer serve ,him with bloody sacrifices and burnt offerings2 for the law of ,moses was fulfilled2 and thenceforth the only acceptable sacrifice would be the broken heart and the contrite spirit2 and such should never be rejected4 ,the humble and repentant the ,lord would receive as ,his own4 ,behold1 ,he said1 for such ,i have laid down my life1 and have taken it up again2 therefore repent1 and come unto me ye ends of the earth1 and be saved4 ,the ,voice ceased2 and through the space of many hours of continuing darkness vociferous lamentations were hushed1 for the people were convicted of their guilt and silently wept in astonishment over what they had heard1 and in hopeful anticipation of the salvation that had been offered4 ,a second time the ,voice was heard1 as in sorrow over those who had refused to accept the ,savior's succor2 for often had ,he protected them1 more often would ,he have so done had they been willing1 and yet in the future would ,he cherish them1 as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings if they would repent and live in righteousness4 ,on the morning of the third day the darkness dispersed1 seismic disturbances ceased1 and the storms abated4 ,as the pall was lifted from the land the people saw how profound had been the convulsions of earth1 and how great had been their loss of kindred and friends4 ,in their contrition and humiliation they remembered the predictions of the prophets1 and knew that the mandate of the ,lord had been executed upon them4#adfj ,christ had risen2 and following ,him many of the righteous dead on the western continent rose from their graves1 and appeared as resurrected1 immortalized beings among the survivors of the land-wide destruction2 even as in ,judea many of the saints had been raised immediately after the resurrection of ,christ4#adfa ,,first ,,visitation ,,of ,,jesus ,,christ ,,to ,,the ,,nephites4#adfb ,about six weeks or more after the events last considered1#adfc a great multitude of the ,nephites had assembled at the temple in the land called ,bountiful1#adfd and were earnestly discoursing with one another over the great changes that had been wrought in the land1 and particularly concerning ,jesus ,christ1 of whose atoning death the predicted signs had been witnessed in all their tragic details4 ,the prevailing spirit of the assembly was that of contrition and reverence4 ,while thus congregated they heard a sound as of a ,voice from above2 but both a first and a second utterance were to them unintelligible4 ,as they listened with rapt intentness1 the ,voice was heard a third time1 and it said unto them3 ,behold my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased1 in whom ,i have glorified my name3 hear ye him4#adfe ,while gazing upward in reverent expectation1 the people beheld a ,man1 clothed in a white robe1 who descended and stood among them4 ,he spake1 saying3 ,behold1 ,i am ,jesus ,christ1 whom the prophets testified shall come into the world2 and behold1 ,i am the light and the life of the world2 and ,i have drunk out of that bitter cup which the ,father hath given me1 and have glorified the ,father in taking upon me the sins of the world1 in the which ,i have suffered the will of the ,father in all things from the beginning4 ,the multitude prostrated themselves in adoration for they remembered that their prophets had foretold that the ,lord would appear among them after ,his resurrection and ascension4#adff ,as ,he directed1 the people arose1 and one by one came to ,him1 and did see and feel the prints of the nails in ,his hands and feet1 and the spear-wound in ,his side4 ,moved to adoring utterance1 with one accord they cried3 ,hosanna6 blessed be the name of the ,most ,high ,god6 then1 falling at the feet of ,jesus1 they worshiped ,him4 ,summoning ,nephi and eleven others to approach1 the ,lord gave them authority to baptize the people after ,his departure1 and prescribed the mode of baptism with particular injunction against disputation in the matter or alteration of the given form1 as witness the ,lord's words3 ,verily ,i say unto you1 that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words1 and desireth to be baptized in my name1 on this wise shall ye baptize them3 behold1 ye shall go down and stand in the water1 and in my name shall ye baptize them4 ,and now behold1 these are the words which ye shall say1 calling them by name1 saying1 ,having authority given me of ,jesus ,christ1 ,i baptize you in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,amen4 ,and then shall ye immerse them in the water1 and come forth again out of the water4 ,and after this manner shall ye baptize in my name1 for behold1 verily ,i say unto you1 that the ,father1 and the ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost are one2 and ,i am in the ,father1 and the ,father in me1 and the ,father and ,i are one4 ,and according as ,i have commanded you thus shall ye baptize4 ,and there shall be no disputations among you1 as there hath hitherto been2 neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine1 as there hath hitherto been4#adfg ,the people in general1 and particularly the ,twelve1 chosen as stated1 were impressively warned against contention over matters of doctrine1 the spirit of which was declared to be of the devil1 who is the father of contention4 ,the doctrine of ,jesus ,christ was set forth in simple yet comprehensive summary in these words3 ,behold1 verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,i will declare unto you my doctrine4 ,and this is my doctrine1 and it is the doctrine which the ,father hath given unto me2 and ,i bear record of the ,father and the ,father beareth record of me1 and the ,holy ,ghost beareth record of the ,father and me1 and ,i bear record that the ,father commandeth all men3 everywhere1 to repent and believe in me2 ,and whoso believeth in me1 and is baptized1 the same shall be saved2 and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of ,god4 ,and whoso believeth not in me1 and is not baptized1 shall be damned4#adfh ,repentance1 and humility akin to that of the innocent trusting child were the prerequisites for baptism1 without which none could inherit the kingdom of ,god4 ,with the incisiveness and simplicity that had characterized ,his teachings in ,palestine1 the ,lord thus instructed ,his newly chosen ,twelve3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 that this is my doctrine1 and whoso buildeth upon this1 buildeth upon my rock1 and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them4 ,and whoso shall declare more or less than this1 and establish it for my doctrine1 the same cometh of evil1 and is not built upon my rock1 but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation1 and the gates of hell standeth open to receive such1 when the floods come and the winds beat upon them4 ,therefore go forth unto this people1 and declare the words which ,i have spoken unto the ends of the earth4#adfi ,then1 turning to the multitude1 ,jesus admonished them to give heed to the teachings of the ,twelve1 and continued with a discourse embodying the sublime principles ,he had taught among the ,jews in the ,sermon on the ,mount4#adgj ,the ,beatitudes1 the ,lord's ,prayer1 and the same splendid array of ennobling precepts are set forth1 and the same wealth of effective comparison and apt illustration appear1 in both ,matthew's and ,nephi's versions of this unparalleled address2 but a significant difference is observed in every reference to the fulfilment of the ,mosaic law2 for where the ,jewish scriptures record the ,lord's words as pointing to a fulfilment then incomplete1 the corresponding expressions in the ,nephite account are in the past tense1 the law having been already fulfilled in its entirety through the death and resurrection of ,christ4 ,thus1 to the ,jews ,jesus had said3 ,till heaven and earth pass1 one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law1 till all be fulfilled2 but to the ,nephites3 ,for verily ,i say unto you1 one jot nor one tittle hath not passed away from the law1 but in me it hath all been fulfilled4#adga ,many marveled over this matter1 wondering what the ,lord would have them do concerning the law of ,moses2 for they understood not the saying that old things had passed away1 and that all things had become new4 ,jesus1 conscious of their perplexity1 proclaimed in plainness that ,he was the ,giver of the law1 and that by ,him had it been fulfilled and therefore abrogated4 ,his affirmation is particularly explicit3 ,behold ,i say unto you1 that the law is fulfilled that was given unto ,moses4 ,behold1 ,i am he that gave the law1 and ,i am he who covenanted with my people ,israel3 therefore1 the law in me is fulfilled1 for ,i have come to fulfil the law2 therefore it hath an end4 ,behold1 ,i do not destroy the prophets1 for as many as have not been fulfilled in me1 verily ,i say unto you1 shall all be fulfilled4 ,and because ,i said unto you1 that old things hath passed away1 ,i do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are to come4 ,for behold1 the covenant which ,i have made with my people is not all fulfilled2 but the law which was given unto ,moses1 hath an end in me4#adgb ,addressing ,himself to the ,twelve ,he affirmed that never had the ,father commanded ,him to inform the ,jews concerning the existence of the ,nephites1 except indirectly by mention of other sheep not of the ,jewish fold2 and as1 because of stiffneckedness and unbelief1 they had failed to comprehend ,his words1 the ,father had commanded ,him to say no more with reference either to the ,nephites or to the third fold--comprizing the other tribes of the house of ,israel1 whom the ,father hath led away out of the land4 ,to the ,nephite disciples ,jesus taught many other matters that had been withheld from the ,jews1 who through unfitness to receive had been left in ignorance4 ,even the ,jewish apostles had wrongly supposed that those other sheep were the ,gentile nations1 not realizing that the carrying of the gospel to the ,gentiles was part of their particular mission1 and oblivious to the fact that never would ,christ manifest ,himself in person to those who were not of the house of ,israel4 ,through the promptings of the ,holy ,ghost and under the ministrations of men commissioned and sent would the ,gentiles hear the word of ,god2 but to the personal manifestation of the ,messiah they were ineligible4#adgc ,great1 however1 will be the ,lord's mercies and blessings to the ,gentiles who accept the truth1 for unto them the ,holy ,ghost shall bear witness of the ,father and of the ,son2 and all of them who comply with the laws and ordinances of the gospel shall be numbered in the house of ,israel4 ,their conversion and enfoldment with the ,lord's own will be as individuals1 and not as nations1 tribes1 or peoples4#adgd ,the adoring multitude1 numbering about two thousand five hundred souls1 thought that ,jesus was about to depart2 and they tearfully yearned to have ,him remain4 ,he comforted them with the assurance that ,he would return on the morrow1 and admonished them to ponder upon the things ,he had taught1 and to pray in ,his name to the ,father for understanding4 ,he had already informed the ,twelve1 and now stated to the people1 that ,he would show ,himself and minister unto the lost tribes of ,israel1 for they are not lost unto the ,father1 for he knoweth whither he hath taken them4 ,voicing the compassion ,he felt1 the ,lord directed the people to fetch their afflicted ones1 the lame1 halt1 maimed1 blind and deaf1 the leprous1 and the withered2 and when these were brought ,he healed them1 every one4 ,then1 as ,he commanded1 parents brought their little children1 and placed them in a circle around ,him4 ,the multitude bowed in prayer2 and ,jesus prayed for them2 ,and1 wrote ,nephi1 no tongue can speak1 neither can there be written by any man1 neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvellous things as we both saw and heard ,jesus speak2 and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the ,father4 ,the prayer being ended1 ,jesus bade the multitude arise2 and joyfully ,he exclaimed3 ,blessed are ye because of your faith4 ,and now behold1 my joy is full4 ,jesus wept4 ,then ,he took the children1 one by one1 and blessed them1 praying unto the ,father for each4 ,and when he had done this he wept again1 and he spake unto the multitude1 and saith unto them1 behold your little ones4 ,and as they looked to behold1 they cast their eyes towards heaven1 and they saw the heavens open1 and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were1 in the midst of fire2 and they came down and encircled those little ones about1 and they were encircled about with fire2 and the angels did minister unto them4#adge ,the ,lord ,jesus sent for bread and wine1 and caused the people to sit down4 ,the bread ,he brake and blessed1 and gave thereof to the ,twelve2 these1 having eaten1 distributed bread to the multitude4 ,the wine was blessed1 and all partook1 the ,twelve first1 and afterward the people4 ,with impressiveness similar to that attending the institution of the ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper among the apostles in ,jerusalem1 ,jesus made plain the sanctity and significance of the ordinance1 saying that authority for its future administration would be given2 and that it was to be participated in by all who had been baptized into fellowship with ,christ1 and was always to be observed in remembrance of ,him1 the bread being the sacred emblem of ,his body1 the wine the token of ,his blood that had been shed4 ,by express commandment1 the ,lord forbade the sacrament of bread and wine to all but the worthy2 ,for1 ,he explained1 whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily1 eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul2 therefore if ye know that a man is unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood1 ye shall forbid him4 ,but the people were forbidden to cast out from their assemblies those from whom the ,sacrament was to be withheld1 if so be they would but repent and seek fellowship through baptism4#adgf ,the necessity of prayer was explicitly emphasized by the ,lord1 the commandment to pray being given to the ,twelve and to the multitude separately4 ,individual supplication1 family devotions1 and congregational worship were thus enjoined3 ,therefore ye must always pray unto the ,father in my name2 and whatsoever ye shall ask the ,father in my name1 which is right1 believing that ye shall receive1 behold it shall be given unto you4 ,pray in your families unto the ,father1 always in my name1 that your wives and your children may be blessed4 ,and behold1 ye shall meet together oft1 and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together1 but suffer them that they may come unto you1 and forbid them not2 but ye shall pray for them1 and shall not cast them out2 and if it so be that they come unto you oft1 ye shall pray for them unto the ,father1 in my name4#adgg ,the ,lord then touched with ,his hand each of the ,twelve1 investing them1 in words unheard by others1 with power to confer the ,holy ,ghost by the imposition of hands upon all repentant and baptized believers4#adgh ,as he finished the ordination of the ,twelve1 a cloud overshadowed the people1 so that the ,lord was hidden from their sight2 but the twelve disciples saw and did bear record that he ascended again into heaven4 ,,christ',s ,,second ,,visitation ,,to ,,the ,,nephites4#adgi ,on the morrow a yet greater multitude assembled in expectation of the ,savior's return4 ,throughout the night messengers had spread the glorious tidings of the ,lord's appearing1 and of ,his promise to again visit ,his people4 ,so great was the assembly that ,nephi and his associates caused the people to separate into twelve bodies1 to each of which one of the disciples was assigned to impart instruction and to lead in prayer4 ,the burden of supplication was that the ,holy ,ghost should be given unto them4 ,led by the chosen disciples the whole vast concourse approached the water's edge1 and ,nephi1 going first1 was baptized by immersion2 he then baptized the eleven others whom ,jesus had chosen4 ,when the ,twelve had come forth out of the water1 they were filled with the ,holy ,ghost1 and with fire4 ,and behold1 they were encircled about as if it were fire2 and it came down from heaven1 and the multitude did witness it1 and do bear record2 and angels did come down out of heaven1 and did minister unto them4 ,and it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples1 behold1 ,jesus came and stood in the midst1 and ministered unto them4#adhj ,thus ,jesus appeared in the midst of the disciples and ministering angels4 ,at ,his command the ,twelve and the multitude knelt in prayer2 and they prayed unto ,jesus1 calling ,him their ,lord and their ,god4 ,jesus separated ,himself by a little space1 and in humble attitude prayed1 saying in part3 ,father1 ,i thank thee that thou hast given the ,holy ,ghost unto these whom ,i have chosen2 and it is because of their belief in me1 that ,i have chosen them out of the world4 ,father1 ,i pray thee that thou wilt give the ,holy ,ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words4 ,the disciples were yet fervently praying to ,jesus when ,he returned to them2 and as ,he looked upon them with merciful and approving smile1 they were glorified in ,his presence1 so that their countenances and their apparel shone with a brilliancy like unto that of the face and garments of the ,lord1 even so that there could be nothing on earth so white as the whiteness thereof4 ,a second and a third time ,jesus retired and prayed unto the ,father2 and while the people comprehended the meaning of ,his prayer1 they confessed and bare record that so great and marvellous were the words which he prayed1 that they cannot be written1 neither can they be uttered by man4 ,the ,lord rejoiced in the faith of the people1 and to the disciples ,he said3 ,so great faith have ,i never seen among all the ,jews2 wherefore ,i could not shew unto them so great miracles1 because of their unbelief4 ,verily ,i say unto you1 there are none of them that have seen so great things as ye have seen2 neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard4#adha ,then the ,lord administered the ,sacrament in manner as on the yesterday2 but both the bread and the wine were provided without human aid4 ,the sanctity of the ordinance was thus expressed3 ,he that eateth this bread1 eateth of my body to his soul1 and he that drinketh of this wine1 drinketh of my blood to his soul1 and his soul shall never hunger nor thirst1 but shall be filled4 ,this was followed by instructions concerning the covenant people1 ,israel1 of whom the ,nephites were a part1 and of the relation they would bear to the ,gentile nations in the future development of the divine purpose4 ,jesus declared ,himself to be that ,prophet whose coming ,moses had foretold1 and the ,christ of whom all the prophets had testified4 ,the temporary supremacy of the ,gentiles1 whereby the further scattering of ,israel would be accomplished1 and the eventual gathering of the covenant people1 were predicted1 with frequent reference to the inspired utterances of ,isaiah bearing thereon4#adhb ,the future of ,lehi's descendants was pictured as a dwindling in unbelief through iniquity2 in consequence of which the ,gentiles would grow to be a mighty people on the western continent1 even though that land had been given as an ultimate inheritance to the house of ,israel4 ,the establishment of the then future but now existent ,american nation1 characterized as a free people1 was thus foretold and ,god's purpose therein explained3 ,for it is wisdom in the ,father that they should be established in this land1 and be set up as a free people by the power of the ,father1 that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed1 that the covenant of the ,father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his people1 ,o house of ,israel4#adhc ,as a sign of the time in which the gathering of the several branches of ,israel from their long dispersion should take place1 the ,lord specified the prosperity of the ,gentiles in ,america1 and their agency in bringing the scriptures to the degraded remnant of ,lehi's posterity or the ,american ,indians4#adhd ,it was made plain that all ,gentiles who would repent1 and accept the gospel of ,christ through baptism1 should be numbered among the covenant people and be made partakers of the blessings incident to the last days1 in which the ,new ,jerusalem would be established on the ,american continent4 ,the joyful account of gathered ,israel as ,jehovah had given it aforetime through the mouth of ,his prophet ,isaiah1 was repeated by the resurrected ,jehovah to ,his ,nephite flock4#adhe ,admonishing them to ponder the words of the prophets1 which were of record amongst them1 and to give heed to the new scriptures ,he had made known1 and especially commanding the ,twelve to teach the people further concerning the things ,he had expounded1 the ,lord informed them of the revelations given through ,malachi1 and directed that the same be written4#adhf ,the prophecies so reiterated by ,him who had inspired ,malachi to utterance1 were at that time obviously of the future1 and are even yet unfulfilled in their entirety4 ,the advent of the ,lord1 to which these scriptures testify1 is yet future2 but that the time is now near--that great and dreadful day of the ,lord--is attested by the fact that ,elijah who was to come before that day1 has appeared in the discharge of his particular commission--that of turning the hearts of the living children to their dead progenitors1 and the hearts of the departed fathers to their still mortal posterity4#adhg ,the personal ministry of ,christ on the occasion of this second visitation lasted three days1 during which ,he gave the people many scriptures1 such as had been before given unto the ,jews1 for so the ,father had commanded2 and ,he expounded unto them the purposes of ,god1 from the beginning until the time at which ,christ shall return in ,his glory2 ,and even unto the great and last day1 when all people1 and all kindreds1 and all nations and tongues shall stand before ,god1 to be judged of their works1 whether they be good or whether they be evil2 if they be good1 to the resurrection of everlasting life2 and if they be evil1 to the resurrection of damnation1 being on a parallel1 the one on the one hand1 and the other on the other hand1 according to the mercy1 and the justice1 and the holiness which is in ,christ1 who was before the world began4 ,in merciful ministration ,he healed their afflicted folk1 and raised a man from the dead4 ,at later but unspecified times1 ,he showed ,himself among the ,nephites1 and did break bread oft1 and bless it1 and give it unto them4#adhh ,after ,his second ascension from among them1 the spirit of prophecy was manifest among the people1 and this extended even to children and babes1 many of whom spake of marvelous things1 as the ,spirit gave them utterance4 ,the ,twelve entered upon their ministry with vigor1 teaching all who would hear1 and baptizing those who1 through repentance1 sought communion with the ,church4 ,upon all who thus complied with the requirements of the gospel1 the ,holy ,ghost was bestowed2 and those so blessed lived together in love1 and were called the ,church of ,christ4#adhi ,,christ',s ,,visitation ,,to ,,his ,,chosen ,,twelve ,,among ,,the ,,nephites4#adij ,under the administration of the twelve ordained disciples the ,church grew and prospered in the land of ,nephi4#adia ,the disciples1 as special witnesses of the ,christ1 traveled1 preached1 taught1 and baptized all who professed faith and showed forth repentance4 ,on a certain occasion the ,twelve were assembled in mighty prayer and fasting1 seeking instruction on a particular matter which1 notwithstanding the ,lord's injunction against contention1 had given rise to disputation among the people4 ,as they supplicated the ,father in the ,son's name1 ,jesus appeared amongst them1 and asked3 ,what will ye that ,i shall give unto you8 ,their answer was3 ,lord1 we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church2 for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter4 ,they had provisionally called the community of baptized believers the ,church of ,christ2 but1 apparently this true and distinguishing name had not been generally accepted without question4 ,and the ,lord said unto them1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing8 ,have they not read the scriptures1 which say ye must take upon you the name of ,christ1 which is my name8 for by this name shall ye be called at the last day2 and whoso taketh upon him my name1 and endureth to the end1 the same shall be saved at the last day2 therefore whatsoever ye shall do1 ye shall do it in my name2 therefore ye shall call the church in my name2 and ye shall call upon the ,father in my name1 that he will bless the church for my sake2 ,and how be it my church1 save it be called in my name8 for if a church be called in ,moses' name1 then it be ,moses' church2 or if it be called in the name of a man1 then it be the church of a man2 but if it be called in my name1 then it is my church1 if it so be that they are built upon my gospel4 ,verily ,i say unto you1 that ye are built upon my gospel2 therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call1 in my name2 therefore if ye call upon the ,father1 for the church1 if it be in my name1 the ,father will hear you2 and if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel1 then will the ,father shew forth his own works in it2 but if it be not built upon my gospel1 and is built upon the works of men1 or upon the works of the devil1 verily ,i say unto you1 they have joy in their works for a season1 and by and by the end cometh1 and they are hewn down and cast into the fire1 from whence there is no return2 for their works do follow them1 for it is because of their works that they are hewn down2 therefore remember the things that ,i have told you4#adib ,in such wise did the ,lord confirm as an authoritative bestowal1 the name which1 through inspiration1 had been assumed by ,his obedient children1 ,the ,church of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the ,lord's explanation as to the one and only ,name by which the ,church could be appropriately known is cogent and convincing4 ,it was not the church of ,lehi or ,nephi1 of ,mosiah or ,alma1 of ,samuel or ,helaman2 else it should have been called by the name of the man whose church it was1 even as today there are churches named after men2#adic but being the ,church established by ,jesus ,christ1 it could properly bear none other name than ,his4 ,jesus then reiterated to the ,nephite ,twelve many of the cardinal principles ,he had before enunciated to them and to the people at large2 and commanded that ,his words be written1 excepting certain exalted communications which ,he forbade them to write4 ,the importance of preserving as a priceless treasure the new scriptures ,he had given was shown1 with assurance that in heaven records were kept of all things done by divine direction4 ,the ,twelve were told that they were to be the judges of their people2 and in view of such investiture they were admonished to diligence and godliness4#adid ,the ,lord was made glad by the faith and ready obedience of the ,nephites amongst whom ,he had ministered2 and to the twelve special witnesses ,he said3 ,and now behold1 my joy is great1 even unto fulness1 because of you1 and also this generation2 yea1 and even the ,father rejoiceth1 and also all the holy angels1 because of you and this generation2 for none of them are lost4 ,behold1 ,i would that ye should understand2 for ,i mean them who are now alive of this generation2 and none of them are lost2 and in them ,i have fulness of joy4 ,his joy1 however1 was mingled with sorrow because of the apostasy into which the later generations would fall2 this ,he foresaw as a dire condition that would attain its climax in the fourth generation from that time4#adie ,,the ,,three ,,nephites4 ,in loving compassion the ,lord spoke unto the twelve disciples1 one by one1 asking3 ,what is it that ye desire of me1 after that ,i am gone to the ,father8#adif ,all but three expressed the desire that they might continue in the ministry until they had reached a goodly age1 and then in due time be received by the ,lord into ,his kingdom4 ,to them ,jesus gave blessed assurance1 saying3 ,after that ye are seventy and two years old1 ye shall come unto me in my kingdom1 and with me ye shall find rest4 ,he turned to the three who had reserved the request they ventured not to express2 ,and he said unto them1 ,behold1 ,i know your thoughts1 and ye have desired the thing which ,john1 my beloved1 who was with me in my ministry1 before that ,i was lifted up by the ,jews1 desired of me2 therefore more blessed are ye1 for ye shall never taste of death1 but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the ,father1 unto the children of men1 even until all things shall be fulfilled1 according to the will of the ,father1 when ,i shall come in my glory1 with the powers of heaven2 and ye shall never endure the pains of death2 but when ,i shall come in my glory1 ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality3 and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my ,father4#adig ,the blessed three were assured that in the course of their prolonged life they should be immune to pain1 and should know sorrow only as they grieved for the sins of the world4 ,for their desire to labor in bringing souls unto ,christ as long as the world should stand1 they were promised an eventual fulness of joy1 even like unto that to which the ,lord ,himself had attained4 ,jesus touched each of the nine who were to live and die in the ,lord1 but the three who were to tarry till ,he would come in ,his glory ,he did not touch4 ,and then he departed4 ,a change was wrought in the bodies of the ,three ,nephites1 so that1 while they remained in the flesh1 they were exempt from the usual effects of physical vicissitude4 ,the heavens were opened to their gaze2 they were caught up1 and saw and heard unspeakable things4 ,and it was forbidden them that they should utter2 neither was it given unto them power that they could utter the things which they saw and heard4 ,though they lived and labored as men among their fellows1 preaching1 baptizing1 and conferring the ,holy ,ghost upon all who gave heed to their words1 the enemies to the truth were powerless to do them injury4 ,somewhat later than a hundred and seventy years after the ,lord's last visitation1 malignant persecution was waged against the ,three4 ,for their zeal in the ministry they were cast into prison2 but the prisons could not hold them1 for they were rent in twain4 ,they were incarcerated in underground dungeons2 ,but they did smite the earth with the word of ,god1 insomuch that by his power they were delivered out of the depths of the earth2 and therefore they could not dig pits sufficient to hold them4 ,thrice they were cast into a furnace of fire1 but received no harm2 and three times were they thrown into dens of ravenous beasts1 but1 behold they did play with the beasts1 as a child with a suckling lamb1 and received no harm4#adih ,mormon avers that in answer to his prayers the ,lord had made known unto him that the change wrought upon the bodies of the ,three1 was such as to deprive ,satan of all power over them1 and that they were holy1 and that the powers of the earth could not hold them2 and in this state they were to remain until the judgment day of ,christ2 and at that day they were to receive a greater change1 and to be received into the kingdom of the ,father to go no more out1 but to dwell with ,god eternally in the heavens4#adii ,for nearly three hundred years1 and possibly longer1 the ,three ,nephites ministered visibly among their fellows2 but as the wickedness of the people increased these special ministers were withdrawn1 and thereafter manifested themselves only to the righteous few4 ,moroni1 the last prophet of the ,nephites1 when engaged in completing the record of his father1 ,mormon1 and adding thereto matters of his own knowledge1 wrote concerning these three disciples of the ,lord1 that they did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great1 that the ,lord would not suffer them to remain with the people2 and whether they be upon the face of the land no man knoweth4 ,but behold1 my father and ,i have seen them1 and they have ministered unto us4#aejj ,their ministry was to be extended to ,jews and ,gentiles1 amongst whom they labor unrecognized as of ancient birth2 and they are sent unto the scattered tribes of ,israel1 and to all nations1 kindreds1 tongues and peoples1 from whom they have brought and are bringing many souls unto ,christ1 that their desire may be fulfilled1 and also because of the convincing power of ,god which is in them4#aeja ,,growth ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,followed ,,by ,,the ,,apostasy ,,of ,,the ,,nephite ,,nation4 ,the ,church of ,jesus ,christ developed rapidly in the land of ,nephi1 and brought to its faithful adherents unprecedented blessings4 ,even the hereditary animosity between ,nephites and ,lamanites was forgotten2 and all lived in peace and prosperity4 ,so great was the unity of the ,church that its members owned all things in common1 and therefore they were not rich and poor1 bond and free1 but they were all made free1 and partakers of the heavenly gift4#aejb ,populous cities replaced the desolation of ruin that had befallen at the time of the ,lord's crucifixion4 ,the land was blessed1 and the people rejoiced in righteousness4 ,and it came to pass that there was no contention in the land1 because of the love of ,god which did dwell in the hearts of the people4 ,and there were no envyings1 nor strifes1 nor tumults1 nor whoredoms1 nor lyings1 nor murders1 nor any manner of lasciviousness2 and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of ,god4#aejc ,nine of the twelve special witnesses chosen by the ,lord passed at appointed times to their rest1 and others were ordained in their stead4 ,the state of blessed prosperity and of common ownership continued for a period of a hundred and sixty-seven years2 but soon thereafter came a most distressing change4 ,pride displaced humility1 display of costly apparel superseded the simplicity of happier days2 rivalry led to contention1 and thence the people did have their goods and their substance no more common among them1 and they began to be divided into classes1 and they began to build up churches unto themselves1 to get gain1 and began to deny the true church of ,christ4#aejd ,man-made churches multiplied1 and persecution1 true sister to intolerance1 became rampant4 ,the red-skinned ,lamanites reverted to their degraded ways1 and developed a murderous hostility against their white brothers2 and all manner of corrupt practises became common among both nations4 ,for many decades the ,nephites retreated before their aggressive foes1 making their way north-eastward through what is now the ,united ,states4 ,about #djj ,a4,d4 the last great battle was fought near the hill ,cumorah2#aeje and the ,nephite nation became extinct4#aejf ,the degenerate remnant of ,lehi's posterity1 the ,lamanites or ,american ,indians1 have continued until this day4 ,moroni1 the last of the ,nephite prophets1 hid away the record of his people in the hill ,cumorah1 whence it has been brought forth by divine direction in the current dispensation4 ,that record is now before the world translated through the gift and power of ,god1 and published to the edification of all nations1 as the ,,book ,,of ,,mormon4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #ci4 #a4 ,the ,land ,bountiful4--,this comprized the northerly part of ,south ,america1 extending to the ,isthmus of ,panama4 ,on the north it was bounded by the ,land of ,desolation1 which embraced ,central ,america1 and1 in later ,nephite history1 an indefinite extent north of the ,isthmus4 ,the ,south ,american continent in general is called1 in the ,book of ,mormon1 the ,land of ,nephi4 #b4 ,the ,jewish and ,nephite ,versions of the ,sermon on the ,mount4--,as indicated in the text1 one of the most impressive contrasts between the ,sermon on the ,mount and the virtual repetition of the discourse by our ,lord on the occasion of ,his visit to the ,nephites1 is that of prediction concerning the fulfilment of the law of ,moses in the first delivery1 and unqualified affirmation in the second that the law had been fulfilled4 ,among the ,beatitudes certain differences appear1 in each of which the ,nephite sermon is more explicit4 ,thus1 instead of1 ,blessed are the poor in spirit 7,matt4 #e3c71 we read1 ,blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me 7#c ,nephi #ab3c74 ,instead of1 ,blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness2 for they shall be filled 7,matt471 we read1 ,and blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness1 for they shall be filled with the ,holy ,ghost 7,nephi74 ,instead of1 for righteousness' sake1 7,matt47 we have for my name's sake1 7,nephi74 ,for the difficult passage1 ,ye are the salt of the earth3 but if the salt have lost his savour1 wherewith shall it be salted8 7,matt471 we have the clearer expression1 ,i give unto you to be the salt of the earth2 but if the salt shall lose its savor1 wherewith shall the earth be salted8 7,nephi74 ,and1 as already noted1 in place of one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law1 till all be fulfilled 7,matt471 we have one jot nor one tittle hath not passed away from the law1 but in me it hath all been fulfilled 7,nephi74 ,variations in succeeding verses are incident to this prospective fulfilment 7,matt471 and affirmed accomplishment 7,nephi74 ,instead of the strong analogy concerning the plucking out of an offending eye1 or the severing of an evil hand 7,matt471 we find3 ,behold1 ,i give unto you a commandment1 that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart2 for it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things1 wherein ye will take up your cross1 than that ye should be cast into hell 7,nephi74 ,following the illustrative instances of the gospel requirements superseding those of the law1 the ,nephite record presents this splendid summation3 ,therefore those things which were of old time1 which were under the law in me1 are all fulfilled4 ,old things are done away1 and all things have become new2 therefore ,i would that ye should be perfect even as ,i1 or your ,father who is in heaven is perfect4 ,in ,matthew's report of the sermon1 little distinction is made between the precepts addressed to the multitude in general1 and the instructions given particularly to the ,twelve4 ,thus1 ,matt4 #f3be-cd was spoken inferentially to the apostles2 for they and not the people were to lay aside all worldly pursuits2 in the sermon delivered to the ,nephites the distinction is thus made clear3 ,and now it came to pass that when ,jesus had spoken these words1 he looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen1 and said unto them1 ,remember the words which ,i have spoken4 ,for behold1 ye are they whom ,i have chosen to minister unto this people4 ,therefore ,i say unto you1 take no thought for your life1 what ye shall eat1 or what ye shall drink2 nor yet for your body1 what ye shall put on4 ,is not the life more than meat1 and the body than raiment8 etc4 7,see #c ,nephi #ac3be-cd74 ,matt #g opens with ,judge not that ye be not judged1 without intimation as to its general or special application2 #c ,nephi #ad begins ,and now it came to pass that when ,jesus had spoken these words1 he turned again to the multitude1 and did open his mouth unto them again1 saying1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 judge not1 that ye be not judged4 ,a careful1 verse-by-verse comparison between the ,sermon on the ,mount as recorded by ,matthew1 and the risen ,lord's discourse to ,his people on the western continent is earnestly recommended to every student4 #c4 ,baptisms ,among the ,nephites ,after the ,lord's ,visitation4--,we read that before the second appearing of ,christ to the ,nephites1 the chosen ,twelve were baptized 7#c ,nephi #ai3aj-ac74 ,these men had doubtless been baptized before1 for ,nephi had been empowered not only to baptize but to ordain others to the requisite authority for administering baptism 7#c ,nephi #g3bc-bf74 ,the baptism of the disciples on the morn of the ,savior's second visit1 was in the nature of a rebaptism1 involving a renewal of covenants1 and confession of faith in the ,lord ,jesus4 ,it is possible that in the earlier ,nephite baptisms some irregularity in mode or impropriety in the spirit of administering the ordinance may have arisen2 for1 as we have seen the ,lord enjoined upon the people in connection with the instructions concerning baptism that disputations must cease4 7#c ,nephi #aa3bh-cc47 ,as to second or later baptisms1 the author has written elsewhere 7see ,the ,articles of ,faith1 vii3#ab-ag7 practically as follows4 ,rebaptisms recorded in scripture are few1 and in each instance the special circumstances justifying the action are apparent4 ,thus1 we read of ,paul baptizing certain disciples at ,ephesus1 though they had already been immersed after the manner of ,john's baptism4 ,but in this case the apostle was evidently unconvinced that the baptism had been solemnized by due authority1 or that the believers had been properly instructed as to the import of the ordinance4 ,when he tested the efficacy of their baptism by asking ,have ye received the ,holy ,ghost since ye believed8 they answered him1 ,we have not so much as heard whether there be any ,holy ,ghost4 ,then asked he in seeming surprize1 ,unto what then were ye baptized8 and they said1 ,unto ,john's baptism4 ,then said ,paul1 ,john verily baptized with the baptism of repentance1 saying unto the people1 that they should believe on him which should come after him1 that is1 on ,christ ,jesus4 ,when they heard this1 they were baptized in the name of the ,lord ,jesus4 7,see ,acts #ai3a-f47 ,in the ,church today a repetition of the baptismal rite on an individual is allowable under certain specific conditions4 ,thus1 if one1 having entered the ,church by baptism1 withdraws from it1 or is excommunicated therefrom1 and afterward repents and desires to regain his standing in the ,church1 he can do so only through baptism4 ,however1 such is a repetition of the initiatory ordinance as previously administered4 ,there is no ordinance of rebaptism in the ,church distinct in nature1 form1 or purpose1 from other baptism2 and1 therefore1 in administering baptism to a subject who has been formerly baptized1 the form of the ceremony is exactly the same as in first baptisms4 ,,footnotes3 #adeb ,john #aj3af2 compare ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #ae3ag-ba2 page #daf herein4 #adec ,see pages #di1 #ee herein4 #aded ,pages #di-eb4 #adee ,helaman #ad3ad-bg4 #adef #c ,nephi #b3a4 #adeg ,exo4 #aj3ba-bc4 #adeh #c ,nephi #h3e-be2 compare ,helaman #ad3bj-bg4 #adei #c ,nephi chap4 #i4 #adfj #c ,nephi1 chap4 #aj4 #adfa ,helaman #ad3be2 #c ,nephi #bc3g-ac2 compare ,matt4 #bg3eb1 #ec4 #adfb #c ,nephi1 chaps4 #aa-ah inclusive4 #adfc #c ,nephi #aj3ah4 ,bear in mind that ,christ's ascension took place forty days after ,his resurrection4 #adfd ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #adfe #c ,nephi #aa3g2 compare ,matt4 #c3ag2 ,mark #a3aa2 ,luke #i3ce2 ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,joseph ,smith #b3ag4 #adff #c ,nephi #aa3ab2 compare #a ,nephi #ab3f2 #b ,nephi #bf3a1 #i2 ,alma #af3bj4 #adfg #c ,nephi #aa3bc-bh2 compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bj3gb-gd4 #adfh #c ,nephi #aa3ca-cd2 compare ,mark #af3ae1 #af2 see also ,john #ab3dh4 #adfi #c ,nephi #aa3ci-da4 #adgj #c ,nephi1 chaps4 #ab1 #ac1 #ad2 compare ,matt1 chaps4 #e1 #f1 #g4 #adga ,matt4 #e3ah1 and #c ,nephi #ab3ah2 compare #df1 #dg2 #ae3b-aj2 and #i3ag-bj4 ,see ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #adgb #c ,nephi #ae3d-h4 ,see pages #bcd1 #cgc1 #cgd herein4 #adgc #c ,nephi #ae3aa-bd4 #adgd #c ,nephi #af3d-bj4 #adge #c ,nephi #ag3bc-bd2 read entire chapter4 #adgf #c ,nephi #ah3a-ad1 #bg-cd2 compare #a ,cor4 #aa3bc-cj4 ,for the prescribed manner of administering the ,sacrament1 see ,moroni1 chaps4 #d and #e2 compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bj3ge-gi4 #adgg #c ,nephi #ah3ai-bc4 #adgh #c ,nephi #ah3cf1 #cg2 ,moroni #b3a-c4 #adgi #c ,nephi1 chaps4 #ai-be1 and #bf3a-e4 #adhj ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #adha #c ,nephi1 chap4 #ai3ce1 #cf2 read the entire chapter4 #adhb #c ,nephi1 chap4 #bj2 see references to ,isaiah given therein4 #adhc #c ,nephi #ba3d4 #adhd #c ,nephi #ba3a-g2 for prophecies concerning subsequent events see remainder of chapter4 #adhe #c ,nephi1 chap4 #bb2 compare ,isa4 chap4 #ed4 #adhf #c ,nephi1 chaps4 #bd and #be2 compare ,malachi1 chap4 #c and #d4 #adhg ,doc4 and ,cov4 #aaj3ac-af4 ,elijah appeared in the ,kirtland ,temple ,april #c1 ,a4,d4 #ahcf1 and committed to the ,church the keys of authority for vicarious work in behalf of the dead4 ,see chapter #da herein1 page #gge4 #adhh #c ,nephi #bf3d1 #e1 #ac-ae4 #adhi #c ,nephi #bf3ad-ba4 #adij #c ,nephi1 chaps4 #bf1 #bg1 and #bh3a-ab4 #adia ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #adib #c ,nephi #bg3d-ab4 #adic ,e4g4 of ,calvin1 ,luther1 ,wesley2 see also ,the ,great ,apostasy1 #aj3ba1 #bb4 #adid ,note the assurance of a similar commission promised the ,jewish apostles3 ,matt4 #ai3bh2 ,luke #bb3cj4 ,see also #a ,nephi #ab3i4 #adie #c ,nephi #bg3cb and references given therewith4 #adif #c ,nephi #bh3a2 read verses #a-ab4 #adig #c ,nephi #bh3f-h2 see page #fid herein4 #adih #c ,nephi #bh3ac-bc2 compare #d ,nephi #a3ad1 #bi-cc4 #adii #c ,nephi #bh3ci1 #dj4 #aejj ,mormon #h3aj1 #aa2 see also #c ,nephi #bh3bf-cb1 #cf-dj1 #d ,nephi #a3ad1 #cg2 ,ether #ab3ag4 #aeja #c ,nephi #bh3bg-cb4 #aejb #d ,nephi #a3c2 read #a3bc2 see pages #gje and #gah herein4 #aejc #d ,nephi #a3ae1 #af4 #aejd #d ,nephi #a3be1 #bf4 #aeje ,near ,manchester1 ,ontario county1 ,new ,york4 #aejf ,see ,mormon1 chapters #a-i2 and ,moroni1 chapter #aj4 ,,chapter #dj4 ,,the ,,long ,,night ,,of ,,apostasy4 ,for over seventeen hundred years on the eastern hemisphere1 and for more than fourteen centuries on the western1 there appears to have been silence between the heavens and the earth4#aejg ,of direct revelation from ,god to man during this long interval1 we have no authentic record4 ,as already shown1 the period of apostolic ministry on the eastern continent probably terminated before the dawn of the second century of the ,christian era4 ,the passing of the apostles was followed by the rapid development of a universal apostasy as had been foreseen and predicted4#aejh ,in the accomplishment of this great falling away1 external and internal causes cooperated4 ,among the disintegrating forces acting from without1 the most effective was the persistent persecution to which the saints were subjected1 incident to both ,judaistic and pagan opposition4 ,vast numbers who had professed membership and many who had been officers in the ministry deserted the ,church2 while a few were stimulated to greater zeal under the scourge of persecution4 ,the general effect of opposition from the outside--of external causes of decline in faith and works considered as a whole--was the defection of individuals1 resulting in a widespread apostasy from the ,church4 ,but immeasurably more serious was the result of internal dissension1 schism and disruption1 whereby an absolute apostasy of the ,church from the way and word of ,god was brought about4 ,judaism was the earliest oppressor of ,christianity1 and became the instigator and abettor of the succeeding atrocities incident to pagan persecution4 ,open and vigorous hostility of the ,roman powers against the ,christian ,church became general during the reign of ,nero1 7beginning about #fd ,a4,d471 and continued with occasional respites of a few months or even years at a time to the close of ,diocletian's reign 7about #cje ,a4,d474 ,the inhuman cruelty and savage barbarity to which were subjected those who dared profess the name of ,christ during these centuries of heathen domination are matters of accepted history4#aeji ,when ,constantine the ,great came to the throne in the first quarter of the fourth century1 a radical change was inaugurated in the attitude of the state toward the church4 ,the emperor straightway made the so-called ,christianity of the time the religion of his realm2 and zealous devotion to the church became the surest recommendation to imperial favor4 ,but the church was already in great measure an apostate institution and even in crude outline of organization and service bore but remote resemblance to the ,church of ,jesus ,christ1 founded by the ,savior and builded through the instrumentality of the apostles4 ,whatever vestiges of genuine ,christianity may have possibly survived in the church before1 were buried beyond the sight of man by the abuses that followed the elevation of the churchly organization to secular favor through the decree of ,constantine4 ,the emperor1 even though unbaptized1 made himself the head of the church1 and priestly office was more sought after than military rank or state preferment4 ,the spirit of apostasy1 by which the church had become permeated before ,constantine threw about it the mantle of imperial protection and emblazoned it with the insignia of state1 now was roused to increased activity as the leaven of ,satan's own culture flourished under the conditions most favorable for such fungoid growth4 ,the bishop of ,rome had already asserted supremacy over his fellows in the episcopate2 but when the emperor made ,byzantium his capital1 and renamed it in his own honor1 ,constantinople1 the bishop of that city claimed equality with the ,roman pontiff4 ,the claim was contested2 the ensuing dissension divided the church2 and the disruption has persisted until the present day1 as is evidenced by the existing distinction between the ,roman ,catholic and the ,greek ,catholic churches4 ,the ,roman pontiff exercized secular as well as spiritual authority2 and in the eleventh century arrogated to himself the title of ,pope1 signifying ,father1 in the sense of paternal ruler in all things4 ,during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries the temporal authority of the pope was superior to that of kings and emperors2 and the ,roman church became the despotic potentate of nations1 and an autocrat above all secular states4 ,yet this church1 reeking with the stench of worldly ambition and lust of dominance1 audaciously claimed to be the ,church established by ,him who affirmed3 ,my kingdom is not of this world4 ,the arrogant assumptions of the ,church of ,rome were not less extravagant in spiritual than in secular administration4 ,in her loudly asserted control over the spiritual destinies of the souls of men1 she blasphemously pretended to forgive or retain individual sins1 and to inflict or remit penalties both on earth and beyond the grave4 ,she sold permission to commit sin and bartered for gold charters of indulgent forgiveness for sins already done4 ,her pope1 proclaiming himself the vicar of ,god1 sat in state to judge as ,god ,himself2 and by such blasphemy fulfilled the prophecy of ,paul following his warning in relation to the awful conditions antecedent to the second coming of the ,christ3 ,let no man deceive you by any means3 for that day shall not come1 except there come a falling away first1 and that man of sin be revealed1 the son of perdition2 ,who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called ,god1 or that is worshipped2 so that he as ,god sitteth in the temple of ,god1 shewing himself that he is ,god4#aeaj ,in her unrestrained abandon to the license of arrogated authority1 the ,church of ,rome hesitated not to transgress the law of ,god1 change the ordinances essential to salvation1 and ruthlessly break the everlasting covenant1 thereby defiling the earth even as ,isaiah had foretold4#aeaa ,she altered the ordinance of baptism1 destroying its symbolism and associating with it imitations of pagan rites2 she corrupted the ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper and befouled the doctrine thereof by the vagary of transubstantiation2#aeab she assumed to apply the merits of the righteous to the forgiveness of the sinner in the unscriptural and wholly repellent dogma of supererogation2 she promoted idolatry in most seductive and pernicious forms2 she penalized the study of the holy scriptures by the people at large2 she enjoined an unnatural state of celibacy upon her clergy2 she revelled in unholy union with the theories and sophistries of men1 and so adulterated the simple doctrines of the gospel of ,christ as to produce a creed rank with superstition and heresy2 she promulgated such perverted doctrines regarding the human body as to make the divinely formed tabernacle of flesh appear as a thing fit only to be tortured and contemned2 she proclaimed it an act of virtue insuring rich reward to lie and deceive if thereby her own interests might be subserved2 and she so thoroughly departed from the original plan of ,church organization as to make of herself a spectacle of ornate display1 fabricated by the caprice of man4#aeac ,the most important of the internal causes by which the apostasy of the ,primitive ,church was brought about may be thus summarized3 7#a7 ,the corrupting of the simple doctrines of the gospel of ,christ by admixture with so-called philosophic systems4 7#b7 ,unauthorized additions to the prescribed rites of the ,church and the introduction of vital alterations in essential ordinances4 7#c7 ,unauthorized changes in ,church organization and government4#aead ,under the tyrannous repression incident to usurped and unrighteous domination by the ,roman church1 civilization was retarded and for centuries was practically halted in its course4 ,the period of retrogression is known in history as the ,dark ,ages4 ,the fifteenth century witnessed the movement known as the ,renaissance or ,revival of ,learning2 there was a general and significantly rapid awakening among men1 and a determined effort to shake off the stupor of indolence and ignorance was manifest throughout the civilized world4 ,by historians and philosophers the revival has been regarded as an unconscious and spontaneous prompting of the spirit of the times2 it was a development predetermined in the ,mind of ,god to illumine the benighted minds of men in preparation for the restoration of the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 which was appointed to be accomplished some centuries later4#aeae ,with the renewal of intellectual activity and effort in material betterment1 there came1 as a natural and inevitable accompaniment1 protest and revolt against the ecclesiastical tyranny of the age4 ,the ,albigenses in ,france had risen in insurrection against churchly despotism during the thirteenth century2 and in the fourteenth1 ,john ,wickliffe of ,oxford ,university had boldly denounced the corruption of the ,roman church and clergy1 and particularly the restrictions imposed by the papal hierarchy on the popular study of the scriptures4 ,wickliffe gave to the world a version of the ,holy ,bible in ,english4 ,these manifestations of independent belief and action the papal church sought to repress and punish by force4 ,the ,albigenses had been subjected to inhuman cruelties and unrestrained slaughter4 ,wickliffe was the subject of severe and persistent persecution2 and though he died in his bed the vindictiveness of the ,roman church was unsated until she had caused his body to be exhumed and burned and the ashes scattered abroad4 ,john ,huss and ,jerome of ,prague were prominent on the continent of ,europe in agitation against papal despotism1 and both fell martyrs to the cause4 ,though the church had become apostate to the core1 there were not lacking men brave of heart and righteous of soul1 ready to give their lives to the furtherance of spiritual emancipation4 ,a notable revolt against the papacy occurred in the sixteenth century1 and is known as the ,reformation4 ,this movement was begun in #aeag by ,martin ,luther1 a ,german monk2 and it spread so rapidly as soon to involve the whole domain of popedom4 ,formal protests against the despotism of the papal church were formulated by the representatives of certain ,german principalities and other delegates at a diet or general council held at ,spires ,a4,d4 #aebi2 and the reformers were thenceforth known as ,protestants4 ,an independent church was proposed by ,john1 ,elector of ,saxony1 a constitution for which was prepared at his instance by ,luther and his colleague1 ,melanchthon4 ,the ,protestants were discordant4 ,being devoid of divine authority to guide them in matters of church organization and doctrine1 they followed the diverse ways of men1 and were rent within while assailed from without4 ,the ,roman church1 confronted by determined opponents1 hesitated at no extreme of cruelty4 ,the court of the ,inquisition1 which had been established in the latter part of the fifteenth century under the infamously sacrilegious name of the ,holy ,office1 became intoxicated with the lust of barbarous cruelty in the century of the ,reformation1 and inflicted indescribable tortures on persons secretly accused of heresy4 ,in the early stages of the ,reformation instigated by ,luther1 the king of ,england1 ,henry ,,viii1 declared himself a supporter of the pope1 and was rewarded by a papal bestowal of the distinguishing title ,defender of the ,faith4 ,within a few years1 this same ,british sovereign was excommunicated from the ,roman church1 because of impatient disregard of the pope's authority in the matter of ,henry's desire to divorce ,queen ,catherine so that he could marry one of her maids4 ,the ,british parliament1 in #aecd1 passed the ,act of ,supremacy1 by which the nation was declared free from all allegiance to papal authority4 ,by ,act of ,parliament the king was made the head of the church within his own dominions4 ,thus was born the ,church of ,england1 a direct result of the licentious amours of a debauched and infamous king4 ,with blasphemous indifference to the absence of divine commission1 with no semblance of priestly succession1 an adulterous sovereign created a church1 provided therein a priesthood of his own1 and proclaimed himself supreme administrator in all matters spiritual4 ,with the conflict between ,catholicism and ,protestantism in ,great ,britain the student of history is familiar4 ,suffice it here to say that the mutual hatred of the two contending sects1 the zeal of their respective adherents1 their professed love of ,god and devotion to ,christ's service1 were chiefly signalized by the sword1 the ax1 and the stake4 ,revelling in the realization of at least a partial emancipation from the tyranny of priestcraft1 men and nations debauched their newly acquired liberty of thought1 speech1 and action1 in a riot of abhorrent excess4 ,the mis-called ,age of ,reason1 and the atheistical abominations culminating in the ,french ,revolution stand as ineffaceable testimony of what man may become when glorying in his denial of ,god4 ,is it to be wondered at1 that from the sixteenth century onward1 churches of man's contriving have multiplied with phenomenal rapidity8 ,churches and churchly organizations professing ,christianity as their creed have come to be numbered by hundreds4 ,on every side is heard in this day1 ,lo1 here is ,christ or ,lo1 there4 ,there are sects named from the circumstances of their origin--as the ,church of ,england2 others after their famous founders or promoters--as ,lutheran1 ,calvinist1 ,wesleyan2 some are known by peculiarities of doctrine or plan of administration--as ,methodist1 ,presbyterian1 ,baptist1 ,congregationalist2 but down to the third decade of the nineteenth century there was no church on earth affirming name or title as the ,church of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the only organization called a church existing at that time and venturing to assert claim to authority by succession was the ,catholic church1 which for centuries had been apostate and wholly bereft of divine authority or recognition4 ,if the mother church be without a valid priesthood1 and devoid of spiritual power1 how can her offspring derive from her the right to officiate in the things of ,god8 ,who would dare to affirm that man can originate a priesthood which ,god is bound to honor and acknowledge8 ,granted that men may and do create among themselves societies1 associations1 sects1 and even churches if they choose so to designate their organizations2 granted that they may prescribe rules1 formulate laws1 and devize plans of operation1 discipline1 and government1 and that all such laws1 rules1 and schemes of administration are binding upon those who assume membership--granted all these rights and powers--whence can such human institutions derive the authority of the ,holy ,priesthood1 without which there can be no ,church of ,christ8#aeaf ,the apostate condition of ,christendom has been frankly admitted by many eminent and conscientious representatives of the several churches1 and by churches as institutions4 ,even the ,church of ,england acknowledges the awful fact in her official declaration of degeneracy1 as set forth in the ,homily ,against ,peril of ,idolatry1 in these words3 ,so that laity and clergy1 learned and unlearned1 all ages1 sects1 and degrees of men1 women1 and children of whole ,christendom--an horrible and most dreadful thing to think--have been at once drowned in abominable idolatry2 of all other vices most detested of ,god1 and most damnable to man2 and that by the space of eight hundred years and more4#aeag ,let it not be concluded that through the night of the universal apostasy1 long and dark as it was1 ,god had forgotten the world4 ,mankind had not been left wholly to itself4 ,the ,spirit of ,god was operative so far as the unbelief of men permitted4 ,john the apostle1 and the ,three ,nephite disciples1#aeah were ministering among men1 though unknown4 ,but through the centuries of spiritual darkness men lived and died without the administration of a contemporary apostle1 prophet1 elder1 bishop1 priest1 teacher1 or deacon4 ,whatever of the form of ,godliness existed in the churches of human establishment was destitute of divine power4 ,the time foreseen by the inspired apostle had fully come--mankind in general refused to endure sound doctrine1 but1 having itching ears1 did they heap to themselves teachers1 after their own lusts1 and verily had they turned away their ears from the truth to follow after fables4#aeai ,the first quarter of the nineteenth century witnessed the cumulative fulfilment of the conditions predicted through the prophet ,amos3 ,behold1 the days come1 saith the ,lord ,god1 that ,i will send a famine in the land1 not a famine of bread1 nor a thirst for water1 but of hearing the words of the ,lord3 ,and they shall wander from sea to sea1 and from the north even to the east1 they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the ,lord1 and shall not find it4#aebj ,throughout the period of apostasy the windows of heaven had been shut toward the world1 so as to preclude all direct revelation from ,god1 and particularly any personal ministration or theophany of the ,christ4 ,mankind had ceased to know ,god2 and had invested the utterances of prophets and apostles of old1 who had known ,him1 with a pall of mystery and fancy1 so that the ,true and the ,living ,god was no longer believed to exist2 but in ,his place the sectaries had tried to conceive of an incomprehensible being1 devoid of body1 parts1 or passions1 an immaterial nothing4#aeba ,but it had been determined in the councils of heaven1 that after many centuries of benighted ignorance the world should be illumined anew by the light of truth4 ,through the operation of the genius of intelligence1 which is the ,spirit of ,truth1 the soul of the race had been undergoing a preparation1 like unto the deep plowing of a field1 for the planting of the gospel afresh4 ,the principle of the mariner's compass was revealed by the ,spirit2 the material embodiment thereof was invented by man2 and by its aid the unknown oceans were explored4 ,toward the end of the fifteenth century ,columbus was led by the inspiration of ,god to the discovery of the ,new ,world1 whereon dwelt the degenerate posterity of ,lehi1 a dark-skinned remnant of the house of ,israel--the ,american ,indians4 ,in due time the good ships ,mayflower and ,speedwell brought to the western world the ,pilgrim ,fathers1 as the vanguard of a host escaping from exile and seeking a new home wherein they could worship according to the dictates of their consciences4 ,the coming of ,columbus and the later immigration of the ,puritan ,pilgrims had been predicted nearly six hundred years before ,christ2 their respective missions had been as truly appointed unto them as has been the sending of any prophet with a message to deliver and a work to do4#aebb ,the war between the ,american ,colonies and the ,mother ,country1 and the victorious issue thereof in the emancipation of the ,american nation once and forever from monarchial rule1 had been foretold as further steps in preparation for the restoration of the gospel4 ,time was allowed for the establishment of a stable government1 for the raising up of men chosen and inspired to frame and promulgate the ,constitution of the ,united ,states1 which promises to every man a full measure of political and religious freedom4 ,it was not meet that the precious seed of the restored gospel be thrown upon unplowed soil1 hardened by intolerance1 and fit to produce only thorns of bigotry and rank weeds of mental and spiritual serfdom4 ,the gospel of ,jesus ,christ is the embodiment of liberty2 it is the truth that shall make free every man and every nation who will accept and obey its precepts4 ,at the appointed time1 the ,eternal ,father and ,his ,son ,jesus the ,christ appeared to man upon the earth1 and inaugurated the ,dispensation of the ,fulness of ,times4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #dj4 #a4 ,cessation of ,revelation on the ,western ,hemisphere4--,the eastern world had lost this knowledge of the ,lord earlier than the western hemisphere4 ,upon the land of ,north ,america1 four hundred years after the birth of our ,savior and ,master1 there stood at least one man who knew the ,lord ,god ,almighty as a distinct personality1 a ,being capable of communicating ,himself to man4 ,that man was ,moroni1 the son of ,mormon1 whose testimony abides now and must abide through all the ages to come4--,george ,q4 ,cannon1 ,life of ,joseph ,smith1 p4 #ba4 ,see ,b4 of ,m41 ,moroni #aj3bg-cd4 #b4 ,results of the ,great ,apostasy ,divinely ,overruled for ,eventual ,good4--,the thoughtful student cannot fail to see in the progress of the great apostasy and its results the existence of an overruling power operating toward eventual good1 however mysterious its methods4 ,the heart-rending persecutions to which the saints were subjected in the early centuries of our era1 the anguish1 the torture1 the bloodshed incurred in defense of the testimony of ,christ1 the rise of an apostate church1 blighting the intellect and leading captive the souls of men--all these dread conditions were foreknown to the ,lord4 ,while we cannot say or believe that such exhibitions of human depravity and blasphemy of heart were in accordance with the divine will1 certainly ,god willed to permit full scope to the free agency of man1 in the exercize of which agency some won the martyr's crown1 and others filled the flagon of their iniquity to overflowing4 ,not less marked is the divine permission in the revolts and rebellions1 in the revolutions and reformations1 that developed in opposition to the darkening influence of the apostate church4 ,wickliffe and ,huss1 ,luther and ,melanchthon1 ,zwingli and ,calvin1 ,henry ,,viii in his arrogant assumption of priestly authority1 ,john ,knox in ,scotland1 ,roger ,williams in ,america--these and a host of others builded better than they knew1 in that their efforts laid in part the foundation of the structure of religious freedom and liberty of conscience--and this in preparation for the restoration of the gospel as had been divinely predicted4--,the ,great ,apostasy1 #aj3ai1 #bj4 #c4 ,declaration of a ,general ,apostasy by the ,church of ,england4--,the ,book of ,homilies1 from which the quotation given in the text is taken1 was published about the middle of the sixteenth century4 ,the official proclamation of a universal apostasy was made prominently current1 for the ,homilies were appointed to be read in churches in lieu of sermons under certain conditions4 ,in the statement cited1 the ,church of ,england solemnly avers that a state of apostasy affecting all ages1 sects1 and degrees throughout whole ,christendom1 had prevailed for eight hundred years prior to the establishment of the church making the declaration4 ,that this affirmation remains effective today1 as both confession and profession of the ,church of ,england1 appears from the fact that the homily ,against ,peril of ,idolatry and certain other homilies are specifically ratified and endorsed1 and withal prescribed to be read in ,churches by the ,ministers diligently and distinctly that they may be understanded of the people4 ,see ,articles of ,religion xxxv1 in current issues of ,church of ,england1 ,book of ,common ,prayer4 #d4 ,the ,creed of ,athanasius4--,at the ,council of ,nice1 convoked by the emperor ,constantine1 #cbe ,a4,d41 a formal statement of belief concerning the ,godhead was adopted4 ,later a modification was issued1 known as the ,creed of ,athanasius1 and though the authorship is questioned1 the creed has a place in the ritual of some of the ,protestant churches4 ,no more conclusive evidence that men had ceased to know ,god need be adduced than the ,athanasian ,creed4 ,as confessed by the ,church of ,england in this day1 and as published in the official ritual 7see ,prayer ,book7 ,the ,creed of ,saint ,athanasius is this3 ,we worship one ,god in ,trinity1 and ,trinity in ,unity2 neither confounding the ,persons3 nor dividing the ,substance4 ,for there is one ,person of the ,father1 another of the ,son3 and another of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,but the ,godhead of the ,father1 of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost1 is all one3 the ,glory equal1 the ,majesty co-eternal4 ,such as the ,father is1 such is the ,son3 and such is the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the ,father uncreate1 the ,son uncreate3 and the ,holy ,ghost uncreate4 ,the ,father incomprehensible1 the ,son incomprehensible3 and the ,holy ,ghost incomprehensible4 ,the ,father eternal1 the ,son eternal3 and the ,holy ,ghost eternal4 ,and yet they are not three eternals3 but one eternal4 ,as also there are not three incomprehensibles1 nor three uncreated3 but one uncreated1 and one incomprehensible4 ,so likewise the ,father is ,almighty1 the ,son ,almighty3 and the ,holy ,ghost ,almighty4 ,and yet they are not three ,almighties3 but one ,almighty4 ,so the ,father is ,god1 the ,son is ,god3 and the ,holy ,ghost is ,god4 ,and yet they are not three ,gods3 but one ,god4 ,so likewise the ,father is ,lord1 the ,son ,lord1 and the ,holy ,ghost ,lord4 ,and yet not three ,lords3 but one ,lord4 ,then follows this strange confession of what is at once required by ,christian verity1 and forbidden by the ,catholick ,religion3 ,for like as we are compelled by the ,christian verity3 to acknowledge every ,person by himself to be ,god and ,lord2 so are we forbidden by the ,catholick ,religion3 to say1 ,there be three ,gods1 or three ,lords4 #e4 ,the ,mission of ,columbus and ,its ,results4--,unto ,nephi1 son of ,lehi1 was shown the future of his people1 including the degeneracy of a branch thereof1 afterward known as ,lamanites and in modern times as ,american ,indians4 ,the coming of a man from among the ,gentiles1 across the deep waters1 was revealed in such plainness as to positively identify that man with ,columbus2 and the coming of other ,gentiles to this land1 out of captivity1 is equally explicit4 ,the revelation is thus recorded by ,nephi to whom it was given3 ,and it came to pass that ,i looked and beheld many waters2 and they divided the ,gentiles from the seed of my brethren4 ,and it came to pass that the angel said unto me1 ,behold the wrath of ,god is upon the seed of thy brethren4 ,and ,i looked and beheld a man among the ,gentiles who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters2 and ,i beheld the ,spirit of ,god1 that it came down and wrought upon the man2 and he went forth upon the many waters1 even unto the seed of my brethren1 who were in the promised land4 ,and it came to pass that ,i beheld the ,spirit of ,god1 that it wrought upon other ,gentiles2 and they went forth out of captivity1 upon the many waters4 7#a ,nephi #ac3aj-ac74 ,the establishment of a great ,gentile nation on the ,american continent1 the subjugation of the ,lamanites or ,indians1 the war between the newly established nation and ,great ,britain1 or their mother ,gentiles1 and the victorious outcome of that struggle for independence1 are set forth with equal clearness in the same chapter4 ,,footnotes3 #aejg ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #aejh ,no extended account of the apostasy of the ,primitive ,church can be attempted here2 the reader is referred to special works treating this important subject4 ,see the author's ,the ,great ,apostasy1 considered in the ,light of ,scriptural and ,secular ,history1 a work of #agf pages4 #aeji ,see ,the ,great ,apostasy1 chaps4 #d and #e4 #aeaj #a ,thess4 #b3c1 #d4 #aeaa ,isa4 #bd3e4 #aeab ,the false doctrine of transubstantiation is to the effect that the bread and wine administered as emblems of ,christ's flesh and blood in the ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper are transmuted by priestly consecration into the actual flesh and blood of ,jesus ,christ4 ,see ,the ,great ,apostasy1 #h3af-ai4 ,as to supererogation see page #eij herein4 #aeac ,the ,great ,apostasy1 chaps4 #f1 #g1 #h4 #aead ,the ,great ,apostasy1 #f3ad1 #ae2 for comprehensive treatment of the subject see chapters #f to #i inclusive4 #aeae ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #aeaf ,this paragraph is in part a paraphrase of ,the ,great ,apostasy1 #aj3ba1 #bb4 #aeag ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #aeah ,pages #fid and #gch4 #aeai ,see #b ,tim4 #d3a-d2 also ,the ,great ,apostasy1 #b3cj4 #aebj ,amos4 #h3aa1 #ab4 #aeba ,see ,church of ,england ,book of ,common ,prayer1 ,articles of ,religion i4 ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #aebb ,see ,b4 of ,m41 #a ,nephi #ac3aj-ac4 ,note #e1 end of chapter4 ,,chapter #da4 ,,personal ,,manifestations ,,of ,,god ,,the ,,eternal ,,father ,,and ,,of ,,his ,,son ,,jesus ,,christ ,,in ,,modern ,,times4 ,a ,,new ,,dispensation4 ,in the year of our ,lord #ahbj there lived at ,manchester1 ,ontario county1 state of ,new ,york1 a worthy citizen named ,joseph ,smith4 ,his household comprized his wife and their nine children4 ,the third son and fourth child of the family was ,joseph ,smith ,jr41 who at the time of which we speak was in his fifteenth year4 ,in the year specified1 ,new ,york and adjacent states were swept by a wave of intense agitation in religious matters2 and unusual zeal was put forth by ministers of the numerous rival sects to win converts to their respective folds4 ,the boy ,joseph was profoundly affected by this intense excitement1 and was particularly puzzled and troubled over the spirit of confusion and contention manifest through it all4 ,as our present subject has to do with him specifically1 and in view of the transcendent importance of his testimony to the world1 his own account of what ensued is given herewith4 ,some time in the second year after our removal to ,manchester1 there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion4 ,it commenced with the ,methodists1 but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country4 ,indeed1 the whole district of country seemed affected by it1 and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties1 which created no small stir and division amongst the people1 some crying1 ',lo1 here6' and others1 ',lo1 there6' ,some were contending for the ,methodist faith1 some for the ,presbyterian1 and some for the ,baptist4 ,for notwithstanding the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion1 and the great zeal manifested by the respective clergy1 who were active in getting up and promoting this extraordinary scene of religious feeling1 in order to have everybody converted1 as they were pleased to call it1 let them join what sect they pleased--yet when the converts began to file off1 some to one party and some to another1 it was seen that the seemingly good feelings of both the priests and the converts were more pretended than real2 for a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued2 priest contending against priest1 and convert against convert2 so that all their good feelings one for another1 if they ever had any1 were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions4 ,i was at this time in my fifteenth year4 ,my father's family was proselyted to the ,presbyterian faith1 and four of them joined that church1 namely--my mother ,lucy2 my brothers ,hyrum and ,samuel ,harrison2 and my sister ,sophronia4 ,during this time of great excitement1 my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness2 but though my feelings were deep and often poignant1 still ,i kept myself aloof from all these parties1 though ,i attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit4 ,in process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the ,methodist sect1 and ,i felt some desire to be united with them2 but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations1 that it was impossible for a person young as ,i was1 and so unacquainted with men and things1 to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong4 ,my mind at times was greatly excited1 the cry and tumult were so great and incessant4 ,the ,presbyterians were most decided against the ,baptists and ,methodists1 and used all the powers of either reason or sophistry to prove their errors1 or1 at least1 to make the people think they were in error4 ,on the other hand1 the ,baptists and ,methodists in their turn were equally zealous in endeavoring to establish their own tenets and disprove all others4 ,in the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions1 ,i often said to myself1 ,what is to be done8 ,who of all these parties are right2 or1 are they all wrong together8 ,if any one of them be right1 which is it1 and how shall ,i know it8 ,while ,i was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists1 ,i was one day reading the ,epistle of ,james1 first chapter and fifth verse1 which reads3 ,if any of you lack wisdom1 let him ask of ,god1 that giveth to all men liberally1 and upbraideth not2 and it shall be given him4 ,never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine4 ,it seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart4 ,i reflected on it again and again1 knowing that if any person needed wisdom from ,god1 ,i did2 for how to act ,i did not know1 and unless ,i could get more wisdom than ,i then had1 ,i would never know2 for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the ,bible4 ,at length ,i came to the conclusion that ,i must either remain in darkness and confusion1 or else ,i must do as ,james directs1 that is1 ask of ,god4 ,i at length came to the determination to 'ask of ,god1' concluding that if ,he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom1 and would give liberally1 and not upbraid1 ,i might venture4 ,so1 in accordance with this1 my determination to ask of ,god1 ,i retired to the woods to make the attempt4 ,it was on the morning of a beautiful1 clear day1 early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty4 ,it was the first time in my life that ,i had made such an attempt1 for amidst all my anxieties ,i had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally4 ,after ,i had retired to the place where ,i had previously designed to go1 having looked around me1 and finding myself alone1 ,i kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to ,god4 ,i had scarcely done so1 when immediately ,i was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me1 and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that ,i could not speak4 ,thick darkness gathered around me1 and it seemed to me for a time as if ,i were doomed to sudden destruction4 ,but1 exerting all my powers to call upon ,god to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me1 and at the very moment when ,i was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction--not to an imaginary ruin1 but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world1 who had such marvelous power as ,i had never before felt in any being--just at this moment of great alarm1 ,i saw a pillar of light exactly over my head1 above the brightness of the sun1 which descended gradually until it fell upon me4 ,it no sooner appeared than ,i found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound4 ,when the light rested upon me ,i saw two personages1 whose brightness and glory defy all description1 standing above me in the air4 ,one of them spake unto me1 calling me by name1 and said1 pointing to the other--,this is my beloved ,son1 hear him6 ,my object in going to inquire of the ,lord was to know which of all the sects was right1 that ,i might know which to join4 ,no sooner1 therefore1 did ,i get possession of myself1 so as to be able to speak1 than ,i asked the personages who stood above me in the light1 which of all the sects was right--and which ,i should join4 ,i was answered that ,i must join none of them1 for they were all wrong2 and the personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight2 that those professors were all corrupt2 that 'they draw near to me with their lips1 but their hearts are far from me2 they teach for doctrines the commandments of men1 having a form of godliness1 but they deny the power thereof4' ,he again forbade me to join with any of them2 and many other things did he say unto me1 which ,i cannot write at this time4 ,when ,i came to myself again1 ,i found myself lying on my back1 looking up into heaven4 ,some few days after ,i had this vision1 ,i happened to be in company with one of the ,methodist preachers1 who was very active in the before mentioned religious excitement2 and1 conversing with him on the subject of religion1 ,i took occasion to give him an account of the vision which ,i had had4 ,i was greatly surprised at his behavior2 he treated my communication not only lightly1 but with great contempt1 saying1 it was all of the devil1 that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days2 that all such things had ceased with the apostles1 and that there would never be any more of them4 ,i soon found1 however1 that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion1 and was the cause of great persecution1 which continued to increase2 and though ,i was an obscure boy1 only between fourteen and fifteen years of age1 and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world1 yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me1 and create a bitter persecution2 and this was common among all the sects--all united to persecute me4 ,it caused me serious reflection then1 and often has since1 how very strange it was that an obscure boy1 of a little over fourteen years of age1 and one1 too1 who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor1 should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day1 and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling4 ,but strange or not1 so it was1 and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself4 ,however1 it was nevertheless a fact that ,i had beheld a vision4 ,i have thought since1 that ,i felt much like ,paul1 when he made his defense before ,king ,agrippa1 and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light1 and heard a voice2 but still there were but few who believed him2 some said he was dishonest1 others said he was mad2 and he was ridiculed and reviled4 ,but all this did not destroy the reality of his vision4 ,he had seen a vision1 he knew he had1 and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise2 and though they should persecute him unto death1 yet he knew1 and would know to his latest breath1 that he had both seen a light1 and heard a voice speaking unto him1 and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise4 ,so it was with me4 ,i had actually seen a light1 and in the midst of that light ,i saw two personages1 and they did in reality speak to me2 and though ,i was hated and persecuted for saying that ,i had seen a vision1 yet it was true2 and while they were persecuting me1 reviling me1 and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying1 ,i was led to say in my heart3 ,why persecute me for telling the truth8 ,i have actually seen a vision1 and who am ,i that ,i can withstand ,god1 or why does the world think to make me deny what ,i have actually seen8 ,for ,i had seen a vision2 ,i knew it1 and ,i knew that ,god knew it1 and ,i could not deny it1 neither dared ,i do it1 at least ,i knew that by so doing ,i would offend ,god1 and come under condemnation4 ,i had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned2 that it was not my duty to join with any of them1 but to continue as ,i was until further directed4 ,i had found the testimony of ,james to be true1 that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of ,god1 and obtain1 and not be upbraided4#aebc ,in this wise was ushered in the ,dispensation of the ,fulness of ,times4#aebd ,the darkness of the long night of apostasy was dispelled2 the glory of the heavens once more illumined the world2 the silence of centuries was broken2 the voice of ,god was heard again upon the earth4 ,in the spring of ,a4,d4 #ahbj there was one mortal1 a boy not quite fifteen years old1 who knew as well as that he lived1 that the current human conception of ,deity as an incorporeal essence of something possessing neither definite shape nor tangible substance was as devoid of truth in respect to both the ,father and the ,son as its statement in formulated creeds was incomprehensible4 ,the boy ,joseph knew that both the ,eternal ,father and ,his glorified ,son1 ,jesus ,christ1 were in form and stature1 perfect ,men2 and that in ,their physical likeness mankind had been created in the flesh4#aebe ,he knew further that the ,father and the ,son were individual ,personages1 each distinct from the other--a truth fully attested by the ,lord ,jesus during ,his mortal existence1 but which had been obscured if not buried by the sophistries of human unbelief4 ,he realized that the unity of the ,godhead was a oneness of perfection in purpose1 plan1 and action1 as the scriptures declare it to be1 and not an impossible union of personalities1 as generations of false teachers had tried to impress4 ,this resplendent theophany confirmed the fact of a universal apostasy1 with the inevitable corollary--that the ,church of ,christ was nowhere existent upon the earth4 ,it effectively dissipated the delusion that direct revelation from the heavens had forever ceased2 and affirmatively proved the actuality of personal communication between ,god and mortals4 ,for the fourth time since the ,savior's birth in the flesh1 the voice of the ,father had attested the ,son's authority in matters pertaining to earth and man4#aebf ,in this latter-day revelation of ,himself1 as on the earlier occasions1 the ,father did no more than affirm the fact of the ,son's identity1 and command that ,he be obeyed4 ,a ,,messenger ,,sent ,,from ,,the ,,presence ,,of ,,god4#aebg ,for about three and a half years following the glorious appearing of the ,father and the ,son to ,joseph ,smith1 the youthful revelator was left to himself1 so far as further manifestations from heaven were concerned4 ,the period was one of probation4 ,he was subjected to the sneers of youths of his age1 and to aggressive persecution on the part of older men1 who1 as he very justly and somewhat accusingly remarks1 ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly1 and if they supposed me to be deluded to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed me4#aebh ,he pursued his usual vocation1 that of farm work in association with his father and brothers1 from whom he received kindness1 consideration1 and sympathy2 and in spite of raillery1 abuse1 and denunciation from the community at large he remained firm and faithful in his solemn avouchment that he had seen and heard both the ,eternal ,father and ,jesus the ,christ1 and that he had been instructed to join none of the contending sects or churches because they were all fundamentally wrong4 ,on the night of the #bast of ,september #ahbc1 while engaged in fervent prayer to ,god in the solitude of his chamber1 ,joseph observed the room become illuminated until the light exceeded that of a cloudless noon4 ,a glorious personage appeared within the room1 standing a little space above the floor4 ,both the body of the visitant and the loose robe he wore were of exquisite whiteness4 ,calling ,joseph by name he announced himself as ,moroni1 a messenger sent from the presence of ,god2 and informed the young man that the ,lord had a work for him to do1 and that his name should come to be spoken of both for good and for evil among all nations1 kindreds1 and tongues4 ,the angel told of a record engraven on plates of gold1 which contained an account of the former inhabitants of the ,american continent1 and the fulness of the everlasting gospel as delivered by the ,savior to those ancient people2 and furthermore1 that with the record were a breastplate1 and the ,urim and ,thummim1 which had been prepared by divine instrumentality for use in translating the book4 ,the place at which the plates and the other sacred things were deposited was shown to ,joseph in vision1 and so clear was the demonstration that he readily recognized the spot when he visited it next day4 ,the angel quoted several passages from the ,old and one from the ,new ,testament1 some verbatim1 and some with small variations from the ,biblical version4 ,joseph's statement concerning the scriptures cited by ,moroni is as follows3 ,he first quoted part of the third chapter of ,malachi1 and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy1 though with a little variation from the way it reads in our ,bibles4 ,instead of quoting the first verse as it reads in our books1 he quoted it thus3 ,for behold1 the day cometh that shall burn as an oven1 and all the proud1 yea1 and all that do wickedly1 shall burn as stubble2 for they that come shall burn them1 saith the ,lord of ,hosts1 that it shall leave them neither root nor branch4 ,and again1 he quoted the fifth verse thus3 ,behold1 ,i will reveal unto you the ,priesthood1 by the hand of ,elijah the prophet1 before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the ,lord4 ,he also quoted the next verse differently3 ,and he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers1 and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers2 if it were not so1 the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming4 ,in addition to these1 he quoted the eleventh chapter of ,isaiah1 saying that it was about to be fulfilled4 ,he quoted also the third chapter of ,acts1 twenty-second and twenty-third verses1 precisely as they stand in our ,new ,testament4 ,he said that that prophet was ,christ2 but the day had not yet come when they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people1 but soon would come4 ,he also quoted the second chapter of ,joel1 from the twenty-eighth verse to the last4 ,he also said that this was not yet fulfilled but was soon to be4 ,and he further stated that the fulness of the ,gentiles was soon to come in4#aebi ,the messenger departed1 and the light disappeared with him4 ,twice during the same night1 however1 the angel returned1 each time repeating what had been said at his first appearing and adding words of instruction and caution4 ,on the next day ,moroni appeared to the young man again1 and directed him to inform his father of the visitations and commandments he had received4 ,joseph's father instructed him to obey the messenger's instructions and testified that they were given of ,god4 ,joseph then went to the locality specified by the angel1 on the side of a hill called in the record ,cumorah1 and immediately identified the spot that had been shown him in vision4 ,by the aid of a lever he removed a large stone1 which proved to be the cover of a stone box wherein lay the plates and other articles described by ,moroni4 ,the angel appeared at the place1 and forbade ,joseph to remove the contents of the box at that time4 ,the young man replaced the massive stone lid and left the spot4 ,four years later1 the plates1 the ,urim and ,thummim1 and the breastplate were delivered into ,joseph's keeping by the angel ,moroni4 ,this ,moroni1 who now came as a resurrected being1 was the last survivor of the ,nephite nation2 he had completed the record1 and then shortly before his death had hidden away the same in the hill ,cumorah1 whence it was brought forth through his instrumentality and delivered to the modern prophet and seer1 ,joseph ,smith1 ,september #bb1 #ahbg4 ,that record1 or1 strictly speaking a part thereof1 is now accessible to all2 it has been translated through divine instrumentality and is now published in many languages as the ,book of ,mormon4#aecj ,,the ,,aaronic ,,priesthood ,,conferred ,,by ,,john ,,the ,,baptist4 ,on the #aeth of ,may1 #ahbi1 ,joseph ,smith and his scribe in the work of translating the ,nephite record1 ,oliver ,cowdery1 retired to a secluded glade to pray4 ,their special purpose was to inquire of the ,lord concerning the ordinance of baptism for the remission of sins1 some account of which they had found on the plates4 ,joseph writes3 ,while we were thus employed1 praying and calling upon the ,lord1 a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light1 and having laid his hands upon us1 he ordained us1 saying3 ,upon you my fellow servants1 in the name of ,messiah1 ,i confer the ,priesthood of ,aaron1 which holds the keys of the ministering of angels1 and of the ,gospel of repentance1 and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins2 and this shall never be taken again from the earth1 until the sons of ,levi do offer again an offering unto the ,lord in righteousness4#aeca ,the angelic visitor stated that his name was ,john1 the same who is designated in the ,new ,testament1 ,john the ,baptist2 and that he had acted in ordaining the two under the direction of ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john1 who held the keys of the ,higher or ,melchizedek ,priesthood4 ,he explained that the ,aaronic ,priesthood did not comprize the power of laying on hands for the gift of the ,holy ,ghost2#aecb but he predicted that the ,higher ,priesthood1 having this power1 would be conferred later4 ,by his express direction1 ,joseph baptized ,oliver1 and the latter in turn baptized ,joseph1 by immersion in water4 ,,the ,,melchizedek ,,priesthood ,,conferred ,,by ,,peter1 ,,james1 ,,and ,,john4 ,shortly after their ordination to the ,lesser or ,aaronic ,priesthood1 ,joseph ,smith and ,oliver ,cowdery were visited by the presiding apostles of old1 ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john1 who conferred upon them the ,melchizedek ,priesthood and ordained them to the ,holy ,apostleship4 ,in a later revelation the ,lord ,jesus thus specifically acknowledges the respective ordinations as having been done by ,his will and commandment3 ,which ,john ,i have sent unto you1 my servants1 ,joseph ,smith1 jun41 and ,oliver ,cowdery1 to ordain you unto this first priesthood which you have received1 that you might be called and ordained even as ,aaron4444 ,and also with ,peter1 and ,james1 and ,john1 whom ,i have sent unto you1 by whom ,i have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles1 and especial witnesses of my name1 and bear the keys of your ministry1 and of the same things which ,i revealed unto them3 ,unto whom ,i have committed the keys of my kingdom1 and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times2 and for the fulness of times1 in the which ,i will gather together in one all things1 both which are in heaven1 and which are on the earth4#aecc ,,establishment ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,of ,,jesus ,,christ ,,of ,,latter-,,day ,,saints4 ,on the sixth day of ,april ,a4,d4 #ahcj1 the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints was formally organized1 at ,fayette1 ,seneca county1 ,new ,york1 in accordance with the secular law governing the establishment of religious associations4 ,the persons actually participating in the organization numbered but six1 such being the minimum required by law in such an undertaking2 many others were present however1 some of whom had already received the ordinance of baptism for the remission of sins4 ,by revelation to ,joseph ,smith1 the ,lord had previously specified the day on which the organization was to be effected1 and had made known ,his plan of ,church government--with detailed instructions as to the requisite conditions for membership2 the indispensability of baptism by immersion1 and the precise manner in which the initiatory ordinance was to be administered2 the manner of confirming baptized believers as members of the ,church2 the duties of elders1 priests1 teachers1 and deacons in the ,church2 the exact procedure to be followed in the administration of the ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper2 the order of ,church discipline1 and the method of transferring members from one branch to another4#aecd ,the baptized converts present at the organization were called upon to express their acceptance or rejection of ,joseph ,smith and ,oliver ,cowdery as elders in the ,church2 and in accordance with the unanimous vote in the affirmative the ordination or setting apart of these two men as respectively first and second elder in the new organization was performed4#aece ,while the ,book of ,mormon had been in course of translation1 particularly during the two years immediately preceding the organization of the ,church1 several revelations had been given through ,joseph the prophet and seer1 relating to the work of translation and to the preparatory labor necessary to the establishment of the ,church as an institution among men4 ,the ,author of these several revelations declared ,himself definitely to be ,jesus ,christ1 ,god1 the ,son of ,god1 the ,redeemer1 the ,light and ,life of the ,world1 ,alpha and ,omega1 ,christ the ,lord1 the ,lord and ,savior4#aecf ,as early as ,a4,d4 #ahbi1 the calling of the ,twelve ,apostles was indicated1 and appointment was made for the searching out of the ,twelve who should stand before the world as special witnesses of the ,christ2 these were subsequently ordained to the ,holy ,apostleship1 and the council or quorum of the ,twelve has been recognized1 and instructions concerning their exalted duties have been given1 in numerous revelations of later dates4#aecg ,in such manner has the ,church of ,jesus ,christ been reestablished upon the earth1 with all the powers and authority pertaining to the ,holy ,priesthood as committed by the ,lord ,jesus to ,his apostles in the period of ,his personal ministry4 ,the inauguration of a new dispensation of the gospel1 with a restoration of the ,priesthood1 was absolutely necessary2 since through the apostasy of the ,primitive ,church there lived not a man empowered to speak or administer in the name of ,god or ,his ,christ4 ,john the ,revelator saw in his vision of the last days an angel bringing anew the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth1 and to every nation1 and kindred1 and tongue1 and people1 saying with a loud voice1 ,fear ,god1 and give glory to him2 for the hour of his judgment is come3 and worship him that made heaven1 and earth1 and the sea1 and the fountains of waters4#aech ,such an angelic embassage would have been but a needless and empty display1 and therefore an impossibility1 had the everlasting gospel remained upon the earth with its powers of priesthood perpetuated by succession4 ,the scriptural assurances of a restoration in the last days through direct bestowal from the heavens is conclusive proof of the actuality of the universal apostasy4 ,moroni came to ,joseph ,smith as a messenger sent from the presence of ,god1 and delivered a record containing the fulness of the everlasting gospel1 as it had been imparted to the ,lord's people in ancient times2 and the world-wide distribution of the ,book of ,mormon1 and of other publications embodying the revealed word in modern times1 and the ministry of thousands who labor in the authority of the ,holy ,priesthood combine as the loud voice addressed to every nation1 crying3 ,fear ,god1 and give glory to him2 for the hour of his judgment is come4 ,,further ,,communications ,,from ,,the ,,heavens ,,to ,,man4 ,following the organization of the ,church as heretofore described1 direct communication between the ,lord ,jesus ,christ and ,his prophet ,joseph was frequent1 as the needs of the ,church required4 ,numerous revelations were given1 and these are accessible to all who will read4#aeci ,a marvelous manifestation was granted to the prophet and his associate in the presidency of the ,church1 ,sidney ,rigdon1 the record of which appears as follows3 ,we1 ,joseph ,smith1 jun41 and ,sidney ,rigdon1 being in the ,spirit on the sixteenth of ,february1 in the year of our ,lord1 one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two1 by the power of the ,spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened1 so as to see and understand the things of ,god--even those things which were from the beginning before the world was1 which were ordained of the ,father1 through his ,only ,begotten ,son1 who was in the bosom of the ,father1 even from the beginning1 of whom we bear record1 and the record which we bear is the fulness of the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 who is the ,son1 whom we saw and with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision2 ,for while we were doing the work of translation1 which the ,lord had appointed unto us1 we came to the twenty-ninth verse of the fifth chapter of ,john1 which was given unto us as follows4 ,speaking of the resurrection of the dead1 concerning those who shall hear the voice of the ,son of ,man1 and shall come forth2 they who have done good in the resurrection of the just1 and they who have done evil in the resurrection of the unjust4 ,now this caused us to marvel1 for it was given unto us of the ,spirit2 and while we meditated upon these things1 the ,lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened1 and the glory of the ,lord shone round about2 and we beheld the glory of the ,son1 on the right hand of the ,father1 and received of his fulness2 and saw the holy angels1 and they who are sanctified before his throne1 worshiping ,god1 and the ,lamb1 who worship him for ever and ever4 ,and now1 after the many testimonies which have been given of him1 this is the testimony last of all1 which we give of him1 that he lives2 for we saw him1 even on the right hand of ,god1 and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the ,only ,begotten of the ,father--that by him and through him1 and of him the worlds are and were created1 and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto ,god4#aedj ,the vision was followed by further revelation both through sight and hearing2 and the ,lord showed unto ,his servants and proclaimed aloud the fate of the wicked and the characteristic features of the varied degrees of glory provided for the souls of mankind in the hereafter4 ,the several states of graded honor and exaltation pertaining to the telestial1 the terrestrial1 and the celestial kingdoms were revealed1 and the ancient scriptures relating thereto were illumined with the new light of simplicity and literalness4#aeda ,,personal ,,appearing ,,of ,,the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ ,,in ,,the ,,kirtland ,,temple4 ,in less than three and a half years after its organization the ,church began the erection of the first temple of modern times at ,kirtland1 ,ohio4 ,the work was undertaken in compliance with a revelation from the ,lord requiring this labor at the hands of ,his people4 ,the ,church membership was small2 the people were in poverty2 the period was one of determined opposition and relentless persecution4#aedb ,be it understood that to the ,latter-day ,saints a temple is more than chapel1 church1 tabernacle1 or cathedral2 it is no place of common assembly even for purposes of congregational worship1 but an edifice sacred to the ordinances of the ,holy ,priesthood--distinctively and essentially a ,house of the ,lord4 ,the temple at ,kirtland stands today1 a substantial and stately building2 but it is no longer in possession of the people who reared it by unmeasured sacrifice of time1 substance1 and effort extending through years of self-denial and suffering4 ,its corner-stones were laid ,july #bc1 #ahcc1 and the completed structure was dedicated ,march #bg1 #ahcf4 ,the dedicatory service was made ever memorable by a ,pentecostal outpouring of the ,spirit of the ,lord accompanied by the visible presence of angels4 ,in the evening of the same day the several quorums of priesthood assembled in the house1 and a yet greater manifestation of divine power and glory was witnessed4 ,on the succeeding ,sunday--,april #c1 #ahcf--;after a service of solemn worship1 including the administration of the ,lord's ,supper1 the prophet ,joseph and his counselor1 ,oliver ,cowdery1 retired for prayer within the veils enclosing the platform and pulpit reserved for the presiding authorities of the ,melchizedek ,priesthood4 ,they bear this solemn testimony to the personal appearing of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ at that time and place3 ,the veil was taken from our minds1 and the eyes of our understanding were opened4 ,we saw the ,lord standing upon the breast work of the pulpit1 before us1 and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold in color like amber4 ,his eyes were as a flame of fire1 the hair of his head was white like the pure snow1 his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun1 and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters1 even the voice of ,jehovah1 saying--,i am the first and the last1 ,i am he who liveth1 ,i am he who was slain1 ,i am your advocate with the ,father4 ,behold1 your sins are forgiven you1 you are clean before me1 therefore lift up your heads and rejoice1 let the hearts of your brethren rejoice1 and let the hearts of all my people rejoice1 who have1 with their might1 built this house to my name4 ,for behold1 ,i have accepted this house1 and my name shall be here1 and ,i will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house1 ,yea1 ,i will appear unto my servants1 and speak unto them with mine own voice1 if my people will keep my commandments1 and do not pollute this holy house1 ,yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out1 and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house2 and the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands1 and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people4 ,even so4 ,amen4#aedc ,after the ,savior's withdrawal1 the two mortal prophets were visited by glorified beings1 each of whom had officiated on earth as a specially commissioned servant of ,jehovah1 and now came to confer the authority of his particular office upon ,joseph and ,oliver1 thus uniting all the powers and authorities of olden dispensations in the restored ,church of ,christ1 which characterizes the last and greatest dispensation of history4 ,this is the record3 ,after this vision closed1 the heavens were again opened unto us1 and ,moses appeared before us1 and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of ,israel from the four parts of the earth1 and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north4 ,after this1 ,elias appeared1 and committed the dispensation of the gospel of ,abraham1 saying1 that in us1 and our seed1 all generations after us should be blessed4 ,after this vision had closed1 another great and glorious vision burst upon us1 for ,elijah the prophet1 who was taken to heaven without tasting death1 stood before us1 and said--,behold1 the time has fully come1 which was spoken of by the mouth of ,malachi1 testifying that he 7,elijah7 should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the ,lord come1 to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children1 and the children to the fathers1 lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse4 ,therefore the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands1 and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the ,lord is near1 even at the doors4#aedd ,,jesus ,,the ,,christ ,,is ,,with ,,his ,,church ,,today4 ,right gloriously has the ,lord brought about a fulfilment of the promises uttered through the mouths of ,his holy prophets in by-gone ages--to restore the gospel with all its former blessings and privileges2 to bestow anew the ,holy ,priesthood with authority to administer in the name of ,god2 to reestablish the ,church bearing ,his name and founded upon the rock of divine revelation2 and to proclaim the message of salvation to all nations1 kindreds1 tongues1 and peoples4 ,in spite of persecution both mobocratic and judicially sanctioned1 in spite of assaults1 drivings1 and slaughter1 the ,church has developed with marvelous rapidity and strength since the day of its organization4 ,joseph1 the prophet1 and his brother ,hyrum1 the patriarch of the ,church1 were brutally slain as martyrs to the truth at ,carthage1 ,illinois1 ,june #bg1 #ahdd4 ,but the ,lord raised up others to succeed them2 and the world learned in part and yet shall know beyond all question that the ,church so miraculously established in the last days is not the church of ,joseph ,smith nor of any other man1 but in literal verity1 the ,church of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the ,lord has continued to make known ,his mind and will through prophets1 seers1 and revelators whom ,he has successively chosen and appointed to lead ,his people2 and the voice of divine revelation is heard in the ,church today4 ,as provided for in its revealed plan and constitution1 the ,church is blessed by the ministry of prophets1 apostles1 high priests1 patriarchs1 seventies1 elders1 bishops1 priests1 teachers1 and deacons4#aede ,the spiritual gifts and blessings of old are again enjoyed in rich abundance4#aedf ,new scriptures1 primarily directed to present duties and current developments in the purposes of ,god1 yet which illuminate and make plain in simplicity the scriptures of old1 have been given to the world through the channel of the restored priesthood2 and other scriptures shall yet be written4 ,the united membership of the ,church proclaims3 ,we believe all that ,god has revealed1 all that ,he does now reveal1 and we believe that ,he will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the ,kingdom of ,god4#aedg ,the predicted gathering of ,israel from their long dispersion is in progress under the commission given by the ,lord through ,moses4 ,the mountain of the ,lord's house is already established in the top of the mountains1 and all peoples flow unto it2 while the elders of the ,church go forth among the nations1 saying3 ,come ye1 and let us go up to the mountain of the ,lord1 to the house of the ,god of ,jacob2 and he will teach us of his ways1 and we will walk in his paths3 for out of ,zion shall go forth the law1 and the word of the ,lord from ,jerusalem4#aedh ,within sacred temples1 the living are officiating vicariously in behalf of the dead2 and the hearts of mortal children are turned with affectionate concern toward their departed ancestors1 while disembodied hosts are praying for the success of their posterity1 yet in the flesh1 in the service of salvation4#aedi ,the saving gospel is offered freely to all1 for so hath its ,author commanded4 ,through the medium of the press1 and by the personal ministrations of men invested with the ,holy ,priesthood whom the ,church sends out by thousands1 this ,gospel of the ,kingdom is today preached throughout the world4 ,when such witness among the nations is made complete1 then shall the end come2 and the nations shall see the ,son of ,man coming in the clouds of heaven1 with power and great glory4#aeej ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #da4 #a4 ,the ,dispensation of the ,fulness of ,times4--,now the thing to be known is1 what the fulness of times means1 or the extent and authority thereof4 ,it means this1 that the dispensation of the fulness of times is made up of all the dispensations that ever have been given since the world began1 until this time4 ,unto ,adam first was given a dispensation4 ,it is well known that ,god spake to him with ,his own voice in the garden1 and gave him the promise of the ,messiah4 ,and unto ,noah also was a dispensation given2 for ,jesus said1 ',as it was in the days of ,noah1 so shall it be also in the days of the coming of the ,son of ,man2' and as the righteous were saved then1 and the wicked destroyed1 so it will be now4 ,and from ,noah to ,abraham1 and from ,abraham to ,moses1 and from ,moses to ,elias1 and from ,elias to ,john the ,baptist1 and from then to ,jesus ,christ1 and from ,jesus ,christ to ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john1 the ,apostles all having received in their dispensation by revelation from ,god1 to accomplish the great scheme of restitution1 spoken by all the holy ,prophets since the world began2 the end of which is1 the dispensation of the fulness of times1 in which all things shall be fulfilled that have been spoken of since the earth was made4--,see ,millennial ,star1 vol4 #af1 p4 #bbj4 #b4 ,limitations of the ,aaronic ,priesthood4--,after conferring the ,lesser or ,aaronic ,priesthood upon ,joseph ,smith and ,oliver ,cowdery1 the officiating angel1 who had been known while a mortal being as ,john the ,baptist1 explained that the authority he had imparted did not extend to the laying-on of hands for the bestowal of the ,holy ,ghost1 the latter ordinance being a function of the ,higher or ,melchizedek ,priesthood4 ,consider the instance of ,philip1 7not the apostle ,philip71 whose ordination empowered him to baptize1 though a higher authority than his was requisite for the conferring of the ,holy ,ghost2 and consequently the apostles ,peter and ,john went down to ,samaria to officiate in the case of ,philip's baptized converts 7,acts #h3e1 #ab-ag74 ,see ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bj3da1 #df4 #c4 ,priesthood and ,office ,therein4--,it is important to know that although ,joseph ,smith and ,oliver ,cowdery had been ordained to the ,holy ,apostleship1 and therefore to a fulness of the ,melchizedek ,priesthood1 by ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john1 it was necessary that they be ordained as elders in the ,church4 ,when they received the ,melchizedek ,priesthood from the three ancient apostles1 there was no organized ,church of ,jesus ,christ1 and consequently no need of ,church officers1 such as elders1 priests1 teachers1 or deacons4 ,as soon as the ,church was established1 officers were chosen therein and these were ordained to the requisite office or grade in the ,priesthood4 ,moreover1 the principle of common consent in the conduct of ,church affairs was observed in this early action of the members in voting to sustain the men nominated for official positions1 and has continued to be the rule of the ,church to this day4 ,it is pertinent to point out further that in conferring upon ,joseph and ,oliver the ,aaronic ,priesthood1 ,john the ,baptist did not ordain them to the office of priest1 teacher1 or deacon4 ,these three offices are included in the ,aaronic1 as are the offices of elder1 seventy1 high priest1 etc41 in the ,melchizedek ,priesthood4 ,read ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bj3ch-fg2 ,the ,articles of ,faith1 xi4 #d4 ,modern ,temples4--,the ,lord's gracious promise given in the ,kirtland ,temple--to appear unto ,his servants at times then future1 and to speak unto them with ,his own voice1 provided the people would keep ,his commandments and not pollute that holy house--has been in no wise abrogated nor forfeited through the enforced relinquishment of the ,kirtland ,temple by the ,latter-day ,saints4 ,the people were compelled to flee before the fury of mobocratic persecution2 but they hastened to erect another and yet more splendid sanctuary at ,nauvoo1 ,illinois1 and were again dispossessed by lawless mobs4 ,in the valleys of ,utah the ,church has erected four great temples1 each more stately than the last2 and in these holy houses the sacred ordinances pertaining to salvation and exaltation of both the living and the dead are in uninterrupted progress4 ,the temples of the present dispensation1 at the time of the present writing designated according to location1 are those of ,kirtland1 ,ohio2 ,nauvoo1 ,illinois2 ,st4 ,george1 ,logan1 ,manti1 and ,salt ,lake ,city1 ,utah2 ,cardston1 ,canada1 and ,laie1 ,hawaii4 ,see ,the ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #fc-bcb4 #e4 ,consistency of the ,church's ,claim to ,authority4--,the proofs of order and system in the restoration of authority to officiate in particular functions pertaining to the priesthood are striking1 and go to prove the continued validity1 beyond the grave1 of authoritative ordination on earth4 ,the keys of the ,aaronic order1 comprizing authority to baptize for the remission of sins1 were brought by ,john the ,baptist1 who had been especially commissioned in that order of priesthood in the time of ,christ4 ,the apostleship1 comprizing all powers inherent in the ,melchizedek ,priesthood1 was restored by the presiding apostles of old1 ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john4 ,then1 as has been seen1 ,moses conferred the authority to prosecute the work of gathering2 and ,elijah1 who1 not having tasted death1 held a peculiar relation to both the living and the dead1 delivered the authority of vicarious ministry for the departed4 ,to these appointments by heavenly authority should be added that given by ,elias1 who appeared to ,joseph ,smith and ,oliver ,cowdery1 and committed the dispensation of the gospel of ,abraham4 ,it is evident1 then1 that the claims made by the ,church with respect to its authority are complete and consistent as to the source of the powers professed and the channels through which such have been delivered again to earth4 ,scripture and revelation1 both ancient and modern1 support as an unalterable law the principle that no one can delegate to another an authority which the giver does not possess4 #f4 ,cessation of the ,melchizedek ,administration in ,ancient ,times4--,the ,higher or ,melchizedek ,priesthood was held by the patriarchs from ,adam to ,moses4 ,aaron was ordained to the priest's office1 as were his sons2 but that ,moses held superior authority is abundantly shown 7,numb4 #ab3a-h74 ,after ,aaron's death his son ,eleazar officiated in the authority of the ,lesser ,priesthood2 and even ,joshua had to take counsel and authority from him 7,numb4 #bg3ah-bc74 ,from the ministry of ,moses to that of ,jesus ,christ1 the ,lesser ,priesthood alone was operative upon the earth1 excepting only the instances of specially delegated authority of the higher order such as is manifest in the ministrations of certain chosen prophets1 ,isaiah1 ,jeremiah1 ,ezekiel1 and others4 ,it is evident that these prophets1 seers1 and revelators were individually and specially commissioned2 but it appears that they had not authority to call and ordain successors1 for in their time the ,higher ,priesthood was not existent on earth in an organized state with duly officered quorums4 ,not so with the ,aaronic and ,levitical ,priesthood1 however4 ,the matter is made particularly plain through latter-day revelation4 ,see ,doc4 and ,cov4 #hd3bc-bh2 read the entire section2 also ,the ,house of the ,lord pp4 #bce-bch4 ,,footnotes3 #aebc ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,joseph ,smith #b3e-bf2 also ,history of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints1 vol4 #a1 pp4 #b-h4 #aebd ,eph4 #a3i1 #aj4 ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #aebe ,see page #aea herein2 ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #aebf ,for earlier instances1 see pages #abf1 #cga1 and #gbe4 #aebg ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,joseph ,smith #b3bi-ed1 #ei2 also ,history of the ,church1 vol4 #a1 pp4 #aj-af1 #ah4 #aebh ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,joseph ,smith #b3bh4 #aebi ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,joseph ,smith #b3cf-da2 and ,history of the ,church1 vol4 #a4 pp4 #ab1 #ac4 #aecj ,see ,b4 of ,m41 ,mormon #f3f2 ,moroni #aj3b4 #aeca ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,joseph ,smith #b3fh1 #fi2 ,doc4 and ,cov4 sec4 #ac2 ,history of the ,church1 vol4 #a1 p4 #ci4 #aecb ,notes #b and #f4 end of chapter4 #aecc ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bg3 #h1 #ab1 #ac4 #aecd ,doc4 and ,cov4 sec4 #bj4 #aece ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bj3b1 #c2 compare #ba3aa2 see also ,history of the ,church4 vol4 #a1 pp4 #dj1 #da4 ,note #c1 end of chapter4 #aecf ,doc4 and ,cov4 sections #e1 #f1 #h1 #aj-ab1 #ad-bj4 #aecg ,doc4 and ,cov4 #ah3bg1 #ca-cf2 #bj3ch-dd2 #hd3fc1 #fd2 #ie3d2 #ajg3bc-be2 #aab3a1 #ad1 #ba2 #aah2 #abd3abg-acj4 #aech ,rev4 #ad3f1 #g4 #aeci ,see ,doctrine and ,covenants1 and ,history of the ,church4 #aedj ,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf3aa-bd2 also ,history of the ,church under date specified4 #aeda ,see ,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf3be-aai2 also ,the ,articles of ,faith1 iv3#bi2 and xxii3#ah-bg4 #aedb ,see ,the ,house of the ,lord1 pages #aad-abc4 #aedc ,doc4 and ,cov4 #aaj3a-aj2 also ,history of the ,church under date specified4 ,note #d1 end of chapter4 #aedd ,doc4 and ,cov4 #aaj3aa-af4 ,note #e1 end of chapter4 #aede ,see ,plan of ,government in the ,restored ,church1 in ,the ,articles of ,faith1 xi3#ac-cb4 #aedf ,see ,spiritual ,gifts in ,the ,articles of ,faith1 xii4 #aedg ,no4 #i of ,the ,articles of ,faith of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints4 #aedh ,isa4 #b3b1 #c2 compare ,micah #d3a1 #b2 see also ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bi3h4 #aedi ,see ,the ,house of the ,lord1 pp4 #fc-aji4 #aeej ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,joseph ,smith #a3ca1 #cf2 compare ,matt #bd3ad1 #cj4 ,,chapter #db4 ,,jesus ,,the ,,christ ,,to ,,return4 ,,the ,,lord',s ,,second ,,advent ,,predicted ,,in ,,ancient ,,scripture4 ,ye men of ,galilee1 why stand ye gazing up into heaven8 this same ,jesus1 which is taken up from you into heaven1 shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven4#aeea ,so spake the white-robed angels to the eleven apostles as the resurrected ,christ ascended from their midst on ,olivet4 ,the scriptures abound in predictions of the ,lord's return4 ,by the second advent we understand not the personal appearing of the ,son of ,god to a few1 such as ,his visitation to ,saul of ,tarsus1 to ,joseph ,smith in #ahbj1 and again in the ,kirtland ,temple in #ahcf2 nor later manifestations to ,his worthy servants as specifically promised2#aeeb but ,his yet future coming in power and great glory1 accompanied by hosts of resurrected and glorified beings1 to execute judgment upon the earth and to inaugurate a reign of righteousness4 ,the prophets of both hemispheres1 who lived prior to the meridian of time1 said comparatively little concerning the ,lord's second coming2 their souls were too full of the merciful plan of redemption associated with the ,savior's birth into mortality to permit them to dwell upon the yet more distant consummation appointed for the last days4 ,certain of them1 however1 were permitted to behold in vision the working out of the divine purposes even to the end of time2 and these testified with unsurpassed fervency concerning the glorious coming of ,christ in the final dispensation4 ,enoch1 the seventh from ,adam1 prophesied saying1 ,behold the ,lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints1 to execute judgment upon all4#aeec ,in a more extended account of the ,lord's revelations to ,enoch than is included in the ,bible1 we read that after this righteous prophet had been shown the scenes of ,israel's history1 down to and beyond the death1 resurrection and ascension of ,jesus ,christ1 he pleaded with ,god1 saying3 ,i ask thee if thou wilt not come again on the earth4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,enoch3 ,as ,i live1 even so will ,i come in the last days1 in the days of wickedness and vengeance1 to fulfil the oath which ,i have made unto you concerning the children of ,noah4444 ,and it came to pass that ,enoch saw the day of the coming of the ,son of ,man1 in the last days1 to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years4#aeed ,isaiah1 in rapturous contemplation of the eventual triumph of righteousness1 exclaimed3 ,say to them that are of a fearful heart1 ,be strong1 fear not3 behold1 your ,god will come with vengeance1 even ,god with a recompence2 he will come and save you2 and again3 ,behold1 the ,lord ,god will come with strong hand1 and his arm shall rule for him3 behold1 his reward is with him1 and his work before him4#aeee ,the conditions specified were not realized in the earthly life of the ,redeemer2 moreover the context clearly shows that the prophet's words are applicable to the last days only--the time of the ransomed of the ,lord1 the time of restitution1 and of the triumph of ,zion4 ,of all ,biblical scriptures relating to our subject1 the utterances of the ,christ ,himself in the course of ,his earthly ministry are most direct and certain4 ,many of these we have already considered in the narrative of the ,savior's life2 the few following are sufficient for present demonstration4 ,for the ,son of man shall come in the glory of his ,father with his angels2 and then he shall reward every man according to his works4#aeef ,to the apostles and the people generally ,he proclaimed3 ,whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation2 of him also shall the ,son of man be ashamed1 when he cometh in the glory of his ,father with the holy angels4#aeeg ,when a bound prisoner before proud ,caiaphas1 ,jesus answered the unlawful adjuration of the corrupt high priest1 by affirming3 ,i say unto you1 ,hereafter shall ye see the ,son of man sitting on the right hand of power1 and coming in the clouds of heaven4#aeeh ,the apostles had been so impressed with the ,master's assurance that ,he would return to earth in power and glory1 that they eagerly questioned as to the time and signs of ,his coming4#aeei ,he stated explicitly1 though at the time they failed to comprehend ,him1 that many great events would intervene between ,his departure and return1 including the long era of darkness associated with the apostasy4#aefj ,but as to the certainty of ,his advent in glory1 as ,judge1 and ,lord1 and ,king1 ,jesus left no excuse for dubiety in the minds of ,his apostles4 ,after the ascension1 throughout the course of apostolic administration1 the future coming of the ,lord was preached with earnest emphasis4#aefa ,book of ,mormon prophecies concerning the advent of the ,lord in the last days are specific and definite4 ,on the occasion of ,his appearing to the ,nephites on the ,american continent shortly after ,his ascension from the ,mount of ,olives1 ,christ preached the gospel to assembled multitudes2 ,and he did expound all things1 even from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory2 and the events to follow1 even unto the great and last day4#aefb ,in granting the wish of the three ,nephite disciples who desired to continue their ministry in the flesh throughout the generations to come1 the ,lord said unto them3 ,ye shall live to behold all the doings of the ,father1 unto the children of men1 even until all things shall be fulfilled1 according to the will of the ,father1 when ,i shall come in my glory1 with the powers of heaven2 ,and ye shall never endure the pains of death2 but when ,i shall come in my glory1 ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality3 and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my ,father4#aefc ,,the ,,coming ,,of ,,the ,,lord ,,proclaimed ,,through ,,modern ,,revelation4 ,to the ,church of ,jesus ,christ1 restored and reestablished in these the last days1 the word of the ,lord has come repeatedly1 declaring the actuality of ,his second advent and the nearness of that glorious yet dreadful event4 ,but a few months after the ,church was organized1 the voice of ,jesus ,christ was heard1 admonishing the elders to vigilance and proclaiming as follows3 ,for the hour is nigh1 and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe3 and all the proud1 and they that do wickedly1 shall be as stubble1 and ,i will burn them up1 saith the ,lord of ,hosts1 that wickedness shall not be upon the earth2 for the hour is nigh1 and that which was spoken by mine apostles must be fulfilled2 for as they spoke so shall it come to pass2 for ,i will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory1 with all the hosts thereof1 and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years1 and the wicked shall not stand4#aefd ,in the month following1 the ,lord gave instructions to certain elders1 concluding with these portentous words3 ,wherefore1 be faithful1 praying always1 having your lamps trimmed and burning1 and oil with you1 that you may be ready at the coming of the ,bridegroom3 for behold1 verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 that ,i come quickly4 ,even so4 ,amen4#aefe ,again we read in a later revelation3 ,and blessed are you because you have believed2 and more blessed are you because you are called of me to preach my gospel1 to lift up your voice as with the sound of a trump1 both long and loud1 and cry repentance unto a crooked and perverse generation1 preparing the way of the ,lord for his second coming2 for behold1 verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 the time is soon at hand1 that ,i shall come in a cloud with power and great glory1 and it shall be a great day at the time of my coming1 for all nations shall tremble4#aeff ,the ,lord ,jesus addressed a general revelation to ,his ,church in ,march #ahca1 through which ,his earlier predictions uttered to the ,twelve shortly before ,his betrayal were made plain1 and the assurances of ,his glorious coming were thus reiterated3 ,ye look and behold the fig-trees1 and ye see them with your eyes1 and ye say when they begin to shoot forth1 and their leaves are yet tender1 that summer is now nigh at hand2 even so it shall be in that day when they shall see all these things1 then shall they know that the hour is nigh4 ,and it shall come to pass that he that feareth me shall be looking forth for the great day of the ,lord to come1 even for the signs of the coming of the ,son of man3 ,and they shall see signs and wonders1 for they shall be shown forth in the heavens above1 and in the earth beneath2 and they shall behold blood1 and fire1 and vapors of smoke2 and before the day of the ,lord shall come1 the sun shall be darkened1 and the moon be turned into blood1 and stars fall from heaven2 and the remnant shall be gathered unto this place1 and then they shall look for me1 and1 behold1 ,i will come2 and they shall see me in the clouds of heaven1 clothed with power and great glory1 with all the holy angels2 and he that watches not for me shall be cut off4#aefg ,so near is the consummation that the intervening period is called today2 and1 in applying this time designation in the year #ahca1 the ,lord said3 ,behold1 now it is called today 7until the coming of the ,son of man71 and verily it is a day of sacrifice1 and a day for the tithing of my people2 for he that is tithed shall not be burned 7at his coming72 ,for after today cometh the burning3 this is speaking after the manner of the ,lord2 for verily ,i say1 tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble2 and ,i will burn them up1 for ,i am the ,lord of hosts3 and ,i will not spare any that remain in ,babylon4 ,wherefore1 if ye believe me1 ye will labor while it is called today4#aefh ,,the ,,time ,,and ,,accompaniments ,,of ,,the ,,lord',s ,,coming4 ,the date of the future advent of ,christ has never been revealed to man4 ,to the inquiring apostles who labored with the ,master1 ,he said3 ,but of that day and hour knoweth no man1 no1 not the angels of heaven1 but my ,father only4#aefi ,in the present age1 a similar declaration has been made by the ,father3 ,i1 the ,lord ,god1 have spoken it1 but the hour and the day no man knoweth1 neither the angels in heaven1 nor shall they know until he comes4#aegj ,only through watchfulness and prayer may the signs of the times be correctly interpreted and the imminence of the ,lord's appearing be apprehended4 ,to the unwatchful and the wicked the event will be as sudden and unexpected as the coming of a thief in the night4#aega ,but we are not left without definite information as to precedent signs4 ,biblical prophecies bearing upon this subject we have heretofore considered4#aegb ,as later scriptures affirm3 ,before the great day of the ,lord shall come1 ,jacob shall flourish in the wilderness1 and the ,lamanites shall blossom as the rose4 ,zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains1 and shall be assembled together unto the place which ,i have appointed4#aegc ,war shall become so general that every man who will not take arms against his neighbor must of necessity flee to the land of ,zion for safety4#aegd ,ephraim shall assemble in ,zion on the western continent1 and ,judah shall be again established in the east2 and the cities of ,zion and ,jerusalem shall be the capitals of the world empire1 over which ,messiah shall reign in undisputed authority4 ,the ,lost ,tribes shall be brought forth from the place where ,god has hidden them through the centuries and receive their long deferred blessings at the hands of ,ephraim4 ,the people of ,israel shall be restored from their scattered condition4#aege ,in addressing the elders of ,his ,church in #ahcb1 the ,lord urged upon them the imperative need of devoted diligence1 and said3 ,abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free2 entangle not yourselves in sin but let your hands be clean1 until the ,lord come2 ,for not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man1 and the sun shall hide his face1 and shall refuse to give light1 and the moon shall be bathed in blood1 and the stars shall become exceeding angry1 and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig tree4 ,and after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people2 ,for after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes1 that shall cause groanings in the midst of her1 and men shall fall upon the ground1 and shall not be able to stand4 ,and also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings1 and the voice of lightnings1 and the voice of tempests1 and the voice of the waves of the sea1 heaving themselves beyond their bounds4 ,and all things shall be in commotion2 and surely1 men's hearts shall fail them2 for fear shall come upon all people2 ,and angels shall fly through the midst of heaven1 crying with a loud voice1 sounding the trump of ,god1 saying1 ,prepare ye1 prepare ye1 ,o inhabitants of the earth2 for the judgment of our ,god is come3 behold1 and lo6 the ,bridegroom cometh1 go ye out to meet him4#aegf ,a characteristic of present-day revelation is the reiteration of the fact that the event is nigh at hand1 even at the doors4 ,the fateful time is repeatedly designated in scripture1 the great and dreadful day of the ,lord4#aegg ,fearful indeed will it be to individuals1 families1 and nations1 who have so far sunk into sin as to have forfeited their claim to mercy4 ,the time is not that of the final judgment--when the whole race of mankind shall stand in the resurrected state before the bar of ,god--nevertheless it shall be a time of unprecedented blessing unto the righteous and of condemnation and vengeance upon the wicked4#aegh ,with ,christ shall come those who have already been resurrected2 and ,his approach shall be the means of inaugurating a general resurrection of the righteous dead1 while the pure and just who are still in the flesh shall be instantaneously changed from the mortal to the immortal state and shall be caught up with the newly resurrected to meet the ,lord and ,his celestial company1 and shall descend with ,him4 ,to this effect did ,paul prophesy3 ,even so them also which sleep in ,jesus will ,god bring with him4444 ,for the ,lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout1 with the voice of the archangel1 and with the trump of ,god3 and the dead in ,christ shall rise first3 ,then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds1 to meet the ,lord in the air4#aegi ,compare the promise made to the ,three ,nephites3 ,and ye shall never endure the pains of death2 but when ,i shall come in my glory1 ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality4#aehj ,of the superlative glories awaiting the righteous when the ,lord shall come1 we have received in this day a partial description as follows3 ,and the face of the ,lord shall be unveiled2 and the saints that are upon the earth1 who are alive1 shall be quickened1 and be caught up to meet him4#aeha ,the heathen nations shall be redeemed and have part in the first resurrection4#aehb ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of ,,heaven ,,to ,,come4 ,the coming of ,christ in the last days1 accompanied by the apostles of old#aehc and by the resurrected saints1 is to mark the establishment of the ,kingdom of ,heaven upon earth4 ,the faithful apostles who were with ,jesus in ,his earthly ministry are to be enthroned as judges of the whole house of ,israel2#aehd they will judge the ,nephite ,twelve1 who in turn will be empowered to judge the descendants of ,lehi1 or that branch of the ,israelitish nation which was established upon the western continent4#aehe ,while the expressions ,kingdom of ,god and ,kingdom of ,heaven are used in the ,bible synonymously or interchangeably1 later revelation gives to each a distinctive meaning4 ,the ,kingdom of ,god is the ,church established by divine authority upon the earth2 this institution asserts no claim to temporal rule over nations2 its sceptre of power is that of the ,holy ,priesthood1 to be used in the preaching of the gospel and in administering its ordinances for the salvation of mankind living and dead4 ,the ,kingdom of ,heaven is the divinely ordained system of government and dominion in all matters1 temporal and spiritual2 this will be established on earth only when its rightful ,head1 the ,king of kings1 ,jesus the ,christ1 comes to reign4 ,his administration will be one of order1 operated through the agency of ,his commissioned representatives invested with the ,holy ,priesthood4 ,when ,christ appears in ,his glory1 and not before1 will be realized a complete fulfilment of the supplication3 ,thy kingdom come4 ,thy will be done in earth1 as it is in heaven4 ,the ,kingdom of ,god has been established among men to prepare them for the ,kingdom of ,heaven which shall come2 and in the blessed reign of ,christ the ,king shall the two be made one4 ,the relationship between them has been revealed to the ,church in this wise3 ,hearken1 and lo1 a voice as of one from on high1 who is mighty and powerful1 whose going forth is unto the ends of the earth1 yea1 whose voice is unto men--,prepare ye the way of the ,lord1 make his paths straight4 ,the keys of the kingdom of ,god are committed unto man on the earth1 and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth1 as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth1 until it has filled the whole earth2 ,yea1 a voice crying--,prepare ye the way of the ,lord1 prepare ye the supper of the ,lamb1 make ready for the ,bridegroom2 ,pray unto the ,lord1 call upon his holy name1 make known his wonderful works among the people2 ,call upon the ,lord1 that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth1 that the inhabitants thereof may receive it1 and be prepared for the days to come1 in the which the ,son of man shall come down in heaven1 clothed in the brightness of his glory1 to meet the kingdom of ,god which is set up on the earth2 ,wherefore may the kingdom of ,god go forth1 that the kingdom of heaven may come1 that thou1 ,o ,god1 mayest be glorified in heaven so on earth1 that thy enemies may be subdued for thine is the honour1 power and glory1 for ever and ever4 ,amen4#aehf ,,the ,,millennium4 ,the inauguration of ,christ's reign on earth is to be the beginning of a period that shall be distinct in many important particulars from all precedent and subsequent time2 and the ,lord shall reign with ,his people a thousand years4 ,the government of individuals1 communities and nations throughout this ,millennium is to be that of a perfect theocracy1 with ,jesus the ,christ as ,lord and ,king4 ,the more wicked part of the race shall have been destroyed2 and during the period ,satan shall be bound that he should deceive the nations no more1 till the thousand years should be fulfilled2 while the just shall share with ,christ in rightful rule and dominion4 ,the righteous dead shall have come forth from their graves1 while the wicked shall remain unresurrected until the thousand years be past4#aehg ,men yet in the flesh shall mingle with immortalized beings2 children shall grow to maturity and then die in peace or be changed to immortality in the twinkling of an eye4#aehh ,there shall be surcease of enmity between man and beast2 the venom of serpents and the ferocity of the brute creation shall be done away1 and love shall be the dominant power of control4 ,among the earliest revelations on the subject is that given to ,enoch2 and in this the return of that prophet and his righteous people with ,christ in the last days was thus assured3 ,and the ,lord said unto ,enoch3 ,then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there1 and we will receive them into our bosom1 and they shall see us2 and we will fall upon their necks1 and they shall fall upon our necks1 and we will kiss each other2 ,and there shall be mine abode1 and it shall be ,zion1 which shall come forth out of all the creations which ,i have made2 and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest4 ,and it came to pass that ,enoch saw the day of the coming of the ,son of ,man1 in the last days1 to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years4#aehi ,in these latter days the ,lord has thus spoken1 requiring preparation for the ,millennial era1 and describing in part the glories thereof3 ,and prepare for the revelation which is to come1 when the veil of the covering of my temple1 in my tabernacle1 which hideth the earth1 shall be taken off1 and all flesh shall see me together4 ,and every corruptible thing1 both of man1 or of the beasts of the field1 or of the fowls of the heavens1 or of the fish of the sea1 that dwell upon all the face of the earth1 shall be consumed2 ,and also that of element shall melt with fervent heat2 and all things shall become new1 that my knowledge and glory may dwell upon all the earth4 ,and in that day the enmity of man1 and the enmity of beasts1 yea1 the enmity of all flesh1 shall cease from before my face4 ,and in that day whatsoever any man shall ask1 it shall be given unto him4 ,and in that day ,satan shall not have power to tempt any man4 ,and there shall be no sorrow because there is no death4 ,in that day an infant shall not die until he is old1 and his life shall be as the age of a tree1 and when he dies he shall not sleep1 7that is to say in the earth17 but shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye1 and shall be caught up1 and his rest shall be glorious4 ,yea1 verily ,i say unto you1 in that day when the ,lord shall come1 he shall reveal all things4#aeij ,the ,millennium is to precede the time designated in scriptural phrase the end of the world4 ,when the thousand years are passed1 ,satan shall be loosed for a little season1 and the final test of man's integrity to ,god shall ensue4 ,such as are prone to impurity of heart shall yield to temptation while the righteous shall endure to the end4#aeia ,a revelation to this effect was given the ,church in #ahca1 in part as follows3 ,for the great ,millennium1 of which ,i have spoken by the mouth of my servants1 shall come2 ,for ,satan shall be bound1 and when he is loosed again1 he shall only reign for a little season1 and then cometh the end of the earth2 ,and he that liveth in righteousness shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye1 and the earth shall pass away so as by fire2 ,and the wicked shall go away into unquenchable fire1 and their end no man knoweth on earth1 nor ever shall know1 until they come before me in judgment4 ,hearken ye to these words3 ,behold1 ,i am ,jesus ,christ1 the ,saviour of the world4 ,treasure these things up in your hearts1 and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds4#aeib ,,the ,,celestial ,,consummation4 ,the vanquishment of ,satan and his hosts shall be complete4 ,the dead1 small and great1 all who have breathed the breath of life on earth1 shall be resurrected--every soul that has tabernacled in flesh1 whether good or evil--and shall stand before ,god1 to be judged according to the record as written in the books4#aeic ,so shall be brought to glorious consummation the mission of the ,christ4 ,then cometh the end1 when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to ,god1 even the ,father2 when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power4 ,for he must reign1 till he hath put all enemies under his feet4 ,the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death4 ,for he hath put all things under his feet4#aeid ,then shall the ,lord ,jesus deliver up the kingdom1 and present it unto the ,father spotless1 saying--,i have overcome and have trodden the wine-press alone1 even the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of ,almighty ,god4 ,then shall he be crowned with the crown of his glory1 to sit on the throne of his power to reign for ever and ever4#aeie ,the earth shall pass to its glorified and celestialized condition1 an eternal abode for the exalted sons and daughters of ,god4#aeif ,forever shall they reign1 kings and priests to the ,most ,high1 redeemed1 sanctified1 and exalted through their ,lord and ,god ,,jesus ,,the ,,christ4 ,,notes ,,to ,,chapter #db4 #a4 ,enoch1 spoken of by ,jude as the seventh from ,adam4 was the father of ,methuselah4 ,in ,genesis #e3bd we read3 ,and ,enoch walked with ,god2 and he was not2 for ,god took him4 ,from the ,lord's revelation to ,moses we learn that ,enoch was a mighty man1 favored of ,god because of his righteousness1 and a leader of and revelator to his people4 ,through his agency a city was built1 the inhabitants of which excelled in righteous living to such an extent that they were of one heart and one mind and had no poor among them4 ,it was called the ,city of ,holiness or ,zion4 ,the residue of the race were all corrupt in the sight of the ,lord4 ,enoch and his people were taken from the earth and are to return with ,christ at ,his coming4 7,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #g3ab-ba1 #fh1 #fi2 compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #de3aa1 #ab47 #b4 ,heathen in the ,first ,resurrection4--,and then shall the heathen nations be redeemed1 and they that knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection2 and it shall be tolerable for them4 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #de3ed47 ,such is the word of the ,lord with respect to those benighted peoples who live and die in ignorance of the laws of the gospel4 ,this affirmation is sustained by other scriptures1 and by a consideration of the principles of true justice according to which humanity is to be judged4 ,man shall be accounted blameless or guilty according to his deeds as interpreted in the light of the law under which he is required to live4 ,it is inconsistent with our conception of a just ,god to believe ,him capable of inflicting condemnation upon any one for non-compliance with a requirement of which the person had no knowledge4 ,nevertheless1 the laws of the gospel cannot be suspended even in the case of those who have sinned in darkness and ignorance2 but it is reasonable to believe that the plan of redemption shall afford such benighted ones an opportunity of learning the laws of ,god2 and1 as fast as they so learn1 will obedience be required on pain of the penalty4 ,see ,articles of ,faith1 xxi3#cc4 #c4 ,regeneration of the ,earth4--,in speaking of the graded and progressive glories provided for ,his creations1 and of the laws of regeneration and sanctification1 the ,lord has thus spoken through revelation in the present dispensation3 ,and again1 verily ,i say unto you1 the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom1 for it filleth the measure of its creation1 and transgresseth not the law4 ,wherefore it shall be sanctified2 yea1 notwithstanding it shall die1 it shall be quickened again1 and shall abide the power by which it is quickened1 and the righteous shall inherit it4 7,doc4 and ,cov4 #hh3be1 #bf47 ,this appointed change1 by which the earth shall pass to the condition of a celestialized world1 is referred to in numerous scriptures as the institution of a new heaven and a new earth 7,rev4 #ba3a1 #c1 #d2 ,b4 of ,m41 ,ether #ac3i2 ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bi3bc74 ,,footnotes3 #aeea ,acts #a3aa4 #aeeb ,pages #gac1 #gae1 #gfa1 and #ggd2 see also ,doc4 and ,cov4 #aaj3h2 compare #cf3h2 #db3cf2 #ig3ae1 #af2 #aji3e2 #abd3bg2 #acc3b4 #aeec ,jude #ad1 #ae2 compare ,gen4 #e3ah2 see next reference following4 #aeed ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #g3ei1 #fj1 #fe4 ,note #a1 end of chapter4 #aeee ,isa4 #ce3d2 and #dj3aj2 see also ,psalms #ej3c2 ,mal4 #c3a2 #d3e1 #f2 compare ,note #a on page #adi herein4 #aeef ,matt4 #af3bg4 #aeeg ,mark #h3ch2 compare ,luke #i3bf4 #aeeh ,matt4 #bf3fd4 #aeei ,matt4 #bd3c2 ,mark #ac3bf2 ,luke #ba3g2 ,acts #a3f2 compare page #adi herein4 #aefj ,matt4 #bd2 see chapters #cb and #dj herein4 #aefa ,see ,acts #c3bj1 #ba2 #a ,cor4 #d3e2 #aa3bf2 ,philip4 #c3bj2 #a ,thess4 #a3aj2 #b3ai2 #c3ac2 #d3ae-ah2 #b ,thess4 #b3a1 #h2 #a ,tim4 #f3ad1 #ae2 ,titus #b3ac2 ,james #e3g1 #h2 #a ,peter #a3e-g2 #d3ac2 #a ,john #b3bh2 #c3b2 ,jude #ad1 etc4 #aefb ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #bf3c1 #d4 #aefc ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #bh3g1 #h2 see also #bi3b4 #aefd ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bi3i-aa4 #aefe ,doc4 and ,cov4 #cc3ag1 #ah4 #aeff ,doc4 and ,cov4 #cd3d-h4 #aefg ,doc4 and ,cov4 #de3cg-dd2 compare this section with ,matt4 #bd1 and ,luke #ba3e-cf4 ,see also ,doc4 and ,cov4 #di3bc-bh4 #aefh ,doc4 and ,cov4 #fd3bc-be4 #aefi ,matt4 #bd3cf2 compare ,mark #ac3cb-cg2 see pages #ege1 #fif herein4 #aegj ,doc4 and ,cov4 #di3g2 the context shows that the words are those of the ,father4 #aega ,thess4 #e3b2 #b ,peter #c3aj2 compare ,matt4 #bd3dc1 #dd2 #be3ac2 ,luke #ab3ci1 #dj2 page #ege herein4 #aegb ,page #egc4 #aegc ,doc4 and ,cov4 #di3bd1 #be4 #aegd ,doc4 and ,cov4 #de3fh-ga4 #aege ,doc4 and ,cov4 #acc3g-ad1 #ba-ce2 ,articles of ,faith1 xviii and xix4 #aegf ,doc4 and ,cov4 #hh3hf-ib4 #aegg ,doc4 and ,cov4 #aaj3ad1 #af2 compare ,joel #b3ca2 ,mal4 #d3e2 ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #be3e4 #aegh ,doc and ,cov4 #bi3aa-ag4 #aegi #a ,thess4 #d3ad-ag4 #aehj ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #bh3h2 see page #gch herein4 #aeha ,doc4 and ,cov4 #hh3ie-ih4 #aehb ,note #b1 end of chapter4 #aehc ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bi3ab4 #aehd ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bi3ab2 compare ,matt4 #ai3bh2 ,luke #bb3cj2 page #dgi herein4 #aehe ,b4 of ,m41 #c ,nephi #bg3bg2 compare #a ,nephi #ab3i1 #aj2 ,mormon #c3ah4 #ai4 #aehf ,doc4 and ,cov4 #fe4 ,for a fuller treatment of this subject as also the distinction between ,church and ,kingdom1 see ,articles of ,faith1 xx3#af-bf4 #aehg ,rev4 #bj3a-f2 compare ,doc4 and ,cov4 #dc3ah4 #aehh ,doc4 and ,cov4 #fc3ej-ea2 #aja3cj2 compare #a ,cor4 #ae3ea-eg4 #aehi ,p4 of ,g4,p41 ,moses #g3fc-fe4 #aeij ,doc4 and ,cov4 #aja3bc-cb2 compare ,isa4 #fe3ag-be and #aa3f-i2 see also ,doc4 and ,cov4 #bi3aa1 #bb2 #dc3cj2 #fc3ea4 #aeia ,rev4 #bj3g-ae4 #aeib ,doc and ,cov4 #dc3cj-cd4 ,see also ,articles of ,faith1 xx3#bg-ca4 #aeic ,rev4 #bj3aa-ae4 #aeid #a ,cor4 #ae3bd-bg4 #aeie ,doc4 and ,cov4 #gf3ajg1 #ajh4 #aeif ,note #c1 end of chapter4 ,,index ,aaronic ,priesthood1 restored by ,john the ,baptist1 #gfh2 its powers1 #gfh4 ,ablutions1 ceremonial1 #cff4 ,abraham1 ,children of1 #dji4 ,abraham1 ,christ's seniority over1 #daj1 #daa4 ,aceldama1 the field of blood1 #fdc4 ,adam1 the first man1 #ah2 his transgression1 #ai2 revelation to1 #dd4 ,adulteress brought to ,christ1 #dje4 ,adulterous generation of sign-seekers1 #bgj1 #bgi1 #cei4 ,agency1 free1 of unembodied spirits1 #h1 #ag2 of man1 #ag1 #bi4 ,american ,indians1 progenitors of1 #di1 #ef1 #gdb1 #geg4 ,ananias1 ministers to ,saul1 #gad4 ,andrew1 follows ,christ1 #adj2 one of the ,twelve1 #bba4 ,annas1 high priest1 #fba1 #fdc4 ,announcement of ,christ by the ,father1 #ci1 #abf1 #cga1 #gbe1 #gfa2 of ,christ's birth to shepherds1 #ic4 ,see ,annunciation4 ,annunciation by ,gabriel1 to ,zacharias1 #gf2 to ,mary the ,virgin1 #gi2 by angel to shepherds1 #ic4 ,antemortal ,godship of ,jesus ,christ1 #cb4 ,antemortal state1 graded intelligences in1 #ad4 ,antipas1 ,herod1 #aaj1 #aah1 #ddf1 #fce4 ,antonia1 tower or fortress of1 #dda4 ,apostasy1 the great1 #gde2 among ,nephites1 #gda4 ,apostles1 the ,twelve1 chosen and ordained1 #bag2 individually considered1 #bah2 general characteristics of1 #bbf2 compared with disciples1 #bbg2 charged and sent forth1 #cbg1 #cbh2 their return1 #cca2 futile attempt of to heal1 #cgi2 as stewards1 #dda1 #egf2 ,christ's final commission to1 #fie1 #fif2 imprisoned1 #gjg2 delivered by an angel1 #gjg2 scourged for their testimony1 #gji4 ,apostleship1 #bbg1 #bbh2 restored in present dispensation1 #gfi4 ,apostolic ministry1 the1 #gjj2 close of1 #gaf4 ,appearances of the risen ,lord to mortals before the ascension1 #fii4 ,archelaus1 #aaj1 #aah4 ,arrest of ,jesus1 attempted but unaccomplished1 #djc2 effected through betrayal1 #fad4 ,ascension1 ,christ's1 #fig4 ,ass1 ,christ rides upon1 #ead2 as predicted1 #eag4 ,athanasius1 creed of1 #gef4 ,atonement1 the1 a vicarious sacrifice1 #ba4 ,authority1 in ,holy ,priesthood1 #cfb2 of ,elias and ,elijah1 #cge2 of ,twelve1 attested1 #cib2 of ,christ1 challenged1 #ecj2 ,christ as one having1 #bdi2 ,christ's ascribed to ,beelzebub1 #bfe4 ,baptism1 by ,john the ,baptist1 #abb1 #afc1 #eca2 of ,christ by ,john1 #abe2 enjoined upon ,nephites by ,christ1 #gbe2 mode of1 #gbf2 of ,joseph ,smith and ,oliver ,cowdery1 #gfh2 as required in the ,church today1 #gfi4 ,baptist1 see ,john the ,baptist4 ,barabbas1 #fcg4 ,barnabas1 sponsor for ,saul or ,paul1 #gad4 ,bartholomew1 see ,nathanael4 ,bartimeus1 healed of blindness1 #eje4 ,beatitudes1 the1 #bcj4 ,beelzebub1 ,christ's authority ascribed to1 #bfe4 ,benedictus1 the1 #gh4 ,bethany1 ,jesus at1 #dcb1 #ddh2 the family home at1 #ebb4 ,bethesda1 ,pool of1 #bjf4 ,bethlehem1 birthplace of ,christ1 #ib2 slaughter of children in1 #ajj4 ,bethphage1 #eab1 #ebf4 ,bethsaida1 #beh1 #ccb1 #cdf2 ,julias1 #cfj4 ,betrayal of ,christ2 foretold1 #eid2 effected by ,judas ,iscariot1 #fad4 ,betrothal1 ,jewish1 #hh4 ,blasphemy1 #bja2 ,christ charged with1 #aic1 #dhi2 ,christ falsely convicted of1 #fbi4 ,blessing of children1 #dhe2 among ,nephites1 #gcj4 ,blindness1 bodily and spiritual1 #dab1 #daf4 ,bloody sweat1 ,christ's1 #fab2 reality of affirmed1 #fac1 #fbj4 ,book of ,mormon1 original of1 #gdb1 #gfg4 ,bountiful1 ,land of1 #gbd4 ,bread of ,life1 ,jesus ,christ the1 #cdj4 ,bridegroom1 friend of the1 #aga4 ,brother of ,jared1 #ab4 ,burial of ,jesus1 #ffd4 ,csar1 paying tribute to1 #ede2 ,jews would have no king but1 #fda1 #fdh4 ,csarea ,philippi1 coasts of1 #cfh2 ,palestina1 #fca4 ,caiaphas1 high priest2 his inspired utterance1 #dih2 his tenure of office1 #eja2 ,christ before1 #fba2 the apostles before1 #gjf4 ,called and chosen1 #edj4 ,calvary1 #fed1 #ffg4 ,camel and needle's eye1 #dgh1 #dhe4 ,capernaum1 #aha1 #ahf2 our ,lord's last sermon in synagog at1 #cci4 ,capitation tax1 #chc4 ,celestial marriage1 #efd4 ,cephas1 see ,peter4 ,ceremonial ablutions1 #cff4 ,child1 as a little1 #chf2 humility illustrated by a1 #chg4 ,childlike and childish1 distinction between1 #chg4 ,children1 precious in sight of ,god1 #chg2 blessed by ,christ1 #dge1 #dhe2 of ,nephites blessed by risen ,lord1 #gbi4 ,chorazin1 woe decreed to1 #beh4 ,chosen or only called1 #edj4 ,christ1 see ,jesus ,christ4 ,christ and ,messiah1 significance of the titles1 #cf4 ,christians1 early persecutions of1 #gdf4 ,church discipline of individuals1 #cia4 ,church of ,england1 origin of1 #gea2 affirms great apostasy1 #gec4 ,church of ,jesus ,christ2 foundation of1 #cfa2 rapid growth of ,primitive1 #gje1 #gjg1 #gab2 name of1 #gcf2 among ,nephites1 #gcg2 of ,latter-day ,saints1 establishment of1 #gfi4 ,churches of man's making1 #geb4 ,circumcision1 #hh4 ,clay1 applied to blind man's eyes1 #dac4 ,clearing of the temple1 the first1 #aec2 the second1 #ebg4 ,cleopas1 #fhe4 ,coasts1 as descriptive term1 #cfh4 ,coin1 image and superscription on1 #edf1 #efc2 in mouth of a fish1 #che4 ,columbus1 ,christopher1 his mission1 #ged1 #geg4 ,comforter promised1 #fjc1 #fjf2 given1 #gjb4 ,commandment1 the great1 #edi4 ,common ownership1 #gje1 #gah4 ,common people1 attentive to hear ,christ1 #ebi4 ,confession1 the great1 #cfa4 ,congenital blindness healed1 #dac4 ,consent1 common1 observed in ,primitive ,church1 #gjb1 #gah2 in the ,church today1 #ggh4 ,consistency of ,church's claims1 #ggi4 ,conspiracy of ,pharisees and ,herodians1 #edd4 ,constantine the ,great1 gives state recognition to ,christianity1 #gdf4 ,constitution of the ,united ,states1 a necessary preliminary to the restoration of the gospel1 #gee4 ,consummation1 the celestial1 #gib4 ,contention forbidden1 #gbf4 ,corban1 #ceb1 #cff4 ,corner stone1 ,jesus the chief1 #ece1 #gjf4 ,cost1 counting the1 #deb4 ,council1 the ,jewish1 see ,sanhedrin4 ,council in ,heaven1 primeval1 #i1 #ae4 ,court of the ,women1 in temple1 #djg1 #dbb4 ,cowdery1 ,oliver1 ordained with ,joseph ,smith1 #gfg2 witness of heavenly manifestations1 #ggd4 ,creator1 ,jesus ,christ the1 #cc4 ,creed of ,athanasius1 #gef4 ,cross1 figurative1 #cfe2 of ,christ1 borne by ,simon1 #fec4 ,crucifixion1 #fee1 #ffg2 of ,jesus ,christ1 #fed2 hour of1 #ffh4 ,cumorah1 scene of last ,nephite battle1 #gdb2 ,book of ,mormon plates taken from1 #gfg4 ,cups and platters1 ceremonial cleansing of1 #dcg4 ,dark ages1 the1 #gdi4 ,daughters of ,jerusalem1 ,christ's lamentation over1 #fec1 #fff4 ,david1 ,son of1 see ,son of ,david4 ,dead1 gospel preached to1 #bd2 ministered unto by ,jesus ,christ1 #fgb1 #fgc2 missionary labor amongst1 #fgd2 vicarious labor for in ,church today1 #ggg4 ,death1 inaugurated by ,satan1 #bj2 overcome by the atonement of ,christ1 #bj2 and resurrection of ,christ predicted1 #cha1 #chb1 accomplished1 #ffb1 #fgh4 ,decapolis1 #cfg2 ,jesus in coasts of1 #cef4 ,dedication1 feast of1 #dhg1 #dii2 ,jesus at1 #dhg4 ,defilement1 things that cause1 #ceb4 ,degeneracy1 bodily1 incident to the fall of man1 #ai1 #bi4 ,demoniacal possession1 #ahc4 ,demons1 acclaim the ,christ1 #aha1 #caj1 #cab4 ,devil1 ,jesus charged as possessed of a1 #dja1 #daa4 ,didrachm1 #chc4 ,disciples and apostles1 #bbg4 ,disciples1 instructed1 #dch1 #dfa2 requirements of1 #deb4 ,discipline of individuals in ,church1 #cia4 ,disembodied spirits1 ,christ among1 #fgj4 ,dispensation of fulness of times1 #ggg2 ushered in1 #gfc4 ,dives and ,lazarus1 #dhc4 ,divorce and marriage1 #dgc2 views concerning1 #dhd4 ,doctrine1 test of the ,lord's1 #djj1 #dba2 ,christ's1 as declared to ,nephites1 #gbf4 ,dogs that eat of the crumbs1 #cfg4 ,door to the sheepfold1 ,christ the1 #dag4 ,dove1 sign of1 #abf1 #aej4 ,dust1 shaking from feet as a testimony1 #cde4 ,earth1 regeneration of1 #cbb1 #gic4 ,eating1 spiritual symbolism of1 #cdc1 #cdg2 with unwashen hands1 #cea4 ,ecce ,homo1 #fci4 ,egypt1 flight into1 #ajj2 return from1 #aaj4 ,elders and high priests1 #fdd4 ,elias1 ,john ,baptist and1 #cgd2 and ,elijah1 #cge2 spirit and power of1 #cgf2 appearing of in ,kirtland ,temple1 #gge4 ,elijah1 and ,moses at transfiguration1 #cga2 and ,elias1 #cge2 appearance of in ,kirtland ,temple1 #gge4 ,elisabeth1 mother of ,john the ,baptist1 #ge1 #gh2 visited by ,mary the ,virgin1 #hb4 ,elohim1 #ch4 ,emmaus1 ,christ and two disciples journey to1 #fhe4 ,enoch1 #dd1 #adc1 #gic2 promise to1 relating to ,christ's second coming1 #gij4 ,enrolment at ,bethlehem1 #ia4 ,ephraim1 ,jesus in retirement at1 #dih4 ,essenes1 #fg4 ,estate of man1 first and second1 #g4 ,eternal ,father1 ,the1 a resurrected1 exalted ,being1 #adc1 #aea4 ,eve1 beguiled by ,satan1 #ai4 ,evenings1 earlier and later1 #cdf4 ,faith1 active1 as compared with passive belief1 #cai2 a gift from ,god1 #cdg2 quality of1 #cha2 nothing impossible to1 #cie2 in behalf of others1 #cie2 as to quantity and quality1 #dfi2 of ,nephites1 strong1 #gcc4 ,fall of man #ai2 a process of bodily degeneracy1 #ai2 redemption from wrought by ,jesus ,christ1 #bj1 #ca4 ,fasting and prayer1 power gained by1 #cha4 ,father1 the ,eternal1 proclaims the ,son1 ,jesus ,christ1 #abf1 #cga2 to ,nephites1 #gbe2 to ,joseph ,smith1 #gfa4 ,feast1 of ,dedication1 #dhg1 #dii2 of ,tabernacles1 #djj1 #dai2 of the ,passover1 #aab1 #afg2 the traditional ,messianic1 #ech4 ,few or many to be saved1 #dde4 ,fig tree1 #eda2 cursed1 #ebd2 symbol of ,judaism1 #ebg2 and other trees1 lesson from1 #ged2 as a type in modern revelation1 #ghd4 ,first may be last1 #dgh4 ,fishers of men1 #aig1 #bjb4 ,foreknowledge of ,god1 not a determining cause1 #ah1 #bh4 ,foreordination of ,jesus ,christ1 #f4 ,forgiveness1 duty respecting1 #cia2 unlimited requirement of1 #cic2 mutual1 #ebe4 ,fox1 ,herod ,antipas referred to as1 #ddf1 #fcf4 ,free agency1 of unembodied spirits1 #h1 #ag2 of man1 #ag1 #bi4 ,gabriel's annunciation1 of ,john and of ,jesus1 #ge2 to ,mary the ,virgin1 #gi4 ,gadarenes and ,gergesenes1 land of1 #cbc4 ,galilean ministry1 beginning of1 #add2 close of1 #cih4 ,galileans1 #fh2 slain in temple courts1 #dda4 ,galilee1 sea of1 #afe2 the risen ,lord appears at sea of1 #fia2 appears on mountain in1 #fid4 ,gamaliel1 his advice to the council1 #gji2 tutor to ,saul of ,tarsus1 #gab4 ,genealogies of ,christ1 #he1 #hi4 ,gennesaret1 sea or lake of1 #afe4 ,gentiles1 #cde2 to become great on western continent1 #gcc4 ,gergesenes and ,gadarenes1 land of1 #cbc4 ,gethsemane1 #fbj2 ,christ's agony in1 #faj2 ,his arrest in1 #fad4 ,goats and sheep1 figurative1 #ehd4 ,god's foreknowledge not a determining cause of action1 #ah1 #bh4 ,godhead1 three ,personages in1 #cb4 ,godship of ,jesus ,christ1 antemortal1 #cb4 ,golgotha1 #fed1 #ffg4 ,gospels1 the four1 #aff2 the synoptic1 #aff4 ,graded conditions in the hereafter1 #fja4 ,graded intelligences in antemortal state1 #ad4 ,great commandment1 the1 #edi4 ,greeks1 as ,gentiles1 #cde2 certain ones visit ,jesus1 #eah4 ,happiness and pleasure1 #bca1 #bdg4 ,heathen to be redeemed2 their part in first resurrection1 #gic4 ,hem of garment1 #cdf4 ,henry ,,viii1 head of ,church of ,england1 #gea4 ,herder1 the hireling1 #dag4 ,herod1 the ,great1 #ig1 #ajf2 temple of1 #gc2 ,antipas1 #aaj1 #aah2 referred to as fox1 #ddf2 ,christ before1 #fce4 ,herodians1 #fh2 in conspiracy with ,pharisees1 #edd4 ,herodias1 #bei4 ,high ,priestly ,prayer1 ,christ's1 #fji4 ,high priests and elders1 #fdd4 ,holy ,ghost1 sin against1 #bfi1 #bgh2 promised to apostles1 #fjc2 investiture of apostles by1 at ,pentecost1 #gjb4 ,homily against ,idolatry1 affirming the apostasy1 #gec4 ,hosanna shout1 #eaf1 #ebc4 ,hyrum ,smith1 martyred1 #ggf4 ,i ,,am1 #cf2 ,jesus ,christ1 the1 #daa4 ,image on the coin1 #edf1 #efc4 ,indians1 ,american1 progenitors of1 #di1 #ef1 #gdb1 #geg4 ,inquisition1 court of the1 #gej4 ,isaiah1 ,messianic predictions by1 #df1 #dg4 ,iscariot1 see ,judas ,iscariot4 ,israel and ,judah1 kingdoms of1 #ei4 ,jacob's prophecy concerning ,shiloh1 #ed4 ,jahveh1 see ,jehovah4 ,james and ,john1 sons of ,zebedee1 called1 #aih2 members of the ,twelve1 #bai2 minister with ,peter in modern days1 #bai1 #gfh2 their aspiring desire1 #ejc2 mother of1 #eba4 ,james1 son of ,alpheus1 one of the ,twelve1 #bbd4 ,jared1 brother of2 his interview with the unembodied ,christ1 #ab4 ,jaredites1 #af4 ,jehovah1 significance of the name1 #cf1 #da1 #daa4 ,jeremiah1 ,messianic prophecies by1 #dg4 ,jericho1 #eba4 ,jerusalem1 ,christ's triumphal entry into1 #eac2 destruction of1 predicted1 #efi1 accomplished1 #ehf2 the ,lord's lamentation over1 #efj2 daughters of1 ,christ's lamentation over1 #fec1 #fff4 ,jesus the ,christ1 as ,man and ,christ1 #a4 ,jesus ,christ1 preexistence and foreordination of1 #f2 the ,only ,begotten of the ,father in the flesh1 #h1 #ac1 #ha2 the ,word1 #aj2 ,word of ,god's power1 #aj2 ,his supremacy over ,abraham1 #aa1 #daj1 #daa2 ,his power over death1 #bb1 #bc1 #dah2 antemortal ,godship of1 #cb2 the ,creator1 #cc2 names and titles of1 #ce2 predicted1 #db2 annunciation of1 #gi2 the ,babe of ,bethlehem1 #ia2 birth of1 #ia2 birth announced to shepherds1 #ic2 circumcision and naming of1 #ie2 presentation in temple1 #ie2 testimony of ,simeon and ,anna regarding1 #ig2 birth made known to ,nephites1 #ajj2 time of birth of1 #ajb1 #aji2 boy-hood of1 #aaa2 in attendance at ,passover when twelve years old1 #aac2 with the doctors in the temple1 #aad2 of ,nazareth1 #aag2 baptism of1 #abe2 descent of ,holy ,ghost1 upon1 #abf2 temptations of1 #abg2 first clearing of temple by1 #aed2 an offender to many1 #bed1 #bgd2 unique status of1 #chd2 ,his brethren1 interview with1 #cih2 at the feast of ,tabernacles1 #cii2 rejected in ,samaria1 #dbc2 at the home in ,bethany1 #ddh2 blesses little children1 #dge2 the ennobler of woman1 #dhd2 at feast of ,dedication1 #dhg2 accused of blasphemy1 #dhi2 in retirement at ,ephraim1 #dih2 predicts ,his death and resurrection1 #cfc1 #cgb1 #cha1 #ejb1 #eah1 #ehf2 called ,son of ,david1 #hj1 #hf1 #cbj1 #ced1 #eje1 #eae1 #ebi2 triumphal entry into ,jerusalem1 #eac2 ,prince of ,peace1 #eag2 visited by certain ,greeks1 #eah2 ,his second clearing of temple1 #ebg2 ,his authority challenged1 #ecj2 close of ,his public ministry1 #edd2 ,his lamentation over ,jerusalem1 #efj2 ,his final withdrawal from temple1 #efb2 specific prediction of ,his death1 #ehf2 foretells ,his betrayal1 #eid2 ,his agony in ,gethsemane1 #faj2 ,his betrayal and arrest1 #fad2 ,jewish trial of1 #fba2 falsely convicted of blasphemy1 #fbi2 appearance before ,pilate1 first1 #fca1 second1 #fcf2 before ,herod ,antipas1 #fce2 delivered up to be crucified1 #fci2 ,his crucifixion1 #fed2 ,his burial1 #ffd2 physical cause of death of1 #ffh2 after resurrection appears to ,mary ,magdalene and other women1 #fha2 to two disciples on road to ,emmaus1 #fhe2 to ten apostles and others1 in whose presence ,he eats1 #fhg2 to ,peter1 #fhg2 to the ,eleven1 #fhi2 ,his ascension from ,olivet1 #fig2 ,his death signalized on ,american continent1 #gba2 giver of the law to ,moses1 #gbh2 visitations to ,nephites1 #gbd1 #gca1 #gcf2 ministers to ,joseph ,smith1 #gfa1 #ggd2 revelations from in current dispensation1 #ggj2 second advent of1 #ghj4 ,jesus of ,nazareth the ,king of the ,jews1 #hg1 #ij1 #feg4 ,jewish exclusiveness1 #fa4 ,jews1 ,christ the ,king of1 #feg4 ,john the ,baptist1 birth announced1 #gf2 circumcision and naming of1 #gh2 the forerunner1 #ge1 #abb2 regarded as a ,nazarite1 #hg2 in the wilderness1 #aba2 baptizes ,jesus ,christ1 #abe2 his testimony of ,jesus1 #ach1 #aej1 #afd2 his message to ,jesus1 #beb2 ,christ's testimony concerning1 #bef2 imprisonment of1 #beb2 death of1 #bei2 greatness of his mission1 #bge2 the ,elias that was to come1 #beg1 #bgf2 restores ,aaronic ,priesthood in modern time1 #gfh4 ,john1 son of ,zebedee1 follows ,christ1 #adj2 called1 #aih2 one of the ,twelve1 #bbj2 his testimony regarding the graded development of ,jesus1 #aai2 with ,peter at sepulchre of ,jesus1 #fgi2 to tarry in the flesh until ,christ's second coming1 #fid2 the ,revelator1 #gaf4 ,john and ,james1 see ,james and ,john4 ,joseph of ,arimathea1 assists in burial of ,christ's body1 #ffd4 ,joseph and ,mary the ,virgin1 espoused1 #hd2 married1 #he2 genealogies of1 #he1 #hi4 ,joseph ,smith1 #geh2 his perplexity over sectarian strife1 #gei2 his prayer for light1 #gfj2 visited by the ,father and the ,son1 #gfa2 persecution of1 #gfb2 visited by ,moroni1 #gfe2 receives ,aaronic ,priesthood1 #gfh2 receives ,melchizedek ,priesthood1 #gfh2 again visited by the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 #ggd2 visited by ,moses1 ,elias and ,elijah1 #gge2 martyred1 #ggf4 ,judah and ,israel1 kingdoms of1 #ei4 ,judas ,iscariot1 one of the ,twelve1 #bbe2 his complaint against waste of ointment1 #eab2 in conspiracy with ,jewish rulers1 #eib2 goes out to betray ,christ1 #eih2 his betrayal of ,christ1 #fad2 his maddening remorse and suicide1 #fdb2 views concerning his character1 #fdi4 ,judas ,thaddeus1 or ,lebbeus1 one of the ,twelve1 #bbd1 #bbh2 his inquiry1 #fjc4 ,judean and ,perean ministry1 #dbc1 #ddi4 ,judgment1 the inevitable1 #ehd4 ,keys1 of kingdom of heaven1 #cfa2 symbolical of power in ,jewish literature1 #cfb4 ,king of the ,jews1 ,christ the1 #hg1 #ij1 #feg4 ,kingdom of ,god and kingdom of heaven1 #ghh4 ,kirtland ,temple1 scene of heavenly manifestations1 #ggc4 ,lamanites and ,nephites1 #di1 #ee4 ,lamanites1 progenitors of ,american ,indians1 #di1 #ef1 #gdb1 #geg2 promise concerning1 #ghf4 ,lamentation over ,jerusalem1 #efj4 ,last may be first1 #dgh4 ,last ,supper1 the1 #eib4 ,latter-day ,saints1 ,church of ,jesus ,christ of1 #gfi4 ,law1 the1 and the gospel1 #bcd4 ,law of ,moses1 rabbinical divisions of1 #efd2 ,christ the giver of1 #gbh2 fulfilled1 as ,christ declared to ,nephites1 #gbc1 #gbh4 ,lawyer questions ,christ1 #dbi4 ,lawyers and ,pharisees1 ,christ's criticism on1 #dcf4 ,lazarus and ,dives1 #dhc4 ,lazarus restored to life1 #dij4 ,leaven1 of evil1 #cei2 of ,pharisees and ,sadducees1 #cei4 ,leper1 ,simon the1 #eaa4 ,lepers1 ten healed1 #dgj4 ,leprosy1 #ahi1 #aii4 ,levi ,matthew1 see ,matthew4 ,levirate marriages1 #edh4 ,light of the ,world1 ,jesus the1 #djg4 ,living water1 figurative1 #djc4 ,lord's ,day1 the1 #fij4 ,lord's doctrine1 test of1 #dba4 ,lord's ,high ,priestly prayer1 the1 #fji4 ,lord's ,prayer1 the1 #bch4 ,lord's ,supper1 ,sacrament of the1 #eif4 ,love1 mutual1 enjoined on apostles1 #eii4 ,lucifer1 see ,satan4 ,luther1 ,martin1 #gej4 ,maccabean revolt1 #fj4 ,magnificat1 the1 #hc4 ,magi1 see ,wise men4 ,malachi1 his predictions misunderstood1 #adi2 fulfilled1 #gge4 ,malchus1 wounded by ,peter1 healed by ,jesus1 #faf4 ,malefactor1 the penitent1 #fei1 #fga4 ,mammon of unrighteousness1 #dfc1 #dhc4 ,man1 preexistence of1 #f1 #ag2 an embodied spirit1 #ah2 fall of1 #ai1 #bi2 free agency of1 #ah1 #bi4 ,man of ,holiness1 and ,man of ,counsel1 names of the ,eternal ,father1 #adc4 ,man1 ,the ,son of1 #adb4 ,manna1 traditions concerning1 #cdg4 ,mansions1 many in the ,father's house1 #fja4 ,many or few to be saved1 #dde4 ,marriage and divorce1 #dgc4 ,marriage for eternity1 #efd4 ,marriages1 levirate1 #edh4 ,martha and ,mary1 #dcb2 at house of ,simon the leper1 #eaa4 ,mary and ,joseph1 see ,joseph and ,mary4 ,mary anoints ,jesus with spikenard1 #eab4 ,mary ,magdalene1 defended against traditional aspersions1 #bfd2 at sepulchre1 #fgi2 first to behold the risen ,lord1 #fha4 ,matthew1 or ,levi1 called1 #aic2 gives a feast1 #aid2 one of the ,twelve1 #bbb4 ,matthias ordained to apostleship1 #gjj4 ,melchizedek ,priesthood1 ,jesus ,christ holds the1 #eeb2 restored by ,peter1 ,james and ,john1 #gfh4 ,meridian of ,time1 #eg4 ,messiah1 see ,jesus ,christ4 ,messiah and ,christ1 significance of names1 #cf4 ,messianic ,psalms1 #df4 ,michael in conflict with ,satan1 #f4 ,millennium1 the1 #gij2 predictions of1 ancient1 #gij1 modern1 #gia4 ,ministers and servants1 #edb4 ,miracles1 in general1 #adg2 attitude of science toward1 #aea4 ,miracles of ,christ3 ,water transmuted into wine1 #add2 healing of nobleman's son1 #agh2 ,peter's mother-in-law healed1 #ahc2 demoniac healed in synagog at ,capernaum1 #aha2 leper healed1 #ahh2 palsied man healed and forgiven1 #aij2 draught of fishes1 #aih2 cripple healed at ,bethesda pool1 #bjf2 healing of man with withered hand1 #bad2 healing of centurion's servant1 #bdi2 young man of ,nain raised from1 the dead1 #bea2 healing of a blind and dumb demoniac1 #bfg2 stilling the tempest1 #cjg2 demons rebuked in land of ,gadarenes1 #caj2 raising of daughter of ,jairus1 #cac2 healing of a woman in the throng1 #cag2 blind and dumb healed1 #cai2 feeding of the five thousand1 #ccc2 walking on the water1 #cce2 in the land of ,gennesaret1 #ccg2 healing of daughter of ,syro-,phenician woman1 #ced2 healings in coasts of ,decapolis1 #cef2 feeding of the four thousand1 #ceg2 healing of blind man near ,bethsaida ,julias1 #cfj2 healing of youthful demoniac1 #cgh2 tribute money supplied1 #chb2 blind man healed on ,sabbath1 #dac2 woman healed on ,sabbath1 #ddc2 dropsical man healed1 #ddi2 ten lepers healed1 #dgj2 ,lazarus restored to life1 #dij2 blind healed near ,jericho1 #ejd2 blighting of barren fig tree1 #ebd2 healings in the temple courts1 #ebh2 ,malchus healed of wound1 #faf2 second draught of fishes1 #fia4 ,missing scriptures1 #aag1 #aai4 ,mission1 of the ,twelve1 #cbh1 #fie2 of the ,seventy1 #dbe1 #dbg4 ,modern revelation1 belief in1 #ggf4 ,mormon1 ,book of1 #gdb1 #gfg4 ,moroni1 last of ,nephite prophets1 #gdb2 an angel sent from ,god1 #gfe2 delivers ancient records to ,joseph ,smith1 #gfg4 ,moses1 repels ,satan1 #g2 his prophecy concerning ,christ1 #de1 #ach1 #gaj1 #gff2 with ,elijah at transfiguration1 #cga2 appearance of in ,kirtland ,temple1 #gge4 ,mount of ,olives1 see ,olivet4 ,name1 of ,christ1 power in1 #cij2 in ,christ's1 #fjb2 of ,christ's ,church1 #gcf1 #gfi4 ,names given of ,god1 #dj4 ,nard1 see ,spikenard4 ,nathanael1 or ,bartholomew brought to ,christ1 #ada2 one of the ,twelve1 #bbb4 ,nativity of ,christ1 a cause of discussion1 #djb1 #djc4 ,nazareth1 boyhood home of ,jesus ,christ1 #aaj2 our ,lord's sermon in synagog at1 #agi2 ,his rejection by ,nazarenes1 #ahj4 ,nazarite1 #fg1 #hg2 ,john ,baptist regarded as1 #hg4 ,need of a ,redeemer1 #ag4 ,needle's eye1 and camel1 #dgh1 #dhe4 ,neighbor1 ,who is my1 #dbi4 ,nephites1 birth of ,christ made known to1 #ajj2 and ,lamanites1 #di1 #ee2 as sheep of another fold1 #dai2 death of ,jesus signalized to1 #gba2 visitation of the risen ,lord among1 #gbd1 #gca1 #gcf2 ,twelve called from among1 #gbe2 the ,three1 #gch4 ,nicodemus1 visits ,jesus1 #aeh1 #agj2 his protest before ,sanhedrin1 #djd2 assists in burial of ,christ's body1 #ffe4 ,night1 watches of the1 #cdf4 ,ninety and nine1 and the lost sheep1 #chi4 ,nobleman seeking a kingdom1 #ebb4 ,nunc ,dimittis1 the1 #ig4 ,offenses and offenders1 #bgd1 #chh4 ,old cloth and old bottles1 #aie4 ,olivet1 7,mount of ,olives7 ,christ's discourse to apostles on1 #edj1 #efi2 ,gethsemane near1 #faa2 the ,lord's ascension from1 #fig4 ,oneness1 of ,godhead1 #ejj2 of ,father and ,son1 #fjb4 ,papal claims to authority1 #gdg4 ,parables in general1 #bih2 definitions1 #cjc4 ,parables of ,christ3 the ,sower1 #bhb2 ,wheat and ,tares1 #bhj2 ,seed growing secretly1 #bhh2 ,mustard ,seed1 #bij2 ,leaven1 #bia2 ,hidden ,treasure1 #bib2 ,pearl of ,great ,price1 #bic2 ,gospel ,net1 #bid2 ,lost ,sheep1 #chi2 ,unmerciful ,servant1 #cic2 ,good ,samaritan1 #dcj2 ,friend at ,midnight1 #dcd2 ,importunate ,widow1 or ,unjust ,judge1 #dcf2 ,foolish ,rich ,man1 #dci2 ,barren ,fig ,tree1 #ddc2 ,great ,supper1 #dej2 ,lost ,sheep 7repeated71 #ded2 ,lost ,coin1 #dee2 ,prodigal ,son1 #deg2 ,unrighteous ,steward1 #dfa2 ,rich ,man and ,lazarus1 #dff2 ,unprofitable ,servants1 #dgj2 ,pharisee and ,publican1 #dga2 ,laborers in ,vineyard1 #dgi2 ,pounds1 #ejh2 ,two ,sons1 #ecb2 ,wicked ,husbandmen1 #ecc2 ,royal ,marriage ,feast1 #ecf2 ,ten ,virgins1 #egg2 the same referred to in modern revelation1 #egi2 ,talents1 #ehj2 ,pounds and ,talents compared1 #eha4 ,parabolic teaching1 ,christ's purpose in1 #bie4 ,paradise1 #fgb1 #fgf2 the penitent thief in1 #fei1 #fga4 ,passover1 feast of1 #aab2 ,jesus at when a ,boy1 #aac2 throngs attending1 #afg2 recurrences of during ,christ's ministry1 #cfe2 the last eaten by ,jesus1 #eic1 #fag4 ,patmos1 #gbj4 ,paul1 the ,lord's manifestations to1 #gac1 #gae2 his demeanor when smitten contrasted with that of ,christ1 #fdd4 ,pence and talents1 value of1 #cif4 ,pentecost1 #gjb1 #gah4 ,perea1 the ,lord's retirement in1 #dhi4 ,perean and ,judean ministry1 #dbc1 #ddi1 ,perfection1 relative1 #bcf1 #bdh4 ,persecutions of early ,christians1 #gdf4 ,peter1 ,james1 and ,john1 special witnesses1 #cad1 #cgj1 #cgf1 #faa2 officiate in modern times1 #bai1 #gfh4 ,peter1 ,simon1 brought to ,jesus by ,andrew and named ,peter1 #adj2 called from his boat and nets1 #aih2 one of the ,twelve1 #bah2 his confession of ,christ1 #cfj2 his presidency among the apostles1 #cfb2 remonstrates with ,jesus and is rebuked1 #cfd1 #cfh2 protests against washing of his feet by ,jesus1 #eif2 his protestations of allegiance1 #fjj2 his assault on ,malchus1 #faf2 his denial of his ,lord1 #fbi2 with ,john at sepulchre1 #fgi2 questioned by the risen ,lord1 #fib2 manner of his death foreshadowed1 #fic2 his ,pentecostal address1 #gjc2 heals lame man1 #gje2 testifies to people and rulers in temple1 #gjf1 #gjh2 with ,james and ,john officiates in modern times1 #bai1 #gfh4 ,pharisees1 and ,sadducees1 #fe1 #gb2 leaven of the1 #cei2 humiliated by an unlearned indigent1 #dae2 with lawyers criticized by ,christ1 #dcf2 ,jesus in house of one of chief1 #ddi2 proud of false humility1 #dfe2 with scribes1 denounced1 #eeb4 ,philip1 called by ,jesus1 #adj2 one of the ,twelve1 #bba2 asks to behold the ,father1 #fjb4 ,phylacteries1 and borders1 #efe4 ,physical cause of the ,lord's death1 #ffh4 ,pilate1 see ,pontius ,pilate4 ,pilgrim ,fathers1 their mission predicted1 #ged1 #geg4 ,pleasure and happiness1 #bca1 #bdg4 ,pontius ,pilate1 procurator1 #fca2 hears charges against ,christ1 #fca1 #fcf2 questions ,jesus1 #fcd1 #fdj2 sends ,christ to ,herod1 #fce2 tries to save ,jesus from death1 #fdj2 gives sentence of crucifixion1 #fci2 cause of his surrender to ,jewish clamor1 #fda1 #fdh2 writes inscription for the cross1 #fef2 gives body of ,jesus for burial1 #ffd2 allows guarding of sepulchre1 #ffe4 ,pool1 of ,bethesda1 #bjf2 a cripple healed at1 #bjg2 of ,siloam1 #djc1 #dba2 blind man sent to wash in1 #dac4 ,pope1 the1 #gdg4 ,prayer1 the ,lord's1 #bch2 the ,lord's ,high ,priestly1 #fji2 and fasting1 power developed by1 #cie2 request of disciples concerning1 #dcd4 ,precedence and humility1 #ejc4 ,predictions of ,christ's birth1 life and death1 #db2 by ,adam1 #dd2 by ,jacob1 #dd2 by ,moses1 #de2 by ,job1 #df2 by ,isaiah1 #df2 by ,jeremiah1 #dg2 by other ,hebrew prophets1 #dh2 by ,john the ,baptist1 #dh2 by ,nephite prophets1 #di1 #gbb2 of the ,lord's death by ,himself1 #cfc1 #cgb1 #cha1 #eah1 #ehf4 ,preexistence of spirits1 #f1 #ag2 involved in disciples' question1 #dab2 of ,jesus ,christ1 #f4 ,presidency1 ,peter's among apostles1 #cfb4 ,priesthood1 ,aaronic1 see ,aaronic ,priesthood2 ,melchizedek1 see ,melchizedek ,priesthood2 the ,holy1 now operative on earth1 #ggg2 and office therein1 #ggh4 ,primitive ,church1 the1 #gje1 #gjg1 #gab1 #gai4 ,prince of ,peace1 ,jesus ,christ the1 #eag4 ,prophet1 predicted by ,moses--,jesus ,christ #de1 #ach1 #gaj1 #gcc1 #gff4 ,protestants1 origin of1 #gej4 ,psalms1 ,messianic1 #df4 ,publicans1 #aic1 #bja2 and sinners1 #aic2 salvation for1 #ded2 ,zaccheus a chief among1 #ejf4 ,rabbis1 and scribes1 #fc1 #ga1 #eed4 ,redeemer1 need of by essential qualifications of1 #ba4 ,redemption wrought by ,jesus ,christ1 #bj1 #ca4 ,reformation1 the1 #gej4 ,regeneration of the earth1 #cbb1 #gic4 ,repentant woman forgiven1 #bfc4 ,restoration1 to mortal life contrasted with resurrection1 #caf1 #dif2 of the ,priesthood in modern times1 #gfh4 ,resurrection1 universal1 #bd2 distinct from restoration to mortal life1 #caf1 #dif2 ,sadducean denial of1 #gb2 ,sadducees question ,jesus concerning1 #edg2 of ,jesus ,christ1 #fgh2 false stories and untenable theories concerning ,christ's1 #fhc1 #fih2 heathen in the first1 #gic4 ,revelation1 foundation of ,church of ,christ1 #cfa1 #gge2 modern1 belief in1 #ggf4 ,reward1 for merit1 assured1 #dgi4 ,rich men1 and their stewards1 #dhc2 difficulty of entering kingdom1 #dgh4 ,rigdon1 ,sidney1 associated with ,joseph ,smith1 #gga4 ,rock of revelation1 #cfa4 ,ruler1 the rich young1 #dgg4 ,sabbath1 distinctively sacred to ,israel1 #bjc2 ,jesus ,christ the ,lord of the1 #bjc2 rabbinical requirements concerning1 #bje1 #bae2 desecration of imputed to ,jesus1 #bjh1 #bad1 #dja1 #dac1 #ddc2 disciples charged with desecration of1 #bab2 change of day from ,saturday to ,sunday1 #fij4 ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper1 instituted among ,jews1 #eif2 on western continent1 #gcj1 #gcc1 #gce4 ,sacrifice1 animal1 antiquity of1 #ec2 prototype of ,christ's atoning death1 #de1 #ec4 ,sadducees1 and ,pharisees1 #fe1 #gb2 deny resurrection1 #gb2 question ,christ concerning resurrection1 #edg4 ,saliva1 applied to eyes of blind man1 #cfj1 #dac4 ,salome1 daughter of ,herodias1 #bei2 mother of ,james and ,john1 #eba4 ,salt of the earth1 figurative1 #bcb1 #bdh1 #gdc4 ,salvation1 conditions of1 #bf4 ,samaritan1 woman talks with ,jesus1 #agb2 ,christ called a1 #daa ,samaritans1 origin of1 #fb2 and ,jews1 animosity between1 #ahc2 ,jesus received gladly by1 #agf2 afterward rejected by1 #dbc4 ,sanhedrin1 the1 #fa1 #fi2 ,nicodemus a member of1 speaks in behalf of ,jesus1 #djd2 unlawful trial of ,jesus before1 #fba2 the apostles before1 #gjf2 ,gamaliel's advice to1 #gji2 ,stephen condemned by1 #gaa4 ,satan1 ,lucifer1 a son of the morning1 #g2 in conflict with ,michael1 #f2 cast out from heaven1 #h2 commanded by ,moses1 #g2 would destroy man's agency1 #h2 beguiles ,eve1 #ai2 introduces sin and death1 #bj2 tempts ,jesus ,christ1 #abg2 to be bound during ,millennium1 #gia2 final vanquishment of1 #gib4 ,saul of ,tarsus1 his persecution of the ,saints1 #gab2 his conversion1 #gac1 #gai2 his baptism1 #gad2 beginning of his ministry1 #gad2 name changed to ,paul1 #gad4 ,savior and ,redeemer1 necessary qualifications of1 #ba4 ,scourging1 #fch2 of ,jesus1 #fci4 ,scribes and ,pharisees1 #eeb2 and rabbis1 #fc2 see further1 ,pharisees4 ,scriptures1 lost1 #aag1 #aai4 ,sea of ,galilee1 storms on1 #cba4 ,second advent of ,christ1 #ghj2 predicted anciently1 #efi1 #gha1 in modern times1 #ghc2 signs of1 #egc1 #ghf2 time of unknown1 #ege1 #ehi1 #ghe2 near at hand1 #ghg2 accompaniments of1 #ghg4 ,secular authority1 submission to1 #efd4 ,seed and crop1 #eai4 ,sermon on the ,mount1 #bcj2 repeated in effect to the ,nephites1 #gbg4 ,servants and ministers1 #edb4 ,seventy1 the1 sent1 #dbe2 return of1 #dbg4 ,sheep and goats1 figurative1 #ehd4 ,sheep1 other than of ,jewish fold1 #dai2 ,nephite fold1 #gbh2 ,lost ,tribes another fold1 #gbi4 ,shepherd1 ,christ the ,good1 #dag4 ,shepherds1 angelic annunciation to1 #ic2 contrasted with sheepherders1 #daf4 ,shewbread1 #bac1 #baf4 ,shiloh1 ,jacob's prophecy concerning1 #dd1 #ed4 ,signs1 miracles as1 #adg1 #fif2 seekers of1 #bgj1 #bgi1 #ceh2 of ,christ's birth and death shown on ,american continent1 #ajj1 #gba4 ,silence1 ,christ's1 when before ,herod1 #fcf4 ,siloam1 ,pool of1 #djc1 #dba2 fall of tower at1 #ddb4 ,simon1 ,peter1 see ,peter2 the leper1 #eaj2 the ,pharisee1 #bfa2 of ,cyrene1 #fec1 #fff2 ,zelotes1 one of the ,twelve1 #bbe4 ,sin1 brings death into the world1 #bj2 the unpardonable1 #bfi1 #bgh2 servitude of1 #dji2 and bodily affliction1 #dac4 ,sinners1 joy in heaven over repentant1 #dee4 ,smith1 ,hyrum1 see ,hyrum ,smith2 ,joseph1 see ,joseph ,smith4 ,solomon's ,porch1 #dhg1 #ejj1 #gje4 ,son of ,david1 title1 applied to ,joseph of ,nazareth1 #hd2 to ,jesus ,christ1 #hj1 #hf1 #ced1 #eje1 #eae1 #ebi2 ,christ's question concerning1 #eeb4 ,son of ,god1 ,the1 proclaimed by the ,father1 #abf1 #cga1 #gbe1 #gfa4 ,son of ,man1 ,the1 #adb4 ,son of the morning1 see ,satan4 ,spikenard1 #ebc2 ,mary anoints ,jesus with1 #eab4 ,spirit and power of ,elias1 #cgf4 ,spirit of ,truth1 the ,holy ,ghost1 #fjc4 ,spirits1 unembodied1 #f1 #h1 #ag2 state of between death and resurrection1 #fga2 disembodied1 ,christ's mission among1 #fgj1 #fgb1 #fgg2 world of1 missionary labor in1 #fge4 ,spiritual development1 the one thing needful1 #dcc1 #dcd4 ,stater1 #chd4 ,stephen1 his zeal1 #gji2 his address to the council1 #gaj2 his martyrdom1 #gaa4 ,stewards1 apostles likened unto1 #dda1 #egf4 ,stone1 head of the corner--,jesus ,christ--#ece1 #gjf4 ,supererogation1 false doctrine of1 #eij4 ,supper1 at house of ,simon the leper1 #eaj2 ,the ,last1 #eib4 ,sychar1 #agc1 #ahf4 ,synoptic ,gospels1 #aff4 ,tabernacles1 feast of1 #dai2 ,jesus at the1 #cii4 ,talents and pence1 #cif4 ,talmud1 #fb1 #gj4 ,targums1 #agi1 #ahf4 ,tax1 capitation1 #chc4 ,taxing1 or enrolment1 #ajd4 ,temple1 of ,herod1 #gc2 the ,lord's body symbolized as a1 #aeg2 ,christ's first clearing of the1 #aec2 second clearing of the1 #ebg2 tribute paid to1 #cif2 destruction of1 predicted1 #efc1 accomplished1 #efg2 treasure of1 #efg4 ,temples1 modern1 #ggh4 ,test of the ,lord's doctrine1 #djj1 #dba4 ,tetrarch1 #bgd4 ,thirty years of age1 #aff4 ,thomas1 one of the ,twelve1 #bbc2 doubts the resurrection of ,christ1 #fhi2 is convinced1 #fij4 ,thou art the ,christ1 #cfj4 ,three ,nephites1 the1 #gch4 ,tiberias1 sea of1 #afe1 the risen ,lord appears at1 #fia4 ,tithing1 day of1 #ghe4 ,titles1 ecclesiastical1 #eff4 ,today and tomorrow1 special application of terms1 #ghe4 ,tongues1 as of fire1 ,pentecostal manifestations1 #gjb4 ,traditionalism1 in opposition to the law1 #cea4 ,transubstantiation1 false doctrine of1 #gdh4 ,transfiguration1 the1 #cgj1 #cgf4 ,transgressors1 ,christ numbered among1 #fja1 #fee4 ,treasure belonging to temple1 #efg4 ,treasury of temple1 #dbb4 ,trial of ,jesus1 the ,jewish1 #fba2 illegalities of1 #fbb1 #fdd4 ,tribes1 of ,israel1 #ei2 the ,ten1 or ,lost1 #fa1 #gbi4 ,tribute1 the temple1 #cif2 ,christ pays the1 #chb2 to be rendered to ,csar under law1 #ede4 ,triumphal entry into ,jerusalem1 ,christ's1 #eac4 ,truth1 shall make men free1 #djh4 ,twelve1 the1 see ,apostles2 the ,nephite1 #gbe4 ,tyre and ,sidon1 ,jesus in borders of1 #ced4 ,unbelief1 effect of1 #cha4 ,unity of ,godhead1 #ejj4 ,unpardonable sin1 #bfi1 #bgh4 ,vine1 ,christ the true1 #fjd4 ,vineyard and vines1 ,israel symbolized by1 #eda4 ,voice1 in the wilderness1--,john the ,baptist1 #aba2 from heaven1 the ,father's1 #abf1 #cga1 #eai1 #gbe2 of ,jesus ,christ from heaven to ,nephites1 #gbc4 ,war in heaven1 #f4 ,washing of feet1 ordinance of1 #eie1 #fai4 ,washings1 ceremonial1 #cej1 #cff4 ,watches of the night1 #cdf4 ,watchfulness enjoined1 #ege4 ,water1 living1 #djc4 ,wedding garment1 lacking1 #eci4 ,western continent1 ministry of ,jesus ,christ on1 #gba4 ,widow's mites1 #efa4 ,wise men1 the1 #ig2 their adoration of ,christ1 #ii4 ,witnesses1 false1 at trial of ,jesus1 #fbc4 ,woes over ,jerusalem1 #eae1 #efj4 ,woman1 a repentant1 receives forgiveness1 #bfc2 one taken in sin1 #dje4 ,woman1 as noun of address1 #add4 ,women1 ,christ the ennobler of1 #dhd2 witnesses of the crucifixion1 #fei1 #fhh2 at sepulchre of ,jesus1 #fha2 see and touch the risen ,lord1 #fhb4 ,word1 ,jesus ,christ1 the1 #aj4 ,yahveh1 see ,jehovah4 ,zaccheus1 #ejf4 ,zacharias1 the martyr1 #efj1 #efg4 ,zacharias1 the priest1 visited by the angel ,gabriel1 #gf2 stricken dumb1 #gg1 #hh2 his speech restored1 #gh4 ,zion1 of ,enoch1 #gai1 #gij2 of the last days1 #ghf4