The passion story: being a connected narrative of the passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ

Prefatory Note

^KHIS little volume speaks for itself. It lays no ^ claim to originality ; but it is a compilation. The matter presented is given in the words of Holy Scripture. Different Harmonies of the Gospels have been compared and carefully studied, and the following pages are the result. A connected and continuous narrative of the Passion of our Blessed Lord cannot but prove interesting and profitable to all students of the Bible.

This little book is not intended to supplant Dr. Green wald's excellent volume, — " Meditations for Passion- Week ;" but it simply is an attempt to give a chronological account of the memorable and momentous events of Passion-Week., as they (5)

have been so graphically recorded by the four Evangelists. With this narrative before them, the worshipers in the sanctuary, during the services of Holy Week, cannot help but enter deeply and devoutly into the history, meaning and results of the sufferings of our Blessed Lord.

iMay the perusal of these pages be both delightful and profitable to all into whose hands they may fall. And to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be all the honor and praise, world without end. Amen.

S. E. O.

Selinsgrove> Pa. ,

Ask Wednesday 1889.

Table Of Contents

Chapter. Pag*-

I. Events of Palm-Sunday, ... 9

II. Monday, the Eleventh of Nisan, 16

Chapter I

Events of. Palm-Sunday (ioth of Nisan). — Matt. 21 : 1-1 7 ; Mark 11 : 1-11 ; Luke 79 : 29-44 ; John 12 : 12-36. Jesus leaves Bethany — Sends for the Colt — Triumphal Procession— Hosannas — Weeps over Jerusalem — Enters the City and Temple— Greeks zvish to see Jesus— the voice from Heaven — Jesus explains it— Jesus and Disciples return to Bethany.

On the next day [Sunday, now Palm-Sunday] much people that were come to the feast (of the Passover), when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm-trees, and went forth to meet him.

And it came to pass when he drew nigh to Jerusalem and was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the Mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, saying " Go unto them,

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into the village over against you, and straightway, as soon as ye enter into it, ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her, whereon yet never man sat, loose them and bring them unto me. And if any man say unto you, ' Why do ye this?' say ye to him, ' The Lord hath need of them and straightway he will send them hither."

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, "Tell ye the daughter of Zion, behold thy King cometh unto thee, meek and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass."

And the disciples, that were sent, went their way, and found even as he had said unto them, viz., the colt tied by the door without in a place where two wpys met, and they loosen him. And as they were loosening the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, " Why loosen ye the colt ?" And they said, "The Lord hath need of him," even as Jesus had commanded. And they let him go.

And they brought the ass, and the colt to Jesus ; and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon ; as it is written, " Fear not, daughter of Zion ; behold, thy King cometh, sit-

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ting on an ass's colt." These things understood not his disciples at first ; but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. And as he went, a very great multitude spread their clothes in the way ; others cut down branches from the trees and strewed them in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, "Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord ; peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." The people, therefore, that were with him when he called Lazarus out ot his grave and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for they had heard that he had done this miracle.

And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, 11 Master, rebuke thy disciples." And he answered and said unto them, l< I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." And the multitude that went before and that followed, cried, say-

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ing, " Hosanna to the Son of David : Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord ; Hosanna in the highest. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord ; Hosanna in the highest."

And when he had come near, he beheld the city and wept over it, saying, " If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace ! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee. And they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another ; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation/ '

And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying " Who is this ?" And the multitude said, ' ' This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.' ' And Jesus entered into Jerusalem and into the temple. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold the world is gone after him." And the blind and the lame came to him in the

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temple ; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple and saying, " Hosanna to the Son of David they were sore displeased and said unto him, " Hearest thou what these say?" And Jesus saith unto them, 1 ' Yea. have ye never read, ' Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?' " And when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he left them and went out. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast ; the same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, "Sir, we would see Jesus." Philip cometh and telleth Andrew ; and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it ; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me ; and where I am, there shall also my servant be ; if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. Now is my soul troubled ; and what shall I say ? Father, save me from this hcur ; but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. ' ' Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.' ' The people therefore that stood by and heard it, said that it thundered; others said, " An angel spoke to him.' * Jesus answered and said, " This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, " We have heard out of the Law that Christ abideth forever ; and how sayest thou, ' The Son of man must be lifted up ?' Who is this Son of man ?" Then Jesus said unto them, "Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you ; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have the light, be-

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lieve in the light, that ye may be the children of light."

These things spoke Jesus and departed, and did hide himself from them, and went out of the city unto Bethany with the twelve ; and he lodged there.

Chapter II

Monday, the Eleventh of Nisan. — The Second Day's Events— Matt 21; 18-22; Mark 11: 12-19; Luke 19: 45-48.— Jesus returns to Jerusalem — The Barren Fig-tree— Jesus Cleanses the Temple — Returns to Bethany,

And on the morrow, in the morning [of Monday,] when they were come from Bethany, as he returned into the city, he was hungry. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, afar off, having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon ; and when he came to it,, he found nothing but leaves, for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, i 'No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever." And his disciples heard it. And presently the fig tree withered away.

And they came to Jerusalem, and Jesus went into the Temple of God, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money chang-

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«rs and the seats of them that sold doves ; and would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, 11 Is it not written, 1 My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer?' but ye have made it a den of thieves.' ' And the scribes and chief priests heard it.

And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought how they might destroy him, and could not find what they might do ; for they feared him, because the people were very attentive to hear him, and were astonished at his doctrine.

And when even was come, he went out of the city.

Chapter III

Tuesday's Doings and Teachings.— - The Third Day^s Events : — Matt 21 : 23-26 : 2 ; Mark 11 : 20-14 : 1 > Luke 20-22 : 1 ; John 12 37-50,— Jesus returns to Jerusalem — The Fig-tree again — Christ's Authority Questioned ; His Answer— Parables of the Father and his two Sons— Vineyard let out to Husbandmen— Marriage Sup' per. Question concerning Tribute — The Question of the Resurrectio7i — The Great Commandment — What think ye of Christ? — Warnings — The Widow' s Mite— Infidelity of the Jews — Woes pronounced on the Pharisees.

And in the morning [of Tuesday], as they passed by [on their way from Bethany to Jerusalem], they saw the fig tree had dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance, saith unto him, ' ' Master, behold the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away." And Jesus answering saith unto them, li Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, ' Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; ' and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall be-

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lieve that those things which he saith shall come to pass ; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive if ye have aught against any ; that your Father which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.' '

And they came again to Jerusalem. And it came to pass, that as he was walking in the temple, and taught the people and preached the Gospel, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and spake unto him, saying, "Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or, who is he that gave thee this authority?" And Jesus answered and said unto them, " I will also ask of you one question, which if ye tell me, I in like manner will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it ? from heaven, or of men ? answer me." And they reasoned with themselves, saying, c 'If we shall say 'From heaven,' he will say, 1 Why then did ye not believe him ?' But if we shall say, ' Of men/ all the people will stone us." For all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. And they answered and said unto Jesus, n We cannot tell whence it was." And Jesus answering said unto them, " Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. ' '

1 ' But what think ye, a certain man had two sons ; and he came to the first, and said, ' Son, go work to-day in my vineyard.' ' He answered and said, * I will not ; but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, 1 1 go, sir and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father?" They say unto him, " The first." Jesus saith unto them. " Verily, I say unto you, the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him ; and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him."

' ' Hear another parable : There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a wine-press in it, and

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built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. And at the season, when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. But the husbandmen caught him and beat him and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant ; and at him they cast stones and wounded him in the head and treat ed him shamefully and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third, and him they killed and cast him out ; and many others, beating some and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his well-beloved, the lord of the vineyard said, * What shall I do ? I will send my well-beloved son.' He sent him also last unto them, saying, ' It may be they will reverence him, when they see him.' But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ' This is the heir ; come let us kill him and let us seize on his inheritance, that the inheritance may be our's.' So they took and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. When the lord, therefore, of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen ?" They

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say unto him, * ' He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their season." And when they heard it they said, " God forbid." And he beheld them and said unto them, " Did ye never read in the Scriptures, * The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.' Therefore I say unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken ; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke of them. But when they sought the same hour to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet ; for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them. And they left him and went their way.

And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, ' ' The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage

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for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding ; and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, "Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner ; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready : come unto the marriage.' But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to* his farm, another to his merchandise ; and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth ; and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, i The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the high-ways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.' So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found,, both bad and good ; and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment ; and he saith unto him, 1 Friend, how earnest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment ? And he was speech-

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less. Then saith the king to the servants, ' Bind 1 him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness ; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen. ' '

Then went the Pharisees and took counsel how , they might entangle him in his talk. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, which should feignthemselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, so that they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor, and when> they were come, they say unto him, ' ' Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man ; for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us,, therefore, what thinkest thou, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not ? Shall we give, or shall we not give?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness and said, " Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites ?* Show me the tribute money ; bring me a penny, that I may see it." And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, ' ' Whose is this image and superscription ?" They say unto him,.

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"Caesar's." Then saith he unto them, " Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things which are God's." And they could not take hold of his words before the people. When they had heard these words, they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace, and left him, and went their way.

The same day came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection, and they asked him, saying, " Master, Moses wrote to us. 4 If any man's brother die and leave his wife behind, and leave no children, that his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.' Now there were with us seven brethren ; and the first, when he had married a wife. died, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother. And the second took her to wife and he died childless. And the third took her. and in like manner the seven also, and they left no children and died. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of the seven ? for they all had her." And Jesus answering said unto them, "Do ye not therefore err. because ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God ? The children of this world marry and are given in marriage ; but they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead, when they shall rise from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage, neither can they die anymore ; for they are equal unto the angels of God in heaven, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. And as touching the dead that they rise, have ye not read in the book of Moses [Exodus], how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, ' 1 am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob ?' He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living, for all live unto him. Ye therefore do greatly err." And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished a his doctrine. Then certain of the scribes answering, said, "Master, thou hast well said." And after that they durst not ask him anything.

But when the Pharisees heard, that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, and one of the scribes, which was a lawyer, came and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had ants*

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swered them well, asked him a question, tempting him. and saying, " Master, which is the great commandment in the Law ? and which is the first commandment of all?" And Jesus answered him, "The first of all commandments is, 'Hear, O Israel ; the Lord our God is one Lord ;' and, 4 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, ' Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets. There is none other commandment greater than these. ' ' And the scribe said unto him, * 1 Well, Master, thou hast said the truth ; for there is none other but he ; and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, " Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, "What think ye of

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Christ? Whose son is he?" They say unto him, " The son of David.' ' He saith unto them, " How then doth David in spirit call him Lord ? For David himself saith by the Holy Ghost, in the Book of Psalms, ' The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy foot-stool.' David therefore himself calleth » him Lord, how is he then his son?" And no man was able to answer him a word. And the common people heard him gladly. Neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and looked up and saw the people casting their gifts into the treasury. And many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples and saith unto them, "Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury ; for all they did cast in of their abundance, but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him ; that the say-

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ing of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, ' ' Lord, who hath believed our report ? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?" Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again, "He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart ; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him ; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue ; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jesus cried and said, 11 He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not ; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him ; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself ; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting ; whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak/ '

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, saying, ' ' The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat ; all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do ; but do not ye after their works, for they say and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders ; but they themselves will not touch them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men ; they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi ; for one is your Master, even Christ ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth ; for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called master ; for one i s

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your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased ; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men ; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers ; therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte ; and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, 1 Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing ; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor ! ' Ye fools and blind ; for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, ' Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing ; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.' Ye fools and blind ; for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith ; these ye ought to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at [lit : out] a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and 6f the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Tl\ou blind' Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees ; hypocrites ! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. IJven so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy aad iniquity. Woe unto