The Light of the nations

Front matter

HP

m

• • •- • m

Introduction

IMPORTANT TO BE READ BEFORE GOING- FORWARD.

After all that lias been written for and against Jesus, there are millions who now believe that he is " The Light of the Nations." So important a historical figure deserves repeated examination, in the light of successive generations and of accumulating scientific skill and research.

The law which an author sets to himself in the composition of a book must be known before proper criticism can begin. If this volume, or any portion of it, be judged as if I had attempted a Life of Christ, the most grievous misapprehension of the volume and its author may be made. It is no more such a book than it is a volume of sermons or of poems. It carefully abstains from being a Life of Christ. A Life of Christ necessarily starts with the assumption that Jesus was Christ. It must be dogmatic, and can be useful mainly to Christians. I have assumed no such thing. Nor have I assumed in this book that the original biographers, the four Evangelists and Paul, were inspired. I simply assume that their books are as trustworthy as those of Herodotus and Xenophon, of Tacitus and Csesar. They write about the man Jesus, who was the son of Mary. They preserve Memorabilia of his acts and words. I deal with these evangelic biographers as I would with those classic authors. I strive to make a harmonious narrative from their records, and to ascertain what was the consciousness of Jesus as he performed each act and spoke each word, according to the laws of thought so far as they are known to me. This book must not be judged from any theologic stand-point. If my views of theology are of any importance, they must be sought in my Sermons, not here.

vii

V1U INTRODUCTION.

There will be found in this book a new translation of the sayings of Jesus. The ordinary rule in such cases is, not to make a literal rendering of each word by its synonym in the tongue into which it is transferred, but, to represent the idioms of one language by those of another. I have departed from that canon, because all who read this book will have in their hands the Common Version, which, generally, does that work for them. The translations here furnished differ from those in the Common Version, in being usually almost strictly literal, and they have been purposely made so, that such of my readers as are unacquainted with the original may have an opportunity to compare a literal with an idiomatic version. My renderings from the Greek must be judged by scholars in the light of this statement.

The language employed by Jesus was what is called the Palestinian Aramaic, which is also called Hebrew by early ecclesiastical writers, according to Papias, Irenseus, Origen, Eusebius,. and Jerome. Matthew's Gospel was written in that language. Matthew may have written also the Greek version of his own Gospel. The books of Mark, and Luke, and John were written in Greek, a language which it is probable Jesus sometimes employed. The autographs of these four books are supposed to have perished, and so probably have all the copies made in the first three centuries. In addition to the usual causes for the disappearance of books, we may mention in this case the thorough manner in which were executed the decrees of Diocletian in the beginning of the fourth century (February, a.d. 303) for the destruction of all the sacred books of the Christians, for the purpose of extirpating " the superstition," as he called it. Notwithstanding the severe penalties which impelled every magistrate to execute those decrees, some copies escaped the flames.

The Diocletian persecution closed a.d. 313. Constantine, the first Christian Emperor, ascended the throne a.d. 324. In a.d. 328 he re- 3alled Eusebius, who had been banished, and, in a letter which Eusebius quotes in his Life of Constantine, the Emperor directed him to cause " fifty copies of the Sacred Scriptures to be written on prepared parchment, in a legible manner, and in a commodious and portable form, by transcribers thoroughly practised in the art." The completion of this work Constantine acknowledged in a subsequent letter to Eusebius,

INTRODUCTION. IX

One of those copies, or perhaps the oldest copy of one of them, is the property of the Emperor of Russia. It is called the Codex Sinaiticus, because found in a convent on Mount Sinai, by Tischendorf, a learned German. That copy, being the oldest *extant, is the basis of my translation. Whenever, therefore, the reader finds any of the words of Jesus in this book different from those in the common version, he will understand that he is thereby carried nearer to the fountain-head of the literature produced by Jesus and his utterances.

The difference in the characteristics of the four authors, commonly called The Evangelists, is worthy of note. Matthew was a practical man of business ; Mark was an aesthetic observer ; Luke had a scientific bias, and John was devoutly metaphysical. We are permitted to see Jesus as he presented himself to four such students of his acts and character. Our skill is to be exercised in combining their impressions. It is a great advantage to have a subject placed in so many different lights

Jesus was the Founder of a Faith. He lived centuries ago. The most diverse claims have been made for his person and his teachings. Almost every saying of his has become the basis of a dogma. It will not be wonderful, then, that historians come upon actions and utterances of his which involve difficulties. Some of these are still difficulties to me. In such cases I have frankly said, " I do not understand this." So would it be, I think, with any other honest student and fair writer. By this candor I cannot lose the esteem of those whose esteem is worth having. But, I have not avoided the hard places. Timid readers may wish I had. Wherever there seemed to me to be an explanation, I have given it. It may satisfy some. It may lead others to discover what is more satisfactory to themselves. In no case, I believe, will unlearned readers of good sense be perplexed, and in no case, I trust, will scholars be scandalized.

There has been no ambition to appear learned. To those who are not acquainted with the languages in which the Evangelists wrote, or the languages in which learned men have commented on these works, I have endeavored to make the way plain by all needed helps. Nor has there been an ambition of originality. WTierever I have used the labors of others I have given credit, so far as I recollect. If any failure on this point has occurred, it has been through inadvertence. To repair that, and to send students to the sources of my own stream of information,

X INTRODUCTION.

I have supplied a list of the books used in the preparation of this vol* ume. I have read up in the literature of the subject as well as I could.

All writers on this subject have difficulty with the chronology. In this book the terminal points of birth and death, I think, are trustworthy, especially the latter ; but many of the incidents in the life have been arranged in an order which I have seen reason to change several times. The result of my investigation is the conviction that it is not now in the power of human skill to arrange a harmony of the facts in this biography, which should be positively asserted to be the precise order in which they occurred. Here and there are some that we know preceded one the other. There can be no doubt as to the order of the Baptism, the Temptation, the Sermon on the Mount, the Transfiguration, etc., but minor incidents puzzle every chronologer. The historical and biographical groupings in this book, as it goes to the printer, are the last result of my most careful study, and have been adopted in no instance simply for picturesque effect. It is proper to say that almost all the spots which Jesus made memorable by his personal presence have been visited by the author during a sojourn of several months in the Holy Land. He has thus had what aid geography can give to history, and so has verified the topographical statements in this book.

In the preparation of these pages I am sure that there has been no ambition of novelty ; but I have not been afraid of new things, nor has any oninion commended itself to me because it was old. On the other hand, novelty has been no recommendation and antiquity no disparagement. I have sought to know the truth. When I believed I had found it, I wrote it, and now publish it without stopping to inquire whether these honest opinions will please or displease, or whether they put Jesus at an advantage or a disadvantage. In this I have sought to imitate the spirit and style of the Evangelists. A man would be sadly stupid who should spend some years on a subject which, more than any other, has engrossed the study of thoughtful men, without improving the opinions he formed 'in earlier life on less investigation. The preparation of this book baa been, to me, its own " exceeding great reward."

As far as practicable, I have laid aside all dogmatic prepossession* But in writing this book I have been preparing a Memoir of my Dearest Friend, and if, for that Friend's sake, and in the spirit of that Friend, I have dealt with all the records most honestly, it is also fair to

INTRODUCTION. XJ

state that I have treated them with the reverence of manly love ; and, whatever may be the final decision of my readers, I conclude this work with a love for Jesus deeper and better than that which I feel for any other man dead or living.

I have a final request. When my readers shall have read the whole book, and have attempted to answer the closing question on the 710th page, they will do themselves and me a favor if they will return to this page and answer this question : —

If such a case can be made out by a rational examination of the Four Evangelists, on the ground that their memoirs are merely human in all respects, who is jesus, on the further supposition that those memoirs are divinely inspired records?

My own belief is that they are inspired. That belief receives fresh confirmation from every examination of these books. On this grave subject I would not have myself misunderstood. It is because I am so thoroughly satisfied in my belief in the inspiration of these records that I have felt so safe in resting the argument of this volume on a basis which does not include that high claim.

Charles F. Deems

OHAPEL OP THE " CHURCH OP THE STRANGERS," )

4 Winthrop Place, New York. J

Contents

PAET I.

THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS. < [From B.C. 6 to A.D. 8. Thirteen years and a half.]

Chapter I

The birth of John Baptist announced, 15. — Mary and her genealogy, 17. — The birth of Jesus s» nounced, 19.— Mary's visit to Elizabeth, 20.— Birth of John, 21. — John's early life, 22.

Chapter II. The Birth Of Jesus.* Its Date

Joseph's dream, 23. — Jesus born, 23. — Examination of the chronology, 23. — Probable date, 28.— Another mode of approximation, 28. — From the death of Herod, 29. — From the astronomical calculation, 30. — From the slaying of the Bethlehemite infants, 30. — From the taxing, or census, 31.

Chapter III. The Place Of The Birth : The Circumcision

Bethlehem, 36. — Site never lost, 37. — The caravanserai, 40. — Vision of angels by shepherds, 40. — Jesus circumcised, 41. — Simeon, 41. — Anna, 42.

CHAPTER TV.

HIS FIRST YEARS.

The Magi : who and whence, 43. — They find Jesus, 46. — They elude Herod, 47. — Joseph dreams again, 47. — The flight into Egypt, 47. — Herod massacres the babes of Bethlehem, 48. — The return from Egypt, 49. — Nazareth, the home of Jesus, 50. — Jesus, at twelve years of age, in the Temple, 51. — Missed and found, 52. — His life in Nazareth, 54.

Chapter V. State Of Public Affairs During The Childhood And Youth Of Jesus

JUD.2EA. Herod the Great, 56. — Family of Herod, 56. — His will, 58. — His funeral, 58. — Archelaus, 58. — Troubles in settling the succession, 58. — Sabinus, 59. — Varus, 60. — Archelaus confirmed, 60. — The pseudo- Alexander, 61.— Cyrenius, 62. — The revolt under Judas, 62. — Menahem, 63.— Coponius, 63. — The Samaritans pollute the Temple, 63. — Pontius Pilate outrages the Jews, 64. — Tacitus and Josephus speak of Jesus, 65.

Galilee. Herod Antipas, 65. — In love with Herodias, 66. — Quarrels with Pilate, 66. — Herodias, 66. — Character of Herod Antipas, 67.

The Church. The High-priesthood, .67. — Caiaphas and Annas, 67. — The Sanhedrim, 68.

The Sects. The Pharisees, 71.— The Sadducees, 71. — The Essenes, 72. — The Herodians, 72.

PAET II.

INTRODUCTION OF JESUS TO HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY.

[From A.D. 26 to A.D. 27. About one year.]

Chapter I. John's Preaching And Ministry

''The Baptist" 1 opens the way for Jesus, 73. — Elijah, 73. — John's consecration, 74. — His ministry, 75. — Substance of his discourses : Repentance, 77. — Against formalism and scepticism, 78. — Announces a coming kingdom, 79. — Announces the presence of the ruler, 80. — His baptism, 80. — His ministry not permanently effective, 82.

Chapter II. Jesus Designated At His Baptism By John

Jesus comes to be baptized by John, 84. — Why Jesus was baptized, 84.— Certain mistakes, 84. — John's previous acquaintance with Jesus, 86. — John declines to baptize Jesus, 87. — Momentous crisis, 87. — The descending dove, 88. — John and Jesus, 88. — John the discoverer of Jesus, 88. — A voice, 89.

(Xii)

CONTENTS. Xll]

Chapter III. The Temptation

Accounts by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 91. — Place of the temptation, 92. — Explanatory theories, 9V — Sense of his humanity in Jesus, 95. — Excitement of Jesus at his baptism, 96. — The collapse, 96. — His narrative given humanly, 98.

Batan, 98. — Idea of Satan not preposterous, 98. — Rational probabilities of the existence of Satan, 99, 100.— Satan of Jesus not Jewish, 100.— The Jewish idea not Persian, 100.— The Satan of Job, 101. —Of David, 101.— Of the Chronicles, 101.— Of Zechariah, 101.— What Jesus believed about tha temptation, 102.

First temptation, " the lust of the flesh," 103. — Second temptation, "the lust of the eye." 103.— Third temptation, "the pride of life." 104. — Assault on the Messiah side of Jesus, 105. — Satan's admission, 105.

Ministry of angels, 106.— Angels the highest creatures, 106.— Their power, 107.— Their activity, 107. —Their intelligence, 107.— Their holiness, 108.— Their numbers, 108.— Agents of God, 109.— "The Angel of Jehovah," 109. — The angels minister to Jesus, 111.

CHAPTER TV.

THE FIRST DISCIPLES.

Committee from the Sanhedrim, 112. — John's testimony to Jesus, 112. — "The Lamb of God," 113. — First two disciples, 113. — Andrew and John, 114. — Simon (Peter), 114. — Philip, 115.— Nathanael, 115.—" The Son of Man," 118.— The son of David, 119.— Bartholomew, 119.

Chapter V. In Cana And Capernaum

Cana of Galilee, 120. — The first miracle, 120. — The most memorable wedding, 121.— The mother of Jesus, 122. — The water-pots, 123. — The miracle, 124. — The lesson, 125.— A visit to Capernaum, 125.

Part III

FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND PASSOVER IN THE PUBLIC LIFE OF JESUS. [One pear: probably from April, A.D. 27, to April, AD. 28.]

Chapter I. Cleansinq The Temple

The brokers expelled by Jesus, 127. — His authority demanded, 127. — Reply of Jesun, 128. — The Temple, 128. — Painful national recollections, 129. — Retort of the Jews, 130. — The nation shocked, 130. — The resurrection-thought, 131. — An Appeal, 131. — Jesus had no "policy," 132.

Chapter II. Nicodemus

Nicodemus, 133. — His address, 134. — Its caution, 135. — Reply of Jesus, 135. — Meaning of that reply, 136. — "The Kingdom of God," 13S. — Nicodemus's reply, 138. — Response of Jesus, 139. — "Spirit" and "wind," 140. — Surprise of Nicodemus, 141. — Jesus claims pre-existence, 142. — Another lofty claim, 143.— Two great doctrines, 143.

Chapter III. From 3vdmk To Samaria

John and the disciples of Jesus baptizing, 145. — John's self -conquest, 146. — His last testimony for Jesus, 147. — Mactuerus, 148. — Herod imprisons John, 148. — Jesus returns to Galilee, 149. — Shechem, 149. — Origin of the Samaritans, 150. — Hatred between Jews and Samaritans, 151. — Jacob's well, 152. — Samaritan woman at the well, 153. — A strange promise, 154. — The woman attempts controversy, 155. — Reply of Jesus, 156. —He declares himself the Messiah, 157 —Return of the discipies, 157. — Arrivals from the city, 158. — Samaritan ideas of the Messiah, 158.

Chapter IV. From Samaria To Galilee

Je?us begins to preach, 160. — Heals the nobleman's son, 161. — In Nazareth, 162. — The synagogue, 162. — Its influence, 103. — Its officers, 163.— Its service, 104. — Jesus reads from Isaiah, 1(55. — He shocks their prejudices, 165. — He is driven from Nazareth, 166. — Makes Capernaum his headquarters, 167. — Description of Capernaum, 167. — Its surrounding, 169. — Jesus preaches from a boat, 170.— Wotderful draught of fishes, 170.— The fishermen follow Jesus, 171.

Chapter V. Demoniacs

The man with the unclean spirit, 172. — Demoniacal possessions : classical authorities, 173. — Jewish opinion, 174. — The New Testament writers, 174. — One theory, with its reasons, 174. — The opposing theory, with its reasons, 176. — Most probable theory, 179. — A demoniac cured in the synagogue, 179

XIV CONTENTS.

Chapter VI. The Fibst Tour Of Galilee

Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law, 181.— Exhaustive effects on Jesus, 182.— Jesus travels in Galilee, 183.— The leprosy, 183.— Supposed to be incurable, 185.— Jesus heals a leper, 186.— The sufferer and the healer, 187.— Jesus withdraws from the public, 189.— Heals a paralytic, 189.— Importance of a word, 190.— An awful claim, 190 — CaU of Matthew, 191.— Matthew's feast, 192.— John's disciples object, 193 The Old and the New, 194.— Illustrations, 195.— Jesus the dividing line of history, 196.

PAET IT.

FEOM THE SECOND UNTIL THE THIRD PASSOVER IN THE PUBLIC MINISTRY

OF JESUS. [From A.D. 28 to A.D. 29. One pear.]

Chapter I. The Sabbath Question

The House of Oiitpouring, 198.— The impotent man, 200.— Cured on the Sabbath, 200.— The Sabbath before Moses, 201. — The Sabbath in the Decalogue, 202. — Its lessons, 203.— Pharisaic exactions, 204. — Jesus never broke the Sabbath law, 205.— His reply to accusations, 206. — Remarkable discourse, 206. — Jesus no egotist, 209.— The battle begun, 210.

Chapter II. The Sabbath Question Again

The disciples in the grain-field, 211 — The example of David, 211. — Example of the priests, 212. — Key to the Sabbath-idea, 212. — The battle continued, 213. — Question of healing on the Sabbath, 213. — A counter-question, 214. — An ad hominem question, 215. — The cure of the withered hand, 215. — The Herodians, 216. — Crowds follow Jesus, 216. — A movable pulpit, 217.

Chapter III. The Twelve

A crisis, 218.— Selection of the twelve, 219.— Simon L, or Peter, 219.— Andrew, 221.— James I., 222.— < John, 223.— Philip, 225.— Nathanael, 226.— Levi, or Matthew, 227.— Thomas, 227.— James II., 228.— Judas I., 230.— Simon II., 231.— Judas II. (Iscariot), 232.— "The Twelve," 235.— Why thii number, 235.— Their order, 236.— Types, 237.— Nothing of the "church" idea 239.

Chapter IV. The Sermon On The Mount

Place of delivery, 241. — Reports by Matthew and Luke, 242. — The time, 245. — The Text: Character, 245. — The Beatitudes: Elements of lofty character, 248. — The poor in spirit, 248.— Those who mourn, 251. — The meek, 252. — Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 254. — The merciful, 255.— The pure in heart, 256. — The peace-makers, 258.— The persecuted, 259. — The reviled, 260. — Value of a lofty character, 261. — Jesus the completer of the law, 263. — Refutation of Pharisaic errors, 266.— Of murder, 266.— Of adultery, 271.— Of divorce, 272.— Of perjury, 273. — Of revenge, 274. — Love and hatred, 277. — Directions for the discharge of duty, 280. —Alms-giving, 281.— Prayer, 282.— "The Lord's Prayer," 284.— Forgiveness, 292.— Fasting, 293.— Warnings: Against covetousness, 294. — Against double-mindedness, 294. — Against excessive anxiety, 295. — Against harsh judgments, 299. — Against doubting God, 301. — Against the broad way, 301.— Against hypocrisy, 303.— Conclusion : The safe foundation of cfiaracter, 304.— The manner of Jesus, 305.

Chapter V. In Capernaum And Nain

The centurion's servant, 307. — The centurion's humility, 308. — Jesus aamires him, 308. — The servant healed, 309. — In Nain, 309. — Jesus raises the dead, 310.— John hears of the works of Jesus, 312. — His message to Jesus and reply, 312.— Defence of John by Jesus, 313.— Relative estimate of John, 314. — Both John and Jesus rejected, 315. — Jesus dines with a Pharisee and is anointed by a woman, 317. — The delicacy of Jesus, 318.

Chapter VI. The Second Tour Of Galilee And Return To Capernaum

A-ocompanied by women, 320.— Magdala, 320.— Mary Magdalene, 321.— Her devotion to Jesus, 322.— The most beautiful of loves, 323. — Capernaum, 324. — The blind and dumb demoniac, 324.— Pharisaic conspirators, 325.— The charge that Jesus has a demon, 325. — The reply of Jesus, 326. — He is more powerful than Satan, 326.— Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, 327. — The sign of Jonah, 331. — A woman's compliment, 333. — Mary and her sons, 333. — Jesus eats with a Pharisee and denounces Pharisaism, 334.— A "lawyer," 335.— Warning against hypocrisy, 337.— Parable of the rich fool, 337.— One of Pilate's outrages, 341.— Parable of the fig-tree, 343.

CONTENTS. XV

Chapter VII. A Chapter Of Parables

Parable of the sower, 345.— Of the tares, 346.— Of the patient farmer, 346.— Of the mustard-seed, 346, — Of the leaven, 347.— Explication of the parable of the sower, 349.— Of the patient farmer, 355. — Of the mustard-seed, 356.— Of the leaven, 357. — Similitudes, 357. — The treasure in the field, 357.— The pearl-buyer, 358.— The drag-net, 359.

Chapter VIII. A Chapter Op Miracles

Jesus had no politics, 361.— A political follower, 361.— A hard saying, 362.— Its difficulty, 363. — It» lesson, 363. — Another lesson, 364. — Storm on the lake, 364. — Jesus stills the storm, 265. — Gadara, 365. — The demoniac, 367. — The swine, 368.— In Capernaum, 370.— Juirus, 371.— The woman with the hemorrhage, 371. — Is healed in touching Jesus, 371.— Death of Jairus's daughter, 372.— Jestu restores the daughter of Jairus to life, 373. — Two blind men restored, 375. — Jesus cures a dumb demoniac, 375. — In Nazareth, 377.— Again rejected by his own people, 377.

Chapter IX The Third Tour Of Galilee And Return To Capernaum

In Galilee, 379. — A missionary movement, 379. — Address of Jesus, 380. — The route of the twelve, 381. — The home-altar, 382. — A warning, 382. — A consolation, 383. — The gospel to be a discrimination, 384.— A frightful figure, 385.— A great step forward, 385.— John Baptist beheaded, 385.— Herod hears of Jesus, 386.— Return of the twelve, 3S6.— Miraculous feeding of five thousand, 388.— Storm on the lake, 390i — Jesus walking on the waters, 391. — Progressiveness of Jesus, 392. — Intense excitement, 393. — The bread-seekers, 394. — They demand a sign, 395. — Jesus again offends the Pharisees, 396. — Their puzzle, 397. — Jesus sifts his followers, 398.

PAET V.

PROM THE THIRD PASSOVER TO THE ENSUING FEAST OF TABERNACLES.

[From April to October, A.D. 29. Six months.]

Chapter I. Unsettled

Tradition, 399. — Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, 400. — What defiles a man, 401. — In Phoenicia, 402. — The Syro-Phoenician woman, 403. — Jesus appreciates holy wit, 406. — The Decapolis, 406. — Cure of the deaf stammerer, 408. — Healing, 409. — Feeding of four thousand, 409. — Dalmanutha, 410. — A sign demanded, 411. — Addressed to weather-prophets, 412. — The leaven of the Pharisees, 413. — Bethsaida, 413.

Chapter II. The Great Confession

Csesarea Philippi, 415. — Another crisis, 415. — Not struck root, 416. — Peter's solemn confession, 417. — Jesus receives Messianic homage, 417. — Address of Jesus to Peter, 418. — The word "church," 420. —His "congregation," 420. — The power of the keys, 421. — Jesus controls history, 423. — He predicts his resurrection, 424. — Rebukes Peter, 424. — Address to his disciples, 425. — Its meaning, 425.

CHAPTER in.

THE TRANSFIGURATION.

Account by the Evangelists, 427.— Why Elijah must first come, 428.— Site of the transfiguration, 428. —Peter's conjecture, 429. — The voice, 429. — Influence on the disciples, 430. — A perplexity, 430. — Another perplexity, 430. — Region of Csesarea Philippi, 431. — The demoniac boy, 432. — Jesus healfl him, 433.

CHAPTER TV.

LAST DAYS IN GALILEE.

Through Northern Galilee, 435.— The Temple-tax, 436.— A miracle of knowledge, 437.— Messianio hopes, 438. — The rule of precedence, 438. — John's frank confession, 439.— Schism, 440.—" If two agree," 441.— Idea of a true church, 442.— Parable of the unmerciful servant, 442. — The mission of the Seventy, 444.— Lnhospitable Samaritan village, 446.

PAET VI.

FROM THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES UNTIL THE LAST PASSOVER WEEK.

[From October, A.D. 29, to April, A.D. 30. Six Months.]

CHAPTER I.

AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES.

rhe Feast of Tabernacles; 447.— Evening service, 448.— Supplemental festival, 449.— Jesus at the feast, 449.— His defensive speech, 450. — He attacks his enemies, 451.— Asserts his heavenly origin, 452.

£V1 CONTENTS.

—An alarming speech, 453.— The great day of the feast, 454.— The fountain of Siloam, 454.— They cannot arrest Jesus, 455. — In the treasury, 456. — The woman taken in adultery, 456. — Caught in their own trap, 457. — Conflict of Jesus with his enemies, 457. —Jesus more deeply incenses his enemies, 460. — Jesus charged with having a demon, 461.— His reply, 462. — Jesus before Abraham, 462.

- CHAPTER II.

THE FEAST OP DEDICATION.

Near Jericho, 463. — Parable of the Good Samaritan, 464. — From Jerusalem to Jericho, 465. — Bethany : Mary and Martha, 466. — Reply of Jesus to Martha, 467.— The blind man, 469.— Existence of evil, 469. — The ancient pagan idea, 470.— The Hebrew idea, 470. — "Who did sin ? " 471. — What Jesus thought of it, 472.— Manner of the healing, 473.— Healed on the Sabbath, 473.— The patient and his parents examined, 474.— Jesus meets him, 477. — Discourse of the shepherd and the sheep, 478. — Division among his enemies, 479.— A challenge, 480.— Exalted claims, 480.

Chapter III. In Perea

Bethany, east of Jordan, 482. — Jesus visits the place of his baptism, 482. — The dropsical man, 484. — Parable of the Great Supper, 485. — Terms of discipleship, 486.— Parable of the Lost Sheep, 487.— Of the Lost Coin, 487.— Of the Prodigal Son, 4S7.— Of the Unjust Steward, 489.— Meaning of the parable, 489. — Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, 491. — Prayers to saints. 493. — Of offences and forgiveness. 494. — A prayer for faith, 494. — Sickness and death of Lazarus, 495. — Devotion of Thomas, 497.

Chapter IV. Jesus On His Last Circuit

Bethany, near Jerusalem, 498. — Jesus claims to be The Resurrection, 500. — Mary and Jesus, 501. — The grief of Jesus, 502. — At the grave, 503. — Lazarus raised from the dead, 504. — The Sanhedrim, 505. — Acknowledge his miracles, 505. — Reject him as Messiah, 506. — Caiaphas, 506. — His prophecy, 507.— Ephron, 507.— Ten lepers healed, 509.— The Parousia of the Son of Man, 511.— Parable of the Unjust Judge, 512. — Its lesson, 513. — Despondency of Jesus, 514. — Parable of the Pharisee and Publican, 514. — Final departure from Galilee, 516. — Divorce, 516.— Mosaic law of divorce, 517.— True law of divorce, 520.

Chapter V. Going To Jerusalem

Jesus blesses little children, 523. — The rich ruler, 524. — " Who can be saved ? " 527. — The Palingenesia, 528. — Parable of the laborers, 528. — The lesson, 530. — A third warning, 530. — The ambitious brothers, 532. — The blind nien, 533. — Blind Bartimseus healed, 535.— Jericho, 536. — Zacchasus, 537. —His conversion, 538. — Parable of the pounds, 539. — Bethany: House of Lazarus, 541. — Crowds nock to see Jesus, 542. — His last Sabbath, 542.

PAET VII.

THE LAST WEEK.

[From April 2 to April 8, A.D. 30.]

Chapter I. The First Dat

Palm-Sunday, 543. — Jesus riding, 544. — Great excitement, 545. — "The church" frightened, 546. — In sight of Jerusalem, 547. — Jesus apostrophizes Jerusalem, 548. — Entering the city and the Temple, 548.— Greeks seek him, 549.— The JBath-ITol, 550.— What was it? 551.— Jesus knew it, 552.

Chapter II. The Second Dat

The barren fig-tree cursed, 554. — Trouble in the narrative. 555.— A great lesson, 556. — A grand truth, 557. — The second cleansing of the Temple, 557. — Fine discriminations, 558. — An act of mercy, 558.

Chapter III. The Third Dat

" 3y what authority?" 561. — A counter-dilemma, 562. — Puzzled priests, 563. — Parable of the Two Sons, 564. — Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, 564. — Parable of the Marriage of the King's Son, 565. — Without the wedding-garment, 567. — Conspiracy, 56S. — Attempt to ensnare Jesus, 569.— An adroit question, 570. — The net torn, 571. — A profound lesson, 571. — Question by the Sadducees, 673. — Reply of Jesus, 574. — Jesus against Pantheism, 574. — The great commandment, 576. — The reply of Jesus, 576. — David's son and David's Lord, 578. — The valedictory to the Jews, 579. — Contrasted with the " Sermon on the Mount," 581. — Final woe, 587.— Last times, 587.— The heart of Jesus melts, 588. — The widow's mite, 589.— Last utterance of Jesus in the Temple. 5S9.— Parable of the Ten Virgins, 593. — A prophecy, 594.— Jerusalem to be destroyed, 595. — Pseudo-Christs, 596. — General judgment of mankind, 596. — Jesus the representative of humanity, 598. — Absence ot dogmatism, 59y.