PART XI
THE LAST PUBLIC MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM
_Friday before to Tuesday of Passion Week, Spring of A.D. 30 (or A.D. 29).[a] Just before Passover. Sects. 128a-138._
[Footnote a: If the feast of John 5:1 was a Passover, and so his ministry lasted over three years, then his death was pretty certainly in A.D. 30; otherwise in A.D. 29.]
Sect. 128a. JESUS ARRIVES AT BETHANY,[a] NEAR JERUSALEM
Friday afternoon
John 11:55 to 12:1, 9-11
55 Now the passover of the Jews was at hand: and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the passover, to purify 56 themselves. They sought therefore for Jesus, and spake one with another, as they stood in the temple, What think ye? That he will 57 not come to the feast? Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment, that, if any man knew where he was, he should shew it, that they might take him. 1 Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead.[b] 9 The common people therefore of the Jews learned that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might 10 see Lazarus also, whom he raised from the dead. But the chief 11 priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus also to death; because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
[Footnote a: Compare former visits to this Bethany, Sects. 104, 118, and see also below, Sect. 141.]
[Footnote b: John (12:2-8) gives the supper in the house of Simon the leper at this stage, probably because it is the last mention of Bethany in his Gospel. It seems better to follow the order of Mark here in the location of the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany.]
_In Sects. 128b-138 we have the Saviour's movements and teachings on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday--the close of his public ministry, except the little that he said during the Jewish and Roman trial. All of his teaching thereafter will be given to his disciples._
Sect. 128b. HIS TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM AS THE MESSIAH[a]
From Bethany to Jerusalem and back (_Sunday_). A Day of Messianic Demonstration
Mark 11:1-11 |Matt. 21:1-11, |Luke 19:29-44 |John 12:12-19 | 14-17 | | 1 And when | 1 And when |29 And it came | they draw nigh| they drew nigh| to pass, when | unto | unto | he drew nigh | Jerusalem, | Jerusalem, and| unto Bethphage| unto Bethphage| came unto | and Bethany, | and Bethany, | Bethphage, | at the mount | at the mount | unto the mount| that is called| of Olives, he | of Olives, | _the mount_ of| sendeth two of| then Jesus | Olives, he | his disciples,| sent two | sent two of | 2 and saith unto| disciples, | the disciples,| them, Go your | 2 saying unto | saying, | way into the | them, Go into |30 Go | village that | the village | your way into | is over | that is over | the village | against you: | against you, | over against | and | and | _you_; in the | straightway as| straightway ye| which as ye | ye enter into | shall find an | enter ye shall| it, ye shall | ass tied, and | find a colt | find a colt | a colt with | tied, whereon | tied, whereon | her: | no man ever | no man ever | loose | yet sat: loose| yet sat; loose| _them_, and | him, and bring| him, and bring| bring _them_ |31 him. And if | 3 him. And if | 3 unto me. And | any one ask |12 On the any one say | if any one say| you, Why do ye| morrow [9]a unto you, Why | aught unto | loose him? | great do ye this? | you, ye shall | thus shall ye | multitude say ye, The | say, The Lord | say, The Lord | that had Lord hath need| hath need of | hath need of | come to the of him; and | them; and | him. | feast, when straightway | straightway he| | they heard he [2]will | will send | | that Jesus send him | them. | | was coming [3]back | | | to 4 hither. And | 6 And the |32 And they | Jerusalem, they went | disciples | that were sent|13 took the away, and | went, and did | went away, and| branches of found a colt | even as Jesus | found even as | the palm tied at the | appointed | he had said | trees, and door without | them, | unto them. | went forth in the open | | | to meet him, street; and | |33 And | and cried they loose | | as they were | out, 5 him. And | | loosing the | Hosanna: certain of | | | Blessed _is_ them that | | colt, the | he that stood there | | owners thereof| cometh in said unto | | said unto | the name of them, What do | | them, Why | the Lord, ye, loosing | | loose ye the | even the 6 the colt? And | |34 colt? And they| King of they said unto| | said, The Lord|14 Israel. And them even as | | hath need of | Jesus, Jesus had | | him. | having found said: and they| | | a young ass, let them go. | | | sat thereon; 7 And they bring| 7 and |35 And they | as it is the colt unto | brought the | brought him to| written, Jesus, and | ass, and the | Jesus: and |15 Fear not, cast on him | colt, and put | they threw | daughter of their | on them their | their garments| Zion: behold, garments; and | garments; and | upon the colt,| thy King he sat upon | he sat | and set Jesus | cometh, him. | 4 thereon. Now | thereon. | sitting on | this is come | | an ass's | to pass, that | |16 colt. These | it might be | | things | fulfilled | | understood | which was | | not his | spoken [1]by | | disciples at | the prophet | | first: but | [_see Isa. | | when Jesus | 62:11; Zech. | | was | 9:9_], saying:| | glorified, | 5 Tell ye the | | then | daughter | | remembered | of Zion, | | they that | Behold, thy | | these things | King | | were written | cometh | | of him, and | unto thee,| | that they | Meek, and | | had done | riding | | these things | upon an | | unto him. | ass, | |17 The | And upon a | | multitude | colt the | | therefore | foal of an| | that was | ass. | | with him | 8 And the most |36 And | when he | part of the | as he went, | called 8 And many | multitude | they spread | Lazarus out spread their | spread their | their garments| of the tomb, garments upon | garments in | in the way. | and raised the way; and | the way; and |37 And as he was | him from the others | others cut | now drawing | dead, bare [4]branches, | branches from | nigh, _even_ |18 witness. For which they had| the trees, and| at the descent| this cause cut from the | spread them in| of the mount | also the 9 fields. And | 9 the way. And | of Olives, the| multitude they that went| the multitudes| whole | went and met before, and | that went | multitude of | him, for they that | before him, | the disciples | that they followed, | and that | began to | heard that cried, | followed, | rejoice and | he had done Hosanna; | cried, saying,| praise God | this sign. Blessed _is_ | | with a loud |19 The he that cometh| | voice for all | Pharisees in the name | | the [5]mighty | therefore of the Lord | | works which | said among [_see Ps. | Hosanna to the| they had seen;| themselves, 118:25-26_]: | son of David: |38 saying, | [10]Behold 10 Blessed _is_ | Blessed _is_ | Blessed _is_ | how ye the kingdom | he that cometh| the King that | prevail that cometh, | in the name of| cometh in the | nothing: lo, _the kingdom_ | the Lord; | name of the | the world is of our father | | Lord: peace in| gone after David: Hosanna| Hosanna in the| heaven, and | him. in the | highest. | glory in the | highest. | | highest. | | |39 And some of the Pharisees | | from the multitude said unto | | him, [6]Master, rebuke thy | |40 disciples. And he answered and | | said, I tell you that, if these | | shall hold their peace, the | | stones will cry out. | |41 And when he drew nigh, he saw | | the city and wept over it, | |42 saying, [7]If thou hadst known | | in this day, even thou, the | | things which belong unto | | peace! but now they are hid | |43 from thine eyes. For the days | | shall come upon thee, when | | thine enemies shall cast up a | | [8]bank about thee, and | | compass thee round, and keep | |44 thee in on every side, and | | shall dash thee to 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 [_see | | Ps. 139:9_].
|Matt. 21:1-11, 14-17 11 And he entered into Jerusalem,|10 And when he was come into | Jerusalem, all the city was | stirred, saying, Who is this? |11 And the multitudes said, This | is the prophet, Jesus, from |14 Nazareth of Galilee. And | the blind and lame came to | him in the temple: and he |15 healed them. But when the chief | priests and the scribes saw the | wonderful things that he did, | and the children that were into the temple; | crying in the temple and | saying, Hosanna to the son of | David; they were moved with |16 indignation, and said unto him, | Hearest thou what these are | saying? And Jesus saith unto | them, Yea: did ye never read | [_see Ps. 8:2_], Out of the and when | mouths of babes and sucklings he had looked round about upon |17 thou hast perfected praise? And all things, it being now | he left them, and went forth eventide, he went out unto | out of the city to Bethany, and Bethany with the twelve. | lodged there.
[Footnote 1: Or, _through_.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _sendeth_.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _again_.]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _layers of leaves_.]
[Footnote 5: Gr. _powers_.]
[Footnote 6: Or, _Teacher_.]
[Footnote 7: Or, _O that thou hadst known_.]
[Footnote 8: Gr. _palisade_.]
[Footnote 9: Some ancient authorities read _the common people_.]
[Footnote 10: Or, _Ye behold_.]
[Footnote a: Jesus now makes a formal challenge to the Jerusalem leaders who have so long opposed his claims. This was a Day of Triumph that seemed to the excited crowds to mean the establishment of a political Messianic Kingdom.]
Sect. 129. THE BARREN FIG TREE CURSED, AND THE SECOND[a] CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE. (COMP. SECT. 31)
Bethany and Jerusalem (_Monday_). A Day of Messianic Power
Mark 11:12-18 |Matt. 21:18, 19, |Luke 19:45-48 | 12, 13 | 12 And on the morrow,|18 Now in the morning| when they were come | as he returned to | out from Bethany, he| the city, he | 13 hungered. And seeing|19 hungered. And seeing| a fig tree afar off | [1]a fig tree by the| having leaves, he | way side, | came, if haply he | | might find anything | | thereon: and when he| he came to it,| came to it, he found| and found nothing | nothing but leaves; | thereon, but leaves | for it was not the | only; | 14 season of figs. And | | he answered and said| and he saith | unto it, No man eat | unto it, Let there | fruit from thee | be no fruit from | henceforward for | thee henceforward | ever. And his | for ever. | disciples heard it. | | 15 And they come to |12 And Jesus entered |45 And he entered Jerusalem: and he | into the temple | into the temple, entered into the | [2]of God, | temple, and began to| | cast out them that | and cast | and began to cast sold and them that | out all them that | out them that bought in the | sold and bought in | sold, temple, and | the temple, and | overthrew the tables| overthrew the tables| of the | of the | money-changers, and | money-changers, and | the seats of them | the seats of them | that sold the doves;| that sold the doves;| 16 and he would not | | suffer that any man | | should carry a | | vessel through the | |46 saying unto 17 temple. And he | | them, It is taught, and said | | written [_see Isa. unto them, Is it not|13 and he saith unto | 56:7; Jer. 7:11_], written, My house | them, It is written,| And my house shall shall be called a | My house shall be | be a house of house of prayer for | called a house of | prayer: but ye all the nations? but| prayer: | have made it a den ye have made it a | but ye make | of robbers. 18 den of robbers. And | it a den of robbers.|47 And he was the chief priests | | teaching daily in and the scribes | | the temple. But heard it, and sought| | the chief priests how they might | | and the scribes destroy him: for | | and the principal they feared him, for| | men of the people all the multitude | | sought to destroy was astonished at | |48 him: and they his teaching. | | could not find | | what they might | | do; for the people | | all hung upon him, | | listening.
[Footnote 1: Or, _a single_.]
[Footnote 2: Many ancient authorities omit _of God_.]
[Footnote a: Once more at the close of the Ministry in Jerusalem, as at the beginning, Jesus asserts his authority over the Temple as the Messiah. In both instances his authority is sharply challenged by the Jewish rulers.]
Sect. 130. THE DESIRE OF SOME GREEKS TO SEE JESUS PUZZLES THE DISCIPLES AND LEADS JESUS IN AGITATION OF SOUL TO INTERPRET LIFE AND DEATH AS SACRIFICE AND TO SHOW HOW BY BEING "LIFTED UP" HE WILL DRAW ALL MEN TO HIM
Jerusalem (_Monday_)
John 12:20-50
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship 21 at the feast: these therefore came to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we would see 22 Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: Andrew cometh, and 23 Philip, and they tell Jesus. And Jesus answereth them, saying, The 24 hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it 25 beareth much fruit. He that loveth his [1]life loseth it; and he that hateth his [1]life in this world shall keep it unto life 26 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 the 27 Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say [_see Ps. 42:6_]? Father, save me from this [2]hour. But for this cause 28 came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, _saying_, I have both glorified 29 it, and will glorify it again. The multitude therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it had thundered: others said, An 30 angel hath spoken to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice hath 31 not come for my sake, but for your sakes. Now is [3]the judgement 32 of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up [4]from the earth, will draw all men unto 33 myself. But this he said, signifying by what manner of death he 34 should die. The multitude therefore answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 35 Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light [5]among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither 36 he goeth. While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light. These things spake Jesus, and he departed and [6]hid himself from 37 them. But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they 38 believed not[a] on him: that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled [_see Isa. 53:1_], which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and he hardened their heart; Lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, And should turn, And I should heal them. 41 These things said Isaiah [_see Isa. 6:1, 10_], because he saw his 42 glory; and he spake of him. Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess 43 [7]it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God. 44 And Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not 45 on me, but on him that sent me. And he that beholdeth me beholdeth 46 him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever 47 believeth on me may not abide in the darkness. And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to 48 judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that 49 I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I spake not from myself; but the Father which sent me, he hath given me a 50 commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.
[Footnote 1: Or, _soul_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _hour?_]
[Footnote 3: Or, _a judgement_.]
[Footnote 4: Or, _out of_.]
[Footnote 5: Or, _in_.]
[Footnote 6: Or, _was hidden from them_.]
[Footnote 7: Or, _him_.]
[Footnote a: The rejection of Jesus by the Jews is clearly set forth by John's Gospel. The Pharisees made many timid and afraid.]
Sect. 131. THE BARREN FIG TREE FOUND TO HAVE WITHERED
On the way from Bethany to Jerusalem. (_Tuesday_[a])
Mark 11:19-25 |Matt. 21:19-22 |Luke 21:37, 38 | | 19 And [1]every | |37 And every day he evening [2]he went | | was teaching in forth out of the | | the temple; and 20 city. And as they |19 And immediately | every night he passed by in the | the fig tree | went out, and morning, they saw |20 withered away. And | lodged in the the fig tree | when the disciples | mount that is withered away from | saw it, they | called _the mount_ 21 the roots. And Peter| marvelled, saying, |38 of Olives. And all calling to | How did the fig tree| the people came remembrance saith | immediately wither | early in the unto him, Rabbi, |21 away? And Jesus | morning to him in behold, the fig tree| answered and said | the temple, to which thou cursedst | unto them, Verily I | hear him. is withered away. | say unto you, If ye | 22 And Jesus answering | have faith, and | saith unto them, | doubt not, ye shall | Have faith in God. | not only do what is | 23 Verily I say unto | done to the fig | you, Whosoever shall| tree, but even if ye| say unto this | shall say unto this | mountain, Be thou | mountain, Be thou | taken up and cast | taken up and cast | into the sea; and |22 into the sea, it | shall not doubt in | shall be done. And | his heart, but shall| all things, | believe that what he| whatsoever ye shall | saith cometh to | ask in prayer, | pass; he shall have | believing, ye shall | 24 it. Therefore I say | receive. | unto you, All | | things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye have 25 received them, and ye shall have them. And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.[3]
[Footnote 1: Gr. _whenever evening came_.]
[Footnote 2: Some ancient authorities read _they_.]
[Footnote 3: Many ancient authorities add ver. 26 _But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses._]
[Footnote a: The Synoptic Gospels give more details of the teaching of Jesus on this Tuesday in the Temple and on the Mount of Olives than for any other single day. We had another Busy Day in Galilee (Sects. 61-66).]
Sect. 132. THE RULERS (SANHEDRIN) FORMALLY CHALLENGE[a] THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS AS AN ACCREDITED TEACHER (RABBI)
_Jesus bases His human authority on John the Baptist, His Forerunner who baptized him, and demands the Sanhedrin's opinion of the Baptism of John. This pertinent counter-question paralyzes the Jewish leaders and Jesus drives His argument home by three parables. (a) Parable of the Two Sons. (b) Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen. (c) Parable of the Marriage Feast of the King's Son._
In the court of the Temple. (_Tuesday_[b]) A Day of Controversy
Mark 11:27-12:12 |Matt. 21:23-22:14 |Luke 20:1-19 | | | | 1 And it came to | | pass, on one of | | the days, as he 27 And they come |23 And when he was | was teaching the again to Jerusalem: | come into the | people in the and as he was | temple, the chief | temple, and walking in the | priests and the | preaching the temple, there come | elders of the people| gospel, there came to him the chief | came unto him as he | upon him the chief priests, and the | was teaching, and | priests and the scribes, and the | said, By what | scribes with the 28 elders; and they | authority doest thou| 2 elders; and they said unto him, By | these things? and | spake, saying unto what authority doest| who gave thee this | him, Tell us: By thou these things? |24 authority? And Jesus| what authority or who gave thee | answered and said | doest thou these this authority to do| unto them, I also | things? or who is 29 these things? And | will ask you one | he that gave thee Jesus said unto | [1]question, which | this authority? them, I will ask of | if ye tell me, I | 3 And he answered you one [1]question,| likewise will tell | and said unto and answer me, and I| you by what | them, I also will will tell you by | authority I do these| ask you a what authority I do |25 things. The baptism | [1]question; and 30 these things. The | of John, whence was | 4 tell me: The baptism of John, was| it? from heaven or | baptism of John, it from heaven, or | from men? And they | was it from from men? answer me.| reasoned with | heaven, or from 31 And they reasoned | themselves, saying, | 5 men? And they with themselves, | If we shall say, | reasoned with saying, If we shall | From heaven; he will| themselves, say, From heaven; he| say unto us, Why | saying, If we will say, Why then | then did ye not | shall say, From did ye not believe |26 believe him? But if | heaven; he will 32 him? [7]But should | we shall say, From | say, Why did ye we say, From | men; we fear the | not believe him? men--they feared the| multitude; for all | 6 But if we shall people: [8]for all | hold John as a | say, From men; all verily held John to |27 prophet. And they | the people will 33 be a prophet. And | answered Jesus, and | stone us: for they they answered Jesus | said, We know not. | be persuaded that and say, We know | He also said unto | John was a not. And Jesus saith| them, Neither tell | 7 prophet. And they unto them, Neither | I you by what | answered, that tell I you by what | authority I do these| they knew not authority I do these| things. | whence _it was_. things. | | 8 And Jesus said | | unto them, Neither | | tell I you by what | | authority I do | | these things. |28 But what think ye? | | A man had two sons; | and he came to the first, and said, [2]Son, go work to-day in the 29 vineyard. And he answered and said, I will not: but afterward he 30 repented himself, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I _go_, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of the twain did the will of his father? They say, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 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 saw it, did not even repent yourselves afterward, that ye | might believe him. | 1 And he began to |33 Hear another | 9 And he began to speak unto them in | parable: There was | speak unto the parables. A man | a man that was a | people this planted a vineyard, | householder, which | parable [_see Isa. and set a hedge | planted a vineyard, | 5:1-2_]: A man about it, and digged| and set a hedge | planted a a pit for the | about it, and digged| vineyard, and let winepress, and built| a winepress in it, | it out to a tower, and let it | and built a tower, | husbandmen, and out to husbandmen, | and let it out to | went into another and went into | husbandmen, and went| country for a long 2 another country. And| into another |10 time. And at the at the season he |34 country. And when | season he sent sent to the | the season of the | unto the husbandmen a | fruits drew near, he| husbandmen a [9]servant, that he | sent his [3]servants| [9]servant, that might receive from | to the husbandmen, | they should give the husbandmen of | to receive [4]his | him of the fruit the fruits of the |35 fruits. And the | of the vineyard: 3 vineyard. And they | husbandmen took his | but the husbandmen took him, and beat | [3]servants, and | beat him, and sent him, and sent him | beat one, and killed| him away empty. 4 away empty. And | another, and stoned |11 And he sent yet again he sent unto |36 another. Again, he | another them another | sent other | [9]servant: and [9]servant; and him | [3]servants more | him also they they wounded in the | than the first: and | beat, and handled head, and handled | they did unto him in| him shamefully, shamefully. | like manner. | and sent him away | |12 empty. And he sent 5 And he | | yet a third: and sent another; and | | him also they him they killed: and| | wounded, and cast many others; beating| |13 him forth. And the some, and killing | | Lord of the some. | | vineyard said, 6 He had yet |37 But | What shall I do? I one, a beloved son: | afterward he sent | will send my he sent him last | unto them his son, | beloved son: it unto them, saying, | saying, They will | may be they will They will reverence | reverence my son. | reverence him. my son. |38 But the husbandmen, |14 But when 7 But those | when they saw the | the husbandmen saw husbandmen said | son, said among | him, they reasoned among themselves, | themselves, | one with another, This is the heir; | This is the heir; | saying, This is come, let us kill | come, let us kill | the heir: let us him, and the | him, and take his | kill him, that the inheritance shall be| inheritance. | inheritance may be 8 ours. And they took |39 And |15 ours. And they him, and killed him,| they took him, and | cast him forth out and cast him forth | cast him forth out | of the vineyard, out of the vineyard.| of the vineyard, and| and killed him. 9 What therefore will |40 killed him. When | What therefore the lord of the | therefore the lord | will the lord of vineyard do? | of the vineyard | the vineyard do | shall come, what | unto them? | will he do unto | | those husbandmen? | |41 They say unto him, | he will | He will miserably |16 He will come and destroy the| destroy those | come and destroy husbandmen, and will| miserable men, and | these husbandmen, give the vineyard | will let out the | and will give the unto others. | vineyard unto other | vineyard unto | husbandmen, which | others. And when | shall render him the| they heard it, | fruits in their | they said, [10]God |42 seasons. Jesus saith|17 forbid. But he 10 Have ye | unto them, Did ye | looked upon them, not read even this | never read in the | and said, What scripture; | scriptures [_see Ps.| then is this that | 118:22-23_], | is written [_see The stone which | The stone which | Ps. 118:22_], the builders | the builders | The stone which rejected, | rejected, | the builders The same was made | The same was made | rejected, the head of the | the head of the | The same was corner: | corner: | made the head 11 This was from the | This was from the | of the corner? Lord, | Lord, | And it is | And it is | marvellous in | marvellous in | our eyes? | our eyes? | |43 Therefore say I unto| | you, The kingdom of | | God shall be taken | | away from you, and | | shall be given to a | | nation bringing | | forth the fruits | |44 thereof. [5]And he |18 Every one that | that falleth on this| falleth on that | stone shall be | stone shall be | broken to pieces; | broken to pieces; | but on whomsoever it| but on whomsoever | shall fall, it will | it shall fall, it | scatter him as dust.| will scatter him |45 And when the chief | as dust [_see Isa. | and the Pharisees | 8:14-15_]. | heard his parables, | | they perceived that |19 And the scribes | he spake of them. | and the chief 12 And they sought to |46 And when they sought| priests sought to lay hold on him; and| to lay hold on him, | lay hands on him they feared the | they feared the | in that very hour; multitude; for they | multitudes, | and they feared perceived that he | | the people: for spake the parable | | they perceived against them: and | because | that he spake this they left him, and | they took him for a | parable against went away. | prophet. | them. | 1 And Jesus answered| 2 and spake again in parables unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, which made a marriage 3 feast for his son, and sent forth his [3]servants to call them that were bidden to the marriage feast: and they would not come. 4 Again he sent forth other [3]servants, saying, Tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have made ready my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the 5 marriage feast. But they made light of it, and went their ways, 6 one to his own farm, another to his merchandise: and the rest laid hold on his [3]servants, and entreated them shamefully, and killed 7 them. But the king was wroth; and he sent his armies, and 8 destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then saith he to his [3]servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden 9 were not worthy. Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage feast. 10 And those [3]servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the 11 wedding was filled with guests. But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a 12 wedding-garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in 13 hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. Then the king said to the [6]servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and 14 gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few chosen.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _word_.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _Child_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _bondservants_.]
[Footnote 4: Or, _the fruits of it_.]
[Footnote 5: Some ancient authorities omit ver. 44.]
[Footnote 6: Or, _ministers_.]
[Footnote 7: Or, _But shall we say, From men?_]
[Footnote 8: Or, _for all held John to be a prophet indeed_.]
[Footnote 9: Gr. _bondservant_.]
[Footnote 10: Gr. _Be it not so._]
[Footnote a: It was very common to test a Rabbi with hard questions. See this continued in the following sections. In like manner the Fourth Gospel gave us much animated dialogue between Jesus and the Jews at Jerusalem in chap. 5, and chap. 7-10. The Sanhedrin were within their rights in challenging the ecclesiastical and scholastic (scribal) standing of Jesus. He did not dodge in his answer.]
[Footnote b: On this last day of Christ's public ministry the Sanhedrin seek to break the power of Jesus with the people whose hero he is since the Triumphal Entry. The first attempt fails miserably, but it is followed by a series of other efforts to entrap Jesus and so turn the crowd against him. The three parables leave the rulers exposed by Jesus and they keenly feel the denunciation of the reply of Jesus.]
Sect. 133. THE PHARISEES AND THE HERODIANS TRY TO ENSNARE JESUS ABOUT PAYING TRIBUTE TO CAESAR
Mark 12:13-17 |Matt. 22:15-22 |Luke 20:20-26 | | | |20 And they watched | | him, and sent | | forth spies, which | | feigned themselves | | to be righteous, 13 And they send unto|15 Then went the | that they might him certain of the | Pharisees, and took | take hold of his Pharisees and of the| counsel how they | speech, so as to Herodians, that they| might ensnare him in| deliver him up to might catch him in |16 _his_ talk. And they| the rule and to talk. | send to him their | the authority of 14 And when they | disciples,[a] with |21 the governor. And were come, they say | the Herodians, | they asked him, unto him, [1]Master,| saying, [1]Master, | saying, [1]Master, we know that thou | we know that thou | we know that thou art true, | art true, and | sayest and | teachest the way of | teachest rightly, and carest | God in truth, and | and acceptest not not for any one: for| carest not for any | the person _of thou regardest not | one: for thou | any_, but of a the person of men, | regardest not the | truth teachest the but of a truth |17 person of men. Tell | way of God [_see teachest the way of | us therefore, What | John 3:2_]: God: Is it lawful to| | give tribute unto | thinkest thou? Is it|22 Is it Caesar, or not? | lawful to give | lawful for us to 15 Shall we give, or | tribute unto Caesar,| give tribute unto shall we not give? |18 or not? But Jesus |23 Caesar, or not? But But he, knowing | perceived their | he perceived their their hypocrisy, | wickedness, and | craftiness, and said unto them, Why | said, Why tempt ye | said unto them, tempt ye me? bring | me, ye hypocrites? |24 Shew me a me a [2]penny, that |19 Shew me the tribute | [2]penny. 16 I may see it. And | money. And they | they brought it. And| brought unto him a | he saith unto them, |20 [2]penny. And he | Whose Whose is this image | saith unto them, | image and and superscription? | Whose is this image | superscription And they said unto | and superscription? | hath it? And they 17 him, Caesar's. And |21 They say unto him, |25 said, Caesar's. And Jesus said unto | Caesar's. Then saith| he said unto them, them, Render unto | he unto them, Render| Then render unto Caesar the things | therefore unto | Caesar the things that are Caesar's, | Caesar the things | that are Caesar's, and unto God the | that are Caesar's; | and unto God the things that are | and unto God the | things that are God's. | things that are |26 God's. And they | God's. | were not able to | | take hold of the |22 And when | saying before the And they | they heard it, they | people: and they marvelled greatly | marvelled, and left | marvelled at his at him. | him, and went their | answer, and held | way. | their peace.
[Footnote 1: Or, _Teacher_.]
[Footnote 2: See marginal note on Matt. 18:28.]
[Footnote a: The Pharisees send a group of their keenest students to go with the Herodians to catch Jesus with the dilemma about paying tribute to Caesar, a live question in current politics and theology. They offered Jesus the alternative of popular disfavor or of disloyalty to the Roman government.]
Sect. 134. THE SADDUCEES ASK HIM A PUZZLING QUESTION[a] ABOUT THE RESURRECTION
In the Court of the Temple. (_Tuesday_)
Mark 12:18-27 |Matt. 22:23-33 |Luke 20:27-40 | | | |27 And there came to |23 On that day there | him certain of the 18 And there come | came to him | Sadducees, they unto him Sadducees, | Sadducees, [1]which | which say that which say that there| say that there is no| there is no is no resurrection; | resurrection: and |28 resurrection; and and they asked him, | they asked him, | they asked him, 19 saying, [2]Master, |24 saying, [2]Master, | saying, [2]Master, Moses wrote unto us,| Moses said, | Moses wrote unto | | us [_see Gen. | | 38:8; Deut. | | 25:5-6_], that if If a man's brother | | a man's brother die, and leave a | If a man | die, having a wife behind him, and| die, having no | wife, and he be leave no child, that| children, his | childless, his his brother should | brother [3]shall | brother should take his wife, and | marry his wife, and | take the wife, and raise up seed unto | raise up seed unto | raise up seed unto his brother. |25 his brother. Now |29 his brother. There 20 There | there were with us | were therefore were seven brethren:| seven brethren: and | seven brethren: and the first took a| the first married | and the first took wife, and dying left| and deceased, and | a wife, and died 21 no seed; and the | having no seed left |30 childless; and the second took her, and| his wife unto his |31 second; and the died, leaving no |26 brother; in like | third took her; seed behind him; and| manner the second | and likewise the the third likewise: | also, and the third,| seven also left no 22 and the seven left | unto the [4]seventh.| children, and no seed. Last of all|27 And after them all |32 died. Afterward the woman also died.| the woman died. | the woman also |28 In |33 died. In the 23 In the resurrection | the resurrection | resurrection whose wife shall she| therefore whose wife| therefore whose be of them? for the | shall she be of the | wife of them shall seven had her to | seven? for they all | she be? for the 24 wife. Jesus said |29 had her. But Jesus | seven had her to unto them, Is it not| answered and said |34 wife. And Jesus for this cause that | unto them, Ye do | said unto them, The ye err, that ye know| err, not knowing the| sons of this not the scriptures, | scriptures, nor the | [6]world marry, and nor the power of | power of God. | are given in God? | |35 marriage: but | | they that are | | accounted worthy | | to attain that | | [6]world, and the 25 For when they |30 For in | resurrection from shall rise from the | the resurrection | the dead, neither dead, they neither | they neither marry, | marry, nor are marry, nor are given| nor are given in | given in marriage: in marriage; but are| marriage, but are as|36 for neither can | | they die any more: | | for they are equal as angels in heaven.| angels[5] in heaven.| unto the angels; | | and are sons of | | God, being sons of | | the resurrection. 26 But as touching the |31 But as touching the |37 But that the dead dead, that they are | resurrection of the | are raised, even raised; have ye not | dead, have ye not | Moses shewed in read in the book of | read that which was | _the place Moses, in _the place| spoken unto you by | concerning_ the concerning_ the | God, saying, | Bush, when he Bush, how God spake | | calleth the Lord unto him, saying, I |32 I am | the God of _am_ the God of | the God of Abraham, | Abraham, and the Abraham, and the God| and the God of | God of Isaac, and of Isaac, and the | Isaac, and the God | the God of Jacob 27 God of Jacob? He is | of Jacob? God is not| [_see Ex. 3:6_]. not the God of the | _the God_ of the |38 Now he is not the dead, but of the | dead, but of the | God of the dead, living: ye do |33 living. And when the| but of the living: greatly err. | multitudes heard it,| for all live unto | they were astonished|39 him. And certain | at his teaching. | of the scribes | | answering said, | | [2]Master, thou | | hast well said. | |40 For they durst not | | any more ask him | | any question.
[Footnote 1: Gr. _saying_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _Teacher_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _shall perform the duty of a husband's brother to his wife_. Compare Deut. 25:5.]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _seven_.]
[Footnote 5: Many ancient authorities add _of God_.]
[Footnote 6: Or, _age_.]
[Footnote a: Probably a stock conundrum that the Sadducees had often propounded to the discomfort of the Pharisees.]
Sect. 135. THE PHARISEES REJOICE OVER THE ROUT OF THE SADDUCEES AND A PHARISAIC LAWYER ASKS JESUS A LEGAL QUESTION
In the Court of the Temple. (_Tuesday_)
Mark 12:28-34 |Matt. 22:34-40 | 28 And one of the scribes came, |34 But the Pharisees, when they and heard them questioning | heard that he had put the together, and knowing that he | Sadducees to silence, gathered had answered them well, asked |35 themselves together. And one of him, | them, a lawyer, asked him a | question, tempting him, What commandment is the |36 [1]Master, which is the great first of all [_see Deut. 6:4_]?|37 commandment in the law? And he 29 Jesus answered, The first is, | said unto him, Hear, O Israel; [3]The Lord our| God [_see Deut. 6:4_], the Lord| 30 is one: and thou shalt love the| Thou shalt love Lord thy God [4]with all thy | the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and [4]with all thy | heart, and with all thy soul, soul, and [4]with all thy mind,|38 and with all thy mind. This is and [4]with all thy strength | the great and first 31 [_see Deut. 6:5_]. The second |39 commandment. [2]And a second is this, Thou shalt love thy | like _unto it_ is this, Thou neighbor as thyself [_see Lev. | shalt love thy neighbour as 19:18_]. There is none other |40 thyself. On these two commandment greater than these.| commandments hangeth the whole 32 And the scribe said unto him, | law, and the prophets. Of a truth, [1]Master, thou | 33 hast well said that he is one; and there is none other but he: and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices [_see 1 34 Sam. 15:22_]. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
[Footnote 1: Or, _Teacher_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _And a second is like unto it, Thou shalt love etc._]
[Footnote 3: Or, _The Lord is our God; the Lord is one._]
[Footnote 4: Gr. _from_.]
Sect. 136. JESUS, TO THE JOY OF THE MULTITUDE, SILENCES HIS ENEMIES BY THE PERTINENT QUESTION OF THE MESSIAH'S DESCENT FROM DAVID AND LORDSHIP OVER DAVID
In the Court of the Temple. (_Tuesday_)
Mark 12:35-37 |Matt. 22:41-46 |Luke 20:41-44 | | |41 Now while the | | Pharisees were | | gathered together, | 35 And Jesus answered| Jesus asked them a |41 And he said unto and said, as he |42 question, saying, | them, How say they taught in the | What think ye of the| that the Christ is temple, How say the | Christ? whose son is| David's son? scribes that the | he? They say unto | Christ is the son of| him, _The son_ of | David? |43 David. He saith unto| 36 David himself | them, How then doth |42 For said in the Holy | David in the Spirit | David himself Spirit, [_see Ps. | call him Lord, | saith in the book 110:1_], | saying, | of Psalms, The Lord said unto|44 The Lord said unto| The Lord said my Lord, | my Lord, | unto my Lord, Sit thou on my | Sit thou on my | Sit thou on my right hand, | right hand, | right hand, Till I make thine | Till I put thine |43 Till I make enemies [1]the | enemies | thine enemies footstool of thy| underneath thy | the footstool feet. | feet? | of thy feet. 37 David himself |45 If David then |44 David therefore calleth him Lord; | calleth him Lord, | calleth him Lord, and whence is he his| how is he his son? | and how is he his son? |46 And no one was able | son? And [2]the common | to answer him a | people heard him | word, neither durst | gladly. | any man from that | | day forth ask him | | any more questions. |
[Footnote 1: Some ancient authorities read _underneath thy feet_.]
[Footnote 2: Or, _the great multitude_.]
Sect. 137. IN HIS LAST PUBLIC DISCOURSE, JESUS SOLEMNLY DENOUNCES[a] THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES (COMP. SECT. 107)
In the Court of the Temple. (_Tuesday_)
Mark 12:38-40 |Matt. 23:1-39 |Luke 20:45-47 | | | 1 Then spake Jesus |45 And in the | to the multitudes | hearing of all the 38 And in his | and to his | people he said unto teaching he said, | disciples, saying, | his disciples, Beware of the | 2 The scribes and the |46 Beware of the scribes, | Pharisees sit on | scribes, | 3 Moses' seat: all | | things therefore | | whatsoever they bid | | you, _these_ do and | | observe: but do not | | ye after their | | works; for they say,| | 4 and do not. Yea, | | they bind heavy | | burdens [1]and | | grievous to be | | borne, and lay them | | on men's shoulders; | | but they themselves | | will not move them | | with their finger. | | 5 But all their works | | they do for to be | | seen of men [_see | | Ex. 13:9; Num. | | 15:38-39; Deut. 6:8;| | 11:18_]: for they | | make broad their | | phylacteries, and | which | enlarge the borders | which desire to walk in | _of their garments_,| desire to walk in long robes, and _to | 6 and love the chief | long robes, and have_ salutations in| place at feasts, and| love salutations in the marketplaces, | the chief seats in | the marketplaces, 39 and chief seats in | 7 the synagogues, and | and chief seats in the synagogues, and | the salutations in | the synagogues, and chief places at | the marketplaces, | chief places at feasts: | and to be called of | feasts; | 8 men, Rabbi. But be | not ye called Rabbi: for one is your teacher, and all ye are 9 brethren. And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your 10 Father, [2]which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for 11 one is your master, _even_ the Christ. But he that is [3]greatest 12 among you shall be your [4]servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted. 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye shut the kingdom of heaven [5]against men: for ye enter not in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering in to enter.[6] | | 40 they which | |47 which devour widows' | | devour widows' houses, [12]and for | | houses, and for a a pretence make long| | pretence make long prayers; these shall| | prayers: these receive greater | | shall receive condemnation. | | greater | | condemnation. | | 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is become so, ye make him twofold more a son of [7]hell than yourselves. 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the [8]temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the 17 gold of the [8]temple, he is [9]a debtor. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the [8]temple that hath 18 sanctified the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, 19 he is [9]a debtor. Ye blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or 20 the altar that sanctifieth the gift? He therefore that sweareth by 21 the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And he that sweareth by the [8]temple, sweareth by it, and by him that 22 dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and [10]anise and cummin [_see Lev. 27:30; Mic. 6:8_], and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, judgement, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have 24 left the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are 26 full from extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside thereof may become clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and garnish the tombs of the 30 righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we should not have been partakers with them in the blood of the 31 prophets. Wherefore ye witness to yourselves, that ye are sons of 32 them that slew the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your 33 fathers. Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape 34 the judgement of [7]hell? Therefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: some of them shall ye kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, 35 and persecute from city to city: that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous unto the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the sanctuary and the altar [_see Gen. 4:8; 2 Chron. 36 24:20-21_]. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her 38 wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you 39 [11]desolate [_see Jer. 12:7; 22:5_]. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed _is_ he that cometh in the name of the Lord [_see Ps. 118:26_].
[Footnote 1: Many ancient authorities omit _and grievous to be borne_.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _the heavenly_.]
[Footnote 3: Gr. _greater_.]
[Footnote 4: Or, _minister_.]
[Footnote 5: Gr. _before_.]
[Footnote 6: Some authorities insert here, or after ver. 12, ver. 14, _Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, even while for a pretence ye make long prayers: therefore ye shall receive greater condemnation._ See Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47, above.]
[Footnote 7: Gr. _Gehenna_.]
[Footnote 8: Or, _sanctuary_: as in ver. 35.]
[Footnote 9: Or, _bound_ by his oath.]
[Footnote 10: Or, _dill_.]
[Footnote 11: Some ancient authorities omit _desolate_.]
[Footnote 12: Or, _even while for a pretence they make_.]
[Footnote a: Jesus has been criticized for lack of self-control in this exposure of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. One must bear in mind the tremendous sins of which the Pharisees are guilty. The very teachers of righteousness are now in the act of rejecting and finally crucifying the Son of God. See my book, _The Pharisees and Jesus_, for full discussion.]
Sect. 138. JESUS CLOSELY OBSERVES[a] THE CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE TEMPLE, AND COMMENDS THE POOR WIDOW'S GIFT
(_Tuesday_)
Mark 12:41-44 |Luke 21:1-4 | 41 And he sat down over against | the treasury, and beheld how | the multitude cast [1]money | 1 And he looked up, [3]and saw into the treasury: and many | the rich men that were casting that were rich cast in much. | their gifts into the treasury. 42 And there came [2]a poor widow,| 2 And he saw a certain poor widow and she cast in two mites, | casting in thither two mites. 43 which make a farthing. And he | called unto him his disciples, | and said unto them, Verily I | 3 And he said, Of a truth I say say unto you, This poor widow | unto you, This poor widow cast cast in more than all they | 4 in more than they all: for all which are casting into the | these did of their superfluity 44 treasury: for they all did cast| cast in unto the gifts: but she in of their superfluity; but | of her want did cast in all the she of her want did cast in all| living that she had. that she had, _even_ all her | living. |
[Footnote 1: Gr. _brass_.]
[Footnote 2: Gr. _one_.]
[Footnote 3: Or, _and saw them that ... treasury, and they were rich._]
[Footnote a: Notice that this was the last occurrence in the Saviour's public ministry, except the trial and the crucifixion. This is the last appearance of Jesus in the Temple. His public teaching is over save the words of defence in his trial and the seven sayings on the Cross. The Pharisees and Sadducees had withdrawn in terror at the explosion of the wrath of Jesus and even the disciples were at some distance as Jesus sat alone by the treasury. It is useless further to plead with his enemies. The task now remains to get the disciples prepared for the Master's death and the time is short and they as yet have completely failed to grasp the fact or the significance of his death and the promise of his resurrection on the third day.]