Luke

From: Testimony of The Ages: Confirmations of the Scriptures

• 58 min. read • grade level: 9

Preface

Luke 1:1¹Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, (Luke 1:1).—Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us.

REV. GEORGE CAMPBELL, D. D., F. R. S.—The very circumstance of the number of such narratives, at so early a period, is itself an evidence that there was something in the first publication of the Christian doctrine which excited the curiosity and awakened the attention of persons of all ranks and denominations; insomuch, that every narrative which pretended to furnish men with additional information concerning so extraordinary a personage as Jesus, seems to have been read with avidity.—Prelim. Disserts. and Notes.

Luke 1:2²Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; (Luke 1:2).—Even as they delivered them unto us.

REV. G. CAMPBELL, D. D., F. R. S.—In the gospel histories a simple narrative of the facts is given; but no attempt is made, by argument, asseveration, or animated expression, to bias the understanding or work upon the passions. The naked truth is left to its own native evidence.—Ibid.

Which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and ministers of the word.

IDEM.—It is impossible, on reflection, to hesitate a moment in affirming, that the historian here meant to acquaint us, that he had received his information from those who had attended Jesus, and been witnesses of everything during his public ministration upon the earth, and who, after his ascension, had been entrusted by Him with the charge of propagating his doctrine throughout the Luke 1:3,4³It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. (Luke 1:3‑4).-It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou halt been instructed.

BISHOP WILLIAM THOMSON, D. D.—The third Gospel is ascribed, by general consent of ancient Christendom, to "the beloved physician," Luke, the friend and companion of the apostle Paul.—Smith's Dict. of Bible.

IRENÆUS,—Luke, the follower of Paul, preserved in a book the Gospel, which that apostle preached.—Cont. Hœr., III., I.

See Testimonies at the beginning of Matthew.

Luke 1:5⁵There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. (Luke 1:5).—There was in the days of Herod the king of Judea, etc.

See Matt. 2:1¹Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, (Matthew 2:1).

Burning Incense

Luke 1:9⁹According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. (Luke 1:9).—According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense, when he went into the temple of the Lord.

WETSTEIN.—The sacerdotal offices being various, it was agreed among the priests, that all should be assigned or distributed by lot. By the first lot, was designated he who should cleanse the outside of the altar. Secondly, thirteen were taken who should sacrifice the lamb, sprinkle the blood, trim the lamps, and burn and scatter the incense. Thirdly, he who should ascend the high altar, and lay upon it the members of the victim. Them most honorable of all the functions was that of burning incense; an office that could only be discharged once.—From the Talmud.

Luke 1:76⁷⁶And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; (Luke 1:76).—And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways.

See Matt. 3:4,⁴And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. (Matthew 3:4) and 11: 2-6; also Mark 1:4⁴John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Mark 1:4).

The Taxing

Luke 2:1¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (Luke 2:1).—And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Carat Augustus, that all the world should be taxed (enrolled).

DR. HENRY ALFORD.—Augustus Caesar was the first Roman emperor. He was born A. U. C. 691 or B. C. 63. His father was Caius Octavius, and his mother, Atia, the sister of Julius Caesar. The senate conferred on him the title Augustus in the year B. C. 27. In A. D. 12, he adopted Tiberius as his successor, and admitted him to a share in the government. Augustus died at Nola, in Campania, Aug. 19th, A. D. 14, in the 76th year of his age.—Smith's Dict. of Bible, p. 199.

PROF. EDWARD HAYES PLUMTRE, M. A.—An enrollment or census of persons and property was a common official act of the Romans. The inscription on the monument of Ancyra, names three general censuses in the years A. U. C. 726, 746, 767. Dion Cassius mentions another in Italy, A. U. C. 757. Others in Gaul are assigned to A. U. C. 727, 741, and 767. Strabo, writing early in the reign of Tiberius, speaks of such enrollments as if they were common things. In A. U. C. 726, when Augustus offered to resign his power, he laid before the senate a Rationarium imperil. After his death, in like manner, a Brevarium talus imperil was produced, containing full returns of the population, wealth, resources of all parts of the empire, a careful digest apparently of facts collected during the labors of many years... Two distinct registrations of this sort are mentioned in the New Testament, both of them by St. Luke; the first is said to have been the result of "a decree of the emperor Augustus," and the second is referred to in the speech of Gamaliel, Acts 5:37³⁷After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. (Acts 5:37). Of this second census Josephus also gives a somewhat extended account.—Smith's Dict. of Bible, p. 3185, 3186.

Luke 2:2²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) (Luke 2:2).—And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

DR. HENRY ALFORD. —Considerable difficulty existed formerly in connection with this verse; 'but lately an unexpected light has been thrown upon it, by A. W. Zumpt, of Berlin, who has shown by arguments too long to be reproduced here, but very striking and satisfactory, that Cyrenius was, first, governor of Syria from the year 4-1 B. C.; and, a second time, from A. D. 6, forward.—Smith's Dict. of Bible, p. 525.

PRESIDENT T. D. WOOLSEY, D. D., LL. D.—The enrollment in Luke 2:2²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) (Luke 2:2) might thus be called " the first " in opposition to the second, or more noted one, which Luke had in his mind, and which he mentions in his report of Gamaliel's speech, Acts 5:37³⁷After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. (Acts 5:37).—Smith's Dict. of Bible, p. 526.

Luke 2:4, 5⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. (Luke 2:4‑5).—And Joseph also went.... unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem „.. to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

TERTULLIAN.—This author, writing against Marcion, incidentally appeals to the returns of the Census for Syria (taken at this very time), as accessible to all who cared to search them, and as proving that the birth of Jesus took place at Bethlehem.—Adv. Marc., IV., 19.

The Savior Born at Bethlehem

Luke 2:7⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7).—And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

DR. F. W. FARRAR.—In Palestine it not infrequently happens that the entire khan (" the inn ") or at any rate the portion of it in which the animals are housed, is one of those innumerable caves which abound in the limestone rocks of its central hills. Such seems to have been the case at the little town of Bethlehem, in the land of Judea. Justin Martyr, who was born at Shechem, A. D. 103, and was familiar with Palestine, places the scene of the nativity in a cave. This is, indeed, the ancient and constant tradition both of the Eastern and Western Churches, and it is one of the few to which, though unrecorded in the Gospel history, we may attach a reasonable probability. Over this Cave has risen the Church and Convent of the Nativity.... It is impossible to stand in the little Chapel of the Nativity, and to look, without emotion, on the Silver Star let into the white marble, encircled by its sixteen ever-burning lamps, and surrounded by the inscription, Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est.—Life of Christ, I., p. 5.

The Angel's Announcement

Luke 2:8⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Luke 2:8).—And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

PROF. H. B. TRISTRAM.—The same practice continues to this day.—Nat. Hist. of Bible, p. 139.

DR. F. W. FARRAR.—One mile from Bethlehem is a little plain, in which, under a grove of olives, stands the bare and neglected chapel known by the name of The Angel to the Shepherds. It is built over the traditional site of the fields where, in the beautiful language of St. Luke-more exquisite than any idyll to Christian ears—" there were shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night, when, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them." The present rude chapel is, perhaps, a mere fragment of a church built over the spot by Helena.—Life of Christ, I., T.

Luke 2:2²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) (Luke 2:2).—Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

HINDOO INSCRIPTION—written in Sanscreet, on a stone found, and still existing, in a cave, near the ancient city of Gya, in the East Indies:

The Deity, who is the Lord, the possessor of all, APPEARED in this ocean of natural beings, at the beginning of the Kalee Yoog (Age of contention and baseness). He who is omnipresent, and everlastingly to be contemplated, the Supreme Being, the Eternal One, the Divinity worthy to be adored-appeared here with a portion of his Divine Nature. Reverence be unto thee, in the form of Bŏŏd-dhă (Author of happiness). Reverence be to thee the Lord of the earth! Reverence be unto thee an INCARNATION of the Deity, and the Eternal One! Reverence' be unto thee, O God, in the form of the God of Mercy; the dispeller of pain and trouble, the Lord of all things, the Deity who overcometh the sins of the Kalee Yoog; the guardian of the universe, the emblem of mercy towards those who serve thee, O' M! (Jehovah); the possessor of all things in Vital Form! Thou art Brahma, Veeshnoo, and Măhĕsa! (the Hindu Trinity). Thou art Lord of the universe! Thou art under the form of all things, movable and immovable, the possessor of the whole! and thus I adore thee. Reverence be unto the BESTOWER OF SALVATION, and the Ruler of the Faculties! Reverence be unto thee the Destroyer of the evil spirit! O Damordara! (God of Virtue) show me favor! I adore thee, who art celebrated by a thousand names, and under various forms, in the shape of Bŏŏd-dhă, the God of Mercy! Be propitious, O most High God!-Translation, by Dr. C. Wilkins, in Asiatic Researches, Vol. I., p. 284.

The Period of John's Ministry

Luke 3:1-3¹Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, ²Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. ³And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; (Luke 3:1‑3).—Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

PROF. H. B. HACKETT, D. D., LL. D.—Tiberius, the second Roman emperor, began to reign A. D. 14, and reigned until A. D. 37. It will be seen hence that the ministry of John the Baptist, the public life of the Savior, and some of the introductory events of the apostolic age, must have fallen within his administration. The ancient writers who supply most of our knowledge respecting this emperor are Tacitus and Suetonius.—Smith's Dict. of the Bible, p. 3245.

JOSEPHUS.—Herod the Great, in his last will and testament, made on his dying bed (B. C. 4), appointed Herod Antipas his son to be tetrarch of Galilee and Perea.... Herod Antipas, accompanied by his wife, went to Rome, from whence, under certain accusations brought against him, he was banished into Gaul (A. D. 39), and there he died an exile. (Thus it will be seen that the period of Herod's tetrarchy covered the ministry of both John and of Christ.) —Antiq., 17, 8, I; and 18, 7, 2.

IDEM.—By the appointment of Cæsar, Batanea, and Trachonitis, and Auranitis, and certain parts of Zeno's house about Jamnia, with a revenue of a hundred talents, were made subject to Philip. (He died A. D. 34.)—Jewish Wars, 2, 6, 3.

IDEM.—(That Lysanias bore the office and title of tetrarch is sufficiently proved by the following incidental allusion of the Jewish historian.) And Caius gave to Agrippa the tetrarchy of Lysanias, and changed his iron chain for a golden one of equal weight.—J. B., 18, 6,

IDEM.—Annas was appointed high priest by Quirinus, the imperial governor of Syria, in his thirty-seventh year (A. D. 7). After a term of seven years, he had to resign his office, which after having been occupied by a number of others, was conferred on his son-in-law, Joseph Caiaphas, who remained till the Passover of A. D. 37. Annas and Caiaphas were together at the head of the Jewish people, the latter as actual high priest, and the former as president of the Sanhedrim.—See Antiq., 18, 2, I; and 18, 2, 2; and 20, 9, I.

REV. ALBERT BARNES.—There is one remark to be made here about the manner in which the Gospels were written. They have every mark of openness and honesty An impostor does not mention names, and times, and places,, particularly. For thereby it would be easily seen that he was an impostor. But the sacred writers describe objects and men as if they were perfectly familiar with them. They never appear to be guarding themselves. They speak of things most minutely. And if they had been impostors, it would have been easy to detect them. If, for example, John did not begin to preach in the fifteenth year of Tiberius; if Philip was not tetrarch of Iturea; if Pontius Pilate was not governor of Judea; how easy would it have been to detect them in falsehood! Yet it was never done. Nay we have evidence of that age in Josephus that these descriptions are strictly true; and consequently the Gospels must have been written by men who were personally acquainted with what they wrote, who were not impostors, and who were honest men. If they were honest, then the Christian religion is true.—Note, In loco.

DR. ADAM CLARKE.—The facts which St. Luke mentions in these verses tend much to confirm the truth of the evangelical history. Here we find the persons, the places, and the times marked with the utmost exactness. It was under the first Cæsars that the preaching of the Gospel took place; and in their time, the facts on which the whole of Christianity is founded made their appearance: an age the most enlightened, and Vest known from the multitude of its historic records. It was in Judea, where everything that professed to come from God, was scrutinized with the most exact and unmerciful criticism. In writing the history of Christianity, the evangelists appeal to certain facts which were publicly transacted in such places, under the, government and inspection of such and such persons, and in such particular times. A thousand persons could have confronted the falsehood, had it been one! These appeals are made—a challenge is offered to the Roman government, and to the Jewish rulers and people—a new religion has been introduced, in such a place, at such a time—this has been accompanied with such and such facts and miracles! who can disprove this? None—because none could. (Nay, the acknowledgment was forced from the bitterest enemies of the cause—" That indeed notable miracles have been done by these men is manifest to all them that dwell at Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.") Now, let it be observed, that the persons of that time, only, could confute these things had they been false—they never attempted it: therefore these facts are absolute and incontrovertible truths: this conclusion is necessary. Shall a man then give up his faith in such attested facts as these, because more than a thousand years after, an infidel creeps out, and ventures publicly to sneer at what his iniquitous soul hopes is not true 2—In loco.

Luke 3:3³And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; (Luke 3:3).—And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

See Mark 1:4⁴John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Mark 1:4).

John's Teaching

Luke 3:13¹³And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. (Luke 3:13).—And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

PROF. E. H. PLUMTRE, M. A.—The Publicani were banded together to support each other's interest, and at once resented and defied all interference. Their agents, the Portiores, were encouraged in the most vexatious or fraudulent exactions, and a remedy was all but impossible. Cicero, in writing to his brother, speaks of the difficulty of keeping the Publicans within bounds, and yet not offending them, as the hardest task of the governor of a province.—Smith's Dict. of Bible, p. 2636.

Luke 3:16¹⁶John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (Luke 3:16).—1 indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, etc. See Matt. 3

Luke 4:14¹⁴And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. (Luke 4:14).—And there went out a fame of him through all the region. See Matt. 4:24²⁴And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. (Matthew 4:24).

Luke 4:16¹⁶And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. (Luke 4:16).—And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up.

See Matt. 2:23²³And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:23).

Luke 4:24²⁴And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. (Luke 4:24).—No prophet is accepted in his own country. See Matt. 13:57⁵⁷And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house. (Matthew 13:57).

The Precipice of Nazareth

Luke 4:29²⁹And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. (Luke 4:29).—And they led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

DR. F. W. FARRAR.—The little town of Nazareth nestles in the southern hollows of that hill; many a mass of precipitous rock lies imbedded in its slopes, and it is probable that the hill-side may have been far more steep and precipitous two thousand years ago. To one of these rocky escarpments they dragged Him, in order to fling Him headlong down. It may have been the cliff above the Maronite church, which is about forty feet high. When I was at Nazareth, my horse was hurt, and might easily have been killed, by sliding down a huge mass of rock on the hill-side.—Life of Christ, I., p. 227.

PLUTARCH. —The people of Delphi having condemned Æsop, the ambassador of Crœsus, for sacrilege, put him to death by casting him down from the summit of the rock which they call Hyampea.—De Ser. Num. Vind., c. 12.

Descent From Nazareth to Capernaum

Luke 4:31³¹And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. (Luke 4:31).—And he came down to Capernaum, etc.

THE COMPILER.—The site of Nazareth stands 1,750 feet higher than that of Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee, so that when He came from the former to the latter place, as stated both by Luke and John, he literally "went down" to Capernaum. So accurate are the statements of the Gospel history.—Harmonies of the Universe, p. 638.

See Matt. 4:13¹³And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: (Matthew 4:13).

Luke 4:32³²And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. (Luke 4:32).—And they were astonished at his doctrine; for his word was with power.

See Matt. 7:28, 29²⁸And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: ²⁹For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:28‑29).

Luke 4:38³⁸And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. (Luke 4:38).—And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.

See Matt. 8:14¹⁴And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. (Matthew 8:14).

Luke 5:2²And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. (Luke 5:2).—And he saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

See Matt. 4:18¹⁸And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. (Matthew 4:18).

Fishing in the Sea of Tiberias

Luke 5:6⁶And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. (Luke 5:6).—And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their net brake.

PROF. H. B. TRISTRAM, LL. D., F. R. S.—Walking along the shore, not far from Mejdel (Magdala), we had an opportunity of watching the mode of fishing as it is now carried on. An old Arab sat on a low cliff, and threw poisoned crumbs of bread as far as he could reach, which the fish seized, and, turning over dead, were washed ashore and collected for the market. The shoals were marvelous black masses of many hundred yards long, with the black fins projecting out of the water as thickly as they could pack. No wonder that any net should break which enclosed such a shoal. The lake swarms with fish, as I could not have believed water could swarm.—Land of Israel, p. 430.

Luke 5:12¹²And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (Luke 5:12).—Behold a man full of leprosy; who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

See Matt. 8:2²And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (Matthew 8:2).

Luke 5:27²⁷And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. (Luke 5:27).—And after these things, he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom.

See Matt. 9:9⁹And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. (Matthew 9:9).

Luke 5:37³⁷And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. (Luke 5:37).—And no man putteth new wine into old bottles.

See Matt. 9:17¹⁷Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. (Matthew 9:17).

Old and New Wine

Luke 5:39³⁹No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (Luke 5:39).—No man having drunk old wine straightway desireth new; for he saith, The old is better.

ANACREON.—Bring me, then, my gentle page, Wine that glows with strength and age.— Anacr., carm. 38.

HORACE.—Bring us down the mellow'd wine, Rich with years that equal mine.— Hor., lib. v., carm., 13.

Luke 6:1¹And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. (Luke 6:1).—And it came to pass that they went through the corn fields, and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, etc.

See Matt. 12:1¹At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. (Matthew 12:1).

Luke 6:6, 7⁶And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. ⁷And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. (Luke 6:6‑7).—And there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, etc.

See Matt. 12:10¹⁰And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. (Matthew 12:10).

Luke 6:21²¹Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. (Luke 6:21).—Blessed are ye that hunger now; for ye shall be filled.

See Matt. 5:6⁶Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6).

Luke 6:22²²Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. (Luke 6:22).—Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, etc. See Matt. 5:11¹¹Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (Matthew 5:11).

Luke 6:27, 28²⁷But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, ²⁸Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (Luke 6:27‑28).—But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, etc.

See Matt. 5:44⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44).

Luke 6:29²⁹And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. (Luke 6:29).—And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, etc.

See Matt. 5:39³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Matthew 5:39).

Luke 6:31³¹And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (Luke 6:31).—And as ye would that men should do to you, etc.

See Matt. 7:12¹²Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12).

Luke 6:35³⁵But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Luke 6:35).—But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, etc.

See Matt. 5:45⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45).

Luke 6:36³⁶Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:36).—Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

See Matt. 5:48⁴⁸Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48).

Luke 6:41⁴¹And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (Luke 6:41).—And why beholdest thou the mote that is, etc.

See Matt. 7:3³And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (Matthew 7:3).

Luke 6:43⁴³For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (Luke 6:43).—For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit, etc.

See Matt. 7:16¹⁶Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (Matthew 7:16).

Luke 6:47⁴⁷Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: (Luke 6:47)—49.—Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, etc.

See Matt. 7:24²⁴Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (Matthew 7:24).

Luke 7:1, 2¹Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. ²And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. (Luke 7:1‑2).—He entered into Capernaum, and a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, etc.

See Matt. 8:5⁵And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, (Matthew 8:5).

Nain

Luke 7:36-38³⁶And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. ³⁷And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, ³⁸And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. (Luke 7:36‑38).—And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.... And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not, etc.

DR. F. W. FARRAR.—Nain—now a squalid and miserable village—is about twenty-five miles from Capernaum, and lies on the northwest slope of Jebel el-Duhy, or little Hermon. The name (which it still retains) means " fair," and its situation near Endor—nestling picturesquely on the hill-slopes of the graceful mountain, and full in view of Tabor and the heights of Zebulon—justifies the flattering title.— Life of Christ, I., 284.

PROF. H. B. TRISTRAM.—To the east of Nain, by the roadside, about ten minutes walk from the village, lies the ancient burying-ground, still used by the Moslems; and probably on this very path our Lord met that sorrowing procession.—Land of Israel, p. 129.

Luke 7:19¹⁹And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? (Luke 7:19).—And John calling unto him two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come, etc. See Matt. 11:2-6²Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, ³And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? ⁴Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: ⁵The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. ⁶And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (Matthew 11:2‑6).

Entertainment in Simon's House

Luke 7:36-38³⁶And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. ³⁷And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, ³⁸And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. (Luke 7:36‑38).—And he went into the Pharisee's, and sat down to meat. And behold a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

SCOTCH MISSION.—At a dinner at the Consul's house at Damietta, we were much interested in observing a custom of the country. In the room where we were received, besides the divan on which we sat, there were seats all round the walls. Many came in and took their places on those side-seats, uninvited and yet unchallenged. They spoke to those at table on business or the news of the day, and our host spoke freely to them. This made us understand the scene in Simon's house at Bethany, where Jesus sat at supper, and Mary came in and anointed his feet with ointment; and also the scene in the Pharisee's house, where the woman who was a sinner came in, uninvited and yet not forbidden, and washed his feet with her tears. We afterward saw this custom at Jerusalem, and there it was still more fitted to illustrate these incidents. We were sitting round Mr. Nicolayson's table, when first one and then another stranger opened the door, and came in, taking their seat by the wall. They leaned forward, and spoke to those at the table.— Narrative of a Mission of Inquiry to the Jews in 5839.

See Matt. 26:7⁷There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. (Matthew 26:7).

Luke 7:46⁴⁶My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. (Luke 7:46).—My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

DR. HENRY J. VAN-LENNEP.—Egyptian monuments represent servants anointing guests on their arrival at their entertainer's house, and alabaster vases still exist which retain traces of the ointment they once contained. This was adopted from the Egyptians by the Jews, and the settlement of many of these people at Alexandria served to maintain Egyptian customs among them.—Bible Lands, 534.

Luke 8:5⁵A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. (Luke 8:5).—A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and it was trodden down, etc. See Matt. 13:3³And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; (Matthew 13:3).

Luke 8:23²³But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. (Luke 8:23).—But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind upon the lake, etc.

See Matt. 8:23²³And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. (Matthew 8:23).

Luke 8:26-36²⁶And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. ²⁷And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. ²⁸When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. ²⁹(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) ³⁰And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. ³¹And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. ³²And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. ³³Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. ³⁴When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. ³⁵Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. ³⁶They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. (Luke 8:26‑36).—And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city, a certain man, which had devils long time, etc.

See Matt. 8:28²⁸And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. (Matthew 8:28).

Luke 8:43-48⁴³And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, ⁴⁴Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. ⁴⁵And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? ⁴⁶And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. ⁴⁷And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. ⁴⁸And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. (Luke 8:43‑48).—And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, etc.

See Mark 5:25²⁵And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, (Mark 5:25).

Luke 9:3³And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. (Luke 9:3).-And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, etc.

See Matt. To: 9.

Luke 9:7⁷Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; (Luke 9:7).—Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because it was said, etc.

See Matt. 14:1¹At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, (Matthew 14:1).

Luke 9:12-17¹²And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. ¹³But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. ¹⁴For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. ¹⁵And they did so, and made them all sit down. ¹⁶Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. ¹⁷And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets. (Luke 9:12‑17).—And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, etc.

See Matt. 14:55.

Luke 9:25²⁵For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (Luke 9:25).—For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

See Matt. 16:26²⁶For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26).

Looking Back

Luke 9:62⁶²And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62).—And Jesus said unto him, No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

HESIOD.—

He steadily shall cut the furrow true

Nor towards his fellows glance a rambling view,

Still on his task intent.

—Oper. et Dies, v. 445.

Salutations

Luke 10:4⁴Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. (Luke 10:4).—And salute no man by the way.

DR. W. M. THOMSON—The same is now required of special messengers.

No doubt the customary salutations were formal and tedious, as they are still, and consume much valuable time. There is also such an amount of insincerity, flattery, and falsehood in the terms of salutation prescribed by etiquette, that our Lord, who is truth itself, desired his representatives to dispense with them as far as possible, perhaps tacitly to rebuke them.—The Land and the Book, I., 534.

Luke 10:5⁵And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. (Luke 10:5).—And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

See Matt. 10:12¹²And when ye come into an house, salute it. (Matthew 10:12).

Luke 10:13-15¹³Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. ¹⁴But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. ¹⁵And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. (Luke 10:13‑15).—Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaid etc.

See Matt. 11:21-23²¹Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²²But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. ²³And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (Matthew 11:21‑23).

Scorpions

Luke 10:19¹⁹Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19).—Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, etc.

PROF. H. B. TRISTRAM. —Scorpions swarm in every part of Palestine. Their sting is very painful, and sometimes fatal.—Nat. Hist. of the Bible, p. 303.

The Road From Jerusalem to Jericho

Luke 10:30-37³⁰And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³²And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. ³³But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, ³⁴And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. ³⁶Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? ³⁷And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:30‑37).—A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves which stripped him, etc.

THE COMPILER.—The scene of the parable of "The Good Samaritan" is laic on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho; and for the deed of violence and blood which it describes, no more suitable scene could have been found in all the land and the topographical allusions in this beautiful narrative offer clear evidence that its author was familiar with the country, and had himself traveled the road and marked the peculiar features of the scene of which he has given so correct and vivid a picture. The unfortunate traveler, it is said, "went down" from Jerusalem to Jericho: the former city stood on the high central ridge of the country, the latter in the deep Jordan valley, more than 3,000 feet below; see hence how strictly accurate the description of the parable is. The road from immediately beyond Bethany lay through "a wilderness as bare and as solitary as the Desert of Arabia," and for part of its course through a deep and tremendous gorge, dismal and desolate to the last degree. Buckingham, in his Travels speaking of this portion of the road, says: " The very aspect of the scenery, the bold projecting crags of rocks, the dark shadows in which everything lay buried below, the towering height of the cliffs above, and the forbidding desolation: which everywhere reigned around, seem to tempt to robbery and murder, an occasion a dread of it in those who pass that way." And Stanley, describing this locality, says: "The caves in the overhanging mountains, the sharp turns of the road, the projecting spurs of the rocks, everywhere facilitate the attack an escape of the plunderers." Here they seize upon the traveler, and rifle him of everything valuable about him, and then leave him bleeding and naked under the fierce heat reflected from the white, glaring mountains, to die, unless pet chance a passer-by pity and save him. A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. This touching description, while thus in perfect keeping with the features of the scene, is also in entire harmony with its whole history. Josephus testifies that not only was Judea at this time overrun with robbers and ruffians, who committed the greatest excesses, but that this road in particular was deplorably harassed by banditti. St. Jerome also mentions that this particular part of the road between Jerusalem and Jericho was called the "Red Way," as much blood had there been shed by robbers; and that in his time, there was at one point in this wilderness a Fort, with a Roman garrison, for the protection of travelers; so that the incident of the poor traveler in the parable falling in that very journey among robbers seems taken from life. And this dread locality is the resort of robbers to this day, and nowhere in Palestine is a guard more necessary; he who goes down from Jerusalem to Jericho without an escort is as liable now as ever to fall among thieves. The parable, indeed, has been enacted within our own day, not a Jew, but an Englishman, being the victim on this occasion.—Harmonies of the Universe, p. 671.

The Good Part

Luke 10:42⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42).—Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. ARISTOTLE.—We declare that the true good is something belonging to and within ourselves, and which cannot easily be taken away from us.—Eth., lib. i., c. 5.

Luke 11:2²And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (Luke 11:2).—Our Father which art in heaven, etc.

See Matt. 6:9⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6:9).

Luke 11:17¹⁷But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. (Luke 11:17).—Every kingdom divided against itself, etc.

See Matt. 12:25²⁵And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: (Matthew 12:25).

The Blessed Mother

Luke 11:27²⁷And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. (Luke 11:27).—A certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

MUSÆUS.—

Blessed is the father from whose loins you sprung,

Blessed is the mother at whose breast you hung,

Blessed, doubly blessed, the fruitful womb that bore

This Heavenly Form for mortals to adore.

—Her. et Leand., v. 138.

Luke 11:42⁴²But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Luke 11:42).—But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint, etc.

See Matt. 23:23²³Woe 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 ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Matthew 23:23).

Luke 11:43⁴³Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. (Luke 11:43).—Woe unto you, Pharisees 1 for ye love the uppermost seats, etc.

See Matt. 23:6⁶And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, (Matthew 23:6).

Luke 11:44⁴⁴Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. (Luke 11:44).—Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear, etc.

See Matt. 23:27²⁷Woe 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. (Matthew 23:27).

Luke 11:47⁴⁷Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. (Luke 11:47).-Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchers, etc.

See Matt. 23:29²⁹Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, (Matthew 23:29).

Luke 11:49-51⁴⁹Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: ⁵⁰That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; ⁵¹From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. (Luke 11:49‑51).—Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets, and apostles, etc.

See Matt. 23:34³⁴Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: (Matthew 23:34).

The Innumerable Multitude

Luke 12:1¹In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1).—In the meantime when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say, etc.

JOSEPHUS.—The cities lie here very thick; and the very numerous villages are so full of people, because of the fertility of the land... that the very smallest of them contain above 15,000 inhabitants.—B. J., 3, 3, 2.

Luke 12:4⁴And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. (Luke 12:4).—Be not afraid of them that kill the body, etc.

See Matt. 10:28²⁸And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28).

Luke 12:6⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? (Luke 12:6).—Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, etc.

See Matt. 10:29²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (Matthew 10:29).

The Rich Fool

Luke 12:18¹⁸And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. (Luke 12:18).—And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

PHILEMON.—Let anyone who goes into the country and passes by the monuments and sepulchers of the dead, reflect thus-Each one of these used to say, In due season I will travel, I will extend my boundaries, and increase my possessions.—Apud. Comp. Men. et Philemon.

Luke 12:20²⁰But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (Luke 12:20).—But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul 'shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

SENECA.—How ridiculous it is to promise ourselves a long life, when we are not certain of to-morrow! what folly to stretch out and enlarge on distant hopes, saying, I will buy; I will build; I will give credit; I will call in my debts; I will sue for honors; and when I have had enough of public business, I will retire, and indulge in my weary age, in repose and quiet! Believe me, all things are doubtful and uncertain, even to the most happy.—Epist., 101.

Luke 12:22²²And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. (Luke 12:22).—Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, etc.

See Matt. 6:25²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (Matthew 6:25).

Luke 12:46⁴⁶The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. (Luke 12:46).—The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, etc.

See Matt. 24:51⁵¹And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:51).

The Gospel a Cause of Division

Luke 12:51⁵¹Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: (Luke 12:51).—Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division, etc.

See Matt. 10:34³⁴Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34).

DR. THOMAS SCOTT.—The prediction of these effects, which no philosophizing or speculative observer would ever have expected from so benign a religion, forms an additional demonstration that it is from God.—Note, In loco.

Sign of Showers

Luke 12:54⁵⁴And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. (Luke 12:54).—When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

PROF. H. B. TRISTRAM, LL. D., F. R. S.—The winds in Palestine are remarkably regular, both in their seasons and in their effects. Thus, in the forty-three days during which rain fell in 1863-4, the wind was invariably west, or southwest.—Nat. Hist. of Bible, p. 33.

Sign of Heat

Luke 12:55⁵⁵And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. (Luke 12:55).—And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and k cometh to pass.

PROF. H. B. TRISTRAM.—The south wind, or Sirocco, is always oppressive at whatever time of the year it blows. We had two days' Sirocco with the south wind in November; again in January 14th and 15th; March 1St and 2nd; April 21St and 25th; May 15th, 16th, 26th and 27th. These were the only occasions on which there was south wind, and on each occasion the Sirocco was most oppressive.— Nat. Hist. of Bible, p. 33.

A Fig Tree in a Vineyard

Luke 13:6⁶He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. (Luke 13:6).—A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, etc.

THE COMPILER.—In this parable we meet a feature that to our notions seems peculiar, and, therefore, so far improbable—a Fig tree planted in a Vineyard. However at variance this may be with our ideas and practice in this Western World, where we never plant a mixture of vines and corn and fruit trees, but each kind by itself: yet, as Dean Stanley informs us from his own observation, nothing is more common in Palestine than to see fig trees, thorn trees, and apple trees growing in vineyards, and even in corn fields, wherever they can get soil to support them.—Harmonies of the Universe, p. 673.

Luke 13:18,19¹⁸Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? ¹⁹It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. (Luke 13:18‑19).—It is like a grain of mustard seed, etc.

See Matt. 13:31³¹Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (Matthew 13:31).

Luke 13:21²¹It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Luke 13:21).— It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid, etc.

See Matt. 13:33³³Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Matthew 13:33).

Luke 13:24²⁴Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Luke 13:24).—Strive to enter in at the strait gate, etc.

See Matt. 7:13¹³Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (Matthew 7:13).

Luke 13:25²⁵When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (Luke 13:25).—When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, etc.

See Matt. 25:10¹⁰And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10).

Luke 13:28²⁸There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (Luke 13:28).—There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, etc.

See Matt. 8:11, 12¹¹And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. ¹²But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:11‑12).

The Fox Herod

Luke 13:32³²And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. (Luke 13:32).—And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold I cast out devils, and I do cures to-day and to-morrow, etc.

DR. F. W. FARRAR.—If ever there was a man who richly deserved contempt, it was the paltry, perjured princeling—false to his religion, false to his nation, false to his friends, false to his brethren, false to his wife—to whom Jesus gave the name of " this fox."... Judea might well groan under the odious and petty despotism of these hybrid Herodians—jackals who fawned about the feet of the Caesarean lions.—Life of Christ, II., 98.

Luke 13:34³⁴O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! (Luke 13:34).—O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, etc.

See Matt. 23:37³⁷O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37).

Luke 13:35³⁵Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Luke 13:35).—Behold your house is left unto you desolate, etc.

See Matt. 23:38³⁸Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. (Matthew 23:38).

Luke 14:3³And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? (Luke 14:3).—Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?

See Matt. 12:10¹⁰And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. (Matthew 12:10).

The Highest and the Lowest Seat

Luke 14:8-10⁸When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him; ⁹And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. ¹⁰But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. (Luke 14:8‑10).—When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest seat. But when thou art bidden, go and sit in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

XENOPHON.—Let the best men with you be honored with the principal seats, as they are with me. The most deserving men in all companies are honored with the principal seats.—Cyrop., VIII., 6.

MORIER.—When the assembly was nearly full, the governor of Kashan, a man of humble mien, although of considerable rank, came in and seated himself at the lowest place; when the master of the house, after numerous expressions of welcome, pointed with his hand to an upper seat in the assembly, to which he desired him to move, and which he accordingly did.—Journey Through Persia.

Bid and Feast the Poor

Luke 14;12, 13.—When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: etc.

PLATO.—In private entertainments, it will not be proper to invite our friends, but mendicants, and those who are in need of a hearty meal.—Phœdo., c. 8.

CICERO.—In conferring or requiting kindness, the chief rule of our duty ought to be, if all other circumstances are equal, to confer most upon the man who stands in greatest need of assistance. The reverse of this is practiced by the generality, who direct their greatest services to the man from whom they hope the most, though he may stand in no need of them.—De Of, lib. i., c. 15.

Luke 14:16-24¹⁶Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: ¹⁷And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. ¹⁸And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. ¹⁹And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. ²⁰And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. ²¹So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. ²²And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. ²³And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. ²⁴For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. (Luke 14:16‑24).—A certain man made a great supper, and bade many; and sent his servant at supper time, etc.

See Matt. 22:2²The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, (Matthew 22:2)

Luke 14:27²⁷And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27).—And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

See Matt. 16:24²⁴Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24).

Luke 14:34³⁴Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? (Luke 14:34).—Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savor, etc.

See Matt. 5:13¹³Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Matthew 5:13).

The Lost Sheep

Luke 15:4-7⁴What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? ⁵And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. ⁷I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:4‑7).—What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing. And when he, etc.

PROF. R. C. TRENCH, M. A.—There is no image upon which the early church seems to have dwelt with greater delight than this of Christ as the Good Shepherd bringing home his lost sheep. We have abundant confirmation of this in the very many gems, seals, fragments of glass, and other early Christian relics which have reached us, on which Christ is thus portrayed as bringing back a lost sheep to the fold upon his shoulders. In Tertullian's time it was painted on the chalice of the Holy Communion. Christ appears in the same character of the Good Shepherd in bas-reliefs on sarcophagi, and paintings in the catacombs. Sometimes there are other sheep at his feet, generally two, looking up with apparent pleasure at him and his burden; in his right hand he most often holds the seven-reeded pipe, emblem of the attractions of Divine Love, while with his left he steadies the burden which he is bearing on his shoulders. Sometimes he is sitting down, as if weary with the length of the way. And it is observable that this representation always occupies the place of honor, the center of the vault or tomb.—Notes on the parables, p. 298.

The Ten Pieces of Silver

Luke 15:8⁸Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? (Luke 15:8).—Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it.

BLOOMFIELD.—It will not seem strange that the woman should have needed to light a candle, in order to search for the coin, when we consider how exceedingly ill lighted were the houses of the lower ranks in ancient times. This is manifest from the relics of Herculaneum and Pompeii, where many of the smaller houses have no windows at all; and in such as have them they are rather loop-holes than windows.—In loco.

The Prodigal

Luke 15:15¹⁵And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. (Luke 15:15).—And he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

BLOOMFIELD.—An employment contemptible among the Jews, as it had been with the Egyptians. Equally contemptible was it among the Greeks.—In loco.

Luke 15:16¹⁶And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. (Luke 15:16).—And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks which the swine did eat.

PROF. H. B. TRISTRAM.—" Husks "—fruit of the Carob tree—a tree very common in Palestine from Hebron northwards. It blossoms at the end of February, and the pods are found in numerous quantities in April and May. They are flat and narrow, from six to ten inches in length. Before they are ripe, they are of a sweetish taste. These " husks," or pods, are to be seen on the stalls in all Oriental towns. They are chiefly used for feeding animals, especially pigs. Both Horace and Juvenal speak of them as the food of the poorest and most miserable classes of men.—Nat. Hist. of Bib., p. 360,

Luke 15:32³²It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (Luke 15:32).—It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

DR. F. W. FARRAR.—All this is indeed a divine epitome of the wandering of man and the love of God, such as no literature has ever equaled, such as no, ear of man has ever heard elsewhere. Put in the one scale all that Confucius, or Sakya Mouni, or Zoroaster, or Socrates ever wrote or said—and they wrote and said many beautiful and holy words—and put in the other the Parable of the Prodigal Son alone, with all that this single parable connotes and means, and can any candid spirit doubt which scale would outweigh the other in eternal preciousness—in divine adaptation to the wants of man?—Life of Christ, II., 135.

Luke 16:13¹³No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Luke 16:13).—No servant can serve two masters, etc.

See Matt. 6:24²⁴No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24).

Luke 16:17¹⁷And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. (Luke 16:17).—And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. See Matt. 5:18¹⁸For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18).

Dives and Lazarus

Luke 16:22²²And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; (Luke 16:22).—And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom.

SOCRATES.—If I did not think that I should go first of all amongst other deities who are both wise and good, and next amongst men who have departed this life, better than any here, I should be wrong in not grieving at death.— Phœdo, c. 8.

Luke 16:22, 23²²And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; ²³And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:22‑23).—The rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

PHILEMON.—Do you think that the dead, who, during their lifetime, enjoyed all kinds of luxuries, have escaped the deity, as if unseen by him? There is an eye of Justice which sees all things. Even in Hades there are two paths; one of which is for the just, and the other for the unjust.—Apud Clem. Alex. Strom., VII.

Luke 17:1¹Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! (Luke 17:1).—Then said he unto his disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, etc.

See Matt. 18:6⁶But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6).

Luke 17:3³Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. (Luke 17:3).—If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him, etc. See Matt. 18:15¹⁵Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (Matthew 18:15).

The Ten Lepers

Luke 17:12¹²And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: (Luke 17:12).—And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off.

LIGHTFOOT.—Lepers were not excluded from villages, and from those country towns which were unwalled in the time of Joshua.—In loco.

CARNE.—Near the foot of a hill, in Cyprus, in a most lonely spot, and in a wretched cottage, lived a family of lepers. These unfortunate people were avoided by all the other inhabitants, who dreaded to come near their dwelling. The disease was hereditary, for every one of their numerous family was afflicted with it. Some of them stood at the door, and looked the pictures of sadness and solitude. They would be starved, did not some of the people, who live in the plain, bring food occasionally, and place it at a short distance from the cottage. So great is the horror entertained of this disease.—Letters from the East.

Luke 17:23²³And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. (Luke 17:23).—And they shall say to you, See here; or, See there: go not after them, nor follow them.

See Matt. 24:23²³Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. (Matthew 24:23).

Luke 17:24²⁴For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. (Luke 17:24).—For as the lightning that lighteneth out of the one part, etc.

See Matt. 24:27²⁷For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:27).

Luke 17:31³¹In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. (Luke 17:31).—In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his staff in the house, let him not, etc.

See Matt. 24:17,¹⁷Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: (Matthew 24:17)

Luke 17:34,35³⁴I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. ³⁵Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Luke 17:34‑35).—I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, etc.

See Matt. 24:41⁴¹Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:41).

Luke 17:37³⁷And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. (Luke 17:37).—And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither, will the eagles be gathered together.

See Matt. 24:28²⁸For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (Matthew 24:28).

The Duty of Prayer

Luke 18:1¹And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1).—Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

SENECA.—Cease not to pray; and ask particularly for wisdom, a sound mind, and health of body. Fear not to importune a gracious God, when you ask not for any foreign good, or for what belongs to another person.—Epist., 10.

Smiting Upon the Breast

Luke 18:13¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13).—But smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful, etc.

QUINTILLIAN.—By clenching the hand, and smiting the breast, we imply, repentance or passion.—Quintil., lib. xi., c. 3.

HOMER.—Smiting upon his breast, Ulysses thus began to chide his heart.—Od., xx., 17.

Luke 18:15¹⁵And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. (Luke 18:15) —And they brought unto him also, infants, that, etc.

See Matt. 19:13¹³Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. (Matthew 19:13).

Luke 18:21²¹And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. (Luke 18:21).—All these have I kept from my, youth up.

See Matt. 19:20²⁰The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? (Matthew 19:20).

Luke 18:24²⁴And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (Luke 18:24)—How hardly shall they that have riches, etc.

See Matt. 19:23²³Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:23).

Luke 19:1¹And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. (Luke 19:1).—And Jesus, entered and passed through Jericho. See Matt. 20:29²⁹And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. (Matthew 20:29).

Zaccheus

Luke 19:2²And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. (Luke 19:2).—And behold there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

DR. F. W. FARRAR.—A colony of publicans was established in the city of Jericho to secure the revenues accruing from the large traffic in a kind of balsam, which grew more luxuriantly there than in any other place, and to regulate the exports between the Roman province and the dominions of Herod Antipas. —Life of Christ, II., 183.

Luke 19:4⁴And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. (Luke 19:4).—And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him; for he was to, pass that way.

PROF. H. B. TRISTRAM, LL. D., F. R. S.—In Palestine, the Sycamore tree only grows in the mild climate of the maritime plains, Phenicia, Acre, and Sharon, and in the hot Jordan valley. In growth with its low-spreading branches and dark foliage, it recalls the English oak, and its shade is most pleasing. It is, consequently, a favorite way-'side tree, and is often planted by an Arab café to tempt the wayfarer to rest. It is very easy to climb, with its short trunk, and its wide lateral branches forking out in all directions. There are still a few gnarled and aged sycamores among the ruins by the wayside at ancient Jericho, and by the channel of the Wady Kelt.—Nat. Hist. of Bible, J. 398.

The Nobleman Going to Receive a Kingdom

Luke 19:12¹²He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. (Luke 19:12).—A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

REV. ALBERT BARNES.—This expression is derived from the state of things in Judea in the time of our Savior. Judea was subject to the Romans, having been conquered by Pompey about sixty years before Christ. It was, however, governed by Jews who held the government under the Romans. It was necessary that the prince or king should receive a recognition of his right to the kingdom by the Roman emperor, and in order to this that he should go to Rome; or, as it is said here, that he might receive to himself a kingdom. This actually occurred several times. Archelaus, a son of Herod the Great, about the time of the birth of Jesus, went to Rome to obtain a confirmation of the title which his father had left him, and succeeded in doing it. Herod the Great, his father, had done the same thing before to implore the aid and countenance of Antony. Agrippa, the younger, grandson of Herod the Great, went to Rome also to obtain the favor of Tiberius, and to be confirmed in his government. Such instances, having frequently occurred, would make this parable perfectly intelligible to those to whom it was addressed.—Note, In loco.

Luke 19:14¹⁴But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. (Luke 19:14).—But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

REV. ALBERT BARNES.—This actually took place.—Archelaus went to Rome to obtain from Augustus a confirmation of his title to reign over that part of Judea which had been left him by his father, Herod the Great. The Jews knowing his character, sent an embassy of fifty men to Rome to prevail on Augustus not to confer the title on him, but they could not succeed. He received the kingdom, and reigned in Judea in the place of his father. As this fact was fresh in the memory of the Jews, it makes this parable much more striking.—Note, In loco.

Luke 19:29²⁹And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, (Luke 19:29).—And it came to pass when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, etc.,

See Matt. 21:1¹And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, (Matthew 21:1).

Christ Weeping Over Jerusalem

Luke 19:41⁴¹And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, (Luke 19:41)—And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it.

PROF. ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY, D. D.—Two vast streams of people met on that day. The one poured out from the city, the other streamed forth from Bethany. The two streams met mid-way. Gradually the long procession swept up and over the ridge, where first begins "the descent of the Mount of Olives towards Jerusalem... A few moments, and the path mounts again, it climbs a rugged ascent, it reaches a ledge of smooth rock, and in an instant the whole city bursts into view. As now the dome of the Mosque El-Aksa rises like a ghost from the earth before the traveler stands on the ledge, so then must have risen the Temple tower; as now the vast enclosure of the Mussulman sanctuary, so then must have spread the Temple courts; as now the gray town on its broken hills, so then the magnificent city, with its background—long since vanished away—of gardens and suburbs on the western plateau behind. Immediately below was the valley of the Kedron, here seen in its greatest depth as it joins the Valley of Hinnom, and thus giving full effect to the great peculiarity of Jerusalem, seen only on its eastern side-its situation as of a city rising Out of a deep abyss. It is hardly possible to doubt that this rise and turn of the road,—this rocky ledge—was the exact point where the multitude paused again, and " He, when He beheld the city, wept over it." Nowhere else on the Mount of Olives is there a view like this; and this, almost the only spot which the Gospel narrative fixes with exact certainty, is almost the only unmarked spot,—undefiled Or unhallowed by mosque, or church, chapel, or tower—left to speak for itself, that here the Lord's feet stood, and here His eyes beheld what is still the most impressive view which the neighborhood of Jerusalem furnishes,-and the tears rushed forth at the sight.—Sinai and Palestine, p. 187-190.

Luke 19:43⁴³For 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, (Luke 19:43).—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.

JOSEPHUS. —The Romans having begirt Jerusalem with their forces, and having made several assaults without the desired effect, Titus resolved to surround the city with a wall; and by the diligence and emulation of the soldiers, animated by the presence, and acting under the continual inspection of the General, this work, which was worthy of months, was with incredible speed completed in three days. The wall was of the dimensions of thirty furlongs, and was strengthened with thirteen forts at proper distances: so that all hope of safety was cut off from the Jews, together with all the means of escaping out of the city. No provisions could be carried in, and no person could come out unknown to the enemy.—Jewish Wars, lib. v., c. 12, § r, and 2 and 3.

Luke 19:44⁴⁴And 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. (Luke 19:44).—And shall lay thee even with the ground, etc.

See Matt. 24:2²And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. (Matthew 24:2).

Luke 20:2²And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? (Luke 20:2).—Tell us by what authority doest thou these things?

See Matt. 21:23²³And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? (Matthew 21:23).

Luke 20:6⁶But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. (Luke 20:6).—But if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

See Matt. 14:5⁵And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. (Matthew 14:5).

Luke 20:9⁹Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. (Luke 20:9).—A certain man planted a vineyard and let it forth to husbandmen, etc.

See Matt. 21:33³³Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: (Matthew 21:33).

Luke 20:22²²Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? (Luke 20:22).—Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cesar, or no?

See Matt. 22:15¹⁵Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. (Matthew 22:15).

Luke 20:27²⁷Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, (Luke 20:27).—Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, etc.

See Matt. 22:23-33²³The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, ²⁴Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. ²⁵Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: ²⁶Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. ²⁷And last of all the woman died also. ²⁸Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. ²⁹Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. ³⁰For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. ³¹But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, ³²I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. ³³And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. (Matthew 22:23‑33).

Luke 21:3³And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: (Luke 21:3).—This poor widow hath cast in more than they all.

See Matt. 12:43⁴³When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. (Matthew 12:43).

Destruction of the Temple and City Foretold

Luke 21:5-10⁵And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, ⁶As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. ⁷And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? ⁸And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. ⁹But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. ¹⁰Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: (Luke 21:5‑10)—And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones, and gifts, he said, etc.

See Matt. 24:1,¹And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple. (Matthew 24:1) etc.

Luke 21:11¹¹And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11).—And fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

JOSEPHUS.—While the Jews, miserable people, allowed themselves to be persuaded by deceivers, they did not attend nor give credit to the signs that were so evident, and did so plainly foretell their future desolation. Thus there was a star resembling a sword which stood over the city, and a comet that continued a whole year.—The people being assembled to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the ninth hour of the night, there shone so great a light about the altar and the temple, that it seemed to be bright day, and this continued for half an hour.—The eastern gate of the temple which was of solid brass and very heavy, and was scarcely shut at evening by twenty men and was fastened by strong bars and bolts, was seen at the sixth hour of the night to open of its own accord, and could hardly be shut again.—Before the setting of the sun there was seen over all the country chariots and armies fighting in the clouds, and besieging cities.—At the Feast of Pentecost, as the priests were going into the inner temple by night as usual to attend their service, they heard first a motion and noise, and then a voice as of a multitude, saying, " LET US DEPART HENCE."—And what might be reckoned the most terrible of all, one Jesus, an ordinary country fellow, four years before the war began, and when the city was in peace and plenty, came to the Feast of Tabernacles, and ran up and down the streets crying day and night, "A voice from the east, a voice from the west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem and the temple, a voice against the bridegrooms and the brides, a voice against all the people! " The magistrates endeavored by stripes and torture, to restrain him; but he still cried with a mournful voice, "We, we, to Jerusalem!" This he continued to do for seven years and five months together, and especially at the great Festivals; and he neither grew hoarse, nor was tired: but went about the walls, and cried with a loud voice, " We, we to the city, and to the people, and to the temple! " and, just as he added, at last, " We, we also to myself! " a stone hurled from an engine struck him and killed him immediately.— Jewish Wars, lib. vi., c. 5, § 3.

TACITUS.—Before the taking of Jerusalem by Titus there had been omens, and prodigies, things which that nation, so addicted to superstition, but so averse to the gods, hold it unlawful to expiate either by vows or victims. Hosts were seen to encounter in the air; refulgent arms appeared; and by a blaze of lightning shooting suddenly from the clouds, all the temple was illuminated; the great gates of the temple were suddenly thrown open, and a voice more than human was heard to declare that the gods were about to depart. —Hist., V., 13.

DR. JORTIN.—If Christ had not expressly foretold this, many, who give little heed to portents, and who know that historians have been too credulous in that point, would have suspected that Josephus exaggerated, and that Tacitus was misinformed; but as the testimonies of Josephus and Tacitus confirm the predictions of Christ, so the predictions of Christ confirm the wonders recorded by these historians.—Remarks on Eccles. Hist., Vol. I., p. 41.

BISHOP NEWTON.—Allowing all that incredulity can urge—that the light in the temple, and the armies in the air were but the play of natural meteors; that other of these prodigies were feigned, and others exaggerated—yet the prediction of them is not the less divine on that account.—Disserts., p. 337.

Luke 21:17¹⁷And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. (Luke 21:17).—And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

See Matt. 10:22²²And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 10:22).

Luke 21:18¹⁸But there shall not an hair of your head perish. (Luke 21:18).—But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

REV. ALBERT BARNES.—This is a proverbial expression, denoting that they should not suffer any essential injury. This was strikingly fulfilled in the fact that in the calamities of Jerusalem there is reason to believe that no Christian suffered. Before those calamities came on the city (remembering the warning of Christ), they had fled to Pella, a city on the east of the Jordan.—Note, In loco.

Luke 21:20²⁰And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. (Luke 21:20).—And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, etc.

See Matt. 24:15¹⁵When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (Matthew 24:15).

Luke 21:21²¹Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. (Luke 21:21).-Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains.

See Matt. 24:16¹⁶Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains: (Matthew 24:16).

Luke 21:23²³But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. (Luke 21:23).-But woe unto them that are with child, etc.

See Matt. 24:19¹⁹And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! (Matthew 24:19).

Luke 21:24²⁴And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:24).—And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

JOSEPHUS.—The number of those who fell by the edge of the sword was very great. Those who perished during the siege of Jerusalem numbered no less than 1,100,000. Many were also slain at other times and in other places. By the command of Florus, who was the first author of the war, there were slain at Jerusalem 3,600. By the inhabitants of Caesarea, above 20,000. At Scythopolis 13,000. At Ascalon 2,500; and at Ptolemais 2,000. At Alexandria, under Tiberius Alexander the president, 50,000. At Joppa, when it was taken by Cestius Gallus, 8,400. In a mountain called Asamon near Sepphoris, above 2,000. At Damascus 10,000. In a battle with the Romans at Ascalon 10,000. In an ambuscade near the same plate 8,000. At Japha 15,000. Of the Samaritans upon Mount Gerizim 11,600. At Jotapa 40,000. At Joppa, when taken by Vespasian, 4,200. At Tarichea 6,500; and after the city was taken 1,200. At Gamala 4,000 slain, besides 5,000 who threw themselves down a precipice. Of those who fled with John from Gischala 6,000. Of the Gadarenes 15,000 slain, besides an infinite number drowned. In the villages of Idumea above 10,000 slain. At Gerasa 1,000. At Machærus 1,700. In the wood of Jardes 3,000. In the castle of Masada 960. In Cyrene by Catullus, the governor, 3,000. Besides these, many of every age, sex and condition, were slain in this war, who were not reckoned, but of those who are reckoned the number amounts to above 1,357,600.—See Jewish Wars; Books II., III., IV., VI. and VII.

And shall be led away captive into all nations.

JOSEPHUS.—The number of captives was very great. There were taken, particularly at Japha, 2,130; at Jotapa 1,200; at Tarichea 6,000 chosen young men were sent to Nero; the rest sold to the number of 30,400, besides those who were given to Agrippa; of the Gadarenes 2,200; in Idumea above 1,000. Many besides these were taken at Jerusalem, so that the number of the captives taken in the whole war amounted to 97,000: the tall and handsome young men Titus reserved for his triumph; of the rest, those above seventeen years of age were sent to the works in Egypt, but most were distributed through the Roman provinces; those under seventeen were sold for slaves.—See Jewish Wars, Books III., IV. and VI.

And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

BISHOP NEWTON.—And accordingly Jerusalem has never since been in the possession of the Jews, but hath constantly been in subjection to some other nation, as first to the Romans, and afterward to the Saracens, and then to the Franks, and then to the Mamelukes, and now to the Turks.—Disserts. on the, Prophs., p. 366.

Luke 21:25²⁵And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25).—And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, etc.

See Matt. 24:29²⁹Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: (Matthew 24:29).

Luke 21:27²⁷And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:27).—And then shall they see the Son of man coming, etc.

See Matt. 24:30³⁰And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30)

Luke 21:33³³Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Luke 21:33).—Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words, etc.

See Matt. 24:35³⁵Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35).

Luke 22:2²And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. (Luke 22:2).—And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

See Matt. 26:3³Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, (Matthew 26:3).

Luke 22:20²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20).—And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, etc.

See Matt. 26:26²⁶And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. (Matthew 26:26).

Luke 22:34³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. (Luke 22:34).—I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, etc.

See Mark 14:30³⁰And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. (Mark 14:30).

The Bloody Sweat

Luke 22:44⁴⁴And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44)—And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

LIBR. WILLIAM ALDIS WRIGHT, M. A.—Of this malady, "bloody sweat," known in medical science by the term Diapedesis, there have been examples recorded both in ancient and modern times. The cause assigned is generally violent mental emotion.—Smith's Dict. of Bible, p. 3128.

ARISTOTLE.—It happens to some that they sweat a certain bloody moisture, caused by the disordered state of their bodies.—De Part. An., III., 5.

LUCIAN.—

Blood falls for tears, and o'er his mournful face

The ruddy drops their tainted passage trace:

His mouth and gushing nostrils pour a flood,

And ev'n the pores ooze out the trickling blood.

—Phars., IX., 810.

MALDONATO.—A man at Paris, in full health and vigor, on hearing the sentence of death pronounced upon him, became covered with a bloody sweat.—Comm. in Evang.

Luke 23:1¹And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. (Luke 23:1).—And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

See Matt. 27:2²And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. (Matthew 27:2).

Luke 23:16¹⁶I will therefore chastise him, and release him. (Luke 23:16).—I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

See Matt. 27:26²⁶Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26).

Luke 23:26²⁶And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. (Luke 23:26).—And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, etc.

See Matt. 27:32³²And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. (Matthew 27:32).

The Evils and Sufferings of Coming Days

Luke 23:29²⁹For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. (Luke 23:29).—For behold the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, etc.

See Matt. 24:19¹⁹And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! (Matthew 24:19).

Luke 23:30³⁰Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. (Luke 23:30).—Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

DR. F. W. FARRAR.—Many of them, and the majority of their children, would live to see such rivers of blood shed, and such complications of agony, as the world had never known before—days which would seem to overpass the capacity of human suffering, and would make men seek to hide themselves, if it might be, under the very roots of the hill on which their city stood.—These words of Christ met with a painfully literal illustration when hundreds of the unhappy Jews at the siege of Jerusalem hid themselves in the darkest and vilest subterranean recesses, and when, besides those who were hunted out, no less than 2,000 were killed by being buried under the ruins of their hiding-places (B. J., 6, 9, 4).— Life of Christ, II 397

Parting His Raiment

Luke 23:34³⁴Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34).—And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

DR. F. W. FARRAR.—The clothes of the victims always fell as perquisites to the men who had to perform so weary and disagreeable an office as their crucifixion.—Life of Christ, II., p. 407.

Luke 23:38³⁸And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (Luke 23:38).—And a superscription also was written over him, etc.

See Matt. 27:37³⁷And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (Matthew 27:37).

Luke 23:47⁴⁷Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. (Luke 23:47).—Certainly this was a righteous man.

See Matt. 27:54⁵⁴Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. (Matthew 27:54).

Luke 24:1¹Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. (Luke 24:1).—Now upon the first day of the week, very early, etc,

See Mark 16:1¹And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. (Mark 16:1).

Christ's Witnesses

Luke 24:48⁴⁸And ye are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:48).—And ye are witnesses of these things.

WHITBY.—Christ's resurrection, being a matter of fact, must be proved by the testimony of eye-witnesses, and, if they be honest men, and such as suffer the greatest prejudices in fortunes, reputation and life, for this testimony, we have the greater reason to believe it: for their honesty must render them unwilling to testify a falsehood; their interest and prudence would not suffer them, without any necessity laid upon them, to testify a lie; much more to testify the grossest falsehood, to their utmost damage, and without any prospect of advantage.—Note, In loco.

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