31. § 114. The barren Fig-tree withers away
CH. XXI. 20-22.
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig-tree withered away!
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily, I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig-tree, but also, if ye shall say unto
CH. XI. 20-26.
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance, saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig-tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering, saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou
• Isn. lvi. 7. Jer. vii. 11.
Matth. XXI. 20, the disciples. Mark XI. 21. Peter ] These may be thus reconciled. Peter addresses himself to Jesus: the disciples turn their attention to the object;
SEC. 113, 114.]
Temple. (SECOND DAY OF THE WEEK.) Bethany. Jerusalem.
CH. XIX. 45-48. CH. XXI. 37, 38.
45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought,
46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.
47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests, and the scribes, and the chief of the people sought to destroy him.
48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
CH. XXI.
37 And in the day-time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.
(THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Between Bethany and Jerusalem.
Jesus addresses all. Or, Peter's remark may be attributed to all the disciples. See § 141. NEWCOME.
§ 114. The barren Fig-tree withers away.
| MATTHEW. CH. XXI. 20-22. this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. | MARK. CH. XI. 20-26. cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. | | --- | --- |
| 22 And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. | 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. | § 115. Christ's authority questioned. Parable of the
| CH. XXI. 23-32. 23 And 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! 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it! from heaven, or of men! And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him! 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people: for all hold John as a prophet. 27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 28 But what think ye! A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. | CH. XI. 27-33. 27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, 28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things! and who gave thee this authority to do these things! 29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men! answer me. 31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did yo not believe him! 32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. 33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. | | --- | --- |
SEC. 114, 115.]
(THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Between Bethany and Jerusalem.
Two Sons. (THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Jerusalem.
CH. XX. 1-8.
AND it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him, with the elders,
2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me.
4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us; for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
7 And they answered, That they could not tell whence it was.
8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
§ 115. Christ's authority questioned. Parable of the
| MATTHEW. CH. XXI. 23-32. | MARK. |
| --- | --- |
| 29 He answered and said, I will not; but afterward he repented, and went. | |
| 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. | |
| 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. | |
| 32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. | |
§ 116. Parable of the wicked husbandmen.
| CH. XXI. 33-46. | CH. XII. 1-12. |
| --- | --- |
| 33 Hear another parable; There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a wine-press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: | AND he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the wine-fat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. | | 34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. | 2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. | | 35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. | 3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. |
| 36 Again he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. | 4 And again, he sent unto them another servant: and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. | | 37 But last of all, he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. | 5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. |
| | 6 Having yet therefore one son, his well-beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. |
Matth. xxi. 34, 35, servants. | Many servants are sent; some of whom are beaten, some slain, some stoned. Here St. Matthew is more circumstantial than the other two Evangelists, who mention only one servant as sent, and one of the three injurious modes of treatment. Some suppose that this servant was chief among the rest. Matth. xxi. 36. Here Mark mentions one servant among the others, as stoned
SEC. 115, 116.]
two Sons. (THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Jerusalem.
(THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Jerusalem.
CH. XX. 9-19.
9 Then 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.
10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
wounded in the head, and sent away dishonored; and Luke selects the circumstance that that one was beaten. Then Mark and Luke mention a third message, about which Matthew is silent. But, "qui paucora memorat, plura non negat." St Luke may be understood as saying that a mortal wound was inflicted on the third messenger. NEWCOME. § 116. Parable of the wicked husbandmen.
| MATTHEW. CH. XXI. 33-46. | MARK. CH. XII. 1-12. |
| --- | --- |
| 38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. | 7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. | | 39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. | 8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. |
| 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? | 9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. |
| 41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. | 10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: | | 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? | 11 This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? | | 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. | 12 And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people; for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. | | 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. | |
| 45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. | |
| 46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. | |
§ 117. Parable of the Marriage of the King's Son.
| CH. XXII. 1-14. And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son. 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were hidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are hidden. Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fathings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. | | --- |
¹ Ps. CXVIII. 22.
² Isa. VIII. 11, seq.
Zech. xii. 3. Dan. ii. 34, seq., 44, seq.
SEC. 116, 117.]
(THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Jerusalem.
CH. XX. 9-19.
14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, 'This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written. The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone, shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him: and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
(THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Jerusalem.
§ 117. Parable of the marriage of the King's Son.
| MATTHEW. CH. XXII. 1-14. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise. 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment. 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding-garment! And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen. | MARK. | | --- | --- |
§ 118. Insidious question of the Pharisees. Tribute
| CH. XXII. 15-22. 15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. | CH. XII. 13-17. 13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees, and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. |
| --- | --- |
Matth. xxii. 11 13.] In the East, where the fashions of dress rarely if ever change, much of their riches consists in the number and splendor of their robes, or caffians. Presents of garments are frequently alluded to in Scripture. Gen. xlv. 22. 2 Chron. ix. 24. Judges xiv. 12. 2 Kings v. 5. Ezra ii. 69. Neb. vii. 70, where "the Tirshatha gave five hundred and thirty priests' garments." Presents were considered as tokens of honor: not meant as offers of payment or enrichment, (1 Sam. ix. 7); and especially presents of dresses. 1 Sam. xviii. 4. Luke xv. 22. Tractatus. p. 13, mentions a major, whose virtue so pleased a king of Persia, that he caused himself to be disappeared, and gave his own habit to the major, which is the greatest honor a king of Persia can bestow on a subject SEC. 117, 118.]
(THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Jerusalem.
| --- | --- | to Cæsar. (THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Jerusalem.
CH. XX. 20-26.
20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take
Such presents are given by kings on great occasions, especially at the marriages of their children. The Sultan Achmet, at the marriage of his eldest daughter, "gave presents to above 20,000 persons." Knolles's Hist. of the Turks, p. 1311. So, Ahasuerus "gave gifts, according to the state of the king." Esth. ii. 13. The king gives his garment of honor before the wearer is admitted into his presence:—De la Mottraye's Trav. p. 199; (Does this illustrate Zech. iii. 3, 4?)—and would resent it if any, having received robes of him, should appear in his presence without wearing these marks of his liberality. And to refuse such favors, when offered, is considered as one of the greatest indignities. Sir John Chardin relates an instance where such a refusal cost a vizier his life. See 4 CALM. DICT. p. 64, 126, 514. § 119. Insidious question of the Pharisees. Tribute
CH. XXII. 15-22.
CH. XII. 13-17.
16 And they sent out unto him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not?
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19 Shew me the tribute-money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image, and superscription?
21 They say unto him, Cesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar, the things which are Cesar's; and unto God, the things that are God's.
22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not?
15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cesar's.
17 And Jesus answering, said unto them, Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
§ 119. Insidious question of the Sadducees. The
CH. XXII. 23-33.
23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25 Now, 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.
26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27 And last of all the woman died also
CH. XII. 18-27.
18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
20 Now, there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
• 1000
SEC. 118, 119.]
to Cesar. (THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Jerusalem.
CH. XX. 20-26.
hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cesar, or no?
23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it! They answered and said, Cesar's.
25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which be Cesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
Resurrection. (THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Jerusalem.
CH. XX. 27-40.
27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees (which deny that there is any resurrection) and they asked him,
28 Saving, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
32 Last of all the woman died also.
§ 119. Insidious question of the Sadducees. The
| MATTHEW. CH. XXII. 23-33. | MARK. CH. XII. 18-27. |
| --- | --- |
| 28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seven for they all had her. | 23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them for the seven had her to wife. |
| 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. | 24 And Jesus answering, said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? |
| 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. | 25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. | | 31 But, as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, | 26 And as touching the dead, that they rise; have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? | | 32 I 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. | 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. |
| 33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. | |
§ 120. A lawyer questions Jesus. The two great
| CH. XXII. 34-40. | CH. XII. 28-34. |
| --- | --- |
| 34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. | 28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? | | 35 Then one of them which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, | |
| 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? | 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord. |
| 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. | 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, | a Ex. iii. 6.
b Deut. vi. 4, 5.
Luke xx. 36, Neither can they die any more.] Here is a minute indentation of St. Luke's veracity, derived from his medical profession. No other Evangelist records sec. 119, 120.]
Resurrection. (THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Jerusalem.
CH. XX. 27-40.
33 Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
34 And Jesus answering, said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage.
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
39 Then certain of the scribes answering, said, Master, thou hast well said.
40 And after that, they durst not ask him any question at all.
Commandments. (THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK.) Jerusalem.
this remark; but it would not be likely to escape the notice of a physician. See on Luke xxii. 44.
§ 120. A lawyer questions Jesus. The two great
CH. XXII. 34-40.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
CH. XII. 28-34.
and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: there is none other commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he.
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
§ 121. How is Christ the Son of David?
CH. XXII. 41-46.
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42 Saying, What think ye of Christ! whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man, from that day forth, ask him any more questions.
CH. XII. 35-37.
35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David!
36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord, and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.