^.¦^ i"" ^^^^I^T- YALE UNIVEESITY LIBEAEY 0'Ae ^^^^HActi^'^C'llee^kme FOBHIED BY James Abraham Hillhouse, B.A. 1749 James Hillhouse, B.A. 1773 Jaines Abraham Hillhouse, B.A. 1808 James Hillhouse, B.A. 1873 Removed 194:2 from the 3Ianor Souse in Sachem's Wood GIFT OF GEOBGE DUDLEY SEYMOUR MODhi IO °^ Acdtdatiui. HILLOF EVn. COUNSEL *-i9.<' HUNT fluEATON, N EW YORK . / U<^ l^ N T O F d F ff C N C E '<;'' If ths ft'tH jI i. ^ -...G k-OLTON i C9 NEW VOR FREMCH METHE' CNOLISM FEET STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS BY REV. JESSE L. HURLBUT, D.D. AUTHOR OF ^A Manual of Bible Geography," "Outline Normal Lessons" and "Supple mental Lessons for the Sunday-school" NEW YORK: HUNT &• EATON CINCINNATI : CRANSTON &• STOWB 1889 Copyright, i88g, by H UNT & EATON, New York. Ml2l 0 883 k. CONTENTS. Page Prefatory. 5 Hints to Students 7 Hints to Teachers g The Course divided into Lessons 11 The Four Gospels 13 The Land of Palestine 20 The People of Palestine 26 The Life of Christ 33 The Thirty Years of Preparation 39 The Year of Obscurity. 44 The Year of Popularity 50 The Year of Opposition 57 The Week of the Passion 62 The Day of Crucifixion 67 The Forty Daya of Resurrection 73 The Person of Christ 78 PREFATORY. I. There is no book in the world which repays earnest study so well as the Holy Bible. It is true that the cursory reader will pick up many valuable thoughts, and that those who read it for guidance, however ignorant, will find in it the way of life. But as the precious metal lies hidden in the mountains, and must be sought and dug out by the miners, so the treasures of the word are gained only by those who search diligently for them ; and they who study the Script ures find an abundant reward. We need not only readers of the Bible, to glance down its pages as a matter of duty, but students, who find delight in bringing things new and old out of the treasure-house of the word of God. 2. In all the Bible the most important themes are those which gather around the God-man, Jesus Christ. His com ing to earth was the culmination of prophecy, the focus of history, and the center of all doctrine. If there is any one life in all the world with which every Christian, and espe cially every Christian teacher, should be familiar, it is the life of Christ. We should know its leading events in their order. We should understand its principles. We should enter into its spirit. Only as we apprehend Christ can we comprehend that scheme of truth which is inspired by Christ. 3. The best way to gain an understanding of the life, the work, the character, and the person of Christ is not by reading any one of the almost numberless lives of Christ which have been published during the last two generations. Many of these are valuable, and will aid the student. But we believe that each reader should investigate for himself the original sources of all our knowledge on this subject — the PREFATORY. four Gospels. We should study Christ, not merely read what men have written about Christ. We should frame our own life of Christ out of the materials which Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have provided. 4. Therefore, this little book is written, not to supplement or supersede any other life of Christ, but to guide the young student in his own search afterjtnowledge on this subject. It is prepared according to the inductive method ; that is, directing the study, rather than stating conclusions. Where- ever a fact can be found in the language of Scripture, the student is not told what he is to learn, but where he is to find it. Consequently, the references to Scripture texts are very abundant, and should be carefully searched out, as they con tain the essential facts of every lesson. The book is not arranged for reading, nor yet for study in itself as a text book, but as a help in the unfolding of Scripture, which must ever be its own interpreter. Whoever would use these studies rightly must pursue them with the Bible close at hand, and must consult his Bible more than he studies this volume. 5. These studies were originally prepared for, and pub lished in. Our Youth, a weekly journal for young people. They are now brought together in response to requests from many readers, some of whom have expressed a desire to keep the lessons in permanent form, others to make use of them in classes. If they shall lead any young people into a deeper knowledge of the word, and a closer communion with him who is " the Way, the Truth, and the Life," they will have served the purpose for which they were written. Jesse L. Hurlbut. New York, May i, 1889. HINTS TO STUDENTS. Those who desire merely to read this book, or to look it over, will not find it interesting. Those who already know how to study will not need these hints, and can use the book in their own way. But there are many who desire to study these subjects carefully, and yet do not know precisely how to do the work. For these students, earnest but untrained, these hints are given. I. These studies should be pursued with the Bible close at hand, so that every Scripture reference may be at once searched out and read. 2. Begin each le.sson by a general view; reading it through carefully, and memorizing the leading divisions of the outline, which are indicated by the Roman numerals I, II, III, etc. This will give the general plan of the lesson. 3. Now take up Part I of the lesson in detail ; notice and memorize its subdivisions, indicated by I, 2, 3, etc., and search out all the Scripture references cited in it. If practicable, write out on a sheet of paper the reference (not the language of the text in full), and what each reference shows. Thus, with the references in the First Study, page 13, Part I. Authors. Subdivision I. Matthew. Write, Matt. 9. 9. Publican. Mark 2. 14. Other name, Levi. Matt. II. 19. Classed with sinners. Luke 18. ir. Publicans despised, etc. In this manner write out the facts ascertained from all the references in the section. 4. It would be a good plan to write out in full, as a connected state ment, all the facts in the section ; thus : " The first gospel was written by Matthew. He was a publican, or tax-gatherer, who was called by Christ to become an apostle. His other name was Levi. The publicans were despised by tlie Jews, and were classed with sinners," etc. 5. In like manner study out and write out all the facts obtained by a study of the lesson and the texts cited in it. This will greatly aid the memory in holding fast to the information gained. 6. Having done this, look at the blackboard outline and the end of the study and see if you can read the outline of the lesson by the aid of the HINTS TO STUDENTS. catch-words and indications which it affords. Study the lesson until you can read it with the blackboard outline, and then recall it without the outline. 7. Now read over the questions for review, one by one, and see if you can answer them. Do not cease your study until every question can be answered without the aid of the text. 8. Frequently review the lessons already learned. Before beginning the third study review the first and the second ; before the fourth, review the first, second, and third, and at the completion of all the studies review them all. The knowledge gained by this thorough study will more than compensate for the time and trouble which it requires. 9. Students who desire to take a written examination upon these studies, and to receive a certificate or a seal upon a certificate already obtained, should address Rev. Jesse L. Hurlbut, 805 Broadway, New York, inclosing stamp for the examination questions, which will be sent by mail, in a sealed envelope, not to be opened until the study of the course is completed. HINTS TO TEACHERS. Classes may be organized on various plans and out of varied materials for the study of these lessons. I. A teachers' class, composed of teachers, and also of senior scholare in the Sunday-school, may be formed to study the life of Christ, which is one of the most important subjects in the Bible. This may meet on an evening, or an afternoon, and devote all the session to the study of the lesson, and to discussions upon it. 2. In many places a teachers' meeting is held for the study of the International Lesson, as a preparation for the Sunday-school class. A part of the time might be taken at this meeting for the study of these sub jects. In that case it would be well to follow the division into lessons, as given on page il. 3. A normal class may be organized among the brightest scholars in the Sunday-school, who should be trained to become teachers. This normal class may meet on an afternoon, or an evening, or may take the lesson- period in the Sunday-school session. 4. These studies may be pursued by the young people's society of the church, or by a class formed under its auspices, meeting at such time and place as shall be found most convenient. There are two methods in which these lessons may be taught: One is the lecture method, by which the instructor gives the lesson to the class in the form of a lecture, placing the outline upon the blackboard as he pro ceeds, calling upon the students to read the texts cited, and frequently re viewing the outline in a concert-drill. By this method the students may or may not have the books, as they and the instructor prefer. While it is not necessary to supply the class with the text-book, it %vill be a good plan to do so. The other method, simpler and easier, is to let each student have a copy of the book, to expect the lesson to be prepared by the class, and to have it recited, either individually or in concert. Let each student gain all the information that he can upon the subjects of the lesson ; let each bring his knowledge to the possession of all ; let all talk freely, and all will be the gainers. It would be a good plan to have papers read from time to time upon subjects suggested by the course and parallel with it. 1* THE COURSE DIVIDED INTO LESSONS. In many places it will be found impracticable to give an entire evening to the study of these lessons. They may be taught at the close of tbe prayer-meeting, or of the young people's meeting, in short sections ; or they may occupy a part of the hour at the weekly teachers' meeting for the study of the Sunday-school lesson : or they may be taught to the Normal class in the Sunday-school at the lesson hour. In the latter case, the regular lesson should receive some attention ; and the members of the class should be expected to prepare it, and should be questioned upon it. Often from twenty to thirty minutes is all that can be given in a class to studies like these. We have, therefore, divided the studies into short sections, each of which may be taught in about twenty minutes, if properly prepared by both teacher and studems. Thus arranged, the course will be included in thirty-nine lessons, as follows : Lesson I. The Four Gospels. Authors, time, and place. (First study, I, and II.) Lesson II. The Four Gospels. For whom written, and style. (First study. III and IV.) Lesson III. The Four Gospels. Subjects, and aspects of Christ. (First study, V and VI.) Also review of first study. Lesson IV. The Land of Palestine. Boundaries, dimensions, na tional features. (Second study, I, II, III.) Lesson V. The Land of Palestine. Provinces. (Second study, IV.) Lesson VI. The Land of Palestine. Places. (Second study, V.) Lesson VII. The Land of Palestine. History and review, (Second study, VI.) Lesson VIII. The People of Palestine. Origin, (Third study, L) Lesson IX. The People of Palestine. Traits and mission. (Third study, IT, III.) Lesson X. The People of Palestine. Jews in the time of Christ, and language ; with review of third study. (Third study, IV, V.) Lesson XI. The Ll.''-' of Chri.^t. General aspects, and first and second periods. (Fourth study.) Lesson XII. The Life of Christ. Third, fourth, and fifth periods. (Fourth study.) Lesson XIII. The Life of Chri.st. Sixth and seventh periods. (Fourth study.) Also revie-.v of the seven periods. Lesson XIV. The Thirty Years of Preparation. Places and Events. (Fifth study, I, II.) Lesson XV. The Thirty Years of Preparation. External conditions, with review. (Fifth study. III.) 12 THE COURSE DIVIDED INTO LESSONS. Lesson XVI. The Year of Obscurity. Preliminary notes, and places. (Sixth study, I, II.) Lesson XVII. The Year of Obscurity. Events. (Sixth study. III.) Lesson XVIII. The Year of Obscurity. General traits, and results. (Sixth study, IV, V.) Also review. Lesson XIX. The Year of Popularity. General aspects, and places. (Seventh study, I, II.) Lesson XX. The Year of Popularity. Journeys. (Seventh study. III.) Lesson XXI. The Year of Popularity. Events of early Galilean ministry. (Seventh study, IV.) Lesson XXII. The Year of Popularity. Events of later Galilean Ministry. (Seventh study, IV.) Lesson XXIII. Review of seventh study. Lesson XXIV. The Year of Opposition. General Aspects. (Eighth study, I.) Lesson XXV. The Year of Oppo.sition. Journeys. (Eighth study, II.) Lesson XXVI. The Year of Opposition. Events. (Eighth study, II.) Also review of the period. Lesson XXVII. The Week of the Passion. General view, and places. (Ninth study, I, II ) Lesson XXVIII. The Week of the Passion. Journeys. (Ninth study, III.) Lesson XXIX. The Week of the Passion. Events. (Ninth study, IV.) Lesson XXX. Review of ninth study. Lesson XXXI. The Day of Crucifixion. General view, and places. (Tenth study, I, II.) Lesson XXXII. The Day of Crucifixion. Journeys, and first five events. (Tenth study, III.) Lesson XXXIII. The Day of Crucifixion. Events, with review of the period. (Tenth study.) Lesson XXXIV. The Forty Days of Resurrection. Necessity and Fact. (Eleventh study, I, II.) Lesson XXXV. The Forty Days of Resurrection. Appearances. (Eleventh study. III.) Lesson XXXVI. The Forty Days of Resurrection. Traits of the risen Christ ; with review of the period. (Eleventh study.) Lesson XXXVII. The Person of Christ. The Humanity of Christ, (Twelfth study, I.) Lesson XXXVIII. The Person of Christ. Deity, and Union of Deity and Humanity. (Twelfth study, II, III.) Lesson XXXIX. Review of twelfth study. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. KiRST Study. THE FOUR GOSPELS. In order to understand the life and work of Jesus Christ we must examine, first of all, the books from which our knowledge of Christ is obtained. We find four original au thorities. These are The Four Gospels. I. Let us inquire concerning the Authors of these books. I. The first gospel was written by Matthew. For his business before his discipleship and the account of his call see Matt. 9. 9. For his other name, Mark 2. 14. How the publicans were regarded. Matt. 11. 19; Luke x8. n; 19. 2, 5, 7. Reasons for their unpopularity : i.) The tax was paid to a foreign power. 2.) The publicans were at once assessors and collectors, and were practically unrestricted. 3.) Many of them were rapacious and dishonest. 2. The second gospel was written by Mark. For his home and mother's name see Acts 12. 12. His relationship, Col. 4. 10. Perhaps the earliest mention of him is in Mark 14- 51. 52- His early ministry. Acts 13. 5, 13 ; 15. 37-39. Later friendships shown, 2 Tim. 4. 11 ; i Pet. 5. 14. Find, in these references, five places associated with Mark's life. Note how his early associations fitted him to write the gos pel. Tradition relates that he -was martyred at Alexandria, in Egypt. 3. The third gospel was written by Luke. His profession. Col. 4. 14. His first meeting with Paul shown by a certain pronoun. Acts 16. lo. Not one of the original disciples of .Jesus, Luke i. 1-4. He was a companion and friend to Paul 14 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. during the latter part of his life, Acts 20 - 28 ; in many places. Col. 4. 14; Philem. 23. 24; 2 Tim. 4. 11. Perhaps an allusion to him in 2 Cor. 8. 18. 4. The fourth gospel was written by John. He was a fisherman, but in good circumstances and social standing. Mark i. 19, 20 ; John 18. 15. His first meeting with Jesus, John I. 35-40. His intimacy with Jesus, John 13. 23-25; 21. 24. He was loved the most because he possessed the deep est spiritual insight. He was first to believe that Jesus had risen, John 20. 8. Tradition states that his last years were passed at Ephesus, in Asia Minor. II. Let us learn the time and place of writing these gospels. Ancient books were not dated, hence we must depend upon indications, rather than statements, and not expect certainty. r. Matthew wrote about the year 50 A. D., in Palestine. His book bears throughout the signs of Jewish origin, and must, therefore, have been written while the Church was a Jewish institution. 2. Mark wrote about 65 A. D., in Rome. The early tra dition states that it was written under the direction of Peter wliile a prisoner at Rome. That Mark was at Rome near this time is shown by Col. 4. 10 ; Philem 24.; 2 Tim. 4. 11. That he was with Peter, shown by i Pet. 5. 13. 3. Luke wrote about 63 A. D., in Rome. Written by the author of Acts and before it. Acts i. i, 2. Compare with Luke I. 1-4. Now, Acts was written about 65 or 66 A. D., for it ends with Paul a prisoner at Rome. Acts 28. 30. 4. John wrote about 90 A. D., in Ephesus. Evidently long after the other gospels, for it shows an entirely different condition of the Church — for example, Jews in general being spoken of as enemies of Christ ; Jewish customs needing explanation to those for whom the gospel was written. John 4. 9 ; 6. 4. III. We notice next for whom these gospels were written, STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 15 since it appears that each was prepared for a different con stituency of readers. I. Matthew wrote for the Jews. There is a Jewish atmos phere about his book. He cites the Old Testament, familiar to the Jews only, sixty-five times ; far more than any other gospel. See in a single chapter, 2. 5, 6, 15, 17, 23. Note his favorite name for Jerusalem, 4. 5 ; 24. 15 ; 27. 53. He takes for granted that his readers are familiar with Jewish sects and customs. Compare Matt. 15. i, 2 with Mark 7. 1-4 ; Matt. 27. 62 with Mark 15. 42. He calls Jesus " son of David" eight times, i. i ; 9. 27 ; 12. 23; 15. 22; 20. 30, 31 ; 21. 9, 15 — a title used rarely in the other gospels. 2. Mark wrote, so say the ancient fathers, for the Romans. Perhaps it could be more clearly shown that he wrote for Gentiles in general. He has few quotations from the Old Testament and few allusions to Jewish customs, because his readers were not faraihar with them. Note his explanations in I. 5 ; 2. 18 ; 13. 3 ; 14. 12. The old writers say that he gives throughout a picture of Christ as the conqueror, such as would take hold of the conquering Romans. It is said, too, that this gospel abounds in Latin words, and expressions that recall Latin equivalents. (Smith's Dictionary^ 3. Luke wrote for the Greeks. Not merely those in the land of Greece, for the Greek language, culture, and civiliza tion had overspread all the lands east of Italy, and the Greek tongue was common to intelligent people in all countries. It is in a clear and smooth Greek style, unlike that of the other gospels. As we shall see later, it presents that view of Christ adapted to the Greek mind. 4. John wrote for the Christians. Notice that the fourth gospel was written long after the others, in the second or third generation of the Church. A new type of man had been developed by the gospel, not Jew, nor Roman, nor Greek, but blending in one the noblest traits of all. To this new, spiritual man, trained under Christianity and able to 1 6 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. comprehend divine truth, John wrote the deeper revelation of Christ. No one, save a Christian enlightened by the Holy Spirit, is able to understand " the sublimest compo sition of man," as Coleridge calls the Gospel according to John. IV. Let us notice the style of each book, using the word in its largest sense ; meaning the manner in which each book, as a whole, is written. I. Matthew is methodical. His is the only gospel which has a distinctly arranged outline, though it is not chrono logical, but logical. It is arranged in the order of thought, in the order of events. It groups the parables and discourses and miracles of Jesus to show a completed whole, but often takes them out of the chronological order. 2. Mark is pictorial. Almost every-where he inserts in the record words and clauses to give a vivid picture of the scene. Compare Matt. 9. i and Mark 2. 2 ; Luke 4. 18 and Mark 2. 3 ; Luke 8. 27 and Mark 5. 3, 4. See also Mark 6. 39, 40, ; 7. 34 ; 10. 21. Compare almost any event as related by Mark with the same account in another evangelist, and note the pictorial touches. 3. Luke is narrati-ve. He relates the events in straight forward, business-like style, not turning aside from the even tenor of his way. 4. John is colloquial. He writes like an old man telling a story, "he said," "they said," etc.; the play of conversation back and forth. Notice the conversational style in John 4 : " Jesus saith," v. 7. " Then saith the woman," v. 9. "Jesus answered," v. 10. So vs. n, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, etc. Notice how he tells the story of the blind man. Chap. 9. John always tells the exact time when each event occurred. See John i. 29, 35, 30, 43, ; 2. i, 13 ; 5. i ; 6. 4. This enables us to construct the order of events, which we could not do without the data furnished by John. V. We look at these again to find the subject in each. In STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 17 a general sense all wrote about Jesus Christ, but a close study shows that each emphasizes a different theme. I. Matthew's subject is the discourses of Christ. After a brief introduction he strikes into the middle of his ministry and gives the Sermon on the Mount. Chaps. 5-7. Two chap ters more of events, and then we have, in chap. 10, the dis course to the Twelve ; in chap. 11, the discourse about John the Baptist ; chap. 12, an address to the Pharisees ; chap. 13, the seven parables, and thus through most of the book. It is a series of discourses connected by historical chapters. 2. Mark's subject is the works of Christ. He omits all introduction, and begins with the public career of Jesus in Galilee. He compresses the Sermon on the Mount into a few sentences, and dwells far more on what Christ did than what he said. Says Archbishop Thomson : "It is the history of the war of Jesus against sin and evil in the world during the time that he dwelt as a man among men." 3. Luke's subject is the life of Christ. The third gospel is the biography of Jesus, the only book which begins with his family, places the events of his life in systematic order, and records his ascension. But for Luke we should have scarcely any mention of his return to heaven after his work on the earth. 4. John's subject is the conversations of Christ. He omits almost all that the others narrate, and supplements their writings ; but he occupies himself mainly with the talks of Jesus with people. Notice the conversations in chap. i. Chap. 3 records a talk at Jerusalem ; chap. 4 at Jacob's well ; chap. 5 at Bethesda, and afterward ; chap. 6 contains the notable discussion in the synagogue at Capernaum, which became a turning-point in his ministry. And so it is through out the gospel. Mr. Moody has said that there are nineteen conversations in this book. VI. We notice that each of these books gives a different aspect of Christ. There is no discord, nor even a con- 1 8 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. trast ; yet each presents its own side of the personality of Jesus. I. Matthew presents him as the Messiah of Israel. His aim is to show that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the prophecies and came as the long-expected " Consolation of Israel." Hence his many quotations from the Old Testament. Notice how in I. I he announces Jesus and then gives his royal lineage. 2. i inquires for the one " born King of the Jews." "The kingdora of heaven" is a phrase used thirty-three times in Matthew ; not at all by other gospel writers, who speak instead of "the kingdom of God." Yet Matthew does not regard this as a kingdom for Jesus only, for see 8. 11, 12 ; 10. 22-28 ; 24. 14 ; 28. 19. 20. 2. Mark represents Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Notice his title in Mark i. i. It is significant that Mark makes no mention of the birth of Jesus, but it is in accordance with his purpose ; for what matter is it where a divine Being was born } The miraculous wonder-working side of Christ's mission is prominent in this gospel. 3. Luke represents Christ as the Son of man. His is the gospel of the humanity of Jesus ; relating his history as a man, from his birth to his ascension. He traces his ancestry up to Adam (Luke 3. 23-38) as the man, while Matthew begins with Abraham, as the Israelite. He shows the love of Jesus for all men, and relates the teaching which suggests the salvation of the Gentiles, as the parable of the prodigal son. 4. John represents Christ as the God-man. He unites all the other conceptions and sublimes them all. To him Jesus is the eternal Word, existing from the beginning, yet made flesh, and born on the earth. See John i. i, 2, 14. Notice how often he speaks of his dwelling in heaven yet coming to earth. John 3. 13, 17, 19 ; 6. 38, 51. No person who accepts the inspiration of this gospel should deny that Jesus Christ is "very God of very God." STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 19 Blackboard Outline. I. Auth. II. Ti. Pl. III. For. IV. Sty. V. Sub. VI.Asp.Ch. Matt. pub. 50 Pal. Je. Heth. Dis. Mess. Isr. Mar. 65 Ro. Ro. Pic. Wor. SonG. Lu. phy. 63 Ro. Gr. Nar. Lif. SonM. Jhn. fish. 90 Eph. Chr. Coll. Conv. G. M. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. I. Who wrote the first gospel ? What was his business in life ? What was his other name ? How was his trade regarded by the Jews ? Why ? Who wrote the second gospel? What was his mother's name? What was his other name? Whom did he accompany on a missionary journey ? What was his relationship to Barnabas ? Who wrote the third gospel ? What was his profession ? Where did he first meet Paul ? Who wrote the fourth gospel? What was his business ? What was his social position? What was the name by which he is known ? Why was he held in such high regard by Jesus ? II. When and where was the Gospel of Matthew written ? What shows its place of writing? When and where did Mark write? How do we know that he was at that place ? What shows the time and place of Luke's writ ing? When and where did John write ? III. For whom did Matthew write ? How many quotations from the Old Testament are in his gospel? What is his favorite name for Jerusa lem ? What does he call Jesus ? For whom, according to tradition, did Mark write ? What picture of Christ does he give ? For whom did Luke write ? For whom did John write ? "What does Coleridge say of his gospel ? IV. What is the style of Matthew ? Of Mark ? Of Luke ? Of John. V. What is the prominent subject of Matthew's gospel ? Of Mark ? Of Luke ? Of John ? VI. In what aspect does Matthew present Christ? Mark? Luke? Tohn? 20 studies in the four gospels. Second study. the land of palestine. In order to understand the life and work of Christ it is necessary to have some knowledge of the land in which he lived. Therefore we study the Land of Palestine as it was in the New Testament period. I. It was an Oriental land. In all ages the boundaries of Palestine have been about the same, though the dominion of its rulers has varied according to their power. Palestine Proper, originally the land of Caanan, and later the land of Israel, or the Twelve Tribes, is located near the south-eastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea ; having Syria and Phe nicia on the north, the great Syrian Desert on the east, the Sinaitic wilderness on the south, and the Mediter ranean on the west. Located just outside the tropics, near the point of contact between Asia and Africa, it belongs to the Oriental or Eastern world. II. It was a small land. The greatest lands have not always been the largest. Greece, no larger than half a dozen counties in America, is greater in history than vast China ; and the single city of Rome won and held the empire of the Mediter ranean lands. Territorially the whole extent of Palestine was about that of Massachusetts and Connecticut united, or that of Switzerland, in Europe — about 12,500 square miles. Its sea-coast, from Tyre to Gaza, was 180 miles long ; its Jordan line, from Mount Hermon to the foot of the Dead Sea, was 162 miles. III. // was a land of varied natural features. There is a regularity in the natural conformation of Palestine which every traveler notices. The country lies in five parallel sections. I. Approaching from the Mediterranean one meets first a sea-coast plain two or three miles wide at the north, but widening as it goes southward to nearly twenty miles at Gaza. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 21 2. Crossing this we approach the Shephelah, ar foot-hills, a terrace of low hills, from 300 to 500 feet high. 3. Ascending these we reach the mountain region, a range of mountains broken by ravines in all directions, and varying from 2,500 to 3,000 feet high. This region was the home of the Israelites in all their history. They were always a mountain-people and never occupied the lower plains in any great degree. In all the Bible times the plains and valleys were mainly foreign and heathen in their population, while the mountains were Israelite in the Old Testament and Jew ish in the new. 4. Crossing the mountains we descend to the Jordan val ley, lower than the sea-level and from five to twenty miles wide. Through this runs the river Jordan, passing through two lakes — Lake Merom and the Sea of Galilee — and empty ing into the Dead Sea. 5. Beyond the valley rises the eastern table-land, with higher mountains, but more level summits, and broken by fewer valleys. The mountains gradually decline to the great Syrian desert on the east. IV. It was a land of Jive provinces. In the time of Christ there were five political divisions in Palestine ; three on the west side of Jordan and two on the east. I. On the north, west of the Jordan, was the province of Galilee, situated between the river Jordan, the Sea of Galilee, the land of Phenicia, and Mount Carmel. It was inhabited by a brave, simple-hearted people, mainly Jews, but with many Gentiles among them. Hence its name (Isa. 9. i, 2 ; Matt. 4. 15, 16); and the contempt in which it was held at Jerusalem. John 7. 41, 52. It was the home of Jesus during most of his life and ministry. PALESTINE Ja (ht Um. of , CHRIST 22 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 2. The central province was Samaria. See its location. John 4. 3, 4. It was a district around the cities of Shechem and Samaria, not extending either to the sea or the river, and of uncertain limits, inhabited by a composite people, partly Israelite, partly heathen, in their origin. Note the claim of its people (John 4. 12) and their expectation. John 4. 25. Ob serve how they were regarded by the Jews. John 4. 9 ; 8. 48. Notice that Christ paid no regard to this caste prejudice. John 4. 10. 3. The southernmost province of Palestine was Judea. As the largest, and the special home of the Jewish people, it often gave its name to the whole land, as in Mark 1.5; Luke 7. 17; Acts 10. 47. Generally, however, it is distinguished as the name of the province, as in Luke 2. 4 ; Matt. 2. 22 ; John 4. 3. Jesus made several visits to this district, espe cially to its city, but only for limited periods, as its people were more bigoted than the Galileans and bitterly opposed to him. 4. On the east of the Jordan and the Dead Sea was the province of Perea, a word meaning "beyond." It is not mentioned by that name in the New Testament. Notice what it is called in Matt. 19. i ; Mark 10. i. We read of a visit paid by Jesus to this region near the close of his ministry. 5. North of the river Hieromax, and east of the Sea of Galilee, was a fifth province, the ancient land of Bashan, "woodland," but known in the gospel as " Philip's tetrarchy." Notice how it is specified in Luke 3. i. Another name for a part of this territory is given in Matt. 4. 25 ; Mark 5. 20 ; 7. 31. Its inhabitants were mostly Gentiles or heathen. Twice this country enjoyed brief visits from Jesus, each marked by a miracle. Mark 5. 1-20; 7. 31-38. V. It was a populous land. We can only note the places referred to in the gospel history, and we arrange them accord ing to the provinces. 1. In Galilee we note : i) Nazareth, the early home of STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 23 Jesus. Matt. 2. 23; Luke 2. 51. 2) Nain, south of Naza reth, where he wrought a miracle. Luke 7. 11. 3) Cana, north of Nazareth, where the first miracle was wrought. John 2. I. 4) Capernaum, on the Sea of Galilee, the home of Jesus during most of his ministry, and the scene of many miracles. Luke 4. 31 ; Mark 2. i. 2. In Samaria we note two places: i) Shechem, which may be the place referred to in John 4. 5, though late au thorities regard it as the name of a hamlet near by. 2) Samaria, a few miles north-west of Shechem, the early capi tal of the province, and the first place where the Gospel was preached to other than the Jews. Acts 8. 5. 3. In the province of Judea, we notice: i) Jerusalem, "the holy city," Matt. 4. 5, and the place where Jesus was cruci fied. Matt. 16. 21. 2) Bethany, one mile east of Jerusa lem (John II. 18) where Jesus was entertained by Mary and Martha John 11. i. Note two great events near this place. John II. 43 ; Luke 24. 50, 51. 3) Bethlehem, six miles south of Jerusalem. The great event in its history. Matt. 2. I. Its ancient honor. Luke 2. 4. 4) Hebron, the ancient capital of Judah, a priestly city, and the probable birthplace of John the Baptist. Luke i. 39, 40. 5) Jericho, eighteen miles from Jerusalem, in the Jordan valley, visited by Jesus near the end of his ministry. Luke 19. i. 6) Ephraim, a village north of Jerusalem, the hiding-place of Jesus for a brief period. John 11. 54. 4. In the province of Perea but one place is identified as connected with the life of Christ — Machaerus, the castle near the Dead Sea, where John the Baptist was put to death. 5. In Philip's tetrarchy we notice : i) Gergesa, a little place on the eastern shore' of the Sea of Galilee. Matt. 8. 28. 2. Bethsaida, at the head of the Sea of Galilee. Luke 9. 10-13. 3) Cesarea-Philippi, at the foot of Mount Her mon. Mark 8. 27 ; 9. 2. VI. It was a subject land. Half a ccDtury before the birth 24 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. of Christ the Jews became subject to Rome, and thencefor ward various changes took place in the form of govern ment. I. The whole land, with some surrounding provinces, was a kingdom under Herod the Great (Matt. 2. i), but tribu tary to the emperor at Rome from 37 B. C. to 4 B. C, the year of Christ's birth. 2. On Herod's death it was divided into three tetrarchies, " fourth-part rules." Archelaus became tetrarch of Judea and Samaria (Matt. 2. 22); Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (Matt. 14. i ; Luke 23. 6. 7); Herod Philip, tetrarch of the Bashan district. Luke 3. i. 3. About the year 7 A. D., when Jesus was four years old, Archelaus was deposed by the Roman emperor and his dominion made a province under a Roman procurator, the other two tetrarchies remaining undisturbed. This was the form of government during the ministry of Jesus, Judea and Samaria constituting one Roman province under Pontius Pilate ; Galilee and Perea, Herod's tetrarchy, and Bashan, Philip's tetrarchy. 4. In the year 37 the Roman emperor made Herod Agrippa I. king first over Judea, and then, in 41, over all the dominions of his grandfather, so that Palestine became a kingdom again. He is mentioned in Acts 12 i. 5. On Agrippa's death, in A. D. 44, a new division took place. Agrippa II., son of Agrippa I., became ruler of Chalcis and Bashan. He is called, but by courtesy only, " King Agrippa," in Acts 25. 13 ; 26. i, 2. The rest of Palestine, consisting of Judea, Samaria, and Perea, became again a proc- uratorship under direct Roman rule. See Acts 23. 24 • 24. 27. 6. On the rebellion of the Jews, A. D. 66, the government was again changed. Palestine became a part of Syria under Vespasian, the legate. This was the end of Jewish history as a separate nationality. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 25 SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY AND TEACHING. I. Study carefully a good map of Palestine and learn from it the bound aries and location of the land. Memorize the dimensions and distances given in the outline. 2. Draw a map showing the five natural divisions in Par. IIL, and leam their names. 3. Indicate on your own map tbe five provinces, comparing the best maps at hand to find their boundary lines. 4. Locate on your own map all the places named in Par. V., and be able to name an event connected with each, studying the references for this purpose. 5. Draw in succession five sketch maps each to represent the political government of a period. Write across each province the name of a ruler. Map No. I will represent it at the birth of Christ. No. 2, during the child hood of Christ. Map No. 3, during his ministry. No. 4, about A. D. 41. No. 5, from 42 to 66 A. D. Look out all the references given in Par. VI. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. Why do we need to study the land of Palestine ? What were the boundaries of Palestine ? Where is it located ? Name some small countries which have been prominent in history. What is the size of Palestine ? How long is the coast-line? The Jordan line? What are the five natural divisions of the land ? Name and bound each of the political divisions. In which of these provinces was Jesus born ? In which did he pass most of his life ? In which was he crucified ? Name four places in Galilee, and an event connected with each. Two places in Samaria, and their events. Six places in Judea and their events. One place in Perea and three in Philip's tetrarchy, with their events. State the six successive forms of government and their rulers in Pales tine during the New Testament period. 2 26 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. Third Study, the people of palestine. In all the ancient world there was but one land in which the Christ of the gospels could have come, and but one peo ple through whom he could have been given to men. That land was Palestine, the home of the Jewish people, in certain respects the most remarkable of races. I. We notice their origin, which shows a series of selec tions extending through raany centuries, and a training for their peculiar mission. I. Of the three great families of earth, they sprung from the Semitic, which has been the mother of all the great re ligions of the world ; a thoughtful, meditative race, rather than active and aggressive. 2. From this race Abraham was called, about twenty cent uries before Christ, to be the father of a great nation. Gen. 12. 1-3 ; 17. 1-8. He was distinguished for his worship of the one God, for his faith, and for his nobility of character. Notice his title in Jas. 2. 23 ; a name by which he is still known in the East, el Khalil,"ihe Friend." His influence upon his family. Gen. 18. 19. 3. Of the families descended from Abraham that of Isaac was chosen. Gen. 21. 12 ; Rom. 9. 7. All the other races of Abrahamic origin yielded to the idolatrous influences around them and lost the knowledge of God. 4. Of the two sons of Isaac one married among the Ca naanites, and, as a result, his descendants became idolaters. Gen. 26. 34, 35 ; 36. 2. The other chose the inheritance of the covenant. Gen. 28. 20-22. His name was changed. Gen. 32. 28; 35. 10. His descendants, the Israelites, trained up in the true faith, became the people of God. Each of his twelve sons was the ancestor of a tribe. Exod. i. 1-7. They STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 27 continued one people for a thousand years, though part of the time divided into two kingdoms. 5. In the year 721 B. C. ten of the twelve tribes were car ried into Assyrian captivity. 2 Kings 17. 18-20. Having lost their religion, the only bond of unity, they mingled with the idolatrous world and ceased to be a separate people. The tribe of Judah was left, Benjamin being incorporated with it. Henceforth they were called "the Jews," a name found first in 2 Kings 18. 22. 6. But through all the history of Judah, as well as of Israel, there had been two distinct elements in the people : the wor shipers of God and of idols ; the religious and the worldly. In order to separate these elements, to cut off the evil and to discipline the good, came the Babylonian captivity, B. C. 587. Through this the idolatrous element was either destroyed or assimilated with the heathen world. At the release from cap tivity, B. C. 536, all the Jews were of the God-fearing, Script ure-loving element. This was " the Remnant," the " holy seed," the true Israel. Isa. 6. 8-13. Thus, out of all the world, was gradually chosen and pre pared a people among whom the Lord should come. II. Notice their traits as a race, for which they were chosen, and which were intensified by their training. I. They were a religious people; monotheistic, worship ing the one invisible God, hating idolatry. See the command. Exod. 20. 4-6. The exhortation of Joshua. Josh. 24. 14. This is the great glory of Israel alone among the ancient nations. 2. Theywere an exclusive people; strongly attached to each other, and seeking no affiliation with other races. Note this trait in Abraham. Gen. 24. 2-4. Also in Isaac. Gen. 28. I, 2. See Balaam's prophecy. Num. 23. 9. To this day the Jews dwell apart; in most European cities there is a "Jewish quarter." 3. They were a conservative people ; attached to their 28 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. own customs, opposed to all changes, clinging to their wor ship despite persecution. 4. They were an aspiring people. From their earliest history the Jews cherished the expectation of being a great and conquering nation. From their own prophecies they ob tained the hope and belief that a great king should arise among them to rule the world. See the promises in Gen. 49. 10. The prophecy in Isa. 32. i, 2. His title in Dan. 9. 25. The word "Messiah" in Hebrew is "Christos" in Greek, and "Anointed" in English. This messianic hope was the central thought of all Judaism. 5. They were a moral people. Their Scripture set up a standard of character immeasurably superior to that in other ancient lands. Among the Jews womanhood was honored, drunkenness was rare, honesty was the rule, and crime was far less frequent than elsewhere. These were the traits that made the Jews the people of God and fitted them to accomplish the divine purpose. III. What was that purpose ? Every race has its mission in the world. The Greeks were set to exalt the intellect ; the Romans, to establish the reign of law. We notice the mis sion of the Jewish people, I. To perpetuate the knowledge of God. In the general wick edness of the world and the spread of idolatry there was dan ger kst the true religion be utterly lost. Therefore God chose out one nation — the one having the traits best fitting it for his purpose, and set it apart to guard the holy fire of divine truth until the rest of the world should be ready to re ceive it. 2. To receive training for higher revelation. The higher revelations of God can come only to a people whose religious faculties have been trained to receive them. Judaism was God's school where a chosen race was educated. They re ceived the Scriptures, the prophets, the ritual of worship, and, above all, the discipline of trial, fitting them to become " a STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 29 nation of priests." See Paul's enumeration of their privileges in Rom. 9. 4, 5. 3. To proclaim the Gospel to the world. When, in the full ness of time, Israel was trained up to knowledge and the outer world prepared to receive the truth, Christ came as the consummation of Judaism. Then a new mission opened before the Jews — that of proclaiming Christ to the world. The little company of disciples were the seed that should replenish the whole earth. See the command. Matt. 28. 19, 20. IV. We notice now the Jews in the time of Christ. I. They were divided into two great branches : the Jews of Palestine and the Jews of the Dispersion. The former were descendants of those who had settled in Palestine after the decree of Cyrus, B. C. 536 (Ezra i. 1-3); the latter, those who remained in the lands of their adoption, were found all over the ancient world and were far raore numerous. See references to them in John 7. 34 ; Jas. i. i ; 2 Pet. i. i. Notice that these "Jews of the Dispersion " were not descend ants of the Ten Tribes, except in a few instances, but were Jews — that is, descendants of Judah. 2. Noticing now the Palestinian Jews, for with these the life of Christ was mainly connected, we find them divided into two sects, or schools of thought : the Pharisees and Sadducees. These two parties arose about 168 B. C, in the time of the Maccabean uprising. Let us look at them in contrast. I.) Their names express their traits. Pharisee means "sep aratist," " one who is apart." Sadducee means "just," or " righteous," but rather with our idea of the word " moralist." 2.) Their aims. The Pharisee aimed to keep the Mosaic law absolutely, particularly with regard to ceremonial require ments ; to do more than obey it, by setting around it a hedge of traditional interpretations going beyond its letter in strict ness. The Sadducee professed to keep the law, ignoring trSdi- so STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. tion, but gave it a lax and easy interpretation which often ignored its requirements. 3.) Their spirit. The Pharisee was the radical and zealot, showing an intense, intolerant Judaism. The Sadducee was the liberal, easy-going man of the world, taking the world as he found it. 4.) Their beliefs. The Pharisee believed in a spiritual world, heaven, hell, angels, the hereafter, the judgment. The Sadducee could not find clear statements of these doctrines in the Old Testament, and denied them. See Matt. 22. 23 ; Acts 23. 8. 5.) Their influence. The Pharisees were strong in the syna gogues, where the scribes gave their interpretations, and hence were powerful among the people as leaders in religion. The Sadducees were the smaller body, but influential from their wealth and their social position, for the high-priests and all the priestly order belonged to thera, and they were the office-holding class, the court-party. Acts 4. i, 2 ; 5. 17. 6.) Their evils. The evil of the Pharisees was their tend ency to make religion mere hypocritical formality, so often rebuked by Christ. See Matt. 23. 2-7. The evil of the Sad ducees was their utter lack of moral conviction from worldli- ness and self-interest. See their motive for putting Christ to death. John 11. 47-50. 3. Thus far we have noticed only Jews, but there were also in Palestine many Gentiles, which was the name the Jews gave to all foreigners, or people of race other than theraselves. These were of three classes, called respectively: i.) Sinners — that is, those who made no attempt to observe Jewish usages. See Gal. 2. 15. The same name was given to the Jews who did not undertake to keep the ceremonial law, with out reference to moral character. Matt. 9. 10, 11. 2.) Prose lytes of the gate. Those who believed in the Scriptures and worshiped God, but who had not been received into the Jewish Church by circumcision. Such was Cornelius. Acts STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 31 10. I, 2. 3.) Proselytes of righteousness. — Such as re nounced Gentilism, received circumcision, and obeyed the Jewish law. Acts 6. 5 ; Matt. 23. 15. V. The language of Palestine. I. Originally Hebrew; still read in Christ's time in the synagogue but not well understood, and requiring an inter preter. 2. Mostly Aramaic, or Syro-Chaldaic — that is, Chaldaic with Syrian admixture; the common dialect of the people, and undoubtedly spoken by Christ. See instances in Mark 7. 34; 15. 34. This is the language referred to in John 19. 20, 21, and Acts 22. 2, as "Hebrew." 3. The language of polite literature in all countries was Greek ; hated by the Pharisees, but employed by the Jews of the Dispersion, and used in the courts of Herod and Pilate. Acts 21. 37. 4. The official language was Latin, that of the Roman Government, but not used by the Jews, and generally not understood by them. Blackboard Outline. The People of Palestine. I. Origin. — I. Sent. 2. Abr. 3. Isa. 4. Isr. {ist). 5. Jud. (Jews). 6. " Renin." II. Traits. — l. Ret. 2. Exc. 3. Cons. 4. Asp. "Mess.'" 5. Mor. III. Mission. — i. Per. kno. G. 2. Rec. tra. ki. rev. 3. Pro. Cos. wo. IV. Je-wrs Ti. Chr. — \. Bran. Pal. Dis. 1. Sec. Phar. Sadd. 1.) Nam. 2.) Aim. 3.) Spir. 4.) Bfl. 5.) Inf. 6.) Evils. 3. Gen. I.) Sin. 2.) Pros. gate. 3.) Pro. righ. V. Lang. — I. Heb. 2. Ara. (Syr.-Ckal). 3. Gre. 4. Lat. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. To what people did Jesus Christ belong ? From what great family of races did that people spring ? What were the traits of this race ? 32 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. Who was the ancestor ofthe Jews, and what were his traits of character? How were the Jews gradually selected from among the descendants of Abraham ? To which of the twelve tribes did most of the Jews belong ? What was " the remnant " in Old Testament history ? Name five traits of the Jews as a people ? What was the mission of the Jewish people? What were the two great branches of the Jews in the time of Christ? "Wliat were their two sects ? What were the differences between these sects ? Who were the Gentiles ? Into what three classes were they divided ? What four languages were found among the Jews in the time of Christ ? STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 33 KOURXH SXUDYi THE LIFE OF CHRIST. The central figure in all the Bible is Jesus Christ. Note his importance in the Old Testament. John 5. 39 ; Luke 24. 27 ; Acts 10. 43. Note his prominence in all true gospel teaching, i Cor. 2. 2. Note his relation to every man. John I. 9 (Rev. Ver.) We have, then, an interest in Jesus Christ deeper than in any other man who ever lived. I. Let us notice some General Aspects of his Life. I. It was a short life. This man, who has influenced the world more than any other, lived less than thirty-five years. His age at beginning his ministry we learn from Luke 3. 23, and the duration of his ministry was not more than three years and a half at the longest. 2. It was a life passed wholly in Palestine. Only once do we read of his journeying near any other country, and it is not probable that he went beyond its borders. Mark 7. 24. The only time when direct contact with Gentiles is men tioned. Mark 7. 25, 26; John 12. 20-22. He never enjoyed the benefits of foreign travel, of communion with learned men in the great cities, of study at the universities of Athens or Alexandria. All his knowledge came from within. 3. It was a life among the common people. He lived in a despised province. John 7. 41, 52. He came from a despised town. John i. 46. He was a working mechanic. Mark 6. 3. He received only a common education. John 7. 15. His manner of life during his ministry. Matt. 8. 20. Yet out of these lowly surroundings grew up the one exalted character, the one perfect life in all human history. 4. It was an active life. The first thirty years may have been spent in quiet preparation, but the three years of his ministry were very busy. See pictures in Mark i. 36-38; 2. 1-4; 6. 31-34. Notice the hyperbole in John 21. 25, which 3* 34 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. is not to be taken literally. But if the whole life of Jesus were related with the minuteness of the day between the sun set of the Last Supper and that of the burial the narration would require 185 books as large as the Bible. II. Let us arrange the events of Christ's life in chronolog ical order, grouping them into Seven Periods. I. The First Period is that of The Thirty Years of Preparation, of which we notice the following facts: I.) It begins with his Birth. Luke 2. 7, and ends with his Temptation. Matt. 4. i. 2.) It is related, mainly by Luke (Luke i. 3) with some facts in Matthew (Matt. i. 2; 4. i-ii), and a brief mention of its closing events in Mark (Mark i. 9-13). 3.) It was passed mainly in Galilee, though with isolated events in Judea, in Egypt (Matt. 2. 14, 15), and in Perea. (See John i. 28.) 4.) It was the longest of all the periods, embracing nine tenths of his life ; yet it is the one having the fewest inci dents recorded ; and of eighteen years in it absolutely no events are known. 2. Next is The Year of Obscurity. In this and the two succeeding periods the year is not a precise epoch, and may have been a little less or a little more. 1.) It begins with the First Followers. John i. 35-37, and ends with the Return to Galilee. John 4. 43, 44. 2.) It is related only by John, who, of all the gospel writers, records the visits of Jesus to Judea and Jerusalem. 3.) It was passed principally in Judea, though with visits to Galilee, and on the way a visit to Samaria. 4.) It is justly called a " year of obscurity," for we know but little concerning either its aims, its events, or its results. It was accompanied with miracles. John 3. 2 ; 4. 45. It attracted attention. John 3. 26 ; 4. i. Yet at its close we find that the followers of Jesus were few, and he went to Galilee to begin his ministry anew. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 35 3. The Year of Popularity, in marked contrast with the preceding period. I.) It begins with the Rejection at Nazareth, Luke 4. 14-30, and ends with the Discourse on the Bread of Life (John 6. 25-71), a day or two after the miracle of Feeding the Five Thousand. 2.) It is related by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, with some additional incidents by John. 3.) The scene of the Saviour's ministry was in Galilee, which he traversed extensively during this year. One visit to Jerusalem is related by John. John 5. i, 2. 4.) It was a year of great activity, spent in incessant jour neys, preaching, and works of mercy, and the most popular period of the Saviour's life, when the crowds were greatest and the people seemed ready to accept Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. Yet at its close, as before, he was left alone with his twelve disciples. John 6. 66-68. 4. Another period we find in The Year of Opposition, again contrasted with the year before it. I.) It begins with the Retirement to Phenicia (Mark 7. 24) and ends with the Anointing by Mary. John 12. 1-3. 2.) It is recorded by all the gospels in almost equal meas ure, Luke giving the most complete account of the ministry in Perea, and John, as usual, relating the visit to Judea. 3.) This period is peculiar in the fact that in it Jesus vis ited all the five provinces of Palestine. We find him in Decapolis (which was a part of the Bashan district), Mark 7. 31 ; passing through Galilee, Mark 9. 30 ; also through Samaria, Luke 9. 51, 52; in Perea, Mark 10. i, and in Judea, John 11. 7. 4.) This part of the Saviour's life has been variously char acterized as " a ministry of sorrow and humiliation," " a year of instruction," and "a period of retirement." All are cor rect, for during this, the last year of his life, Jesus sought to be alone with his disciples, and in order to escape the crowds 36 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. visited places where he was unknown. He aimed to instruct his disciples in the deeper truths of the Gospel, to prepare their minds for his approaching death and for their mission as apostles. Matt. i6. 21. 5. We now approach the close of Christ's life on earth, and the narration is more detailed as the cross comes nearer to view. Our next period is The Week of the Passion. I.) Beginning with the Triumphal Entry on the Sunday before the Passover (John 12. 12, 13), it ends with the Agony in the Garden about midnight on Thursday. Matt. 26. ^6,, thus embracing strictly but five days. 2.) It is related by all the gospels, John alone adding the teaching given at the Last Supper. John 13-17. 3.) All the events of this period took place in or near Jerusalem. 4.) This was the last call of Christ to the Jews of Jeru salem, and his final rebuke for their rejection of his ministry. 6. The Day of the Crucifixion. The most important day in all earth's history was that when Jesus died upon the cross. It is also the day whose events are narrated more fully than any other in the Bible annals. Therefore we study it apart from the rest of the week as a separate period. I.) It begins with the Arrest (Matt. 26. 47) soon after mid^ night, Friday, A. M., the day of the Passover, and ends at about sunset of the sarae day with the Burial. Matt. 27. 59, 60. 2.) Each gospel adds its portion to the account, that of John, an eye-witness of all the events, being the most complete. 3.) The events took place in Jerusalem ; but few, if any, of the localities are known with certainty. 4.) In the scenes of this day we see Jesus as the suffering Saviour, bearing the sins of the world. 7. Last of all come The Forty Days of Resurrection. I.) From the Resurrection, early on the first Easter Sun day (Matt. 28. 1-8) to the Ascension, forty days afterward. Acts I. 1-3. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 37 2.) All the gospels give accounts of the appearances of the risen Saviour, but Luke alone tells the story of his ascension. Luke 24. 50, 51 ; Acts i. 9-11. 3). The manifestations of Christ after his resurrection took place in and near Jerusalem, near the village of Emmaus (Luke 24. 13), and in Galilee. Matt. 28. 16 ; John 21. i. 4.) During this period the visible revelation of Christ was not constant, but occasional ; to his disciples only, never to his enemies ; and of a spiritual body, which was freed from the restraints of the flesh. Mark 16. 12; Luke 24. 31 ; John 20. 19. Blackboard Outline. I. Gta. Asp. I. Sh. 2. In Pal. 3. Am. com. peo. 4. Ac. II. Sev. Per. I. Th. Ye. Prep. i)Bir.-Temp. 2) Lu. Mat. Mar. 3) Gal. 4) Long. few inc. 2. Ye. Obs. i) Fir. Fo]l.-Re. Gal. 2) Jno. 3) Jud. 4) Obs. 3. Ye. Pop. I) Re. Naz-Dlz. B. L. 2) M. M. L. 3) Gal. 4) Act. 4. Ye. Opp. i) Re. Ph. -An. Ma. 2)AllGos. 3)AllProv. 4)Iiistruc. 5. We. Pass, i) Tri. En.-Ag. Gar. 2) All Gos. 3) Jer. 4) Las. Ca. 6. Day Cru. i) Arr.-Bur. 2) All Gos. 3) Jer. 4) Suff. Sav. 7. For. Da. Res. i)Res.-Asc. 2) All Gos. 3) Jud. Gal. 4) Spir. bod. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. In what respects is Jesus Christ the central figure in the Bible? How long was Christ's life on the earth? Where was it passed ? Among what class of people did Jesus live ? How do we know that Jesus led an active life ? What Is the first of the seven periods into which his life is divided ? With what events does the first period begin -and end? Which gospel relates the most of this period ? Where was it mainly passed ? How long was it ? What is the second period called ? What are its first and last events ? By whom is it related ? Where was it passed ? 38 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. What were its results ? What is the third period called? With what events did it begin and end ? By what evangelists is it related ? In what province was it passed ? What is the fourth period called ? With what events did it begin and end ? What provinces were visited during this period ? What were the traits of Christ's ministry at this time ? What is the fifth period called ? How long was it ? What in this period is related by but one evangelist ? Where did its events take place ? What is the sixth period called ? How long was it ? With what events did it begin and end ? Which account is most complete ? What is the seventh and last period called ? What were its first and last events ? Which gospel alone rfelates the ascension ? What were the traits of Jesus during those days? STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 39 KiKTH Study. THE THIRTY YEARS OF PREPARATION. From the Birth of Jesus to His Temptation. We have before us the longest of all the divisions in the history of Jesus, embracing thirty of his thirty-three years of life, and the one concerning which we know the least. I. Let us study the Places connected with this period. These we group according to locality, and not in the order of their events. Beginning in the north and traveling southward we note the following places: I. Nazareth, his early home, in Galilee, due west of the southern point of the Sea of Galilee. Here Joseph and Mary lived before the birth of Jesus (Luke 2. 39); here Jesus was brought up (Luke 4. 16) ; and here he was living up to the time of his baptism. Mark i. 9. 2. Bethabara (Rev. Ver., Bethany), the place of his baptism. This was in the Jordan valley. John i. 28. 3. The Wilderness, the place of his temptation. Matt. 4. I. This was probably the rocky desolate region of Judea, near the head of the Dead Sea. 4. Jerusalem, the place of the Temple ; the Jewish capital, due west of the northern point of the Dead Sea. Find three visits of Jesus to the temple during this period. I.) In his infancy. Luke 2. 22. 2.) In his youth. Luke 2. 43. 3.) In his manhood. Luke 4. 9. 5. Bethlehem, the place of his birth. Matt. 2. i. This' was six miles south of Jerusalem, in J udea. 6. Egypt, the place of his refuge. Matt. 2. 14. This was the land south-west of Palestine, where Jesus was taken in his infancy in order to escape from King Herod. 40 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. Let the student i) Draw a map showing these places. 2) Memorize the list. 3) With each place name its event in the life of Jesus. 4) Find other events of Scripture history con nected with these places. II. Let us arrange in order the Events of this period. I. The annunciation of his birth. I.) To Mary. Luke i. 26-28. 2.) To Joseph. Matt. i. 20, 21. 3.) To Simeon. Luke 2. 25, 26. 4.) To the shepherds. Luke 2. 8-1 1. 2. The birth at Bethlehem. Note the purpose for which Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem. Luke 2. 1-4. The circumstances of his birth. Luke 2. 6, 7. 3. The welcome to the child. I.) On the night of his birth. Luke 2. 15. 2.) A few days later. Matt. 2. i, 11. 3.) In the temple. Luke 2. 25-28, 36, 38. 4. The refuge in Egypt. Matt. 2. 13-15. This may have been for a few weeks, a few months, or for a few years. 5. The childhood at Nazareth. Matt. 2. 22, 23; Luke 2. 39, 40. By what route would the journey from Egypt be made? 6. The visit to the temple. Read the account in Luke 2. 41-52, and notice, i) The age of Jesus. 2) The object of the journey. 3) Probable route. 4) Where he tarried, and why. 5) The objects of his interest. 6) Traits of his character shown. 7. The silent years. From the age of twelve to that of thirty no events are named. His horae was still at Nazareth. John I. 45. 3. The baptism in Jordan. Compare the four accounts (Matt. 3. 13-17; Mark r. 9-ii;Luke 3. 21, 22; John i. 28-34;) and find: i) The place. 2) The age of Jesus. 3) The baptizer. 4) The divine manifestation. 9. The temptation in the wilderness. This followed STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 41 immediately upon the baptism, and was a preparation for his ministry. Matt. 4. i-ii; Mark i. 12, 13; Luke 4. 1-T3. Note i) The place. 2) The personality of the tempter. 3) The three forms of temptation. 4) How repelled. 5) The result. Let the student, i) Memorize these nine events in their or der. 2) Read the account of each in the gospels. 3) Recall where each took place. 4) Notice what other persons besides Jesus are named in the period (for example, Joseph, Mary, Simeon, Anna, Herod, etc.), and each one's part in the events. III. Let us now study the External Conditions of Christ's life during this period. I. The family. The royal line of both Joseph and Mary. Matt. I. 1; Luke i. 27, 32. Their obscure social condition. Matt. 13. 54, 55. Their poverty; Luke 2. 24, compared with Lev. 12. 8. 2. The hoilse. Probably like those of working people in Palestine; built of clay, one story high, containing but one room with no window, but lighted through the door; white washed on the outside; floor of earth. 3. The furniture. A couch that could be rolled up. Mark 2. 12. A lamp, a lamp-stand, "the bushel" (used as seat table, and dish). Matt. 5. 15. Hand-mill for grinding. Deut. 24. 6; Matt. 24. 41. Probably neither chair, table, nor bedstead. 4. Education. Jesus received only the common school ing, not a college education. John 7. i5- Contrast with the early advantages of Paul. Acts 22. 3. Every synagogue had a school taught by "the minister." See Luke 4. 20. He was not a priest, nor even a scribe, but properly the curator or sexton of the synagogue, and all the teaching was the read ing of the Old Testament. . 5. Religious training. I.) There was the influence of a godly man and woman. Joseph, " a just man," living in fellowship with God. 42 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. Matt. I. 19, 20. The character of Mary. Luke i. 38; 2. 19,51. 2.) The instruction in the Scriptures at home, Deut. 6.6,7. 3.) The daily prayers, morning and evening, always ob served. Matt. 6. 5, 6. 4.) The Sabbath rest. Mark 2. 27. 5.) The worship of the synagogue. Luke 4. 16; Mark 6. 2. 6.) The great feasts, celebrated each year at Jerusalem — Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles — which Joseph and Mary attended. Luke 2. 41. Under these influences Jesus grew up to manhood. Blackboard Outline. I. Pla. I. Naz. ea. h. 2. Beth. pl. bap. 3. Wil. pl. temp. 4. Jer. pl. Tem. 5. Beth. pl. bir. 6. Eg. pl. ref II. Even. I, Ann. bir. 2. Bir. Beth. 3. Wel. ch. 4. Ref. Eg. 5. Chi. Naz. 6. Vis. Tem. 7. Sil. ye. 8. Bap. Jor. 9. Tem. wil. III. Ext. Con. I. Fam. 2. Hou. 3. Furn. 4. Edu. 5. Rel. tra. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. Where did the mother of Jesus live before her marriage ? At what place was Jesus baptized ? Where did the temptation take place ? What three visits did Jesus make to Jerusalem before his ministry? To what country was Jesus taken as a refuge from Herod ? Name six places connected with this period and a fact about each. Name four announcements made to different people of the coming of Jesus. For what purpose did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem just before the birth of Jesus ? Who came to see Jesus at Bethlehem ? Who gave him welcome in the temple during his infancy? How old was Jesus when he first visited the temple ! What part of his life is known as " the silent years ? " What took place at the baptism of Jesus ? STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 43 State nine events in the first thirty years of Jesus's life. State a fact in the life of Jesus with which each of the following persons was connected: Joseph, Simeon, Herod, John the Baptist, Gabriel, wise men, " the doctors of the law," shepherds. How do we know that Joseph and Mary were poor people ? To what distinguished family did they belong ? In what kind of a house did they probably dwell ? What articles of fumiture did the house contain ? What education did Jesus receive? Who was the teacher of the school ? "What were the religious influences around the youth of Jesus ? What feasts did he attend ? 44 studies in the four gospels. ^ Sixth Study. the year of obscurity. From the First Followers of Jesus to His Return To Galilee. I. Preliminary Notes on the Period. I. Sources of Information. Our only account of this period is contained in John's gospel. Read carefully John I. 19 to 4. 54 for all the facts on record. 2. Time. The Saviour came from the temptation in the wilderness either late in February or early in March, A. D. 27, and he began his ministry in Galilee in May, A. D. 28; so that this period embraced nearly fifteen months. (Eders heim.) According to Andrews it ended in March, and was a year in duration. 3. Locality. Most of this year was passed in Judea, though there is mention of one journey to Galilee soon after the beginning (John i. 43), and of another at the close. John 4. 3. 4. Aim. It is probable that Jesus began his ministry in Judea, the leading province, in order to give to the leaders of the nation the first opportunity of accepting him as the Messiah of Israel. Not until Jerusalem and Judea had rejected him did he turn to the people of Galilee. II. Places. I. Bethabara (or Bethany, as in Rev. Ver.). John i. 28. Two locations for this have been proposed — the ancient ford of the Jordan, near Jericho, and the ford 'Abarah, a little north of Beth-shean, in the Jordan valley. Here occurred the meeting of Jesus with his first followers. John i. 37. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 45 2. Cana, the place of the first miracle. John 2. i. This was in Galilee, not far from Nazareth. 3. Capernaum, named only as a place of a brief visit by Jesus at this time, but later more prominent in the history. John 2. 12. Situated on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee. 4. Sychar, the place of his Samaritan ministry. John 4. 5, 40. This was formerly supposed to be the well- known city of Shechem, but is now more accurately fixed at Askar, a small village near to Jacob's well. 5. Jerusalem. During this period two events took place in Jerusalem — the cleansing of the temple (John 2. 14, 15), and the conversation with Nicodemus. John 3. i, 2. With regard to these places let the student, i) Ascertain the location of each by a good map. 2) Draw a map of his own and locate them. 3) Ascertain what events in the period took place at each location. III. We place in order next the Events of the Saviour's life during this period. I. The first followers. Read John i. 35-51 and ascer tain the names of four, with hints of two others, for one of two in ver. 40 was John, and the language in ver. 41 implies that each sought his own brother. Notice what traits of character each disciple showed. In this little company, the band out of which grew the Christian Church, we find 1) A man who brought people one by one to Jesus. 2) A deep, spiritually minded mystic. 3) A born leader. 4) A plain, simple-minded believer. 5) A man of pure, spotless character. What a combination of qualities for the founding of a Church ! 2. The first miracle. John 2. i-n. In this miracle ¦we find an apt symbol of what Christ came^to do among menr""He"found water, and he turned it into living, spirit- quickening wine. ""3. The visit to Capernaum. John 2. 12. Why he went we have no means of knowing, and it is idle to speculate. 46 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 4. The first Passover. John 2. 13. The mention of these passovers is important, for they enable us to know how long was the ministry of Jesus, and they give us dates for its events. This was the first passover of his ministry, not of his life. 5. Cleansing the Temple. John 2. 14-17. This was the first public act of his ministry, in which he claimed the authority of Messiah in the house of God. See the prophecy. Mai. 3. 1-3. At the close of his ministry he found that the same evils had crept again into the temple, and purged it a second time. Matt. 21. 12. 6. Conversation with Nicodemus. John 3. 1-2 1. This conversation was remarkable : i) From the rank and chararcter of the man.,-- Vers. 3, 10. 2) From the theme. Ver. 3. 3) FrotAdtsAesults. John 7. 50; 19. 39. 7. Ministry in^udea. John 3. 22. i) Its precise place is unknown. 2) Its relation to John the Baptist. John 3. 26. 3) Its success. John 4. i. 8. Ministry in Samaria. John 4. 1-42. i) What led to it. Ver. 4. 2) Where it took place. Ver. 5. 3) How it began. Vers. 6, 7. 4) Its first convert, a re markable character, of aptness in speech, penetration, and power to in fluence others. Vers. 9, 15, 20, 25, 28- 30, 39. Compare her brightness with the dullness of Nicodemus. 5) Its length. Ver. 40. 6) Its results. Vers. 41, 42. This ministry is a most inter esting episode in the life of Jesus. 9. Return to Galilee. John 4. 43. i) Reason for the journey. John 4. i. 2) Another reason. Mark i. 14. 3.) Still another reason. John 4. 44, 45 — that is, he had no honor in his own country until he had obtained it in Judea. 10. Healing the nobleman's son. John 4. 46-54. i) lethany JERUSALEM STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 47 Where Jesus was. Ver. 56. 2) Who the man was. Ver. 46 — literally, " a king's man, courtier." Is his narae given in Luke 8. 3? 3) His spirit, earnestness, persistence, faith. Vers. 48-50. 4) His reward. Vers 51, 52. 5) Result of the miracle. Ver. 53. Let the student, i.) Coramit this series to memory. 2.) Study the facts in relation to each by searching out the references. 3) Recall the facts in connection with each event. 4) Make a list of eight men and two woraen who were connected with these events, and recall what is related of each person. IV. Let us now consider the General Traits of the Ministry of Christ during this period. I. It was preparatory. So far as we can perceive, the plans of Christ's kingdom were not as yet revealed, and no general proclamation of it was made. Yet he clearly re vealed himself to a chosen few as the Messiah of Israel, John I. 41, 45 ; 4. 25, 26. 2. It was connected with John the Baptist. The two streams of John's ministry and Christ's ministry run together during this preparatory ministry. John introduced Jesus. John I. 29-36. The two worked at the same tirae, in the same way, and not far apart. John 3. 22-24. Both Jesus and John refused to be put into a relation of rivalry, either by their friends (John 3. 25-30) or by their enemies. John 4. 1-3. 3. It was individual — that is, to individuals rather than to masses of people. We read of no such multitudes as in the succeeding period, but we find six conversations of Jesus with single persons or small groups. He sought to gather a few choice disciples rather than many adherents. 4. It was a teaching ministry. There were miracles (John 2. 23 ; 3. 2), but they were not made prominent ; and the immediate followers of Jesus were won by what they saw in him and heard from him rather than by wonders wrought by him. 48 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. V. Lastly, we ascertain the Results of the Saviour's min istry during this period. I. It gave him prominence before the people. The popular attention was arrested, and there was a transient^ superficial acceptance by the many ; but Jesus knew the hearts of men too well to trust them. John 2. 23, 24; 3. 26. 2. It led to his rej'ection by the rulers. Though this is not stated it is hinted at in the controversies of the Jewish leaders (John 2. 18); in the conclusion ofthe gospel-writer (John 3. 18-20), and in reference to the Pharisees. John 4. i. From this hour the attitude of the capital and the ruling minds was hostile to Jesus. They missed the one great opportunity in their nation's history. 3. It drew around him chosen followers. From this time there was a company of disciples with Jesus. They re turned to their homes in Galilee for a time, but were soon called to leave all and accompany their Master. To some of them we find three separate calls. John i. 37-42; Matt. 4. 18-22, more than a year later, and Mark 3. 13, 14, later still. 4. It prepared for his ministry in Galilee. The fame of Christ's acts in Judea went before him to Galilee, awakened curiosity, and gave him a ready reception on his return. John 4. 45. We shall find in the next period great multitudes thronging after Jesus as the result of his ministry in Judea. Blackboard Outline. I. Pre. Not. I. Sour. Inf. Jno. 2. Ti. 15 m. 3. Loc. Jud. 4. Aim. Fir. opp. II. Pla. r. Beth. 2. Can. 3 Cap. 4. Syc. 5. Jer. 111. Even. I. Fir. Foil. 2. Fir. Mir. 3. Vis. Cap. 4. Fir. Pass. 5. Cle. Tem. 6. Con. Nie. 7. Min. Jud. 8. Min. Sam. 9. Ret. Gal. 10. Heal. Nob. Son. 1 IV Gen. Tra. i. Prep. 2. Con. J. Bap. 3. Ind. 4. Tea. V. Res. I. Prom. 2. Rei. rul. 3. Cho. foi. 4. Prep. Min. Gal. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 49 QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS. What book is our only source of information for this period ? How long was the period ? Where was it mostly passed ? What was Christ's aim at this time ? Name the five places of the period, and an event at each. Give in order the ten events of this period. Who were the first six followers of Jesus ? What was his first miracle, and where wrought ? Where did Jesus go for his first passover ? Name two events that took place at this visit. Where did Jesus preach for a time ? What led him to another province ? Whom did he meet there, and at what place ? How long did he stay in the province of Samaria? What were his reasons for retuming to Galilee ? What miracle did he work on his return ? What were the circumstances of this miracle ? What were the general traits of Christ's ministry during this period? What were the results of his ministry ? How did it prepare the way for his work in Galilee ? 8 so STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. Seventh Study. the year of popularity. From the Rejection at Nazareth to the Discourse ON THE Bread of Life. I. General Aspects of the Ministry of Christ dur ing the Period. I. Its Time. It was either a little less or a little more than a year, according to different authorities. According to Dr. Edersheim it extended from May, A. D. 28, to April, A. D. 29; according to Dr. Andrews, from March, A. D. 28 to April A. D. 29. 2. Its Locality. Theprincipalsphereof Christ's activity during this year was Galilee, though he made one visit to Jerusalem. John 5. i. 3. Its Aim. The purpose of Jesus during this-year seems to have been to proclaim the new kingdom of God as widely as possible and to raake men acquainted with its principles. The theme of his preaching is given in Matt. 4. 17. The deeper themes of the Gospel were reserved for a later time and a select body of hearers ; and those aspects were pre sented which all men could at once comprehend, as the teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. 4. Its Activity. No other year in the Saviour's life was crowded so thick with journeys and labors. See its summary in Matt. 4. 23-25. We can trace eight distinct journeys from Capernaum to various regions during this year. 5. Its Divisions. The number of events left on record make a subdivision of this period necessary, and we find a convenient place at the Sermon the Mount, which markes a point of departure in the Saviour's ministry. The Early Galilean Ministry extends from the rejection at Nazareth to the Sermon on the Mount, and the Later Galilean Min- STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 51 istry from the Sermon on the Mount to the Discourse on the Bread of Life. During the earlier section the ministry was personal and the range was less extended ; during the later Jesus sent his apostles forth to labor, and his own journeys were longer and in new fields. II. The Places. Though the Saviour visited many places during this year only seven have been named in the gospels. These are : I. Capernaum, his home during the period. Matt. 4. 15. From this place he went forth on all of his preaching tours, and to it he returned. Its privilege. Matt. 11.23, 24. It was situated on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee. 2. Nazareth. Twice in this period Jesus was at this place; at its beginning (Luke 4. 16) ; and again in the middle of the year. Matt. 13. 54. On both occasions he was rejected by the people. Luke 4. 28, 29 ; Matt. 13. 57. 3. Nain. This was a city south-west of the Sea of Gali lee, where Jesus restored a young man to life. Luke 7. 12. 4. The Mountain. A few miles from Capernaum and west of the Sea of Galilee is a mountain (probably Kurn Hattin, " the horns of Hattin,") where was delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Matt. 5. i. 5. Bethsaida, a place on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, east of the river Jordan. Near this was wrought the miracle of Feeding the Five Thousand. Mark 6. 45. 6. Gerasa. A place on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, called also Gergesa, but the most recent scholarship adopts the former name. Mark 5.1; Luke 8. 26. Rev. Ver. 7. Jerusalem. We read of one visit to the capital during this period. John 5. i. t°'^\ ! ^^^ Cana ^^^B ^Gergesa *^ TlbefiaaM oNazaietli^, -f 52 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. III. The Journeys of Jesus. As the account of this period is quite detailed we can trace the different journeys of the year as follows : I.) Journeys of the Early Galilean Ministry. I. Settlement at Capernaum (Cana to Nazareth and Capernaum). From Cana, where Jesus was at the close of the preceding period, he went to Nazareth (Luke 4. 16), probably intending to begin his ministry there; but being rejected went down to Capernaum and made it the head quarters of his ministry. Luke 4. 30, 31. 2. Tour in Eastern Galilee (Capernaum, Eastern Gali lee, and return). From Capernaum Jesus went forth on a preaching tour through the villages near the Sea of Galilee. Luke 4. 43, 44. 3. Visit to Jerusalem (Capernaum to Jerusalem and return). Mention is made in John 5. i of a feast in Jerusa lem which Jesus attended, but it is uncertain whether Pass over, Tabernacles, or Purim is meant. 4. The Mountain Journey (Capernaum to the mount ain and return). For the purpose of quiet meditation and the call of his apostles Jesus went to a mountain near the Sea of Galilee. There he chose the twelve, and gave to them and the multitudes around the Sermon on the Mount. Mark 3. 13, 14 ; Matt. 5. I. 2.) Journeys of the Later Galilean Ministry. I. Tour in Southern Galilee (Capernaum to Nain and return). From Capernaum Jesus led his disciples southward as far as Nain. Luke 7. i, 11. There he wrought a miracle, and on the journey homeward preached in various places. Luke 8. I. 2. The Gadarene Voyage (Capernaum to Gerasa and return). With his disciples Jesus sailed across the Sea of Galilee (Luke 8. 22), stilling the tempest on the way. They STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 53 landed at Gerasa, in the country of the Gadarenes (Luke 8. 26) — that is, not far from the well-known city of Gadara, which was twenty miles from the Sea of Galilee. Here the Gadarene demoniac was restored, but the people were unwill ing to receive Jesus, so he sailed back to Capernaum. Matt. 9. i. 3. Tour in Central Galilee (Capernaum to Nazareth and return). The object of this journey was a second visit to Nazareth (Mark 6. i), but, like the first, it was unsuccessful; so Jesus left "his own country" and preached in the villages of central Galilee. Mark 6. 6 4. Retirement to Bethsaida (Capernaum, Bethsaida, and return). In order to obtain needed rest and seclusion Jesus and his disciples sailed across the lake to the unsettled country near Bethsaida. Mark 6. 31, 32. Here he wrought the miracle of Feeding the Five Thousand, recrossed the lake in the night, and a day or two afterward gave his last discourse of the Galilean ministry. Let the student draw a rough map of Palestine, place on it the localities referred to, and draw a series of lines repre senting the journeys of Jesus during the period. IV. The Events of the Period. Here again we sub divide into the two sections of Earlier and Later Galilean Ministry • and we group the events around the several jour neys. Let the student read the account of each event, and by means of a reference Bible compare the different accounts in the gospels. 1.) Events of the Early Galilean Ministry. A.) With the First Journey, the Settlement at Capernaum. we connect the following events : I. The Rejection at Nazareth. Luke 4. 16-31. 2. The First Disciples Called. Lukes, i-u. They had already been followers of Jesus, but now were called upon to leave their homes and become his disciples. 3. Miracles at Capernaum. Mark i. zi-34. The 54 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. gospel writers select the scenes of one day and show many miracles, in the synagogue, at Peter's house, and in the street. B^ With the Second Journey, the Tour in Eastern Galilee, we find two events named. 4. Healing of the Leper. Mark i. 40-45. This took place during the journey. 5. Healing the Paralytic. Mark 2. 1-12. This took place after the return to Capernaum. C) With the Third Journey, the Visit to Jerusale7n,^enole two events. 6. The Miracle at Bethesda. John 5. 1-16. Read this in the Rev. Ver. and note what is omitted. Observe also what resulted from this miracle in Jerusalem. John 5. 16-19. 7. The Withered Hand. Mark 3. 1-6. This probably took place at Capernaum, soon after the return from Jerusalem. D.) With the Fourth, the Mountain Journey, we note two events. 8. The Call of the Twelve. Mark 3. 7-19. This was at the mountain. 9. Sermon on the Mountain. Matt. 5-7. This sermon is omitted in Mark and abbreviated in Luke, but reported fully in Matthew. 2.) Events of the Later Galilean Ministry. A.) With the First Journey, the Tour in Southern Galilee. I. The Widow's Son Raised. Luke 7. 11-16. 2. Washing the Saviour's Feet. Luke 7. 36-50. Tliese two events are related only by Luke. ^.) With the Second Journey, the Gadarene Voyage. 3. Parables by the Sea. 4. 1-34; a fuller account in Matt. 13. 1-52. These were given just before the journey. 4. Stilling the Tempest. Mark 4. 35-41. 5. The Gadarene Demoniac Restored. Mark 5. 1-20. 6. Jairus's Daughter Raised. Mark 5. 21-43. Two miracles wrought after the return from the Gadarene country. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 55 C.) With the Third Journey, the Tour in Central Galilee. 7. Second Rejection at Nazareth. Mark 6. 1-6. Compare with this the account of his former rejection, and note the differences. 8. Sending out the Twelve. Mark 6. 7-13. Read the longer report of the charge to the Twelve in Matt. 13. Z>.) With the Fourth Journey, the Retirement to Bethsaida. 9. Feeding the Five Thousand. Mark 6. 31-44. This and the following are the only miracles related in all the four gospels. Compare their accounts. 10. \AA^lking on the Sea. Mark 6. 45-52. Note the addkioi^ in Matt. 14. 22-33. I i^Piscourse on the Bread of Life, John 6. 24-59. This marked a crisis in his ministry, for it proclaimed a spiritual application of the miracle, and not a " kingdom of meat and drink," as raen were expecting. Note the results, John 6. 60-68. Thus at the close of his Galilean ministry — as before, at the close of his Judean ministry — the Saviour was left alone with his few disciples. Blackboard Outline. I. Gen. Asp. i. Ti. 2. Loc. 3. Aim. 4. Act. 5. Div. IL Pla. I. Cap. 2. Naz. 3. Nai. 4. Moun. 5. Beth. 6. Ger. 7. Jer. III. Jour, i) Ear. Gal. Min. i. Set. Cap. 2. To. Ea. Gal. 3. Vis. Jer. 4. Moun. Jour. 2) Lat. Gal. Min. i. To. So. Gal. 2. Gad. Voy. 3. To. Cen. Gal. 4. Ret. Beth. IV. Events, i) Ev. Ear. Gal. Min. — Jour. I. I. Rej. Naz. 2. Firt. Dis. Cal. 3. Mir. Cap. your. 2. 4. Heal Lep. 5. Heal. Par. Jour. 3. 6. Mir. Beth. 7. with. Ha. Jour. 4. 8. Ca. Tw. 9. Ser. Mo. 2) Ev. Lat. Gal. Min.— Jour. I. I. Wid. So. Rai. 2. Wash. Sav. Fe. Jour. 2. 3. Par. Sea. 4. Still. Tem. 5. Gad. Dem. Res 6. Jai. Dau. Ra. Jour. 3. 7. See. Rej. Naz. 8. Sen. Twel. Jour. 4. g. Fe. Fi. Th. 10. Wal. Sea. II. Dis. Br. Li. 56 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. How long was this period ? Where was it passed? What was the aim of Jesus during this year? What are its two subdivisions ? Name seven places visited by Jesus during this period. Name four journeys during the early part of this period. Name four journeys during the later part. What three events are connected with the settlement at Capernaum ? What two events are named in connection with the tour in eastem Galilee ? What two events are given with the visit to Jerusalem ? What two events are named with the mountain journey ? What two events with the tour in southern Galilee ? What four events with the Gadarene voyage ? What two events with the tour in Central Galilee ? What three events with the retirement to Bethesaida? STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 57 E>IGHTH STUDY. THE YEAR OF OPPOSITION. From the Retirement to Phenicia to the Anointing by Mary. I. General Aspects of the Period. I. It was a year, lacking one week. Jesus did not attend the Third Passover of his ministry. -We find him at this time still in Galilee, and soon afterward leaving Galilee for "the coasts of Tyre and Sidon." John 6. 1-3; Mark 7. 24. Nearly a year later, on the week before the Fourth Passover, we find Jesus at Bethany, where the Anointing by Mary took place. John 12. i, 2. Between these two pass- overs came the Year of Opposition. 2. It was a year of wandering. During this period we notice that Jesus was in constant motion, staying only a little while at each place, and in succession visiting all the five provinces of Palestine. Notice the province referred to in each of the following references : John 7. i ; Mark 7. 31 ; Mark 8. 27 ; Luke 9. 51, 52 ; Mark 10. i ; John 10. 40. 3. It was a year of retirement. We do not find that Jesus sought the multitudes dur ing this year, though in new places he was sought by them. Luke 11. 29 ; 12. r. He seems to have chosen raost of the time a se cluded life, preferring to be alone with his dis ciples. See instances in Mark 7. 24; 8. 32, 33, 36; 8. 22, 23, 26 ; 9. 30. 4. It was a year of instruction. He chose to be alone with his disciples, knowing that he was rapidly nearing the close of his life on earth, and he wished to instruct his chosen followers in the deeper truths of the Gospel before he should be taken from them. His teaching in this period presented the spirit- 3* S8 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. ual side of truth and the doctrines of the cross. Notice how often during this year he foretold his own death. Mark 8. 31; 9. 31, 32 ; 10. 32-34 ; John 12. 7, 8. 5. It was a year of opposition. The entire people had now forsaken Jesus and turned against him. Note the atti tude of the Pharisees. Matt. 12. 23, 24, 38, 39 ; 23. 23. The Sadducees, who were the office-holding class, are mainly re ferred to in John 11. 47, 48, 53. The attitude of the people. John 6. 66. Jesus was now rejected by the rulers, the leaders of the religious class, and by the people. II. The Journeys of the Period. The information upon this year is meager, and it is impossible to arrange its places and facts with absolute certainty. No other period is so uncertain in the order of its events as this. We can trace, however, the following journeys : I. A Visit to Phenicia. (From Capernaum to Phenicia.) Matt. 15. 21. This was the only land outside of Palestine visited by Jesus, and it is uncertain how far he entered within its limits. He sought retirement and opportunity of instruct ing his disciples. Mark 7. 24. On this journey was wrought the miracle on the Syro- phenician Woman's Daughter (Mark 7. 25, 26) in which Jesus showed his disciples that Gentiles may have true faith. 2. A Visit to Decapolis. Finding seclusion impossible he went around Galilee to Decapolis, east of the Sea of Gal ilee. Mark 7. 31. Here two miracles were wrought:' i) Healing the Deaf Man. Notice its peculiarities in Mark 7. 32-37. 2) Feed ing the Four Thousand. Mark 8. 1-9. Notice its differ ences from a former miracle in the preceding period. 3. A Visit to Cesarea Philippi. (Decapolis to Dal- manutha, Bethsaida, and Cesarea Philippi.) Trace the route from Mark 8. 10 ; 8. 22 ; 8. 27. Cesarea Phihppi was at the foot of Mount Hermon, in the extreme north of Palestine. During this journey occurred four events : i) Healing STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 59 the Blind Man. Mark 8. 22-26. 2) Peter's Confession. Matt. 16. 13-20. 3) The Tragsfigruration. Mark 9. 2-8. 4) Healing the Demoniac Boy. Mark 9. 14-29. 4. A Visit to Capernaum. (Cesarea Philippi to Caper naum.) Mark 9. 33. Notice that it was unnoticed by the crowd. Mark 9. 33. This visit is noteworthy as his farewell to the city which had been his home. On this visit took place the touching incident of the Child in the Midst. Mark 9. 36, 37. >* 5. A Visit to Jerusalem. (Capernaum, through Samaria, to Jerusalem.) See Luke 9. 51, 52. His visit to the capital was for the purpose of attending the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7. 2, 10, 14); and he seems to have reraained until the Feast of Dedication, two months later. In connection with this visit note, i) The Rejection by Samaritans. Luke 9. 52-56. 2) Mary and Martha. Luke 10. 38-42. 3) The Pool of Siloam. John 9. 1-7. 4) The Good Shepherd. John 10. 1-18. •<> 6. A Visit to Bethabara. (Jerusalem to Bethabara.) From the Feast of Dedication Jesus went down to Bethabara, evidently with the purpose of beginning a ministry in Perea. John 10. 39, 40. With this journey we place Sending out the Seventy. Luke 10. 1. These messengers were sent out to prepare for the visit of Jesus to a new province. 7. A visit to Bethany. John 11. i, 7. From Bethabara Jesus was suddenly called to Bethany, near Jerusalem. John II. 18. With this visit we place the Raising of Lazarus (John II. 1-45), a miracle narrated only by John, and told because it led directly to the conspiracy against the life of Jesus. John II. 47, 48.'V/ , . 8. A Visit to Perea. (From Bethany to Ephraim and Perea.) Trace the journey from John 11. 54, and Mark 10. i. Jesus stayed some months in Perea, preaching to its people. 6o STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. Many events might be given with this Perean ministry, of which we name only, i) Blessing the Children. Mark lo. 13-16. 2) The Rich Young Ruler. Mark 10. 17-25. 3) Parable of the Prodigal Son. Luke 15. 11-32. 9. A Second Visit to Bethany. (From Perea, through Jericho, to Bethany.) Notice the journey in Mark 10. 32, 46; John 12. I. With this journey notice the events, i) The Healing of Bartimeus. Mark 10. 46, 52. 2) The Visit to Zaccheus. Luke 19. I-IO. 3) The Anointing by Mary. John 12. 1-8. This brings the life of Christ within one week of the Cruci fixion, and completes the period. TO THE STUDENT. I. Memorize the first part of the Outline on the General Aspects of the Period. 2. Read the texts cited with this part, and note their references. 3. Draw a sketch map of Palestine; on it mark the nine Journeys of the Period, and learn their order. Study them until you can draw the map and the journeys without the lesson. 4. With each journey read the texts referred to and see how they apply to the subject. 5. With each journey memorize the events and read the account of each event in the gospels. 6. Repeat the twenty events mentioned in this lesson and name with each the period to which it belongs. Blackboard Outline. I. Gen. Asp. r. Year. 2. Wan. 3. Ret. 4. Ins. 5. Opp. II. Jour. I. Vis. Phe. i.) Syr. Worn. Dau. 2. Vis. Dec. I.) He. De. M. 2.) Fe. Fou. Thou. 3. Vis. Ges. Phil, i.) Hea. Bl. M. 2.) Pet. Con. 3.) Trans. 4.) Hea. Dem. B. 4. Vis. Cap. I.) Ch. Mid. S. Vis. Jer. i.)Rej.Sam. 2.)M.andM. 3.)P. Sil. 4.)G.Sh. 6. Vis. Beth, i.) Sen. 70. 7. Vis. Beth, i.) Rai. Lai. 8. Vis. Per. I.) Bl. Ch. 2.) R. Yo. Ru. 3.) Par. Prod. So. 9. Sec. Vis. Beth, i.) Hea. Bar. 2.)Viz. Zac. 3.)Anoin."Ma. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 61 TEST QUESTIONS. With what event does the Year of Opposition begin and end ? How long was it ? Where was it passed ? How did it differ from the preceding year ? Why did Jesus seek retirement at this time ? What was the feeling of the people toward Jesus ? What land outside of Palestine was visited by Jesus ? What miracle was wrought during this visit ? Where was the Second Journey of this Period ? What two miracles were wrought at this time? What was the Third Journey ? Name four events connected with this journey ? What was the Fourth Journey ? The Fifth Journey? Name four events with this journey. Where did Jesus go for the Sixth Journey ? Whom did he send out at this time, and for what purpose ? What was the place and what the purpose of the Seventh Journey ? Where was the Eighth Journey ? What took place with this journey ? What was the Ninth Journey ? Name thiee events of this journey. 62 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. Ninth Study. the week of the passion. From the Triumphal Entry Until the Agony in the Garden. I. General View of the Period. I. Our studies have now reached the close of the Saviour's ministry and have brought us to his last visit to Jeru salem. This period presents the last appeal of Jesus to the Jewish people and his final conversations with his disciples before his death. 2. It embraces the occurrences of only five days, from the Sunday morning to the Thursday night of the Jewish Passover, and brings us to the night before the Saviour's crucifixion. 3. All its events took place in or near Jerusalem. On each morning Jesus went frora Bethany, where he remained at night with his friends, the household of Mary and Martha; and on each evening, except the last, he returned to Bethany. The days were mostly spent in Jerusalem. II. In the study of this period we note the following Places. I. Bethany, a small village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. It was the home of Mary, Martha, and Laza rus. John II. I. Its distance from Jerusalera. John 11. 18. The lodg ing-place of Jesus at this tirae. Matt. 21. 17. 2. The Temple in Jerusalem. Here Jesus passed most of the time during the first three days of this week in discussion with the Jews. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 63 Luke 21. 37. The part of the Temple in which Jesus taught. John 8. 20; Mark 12. 41. This was the Court of the Women, called " the treasury " because of boxes for contributions upon its walls. It was inside the larger Court of the Gen tiles, and was about two hundred and thirty feet square, open above to the sky, but with galleries around. 3. The Supper-room. See Mark 14. 13-17. The place is unknown ; but there is on Mount Zion a locality pointed out by tradition, which may or may not be correct. This was probably the " upper room " used as a meeting-place after the Resurrection and Ascension. John 20. 19; Acts i. 13 ; 2. I. 4. The Mount of Olives. This is a range of hills east of Jerusalem and separated from the Temple by the Valley of the Kedron. John 18. i. Its distance from the city. Acts I. 12. Here began the Triumphal Entry. Luke 19. 37. From this height Jesus gave his prophecy of the destruction ofthe city. Mark 13. 3, 4. 5. The Garden of Gethsemane. The word means " oil-press," and suggests that it was an olive orchard on the western slope of the Mount of Olives. Mark 14. 26, 32. A garden is still shown which may be the true locality of the Agony. Let the student draw a map of Jerusalem and its surround ings and- locate upon it the above places, not failing to search out the references and associate the events with their locali ties. III. We draw on our map and fix in our memory the following Journeys : I. On Sunday, the First Journey; from Bethany to the Temple, and Return. On the first day of the week Jesus left Bethany, entered in triumphal procession into Jerusalem, looked around on the Temple, and at even ing returned to Bethany. 2. On Monday, the Second Journey ; from Beth- 64 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. any to the Temple and Return. Early in the morning, without waiting for breakfast, Jesus left Bethany (Mark ii. 12) and crossed the ridge of the Mount of Olives, on the way cursing the barren fig-tree. He cleansed the Temple of its traders, and at evening returned again to Bethany. Mark II. 19. 3. On Tuesday, the Third Journey ; from Beth any to the Temple and Return. This was the last day of Christ's public teaching, closing with a terrible denuncia tion of the scribes and Pharisees. Toward evening he went out of the Temple for the last time, sat upon the Mount of Olives with his disciples, and gave to them his prediction of the destruction ofthe city. Mark 13. 1-4. 4. On Thursday afternoon, the Fourth Journey ; from Bethany to the Supper-room. Take no tice that no journey or event is named by any evangelist as taking place on Wednes day. Probably the day was passed in seclusion and meditation, for no conver sations with disciples are recorded. On Thursday afternoon Jesus, with his disciples, left Bethany and walked over the mountain and the valley to Jerusalem (Mark 14. 16, 17), where they celebrated the Passover and partook of the Last Supper together. Afterward came the long conversations recorded in John 13 to 17. 5. On Thursday, at about midnight, the Fifth Jour ney; from the Supper-room to Gethsemane. The Saviour and his eleven disciples went from the supper-room into the silent streets of Jerusalem, through the gate, and into STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 65 the valley of the Kedron. They crossed the brook and en tered the Garden of Gethsemane, where the Agony took place, and immediately after it the Arrest. John 18. i. IV. We now pass in order the Events of these five days. I. The Triumphal Entry. (Sunday.) Markii. i-io. Compare the accounts and note the additions made by John. 2. The Barren Fig-tree. (Monday.) Mark n. 12-14. This was not a wanton or petulant act of cursing. It was a vivid picture of the Jewish state, bearing leaves but no fruit, and it was wrought as a warning of impending doom. 3. Cleansing the Temple. (Monday.) Mark 11. 15- 17. Once before, in the beginning of his ministry, Jesus had purged the Temple. John 2. 13-16. But the former abuses had crept in again, and Christ again proclaimed his authority in his Father's house. 4. The Last Discourses. (Tuesday). Mark 11. 27 to 12. 44. On this day Jesus met and vanquished in debate successively the rulers (Mark 11. 27-33); 'he Pharisees (Mark 12. 1-12; Matt. 21. 45); the Herodians (Mark 12. 13-27); the Sadducees (Mark 12. 18-27) ! ^"d the scribes (Mark 12. 28-37). He closed his ministry with a rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23 1-39); and after com mending the gift of the widow (Mark 12. 31-44), went out of the Temple, never to return. Mark 13. i, 2. 5. The Prophecy of the Last Things. (Tuesday.) In the afternoon of that day Jesus sat with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, and, looking down upon the city gave a prophecy to his disciples, mingling the predictions of the city's overthrow and of the end of the world. Mark 13. 1-37. In Matthew are added two parables— the Ten Virgins (Matt. 25^1-13), and the Talents JJ^tt. 25. 14-30), and also the description oTT^^ErasT^idgment.'TS^KffrTs. 31-46- 6."The Retirement at Bethany. (Wednesday.) In asmuch as none of the gospels mention any event of Wednesday, we assume that the day was passed in retirement. 66 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 7. The Last Supper. (Thursday.) On the afternoon of Thursday Jesus went to Jerusalem with the Twelve, par took of the Passover, and at its close instituted the Lord's Supper. Mark 14. 12-31. 8. The Last Conversation. (Thursday evening.) John 14-18. After the Supper the long conversation took place recorded in full by John, and scarcely mentioned in the other gospels. 9. The Agony in the Garden. (Thursday, midnight.) Late at night Jesus crossed the brook Kedron and entered the Garden of Gethsemane, where the Agony came upon him. Mark 14. 32-42. Blackboard Outline. The Week of the Passion. I. Gen. Vi. i. La. Vis. Jer. 2. Fi. Da. 3. Ne. Jer. II. Pla. I. Beth. 2. Tem. 3. Sup.-ro. 4. Mo. Oil. 5. Gar. Geth. III. Jour. I. (Sun) Be. Tem. Re. 2. (Mon.) Be. Tem. Re. 3. (Tu.) Be. Tem. Re. 4. (Thu.) Be. Sup.-ro. 5. (Thu.) Sup.-ro. Geth. IV. Events. I. Tri. Ent. (Sun.) 2. Bar. FIg.-tr. (Mon.) 3. Cl. Tem. (Mon.) 4. La. Dis. (Tue.) 5. Pro. La. Th. (Tue.) 6. Ret. Beth. (Wed.) 7. La. Sup. (Thu.) 8. La. Con. (Thu.) 9. Ag. Gar. (Thu.) QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. Where did the events of this period take place ? Between what days did they occur? In what village did Jesus pass most of the nights of this week ? Where was the Last Supper partaken ? Where did Jesus begin his triumphal entry into the city ? What journey took place on the Sunday of this week ? On Monday? On Tuesday? On Thursday afternoon? Name the events of Sunday ? Of Monday ? Of Tuesday ? Of Wednesday ? Of Thursday ? STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 67 Xknth study. THE DAY OF CRUCIFIXION. From the Betrayal to the Burial of Jesus. I. General View of the Period. I. This period embraces the events of but one day in the life of Jesus. It was the day following the Passover Day, and therefore the 15th of the month Nisan, in the Jewish year. See Num. 28. 16. The betrayal of Jesus took place a little after midnight, on Friday raorning, and the burial about sunset on the same day ; so that the transactions of the period include about eighteen hours. 2. It was, however, an eventful day in the life of Jesus. No day in all Bible story is narrated with the fullness of this day. Nearly one- twelfth of the matter in the four gospels is occupied with the account of this one day. If the whole story of Christ's life were written out with equal complete ness to this one day's record it would require more than four hundred and twenty-five volumes as large as the New Testa ment. 3. It was an important day ; the most important in the history of the world. Notice in the epistles how much more is said of the death of Christ than of his life. See i Cor. 2. 2: Gal. 6. 14 ; I John i. 7. Be cause of its eventfulness and im portance we should give it careful study and place in order its events as a separate period in the life of Jesus Christ. II. The Places. All these are in or near Jerusalem ; but none of them can be identified with certain ty. Yet it is well to know the tra- SUoam raUejf of Binnatn 68 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. ditional localities and to fix them upon the map of the city. There are five places named in the story of this day. I. The Garden of Gethsemane. Here Jesus was ar rested, immediately after the agony. Mark 14. 43. See the mention of this locality in the last study. 2. The High-priest's House. Mark 14. 53, 54. The high-priest at that time was Caiaphas, but his father-in-law, Annas, who had been deposed by the Romans, was still re garded by the Jews as the legitimate priest, and possessed great authority. There was no special " palace " of the high-priest, and Annas and Caiaphas may have lived in the same group of buildings. The place is located by tradition on Mount Zion, near that of the supper-room. 3. Pilate's Palace. Mark 15. 16. The Roman capital of Judea was not in Jerusalem, but at Cesarea, where the procurator resided. Acts. 23. 23, 24. But it was customary for the governor to visit Jerusalem at the time of Passover, in order to quell any disturbance at that time, when the city was thronged. Pilate may have made his head-quarters in Jerusalem either in the castle of Antonia, north of the teraple (referred to in Acts 21. 34, and elsewhere), or in the palace of Herod the Great on the north-west corner of Mount Zion, the place now occupied by the (so-called) Tower of David. The latter locality is accepted by the best of the recent authorities. Here Jesus was brought for his trial and sentence by Pontius Pilate. 4. Herod's Palace. At that time Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (Luke 3. i.), the slayer of John the Baptist, was present in Jerusalem attending the Passover, and to hira Jesus was sent by Pilate. Luke 23. 7. His abiding-place was probably the old Maccabean palace, about midway between the temple and Pilate's head-quar ters. 5. Calvary or Golgotha. See Luke 23. 33 and Mark 15. 22 for the two names, one of which is Greek, the other Calv. D Pil. Her. Tem. Gar. D n D D Pal. Pal. H. Pr. D Hou. Geth. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 69 Hebrew, both meaning " skull-like " or " the place of skulls." All positively known about this place is that it was outside the wall, but near the city. John 19. 20. Two localities are given : the tra ditional one, north of Zion and west of the temple, now oc- cupied by the Church of the Holy Sepulcher ; the other, recently coming into notice and ac cepted by many scholars, a hill known at present as the Grotto of Jeremiah, north of the city. We adopt the latter place, which seems to have the best evidences. The place of the cross and that of the burial were in the same locality. John 19. 41, 42. It would be well for the student to draw a rough diagram showing these places in their general relation to each other, as above.- III. We notice the Journeys of Jesus on the day of his crucifixion. I. From Gethsemane to the High-priest's House. From the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus was taken to the high-priest's house for examination before Annas and Caiaphas. Luke 22. 54. 2. From the High-priest's House to Pilate's Palace. After examination before the high-priests and the Jewish council Jesus was led to Pilate for another trial. Luke 23. I. 3. From Pilate's Palace to Herod's Palace and re turn. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Gali lee ; but Herod was unwilling to pass judgment upon him and sent him back. Luke 23. 7-ri. 4. From Pilates Palace to Calvary. At this second 70 • STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. appearance before Pilate Jesus was condemned to death, and was then taken to Calvary, outside the wall. Here he was crucified and after his death was buried. John 19. 16, 17. Let the student draw on the diagram a line representing each of these journeys and recall the events associated with them. IV. The Events. We can group all the transactions of this momentous day around eleven leading events. I. The Betrayal. Mark 14. 43-50. This was in the Garden of Gethsemane, a little after midnight, and, there fore, on Friday, the 15th of Nisan. See the more detailed account in John 18. i-ii. 2. Jesus before Annas. John 18. 12, 13. This was a preliminary examination, and not official in its character. 3. Jesus before Caiaphas. John 18. 24. Read the ac count of the event in Mark 14. 53-72. By comparing the four accounts we find that there was first an examination before the high-priest and such of the council as could be gathered (Mark 15. 55), and then later a trial before the entire Sanhedrin, or body of the elders (Luke 22. 66), at which Jesus was condemned to death. Peter's denial took place in the house of the high-priest. John 18. 24, 25. 4. Jesus before Pilate. The Jews had no power to sentence to death, and hence were compelled to bring Jesus before Pilate. John 18. 28-32. Notice that the Jews con demned Jesus on one ground, but accused him before Pilate on another. Matt. 26. 65, 66 ; Luke 23. 2. The dialogue of Pilate with Jesus is given in John 18. 29-37. Pilate declared Christ's innocence and proposed that he should be released, but the people still demanded that he should be put to death. 5. Jesus before Herod. Pilate was unwilling to take the responsibility either of putting to death an innocent man or of offending the Jews by releasing him. He therefore sent him to Herod. But Herod also refused to judge the STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 71 case, and after mocking Jesus sent him back to Pilate. Luke 23. 6-12. 6. Jesus Condemned to Death. After Jesus was brought back Pilate still endeavored to save his life. But instead of setting him free at once as an innocent man he proposed to release him as an act of good feeling at the Passover festival. The Jews chose Barabbas and rejected Jesus ; and g.t last Pilate gave unwilling sentence that Jesus should be crucified. He was then delivered to the soldiers to be mocked and tortured. Luke 23. 13-25. 7. Jesus Bearing his Cross. On the way from Pilate's palace to Calvary Jesus was corapelled to carry one of the beams of his own cross. John 19. 17. A part of the way his cross was carried by a raan named Simon, of Cyrene, in Africa. Mark 15. 21. A street in Jerusalem is named " Via Dolorosa," the Sorrowful Way, from the tradition that it was the path to Calvary. But if our identification of Pilate's palace and Calvary are correct this cannot have been the road traveled by Jesus. 8. Jesus on the Cross. At Calvary Jesus was fastened to the cross by nails through his hands and feet. Luke 23. 33 ; John 20. 25. He was crucified at nine o'clock in the morning and lived until three o'clock in the afternoon. Mark 15. 25-34. The stupefying potion offered to him be fore he was crucified. Mark 15. 23. Note the four versions of the superscription. Matt. 27. 37 ; Mark 15. 26 ; Luke 23. 38 ; John 19. 19. The witnesses. John 19. 25. 9. The Seven Words from the Cross. The first word. Luke 23. 34. The second word. John 19. 26, 27. The third word. Luke 23. 43. The fourth word. Matt. 23. 46. The fifth word. John 19. 28. The sixth word. John 19. 30. The seventh word. Luke 23. 46. 10. The Death on the Cross. The fact. Mark 15. 37. A remarkable testimony. Mark 15. 39. A remarkable event. Matt. 27. 51-53- An evidence of his death. John 19. 32-35. 72 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. II. The Burial. Why the body was taken away. John 19. 31. How it was obtained. John 19. 38. The prepara tion. John 19. 39, 40. The place of burial. Matt. 27. 59, 60. The witnesses. Matt. 27. 61. The sealing ofthe tomb. Matt. 27. 62-66. These events should be carefully memorized in their order, and the reference searched out. Blackboard Outline. Day of Crucifixion. I. Gen. Vie. i. On. Da. 2. Ev. Da. 3. Imp. Da. IL Pla. I. Gar. Geth. 2. H.-p. Ho. 3. Pil. Pal. 4. Her. Pal. 5. Cal. Gol. III. Jour. I. Geth. H.-p. Ho. 2. H.-p. Ho. Pil. Pal. 3. Pil. Pal. Her. Pal. Re. 4. Pil. Pal. Calv. IV. Events. \. Betr. 2. J. bef. Ann. 3. J. bef. Cai. 4. J. bef. Pil. 5- J- bef Her. 6. J. Con. Dea. 7. J. Bear. Cio. 8. J. on Cro. g. Sev. Wo. Cro. 10. De. Cro. II. Bur. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. How long was this period ? What was its date in the Jewish year ? What shows that it was an eventful day? Why was this the most important day in the world's history ? What are the five places named in this period ? State the probable location of each place. Name four journeys of this period. Name eleven events of this period. Before what rulers was Jesus brought for examination or tHal ? State the seven utterances of Jesus on the cross. What took place at the moment of Jesus's death ? Why was the body buried so soon ? Why was the tomb sealed ? Who witnessed the burial ? studies in the four gospels. 73 Eleventh Study. the forty days of resurrection. From the Resurrection to the Ascension of Christ. I. The Necessity of Christ's Resurrection. Strange as the resurrection may appear to men in general, and unex pected as it was to the disciples of Jesus, it was the necessary completion of his work on earth. I. It was necessary from the nature of Christ. A di vine man, it was impossible that he should be held in the grave. Acts 2. 24. His resurrection showed that he was the Son of God. Rom. i. 4. 2. It was necessary for the fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus himself declared that the prophecies pointed to his res urrection. Luke 24. 45, 46. The apostles constantly appealed to the Old Testament prophecies. Acts 13. 34, 35 ; 26. 22, 23 ; I Cor. 15. 4. 3. It was necessary for the work of redemption. He lived as our example, and he must appear before God as our high-priest and mediator. Rom. 4. 25 ; 8. 34 ; i Cor. 15. 17. 4. It was necessary for the faith of the disciples. If Christ had not risen the world would never have heard of his life and the Church would never have e-xisted. i Cor. 15. 19, 20 ; I Pet. I. 3. 5. It was necessary to attest Christ's authority. But for the resurrection the name of Jesus could have possessed no more weight than any other name. Raised from the dead he has all power. Matt. 28. 18 ; Acts 13. ^t, ; 17. 31. 6. It was necessary as a pledge of our resurrection. If Christ rose we too shall rise. Acts 26. 23 ; i Cor. 15. 12, 20-23. II. The Fact of Christ's Resurrection. I. It was proved by the testimony of witnesses. 4 74 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. See Acts i. 3 ; 2. 32. The conduct of the disciples before and after the resurrection was in itself a proof. Before they were in sorrow. Mark 16. 10 ; Luke 24. 17. Afterward they were glad. Luke 24. 52; John 20. 20. The Christian Church to-day is the best evidence ; for without the resurrection it could never have been established. 2. It was effected by the power of God. Acts 3. 15 ; Rom. 8. II ; Eph. i. 20. Jesus speaks of his own power in connection with this. John 2. 19 ; 10. 18. The Holy Spirit is also mentioned as raising Christ from the dead, i Peter 3.18. 3. It took place on the first day of the week. Mark 16. 9. In commemoration of this event the first day of the week was observed by the early Church. Acts 20. 7 ; i Cor. 16. 2. The narae given to this day. Rev. i. 10. 4. It took place on the third day after his death. The body of Jesus was in the grave between thirty and thirty-six hours — from sunset on Friday to daybreak on Sunday. But in the Jewish notation of time this was three days. Luke 24. 46 ; Acts 10. 40 ; i Cor. 15. 4. IIL The Ten Appearances of Jesus after his Res urrection. It is not easy, peihaps not possible, to harmonize precisely all the accounts in the gospels and in i Cor. 15. 4-7. But the best authorities unite in the following order of the manifestations of Christ between the resurrection and the as cension : I. To Mary Magdalene. Mark 16.9. Thiswasatthe sepulcher, very soon after the resurrection. Several woraen went to the sepulcher, found it open, and were told by an angel that Jesus had risen. They went to bear the news to the disciples. Mark 16. 1-8; Matt. 28. 1-8; Luke 24. i-io. Mary Magdalene returned after the rest had gone and saw the risen Lord. John 20. 1-18. Notice that this Mary is to be carefully distinguished from Mary of Bethany, John 11. 2, and from the unnamed woman in Luke 7. 37. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 75 2. To the other women. Matt. 28. 9. This was near the sepulcher, a few minutes later than the first appearance. The names of these women. Mark 16. i ; Luke 24. 10. 3. To two disciples. Luke 24. 13-32. The place where Jesus was revealed. Luke 24. 13. The name of Luke's probable informant. Luke 24. 18. 4- To Peter. Luke 24. 33, 34 ; i Cor. 15. 5. This was in Jerusalem. What took place at this meeting has not been revealed. 5. To ten disciples. Luke 24. 36-43. Another account in John 20. 19-25. This was in the upper room in Jerusalem, where the Last Supper had been partaken, and it was on the evening of the day of resurrection. 6. To eleven disciples. John 20. 26-29. This was in the same place a week later. V./-' 7. To seven disciples at the Sea of Galilee. John 21. 1-22. At this interview Peter was reinstated in his apostle ship. 8. To five hundred disciples, i Cor. 15. 6. This was the official manifestation of Christ appointed before his death. Matt. 26. 32; 28. 16. It took place "on the mountain" (Rev. Ver.), probably where the Sermon on the Mount was preached. At this time the great commission was given. Matt. 28. 18-20. 9. To James, i Cor. 15. 7. Nothing is known about this meeting. The relationship of James to Jesus. Mark 6. 3 ; Gal. I. 19. Allusions to him in Acts 15. 13 ; 21. 18. His epistle. James i. i. Probably this was in Jerusalem. Acts I. 14. 10. The ascension. Luke 24. 50-53; Acts i. 9. This was at Bethany, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Acts I. 12. The promise at his departure. Acts 1. 10, 11. This list of appearances should be carefully memorized and the place of each noted on the map, with its circum stances and events. 76 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. IV. The Traits of the Risen Christ. There were some respects in which Jesus after his resurrection was the same as he had been before ; but there were also some es sential differences. I. He was the very same Jesus. It was not a spirit, a disembodied ghost, which appeared to the disciples. He possessed personal identity, and was the living one whom the disciples had known before. See Luke 24. 39, 40; John 20. 27. 2. He appeared only occasionally. He did not come to remain with his people, for it was better for them that he should go away. John 16. 7. He manifested himself after his resurrection often enough to strengthen faith, but not enough to lead his disciples to lean upon his presence. 3. He appeared to his disciples only. Acts 10. 40, 41. Why he did not appear to unbelievers. Luke 16. 31. His personal ministry was ended, and henceforth he was to speak to men through his messengers. 2 Cor. 5. 19, 20. 4. He possessed a spiritual body. There is a spiritual body. I Cor. 15. 40-44. Christ possessed such a body, un controlled by physical law, but dominated by the spirit. He came and went at will. Luke 24. 36; John 20. 19. He with held himself from recognition or permitted it as he chose. Luke 24. 15, 16; 24. 30, 31; John 20. 14-16 ; 21. 4-7. With us the body limits the spirit ; with him the spirit controlled the body. 5. He recognized individuals after his resurrection. The grave had not blotted out his memory of the past nor his personal regard for people. He called his friends by name after his resurrection. Matt. 28. 10; John 20. 16; 20. 24; 21. 15. He showed the same spirit of affection, of tenderness, and of patience with the mistakes of his followers as he had shown during his earthly life. His gentleness toward a sor rowing woman. John 20. 11-15. His kindness toward a doubting disciple. John 20. 24-29. His forgiveness of a STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 77 denying disciple. John 21. 15-19. Such were the traits which he bore away from earth, and such are the traits which he bears still on his throne. Blackboard OutUne. The Forty Days of Rf.surrection. I. Nee. Chr. Res. i. Nat. Ch. 2. Ful. pro. 3. Wo. red. 4- Fai. dis. 5. Att. Chr. auth. 6. Pl. ou. res. II. Fac. Chr. Res. i. Pro. tes. wit. 2. Eff. pow. G. 3. Fir. da. we. 4. Thi. d. af. de. III. Ten App. Je. af. Res. i. Ma. Mag. [Sep.] 2. Oth. wom. [Sep.] 3. Tw. di.s. [Emm.] 4. Pet. [Jer.] 5. Ten dis. [Jer.] 6. Elev. dis. Qer.J 7. .Sev. dis. [Sea Gal.l 8. Fiv. hun. dis. [Mt. Gal.] 9. Jas. [Jer.] 10. Asc. [Beth.] IV. Tra. Ris. Chr. r. Ver. sa. Jes. 2. Ap. on. occ. 3. To. dis. on. 4. Pos. spir. bod. 5. Rec. ind. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. Why was the resurrection of Jesus Christ a necessity ? What proves the fact of the resurrection ? How was the resurrection effected ? When did it take place ? How long after the death of Jesus was his resurrection ? How many times did Jesus appear after his resurrection ? To whom did he appear first ? What were the circumstances of this appearance ? What were the five appearances on the day of resurrection ? Name the instances when Jesus appeared during the forty days after the resurrection day. What were the traits of the risen Christ ? What was the nature of his body after his resurrection ? 78 STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. XWELKTH STUDY. THE PERSON OF CHRIST. The question occurs to every thoughtful reader of the New Testament, Who was Jesus .? We ask as we read the story of his life. Was he man ? Was he an angel sent from heaven to earth ? Was he God for a time dwelling on earth in human form? The Bible in no one place gives a distinct and definite answer to these questions. It relates facts and leaves us to draw inferences, or it makes statements and leaves us to har monize them. Bringing together the various declarations of the New Testament we find that they may be summed up in three propositions: I. Jesus Christ was man. II. Jesus Christ was God. III. Jesus Christ was at once God and man. Let us examine these propositions and see how they are proved from Scripture. I. Jesus Christ was man. This is the first view that we should take. Let us realize first of all that Jesus Christ shared our nature, and was a man like ourselves. I. He is called man. See i Tim. 2. 5; Acts 17.31; Heb. 2. 9-14. 2. His human nature is asserted. John i. 14; Heb. 2. 14; 2. 16; Phil. 2. 6, 7. 3. The facts of humanity are related concerning him. His human ancestry. Matt. i. i. His human birth. Gal. 4. 4. His human growth. Luke 2. 52. His death as a man. John 19. 33. His burial. John 19. 41, 42. 4. The traits of the human body are referred to. He was weary. John 4. 6. He slept. Mark 4. 38. He hun gered. Matt. 21. 18. He thirsted. John 19. 28. He wept. Luke 19. 41. STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. 79 5. The traits of his human mind are indicated. He had a human intellect, with its limitations. Mark 13. 32. He had human sensibilities. Matt. 26. 38. He had a huraan will with susceptibility to temptation. Matt. 4. 2, 3. There can be no doubt that Jesus on the earth was man, and shared in all the essential qualities of our nature. He can feel for us, for he is one of us. II. But side by side with these texts showing that Christ was man we find another class of texts, often written by the same authors, showing that Christ was God while he was on the earth. We cite only a few of the many texts that might be given in proof of this proposition. I. He is spoken of as pre-existent — that is, as being in existence before he was born — a statement which is never made of any mere man. See John i. i ; 17. 5; Col. i. 15-17. 2. Divine names are given to him. He is called God. Heb. I. 8; John 20. 28. He is called Son of God. Matt. 16. 16; Mark 1. 1; Acts 9. 20. He is called Lord, i Cor. 8. 6. I Tira. I. I, 2. 3. Divine attributes are ascribed to him. Eternity. John I. 2. Omnipresence. Matt. 18. 20. Omniscience. Matt. 9. 4. Omnipotence. Matt. 28. 18. 4. Divine works are ascribed to him. Creation. Col. I. 16. Preservation. Heb. i. 3. Judgment. Rom. 14. 10. Forgiveness. Luke 5. 20, 21. 5. Divine worship was paid to him. No man permits even the semblance of worship, as in Acts 10. 25, 26; 14. 11-15. No angel permits it. Rev. 19. 10. But Jesus permitted it Matt. 14. 33. Stephen rendered it. Acts 7. 59. 60. The an gels offer it. Heb. i. 6. It is required of all creatures. Phil. 2. 9-ri. III. We find also that Jesus is spoken of in the New Testament as at once God and man. This is a relation which our finite mind cannot understand any more than it can understand the relation of body and spirit, the mystery So STUDIES IN THE FOUR GOSPELS. of life, and many other facts which we believe without com prehending. Yet we can believe it, even though we do not understand it. The Scriptures state that Jesus is the God-man, or the union of God and man in one person. See John i. 14; 14. 9; Rom. 5. 9; I Tim. 3. 16. Blackboard Outline. The Person op Christ. I. J- C. w. M. 1. Ca. m. 2. Hu. na. ass. 3. Fac. hum. rela. 4. Tra. hu. bod. 5. Tra. hu. m. IL J- C. w. G. I. Pre-ex. 2. Div. na. 3. Div. att. 4. Div. wks. 5. Div. wor. III. J- C. w. G-ra. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW. Does the Bible undertake to give a precise definition to the personality of Jesus ? How may we leam the facts about Christ's person ? What is the first view that we should take of Jesus ? State some texts in which Jesus is called man. Name some texts in which the human nature of Jesus is asserted. What facts common to humanity are related concerning Jesus ? What traits of his human body are referred to ? What traits of his human mind are indicated ? What five evidences are given that Christ on the earth was God ? Quote some texts which show that he was in existence before his birth among men. What divine names are given to Christ ? What divine attributes are ascribed to him ? What divine works are named as wrought by him ? Under what circumstances was divine worship paid to him? How do we know that Jesus Christ was at the same time God and man ? YALE UNIVERSITY L 3 9002 08837 8105