claim on his favor. The cure of ten lepers, of whom only one, a Samari-

tan, proves grateful. The reign of God not introduced with outward

show. The coming to judgment sudden and unexpected, like the deluge,

and the destruction of Sodom. That disciple is fortified against danger

who prefers his Master to every earthly thing. The parable of the impor-

tunate widow and the unjust judge. The devotions of the Pharisee and of

the publican compared. The people encouraged to bring their children to

Jesus. What must be done to obtain eternal life. How far the desire of

perfection would lead us. Riches a great obstacle to men's admission into

the kingdom. The reward of them who abandon any thing for Jesus.

His death and resurrection foretold. The cure of a blind beggar. The

conversion of Zaccheus. The parable of the pounds,
288

SECTION XII. The Entry into Jerusalem.-Ch. xix. 28, etc. xx. xxi. 1—4.

Jesus rides into the city on an ass, the multitude accompanying him with

shouts-laments the obduracy of the city, and foretells its fate-drives the

traffickers out of the temple-silences the chief priests and others who

questioned his authority. The parable of the husbandmen who ill-treated

and killed their landlord's messengers-foretells the rejection of the Jews,

and the admission of the Gentiles into the church-eludes the craft of the

Pharisees, who question him on the lawfulness of paying tribute to Cæsar

-vindicates the resurrection against the Sadducees-puzzles the Pharisees

about the meaning of an expression in the Psalms-warns his hearers

against the vanity and arrogance of the Scribes-teaches that charity is to

be rated more by the ability of the giver than by the greatness of the

gift,
293

SECTION XIII. The Last Supper.-Ch. xxi. 5, etc. xxii. 1-53.

The destruction of the temple foretold. The calamities by which it would

be preceded. The signs that judgment is nigh. The punishment of the

wicked will prove the deliverance of the saints. The need of unremitted

vigilance. The rulers consult together about putting Jesus to death. Judas

sells him to them. Jesus eats the passover with his disciples-institutes the

commemoration of his death-acquaints them of the treachery of one of

them-assures them that, in his reign, humility and usefulness will prove

the only genuine honor-foretells the transgression of Peter, and some of

the calamities to which they were soon to be exposed. The agony on

Mount Olivet. He is seized by an armed multitude conducted by Judas-

heals the high priest's servant, whose ear had been cut off by one of the

apostles,
296

SECTION XIV. The Crucifixion.-Ch. xxii. 54, etc. xxiii. 1-49.

Jesus is brought to the high-priest's house-denied by Peter-abused by the

servants-tried by the Sanhedrim, and condemned-consigned to the Ro-

man procurator, before whom they accuse him of sedition and rebellion.

Pilate, not convinced, sends him to Herod, then at Jerusalem. Herod, dis-

appointed of seeing him perform miracles, derides him, and remands him to

Pilate. Pilate, perceiving his innocence, tries in vain to save him, on

pretence of granting him to the prayer of the people, accustomed to obtain

the release of a prisoner at the passover; but they and their rulers obstinate-

ly demand the crucifixion of Jesus, and the release of Barabbas, impris-

oned for sedition and murder. Pilate reluctantly consents to gratify them.

Jesus led to Calvary, the cross carried by Simon a Cyrenian-is followed

by some female disciples, who lament him-is nailed to the cross between

two malefactors-prays for his enemies—is insulted by all ranks. One of

the malefactors joins in insulting him, and is rebuked by the other. Jesus

promises paradise to the penitent criminal. The death of Jesus, attended

with such prodigies as confound the centurion and other spectators,

SECTION XV. The Resurrection.-Ch. xxiii. 50, etc. xxiv.

The body of Jesus given to Joseph of Arimathea, who deposites it in his own
sepulchre. The resurrection of Jesus announced by angels to some pious
women at the sepulchre. These report it to the disciples. Peter hastens to

299

the sepulchre, where he finds nothing but the linen. Jesus appears to two

disciples on the way to Emmaus. He appears to Peter, and afterwards to

the eleven. He eats with them, and shows them from the Scriptures the

necessity of his death and resurrection; commissions them to preach his

doctrine, after the instructions they were soon to receive from the Holy

Spirit; leads them out to Bethany; and, having blessed them, ascends into

heaven.

NOTES,

302

305

ST. JOHN'S GOSPEL.

SECTION I. The Incarnation.—Ch. i.

THE pre-existence, divinity, and creative exertion of the Word. The light of

the world. The end of John's mission. The reception of the Word among

God's ancient people. The word incarnate, the interpreter of God, the

fountain of grace and truth to men, visits the earth. The Baptist's testi-

mony concerning himself; concerning the Messiah, whom God had indica-

ted to him by a visible token. Two of John's disciples, induced by their

Master's testimony, follow Jesus. Others also called by Jesus,

SECTION II. The Entrance on the Ministry.-Ch. ii. iii.

Jesus turns water into wine at a marriage in Cana; goes to Jerusalem; drives

the traffickers out of the temple; silences those who questioned his authori-

ty; makes many converts, but not all worthy of confidence; is visited se-

cretly by Nicodemus, a magistrate, with whom he converses on regenera-

tion, faith, and fortitude in the cause of truth. Jesus retires into the coun-

try; employs his disciples in baptizing: this is reported to John, who gives

his testimony of Jesus, exalting his mission and personal dignity much

above his own,

423

426

SECTION III. The Journey to Galilee.—Ch. iv.

Jesus, near Sychar of Samaria, enters into conversation with a Samaritan

woman discovers himself to her to be the Messiah. The disciples, who

had gone into the city to buy food, are surprised to find them conversing

together. He acquaints his disciples, that to do the work for which he was

sent, was to him as food; goes into the city; stays two days, making many

converts: returns to Galilee; heals the courtier's son who lay sick at Ca-

pernaum,
428

SECTION IV. The Cure at Bethesda.-Ch. v.

The supernatural cures wrought at Bethesda by the agitation of the water.

A diseased man who lay there, waiting such a cure, healed on the Sabbath

by Jesus, who commanded him to carry home his couch. Hence some al-

tercation of the Jews,-first with the man-afterwards with Jesus. Jesus al-

leges the example of his Father, from whom he derives both the power where-

by he acts, and the wisdom wherewith he teaches. His mission proved by

-1. the testimony of John; 2. the miracles he wrought; 3. the decla-

ration of the Father at his baptism; 4. the Jewish Scriptures,

SECTION V. The People fed in the Desert.-Ch. vi. vii. 1.

Jesus feeds five thousand miraculously in the desert. While his disciples
embark, he retires from the multitude, who intend by force to make him
their king. The night being stormy, he follows his disciples, walking on
the sea; enters their vessel, which immediately reaches the intended port;
instructs the people who flock about him, as to the object most worthy of
their labor; declares himself the bread of life, the source of spiritual nour-
ishment and comfort, prefigured by the manna which the Israelites ate in
the desert. His language, so strongly metaphorical, proves unintelligible
to many, and makes not a few withdraw altogether. Jesus having asked

431

the twelve whether they meant to follow their example, Peter, in the name

of the whole, acknowledges him the Messiah, professing inviolable fidelity.

Jesus acquaints them that even in their small number, there is one per-

fidious,

SECTION VI. The Feast of Tabernacles.—Ch. vii. 2, etc. viii.

Jesus declines going with his kinsmen to the festival. When they were gone,

sets out privately; teaches in the temple, vindicating his doctrine and

mission. The chief priests and Pharisees send officers to seize him. He

continues to teach. The people are much divided about him. The officers

return without him, urging for their excuse the unexampled power of his

speeches. The rage of the rulers mildly checked by Nicodemus. Jesus

dismisses the woman taken in adultery; declares himself the light of the

world; exposes the vanity of the Jewish boasts of liberty; of their relation

to Abraham; of their relation to God: defends himself against their abuse;

and, when they were preparing to kill him, conveys himself out of their

reach,

SECTION VII.—The Cure of the Man born blind.—Ch. ix. x.

Jesus gives sight to a man blind from his birth. This excites the astonish-

ment of the neighbors. The Pharisees inquire into the fact, examining

first the man, afterwards his parents, then again the man himself. They

acquaint him that the person who had cured him must be a bad man, be-

cause he had done it on the Sabbath. As the man who had been cured de.

clared his dissent from this judgment, they expelled him the synagogue.

Jesus afterwards finding the man, comforts him; compares himself to the

door of the fold, and to the good shepherd. Divisions among the people

concerning him. His enemies charge him with blasphemy. He vindicates

himself, and eludes their designs,

SECTION VIII. Lazarus raised from the dead.—Ch. xi. xii. 1—11.

Lazarus of Bethany being sick, his sisters send word to Jesus, who, after two

days, returns to Judea, his disciples reluctantly accompanying him. Jesus

restores Lazarus to life, who had been four days buried: this proved the

means of convincing numbers. The rulers alarmed, convene the Sanhe-

drim, where the destruction of Jesus is determined. He retires into the

country. On the approach of the passover measures are again concerted

against Jesus. He comes to Bethany; sups with Lazarus; his feet anoint-

ed by Mary, who is accused of profusion by Judas, but vindicated by his

Master. Crowds flock to the house, to see not only. Jesus, but Lazarus,

who had been raised from the dead,

433

436

440

443

SECTION IX. The Entry into Jerusalem.-Ch. xii. 12, etc. xiii.

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on an ass, the multitude shouting. Some Greeks

desire to see him. Jesus foretells his own death, and its effect in engaging

disciples; warns his hearers to improve the present opportunity, of which

they would soon be deprived. Several rulers convinced, but restrained by

fear from declaring their sentiments. Jesus announces his doctrine as di-

rectly from God; washes the feet of his disciples; points out this as an ex-

ample to them; foretells that one of them would betray him; by a token

acquaints the beloved disciple that Judas Iscariot was the man; recom-

mends mutual love; warns Peter, more confident than the rest, of his

transgression in disowning him,
446

Ex-

SECTION X. Consolation to the Disciples.-Ch. xiv. xv. xvi. xvii.

Jesus before his departure, comforts his disciples, assuring them that his ab-

sence would conduce to their good, and be but temporary. Promises

them another Monitor to supply his place; that he will soon discover him-

self to them, though not to the world. The similitude of the vine.

horts to the observance of his precepts, and to mutual love; encourages

them by his example to bear persecution with constancy; warns them of

their danger; acquaints them of the Monitor's functions; excites them to

pray the Father in his name; foretells that their sorrow will be soon suc-

VOL. II.
b

ceeded by joy, and the world's joy by sorrow; that his people will have

peace in him, but affliction in the world;-concludes with a prayer to his

Father, 1. for himself, to glorify him in the issue of the awful trial; 2. for

his disciples, to preserve them in unity and truth; 3. for all the converts

that should be made to him through their ministry,

SECTION XI. The Crucifixion.-Ch. xviii. xix. 1–37.

Jesus, being betrayed to his enemies by Judas, manifests his power to those

sent to apprehend him; is brought to the high-priest's house and examined;

is denied by Peter; consigned to Pilate, who, after inquiry finding no cause

for condemning, offers to the people to release him, according to the cus-

tom which obtained at the passover. The people, influenced by their ru-

lers, refuse Jesus, demanding that he may be crucified, and Barabbas re-

leased. Pilate causes Jesus to be scourged; and, after repeated declara-

tions of his innocence, gives him up to the will of the multitude. Jesus is

brought with two malefactors to Calvary carrying his cross; the charge of

his mother he, from the cross, recommends to his beloved disciple, who

from that time took her to his own house. The soldiers part his garments

among them: one of them, with a spear, pierces the side of Jesus when

dead,

SECTION XII. The Resurrection.-Ch. xix. 38, etc. xx. xxi.

The body of Jesus given to Joseph of Arimathea. He and Nicodemus em-

balm it, and lay it in the sepulchre. The sepulchre is found empty early

on Sunday morning, first by Mary Magdalene, afterwards by Peter and

John. Soon after, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre, and

sends her to acquaint his disciples of his resurrection, and that his ascen-

sion would soon follow. In the evening, he appears to the apostles in a

house, and gives them commission to teach. Thomas, who had been ab-

sent, owns to his fellow-disciples his disbelief of their testimony. Jesus

appears again to the apostles, Thomas being present, whose incredulity is

overcome by the evidence he had wanted. Again he appears to the disci-

ples at the Sea of Tiberias, discovering himself by means of an extraordi-

nary draught of fishes; eats with them; draws from Peter thrice, in pres-

ence of the rest, a declaration of his love to him. Jesus gives him charge

of his flock, and foretells his martyrdom; rebukes his curiosity about the

fate of a fellow-disciple. It was that disciple who wrote this Gospel, and

was witness of most of the things recorded in it,

NOTES,

449

454

458

461

ADVERTISEMENT.

Ir is proper to observe, that, in the following Notes, repetitions and unnecessary references are as much as possible avoided. When an useful illustration of any word or phrase is to be found in the Notes on one of the succeeding Gospels, the place is commonly referred to; not so, when it is in one of the preceding, because it may probably be remembered; and if it should not, the margin of the text will direct to the places proper to be consulted. But when the explanation of a term occurs in the Notes on a preceding Gospel, in a passage not marked on the margin as parallel, the place is mentioned in the Notes. In words which frequently recur, it has been judged convenient to adopt the following ABBREVIA

If there be a few more contractions not here specified, they are such only as are in pretty general use. In terms which occur seldomer, the words are given

at length.