Part XI. The Last Public Ministry in Jerusalem

Friday before to Tuesday of Passion Week, Spring of A.D. 30 (or A.D. 29).a Just before Passover. §§ 128a-138.

a If the feast of John 5:1 was a Passover, and so his ministry lasted over three years, then his death was pretty certainly in A.D. 30; otherwise in A.D. 29.

§ 128a. Jesus Arrives at Bethany,a Near Jerusalem

Friday afternoon

John 11:55 to 12:1, 9-11

55 Now the passover of the Jews was at hand: and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the passover, to purify themselves. 56 They sought therefore for Jesus, and spake one with another, as they stood in the temple, What think ye? That he will not come to the feast? 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment, that, if any man knew where he was, he should shew it, that they might take him.

1 Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead.b

9 The common people therefore of the Jews learned that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

a Compare former visits to this Bethany, §§ , , and see also below, § 141.

b John (12:2-8) gives the supper in the house of Simon the leper at this stage, probably because it is the last mention of Bethany in his Gospel. It seems better to follow the order of Mark here in the location of the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany.

In §§ 128b-138 we have the Saviour's movements and teachings on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday—the close of his public ministry, except the little that he said during the Jewish and Roman trial. All of his teaching thereafter will be given to his disciples.

§ 128b. His Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem as the MESSIAHa

From Bethany to Jerusalem and back (Sunday). A Day of Messianic Demonstration

Mark 11:1-11 Matt. 21:1-11,
14-17 Luke 19:29-44 John 12:12-19

1 And when
they draw nigh
unto Jerusalem,
unto
Bethphage and
Bethany, at the
mount of Olives,
he sendeth
two of his
disciples, 2 and
saith unto
them, Go your
way into the
village that is
over against
you: and
straightway as
ye enter into
it, ye shall find
a colt tied,
whereon no
man ever yet
sat; loose him,
and bring him.
3 And if any one
say unto you,
Why do ye
this? say ye,
The Lord hath
need of him;
and straightway
he will
send him back
hither. 4 And
they went away,
and found
a colt tied at
the door without
in the open
street; and
they loose
him. 5 And
certain of them
that stood
there said unto
them, What do
ye, loosing the
colt? 6 And they
said unto them
even as Jesus
had said: and
they let them
go. 7 And they
bring the colt
unto Jesus, and
cast on him
their garments;
and he
sat upon him.

8 And many
spread their
garments upon
the way; and
others branches,
which they
had cut from
the fields. 9 And
they that went
before, and
they that
followed, cried,
Hosanna; Blessed
is he that
cometh in the
name of the
Lord [see Ps.
118:25-26]:
10 Blessed is the
kingdom that
cometh, the
kingdom of our
father David:
Hosanna in the
highest. 1 And when
they drew nigh
unto Jerusalem,
and came
unto Bethphage,
unto
the mount of
Olives, then
Jesus sent two
disciples,
2 saying unto
them, Go into
the village that
is over against
you, and
straightway ye
shall find an
ass tied, and a
colt with her:
loose them, and
bring them unto
me.

3 And if
any one say
aught unto
you, ye shall
say, The Lord
hath need of
them; and
straightway he
will send them.
6 And the
disciples went,
and did even as
Jesus appointed
them,

7 and
brought the
ass, and the
colt, and put
on them their
garments; and
he sat thereon.
4 Now this is
come to pass,
that it might
be fulfilled
which was
spoken by the
prophet [see
Isa. 62:11;
Zech. 9:9],
saying:
5 Tell ye the
daughter
of Zion,
Behold, thy
King
cometh
unto thee,
Meek, and
riding upon
an ass,
And upon a
colt the
foal of an
ass.
8 And the most
part of the
multitude
spread their
garments in
the way; and
others cut
branches from
the trees, and
spread them
in the way.
9 And the
multitudes that
went before
him, and that
followed, cried,
saying,
Hosanna to the
son of David:
Blessed is he
that cometh in
the name of
the Lord;
Hosanna in the
highest. 29 And it came
to pass, when
he drew nigh
unto
Bethphage and
Bethany, at
the mount
that is called the
mount of Olives,
he sent two of
the disciples,
30 saying,
Go your way
into the village
over against
you; in the
which as ye
enter ye shall
find a colt tied,
whereon no
man ever yet
sat: loose him,
and bring him.

31 And if any one
ask you, Why
do ye loose
him? thus shall
ye say, The
Lord hath
need of him.

32 And they that
were sent went
away, and
found even as
he had said unto
them. 33 And
as they were
loosing the
colt, the owners
thereof said
unto them,
Why loose ye
the colt? 34 And
they said, The
Lord hath
need of him.
35 And they
brought him
to Jesus: and
they threw
their garments
upon the colt,
and set Jesus
thereon.

36 And as he
went, they
spread their
garments in
the way. 37 And
as he was now
drawing nigh,
even at the
descent of the
mount of
Olives, the
whole multitude
of the disciples
began to
rejoice and
praise God
with a loud
voice for all
the mighty
works which
they had seen;
38 saying,
Blessed is the
King that cometh
in the name of
the Lord:
peace in heaven,
and glory in the
highest.

12 On the
morrow a great
multitude that
had come to the
feast, when they
heard that Jesus
was coming
to Jerusalem,
13 took
the branches
of the palm
trees, and went
forth to meet
him, and cried
out, Hosanna:
Blessed is he
that cometh in
the name of
the Lord, even
the King of
Israel. 14 And
Jesus, having
found a young
ass, sat thereon;
as it is
written, 15 Fear
not, daughter
of Zion: behold,
thy King cometh,
sitting on
an ass's colt.
16 These things
understood not
his disciples at
the first: but
when Jesus
was glorified,
then
remembered
they that these
things were
written of him,
and that they
had done these
things unto
him. 17 The
multitude
therefore that
was with him
when he called
Lazarus out of
the tomb, and
raised him
from the dead,
bare witness.
18 For this cause
also the
multitude went
and met him, for
that they heard
that he had done
this sign. 19 The
Pharisees
therefore
said among
themselves,
Behold how
ye prevail
nothing: lo, the
world is gone
after him.

39 And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said unto him, Master,
rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said, I tell you that, if these
shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out.
41 And when he drew nigh, he saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying,
If thou hadst known in this day, even thou, the things which belong unto
peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come
upon thee, when thine enemies shall cast up a bank about thee, and
compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 and shall dash
thee to the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in
thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy
visitation [see Ps. 139:9].

Mark 11:11 Matt. 21:10-11, 14-17

11 And he entered into Jerusalem,

into the temple;

and when
he had looked round about upon
all things, it being now eventide,
he went out unto Bethany with
the twelve. 10 And when he was come into
Jerusalem, all the city was stirred,
saying, Who is this? 11 And the
multitudes said, This is the
prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth
of Galilee. 14 And the blind and
the lame came to him in the
temple: and he healed them.
15 But when the chief priests and
the scribes saw the wonderful
things that he did, and the children
that were crying in the
temple and saying, Hosanna to
the son of David; they were
moved with indignation, 16 and
said unto him, Hearest thou
what these are saying? And
Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye
never read [see Ps. 8:2], Out of the
mouths of babes and sucklings thou
hast perfected praise? 17 And he
left them, and went forth out of
the city to Bethany, and lodged
there.

Or, through.

Gr. sendeth.

Or, again.

Gr. layers of leaves.

Gr. powers.

Or, Teacher.

Or, O that thou hadst known.

Gr. palisade.

Some ancient authorities read the common people.

Or, Ye behold.

a Jesus now makes a formal challenge to the Jerusalem leaders who have so long opposed his claims. This was a Day of Triumph that seemed to the excited crowds to mean the establishment of a political Messianic Kingdom.

§ 129. The Barren Fig Tree Cursed, and the SECONDa Cleansing of the Temple. (Comp. § 31)

Bethany and Jerusalem (Monday). A Day of Messianic Power

Mark 11:12-18 Matt. 21:18, 19, 12, 13 Luke 19:45-48

12 And on the
morrow, when they
were come out from
Bethany, he hungered.
13 And seeing a fig tree
afar off having leaves,
he came, if haply he
might find anything
thereon: and when
he came to it, he
found nothing but
leaves; for it was not
the season of figs.
14 And he answered
and said unto it, No
man eat fruit from thee
henceforward for
ever. And his
disciples heard it.
15 And they come to
Jerusalem: and he
entered into the temple,
and began to
cast out them that
sold and them that
bought in the temple,
and overthrew the
tables of the
money-changers, and
the seats of them that
sold the doves; 16 and
he would not suffer
that any man should
carry a vessel through
the temple. 17 And he
taught, and said unto
them, Is it not
written, My house
shall be called a house
of prayer for all the
nations? but ye have
made it a den of
robbers. 18 And the
chief priests and the
scribes heard it, and
sought how they
might destroy him:
for they feared him,
for all the multitude
was astonished at
his teaching. 18 Now in the
morning as he returned
to the city, he hungered.

19 And seeing a fig tree
by the way side,

he came to it,
and found nothing
thereon, but leaves
only;
and he saith
unto it, Let there be
no fruit from thee
henceforward for
ever.

12 And Jesus entered
into the temple of
God, and cast out all
them that sold and
bought in the temple,
and overthrew the
tables of the
money-changers, and
the seats of them that
sold the doves;

13 and he saith unto
them, It is written,
My house shall be
called a house of
prayer: but ye make
it a den of robbers.

45 And he entered
into the temple, and
began to cast out
them that sold,

46 saying
unto them, It is
written [see Isa. 56:7;
Jer. 7:11], And my
house shall be a house
of prayer: but ye
have made it a den
of robbers.
47 And he was
teaching daily in the
temple. But the chief
priests and the scribes
and the principal
men of the people
sought to destroy
him: 48 and they could
not find what they
might do; for the
people all hung upon
him, listening.

Or, a single.

Many ancient authorities omit of God.

a Once more at the close of the Ministry in Jerusalem, as at the beginning, Jesus asserts his authority over the Temple as the Messiah. In both instances his authority is sharply challenged by the Jewish rulers.

§ 130. The Desire of Some Greeks to See Jesus Puzzles the Disciples and Leads Jesus in Agitation of Soul to Interpret Life and Death as Sacrifice and to Show How by Being "Lifted Up" He Will Draw All Men to Him

Jerusalem (Monday)

John 12:20-50

20 Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast: 21 these therefore came to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: Andrew cometh, and Philip, and they tell Jesus. 23 And Jesus answereth them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honour. 27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say [see Ps. 42:6]? Father, save me from this hour. But for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29 The multitude therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it had thundered: others said, An angel hath spoken to him. 30 Jesus answered and said, This voice hath not come for my sake, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgement of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself. 33 But this he said, signifying by what manner of death he should die. 34 The multitude therefore answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 35 Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light.

These things spake Jesus, and he departed and hid himself from them. 37 But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they believed nota on him: 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled [see Isa. 53:1], which he spake,

Lord, who hath believed our report?
And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

39 For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah said again,

40 He hath blinded their eyes, and he hardened their heart;
Lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart,
And should turn,
And I should heal them.

41 These things said Isaiah [see Isa. 6:1, 10], because he saw his glory; and he spake of him. 42 Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.

44 And Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that beholdeth me beholdeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness. 47 And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I spake not from myself; but the Father which sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.

Or, soul.

Or, hour?

Or, a judgement.

Or, out of.

Or, in.

Or, was hidden from them.

Or, him.

a The rejection of Jesus by the Jews is clearly set forth by John's Gospel. The Pharisees made many timid and afraid.

§ 131. The Barren Fig Tree Found to Have Withered

On the way from Bethany to Jerusalem. (Tuesdaya)

Mark 11:19-25 Matt. 21:19-22 Luke 21:37, 38

19 And every
evening he went forth
out of the city. 20 And
as they passed by in
the morning, they
saw the fig tree
withered away from
the roots. 21 And Peter
calling to remembrance
saith unto
him, Rabbi, behold,
the fig tree which
thou cursedst is
withered away. 22 And
Jesus answering saith
unto them, Have
faith in God. 23 Verily
I say unto you,
Whosoever shall say
unto this mountain, Be
thou taken up and
cast into the sea; and
shall not doubt in his
heart, but shall
believe that what he
saith cometh to pass;
he shall have it.
24 Therefore I say unto
you, All things
whatsoever ye pray and
ask for, believe that ye
have received them,
and ye shall have them.
25 And whensoever ye
stand praying, forgive,
if ye have aught against
any one; that your
Father also which is in
heaven may forgive
you your trespasses.

19 And immediately
the fig tree withered
away. 20 And when
the disciples saw it,
they marvelled, saying,
How did the fig
tree immediately
wither away? 21 And
Jesus answered and
said unto them,
Verily I say unto you,
If ye have faith, and
doubt not, ye shall
not only do what is
done to the fig tree,
but even if ye shall
say unto this mountain,
Be thou taken
up and cast into the
sea, it shall be done.
22 And all things,
whatsoever ye shall ask
in prayer, believing,
ye shall receive. 37 And every day
he was teaching in
the temple; and every
night he went out,
and lodged in the
mount that is called
the mount of Olives.
38 And all the people
came early in the
morning to him in
the temple, to hear
him.

Gr. whenever evening came.

Some ancient authorities read they.

Many ancient authorities add ver. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

a The Synoptic Gospels give more details of the teaching of Jesus on this Tuesday in the Temple and on the Mount of Olives than for any other single day. We had another Busy Day in Galilee (§§ 61-66).

§ 132. The Rulers (Sanhedrin) Formally CHALLENGEa the Authority of Jesus as an Accredited Teacher (Rabbi)

Jesus bases His human authority on John the Baptist, His Forerunner who baptized him, and demands the Sanhedrin's opinion of the Baptism of John. This pertinent counter-question paralyzes the Jewish leaders and Jesus drives His argument home by three parables. (a) Parable of the Two Sons. (b) Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen. (c) Parable of the Marriage Feast of the King's Son.

In the court of the Temple. (Tuesdayb) A Day of Controversy

Mark 11:27-12:12 Matt. 21:23-22:14 Luke 20:1-19

27 And they come
again to Jerusalem:
and as he was walking
in the temple, there
come to him the
chief priests, and the
scribes, and the
elders; 28 and they said
unto him,

By what authority
doest thou these
things? or who gave
thee this authority
to do these things?
29 And Jesus said unto
them, I will ask of
you one question,
and answer me, and
I will tell you by
what authority I do
these things. 30 The
baptism of John, was
it from heaven, or
from men? answer me.
31 And they reasoned
with themselves,
saying, If we shall say,
From heaven; he will
say, Why then did
ye not believe him?
32 But should we say,
From men—they
feared the people: for
all verily held John
to be a prophet. 33 And
they answered Jesus
and say, We know

not. And Jesus saith
unto them, Neither
tell I you by what
authority I do these
things.

1 And he began to
speak unto them in
parables. A man
planted a vineyard,
and set a hedge
about it, and digged
a pit for the winepress,
and built a
tower, and let it out
to husbandmen, and
went into another
country.
2 And at
the season he sent
to the husbandmen
a servant, that he
might receive from the
husbandmen of the
fruits of the vineyard.
3 And they took
him, and beat him,
and sent him away
empty. 4 And again
he sent unto them
another servant; and
him they wounded in
the head, and handled
shamefully. 5 And he
sent another; and him
they killed: and many
others; beating some,
and killing some. 6 He
had yet one, a beloved
son: he sent him last
unto them, saying,
They will reverence
my son. 7 But those
husbandmen said
among themselves,
This is the heir; come,
let us kill him, and
the inheritance shall
be ours.
8 And
they took him, and
killed him, and cast
him forth out of the
vineyard. 9 What
therefore will the lord
of the vineyard do?

he will come
and destroy the
husbandmen, and will
give the vineyard
unto others.

10 Have
ye not read even this
scripture;
The stone which
the builders
rejected,
The same was
made the head
of the corner:
11 This was from the
Lord,
And it is marvel-
lous in our eyes?

12 And they sought to
lay hold on him; and
they feared the
multitude; for they
perceived that he spake
the parable against
them: and they left
him, and went away.

23 And when he was
come into the temple,
the chief priests and
the elders of the
people came unto him
as he was teaching,
and said,

By
what authority doest
thou these things?
and who gave thee
this authority? 24 And
Jesus answered and
said unto them, I
also will ask you one
question, which if
ye tell me, I likewise
will tell you by what
authority I do these
things. 25 The baptism
of John, whence was
it? from heaven or
from men? And they
reasoned with
themselves, saying,
If we shall say, From
heaven; he will say unto
us, Why then did ye
not believe him? 26 But
if we shall say, From
men; we fear the
multitude; for all hold
John as a prophet.
27 And they answered
Jesus, and said, We
know not.

He also said unto
them, Neither tell I
you by what authority
I do these things.
28 But what think ye?
A man had two sons;
and he came to the
first, and said, Son,
go work to-day in the
vineyard. 29 And he
answered and said, I
will not: but afterward
he repented
himself, and went.
30 And he came to the
second, and said
likewise. And he
answered and said, I
go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of the twain
did the will of his
father? They say,
The first. Jesus saith
unto them, Verily I
say unto you, that
the publicans and the
harlots go into the
kingdom of God
before you. 32 For John
came unto you in the
way of righteousness,
and ye believed him
not: but the publicans
and the harlots
believed him: and ye,
when ye saw it, did not
even repent yourselves
afterward, that
ye might believe him.
33 Hear another
parable: There was a
man that was a
householder, which
planted a vineyard,
and set a hedge about
it, and digged a
winepress in it, and
built a tower, and let it
out to husbandmen,
and went into another
country.
34 And when
the season of the
fruits drew near, he
sent his servants to
the husbandmen, to
receive his fruits.
35 And the husbandmen
took his servants,
and beat one, and
killed another, and
stoned another.
36 Again, he sent other
servants more than
the first: and they did
unto him in like
manner.

37 But
afterward he sent
unto them his son,
saying, They will
reverence my son.

38 But the husbandmen,
when they saw the
son, said among
themselves, This is
the heir; come, let us
kill him, and take his
inheritance.
39 And
they took him, and
cast him forth out of
the vineyard, and
killed him. 40 When
therefore the lord of
the vineyard shall
come, what will he
do unto those
husbandmen? 41 They
say unto him, He will
miserably destroy
those miserable men,
and will let out the
vineyard unto other
husbandmen, which
shall render him the
fruits in their seasons.
42 Jesus saith
unto them, Did ye
never read in the
scriptures [see Ps.
118:22-23],
The stone which
the builders
rejected,
The same was
made the head
of the corner:
This was from the
Lord,
And it is marvel-
lous in our eyes?
43 Therefore say I unto
you, The kingdom of
God shall be taken
away from you, and
shall be given to a
nation bringing forth
the fruits thereof.
44 And he that falleth
on this stone shall be
broken to pieces; but
on whomsoever it
shall fall, it will scatter
him as dust. 45 And
when the chief priests
and the Pharisees
heard his parables,
they perceived that
he spake of them.
46 And when they
sought to lay hold on
him, they feared the
multitudes,

because they
took him for a
prophet. 1 And it came to
pass, on one of the
days, as he was teaching
the people in the
temple, and preaching
the gospel, there came
upon him the chief
priests and the scribes
with the elders; 2 and
they spake, saying
unto him, Tell us: By
what authority doest
thou these things? or
who is he that gave
thee this authority?
3 And he answered and
said unto them, I also
will ask you a
question; and tell me:
4 The baptism of John,
was it from heaven,
or from men?

5 And they
reasoned with
themselves, saying,
If we shall say, From
heaven; he will say,
Why did ye not
believe him? 6 But if
we shall say, From
men; all the people
will stone us: for
they be persuaded
that John was a
prophet. 7 And they
answered, that they
knew not whence it
was. 8 And Jesus said
unto them, Neither
tell I you by what
authority I do these
things.

9 And he began to
speak unto the people
this parable [see Isa.
5:1-2]: A man planted
a vineyard,

and let it
out to husbandmen,
and went into another
country for a long
time. 10 And at the
season he sent unto
the husbandmen a
servant, that they
should give him of the
fruit of the vineyard:
but the husbandmen
beat him, and sent
him away empty.
11 And he sent yet
another servant: and
him also they beat,
and handled him
shamefully, and sent
him away empty.
12 And he sent yet a
third: and him also
they wounded, and
cast him forth. 13 And
the Lord of the vineyard
said, What shall
I do? I will send my
beloved son: it may
be they will reverence
him.
14 But when
the husbandmen saw
him, they reasoned
one with another,
saying, This is the heir:
let us kill him, that
the inheritance may
be ours. 15 And they
cast him forth out of
the vineyard, and
killed him. What
therefore will the lord
of the vineyard do
unto them?

16 He will come and
destroy these
husbandmen, and will
give the vineyard unto
others. And when
they heard it, they
said, God forbid.

17 But he looked upon
them, and said, What
then is this that is
written [see Ps.
118:22],
The stone which
the builders
rejected,
The same was
made the head
of the corner?

18 Every one that falleth
on that stone shall be
broken to pieces; but
on whomsoever it
shall fall, it will scatter
him as dust [see
Isa. 8:14-15].
19 And the scribes
and the chief priests

sought to lay hands
on him in that very
hour; and they feared
the people: for they
perceived that he
spake this parable
against them.

1 And Jesus answered and spake again in parables unto them, saying, 2 The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, which made a marriage feast for his son, 3 and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the marriage feast: and they would not come. 4 Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have made ready my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise: 6 and the rest laid hold on his servants, and entreated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 But the king was wroth; and he sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage feast. 10 And those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment: 12 and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few chosen.

Gr. word.

Gr. Child.

Gr. bondservants.

Or, the fruits of it.

Some ancient authorities omit ver. 44.

Or, ministers.

Or, But shall we say, From men?

Or, for all held John to be a prophet indeed.

Gr. bondservant.

Gr. Be it not so.

a It was very common to test a Rabbi with hard questions. See this continued in the following sections. In like manner the Fourth Gospel gave us much animated dialogue between Jesus and the Jews at Jerusalem in chap. 5, and chap. 7-10. The Sanhedrin were within their rights in challenging the ecclesiastical and scholastic (scribal) standing of Jesus. He did not dodge in his answer.

b On this last day of Christ's public ministry the Sanhedrin seek to break the power of Jesus with the people whose hero he is since the Triumphal Entry. The first attempt fails miserably, but it is followed by a series of other efforts to entrap Jesus and so turn the crowd against him. The three parables leave the rulers exposed by Jesus and they keenly feel the denunciation of the reply of Jesus.

§ 133. The Pharisees and the Herodians Try to Ensnare Jesus About Paying Tribute to Cæsar

Mark 12:13-17 Matt. 22:15-22 Luke 20:20-26

13 And they send
unto him certain of the
Pharisees and of the
Herodians, that they
might catch him in
talk.

14 And when they
were come, they say
unto him, Master,
we know that thou
art true, and carest
not for any one: for
thou regardest not
the person of men,
but of a truth teachest
the way of God:
Is it lawful to give
tribute unto Cæsar,
or not? 15 Shall we
give, or shall we not
give? But he, knowing
their hypocrisy,
said unto them, Why
tempt ye me? bring
me a penny, that I
may see it. 16 And
they brought it. And
he saith unto them,

Whose is this image
and superscription?
And they said unto
him, Cæsar's. 17 And
Jesus said unto them,
Render unto Cæsar
the things that are
Cæsar's, and unto
God the things that
are God's.

And
they marvelled greatly
at him.

15 Then went the
Pharisees, and took
counsel how they might
ensnare him in his
talk. 16 And they send
to him their disciples,a
with the Herodians,
saying, Master,
we know that
thou art true, and
teachest the way of
God in truth, and
carest not for any
one: for thou regardest
not the person of men.
17 Tell us therefore,
What thinkest
thou? Is it lawful to
give tribute unto
Cæsar, or not? 18 But
Jesus perceived their
wickedness, and said,
Why tempt ye me,
ye hypocrites? 19 Shew
me the tribute
money. And they
brought unto him a
penny. 20 And he saith
unto them, Whose is
this image and
superscription? 21 They
say unto him, Cæsar's.
Then saith he unto
them, Render therefore
unto Cæsar the
things that are
Cæsar's; and unto God
the things that are
God's.
22 And
when they heard it,
they marvelled, and
left him, and went
their way. 20 And they watched
him, and sent forth
spies, which feigned
themselves to be
righteous, that they
might take hold of
his speech, so as to
deliver him up to the
rule and to the
authority of the
governor. 21 And they
asked him, saying,
Master, we know
that thou sayest and
teachest rightly, and
acceptest not the
person of any, but of a
truth teachest the
way of God [see John
3:2]: 22 Is it lawful for
us to give tribute
unto Cæsar, or not?
23 But he perceived
their craftiness,
and said unto
them, 24 Shew me a
penny.

Whose image
and superscription
hath it? And they
said, Cæsar's. 25 And
he said unto them,
Then render unto
Cæsar the things that
are Cæsar's, and unto
God the things that
are God's. 26 And they
were not able to take
hold of the saying
before the people: and
they marvelled at his
answer, and held their
peace.

Or, Teacher.

See marginal note on Matt. 18:28.

a The Pharisees send a group of their keenest students to go with the Herodians to catch Jesus with the dilemma about paying tribute to Cæsar, a live question in current politics and theology. They offered Jesus the alternative of popular disfavor or of disloyalty to the Roman government.

§ 134. The Sadducees Ask Him A Puzzling QUESTIONa About the Resurrection

In the Court of the Temple. (Tuesday)

Mark 12:18-27 Matt. 22:23-33 Luke 20:27-40

18 And there come
unto him Sadducees,
which say that there
is no resurrection;
and they asked him,
saying, 19 Master,
Moses wrote unto us,
If a man's brother
die, and leave a wife
behind him, and
leave no child, that
his brother should
take his wife, and
raise up seed unto
his brother. 20 There

were seven brethren:
and the first took a
wife, and dying left
no seed; 21 and the
second took her, and
died, leaving no seed
behind him; and the
third likewise: 22 and
the seven left no
seed. Last of all the
woman also died.
23 In the resurrection
whose wife shall she
be of them? for the
seven had her to wife.
24 Jesus said unto
them, Is it not for
this cause that ye
err, that ye know
not the scriptures,
nor the power of
God?

25 For when they
shall rise from the
dead, they neither
marry, nor are given
in marriage; but are

as angels in heaven.

26 But as touching the
dead, that they are
raised; have ye not
read in the book of
Moses, in the place
concerning the Bush,
how God spake unto
him, saying, I am the
God of Abraham, and
the God of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob?
27 He is not the God
of the dead, but of the
living: ye do greatly
err. 23 On that day there
came to him Sadducees,
which say that
there is no resurrection:
and they asked
him, 24 saying, Master,
Moses said, If a man
die, having no
children, his brother
shall marry his wife,
and raise up seed
unto his brother.

25 Now
there were with us
seven brethren: and
the first married and
deceased, and having
no seed left his wife
unto his brother; 26 in
like manner the second
also, and the third,
unto the seventh.
27 And after them
all the woman died.
28 In the resurrection
therefore whose wife
shall she be of the
seven? for they all
had her. 29 But Jesus
answered and said
unto them, Ye do
err, not knowing the
scriptures, nor the
power of God.

30 For in the
resurrection they neither
marry, nor are given
in marriage, but are

as angels in heaven.

31 But as touching the
resurrection of the
dead, have ye not
read that which was
spoken unto you by
God, saying,

32 I am the
God of Abraham, and
the God of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob?
God is not the God of
the dead, but of the
living. 33 And when the
multitudes heard it,
they were astonished
at his teaching. 27 And there came
to him certain of the
Sadducees, they
which say that there
is no resurrection;
28 and they asked him,
saying, Master,
Moses wrote unto us
[see Gen. 38:8; Deut.
25:5-6], that if a
man's brother die,
having a wife, and
he be childless, his
brother should take
the wife, and raise
up seed unto his
brother. 29 There were
therefore seven
brethren: and the first
took a wife, and died
childless; 30 and the
second; 31 and the
third took her; and
likewise the seven also
left no children, and
died.
32 Afterward
the woman also died.
33 In the resurrection
therefore whose wife
of them shall she be?
for the seven had her
to wife. 34 And Jesus
said unto them,

The
sons of this world
marry, and are given
in marriage: 35 but they
that are accounted
worthy to attain to
that world, and the
resurrection from the
dead, neither marry,
nor are given in
marriage: 36 for neither
can they die any more:
for they are equal unto
the angels; and are sons
of God, being sons
of the resurrection.
37 But that the
dead are raised,

even
Moses shewed in the
place concerning the
Bush, when he calleth
the Lord the God of
Abraham, and the
God of Isaac, and the
God of Jacob [see Ex.
3:6]. 38 Now he is not
the God of the dead,
but of the living: for
all live unto him.
39 And certain of the
scribes answering
said, Master, thou
hast well said. 40 For
they durst not any
more ask him any
question.

Gr. saying.

Or, Teacher.

Gr. shall perform the duty of a husband's brother to his wife. Compare Deut. 25:5.

Gr. seven.

Many ancient authorities add of God.

Or, age.

a Probably a stock conundrum that the Sadducees had often propounded to the discomfort of the Pharisees.

§ 135. The Pharisees Rejoice Over the Rout of the Sadducees and a Pharisaic Lawyer Asks Jesus a Legal Question

In the Court of the Temple. (Tuesday)

Mark 12:28-34 Matt. 22:34-40

28 And one of the scribes came,
and heard them questioning
together, and knowing that he had
answered them well, asked him,

What
commandment is the first of all
[see Deut. 6:4]? 29 Jesus answered,
The first is, Hear, O Israel; The
Lord our God [see Deut. 6:4], the
Lord is one: 30 and thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy mind, and with all thy
strength [see Deut. 6:5]. 31 The
second is this, Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself [see Lev.
19:18]. There is none other
commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him,
Of a truth, Master, thou hast
well said that he is one; and there
is none other but he: 33 and to
love him with all the heart, and
with all the understanding, and
with all the strength, and to love
his neighbor as himself, is much
more than all whole burnt offerings
and sacrifices [see 1 Sam. 15:22].
34 And when Jesus saw that
he answered discreetly, he said
unto him, Thou art not far from
the kingdom of God. And no
man after that durst ask him any
question. 34 But the Pharisees, when they
heard that he had put the
Sadducees to silence, gathered
themselves together. 35 And one of
them, a lawyer, asked him a question,
tempting him, 36 Master, which is
the great commandment in the
law? 37 And he said unto him,

Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy mind. 38 This is
the great and first commandment.
39 And a second like unto it is this,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself. 40 On these two
commandments hangeth the whole
law, and the prophets.

Or, Teacher.

Or, And a second is like unto it, Thou shalt love etc.

Or, The Lord is our God; the Lord is one.

Gr. from.

§ 136. Jesus, to the Joy of the Multitude, Silences His Enemies by the Pertinent Question of the Messiah's Descent from David and Lordship Over David

In the Court of the Temple. (Tuesday)

Mark 12:35-37 Matt. 22:41-46 Luke 20:41-44

35 And Jesus
answered and said, as
he taught in the temple,
How say the scribes
that the Christ is
the son of David?

36 David himself said
in the Holy Spirit,
[see Ps. 110:1],
The Lord said unto
my Lord,
Sit thou on my
right hand,
Till I make thine
enemies the foot-
stool of thy feet.
37 David himself calleth
him Lord; and
whence is he his son?
And the common
people heard him
gladly. 41 Now while the
Pharisees were
gathered together,
Jesus asked them a
question, 42 saying,
What think ye of the
Christ? whose son is
he? They say unto
him, The son of David.
43 He saith unto them,
How then doth David
in the Spirit call him
Lord, saying,
44 The Lord said unto
my Lord,
Sit thou on my
right hand,
Till I put thine
enemies under-
neath thy feet?
45 If David then calleth
him Lord, how is he
his son? 46 And no one
was able to answer
him a word, neither
durst any man from
that day forth ask him
any more questions.

41 And he said unto
them,
How say they
that the Christ is
David's son?

42 For
David himself saith in
the book of Psalms,
The Lord said unto
my Lord,
Sit thou on my
right hand,
43 Till I make thine
enemies the foot-
stool of thy feet.
44 David therefore
calleth him Lord, and
how is he his son?

Some ancient authorities read underneath thy feet.

Or, the great multitude.

§ 137. In His Last Public Discourse, Jesus Solemnly DENOUNCESa the Scribes and Pharisees (Comp. § 107)

In the Court of the Temple. (Tuesday)

Mark 12:38-40 Matt. 23:1-39 Luke 20:45-47

38 And in his teaching
he said, Beware of
the scribes,

which
desire to walk in long
robes, and to have
salutations in the
marketplaces, 39 and
chief seats in the
synagogues, and chief
places at feasts:

40 they which devour
widows' houses, and
for a pretence make
long prayers; these
shall receive greater
condemnation. 1 Then spake Jesus
to the multitudes
and to his disciples,
saying, 2 The scribes
and the Pharisees sit
on Moses' seat: 3 all
things therefore
whatsoever they bid
you, these do and
observe: but do not ye
after their works; for
they say, and do not.
4 Yea, they bind heavy
burdens and grievous
to be borne, and lay
them on men's shoul-
ders; but they them-
selves will not move
them with their finger.
5 But all their works
they do for to be seen
of men [see Ex. 13:9;
Num. 15:38-39;
Deut. 6:8; 11:18]:
for they make broad
their phylacteries,
and enlarge the bor-
ders of their garments,
6 and love the chief
place at feasts, and
the chief seats in the
synagogues, 7 and the
salutations in the
marketplaces, and to
be called of men,
Rabbi. 8 But be not
ye called Rabbi: for
one is your teacher,
and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no
man your father on
the earth: for one is
your Father, which
is in heaven. 10 Neither
be ye called masters:
for one is your
master, even the
Christ. 11 But he that
is greatest among
you shall be your
servant. 12 And
whosoever shall exalt
himself shall be hum-
bled; and whosoever
shall humble himself
shall be exalted.
13 But woe unto you,
scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! because
ye shut the kingdom
of heaven
against men: for ye
enter not in yourselves,
neither suffer
ye them that are
entering in to enter. 45 And in the hearing
of all the people he
said unto his disciples,
46 Beware of the
scribes,

which desire
to walk in long robes,
and love salutations
in the marketplaces,
and chief seats in the
synagogues, and chief
places at feasts;

47 which devour
widows' houses,
and for a pretence
make long prayers:
these shall receive
greater condemnation.

15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass
sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is become so, ye
make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves.
16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear
by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of
the temple, he is a debtor. 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is
greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold? 18 And,
Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall
swear by the gift that is upon it, he is a debtor. 19 Ye blind: for whether
is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 He therefore
that sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21 And he that sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that
dwelleth therein. 22 And he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by
the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe
mint and anise and cummin [see Lev. 27:30; Mic. 6:8], and have left
undone the weightier matters of the law, judgement, and mercy, and
faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other
undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain out the gnat, and swallow the
camel.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse
the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from
extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of
the cup and of the platter, that the outside thereof may become clean
also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like
unto whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly
are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye
also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of
hypocrisy and iniquity.
29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye build the
sepulchres of the prophets, and garnish the tombs of the righteous,
30 and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we should not
have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
31 Wherefore ye witness to yourselves, that ye are sons of them that
slew the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye
serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgement of
hell? 34 Therefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men,
and scribes: some of them shall ye kill and crucify; and some of them
shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city:
35 that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth,
from the blood of Abel the righteous unto the blood of Zachariah son
of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the sanctuary and the altar [see
Gen. 4:8; 2 Chron. 24:20-21]. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these
things shall come upon this generation.
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killeth the prophets, and stoneth
them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy
children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings,
and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate
[see Jer. 12:7; 39 22:5]. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me
henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of
the Lord [see Ps. 118:26].

Many ancient authorities omit and grievous to be borne.

Gr. the heavenly.

Gr. greater.

Or, minister.

Gr. before.

Some authorities insert here, or after ver. 12, ver. 14, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, even while for a pretence ye make long prayers: therefore ye shall receive greater condemnation. See Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47, above.

Gr. Gehenna.

Or, sanctuary: as in ver. 35.

Or, bound by his oath.

Or, dill.

Some ancient authorities omit desolate.

Or, even while for a pretence they make.

a Jesus has been criticized for lack of self-control in this exposure of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. One must bear in mind the tremendous sins of which the Pharisees are guilty. The very teachers of righteousness are now in the act of rejecting and finally crucifying the Son of God. See my book, The Pharisees and Jesus, for full discussion.

§ 138. Jesus Closely OBSERVESa the Contributions in the Temple, and Commends the Poor Widow's Gift

(Tuesday)

Mark 12:41-44 Luke 21:1-4

41 And he sat down over against
the treasury, and beheld how the
multitude cast money into the
treasury: and many that were
rich cast in much. 42 And there
came a poor widow, and she cast
in two mites, which make a
farthing. 43 And he called unto
him his disciples, and said unto
them, Verily I say unto you, This
poor widow cast in more than all
they which are casting into the
treasury: 44 for they all did cast in
of their superfluity; but she of
her want did cast in all that she
had, even all her living. 1 And he looked up, and saw
the rich men that were casting their
gifts into the treasury. 2 And he
saw a certain poor widow casting
in thither two mites.

3 And he
said, Of a truth I say unto you,
This poor widow cast in more
than they all: 4 for all these did
of their superfluity cast in unto
the gifts: but she of her want did
cast in all the living that she had.

Gr. brass.

Gr. one.

Or, and saw them that ... treasury, and they were rich.

a Notice that this was the last occurrence in the Saviour's public ministry, except the trial and the crucifixion. This is the last appearance of Jesus in the Temple. His public teaching is over save the words of defence in his trial and the seven sayings on the Cross. The Pharisees and Sadducees had withdrawn in terror at the explosion of the wrath of Jesus and even the disciples were at some distance as Jesus sat alone by the treasury. It is useless further to plead with his enemies. The task now remains to get the disciples prepared for the Master's death and the time is short and they as yet have completely failed to grasp the fact or the significance of his death and the promise of his resurrection on the third day.