Bible Course: Outline and Notes: New Testament

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Entered accordiDg to Act of Congress, in the year 1896, by

F. H. GAINES,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington-

PREFACE.

This volume, like the one which has preceded it, was
prepared primarily for my classes in the Agnes Scott In-
stitute. The book is only what its title indicates, Outline
and Notes not a full discussion. The author felt embar-
rassed by the fact that so much ground had to be covered
in a limited time. It will be noticed, however, that a
fuller treatment is given to the Life of our Lord than to the
remainder of the New Testament. The reason for this is
obvious. It is not claimed for this volume that it is a
critical or exhaustive study of the New Testament. The
design of the author is twofold : (1) To give to the
student of the English Bible a plan for the study of the
New Testament. (2) To give a clear, intelligible outline
of New Testament history. The harmony followed is that
of Dr. John A. Broadus, to whom the author acknowledges
special indebtedness. The aid received from other authors
has been acknowledged in the body of the book.

This volume is printed and sent forth with the hope and
prayer that it may be useful in Bible study.

F. H. Gaines.

Decatur, Ga., August 24, 1896.

AUTHORS QUOTED/

Wm. G. Blaikie, D.D., Manual of Bible History.

J. G. Butler, D.D., Butler's Bible Work, New Testament,

The Gospels.
Geo. D. Armstrong, D.D., The Sacraments of the New

Testament.
Thos. Scott, Scott's Bible, vol. III.
John A. Broadus, D.D., Commentary on Matthew.
Thos. Dehany Bernard, M.A., Progress of Doctrine in the

New Testament.

E. P. Barrows, D.D., Companion to the Bible.

Philip Schaff, D.D., Companion to the Greek Testament

and English Version.
Charles Hodge, D.D., Systematic Theology.

F. W. Farrar, D.D., F.R.S., The Messages of the .Books.
Dr. Wm. Smith, Dictionary of the Bible.

Sam'l J. Andrews, The Life of Our Lord.

Revere Franklin Weidner, Studies in the Book.

Jas. Stalker, D.D., The Life of Jesus Christ.

J. L. Hurlbut, D.D., Manual of Biblical Geography.

J. C. Ryle, B.A., Expository Thoughts on the Gospels.

Alfred Edersheim, D.D., The Life and Times of Jesus the

Messiah.
David Brown, D.D., Brown on the Gospels.
Wm. Jay, Female Scripture Characters.
M. Henry, Henry's Exposition.
R. L. Dabuey, D.D., Dabney's Theology.
A. B. Bruce, D.D., The Training of the Twelve.
Richard Chenevix Trench, Notes on the Miracles.
Richard Chenevix Trench, Notes on the Parables.
Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia, art. Miracles.
Joseph Addison Alexander, Alexander on Mark.
Jas. Stalker, D.D., The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ.

-The name of the author follows every quotation. The number of the page in
.every case refers to the work given in this list.

III. THE NEW TESTAMENT.

INTRODUCTION.

SECTION 1. THE INTERVAL BETWEEN

THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE

NEW TESTAMENT.

MANUAL OF BIBLE HISTORY, CHAP. XIV. (bLAIKIE).

SECTION 2. NEW TESTAMENT PALES-
TINE.
hurlbut's bib. geog., etc., pp. 101, 102.

SECTION 3. THE NEW TESTAMENT :
GENERAL FEATURES.

OUTLINE.

I. The Name, New Testament.
II. The Literature of the New Testament.

III. The Language of the New Testament.

IV. Divisions of the New Testament.

V. Distinguishing Marks of the New Testament

Dispensation.
VI. The Interpretation of the New Testament.

NOTES.

I. The Name, New Testament.

1. The Origin of the Name. "The term New Tes-
tament unquestionably proceeds from the insti-

2 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

tution of the Lord's Supper." Butler, p. 7.
See Matt. 26:28; see also Mark 14:24; Luke
22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25.

2. The Significance of the Name. The term Testa-

ment is a translation of the Greek word diatheca.
The word, however, is more, often translated
covenant. In the Revised Version it is uni-
formly so translated except in Heb. 9:16, 17.
The word covenant " is always used when the
word designates the Covenants made with the
Patriarchs, or the Covenant entered into by
Israel at Sinai; and as Fairbairn remarks, 'it
had been better, in the words connected with
the Lord's Supper, to have retained the com-
mon rendering, and read This is the New
Covenant in my blood ; since all should then
have readily perceived that the Lord pointed
to the Divine Covenant, in its new and better
form, as contradistinguished from that which
had been brought in by Mojjes, and which had
now reached the end of its appointment.' "
Armstrong, pp. 27-28.

3. It expresses the relation between the Old Testa-

ment and New Testament. "It is called 'The
New Testament,' in contradistinction to the
'Old Testament': not as if the one contained
only the covenant of works, and the other the
new covenant of grace, but because the New
Testament gives an account of the abrogation
of the old dispensation, and of the introduc-
tion of a new and better dispensation." Scott,
p. 3.
II. The Literature of the New Testament.

1. The Books Comprising the New Testament. (Name
in order.)

INTRODUCTION. 3

2. T/ie Classification of these Books :

(1) "The Five Historical Books; namely, the
Four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.

(2) The Fourteen Epistles of Paul; namely,
Ten addressed to eight churches, and Four
to three individuals Philemon, Timothy,
and Titus.

(3) The Seven General Epistles ; the Second
and Third of John, though addressed to in-
dividuals, being placed as appendices to the
First,

(4) The Revelation of John, though in the form
of an Epistle to the Seven Churches of Asia,
is rightly placed in a class by itself, as the one
great prophetical work of the New Testa-
ment." Butler, p. 7. While this is the only
prophetical book, strictly speaking, yet we
find prophecies interspersed through the
other books of the New Testament.

3. The Order of the Several Parts of the New Testa-

ment.
This order is progressive and logical.

(1) The Gospels. "A Person is manifested and
facts are set forth, in the simplest external
aspect, under the clearest light, and with the
concurrence of a fourfold witness. This
witness also is progressive, and in the last
Gospel the glory of the Person has grown
more bright and the meaning of the facts
more clear."

(2) The Acts. In this book "Christ is preached
as perfected and as the refuge and life of the
world. The results of his appearing are
summed up and settled ; and men are called
to believe and to be saved. Those who do

4 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

so find themselves in new relations to each
other ; they become one body and grow into
the form and life of a Catholic Church."

(3) The Epistles. " The state which has thus
been entered needs to be expounded and the
life which has been begun needs to be edu-
cated. The apostolic letters perform this
work. The questions which universally fol-
low the first submission of the mind receive
their answers, and so the faith which was
general grows definite. The rising exigen-
cies of the new life are met, both for the
man and for the church; and we learn what
is the happy consciousness and what the holy
conversation which belong to those who are
in Christ Jesus."

(4) "Lastly, as members of the body of Christ,
we find ourselves partakers in a corporate
life and history larger than our own. We
feel that we are taken up into a scheme of
things which is in conflict with the present,
and which cannot realize itself here. There-
fore our final teaching is by prophecy, which
shows us not how we are personally saved
and victorious, but how the battle goes upon
the whole; and which issues in the appear-
ance of a holy city, in which redemption
reaches its end, and the Redeemer finds his
joy; in which human tendencies are realized,
and divine promises fulfilled; in which the
ideal has become the actual, and the man is
perfected in the presence and glory of God."
Bernard, 224-226.

III. The Language of the New Testament.

1. The Prevalence of the Greek Language in the Time

INTRODUCTION. 5

of Christ and the Apostles. " There is a remark-
able providence in the general spread of this
rich and noble tongue throughout the civilized
world before the advent of our Savior ; first
by the conquests of Alexander, the greatest of
the Greeks, and afterwards by Julius Caesar,
the greatest of the Romans both of them un-
conscious forerunners of Christ. The Greek
was spoken in Greece, in the islands of the
iEgean Sea, in Asia Minor, in Egypt, Syria,
Sicily, and Southern Italy. It was at the same
time the medium of international intercourse
in the whole Roman Empire, which stretched
from the Libyan Desert to the banks of the
Rhine, and from the Euphrates to the Straits
of Gibraltar, aud embraced the civilized world,
with a population of about one hundred and
twenty millions of souls. It was the language
of government, law, diplomacy, literature, and
trade. It occupied the position and exerted the
influence of the Latin in the Middle Ages, of
the French in the eighteenth century, and of
the English in the nineteenth." Schaff, p. 6.
The Adaptation of the Greek Language to be the
Language of the New Testament. Apart from
its wide prevalence this language was remark-
ably adapted by its structure to become the
language of the New Testament. " Elaborate
iu its inflections and syntax, delicate and subtle
in its distinction, rich in its vocabulary, highly
cultivated in every department of writing, and
flexible in an eminent degree; being thus
equally adapted to every variety of style
plain, unadorned narrative, impassioned oratory,
poetry of every form, philosophical discussion,

6 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

and even logical reasoning; in a word, a lan-
guage every way fitted to the wants of the
gospel, which is given not for the infancy of
the world, but for its mature age, and which
deals not so much with the details of particulars
as with great principles, which require for their
full comprehension the capacity of abstraction
and generalization." Barrows, p. 366.
IV. Divisions of the New Testament.

The Xew Testament falls naturally into three great
divisions, viz.:
First Gospel History.
Second Apostolic History.
Third Prophecy.

V. Distinguishing Marks of the New Testament
Dispensation.

These are admirably summed up by Dr. Chas. Hodge
as follows : " It is distinguished from the old
economy

1. In being catholic, confined to no one people, but

designed and adapted to all nations, and to all
classes of men.

2. It is more spiritual, not only in that the types

and ceremonies of the Old Testament are done
away, but also in that the revelation itself is
more inward and spiritual. What was then
made known objectively, is now, to a greater
extent, written on the heart (Heb. 8: 8-1 1 ) . It
is incomparably more clear and explicit in its
teachings.

3. It is more purely evangelical. Even the Xew

Testament, as we have seen, contains a legal
element, it reveals the law still as a covenant
of works binding on those who reject the gospel ;
but in the New Testament the gospel greatly

INTRODUCTION. 7

predominates over the law. Whereas, under the
Old Testament the law predominates over the
gospel.

4. The Christian economy is specially the dispensa-

tion of the Spirit. The great blessing promised
of old, as consequent on the coming of Christ
was the effusion of the Spirt on all flesh i. e.,
on all nations and on all classes of men. This
was so distinguishing a characteristic of the
Messianic period that the evangelist says: The
Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that
Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:39.

5. The old dispensation was temporary and pre-

paratory ; the new is permanent and final. In
sending forth his disciples to preach the gospel,
and in promising them the gift of the Spirit,
he assured them that he would be with them
in that work unto the end of the world. This
dispensation is, therefore, the last before the
restoration of all things ; that is, designed for
the conversion of men and the ingathering of
the elect. Afterward comes the end; the res-
urrection and the final judgment. In the Old
Testament there are frequent intimations of
another and a better economy, to which the
Mosaic institutions were merely preparatory.
But we have no intimation in Scripture that
the dispensation of the Spirit is to give way
for a new and better dispensation for the con-
version of the nations. When the gospel is
fully preached, then comes the end." Vol.
II., p. 376.
VI. The Interpretation of the New Testament.

The following are some of the more important rules

of interpretation :
1. Study the words. Inspiration is verbal (1 Cor.

BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

2:13), hence the words selected to express a
special meaning. Some words call for the
most careful study i.e., justify, sanctify, eternal
life, etc.

2. Study the words in their connection i. e., study

the context. "The word context signifies liter-
ally a weaving together; and is appropriately
used, therefore, to denote the web of a writer's
discourse. The scope is the end which a writer
proposes to accomplish ; the context gives the
form and manner of its accomplishment. With
reference to a given passage, the context has
been loosely defined to be that which imme-
diately precedes and follows. More accurately,
it is the series of statements, arguments, and
illustrations connected with the passage whose
meaning is sought, including all the various
connections of thought. The sober interpreter,
then, must have constant reference to the con-
text, as well for the signification of particular
terms as for the general sense of the passage
under consideration. To interpret without re-
gard to the context is to interpret at random ;
to interpret contrary to the coutext is to teach
falsehood for truth." Barrows, p. 531.

3. Study the scope or design of the book. " The

scope is the soul or spirit of a book ; and that
being ascertained, every argument and every
word appears in its right place, and is perfectly
intelligible ; but if the scope be not duly con-
sidered, everything becomes obscure, however
clear and obvious its meaning." Home, as
quoted by Barrows, p. 528.

4. Interpret Scripture historically. Let every book

and every passage be placed in its historical
setting. This rule is specially important in the

INTRODUCTION. 9

interpretation of the prophetical books of the
Old Testament and the epistles of the New
Testament. These books were written to meet
the condition and needs of the church at the time
when written. Hence, to interpret them cor-
rectly, it is necessary to inquire by whom, and
to whom written ; circumstances under which
written, when, and for what purpose written.

5. In the interpretation of Scripture the kind of

writing must be considered, whether it be his-
tory or prophecy, prose or poetry, plain state-
ment of facts, precept, or figures of speech.

6. The Scriptures should always be interpreted ac-

cording to the analogy of faith. "We may de-
fine this to be that general rule of doctrine
which is deduced, not from two or three paral-
lel passages, but from the harmony of all
parts of Scripture iu the fundamental points
of faith and practice. It is based on two funda-
mental principles; first, that 'all Scripture is
given by inspiration of God/ and therefore
constitutes a self-consistent whole, no part of
which may be interpreted in contradiction with
the rest ; secondly, that the truths to which
God's word gives the greatest prominence, and
which it inculcates in the greatest variety of
forms, must be those of primary importance.
Thus understood, the analogy of faith is a
sure guide to the meaning of the inspired vol-
ume. He who follows it will diligently and
prayerfully study the ivhole word of God, not
certain select parts of it ; since it is from the
whole Bible that we gather the system of
divine revelation in its fullness and just propor-
tions." Barrows, p. 576.

III. THE NEW TESTAMENT.

FIRST. GOSPEL HISTORY.

INTRODUCTION.

OUTLINE.

I. The Word Gospel.
II. The Four Gospels.
III. The Fourfold Gospel.
IV. The Harmony of the Gospels.

V. Periods in the Life of Our Lord.

NOTES.

I. The Word Gospel.

1 . The Primary Meaning of the Word. " The word
gospel is the Saxou translation of the Greek
word euangelion. In early Greek the word
meant the reward given to one who brought
good tidings. In Attic Greek it meant (in
the plural) a sacrifice for good tidings. Hence
the word became even among Romans a kind
of exclamation like our i Good news ' ! In
later Greek it meant the good news actually
delivered. Among all Greek-speaking Chris-
tians and at the beginning of the Christian
era, Greek was universally spoken throughout
the civilized world the word was adopted

12 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

to describe the best and gladdest tiding ever
delivered to the human race the good news
of the kingdom of God." Farrar, p. 5.

2. In the New Testament it always means the good

message itself the good message of salvation
from and by Jesus Christ. Just what this
message is has been compressed into a single,
striking sentence by Bernard, " Jesus Christ
created the Gospel by his work ; he preaches
the Gospel by his words ; but he is the Gospel
in himself." p. 61.

3. Naturally a word which meant "good news,"

and in the New Testament the good news of
Jesus Christ came to be applied to the written
histories of the Savior's life as being the em-
bodiment of this message. Hence the name
Gospel is given to the record of Christ's life
and teachings as given by the four inspired
evangelists.

II. The Four Gospels.

There are four separate and independent histories
of our Lord's life and teaching. Each of these
has its own individuality and distinguishing
marks.

1. Matthew.

(1) The author of the first gospel was the Apostle
Matthew, also called Levi.

(2) Its general character. " It is the gospel for
the Jews ; it is the gospel of the past ; it is
the gospel of Jesus as the Messiah. . . . ".
That it is the gospel for the Jews appears
in the very first words, ' The book of the
generation of Jesus Christ, the sou of David,
the son of Abraham'; the son of David

INTRODUCTION. 13

and therefore the heir to the Jewish king-
dom ; the son of Abraham, and therefore
the heir of the Jewish promise. That it is
the gospel of the past appears in the con-
stant formula the refrain, as it were ' that
it might be fulfilled/ which recurs on nearly
every page of the book. This gospel con-
tains no less than sixty-five quotations from
the Old Testament ; nearly three times

more than those in any other gospel

Another point is that this gospel is mainly
didactic, being marked by five great contin-
uous discourses the Sermon on the Mount;
the Address to the Apostles ; the Parables on
the ' Kingdom of the Heavens/ a Jewish
phrase peculiar to St. Matthew ; the Dis-
course on the Church ; the Discourse on
Judgment these discourses all bearing on
the work of the Messiah as Law-giver, as
Judge, and as King. The gospel of St.
Matthew was then as it w T ere 'the ultimatum
of Jehovah to his ancient people: recognize
Jesus as your Messiah, or accept Him as
your Judge' " Farrar, pp. 15, 16.
2. Mark.

(1) Author. Ascribed in New Testament to Mark,
" John whose surname was Mark." Acts
12:12, 25; 15:37. While this is the an-
cient tradition, yet, " Mark was probably
not personally cognizant of the facts of the
gospel, save perhaps the later ones. Peter,
the man of deeds rather than words, was
therefore appointed to supply in his preach-
ing, out of his vivid memory, and after his
striking manner, the materials for the gos-

14 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

pel, while Mark was appointed, under the
influence of the Holy Spirit, and in accord-
ance with his character and training to give
it final shaping." Butler, p. 11.
(2) Geueral character. " It is the gospel of the
present ; the gospel for the practical Roman
world ; the gospel of Jesus as Lord of hu-
man society It is a book of

apostolic memoirs and is marked by the
graphic vividness which reflects the mem-
ory of an eye-witness. It is the gospel
which apart from any special references to
theology or to prophecy, simply describes
in brief and startling succession our Lord's
deeds as he lived and moved among men."
Farrar, p. 16.
3. Luke.

(1) Author. "The unanimous voice of antiq-
uity ascribes the third gospel with the Acts
of the Apostles to Luke. He first appears
as the travelling companion of Paul when
he leaves Troas for Macedonia. (Acts

16:10) There is good reason

to believe that he is identical with Luke, the
beloved physician, who was with Paul when
a prisoner at Rome. Col. 4:14, etc.

He does not profess to have been him-
self an eye-witness, but he draws his infor-
mation from those who from the beginning
were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word.
From the long and intimate
connection of Luke with Paul, it is reasona-
ble to suppose that the latter must have ex-
erted an influence on the composition of this
gospel." Barrows, pp. 431-2.

INTRODUCTION. 15

2) General character. " Luke's gospel dis-
tinctly presents Christ as the Son of Man,
partaker of a common humanity and there-
fore the kinsman Redeemer of the whole hu-
man family. Every stage in the development
of Christ's veritable humanity is recorded,
the conception, the birth, the babe, the child,
the youth, and the man. So the human de-
pendence of Christ on God is expressed in
prayers and supplications, and the human
sympathies and affections of Christ, mani-
fested toward individuals and multitudes,
are particularly recorded." Butler, p. 12.
" It is a gospel, not national, but uni-
versal, not regal, but human. ... It
is the gospel for sinners, for Samaritans, for
Gentiles. It is the revelation of divine
mercy; it is the manifestation of divine
philanthropy. It is Christianity for man."
Farrar, p. 17.
4. John,

(1) Author. " Though the writer of the fourth
gospel everywhere refrains from mentioning
his own name, he clearly indicates himself
as the ' bosom disciple.' When he speaks of
two disciples that followed Jesus, afterwards
adding that one of the two ' was Andrew,
Simon Peter's brother' (1:37, 40) ; of 'one
of his disciples whom Jesus loved' (13:23 ;
21:7, 20) ; and of another disciple in com-
pany with Simon Peter (18:15, 20:2-8),
the only natural explanation of these cir-
cumlocutions is that he refers to himself.
Even if we suppose, with some, that the
two closing verses of chapter 21 (the former

16 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

of which ascribes this gospel directly to
John) are a subscription 'by another hand,
their authenticity is unquestionable, sus-
tained as it is by the uniform testimony of
antiquity, and by the internal character of
the gospel." Barrows, p. 436.
(2) General character. " St. John drops the
great keystone into the soaring arch of
Christian revelation, when he represents
Christ, neither as Messiah only, nor King
only, nor even as Savior only, but as the
Incarnate Word : as Christ, the Life and
Light of men, the pre-existent and eternal
Son of Man ; not as the Son of Man who as-
cended into heaven, but asthe Son of God, who
descended from heaven to sanctify the world.
The whole circle of Gospel Revelation is as it
were rounded into a flawless symbol of eter-
nity, when St. John was inspired to write that
'In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was
God, and the Word was made flesh and
dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father, full of grace and truth.'" Farrar,
p. 18.

III. The Fourfold Gospel.

1. The Relation of the Four Gospels to Each Other.
" There is an element of fact and truth pecul-
iar to each of the evangelists. It was by
means of this, as has been seen, that the es-
sential and fundamental Gospel truth was
brought by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
favorably before the minds of the Jew, Roman,

INTRODUCTION. 1 7

Greek, and Christian, and Jesus of Nazareth
commended to them all as the Savior of the
world. It is this fourfold difference that
completes the rounded, perfect fitness of the
four gospels to constitute the perpetual evangel
for the world of the ages subsequent to the
apostolic." Butler, p. 15. " 'Matthew,' says
Godet, ' groups together doctrinal teachings
in the form of great discourses ; he is
the preacher. Mark narrates events as they
occur to his mind ; he is a chronicler. Luke
reproduces the exterual and internal develop-
ment of events ; he is the historian, properly
so-called.' St. John, we may add, gives the
inmost spirit and meaning of the facts which
he narrates ; he is the philosopher and the di-
vine." Farrar, p. 19.
2. The Unity of the Four Gospels. We speak of
the four Gospels, and yet strictly speaking
there is but one Gospel one Gospel accord-
ing to four different inspired writers. "There
is a central mass of fact and truth around
which Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John alike
group their other material. These chief facts
and truths may be summed up in four particu-
lars. The first is found in the incarnation of
the Son of God. The second is found in the
life of the Son of God on earth in human form
and subject to human conditions and laws.
This makes up the central portion of each of
the Gospels. The third is found in the death
upon the cross. As this is the all-essential
fact, all the Gospels devote large space to it,
delineating also the events centering in it.
The fourth is found in the rising of Jesus from

2 b'

18 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

the dead, in his giving the apostles their great
commission to preach the Gospel to all the
world, and in his ascension to heaven, at once
establishing his claim to be the Savior of man-
kind and organizing and beginning his saving
work." Butler, p. 15. While the essential
v facts and truths of the four Gospels are the
same, it is also evident that the same spirit and
purpose pervade them all. The story of the
four Gospels is one, the spirit is one, and the
purpose is one.
3. The Value of the Fourfold Gospel.

(1) A fourfold witness to the truth of the Gospel
history.

(2) Supplement each other.

(3) Mutually interpret and explain each other.

(4) Serve to commend the Gospel to all classes.

IV. The Harmony of the Gospels.

1. The four Gospels have one common theme, viz. :

The life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In
presenting this theme each evangelist has more
or less material peculiar to himself, while all
have more or less in common.

2. k< The first three Gospels are commonly called

synoptical because they each give to some ex-
tent a synopsis of Christ's life." Weidner,
p. 25.

3. While the Gospel of John has something in com-

mon with the other three, it presents for the
most part an independent view of the life of
our Lord ; hence this Gospel is sometimes called
supplementary.

4. In order to obtain the most complete and satis-

factory view of our Lord's life it is necessary
to compare all four Gospels, endeavoring to

INTRODUCTION. 1 9

place the events of His life in chronological
order, placing side by side all parallel passages
and placiug in proper order the passages pecul-
iar to each Gospel, thus constructing a har-
mony of the four Gospels. While there are
many difficulties in doiug this, yet it offers
obvious advantages in studying the life of
Christ. The following advantages are men-
tioned by Weidner :

(1) " It enables us to study the life of Christ in

chronological order."

(2) " It enables us to compare the parallel ac-

counts."

(3) " It gives vividness to the earthly life and

teachings of Christ, enabling us to follow
Christ from place to place." p. 25.
It is therefore deemed best to study the life of

our Lord as presented in a Harmony of the Four

Gospels.*

V. The Periods in the Life of Christ.

1. The Period of Preparation. From His birth to

His entrance upon His public ministry.

2. The Period of Manifestation. From the begin-

ning of His public ministry to His settlement at
Capernaum.

3. The Period of Popularity. From His settlement

at Capernaum to the Discourse on the Bread
of Life.

4. The Period of Opposition. From the Discourse

on the Bread of Life to His Crucifixion.

5. The Period of Resurrection. From His Resur-

rection to His Ascension.
These periods we will study as presented in the
Harmony of the Four Gospels.

*The harmony we shall follow is that of John A. Broadus, D.D., entitled "A
Harmony of the Gospels."

FIRST. GOSPEL HISTORY.

THE LIFE OF OUR LORD.

FIRST PERIOD. PREPARATION.

From His Birth to the Beginning of His Public

Ministry.

SECTION 1. INTRODUCTORY PORTIONS
OF THE DIFFERENT GOSPELS.

OUTLINE.

I. Dedication.
II. The Word.
III. Genealogies.

NOTES.

I. Dedication. Luke 1:1-4. (1*)

1 . What He Proposes to Do. " To set forth in order

a declaration of those things which are most
surely believed among us."

2. The Sources of His Gospel. Derived from those

who " from the beginning were eye-witnesses
and ministers of the Word."

3. His Own Qualification for His Task. " Having

had perfect understanding of all things from
the very first."

* Refers to the section in the Harmony.

22 . BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

4. His Design in Writing. " That thou mightest
know the certainty of those things wherein
thou hast been instructed."

II. The Word. John 1:1-18. (1)

" The preface of this gospel is one of the most
striking peculiarities about the whole work. . . .
It forms the quintessence of the whole book', and
is composed of simple, short, condensed proposi-
tions The first verse, in particular, has

always been allowed to be one of the sublimest
verses in the Bible." Ryle.

1. The Name here Given to Jesus Christ "The

Word" i. e., the Revealer.

2. The Word Described. He was in the beginning ;

was existing in the beginning of creation ; he
was with God, and was God.

3. His Works. " All things were made by him."

Also the source of life and light.

4. His Forerunner. John Baptist, sent from God

to bear witness of the Light.

5. His Incarnation, v. 14. This verse teaches

that the Eternal, Divine Word became a man
with a true body and a reasonable soul in order
to save sinners, "full of truth and graced

6. His Rejection by the Jewish Nation, but his saving

power manifested to those who received him.
vs. 11-13.

7. John's Testimony to Christ, vs. 1518.

III. Genealogies. (1)

Matt. 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38.

The fact that there should be two genealogies of Jesus
given, and that too with such variations, is per-
plexing. The following is the conclusion of An-

FIEST PERIOD. 23

drews concerning them : " We conclude that the
two tables given by Matthew and Luke are to be
regarded as those of Joseph aud Mary, and are in
beautiful harmony with the scope of their respect-
ive Gospels. Through that of Matthew Jesus is
shown to be the heir of David or the legal son of
Joseph ; through that of Luke to be of David's
seed according to the flesh by his birth of Mary.
The former, beginning with Abraham, the father
of the chosen people, descended through David
the King, to Christ the royal heir, in whom all the
national covenants should be fulfilled ; the latter
beginning with the second Adam, the eternally
begotten son of God, ascends to the first Adam,
the son of God by creation. Each evangelist
gives his genealogy in that aspect which best suits
his special purpose ; to the one he is the Messiah
of the Jews, to the other the Savior of the world."
p. 65.

SECTION 2. ANNUNCIATIONS.

OUTLINE.

I. Annunciation of the Birth of John the Baptist.
II. Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.

NOTES.

I. Annunciation of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(2) Luke 1:5-25.

1. Zacharias and Elisabeth. Who they were. v. 5.

Their characters, v. 6.

2. The Annunciation. Where, when, aud by whom

24 BIBLE COUESE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

made? vs. 8-11. The announcement itself,
vs. 13-17. Analyze.

3. The unbelief of Zacharias and its punishment,

19-22.

4. The announcement fulfilled, vs. 24-25.

II. Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus. (3) Luke
1:26-38.

1. To Whom this Announcement ivas Made. " To a

virgin betrothed to a man whose name was-
Joseph of the house of David ; and the vir-
gin's name was Mary."

2. By Whom Made. " The angel Gabriel sent from

God."

3. The Great Fact Announced to Mary by Gabriel

that she should become the mother of the
Messiah.

4. The Description Given by Gabriel of Jesus.

(1) He was to be the son of Mary hence human,

(2) " He shall be called the son of the Most

High," " shall be called holy, the Son of
God" hence Diviue.

(3) " He shall be great."

(4) "The Lord God shall give unto him the

throne of his father David."

(5) " And he shall reign over the house of Jacob

forever."

(6) " And of his kingdom there shall be no end."

5. Mary's reply, v. 38.

FIRST PERIOD. 25

SECTION 3. VISIT OF MARY TO
ELISABETH. (4)

Luke 1:39-56.

The most noteworthy thiug connected with this visit
was the song of Mary, called the " Magnificat "
from the word "magnify" in the beginning of it.
It is evidently modeled after the song of Hannah.
1 Sam. 2:1-10.

1. What does this song reveal concerning the intel-

lectual gifts of Mary ?

2. What concerning her acquaintance with Scrip-

ture?

3. What concerning her piety '?

SECTION 4. BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE
OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

OUTLINE.

I. Birth of John.
II. The Song of Zacharias.
III. John's Early History.

NOTES.

I. Birth of John. (5) Luke 1:57-66.

The history reveals four things connected with the

birth of John.
1. His Circumcision on the Eighth Day. v. 50.
" No domestic solemnity so important or so
joyous as that in which by circumcision the

26 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

child had, as it were, laid upon it the yoke of
the Lord, with all of duty and privilege which

this implied To Zacharias and

Elisabeth the rite would have even more than
this significance, as administered to the child
of their old age, so miraculously given, and
who was connected with such a future."
Edersheim, p. 157. Circumcision a sacra-
ment. Significance ?

2. The Naming of the Child.

The name suggested by some, v. 59.

The name given him by his parents, v. 60.

Cf. Luke 1:13. All these circumstances would
seem to justify the following suggestions of
Andrews : "The name John, given the Baptist
by the angel, is of importance, as showing the
purpose of God in his miuistry. It means ' the
grace of Jehovah,' or 'one whom Jehovah be-
stows/ and indicated that God was about to
begin an economy of grace, in distinction from
the economy of the law. His ministry, like
that of Jesus, was for mercy, not for judgment."
-p. 71.

3. The Restoration of Speech and Hearing to Zacha-

rias. vs. 64-65.

4. " The Hand of the Lord was upon Him."

Question : What do all the circumstances connected
nected with the birth of John the Baptist indicate as
to the importance of his mission ? For these circum-
stances see Luke 1:5-25 and 57-80.

II. The Song of Zacharias. (5) Luke 1:67-79.

It is a song of praise and falls into two parts :

FIRST PERIOD. 27

1. He praises God for the prospective fulfillment of

his promises to his people as to temporal bless-
ings, vs. 6875.

2. He praises God for the prospective coming of

the Messiah who would bestow upon them
rich spiritual blessings, vs. 7679.

III. The Early Life of John. v. 80. (5)

"This single verse contains all that we know of
John's history for a space of thirty years the
whole period which elapsed between his birth
and the commencement of his public miuistry.
. . . . John, it will be remembered, was or-
dained to be a Nazarite (see Num. 6:1-21) from
his birth, for the words of the angel were : ' He
shall drink neither wine nor strong drink.' (Luke)
1:15.) What we are to understand by this
brief announcement is probably this : The
chosen forerunner of the Messiah and herald
of his kingdom was required to forego the
ordinary pleasures and indulgences of the world,
and live a life of the strictest self-denial in
retirement and solitude. It was thus that the
holy Nazarite, dwelling by himself in the wild
and thinly peopled region westward of the
Dead Sea, called Desert in the text, prepared
himself by self- discipline and by constant
communion with God, for the wonderful office
to which he had been divinely called. Here,
year after year of his stern probation passed by,
till at length the time for the fulfillment of his
mission arrived." Bible Dictionary.

28 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

SECTION 5. ANNUNCIATION TO

JOSEPH. (6)

Matt. 1:18-25.

This passage of Scripture teaches several important
truths :

1. It vindicates the character of both Joseph and

Mary. 18-19.

2. It reveals the extraordinary origin of the human na-

ture of our Lord. v. 20. It has beeu truly
said, " The covenant being made with Adam,
not only for himself, but for his posterity, all
mankind descending from him by ordinary gen-
eration, sinned in him and fell with him in his
fir.-t transgression." Westminster Shorter Cat-
echism.
The question then arises : How did Jesus, being
born of woman, escape the taint of original
sin ? The answer is, that he did not descend
from Adam by ordinary generation, but by
most extraordinary, v. 20.

3. The names here applied to our Lord are deeply

significant. Jesus, v. 21; Immauuel, vs. 23 24.
The way has now been fully prepared for the most im-
portant event in the history of the world, the birth
of the Christ.

FIRST PERIOD. 29

SECTION 6. FROM THE BIRTH OF JESUS
TO THE BEGINNING OF THE MIN-
ISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

OUTLINE.

I. The Birth of Jesus.
II. The Angels and the Shepherds.

III. Circumcision and Presentation in the Tem-

ple.

IV. The Visit of the Magi.

V. Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the
Innocents.
VI. Return to Nazareth.
VII. Jesus at the Age of Twelve Attends the
Passover.

NOTES.

I. The Birth of Jesus. (7) Luke 2:1-7.

1. When Jesus was Born. The question one of
great difficulty. According to the received
chronology, the year 1 of the Christian era
corresponds to the year 754 of Rome (a.u. a).
But biblical scholars well-nigh universally con-
sider this erroneous. As to the exact date of
our Lord's birth, however, there is difference
of opinion. The following is the conclusion of
Andrews, one of the best authorities on this
subject : " We find it most probable that the
Lord was born near the end of the year 749
(a. u. a). At this period all the chronolog-
ical statements of the evangelists seem most
readily to center and harmonize. In favor of
December, the last month of the year, as much

30 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

may be said as in favor of auy other, and this,
aside from the testimony of tradition. As to the
day little that is definite can be said. The
25th of this month lies open to the suspicion
of being selected on other than historic ground,
yet this is not inconsistent with auy data we
have, and has the voice of tradition in its favor.
Still in regard to all these conclusions it must
- be remembered that many elements of uncer-
tainty enter into the computations, and that
any positive statements are impossible." p. 20.
2. Where Oar Lord was Born. " The village of
Bethlehem, ' house of bread,' lies about five
miles south of Jerusalem on the way to He-
bron The place now shown as the

Lord's birthplace is a cave southeast from the
town, and covered by the Latin convent. . . .
So far as tradition cau authenticate a place,
this seems well authenticated. Edersheim says,
'the best authenticated of all local traditions.'

The church that now stands on the

cave of the nativity was built by the Emperor
Justinian upon the site of that built by the
Empress Helena, a. d. 330 .... The cave
of the nativity is thirty-eight feet long by eleven
feet wide, and a silver star in a marble slab at
the eastern end marks the precise spot where
the Lord was born. Here is the inscrip-
tion : Hie de virgine Maria Jesus Christus
natus est." ( Here of the Virgin Mary Jesus
Christ was born.) ."Silver lamps are always
burning around, and an altar stands near, which
is used in turn by the monks of the convents.
The manger in which the Lord was laid was
taken to Rome by Pope Sixtus V. and placed

FIRST PERIOD. 31

in the church of St. Maria Maggiore, bat its
place is supplied by a marble one. A few feet
opposite, an altar marks the spot where the
manger stood. The walls are covered with
silken hangings." Andrews, pp. 82-86.

3. The Circumstances of our Lord's Birth.

(1) What were the circumstances connected with
his birth ? He was born of a virgin; of the
house of David ; in the town of Bethlehem ;
in poverty and obscurity.

(2) These circumstances all in fulfillment of
prophecy: his birth of a virgin, Isa. 7:14;
his descent from David, Jer. 23:56 ; in
Bethlehem, Mic. 5:2 ; in poverty, Isa. 53:2.

4. The Incarnation. When Jesus was born "God

was manifest in the flesh." John 1:14. By
the incarnation the Son of God took into per-
sonal union with himself human nature, a true
body and a reasonable soul. In doing this,
however, he did not, nor could he, cease to be
very God. So that while there was one person
and that person divine, there were two natures,
a human nature and a divine nature, so united
as to form one person. Yet in this union of
the two natures there was no confusion of the
one with the other, but such a personal union
as that whatever cau be predicated of either
nature can be predicated of the person. " The
incarnation, as to its nature, is, of necessity,
unfathomably mysterious, but as a fact it is
unspeakably glorious, and with the atonement
and intercession, it furnishes a divinely simple
and beautiful solution of the otherwise insolu-
ble problem of human salvation." Broadus,
Commentary, in loco.

32 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

II. The Angels and the Shepherds. (8) Luke
2:8-20.

1. The Angels. Wbat are we to understand by

"angels"? This passage evidently teaches that
there are such beings as angels that they are
intelligent, moral agents that they knew who
Jesus was and of his mission, and that they
were deeply interested in human redemption.

2. The Shepherds, v. 8. Who? Why was the

announcement of the Savior's birth first made
to them f

3. The 3Iessage of the Angel. 10-12.

(1) What this message is called " good tidings
of great joy."

(2) To whom the message shall be good tidings
"to all the people" i. e., to Israel and
afterwards to the world.

(3) The message itself. "For there is born to
you this day in the city of David, a Savior
which is Christ the Lord." The Messiah
(Christ) is born. "The Word made flesh."
(Isa. 9:6 and John 1:14.) "When? 'This
day.' Where? 'In the city of David,' in
the right line, and at the right spot; where
prophecy bade us look lor him and faith ac-
cordingly expected him. How dear to us
should be these historic moorings of our faith.
A Savior not one who shall be a Savior,
' but born a Savior? Christ the Lord
magnificent appellation. This is the only
place where these words come together, and
I see no way of understanding this 'Lord'
but as corresponding to the Hebrew
Jehovah." (Alf.) Brown, Commentary, in
loeo.

FIRST PERIOD. 33

(4) The Sign. v. 12. " The sign was to consist,
it seems, solely in the overpowering contrast
between the things just said of him and the
lowly condition in which they would find
him. 'Him whose goings forth have been
from of old, from everlasting,' 'ye shall find
a Babe'; whom the heaven of heavens can-
not contain, 'wrapt in swaddling bands';
the Savior, Christ the Lord ' lying in a
manger.'" Brown, Commentary, in loco.
4. The Hymn of "the Heavenly Host." 13-14.

(1) The introduction to the hymn, v. 13. This
verse tells us by whom this hymn was sung,
" the heavenly host." " An army celebrat-
ing peace! (Beng.), 'transferring the oc-
cupation of their exalted station to this poor
earth which so seldom resounds with the
pure praise of God' (Olsh.); to let it be
known how this event is regarded in heaven,
and how it should be regarded on earth."
{Brown, Commentary, in loco.) This verse
also tells us when this hymn was sung; im-
mediately after the angel had delivered his
message he was "suddenly" joined by the
heavenly host, as if they had been in waiting
till their fellow had done.

(2) The hymn. "Brief but transporting hymn,
not only in articulate speech, for our behoof,
but in tunable measure, in the form of a
Hebrew parallelism of two complete clauses
and a third one only amplifying the second.
The 'glory to God' which the new-born
'Savior' was to bring, is the first note of this
sublime hymn; to this answers, in the second
clause, the 'peace on earth,' of which he was

-S4 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

to be the Prince (Isa. 9:6) probably snug
responsively by the celestial choir ; while
quickly follows the glad echo of this note,
probably by a third detachment of the angelic
choristers ' Good will to men.'' ' Peace ' with
God is the grand necessity of a fallen world.
To bring in this and all other peace in its-
train was the prime errand of the Savior to
this earth, aud along with it, heaven's whole
' good will to men.' " Brown, Commentary r
in loco.

5. The Shepherds' Visit to the Babe. 15-20.
"The hymn had ceased, the light faded out
of the sky, and the shepherds were alone. But
the angelic message remained with them, and
the sign, which was to guide them to the In-
fant Christ, lighted their way up the terraced
height to where, at the entering of Bethle-
hem, the lamp swinging over the hostelry
directed them to the strangers of the house
of David, who had come from Nazareth.
The holy group only consisted
of the humble, virgin-mother, the lowly car-
penter of Nazareth and the babe, laid in the
manger. What further passed we know not,
save that, having seen it for themselves, the
shepherds told what had been spoken to them
about this child, to all around, in the 'stable/
in the fields, probably also in the temple, to
which they would bring their flocks, thereby
preparing the minds of a Simeon, of an Anna,
and of all of them that looked for salvation
in Israel." Edersheim, vol. L, p. 189.

FIRST PERIOD. 35

III. Circumcision and Presentation in the Temple.
(9) Luke 2:21-38.

1. The Circumcision.

(1) The rite of circumcision. This the initiatory
rite of the visible church, and the seal of
the Abrahamic covenant. Gen. 17:914.
In general it signified the necessity of re-
generation. That it did not signify this to
Christ is obvious. What then did it signify
in his case? "It was a proof that he was
of the promised seed, the seed of Abraham.
It was a mark of his regular initiation into
the Jewish church. Without this, Jesus
would have been driven from the thresholds
of their temple, their synagogues, and their
dwellings as unclean and profane." Butler,
p. 38. Of this also it may be said as of his
baptism, "thus it became him to fulfill all
righteousness." Matt. 8:15.

(2) The name given to Him, Jesus. The signifi-
cance of this name. Matt. 1:21.

2. The Presentation in the. Temple. This rite was

required by the Old Testament ceremonial law,
and embraced two things:

(1) The presentation, Ex. 12:2; Num. 18:15-16.
This an acknowledgment of God's right to
the child, as well as an act of obedience.

(2) A sacrifice, Lev. 12:2-8.

3. Simeon and Anna. 25-38.

(1) Simeon. Note, (a) The character of Simeon
(6) What is here said of the Holy Spirit.
(c) The song of Simeon. "Taking the child
in his arms, he proclaims him, for the first
time, as the Christ of God, and declared that

36 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

his eyes had seen the Salvation of God, the
Light of the Gentiles, and the Glory of
Israel. Thus does his sacred song embody
the full doctrine of the personal glory of
Christ, the spiritual purpose of his mission,
and its universal extent; truths which, when
fully learned, prepare the Christian to repeat,
from the heart, his 'Nunc Diinittis.' "
Butler, p. 39. (d) His prophecy spoken
to Mary, vs. 34-35. Note the four clauses
of this prophecy. How fulfilled?
(2) Anna. 36-38. Her history ? 36-37. Her
character? Four things mentioned of her.
(a) " She departed not from the temple"
loved God's house. (6) " Served God with
fastings," self-denial, (c) " Prayers." (d) A
prophetess i. e., God spake through her to
men. Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah had
previously been similarly honored. And
Joel had foretold that a time was coming
when others would be called to be prophet-
esses. Joel 2:28-29. " Some may be ready
to ask, if women were allowed to prophesy,
why are they not permitted also to preach ?
To which we answer, because, we are not
to argue from a miraculous age to an ordinary
one ; because our Lord has given us no ex-
ample of this in the choice of his apostles,
nor in the mission of the sevetny ; and be-
cause inspiration has interposed its authority
and said, ' I suffer not a woman to teach ' in
the Church." Jay, p. 107 ; 1 Tim. 2:12-14.

IV. The Visit of the Magi. (10) Matt. 2:1-12.

1. Who were the Magi f "Wise men from the

FIRST PERIOD. 37

East." "Originally the priestly tribe or caste
among the Medes, and afterwards the Medo-
Persians, being the recognized teachers of re-
ligion and of science. In the great Persian
Empire they wielded the highest influence and
power. As to science, they cultivated astron-
omy, especially in the form of astrology, with
mediciue, and every form of divination and
incantation. Their name gradually came to
be applied to persons of similar positions and
pursuits in other nations, especially to divines
and euchauters It is, how-
ever, probable that these Magi from the East
were not mere ordinary astronomers or divines,
but belonged to the old Persian class, many
members of which still maintained a high
position and an elevated character. So it is
likely, but of course not certain, that they
came from Persia or Babylon." Broadus, Com-
mentary.

2. The Star. vs. 2, 7, 9, 10. Some have endeavored

to explain this star as a natural phenomenon.
But "taking Matthew's language, according to
its obvious import, we have to set aside the
non-supernatural explanations and regard the
appearance as miraculous; conjecture as to its
nature will then be to no profit." Broadus,
Commentary, in loco.

3. The Incident on their Journey. Coming to

Jerusalem, the capital of the country, they
sought information. The importance of the
testimony to the Messiahship of Jesus, given
by "the chief priests and scribes." 3-6.
Herod, vs. 7-8.

38 BIBLE COUESE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

4. The Wise Men and the Child. 10-12. Their

worship? Their offering ? Their return ?

5. The Significance of the Visit of the Magi. Isa.

60:3. Also -emphasized the prophecy alluded
to in v. 6. " What a vast horizon opens with
the beginning of the Gospels. The genealogies
point back to Abraham and to Adam, and
John's preface back to eternity. The census
by order of Csesar Augustus reminds us of im-
perial Rome and all her history. The Magi,
of Aryan descent and full of the oldest Chal-
dean learning, remind us of the hoary East.
All the previous history of Western Asia and
of Southern Europe stand in relation to this
babe in Bethlehem. Moreover, the 'City of
David' and ' Messiah the Lord ' recall the long-
cherished Messianic hope. And the angelic
song treats this lowly birth as an occasion pf
praise in heaven and peace on earth.' "
Broadus, Commentary, p. 22.

V. The Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the
Innocents. (11) Matt. 2:13-18.

1. The Flight into Egypt. 13-15.

(1) What led Joseph to take this step? v. 13.
How early the persecution of Jusus began !
But His Protector greater than all His
enemies.

(2) The fulfillment of prophecy, 14-15. See
llos. 11:1. " Hosea clearly refers to the
calling of Israel out of Egypt, the nation
being elsewhere spoken of as ' God's Son.'
(Ex. 4:22; Jer. 31:9.) But there is an
evident typical relation between Israel and
Messiah." Broadus, Commentary, p. 23.

"First period. 39

2. Slaughter of the Innocents. 16-18.

(1) Herod's cruel act.

(2) Fulfilled the prophecy of Jer. 13:15.

VI. Return to Nazareth. (12) Matt. 2:19-23; Luke
2:39.

1. The Message of the Angel. Matt. 2:19-20.

The death of Herod was the signal for the
angel's visit. He instructs Joseph to return
into the land of Israel.

2. 7'he Settlement in Nazareth. What led him to

go to Nazareth? (For a description of Naza-
reth see Bible Dictionary.)

3. Fulfillment of Prophecy, v. 23. A Nazarene

i. e., contemptible. This is better understood
as embodying the spirit of the prophetic utter-
ances concerning the Messiah, and not the
very words of any prophet.

VII. Jesus at the Age of Twelve Attends the
Passover. (13) Luke 2:40-52.

1. The Record of his Life from the Settlement at

Nazareth to the Age of Twelve, v. 40.

2. His Attendance on the Passover. " His presence

at the Passover at the age of twelve was in
accordance with Jewish custom. At that age
the Jewish boys began to be instructed in the
law, to be subject to the fasts, and to attend
regularly the feasts, and were called the sons of
the Law." Andrews, p. 108.
3. T he Incident with the " Doctors." 43-51. This
is the first evidence we have of the conscious-
ness of Jesus of his mission. Edersheim calls
it the "awakening of the Christ-conscious-
ness." But who can say when the conscious-

40 BIBLE COUESE: OUTLINE "AND NOTES.

ness of who he was and of his mission first
dawned upon him?
4. The Silent Years at Nazareth. 51-52. These
verses are all the sacred writers tell us of
our Lord from the age of twelve to thirty.
It is this interval which the Apocryphal Gos-
pels attempt to fill up with stories of his youth
and early manhood. " Though many of these
are sanctioned by the Romish church, they are
ofteu absurd, and sometimes blasphemous.
The external conditions under
which Jesus grew up are known to us from
general sources of information. His develop-
ment must have been influenced by such out-
ward circumstances as the following: (1)
Home. (2) Xature. His deep love of nature
appears repeatedly in his public ministry. (3)
The Scriptures. (4) Labor. (5) The Syna-
gogue It is not

improbable that after Joseph's death the
growing youth's labor aided iu the support
of that loved mother, for whom he took pains
to provide when he was about to die. John
19:26, 27. That he spent much time in
reflection, and in prayerful communion with
his Father, is naturally inferred from his
course at a later period." Broaclus, Commen-
tary, p. 30.

FIRST PERIOD. 41

SECTION 7. FROM THE BEGINNING OF
THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAP-
TIST TO THE BEGINNING
OF THE MINISTRY OF
OUR LORD.

OUTLINE.

I. The Ministry of John the Baptist.
II. The Baptism of Jesus.
III. The Temptation of Jesus.

NOTES.

I. The Ministry of John the Baptist. (14) Matt.
3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-18.

1. The Times when he Began his Ministry. Luke
3:1-2. The sacred writer here tells us "the
names of some who were rulers and governors in
the earth when the ministry of John the Baptist
began. It is a melancholy list and full of
instruction. There is hardly a name in it
which is not infamous for wickedness. Tibe-
rius and Pontius Pilate, and Herod and his
brother, and Annas and Caiaphas, were men
of whom we know little or nothing but evil.
The earth seemed given into the hands of the
wicked. (Job 9:24.) When such were the
rulers, what must the people have been ? "
Ryle, Expos. Thoughts on Luke. Concerning
the Jewish nation, Stalker says it was "a na-
tion enslaved ; the upper classes devoting
themselves to selfishness, courtiershipaud scep-
ticism ; the teachers and chief professors of

42 BrBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

religion lost in mere shows of ceremonialism,
and boasting themselves the favorites of God,
while their souls were honeycombed with self-
deception and vice ; the body of the people
misled by false ideals; and, seething at the
bottom of society, a neglected mass of uu-
blushing and unrestrained sin." p. 33.
2. John the Baptist. The early history of John we
have already studied. Now he comes forth
suddenly to act an important and conspicuous
part in the history. In personal appearance
singular and striking, with his long hair, coarse
attire, and firm tread; in character humble,
honest, faithful, fearless, consecrated ; iu man-
ner rude, earnest, plain-spoken, impressive.
"The news went through all the country that
iu the desert of Judea a preacher had ap-
peared, not like the mumblers of dead men's
ideas, who spoke in the synagogues, or the
courtier-like, smooth-tongued teachers of Je-
rusalem, but a rude, strong man, speaking from
the heart to the heart, with the authority of
one who was sure of his inspiration. He had
been a Nazarite from the womb ; he had lived
for years in the desert, wandering, in commun-
ion with his own heart, beside the lonely
shores of the Dead Sea ; he was clad in the
hairy cloak and leathern girdle of the old
prophets ; and his ascetic vigor sought no finer
fare than locust and wild honey, which he
found in the wilderness. Yet he knew life
well ; he was acquainted with all the evils of
the time, the hypocrisy of the religious par-
ties, and the corruption of the masses ; he had
a wonderful power of searching the heart and

FIRST PERIOD. 43

shaking the conscience, and without fear laid
bare the darling sins of every class." Stalker,
p. 39.

3. His Mission. This wonderful man, whose birth

and career were foretold by the angel Gabriel,
and who, after thirty years of seclusion in the
wilderness, appears so suddenly upon the scene,
was called of God to a great mission. That
mission had been declared by the angel (Luke
1:17, and is here repeated by Matthew, Mark,
and Luke. (Matt. 3:3 ; Mark 1:2, 3; Luke
3:4-6.) He was to be the forerunner of the
Messiah to prepare the way before him.

4. His Preaching. John's mission determined the

character of his preaching. Hence two lead-
ing features of his preaching :

(1) Repentance. (Matt, 3:2; Mark 1:4; Luke

3 : 8.) As we have seen, the condition of
the nation was exceedingly sinful. The
great need of the nation, therefore, to pre-
pare them for the advent of the Messiah,
was repentance. Hence, John lays bare
their sins and calls for true repentance.

(2) The immediate advent of the Messiah. "The

kingdom of heaven is at hand ! " "There
cometh after me he that is mightier than I."
The kingdom was the Messianic kingdom,
and the one coming after him was the Mes-
siah, the King. This announcement "good
tidings." (Luke 3:18.) " Concerning this
' Kingdom of Heaven,' which was the great
message of John, and the great work of
Christ himself, we may here say, that it is
the whole Old Testament sublimated, and

44 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

the whole New Testament realized. Eder-
sheim, vol. L, p. 265.
5. His Baptism. This rite is closely connected
with his mission and his preaching. These
must then determine the nature of his baptism.
Hence John's baptism may be described as "a
public seal: (1) of their felt need of redemption
. as sinners; (2) expectation of the promised de-
liverer; (3) readiness to embrace him when he
appeared." Brown. (Mt.) This rite then
was designed to set forth symbolically the great
mission of John Preparation for the Messiah.
Such is the view suggested by Edersheim:
"May it not rather have been that as, when the
first covenant was made, Moses was directed to
prepare Israel by symbolic baptism of their
persons and their garments, so the initiation of
the New Covenant, by which the people were
to enter into the Kingdom of God, was pre-
ceded by another general symbolic baptism of
those who would be the true Israel, and re-
ceive or take on themselves the law of God?
In that case the rite would have acquired
not only a new significance, but become deeply
and truly the answer to John's call. In such case,
also, no special explanation would have been
needed on the part of the Baptist, nor yet such
spiritual insight on that of the people as we
can scarcely suppose them to have possessed at
that stage. Lastly, in that case nothing could
have been more suitable, nor more solemn, than
Israel in waiting for the Messiah and the rule
of God, preparing as their fathers had done at
the foot of Mount Sinai." Vol. I., p. 274.

FIRST PERIOD. 45

6. His Ministry after the Baptism, of Jesus.

(1) His testimony to Jesus. John 1:19; John
3:26-36. The following are the principal
points in John's testimony, (a) The supe-
riority of Jesus to himself. John 1:26.
(6) That Jesus is the Lamb of God. 1:29.
(c) That he is the Son of God. 1:34. (d)
That he is the Bridegroom. 3:29. (e)
That he hath the Spirit without measure.
3:34. (/) That the Father heareth him
and hath given all thkigs into his hands.
iff) That faith on him determines eternal
destiny. 3:36.

(2) Continues to baptize (John 3:22-23) and
to exercise his ministry. Luke 3:19.

John's public ministry was brought to a close by
his imprisonment by Herod. Luke 3:19-20.
Afterward he was beheaded by this same ruler.
Mark 6:21-29. Very significant is the testi-
mony of our Lord to John. Matt. 11:7-15.
(Analyze.)

II. The Baptism of Jesus. (15) Matt. 3:13-17;
Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23.

1. The Recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. This
" to be explained, not by the fact of prior
acquaintance, for such acquaintance is by no
means certain, but by the immediate revelation
of God and through an appointed sign.
We may well believe that when Jesus came to
be baptized, his whole appearance, his de-
meanor and language, so manifested his exalted
character to the discerning eye of the Baptist
illumined by the Spirit, that he had an imme-
diate presentiment who he was, and could say

4(3 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

to him : ' I have need to be baptized of Thee.'"
Andrews, pp. 152 and 153.

2. The Significance of Christ's Baptism. As to

this expositors are not agreed. That it could
not be to him the baptism of repentance, or
for the remission of sins, is clear. Moreover,
John's mission was to prepare the people, by
bringing them to repentance, for the coming
of the Messiah. Obviously it could not apply
to him in this last sense. "There seems then,
to be no explanation, except that Christ's bap-
tism was his priestly inauguration. John,
himself an Aaronic priest, might naturally ad-
minister it. His age confirms it; compare
Luke 3:23 with Num. 4:3. A purification
by water was a part of the origiual consecra-
tion of the Aaronic family. See Lev. 8:6; or
better, Ex. 30:17-21, etc. The unction Christ
received immediately after, by the descent of
the Holy Ghost. And last, John's language
confirms it, together with the immediate open-
ing of Christ's official work." Dabney, p. 76 I.

3. The Manifestation Immediately Following Christ's

Baptism. The Holy Ghost descended upon
Him in the form of a dove, and the voice out
of heaven declared: "This is my beloved Sou
in whom I am well pleased." Note here, we
have clearly distinguished the three Persons of
the Trinity.

III. The Temptation. (16) Matt. 4:1-11; Mark
1:12, 13; Luke 4:1-13.

He had just been inaugurated into his priestly office,
and ere he begins his public ministry one thing

FIRST PERIOD. 47

more must take place, his temptation. We may

study it under the followiug heads :
J. The One Tempted. He was man; a true, but
perfect and sinless man. He was also God.
God and man so united as to form one Person.
This God-man was the Messiah the Second
Adam, and hence the second head of the race.
Rom. 5:12-19; 1 Cor. J 5:22.
2. The Tempter the Devil. "The term 'devil' in
the New Testament is strictly a proper name,
as much so as Satan; his subordinates should
be called demons, as in the Greek. To the
real existence and personality of the devil the
Scriptures are fully committed. He is repre-
sented as the chief of the fallen angels (25:41;
Com p. 9:34), and through these he is able,
though not omnipresent, to be carrying on the
temptation of many persons at the same time.
He is, of course, limited in knowledge, though
immeasurably superior to mau." Broadus,
Com., p. 61. He is spoken of in the Scrip-
tures as "the God of this world." 2 Cor. 4:4.
As "the Prince of this world." John 12:31.
As "the Prince of the power of the air."
Eph. 2:2. It is evident then, that the devil
is regarded as the head and representative of
the powers of evil; while Christ is in a higher
sense the head and representative of his people.

3. The Place and Circumstances "In the Wilder-

ness, Alone and Hungered." Contrast with
the place and circumstances of the temptation
of the first Adam.

4. The Temptation Itself. The "three temptations

all issued and centered in this one : To be the

48 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

Messiah without suffering and death ; such a
Messiah as carnal Judaism then longed for."
Butler, p. 68. The threefold temptation was a
temptation to unbelief to depart from the plan
of God in redemption, and to yield to the pop-
ular Jewish idea of the Messiah, and his work.
Mark the severity and plausibility of the
temptations.

5. How these Temptations Were Met by Christ. See

Matt. 4: 4, 7, 10.

6. The Victory. Matt. 4:11. His victory not

only complete, but decisive. Although Satan
departed from him only for a season, yet " he
was thoroughly beaten back and his power
broken at its heart. Milton has indicated this
by finishing his Paradise Regained at this
point." Stalker, p. 44. But not only was this
victory complete and decisive, it was of the
greatest importance. "When Jesus conquered
it was not only as the Un fallen and Perfect
Man, but as the Messiah. His temptation and
victory have therefore a twofold aspect : the
general human and the Messiauic, and these
two are closely connected. Hence, we draw
also this happy inference : in whatever Jesus
overcame we can overcome." Edersheim, vol.
I., p. 294. He is both our Exemplar and our
victorious Representative.

SECOND PERIOD.

THE PERIOD OF MANIFESTATION.

From the Beginning of His Public Ministry to His
Settlement at Capernaum.

SECTION 1. THE FIRST FIVE DISCIPLES.

{18) John 1:35-51.

1. Who Were They, their Names and Character f

As to their character, little is said, "but there
is enough to show that they were all pious men.
They evidently belonged to the select
band who waited for the consolation of Israel,
and anxiously looked for him who should ful-
fill God's promises, and realize the hopes of all
devout souls." Bruce, p. 5.

2. What Led Them to Become Disciples of Jesus f

John and Andrew, vs. 35-39; Peter, vs. 40-
42 ; Philip, 43 ; Nathaniel, 44-51 ?

3. The Nature of their Faith. "The faith of these

brethren was, therefore, just such as we should
expect in beginners. In substance it amounted
to this, that they recognized in Jesus the Di-
vine Prophet, King, Son of Old Testament
prophecy ; and its value lay not in its matu-
rity or accuracy, but in this, that however im-
perfect, it brought them into contact aud close
fellowship with Him in whose company they

4b

50 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

were to see greater things than when they first
believed, one truth after another assuming its
place in the firmament of their minds like
stars appearing in the evening sky as daylight
fades away." Bruce, p. 10.
4. The Revelation here Given of Jesus. The names
applied to Him? What these men confessed
Him to be? What He says of Himself?

SECTION 2. THE FIRST MIRACLE OF

JESUS.

OUTLINE.

I. General View of the Miracles of Our Lord.
II. The Miracle at Cana.

NOTES.

I. General View of the Miracles of Our Lord.

Miracles one of the great features of our Lord's
ministry. We do not know definitely the number.
About thirty-seven separate miracles recorded as
wrought by him during his ministry. But at least
five times many miracles are spoken of collectively
in a single sentence. Matt. 4:23, 24; 14:14; 15:29-
31; 19:1,2.

1. Definition of Miracle. "An event in the exter-
nal world, brought about by the immediate
efficiency, or simple volition of God." Hodge t
vol. I., p. 618.
2. The Names Given to Miracles in the Gospels.
The miracles of our Lord are called in Scripture
by different names, and each name is instructive^

SECOND PERIOD. 51

As they were manifestations of power, they are
called mighty works; as adapted to prove the
truth of his mission and to strengthen the faith
of his disciples they are called signs; as cre-
ating surprise they are called wonders; while
in John they are called by a title of yet greater
significance, simply his works; the appropriate
and natural acts of one who is himself the
mighty God, and a wonder to the people."
" The healing of the paralytic was a won-
der, for they who beheld it were all amazed;
it was a power, for the man, at Christ's word,
arose, took up his bed and went out before them
all; it was a sign, for it gave a token that one
greater than men deemed was among them; it
stood in connection with a higher fact, of which
it was the sign and seal, being wrought that they
might 'know that the Son of man hath power
on earth to forgive sins.'" Butler, p. 615.
3. The Significance of Our Lord's Miracles.

(1) They are his credentials. John 5:36.

(2) They signified the moral work he came to
do. "As his teaching was a miracle in
words, so his miracles were a teaching in
acts. By this means he revealed himself as
One who had the power ol curing the spirit-
ually blind and mute, the spiritual leper and
palsy stricken ; as one who had the power of
delivering souls from Satan, and freeing them
from the eternal death which threatened
them." Godet in Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia.

(3) " Each group of his miracles illustrate a special
side of that work of spiritual deliverance
which he had come to accomplish" ; (a) mir-
acles bearing upon the moral manifestation

52 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

of sin e. g., healing the demoniacs; (6) mir-
acles bearing upon the physical manifestation
of sin e. g., healing the sick; (c) miracles
bearing upon the rebellion of nature against
man, as stilling the tempest; (d) miracles
bearing upon the restoration of primeval
plenty, as the miracles of loaves. See Godet
in Sehaff-Herzog Encyclopedia.
(4) Miracles also first-fruits of redemption. Hence
prophecies and pledges of a complete and
full redemption.

II. The Miracle at Cana. (19) John 2:1-11.

1. The place and circumstances under which this

miracle was wrought.

2. The miracle, what ? The proof that it was a

miracle?

3. The significance of this miracle. " He conse-

crates marriage and the sympathies which lead
to marriage. He stamps his image on human
joys, human connections, human relationships."
Butler, p. 79.

4. Results. " Manifested forth his glory ; and his

disciples believed on him."

SECTION 3. THE EARLY JUDEAN MIN-
ISTRY.

OUTLINE.

I. General Features.
II. Cleanses the Temple.

III. His Miracles at the Passover.

IV. Discourse -with Nicodemus.
V. Jesus Baptizes.

SECOND PERIOD. 53

NOTES.

I. General Features.

1. The Opening of the Judean Ministry. John 2:13.

This the first passover of our Lord's minis-
try. Why selected as the time for the opening
of his ministry in Judea ?

2. The Design of the Judean Ministry f To reveal

himself to the nation as the Messiah. " The
whole Judean ministry was an appeal to the
people, and principally to the rulers, to receive
him as the Messiah." Andrews, p. 169.

3. The Plan of the Judean Ministry. It was his

purpose to secure the recognition of his Mes-
siahship by the nation. "That the rulers had
the right, and, indeed, were in duty bound to
demand proof of his Messianic claims, the Lord
himself declared (John 5:33)." Andrews, p,
168. This then gives us the key to the plan
of his ministry at this time to do what was
needful to secure his recognition by the nation.

II. Cleanses the Temple. (21) John 2:14-22.

1. The Temple. History? Proper use? Sanc-

tity ? Jesus here calls the temple his Father's
house i.e., "the seat of his Father's most au-
gust worship, and so the symbol of all that is
dear to him on earth." Brown, Com., in
loco.

2. What He Found in the Temple, v. 14. " The

presence of oxen, sheep, doves, and money-
changers within the temple courts is easily ac-
counted for. The animals were intended to
supply the wants of Jews who came to the
passover and other feasts, from distant places,

54 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

and required sacrifices. . . . The chang-
ers of money came naturally enough where
buying and selling went on, to meet the con-
venience of Jews who had nothing but for-
eign money, which they wished to exchange
for the current coin of Jerusalem. The tend-
ency of the whole custom was evidently most
profane." Ryle, in loco.

3. What He Did. vs. 15-16. "The whole trans-

action is a remarkable one, as exhibiting our
Lord using more physical exertion and ener-
getic bodily action than we see him using at
any other period of his ministry. A word, a
touch, or the reaching forth of a hand are the
ordinary limits of his actions. Here we see
him doing no less than four things: (1) Mak-
ing the scourge ; (2) Driving out the auimals ;
(3) Pouring out on the ground the changers'
money ; (4) Overthrowing the tables. On no
occasion do we find him showing such strong
outward marks of indignation as at the sight
of the profanation of the temple." Ryle, in loco.

4. The Effect upon the "Jews" (rulers of the peo-

ple). " His presence awed them, his words
awakened even their consciences. They knew,
only too well, how true his denunciations
were. And behind him was gathered the
wondering multitude, that could not but sym-
pathize with such bold, right royal, and Mes-
sianic vindication of temple sanctity from the
nefarious traffic of a hated, corrupt, and ava-
ricious priesthood. And when the tem-
ple officials did gather courage to come for-
ward they ventured not to lay hands on Him.
. . . Still more strangely, they did not

SECOND PERIOD. 55

even reprove him for what he had done, as
if it had been wrong or improper. With in-
finite cunning, or appealing to the multitude
they only asked for a ' sign ' which would war-
rant such assumption of authority. But this
question of challenge marked two things :
the essentia] opposition between the Jewish au-
thorities and Jesus, and the manner in which
they would carry out the contest which was
henceforth to be waged between him and the
rulers of the people." Edersheim, vol. 1,
p. 374.

5. The "Sign" He Gave Them. vs. 19-22. "As

for the ' sign/ then and ever again sought by

an evil and adulterous generation

He had then, as afterwards, only one 'sign' to
give : ' Destroy this temple, and in three days
I will raise it up.' Thus he met their chal-
lege for a sign by the challenge of a sign ; cru-
cify him and he would lise again ; let them
suppress the Christ, He would triumph. A
sign this which they understood not, but mis-
understood, and by making it the ground of
their false charge in his final trial themselves
unwittingly fulfilled." Edersheim, vol. I., p.
375. When fulfilled it was remembered by
His apostles and confirmed their faith, v. 22.

6. The Significance of this Event. "As now per-

formed it was a plain and open avowal of his
divine authority and a public reproof of the
wickedness of the priests and rulers who per-
mitted his Father's house to be made a house
of merchandise. Nothing could have brought
him more publicly before the ecclesiastical
authorities and the multitude who thronged

56 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

the feast than this act, nor have shown more
distinctly the nature and extent of his claim."
Andrews, p. 170.

III. His Miracles during the Passover. (21)
23 25.

1. Character f Number f

2. Their Effect v. 23.

3. Yet Jesus not Deceived by this Apparent Popu-

larity. Why not ? v. 25.

IV. The Discourse -with Nicodemus. (21) John
3:1-21.

The subject of the discourse Salvation.

1. The Nature of Salvation. It is a regeneration

(v. 3) ; it is justification (17-18) : it is de-
liverance from the penalty of sin "might not
perish" (vs. 15, 16) ; it is "eternal life ,y
(15-16).

2. The Agent by Whom Salvation is Applied, the

Holy Spirit, v. 5.

3. The Mediator through Whom the Spirit Acts,

the Lord Jesus. He here reveals himself as
" the Son of Man," who " came down from
heaven," and yet is "in heaven " as " the only
begotton Son of God " ; and as being " lifted
up " for the salvation of man.

4. The Means through Which Man Secures this

Salvation, faith - " that whosoever believeth
in him." vs. 15-16.

5. The Primed Source of Salvation. The Love of

God the Father, (v. 16.) " Thus the Three
Persons of the Trinity are all revealed in their
working for man's redemption ; the Father
loving the world so as to give his Son to die

SECOND PERIOD. 57

for mau ; the Son coraiDg down from heaven
to be lifted upon the cross and ascending to
heaven again ; and the Spirit renewing the
hearts of those who should enter the kingdom
of heaven." Butter, p. 90.
6. Those Who Reject Christ. Why they reject him,
19-21. The consequences of rejecting him
"condemned already." v. 18.

V. Jesus Baptizes. (33) John 3:23.

" As none of the rulers or leaders acknowledge him,
or perhaps seek him out, except the doubting Nicode-
mus, he leaves the city and begins somewhere in the
province the work of baptizing. This work is per-
formed by the hands of his disciples." Andreivs, p.
169, concerning this note.

1. When Did it Begin f "After these things."

" The impression made by the evangelist's
statement is that the Lord remained at Jerusa-
lem, or in its neighborhood for a time, longer
or shorter, after the Passover, and then going
to some place he had selected in the land of
Judea, began there to baptize." Andrews,
p. 171.

2. How Long Did He Baptize f Probably several

months. (See Andrews.)

3. The Significance of this Baptism. John had been

sent to prepare the way for the Messiah by
bringing the nation to repentance. But it was
now evident the nation was not prepared to
receive him. Hence John continued his bap-
tism. Hence also for the same purpose Jesus
baptizes. " It was this baptism that gave to
his Judean ministry its distinctive character.
It was an attempt to bring the nation, as

58 BIBLE COUESE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

headed up in its ecclesiastical rulers, to repent-
ance. Had these come to him or to John con-
fessing their sins, his way would have been
prepared and he could have proceeded to teach
them the true nature of the Messianic king-
dom, and prepare them for the baptizing of the
Holy Ghost." Andrews, p. ] 77.

SECTION 4. FROM HIS DEPARTURE
FROM JUDEA TO HIS SETTLE-
MENT AT CAPERNAUM.

OUTLINE.

I. Reasons for Leaving Judea.
II. The Conversation -with the Woman of Sama-
ria.

III. Arrival in Galilee.

IV. Heals the Nobleman's Son.
V. Rejected at Nazareth.

VI. Settlement at Capernaum.

NOTES.

I. Reasons for Leaving Judea.

1. "To Avoid Any Hindrance ivhich His Own Bap-

tismal Work Might Put in John's Way Through
the Misrepresentation of the Pharisees (John
3:25.)" Andrews, p. 181.

2. Failure to Accomplish the Great Purpose of the

Judean Ministry tvhich was to Bring the Nation
in its Chief Representatives to the Recognition of
His Messiahship.

SECOND PERIOD. 59

3, The Imprisonment of John Baptist. Matt. 4:12.
The following is the order of events as given by
Andrews : " Soon after the Passover time
undefined Jesus and John begin to baptize in
Judea. Jesus ceases to baptize in the late au-
tumn and goes to Galilee, John probably still
continuing his work. Jesus remains in retire-
ment three or four months, then goes up to the
unnamed feast ; and about this time John was
imprisoned. After this feast Jesus goes to
Galilee and begins his ministry there." p.
182.

II. The Conversation with the Woman of Sama-
ria. (23) John 4:5-42.

Sychar, probably the Shechem of the Old Testa-
ment, about thirty-four miles from Jerusalem on
the direct route from Jerusalem to Nazareth.

1. The Woman. A woman of Samaria; ignorant;

a notorious sinner.

2. Jesus, vs. 6-8. " This perhaps the most human

of all the scenes of our Lord's earthly history.
. . . But with all that is human, how much
also of the divine have we here, both blended
in one glorious manifestation of the majesty,
grace, pity, patience, with which the Lord im-
parts light and life to this unlikeliest of
strangers, standing midway between Jews and
heathens." Brown, in loco.

3. The Meeting Place, Time, Circumstances f Was

it accidental ? Importance to the woman ; to
us?

4. The Revelations He Makes to this Woman.

(1) He reveals her to herself as a guilty sinner
in need of salvation, vs. 15-19.

60 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

(2) Reveals the nature of salvation, " living
water." 10-14. This expression, " living
water," like "the gift of God," is variously
explained. The most satisfactory explana-
tion probably is " to regard the expression
as a general figurative description of every
thing which it is Christ's office to bestow on
the soul of man i. e., spiritual life. Ryle.
(See also Edersheim.)

(3) His own willingness and power to save.
v. 10-14.

(4) The nature of true worship. 19-24. "Our
Lord here declares who alone would be con-
sidered true worshippers in the coming dis-
pensation of the Gospel. They would not
be merely those who worshipped in this
place or in that place. They would not be
exclusively Jews, or exclusively Gentiles, or
exclusively Samaritans. The external part
of the worship would be of no value com-
pared to the internal state of the worshippers
who worshipped in spirit and in truth."
Ryle, Com. on John. The nature of true
worship determined by the nature of God.
v. 24.

5) His Messiahship. v. 26. "These words are
the fullest declaration which our Lord ever
made of his own Messiahship, which the
gospel writers have recorded. That such a
full declaration should be made to such a
person as the Samaritan woman is one of
the most wonderful instances of our Lord's
grace and condescension related in the New
Testament." Ryle, Com. on John.

SECOND PERIOD. 61

5. Return of the Disciples. Marveled, yet silent.
27. His meat. v. 24. The harvest. 35-38.
6. The Salvation of Many Samaritans. 39-42.

III. Arrival in Galilee. (23) John 4:43-45.

1. Galilee. (See Hurlbut, or Bible Die.)

2. His Reception, v. 45.

IV. Healing of the Nobleman's Son. (25) John
4:46-54.

1. The Story of the Healing. 46,49,51,52.

2. The Miracle, v. 50.

3. Results, v. 53.

V. Rejected at Nazareth. (26) Luke 4:16-31.

1 . The Story of Rejection.

2. Why Rejected? Two reasons probably :

(1) His claim to be the Messiah, 17-21.

(2) The historical facts quoted from the Old
Testament with evident application to them,
24-27. By these instances he reminds them
of the sovereignty of God, and of his favor
to the Gentiles.

3. His Escape from Them. In their wrath they tried

to murder him, 2829. His miraculous
escape, v. 30. (See Byle.) "From this
incident it is plain that they were fierce and
cruel and ready from mere envy to imbrue
their hands in the blood of one who had
lived among them, a -neighbor and a friend all
His life." Andreivs.

VI. His Settlement at Capernaum. (26) Matt.
4:13-16.

1. Capema/um. This city "was our Lord's home,

62 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

the center of his labors and journeys, for prob-
ably nearly two years. On the western shore
of the Lake of Galilee there extends for some
three miles an exceedingly fertile plain, called
the 'Plain of Gennesaret.' In this plain, or
a little north of it, Capernaum was situated ;
but the once highly exalted city has been cast
down into such destruction, that we cannot
certainly determine its site." Broadus, Com.,
p. 73.

2. Why Selected as His Home and the Center of His

Labors? " We know not whether private or
personal reasons had any influence in the selec-
tion of this city as the central point of his labors
in Galilee. . . More probably in the selec-
tion of Capernaum he was determined chiefly by
local position and relations. Lying upon the
Sea of Galilee and the great roads from Egypt
to Syria running through it, and in the direct
line from Jerusalem to Damascus, it gave him
such facilities of intercourse with men as he
could not have had in more secluded Naza-
reth." Andrews, p. 239.

3. His Settlement in Capernaum Fulfillment of

Prophecy. 14 16.

THIRD PERIOD,

THE PERIOD OF POPULARITY.

From His Settlement at Capernaum to the Discourse
on the Bread of Life.

Introduction.

General Features of the Early Galilean Ministry.

1. The Period of Popularity. "Id a few weeks

the whole province was ringing with his
name. He was the subject of conversation
in every boat on the lake and every house in
the whole region. Men's minds were stirred
with the profoundest excitement and every one
desired to see him. Crowds began to gather
about him. They grew larger and larger,
They multiplied to thousands and tens of
thousands. They followed him wherever he
went. The news spread far and wide beyond
Galilee, and brought hosts from Jerusalem.
Judea, and Persea, and even from Idumea, in
the far south, and Tyre and Sidon, in the far
north." Stalker, p. 59.

2. How Distinguished from the Judean Ministry.

" The Judean ministry had reference to the
Jewish people in their corporate capacity, a na-
tion in covenant with God. He addressed him-
self to the nation as represented in its ecclesi-
astical rulers, and aimed to produce in them

64 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

that sense of sin and that true repentance which
were indispensable to his reception. The Gal-
ilean ministry was based upon the fact that
the ecclesiastical rulers ofthe Jews did not re-
ceive hiui, and had sought to kill him; and
that therefore, if they persisted in their wick-
edness, God was about to cast them out of their
peculiar relations to him and establish a church,
of which the elect of all nations should be
members. (Matt. 8:11, 12.) Going into Gali-
lee, the Lord will gather there a body of dis-
ciples who shall bear witness to him before the
nation ; but who, if this testimony is unavail-
ing, will serve as the foundations of the new
institutions resting upon the New Covenant."
Andrews, pp. 210, 211.
3. The Plan of His Ministry in Galilee. "In Gal-
ilee the Lord began immediately to visit the
people in all their cities and villages, making
Capernaum the central point of his labors,
and this he did in a systematic. Way." An-
dreivs, p. 240. Thus accompanied by his
apostles he made circuit after circuit in Galilee
healing and teaching, returning after each cir-
cuit to Capernaum for a longer or shorter so-
journ. We may therefore study the Galilean
ministry as a series of journeys or circuits
through Galilee and sojourns at Capernaum.*

*See Life of our Lord, p. 243.

THIRD PERIOD. 65

SECTION 1. THE FIRST SOJOURN IN
CAPERNAUM.

OUTLINE.

I. Calling of Four Disciples.
II. Healing of Demoniac in the Synagogue.
III. Heals Peter's Wife's Mother, and Many
Others.

NOTES.

I. Calls Four Disciples. (27) Matt. 4:18-22;
Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11.

The following is the order of events, combining all
three of the Evangelists ( Andrews) :

1. Jesus preaching to great multitudes by the lake

of Gennesaret. (Luke.)

2. While thus pressed by the multitude and passing

along and teaching (Matt, and Mark), he saw
the four disciples mending their nets after a
night's fruitless toil.

3. As the people press upon him he enters a boat

and requests Simon to put out a little from the
land, that he may teach the people. (Luke.)

4. After the discourse the miraculous draught of

fishes. (Luke.)

5. The call of the four disciples. Names? This is

the second call of all but James, who is here
mentioned for the first time.

II. Healing" a Demoniac in Synagogue. (28)
Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37.

1. The Story of the Healing. Mark 1:21-28; Luke
4:31-37.

5b

6Q BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

2. The Miracle, Mark vs. 25, 26. Cf. Luke.

Meaning of, "a man possessed or possessed with
an unclean spirit"? How set free? To what
class of miracles does this belong?

3. Remits. Mark 1:27-28. Cf. Luke.

III. Heals Peter's Wife's Mother, and Many-
Others. (29) Matt. 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-34;
Luke 4:38-41.

1 . The Story of the Healing of Peter's Wife's Mother.

2. The Story of the Other Miracles. This is an in-

stance in which a large number of miracles are
described collectively. " It was evening. The
sun was setting, and the Sabbath past. All
that day it had been told from home to home
what had been done in the synagogue; it had
been whispered what had taken place in the
house of their neighbor Simon." ... So
from all parts they bring them : mothers,
widows, wives, fathers, children, husbands
their loved ones, the treasures they had almost
lost; and the whole city throngs a hushed,
solemnized, overawed multitude expectant,
waiting at the door of Simon's dwelling."
Edersheim, vol. I., p. 486. The record of the
healing. Matt. 8:16, 17. Cf. Mark and Luke.

3. The Fulfillment of Prophecy. Matt. 8:17. "He

must be blind indeed who sees not in this
Physician the Divine Healer; in this Christ
the Light of the World ; the Restorer of
what sin had blighted ; the Joy in our world's
deep sorrow. Never was prophecy more truly
fulfilled than on that evening, this of Isaiah :
' Himself took our infirmities and bear our
sicknesses.'" Edersheim, p. 487.

THIRD pp:rtod. 67

'SECTION 2. THE FIRST CIRCUIT.

OUTLINE.

I. A General Description of His Work.
II. Healing of a Leper.

NOTES.

I. A General Description of His Work. (30)
Matt. 4:23-25; Mark 1:35-39; Luke
4:42-44.

1. Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Cf.

the Synoptical Gospels.

2. Healing. (See Matthew and Mark.) These

" were the two great departments of his
public work to make known truth, and mi-
raculously to relieve man's distress." Broadus,
Com. on Matt., p. 80.

II. Healing of a Leper. (31) Matt. 8:2-4; Mark,
1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16.

1 . The Story of the Healing.

2. The Miracle. Mark 1:41-42. Cf. Matthew and

Luke. " This was a mighty miracle. Of all
ills which can afflict the body of man, leprosy
appears to be the most severe. It affects every
part of the constitution at once. It brings
sores and decay upon the skin, corruption into
the blood, and rottenness into the bones. It
is a living death which no medicine can check
or stay; yet have we read of a leper being
made well in a moment. It is but one touch
from the hand of the Sou of God, and the

68 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

cure is effected." Ryle, Luke, vol. I., p. 136..
Significance of this Miracle.

3. His Directions to the Healed Man.

(1) As to the Mosaic law. Lev. 14. This

would be a testimony unto them that the
leper was thoroughly healed and thus that
the miracle was real ; perhaps also a tes-
timony that Jesus observed the law oF
Moses, which they were already beginning
to accuse him of disregarding." Broadus,.
Com. on Matt., p. 176.

(2) As to silence concerning the miracle. Luke

5:14. Cf. Matthew and Mark. " The most
probable reason is that the public proclama-
tion of this miracle gave the people such
conceptions of his mighty power to heal,
that all thronged to him to be healed, and
thus his teaching, the moral side of bis-
work, were thrust into the shade." Andrews,.
p. 257.

4. Results of the 31iracles. Mark 1:45. Cf. Luke..

SECTION 3. THE SECOND SOJOURN IN
CAPERNAUM.

OUTLINE.

I. Heals a Paralytic.
II. The Call of Matthew.

III. Discourse on Fasting.

IV. Raises the Daughter of Jairus.

V. Heals the Woman with an Issue of Blood.
VI. Heals Two Blind Men and a Dumb Demoniac

THIRD PERIOD. 69

NOTES.

I. Heals a Paralytic. (32) Matt. 9:2-8; Mark
2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26.

1 . The Afflicted Man before Jesus. His Affliction f

How Brought on f Mark 2:1-4. Cf. Matthew
and Luke.

2. Our Lord's First Words to the Paralytic. Matt.

9:2. Cf. Mark and Luke. " Forgiveness
was the direct act of God ; no human lips
dared pronounce it. It was a special preroga-
tive of the Almighty." Butler, p. 124. Hence
this was a virtual claim of his divine authority.
So the scribes understood it.

3. The Miracle of Healing. Connection with His

Act of Forgiveness. Mark 2:8-10. The mir-
acle, how wrought? 11-12. " What a mo-
ment of suspense for all the beholders; some
hoping, others feariug, that the- man would
indeed show himself to be healed. What a
thrill must have passed through the crowd as
he arose and went off. How the scribes must
have been abashed and confounded." Broadus,
Com. on Matt., p. 197.
4. The Effect. Luke 5:26. Cf. Matthew and Mark.

II. The Call of Matthew. (33) Matt. 9:9-13 ;
Mark 2:13-17; Luke 6:27-32.

1. The Man Called. His name in the different
Gospels ? His occupation ? " The call of
Matthew signally illustrates a very prominent
feature in the public action of Jesus, viz. :
His utter disregard of the maxims of worldly
wisdom. A publican disciple, much more a
publican apostle, could not fail to be a stum-
bling-block to Jewish prejudice, and therefore

70 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

to be, for the time at least, a source of weak-
ness rather than of strength." Bruce, p. 19.
Why then did he call Matthew?

2. The Gall. Matt. 9:9. Cf. Mark and Luke.-

This a call to discipleship, The call to the
apostolate came later.

3. The Call Effectual. Matthew's obedience imme-

diate, unquestioning. But no doubt he knew
of Jesns before.

4. The Feast of Matthew. His great decision,.

according to the account of all the evangelists,
was followed shortly after by a feast in his
own house given in honor of Jesus (Luke).
The significance of this feast according to-
Bruce was threefold so far as Matthew was
concerned. (1) -A jubilee feast commemora-
tive of his conversion. (2) An act of honor
to Jesus. (3) The means of introducing his
friends and neighbors to Jesus, hoping they
might take the same step he had taken.
pp. 24-25.

5. The Criticism of the Pharisees and the Answer

of Jesus. Matt. 9:12. Cf. Mark and Luke.

III. Discourse on Fasting. (34) Matt. 9:14-17;
Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39.

1. The Inquiry about Fasting. Mark 2:18. Cf.-

Matthew and Luke.

2. The Reply of Jesus. Made in four illustrations^
(1) Matt. 9:15. "Fasting is naturally and

properly an expression of grief, and there-
fore unnatural and unsuitable at a time of
great joy. Such a time was this when the
disciples were delighting in their teacher's-
presence. But there was coming a time

THIRD PERIOD. 71

when it would be natural for them to grieve,
and therefore appropriate to fast.
By this illustration our Lord teaches that
fasting is not to be regarded or observed as
an arbitrary ' positive' institution, but as a
thing having natural grounds, and to be prac-
ticed or not, according to the dictates of nat-
ural feelings as growing out of the circum-
cumstauces in which we find ourselves."
Broadus, Com. on Matt., p. 202.

(2) Matt. 9:16-17. We may consider these two

illustrations together. " The design of these
parables is much the same as that of the first
part of his reply, viz. : to enforce the law of
eongruity in relation to fasting and similar
matters ; that is, to show that in all voluntary
religious service, when we are free to regu-
late our own conduct, the outward act should
be made to correspond with the inward, and
that no attempt should be made to force par-
ticular acts or habits on men without that
correspondence." Bruce, p. 75.

(3) Luke 5:39. This seems to be an apology
for the disciples of John in the position they
had taken. The old wine represents the
spirit of Judaism, the new wine the spirit of
the gospel. Man could not be expected at
once to give up the first for the second. But
after a while the change will come nat-
urally. Butler, p. 225.

IV. Raises the Daughter of Jairus. (35) Matt.
9:18, 19, and 23-26; Mark 5:22-24, and
35-42; Luke 8:41-42 and 49-56.

1. The Story of the Miracle. Mark 5:22-24 and
35-43. Cf. Matthew and Luke.

72 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

2. The Miracle Itself. 41-42. Note its greatness,

the ease with which it was wrought, its signifi-
cance.

3. Its Result. Matt. 9:29. Cf. Mark and Luke.

V. Heals the Woman with an Issue of Blood.
(35) Matt. 8:20-22; Mark 5:25-34 ; Luke
8:43-48.

1. The Circumstances of this Healing. When ?

How? The Means? The Virtue? Mark
5:25-30. Cf. Matthew and Luke.

2. The Savior's Words to the Multitude, to the

Woman. 30-34.

VI. Heals Two Blind Men and a Dumb Demoniac.
(36) Matt. 9:27-34.

1. The Story of The Healing of the two Blind

Men. Results? vs. 27-31.

2. The Story of the Healing of the Dumb Demoniac.

Results ? vs. 32-34.

SECTION 4. THE UNNAMED FEAST,
(PROBABLY THE PASSOVER).

OUTLINE.

I. The Miracle of Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda.
II. The Discourse before the Sanhedrin.

NOTES.

Introduction.

As to what feast is referred to in John 5:1 there is a dif-
ference of opinion. The chief interest which attaches
to the question is the bearing upon the duration of
our Lord's ministry. If this feast was a passover our

THIRD PERIOD. 73

Lord's ministry lasted something over three years ;
if not a passover his ministry lasted a little over two
years.

I. The Miracle of Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda.
(37) John 5:2-9.

1. The Scene at the Pool. Why this multitude

there ?

2. The Impotent Man.

3. The Story of the Miracle.

II. The Discourse before the Sanhedrin. (37)
John 5:10-47.

Introduction.

The controversy which led to the discourse, vs.
1018. It appears from these verses that the
persecution began because he had healed the
impotent man on the Sabbath. But their in-
dignation was raised to the highest pitch by
his answer to them, vs. 17-18. After this
he was probably brought before the Sanhedrin.
(See Andrews, p. 102.) This adds significance
and interest to his words.

1. His Relation to His Father, 19-23. "Such

language, however deep and high, appears to
mean that in operation and knowledge and
heart and will the Father and the Son are
One, two persons, but one God." Ryle
(John), vol. I., p. 278.

2. His Messianic Works, vs. 24-29. Gives life,

raises the dead, judges the world.

3. Proofs of His Messiahship. These fourfold.

(1) John Baptist, 33-35. (2) His own works,
v. 36. (3) His Father, vs. 37-38. (4) The
Scriptures, 39. " Nowhere else in the Gos-
pels do we find our Lord making such a formal,

74 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES,

systematic, orderly, regular statement of his
own unity with the Father, his divine commis-
sion and authority aud the proof of his Mes-
siahship as we find in this discourse." Ryle
(John), vol. I., p. 283.
4. The Conclusion, vs. 45-47. " And now he
concludes by a most heart- pierciug appeal to
the consciences of his enemies, in which he
expresses the true state of their hearts, and
the real reasons why they did not believe in,
him." Ryle (John), vol. I., p. 317.

SECTION 5. THE EVENTS ON HIS RE-
TURN JOURNEY TO CAPERNAUM.

OUTLINE.

I. The Disciples Pluck Ears of Corn on the Sab-
bath.

II. Healing of the Withered Hand.

NOTES.

I. The Disciples Pluck Ears of Corn (Wheat or
Barley) on the Sabbath. (38) Matt. 12:1-8;
Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5.

1. The Act of the Disciples, Matt. 12:1. In gen-

eral the law permitted this. Dent. 23:25.

2. The Charge of the Pharisees, v. 2. It is not

lawful on the Sabbath day.

3. Our Lord's Defense of His Disciples. He vin-

dicates the act of his apostles by the following
arguments (see Broadus and Edersheim) :
(1) From history, Matt, 12:3-4.

THIRD PERIOD. 75-

(2) From the law, v. 5. "Here, as in 5:17,.
Jesus shows that he is not abrogating or vi-
olating the law, for he justifies his course
out of the law." Broadus, Com. on Matt.,.
p. 259.

(3) From one of the prophets, v. 7. Cf. Hos-
6:6. "The idea here may be expressed
thus : ' If you knew that God desires kind-
ness and good-will to men, rather than sacri-
fice you would not have condemned the
guiltless.'" Broadus, Com. on Matt., p. 259.

(4) From the fact that the Sabbath was made for
man, Mark 2:27., i. e. for the welfare or
mankind.

(5) From the fact that he is himself the Lord of
the Sabbath. Hence, his supreme authority
to regulate its proper observance.

II. Healing of the Withered Hand. (39) Matt.
12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Jude 6:6-11.

1. The Story of the Healing, Matt. 12:9-14. Cf.

Mark and Luke.

2. Bearing upon the Sabbath Controversy, vs. 1112..

3. The Effect upon the Pharisees, Cf. the differ-

ent gospels.
06s.: The design of our Lord in the teachings just
referred to on the subject of the Sabbath was not to
impair the sanctity of the Sabbath, much less t6 abro-
gate the fourth commandment, which is of perpetual
obligation; but to free the Sabbath from the glosses
and false interpretation of the Pharisees, and to show
that works of necessity and mercy are in harmony
with the law and true spirit of the Sabbath.

76 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

SECTION 6. THE THIRD SOJOURN IN
CAPERNAUM.

OUTLINE.

I. Great Multitudes Follow Him by the Seaside.
II. Chooses the Twelve Apostles.

III. The Sermon on the Mount.
IV. Heals the Centurion's Servant.

NOTES.

1. Great Multitudes Follow Him by the Seaside.
(40) Matt. 12:15-21; Mark 3:7-12.

1. The Reason for His Withdrawal, Mark 3:6.

2 . The Multitudes Whence t

3. His Miracles, Mark 3:10-11 ; Matt. 12:16.

4. Fulfillment of Prophecy.

II. Chooses the Twelve Apostles. (41) Mark 3:

13-19; Luke 6:12-16.

1. Preceded by a Whole Night Spent in Prayer.

Luke 6:12. Significance?

2. The Three Stages in the Fellowship of the Apostles

with Christ :

(1) As simple believers in Him as the Christ.

(2) The abandonment of secular occupations aud
a constant attendance on his person.

(3) When called especially to be Apostles.
Bruce, p. 11.

3. The Number of Apostles. " The number twelve
was recommended by obvious symbolic reasons.
It happily expressed in figures what Jesus
claimed to be, and what He came to do.
It significantly hinted that Jesus was the Divine
Messianic King of Israel." Bruce, p. 32.

THIRD PERIOD. 77

The Names of the Twelve. To help remember
the names some one has suggested this de-
vice : 52 Mab St. It is explained thus : Five
names begin with J, two begin with P, one with
M, one with A, one with B, one with S, and one
with T. There are four lists of the Apostles
given in the New Testament. Each of these
lists contain three groups of four each. It is
observed that the same names are found in each
group, though the order varies, except that the
same name heads each group. " The first
group includes those best known, the second
the next best, and the third those least known
of all, or, in the case of the traitor, known*
only too well." Bruce, p. 36.

The Kind of Men He Selected. "It is surprising-
to see what sort of persons He selected for so
grand a destiny. They did not belong to the
influential and learned classes. . . . Ever
wont to work with the elements of character
that are not bound to any station of life or
grade of culture, He did not scruple to com-
mit His cause to twelve simple men, destitute
of learning, and belonging to the common peo-
ple They turned out to be in-
struments thoroughly fitted for the great de-
sign ; two at least, John and Peter, were men
of supreme gifts, and though one turned out a
traitor, and the choice of him will probably,,
after all explanations, ever remain a very par-
tially explained mystery, yet the selection of
agents who were at first so unlikely, but in the
end proved so successful, will always be one of
the chief monuments of the incomparable orig-
inality of Jesus." Stalker, p. 77.

78 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

6. T he Importance of the Apostolate. "Perhaps the
formation of the Apostolate ought to be placed
side by side with miracles and preaching as a
third means by which He did His work."
Stalker, p. 76.

III. The Sermon on the Mount (42) Matt., chaps.
5-7; Luke 6:17-49.

Introduction.

Design of the Discourse. " The connected system of truths
unfolded in the discourse was intended to exhibit to the
people the Kingdom of God as the aim of the old dis-
pensation ; as the consummation for which that dis-
pensation prepared the way. The Sermon on the
Mount, therefore, forms the point of transition from
the law to the gospel; Christianity is exhibited in it as
Judaism spiritualized and transfigured. The idea of
the Kingdom of God is the prominent one." Butler,
p. 145.

Analysis.

The analysis given below is by Dr. Broadus. He prefaces
it with this remark : " The following analysis may be
useful, though we must not draw too broadly the lines
of divisions between the different sections."

1. Characteristics and Privileges of the Messianic

Reign, 5:3-12.

2. Their Influence and Responsibility, 5:1316.

3. Relation of ChrisVs Mission to the Moral Law,

5:1718.

(1) This relation stated in general, 17-19.

(2) Superiority of the morality he enjoined to
that taught and practiced by the scribes
and Pharisees, 20-48. Illustrated by refer-
ence to murder, etc. (21-26), adultery and

THIRD PERIOD. 79

divorce (27-32), oaths (33-37), requital of
injuries (38-42), love of enemies (43-48).

4. Good Works to be Performed out of Regard to

God's Approval Rather than Man's, 6:1-18,
e.g., Alms-giving (2-4), Prayer (5-15), Fast-
ing (16-18).

5. Single-hearted Devotion to God as Opposed to

Worldly Aims and Anxieties, 6:1934.

6. Censoriousness must be Avoided, 7:16.

7. Encouragement to Pray to God for Strength to Fid-

fill this, and all the Preceding Requirements,
7:7-11.

8. General Principle or Rule which Sums up all the

{moral) Teachings of the Discourse and of the
Old Testament, 7:12.
d. Concluding Exhortations to Practice as well as Hear
and Profess, 7:13-27. Cora, on Matt., pp. 85-6.
" The unrivalled beauties of our Lord's thought
and style, the lofty simplicity, the charming
freshness and perfect naturalness, the familiar
and vivid illustration, the pointed and some-
times paradoxical and startling statement,
which, even when imperfectly understood, could
never be forgotten, the sublime elevation of
sentiment, and the inimitable tone which marks
all his teachings, shine conspicuously in this
address, which is sweet to the heart of a child,
and before which the noblest intellecfs in
every age have bowed in devout admiration.
Well might Daniel Webster say, in the inscrip-
tion he left for his tomb, 'My heart has always
assured and reassured me that the Gospel of
Jesus Christ must be a divine reality. The Ser-
mon on the Mount cannot be a merely human
production.'" Broadics, Com. on Matt., p. 85.

80 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

IV. Heals, the Centurion's Servant. (43) Matt,
8:1, 5-13; Luke 7:1-10.

1. The Centurion. Who? His works? Luke

7:5. His intercession in behalf of his ser-
vant first through friends, then in person ?
His faith and humility ?

2. The Miracle, Matt. 8:13. "A greater miracle

of healing than this is nowhere recorded in
the Gospels. Without even seeing the sufferer,
without touch of hand or look of eye, our
Lord restores health to the dying man by a
single word." Ryh (Luke), vol. I., p. 200.

3. The Wonder and Comment of Jesus, Matt.

8 :10-12.

SECTION 7. THE SECOND CIRCUIT
THROUGH GALILEE.

OUTLINE.

I. Raises a "Widow's Son at Nain.
II. Discourses on Receiving a Message from
John.

III, The Anointing in the House of Simon.

IV. Continued Labors in Galilee.

V. The Blasphemous Accusation of the Scribes
and Pharisees.
VI. The Scribes and Pharisees Seek a Sign.
VII. His Mother and Brethren.
VIII. The First Great Group of Parables.
IX. Stilling the Tempest.
X. Heals the Two Gadarene Demoniacs.

THIRD PERIOD. 81

NOTES.

I. Raises a Widow's Son at Nain. (44) Luke
7:11-17.

1. The Story of the Miracle.

2. Significance? Bearing upon his divinity; his

mission; the resurrection.

3. Effect which it Produced, 1617.

II. Discourses on Receiving a Message from John.
(45) Matt. 11:2-30; Luke 7:18-35.

1. The Message from John, Matt. 11:2-3. Cf.

Luke.

2. Our Lord's Answer, Matt, 11:4-6. Cf. Luke.

The appeal to his works as a testimony unto
his Messiahship is often made. See John 5:
36; 10:38; 14:11; 15:24. "These mira-
cles and good tidings for the lowly, showing
that Jesus of Nazareth was the predicted Mes-
siah, still stand as an evidence of Christian-
ity." Broadus, Cora, on Matt., p. 238.

3. The Testimony of our Lord to John, Matt. 11:

7-15. John's greatness as a prophet, Matt.
11:11 and Luke 7:28. But the least in
the kingdom of heaven greater. " No person
had occupied a position of higher privilege
than John the Baptist, involving clearer views
of truth, a greater honor in the sight of God."
Still " we must understand that
the lowest subject of the Messianic reign is in
a position of greater privilege and dignity
(comp. Zech. 12:8) than the great forerun-
ner ; or else, perhaps (Calviu), that the lowest
of all the teachers instructed by the Messiah
himself was superior as a teacher to the fore-
runner." Broadus, Com. on Matt., p. 240.

82 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

4. The Folly of this Generation in Rejecting both the

Forerunner and the Messiah, Matt. 11:1 6-19. Cf.
Luke. "He says that the children at play were
not more wayward, perverse, and hard to please,
than the Jews of his day. Nothing would
satisfy them. They were always finding fault.
Whatever ministry God employed among them,
they took exception to it." Ryle, Luke, vol.
I., p. 228.

5. Upbraids the Impenitent Cities, vs. 2024.

" Such words uttered now over Galilee, as
afterwards over Judea and Jerusalem, show
the wounded sympathies of the human friend,
as well as the just indignation of the divine
Judge." Butler, p. 178.

6. The Great Invitation, Matt. 11:25-30.

(1) The sovereignty of God in redemption.

(2) His own mediatorial authority and power.

(3) The invitation. "He stands as the Great
Teacher, who alone can give true, saving
knowledge of God (v. 27), whose teachings,
while hid from the wise and intelligent, are
revealed to babes (vs. 25). Though rejected
by many (vs. 20-24), and even slandered and
reviled (v. 16-19), still he stands, in the ful-
ness of his wisdom and the gentleness of his
love, and invites all the toiling and bur-
dened to come to him, to wear the easy yoke
of his instruction and they shall find rest for
their souls. Notice how the invitation follows
immediately upon the statement that no one
knows the Father but the Son and he to
whomsoever the Son chooses to reveal him.
To his mind there was no contradiction
between sovereign, electing grace and the

THIRD PERIOD. 83

free invitations of the Gospel." Broadus,
Com. on Matt, p. 253.

311. The Anointing in the House of Simon. (46)
Luke .7:36-50.

1. Invited to a Meal at the Pharisee's House, v. 36.
" It is quite clear that the hospitality was
meant to be qualified and condescending. All
the ordinary attentions which would have been
paid to an honored guest were coldly omit-
ted." Butler, p. 182.

:2. While Reclining at Table is Anointed by a Sinful
Woman, vs. 37-38. " The faith and hope to
which she has been begotten intensify her pen-
itence, and that penitence intensifies her love,
so that we look upon her, first standing silently
weeping, then bending down and bathing
those feet- with her tears, then clasping and
kissing them and pouring the rich ointment
over them, she presents herself to our eye as
the most striking picture of a loving, humble
penitent at the feet of Jesus which the Gospels
present." Butler, p. 183.

.3. The Inward Questioning of the Pharisee, v. 39.

4. The Answer of Jesus, vs. 40-47. " Like Mat-
thew and David our Lord conceals his home-
thrust under the veil of a parable, and makes
his host himself pronounce upon the case.
The two debtors are the woman and Simon ;
the criminality of the one was ten times that
of the other (in the proportion of ' 500 ' to
' 50 ') ; both being equally insolvent, both are
with equal frankness forgiven ; and Simon is
made to own that the greatest debtor to for-
giving mercy will cling to her Divine Bene-

84 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

factor with the deepest gratitude." Brown,,
in loco. Yet our Lord does not in all this im-
ply that Simon was forgiveu, vs. 45-46.
ft. Our Lord to the Woman, 48-50. "This won-
derful scene teaches two very weighty truths :
(1) " Though there be degrees of guilt, insolvency,
or inability to wipe out the dishonor done to God,
is common to all sinners. (2) As Christ is the
Great Creditor to whom all debt, whether great
or small, contracted by shiners, is owing, so to
Him belongs the prerogative of forgiving it"
Broivn, in loco.

IV. Continued Labors in Galilee. (47) Luke
8:1-3.

1. His Labors, v. 1.

2. His Followers, vs. 2-3. "Mary Magdalene

seems to have been a woman of high station
and opulent fortune, being mentioned here
even before Joanna, the wife of so great a man
as Herod's steward. And the evangelists, when
they speak of our Lord's female friends, com-
monly assign the first place to Mary Magda-
lene. She was called the Magdalene, from Mag-
dala, the place of her nativity, a town situated
beside the lake on the southern border of the
plane of Gennesaret." Butler, p. 185.

V. The Blasphemous Accusation of the Scribes
and Pharisees. (48) Matt. 12:22-37 ; Mark
3:19-30.

1. The Occasion of this Accusation. The two things
which led to this accusation were: (1) The mir-
acle of healing, v. 22. (2) The effect which
this miracle produced upon the multitude.
v. 23.

THIRD PERIOD. 85

:2. The Accusation, v. 24. Cf. Mark, v. 22. "This
ascription of His miracle to Satanic agency
marks a decided progress in Pharisaic hostility.
Heretofore they had said of Him that He was
a Sabbath-breaker and a blasphemer ; now
they say that He is in league with evil spirits.
And this charge reached much further than
to this particular miracle. It was virtually as-
cribing all that He said and did to a diabolical
origin, and made the spirit of God that rested
upon Him to be the spirit of Beelzebub.

. To understand this charge of the Phari-
sees we must remember the common belief of
the day, that miracles could be wrought by the
help of evil spirits, and that therefore the pos-
session of miraculous power did not prove
that a man was sent from God. It was neces-
sary for the Lord's enemies to explain His
many mighty works for if He did them by
the help of God there was no alternative but
to receive Him and His teachings. The only
way of escape was to ascribe His miracles to
the prince of darkness." Andrews, p. 289.
-3. The Lord's Answer, 25-37. His reply un-
answerable and crushing. It contains five
points :
(1) The impossibility of Satan casting out Satan,

v. 25.
v(2) The charge against Him would apply to their
own sons (followers). Hence, " they shall
be your judges," i. e., " shall convict you
either of being yourselves in league with
Beelzebub, or of unreasonable and wicked
conduct in accusing another of league with

86 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

him for doing what they claim to do."
Broadus, Com. on Matt., p. 269.

(3) But if His miracles are of God, then the
kingdom of Jpod has come upon you.

(4) In charging Him with casting out demons
by the help of Beelzebub they were guilty
of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, and so
past forgiveness, Matt. 12:31-32. (Broadus.)
" Their guilt lay in treating that as Satanic-
agency which was of the Holy Ghost."
Edersheim, vol. I., p. 575.

(5) This charge had its root and source in their
corrupt natures, Matt. 12:33-37. "This
unpardonable blasphemy was just what might
be expected from its authors. They were-
bad men and they would say bad things."
Broadus, Com. on Matt., p. 273. Cf. Matt-
7:16-20.

VI. The Scribes and Pharisees Seek a Sign. (49)
Matt. 12:38-45.

1. The Request, v. 38.

2. Our Lord's Answer, 39-42.

(1) Only one sign shall be given them that of
Jonah, vs. 39-40. "Our Lord treats the-
history of Jonah as a true history, to be un-
derstood in its plain sense, and expounds the-
meaning of it hitherto unrevealed, viz.,
that it was not only a history, but also at
prophecy, a typical representation of Him-
self, of His own wonderful death, burial,,
and resurrection." Butler, p. 190.

(2) The sinfulness of this generation declared and
illustrated, 39-45.

THIRD PERIOD. 87

VII. His Mother and Brethren. (50) Matt. 12:

46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke, 8:19-21.

1. Why They so Anxiously Sought Him. See Mark

3:19-21. "In his zeal and ardour He
seemed indifferent to both food and repose."
Brown. Hence their anxiety.

2. His Reply to the Message, Matt. 12:48-50.

" There stand here the members of a family
transcending and surviving this of earth;
filial subjection to the will of My Father in
heaven is the indissoluble bond of union be-
tween Me and all its members ; and whosoever
enters this hallowed circle becomes to Me
' brother and sister and mother.' " Brown, in
loco.

VIII. The First Great Group of Parables. (51)

Matt. 13:1-53; Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:4-18.

Introduction.

The Parables of our Lord. The parable was the most
characteristic form of his speech. "About one-third
of his sayings which have been preserved to us con-
sists of parables. This shows how they stuck in the

memory What passages in the greatest

masters of expression in Homer, in Virgil, in
Dante, in Shakespeare have secured for themselves
so universal a hold on man or been felt to be so
fadelessly fresh and true?" Stalker, p. Q6.
1. Definition. It is difficult to define a parable so
difficult, that a brief definition can scarcely be
given which would prove acceptable to all. Per-
haps one of the best descriptions of the para-
bles of the gospels is that given by Dr. Broadus :
"Commonly then in Matthew, Mark, and

88 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

Luke (John does not employ it), the word we
borrow as parable denotes an illustration, most
frequently in the form of a narrative, and us-
ually, in accordance with the origin of the term,
involving a comparison, though sometimes,
as in the parable of the Rich Fool, it is only
an example of the matter in hand, a case in
point." Com. on Matt., p. 283. To this it may
be added that one of the distinguishing marks
of the parable is that it is designed to set forth
spiritual truth.

2. The Number of Parables in the Gospels. This

"of course will depend on the range given to
the application of the name. Thus Mr. Gres-
well reckons twenty-seven ; Dean Trench,
thirty. By others the number has been ex-
tended to fifty." Smith's Die. of the Bible,
(foot-note.)

3. The Groups of our Lord's Parables. Besides the

sporadic parables there are three leading groups.
Of these two are given in fuller detail by Mat-
thew : " (1) The Messianic reign, its beginning
and growth, chap. 13 ; given about the middle
of our Lord's ministry. (2) The Messianic
reign, its progress and consummation; given
just at the close of the ministry. (3) Between
these two groups, in order of time, we find a
third group, given by Luke, chaps. 13-19?
some of which relate to the Messianic reign,
but most of them to individual experiences."
Broadus, Com. on Matt., p. 285. For another
description of these groups see Smith's Dic-
tionary of the Bible, article Parables.

4. 1 he Interpretation of Parables. " There are four

things to be done. (1) We must make sure

THIRD PERIOD. 89

of understanding the language of the parable
itself, and its various allusions to physical phe-
nomena or social usages. . . . (2) We
must ascertain what subject our Lord here
designed to illustrate. ... (3) We must
consider in what light the parable presents this
subject. Here it is important to regard the
parable as a whole, just as we do any other
illustration, and not begin by attempting to
assign the meaning of particular items without
having considered the general drift.
(4) Then it remains to determine how far the
details may be understood as separately signifi-
cant. In this we can have no general rule to
guide us, but must study the guidance our
Lord has given in his iuterpretations, exercise
sound judgment, and endeavor to avoid both
extremes. Broadus, Com. on Matt., p. 284.
(See also Trench, and Barrow's Companion of
the Bible.)
"We now return to the subject of this section, the
First Great Group of Parables.

1. The Parable of the Sower.

(1) The story, Matt, 13:3-9. Cf. Mark and
Luke.

(2) The interpretation, vs. 1823.

2. Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly, Mark

4:26-29.

(1) The parable ?

(2) Design ? " This beautiful parable, peculiar
to Mark, is designed to teach the impercep-
tible growth of the word sown in the heart,
from its earliest stage of development to the
ripest fruits of practical righteousness."
Brown, in loco.

90 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

3. Parable of the Tares, Matt. 13:24-30.

(1) The subject illustrated, v. 24.

(2) The illustration (Parable).

(3) The interpretation, vs. 36-43. We behold
Satan here, not as he works beyond the
limits of the church, deceiving the world,
but in far deeper malignity, as he at once
mimics and counterworks the work of Christ ;
in the words of Chrysostom, ' After the
prophets, the false prophets ; after the apos-
tles, the false apostles; after Christ, Anti-
christ.' Most worthy of notice is the plain-
ness with which the doctrine concerning
Satan and his agency, his active hostility to
the blessedness of man, of which there is so
little in the Old Testament, comes out in the
New; as in the parable of the sower, and
again in this." Trench, p. 92. Still further
observe the mixed condition of the church
in this world, and its final purification at the
judgment.

4. Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven.

Matthew and Mark.

(1) The subject illustrated.

(2) What these parables have in common.
" Both describe the small and slight begin-
nings, the gradual progress, and the final
marvellous increase of the church." Trench,
p. 106.

(3) Wherein they differ. The parable of the
leaven declares the intensive, of the mustard
seed the extensive, development of the Gos-
pel. The latter sets forth the power and
action of the truth on the world brought in
contact with it; the former, the power of the

THIRD PERIOD. 9T

truth to develop itself from within.
Trench, p. 106.

5. Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of

Great Price. Matthew.

(1) The design of these parables. It is to set
forth the great importance of a personal ap-
propriation of the benefits of the (l Kingdom
of Heaven."

(2) The relation of the parables to each other.
"The second parable repeats what the first
has said, but repeats it with a difference ;
they are each the complement of the other;
so that under one or other, as finder either of
the pearl or of the hid treasure, may be
ranged all who become partakers of the
blessings of the Gospel of Christ." Trench y
p. 122. "The one parable represents the
kingdom found without seeking; the other the
kingdom sought and. found. ,J Brown, in
loco.

(3) The truths taught in 4 these parables.

(a) " The blessings of Christ's kingdom are

of incomparable value.
(6) They only deem them so who are prepared

to part with all for them.

(c) Some find Christ without seeking him;
others, as the result of long and anxious
search.

(d) Those who find Christ without seeking
him have usually the liveliest joy ; while
those who find him after long anxious
search have usually the deepest appre-
hension of his value." Broivn, in loco.

6. The Parable of the Draw-net, Matt. 13:47-50..
(1) Similarity to the parable of tares.

$2 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

(2) Difference in the two parables. " There is
this fundamental difference between them,
that the central truth of the parable of the
tares is the present intermixture, of this, the
future separation of the good and bad ; of
that men are not to effect the separation ; of
this, that the separation will one day by
God be effected." Trench, p. 136.

IX. Stilling the Tempest. f52) Matt. 8:18, 23-
27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25.

1. The Story of the Miracle f

2. Teaching. " True Humanity of the Savior by

the side of His Divine Power; the sleeping
Jesus and the Almighty Word of rebuke and
command to the elements, which lay them
down obedient at His feet; this sharp edged
contrast resolved into a higher unity how
true is it to the fundamental thought of the
Gospel-History ! Then this other contrast of
the failure of faith, and then the excitement of
the disciple's, and of the calm of the sleeping
and then the Majesty of the wakening Christ.
And, lastly, yet this third contrast of the help-
lessness and despondency of the disciples and
the Divine certitude of conscious omnipo-
tence." Edersheim, vol. I., p. 604.

X. Heals the Two Gadarene Demoniacs. (53)
Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39.

1. The Connection with the Miracle of Stilling the
Tempest. "The connection is very striking in
which this miracle stands with that other which
went immediately before. Our Lord has just
shown himself as the pacifier of the tumults
and the discords in the outward world ; he has

THIRD PERIOD.

9

spoken peace to the winds and to the waves,,
and hushed the war of elements with a word.
But there is something wilder and more fear-
ful than the winds and the waves in their
fiercest moods even the spirit of man, when
it has broken loose from all restraints, and.
yielded itself to be his organ, who brings con-
fusion and anarchy wherever his dominion
reaches. And Christ will accomplish here a
yet mightier work than that which he accom-
plished there. He will prove himself here also
the Prince of Peace, the restorer of the lost
harmonies; he will speak, and at his potent
word this madder strife, this blinder rage which
is in the heart of man, will allay itself, and her&
also there shall be a great calm." Trench,.
Notes on Miracles, p. 175.
The Story of the Miracle Combine the three-
Accounts. Concerning the apparent difficulty
that Matthew mentions two demoniacs while
Mark and Luke mention only one, Andrews
says : " The common and most probable ex-
planation is, that there were indeed two, but
that one was much more prominent than the
other, either as the fiercer of the two, or as of a
higher rank and better known, and therefore,
alone mentioned by Mark and Luke." p. 301.
Concerning the scene here presented, Eder-
sheim strikingly says : " The description of
demonised, coming out of the tombs to meet
Jesus as he touched the shore at Gerasa, ia
vivid in the extreme. His violence, the im-
possibility of control by others, the absence of
self-control, his homicidal and almost suicidal
frenzy, are all depicted. Evidently it was the

:94 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

object to set forth the extreme degree of the
demonised state." Vol. 1, p. 609. Notice also
in the story the conduct of the demoniac in the
presence of Christ, and how at the word of
Christ the demons come out of the man and
enter the herd of swine.

3. Teaching.

(1) Concerning the reality and awfulness of de-
moniacal possession.

(2) Concerning Jesus.

4. Results of the Miracle.

(1) Destruction of the herd of swine.

(2) The request of the people of the country.

(3) The man healed, Mark 5:18-20.

SECTION 8. THE THIRD CIRCUIT.

According to the Harmony of Dr. Broadus, which we are
following, the Lord returned to Capernaum from the
Second Circuit, but only passed through ; nothing is re-
corded of his stay there except that a great multitude
was gathered unto him. So we proceed to follow him
in his Third Circuit.

OUTLINE.

I. The Second Rejection at Nazareth.
II. Continued Journeys through Galilee.
III. The Mission of the Twelve.

NOTES.

I. The Second Rejection at Nazareth. (54)
Matt. 9:1; 13:54-58; Mark 5:21; 6:1-6; Luke
8:40.

1. The Circumstances. " The circumstances under
which he now returns to his early home are

THIRD PERIOD. 95

very unlike those of that former visit. Then
he had but newly begun his public labors, and
was comparatively little known ; aud great
surprise was felt that one, who only a few
months before had been an undistinguished
resident among them, should make so high
pretensions. How could he, whom they had
known from childhood up, be a prophet and
possess such powers? Now, his fame was
spread throughout the whole land, aud his
character as a prophet was established. Crowds
followed him from all parts of the land. His
miracles were familiar to all." Andrews,
p. 308.

2. He Teaches in the Synagogue, Mark 6:2. Cf.

Matthew.

3. Effect upon His Hearers, Mark 6:2-3.

4. The Results.

(1) Their conduct called forth from Jesus the
saying of Mark 6:4.

(2) Prevented him from doing many mighty
works there, vs. 5-6.

II. Continued Journeys through Galilee. (55)
Matt. 9:35-38; Mark 6:6.

1. The Two Great Branches of His Work, Matt.

9:35.

2. His Compassion, v. 36.

3. The Harvest and Laborers, vs. 37 38.

III. The Mission of the Twelve. (55) Matt. 10:
1-42; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6.

The connection between Matt. 9:35-38 and the send-
ing out of the Twelve is obvious. See especially
v. 36 concerning this mission. Observe,

96 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

1. The Sphere Assigned to the Apostles, Matt,

10:5-6.

2. Their Commission, vs. 7-8.

3. The Instructions Given Them. "The instructions

given by Jesus to the twelve in sending them
forth on their first mission are obviously di-
visible into two parts. The first, shorter part,
common to the narratives of all the three first
evangelists, relates to the present; the second,
and much the longer part, peculiar to Matthew's
narrative, relates mainly to the distant future.
In the former Christ tells His disciples what
to do now in their apprentice apostleship ; in
the latter what they must do and endure when
they have become apostles on the great scale r
preaching the gospel, not to Jews only, but to
all nations." Bruce, p. 109.

(1) The instructions as to the present, Matt.
10:9-15. Cf. Mark and Luke. These in-
structions inculcated the duty " of entering
on their mission without carefulness, relying
on Providence for the necessaries of life."

" What Jesus meant to say, in
whatever form of language he expressed
himself, was this : ' Go at once, and go as
you are, and trouble not yourself about food
or raiment or any bodily want ; trust in God
for these.'" Bruce, pp. HI and 112.

(2) The instructions relating mainly to the dis-
tant future, Matt. 10:16-42. "It was
natural that Jesus should signalize the first
missionary enterprise of the twelve chosen
men by some such discourse as Matthew
records, setting forth the duties, perils, en-
couragements, and rewards of the apostolic

THIRD PERIOD. 97

vocation. It was his way, on solemn occa-
sions, to speak as a prophet who in the
present saw the future, and from small be-
ginnings looked forward to great ultimate
results. And this Galilean mission, though
humble and limited compared with the great
undertaking of after years, was really a
solemn event. It was the beginning of that
vast work for which the twelve had been
chosen, which embraced the world in its
scope, and aimed at setting up on earth the

. kingdom of God The burden

of the instruction here given is this : ' Fear
not.' This exhortation, like the refrain of
a song, is repeated again and again in the

course of the address These

two words, Care not, Fear not, are the soul
and marrow of all that was said by way of
prelude to the first missionary enterprise,
and we may add, to all which might follow."
Bruce, pp. 110, 115, 111.
The Work of Jesus and the Apostles Immediately

Following His Sending Forth of the Tivelve,

Matt. 11:1. Cf. Mark and Luke.

SECTION 9. THE FOURTH SOJOURN IN
CAPERNAUM.

OUTLINE.

I. The Death of John the Baptist.
II. Return of the Twelve.

7b

98 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

NOTES.

I. The Death of John the Baptist, (56), Matt.
14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9.

1. The Story of His Imprisonment and Death,

Matt. 14:3-12. Cf. Mark and Luke.

2. The Way in which Herod and Others Accounted,

for the Works of Jesus, Luke 9:7-9. Cf. Mat-
thew aud Mark.
What led Herod to think of John the Baptist in this
connection ?

II. The Return of the Twelve, (57), Mark
6:30-32; Luke 9:10; John 6:1.

1. Their Report unto the Lord, Mark 6:30. What

did their report embrace ?

2. Retirement for Rest, v. 31.

SECTION 10. THE FOURTH CIRCUIT.

OUTLINE.

I. Followed to the Place of His Retirement by

the Multitudes.
II. The Feeding of Five Thousand.

III. Jesus Walks upon the Sea.

IV. Heals Many at Gennesaret.

XOTES.

I. Followed to the Place of His Retirement by
the Multitudes. (57) Matt. 14:13-14; Mark
6:33; Luke 9:11 ; John 6:2.

1. The Place of their Retirement, Luke 9:10. Cf.
Matthew aud Mark.

THIRD PERIOD. 99

2. The Multitudes. Whence they came? How

they came? Why they came? Matt. 14:13.
Cf. Mark, Luke, and John.

3. Our Lord's Reception of them. Had "compas-

sion on them." "Welcomed them." "Spake
to them of the Kingdom of God," "and
healed their sick." (See Matthew, Mark, and
Luke.)

II. The Feeding of Five Thousand. (57), Matt.
14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17;
John 4:14.

1. The Story of the Miracle, John 6:1-14. Cf.

other Gospels.

2. The Miracle. The feeding of five thousand men,

besides women and children, with five barley
loaves and two small fishes. " All the evangel-
ists relate the miracle with much minuteness,
with little even apparent discrepancy, and with
such graphic detail as none but eye-witnesses
could have supplied." Bruce, p. 122.

3. The Design of the Miracle. Was it to meet the

necessity of the multitude? (See Mark 6:
35-36.) Was it compassion ? " But we believe
that something else higher was aimed at in this
miracle than to satisfy physical appetite. It
was a symbolic, didactic, critical miracle. It
was meant to teach, and also to test, to supply a
text for the subsequent sermon, and a touch-
stone to try the character of those who had
followed Jesus with such enthusiasm.

The miracle in the desert was in this
view not merely an act of mercy, but an act of
judgment. Jesus mercifully fed the hungry
multitude in order that He might sift it, and

100 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

separate the true from the spurious disciples."
Bruce, p. 124.
4. The Results of the Miracle, John 6:14-15.
"What a melancholy result of a hopeful move-
ment have we here! The kingdom has been
proclaimed, and the good news has been exten-
sively welcomed. Jesus, the Messianic King,
is become the object of most ardent devotion
to an enthusiastic population. But, alas !
Their ideas of the kingdom are radically mis-
taken. Acted out they would mean rebellion
and ultimate ruin." Bruce, p. 127.

III. Jesus Walks on the Sea. (58) Matt. 14:22-36 ;

Mark 6:45-56 ; John 6:15-21.

1. The Story of the Miracle.

2. The Incident of Peter's Attempt to Walk on the

Sea, Matt. 14:27-31.*

3. Significance of the Miracle,

(1) As to Jesus. " What Job celebrates as the

distinguishing prerogative of God, ' who
alone spreadeth out the heavens and treadeth
upon the waves of the sea.' what Agur
challenges as God's unapproachable pre-
rogative, to ' gather the winds in his fists,
and bind the waters in a garment' this is
here done in the flesh by the Son of man."
Butler, p. 246.

(2) For the Apostles, Matt. 14:33; Mark 6:51-52.

IV. Heals Many at Gennesaret. (57).

1. The Scene on the Plain, Mark 6:53-55.

2. The Miracles, Mark 6:56. Cf. Matthew.

FOURTH PERIOD,

OPPOSITION.

From the Discourse on the Bread of Life to the
Crucifixion.

Introduction.

One year of our Lord's ministry in Galilee had now
ended. His fame had steadily grown until His pop-
ularity had reached its climax when He miraculously
fed the five thousand. "All the accounts of this period,"
says Andrews, " indicate that he had now come to the
culminating point of His labors. Never was His pop-
ularity so great and never His mighty power so mar-
velously displayed. He could go nowhere, into coun-
try, or village, or city, that they did not bring the
sick into the streets, that they might at least touch the
hem of His garment ; ' and as many as touched were
made perfectly whole,' "p. 329. (Matt. 14:35-36.)
But now a great change takes place. His popularity
begins to wane, and the opposition to Him by the
ruling classes, which had long existed, now becomes
open and pronounced and only ceases with his death
and burial. "The change was sudden and complete
and at once altered all the features of the life of Jesus.
He lingered in Galilee for six months longer; but these
months were very unlike the first twelve. The voices
that rose around Him were no longer the ringing
shouts of gratitude and applause, but voices of oppo-
sition, bitter and blasphemous. He was no longer to
be seen moving from one populous place to another in

102 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

the heart of the country, welcomed everywhere by
those who waited to experience or to see His miracles,
and followed by thousands eager not to lose a word
of His discourses. He was a fugitive, seeking the
most distant and outlandish places, and accompanied
only by a handful of followers." Stalker pp. 87, 88.
After His final departure from Galilee He continued
His ministry six months longer in Judea and Perea,
when the opposition and persecution of the ecclesiasti-
cal authorities culminated in His crucifixion. We are
now to study the history of this period as found in
the Gospels. It will be our plan to follow the course
of His iife in his circuits through Galilee and sojourns
in Capernaum until he leaves Galilee ; then to fol-
low Him into the different parts of the country
and in Jerusalem until the end.

SECTION 1. THE FIFTH SOJOURN IN
CAPERNAUM.

OUTLINE.

I. The Discourse on the Bread of Life.
II. Address of Our Lord to the Scribes and
Pharisees.

NOTES.

I. The Discourse on the Bread of Life. (59)
John 6:22-71.

Introduction.

"The theme of this memorable address was very naturally
introduced by the preceding conversation between
Jesus and the people who came from the other side of

FOURTH PERIOD. 103

the lake, hoping to find him at Capernaum, His usual
place of abode. To their evasive inquiries as to how
He came thither, He replied by a chilling observa-
tion concerning the true motive of their zeal, and an
exhortation to set their hearts on a higher food than
that which perisheth. Understanding the exhortation
as a counsel to cultivate piety, the persons to whom it
was addressed inquired what they should do that they
might work the works of God i. e., please God.
Jesus replied by declaring that the great testing work
of the hour was to receive Himself as one whom God
had sent. This led to a demand on their part for
evidence in support of this high claim to be the
divinely-missioned Messiah. The miracle just wrought
on the other side of the lake was great, but not great
enough, they thought, to justify such lofty pretensions.
In ancient times a whole nation had been fed for
many years by bread brought down from heaven by
Moses. What was the recent miracle to that? He
must show a sign on a far grander scale, if He
wished them to believe that a greater than Moses was
here. Jesus took up the challenge, and boldly de-
clared that the manna, wonderful as it was, was not
the true heavenly bread. There was another bread of
which the manna was but the type; like it, coming
down from heaven; but unlike it, giving life not to
a nation, but to a world, and not life merely for a few
short years but life for eternity. This announcement,
like the similar one concerning the wonderful water
of life made to the woman of Samaria, provoked de-
sire in the hearts of the hearers, and they exclaimed,
'Lord, evermore give us this bread. '" Bruce, pp. 136,
137. Now follows the discourse on the Bread of Life,
which we may study under the following heads :

104 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

1. What the True Bread Is. He declares Himself

to be the bread of life, v. 35. Concerning
Himself He teaches, that He came down from
heaven (v. 38) and became man ; that the
bread He would give was His flesh, referring
doubtless to His sacrifice ; that afterwards He
should ascend to where He was before (v. 64.)
"This, then, is the heavenly bread: even the
God-man, incarnate, crucified, and glorified."
Bruce, p. 140.

2. The Virtue of this Heavenly Bread. It is the

bread of life gives life, eternal life ; sustains,
nourishes, and satisfies life. (See vs. 54-59.)

3. How this Bread is to be Appropriated. "Bread,

of course, is eaten; but what does eating in
this case mean? It means in one word, faith."
Bruce, p. 142. vs. 35, 47, 48.

4. Relation to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

The opinion held by a majority of the ablest
interpreters has been expressed by Ryle as fol-
lows: "I believe that our Lord, both in this text
(v. 53), and all through this chapter, did not,
either directly or indirectly, refer to the Lord's
Supper, that by His flesh and blood He did
not mean the bread and wine, that by eating
and drinking He did not mean any bodily act.
I believe that by ' flesh and blood ' He meant
the sacrifice of His own body for us when He
offered it up as our substitute on Calvary. I
believe that by ' eating and drinking' He
meant that communion and participation of the
benefits of His sacrifice which faith, aud faith
only, conveys to the soul. I believe His mean-
ing to be, ' Except ye believe on me as the one
sacrifice for sin, and by faith receive into your

FOURTH PERIOD. 105

hearts the redemption purchased by my blood,
ye have no spiritual life, and will not be
saved.' The atonement of Christ, His vica-
rious death and sacrifice, aud faith in it these
things are the key to the whole passage."
John, vol. I., p. 399.
5. Results of the Sermon, 6671.

(1) As to the multitude, v. 6Q.

(2) As to the twelve, 67-71. It was this dis-

course which marked the crisis of His min-
istry in Galilee, alienating His false follow-
ers and confirming His true disciples. ''This
discourse was like a stream of cold water
directed upon the fiery enthusiasm of the
crowd. From that hour His cause in Gali-
lee was doomed ; ' many of his disciples
went back, and walked no more with Him.'
It was what He intended. It was Himself
who struck the fatal blow at His popularity.
He resolved to devote Himself thencefor-
ward to the few who really understood Him,
and were capable of being the adherents of
a spiritual enterprise." Stalker, p. 98.

II. Address of our Lord to the Scribes and Phar-
isees. (60) Matt. 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23;
John 7:1.

1 . What Led Him to Deliver this Address f Mark

7:1-5.

2. The Address. Matt. 15:7-11. Cf. Mark. "The

words of the Lord in reply to the Pharisees
are full of severity, and show that he knew
that they were, and would continue to be, His
enemies. Now for the first time He addresses
them openly as hypocrites and reproaches them

106 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

that they set aside by their traditiou the com-
mandments of God. He proceeds to address
the people upon the distinction between in-
ternal and external defilement." Andrews,
p. 333.

3. The Pharisees Offended, and our Lord's Descrip-

tion of Them. Matt. 15:12-14.

4. Explains to His Disciples the Meaning of His Ad-

dress. Mark 7:18-23.

SECTION 2. THE FIFTH CIRCUIT.

OUTLINE.

I. Retires to Tyre and Sidon.
II. The Syrophcenician Woman.

III. The Miracles in Decapolis.

IV. The Leaven of the Pharisees and Saddu-

cees.
V. Heals a Blind Man.
VI. Peter's Confession.
VII. Foretells His Death and Resurrection.
VIII. The Transfiguration.
IX. Healing of Demoniac Boy.
X. Again Foretells His Death and Resurrec-
tion.

XOTES.

I. Retires to Tyre and Sidon. (61) Matt.
15:21-28 ; Mark 7:24-30.

1. The Region of His Retirement. " The two cities
together denote the country of Phoenicia. He
was probably at first in the southern part be-

FOURTH PERIOD. 107

longing to Tyre, and afterwards went north-
ward through the Sidon district." (Mark
7:31.) Broadus, Commentary, p. 340.
2. Motive in this Retirement. " His motive in this
journey obviously was to find the seclusion
and rest which he had sought, but in vain, to
find on the east side of the lake, and could
not find in Capernaum. He hoped on the
remote frontier of Galilee to escape for a time
popular attention, and to be hid from the
crowds that followed Him. It was for the
twelve that He sought a temporary retirement,
and to them did He address His teachings."
Andrews, p. 334.

II. The Syrophoenician Woman. (61)

1. The Story of this Woman's Interview with Jesus.

Matt. 15:22-28. Cf. Mark.

2. Significance. (1) From the human side. (2)

From the divine side.

III. The Miracles in Decapolis. (62) Matt. 15:29-
38; Mark 7:31 to 8:9.

1. The Healing of the Deaf and Dumb Man and

many others. Mark alone describes the heal-
ing of the deaf and dumb man, while Mat-
thew relates the fact that he performed many
miracles of healing.

2. The Feeding of the Four Thousand. " Three

days this great concourse of people to the
number of four thousand continued with the
Lord, beholding his works, and listening to
His words, aud at their close He fed them
with the seven loaves and a few fishes. . . .
While there are several points of resemblance
between this miracle and that of the feeding

108 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

of the five thousand, there are many of differ-
ence : as to the number of persons fed, the
quantity of food, the quantity of fragments
gathered up, the time the multitude had been
with Jesus, and the events both preceding
and following the miracle." Andrews, pp.
336, 337.

IV. The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
(63) Matt. 15:39 to 16:12; Mark 8:10-21.

1. The Request for a Sign, Matt. 15:1.

2. His Reply, vs. 2-4. Cf. Mark.

3. Warns His Disciples against the Leaven of the

Pharisees and Sadducees, Matt. 16:5-12. Cf.
Mark.

V. Heals a Blind Man. (63) Mark 8:22-26.

This miracle related by Mark only.

1. Describe the Miracle, Mark 8:22-25. "This

the only recorded example of a progressive
cure." Brown, in loco.

2. Purpose of this Method of Working the Miracle.

" So far as we can judge, the object was, by a
gradual process of healing, to disabuse the
man of any idea of magical cure, while at the
same time the process of healing again mark-
edly centered in the person of Jesus." Eder-
sheim, vol. 2, p. 48.

VI. Peter's Confession. (64) Matt. 16:13-20;
Mark 8:27-30 ; Luke 9:18-21.

1. Where this Confession Was Made. We do not

know precisely, but in the region of Ca?sarea
Philippi.

2. Circumstances, Luke 9: J 8.

3. The Lord's First Question to His Disciples, Matt.

16:13. Cf. Mark and Luke. ,

FOURTH PERIOD. 109

4. Their Reply, Matt. 16:14. "It is to be noted

that no important part of the people seem to
have regarded Jesus as the Christ, or else it
would have been mentioned by the apostles. It
is apparent that he was regarded rather as a
forerunner of the Messiah than as the Messiah
himself, though public sentiment may have
changed from time to time in regard to his
Messianic claims. . . . Weiss thinks that
the answer shows only that the people no
longer considered him as the Messiah, not that
many had not formerly done so." Andrews,
pp. 352-353.

5. The Lord's Second Question to His Apostles,

Matt. 16:15. Our Lord evidently was not
satisfied with the opinion of the multitude con-
cerning* himself, high as that opinion was,
hence this second question.

6. Peter's Answer and Confession, Matt. 16:16.

Cf. Mark and Luke. Peter evidently spoke for
the twelve. " Simon's confession, fairly inter-
preted, seems to contain these two propositions
that Jesus was the Messiah, and that he was
divine That the famous confes-
sion, uttered in the neighborhood of Csesarea
Philippi, really contains in germ the doctrine of
Christ's divinity, might be inferred from the
simple fact that Jesus was satisfied with it ; for
he certainly claimed to be Son of God in a
sense predicable of no mere man, even accord-
ing to synoptical accounts of his teaching.
But when we consider the peculiar terms in
which he expressed himself respecting Peter's
faith we are still further confirmed in this con-
clusion, v. 17 All this agrees

110 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

well with the supposition that the confession
contains not merely an acknowledgment of
the Messiahship of Jesus in the ordinary sense,
but a proclamation of the true doctrine con-
cerning Messiah's person, viz. : that he was
a divine being manifest in the flesh." Bruce,
pp. 167-168. "This confession of Peter,
which was that of all the apostles, was there-
fore a great turning point in their history. To
others he was only the Baptist, or Elias, or one
of the prophets ; to them ' he was the Christ,
the Son of the living God.' v Andrews,
p. 353.
7. The Remaining Portion of our Lord's Address
to Simon, Matt. 16:18-19. These verses
show that our Lord " assigned to the doctrine
confessed by that disciple the place of funda-
mental importance in the Christian faith. The
object of these remarkable statements is not to
assert the supremacy of Peter, as Romanists
contend, but to declare the supremely impor-
tant nature of the truth he has confessed.
Who or what the 'rock' is we
deem doubtful; it may be Peter, or it may be
his confession ; it is a point on which scholars
equally sound in the faith and equally innocent
of all sympathy with Popish dogmas are divided
in opinion, and on which it would ill become
us to dogmatize. Of this only are we sure,
that not Peter's person, but Peter's faith, is the
fundamental matter in Christ's mind.
But we confess our preference for the'old Prot-
estant interpretation, according to which our
Lord's words to his disciples should be thus
paraphrased :' Thou, Simon Barjonas,artPetros,

FOURTH PERIOD. Ill

a man of rock, worthy of thy name Peter, be-
cause thou hast made that bold and good con-
fession, and on the truth thou hast now con-
fessed, as on a rock, will I build my church ;
and so long as it abides on that foundation it
will stand "firm and unassailable against all the
powers of hell/ So rendering we make Jesus
say not only what he really thought, but what
was most worthy to be said. For divine truth is
the sure foundation. Believers, even Peters,
may fail and prove anything but stable; but
truth is eternal and faileth never." Bruce,
pp. 168-170.

VII. Foretells His Death and Resurrection. (65)
Matt. 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-38; 9:1; Luke
9:22-27.

1. The Time when this Prediction ivas Made. It

was just after Peter's confession, Now he saw
the apostles had clear views of his person as
being God-Man. " Before the disciples were
established in the doctrine of Christ's person,
the doctrine of the cross might have scared
them away." Bruce, p. 174.

2. The Prediction, Matt. ]6:21. Study by clauses:

(1) " That he must go up to Jerusalem,"

(2) " and suffer many things," (3) " of the
elders and chief priests and scribes," (4)
"and be killed," (5) "and the third day be
raised up." (See Bruce's Training of the
Twelve, p. 175.)

3. How they Received this Prediction, Matt. 16:22.

Cf. Mark. Doubtless Peter spoke for the
twelve.

4. The Lord's Rebuke, Matt. 16:23. Cf. Mark.

Meaning ? Compare Luke 4:8.

112 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

5. His Address to his Disciples and the Multitude,
Matt. 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-37 ; Luke 9:23-25.
" The connection with what goes before is that
although the disciples were surprised to hear
that he must suffer, they must now prepare to
suffer too, the members with the head." Alex-
ander, p. 226. In this address three leading
thoughts : (1) What all who would follow him
must suffer. (2) The compensations. (3)
The speedy comiug of his kingdom. There
are different views as to the meaning of the last
announcement. " The most reasonable ex-
planation, especially when we compare ch. 24, is
to understand a reference to the destruction of
Jerusalem forty years afterward. This provi-
dentially lifted the Messianic reign to a new
stage. It put an end to the sacrifices and the
whole temple ritual, and thus taught the Jewish
Christians that these need be no louger observed.
In general the destruction of Jerusa-
lem made Christianity stand out as no longer in
appearance a mere phase or mode of Judaism,
but an independent and universal religion."
Broadus, Commentary, p. 368.

VIII. The Transfiguration. (66) Matt. 17:1-13;
Mark 9:2-13 ; Luke 9:28-36.

1. The Place of the Transfiguration. Tradition

identifies it with Mt. Tabor. But " the moun-
tain is not named or otherwise described, and
is therefore now unknown." Alexander, p.
232.

2. The Time. "The difference in the computation of

Matthew and Mark on one side, who say, 'After
six days he taketh Peter,' etc., and Luke, who
says, ' About eight days after these sayings he

FOURTH PERIOD. 113

took/ etc., is easily reconciled if we suppose
that the latter included, while the former ex-
cluded, both the day on which the words were
spoken and the day of the Transfiguration."
Andrews, p. 358. See also Alexander on Mark.

3. The Apostles who Witnessed the Transfiguration,

Matt. 17:1. " They belonged to the first group
of four among the twelve, and were evidently
received to a peculiar intimacy " Broadus,
Commentary, p. 370. Cf. Mark 5:37; Matt.
26:37.

4. The Transfiguration Described. Combining the

accounts of the three evangelists, the following
is a brief outline : (1) "As he was praying,"
(2) "His face did shine as the sun," (3)
"And his garments became white as the light,"
" glisteniug, exceediug white," "white and
dazzling," (4) "And behold there appeared
unto him Moses and Elijah, who appeared in
glory," (5) " And spake of his decease which
he was to accomplish at Jerusalem," (6) " Be-
hold a bright cloud overshadowed them,"
(7) " And behold a voice out of the cloud,
saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased ; hear ye him."

5. His Charge to the Apostles, Matt. 17:9. Why?

6. The Significance of the Transfiguration. (1) As

to Jesus. (2) For the apostles. (3) For us.

7. The Discourse with the Disciples Concerning the

Coming of Elijah, Matt. 17:10-13. Cf. Mark.
This conversation probably occurred during the
descent from the mountain and with the three
apostles. " The thought of Elijah had been
suggested by his appearance on the Mount."
Broadus, Commentary, p. 373.

:-8b

114 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

IX. Healing of the Demoniac Boy. (67) Matt.

17:14-20; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43.

1. The Scene which Greeted our Lord on Coming

Down from the Mountain, Mark 9:14-15;
Luke 9:37.

2. A Father's Appeal in Behalf of an only Child,

Mark 9:17-18 ; Luke 9:38-40.

3. The Answer of Jesus, Mark 9:19.

4. The Scene when the Child is Brought into his-

Presence, Mark 9:20.

5. The Conversation between Jesus and the Father of

the Child, Mark 9:21-24.

6. The Miracidous Cure, vs. 25-27.

7. Why the Disciples Would not Cast out the Demon,.

Matt. 17:19, 20.

X. Again Foretells His Death. (68) Matt. 17:
22, 23 ; Mark 9:30-32 ; Luke 9:43-45.

1. When Made. Probably very soon after the last

miracle (Luke 9:43) and during the return
journey through Galilee to Capernaum, Mark
9:30.

2. To Whom Made, Mark 9:30-31. Why to them

only ?

3. The Prediction, Mark 9:31. Cf. Matthew and!

Luke. Compare with the first prediction.
Matt. 16:21.

4. Effect upon the Apostles, Matt. 17:23 ; Mark,

9:32 ; Luke 9:45.

FOURTH PERIOD. 115

SECTION 3. THE SIXTH SOJOURN IN
CAPERNAUM.

OUTLINE.

I. Jesus Pays the Half-shekel.
II. Discourses to the Twelve.

III. Incidents Illustrative of Discipleship.

IV, His Brethren.

NOTES.

I. Jesus Pays the Half-shekel. (69) Matt. 17:
24-27.

1. The Question of the Tax-gatherer, v. 24. The

Greek word here translated half-shekel sig-
nifies "a silver coin equal to two Attic drachms,
and in the times of the New Testament and
Josephus was nearly equal to a half-shekel or
something over thirty cents." Broadus, Com-
mentary, p. 378. It was " payable toward the
maintenance of the temple and its services, by
every male Jew of twenty years old and up-
ward a sacred tax." (See Ex. 30:13; 2 Chron.
24:6-9.) .... It seems implied that
the payment of this tax was voluntary, though
expected. Brown, in loco.

2. Peter's Answer, v. 25.

3. The Ground upon which Jesus agrees to Pay It, vs.

25-27. His meaning? " This taxis for the up-
holding of my Father's House : As His Son
the tax is not due by Me ; / am Free. Yet let
us pay it, ' lest we should offend (be a stum-
bling block to) them/ who know not my rela-

116 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

tion to the Lord of the temple." Brown, in
loco.
4. The Miracle, v. 27. The wonders of this miracle
are: (1) "That the exact sum required should
be found in a fish's mouth. (2) That Jesus
should know it. (3) That this very fish should
come to the spot where Peter's hook was to be
cast, and be caught by it, retaining and yield-
ing the coin required." Brown, in loco.

II. Discourses to the Twelve. (70-71) Matt. 18;
1-35; Mark 9: 33-50; Luke 9:46-50.

The occasion which led to these discourses is some-
what differently related by the three evangel-
ists, Matt. 18:1; Mark 9:33-34; Luke 9:46.
"Not knowing all the circumstances we need
not be nervously anxious to harmonize all these
accounts; but it is not difficult to suppose that
they came intending to ask him the question,
but hesitated; that perceiving their thought
(Luke), he inquired, and they were at first silent
(Mark), but at length spoke (Matt)." Broadus,
Commentary, p. 381.

Analysis of the Discourse.

1. The Greatest in the Messianic Kingdom, Matt.
- 18:2-4; Mark 9:35.

2. The Reception of Christ's little Owes, Matt. 18:

5; Mark 9:37; Luke 9:47, 48. "The transi-
tion of thought from being like a child to
receiving all that of which childhood in its
weakness is the emblem, was perfectly nat-
ural; for there is a close connection between
the selfish struggle to be great and an offen-
sive mode of acting toward the little. Harsh-

FOURTH PERIOD. 117

ness and contemptuousness are vices insepara-
ble from an ambitious spirit." Bruce, p. 204.

3. Warning against -putting Stumbling Blocks in the

Way of these little Ones, Matt, 18:6, 7; Mark
9:42.

4. Warning against all Occasion of Stumbling to

Themselves. Matt. 18:8, 9; Mark 9:43-50.
"The 'offence/ or occasion of stumbling im-
mediately in view here was the dispute among
the apostles, which, arisiug out of their carnal
ambition, was aggravated, doubtless, as the
dispute went on by a number of little things."
Brown, in loco.

5. How these little Ones are Regarded in Heaven,

Matt. 18:10-14.

6. Exclusiveness Rebuked, Mark 9:38-41 ; Luke

9:49, 50

III. Incidents Illustrative of Discipleship. (72)

Mark 8:19-22; Luke 9;57-62.

1. The Precipitate Disciple, Matt, 8:19, 20; Luke

9:57, 58.

2. The Procrastinating Disciple, Matt. 18:21-22;

Luke 9:59-60.

3. The Irresolute Disciple, Luke 9:61-62. Brown,

in loco.

IV. His Brethren. (73) John 7:2-9.

1. What his Brethren desired Him to do, vs. 2 5.

Their motive.

2. The Reply of Jesus, 6-9.

118 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

SECTION 4. ATTENDS THE FEAST
OF TABERNACLES.

(This section brings before us a question of great difficulty in the
harmony. See Broadus, Harmony, p. 249.)

OUTLINE.

I. Goes up to Jerusalem.
II. Discourses with the Jews.

III. The Story of the Adulteress.

IV. Discourses with the Jews Continued.
V. Heals a Man Born Blind.

VI. The Good Shepherd.

NOTES.

The matter in this section, except the passage from Luke
at the beginiug of it, is found only in John. With
the exception of the incidents of the journey (I.) all
the events here recorded occurred in Jerusalem.

I. Goes up to Jerusalem. (74) Luke 9:51-56 ;
John 7:10.

1. His Final Departure from Galilee, Luke 9:51;

John 7:10. (Explain.)

2. The Incident on the Journey, Luke 9:52-56.

II. Discourse with the Jews. (75) John 7:11-
52.

We probably have preserved to us here a very
small part of all that Jesus taught during the
feast. Let it be remembered also that these
fragments are from discourses delivered on
different days.

FOURTH PERIOD. 119

Analysis of His Teaching, vs. 11-52.

Introduction, vs. 11-14.

1. His Commission, 1518. In answer to the

question of the Jews (v. 15) he declares that
his teaching is from God and that God hath
sent him. How the truth of this declaration
may be verified, vs. 17-18.

2. Why They could not Understand His Teaching, vs.

19-20 i. e., in going about to kill me you
are violating the law of Moses (the will of
God), and so cannot apply to my teaching the
only true test, v. 17. Effect upon the multi-
tude, v. 20.

3. Vindicates from the Taw His Miracle of Healing

on the Sabbath (see chap. 5:5-9), vs. 21-24.
This again shows their spirit toward the law
and toward him.

4. In Answer to their Questioning Reaffi7'ms His

Commission to be from God. The Attitude of

the Multitude Toward Him, 30-31.
5. Foretells His Ascension to the Father, 33-34.

The occasion which called this forth, v. 32.

Effect of this saying, 35-36.
'6. His Proclamation on the Tast Great Day of the

Feast, vs. 37-39. Effect, 40-44.
At the close of His teaching the officers return and
report to the Council, 45-52.

III. The Story of the Adulteress. (76) John
7:53 to 8:11.

Concerning this paragraph Dr. Broadus says: "This par-
agraph can no longer be considered a part of the gospel
of John, but it is in all probability a true story of
Jesus, very likely drawn by early students from the

120 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

collection of papers published about a.d. 146."
Harmony, p. 105. Cf. Edersheim, vol. II., p. 163 ;
Andrews, p. 346.

IV. Discourses with the Jews Continued. (77)
John 8:12-59.

Analysis ( Henry).

1. Concerning His Being the Light of the World,

12-30.

2. Concerning the Ruin of the 1 Unbelieving Jews,.

21-30.

3. Concerning Liberty and Bondage, 31-37.

4. Concerning His Father and their Father, 38-47.

5. His Answer to their Blasphemous Accusation,.

48-50.

6. Concerning the Immortality of Believers, 51-55,-

7. His Own Eternity, 56-59.

Obs. In the above discourses (II. and IV.) notice-
two things :

(1) The progress of the self-revelation of Jesus.-

(2) The growth of the opposition of the Jews.

V. Heals a Man Born Blind. (78) John 9:1-41.

1. The Account of the Miracle, vs. 1-12.

2. The Healed Man and the Pharisees, 13-34.

3. Jesus and the Healed, Man, 35-41.

VI. The Good Shepherd. (79) John 10:1-21.

1. The u Parable v of the Shepherd and his Sheep r

1-6.

2. The Parable Explained, 7-18.

3. The Division among the Jews, 19-21.

FOURTH PERIOD. 121

SECTION 5. THE LORD'S LATER MIN-
ISTRY IN JUDEA.

OUTLINE.

I. The Seventy.
II. The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

III. Jesus at Bethany.

IV. Our Lord's Teaching on Prayer.

V. The Accusation of Being in League with

Beelzebub.
VI. Denunciation of the Pharisees and Lawyers.
VII. Discourses.
VIII. Repentance.
IX. The Sabbath.
X. Discourse at the Feast of Dedication.

NOTES.

Concerning the order and locality of the events recorded
in this section there is much difference of opinion.
Dr. Broadus, whose harmony we are following, locates
these events "probably in Judea." Hence we call
this section the later Judean ministry using the
word later because there had been an earlier Judean
ministry. Nearly all this section peculiar to Luke.
(See Harmony, p. 110.)

I. The Seventy. (80), Luke 10:1-24.

1. The Number, Of. Ex. 24:1,9; Num. 11:24,25.

2. Whither sent, v. 1.

3. Their Commission, v. 9.

4. The Instructions He gave them, vs. 216.

5. Their Return and Report, v. 17.

6. The Lord's Answer, vs. 18-20.

7. His Joy and Thanksgiving, vs. 2124.

122 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

II. The Parable of the Good Samaritan. (81)
Luke 10:25-37.

1. The Introduction to the Parable, vs. 25-29.

2. The Parable, vs. 30-37. "O exquisite, match-

less teaching! What fountains of charity has not
this opened up in the human spirit rivers in
the wilderness, streams in the desert ! What
noble Christian institutions have not such words
founded, all undreamed of till that wondrous
One came to bless this heartless world of ours
with his incomparable love." Brown, in loco.

III. Jesus at Bethany. (82) Luke 10:38-42.

1. Bethany, a Village near Jerusalem. Cf. John 11:

1, 18.

2. The House in which He was a Guest, vs. 38-39.

3. Martha and Mary, vs. 39-40.

4. Our Lord's Answer to Martha, vs. 41-42.

IV. Teaching of Jesus on Prayer. (83) Luke 11:

1-13.

1. The Circumstance which led Him to give this In-

struction, v. 1.

2. The Model Prayer, vs. 2-4. " As the ten

commandments are a sum of all duty or what
is to be done, so this prayer is a sum of all
things to be desired. As the ten command-
ments contain our duty toward God and toward
our neighbor, so in this prayer are petitions
for God's honor, for ourselves, and for others.
He gave both the commandments and the
prayer that we might see our duty and pray for
ability to perform it. The ten commandments
were twice rehearsed, and so this prayer was
twice delivered ; first in the sermon on the
mount, and afterwards in this text, about a
year later." Butler, p. 326.
-3. Encouragement to Pray, vs. 5-13.

FOURTH PERIOD. 123

"V. The Accusation of Being in League with
Beelzebub. (84) Luke 11:14-36.

1. The Similarity of this Passage to Matthew,
12:21-44. Cf. Matthew 9:34. This raises
a difficult question in the harmony. Is this
the same as the case related in Matthew ?
After giving the arrangement of leading har-
monists as to number of healings and times of
occurrence, Andrews says: "It is very difficult
to choose among these several arrangements.
It is remarked by Greswell that cases of dis-
possession were among tne earliest and com-
monest of the Savior's miracles; it is not,
therefore, to be thought strange that his replies
should be substantially the same. And we are
also to remember that the Evangelist having
once given His reply, would not repeat it unless
some new elements were woven into it. It is
not then at all improbable that Matthew, who
simply mentions the charge in 9:31, should in
12:25, have brought together after his manner,
the substance of all the Lord had said in His re-
plies. The same may be true of the report in
Luke. In both, the demand of His enemies
for a sign is mentioned in immediate connec-
tion with their charge of demoniac help, and
this points strongly to their identity. But
while there is much to be said in favor of this,
yet the probability is that Matthew and Luke
refer to different cases of healing and give dif-
ferent discourses, that in Luke being during
the last journey to Jerusalem." p. 288.

(For exposition, see above, Period of Popularity,
Section 7, V., Notes.)

x 2. The Incident in the LoraVs Discourse, vs. 27-28.

124 BIBLE COUBSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

3. The Conclusion of the Discourse, vs. 3336,
Cf. Matt. 5:15; 6:22-23. (See Edersheim,
vol. II., p. 202.)

VI. Denunciation of the Pharisees and Law-
yers. (85) Luke 11:37-54.

1. The Circumstance which Called Forth the Denun-

ciation of the Fharisees, vs. 3738.

2. The Denunciation, vs. 39-44.

3. The Complaint of the Lawyer, v. 45.

4. The Denunciation of the Lawyers, vs. 4652.

5. The Growth of Opposition to Him, vs. 5354.

VII. Discourses. (86) Luke 12.

In considering these discourses we agaiu meet the
question of harmony. On this question An-
drews says: " In regard to the discourses found
in this chapter (Luke 12), it is impossible to
say whether they have their right place here or
in Matthew, or whether the Lord may not have
repeated them. A considerable part is found
in the sermon on the mount, as given by
Matthew (6:25/f.); and another part in the last
discourse on the Mount of Olives (24:42/f.);
and still another in the commission given to
the Twelve (10:34jf.) ; and smaller portions else-
where. As Matthew brings together in his
report of the discourse much that was be-
yond doubt spoken at other times, we are in-
clined to believe that Luke here in the main
follows the order of events." p. 392.

First Discourse, vs. 1-12. Addressed to his dis-
ciples. Subject, Hypocrisy (analyze).

Second Discourse, vs. 13-34. The occasion of this
discourse, v. 13. Subject, Covetousness.
The discourse falls into two parts; the first part

FOURTH PERIOD. 125

is addressed to the multitude, vs. 15-21
(analyze); the second part is addressed to his
disciples, vs. 22-34. Cf. Matt. 6:21-83
(analyze).

Third Discourse, vs. 35-53. To his disciples.
Subject, Watchfulness (analyze). The last
paragraph (vs. 49-53) expresses the impor-
tance of watchfulness.

Fourth Discourse, vs. 54-59. To the multitude.
Subject, Discerning the Signs of the Times
(analyze).

VIII. Repentance. (87) Luke 13:1-9.

1. How the Subject was Introduced, v. 1.

2. The Necessity of Repentance, vs. 2-5.

3. The Need and Urgency of National Repentance,

vs. 6-9. (See Edersheim.)

IX. The Sabbath. (88) Luke 13:10-31.

1. His Surroundings, v. 10.

2. A Miracle of Healing, vs. 11-13.

3. The Indignation of the Ruler of the Synagogue,

v. 14.

4. The Lord's Anstver, vs. 15-16. One design

no doubt of the miracle was to illustrate and
enforce the true view of the Sabbath.

5. The Effect, v. 17.

6. The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven,

vs. 18-21. "The one exhibits the extensive-
ness, the other the intensiveness of the power of
the kingdom of God." (Edersheim, p. 592,
vol. I.

X. Discourse at the Feast of Dedication. (89)
John 10:22-42.

1. The Feast of Dedication. "Celebrated rather
more than two months after the Feast of Taber-

126 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

nacles, during which intermediate period our
Lord seems to have remained in the neighbor-
hood of Jerusalem. It was instituted by Ju-
das Maccabeus to commemorate the purification
of the temple from the profanations to which
it had been subjected by Antiochus Epiphanes
(b. c. 165), and kept for eight days from the 25
Chisleu (December), the day on which Judas
began the first joyous celebration of it."
Brown in loco.

2. The Circumstances under which the Discourse

was Delivered, vs. 22-24. " From the whole
circumstances we cannot doubt that the ques-
tion which they put: < How long holdest Thou
us in suspense?' had not in it an element of
truthfulness or genuine inquiry. Their desire,
that he should tell them 'plainly ' if he were
the Christ had no other motive than that of
grounding on it an accusation. The more
clearly we perceive this, the more wonderful
appears the forbearance of Christ and the
wisdom of his answer." Edersheim, vol. II. r
p. 229.

3. The Discourse, 25-39. " Briefly he puts aside

their hypocrisy. What need is there of fresh
speech ? He told them before, and they ' be-
lieve' not. From words he appeals to the
mute, but indisputable witness of deeds : the
works which he wrought in His Father's
Name. Their non-belief in presence of these
facts was due to their not being of His
sheep. As He had said unto them before it
was characteristic of His sheep (as generally of
every flock in regard to its own shepherd) to
hear recognize, listen to His voice and follow

FOURTH PERIOD. 127

Him. We mark in the words of Christ a trip-
let of double parallelism concerning the sheep
and the shepherd, in ascending climax, as fol-
lows :

My sheep hear My voice . . And I know them.

And they follow Me .... And I give them life-
eternal.

And they shall never perish . A.nd no one shall snatch

them out of My hand.

But one logical sequenceis unavoidable. .. If
the Work of Christ is really that of the Father,
and His Working also that of the Father, then
it follows that He and the Father are One,
(one is in the neuter). This identity of work
(and purpose) implies the identity of nature
(essence); that of working, the identity of
power. And so, evidently, the Jews under-
stood it, when they again took up stones with
the intention of stoning Him no doubt, be-
cause He expressed in yet more plain terms,
what they regarded as His blasphemy. Once
more the Lord appealed from His words which
were doubted, to His works which were indis-
putable." Edersheim, vol. II., pp. 229, 230.

SECTION 6.* FROM THE FEAST OF DED-
ICATION TO PASSION WEEK.

OUTLINE.
I. In Perea.

II. In Bethany.

III. In Samaria or Galilee.

IV. In Perea Again.
V. In Jericho.

*For different views as to the harmony of this period of our Lord's
ministry, see Andrews.

128 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

NOTES.
I. In Perea. (90, 91, 92, 93.)

1. On a Journey toirard Jerusalem, (90), Luke

13:22-35.

(1) Teaching on the importance of "striving to

enter in by the narrow way," vs. 22-30.

(2) A warning from some one as to his danger

from Herod, and his reply, vs. 31-35.

2. Jesus at the House of one of the Rulers of the

Pharisees, (91), Luke 14:1-24.

(1) The Sabbath question and a miracie of heal-

ing, 1-6.

(2) A lesson for those who are invited to a feast,

and its application, 711.

(3) A lesson for one who makes a feast, and its

application, 12-14.

(4) The parable of the Great Supper, 15-24.

3. Counting the Cost of Discipleship, (94), Luke
14:25-35.

4. A Group of Five Parables, (93), Luke, chaps.

15 and 16.
Introduction, vs. 1-2.

(1) Parable of the Lost Sheep, 3-7. (Exp.)

(2) Parable of the Lost Coin, 8-10. (Exp.)

(3) Parable of the Lost Son, 11-32. (Exp.)

(4) Parable of the Unjust Steward, 16; 1-13.

The scoff of the Pharisees and his reply,
14-18.

(5) The parable of the rich man and Lazarus,

19-31.

5. Lessons to His Disciples. (93) Luke 17:1-10.

(1) Occasions of stumbling, 1-2.

(2) Forgiving an erring brother, 3-4.

(3) Faith, 5-6.

(4) The servant and his master, 7-10.

FOURTH PERIOD. 129

II. In Bethany (near Jerusalem), (94), John
11:1-46.

The Raising of Lazarus.

1. Lazarus, 12.

2. The Message to Jesus, v. 3,

3. His Delay in Responding to the Message and the

Reason, 4-6.

4. On the Way to Bethany tells His Disciples of the

Death of Lazarus, 7-16.

5. Arrival at Bethany and the Meeting with the Sisters,

17-34.

6. At the Tomb, 35-41.

7. The Miracle, 41-44.

8. Effects. (1) Many believed, 45. (2) Some went

away aud told the Pharisees, v. 46. Hence
the meeting of the Sauhedrin, (95), 47-54.

III. In Samaria or Galilee. (96, 97)

1. The Healing of Ten Lepers, (96), Luke 17:1 1-19.

2. The Messianic Reign, 20-37.

3. Two Parables, (97) :

(1) Parable of the importunate widow, Luke

18:1-8.

(2) The parable of the Pharisee and Publican,

vs. 9-14.

IV. In Perea Again. (98-101)

1. Teaching Concerning Divorce, (98), Matt. 19 :
1-12; Mark 10:1-12. In this passage our Lord
proclaims the sanctity of the marriage relation,
and forbids divorce save for one cause, that of
unchastity. "By making marriage indissoluble
he proclaimed the equal rights of woman and
man within the limits of the family, and in this
gave their charter of nobility to the mothers of

9b

130 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

the world. For her nobler position in the
Christian era, compared with that granted in
antiquity, woman is indebted to Jesus Christ."
Butler, 386.

2. Blesses Little Children, (99), Matt. 19:13-15;.

Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17.

(1) These little children were infants, as the
Greek word indicates.

(2) The significance as to infants of what Christ
here said and did, Mark 10:13-14. Cf.
Matthew and Luke. Do not the acts and
words of Jesus in this passage clearly show
that infants are capable of receiving his
blessing, that it is his will to bestow that
blessing, that he is pleased to have parents
bring them unto him, and that they are sub-
jects of his kingdom ?

(3) An illustration of the way of life, Mark
10:15.

3. The Rich Young Ruler and the Discourse Sug-

gested by the Interview with Him, (100), Matt.
19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:
18-30.

(1) The question of the young ruler, our Lord's
answer, and the result, Matt. 19:16-22.
Cf. Mark and Luke.

(2) The discourse to his disciples, suggested by
this incident, Matt. 19:23-30. Cf. Mark
and Luke.

4. The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

(100), Matt. 20:1-16.

5. Foretells to the Twelve His Death and Resurrec-

tion, (101), Matt. 20:17-28; Mark 10:32-
45; Luke 18:31-34. And yet they under-
stood not, Luke 18:34.

FOURTH PERIOD. 131

6. Rebukes James and John, (101), Matt. 20:20-
28; Luke 18:35-45.
(1) The request, Matt. 20:20-21 ; Luke 18:35.
"A striking commentary upon Luke's state-
ment that the disciples understood none of
the Lord's words is found in the request of
Salome, that her two sons, James and John,
mightfill thehighest placesin His Kingdom."
Andrews, p. 415. Their conception of
the Messianic kingdom was still the com-
mon Jewish idea of a worldly kingdom.
(2) The Lord's reply, Luke 18:38-45 ; Matt.
20:20-28.

V. In Jericho. (102-103)

1. Blind Bartemius, (102), Matt, 20:29-34; Mark

10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43.

(1) The question of harmony. The difficulty in
the harmony here is one recognized by all.
We cannot say that the apparent discrep-
ancy is irreconcilable, and so involves inac-
curacy. For the different solutions offered
for reconciling the different statements of
the evangelists, see Andrews, p. 417. No
doubt if all the circumstances were known,
the different accounts would be seen to be in
perfect harmony.

(2) The miracle, Mark 10:46-52. Cf. Mat-
thew and Luke.

2. Zacchceus, (103), Luke 19:1-10. History of

his conversion. Luke 19:1-10.

3. The Parable of the Pounds, (103), Luke 19:

11-28.

(1) Connection with Conversion of Zacchozus.

As an explanation of his saving Zacchseus

he had just declared his great mission to the

world, v. 10. His hearers were " prob-

132 BIBLE COURSE : OUTLINE AND NOTES.

ably full of the idea that he was come to
restore the kingdom to Israel, and save the
Jews from the power of Rome." Ryle
(Luke), vol. II., p. 303. To correct this
idea he spake this parable.

(2) Similarity to the parable of the talents in
Matt. 25:14-30, but different ; hence not
the same.

(3) The parable, vs. 12-27.

SECTION 7. PASSION WEEK.

OUTLINE.

I. From the Arrival at Bethany to the Begin-
ning of His Controversies "with the Jews.
II. From the Beginning of His Controversies
with the Jews to His Arrest.
III. From His Arrest to His Death.

NOTES.

Intboduction.

The importance of this week in the life and mission
of Christ :

1. Indicated by the nature of the events.

2. By the minuteness and fullness of the record.

3. By after history.

I. From the Arrival at Bethany to the Begin-
ning of His Controversies with the Jews.
(104-108)

1. The Arrival at Bethany, (104), John 11:55 to
12:11.

FOURTH PERIOD. 166

(1) The state of feeling in reference to Jesus,
the multitude, John 11:55-56; the chief
priests and Pharisees, vs. 57.

(2) The arrival of Jesus, 12:1.

(3) The effect which the news of his arrival
produces, 12:9-11.

2. The Triumphal Entry, (105), Matt. 21:1-11,

and 14-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44;
John 12:12-19.

(1) The entry described. (Compare and com-
bine all the accounts.)

(2) The fulfillment of prophecy, Matt. 21:5;
John 12:14-15.

(3) The effect upon the different classes upon
" the multitude," Luke 19:37 ; John 12:17 ;
upon the Pharisees, Luke 19:39-40; upon
the citizens of Jerusalem, Matt. 21:10-11 ;
upon the chief priests and scribes, Matt.
21:15-17.

(4) Christ's lament over Jerusalem, Luke 19:
41-44.

(5) His miracles, Matt. 21:14.

The significance of all this is clearly stated by An-
drews: "This entry of Jesus into Jerusalem,
the city of the great King, was a formal assertion
of his Messianic claims. It was the last appeal
to the Jews to discover and recognize his royal
character. He came as a King, and permitted
his disciples aud the multitudes to pay him kingly
honors." p. 434.

3. The Cursing of the Fig Tree, (106), Matt,

21:18, 19; Mark 11:12-14.

4. The Second Cleansing of the Temple, (106),

Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18.

134 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

5. Discourse of Jesus when the Greeks sought Him,

(107), John 12:20-36.

(1) The Greeks seeking Jesus, vs. 20-22. These

Greeks "are generally regarded as proselytes
of the gate, who had come to Jerusalem to
worship .... Their coming is a
sign that his end is nigh, and that the great
work for which he came into the world
is about to be fulfilled." Andrews, pp.
443-445.

(2) The discourse, 23-36 :

(a) His approaching death. This evidently

the subject of the discourse, 23-"i7.

(b) The voice, 28-30.

(c) The question of the multitude and his re-

ply, 34-36.

6. The Results of the Lord's Ministry, (107),

John 12:37-43.

7. The Lord's T estimony to Himself and His Mis-

sion, (107), John 12:44-50. The connection
uncertain. It seems more probable that this
address was entirely distinct from that deliv-
ered when the Greeks sought him. "One
thing only is very clear : this was probably
one of the last public discourses which our
Lord delivered in Jerusalem, and forms a kind
of conclusion to his ministry in that city. It
is a short but solemn winding up of all his
public testimony to the Jews." Ryle. (John)
vol. II., p. 375. Cf. Brown on the Gospel,
in loco.

8. The Fig Tree Withered, (108), Matt. 21:10-22;

Mark 11:19-25 ; Luke 21:37-38 :
(1) The miracle, Matt. 21:19-20. Cf. Mark and
Luke. Peculiarity?

FOURTH PERIOD. 135

(2) The lesson from it, Matt. 21:21-22. Cf.
Mark and Luke.

II. From the Beginning of His Controversies
with the Jews to His Arrest.

1. His Controversies. (109-113):

(1) With the rulers, (109), Matt. 21:23 to

22:14; Mark 11:27 to 12:12 ; Luke 20:1-19.
Their question, Matt. 21:23. Cf. Mark and

Luke.
His Answer, Matt. 21:24 to 22:14. Cf. Mark

and Luke. Refuses to explain and exposes

their wickedness in three parables.

(2) With the Pharisees and Herodians, (110),

Matt. 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke

20:20-26.
Their question. Matt. 22:15-17. Cf. Mark and

Luke.
His Answer, Matt. 22:18-21. Compare Mark

and Luke. Effect, Matt. 22:22. Cf. Mark

and Luke.

(3) With the Sadducees, (111), Matt. 22:23-33 ;

Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40.
Their question, Matt. 22:23-28. Cf. Mark and

Luke.
His Answer, Matt. 22:29-32. Cf. Mark and

Luke. Eifect, Matt. 22:33. Cf. Mark and

Luke.

(4) With a lawyer, (112) Matt. 22:34-40;

Mark 12:28-34.
The lawyer's question, Matt. 22:34-36. Cf.

Mark.
The Lord's Answer, Matt. 22:37-40. Cf. Mark.

Effect, Mark 12:34.

(5) The Lord's question to the Pharisees, (112),

Matt. 22:41-45. Cf. Mark and Luke. Ef-
fect, Matt. 22:46.

136 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

(6) The Lord's denunciation of the Scribes and
Pharisees, (113), Matt. 23:1-39; Mark
12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47. This the sol-
emu and awful conclusion of his controver-
sies with the Jews. " But the best clew of
all to the spirit of the speaker is the manner
in which his discourse ends : ' O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem !' Strange ending for one filled
with augry passion ! O Jesus, Jesus ! how
thou riseth above the petty thoughts and
feelings of ordinary men ! Who shall fathom
the depths of thy heart'? What mighty
waves of righteousness, truth, pity, and
sorrow roll through thy bosom," Bruce,
p. 331.

2. The Widow's Two Mites, (114), Mark 12:41-

44; Luke 21:1-4.

3. Discourse to His Disciples, (115-116).

Introduction.

The subjects presented in this discourse are the De-
struction of Jerusalem, and the Second Coming of
Christ. " This discourse certainly foretells in the
outset the destruction of Jerusalem (e. #.,vs. 15-21,
v. 34) ; and in the conclusion certainly foretells the
final coming of our Lord, with the geueral judg-
ment of mankind and the resulting permanent state
of the good and the bad (25:31-46) in a way sub-
stantially equivalent to the predictive descriptions
afterwards given by the apostles. To refer that
closing passage to the destruction of Jerusalem is
absurd and impossible. So then the discourse be-
gins with the destruction of the temple and city
and ends with the final coming to judgment; how
does it make the transition from the former to the

FOURTH PERIOD. 137

latter topic? Every attempt to assign a definite
point of difference between the two topics has
proved a failure. . . . Accordingly we may
expect here to see somewhat clearly the fulfilment
in the destruction of Jerusalem, but the other and
yet future fulfilment must remain still quite
obscure and we should be contented (Alex.) with a
careful explanation of the terms employed, accord-
ing to analogy and usage, and a reverential wait-
ing for ulterior disclosures by the light of divine
providence shining on the word." Broadus, Com-
mentary on Matthew, pp. 479480.

(1) The destruction of Jerusalem, (115), Matt.
24:1-36. Cf. Mark and Luke.
(a) The prediction, Matt. 24:1-2. (Mark

and Luke.)
(6) The question of the apostles, Matt. 24:1-4.
Cf. Mark and Luke. " It is not wise
to distinguish sharply between the three
clauses as if representing three entirely
separate points. Evidently the disciples
did not separate between his future com-
ing and the end of the present period, nor
has the Savior done so in His reply."
Broadus, Commentary, p. 482.

(c) Misleading signs, Matt. 24:4-14. Cf.

Mark and Luke.

(d) The sign spoken of by Daniel the prophet,

Matt. 24:15-28. Cf. Mark and Luke.

(e) Signs in heaven, Matt, 24:29-31. Cf.

Mark and Luke. The signs must be con-
sidered in some sense to refer to both
events the destruction of Jerusalem and
the second coming. (See Broadus, Com.
on Matt., p. 491.)

138 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

(/) The import of these signs and the certain
fulfillment of the prediction, Matt. 24:
32-36. Cf. Mark and Luke.
(2) The second coming of Christ, (115), Matt.
24:1-51. Cf. Mark and Luke. (See
introduction to this discourse.) " From the
point (v. 37) we have now reached, the de-
struction of Jerusalem sinks rapidly out of
view But throughout this sec-
tion everything naturally suggests that final
coming of Christ to judgment, which alone
is brought to view in the closing of the
great discourse. 25:31-46." Broadus,
Commentary, p. 494. In view of this, our
Lord urges,

(a) Watchfulness, Matt. 24:37-51. Cf.

Mark and Luke.

(b) Watchfulness further urged and its impor-

tance illustrated by the two parables of
the Ten Virgins and the Talents, (116),
Matt. 25:1-30.

(c) The final judgment, Matt. 25:31-46.

4. Events Pointing to His Approaching Death,

(117), Matt. 26:1-16; Mark 14:1-11; Luke
22:1-6 ; John 12:2-8.

(1) His own prediction, Matt. 26:1-2.

(2) The plotting of the rulers, Matt. 26:3-5.

Cf. Mark and Luke.

(3) The anointing in the house of Simon the

leper, Matt. 26:6-13. Cf. Mark and
John.

(4) Judas bargains with the rulers to betray him,

Matt. 26:14-16. Cf. Mark and Luke.

5. The Passover, (118-120).

1) Preparation for the Paschal Meal, (118),

FOURTH PERIOD. 139

Mark 14:12-17. Cf. Matt. 26:17-20;
Luke 22:7-13.

(2) Jesus and His apostles at the Paschal Table,
Luke 22:14-16.

(3) Three incidents at the table.

(a) The contention among the apostles, and
the Lord's address to them, Luke 22:
24-30.

(b) Jesus washes the feet of His apostles and
explains His" act, (119), John 13:1-20.

(c) His predictions concerning Judas and
Peter (120), Matt. 26:21-25 and 33-35;
Mark 14:18-21 and 29-31 ; Luke 22:21-
23 and 31-34; John 13:21-30, and
36-38.

(4) Address to the eleven after the withdrawal
of Judas, John 13:31-35; Matt. 26:31-32;
Mark 14:27-28 ; Luke 22:35-38.

, The Institution of the Lord's Supper, (121),
Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-
20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26. What is a sacrament?
What were the sacraments of the Old Testa-
ment ? What are the sacraments of the New
Testament? What is the Lord's Supper?
" The Lord's Supper is a sacrament, wherein,
by giving and receiving bread and wine ac-
cording to Christ's appointment, his death is
showed forth, and the worthy receivers are,
not after a corporal and carnal manner, but
by faith, made partakers of his body and
blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual
nourishment and growth in grace." Shorter
Catechism.

, Farewell Discourses to His Apostles, (122), John,
chaps. 14 to 17. " No one will read aright

140 BIBLE COUKSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

these subliraest discourses of the Lord who
does not read them under the shadow of the

cross He speaks in foresight of

the terrible shock which shall break upon
those who have been so long companions of
his life when they see the hands from which
miracles have sprung transfixed by nails, and
the head that was lately radiant on the mount
scarred with the acanthine crown. He seeks,
therefore, to give them all the truth, and more
than all, which their insensitive and dim-seeing
minds, represented by Thomas, Philip, and
Jude, can receive." Butler, p. 479. There are
here two discourses and a prayer.

(1) The first discourse, John, chap. 14. Spoken
while still at the table. "It connects itself closely
with that statement which had caused them so
much sorrow and perplexity, that whither He
was going they could not come, 13:33. If
so, the discourse itself may be arranged under
these four particulars: Explanatory and correct-
ive, vs. 1-4; explanatory and teaching, vs.
5-14; hortatory and promissory, vs. 15-24;
promissory and consolatory, vs. 2431. Thus
there is constant and connected progress, the
two great elements in the discourses being
teaching and comfort." Edersheim, vol. II.,
p. 513.

(2) The second discourse, chapters 15 and 16.
This spoken after he had arisen from the
table, 14:31.

Subject of the Discourse Charge to the apostles :
" The subject of discourse in these chapters is
the future work of the apostles its nature,
honors, hardships, and joys. Much that is said

FOURTH PERIOD. 141

therein admits of application to Christians in
general, but the reference in the first place is
undoubtedly to the eleven then present ; and
only by keeping this in mind can we get a clear
idea of the import of the discourse as a whole."
Bruce, p. 411.

The divisions of the discourse, according to Bruce,
are as follows:
(a) The vine and its branches, 15:1-15.
(6) Apostolic tribulations and encourage-
ments, John 15:18-27; 16:1-15.
(c) The little while, and the end of the dis-
course, John 16:1633.

u Jesus takes occasion, in closing his discourse, and
at the close of his life, solemnly to declare this
truth : ' I came forth from the Father, and am
come into the world; again I leave the world
and go to the Father.' The first part only of
this statement the disciples believed ; the second
they did not yet understand; but Jesus puts
both together, as the two halves of one whole
truth, either of which necessarily implies the
other. The declaration is a most marvelous
one; it sums up the history of Christ; it is the
substance of the Christian faith ; it asserts doc-
trines utterly incompatible with a merely hu-
man view of Christ's person, and makes his
divinity the fundamental article of the creed."
Bruce, p. 444.

The Intercessory Prayer, chap. 17. "This inter-
cessory prayer of the Lord carries the mind
and the heart of one who reverently ponders
it to the ultimate point of spiritual contempla-
tion attainable on earth. It is wholly impos-
sible, inconceivable, even, that it should have

142 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

been imagined aud cunningly framed by a
human author. It implies the perfect media-
torial consciousness of which it is the consist-
ent idiomatic utterance. It manifests, in words
lucid as sunbeams, the paternal, prophetic, and
kingly spirit of him who is one with his fol-
lowers on earth, and one equally with the in-
finite Father, whom he at once addresses and
reveals." Butler, p. 505.

"The prayer falls naturally into three divisions, in
the first of which Jesus prays for himself, in
the second for his disciples, and in the third for
the church which was to be brought into ex-
istence by their preaching." Bruce, p. 449.

8. Gethsemane, (123), Matt. 26:30 and 36-46;
Mark 14:26 aud 32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John
18:1:

(1) The garden of Gethsemane, Matt. 26:36.

(2) The time of night near midnight.

(3) Accompanied by all of the eleven to the
garden ; by Peter, James, and John into the
garden, Matt. 26:36-37.

(4) His agony and prayers, Matt. 26:38.

(5) His victory, Matt. 26:45-46.

We may not pass such a scene as this without in-
quiring its meaning. Kyle has stated it clearly
as follows: "How can we account for the deep
agony which our Lord underwent in the garden ?
What reason can we assign for the intense suf-
fering, both mental and bodily, which he man-
ifestly endured? There is only one satisfactory
answer. It was caused by the burden of a
world's imputed sin, which then began to press
him in a peculiar manner. He had undertaken
to be 'sin for us' to be 'made a curse for us'

FOURTH PERIOD. 143

(2 Cor. 5:21 ; Gal. 3:13; Isaiah 53:6). It was
the enormous weight of these iniquities which
made him suffer agony. . . . The cause
of Christ's agony was man's sin (Heb. 5:7). "
Luke, vol. II., p. 422.

Ill, From His Arrest to His Death.

1. The Arrest, (124), Matt. 26:47-56; Mark 14:
43-52 ; Luke 22:47-53 ; John 18:2-12.

(1) The time of the arrest. " The time spent
in the garden was probably more than an
hour, so that, if they entered it an hour be-
fore midnight, it was about midnight when
Judas came." Andrews, p. 503.

(2) His captors, Matt. 26:47. Cf. Mark, Luke,
and John. "The ' great multitude' has to
be taken literally, but not in the sense of a
disorderly crowd." It was probably com-
posed of " the Levitical police of the tem-
ple," " a division of Roman soldiers," "some
of the members of the Sanhedrin" and other
leading Jews. " Altogether it was a formid-
able body. They were determined to make
assurance doubly sure." Stalker, Trial and
Death of Jesus Christ, p. 2. The leader of
the "multitude" was Judas.

(3) Jesus goes forth to meet the " multitude, ' r
John 18:4-9. " I cannot doubt that the
thing here related was a great miracle.

The only reasonable account of the event is
that it was a miracle. It was an exercise
for the last time of that same divine power
with which our Lord calmed the waves,
stilled the winds, cast out devils, healed the
sick, and raised the dead. And it was a mir-

144 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

acle purposely wrought at this juncture, in
order to show the disciples and their enemies
that our Lord was not taken because he
could not help it or crucified because he could
not prevent it ; but because he was willing
to suffer and die for sinners." Ryle, John,
vol. III., p. 218. This event is a striking
commentary on John 10:17-18.

(4) The betrayal of Judas, Matt. 26:48-49.
Cf. Mark 14:44-45. "As long as there is
true, pure love in the world, this act will be
hated and despised by every one who has
ever given or received this token of affection.
It was a sign against the human heart and all
its charities. But none can feel its horror
as it must have been felt by Jesus." The
Trial and Death of Jesus Christ, Stalker, p. 4.

(5) Jesus under arrest, Matt. 26:50. Cf. Mark,
Luke, and John. These verses "begin the
story of our Lord when he was actually in
the hands of his deadly enemies." Ryle.

(6) Incidents connected with the arrest.

() Peter's sword and our Lord's act and
words to Peter, Matt. 26:51-55. Cf.
Mark, Luke, and John.

(6) The Lord's address to the rulers and offi-
cers, Matt. 26:55-56. Cf. Mark and
Luke. "' This is your hour,' he said, 'and
the power of darkness.' This midnight
hour, because ye are the sons of the night,
and the power ye wield against me is the
power of darkness. So spoke the Lion
of the Tribe of Judah." The Trial and
Death of Jesus Christ, Stalker, p. 8.

FOURTH PERIOD. 145

(c) The flight of the disciples, -Matt. 26:56.
Cf. Mark.

(d) The certain young man who followed,
then fled, Mark 14:51-52.

2. The Ecclesiastical Trial. Jesus had to undergo
two trials ecclesiastical and civil. The ec-
clesiastical or church trial was before the au-
thorities of the Jewish church represented by
Caiaphas and the Sauhedrin. But as the
Jewish court had no power to inflict capital
punishment, every capital offense had to be
tried by the Roman authorities in whose
hands alone was the power to pronounce the
penalty of death. The ecclesiastical trial came
first, and was marked by three separate stages
or acts:
(1) Jesus was led before Annas, (125), John
18:12-14, 19-23. Annas, now seventy years
old, "was a man of very great consequence,
the virtual head of ecclesiastical affairs,
though Caiaphas was the nominal head. He
had come originally from Alexandria in
Egypt on the invitation of Herod the Great.
He and his family were an able, ambi-
tious, and arrogant race. . . . They
were Sadducees, and were perfect types of
that body cold, haughty, worldly." The
Trial and Death of Jesus Christ, Stalker, p.
18. "It was apparently while the digni-
taries were gathering at that unseasonable
hour that Jesus was first questioned by Annas.
John 18:12-14. Annas and Caiaphas were
both regarded as high priests (Luke 3:2), the
former still in popular estimation holding

10 b

146 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

the office as long as he lived, while the latter
only was recognized by the Romans. So in
1 Kings 4:4, Zadok and Abiathar are men-
tioned as priests, it having been stated in
2:35 that the king put Zadok in the room of
Abiathar. An action would be valid in the
eyes of both the people and the Romans if
known to have the approval of both Caia-
phas and Annas." Broadus, Commentary,
p. 544. Cf. Andrews, The Life of Our
Lord, pp. 505-510.

(a) The question of the high priest, John
18:19.

(b) Our Lord's answer, 20, 21.

(c) The officer and Jesus, 22, 23.

(2) Jesus brought before an informal meeting of
the Sanhedrin, (126), Matt, 26:57,59-68;
Mark 14:53, 55-65; Luke 22:54, 63-65 ;
John 18:24. "The Sanhedrin was, in the
time of our Lord, the highest court of the
Jews. Our kuowledge of its constitution
and functions is but fragmentary.
The Mishna supposes that the Sanhedrin
was a survival of the council of seventy
formed by Moses (Num. 11:16), and infers
that it also must have contained seventy
members, or, adding one for Moses, then
seventy-one. It is probable this was the
number, but we cannot certainly determine."
Broadus, Commentary, p. 546. " Caiaphas,
as ruling high priest, was president of the
Sanhedrin, before which Jesus was tried. A
legal meeting of this court could not be
held before sunrise, perhaps about 6 o'clock.
But there were many of its members already

FOURTH PERIOD. 147

on the spot, who had been drawn together
by their interest in the case. They were
eager to get to work, both to gratify their
own dislike to Him and to prevent the inter-
ference of the populace with their proceed-
ings. Accordingly they resolved to hold an
informal meeting at once, afe^which the accu-
sation, evidence, etc., might be put into
shape, so that when the legal hour of open-
ing their doors arrived, there might be noth-
ing to do but repeat the necessary formali-
ties and carry him off to the governor. This
was done; and while Jerusalem slept, these
eager judges hurried forward their dark de-
signs." Life of Jesus Christ, Stalker, p. 119.
(a) They seek to convict Him by false wit-
nesses, Mark 14:55-59. Cf. Matthew.
This failed, v. 60.
(6) The question of the high priest, Matt.
26:63. "Finding that the false testi-
mony does not suffice for a conviction, and
that the accused will not discuss it, the
high priest essays a bold stroke. He de-
mands a categorical answer, upon oath, to
the question whether Jesus is the Mes-
siah." Broadus, Commentary, p. 548.
(c) The Lord's answer, Mark 14:62, 63. Cf.
Matthew. " Jesus knew that the question
was designed to secure a ground of convic-
tion. But he was no longer silent. Now
that the crisis had arrived, that his 'hour'
was come, he would not decline to say dis-
tinctly, before the highest Jewish tribunal,
that he was the Messiah." Broadus,
Commentary, p. 549.

148 BIBLE COUBSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

(d) The sentence of the court, Mark 14:63,
64. Cf. Matthew. On the ground of blas-
phemy they condemned him to death.

(e) The scene which followed the judgment
of the court, Mark 14:65. Cf. Matthew.
" The trial was now looked upon as past,
the legal proceedings after sunrise being-
a mere formality, which would be got
over in a few minutes. Accordingly
Jesus was given up as a condemned man
to the cruelty of the jailors and the mob.
Then ensued a scene over which one would
draw a veil. Then broke forth on him an
oriental brutality and abuse which makes
the blood run cold." Stalker, Life of Jesus
Christ, p. 121.

The Manner of the Trial. This trial
would be considered a disgrace in any
civil court of Christendom. How much
more is it a disgrace to a church court!
No formal charge was preferred. The
trial was held at a late hour in the night.
"The whole trial had been conducted with
precipitancy and total disregard of the
formalities proper to a court of law.
Everything was dictated by the desire to
arrive at guilt, not justice. The same
persons were both prosecutors and judges.
No witnesses for the defense were thought
of. Though the judges were perfectly
conscientious in their sentence, it was the
decision of minds long ago shut against
the truth and possessed with the most bit-
ter and revengeful passions." Stalker,.
Life of Jesus Christ, p. 120.

FOURTH PERIOD. 149

(3) The formal condemnation of Jesus by the
Sanhedrin, (128), Matt, 27:12; Mark 15:1;
Luke 22:66-23:1; John 18:28.
(a) The action of the night before ratified,

Luke 22:66-71.
(6) Jesus led bound to Pilate, Matt. 27:2. Cf.
Mark, Luke, and John. " It was probably
between six and seven in the morning when
they conducted Jesus, bound with chains, to
the residence of thegovernor. Whata spec-
tacle was that ! The priests, teachers, and
judges of the Jewish nation leading their
Messiah to ask the Gentile to put him to
death ! It was the hour of the nation's
suicide." Stalker, Life of Jesus Christ,
p. 121.

3. Two Incidents Connected with this Tried.

(1) The denial by Peter, (127), Matt, 26:58,
69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54-
62; John 18:15-18, 25-27. This incident
should be regarded as parenthetical some-
thing not connected with the trial of Jesus,
but a side-piece (Stalker) to the ecclesias-
tical trial.

() Peter thrice denies his Lord, John 28:15-
18, 25-27. Cf. Matthew, Mark, and
Luke.

(6) The circumstances ?

(c) Peter convicted, Luke 22:60-62. Cf.
Matthew and Mark.

(2) The remorse and suicide of Judas, (129),
Matt. 27:3-10; Acts 1:18, 19.

(a) Judas's remorse, confession, and return of
the money, Matt, 27:3-5.

150 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

(6) The chief priests' answer and disposal of
the money, vs. 6-8.

(c) The fulfillment of prophecy, 8-10.

(d) The end of Judas, Acts 1:18, 19.
4. The Civil Trial. Three stages :

(1) Before Pilate the first time, (130), Matt.
27:11-14; Mark 15:2-5; Luke 23:2-5; John
18:28-38.

(a) The Jews present Jesus before Pilate as a
malefactor, hoping he will accept their
verdict and pass sentence without another
trial. But he refers the case back to
them, John 18:28-32.

(6) They then bring the more specific charge
of sedition, saying, " he perverteth our
nation," " forbidding to give tribute to
Caesar," claims that he " is Christ a
king," Luke 23:2.

(c) Pilate examines Jesus, John 18:33-38;
Matt. 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3.
" The effect of this conversation upon
Pilate was very great. He saw at once
that Jesus was no vulgar inciter of sedi-
tion, no ambitious demagogue or fanatical
zealot, and that the kingdom of which he
owned himself to be the King was one of
truth and not of force." Andrews, p. 533.

(d) The Jews vehemently accuse him of many
things and speak of Galilee, Matt. 27:12-
14; Mark 15:3-5 ; Luke 23:5.

(2) Before Herod, (131), Luke 23:6-12.

(a) Why Pilate sent him to Herod, vs. 6-7.
(6) Gladly received and questioned by Herod,

vs. 8-9.
(c) The Lord's attitude toward Herod, v. 9.

FOURTH PERIOD. 151

(d) The Jews, v. 10.

(e) Herod's treatment of Jesus, vs. 1112.
(3) Before Pilate the second time, (132), Matt.

27:15-30; Mark 15:6-19; Luke 23:13-25 ;
John 18:39-19:16.

(a) Barabbas, Mark 15:6-8; Matt. 27:15-16.

(b ) Pilate makes a statement to the rulers and
offers to release Jesus, Luke 23:1316;
Matt. 27:17-18 ; Mark 15:9. (The mes-
sage from his wife, Matt. 27:19.)

( e) The multitude choose Barabbas and cry
for the crucifixion of Jesus, Matt. 27:20
21 ; Mark 15:11 ; Luke 23:18, 19 ; John
18:40.

(d) After the most cruel treatment Pilate pre-
sents Jesus unto them, saying, " Behold
the man." He evidently hoped this would
satisfy them. But when they still cry,
" Crucify him," Pilate refuses and bids
them crucify him. They persist in their
charge, adding, "he made himself the Son
of God." Hearing this, Pilate still more
alarmed, has another interview with
Jesus, after which he seeks again to re-
lease him, John 19:1- 12. Cf. Matthew,
Mark, and Luke.
(e) The Jews threaten to accuse Pilate to the
emperor, John 19:12. " It was this
which made him so irresolute. There
was nothing a Roman governor dreaded
so much as a complaint against him sent
by his subjects to the emperor." Stalker,
Life of Jesus Christ, p. 129.

(/) Pilate yields, and passes sentence. The
scene, John 19:13-15; Matt, 27. Pilate,

152 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

his character and conduct ? Was this trial
fair ? 24-25 ; Luke, 23:23-24.
(g) The release of Barabbas, Matt. 27:26.

Cf. Mark and Luke.
(A) Jesus in the hands of the Roman soldiers,
Matt. 27:27-30 ; Mark 15:16-19.
5. The Crucifixion, (133) :

(1) On the way to the place of execution, Matt.

27:31; Mark 15:20. "The way along which
the Lord passed from the hall of judgment
to the place of crucifixion is traditionally
known as the Via Dolorosa." Andreics, p.
549. The incidents connected with the Via
Dolorosa are the following:
(a) Jesus at first bears his own cross, John

19:17. Estimated weight 150 pounds.
(6) The strength of Jesus failing, they com-
pelled Simon to bear the cross, Matt.
27:32. Cf. Mark and Luke.
(c) The multitude and our Lord's address to
the daughters of Jerusalem, Luke 23:27-
31. " It is said there is no instance in the
gospels of a woman being au enemy of Jesus*
No woman deserted or betrayed, perse-
cuted or oppressed him. But women fol-
lowed him, they ministered to him of their
substance, they washed his feet with tears,
they anointed his head with spikenard ;
and now, when their husbands and broth-
ers were hounding him to death, they ac-
companied him with weeping and wailing
to the scene of martyrdom." Stalker, The
Trial and Death of Jesus Christ, p. 147.

(2) The place of crucifixion, Matt, 27:33;
Mark 15:22; Luke 23:33; John 19:17.

FOURTH PERIOD. 153

(3) The time. The apparent discrepancy between
John 18:28, 19:14, and Mark 15:25. "We
conclude, then, that John may have reckoned
the hours from midnight, the sixth hour
when Pilate sat down on the judgment seat,
extending from 6 to 7 A. m. ; subsequent prep-
arations for the crucifixion, and the time
occupied in going to the cross, may well
have brought the act of nailing to the cross
about o'clock as Mark says." Andrews,
p. 547.

(4) Jesus is crucified, Mark 15:25. Cf. Mat-
thew, Luke, and John. " The cross was
most probably of the form in which it is
usually represented an upright post crossed
by a bar near the top. The physical agony
and horror of crucifixion was horrible be-
yond expression. But the true sufferings of
Christ were not physical, but internal.
Looking on that face, we see the shadow of
a deeper woe than smarting wounds, raging
thirst and a racking frame the woe of
slighted love, of a heart longing for fellow-
ship, but overwhelmed with hatred ; the woe
of insult and wrong, and of unspeakable
sorrow for the fate of those who would not
be saved. Nor is even this the deepest
shadow. There was then in the heart of the
Redeemer a woe to which no human words
were adequate. He was dying for the sin
of the world. He had taken on himself the
guilt of mankind, and was now engaged in
the final struggle to put it away and annihi-
late \h' y Stalker. The Trial and Death of
Jesus, pp. 165-166.

154 BIBLE COUESE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

(5) The superscription, Matt. 27:37 ; Mark
15:26; Luke 23:38 ; John 19:19-22.

(6) The groups around the cross:

(a) The Romau Soldiers, John 19:23-24;-
Matt. 27:35-36; Mark 15:24; Luke
23:34.

(6) The members of the Sanhedrin, Matt.
27:39-43; Mark 15:31-32; Luke 23:35.
" Even after he was lifted up on the tree,
they could not keep their tongues off hi rn r
or give him the dying man's privilege of
peace ; but losing all sense of propriety,.
they made insulting questions and poured
on him insulting cries. Naturally the
crowd followed their example, till not only
the soldiers took it up, but even the thieve*
who were crucified with him joined in.
So that the crowd under his eyes became
a sea of scorn, whose angry waves dashed
up about his cross." Stalker, The Trial
and Death of Jesus Christ, p. 177.

(c) " His acquaintances and off he women who-
followed him from Galilee and ministered
to him," John 19:25-27.
" In these three groups, then, we see three pre-
dominant states of mind in the soldiers^
apathy, in the Sanhedrin antipathy, in
the Galileans' sympathy." Stalker, The
Trial and Death of Jesus Christ, pp. 181
aud 183.
(7) The seven sayings from the cross :
First, Luke 23:34.
Second, John 19:27.
Third, Luke 23:43.
Fourth, Matt. 27:46. (Mark.)

FOURTH PERIOD. 155

Fifth, John 19:28.
Sixth, John 19:30.
Seventh, Luke 23:46.

These sayings " are seven windows by which we
can still look into His very mind and heart
aud learn the impressions made on Him by
what was happening. They show that He
retained unimpaired the serenity and majesty
which had characterized Him throughout His
trial, and exhibited in their fullest exercise
all the qualities which had already made
his character illustrious. He triumphed
over His sufferings not by the cold sever-
ity of a Stoic, but by self- forgetting love."
Stalker, The Life of Jesus Christ, p. 132.

(8) The signs attending His death :

(a) Darkness, Matt. 27:45. ' Cf. Mark and
Luke.

(b) The rending of the veil of the temple,
Matt. 27:51. Cf. Mark and Luke.

(c) The earthquake, Matt, 27:51.

(d) " And many of the bodies of the saints
who had fallen asleep were raised," Matt.
27:52-53.

Effect upon the centurion, Matt. 27:54. Cf.
Mark aud Luke.
6. The Burial:

(1) The request of the Jews, and acts of the
Roman soldiers, John 19:3137. The im-
portance of this passage, showing,
(a) The reality of the death of Jesus.
(6) The remarkable fulfillment of Scripture.
(2) Joseph of Aramathea, John 19:38. Cf.

156 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Who ? His re-
quest of Pilate ? Takes charge of the body.

(3) Nicodemus, John 19:39.

(4) The preparation for the burial, John
19:39-40. Cf. Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

(5) The burial, John 19:41-42. Cf. Matthew,
Mark, and Luke.

(6) The women who had followed Him from
Galilee, Luke 23:55-56. Cf. Matthew
and Mark.

(7) At the request of the Pharisees a guard
is placed at the tomb, Matt. 27:62-66.
" Such a death and such a burial so little
understood by man and so important in the
sight of God there never was and never
can be again. "Who need doubt the love of
Christ, when we consider the deep humilia-
tion that Christ went through for oursakes?
To tabernacle in our flesh at all, to die after
the manner of a man, to allow his body
naked on a cross, to suffer it to be lifted,
handled, carried like a lump of cold clay,
and shut up in a dark, silent, solitary tomb
this was indeed love that passeth knowl-
edge." Ryle, John, vol. III., p. 345.

FIFTH PERIOD.

THE PERIOD OF THE RESURRECTION.

Introduction.

The Different Accounts of this Period. "The five
narratives of our Lord's resurrection and ap-
pearances differ much as to details, but only in
the way common when there are several inde-
pendent and brief accounts of the same series
of events. If the narratives are found to agree
substantially, then the differences of detail
show them to be independent, and really
strengthen their credibility. The details in
this case can all be harmonized by reasonable
suppositions." Broadus, Commentary, p. 582.
It does not fall within our scope to discuss all
the questions of criticism and harmony pre-
sented by the five narratives. We can only
give a summary of the period.

OUTLINE.

I. The Proofs of His Resurrection.
II. The Importance of His Resurrection.

III. The Teaching of Jesus during this Period.

IV. His Ascension.

NOTES.

I. The Proofs of His Resurrection.

The testimony to the resurrection of our Lord may be
arranged under his different appearances during the
period between the time he arose and ascended. As

158 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

to the number and order of these appearances harmon-
ists differ. Dr. Broadus reckons ten appearances, and
arranges them in the following order (see Commen-
tary, p. 590) :

1. To the women, (134), Matt. 28:1-8; Mark 16:

1-8; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1-10.

2. To Mary Magdalene, (135), Mark 16:9; John

20:11-18.

3. To Simon Peter, (137), Luke 24:34; 1 Cor.

15:5.

4. To the two going to Emmaus, (137), Mark

16:12, 13; Luke 24:13-35.

5. To the apostles except Thomas, (138), Mark

16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25.

6. To the apostles including Thomas, a week later,

at Jerusalem, (139), John 20:26-31 ; 1 Cor.
15:5.

7. To seven disciples at the sea of Tiberias, (140),

John, chap. 21.

8. To the apostles, and probably at the same time

above five hundred brethren, on a mountain
in Galilee, (141), Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:
15-18; 1 Cor. 15:6.

9. To James, (142), 1 Cor. 15:7.

10. To the apostles just before the ascension, (142),
Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8.
In' order to appreciate the force of this testimony
to the resurrection let the following facts be
considered in connection with the testimony :

(1) The resurrection was predicted in the Old
Testament an'd foretold by Christ himself.

(2) Yet it was not expected by any of his dis-
ciples, John 20:9. " Their despair after
their Lord's crucifixion gives great weight to
the testimony borne by them to the fact of

FIFTH PERIOD. 159

his resurrection. Men in such a mood were
not likely to believe in the latter event ex-
cept because it could not reasonably be dis-
believed." Bruce, p. 491.

(3) The character of the witnesses and the vari-
ous ci re u instances connected with the ap-
pearances.

(4) The subsequent conduct of the disciples.

(5) The resurrectiou of Christianity. "The al-
leged resurrection of Christ was accompanied
by the indisputable resurrection of Chris-
tianity. And how is the latter to be accounted
for except by the former ? " Stalker, Life
of Christ, p. 136.

II. The Importance of His Resurrection.

" The importance of Christ's resurrection arises:

1. From the circumstance that all his claims, aud

the success of his work, rest on the fact that
he rose again from the dead. If he rose, the
gospel is true. If he did not rise, it is false.
If he rose he is the Son of God, equal with
the Father, God manifest in the flesh . . . ;
the Messiah predicted by the prophets ; the
prophet, priest, and king of his people ; his
sacrifice has been accepted as a satisfaction to
. divine justice and his blood as a ransom for
many.

2. On his resurrection depended the mission of the

Spirit, without which Christ's work had been
in vain.

3. As Christ died as the head and representative of

his people, his resurrection secures and illus-
trates theirs. As he lives they shall live also.
If he remained under the power of death there

160 BIBLE COUESE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

is no source of spiritual life to man ; for he is
the vine, we are the brauches ; if the vine be
dead, the branches must be dead also.
4. If Christ did not rise the whole scheme of re-
demption is a failure, and all the predictions
and anticipations of its glorious results for
time and eternity, for men and for angels of
every rank and order, are proved to be chi-
meras. ' But now is Christ risen from the
dead and become the first fruits of those that
slept.' Therefore, the Bible is true from Gen-
esis to Revelation. The kingdom of darkness
has been overthrown. Satan has fallen like
lightning from heaven, and the triumph of
truth over error, of good over evil, of happi-
ness over misery, is forever secured." Hodge,.
vol. II., p, 627.

III. The Teaching of Jesus during* this Period.

1. John 20:17, (135), Three points may be here-
noted :

(1) " Touch me not," etc. " Old familiarities
must now give place to new and more awful,
yet sweeter approaches ; but for these the
time has not yet come. This seems the
spirit, at least, of these mysterious words,'
on which much difference of opinion has
obtained, and not much that is satisfactory
said." Brown, in loco.

(2) " But go to my brethren." " That he had
still our humanity, and therefore is not
ashamed to call us brethren, is indeed grandly
evidenced by these words. But it is worthy
of most reverential notice that we nowhere
read of any one who presumed to call him.

lib

FIFTH PERIOD. 161

Brother. ' My brethren ! ' Blessed Jesus,
who are these ? Were they not followers ?
Yea, thy forsakers? . . . How dost
raise these titles with thyself ! At first they
were thy servants ; then disciples ; a little
before thy death they were thy friends; now
after the resurrection they are thy brethren."
Brown, in loco.
(3) " I ascend unto ray Father and your Father,"
etc. "Christ desires to proclaim to His
brethren that his passion and his rising again
have obtained this for us, that His Father has
also become our Father, His God also our
God." Butler, p. 565.
Luke 24:27, (137). " Here our Lord both teaches
us the reverence due to Old Testament Scrip-
ture and the great burden of it ' Himself.' "
Brown, in loco.
John 20:21-23, (138). The breathing on them
was a " symbolical conveyance to them of the
Spirit" "an earnest and first fruits of the
more copious Pentecostal effusion." This evi-
dently the anointing for their great mission.
The mission itself is declared in the words im-
mediately following, " whosoever sins ye for-
give," etc. " The power to intrude upon the
relation between men and God cannot have
been given by Christ to His ministers in any
but a ministerial or declarative sense." Brown,
in loco.
John 21:15-23, (140). Is this only the formal
restoration of an erring disciple to his position
as an apostle? or was it the recall of Peter and
through him of all the apostles to a more
solemn sense of their high vocation? (Bruce.)

162 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

Three things are plainly taught in the passage :

(1) Christ's relation to His people Shepherd
and sheep.

(2) The great qualification of the under-shepherd
love for Christ.

(3) The duty of the under-shepherd u feed my
sheep" "niy lambs." "In the Greek two
different words are used for the one translated
feed. Jesus first commits the feeding of the

lambs to Peter, then the general guidance or
oversight of the whole flock that He had pur-
chased with His blood, and finally returns
to the simple idea of feeding as applied to
this whole flock." Butler, p. 579.

5. Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18, (141). This

known as the Great Commission.

(1) The claim of Jesus in giving this commission,
Matt. 28:18.

(2) Given to the apostles as the representatives
of the New Testament church, Matt. 28:
16-18; 1 <3&r. 15:6.

(3) The commission itself, Matt. 28:19-20;
Mark 16:15-18.

(4) His promise unto them, Matt. 28:20. " It
was in every way a commission worthy of
Jesus, as the son of God and Savior of sin-
ners, to give. But what a commission for
poor Galilean fishermen to receive ! " Bruce,
p. 536.

6. Luke 24:45-49; Acts 1:3-8, (142).

(1) Gives them a clear understanding of the
Scriptures concerning the Christ.

(2) Gives them further instruction as to the work.

(3) Bids them tarry at Jerusalem until clothed
with power from on high.

FIFTH PERIOD. 163

IV. The Ascension, (143).

1. His Parting Blessing, Luke 24:50.

2. Received up into Heaven and Sat Doivn at the

Right Hand of God, Mark 16:19. Cf.
Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9.

3. The Message of the Angels, Acts 1:10-11.

The Necessity of Christ's Ascension :

" 1. In the first place He came from heaven.
Heaven was his home. It was the appropriate
sphere of his existence. His presence makes
heaven, and therefore until this earth is puri-
fied from all evil, and has undergone its great
process of regeneration, so as to become a new
heaven and a new earth, this world is not suited
for the Redeemer's abode in his state of exalta-
tion.

" 2. It was necessary that as our High Priest He
should, after offering Himself as a sacrifice,
pass through the heavens to appear before God
in our behalf. An essential part, and that a
permanent one, of his priestly office was to be
exercised in heaven. He there makes constant
intercession for His people. As He died for
our sins, He rose for our justification. All
this was typified under the old dispensation.

" 3. It was expedient, our Lord said, that He
should go away, John 16:7. It was necessary
that redemption should not only be acquired, but
applied. Men if left to themselves would have
remained in their sins, and Christ had died in
vain. The great blessings which the prophets
predicted as characteristic of the Messianic
period was the effusion of the Holy Spirit. To

164 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

secure that blessing for the church His ascen-
sion was necessary

" 4. Again our Lord told His surviving disciples,.
I go to prepare a place for you, John 14:2, 3.
His ascension, therefore, was necessary for the
completion of His work." Hodge, vol. II.,.
p. 634.

REVIEW CHART OF GOSPEL
HISTORY.

THE LIFE OF OUR LORD.

FIRST PERIOD.
Preparation.

From His Birth to the Beginning of His Public Ministry.
Section 1. Introductory Portions of the Different Gospels.

p. 21.

Outline.

I. Dedication.
II. The Word.
III. Genealogies.

Section 2. Annunciations, p. 23.

Outline.

I. Annunciation of the Birth of John the Baptist.

II. Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.

Section 3. Visit of Mary to Elizabeth, p. 25.

Section 4. Birth and Early Life of John the Baptist, p. 25.

Outline.
I. Birth of John.

II. The Song of Zacharias.

III. John's Early History.

Section 5. Annunciation to Joseph, p. 28.

Section 6. From the Birth of Jesus to the Beginning of

the Ministry of John the Baptist, p. 29.

166 BIBLE couese: outline and notes.

Outline.
I. The Birth of Jesus.
II. The Augels and the Shepherds.

III. Circumcision and Presentation in the Temple.

IV. The Visit of the Magi.

V. Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Innocents.
VI. Return to Nazareth.
VII. Jesus at the Age of Twelve Attends the Passover.

Section 7. From the Beginning of the Ministry of John
the Baptist to the Beginning of the Ministry of our
Lord. p. 41.

Outline.
I. The Ministry of John the Baptist.
II. The Baptism of Jesus.
III. The Temptation of Jesus.

SECOND PERIOD.

Manifestation.

From the Beginning of His Public Ministry to His Set-
tlement at Capernaum.

Section 1. The First Five Disciples, p. 49.

Section 2. The First Miracle of Jesus, p. 50.

Outline.

I. General Views of the Miracles of our Lord.

II. The Miracle at Cana.

Section 3. The Early Judean Ministry, p. 52.
Outline.

I. General Features.

II. Cleanses the Temple.

III. His Miracles at the Passover.

IV. Discourse with Nicodemus.

V. Jesus Baptizes.

REVIEW CHART OP GOSPEL HISTORY. 167

Section 4. From His Departure from Judea to His Set-
tlement at Capernaum, p. 58.

Outline.

I. Reasons for Leaving Judea.

II. The Conversation with the Woman of Samaria.

III. The Arrival in Galilee.

TV: Heals the Nobleman's Son.

V. Rejected at Nazareth.

VI. Settlement at Capernaum.

THIRD PERIOD.

The Period of Popularity.

From His Settlement at Capernaum to the Discourse on
the Bread of Life.
Section 1. The First Sojourn in Capernaum, p. 65.
Outline.

I. Calling of Four Disciples.
II. Healing of Demoniac in the Synagogue.
III. Heals Peter's Wife's Mother and Many Others.

Section 2. The First Circuit, p. 67.
Outline.

I. A General Description of His Work.

II. Healing a Leper.

Section 3. The Second Sojourn in Capernaum, p. 68.

Outline.

I. Heals a Paralytic.

II. The Call of Matthew.

III. Discourse on Fastiug.

IV. Raises the Daughter of Jairus.

V. Heals the Woman with an Issue of Blood.
VI. Heals Two Blind Men and a Dumb Demoniac.

168 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

Section 4. The Unnamed Feast (probably before the Pass-
over), p. 72.

Outline.

I. The Miracle of Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda.
II. The Discourse before the Sauhedrin.

Section 5. The Events on His Return Journey to #
Capernaum, p. 74.

Outline.

I. The Disciples Pluck Ears of Corn on the Sabbath.

II. Healing of the Withered Hand.

Section 6. The Third Sojourn in Capernaum, p. 76.

Outline.

I. Great Multitudes follow Him by the Seaside.

II. Chooses the Twelve Apostles.

III. The Sermon on the Mount.
IV. Heals the Centurion's Servant.

Section 7. The Second Circuit through Galilee, p. 80.

Outline.

1. Raises a Widow's Son at Nain.

II. Discourses on Receiving a Message from John.

III. The Anointing in the House of Simon.

IV. Continued Labors in Galilee.

V. The Blasphemous Accusation of the Scribes and
Pharisees.

VI. The Scribes and Pharisees Seek a Sign.

VII. His Mother and Brethren.

VIII. The First Great Group of Parables.

IX. Stilling the Tempest.

X. Heals the Two Gadarene Demoniacs.

REVIEW CHART OF GOSPEL HISTORY. 169

Section 8. The Third Circuit, p. 94.
Outline.
I. The Second Rejection at Nazareth.
II. Continued Journeys through Galilee.
III. The Mission of the Twelve.

Section 9. The Fourth Sojourn in Capernaum, p. 97.
Outline.

I. The Death of John the Baptist.

II. Return of the Twelve.

Section 10. The Fourth Circuit, p. 98.
Outline.
I. Followed to the Place of His Retirement by the
Multitudes.

II. Feeding of Five Thousand.

III. Jesus Walks on the Sea.
TV. Heals Many at Genuesaret.

FOURTH PERIOD.

Opposition.

Section 1. The Fifth Sojourn in Capernaum, p. 102.

Outline.

I. The Discourse on the Bread of Life.
II. Address of Our Lord to the Scribes and Pharisees.

Section 2. The Fifth Circuit, p. 106.

Outline.

I. Retires to Tyre and Sidon.

II. The Syrophoenician Woman.

III. The Miracles at Decapolis.

IV. The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
V. Heals a Blind Man.

VI. Peter's Confession.

170 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

VII. Foretells His Death and Resurrection.

VIII. The Transfiguration.

IX. Heals the Demoniac Boy.

X. Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection.

Section 3. The Sixth Sojourn in Capernaum, p. 1 1 5.

Outline.
I. Jesus Pays the Half-Shekel.
II. Discourses to the Twelve.

III. Incidents Illustrative of Discipleship.

IV. His Brethren.

Section 4. Attends the Feast of Tabernacles, p. 118.

Outline.
I. Goes up to Jerusalem.
II. Discourses with the Jews.

III. The Story of the Adulteress.

IV. Discourses with the Jews Continued.
V. Heals a Man Born Blind.

VI. The Good Shepherd.

Section 5. The Lord's Later Ministry in Judea. p. 121.

Outline.
I. The Seventy.
II. The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

III. Jesus at Bethany.

IV. Our Lord's Teaching on Prayer.

V. The Accusation of being in League with Beelzebub.

VI. Denunciation of the Pharisees and Lawyers.

VII. Discourses.

VIII. Repentance.

IX. The Sabbath.

X. Discourse at the Feast of Dedication.

Section 6. From the Feast of Dedication to Passion
Week. p. 127.

KEVIEW CHART OF GOSPEL HISTORY. 171

Outline.

I.

In Perea.

II.

In Bethany.

III.

In Samaria or Galilee.

IV.

In Perea Again.

V.

In Jericho.

Section 7. Passion W

eek. p. 132.
Outline.
I. From the Arrival at Bethany to the Beginning of
His Controversies with the Jews.
II. From the Beginning of His Controversies with
the Jews to His Arrest.
III. From his Arrest to His Death.

FIFTH PERIOD.

The Period of the Resurrection.

Outline.
I. The Proof of His Resurrection.
II. The Importance of His Resurrection.

III. The Teaching of Jesus during this Period.

IV. His Ascension.

AUTHORS QUOTED IN APOSTOLIC
HISTORY.

E. P. Barrows, D.D., Companion to the Bible.

J. G. Butler, D.D., Butler's Bible Work, The Acts, Epis-
tles, and Revelation.

F. Farrar, D.D., F.R.S., The Messages of the Books, The
Life and Works of St, Paul.

Thos. Scott, Scott's Bible.
M. Henry, Henry's Exposition.

Wm. G. Blaikie, D.D., LL.D., Manual of Bible History.
Dr. Wm. Smith, Dictionary of the Bible.
Jas. Stalker, M.A., D.D., The Life of St, Paul.
A. T. Pierson, D.D., Keys to the Word.
Brooke Foss W T estcott, D.D., The Epistles of St. John.
J. L. Hurlbut, D.D., Manual of Biblical Geography.
Revere Franklin Weiduer, Studies in the Book.
Thos. Dehany Bernard, M.A., The Progress of Doctrine in
the New Testament.

SECOND. APOSTOLIC HISTORY.

INTRODUCTION.

1 . The Relation of Apostolic History to Gospel His-

tory. The Gospels reveal the Messiah, his per-
son, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascen-
sion. They also teach that before his ascension
Christ gave to his apostles a great commission
to inaugurate a new and catholic dispensation.
Apostolic History reveals the meaning and
efficacy of Christ's mission to the world, the
execution of the commission he gave to his
apostles, and the fulfilment of his promises as
to the advent of the Holy Spirit. It is not
merely the sequence of Gospel history, but the
consequence, the fruitage, the fulfilment, the
explanation of Gospel history.

2. The Books Embraced in Apostolic History. All

the books of New Testament after the Gospel
of John, except Revelation. (Name.) Con-
cerning these books it may be said that in gen-
eral the Acts presents the external and the
Epistles the internal aspects of the history.

3. The Divisions of this History. The following

divisions may be accepted as in the main cor-
rect the one not being wholly Jewish, nor
the other wholly Gentile :

A. The Jewish Stream.

B. The Gentile Stream. (Blaikie.)

174 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

A. The Jewish Stream.

Introduction.

1. The Leaders. Peter is the chief speaker and

actor. John is next in prominence. Doubt-
less associated with them were the others of
the twelve.

2. The Locality of this Part of Apostolic History:

"In Jerusalem and from Jerusalem as a cen-
ter." Barrows, p. 446.

3. The Scripture Material, (1) Acts, chapters 1-12,

and (2) the Catholic Epistles.

SECTION 1. FROM THE ASCENSION TO
PENTECOST.

Acts 1:12-26.

OUTLINE.

I. The Meeting for Prayer.
II. The Choice of a Successor to Judas.

XOTES.

I. The Meeting for Prayer. 1:12-14.

1. Who were Present f

2. Where they Met. "In a large chamber in the

upper story of a certain house, probably the
room already hallowed by their last intercourse
with the Master." Butler, p. 13.

3. The Meeting Described, v. 14. "For ten days

this first assembly of the Christian Church re-
mained in almost continuous prayer, and in
perfect unison of feeling, calmly expecting the
fulfilment of the Lord's promises respecting
-theHoly Ghost." Butler, p. 13.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 175

II. The Choice of a Successor to Judas, 1:15-26.

1. The Number of the Disciples Composing the

Christian Church, v. 15. "The seventy dis-
ciples, probably, were a part of them; but
most of the five hundred brethren, who saw
Jesus in Galilee before his ascension, had re-
mained there, and doubtless many others be-
lieved in him in different parts of the land."
Scott, in loco.

2. The Address of Peter, 16-22. (v. 19 seems

to be a parenthesis.) Notice Peter's leader-
ship.

3. They Choose Matthias. Acting upon Peter's

suggestion they proceed to fill the vacancy.
" The prayer offered on this occasion was
wholly unlike what might have been expected
from deceivers. It is dictated by a deep sense
of the Lord's perfect acquaintance with all
hearts, the importance of the cause in which
they were engaged, and their incompetency to
decide it without divine direction." Scott, in
loco.

SECTION 2. PENTECOST.

OUTLINE.

I. The Day of Pentecost.
II. The Advent of the Holy Ghost.

III. The Sermon of Peter.

IV. The Growth and Spirit of the Early Church.

NOTES.

I. The Day of Pentecost. 2:1.

" The word f Pentecost ' implies that this was the fiftieth

176 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

day, that is, from the second day of unleavened bread r
whence the feast of ingathering of the harvest was-
completed. The Israelites were commanded to bring a
meat-offering of the first-fruits of their corn, at the-
festival : which was observed, as is generally supposed,,
in commemoration of the giving of the law from Mount
Sinai, fifty days after their departure out of Egypt. At
this solemnity the Lord was pleased to pour out his-
spirit and thus consecrate the first fruits of the Chris-
tian church." Scott.
It is significant that the day of Pentecost upon which
the Holy Spirit was poured out occurred on the first
day of the week the Christian Sabbath. " Our
Savior Christ, who is Lord of the Sabbath, fulfilling
the work of our redemption by his resurrection upon
the first day of the week, and by his mission of the
Holy Ghost miraculously the first day of the week y
and by the secret message of his Spirit to the apostles
and the primitive Church, hath translated the observa-
tion of the seventh day of the week to the first day of
the week, which is our Christian Sabbath ; that as
our Christian baptism succeeds the sacrament of cir-
cumcision, and as our Christian pascha, in the sacra-
ment of the eucharist, succeeded the Jewish passover,.
so our Christian Sabbath, the first day of the week,
succeeds the Sabbath of the seventh day of the week ;
and that morality which was, by Almighty God, under
that covenant, confined to the seventh day, is, by the
examples of Christ and His Apostles to us Gentiles,
transferred to the first day of the week." Butler,
p. 17.

II. The Advent of the Holy Ghost, 2:3-13. *

1. The Signs Accompanying His Advent, vs. 2-3.
"Thus these signs, audible and visible, im-

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 177

pressively indicated the power and the mode of
working of the Holy Spirit. More than this r
they were specific pledges of the conquering:
might of the Divine Spirit that should attend
the preaching of Christ crucified and risen."
Butler, p. 17.

2. The Advent, v. 4. " Of this the simple, sub-

lime record is, they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost. As of old ' God was not ' in this seemin g
of the 'wind and of the fire/ but entered invisi-
bly and inaudibly into the hearts of the dis-
ciples to breathe into them the fulness of spir-
itual life and light, to speak thereafter to them,
in the still small voice, and to abide in theui
and with them forever." Butler, p. 17.

3. The Effect of the Advent of the Spirit upon the

Disciples, v. 4. The gift of tongues. A
miracle. The opposite of the miracle at
Babel.

4. The Effect upon the Multitude, vs. 5-13.

III. The Sermon of Peter. 14-40.

ANALYSIS.

1. Introduction, v. 14.

2. The Explanation of the Gift of Tongues. Not

drunkenness, but the pouring out of the Spirit
in fulfillment of prophecy, 15-21.

3. His Great Theme, Christ, 22-36. Proves that

Jesus is the Christ.

4. Ansivers the Great Inquiry, " What Shall we

do f " 37-40.

IV. The Growth and Spirit of the Early Church.

2:41-47.

1. The Growth of the Church, vs. 41, 47. The
fruit of the preaching of Christ accompanied
by Holy Ghost.

12 b

178 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

2. The Spirit of the Early Christians, vs. 4247.
The history of the day of Pentecost contained
in this chapter calls for special study. It
marks a great epoch in the progress of our
holy religion. It is the opening of the dis-
pensation of the Spirit, and the first manifesta-
tion of the power of the risen Christ.

SECTION 3. EVENTS RELATING TO THE

PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL IN

JUDEA AND SAMARIA.

OUTLINE.

I. The Healing of the Lame Man at the Gate

Beautiful, and Peter's Sermon.
II. The Beginning of Opposition to the Gospel.

III. The Community of Goods.

IV. Growing Opposition.
V. Deacons.

VI. Stephen.
VII. The Revival in Samaria.
VIII. The Ethiopian Treasurer.

NOTES.

I. The Healing of the Lame Man at the Gate
Beautiful, and Peter's Sermon. Acts 3: 1-26.

1. The Miracle, 3:1-10. This the first miracle
performed by the apostles after the ascension.
The signicance of apostolic miracles at this
period in the church's history should be care-
fully noted :
(1) They testified to the power of the ascended
Christ.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 179

(2) They testified to the mission and inspiration
of the apostles.
2. Peter's Sermon, vs. 11-26. The miracle fur-
nished the text from which he preached Christ.

II. The Beginning of Opposition. 4:1-31.

1. Who the Opponents were, 4:1.

2. The Ground of Opposition, v. 2.

3. The Arrest and Imprisonment of the Apostles, v. 3.

4. Before the Council, vs. 5-7.

5. Peter's Answer, 8-12.

6. The Deliberation and Conclusion of the Council,

J 3-22.

7. The Return of the Apostles to their own Company,

and the Prayer, 23-31. We have here the first
recorded prayer of the Christian church, "a sim-
ple scriptural prayer, an appeal based upon
what God had revealed of his own power and
of his purposed redemption by Christ." But-
ler, p. 33. The answer, v. 31.

III. The Community of Goods. 4:32; 5:16.

1. The Beautiful Picture here Drawn of the Spirit

and Conduct of the Early Christians toward
Each Other, 4:32-37.

2. Ananias and Sapphira, 5:1-11. Their sin,

the judgment pronounced upon them, and their
doom.

3. Miracles and Continued Additions to the Church,

12-16.

IV. Growing Opposition. 5:17-42.

1. The Indignation of the Rulers, 5:17.

2. The. Arrest and Imprisonment of the Apostles,

v. 18.

3. Their Miraculous Release, vs. 19-20.

4. Re-arrested and Arraigned before the Council,

21-28.

180 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

6. Peter's Answer and its Effect, 29-33.

6. Under the Advice of Gamaliel the Apostles are Re-

leased, after having been Beaten and Charged r
34-40.

7. Their Joy and Continued, Labors, 4142.

V. Deacons. 6:1-7.

1. The Reason for the Appointment of Deacons, 6:1.

2. The Twelve Call the Multitude of the Disciples-

together to Elect Persons to this Office, v. 2.

3. The Office, vs. 1-3.

4. The Kind of Men to be Chosen, v. 3.

5. The Election, v. 5

6. The Ordination, v. 6.

7. The Result, v. 7.

VI. Stephen. 6:8-8:4.

1. His Character and Career, 6:8-10.

2. His Arrest and Arraignment before the Council,.

vs. 11-15.

3. His Defense, 7:1-53. Analyze. Effect? v. 54.

4. His Vision, 55-56. What he saw ?

5. His Stoning, Last Words and Death, 57-60. To

Stephen "the name 'martyr' is first applied.
He, first of the Christian church, bore witness
to the truth of his convictions by a violeut aud
dreadful death." Smith's Bible Dictionary.

6. The Great Persecution Following Stephen's Death r

8:1-3. "Thoroughly roused by Stephen's de-
fense, and not satisfied with his destruction, the
people turned their persecuting rage against the
body of believers in Jerusalem. Of this per-
secution Saul was the leader." Butler, p. 55.

7. The Dispersion of the Christians and the Results^

v. 4.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 181

overtaken by a chariot and its attendants. In
the chariot sits a stranger, a high court officer
of the reigning Queen of Ethiopia. He is re-
turning southward from Jerusalem, where as a
Gentile proselyte of the Jewish religion he
had gone to worship. Now he is reading aloud,
as he journeys, from a scroll containing the
prophecy of Isaiah. This simple fact, showing
his interest in the truth and earnest desire to
understand and receive it, is evidence of some
special influence of the Holy Spirit in prepar-
ing him to accept Philip's teaching. Thus we
see the Spirit operating on both sides, sending
the teacher, and making ready the heart to be
taught and convinced. Nay, more, he leads
this interested man's thought to the central
theme of the Old Testament gospel. .
Now by an inward voice the Spirit bids Philip
run after and overtake the chariot, which had
passed on." Butler, p. 58.

3. The Interview between Philip and the Ethiopian,

vs. 30-35.

4. His Baptism, vs. 36-39. "Philip was next

heard of at Azotus or Ashdod, and other of
the five cities of the Philistines north of Gaza.
From that point he preached in all the cities
on or near the coast, including Lydda and
Joppa until he reached Csesarea. In Csesarea
VII. The Revival in Samaria. 8:5-25.

1. Under the Ministry of Philip, 8:5-13.

2. Under the Ministry of Peter and John, vs. 14-17.

3. Simon, vs. 17-24 (see also above, vs. 9-13).

4. The Continued Labors of Peter and John, v. 25.
VIII. The Ethiopian Treasurer. 8:26-40.

1. The Message to Philip, v. 26.

2. The Ethiopian Treasurer, vs. 27-28. Philip "is

182 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

he made his home, and became an evangelist
for that region. Here, twenty years after-
ward, he entertained Paul as his guest."
Butler, p. 59.

SECTION 4. FROM THE CONVERSION
OF PAUL TO THE DEATH OF HEROD.

OUTLINE.

I. The Conversion of Paul (Saul).
II. Peter at Lydda and Joppa.

III. Cornelius.

IV. Antioch.

V. The Persecution by Herod.

NOTES.

I. The Conversion of Paul (Saul). Acts 9:1-9; 22:
5-11; 26:12-20.

1. Saul:

(1) The place of his birth Tarsus in Cilicia,
Asia Minor.

(2) His parents strict Jews of the tribe of Ben-
jamin, and yet possessed of the rights of
Roman citizenship.

(3) Time of his birth about the time of the
birth of Jesus. [Stalker.)

(4) His education first at the University of
Tarsus (Stalker), then at the feet of Gamaliel
in Jerusalem.

(5) His moral and religious condition a strict
Pharisee, a bitter and unrelenting foe of
Christianity.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 183

(6) His ability. "He was naturally of immense
mental stature and force. He would have-
been a remarkable man even if he had never
become a Christian. The other apostles
would have lived and died in the obscurity
of Galilee if they had not been lifted into
prominence by the Christian movement; but
the name of Saul of Tarsus would have
been remembered still in some character or
other, even if Christianity had never ex-
isted." Stalker, p. 12.

2. His Mission to Damascus, 9:1-2.

3. The Vision, vs. 3-7. It was near Damascus,

and about noon. The light? The voice? Mean-
ing? "About that which he saw and heard he
never wavered. It was the secret of his in-
most being; it was the most unalterable convic-
tion of his soul ; it was the very crisis and most
intense moment of his life. Others might hint
at explanation or whisper doubt : Saul knew.
At that instant God had shown him his secret
and his covenant. God had found him; had
flung him to the ground in the career of victori-
ous outrage, to lead him henceforth in triumph,
a willing spectacle to angels and men. God had
spoken to him, had struck him into darkness
out of the noonday, only that he might kindle
a noon in the midnight of his heart. From
that moment Saul was converted. A change
total, utter, fiual, had passed over him, had
transformed him." Farrar, Life and Works of
St. Paul, p. 108. Let it be further noted that
this vision was a Theophany in which the risen
and glorified Christ, the second person of the
Trinity, appeared to Saul. " The conversion of

184 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

Paul was the most striking and important in-
dividual conversion between Christ's ascension
and his return to judge the world. In its re-
sults, direct and indirect, it is the largest single
fruit that has yet been gathered from the tree of
righteousness that the Lord by his death and
resurrection planted in the world. No mere
man, before or since, has filled so great a space in
in the scheme of providence, or left his mark
so wide and deep upon the world." Butler,
p. 61.

4. Paul in Damascus. The manner of his entrance,

v. 8. His blindness, 9.

5. Interview with Ananias.

(1) The Lord to Ananias, 10-16.

(2) Ananias and Paul, 17-18.

6. Paul Preaches. What he preaches, v. 20. Ef-

fect; vs. 21-22.

7. Being Persecuted he Flees to Jerusalem. The

persecution in Damascus, 23-24 ; his escape,
v. 25 ; his reception in Jerusalem, 26-28 ;
preaches, 29.
8. In Tarsus, 30-31.

II. Peter at Lydda and Joppa.

1. At Lydda, 9:32. The miracle? 9:33-34.

Effect? 35.

2. At Joppa, 36-41. Miracle? Effect? 42.

III. Cornelius. Chaps. 10 and 11:1-18.

1. Who he Was, 10:1-2.

2. The Vision Granted to Cornelius,, vs. 3-6.

3. Sends to Joppa, vs. 78.

4. The Vision Granted to Peter, vs. 9-16.

5. The Arrived of the Messengers, and the Spirit's
Command to Peter, 17-20.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 185

6. Peter at the House of Cornelius, 23-43.

7. Outpouring of the Holy Ghost, 44 46.

8. The Baptism of Believers, 47-48.

9. Peter Gives a Full Account of the Reception of

Cornelius and his Felloiv- Believers into the
Church, 11:1-18. This is an event of the
greatest significance and importance in the
history of the church, the admission of the
Gentiles into the church without the rites of
Judaism. Two things add to the significance
of the event: (1) The manner in which it was
done, showing clearly that it was of God and
that in the Christian church the distinction
between Jew and Gentile was no longer in
force : (2) The fact that it was done through
Peter, the leader of the twelve, and the apostle
to the Jews.

IV. Antioch, the Second Capital of Christianity.
Acts 11:19-30.

1. The City of Antioch. "Antioch was one of the
three or four great cities of the civilized world.
Lying on the river Orontes, about twenty miles
back from the northeastern angle of the Medi-
terranean Sea, inclosed by the Taurus moun-
tain range on the north, and Lebanon on the
east, by its harbor of Seleucia inviting the
trade of the great sea, and through the open
country beyond Lebanon accessible to the car-
avans of the East, it had every advantage to
attract multitudes of all classes from every por-
tion of the world. It was now the residence
of the Roman governors, as it had been the
capital of the Syrian kings, from whom it had
received grandeur and name. Of great size,

186 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

with immeuse and costly public and private
structures, with temples, groves, and gardens,
attractive with statues and works of art, almost
rivaling Rome in extent and variety of its pop-
ulation, and surpassing it in the luxurious
abandonment and worthless character of the
people, Antioch was at once the most brilliant
and the most debased, the greatest and the worst
of the Oriental Greek cities under the wide
Roman rule. Many Jews had originally set-
tled there because unmolested in their religion. ,y
Butler, p. 81.

2. The Beginning of the Work of Grace in Anti-

och, 11:19-2 J.

3. The Work under the Ministry of Barnabas,- vs.

22-26. Barnabas was sent to Antioch by the
church at Jerusalem. This fact connects the
work at Antioch with the Jewish stream of
apostolic history. It was the extension of the
gospel from Jerusalem to the Gentiles, and as it
proved the transfer of the center of Christian-
ity from Jerusalem to Antioch.

4. The Work under Barnabas and Paul, vs. 26.

It was some time during the year that the dis-
ciples were for the first time called Christians.
" Before this, they were called by the Jews
Nazarenes, and Galileans; and by each other,.
disciples, believers, brethren, or saints. But they
now assumed the name of their great leader."
Butler, p. 83.

5. The Prophecy of Agabus and the Collection for

the Judean Christians, 11:2730.

V. The Persecution by Herod Agrippa I. Chap.
]2.

"The three striking incidents of this chapter break

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 187

for a moment the thread of the history. The
connection is restored in the last verse. The
killing of James and the taking of Peter oc-
curred in Jerusalem about the time of the jour-
ney thither of Barnabas and Saul from Anti-
och." Butler, p. 85.

1. The Persecutor. " Herod Agrippa I, (here only

referred to) was the son of Aristobulus and Be-
renice, and grandson of Herod the Great. . .
He was the only king after the Great
Herod, and the last one that reigned in Jerusa-
lem. His son Agrippa received only a limited
and qualified sovereignty. In this persecution
of the church at Jerusalem, Herod simply
sought popularity as a means of power."
Butler, p. 85.

2. The Slaying of James, v. 1. "James, the older

brother of John, and son of Zebedee, was one
of the three admitted into the closest intimacy
with Christ. Yet concerning him we have
scarcely anything distinctive; no record what-
ever except in connection with his younger
brother." Butler, p. 85.

3. The Imprisonment of Peter, vs. 3, 4. Concern-

ing this imprisonment note:

(1) The prayer of the church for him, v. 5.

(2) His miraculous release, 6-19.

4. The Death of Herod, 20-23. "The miracu-

lous and judicial character of his death is dis-
tinctly affirmed by the sacred historian," v. 23.
Butler, p. 87.

188 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

SECTION 5. THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES.

"Seven epistles, that of James and the six that follow,
are called Catholic, that is, general or universal, as not
being directed to any particular church. They were
not all, however, addressed originally to believers
generally, but some of them to particular classes of
believers, or even to individuals, as the introductory
words show." Barrows, p. 487.

OUTLINE.

I. James.
II. The Two Epistles of Peter.

III. The Three Epistles of John.

IV. Jude.

NOTES.
Introductory.

1. The Reason for Placing these Epistles under this
General Division of Apostolic History:

(1) The Episile of James is addressed "to the
twelve tribes which are scattered abroad."

(2) The authors: Peter was specially the apostle
to the circumcision (Gal. 2:7); 'with him
John was very closely associated ; Jude
seems to assume that his readers were
familiar with the Old Testament. He is
also supposed to have addressed the same
class as Peter addressed in his 2d Epistle.
In general it may be said that the labors of
these apostles were more especially with the
Jews. While for the above reasons these
epistles are considered as more properly

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 189

belonging to this division of apostolic his-
tory, yet this arrangement must not be con-
strued as excluding a general application of
these epistles to all Christians.
2. The General Character of these Epistles. They
are all addressed to Christians. They are spe-
cially directed to the internal life of the
church, dealing with such subjects as Tempta-
tion, Faith, Christian Consistency, Prayer,
Growth in Grace, The Relations of Christians
to each other in the Church, the Family, etc.,
Warnings against False Teachers, etc.

I. James.

ANALYSIS.

Introduction. (1) Author, probably James, the
Lord's brother. (2) Date, generally thought
to be very early, about 50 a. d. Some, how-
ever, hold to a much later date. (3) To whom
addressed, 1:1. (4) "One of the characteristics
of the epistle is the extreme abruptness with
which the writer plunges into each new sub-
ject, following no other order than that sug-
gested by mental association which he has not
explained." Farrar, Messages of the Books,
p. 406. About the most satisfactory method
of analysis, therefore, is by chapters.

Chapter 1. Three paragraphs :

1. Address and Greeting, v. 1.

2. Temptation. Two kinds; one is a trial into

which one may fall, v. 2 ; the other arises from
within and entices to evil, v. 14. The first is
blessed, the latter evil, vs. 2-18.

3. True Hearing, vs. 19-27. Preparation? Fruits?

190 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

Chapter 2. Two paragraphs :

1. Respect of Persons, vs. 1-13.

2. The Nature of Saving Faith, vs. 14-26. Cf.

Rom. 3:28. How reconciled ? The two apos-
tles speaking of different things. Paul says a
man is justified by faith. But James raises
the question : What kind of faith is it that
justifies? He answers: A faith which pro-
duces works.

Chapter 3. Two paragraphs and two leading topics:

1. The Tongue, vs. 1-12.

2. Wisdom, vs. 13-18. False and true distin-

guished. This the source and fountain of
speech.

Chapter 4. Three paragraphs :

1. Spiritual Warfare, vs. 1-10.

2. Censor iousness, vs. 1112.

3. Recognition of God in Life, vs. 13-17.

Chapter 5. Two paragraphs and a number of other
exhortations :

1. Woes on the Rich, vs. 1-6.

2. Patience in View of Christ's Second Coming,

vs. 7-11.

3. Various Exhortations, vs. 12-20.

II. The Two Epistles of Peter.

The First Epistle. Objects (Smith's Dictionary of
the Bible) :

1. "To Comfort and Strengthen Christians in a

Season of Severe Trial," 1:7-8; 4:2.

2. " To enforce the Practical and Spiritual Duties

Involved in their Calling" 1:13; 2:10.

3. " To Warn them against Special Temptations

Attached to their Position, ,, 2:11, etc.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 191

4. " To Remove all Doubt as to the Soundness and
Completeness of the Religious System which they
had Already Received. Such an attestation was
especially needed by the Hebrew Christians,
who were wont to appeal from St. Paul's
authority to that of the older apostles, and
above all to that of Peter. The last, which
is perhaps the one principal object, is kept in
view throughout the Epistle, and is directly
stated, chapter 5:12."

The Second Epistle "was written in expectation of
shortly ' putting off his tabernacle.'
Peter sketches the iniquity, as Jude does the
apostasy of the 'last days.' Here the govern-
ment of God over the world is more promi-
nent than his final judgment of this world."
Pier son, p. 137.

III. The Three Epistles of John.

Introductory.

(1) Date. "The Epistles of John were un-
doubtedly written at Ephesus after the Gos-
pel, which is presumed to be known, and
in the advanced years of the apostle, though
before the date of the Apocalypse." But-
ler, p. 681.

(2) Relation. to the Gospel of John. "The two
passages (1 John 5:20; John 17:3) illus-
trate vividly the relation between the Epis-
tles and the Gospel. Both passages contain
the same fundamental ideas : Eternal life
is the progressive recognition of God; and
the power of this governing knowledge is
given in his Son Jesus Christ. But the
ideas are presented differently in the two

192 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

places. The Gospel gives the historic reve-
lation; the Epistle shows the revelation as it
has been apprehended in the life of the So^
ciety and of the believer." Westcott, In-
troduc. to First Epistle, p. xliii.

The First Epistle.
"Key-word: Fellowship."

" Its tone is paternal, both in authority and affec-
tion; and prophetic, having an air of final de-
cision and declaration. Its thoughts cluster
about three grand centers: Light, Love, and
Life. Its object is that believers may 'know
that they have eternal life, and so that their
joy may be full.'"
" Divisions:

I. 1:1-4. Introductory. The Logos: His eter-
nity and identity with the Father : His reve-
lation in the flesh.
II. 1:5 2:11. The Message concerning Light.

III. 2:12-5:3. The Message concerning Love.

IV. 5:4-21. The Message concerning Life."

Pierson, pp. 138-140.
The Second Epistle. "The analysis of the second
epistle is very simple. After a kindly greeting
(1-3), St. John expresses to 'the elect lady *
his joy that some of her children are 'walking
in truth/ and then enforces the new and old
commandment of Christian love (5, 6), which
is all the more necessary because of dangerous
antichristiau teachers against whom the lady
is warned (7-9), and to whose errors she is
not to lend the sanction of her hospitality or
greeting (10, 11). The epistle ends with the
expression of a hope that the apostle may soon

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 193

visit her, and with a greeting from the chil-
dren of her Christian sister (12, 13)." Far-
rar, Messages of the Books, p. 497.
The Third Epistle. " It is addressed 'to Gaius the
beloved.' After a greeting and a prayer that
he may prosper in all respects, and be in
health, the elder commends his sincere faithful-
ness (2-4), and especially his hospitality (5-8).
After a complaint and warning to domineering
Diotrephes (9-10), whom Gaius is not to imi-
tate, St. John bears testimony to the worth of
Demetrius (12-13), and then ends the letter
with a salutation, because he hopes soon to see
Gaius and does not wish to write any more"
(13-15). Farrar, Messages of the Books,
p. 504.
IV. Jude.

"Key-word: Kept."

"This the last of the Epistles mainly addresses He-
brew converts, and hence assumes the familiar-
ity of the reader with Old Testament history.

It is a warning against apostasy

The contrast is marked between those who
kept not their first estate and are kept for judg-
ment, and those who keep themselves and are

kept from falling The author is

Jude or Judas. Time, 65-80 a. d."
" Divisions :

I. 1, 2. Salutation.
II. 3. The Exhortation.

III. 4-16. Warning Examples.

IV. 17-23. Secrets of Preservation.
V. 24, 25. Grand Doxology."

Pierson, p. 143.

B. The Gentile Stream of Apostolic History.

13 b

194 bible course: outline and notes.

Introductory.

(1) The leader Paul. Associated with him
were Barnabas, Mark, Silas, Timothy, etc.

(2) The center of their labors Antioch in Syria,
the second capital of Christianity.

(3) The Scripture material Acts, chaps. 13-28,
and the Epistles of Paul.

SECTION 1. PAUL'S FIRST MISSIONARY
JOURNEY.

Acts, Chaps. 13-14.

OUTLINE.

I. The Route.
II. The Plan of Work.
III. The Return to Antioch.

NOTES.
Introduction.

The call, v. 2. The ordination, v. 3.

I. The Route. (See map.)

The countries and cities in which they labored, 13 :
4, 5, 6, 13, 14, 51 ; 14:6.

II. Their Plan of Work.

"They entered a town as quietly and unnoticed as
any two strangers who may walk into one of
our own towns any morning. Their first care
was to get lodging; and then they had to seek
for employment, for they worked at their trade
wherever they went. Nothing could be more
commonplace. Who could dream that this

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 195

travel-stained man, going from one tent-
maker's door to another seeking for work, was
carrying the future of the world beneath his
robe! When the Sabbath came round, they
would cease from toil, like the other Jews in
the place, and repair to the synagogue. They
joined in the psalms and prayers with the other
worshippers and listened to the reading of the
Scriptures. After this the presiding elder might
ask if any one present had a word of exhorta-
tion to deliver. This was Paul's opportunity.
He would rise and, with outstretched hand, be-
gin to speak. At once the audience recog-
nized the accents of the cultivated rabbi, and
the strange voice won their attention. Taking
up the passages which had been read, he would
soon be moving forward on the stream of Jew-
ish history, till he led up to the astounding an-
nouncement that the Messiah hoped for by
their fathers and promised by their prophets
had come; and he had been sent among them
as His apostle. Then would follow the story
of Jesus. . . . We can easily imagine the
sensation produced by such a sermon from such
a preacher and the buzz of conversation which
would arise among the congregation after the
dismission of the synagogue. During the
week it would become the talk of the town.
Next Sabbath the synagogue would
be crowded, not with Jews only, but Gentiles
also, who were curious to see the strangers ;
and Paul now unfolded the secret that salva-
tion by Jesus Christ was as free to Gentiles as
to Jews. This was generally the signal for the
Jews to contradict and blaspheme; and, turn.

196 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

ing his back on them, Paul addressed himself to
the Gentiles. But meantime, the fanaticism of
the Jews was roused, and they stirred up the
mob and secured the interest of the authori-
ties against the strangers; and in a storm of
popular tumult or by the breath of authority
the messengers of the gospel were swept out of
the town. This was what happened at An-
tioch in Pisidia, their first halting place in the
interior of Asia Minor; and it was repeated in
a hundred instances in Paul's subsequent life."
Stalker, pp. 68-69.

III. The Return to Antioch.

Their labors, 14:21-26. Report to the church, v, 27.

SECTION 2. THE COUNCIL AT
JERUSALEM.

Chap. 15:1-15.

OUTLINE.

I. The Council.
II. The Question before it.
III. The Decision.

NOTES.
I. The Council.

1. Place of Meeting, v. 2.

2. Who Composed it, vs. 2, 4.

II. The Question before it.

The council was called to decide this question ;
Shali the Gentiles, who desire to join the Chris-
tian church, be required to be'circumcised?

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 197

1. The Parties to this Controversy. The Jewish

party in the Christian church, and Paul and
Barnabas, vs. 1-5.

2. The Discussion, vs. 6-21.

III. The Decision, vs. 22-29.

1. What the Decision was, vs. 28-29.
2., The Importance of this Decision to the Progress
of Christianity f

3. The Decision Announced to the Church at An-

tioch, vs. 30-35.

SECTION 3. PAUL'S SECOND MISSION-
ARY JOURNEY.

OUTLINE.

I. His Labors in Asia Minor.
II. In Macedonia.

III. In Greece.

IV. Return Journey.

NOTES.
Introductory.

1. The Separation of Paul and Barnabas. Cause?

15:36-40.

2. Paul's Companion (v. 40), Route, and Plan,

vs. 40-41.

3. Importance, of this Journey. " In his first jour-

ney Paul may be said to have been only try-
ing his wings; for his course, adventurous
though it was, only swept in a limited circle
round his native province. In his second
journey he performed a far more distant and
perilous flight. Indeed this journey was not
only the greatest he achieved, but, perhaps, the

198 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

most momentous recorded in the annals of the
human race. In its issues it far outrivaled
the expedition of Alexander the Great, when
he carried the arms and civilization of Greece
into the heart of Asia, or that of Csesar, when
when he landed on the shores of Britain, or
even the voyage of Columbus, when he dis-
covered a new world." Stalker, p. 71.

I. In Asia Minor. 16:1-8.

The Districts and Places Visited. (See map.) Tim-
othy, vs. 1-3. Delivers to the churches the
decrees, v. 4. Directed by the Spirit they
come to Troas. "Thus he had traveled from
Antioch in the southeast to Troas in the north-
west of Asia Minor, a distance as far as from
Land's End to John O'Groat's, evangelizing all
the way. It must have taken months, perhaps
even years. Yet of this long, laborious
period we possess no details whatever except
such features of his intercourse with the Ga-
latians as may be gathered from the Epistle to
that church. The truth is that, thrilling as
are the notices of Paul's career given in the
Acts, this record is a very meager and imper-
fect one, and his life was far fuller of adven-
ture, of labors and sufferings for Christ, than
even Luke's narrative would lead us to sup-
pose. . . . There are thus great blanks
in the history, which were in reality as full of
interest as the portions of his life which are
fully described. There is a startling proof of
this in an epistle which he wrote within the
period covered by the Acts of the Apostles."
(2 Cor. 11:23-21.) Stalker, pp. 73-74.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 199

II. In Macedonia. 16:9-17:14.

What led him to enter Macedonia? 16:9-10.
His route? (See map.)

1. At Philippi. Labors? Persecutions? Persons

and incidents? Results? vs. 11-40.

2. Thessalonica. Labors? Persecutions? Re-

sults? 17:1-9.

3. In Berea. Labors? Persecutions? Results? vs.

10-14.

III. In Greece (Achaia).

1. Athens. Labors? Results? vs. 16-34.

2. Corinth. Length of stay? Labors? Results?

Persecutions? Persons and incidents? 18:
1-17. During his stay in Corinth Paul wrote
the two Epistles to the Thessalonians.

IV. The Return Journey. 18:18-22.

SECTION 4. PAUL'S THIRD MISSIONARY
JOURNEY.

18:2321:17.

OUTLINE.
I. Ephesus.
II. Macedonia.

III. Greece.

IV. Return Journey.

NOTES.
Introductory.

"It must have been a thrilling story Paul had to
tell at Jerusalem and Antioch when he re-
turned from his second journey; but he had no
disposition to rest on his laurels, and it was

200 BIBLE course: outline and notes.

not long before he set out on his third journey.
It might have been expected that having in
his second journey planted the Gospel in
Greece, he would in his third journey have
made Rome his aim. But, if the map be re-
ferred to, it will be observed that, in the midst,
between the regions of Asia Minor which he
evangelized during his first journey and the
provinces of Greece in which he planted
churches in his second journey, there was a
hiatus the populous province of Asia, in the
west of Asia Minor. It was ou this region he
desceuded in his third journey. Staying for
no less than three years in Ephesus, its capital,
he effectively filled up the gap and connected
together the conquests of his former campaigns.
This journey included, indeed, at its beginning,
a visitation of all the churches formerly founded
in Asia Minor, and, at its close, a flying visit
to the churches of Greece; but, true to his
plan of dwelling only on what was new in
each journey, the author of the Acts has sup-
plied us only with the details relatiugto Ephe-
sus." Stalker, p. 82.

I. Ephesus.

1. The City of Ephesus. "This city was at that
time the Liverpool of the Mediterranean. It
possessed a splendid harbor, in which was con-
centrated the traffic of the sea which was then
the highway of the nations; and as Liverpool
has behind her the great towns of Lancashire,
so had Ephesus behind and around her such
cities as those mentioned along with her in the
Epistles to the churches in the book of Revela-

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 201

tion Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis,
Philadelphia, and Laodicea. It was a city of
vast wealth, and it was given over to every
kind of pleasure, the fame of its theater and
race-course being world-wide. But Ephesus
was still more famous as a sacred city. It was
a seat of the worship of the goddess Diana,
whose temple was one of the most celebrated
shrines of the ancient world." Stalker, p. 82.
2. The Work at Ephesus, Acts 19:1-41. Length
of stay? Miracles? Labors? Incidents? Per-
secutions? Results? Near the close of his
stay at Ephesus Paul wrote the first Epistle to
the Corinthians.

II. In Macedonia. 20:1-2.

Wrote 2 Corinthians probably while at Philippi.

III. In Greece. 20:2-3. Length of Stay? La-
bors ? Persecutions ?

While at Corinth wrote two great Epistles the one
to the Galatiaus and the other to the Romans.

IV. The Return Journey.

1. Through Macedonia, 20:3.

2. Troas. His company? Miracles? Incidents?

4:12.

3. From Troas to Miletus. At Miletus meets the

Ephesian Elders, vs. 17-38.

4. From Miletus to Jerusalem. Incidents? 21:1-17.

202 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

SECTION 5. PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT AT
OESAREA.

21:1726:32.

OUTLINE.

I. Jerusalem.
II. Caesarea.

NOTES.

I. Jerusalem. 21:1723:11.

1. Danger at Jerusalem, and the Precaution against

Violence, 21:17-26.

2. Assaulted by a Mob and Rescued by Roman Sol-

diers, vs. 27-36. A prisoner, vs. 37-39.

3. His Address to the Mob, 22:1-21. Effect? vs.

22-23.

4. The Threatened Scourging Prevented, vs. 2429.

5. His Address before the Sanhedrin, 22:30 23:6.

Effect? vs. 7-11.

II. Csesarea. 23:1226:32.

1. The Removal to Ccesarea. Cause? vs. 12-22.

Manner? 22-24. Letter of Claudius Lysias.
vs. 25-30

2. Paul in Prison at Ccesarea. Csesarea? (See-

Bible Dictionary.) Here held a prisoner for
two years. Treatment?

3. The Trial before Felix, 24:1-27.

4. The Trial before Festus. Appeal to Csesar,

25:1-12.

5. Defense before Agrippa, 25:13 26:1-32.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 203

SECTION 6. PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT- AT

ROME.

I. From Caesarea to Rome.
II. The Imprisonment.
III. His Labors.

NOTES.

I. From Caesarea to Rome.

1. From Ccesarea to Fair Havens, 27:1-8.

2. The Shipwreck, 27:9-44.

3. On the Island of Melita, 28:1-10.

4. From Melita to Rome, vs. 11-16.

II. The Imprisonment at Rome.

His Privileges f 28:16,30. Duration? "The im-
prisonment, it is true, was of the mildest de-
scription. It may have been that the officer
who brought him to Rome spoke a good word for
the man who had saved his life during the voy-
age, or the officer to whom he was handed over,
and who is known in profane history as a man
of justice and humanity, may have inquired
into his case and formed a favorable opinion of
his character; but at all events Paul was per-
mitted to hire a house of his own and live in
it in perfect freedom, with the single exception
that a soldier, who was responsible for his per-
son, was his constant attendant." Stalker, p.
129.

III. His Labors. 38:30-31.

"Availing himself of every possibility of the situa-
tion, he converted his own room into a center
of far-reaching activity and beneficence. On

204 BIBLE COUESE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

the few square feet of space allowed hira he
erected a fulcrum with which he moved the
world, and established within the walls of
Nero's capital a sovereignty more extensive
than his own." Stalker, p. 129.

1. His Labors with the Soldiers. The soldier to

whom he was chained "was changed every few
hours as one soldier relieved another upon
guard. In this May there might be six or
eight with him every four and twenty hours.
They belonged to the imperial guard, the

flower of the Roman army He

spoke to these soldiers about their immortal
souls and the faith of Christ. . . . He
sympathized with them and entered into the
spirit of their occupation; indeed he was full
of the spirit of the warrior himself. We have
an imperishable relic of these visits in an out-
burst of inspired eloquence which he dictated
at this period. Eph. 6:11-17." Stalker, pp.
129-130.

2. His Labors tcith his Visitors. "All who took an

interest in Christianity in Rome, both Jews
and Gentiles, gathered to him. Perhaps there
was not a day of the two years of his imprison-
ment but he had such visitors. The Roman
Christians learned to go to that room as to an
oracle or shrine. Many a Christian teacher
got his sword sharpened there; and new energy
began to diffuse itself through the Christian
circles of the city. Many an anxious father
brought his son, many a friend his friend, hop-
ing that a word from the apostle's lips might
waken the sleeping conscience. Many a wan-
derer, stumbliug in there by chance, came out

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 205

a new man. . . . Still more interesting
visitors came. . . . Youthful friends, who
were scattered over the world in the work of
Christ, flocked to him at Rome. Timothy and
Luke, Mark and Aristarchus, Tychicus and
Epaphras, and many more came, to drink afresh
at the well of his ever-springing wisdom and
earnestness. And he sent them away again
to carry messages to his churches, or bring him
news of their condition." Stalker, -pp. 130,131.
3. The Epistles of the Captivity. "The composition
of these epistles was by far the most important
part of Paul's varied prison activity; and he
crowned this labor with the writing of the
Epistle to the Ephesians, which is perhaps the
profoundest and sublimest book in the world.
The church of Christ has derived many bene-
fits from the imprisonment of the servants of
God ; the greatest book of uninspired religious
genius, the Pilgrim's Progress, was written in
jail; but never did there come to the church a
greater mercy in the disguise of misfortune
than when the arrest of Paul's bodily activities
at Csesarea and Rome supplied him with the
leisure needed to reach the depths of truth
sounded in the Epistle to the Ephesians."
Stalker, p. 132.

206 BIBLE COUESE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

SECTION 7. PAUL'S AFTER-HISTORY.

OUTLINE.

I. The Interval between his First and Second
Imprisonment at Rome.

II. The Second Imprisonment.
III. His Martyrdom.

NOTES.
Introductory.

No account of this period of Paul's life is giveu in
the Acts. But that after the two years of im-
prisonment, spoken of in the Acts, he was re-
leased, resumed for a time his active ministry,
was imprisoned in Rome a second time, and
suffered martyrdom under Nero, some of the
highest authorities consider certain. (See
Conybeare & Howson, Farrar, Stalker.) For
the history of these closing years of the great
apostle we are dependent upon two sources
Tradition and the Pastoral Epistles.

I. The Interval bet"\veen the First and Second
Imprisonment at Rome.
"His footsteps cannot indeed be any longer traced
with certainty. We find him back at Ephesus
and Troas; we find him iu Crete, an island at
which he touched on his voyage to Rome, and
in which he may have become interested ; we
find him exploring new territory in the north-
ern part of Greece. We see him once more,
like the commander of an army who sends his
aides-de-camp all over the field of battle, send-
ing one of his young assistants to organize and
watch over the churches." Stalker, p. 133.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 207

II. The Second Imprisonment.

1. His Arrest. This occurred probably at Troas.

"An event had happened immediately after his
release from prison, which could not but influ-
ence his fate. This was the burning of Rome
an appalling disaster, the glare of which
even at this distance, makes the heart shudder.
It was probably a mad freak of the malicious
monster who then wore the imperial purple.
But Nero saw fit to attribute it to the Chris-
tians, and instantly the most atrocious persecu-
tion broke out against them. Of course the
fame of this soon spread over the Roman world ;
and it was not likely that the foremost apostle
of Christianity could long escape." Stalker,
pp. 133-134.

2. The Nature of the Second Imprisonment. "It

was not long accordingly before Paul was lying
once more in prison at Rome; and it was no
mild imprisonment this time, but the worst
known to the law." Stalker, p. 134. (See 2
Tim.)

III. His Martyrdom.

1. His Trial before Nero. "In all history there
is not a more startling illustration of the irony
of human life than this scene of Paul at the bar
of Nero. On the judgment seat, clad in the
imperial purple, sat a man who in a bad world
had attained the eminence of being the very
worst and meanest being in it a man stained
with every crime, the murderer of his own
mother, of his wives, and of his best benefac-
tors; a man whose whole being was so steeped
in every nameable and unnameable vice that

208 BIBLE codbse: outline and notes.

body and soul of him were, as some one said
at the time, nothing but a compound of mud
and blood ; and in the prisoner's dock stood the
best man the world possessed, his hair whitened
with labors for the good of man and the glory
of God. Such was the occupant of the seat of
justice, and such the man who stood in the
place of the criminal." Stalker.
2. The Martyrdom. "The trial ended, Paul was con-
demned and delivered over to the executioner-
He was led out of the city with a crowd of the
lowest rabble at his heels. The fatal spot was-
reached ; he knelt beside the block ; the heads-
man's axe gleamed in the sun and fell ; and the
head of the apostle of the world rolled down
in the dust." Stalker, p. 135.

SECTION 8. THE EPISTLES OF PAUL.

OUTLINE.

I. The Letters of the Second Missionary Journey.
II. The Letters of the Third Missionary Journey.

III. The Letters of the First Imprisonment.

IV. The Letters of his Closing Years.
V. Analysis of Galatians.

NOTES.
Introductory.

1. Number. Fourteen, including the Epistle to the

Hebrews. (Name.)

2. Arrangement. "As the Epistles of Paul stand

in the New Testament they are not arranged

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 209

in chronological order. The principle of ar-
rangement seems to have been, first, those to
churches, then those to individuals; the further
order being that of relative size, with this modi-
fication: that two epistles addressed to the
same church should stand together, and that
the last of them, which is always the shorter,
should determine their place in the series."
Barrows, p. 449. This arrangement is not
considered the best. The only true and rational
arrangement is the chronological, whereby
each epistle stands in its historical setting.
3. The Value of Paul's Epistles. This manifold
doctrinal, historical, "practical, literary. " Paul
was the greatest thinker of his age, if not of
any age, and in the midst of his outward labors
was producing writings which have ever since
been among the mightiest intellectual forces of
the world. . . . If his epistles could perish
the loss to literature would be the greatest
possible, with only one exception, that of the
gospels, which record the life, the sayings and
the death of our Lord." Stalker, pp. 8788.
Arrangement into groups. (Farrar, Life and
Works, pp. 588, 590. Also, Messages of the
Books, pp. 173, 162, 163.)

The Letters of the Second Missionary Journey.

First Thessalonians. Late in a. d. 52. Written at
Corinth.

Second Thessalonians, a. d. 53.

1. The Period in PauFs Life in tvhich these Epistles*
were Written. " Many years of the apostle's
ministry elapsed before he wrote a single line
that has come down to us. He was converted

14 b

210 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

probably about the age of thirty. His first letter
(the first to the Thessaloniaus) was not written
until his second missionary journey, when he
was forty-six years old."

2. Order in Apostolic History, Acts 17:1-9 and

18:9-11.

3. The Characteristic of this Group of Epistles. Es-

chatological i. e., 'those which bear on the last
things or the second advent. These epistles
are the simplest of all in their form and
matter.

4. Characteristics of the Epistles in this Group (Far-

rar):

(1) First Thessaloniaus; consolation in view of
Christ's second advent.

(2) Second Thessaloniaus; the immediate hin-
drances to the second advent, and duties
with regard to it.

II. The Letters of the Third Missionary Journey.
(Farrar, Messages of the Books, pp. 173, 168.
Life and Works, p. 590):

First Corinthians, a. d. 57 (early). Written at

Ephesus.
Second Corinthians, A. d. 58 (early). Written at

Philippi (?)
Galatians, a. d. 58. Written at Corinth.
Romans, a. d. 58. Written at Corinth.

1. Period in Paul's Life in tvhich they were W?*itten.

It was a " period preeminently of storm and
stress in the apostle's life, of physical suffering
and mental anxiety, which leave deep traces in
his style." Farrar, Life and Works, p. 589.

2. Order in Apostolic History, Acts, chaps. 19 and

20:1-3.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 211

3. Characteristic of this Group The epistles of

the anti- Judaic controversy.

4. Characteristics of the Epistles of this Group :

(1) First Corinthians: "The solution of practical
problems in the light of eternal principles."

(2) Second Corinthians: "An impassioned de-
fence of the apostle's impunged authority."

(3) Galatians: "Freedom from the bondage of
the law."

(4) Romans: "Justification by faith."

III. Letters of the First Imprisonment

(Farrar, Messages of the Books, pp. 173, 169,

Life and Works, pp. 589, 590) :
Philippians, about a. d. 62. Written at Rome.
Colossians, about a. d. 63.
Philemon, about a. d. 63.
Ephesians, about A. d. 63.

1 . The Period in the Apostle's Life. " Paul had

gone through much by the time we come to the
third group. ... In personal force he
was a shattered man. He was calmer, he was
sadder, he was yet wiser ; he sat thinking and
praying in his lonely prison."

2. Order in Apostolic History, Acts 28:16-30.

3. Characteristic of this Group : Personal and

Christological. Philippians and Philemon may
be classed as personal ; while Colossians and
Ephesians are the Epistles of Christian Dogma,
the Epistles of Catholicity."

4. Characteristics of the Epistles of this Group.

212 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

(1) Philippians : " Christian gratitude and
Christian joy in sorrow."

(2) Colossians : " Christ the universal Lord."

(3) Ephesians : "It is the great Epistle to the
Church the Church in Christ. It is the
Epistle of Catholicity; the Epistle of the
Ascension ; the epistle of the heavenlies ;
the epistle of the mystery and riches of the
Gospel. Its key-note is grace."

(4) Philemon : " The Magna Charta of Eman-
cipation."

IV. The Letters of his Closing Years

(Farrar, Messages of the Books, p. 173. Life and

Works, p. 590) :
First Timothy, a. d. 65 or 66. Written in Mace-
donia (?)
Titus, A. d. 66. Written in Macedonia (?)
Second Timothy, a. d. 67 or 68. Written in Rome.

1. The Period in the Apostle's Life Between the

end of his first imprisonment and his mar-
tyrdom.

2. Order in Apostolic History. No record of this

period in the Acts.

3. Characteristic of this Group: Pastoral Epistles.

4. Characteristics of the Epistles of this Group :

(1) First Timothy and Titus: " Manual of the
Christian Pastor."

(2) Second Timothy : "The Last Message of a
Christian ere his Death."

V. Analysis of Galatians.*

(Cf. Farrar, Messages of the Books, p. 267.)

Introduction.

Group to which the Epistle belongs? Date? Ga-
latians? Occasion?

*The limits of this course will not permit an analysis of all the Epistles. The
analysis of Galatians is given as an example of analysis of Pauline Epistles.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY. 213

Main Characteristic of the Epistle : Freedom from
the bondage of the law.

FIRST. PERSONAL VINDICATION OF HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY.
Chapters 1 and 2.

ARGUMENTS.

1. Called of God, vs. 1-2.

2. His conversion and call by Jesus Christ, vs.

11-17.

3. His authority independent of the twelve, 1:

18-20.

4. His authority independent of the churches in

Judea, 1:21-24.

5. His apostleship to the Gentiles recognized at

Jerusalem by the apostles, 2:1-10.

6. His conduct at Antioch where he resisted Peter,

the chief of the apostles, to his face, 2:11-21.

SECOND. DOCTRINAL. PROPOSITION : THE SINNER IS JUSTIFIED
BY FAITH ALONE WITHOUT THE WORKS OF THE LAW.

Chapters 3 and 4.

ARGUMENTS.

1. From a true interpretation of the promise to

Abraham, 3:1-18.

2. From the divine purpose in giving the law, 3:

19-24.

3. From the relation of the law to Christ's mission.

Under the law bond-servants, but Christ came
to make us sons, 4:1-7.

4. From the superiority of the Christian covenant.

4:8-11. (vs. 12-20, parenthetical, a strong
and tender appeal.)

5. The allegory of Sarah and Hagar, 4:21-31.

214 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

third. practical.
Chapters 5 and 6.

1. The impossibility of combining the law and the

gospel, 5:1-12.

2. The gospel and love, 5:13-15.

3. The flesh and spirit contrary, vs. 17-26.

4. The treatment of an erring brother, 6:1-5.

5. Communication, 6:6-10. See specially, v. 7.

6. Conclusion, recapitulation.

7. Benediction.

REVIEW CHART.

APOSTOLIC HISTORY.
A. The Jewish Stream.

Section 1. From the Ascension to Pentecost, p. 174.

Outline.

I. The Meeting for Prayer.

II. The Choice of a Successor to Judas.

Section 2. Pentecost, p. 175.
Outline.
I. The Day of Pentecost.

II. The Advent of the Holy Ghost.

III. The Sermon of Peter.

IV. The Growth and Spirit of the Early Church.

Section 3. Events Relating to the Progress of the Gospel
in Judea and Samaria, p. 178.

Outline.

I. The Healing of the Lame Man at the Gate Beauti-
ful and Peter's Sermon.
II. The Beginning of Opposition to the Gospel.

III. The Community of Goods.

IV. Growing Opposition.
V. Deacons.

VI. Stephen.
VII. The Revival in Samaria.
VIII. The Ethiopian Treasurer.

Section 4. From the Conversion of Paul to the Death of
Herod, p. 182.

Outline.
I. The Conversion of Paul (Saul).
II. Peter at Lydda and Joppa.

216 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

III. Cornelius.

IV. Antioch.

V. The Persecution by Herod.

Section 5. The Catholic Epistles, p. 188.

Outline.
I. James.
II. The Two Epistles of Peter.

III. The Three Epistles of John.

IV. Jude.

B. The Gentile Stream of Apostolic History.
Section 1. Paul's First Missionary Journey, p. 194.

Outline.

I.

The Route.

II.

The Plan of Work.

III.

The Return to Antioch.

Section 2. The Council at Jerusalem.

P-

196.

Outline.

I.

The Council.

II.

The Question before It.

III.

The Decision.

Section 3. Paul's Second Missionary

Jour

tiey.

p. 197

Outline.

I.

His Labors in Asia Minor.

II.

In Macedonia.

III.

In Greece.

IV.

Return Journey.

Section 4. Paul's Third Missionary Journey, p. 199.

Outline.
I. Ephesus.
II. Macedonia.

III. Greece.

IV. Return Journey.

REVIEW CHART. 217

Section 5. Paul's Imprisonment at Csesarea. p. 202.
Outline.

I. Jerusalem.

II. Csesarea.

Section 6. Paul's Imprisonment at Rome. p. 203.
Outline.

I. From Csesarea to Rome.

II. The Imprisonment.

III. His Labors.

Section 7. Paul's After History, p. 206.
Outline.
I. The Interval between His First and Second Impris-
onment at Rome.
II. The Second Imprisonment.
III. His Martyrdom.

Section 8. The Epistles of Paul. p. 208.
Outline.

I. The Letters of the Second Missionary Journey.

II. The Letters of the Third Missionary Journey.

III. The Letters of First Imprisonment.

IV. The Letters of his Closing Years.

V. The Analysis of Galatians.

THIRD. PROPHECY.

This the third general division of the New Testa-
ment. The term prophecy is here used in its
more limited selise of prediction. In this sense
there is, indeed, much of prophecy in the Gos-
pels and Epistles. But there is only one book
in the New Testament which may be classed as
prophecy, namely, the Revelation of John, or
the Apocalypse.

" The date of the Apocalypse has been a matter of
much discussion, the great question being
whether it was written before or after the de-
struction of Jerusalem by the Romans. The
external testimony strongly preponderates on
the side of a late date ; for the great body of
this tradition represents the banishment of the
apostle to the Isle of Patmos as having taken
place under Domitian, who succeeded Titus, and
reigned a. d. 81 to 96. . . . The place
where the revelation was received was the Isle
of Patmos, one of the group called Sporades
in the ^Egean Sea, oft the southwestern corner of
Asia Minor, where the apostle represents himself
to have been for the word of God and for the
Testimony of Jesus Christ (chap. 1:9): that
is, in accordance with ancient tradition, ban-
ished to that isle on account of the Gospel."
Barrows, p. 506.

The great difficulty of Revelation and the limits of
this course will prevent anything more than a
very general consideration of this book.

220 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

OUTLINE.

I. The Place which the Book Holds in the New-
Testament.
II. The Analysis of the Book.

III. The Interpretation of the Book.

IV. The Symbolic Import of the Numbers in Rev-

elation.

V. The Great Doctrine of the Book.
VI. The Value of the Book.

NOTES.

I. The Place which the Book Holds in the New
Testament.

The Gospels record in general the historical mani-
festation of the Christ, his life, teaching, death,
and resurrection.

The book of Acts records the ascension of Jesus,
the advent of the Holy Spirit as promised by
the Lord, and the organization of the New
Testament church.

The epistles give, in general, a history of the inner
life and struggles of the church.

The book of Revelation predicts the grand and
final consummation of redemption.

II. The Analysis of the Book.

(Farrar, Messages of the Books, p. 519.)
"After the prologue, which occupies the first eight
verses, there follow seven sections.

1. The letters to the seven churches of Asia. (1:

9-3:22.

2. The seven seals, (chaps. 4-8.)

3. The seven trumpets, (chaps. 8-12.)

4. The seven mystic figures : The sun-clothed

woman ; the red dragon ; the man-child ; the

PROPHECY. 221

wild beast from the sea; the wild beast from
the land; the Lamb on Mount Zion ; the Son
of Man on the cloud, (chaps. 12-15.)

5. The seven vials, (chaps. 15-17.)

6. The doom of the foes of Christ, (chaps. 17-21.)

7. The blessed consummation. (chaps. 21-22:8.

The Epilogue. (22:8-21.)

III. The Interpretation of the Book.

" For the interpretation of this book many and
very discordant plans have been proposed.
Setting aside at the outset all those schemes
which do not find in the Apocalypse a view of
the conflicts of Christ's people to the end of
time and their final victory over their enemies,
there remain two general principles of inter-
pretation. The first may be called the generic
principle. Those who adopt it inquire only
after the general import of the symbols em-
ployed, without attempting any particular ap-
plication of them to the history of the church
in connection with that of the world.
We come then for the true key to the Apoca-
lypse, to the other principle which may be called
the historic. This seeks in the history of the
church and of the world for the great events
foretold in this book. It is no valid objection
to this principle, that in the attempt to apply
it interpreters find great, and in many cases,
insuperable difficulties. The mystery of God
is not yet finished. It may be that the mighty
events of the future can alone throw a clear
light on the entire plan of the book." Bar-
rows, p. 507.

222 BIBLE COURSE : OUTLINE AND NOTES.

IV. The Symbolic Import of the Numbers in the
Apocalypse.

"Seven is the well-known symbol of completeness,
and this is the most prominent number in the
book. . . . The number six, moreover,
from its peculiar relation to seven, represents
the preparation for the consummation of God's
plans. Hence the sixth seal (6:12-17), the
sixth trumpet (9:14-21), and the sixth vial
(16:12-16) are each prominent in the series to
which they belong. They usher in the awful
judgments of heaven which destroy the wicked.

Four is the natural symbol for universality. Thus
we have the four living creatures round about
the throne (4:6), perhaps as symbols of the
agencies by which God administers his univer-
sal providential government (6:1, 3, 5, 7; 15:7);
the four angels standing on the four corners of
the earth and holding the four winds (7:1);
and the four angels bound in the river Eu-
phrates (9:14).

Twelve is the well-known signature of God's people.
Compare the twelve tribes of the Old Testa-
ment and the twelve apostles of the New; the
woman with a crown of twelve stars (12:1, etc.).
We have also the same number combined with
a thousand, the general symbol for a great
number (7:4-8). . . . Ten is possibly only
a symbol of diversity, as in the case of the ten
horns of the beast (12:3; 13:1; 17:3); though
some take a literal view of it." Barrows, pp.
508-510.

V. The Great Doctrine of the Book.

The Great Doctrine of the Book is a Doctrine of Con-

PROPHECY. 223

summation. According to Bernard, the lead-
ing characteristics of this doctrine are as fol-
lows (see Progress of Doctrine in New Testa-
ment, p. 210, etc.):
"1. A Doctrine of the Cause of the Consummation.

The personal salvation of the

individual and the general salvation of the
church have the same ground, namely, the
Atoning Sacrifice impliedly, 'the Lamb,' as
the Apocalyptic name of Christ (5:6-10).

2. A Doctrine of the History of the Consummation

showing the inner nature of events, by con-
necting things seen with things not seen ; by
presenting the earth as the battle-field of spir-
itual powers.

3. A Doctrine of the Coming of the Lord the an-

nouncement of this as the key-note of the
book, all else a part of it. In the Epistles
the coming is connected chiefly with the per-
sonal life here with the corporate life, as the
close of the world's history.

4. A Doctrine of Victory. Completes the teaching

of the Epistles on the victory of the Lord and
of his people.

5. A Doctrine of Judgment. 'The Prince of this

world is judged.' Judgment of the usurping
power of the world of nations of persons.

6. A Doctrine of Restoration (21:1-2). 'In tak-

ing these words for my text I place myself at
the point where the whole teaching of Scrip-
ture culminates. Here, at the last step, we
have a definite and satisfactory completion of
the former doctrine of the future. There is to
be a perfect humanity; not only perfect indi-
viduality, but perfect in society. There is to

224 BIBLE COURSE: OUTLINE AND NOTES.

be a city of God.' ' The Holy City !' there is
the realization of the true tendencies of man.
'New Jerusalem!' there is the fulfilment of
the ancient promises of God."

VI. The Value of the Book.

" Dark as are many parts of the Apocalypse and diffi-
cult of interpretation, the book as a whole, is
radiant with the promise to God's people of a
final and complete victory in their conflict with
the kingdom of Satan. Though long delayed,
as we mortals reckon time, it shall come at last
with a splendor above the brightness of the
sun, and the earth be lighted from pole to pole
with its glory. 'Amen. Even so, come, Lord
Jesus.'" Barroivs, p. 510.