Reference: Jesus Christ
American
The Son of God, the Messiah and Savior of the World, the first and principal object of the prophecies; who was prefigured and promised in the Old Testament; was expected and desired by the patriarchs; the hope and salvation of the Gentiles; the glory, happiness, and consolation of Christians. The name JESUS, in Hebrew JEHOSHUAH or Joshua, signifies Savior, or Jehovah saves. No one ever bore this name with so much justice, nor so perfectly fulfilled the signification of it, as Jesus Christ, who saves from sin and hell, and has merited heaven for us by the price of his blood. It was given to him by divine appointment, Mt 1:21, as the proper name for the Savior so long desired, and whom all the myriads of the redeemed in heaven will for ever adore as their only and all-glorious Redeemer.
JESUS was the common name of the Savior; while the name CHRIST, meaning the Anointed One, The Messiah, was his official name. Both names are used separately, in the gospels and also in the epistles; but JESUS generally stands by itself in the gospels, which are narratives of his life; while in the epistles, which treat of his divine nature and of his redeeming work, he is called CHRIST, CHRIST JESUS, or THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. See CHRIST.
Here, under the Redeemer's human name, belong the facts relating to his human nature and the history of his life upon earth. His true and complete humanity, having the soul as well as the body of man, is everywhere seen in the gospel history. He who is "God over all, blessed forever," was an Israelite "as concerning the flesh," Ro 9:5, and took upon him our whole nature, in order to be a perfect Savior. As a man, Jesus was the King of men. No words can describe that character in which such firmness and gentleness, such dignity and humility, such enthusiasm and calmness, such wisdom and simplicity, such holiness and charity, such justice and mercy, such sympathy with heaven and with earth, such love to God and love to man blended in perfect harmony. Nothing in it was redundant, and nothing was wanting. The world had never produced, nor even conceived of such a character, and its portraiture in the gospels is a proof of their divine origin, which the infidel cannot gainsay. Could the whole human race, of all ages, kindreds, and tongues, be assembled to see the crucified Redeemer as he is, and compare earth's noblest benefactors with Him, there would be but one voice among them. Every crown of glory and every meed of praise would be given to Him who alone is worthy-for perfection of character, for love to mankind, for sacrifices endured, and for benefits bestowed. His glory will forever be celebrated as the Friend of man; the Lamb sacrificed for us.
The visit of JESUS CHRIST to the earth has made it forever glorious above less favored worlds, and forms the most signal event in its annals. The time of his birth is commemorated by the Christian era, the first year of which corresponds to about the year 753 from the building of Rome. It is generally conceded, however, that the Savior was born at least four years before A. D. 1, and four thousand years after the creation of Adam. His public ministry commenced when he was thirty years of age; and continued, according to the received opinion, three and a half years. Respecting his ancestors, see GENEALOGY.
The life of the Redeemer must be studied in the four gospels, where it was recorded under the guidance of supreme wisdom. Many efforts have been made, with valuable results, to arrange the narrations of the evangelists in the true order of time. But as neither of the gospels follows the exact course of events, many incidents are very indeterminate, and are variously arranged by different harmonists. No one, however, has been more successful than Dr. Robinson in his valuable "Harmony of the Gospels".
The divine wisdom is conspicuous not only in what is taught us respecting the life of Jesus, but in what is withheld. Curiosity, and the higher motives of warm affection, raise numerous questions to which the gospels give no reply; and in proportion as men resort to dubious traditions, they lose the power of a pure and spiritual gospel. See further, concerning Christ, MESSIAH, REDEEMER, etc.
Jesus was not an uncommon name among the Jews. It was the name of the father of Elymas the sorcerer, Ac 13:6; and of Justus, a fellow-laborer and friend of Paul, Col 4:11. It is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, or Jeshua, borne by the high priest in Ezra's time, and by the well-known leader of the Jews in to the Promised Land. See also 1Sa 6:14; 2Ki 23:8. The Greek form of the word, Jesus, is twice used in the New Testament when Joshua the son of Nun is intended, Ac 7:45; Heb 4:8.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
and she shall bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.
which also our fathers receiving it in succession brought with Joshua into the possession of the nations, whom God expelled before the face of our fathers till the days of David;
And having gone through the whole island to Paphos, they found a certain magian, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus,
whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ, according to the flesh. He who is over all is God blessed forever, amen.
Fausets
(See JESUS.) ("Jehovah salvation"); for "He Himself (autos, not merely like Joshua He is God's instrument to save) saves His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). CHRIST, Greek; MESSIAH, Hebrew, "anointed" (1Sa 2:10; Ps 2:2,6 margin; Da 9:25-26). Prophets, priests, and kings (Ex 30:30; 1Ki 19:15-16) were anointed, being types of Him who combines all three in Himself (De 18:18; Zec 6:13). "By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are being sanctified" (Heb 10:5,7,14; 7:25). "Christ," or the Messiah, was looked for by all Jews as "He who should come" (Mt 11:3) according to the Old Testament prophets. Immanuel "God with us" declares His Godhead; also Joh 1:1-18. (See IMMANUEL.) The New Testament shows that Jesus is the Christ (Mt 22:42-45).
Jesus is His personal name, "Christ" is His title. Appropriately, in undesigned confirmation of the Gospels, Acts, and epistles, the question throughout the Gospels is, whether Jesus is "The" (the article is always in the Greek) Christ (Mt 16:16; Joh 6:69), so in the first ministry of the word in Acts (Ac 2:36; 9:22; 10:38; 17:3). When His Messiahship became recognized "Christ" was used as His personal designation; so in the epistles.
Christ implies His consecration and qualification for the work He undertook, namely, by His unction with the Holy Spirit, of which the Old Testament oil anointings were the type; in the womb (Lu 1:35), and especially at His baptism, when the Holy Spirit (as a dove) abode on Him (Mt 3:16; Joh 1:32-33). Transl. Ps 45:7; "O God (the Son), Thy God (the Father) hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows." Full of this unction without measure (Joh 3:34) He preached at Nazareth as the Fulfiller of the scripture He read (Isa 61:1-3), giving "the oil of joy for mourning," "good tidings unto the meek" (Lu 4:17-21). Jesus' claim to be Messiah or "the Christ of God" (Lu 9:20), i.e. the anointed of the Father to be king of the earth (Ps 2:6-12; Re 11:15; 12:10), rests:
(1) On His fulfilling all the prophecies concerning Messiah, so far as His work has been completed, the earnest of the full completion; take as instances Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Micah 5; Ho 6:2-3; Ge 49:10, compare Luke 2; "the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy" (Re 19:10; Lu 24:26,44-46; Ac 3:22-25).
(2) On His miracles (Joh 7:31; 5:36; 10:25,38). Miracles alleged in opposition, or addition, to Scripture cannot prove a divine mission (2Th 2:9; De 13:1-3; Mt 24:24), but when confirmed by Scripture they prove it indisputably.
Son of David expresses His title to David's throne over Israel and Judah yet to be (Lu 1:32-33). "King of Israel" (Joh 1:49), "King of the Jews" (Mt 2:2; 21:5), "King of Zion." As son of David He is David's "offspring"; as "root of David" (in His divine nature) He is David's "lord" (Re 22:16, compare Mt 22:42-45). His claim to the kingship was the charge against Him before Pilate (Joh 18:37; 19:3,12). The elect of God (Lu 23:35, compare Isa 42:1). The inspired summary of His life is, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him" (Ac 10:38). To be "in Christ," which occurs upward of 70 times in Paul's epistles, is not merely to copy but to be in living union with Him (1Co 15:18; 2Co 12:2), drawn from Christ's own image (Joh 15:1-10). In Christ God is manifested as He is, and man as he ought to be. Our fallen race lost the knowledge of man as utterly as they lost the knowledge of God.
Humanity in Christ is generic (1Co 15:45,47), as the second "man" or "last Adam," "the Son of man" (a title used in New Testament only by Himself of Himself, except in Stephen's dying speech, Ac 7:56; from Da 7:13; marking at once His humiliation as man's representative Head, and His consequent glorification in the same nature: Mt 20:28; 26:64.) Sinless Himself, yet merciful to sinners; meek under provocation, yet with refined sensibility; dignified, yet without arrogance; pure Himself, yet with a deep insight into evil; Christ is a character of human and divine loveliness such as man could never have invented; for no man has ever conceived, much less attained, such a standard; see His portraiture, Mt 12:15-20. Even His own brethren could not understand His withdrawal into Galilee, as, regarding Him like other men, they took it for granted that publicity was His aim (Joh 7:3-4; contrast Joh 5:44). Jesus was always more accessible than His disciples, they all rebuked the parents who brought their infants for Him to bless (Lu 18:15-17), they all would have sent the woman of Canaan away.
But He never misunderstood nor discouraged any sincere seeker, contrast Mt 20:31 with Mt 20:24-32. Earthly princes look greatest at a distance, surrounded with pomp; but He needed no earthly state, for the more closely He is viewed the more He stands forth in peerless majesty, sinless and divine. (On His miracles, see MIRACLES and on His parables, see PARABLES.) He rested His teaching on His own authority, and the claim was felt by all, through some mysterious power, to be no undue one (Mt 7:29). He appeals to Scripture as His own: "Behold I send unto you prophets," etc. (Mt 23:34; in Lu 11:49, "the Wisdom of God said, I will send them prophets".) His secret spring of unstained holiness, yet tender sympathy, was His constant communion with God; at all times, so that He was never alone (Joh 16:32), "rising up a great while before day, in a solitary place" (Mr 1:35).
Luke tells us much of His prayers: "He continued all night in prayer to God," before ordaining the twelve (Lu 6:12); it was as He was "praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended, and (the Father's) voice came from heaven, Thou art My beloved Son," etc. (Lu 3:22); it was "as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering" (Lu 9:29); when the angel strengthened Him in Gethsemane, "in an agony He prayed more earnestly," using the additional strength received not to refresh Himself after His exhausting conflict, but to strive in supplication, His example confirming His precept, Lu 13:24 (Lu 22:44; Heb 5:7). His Father's glory, not His own, was His absorbing aim (Joh 8:29,50; 7:18); from His childhood when at 12 years old (for it was only in His 12th year that Archelaus was banished and His parents ventured to bring Him to the Passover: Josephus, Ant. 17:15) His first recorded utterance was, "Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" or else "in My Father's places" (Lu 2:49; Ps 40:6,8).
Little is recorded of His childhood, but as much as the Spirit saw it safe for us to know; so prone is man to lose sight of Christ's main work, to fulfill the law and pay its penalty in our stead. The reticence of Scripture as remarkably shows God's inspiration of it as its records and revelations. Had the writers been left to themselves, they would have tried to gratify our natural curiosity about His early years. But a veil is drawn over all the rest of His sayings for the first 30 years. "He waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom ... He increased in wisdom" (Lu 2:40,52), which proves that He had a" reasonable soul" capable of development, as distinct from His Godhead; Athanasian Creed: "perfect God and perfect man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting." His tender considerateness for His disciples after their missionary journey, and His compassion for the fainting multitudes, outweighing all thought; of His own repose when He was weary, and when others would have been impatient of their retirement being intruded on (Mr 6:30-37), are lovely examples of His human, and at the same time superhuman, sympathy (Heb 4:15). Then how utterly void was He of resentment for wrongs.
When apprehended, instead of sharing the disciples' indignation He rebuked it; instead of rejoicing in His enemy's suffering, He removed it (Lu 22:50-51); instead of condemning His murderers He prayed for them: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Lu 23:34). What exquisite tact and tenderness appear in His dealing with the woman of Samaria (John 4), as He draws the spiritual lesson from
See Verses Found in Dictionary
and she shall bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.
Where is the king of the Jews born? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.
and coming into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they presented him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
and was there till the death of Herod; that the word might be fulfilled, which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying; Out of Egypt have I called my son.
But, he refused him, saying, I have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?
But, he refused him, saying, I have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? But Jesus answered and said to him, Suffer me now; for thus, it becomes us to complete all righteousness. Then he suffered him; read more. and Jesus being baptized went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and come upon him.
and Jesus being baptized went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and come upon him. And behold, a voice from the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil.
And the tempter came and said to him, If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.
Then the devil took him into the holy city, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,
AND when he heard that John was delivered up, he departed to Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he came and lived at Capernaum on the lake, in the bounds of Zebulon and Naphtali, read more. that the word might be fulfilled, spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying; Land of Zebulon and Naphtali, by the way of the lake, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shade of death has light arisen. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Change your minds; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Change your minds; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And walking by the lake of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. read more. And he said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishermen of men. And they left their nets, immediately, and followed him. And going forward thence, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
for he taught them as having authority, and not as their scribes.
And Jesus coming into the house of Peter, saw his wife's mother lying and sick with a fever.
that the word might be fulfilled spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying; He took our infirmities and bore our diseases. And Jesus seeing great multitudes around him commanded them to go away to the other side.
And he said to them, Why are you afraid, men of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the lake, and there was a great calm.
And when he had come to the other side, into the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no man could pass that way.
And when they persecute you in one city, flee to another. For I tell you truly, that you will not finish the cities of Israel till the Son of man shall come.
But Jesus knowing it departed thence, and great multitudes followed him; and he cured them all, and charged them not to make him known; read more. that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying; Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased; I will put my spirit on him, and he shall declare judgment to the nations. He shall not strive nor cry aloud, nor shall any one hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and a smoking flax shall be not extinguish, till he sends forth judgment to victory.
But the Pharisees hearing it, said, This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, a ruler of the demons.
But the Pharisees hearing it, said, This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, a ruler of the demons.
And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
But he turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense to me! For you regard not the things of God, but those of men.
And the ten hearing this were displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him, and said, You know that the rulers of the gentiles exercise lordship over them, and the great exercise authority over them; but it shall not be so among you. read more. But whoever wishes to be great among you, let him be your minister; and whoever wishes to be first among you, let him be your servant, as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. AND as they proceeded from Jericho a great multitude followed him. read more. And behold two blind men who sat by the way, hearing that Jesus was passing by cried, saying, Have mercy on us Lord, Son of David! And the multitude charged them to be still; but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us Lord, Son of David!
And the multitude charged them to be still; but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us Lord, Son of David! And Jesus stopped, and called them and said, What do you wish me to do for you?
Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king comes to you, meek, seated on an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and cast out all that sold and bought in the temple, and overturned the tables of the brokers, and the seats of those that sold doves,
saying, What do you think of the Christ? whose son is he? They said to him, David's.
saying, What do you think of the Christ? whose son is he? They said to him, David's. He said to them, How then does David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
He said to them, How then does David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool?
The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool? If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?
Therefore, behold, I send you prophets, and wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city;
For false Christs and false prophets shall be raised up, and shall show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Jesus said to him, As you say; but I tell you that hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.
and saying, You that destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself. If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.
And the Spirit immediately drove him into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the beasts; and the angels waited on him. read more. And after John was delivered up Jesus came into Galilee preaching the good news of God,
And after John was delivered up Jesus came into Galilee preaching the good news of God, saying, The time is completed, and the kingdom of God is at hand; change your minds and believe in the good news.
saying, The time is completed, and the kingdom of God is at hand; change your minds and believe in the good news. And passing along by the lake of Galilee, he saw Simon, and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting [a net] into the lake, for they were fishermen. read more. And Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishermen of men. And immediately leaving their nets they followed him. And proceeding a little further on he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; and they were in the ship mending the nets; and he immediately called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired men, they went away after him.
and he immediately called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired men, they went away after him.
saying, What have you to do with us, Jesus Nazarene? have you come to destroy us? We know you who you are, the holy [Son] of God!
And at evening when the sun went down they brought to him all that were sick, and the demoniacs; and the whole city was assembled at the door. read more. And he healed many that were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons, and suffered not the demons to say that they knew him.
And he healed many that were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons, and suffered not the demons to say that they knew him. And in the morning while it was quite dark he arose and went out, and departed to a solitary place, and there prayed.
AND entering again into Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was in the house.
And Jesus immediately knowing in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, Why do you reason in your minds?
And passing by he saw Levi, the son of Alpheus, sitting at the custom house, and said to him, Follow me; and he arose and followed him. And he was reclining in his house, and many publicans and sinners also reclined with Jesus and his disciples, for many also followed him. read more. And the scribes and Pharisees seeing him eating with sinners and publicans, said to his disciples, Why does he eat and drink with sinners and publicans? And Jesus hearing it, said to them, The well need not a physician, but the ill; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
and crying with a loud voice, said, What have you to do with me, Jesus, son of the most high God? I adjure you, by God, not to torment me.
And the apostles came together to Jesus and reported to him all things, both what they had done and what instructions they had given. And he said to them, Come to a solitary place by yourselves, and rest a little; for many were coming and going, and there was no convenient time to eat. read more. And they went away to a solitary place in the ship by themselves. And many saw them going, and knew them; and they ran together there from all the cities on foot, and went before them. And going out he saw a great multitude, and had compassion on them, for they were as sheep not having a shepherd; and he taught them much. And when much time had already passed, his disciples came to him and said, This is a solitary place, and much time has already passed; dismiss them, that they may go to the farms and villages around, and buy them something to eat. And he answered and said to them, Give them something to eat. And they said to him, Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii [$28] worth of bread, and give them to eat?
it seemed good to me also, having traced all things accurately from the first, to write in order to you, most excellent Theophilus,
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give him the throne of David his father, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you; and on that account the holy child shall be called the Son of God.
And there were shepherds in that country staying in the fields and watching their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. read more. And the angel said to them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good news of a great joy, which shall be for all people. For to you was born to-day in the city of David, a Saviour who is the anointed Lord. And this shall be a sign to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in bandages, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest [heavens], on earth peace, and among men good will! And when the angels had departed from them to heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go now to Bethlehem, and see this thing which has occurred, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came in haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it they related the word spoken to them concerning this child; and all who heard wondered at the things told them by the shepherds.
And the little child grew, and became strong, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon it.
And he said to them, Why did you seek me? did you not know that I must be in [the courts] of my father?
And he said to them, Why did you seek me? did you not know that I must be in [the courts] of my father?
and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove upon him; and there was a voice from heaven, saying, You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.
And Jesus answered and said to him, It is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him alone shall you serve.
And Jesus returned with the power of the Spirit to Galilee; and his fame went out into all the region around. And he taught in their synagogues, glorified by all.
And he taught in their synagogues, glorified by all. And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up, and entered, according to his custom on the sabbath day, into the synagogue, and stood up to read.
And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up, and entered, according to his custom on the sabbath day, into the synagogue, and stood up to read. And the book of Isaiah the prophet was given to him. And unrolling the book he found the place where it was written, read more. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim a release to the captives, and a recovery of sight to the blind, to send the oppressed away free, to proclaim an acceptable year of the Lord. And folding up the book, he gave it to the minister, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were steadfastly fixed upon him. And he said to them, To-day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
And there was a man in the synagogue having a spirit of an impure demon; and he cried with a loud voice, Alas! what have you to do with us, Jesus Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy [Son] of God! read more. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hush! and come out of him. And the demon casting him into the midst came out of him, doing him no injury. And they were all amazed, and talked with each other, saying, What word is this, that with authority and power he commands the impure spirits, and they come out? And a report of him went abroad into every place in the country about. And going up from the synagogue he entered into the house of Simon. And Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a violent fever; and they asked him in her behalf. And standing over her he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she immediately arose and waited on them. And when the sun went down, all who had friends sick with various diseases brought them to him; and putting his hands on each one of them he cured them; and demons also went out of many, crying and saying, You are the Son of God! And he rebuked them, and charged them not to say that they knew him to be the Christ.
And as the multitude pressed upon him to hear the word of God, and he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,
And as the multitude pressed upon him to hear the word of God, and he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats standing by the lake; and the fishermen having gone out of them were washing their nets. read more. And entering into one of the ships, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land, and sat down and taught the multitudes from the ship. And when he ceased speaking, he said to Simon, Put out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answered and said to him, Master, we have labored all night and taken nothing; but at your word I will let down the net. And doing this he enclosed a great number of fishes; and their net broke. And he made signs to his companions in the other ship to come and help him; and they came, and filled both ships, so that they began to sink.
And he made signs to his companions in the other ship to come and help him; and they came, and filled both ships, so that they began to sink. And Simon Peter seeing it fell on his knees to Jesus, saying, Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man. read more. For he was amazed, and all that were with him, at the draught of fishes which they had taken. So also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Fear not; from this time you shall take men.
AND on one of those days he was teaching, and the Pharisees and teachers of the law were present, having come from every village of Galilee, and of Judea, and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present to cure them.
And the Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, Why do you eat and drink with publicans?
AND in those days he went out on the mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God.
And he said to them, Who do you say that I am? And Peter answered and said, The Christ of God.
And while he was praying, the appearance of his face was changed, and his clothes became white and shining;
AND when the days were completed for his being taken up, he set his face firmly to go to Jerusalem.
Therefore also the wisdom of God said, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall kill and persecute,
Strive to enter in by the narrow gate; for many, I tell you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
And they brought him also infants, that he should touch them; and the disciples seeing it reproved them. But Jesus calling them, said, Suffer the little children to come to me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. read more. I tell you truly, that whoever receives not the kingdom of God as a little child, shall by no means enter into it.
And an angel appeared to him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was like large drops of blood falling down to the ground.
And one of them struck the servant of the chief priest, and took off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, Suffer even this; and touching his ear he healed him.
And Pilate said to the chief priests, and the multitudes, I find no fault with this man.
And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And distributing his garments they cast lots [for them]. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed, saying, He saved others; if this is the Christ, the elect of God, let him save himself.
But the other answered and rebuked him, and said, Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence? and we indeed justly, for we receive the desert of our doings; but this man has done nothing amiss. read more. And he said, Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom. And he said to him, I tell you truly, to-day you shall be with me in paradise.
And the centurion seeing what was done, glorified God, saying, Truly this was a righteous man.
Ought not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?
And he said to them, These are my words which I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all things written in the law of Moses, and Prophets, and Psalms, concerning me, must be fully accomplished. Then he opened their understanding to understand the Scriptures, read more. and said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise from the dead on the third day,
IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This [Word] was in the beginning with God. read more. All things existed through him, and without him not one thing existed, which existed. In him was life, and the life was the light of men; and the light shone in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man, sent by God, whose name was John. This man came for a testimony, to testify of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but to testify of the light. The light was the true [light] which lights every man that comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world existed through him, and the world knew him not. He came to his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, to them that believe on his name, who are born not of superior blood, nor of a will of the flesh, nor of a will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and tabernacled with us and we beheld his glory, a glory as of an only child with a father, full of grace and truth. John testified of him, and cried, saying, This is the one of whom I said, He that comes after me existed before me, for he was before me. For we all have received of his fullness, and grace for grace; for the law was given by Moses, the grace and truth were by Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he declared [him].
And I knew him not; but that he might be made manifest to Israel, for this reason have I come baptizing with water. And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descend like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.
And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descend like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. And I knew him not, but he that sent me to baptize with water, he said to me, On whom you see the Spirit descend and remain on him, this is he that baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
And I knew him not, but he that sent me to baptize with water, he said to me, On whom you see the Spirit descend and remain on him, this is he that baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
On the next day he wished to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, Follow me.
Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.
Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.
Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.
AND on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
Then the Jews answered and said to him, What sign do you show us, that you do these things? Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it. read more. Then the Jews said to him, Forty-six years was this temple being built, and will you raise it in three days?
AFTER these things Jesus and his disciples came into the country of Judea; and there he staid with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing at AEnon, near Salim, because there were many waters there; and they came and were baptized, read more. for John was not yet cast into prison.
for John was not yet cast into prison. Then there was a controversy of the disciples of John with a Jew concerning purification. read more. And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you testified, behold, this [man] baptizes and all men come to him.
For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives not the Spirit by measure.
When, therefore, the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
When, therefore, the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, though Jesus himself indeed baptized not, but his disciples,
though Jesus himself indeed baptized not, but his disciples, he left Judea and departed again to Galilee.
he left Judea and departed again to Galilee. And it was necessary that he should pass through Samaria. read more. He came, therefore, to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the lot which Jacob gave his son Joseph. And Jacob's well was there. Jesus, therefore, being fatigued with travelling sat thus by the well; it was about the sixth hour [noon]. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, Give me a drink; for his disciples had gone away into the city to buy provisions. Then the Samaritan woman said to him, How do you, being a Jew, ask a drink of me, who am a Samaritan? for the Jews do no business with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. The woman said to him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; whence then have you the living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and who drank of it himself, and his sons, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said to her, Every one that drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water which I will give him shall never thirst; but the water which I will give him shall be in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life. The woman said to him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, nor come here to draw. He said to her, Go and call your husband, and come here. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, You have said well, I have no husband; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband. In this you have spoken truly. The woman said to him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and you say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus said to her, Believe me, woman, the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, you shall worship the Father. You worship what you know not; we worship what we know; for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and those that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. The woman said to him, I know that the Messiah is coming, called Christ; when he comes he will tell us all things. Jesus said to her, I that speak to you am [the Messiah]. And upon this his disciples came, and wondered that he talked with the woman; but no one said to him, What do you seek? or why do you talk with her? Then the woman left her bucket, and went to the city, and said to the men, Come and see a man who has told me all things which I have done; is this the Christ? They came out from the city and came to him. In the meantime the disciples asked him saying, Rabbi, eat. But he said to them, I have food to eat which you know not of. Then the disciples said one to another, Has any one brought him food to eat? Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Do you not say, There are yet four months, and the harvest comes? behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and see the fields; for they are white for a harvest.
Do you not say, There are yet four months, and the harvest comes? behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and see the fields; for they are white for a harvest. Already he that reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for life eternal, that he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together. read more. For in this is the saying true; He that sows is one, and he that reaps is another. I have sent you to reap that on which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor. And many of the Samaritans in that city believed on him, on account of the word of the woman, testifying, He told me all things which I have done. When, therefore, the Samaritans came to him, they desired him to remain with them; and he remained there two days. And many more believed on account of his word, and said to the woman, We no longer believe on account of your report, for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is truly the Saviour of the world. AND after two days he departed thence to Galilee.
Then he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.
Then Jesus said to him, Unless you see miracles and prodigies you will not believe.
AFTER these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
AFTER these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
AFTER these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
AFTER these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And there is at Jerusalem, by the sheep-gate, a pool, called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.
And there is at Jerusalem, by the sheep-gate, a pool, called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a multitude of sick, blind, lame, withered.
In these lay a multitude of sick, blind, lame, withered. (Added verse not retained in Sawyer)
(Added verse not retained in Sawyer) And there was a certain man there who had been sick thirty-eight years.
And there was a certain man there who had been sick thirty-eight years. Jesus seeing him lying, and knowing that he had now been sick a long time, said to him, Do you wish to become well?
Jesus seeing him lying, and knowing that he had now been sick a long time, said to him, Do you wish to become well? The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is disturbed, to put me into the pool; but while I am coming another goes down before me.
The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is disturbed, to put me into the pool; but while I am coming another goes down before me. Jesus said to him, Arise, take up your bed and walk.
Jesus said to him, Arise, take up your bed and walk. And the man immediately became well, and took up his bed and walked. That day was the sabbath.
And the man immediately became well, and took up his bed and walked. That day was the sabbath. The Jews, therefore, said to him that was cured, It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry the bed.
The Jews, therefore, said to him that was cured, It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry the bed. He answered them, He that made me well, he said to me, Take up your bed and walk. read more. They asked him, Who is the man that said to you, Take up your bed and walk? And the sick man knew not who it was; for Jesus had gone away, a multitude being in that place. Afterwards Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, Behold, you have become well; sin no more, lest a worse thing happen to you. The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well; and on this account the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he had done these things on the sabbath. But Jesus answered them, My Father works even till now, and I work. Then, for this reason, the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also said, that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Then Jesus answered and said to them, I tell you most truly, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do; for whatever he does, these things also does the Son in like manner.
But I have greater testimony than John's; for the works which the Father has given me to finish, these works which I do, testify of me that the Father has sent me;
How can you believe, receiving glory one from another, and the glory from God alone you seek not?
and we have believed and know that you are the Holy [Son] of God.
And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for he would not walk in Judea because the Jews sought to kill him.
And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for he would not walk in Judea because the Jews sought to kill him.
Then his brothers said to him, Go down from here, and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do; for no one does any thing in secret, and seeks himself to be in public. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.
He that speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he that seeks the glory of him that sent him, this [man] is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
And many of the multitude believed on him, and said, When the Christ comes will he perform more miracles than this man has performed?
And on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any one thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
And when they continued asking him, rising up, he said to them, Let him that has not sinned among you first cast the stone at her.
And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more. THEN Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world; he that follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.
You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one;
and he having sent me is with me, he has not left me alone, for I always do the things which please him.
IT was the dedication at Jerusalem; it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.
Jesus answered them, I have told you and you believe not; the works which I perform in my Father's name, these testify of me;
I and the Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. read more. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shown you from the Father; for which of these works do you stone me? The Jews answered him, We do not stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy, and because you, being a man, make yourself God.
but if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I in the Father.
Father, glorify thy name. Then came a voice from heaven, I have both glorified and will glorify it again.
AND before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own in the world he loved them to the end.
Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied. Jesus said to him, Have I been so long a time with you and have you not known me, Philip? He that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you, Show us the Father? read more. Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words which I speak to you I speak not of myself, but the Father continuing in me, he does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; but if not, believe on account of the works themselves.
I will not speak with you much more; for the ruler of this world comes and has nothing in me;
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away; and every branch that bears fruit he trims, that it may bear more fruit. read more. You are now pure, by means of the word which I have spoken to you; continue in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it continues in the vine, so you cannot, unless you continue in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He that continues in me and I in him, this man bears much fruit; for separated from me, you can do nothing. If any one continues not in me he is cast without as a branch, and is withered; and they collect them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you continue in me, and my words continue in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be [given] you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you; continue in my love. If you keep my commandments you shall continue in my love, as I have kept my Father's commandments and continue in his love.
Behold, the time is coming, and has come, that you shall be scattered every one to his own, and leave me alone; and I am not alone, for the Father is with me.
and led him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year;
But Simon Peter followed Jesus, and the other disciple; and that disciple was known to the chief priest, and went in with Jesus to the chief priest's court;
Then Pilate said to them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said to him, It is not lawful for us to put any one to death;
Then Pilate said to him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, As you say, I am a king. For this was I born, and for this I came into the world, that I should testify to the truth; every one who is of the truth hears my voice.
and came to him and said, Hail, king of the Jews! And they struck him with the open hand.
From that time Pilate sought to release him; but the Jews cried, saying, If you release this man you are not a friend of Caesar; every one who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.
Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly, that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.
Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you, of your brothers, like me; him shall you hear in all things which he shall speak to you; and every soul which will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from the people. read more. And all the prophets, from Samuel and those following him in order, who have spoken, have also announced these days. You are the children of the prophets, and of the promise which God promised to our fathers, saying to Abraham, And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
and Philip going down to a city of Samaria preached Christ to them.
But Saul increased in power and confounded the Jews living at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Jesus from Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and curing all that were subjugated by the devil, for God was with him;
Jesus from Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and curing all that were subjugated by the devil, for God was with him;
explaining and asserting that the Christ ought to suffer and to rise from the dead; and that this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.
We have been buried therefore with him through baptism in death, that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall much more be of his resurrection; read more. knowing this that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that we should no longer serve sin; for he that died was justified from sin. And if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no longer a lordship over him. For [the death] which he died, he died to sin once; but [the life] which he lives, he lives to God. So also account yourselves dead indeed to sin, but living to God in Christ Jesus.
For you see your calling, brothers, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble [are called]; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world has God chosen to put to shame the mighty, read more. and the ignoble things of the world and things that are despised has God chosen, and things that are not, to destroy things that are, that no flesh may glory in the sight of God. But you are of him in Christ Jesus, who has become to us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption, that as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.
and those then who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
And thus it is written; The first man Adam became a living soul; the last Adam is a life-giving spirit.
The first man was from the earth, earthly, the second man is from heaven.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God thought it not a robbery to be equal with God; read more. but he abased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man, and being found in form like a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient even till death, and the death of the cross. Wherefore God also highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of beings in heaven and in the earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
whose coming is according to the power of Satan, with all power and miracles and false prodigies
For we have not a chief priest who cannot sympathise with our infirmities, but one tried in all respects as we are, without sin.
So also Christ did not put on himself the honor of being made a chief priest, but he that said to him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee;
Who in the days of his flesh having offered both prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, with loud cries and tears, [and being heard and delivered] from fear,??8 although he was a Son, learned obedience from what he suffered,
whence also he is able to save forever those who come to God through him, always living to intercede for them. For such a chief priest also was suitable for us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens,
Wherefore, coming into the world, he says, A sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, but a body didst thou prepare me.
Wherefore, coming into the world, he says, A sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, but a body didst thou prepare me.
then I said, Behold, I come,??n the volume of the book it is written of me,??o do thy will, O God.
For by one offering he has perfected forever the sanctified.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might lead us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
Christ therefore having suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that you may no longer live the rest of your time in the flesh according to the desires of men, but according to the will of God.
for all that is in the world, the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and its desires; but he that does the will of God continues for ever.
AND the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, the kingdom of the world has become our Lord's and his Christ's, and he shall reign forever and ever.
AND the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, the kingdom of the world has become our Lord's and his Christ's, and he shall reign forever and ever.
And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, Now has come the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ, for the accuser of the brothers, that accused them day and night before God, has been cast [to the earth].
And I fell before his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See [that you do it] not; I am your fellow-servant and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Hastings
There is no historical task which is more important than to set forth the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, and none to which it is so difficult to do justice. The importance of the theme is sufficiently attested by the fact that it is felt to be His due to reckon a new era from the date of His birth. From the point of view of Christian faith there is nothing in time worthy to be set beside the deeds and the words of One who is adored as God manifest in the flesh, and the Saviour of the world. In the perspective of universal history. His influence ranks with Greek culture and Roman law as one of the three most valuable elements in the heritage from the ancient world, while it surpasses these other factors in the spiritual quality of its effects. On the other hand, the superlative task has its peculiar difficulties. It is quite certain that a modern European makes many mistakes when trying to reproduce the conditions of the distant province of Oriental antiquity in which Jesus lived. The literary documents, moreover, are of no great compass, and are reticent or obscure in regard to many matters which are of capital interest to the modern biographer. And when erudition has done its best with the primary and auxiliary sources, the historian has still to put the heart-searching question whether he possesses the qualifications that would enable him to understand the character, the experience, and the purpose of Jesus. 'He who would worthily write the Life of Jesus Christ must have a pen dipped in the imaginative sympathy of a poet, in the prophet's fire, in the artist's charm and grace, and in the reverence and purity of the saint' (Stewart, The Life of Christ, 1906, p. vi.).
1. The Literary Sources
(A) Canonical
(1) The Gospels and their purpose.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
and Salmon begat Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz begat Obed by Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David the king. And David begat Solomon by the wife of Uriah,
and Jesse begat David the king. And David begat Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon begat Rehoboam, and Rehoboam begat Abijah, and Abijah begat Asa, read more. and Asa begat Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat begat Jehoram, and Jehoram begat Uzziah, and Uzziah begat Jotham, and Jotham begat Ahaz, and Ahaz begat Hezekiah, and Hezekiah begat Manassah, and Manassah begat Amon, and Amon begat Josiah, and Josiah begat Jechoniah and his brothers at the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah begat Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begat Zerubabel, and Zerubabel begat Abiud, and Abiud begat Eliakim, and Eliakim begat Azar, and Azar begat Zadoc, and Zadoc begat Achim, and Achim begat Eliud, and Eliud begat Eleazar, and Eleazar begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, called Christ. All the generations therefore, from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations; and from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; and from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations. The birth of Christ was thus. His mother Mary having been espoused to Joseph, before they came together, was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
The birth of Christ was thus. His mother Mary having been espoused to Joseph, before they came together, was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. But Joseph her husband being a righteous man, and not wishing to make her an example, was designing to put her away privately.
But Joseph her husband being a righteous man, and not wishing to make her an example, was designing to put her away privately. But while he was thinking of these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit,
But while he was thinking of these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit, and she shall bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.
and she shall bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. But all this was done, that the word of the Lord might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying;
But all this was done, that the word of the Lord might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying; Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel; which is interpreted, God is with us.
Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel; which is interpreted, God is with us. And when Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took his wife,
AND Jesus being born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold Magi came from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is the king of the Jews born? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him. read more. And Herod the king hearing this was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ is born. And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet; And you Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the governors of Judah, for out of you shall come a governor who shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, calling the Magi secretly, asked them the precise time when the star appeared; and sending them to Bethlehem, said, Go and inquire diligently for the young child, and when you have found him, tell me, that I also may come and worship him. And hearing the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they saw in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And seeing the star they rejoiced with great joy; and coming into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they presented him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being divinely instructed in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their country another way. And when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy it. And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and fled into Egypt, and was there till the death of Herod; that the word might be fulfilled, which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying; Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod seeing that he was despised by the Magi, was exceedingly angry, and sent and destroyed all the children in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years old and under, according to the precise time which he had learned of the Magi. Thus was fulfilled the word spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted because they were not.
And while he was speaking to the multitudes, behold his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak to him. And some one said to him, Behold your mother and your brothers stand without, desiring to speak to you. read more. And he answered and said to him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brothers? and stretching out his hand to his disciples, he said, Behold my mother, and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
And Jesus coming near spoke to them, saying, All power is given me in heaven and on the earth; go and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; read more. teaching them to keep all things which I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always till the consummation of the world.
THE beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
And those with him hearing of it, went out to take him; for they said, He is beside himself.
Then came his brothers and his mother, and standing without, sent to him to call him.
And he asked them, And who say you that I am? Peter answered and said to him, You are the Christ.
And he was silent, and answered nothing. Again the chief priest asked him, and said to him, Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am; and you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.
and the inscription of his accusation was written, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee, by the name of Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary. read more. And coming in to her, he said, Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you! And she was troubled at his word, and doubted what this salutation meant. And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold you shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give him the throne of David his father, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, since I know not a man? And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you; and on that account the holy child shall be called the Son of God. And behold Elizabeth, your relative, even she is pregnant with a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month to her called barren; for nothing is impossible with God. And Mary said, Behold, I am the servant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her. AND Mary arose in those days and went in haste to the mountainous country, to the city of Juda. And she went unto the house of Zachariah and saluted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Blessed are you among women! and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord has come to me? For, behold, when the voice of your salutation came to my ears, the babe leaped in my womb with exultation. And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be an accomplishment of the words spoken to her by the Lord. And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit exults in God my Saviour; for he has looked on the low condition of his servant; for, behold, from this time all generations shall call me blessed, because the mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; and his mercy is to generations and generations of them that fear him. He has made strong his arm; he has scattered the proud with the thought of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from thrones, and exalted the humble; he has filled the hungry with goods, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, and remembered his mercy, as he said to our fathers, to Abraham and his posterity forever. And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house. And when Elizabeth's time to bear had fully come, she bore a son; and her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy to her, and congratulated her. And they came on the eighth day to circumcise the little child, and called it by the name of its father, Zachariah. And his mother answered and said, No; but he shall be called John. And they said to her, There is no one of your relations who is called by this name; and they made signs to his father, what he wished it to be called. And asking for a writing-tablet, he wrote, saying, His name is John. And all wondered. And his mouth was immediately opened, and his tongue [loosed], and he spoke and blessed God. And fear came on all living around them. All these things were talked of in all the mountainous country of Judea. And all who heard laid them to heart, saying, What then is this child to be? For the hand of the Lord was also with him. And Zachariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people, and raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David his servant; as he said by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old; A salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to perform his mercy with our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, the oath which he swore to Abraham our father, to grant us without fear, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, to serve him in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, little child, shall be called a prophet of the Most High; for you shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, to give a knowledge of salvation to his people, with a forgiveness of sins, on account of the compassionate mercies of our God, by which a morning from on high has visited us, to illuminate those sitting in darkness and the shade of death, to direct our feet in the way of peace. And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, and was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
In those days there went out an ordinance from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of all the world. This first census was taken when Cyrenius was proconsul of Syria.
And there were shepherds in that country staying in the fields and watching their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. read more. And the angel said to them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good news of a great joy, which shall be for all people. For to you was born to-day in the city of David, a Saviour who is the anointed Lord. And this shall be a sign to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in bandages, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest [heavens], on earth peace, and among men good will! And when the angels had departed from them to heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go now to Bethlehem, and see this thing which has occurred, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came in haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it they related the word spoken to them concerning this child; and all who heard wondered at the things told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, revolving them in her mind. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. And when eight days were completed, [the time] to circumcise him, his name was called Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of their purification were completed according to the law of Moses, they carried him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord that every male which is a first born shall be called holy to the Lord,
AND in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being procurator of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Ituria and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias being tetrarch of Abilene,
AND in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being procurator of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Ituria and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias being tetrarch of Abilene,
And Jesus was about thirty years old, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli,
the son of Meleas, the son of Mennas, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up, and entered, according to his custom on the sabbath day, into the synagogue, and stood up to read. And the book of Isaiah the prophet was given to him. And unrolling the book he found the place where it was written, read more. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim a release to the captives, and a recovery of sight to the blind, to send the oppressed away free, to proclaim an acceptable year of the Lord. And folding up the book, he gave it to the minister, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were steadfastly fixed upon him. And he said to them, To-day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And they all bore him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded from his mouth, and said, Is not this the son of Joseph? And he said to them, You will undoubtedly tell me this proverb; Physician, cure yourself; things which we heard were done in Capernaum, do also here in your own country. And he said, I tell you truly, that no prophet is acceptable in his own country. I also tell you of a truth, that there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, so that there was a great famine over all the land; and to none of them was Elijah sent, but to Sarepta, of Sidon, to a widow woman. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian. And all in the synagogue when they heard these things were filled with wrath; and they arose and cast him out of the city, and led him even to the brow of the mountain on which the city was built, to precipitate him down. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
AND when the days were completed for his being taken up, he set his face firmly to go to Jerusalem.
And after these things the Lord designated seventy others also, and sent them out, two by two, before his face, into every city and place where he was about to come. And he said to them, The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers few; pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to thrust out laborers into his harvest. read more. Go; behold I send you as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry neither a purse, nor provision sack, nor sandals; and salute no one by the way. And into whatever house you enter, first say, Peace to this house! And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking the things with them; for the laborer is worthy of his reward. Go not about from house to house. And into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and cure the sick in it, and say to them, The kingdom of God has come nigh to you. And into whatever city you enter, and they receive you not, going out into its streets, say, Even the dust of your city which adheres to our feet we wipe off for you; but know this, that the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in that day than for that city. Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in you, they would long ago have changed their minds, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment, than for you. And you, Capernaum, even to heaven will you be exalted? even to hades shall you be cast down. He that hears you, hears me; and he that rejects you, rejects me; and he that rejects me, rejects him that sent me. And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us by your name. And he said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and on all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means injure you; but in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
There are not found returning to give glory to God any but this stranger. And he said to him, Arise and go; your faith has cured you.
I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than that; for every one that exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
And when he came near and saw the city he wept over it, saying, O, that you had known, even you, and indeed in this your day, the things which are for your peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. read more. For days of [trouble] will come upon you, and your enemies shall throw an embankment around you, and shut you in, and press you on every side, and destroy you and your children with you, and not leave stone upon stone in you; because you knew not the time of your visitation.
IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and tabernacled with us and we beheld his glory, a glory as of an only child with a father, full of grace and truth.
Then the Jews said to him, Forty-six years was this temple being built, and will you raise it in three days?
He who saw has testified, and his testimony is true, for he knows that he says what is true, that you also may believe.
This is the disciple who testifies of these things and has written them; and we know that his testimony is true.
and also if she is separated let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to the husband, and let not a husband leave his wife.
For I received of the Lord, what I also delivered to you; that on the night in which he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread
For we have not a chief priest who cannot sympathise with our infirmities, but one tried in all respects as we are, without sin.
Who in the days of his flesh having offered both prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, with loud cries and tears, [and being heard and delivered] from fear,??8 although he was a Son, learned obedience from what he suffered,
For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when this voice was brought to him from the magnificent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Smith
Je'sus Christ.
The life and character of Jesus Christ, says Dr. Schaff, "is the holy of holies in the history of the world."
1. NAME. --The name Jesus signifies saviour. It is the Greek form of JEHOSHUA (Joshua). The name Christ signifies anointed. Jesus was both priest and king. Among the Jews priests were anointed, as their inauguration to their office.
See Jehoshua
In the New Testament the name Christ is used as equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah (anointed),
Joh 1:41
the name given to the long-promised Prophet and King whom the Jews had been taught by their prophets to expect.
The use of this name, as applied to the Lord, has always a reference to the promises of the prophets. The name of Jesus is the proper name of our Lord, and that of Christ is added to identify him with the promised Messiah. Other names are sometimes added to the names Jesus Christ, thus, "Lord," "a king," "King of Israel," "Emmanuel," "Son of David," "chosen of God." II. BIRTH. --Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, God being his father, at Bethlehem of Judea, six miles south of Jerusalem. The date of his birth was most probably in December, B.C. 5, four years before the era from which we count our years. That era was not used till several hundred years after Christ. The calculations were made by a learned monk, Dionysius Exiguus, in the sixth century, who made an error of four years; so that to get the exact date from the birth of Christ we must add four years to our usual dates; i.e. A.D. 1882 is really 1886 years since the birth of Christ. It is also more than likely that our usual date for Christmas, December 25, is not far from the real date of Christ's birth. Since the 25th of December comes when the longest night gives way to the returning sun on his triumphant march, it makes an appropriate anniversary to make the birth of him who appeared in the darkest night of error and sin as the true Light of the world. At the time of Christ's birth Augustus Caesar was emperor of Rome, and Herod the Great king of Judea, but subject of Rome. God's providence had prepared the world for the coming of Christ, and this was the fittest time in all its history.
1. All the world was subject to one government, so that the apostles could travel everywhere: the door of every land was open for the gospel.
2. The world was at peace, so that the gospel could have free course.
3. The Greek language was spoken everywhere with their other languages.
4. The Jews were scattered everywhere with synagogues and Bibles. III. EARLY LIFE. --Jesus, having a manger at Bethlehem for his cradle, received a visit of adoration from the three wise men of the East. At forty days old he was taken to the temple at Jerusalem; and returning to Bethlehem, was soon taken to Egypt to escape Herod's massacre of the infants there. After a few months stay there, Herod having died in April, B.C. 4, the family returned to their Nazareth home, where Jesus lived till he was about thirty years old, subject to his parent, and increasing "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." The only incident recorded of his early life is his going up to Jerusalem to attend the passover when he was twelve years old, and his conversation with the learned men in the temple. But we can understand the childhood and youth of Jesus better when we remember the surrounding influences amid which he grew.
1. The natural scenery was rugged and mountainous, but full of beauty. He breathed the pure air. He lived in a village, not in a city.
2. The Roman dominion was irksome and galling. The people of God were subject to a foreign yoke. The taxes were heavy. Roman soldiers, laws, money, every reminded them of their subjection, when they ought to be free and themselves the rulers of the world. When Jesus was ten years old, there was a great insurrection,
in Galilee. He who was to be King of the Jews heard and felt all this.
3. The Jewish hopes of a Redeemer, of throwing off their bondage, of becoming the glorious nation promised in the prophet, were in the very air he breathed. The conversation at home and in the streets was full of them.
4. Within his view, and his boyish excursions, were many remarkable historic places, --rivers, hills, cities, plains, --that would keep in mind the history of his people and God's dealings with them.
5. His school training. Mr. Deutsch, in the Quarterly Review, says, "Eighty years before Christ, schools flourished throughout the length and the breadth of the land: education had been made compulsory. While there is not a single term for 'school' to be found before the captivity, there were by that time about a dozen in common usage. Here are a few of the innumerable popular sayings of the period: 'Jerusalem was destroyed because the instruction of the young was neglected.' 'The world is only saved by the breath of the school-children.' 'Even for the rebuilding of the temple the schools must not be interrupted.'"
6. His home training. According to Ellicott, the stages of Jewish childhood were marked as follows: "At three the boy was weaned, and word for the first time the fringed or tasselled garment prescribed by
and Deut 22:12 His education began at first under the mother's care. At five he was to learn the law, at first by extracts written on scrolls of the more important passages, the Shema or creed of
De 2:4
the Hallel or festival psalms, Psal 114, 118, 136, and by catechetical teaching in school. At twelve he became more directly responsible for his obedience of the law; and on the day when he attained the age of thirteen, put on for the first time the phylacteries which were worn at the recital of his daily prayer." In addition to this, Jesus no doubt learned the carpenter's trade of his reputed father Joseph, and, as Joseph probably died before Jesus began his public ministry, he may have contributed to the support of his mother. (IV. PUBLIC MINISTRY. --All the leading events recorded of Jesus' life are given at the end of this volume in the Chronological Chart and in the Chronological Table of the life of Christ; so that here will be given only a general survey. Jesus began to enter upon his ministry when he was "about thirty years old;" that is, he was not very far from thirty, older or younger. He is regarded as nearly thirty-one by Andrews (in the tables of chronology referred to above) and by most others. Having been baptized by John early in the winter of 26-27, he spent the larger portion of his year in Judea and about the lower Jordan, till in December he went northward to Galilee through Samaria. The next year and a half, from December, A.D. 27, to October or November, A.D. 29, was spent in Galilee and norther Palestine, chiefly in the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee. In November, 29, Jesus made his final departure from Galilee, and the rest of his ministry was in Judea and Perea, beyond Jordan, till his crucifixion, April 7, A.D. 30. After three days he proved his divinity by rising from the dead; and after appearing on eleven different occasions to his disciples during forty days, he finally ascended to heaven, where he is the living, ever present, all-powerful Saviour of his people. Jesus Christ, being both human and divine, is fitted to be the true Saviour of men. In this, as in every action and character, he is shown to be "the wisdom and power of God unto salvation." As human, he reaches down to our natures, sympathizes with us, shows us that God knows all our feelings and weaknesses and sorrows and sins, brings God near to us, who otherwise could not realize the Infinite and Eternal as a father and friend. He is divine, in order that he may be an all-powerful, all-loving Saviour, able and willing to defend us from every enemy, to subdue all temptations, to deliver from all sin, and to bring each of his people, and the whole Church, into complete and final victory. Jesus Christ is the centre of the world's history, as he is the centre of the Bible. --ED.)
See Verses Found in Dictionary
he first found his brother Simon, and said to him, We have found the Messiah; which is interpreted, Christ [Anointed].
After him arose Judas the Galilean, in the days of the census, and drew away people after him; and he was destroyed, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.
Paul said, John indeed baptized [administered] the baptism of a change of mind, telling the people to believe on him that was to come after him, that is, on Jesus.
Watsons
JESUS CHRIST, the son of God, the Messiah, and Saviour of the world, the first and principal object of the prophecies, prefigured and promised in the Old Testament, expected and desired by the patriarchs; the hope of the Gentiles; the glory, salvation, and consolation of Christians. The name Jesus, or, as the Hebrews pronounce it, ??????, Jehoshua or Joshua, '??????, signifies, he who shall save. No one ever bore this name with so much justice, nor so perfectly fulfilled the signification of it, as Jesus Christ, who saves even from sin and hell, and hath merited heaven for us by the price of his blood. It is not necessary here to narrate the history of our Saviour's life, which can no where be read with advantage except in the writings of the four evangelists; but there are several general views which require to be noticed under this article.
1. Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ or Messiah promised under the Old Testament. That he professed himself to be that Messiah to whom all the prophets gave witness, and who was, in fact, at the time of his appearing, expected by the Jews; and that he was received under that character by his disciples, and by all Christians ever since, is certain. And if the Old Testament Scriptures afford sufficiently definite marks by which the long announced Christ should be infallibly known at his advent, and these presignations are found realized in our Lord, then is the truth of his pretensions established. From the books of the Old Testament we learn that the Messiah was to authenticate his claim by miracles; and in those predictions respecting him, so many circumstances are recorded, that they could meet only in one person; and so, if they are accomplished in him, they leave no room for doubt, as far as the evidence of prophecy is deemed conclusive. As to MIRACLES, we refer to that article; here only observing, that if the miraculous works wrought by Christ were really done, they prove his mission, because, from their nature, and having been wrought to confirm his claim to be the Messiah, they necessarily imply a divine attestation. With respect to PROPHECY, the principles under which its evidence must be regarded as conclusive will be given under that head; and here therefore it will only be necessary to show the completion of the prophecies of the sacred books of the Jews relative to the Messiah in one person, and that person the founder of the Christian religion.
The time of the Messiah's appearance in the world, as predicted in the Old Testament, is defined, says Keith, by a number of concurring circumstances, which fix it to the very date of the advent of Christ. The last blessing of Jacob to his sons, when he commanded them to gather themselves together that he might tell them what should befall them in the last days, contains this prediction concerning Judah: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be," Ge 49:10, The date fixed by this prophecy for the coming of Shiloh, or the Saviour, was not to exceed the time during which the descendants of Judah were to continue a united people, while a king should reign among them, while they should be governed by their own laws, and while their judges should be from among their brethren. The prophecy of Malachi adds another standard for measuring the time: "Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall come suddenly to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts," Mal 3:1. No words can be more expressive of the coming of the promised Messiah; and they as clearly imply his appearance in the second temple before it should be destroyed. In regard to the advent of the Messiah before the destruction of the second temple, the words of Haggai are remarkably explicit: "The desire of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of Hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former, and in this place will I give peace," Hag 2:7. The Saviour was thus to appear, according to the prophecies of the Old Testament, during the time of the continuance of the kingdom of Judah, previous to the demolition of the temple, and immediately subsequent to the next prophet. But the time is rendered yet more definite. In the prophecies of Daniel, the kingdom of the Messiah is not only foretold as commencing in the time of the fourth monarchy, or Roman empire, but the express number of years that were to precede his coming are plainly intimated: "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sin, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. Know, therefore, and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, unto Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks and threescore and two weeks," Da 9:24-25. Computation by weeks of years was common among the Jews, and every seventh was the sabbatical year; seventy weeks, thus amounted to four hundred and ninety years. In these words the prophet marks the very time, and uses the very name of Messiah, the Prince; so entirety is all ambiguity done away. The plainest inference may be drawn from these prophecies. All of them, while, in every respect, they presuppose the most perfect knowledge of futurity; while they were unquestionably delivered and publicly known for ages previous to the time to which they referred; and while they refer to different contingent and unconnected events, utterly undeterminable and inconceivable by all human sagacity; accord in perfect unison to a single precise period where all their different lines terminate at once,
See Verses Found in Dictionary
the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shade of death has light arisen.