Thematic Bible: Rulers'


Thematic Bible











especially those, who prostitute themselves to sensual infamous passions: who despise magistrates, who being audacious, and insolent, intrepidly calumniate the higher powers; whereas the angels, who are of superiour power and dignity, don't inveigh against one another.











yet these visionary debauchees despise princes, and traduce dignitys. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority





Paul replied, I did not consider, brethren, that he was the high priest. it is indeed written, "thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." Verse ConceptsApologizingethics, socialCivic DutiesHonouring RulersResistanceSelf DefenceMagistratesIs It Really?Attitudes Towards Kings






I think myself happy, king Agrippa, in having this opportunity of vindicating myself in your presence, from every thing the Jews have laid to my charge: Verse ConceptsRejoicing In ProsperityMan DefendingChanging Yourself














yet these visionary debauchees despise princes, and traduce dignitys. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority



so that he who opposes the ruler, disobeys the orders of God: and will be punished too for resisting, by those very powers. Verse ConceptsdefianceRebellion, Against Human AuthorityCivil GovernmentAnarchyRebellion against GodRespecting Authority


































Pilate therefore willing to humour the people, released to them Barabbas, and having caused Jesus to be scourg'd, he deliver'd him to be crucified. Verse ConceptsFloggingBody Of Christ, Physical SufferingDeath penaltyHumiliationPunishment, Legal Aspects OfPeer PressureBarabbasScourgingWhipsHanding Over ChristBeating JesusWhippingPeople Set Free By Peoplecrucifixion

When Jesus appear'd before the governor, the governor asked him, art thou the king of the Jews? and Jesus answer'd yes. but when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he return'd no answer. whereupon Pilate said to him, don't you hear how many things they lay to your charge? read more.
but he made no answer to any thing he said, so that the governor was very much surpriz'd. Now it was customary at that feast for the governor to release a prisoner, such as the people should nominate. there happen'd to be then in custody a notorious criminal, nam'd Barabbas. therefore when they were assembled, Pilate said to them, who would you have releas'd? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ? for he was sensible that they had delivered him up out of meer envy. Whilst he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent this message to him, pray, have nothing to do with that just man: for to-day I have suffered very much on his account in a dream. but the chief priests and senators persuaded the people to demand Barabbas, and put to death Jesus. the governor therefore having asked, which of the two would you have me release? they said, Barabbas. Pilate replied, what shall I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ? they all cried out, let him be crucified. the governor said, why, what mischief has he done? but they cried out the more, let him be crucified. Pilate perceiving he was so far from prevailing, that they were more tumultuous, he took water, and washed his hands before all the people, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: you are answerable for it. at this all the people cry'd out, "his blood be on us, and on our children." Then he released to them Barabbas: but he order'd Jesus to be scourged, and delivered up to be crucified.





At the same time, some of the Pharisees came to him, and said, get away, retire from hence, for Herod designs to take away your life. but he answered them, go, tell that fox, that to-day and to-morrow I am casting out demons, and performing cures, and the third day my course will be finished:

when Pilate heard of Galilee, he ask'd whether the man were a Galilean. and finding that he belong'd to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was then likewise at Jerusalem. When Herod saw Jesus he was extremely pleased; for he had long desired to see him, having heard much of him, and hoped to see him perform some miracle. read more.
he plyed him therefore with many interrogatories, but Jesus made him no answer, tho' the chief priests and Scribes maintain'd their charge with vehemence. then Herod and his retinue treated him with contempt, and in derision sent him back magnificently dress'd to Pilate. and from that day the enmity that had been between Pilate and Herod ended in friendship. Pilate having order'd the chief priests, the senators, and people to appear, he said to them, you have represented this man to me as one that was stirring up the people to a revolt: you see I have examin'd him in your presence; yet I don't find he is guilty of the crimes you have laid to his charge: no, nor even Herod; for I referr'd you to him, and you see nothing that is capital, has been made out against him.







































About that time, king Herod Agrippa began to persecute some of the church. he caus'd James the brother of John to be beheaded. and perceiving that the Jews were pleas'd with this, he proceeded to secure Peter during the feast of unleavened bread: read more.
having apprehended Peter, he put him into prison, appointing a detachment of sixteen soldiers to guard him, intending to have him brought to publick execution, after Easter. thus Peter was kept in prison, but the Church prayed to God, without ceasing, for him, now the very night preceding the day which Herod design'd for his execution, Peter bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the other guards secured the prison door; when an angel of the Lord suddenly appear'd and fill'd the room with light, and touching Peter on the side, awak'd him, saying, rise, be quick. and immediately his chains fell from his hands. put on your girdle, continu'd the angel, and bind on your sandals: which he did. throw your cloak over you, said the angel, and follow me. so he went out after the angel without knowing that what the angel had done, was real; but thinking it was all a vision. when they had pass'd the first and second guard, they came to the iron-gate that leads to the city, which open'd to them of itself: so they went out and pass'd together thro' one street: when all of a sudden the angel quitted Peter. Then coming to himself; now, said he, I know for certain, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has deliver'd me from the hands of Herod, and from what the Jews were in expectation of. then recollecting where he was, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnam'd Mark, where many were assembled at prayers. when he had knock'd at the door of the gate, a servant named Rhoda came to ask who was there. upon hearing Peter tell his name, instead of opening the gate, she ran, out of joy, to tell them, that Peter was there. are you mad? said they. but she persisting that it was even so, they reply'd, it is then his angel. as Peter still continued knocking, they let him in, and seeing it was he, they were extremely surpriz'd: but he made a sign to them with his hand, to be silent: and related to them, how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. go, said he, and acquaint James and the other brethren with this affair. after which he departed and went to another place. As soon as it was day, the soldiers were in a world of confusion to know what was become of Peter. Herod having caus'd diligent search to be made, without being able to find him, after examining the guards, he order'd them to execution. after which he departed from Judea, and went to Cesarea, where he resided.


At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, and said to his servants, this is John the baptist, he is risen from the dead, and consequently is invested with miraculous power. for Herod having secur'd John, bound him, and put him in prison to please Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. read more.
for John had said to him, it is not lawful for thee to have her. he would have put him to death, but for fear of the people, who reckoned him a prophet. but when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in publick, and made such an impression upon Herod, that he promised her upon oath, to give whatever she should ask; who being before instructed by her mother, pray, said she, order John Baptist's head to be brought here in a charger. and the king relented: nevertheless out of regard to the oath, and to those who sat with him at table, he commanded it to be brought to her. and pursuant to order, John was beheaded in the prison, whence his head was brought in a charger, and given to the young lady, who carried it to her mother.

Then Herod perceiving he was abused by the Magi, was full of indignation, and sent a detachment who slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and its territory, being under the age of two years, according to the limited time he had learnt of the Magi. Then was fulfilled that passage of Jeremy the prophet, "In Rama was a cry heard, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."



























Now the chief priests, the senators and the whole council, endeavour'd to get false evidence against Jesus, that he might be condemn'd to die. Verse ConceptsChief priestsLeaders, SpiritualAttempts To Kill ChristSeeking For Abstract ThingsThe Chief Priests Condemning Christaccusations


at which the high priest Ananias order'd those that were near him to strike him on the face: Verse ConceptsConfrontationHigh Priest, In NtSmitingSmiting Of The RighteousOther References To MouthsRivers