ADSDAQ - The Banners That Pay!
Welcome to J. W. McGARVEY's series of FIFTY-TWO BIBLE LESSONS
1st Quarter
Note: If the author picks out a particular word in any of these studies and you do not find that word in your version of the Bible, you will find it in the King James Version.
The lessons outlines are at the end of this lesson.
LESSON I.--The Birth of John the Baptist.
+++ LUKE'S INTRODUCTION.----Lu 1:1-4.
Does Luke claim to be an eye-witness of the things of which he writes? --Lu 1:1,2.
What source of information does he claim? --Lu 1:2.
What extent of information does he claim? --Lu 1:3.
What was his object in writing? --Lu 1:4.
+++ ZACHARIAH'S VISION.----Lu 1:5-22.
Who and of what family were the parents of John? --Lu 1:5. Meaning of "the course of Abia." See --1Ch 24:1,4,5,10.
*Note.*--Abia is the New Testament form of Abijah, having lost the j by coming through the Greek, which has no j.
What was the character of John's parents, and why is it mentioned? --Lu 1:6. Their age, and why is it mentioned? --Lu 1:7. Compare --Lu 1:18.
What was Zachariah's task as a priest? --Lu 1:9. What did the people do while the incense was burning? --Lu 1:10. What occurred in the temple? --Lu 1:11,12,13.
What was predicted of the position and habits of John? --Lu 1:15. What of his influence with the people? --Lu 1:16,17. What other conversation occurred? --Lu 1:18-20. What was the effect on the people? --Lu 1:21,22. What was the design of these miraculous events? When did these things occur? --Lu 1:5.
+++ JOHN BORN AND CIRCUMCISED.----Lu 1:23-25,57-64.
When did Zachariah go home, and where was his home? --Lu 1:23,39,40. How many were the days of his ministration? *Ans.*--As there were twenty-four courses of priests, each course served two weeks, and the other four weeks of the year were taken up with festivals, at which all the priests were present.
What was the feeling of the neighbors when John was born? --Lu 1:58. Compare --Lu 1:14. Describe the scene at his circumcision. --Lu 1:59-64. When was it customary to name a child? --Lu 1:59. What custom of Pedobaptists is copied from this?
*Note.*--This is a trace of the mistaken idea that baptism took the place of circumcision.
What was the effect of these events on the people? --Lu 1:65,66. State in full the purpose of God in Zachariah's dumbness. What effect must these events have had in John's favor when he commenced his ministry?
In Zachariah's prophecy, concerning whom does he speak in --Lu 1:67-75; of Jesus, or John? Why of the former on this occasion? Compare --Lu 1:76. What prediction did he then make concerning John? --Lu 1:76. How was John to give the people knowledge of salvation? --Lu 1:77. What more is said of John's early life? --Lu 1:80. Does it appear from this that he entered the priest's office? In what deserts was he? *Ans.*--The term *desert* applies to the thinly inhabited portions of Judea, like the hill country in which John's parents resided. This was an appropriate place for the early life of such a man as John.
LESSON II.--The Birth of Jesus.
+++ ANNOUNCEMENT TO MARY.----Lu 1:26-40.
State the place of residence, the family connection, and the espousal of Mary. --Lu 1:26,27. Repeat the salutation of the angel. --Lu 1:28. In what way was Mary highly favored and blessed? Does this salutation prove that she was sinless?
In announcing the birth of Jesus, what did the angel say he should be and do? --Lu 1:32,33. How would David be his father? --Lu 1:32. Compare --Lu 1:27. By what power was the birth of Jesus to be accomplished, and why was he to be called the Son of God? --Lu 1:35. How much older was John than Jesus? --Lu 1:36.
When the angel departed, what did Mary do? --Lu 1:38-40. How long did she stay there? --Lu 1:56.
Note --Mary's hymn of thanksgiving in --Lu 1:46-55 is well worthy of being committed to memory by the class.
+++ JOSEPH'S TROUBLE.----Mt 1:18-25.
What did Joseph think of doing with Mary? --Mt 1:19. How did he learn what to do?
What reason was given for naming the child Jesus? --Mt 1:21. Why was he to be called Emmanuel? --Mt 1:23. Where do you find the prediction of his birth here quoted? --Mt 1:23 Isa 7:14. In what condition was Joseph when the angel appeared to him? --Mt 1:24,20.
+++ JESUS BORN IN BETHLEHEM.----Lu 2:1-7.
What caused Joseph and Mary to go from Nazareth to Bethlehem? --Lu 2:1-5.
Note --The word taxed is not a correct translation in this passage. It should be enrolled. The decree of Caesar was that a census of all the world, by which is meant all the Roman Empire, should be taken.
When was this enrollment completed? --Lu 2:2.
Note --Cyrenius was made governor ten or eleven years after the birth of Jesus, consequently the enrollment, although commenced a short time before his birth, was not completed till eleven or twelve years later.
Why should the enrollment of Joseph and Mary take place at Bethlehem? --Lu 2:4. Compare --1Sa 17:12.
Note --As the Jewish law required the lands originally given to any family to remain in that family forever, and as Joseph and Mary were both of the family of David, their inheritance was at Bethlehem, and the family genealogy was kept there. There, then must their names be enrolled.
What inconvenience did the parents of Jesus suffer? --Lu 2:7. Does this imply that they could have paid for lodging in the inn if there had been room?
+++ THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE SHEPHERDS.----Lu 2:8-20.
Describe the appearance of the angel to the shepherds. --Lu 2:8,9. Why did they watch their flock by night? --Lu 2:8. What did the angel say to them? --Lu 2:10-12. Why give them a sign by which to find the babe? --Lu 2:12. What more did the shepherds hear? --Lu 2:13,14. Was the song of the angels appropriate to the birth of Jesus; if so, why?
What was immediately said and done by the shepherds? --Lu 2:15-17. What did the people think, and what did Mary think? --Lu 2:18,19. What more did the shepherds do? --Lu 2:20. What kind of men were they?
Does the history of the birth of Jesus furnish any proofs that he was the Son of God and the Christ? If so, what are they? Do you see any wisdom in the choice God made of the parents of Jesus? If so, in what particulars? Were the events connected with his birth still remembered when he began his public ministry? [FBL 4-6] 00005
LESSON III.--The Genealogy of Jesus.
+++ MATTHEW'S LIST.----Mt 1:1-17.
[The genealogy is one of the most important subjects in the gospels; let no teacher or pupil be discouraged by the apparent difficulty of understanding it.]
+++ THE TITLE.
Repeat the first verse of this chapter.
Is this the title of the whole book of Matthew, or only of this list of names? Ans --Of the list of names; for the whole book is much more than a "book of the generation of Jesus."
Why call so short a list of names a book? Ans --In ancient times any written document, however small, was called a book.
From whom does Matthew assert that Jesus descended?
How far apart did Abraham, David and Jesus live? Ans --From Abraham to David was about 900 years, and from David to Jesus about 1,100 years.
+++ FIRST DIVISION OF THE LIST.----Mt 1:2-6.
What division of the list does Matthew make? See --Mt 1:17.
Where did he find the names from Abraham to David? Ans --He found those of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Pharez and Hezron in Genesis, and the other eight in --Ru 4:18-22. They are also found in --1Ch 1:1-2:55.
What class of men were they? Ans --They were all patriarchs, and David was also a king, the first king in the list.
What two women are mentioned in the list? --Mt 1:5.
Of what nations were they? See --Jos 2:1 Ru 1:4.
Did Jesus, then, have any Gentile blood?
How many years were covered by these fourteen generations? See answer above.
+++ SECOND DIVISION OF THE LIST.----Mt 1:6-11.
Where did Matthew find these names? Ans --They are found in the first and second books of Kings, and also in Second Chronicles. These books are filled up with the histories of these men.
What class of men are they? Ans --They were all kings who reigned over the kingdom of Judah.
With what king and what event does this division take place? --Mt 1:11.
Note --The history of Jechonias' captivity is found in --2Ki 24:10-17, where he is called Jehoiachin. He was not the last king of Judah, for his uncle Zedekiah reigned eleven years after him, (--2Ki 24:17,18) but he was the last in the direct line of David's offspring.
Does Matthew, in this division, give the names of all the kings in the line from David to Jechonias? Ans --No. He omits four; three between Joram and Ozias, or Uzziah, as he is called in the Old Testament (--Mt 1:8), and one between Josias and Jechonias (--Mt 1:11). The names of the three are Ahaziah, Joash and Amaziah, whose history is found in --2Ch 22:1-25:28; and the name of the fourth is Jehoiakim, whose history is found in --2Ch 36:1-18.
Why did Matthew omit these? Ans --In proving that one man is descended from another, it matters not how many names are omitted, provided those you give are correct. For example, if I wish to prove myself a descendant of Christopher Columbus, and can prove that my grandfather and his grandfather and his grandfather were descended from Columbus, I have gained my point, although I have left out half the names. So Matthew, desiring to quote only fourteen names in this division, to make it even with the first, leaves out four of the eighteen names found in the Old Testament.
As Matthew leaves out three names between Joram and Uzziah, how can he say, Joram begat Uzziah? Ans --In Jewish usage words of relationship were used in a wider sense than by us. For example, Leah is said to have borne to Jacob her sons, her grandsons, and her great grandsons (--Ge 46:8-15); and all the sons, grandsons and great grandsons of Jacob, are said to have "come out of the loins of Jacob." Uncles, nephews and cousins were called brothers, and instead of grandfather or ancestor, they used father. If we were to use such language, it would be untrue, but it was strictly true with the Jews, because they used the words in a different sense from what we do, and they understood each other in that sense. [FBL 6-9] 00006
LESSON IV.--Genealogy of Jesus.
+++ MATTHEW'S LIST, --Mt 1:1-17--THIRD DIVISION, --Mt 1:12-16.
What class of men are named in this list? Ans --As they all sprang from Jechonias, the last king in David's line, they were heirs of the throne; but they did not reign, because they were deprived of their inheritance.
How many of these names are found in the Old Testament? --1Ch 3:17-19 Ne 12:1.
Note --Shealtiel and Zerubabel are the same as Salathiel and Zorobabel, being different forms of the same names.
Why are only these two found in the Old Testament? Ans --Because Old Testament history closed in the days of Zerubabel, Nehemiah, the latest of the Old Testament historians, being cotemporary with him.
How many of these names were personally known to Matthew? Ans --He knew Jesus and Joseph, and must have known also the name of Joseph's father, Jacob: --Mt 1:16. How many, then, did he find in some other way? This question is answered by counting the names between Zorobabel, --Mt 1:12, and Jacob, --Mt 1:15.
Where did he find these eight names? Ans --The Jews kept the genealogies of all their principal families in the cities to which they belonged. We learn this from the Jewish historian Josephus. ( Life of Josephus, Sec. 1, Against Appion, Book I., Sec. 7.) From the records of the family of David, Matthew got these names.
Why were such genealogies kept? Ans --They were kept by the priests and Levites, because none of these were allowed to hold office who could not prove themselves of the right tribe and family. They were kept by others, because lands when sold came back to the heirs every fiftieth year, and it was necessary for them to show their genealogy in order to get their property. (See --Nu 27:1-11 36:1-12 Le 25:23-28.)
How does Matthew make fourteen names in this division of the list? Ans --If we count the names it will be seen that Jechonias, who was counted as the last in the second division (--Mt 1:11), has to be counted as the first in the third list, in order to make the fourteen; and Matthew repeats his name (--Mt 1:12), to show that he counts him twice.
Are there any omissions in this division? Ans --There cannot be; for if there had been other names to make up the fourteen, Matthew would not have repeated the name of Jechonias for this purpose.
+++ THE DIVISIONS STATED----Mt 1:17.
Repeat Matthew's statement of the divisions of his list. --Mt 1:17.
Why does he say all the generations in the second division are fourteen, when we see that he leaves out four ? Ans --He means that all the generations which he has mentioned are fourteen; and this is true.
Does this genealogy trace the blood of David to Jesus? To whom does it trace the blood of David? Does it prove, then, that Jesus was by blood a son of David? What, then, does it prove for Jesus? Ans --It proves that he was a son of David in point of law, and the heir of David's throne. How does it prove this? Ans --As he was born after Joseph had married his mother, (--Mt 1:24,25) this made him legally the son of Joseph and the heir of Joseph; and as Joseph was heir to David's throne, Jesus was the next heir after him.
Why was it important to prove this? Ans --Because the Christ was to sit on David's throne, and Jesus must be the heir of David in order to be the Christ. --Ac 2:29,30.
Does this genealogy prove that Jesus is the Christ? Ans --No; it only proves that he was of the right lineage to be the Christ. Without this lineage he could not be the Christ; with it he might be, and Matthew proves in other parts of his book that he is.
Why are the names in this list so different in form from the same names in the Old Testament? Ans --Chiefly because the New Testament was written in Greek, which language lacks some of the Hebrew letters or sounds, and requires a different spelling and pronunciation of Hebrew names.
[FBL 9-11] 00007
LESSON V.--The Genealogy of Jesus.
+++ LUKE'S LIST----Lu 3:23-38.
How does Luke's list differ from Matthew's in the order of the names? How much farther back than Matthew does he trace the genealogy? --Lu 3:34-38. Compare --Mt 1:2.
Where did Luke find the names from Abraham back to Noah? --Lu 3:34-36. Compare --Ge 11:10-26. What name does he give that is not found in our copy of Genesis? --Lu 3:36. Compare --Ge 11:12. Why did he insert this name? Ans --Luke wrote in Greek and copied from the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint, which has the name Cainan between Arphaxad and Salah. If the Greek translation is wrong in having this name, why did Luke copy it? Ans --It is not certain that the Greek translation is wrong. It may be that the name has been accidentally lost out of the Hebrew copy.
Where did Luke find the names from Noah to Adam? --Lu 3:36-38. Compare --Ge 5:3-32.
Is there any difference between Luke's list and Matthew's from Abraham to David? --Lu 3:31-34. Compare --Mt 1:2-6.
From which son of David does each writer trace the remainder of his list? --Lu 3:31. Compare --Mt 1:6. Was Nathan a king? Does Luke, then, like Matthew, trace the line by which David's throne was inherited?
In what names do the two lines of David's posterity meet? --Lu 3:27. Compare --Mt 1:12. How could this be? Ans --By the marriage of a descendant of Solomon to a descendant of Nathan.
How could Salathiel be a son of Jechonias as Matthew says (--Mt 1:12), and at the same time a son of Neri, as Luke says, --Lu 3:27? Ans --The Hebrews used the? word son not only for what we call a son but for son-in-law, grandson, etc. He was the literal son of Jechoniah, as we know from the fact that Matthew traces the line of the inheritance which always descended to sons and not to sons-in-law. Being, then a son of Jechonias, he must have been what we call son-in-law to Neri.
Where, then, did the intermarriage take place between the two dines of David's offspring? Ans --Salathiel, a literal descendant of Solomon, married a daughter of Neri, who descended from Nathan.
Where do the two lines part again? --Lu 3:27. Compare --Mt 1:13. Why do they part here? Ans --As Matthew traces the line of inheritance, Abiud, whom he selects, must have been the heir, and consequently the oldest son of Zorobabel; while Rhesa, whom Luke selects, was the progenitor of the remainder of Luke's list.
Where do the two lines meet again? --Lu 3:23. Compare --Mt 1:16. How could Joseph be the son of both Jacob and Heli? Ans --In the same way that Salathiel was the son of both Jechonias and Neri. He was son, as we say, of Jacob, and son-in-law of Heli. Whose daughter, then, was Mary, the wife of Joseph?
Through what line, then, did Jesus, the son of Mary, receive the blood of David? Through Luke's or Matthew's? As this line is traced from David's son Nathan who was not a king, does it prove Jesus to be the heir of David's throne? What, then, is the essential difference between these two genealogies? Ans --Matthew traces the inheritance of David's throne down to Jesus by a line which brought him none of David's blood; while Luke traces blood of David to Jesus by a line which brought him no inheritance. By the two combined the proof is furnished that Jesus was the son and the heir of David according to God's promise. [FBL 11-14] 00008
LESSON VI.--The Ministry of John.
+++ HIS PERSONAL HABITS.
In what part of Judea was John reared? --Lu 1:80.
When he entered on his ministry what was his food and dress? --Mt 3:4. What was the propriety of his camel's hair clothing? Ans --It was coarse raiment, and therefore well adapted to the life of self-denial which he led. Are locusts suitable for food? Ans --Yes; they are eaten to this day by the poorer classes in Arabia.
Did John ever drink wine or other intoxicating liquors? --Lu 1:15. Quote what Jesus said of John's habits compared with his own. --Mt 11:18,19. What was the wisdom of such a mode of life? Ans --John's mission was to preach repentance, and his mode of life, being a constant rebuke to the luxury and self-indulgence of the age, gave greater weight to his preaching. Why did not wisdom require Jesus to live the same way? Ans --He came not to insist especially on any one duty, but to give proportionate instruction on all the duties of life, and therefore it was best for him to go to no extreme in his manner of living.
+++ HIS PREACHING.
What was the chief subject of John's preaching? --Mt 3:1,2.
Quote a passage from his address to the Pharisees and Sadducees. --Mt 3:7-10. What is meant by the figure of the ax and the trees in the verse last quoted? Ans --That, as each tree which did not bring forth fruit would be hewn down with the ax, so each man who did not bring forth the fruits of repentance would be punished.
How did John explain to the people, the publicans, and the soldiers, what he meant by the fruits of repentance? --Lu 3:10-14.
Note --The demand made of each party shows that a reformation of life was what he called "fruit meet for repentance."
+++ HIS TESTIMONY CONCERNING JESUS.
What is said of John as a witness for Jesus? --Joh 1:6-8. What testimony did he give before the baptism of Jesus? --Mt 3:11,12. Was this all, or is it only a specimen of his testimony? --Lu 3:18.
What questions were put to John about himself, and how did he answer them? --Joh 1:19-27. Why did they think he was the Christ? Ans --They were looking for the Christ to appear, and they naturally mistook for him so extraordinary a person as John.
Repeat some more definite testimony of John. --Joh 1:29,30. How did John know Jesus to be the Lamb of God? --Joh 1:31-34. What took place the next day after this last testimony? --Joh 1:35-40.
What is the last testimony we have from John? --Joh 3:28-30. What use did Jesus afterward make of John's testimony? --Joh 5:31-35.
What use did Paul make of it? --Ac 13:25.
Why did the people think he was Elias? --Joh 1:21. Ans --Because it was predicted that Elias or Elijah would come before the day of the Lord. (--Mal 4:5.) Why did John say he was not Elias, when Jesus, in --Mt 11:14, says he was? Ans --He denied being Elias in reality, but he was the one figuratively called Elias or Elijah by Malachi, because he was so much like that prophet.
What prophet is the one called "that prophet" in the next question put to John? --Joh 1:21. Ans --It was a prophet predicted by Moses and really the Christ, though the Jews did not know this. --De 18:15.
[FBL 14-16] 00009
LESSON VII.--The Ministry of John--Continued.
+++ HIS BAPTISM.
Mention all the places in which John baptized? See --Mt 3:6 Mr 1:4 Joh 1:28 3:23. When baptizing in the wilderness, was he away from the Jordan? --Mr 1:1,5. When baptizing at Bethabara, beyond the Jordan, was he away from the Jordan? --Joh 1:28. Ans --Not necessarily; for one might be baptizing at Cincinnati, beyond the Ohio River, yet baptizing in the Ohio River.
Did he go to Enon because there was not enough water in the Jordan? Ans --No; for the Jordan is never too low for the purpose of immersion. He had some other reason for the change which is not stated. Why, then, the remark that there was much water at Enon? Ans --Because there was much there as compared with other places away from the river. Do those who practice sprinkling for baptism habitually select a river, or a place where there is much water? What do you learn, then, from the places where John baptized?
What is the meaning of John's statement, --Mt 3:11, "I indeed baptize you with water?" Ans --The preposition translated with, always means in, except when the context requires it to be rendered with, and here it ought to be " in water."
Was Jesus in the water when he was baptized? --Mr 1:10.
+++ SUBJECTS AND DESIGN OF HIS BAPTISM.
What did the persons baptized by John have to do before being baptized? --Mt 3:2-6. Did he, then, baptize any infants?
What did he require them to do afterward? --Ac 19:4.
What was the general object of John's baptism: --Joh 1:31.
For what particular blessing was each person baptized? --Mr 1:4 Lu 3:3.
Was this the only thing required for remission of sins? Ans --No; the sacrifices for sin had still to be offered; for the law of Moses was still in force. John's baptism was an addition made to the law, and a preparation for the kingdom of Christ.
What is the difference between John's baptism, and that practiced afterward by the apostles? Ans --John did not baptize in the name of Jesus, nor into the name of Jesus, nor in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; nor did he promise the Holy Spirit to those baptized by him. Compare --Mt 28:19 Ac 2:38.
What baptism did Jesus and his disciples practice while John was baptizing? --Joh 3:22,23. Ans --John's baptism.
When did John's baptism come to an end? Ans --With his imprisonment. He, of course, ceased to practice it then, and we have no account that Jesus continued it. Did any one improperly continue it afterward? --Ac 18:24-26. What was done with persons thus improperly baptized? --Ac 19:1-5.
+++ HIS IMPRISONMENT AND DEATH.
State the circumstances of John's imprisonment? --Mr 6:17-20. Why was not John more prudent than thus to offend Herod?
What did Jesus do immediately after John's imprisonment? --Mt 4:12.
What message did John send to Jesus, and what was the answer? --Mt 11:2-6.
Why was John in doubt on the subject? Ans --Because he, like the other Jews, expected the Christ to be an earthly king, and Jesus made no effort in that direction.
Repeat the eulogy that Jesus pronounced on John. --Mt 11:9-11.
Describe the death of John. --Mr 6:21-29.
What evil practices are illustrated in this event?
[FBL 16-18] 00010
LESSON VIII.--The Baptism of Jesus.
Where do you find the account of the baptism of Jesus? --Mt 3:13-17 Mr 1:9-11 Lu 3:21,22.
What was the age of Jesus at this time? --Lu 3:23. Do we know anything of his history from his twelfth year (--Lu 2:42) to his thirtieth? See --Mr 6:3.
At what period in John's ministry was Jesus baptized? --Lu 3:22. Does this mean that all the people whom John baptized were baptized before Jesus? Ans -- No; for John afterward baptized at Enon. --Joh 3:23. It means that all or nearly all John's baptizing at the Jordan was then completed.
Had Jesus been attending John's preaching? or did he come directly from home to be baptized? --Mt 3:13.
Repeat the conversation between John and Jesus. --Mt 3:14,15. What baptism by Jesus did John refer to? See --Mt 3:11. Why think that Jesus need not be baptized? Ans --John baptized penitent sinners for remission of sins, and he knew that Jesus was not of this class.
Did John know certainly at this time that Jesus was the Christ, or did he only think so? --Joh 1:33.
Meaning of the remark, " Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness?" Ans --Baptism was required by John's preaching at the hands of every Jew, and if Jesus had neglected it he would have lacked that much of fulfilling all righteousness. Can any person now fulfill all righteousness without being baptized?
What was the first movement of Jesus after he was baptized? --Mr 1:10-16.
Note --The word translated out of in --Mt 3:10, usually means from, but in --Mr 1:10, the correct Greek text has the preposition which always means out of
Had Jesus; then been in the water, and if so, what proof of immersion and what disproof of sprinkling do you find in the fact?
What did Jesus do immediately after coming out of the water? --Lu 3:21.
What occurred while he was praying? --Lu 3:21,22. Who saw the Holy Spirit descend? --Mt 3:16 Joh 1:33,34. If it was visible to John and Jesus, was it not also to the multitude?
Why should the Holy Spirit have chosen the shape of a dove rather than that of some other bird?
What power did Jesus exert by means of the Holy Spirit? --Mt 12:28.
What is said of the voice from heaven? --Mt 3:17. In what form do Mark and Luke report these words? Why the different forms? Ans --Luke and Mark generally use more specific and direct forms of expression for the same idea than Matthew, hence they use the second person in this case, while Matthew uses the third.
What was the full meaning of this declaration from heaven? Ans --It not only declared the fact that Jesus was God's son, but that God was pleased with him in reference to the work of human salvation which he was about to commence.
What connection had the baptism of Jesus with his ministry?
What connection has our baptism with our Christian life?
What correspondence in time between his reception of the Holy Spirit and its reception by all Christians? See --Ac 2:38.
Repeat all the particulars of the baptism of Jesus in regular order.
[FBL 18-20] 00011
LESSON IX.--From the Baptism of Jesus to the Imprisonment of John.
What event in the life of Jesus occurred next after his baptism? --Mr 1:12,13. How much time was thus occupied? --Mr 1:13.
Where do you find Jesus next after his temptation? --Joh 1:28,29. How many days did he remain about the Jordan? --Joh 1:29,35,39,43. What disciples did he gain at this time? --Joh 1:41-49. What convinced Andrew and his companion? --Joh 1:34-37. What convinced Simon? --Joh 1:41,42. Why did Philip follow him when told to do so? --Joh 1:44,45. Ans --As Philip was of the same town with Andrew and Simon Peter, he had probably learned all that they knew about Jesus. What convinced Nathanael? --Joh 1:48-50. How did these Galileans happen to be at the Jordan? As Andrew and his companions were disciples of John (--Joh 1:37), what is probable as to the others?
Where do you next find Jesus, and how long after the call of Nathanael? --Joh 2:1,2. What was as the first miracle which Jesus wrought? --Joh 2:3-11. Is the manufacture or use of wine, then, in itself sinful? Under what circumstances may either practice become sinful? Ans --When its chief effect is to encourage drunkenness.
What was the next movement of Jesus, and who were his companions? --Joh 2:12. Was this the time that he took up his abode at Capernaum? Ans --No; for he took up his abode there after John's imprisonment (--Mt 4:12,13), and John was not yet in prison. See --Joh 3:22,23.
What was the next movement of Jesus? --Joh 2:13. What was the first thing he did there, and what dispute had he in reference to it? --Joh 2:14-18,18-22. Did he work any miracles at that time? --Joh 2:23. What celebrated conversation occurred during his stay in Jerusalem? --Joh 3:1-14.
What did Jesus do next after this? --Joh 3:22. What was his popularity at this time, compared with John's? --Joh 3:26. What was the immediate cause of his leaving Judea and going to Galilee? --Joh 4:1-3. Why should this have caused his removal? Ans --The Pharisees were about to visit him with the same persecution which befell John, and this would have prevented him from quietly instructing the people. As the disciples of Jesus baptized others (--Joh 4:2), what do you infer as to their having been baptized themselves?
What route toward Galilee did Jesus take? --Joh 4:4. Was there any other? Ans --Yes; the Jews very often went up and down on the east of the Jordan, so as to avoid passing through Samaria, the people of which were unfriendly to them. What celebrated conversation occurred on this journey? --Joh 4:5-28. How long did he remain among the Samaritans before he continued his journey to Galilee? --Joh 4:43.
How long was it before harvest when he was in Samaria? --Joh 4:35. When did the Jewish harvest begin? Ans --During the passover week? which occurred between the 21st of March and the 21st of April. When was Jesus, then, in Samaria? How long had it been since he was at Jerusalem? Ans --As he was at Jerusalem during the previous passover (--Joh 2:23), and it was now but four months till the next passover, he had been away from Jerusalem about eight months.
How long had it been since Jesus was baptized? Ans --It is not certainly known, but as his temptation, his return to the Jordan, and his first visit to Galilee and back, all occurred before the passover, it is supposed that he was baptized from four to six months previous to the passover. Adding to this the eight months since that passover, we have about twelve or fourteen months from his baptism till his removal into Galilee.
Where was John at this time? --Mt 4:12. How long, then, from the baptism of Jesus to the imprisonment of John?
[FBL 20-22] 00012
LESSON X.--Ministry of Jesus in Galilee.
What portion of Matthew is devoted to the career of Jesus before he went into Galilee? --Mt 4:12. What portion to the time which he spent in Galilee? --Mt 19:1.
What portion, then, to the remainder of his life? How is Mark's narrative divided in these particulars? See --Mr 1:14 10:1. How is Luke's? See --Lu 4:14 9:51. How much space does John give to the ministry in Galilee? --Lu 6:1 7:10. In what passages, then, do you find the account of the ministry of Jesus in Galilee? Ans --In --Mt 4:12-19:1, --Mr 1:14-10:1, --Lu 4:14-9:51, and --Joh 6:1-7:10. Where did the other events of his ministry occur? Ans --Chiefly jelly about Jerusalem and on the farther side of the Jordan.
What length of time did the ministry in Galilee occupy? Ans --About twenty-two months. How is the calculation made? Ans --He went there four months before the passover. See Lesson IX. He went to Jerusalem to that coming passover (--Joh 5:1); then returned to Galilee and stayed till after the next passover (--Joh 6:1-4), which makes twelve months more; and he finally left Galilee to go to the feast of tabernacles (--Joh 7:2-10), which occurred six months after the passover. These sums added together, give the twenty months.
Note There is some uncertainty in this calculation, because it is not certain that the feast mentioned in --Joh 5:1 was the passover; but the calculation is probably correct.
How long was it from his departure out of Galilee till his death? Ans --As he left there to attend the feast of tabernacles (--Joh 7:2-10), and was crucified at the next passover (--Joh 18:28), it was about six months. To what country, then, did he give the chief part of his ministry?
Did he visit Jerusalem at all during this period? See --Joh 5:1. Does either Matthew, Mark, or Luke mention this visit to Jerusalem? Ans --They do not. Did Jesus during this period visit any places outside of Galilee, and if so, what places? See --Mr 7:24 8:27. In what direction is each of these regions from Galilee? See the maps.
What cities were chiefly favored by the miracles of Jesus? --Mt 11:20,21-23. Where were these cities? Ans --Close together on the northwestern shore of the lake of Galilee. In what did the ministry in Galilee chiefly consist? Ans --In speeches, conversations, and the working of miracles. In what words does Peter describe it? --Ac 10:38. What is the longest and most celebrated speech which Jesus delivered in Galilee? Where does it begin and where does it end?
In what pursuits were the Galileans engaged? Ans --Almost entirely in agriculture. How did they compare in intelligence with the Jews of Judea? Ans --They were generally less intelligent. Why, then, did Jesus spend most of his time here? Ans --Because the people were more teachable than those of Judea, and were not so fierce in their opposition to him.
What business was supplied by the sea of Galilee? Ans --Fishing. It abounded in very fine fish. Is its water fresh or salt? Ans -- Fresh; it is supplied by the Jordan, which runs in at its northern end, and passes out at the southern.
[FBL 23-24] 00013
LESSON XI.--The Miracles of Jesus.
Quote one of the remarks of Jesus showing the object of his miracles. --Joh 5:36. What, then, was that object? Had he not wrought miracles, would unbelief have been a sin? --Joh 15:24. What, according to John, was the object of recording the miracles? --Joh 20:30,31. Why are miracles necessary as proof that Jesus is the Son of God? Ans --Because, if he had the power to do nothing more than man can do, he, could not have proved himself to be any more than a man.
How do modern infidels answer the argument from miracles? Ans --They say there is no sufficient proof of them, because the people who witnessed them were not scientific, and did not know how to test them. Is it true that those people were not scientific? Ans --Yes; for nearly all of the sciences have been developed since then. How, then, can you decide whether the infidel objection is valid or not? Ans --by examining the miracles to see whether a knowledge of science was necessary to testing their reality, and by observing how they were tested by the enemies of Jesus.
For an example, describe the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. --Mt 8:14,15. Did it require any knowledge of science to know that she was at first sick with the fever, or that when Jesus rebuked the fever it left her and she was well? Could a modern physician have tested the case any better than those persons who saw it?
Describe the stilling of the tempest. --Mt 8:23-27. Did it require any science to know that there was a tempest, and that it ceased when Jesus rebuked the wind and the sea? Was there any room for mistake about the reality of this miracle?
Describe the raising Lazarus. --Joh 11:39-44. Could there have been a mistake as to his being dead? --Joh 11:39. Could there as to his resurrection? --Joh 11:44. Could there as to the fact that Jesus raised him by his word? --Joh 11:43. Would science have been of any service at all in testing this miracle?
Did the enemies of Jesus deny that he wrought miracles? --Joh 11:47. Did they try to disprove the reality of any of them? Ans --Yes; especially of the one recorded in the ninth chapter of John. Describe this miracle. --Joh 9:1-7. When the man's neighbors and others found that he could see what did they do? --Joh 9:13. For what purpose? Ans --To see what the Pharisees could say about the proof which it contained in favor of Jesus. What was the first question of the Pharisees? --Joh 9:15. What evidence had they thus far that the man had ever been blind? Ans --That of the neighbors who brought him. Was not this evidence sufficient? But what further evidence did the Pharisees demand? --Joh 9:18-21.
Would it have been possible to get more or better evidence than they now had? How did they try to get around it? --Joh 9:24. Does not this verse show that they really believed the miracle had been wrought? How would scientific men of the present day have proceeded in this case? Ans --Just as the Pharisees did. Knowing that the man could see, and being told that he was born blind, they would first inquire about the process of healing, to see whether the treatment employed could account for it. That being settled, they would demand satisfactory proof that the man was born blind, and when this was given they would be through with the investigation, and would know that a miracle had been wrought.
State the various kinds of miracles wrought by Jesus. Ans --Healing diseases; imparting sight, hearing, etc., to those who had never had them; casting out demons; controlling winds and water; raising the dead; prophesying, and telling the secrets of men's lives and thoughts. Why so great a variety? Ans --To show himself able to save men from every possible evil, and to be in possession of divine knowledge.
[FBL 24-27] 00014
LESSON XII.--The Parables of Jesus.
What is a parable? Ans --It is a species of allegory. What is an allegory? Ans --It is a discourse in which one object is described by describing another which is analogous to it. Are the two objects usually alike in every particular? Ans --No; they are usually alike only in a few particulars, and sometimes they are the opposite of each other in most particulars.
Repeat the parable of the unjust judge. --Lu 18:1-8. In what particular is the dealing of God with his elect analogous to that of the unjust judge with the widow? Are the two alike in any other particulars?
In what does the interpretation of a parable consist? Ans --In ascertaining what subject is to be illustrated by it, and in designating the points of analogy between it and the object described in the parable.
How do you ascertain the subject to be illustrated? Ans --Sometimes it is stated, as when Luke says of the parable of the unjust judge, "He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint." --Lu 18:1.
When the subject is not stated, how do you ascertain what it is? Ans --Sometimes by observing the subject under discussion when it is introduced, and sometimes by the application made of the parable.
Give an example of each of these methods. See --Mt 19:30. Compare with --Mt 20:1,16 for an example of the first, and --Mt 21:28-32 for an example of the second.
After ascertaining the subject to be illustrated, how do you ascertain the points of analogy or likeness? Ans --Sometimes they are stated by Jesus himself, and sometimes you must ascertain them by means of your own knowledge of the subjects to be illustrated.
Give examples of the former method. Ans --The parable of the sower, --Mt 13:3-9, which is explained in --Mt 13:18-23; and that of the tares, --Mt 13:24-30, explained in --Mt 13:36-43.
When Jesus himself explains a parable, should we regard his explanation as sufficient? Ans --We certainly should, for he knew best what his own meaning was. Can you name a remarkable departure from this rule? Ans --In the parable of the tares the prohibition against pulling up the tares lest the wheat also should be pulled Up, --Mt 13:28,29, is usually made the most significant part of the parable, while Jesus, in his explanation, --Mt 13:37-42, does not mention it at all.
Give an example of the second method of ascertaining the points of likeness. Ans --The parable of the mustard seed, --Mt 13:31,32, in which is illustrated the great growth of the kingdom of heaven from a small beginning. How do you know that the shape and color of the mustard seed are not points of likeness?
Recite the parable of the ten virgins. --Mt 25:1-12. What general subject is illustrated by it? --Mt 25:1. What particular aspect of the kingdom? --Mt 25:13. How did the foolish virgins show their folly? --Mt 25:3. How long did their lamps burn? --Mt 25:6-8. If the bridegroom had come early in the night, would they have been ready? Did their folly, then, consist in not making any preparation, or in not making enough? Did they make as much preparation as they thought necessary? How did the wise virgins show their wisdom? --Mt 25:4. Why was this wise? Ans --Because they knew not how late the bridegroom might be, so they brought enough oil to last all night, and thus avoided all risk of not being ready. Do the foolish virgins represent sinners who make no preparation to meet the Lord? Do they represent apostates who are in the church for a time, and then abandon it? Whom do they represent? Ans --Persons in the kingdom who make some preparation, as much as they think necessary, and remain at their posts, but whose preparation is insufficient. Whom do the wise virgins represent? Ans --Persons who make so careful preparation that they run no risk of not being ready when the Lord comes.
[FBL 27-29] 00015
LESSON XIII.--The Death of Jesus.
+++ CONDEMNED BY THE SANHEDRIN.
On what charge was Jesus pronounced worthy of death? --Mt 26:65,66. Was this charge proved by witnesses? --Mt 26:59,60. On what evidence did they pronounce him guilty? --Mt 26:63,64. If he was a mere man was he guilty of blasphemy? What made it wrong in the council to pronounce him guilty? What was the law of Moses in reference to blasphemy? --Le 24:16.
Repeat --Mt 27:1. What need of this council after they had already condemned him to death? Ans --The power of sentencing men to death was at that time in the hands of the Governor, Pontius Pilate, and the Sanhedrin had to obtain his consent before Jesus could be executed. They took counsel as to the best method of influencing Pilate.
+++ ARRAIGNED BEFORE PILATE.
When the council was ended what did the chief priests and elders do? --Mt 27:2. Why did they bind him? When they reached the hall of Pilate what was their course? --Joh 18:28. When Pilate came out what conversation occurred? --Joh 18:29-31. What was fulfilled as a consequence of the fact that the Jews could not put him to death? --Joh 18:32. Why this consequence? Ans --Because, if the Jews had killed him he would have been stoned instead of being crucified, the latter mode of punishment being peculiar to the Romans.
What was the first accusation brought against Jesus? --Lu 23:2. What passed between Pilate and Jesus in regard to this accusation? --Joh 18:33-38. What occurred when Pilate came back again to the people? --Lu 23:4-7. What occurred in the presence of Herod? --Lu 23:8-11. Why did not Jesus answer Herod's questions? --Lu 23:9. Ans --Most likely to show a suitable contempt for the man who had slain John the Baptist, and was now asking questions through enmity and idle curiosity. What occurred between Pilate and Herod that day? --Lu 23:12.
What did Pilate then propose to the Jews? --Lu 23:14-17.
Why of necessity release a prisoner? --Lu 23:17. Compare --Joh 18:39. Why would it gratify the people for him to release a prisoner? Ans --Because the Romans always had some political prisoners, with whom the Jews were in sympathy.
What answer did the people give? --Lu 23:18.
Who was Barabbas, and why did they ask for his release? --Lu 23:19 Mt 27:20.
What did Pilate do next? --Mt 27:22-25.
What did the soldiers of Pilate then do? --Mt 27:27-30. Why did the Roman soldiers thus treat him? Ans --It was customary to scourge a criminal before crucifying him, and the other mistreatment was intended as a mockery of his claim to be a king.
What other incident occurred while the trial before Pilate was going on? --Mt 27:19.
When Jesus had been scourged, what did Pilate next do? --Joh 19:2-5. What conversation did he then have with the Jews? --Joh 19:6-7. What did Pilate do next? --Joh 19:8-11. Why did Jesus not answer him? Ans --He saw that Pilate was alarmed, and he was not willing to increase his alarm lest he should release him.
What was the last argument of the Jews and its effect? --Joh 19:12,13. What, then, was the final motive which induced Pilate to put Jesus to death?