CH. 21. SECT. XI. ‹ whom John is universally accounted a prophet.' They therefore answered him, We cannot tell. 27 Jesus replied, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 28 But what think ye of this? A man had two sons, 29 and addressing his elder son, said, 'Son, go work 'to-day in my vineyard.' He answered, 'I will 30 not,' but afterwards repented and went. Then addressing the younger, he bade him likewise. He answered, Immediately, Sir,' but went not. 31 Now, which of the two obeyed his father? They said, The first. Jesus replied, Verily I say unto you, even the publicans and the harlots show you ch. 11; 18. 32 the way into the kingdom of God. For John came to you in the way of sanctity, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and harlots believed him : yet ye who saw this, did not afterwards repent and believe him. Lu. 7; 33. Mar. 12; 1 33 Hear another parable: A certain landlord planted a vineyard, and hedged it round, and digged a wine-press in it, and built a tower; and having 34 farmed it out, went abroad. When the vintage approached, he sent his servants to the husband35 men, to receive the fruits. But they seized his servants, beat one, drove away with stones another, 36 and killed another. Again, he sent other servants more respectable; but they received the same 37 treatment. Finally, he sent his son to them; for he 38 said,They will reverence my son.' But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir, come, let us kill SECT. XI. CH. 22. 'him, and keep possession of his inheritance.' 39 Then they seized him, thrust him out of the vine40 yard, and killed him. When, therefore, the pro prietor of the vineyard cometh, what will he do to 41 those husbandmen? They answered, He will put those wretches to a wretched death, and will let the vineyard to others who will render him the fruits in the season. 42 Acts, 4; 11. Jesus replied, Did ye never read in the Scrip- Ps. 118; 22 tures, "A stone which the builders rejected, is 1 Pet. 2; 6. "made the head of the corner. This the Lord 33 "hath effected, and we behold it with admiration." 43 Know, therefore, that the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation who will 44 produce the fruits thereof. For whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be bruised; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will crush him to pieces. 45 Rev. 19; 9. The chief priests and the Pharisees hearing his 46 parables, perceived that he spoke of them; but though they wished to lay hold on him, they were afraid of the populace, who reckoned him a Prophet. XXII. Jesus continuing to discourse to them in pa- Lu. 14; 16. 2 rables, said, The administration of heaven resembleth the conduct of a king, who having made a 3 marriage-feast for his son, sent his servants, to call them who had been invited; but they would not come. Then he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, I have prepared my feast, my bullocks and fatlings are slain, and all 5 is ready, come to the marriage.' But they turn CH. 22. SECT. XII. ed away with indifference, one to his farm, another 6 to his merchandize. And the rest seizing his ser7 vants, abused and killed them. When the king heard this, being enraged, he sent his soldiers, destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, The entertainment is ready; but they who were invited were not 9 worthy go, therefore, into the public roads, and all that ye find, invite to the marriage.' Accordingly they went into the highways, and assembled all that they found, good and bad, so that 11 the hall was furnished with guests. When the king came in to see the guests, observing one who 12 had not on a wedding-garment, he said to him, 'Friend, how camest thou hither, without a wed13 ding-garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, Bind him hand ' and foot, and thrust him out into darkness, where ch. 20; 16. 14 will be weeping and gnashing of teeth ;' for there are many called, but few chosen. SECTION XII. Mar. 12; 13. 15 THE CHARACTER OF THE PHARISEES. THEN the Pharisees retired, and having con16 sulted how they might entrap him in his words, sent to him some of their disciples, and some Herodians 34, who being instructed by them, said, Rabbi, 34 Partizans of Herod. SECT. XII. CH. 22. we know that thou art sincere, and faithfully teach est the way of God, without any partiality, for 17 thou respectest not the person of men. Tell us, therefore, thy opinion: Is it lawful to give tribute 18 to Cesar, or not? Jesus perceiving their malice, said, Dissemblers, why would ye entangle me? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they reached 20 him a denarius 35. He asked them, Whose image 21 and inscription is this? They answered, Cesar's. 23 Mar. 12; 18. He replied, Render, then, to Cesar that which is 22 Cesar's, and to God that which is God's. And admiring his answer, they left him and went away. The same day came Sadducees to him, who say that there is no future life, and thus addressed Acts, 23; 8. 24 him, Rabbi, Moses hath said, 'If one die, and have Deu. 25; 5. 'no children, his brother shall marry his widow, 25 and raise issue to the deceased.' Now there lived among us seven brothers; the eldest married and died without issue, leaving his wife to his brother. 26 Thus also the second, and the third, and so to the 27. seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Now, at the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the 29 seven; for they all married her? Jesus answering, said unto them, Ye err, not knowing the Scrip30 tures, nor the power of God; for in that state, they neither marry, nor give in marriage; they re31 semble God's heavenly messengers. But as to the revival of the dead, have ye not read what God 35 A Roman coin, value sevenpence halfpenny. Lu. 20; 27. Ex. 3; 6. Mar. 12; 28 Deut. 6; 5 Lev. 19; 18. CH. 23. 66 32 declared to you, saying, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Ja"cob." God is not a God of the dead, but of 33 the living. Now the people who heard this were amazed at his doctrine. 34 Meantime, the Pharisees hearing that he had 35 silenced the Sadducees, flocked about him. Then one of them, a lawyer, trying him, proposed this 36 question, Rabbi, which is the greatest command37 ment in the law? Jesus answered, "Thou shalt "love the Lord 36 thy God with all thy heart, "and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." 38. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour 40" as thyself." On these two commandments the whole law and the Prophets depend. Mar. 12; 35 41 While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus ask42 ed them, saying, What think ye of the Messiah? Whose Son should he be? They answered, David's. 43 He replied, How then doth David, speaking by Ps, 110; 1. 44 inspiration, call him his Lord?" The Lord "," saith he, "said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 45" until I make thy foes thy footstool." If the Messiah were David's Son, would David call him 46 his Lord? To this none of them could answer; and from that day nobody presumed to try him with questions. XXIII. Then Jesus addressed the people and his dis2 ciples, saying, The Scribes and the Pharisees sit |