Jesus Before Caiaphas

BY LUC. DAVIS, A RECENT ENGLISH ILLUSTRATOR.

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"For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together."-Mark, 14, 56.

C

AIAPHAS the high-priest had no such hesitancy

in dealing with Jesus as Annas had shown. Caia phas had in fact been the leader of the opposition against Christ and had already prejudged the case now brought before him, dooming the Master to die for the sake of the multitude.

Apparently, though the accounts are not full and positive, Jesus was questioned by Caiaphas three times that night. The first time was immediately on His being brought to the house, when Caiaphas alone, surrounded only by servants, interrogated his victim. His aim was to convict Jesus of "blasphemy"-that is, of having called Himself a deity and the equal of God. But for the purpose of His teaching, Christ desired an open trial; therefore He refused to condemn Himself in this private interview, declaring that His teaching had been spoken openly in the Temple; all men had heard it; let them testify against Him if He had taught evil. "Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said."

At this an officer who guarded Jesus struck him with his open palm, bidding Him answer more properly. This was the first recorded blow which Our Saviour suffered. He accepted it quietly, rebuking the officer gently for his injustice, but saying nothing of the pain or the indignity.

ACTS XX-PERSECUTION FORETOLD

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not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

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And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

22 And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.1

"These words of Jesus, or the circumstances under which they were spoken, have not been preserved in either of the Gospels. The Revised Version opens this verse, "In all things I gave you an example,

etc.

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ACTS XXI-PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT FORETOLD

36¶And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

Chapter 21

1 Paul will not by any means be dissuaded from going to Jerusalem. 9 Philip's daughters prophetesses. 17 Paul cometh to Jerusalem: 27 where he is apprehended, and in great danger, 31 but by the chief captain is rescued, and permitted to speak to the people.

ND it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: 2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. 6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the Evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.'

9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. 10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

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"Evangelist is not here used in the sense of "writer of a Gospel" but as a spreader of the Gospel, next in importance to the apostles.