The Project Gutenberg EBook of His Life by William E. Barton, Theodore G. Soares, Sydney Strong This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: His Life A Complete Story in the Words of the Four Gospels Author: William E. Barton, Theodore G. Soares, Sydney Strong Release Date: July 4, 2005 [EBook #16184] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS LIFE *** Produced by Diane Monico and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. A COMPLETE STORY IN THE WORDS OF THE FOUR GOSPELS PREPARED BY WILLIAM E. BARTON, THEODORE G. SOARES SYDNEY STRONG USING THE TEXT OF THE AMERICAN STANDARD REVISED BIBLE HOPE PUBLISHING COMPANY 150 Michigan Avenue CHICAGO 27 East 22nd Street NEW YORK. HIS LIFE THE STORY OF JESUS IN THE WORDS OF THE FOUR GOSPELS Paper covers, single copy 15 cents. 10 copies 12-1/2 cents. 25 to 250 copies 10 cents, postage prepaid. Cloth covers, single copy 25 cents. 10 to 24 copies 22-1/2 cents, postage prepaid. 25 to 250 copies or more, by express, not prepaid, $20.00 per 100 net. Presentation Edition De Luxe, on heavier paper in full leather binding, with gilt edges and title stamp in gold leaf, 70 cents, net; postpaid, 75 cents. HIS FRIENDS THE STORY OF THE IMMEDIATE DISCIPLES OF JESUS AFTER HIS ASCENSION; AND THEIR LETTERS Styles and prices uniform with "His Life." HIS GREAT APOSTLE THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF PAUL IN THE WORDS OF SCRIPTURE AND IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER Styles and prices uniform with "His Life." HIS LAST WEEK THE GOSPEL STORY OF THE PASSION AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS Paper covers, single copy 7 cents. 10 to 49 copies 6 cents. 50 to 500 copies 5 cents, postage prepaid. HOPE PUBLISHING COMPANY Chicago and New York Copyright, 1906, by the Pastors' Publishing Union. The Text of the American Standard Revised Bible, copyright 1901, by Thomas Nelson & Sons, is used by special arrangement and with their permission. PREFACE. The four Gospels, each telling in its own way the story of the Life of Jesus, are the rich heritage of Christians. No one of the Gospels could be spared. But in reading any one of the four we miss some of the familiar words and incidents we love. Almost from the days of the Apostles there have been attempts to unite the Gospels in a single narrative. The first of these efforts, so far as we know, was undertaken by the devout scholar Tatian, soon after 173 A.D. His book served a useful purpose in his own and later generations, and is now a valuable witness to the antiquity and early acceptance of our four Gospels. There have been many harmonies of the Gospel from the second century to the present; and they are all but indispensable to the scholar. Almost every minister keeps one at his elbow. But these, for the most part, are made for purposes of scholarly comparison, and not for general reading. Moreover, they are expensive. The editors of this little book have undertaken to prepare an interwoven story of the Life of Jesus from the four Gospels for popular reading. A booklet that may be carried in the pocket, and may be sold, in paper binding, for ten cents, has been their ambition. They have been led to this undertaking by the large demand for copies of their booklet, "His Last Week," which comprises the last third of this volume, whose use at Easter time has brought them many requests for the complete Gospel story, interwoven in the same manner. The work of preparation has been done by three ministers of Oak Park, in suburban Chicago, who have shared equally the labor, but the undertaking has the support and co-operation of the entire group of fifteen local pastors, representing six different denominations. To this larger group of brethren is due a grateful acknowledgment of sympathy and assistance. The book has at least the value of an illustration in practical interdenominational co-operation. In the spirit of this fine fellowship it is commended to Christians of every name. THE EDITORS His Life I. His Birth and Boyhood 1. THE DIVINE ANNOUNCINGS 2. THE BIRTH AND INFANCY OF JESUS 3. THE LIFE IN NAZARETH II. The Beginnings of His Ministry 1. JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST 2. THE BEGINNINGS OF FAITH 3. JESUS IN JERUSALEM 4. PREPARATORY PREACHING III. His Year of Popularity 1. JESUS IN GALILEE 2. BEGINNINGS OF CONTROVERSY The Word made Flesh. The Promised Birth of John the Baptist. The Angel's Visit to Mary. Mary's Visit to Her Cousin. Mary's Song. The Birth of John the Baptist. The Song of Zacharias. 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 Joseph and Mary. The Birth of Jesus. The Angels and the Shepherds. The Circumcision. The Presentation in the Temple. The Visit of the Wise Men. The Flight into Egypt. 20 20 21 22 22 23 24 The Return to Nazareth. The Boyhood Visit to Jerusalem. The Eighteen Silent Years. 26 26 27 The Voice in the Wilderness. The Baptism of Jesus. The Temptation in the Wilderness. John's Testimony to Jesus. 28 30 30 31 The First Disciples by the Jordan. The First Miracle. 33 34 Cleansing His Father's House. The Visit of Nicodemus. 36 36 Jesus Baptizing and Preaching. John's Tribute to Jesus. At Jacob's Well. Preaching to the Samaritans. 39 39 40 41 John the Baptist Imprisoned. Reception of Jesus by the Galilæans. Healing the Nobleman's Son. The Recall of the Fishermen. A Day of Good Deeds in Capernaum. The First Leper Healed. 43 43 43 44 45 47 The Healing of a Paralytic. The Publican Disciple. The Old and the New. 48 49 49 3. MANY CALLED AND FEW CHOSEN 4. THE TEACHING OF THE KINGDOM 5. A TOUR IN GALILEE 6. GROWING POPULARITY AND RISING OPPOSITION 7. THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM 8. A DAY OF MIRACLES BY THE LAKE 9. WIDER EVANGELIZATION OF GALILEE 10. THE CRISIS IN CAPERNAUM IV. His Withdrawal with the Twelve 1. THE MINISTRY BEYOND GALILEE A Sabbath Healing in Jerusalem. Plucking Grain on the Sabbath. 50 53 A Multitude of Disciples. The Selection of the Twelve. 54 55 The Citizens of the Kingdom. The Righteousness of the Kingdom. The Danger of Hypocrisy. Simple Trust in God. Charitable Judgment. Prayer. Sincerity. 56 57 59 61 62 63 64 The Worthy Centurion. Raising the Widow's Son. A Question from John the Baptist. Jesus' Estimate of John the Baptist. The Death of John the Baptist. Forgiveness of the Repentant Woman. The Ministering Women. 66 67 67 68 69 70 71 The Concern of Jesus' Friends. Warning of Eternal Sin. The Demand for a Sign. 72 72 74 The Sower. The Tares. The Growing Grain. The Mustard Seed. The Leaven. The Understanding of Parables. The Hid Treasure. The Pearl of Great Price. The Drag Net. 75 77 77 77 78 78 79 79 79 Jesus Stills the Storm. The Legion of Demons. The Dying Child and the Suffering Woman. Healings by the Way. 80 80 82 84 A Visit to His Home. Preaching in the Villages. The Twelve Sent Forth. 85 86 87 The Five Thousand Fed. Jesus Walking on the Water. The Disappointment of the People. Rejection of the Tradition of the Elders. The Plot of the Pharisees. 91 92 93 97 99 The Phoenician Retirement and the Gentile Cure. Miracles and Multitudes Again. The Four Thousand Fed. 100 101 101 2. JESUS THE MESSIAH 3. THE TRAINING OF THE TWELVE V. His Face Toward Jerusalem 1. THE FINAL DEPARTURE FROM GALILEE 2. IN JERUSALEM—THE ATTEMPT TO STONE HIM 3. THE MINISTRY IN PEREA 4. IN JERUSALEM—THE ATTEMPT TO ARREST HIM. 5. RENEWED MINISTRY IN PEREA 6. NEAR JERUSALEM—THE PLOT TO KILL HIM. 7. HIS WITHDRAWAL TO EPHRAIM The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand a Sign. The Blind Man Healed. 102 103 Peter's Confession. The Passion and Resurrection Foretold. The Transfiguration. The Epileptic Boy. 105 105 106 108 The Passion and Resurrection Again Foretold. The Greatest Disciple. Forgiveness. The Shekel for the Temple. 110 110 112 113 The Beginning of the End. The Grateful Samaritan Leper. New Disciples. 114 114 115 Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus and the Accused Woman. The Light of the World. The Freedom of the Soul. 116 118 119 121 The Mission of the Seventy. The Return of the Seventy. The Meek and Lowly. The Unrepentant Cities. The Good Samaritan. 123 124 124 125 125 The Friends at Bethany. A Miracle in Jerusalem. The Good Shepherd. Jesus at the Feast of Dedication. 127 127 130 131 Jesus and the Pharisees. Warning Against Covetousness. The Fall of the Tower. The Uses of the Sabbath. A Question of Salvation. A Message to Herod. The Ox in the Pit. The Chief Places at the Feast. The Slighted Invitation. Counting the Cost. The Ninety and Nine. The Lost Coin. The Prodigal Son. The Unjust Steward. A Parable to the Lovers of Money. "Increase Our Faith." 133 134 134 135 136 136 137 137 138 139 139 140 140 142 143 144 The Raising of Lazarus. The Decision of the Council. 145 148 The Coming of the Kingdom. 149 8. THE LAST JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM VI. His Last Week 1. PALM SUNDAY—THE DAY OF TRIUMPH 2. MONDAY—THE DAY OF AUTHORITY 3. TUESDAY—THE DAY OF CONTROVERSY 4. WEDNESDAY—THE DAY OF RETIREMENT 5. THURSDAY—THE DAY OF FELLOWSHIP 6. FRIDAY—THE DAY OF SUFFERING The Unjust Judge. The Pharisee and the Publican. Concerning Divorce. Jesus and the Children. The Rich Young Ruler. The Parable of the Vineyard. 149 150 150 151 151 153 The Shadow of the Cross. The Sons of Thunder. The Blind Man of Jericho. The Visit to Zacchæus. The Parable of the Pounds. Going up to Jerusalem. The Feast at Bethany. 155 155 156 157 157 159 159 The Triumphal Entry. 161 The Cursing of the Fig Tree. The Cleansing of the Temple. 163 163 The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree. The Challenge of Christ's Authority. Three Warning Parables. Three Hostile Questions asked of Jesus. The Unanswerable Question of Jesus. Discourse of Jesus Against the Scribes and Pharisees. The Widow's Two Mites. The Gentiles Seek Jesus. The Jews Reject Jesus. Discourse Concerning the Future. Three Lessons to the Disciples. The Conspiracy Against Jesus. 164 164 165 (a) the two sons. (b) the wicked husbandmen. (c) the marriage of the king's son. 165 165 167 167 (a) tribute to Cæsar. (b) the question of the resurrection. (c) the greatest commandment. 167 168 169 170 170 173 173 174 175 179 (a) the parable of the ten virgins. (b) the parable of the talents. (c) the judgment scene. 179 180 181 183 184 Preparation for the Passover. Strife among the Disciples. Jesus Washing the Disciples' Feet. The Betrayer Pointed Out. The Lord's Supper. The Farewell Conversation. The Intercessory Prayer. 185 185 186 187 188 189 196 The Agony in Gethsemane. The Betrayal and Arrest. The Trial before the Jewish Authorities. The Denial of Peter. The Remorse of Judas. 199 200 201 203 204 His Life HIS BIRTH AND BOYHOOD THE DIVINE ANNOUNCINGS The Word Made Flesh. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, "This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me." For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. The Promised Birth Of John The Baptist. There was in the days of Herod, king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all 7. SATURDAY—THE DAY OF SILENCE AND SORROW VII. His Resurrection 1. SUNDAY—THE DAY OF RESURRECTION 2. AFTER THE RESURRECTION DAY The Trial before Pilate. Jesus before Herod. The Trial before Pilate Resumed. The Sorrowful Way. The Crucifixion. The Burial. 205 206 207 210 210 214 The Watch at the Tomb. 215 The Earthquake. The Empty Tomb. The Appearance to Mary. The Appearance to the Women. Report of the Watch. The Appearance at Emmaus. The Appearance to the Disciples. 216 216 217 217 218 218 220 The Appearance to the Disciples and to Thomas. The Appearance to the Seven by the Sea. The Appearance to the Eleven on the Mountain. The Last Appearance and Ascension. 222 222 225 225 the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, "Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God. And he shall go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him." And Zacharias said unto the angel, "Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years." And the angel answering said unto him, "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings. And behold, thou shalt be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou believedst not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season." And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marvelled while he tarried in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: and he continued making signs unto them, and remained dumb. And it came to pass, when the days of his ministration were fulfilled, he departed unto his house. And after these days Elisabeth his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, "Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men." The Angel's Visit to Mary. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee." But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be. And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." And Mary said unto the angel, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God. And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren. For no word from God shall be void of power." And Mary said, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" And the angel departed from her. Mary's Visit to Her Cousin. And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit; and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me? For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord." Mary's Song. And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him. He hath showed strength with his arm: He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. He hath put down princes from their thrones, And hath exalted them of low degree. The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath given help to Israel his servant, That he might remember mercy (As he spake unto our fathers) Toward Abraham and his seed for ever." And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house. The Birth of John the Baptist. Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, "Not so; but he shall be called John." And they said unto her, "There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, blessing God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa. And all that heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, "What then shall this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. The Song of Zacharias. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of his servant David (As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old), Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us; To show mercy towards our fathers. And to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware unto Abraham our father, To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Should serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him all our days. Yea and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people In the remission of their sins, Because of the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the dayspring from on high shall visit us, To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel. THE BIRTH AND INFANCY OF JESUS Joseph and Mary. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins." Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel;" which is, being interpreted, "God with us." And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; and knew her not till she had brought forth a son. The Birth of Jesus. Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. The Angels and the Shepherds. And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and 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, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased." And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them. The Circumcision. And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called Jesus, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. The Presentation in the Temple. And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon: and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now, lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord, According to thy word, in peace; For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel." And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him; and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; And for a sign which is spoken against; Yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; That thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. The Visit of the Wise Men. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him." And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. And they said unto him, "In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written through the prophet, 'And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: For out of thee shall come forth a governor, Who shall be shepherd of my people Israel.'" Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him." And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. The Flight Into Egypt. Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt did I call my son." Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she would not be comforted, because they are not." THE LIFE IN NAZARETH The Return to Nazareth. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child's life." And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee, and came and dwelt in their own city Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene. And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. The Boyhood Visit to Jerusalem. And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey: and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing." And he said unto them, "How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house?" And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. The Eighteen Silent Years. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. THE BEGINNINGS OF HIS MINISTRY JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST The Voice in the Wilderness. Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituræa and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leathern girdle about his loins, and did eat locusts and wild honey. And he came into all the region round about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins; and saying, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." For this is he that was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, And every mountain and hill shall be brought low; And the crooked shall become straight, And the rough ways smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." And there went out to him all the country of Judæa, and all they of Jerusalem, and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism he said unto them, "Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham to our father': for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And even now the axe also lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." And the multitudes asked him, saying, "What then must we do?" And he answered and said unto them, "He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise." And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said unto him, "Teacher, what must we do?" And he said unto them, "Extort no more than that which is appointed you." And soldiers also asked him, saying, "And we, what must we do?" And he said unto them, "Extort from no man by violence, neither accuse any one wrongfully; and be content with your wages." And as the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether haply he were the Christ; John answered, saying unto them all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire: whose fan is in his hand, thoroughly to cleanse his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire." With many other exhortations therefore preached he good tidings unto the people. The Baptism of Jesus. And it came to pass in those days, when all the people were baptized, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John would have hindered him, saying, "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" But Jesus answering said unto him, "Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he suffereth him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water; and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him; and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." The Temptation in the Wilderness. Then straightway was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, and he was with the wild beasts, and did eat nothing in those days. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he afterward hungered. And the tempter came and said unto him, "If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But he answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'" Then the devil taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, "If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, "'He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to guard thee.' and, "'On their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.'" Jesus said unto him, "Again it is written, 'Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God.'" Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and the glory of them. And the devil said unto him, "To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship before me, it shall all be thine." Then saith Jesus unto him, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written. 'Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.'" And when the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him for a season; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him. John's Testimony to Jesus. And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, "Who art thou?" And he confessed and denied not; and he confessed, "I am not the Christ." And they asked him, "What then? Art thou Elijah?" And he saith, "I am not." "Art thou the prophet?" And he answered "No." They said therefore unto him, "Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us? What sayest thou of thyself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as said Isaiah the prophet." And they had been sent from the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, "Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet." John answered them, saying, "I baptize in water: in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not, even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose." These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, "Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me cometh a man who is become before me: for he was before me.' And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water." And John bare witness, saying, "I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, 'Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." THE BEGINNINGS OF FAITH The First Disciples by the Jordan. Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples; and he looked upon Jesus as he walked and saith, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, "What seek ye?" And they said unto him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), "where abidest thou?" He saith unto them, "Come, and ye shall see." They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour. One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is, being interpreted, Christ). He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, "Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas" (which is by interpretation, Peter). On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." And Nathanael said unto him. "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip saith unto him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael saith unto him, "Whence knowest thou me?" Jesus answered and said unto him, "Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel." Jesus answered and said unto him, "Because I said unto thee, 'I saw thee underneath the fig tree,' believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these." And he saith unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." The First Miracle. And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and Jesus also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, "They have no wine." And Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come." His mother saith unto the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, "Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast." And they bare it. And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants that had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, and saith unto him, "Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have drunk freely, then that which is worse: thou hast kept the good wine until now." This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him. After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples; and there they abode not many days. JESUS IN JERUSALEM Cleansing His Father's House. And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money, and overthrew their tables; and to them that sold the doves he said, "Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise." His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for thy house shall eat me up."