Mark x. 46. as he went out of Jericho with his disciples, recorded by St. Luke was different from, and previous to that Another opinion is, that each Evangelist relates a different The accounts of the several Evangelists, relating to this matter, have been connected by the most ancient harmonists, and by some of the moderns (d): but they have not given their reasons for so doing. Perhaps they may have been the same as have induced me to think that they have properly connected them, viz. 1. The series of the several circumstances mentioned by all 2. If Jesus had wrought a cure of this sort just before he to sup 3. Though there were two blind men who received sight, as St. Matthew expresses it, and though St. Mark and St. Luke mention one only, yet the accounts cannot be said to be contradictory, allowing them to allude to the same fact. For the miracle is the same, in the cure of one as in the cure of many. Bartimæus might be the more remarkable person; and therefore the mention of the other be purposely omitted by the two Evangelists (e). St. Matthew and St. Mark say, that this was done at Jesus' departure from Jericho; and St, Luke, that it was, v T ἐγγίζειν αὐτὸν εἰς Ιεριχώ, As he was come nigh unto Jericho, according to our translation) which seems to imply, that he was not yet arrived there: and this sense hath been affixed to the words, as far as I can learn, by translators in all times, and all languages; from whence hath arisen the seeming difficulty of reconciling the several accounts. But if the words may be translated at largo, When he was nigh unto Jericho; then St. Luke's account is very consistent with the others, because it determines not whether it was before he came to Jericho, or at his departure from that place, that he wrought this miracle. And that the words will bear this construction, we may be easily convinced, by observing another expression of St. Luke, of the very same sort, xix. 29. καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ήγγισεν εἰς Βεθφαγὴ kai Belaviav, translated again, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany: but it evidently appears that Jesus was gone from Bethany towards Jerusalem, when he sent out the disciples, &c. And all commentators are agreed, that though Jesus was then nigh unto Bethany, yet he was going from it. And understanding the words here in the same sense, St. Luke saith, that Jesus was now nigh unto Jericho, but going from it; agrecable to the account which both St. Matthew and St. Mark give of this matter. Lightfoot observes, he healeth one blind man as he entereth Jericho. Mat. xx. 30. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, Mark x. 46. blind Bartimæus, the son of Timæus, 36. 37. And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. Mat. xx. 30, when they heard that Jesus passed by, Mark x. 47. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, Lu. xviii.38. and he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. Mat, xx. 30. Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David. 31. And the multitude Lu. xviii.39. they which went before, rebuked him, Mat. xx. 31. rebuked them, because they should hold their peace : Lu, xviii.39. that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, into Jericho, of which St. Luke speaketh, and another as he Doddridge very justly observes, that this is improbable: for I have endeavoured so to harmonize the accounts of the Evangelists, that the scene may be most vividly presented to the reader. I have adopted the opinion that two were healed — at the same time--but one was more known to the people, the most remarkable of the two, and more earnest in the expression of his faith in Jesus, and in the miraculous cure that had been wrought upon him. Doddridge, Fam. Exp. vol. ii. p. 138, Newcome agrees with Doddridge in this opinion. In passing through Jericho, Christ heals the blind men, and when he leaves that city is met by Zaccheus, Luke xix. 1. which evidently places this event before the resurrection of Lazarus. Then follows the resurrection of Lazarus-Christ's retirement at Ephraim-the anointing at Bethany, and the entrance into Jerusalem. This is the order I have observed, in preference to that of Newcome, or Pilkington. The principal argument of Newcome is derived from John x. 40. compared with John vi. 11. 3. but this is answered by the supposition above mentioned, that Matt.xix. 1. and Mark x. 1. represent Christ as being in the same place as he is said to have been in John x. 40. and if the Evangelist's narrative is made our guide, it gives us greater space for the various circumstances recorded in St. Luke. (a) Chemnitius, Richardson, Lamy, Toinard, &c. (b) Molinæus, Garthwait, &c. (c) Ludolphus. (d) Tatian, Ammonius, Calvin, Whiston, Le Clerc, &c. (e) Vide Poli Synop, in loc. Jericho, Mat. xx. 31. but they cried the more, Mark x. 48. a great deal, Mat. xx. 31. saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David. 40. And Jesus stood, Mat. xx. 31. Jesus stood still, and called them, Lu.xviii.40. and commanded him Mark x. 49. to be called Lu.xviii.40. and to be brought unto him. Mark x. 49. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Lu.xviii.40. and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? Mat. xx. 33. Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Mat. xx. 34. Lu.xviii.42. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy faith Mark x. 52. Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. Lu.xviii.43. Mark x. 52. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way, Mat. xx. 33. their eyes received sight, and they followed him. Lu. xviii.43. glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. Luke xix. 1. MATT. XX. part of ver. 29, 30. 32, 33. 29-And as they departed from Jericho― 32 —And—and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you ? MARK X. part of ver. 46, 47, 48, 49. ver. 51. and part of ver. 52. 47--and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him— 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52-And Jesus said unto him SECTION XLV. Conversion of Zacchaeus, and the Parable of the Pounds. LUKE xix. 1—28. And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Jericho. Luke xix.2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which Jericha. was the chief among the Publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchæus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. And as they heard these things, he added and spake a He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: Lu. xix. 21. thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest Jericho. that thou didst not sow. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant, Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me. 28. And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascend- John xi. 17. SECTION XLVI. The Resurrection of Lazarus". JOHN Xi. 17-46. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in Bethany. the grave four days already. 34 The noble truth, the resurrection of the body, is so important to man, that it has been confirmed by the most convincing evidence, and the most undeniable facts. Our Lord gave life to the human body from the grave in all its various stages of corruption and decay. The body of the widow's son was restored within one or two days after his decease: for he was recalled to life as they were carrying him to the grave. The resurrection of Lazarus was the third instance, and it was attended with some striking peculiarities. The body had lain four days in the grave. In those warm climates, the terrible process of corruption and decay was always rapid. The flesh would have begun to mingle with its kindred elements. The relations and friends of the departed were so sensible of this, that they attempted to dissuade our Lord from going to the sepulchre. Although they knew that our Lord had raised one man from the dead, they did not believe it possible that Ho could restore life to him, who for so many days had "said to corruption thou art my father, and to the worm thou art my sister and brother." Our Lord, however, proceeded to demonstrate his almighty power, and the great truths he had come down to teach, by the resistless evidence of a public and undeniable fact. No sooner were the words uttered, "Lazarus come forth," than he that was dead came forth. Unable to walk, for he was swaddled, and bound both hand and foot in his grave clothes, according to the Jewish custom. He glided forth from the grave, and appeared among the astonished multitude. His body was unchanged. He was again to dwell with his family and friends, the same as he had ever been. Like the daughter of Jairus, and the widow's son, he was again to re |