LESSON LIV.

The Fall of Peter.

Luke xxii. 47-71.

47. WHERE was Christ when he was betrayed? Who approached him?

For what purpose did he pretend to draw near to Christ?

48. What did Christ say to him?

What circumstances of aggravation in the guilt of Judas does this question bring to view?

49. What did the by-standers ask?

50. What did one of them do?

51. What did Christ say?

How can we account for it that the exercise of such divine power should not have impressed all the witnesses with awe?

52, 53. What question did Christ put to those who had come to take him?

47 ¶ And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and be that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smute with the sword f

50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

62 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against thief, with swords and staves?

What did he mean by the expression at the close

of verse 53 ? 54. Whither did they take Christ? Who followed afar off? 55. Where was Peter ? 56. Who saw him there, and what did she say? 57. What did Peter do ? 58. What happened a little while after? What did Peter say? 59. What happened about an hour after? Why was Peter suspected ? Why should this lead to a suspicion of him ! 60. What did Peter reply? What followed ? 61. What brought to Peter's mind the

warning that Christ had given him?

53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

54 ( Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar oft.

55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean.

60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while be yet spake, the cock crew.

61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

62. What was the effect on him?

Are we to suppose from this that he was truly penitent?

63. What was done to Christ?

64, 65. In what way did they mock him?

66. What happened as soon as it was day? What is this council supposed to have been? 67, 68. What did they ask? What did Christ reply?

69. What did he say of himself?

70. What did this lead them all to say? How did Christ reply?

Did he mean this to be taken affirmatively?

71. What was the effect of his reply?

62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

83¶ And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. 64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?

65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. 66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,

67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:

68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.

69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we our. selves have heard of his own mouth.

LESSON LV.

The mock Trial of Christ.

Luke xxiii. 1-26. 1. To whom was Christ led ? Who led him thither ? Who was Pilate ? What was his authority or jurisdiction ? 2. Of what did they accuse Christ? Was their accusation true ? 3. What did Pilate do ? Why did he not ask for proof of the accusation ? What did Christ answer? What did he mean should be understood by this? 4. What did Pilate say of him? To whom did he say this ? 5. What was the effect of Pilate's vindica

tion of Christ ? What is remarkable in this reply of the Jews ? 6. What did Pilate ask concerning Christ?

CHAP. XXIII.--1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led hlm unto Pllate.

2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews : And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

6 When Pilate lioard of Galilee, he asked whether the nan were a Salllean.

7. To whom did he send Christ, and why? Where was Herod?

Who was Herod?

8. What is said of Herod?

9. What did he say to Christ?

How did Christ receive his inquiries?

10. What did the chief priests and scribes do? 11. What did Herod finally do with Christ? Who are meant by his "men of war???

12. What happened the same day?

What does this fact teach us of the nature of the unsanctified human heart?

13. What did Pilate do?

14-16. What did he say to them?

7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. 8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. 12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

13 ¶ And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, notldg worthy of death is done unto him.