The Works of George Campbell: Dissertation on the Gospels

The reason why Jesus taught in parables.
The parable of the darnel. Of the grain of mus-
The explanation of the parable of the darnel. The
Of the precious pearl. Of the sweepnet, with

The parable of the sower.

explanation of the parable.

tard seed. Of the leaven.

parable of the hidden treasure.

its explanation

SECTION VIII. The People twice fed in the Desert.

Ch. xiii. 54, &c. xiv. xv. xvi, 1-12.

Jesus despised by his fellow-citizens on account of his parentage; is informed
how John the Baptist was killed by Herod; retires to a desert; is followed
by more than 5000 persons, whom he there feeds miraculously; makes his
disciples embark for the other side of the lake; follows them in the night,
walking on the water; entering the bark, stills the storm; many, in the coun-
try of Gennesaret, cured by touching his garment; his disciples vindicated
from the charge brought by the Pharisees, who, by their traditions, annulled
the law of God. Moral pollution proceeds only from vice. A demon expelled
from the daughter of a woman who, though a Gentile, showed extraordinary
faith. In a mountain, near the Sea of Galilee, many cures performed, and
upwards of 4000 miraculously fed. A sign, such as they demanded, refused

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DISSERTATION IX.

Inquiry whether certain names which have been adopted into most Translations

of Scripture in the West, coincide in Meaning with the original Terms from

which they are derived, and of which they are used as the Version

Of the Regard which, in translating Scripture into English, is due to the Prac-

tice of former Translators, particularly of the Authors of the Latin Vulgate,

and of the common English Translation.

PART I. The Regard due to the Vulgate

PART II. The Regard due to the English Translation

DISSERTATION XII.

An account of what is attempted in the Translation of the Gospels, and in the

Notes here offered to the Public.

PART I.

The essential Qualities of the Version

THE lineage of Jesus from Abraham. His conception and birth. The visit of
the magians. The judgment of the chief priests and scribes concerning the

place where the Messiah should be born. Joseph's retreat into Egypt. The

murder of the infants. Herod's death. Joseph's return to Galilee

SECTION II. The Baptism.-Chap. iii, iv.

John sent to baptize and announce the Messiah. Jesus baptized by him, and

attested from heaven. Tempted by the devil in the desert. Return

lilee. Calls Peter, Andrew, and the two sons of Zebedee.

to the people of the reign of God. Performs miraculous

SECTION III. The Sermon on the Mount

Who are happy. The disciples of Jesus bour
ratify the divine law, much impaired by th
respect of extent. Exemplified in wh
3. divorce; 4. oaths; 5. retaliation;
respect of motive. Where the end
emplified-1. in almsgiving;
the stability of the things in
should pursue the former with
the latter. The service of
Admonitions to charitabl

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ourselves: To discretion in dispensing religious benefits: To assiduity in

pursuing spiritual good: To humanity and equity in our behaviour to all.

Caution against the seducing influence of the multitude, commonly in the

wrong. Warning against false teachers, who are best known by their actions.

The wisdom of adding practice to knowledge. The insignificancy of the

latter without the former

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SECTION IV. Several Miracles.-Ch. viii. ix. 1-34.

The cure of a leper; of a centurion's servant; of Peter's wife's mother; of some

demoniacs and others. Those who follow Jesus must do it at all hazards, and

without delay. The stilling of a tempest on the sea. The cure of two furious

demoniacs; of a paralytic carried on a bed. Matthew called. The reason why

Jesus associated with sinners. Why his disciples did not fast. A woman cured

of a bloody issue. A ruler's daughter restored to life. The cure of two blind

men, and of a dumb demoniac

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to both Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples cautioned against their doc-

trine under the name of leaven, which they, interpreting literally, misunder-

stood

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SECTION IX. The Transfiguration.—Ch. xvi. 13, &c. xvii. xviii.

The opinions of the people concerning Jesus. Peter avows him to be the Mes-

siah. Jesus asserts the perpetuity of his church soon to be erected. Foretells

his own death. Rebukes Peter, who was scandalized at hearing it mentioned.

All who would be followers warned to prepare for sufferings and death. Jesus

transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John. Lets them know who

the Elijah was that should come first. Asserts the power of faith. To avoid

giving offence, pays the tribute, though entitled to exemption. Humility the

road to eminence in the reign of heaven. The meanest disciple not to be

despised. Snares and offences to be avoided. The method of reclaiming an

offending brother. Personal injuries, though often repeated, still to be forgiven.

The implacable not to expect forgiveness from God. The parable of the king

who reckoned with his servants

SECTION X. The Rich Man's Application.—Ch. xix. xx. 1--16.

What it is that justifies divorce. Who they are that should abstain from mar-

riage. The people encouraged to bring children to Jesus: what must be

done to obtain eternal life; how far endeavours after perfection will carry us.

Riches a great obstruction to our admission into the kingdom. The reward

of those who abandon any thing for Jesus. God gives gratuitously much

beyond his promise. Illustrated by the parable of the labourers in the vine-

yard

The

SECTION XI. The Entry into Jerusalem. –Ch. xx. 17, &c. xxi. xxii. 1—14.

Jesus, travelling to Jerusalem, foretells his sufferings and resurrection.

application of Zebedee's wife in behalf of her sons. Jesus asserts the ne-

cessity of humility in all who would obtain admission into his kingdom.

Gives sight to two blind men. Rides into Jerusalem on an ass, attended by

a multitude shouting for joy. Drives the traffickers out of the temple:

Where he heals the blind and the lame. Devotes the barren fig-tree. Affirms

the power of faith. Silences the chief priests and elders, who question him

about his authority. Contrasts their character with that of the heathen, in

the parable of the man who had two sons. Paints their ingratitude to God in

the parable of the husbandman who ill-treated and killed their landlord's mes-

sengers. Predicts the rejection of the Jews and the admission of the Gentiles

into the church. This further illustrated in the parable of the marriage of the

king's son

SECTION XII. The Character of the Pharisees.-Ch. xxii. 15, &c. xxiii.

Jesus eludes the artifices of the Pharisees in his manner of teaching that tribute

ought to be paid to their rulers. Vindicates the doctrine of the resurrection

against the Sadducees. Answers the lawyer who questioned him about what is

most essential in the law. Puzzles the Pharisees with a passage of Scripture

which they applied to the Messiah. Admonishes the people to follow the good

instructions, not the evil example, of their teachers, who are reproached with

obstructing the access to the kingdom of heaven; with making religion a mask

to rapacity; with their false zeal in making proselytes, whom, far from re-

forming, they corrupted; with the encouragement their traditions gave to per-

jury; with their exactness in things of no moment, whilst they neglected things

of the highest; with their care about the cleanness of the outside, whilst they

left the inside full of pollution

SECTION XIII. The Prophecy on Mount Olivet.-Ch. xxiv. xxv.

The destruction of the temple foretold. The calamities by which it will be pre-
ceded. The signs that the Judge is at hand. The time of the judgment known
only to God. Men will be surprised by it as formerly by the flood. The
necessity of activity and vigilance illustrated-by the example of servants who