e d questioned Him privately, and said, "Why were we not able to cast it out?" He replied, "On" account of your unbelief; for amen (assuredly), I tell you, Should you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall bid this mountain remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove itself; and nothing shall be unable to (obey) you. But this kind comes not out, and in no case is able to come out, except through prayer and fasting." (The disciples were thus taught that to perform great spiritual acts they must submit to much self-preparation, and keep a close dependence upon Jesus. He subsequently said, "Without Me ye can do nothing," and St. Paul, "I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me.") Chapter Ixi. The Departure from the Mount of Transfiguration. a THEY went out thence (from the house and neighbourhood of the mountain), and passed through Galilee (on bye-roads), for He was unwilling that any one should recognize Him; for He was instructing His disciples (as for some time past). And whilst they were going up and d App. 110. 8 Mark ix. 29. 1 Mark ix. 30. Ο παρεπορεύοντο. 'Matt. xvii. 20. Matt. xvii. 21. ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν. Mark ix. 29. App. 111. 2 Matt. xvii. 22. 7 The Departure from the Mount. 3 4 6 281 down in Galilee, and whilst all (His followers) were wondering at all things which Jesus did (expecting some great development of His kingdom), He said to His disciples (as an antidote to such expectations), "Store up in your ears these words of Mine: the Son of Man is on the point of being betrayed into the hands of men, and they shall slay Him; and after He has been slain, on the third day He shall rise again." (This was the second time Jesus had alluded to His resurrection.) But they did not understand the saying, and it was hidden from them, that they might not (yet) learn its meaning; and1 they were afraid to question Him about this saying, but were greatly grieved (at what seemed to them to be a gloomy termination to His Messiahship. They feared the worst, but they dare not ask for more certain information). 2 3 Luke ix. 43. Matt. xvii. 22. 5 Matt. xvii. 23. Matt. xvii. 23. 8 Mark ix. 32. 9 8 Mark ix. 31. Luke ix. 44. Mark ix. 31. Luke ix. 45. Mark ix. 31. Luke ix. 45. 2 Matt. xvii. 23. Chapter Ixii. Jesus returns to Capernaum, and resides there in private. 1 WHEN they arrived at Capernaum, they who' collect the didrachma (for the use of the temple) came to Peter, and said, "Does not your Master pay the didrachma ?" He replied, "Yea," (and set out to acquaint Jesus.) When he entered into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive tribute or custom? from their sons, or from men of another nation ?" Peter said, "From men of another nation." Jesus said, "Therefore are the sons free." (He was God's Son, and Peter, who had been taught by the Father and had confessed the Son, was a son of the kingdom. They were therefore as free from the tax which was levied in the name and for the service of God, as the Roman citizens and the imperial officers then in Judæa were from contributing to the Roman impost.) "But in order that we may not scandalize them (by appearing to neglect the temple service), Go to the sea (for Jesus had no possessions on land), and cast in a hook, and take up 1 Matt. xvii. 24. Mark ix. 33. 2 Matt. xvii. 24. a η προέφθασεν. Jesus returns to Capernaum. 283 the first fish that comes up; and when you have opened its mouth, you shall find a stater (equal to two didrachma). Take it, and give to them for Me and you." (In consequence of the growing notion that the kingdom of the Messiah was near, and that it was time for His Apostles to assume rank therein, on their way to Capernaum a dispute had arisen among them about priority.) And after He was in the house (and Peter had gone out to the lake), He questioned them, "About what did you dispute in the way among yourselves ?" But they continued silent; for they had disputed among themselves in the way, who was greater. He (on the return of Peter) sat down and called the twelve, and said to them, "If any one wishes to be first, he shall be last of all, and the minister of all." (This reply, however, did not satisfy them, for again) a disputation arose among them, who should be the greater of them, and at that hour the disciples came to Jesus (and inquired openly), saying, "Who truly is greater in the kingdom of heaven?" Then Jesus having called a child, took him, placed him in the midst of them, and said, 'Amen, I assure you (so little did priority concern them), Unless you should be converted (from their present state of mind), and become as children, 66 3 Mark ix. 33. 8 1 b you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven (at all). Whosoever shall humble himself as this child, he is the greater in the kingdom of the heavens; and whosoever should receive such a child in My name, receives Me." But Jesus' (after He had thus spoken, still) perceived the reasonings of their hearts, and took the child (from the midst of them), and placed it by Himself. And when He had taken it up into His arms (in order to show to them that the great question was not, who should be the greatest in the household of faith and rule the rest, but who should so deny himself as in the greatest degree to promote the reception of the kingdom among men), He said to them, "Whoever 2 receives this child, or one of such children, in 5 My name, receives Me; and whoever receives Me, does not receive Me, but Him that has sent Me; for he who is the less among all you, this man shall be great" (when he has so ministered as to be received of many. They who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars in the eon of the blessed. Jesus was teaching His Apostles to "crucify the old man, with the affections and lusts"). John' (perceiving from this teaching that the principles upon which they had hitherto acted were not altogether correct, "Luke ix. 47. 2 Mark ix. 37. Mark ix. 37. Luke ix. 48. 6 · ἐπιλαβόμενος. Luke ix. 48. 3 Mark ix. 37. 4 1 Mark ix. 36. |