recognized the will of his Lord, and prepared not (for His coming), much less did according to His will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who recognized it not, but did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For from every one to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from him to whom they have consigned much they will demand the more.

(The condition of His disciples can at no time be one of ease, for) "I came to cast fire (of conviction and purification) upon the earth, and what do I wish? Would that it were already kindled !" (There is however a preliminary work to be accomplished before the pentecostal fire goes forth to convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.) "I have a baptism (of blood wherewith) to be baptized, and how am I in a strait until it has been accomplished! Do you think that I have been present (on the earth) to give peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather variance (for those men whom He gathered to Himself out of the world, not being of the world, will be hated by the world). For from the present time there shall be five persons in one house at variance (as at that time in Judæa), three against two and two against three." (The feelings of estrangement of unbelievers towards believers will break through every bond of blood and of affinity.) "The father will be in hostility against the son,

8 ἐπί with dat.

The Responsibility of the People. 361

and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law opposed to the bride, and the bride opposed to her mother-inlaw."

(Such the responsibilities of their calling and such the relations which would exist between the disciples and mankind at large. This is a charge to the Apostles and disciples before the assembled people in Peræa, similar to the charge delivered before the multitude to the Apostles in Galilee after their ordination. Its chief object appears to be a preparation of the Apostles for their work, and of the people to receive them as accredited and future teachers. It also forewarns all believers of their true position in the world.)

Chapter lxxxiii.

The Responsibilities of the People themselves.

(JESUS next addresses the multitudes upon their own responsibility in not recognizing the time of His coming.) He said' also to the multitudes, "Whenever you perceive the cloud arising from the west (that is from the sea), without hesitation you say, 'A shower is coming.' And so it comes to pass (the blessing arrives). And whenever

bi with accus.

1 Luke xii. 54.

you

perceive the south wind blowing, you say, 'It will be a scorching wind.' And it comes to pass (the plague comes on). Hypocrites, you know how to estimate aright the face of the earth and of the heaven, and how is it you do not estimate aright this your season (of blessing or of curse). Why do you not even of yourselves judge what is right" (and suitable to the present time? It were well for them to make peace with God in the day of Salvation, whilst the Son was with them. Advice to this effect Jesus throws into the form of a parable). "Whilst you are going with your adversary (the plaintiff) before the Governor, on the way take pains to be reconciled with him; lest he drag you before the judge, and the judge deliver you to the proctor, and the proctor cast you into prison. I tell you, that you will not come out thence, until you have paid the last farthing." (Jesus by this parable pressed them to consider their present condition and conduct, before His word now delivered to them became their accuser, and He Himself their judge. Thus He closed the present extended discourse, not perhaps more extended than many others if we had them on record. But most important is the conclusion of the ministry of Jesus at this place, of which no account is given for some days. From what follows it appears that Jesus was on the point of setting out to Jerusalem for the next feast, and * πράκτορι (αἵματος).

a

Fatal Catastrophes.

363

that some persons suggested that Galilæans were in danger there.)

Chapter lxxxiv.

Fatal Catastrophes are not indicative of the Degree of a Sinner's Guilt.

AT' that season however there were present certain persons who reported to Him about the Galilæans whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices. (How this was done does not appear.) Jesus replied, "Do you suppose that these Galilæans had become sinners (against the law of Moses) beyond all the Galilæans, because they have suffered such things (from political and other causes)? No, I tell you (Pilate's cruelty towards them is no measure of their guilt); but (as they have perished in their sins, because they were not in the kingdom, so) unless you repent (and enter the kingdom), you will all in like manner perish (in sin. The difference is whether a man dies in the kingdom or out of it, and not how he dies). Or those eighteen (inhabitants of Jerusalem), upon whom fell the tower in Siloam, and slew them, do you suppose that they had become debtors (to God) beyond all men who dwell at Jerusalem (and neglect the ordinances of His temple)? No, I ἁμαρτωλοί.

1 Luke xiii. 1.

a

tell you (the suddenness of their death is no measure of their debts); but unless you repent (so as to enter the kingdom), you shall all in like manner perish" (in sin).

Jesus spake this parable (to show that all men would in like manner die in their sins, if they persisted in a like impenitence and disregard of His mission, in which He had now laboured for three years). "A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit upon it and found it not. He said therefore to the vinedresser (the Father, who purges even the fruitful branches that they may bring forth more fruit), 'Lo, during three years I (the Son of Man) come seeking fruit upon this fig-tree, and find it not. Cut it out (of the vineyard); wherefore does it (by occupation) render even the ground unproductive?' He (the Father) replied, Lord (of the vineyard, into whose hands all things are given), suffer it also during this year, until I have dug about it and cast in manure, and should it then have produced fruit, well (the door of repentance is open to the last hour); but if otherwise, for the future you (the Son of Man shall exercise judgment and) shall cut it out" (of the vineyard. This parable represents the whole nation of the Jews as unproductive under the ministry of Jesus for three years, and declares their fate, if they still remained unrepentant whilst subject to renewed b καταργεί,