An Examination of the Testimony of the Four Evangelists Part 4

-- 9. The circ.u.mcision of Jesus and his presentation in the temple.

_Bethlehem_. _Jerusalem_.

Luke.

CH. II. 21-38.

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circ.u.mcising of the child,(89) his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present _him_ to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord,(90) Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord,(91) A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name _was_ Simeon; and the same man _was_ just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed G.o.d, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is(92) set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against, 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also;) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity.

37 And she _was_ a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served _G.o.d_ with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

-- 10. The Magi. _Jerusalem._ _Bethlehem._

Matthew.

CH. II. 1-12.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to wors.h.i.+p him.

3 When Herod the king had heard _these things_, he was troubled,(93) and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, in Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And(94) thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said Go, and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found _him_, bring me word again, that I may come and wors.h.i.+p him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and wors.h.i.+pped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of G.o.d in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

-- 11. The flight into Egypt. Herod's cruelty. The return. _Bethlehem.

Nazareth_.

Matthew.

CH. II. 13-23.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,(95) Out of Egypt have I called my Son.

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In(96) Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19 But, when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither:(97) notwithstanding, being warned of G.o.d in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.(98)

-- 12. At twelve years of age, Jesus goes to the Pa.s.sover. _Jerusalem_.

Luke.

CH. II. 41-52.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the pa.s.sover.

42 And when he was twelve years old(99), they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company,(100) went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46 And it came to pa.s.s, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us?

Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with G.o.d and man.

-- 13. The Genealogies.

Matthew.

CH. I. 1-17.

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naa.s.son; and Naa.s.son begat Salmon; 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her _that had been the wife_ of Urias; 7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 And Ezekias begat Mana.s.ses; and Mana.s.ses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon; 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David _are_ fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon _are_ fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ _are_ fourteen generations.

Luke.

CH. III. 23-38, INVERTED.(101) 38 _The son_ of G.o.d, _the son_ of Adam, _the son_ of Seth, _the son_ of Enos, 37 _The son_ of Cainan, _the son_ of Maleleel, _the son_ of Jared, _the son_ of Enoch, _the son_ of Mathusala, 36 _The son_ of Lamech, _the son_ of Noe, _the son_ of Sem, _the son_ of Arphaxad, _the son_ of Cainan, 35 _The son_ of Sala, _the son_ of Heber, _the son_ of Phalec, _the son_ of Ragau, _the son_ of Saruch, 34 _The son_ of Nachor, _the son_ of Thara, _the son_ of Abraham, _the son_ of Isaac, _the son_ of Jacob, 33 _The son_ of Juda, _the son_ of Phares, _the son_ of Esrom, _the son_ of Aram, _the son_ of Aminadab, 32 _The son_ of Naa.s.son, _the son_ of Salmon, _the son_ of Booz, _the son_ of Obed, _the son_ of Jesse, 31 _The son_ of David, _the son_ of Nathan, _the son_ of Mattatha, _the son_ of Menan, _the son_ of Melea, 30 _The son_ of Eliakim, _the son_ of Jonan, _the son_ of Joseph, _the son_ of Juda, _the son_ of Simeon, 29 _The son_ of Levi, _the son_ of Matthat, _the son_ of Joram, _the son_ of Eliezer, _the son_ of Jose, 28 _The son_ of Er, _the son_ of Elmodam, _the son_ of Cosam, _the son_ of Addi, _the son_ of Melchi, 27 _The son_ of Neri, _the son_ of Salathiel, _the son_ of Zorobabel, _the son_ of Rhesa, _the son_ of Joanna, 26 _The son_ of Juda, _the son_ of Joseph, _the son_ of Semei, _the son_ of Mattathias, _the son_ of Maath, 25 _The son_ of Nagge, _the son_ of Esli, _the son_ of Naum, _the son_ of Amos, _the son_ of Mattathias, 24 _The son_ of Joseph, _the son_ of Janna, _the son_ of Melchi, _the son_ of Levi, _the son_ of Matthat, 23 _The son_ of Heli, _the son_ of Joseph,-And Jesus himself ... being (as was supposed)-

Part II. Announcement And Introduction Of Our Lord's Public Ministry.

TIME. _About one year._

-- 14. The Ministry of John the Baptist. _The Desert._ _The Jordan._