the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his armis, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

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 an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 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."

NOTES.

These incidents are peculiar to Luke.

The days:-forty after the birth of a male.

As it is written. In commemoration of the sparing of the first-born of the Israelites, when the Destroying Angel passed through Egypt, all the first-born of men and beasts amongst the Jews were ordered to be dedicated to God; if they were animals clean for sacrifice, they were offered up,—if human males, or animals unclean for sacrifice, they must be redeemed. Afterwards the Levites were accepted in place of the first-born of men; but these were still counted holy to the Lord, and solemnly dedicated to Him.

To offer a sacrifice. The prescribed sacrifice was a lamb for a burnt-offering, and a pigeon or a turtle-dove as a sinoffering. In case of poverty, two turtle-doves or young pigeons might be brought. As this was done in Christ's case, we infer that his parents were in poor circumstances. Lettest dost let.

=

This Prophecy is called in the Church Service Nunc dimittis, (from the first words of it in the Vulgate), or the Song of Symeon. Its position is after the Second Lesson at Evening Prayer, which place it suitably occupies as a thanksgiving for the fulfilment in Christ of the promised blessings of the Old Testament.

The Song is exactly the same in the Authorized Version and the Church Service, save that in the latter "to be" is inserted before" a light" and "the glory." The fall:-through unbelief.

Rising again:-through faith.

Sign

= a mark, or butt.

Joseph and his Family settle at Nazareth.

"And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."

NOTES.

They returned to Nazareth. This may have been immediately after the Presentation, or after the Flight into Egypt related by Matthew.

Christ with the Doctors in the Temple.

(AT JERUSALEM).

"Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 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. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 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. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

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. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

NOTES.

This incident is peculiar to Luke.
Went used to go.

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All males of twelve years old and upwards were to appear before the Lord in the Temple three times yearly,— at the Feasts of the Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.

The Feast of the Passover. The Passover was instituted in commemoration of the passing over the houses of the Israelites by the Destroying Angel.

It lasted eight days.

On the 14th of Abib a male lamb, without blemish, was killed "between the evenings,”—roasted,—and eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

On the following seven days, unleavened bread was eaten, and on the first and last of these days, a Holy Convocation was held.

These seven days were kept as a distinct feast, called the "Feast of Unleavened Bread;" but as this followed immediately upon the Passover, the two names were frequently used for either or both of the festivals.

When he was twelve years old. At this age children became "Sons of the Law," and were obliged to keep it. It is probable that, at their first appearance in the Temple after reaching twelve, they underwent a rite of the same import as Confirmation.

The days:-eight in number.

After three days:-one spent on their way home,—a second, on their way back to Jerusalem,-and part of a third, in seeking him.

In the Temple:-in the Court of the Temple. Here the doctors of the Law sat on raised seats, with their disciples at their feet.

And stature:-should be.-as in age.

PERIOD II. FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST TO THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR OF CHRIST'S MINISTRY.

(A.D. 26-28.—One year and a half.)

The Ministry of John the Baptist.

(FROM NEAR Hebron to Bethabara).

"Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraa and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people."

NOTES.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke relate John's Ministry.

Luke alone quotes "Every valley," &c., and narrates the answers of John to the people, the publicans, and the soldiers.

Fifteenth year:-reckoning from the time that he was associated with Augustus in the government, two years before he became sole emperor.

Tiberius Caesar:-the second Roman emperor,-associated with Augustus, A.D. 12, and died A.D. 37,—a cruel and blood-thirsty tyrant; but a friend and protector of the Christians. He wished to deify our Lord.

Pontius Pilate:-Roman procurator of Judæa, from A.D. 27-37. He was so unjust and tyrannical that the Jews procured his deposition; he was banished to Vienne, and is supposed to have there committed suicide.

Tetrarch:-literally, a ruler over a fourth part,—but employed here to mean merely ruler.

Herod, tetrarch of Galilee.

On the death of Herod the Great, his kingdom was divided between his three sons, Archelaus, Herod Antipas, and Philip.

Archelaus ruled over Judæa, Samaria, and Idumæa.

Herod

Philip

Galilee and Southern Perca. Northern Peraa, (including Ituræa, Trachonitis, Batanea, Gaulonitis, &c.)