27 And he came by

27. And at this very time he came by the guidance the Spirit into the and dictate of the Spirit into the temple, and when temple: and when the parents brought Joseph and Mary brought in Jesus to perform those in the child Jesus, things which were according to the law usual to be to do for him after done, then took he

the custom of the

law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest

1 recited this hymn, Lord, now lettest

29. Lord, now thou hast fulfilled thy promise rethou thy servant de- vealed to me, ver. 26, I am heartily content to die :

part in peace, accord

ing to thy word:

30 For mine eyes

30. For I have with these fleshly eyes of mine be

have seen thy salva- held the Messias, tion,

31 Which thou hast

face of all people;

31. Whom thou hast so long promised, and at last prepared before the exhibited in the sight of all the congregation; 32. A light afforded to the Gentile world, Isaiah 32 A light to light- xlix. 6, to reveal to them God's righteousness, (or the en the Gentiles, and way of living which will be acceptable to God,) Psalm the glory of thy peo- cxvi. 18, and (after he hath reformed the religion of ple Israel. 33 And Joseph and the Jews, taught them the substantial instead of the his mother marvelled ceremonial observances) to bring the Gentiles to the at those things which receiving of that religion, and so to bring much glory were spoken of him. and honour to that nation, to those at least that do 34 And Simeon blessed them, and receive him, or in case they will do so.

said unto Mary his m is appointed by God to be a means of bringing mother, Behold, this punishment and ruin upon all obdurate impenitents, child is set for the and on the other side to redeem, restore, recover fall and rising again those that will be wrought on by him throughout all of many in Israel; and for a sign which this people; and he shall be vehemently opposed; so shall be spoken a- holy and severe in his precepts and practice that he gainst; shall be a butt or sign, such as are mentioned Isaiah viii. 18, a mark for all obdurate sinners to set themthy own soul also,) selves against;

35 (Yea, [f]a sword shall pierce through

revealed.

that the thoughts of 35. (And that opposition shall bring upon thee many hearts may be either death itself or some sore affliction,) that the machinations and designs of men, (see note [e] on 36 And there was one Anna, a prophet- Matt. xv.) which are now kept secret, may come ess, the daughter of forth, and be discovered by their dealings with him, Phanuel, of the tribe by the judgments which they pass upon him, some of Aser: she was " of receiving him as the Messias, others not. See note lived with an husband [] on Rom. viii.

a great age, and had

n

seven years from her very old, and had lived in the matrimonial estate virginity; but seven years, unto which she came a pure virgin;

37 And she was a widow of about four

37. And being now a widow of about eighty-four old, she constantly frequented the temple (see

score and four years, years

which departed not note [d] on Acts i.) and performed all acts of piety, from the temple, but praying and fasting constantly at the prescribed and [g] served God with accustomed seasons of performing those duties, fasting twice a-week, (see ch. xviii. 12,) and observing the 38 And she coming daily hours of prayer.

fastings and prayers night and day.

in that instant ° gave 0 thanks likewise unto

sang an hymn to him, and expressly affirmed him the Lord, and spake to be the Messias, and this she did to all those in of him to all them Jerusalem which expected the coming of the Messias. that looked for re- See ver. 25.

demption in Jerusa

lem.

39 And when they

had performed all

they returned into

things according to P they returned to Bethlehem, and there continued the law of the Lord, till they were warned to remove into Egypt, Matt. ii. Galilee, to their own 14, from whence returning they came to their own city Nazareth. dwelling at Nazareth in Galilee, Matt. ii. 23. 40 And the child 40. And Jesus grew in stature of body and faculties grew, and waxed of mind, (his divine Spirit assisting and strengthenstrong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and ing his natural faculties,) and was indued with great the grace of God was wisdom through the grace and power of God's Spirit upon him. upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43 And when they

had fulfilled the 4 had continued there all the feast days, and then ed, the child Jesus came home, as they—

days, as they return

tarried behind in Je

rusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44 But they, supposing him to have

been in the company,

I went a day's jour- ' after they were come a day's journey they missed ney; and they sought him, and made strict inquiry after him amongst their

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 pass, that after three

days they found him

in the temple, sit

ting in the midst of

* in the court of the temple, or porch, and many of

the doctors, both the masters of Israel, the scribes or learned men about hearing them, and him, both hearing

asking them ques

tions.

47 And all that

heard him were astonished at his understanding and an

swers.

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?

t

wist ye not that I

the house of God is my proper home, my Father's

must be about [h]my house, and so a place fit for me to be in; but this

Father's business?

50 And they under- were ignorant of.

stood not the saying

which he spake unto them.

ye

51. And though in that of staying in the temple (an introduction or essay preparatory unto his office, 51 And he went to which he was sent by God, to whom obedience is down with them, and due before parents) he did somewhat without his came to Nazareth, parents' leave, (see John ii. 4,) yet in all other things and was subject unhe lived in perfect obedience to them: but his mother kept all these thersayings in her heart.

to them: but his mo

52. And Jesus in respect of his human nature, con52 And Jesus in- sisting of body and soul, did grow or improve, his creased in wisdom soul improved in wisdom, his body in stature, as favour with God and others of his age are wont, and withal became daily a more eminent illustrious person in the eyes of all.

and stature, and in

man.

NOW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pi

a

late being [a] go

CHAP. III.

procurator of Judæa, and Herod governor of that vernor of Judæa, and fourth division of the kingdom called Galilee, and

sanias the tetrarch

of Abilene,

2 Annas and Caia

2. Annas a chief priest being a man of principal

phas being the authority among the Jews, and Caiaphas placed by [c] high priests, the word of God came the procurator in the pontificate, the word of

unto John the son

of Zacharias in the wilderness.

3 And he came

binto all the coun- b to several parts of the coasts that were nigh try about Jordan, Jordan, Bethabara, John i. 28, Enon, John iii. 23, preaching the baptism of repentance and by that means all the region about Jordan came for the remission of to hear him, and he warned all the people to repent sins; and be baptized of him, to come in as proselytes of 4 As it is written his, that so their sins might be forgiven, which would words of Esaias the otherwise bring certain destruction on them.

in the book of the

of the Lord, make

prophet,saying, The e There shall come a crier, or herald, or harbinger voice of one crying of the Messias in the wilderness, to fit men by repentin the wilderness, ance for the receiving of Christ, and part of his proPrepare ye the way clamation shall be in these words, Every valley &c., his paths straight. which may figuratively import the peculiar quality of 5 Every valley shall the gospel of Christ, which was to work upon the be filled, and every poor in spirit and exalt them to a participation of the mountain and hill shall be brought low; greatest privileges, which none of the higher, loftier and the crooked shall spirits were capable of, till they were humbled, and be made straight, and brought down from their heights; but literally they the rough ways shall may seem to foretel the terrible destruction which be made smooth; should shortly come upon this people for their imsee the salvation of penitence, the plaining of the land for the coming of the Roman army, (see note [c] on Matt. iii.,) and the 7 Then said he to visible discrimination which should then be made the multitude that betwixt the obdurate impenitent unbelievers on one came forth to be bap- side, and those that are penitent and receive Christ tized of him, O generation of vipers, who on the other.

6 And all flesh shall

God.

you

hath warned to 6. And all men shall discern the deliverance which is flee from the wrath wrought for the penitent believers when all impenitents are destroyed.

to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and be

d destruction approaching?

e do not think it will serve your turn that you are gin not to say with- able to say, (see note [a] on Mark ii.,) We are of the in yourselves, We seed of Abraham, who have right to the promises

have Abraham to

say

our father: for I made to him, whatsoever our actions are; see Matt. unto you, That God iii. 9: for I say

is able of these stones

to raise up children

unto Abraham.

9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees:

9. Matt. iii. 10.

every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

10 And the people

10. And the common sort of people asked him, asked him, saying, What was their task, or part of duty, to prevent or What shall we do avert this ruin.

then?

II He answereth 11. And he prescribed to them an extensive liberand saith unto them, ality, charity, mercifulness to all that wanted what they had to spare.

He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

12 Then came also fpublicans to be bap

shall we do?

f the toll or tribute gatherers to be baptized—

8 Receive all the taxes which the emperor requires tized, and said unto to be gathered; but beside that, do not you either by him, Master, what cunning or force take any more for yourselves. 14. And to the military men of the Jews (employ13 And he said unto them, Exact no ed by their procurators or the Romans) he prescribed more than that which these rules, Neither fright nor plunder any man, but is appointed you. be content with that allowance which is assigned for likewise demanded your maintenance.

14 And the soldiers

of him, saying, And 15. And as the people were amused concerning what shall we do? him, looking for some further declaration or manifestAnd he said unto ation from him, and having some disputes within them them, Do violence whether he were not the Messias himself;

1

to no man, neither

[d] accuse any false

ation, and all men

not;

16 John answered,

16. John gave a clear answer to their doubts, ly; and be content telling every one that came to him, in plain words, with your wages. that he was not the Christ, saying, My whole office 15 And as the peo- is thus to receive you as proselytes to believe on the ple were in expect- Messias, who shall suddenly reveal himself; I am but mused in their hearts a disciple of that great Master, sent before him, as of John, whether he disciples of prophets are wont to be, to take up room were the Christ, or for him, (see Luke x. 1, and Matt. xxvi. 20,) to serve him, to take off and lay away his shoes, (see note [h] saying unto them all, on Matt. iii.,) and truly I am unworthy of this office, I indeed baptize you to be the disciple of so divine a person. But he, when with water; but one he cometh, shall be another manner of person, and do mightier than I com- other kind of things; over and above the receiving of eth, the latchet of proselytes with water in baptism he shall send down not worthy to un- the Spirit on his disciples in an appearance as of fire, loose he shall bap- Acts ii., and thereby enable them to speak with tize you with the tongues miraculously, and so fit them for their office: Holy Ghost and with (see note [a] on Acts i.) fire: h winnowing instrument, see note on Matt. iii. 12, 17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he is in his—

whose shoes I am

1 not wrong any.