§ 9. THE CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS, AND HIS PRESENTATION IN THE Temple. Bethlehem, Jerusalem.

Luke ii. 21-38. 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, 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," 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," A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

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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 God, 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 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.

.w 35

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 an 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 God 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.

Matt. 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 worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of

t Gen. 17.12. 26 Ex. 13.2; comp. Num.8.16,17. Lev. 12. 6, 8. w Comp. Isa. 8. 14. The visit of the Magi at Bethlehem naturally follows the presentation in the temple; since, after the jealousy of Herod had been once roused, this public presentation could not well have

taken place. Joseph and Mary return from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, distant five English miles, where they had now been detained for nearly two months. Luke indeed does not allude to this return (2. 39); but neither does he mention the flight into Egypt.

Matt. ii.

6

them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea for thus it is written by the prophet," " And 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. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 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 worship 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 worshipped him : and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God 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.

Matt. ii. 13-23. 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared 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: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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 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.

a

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: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a

y Mic. 5. 2.

z Hos. 11. 1.

• All the children, rather all the boys (návтas

Luke ii. 39-40. 39 And when they had performed all things according to the

Tous Taîdas): there was no inducement to kill the female children.

Jer. 31. 15. Comp. Jer. 40. 1.

Matt. ii. 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.c

Luke ii.

law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

§ 12. AT TWELVE YEARS OF AGE JESUS GOES TO THE PASSOVER.-Jerusalem. Luke ii. 41-52. 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 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, 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 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. 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 God and man.

§13. THE GENEALOGIES.

Matt. i. 1-17. 1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham.

Luke iii. 23-38, inverted. 38 The son of God, the son of Adam, the son of Seth, 37 the son of Enos, 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, the son of Nachor, the son

Isa. 11. 1, in the Hebrew. Comp. Isa. 53.2; Zech. 6. 12; Rev. 5. 5.

traces our Lord's descent only to David and to Abraham; but Luke, as writing for Gentiles, traces it rather to Adam. The two genealogies thus prove Jesus to be-1. The Son of David, who should, according to promise, sit on the throne of Israel (Isa. 9. 6, 7; Luke 1. 32; Acts 2. 30). 2. The Seed of Abraham, in whom all nations of the earth should be blessed, according to the covenant made with the father of the faithful (Gen. 22. 18; Gal. 3. 14). 3. The Son of man, or "the seed of the woman," who should bruise the serpent's head (Gen. 3.15; Heb. 2.14).

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

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; 1and Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab son of Aminadab, the son of Naasson, begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king;

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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; and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9and Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 and Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 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 begatEliakim; 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.

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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, 30 the son of Melea, 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 Jorim, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jose, the son of Er, the son of Elmodam, the son of Cosam, the son of Addi, the son of Melchi, 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, the son of Nagge, the son of Esli, the son of Naum, the son of Amos, the son of Mattathias, the son of Joseph, the son of Janna, the son of Melchi, the son of Levi, the son of Matthat, the son of Heli, the son of Joseph,-23 And Jesus himself ... being (as was supposed)

ANNOUNCEMENT AND INTRODUCTION OF OUR LORD'S

§ 14. THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.-The Desert. The Jordan. Luke iii. 1-18.

OW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysania, the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word

h This is made out by reckoning the six months of John's ministry before he baptized the Saviour, and about six more between that event and our Lord's first passover: see § 21.

The time of John's entering on his ministry,