Part 252 (1/2)

But the chief priests and the scribes and the princ.i.p.al men of the people sought to destroy him: and they could not find what they might do; for the people all hung upon him, listening.

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[Ill.u.s.tration]

JESUS AND THE MONEY-CHANGERS.

By Heinrich Hofmann [End ill.u.s.tration]

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III

IN THE TEMPLE.

_How the Lord Jesus Drove the Money Changers from the House of G.o.d_.

(THE WEEK OF THE CRUCIFIXION--MONDAY.)

On Monday, Jesus came into the city, and taught, but we know little of what he said on this day. Perhaps it was on this day that the following incident occurred, by which he taught that G.o.d's house should be pure:--

And Jesus entered into the temple of G.o.d, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves; and he saith unto them, ”It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer: but ye make it a den of robbers.'”

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple: and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, ”Hosanna to the son of David”; they were moved with indignation, and said unto him, ”Hearest thou what these are saying?”

And Jesus saith unto them, ”Yea: did ye never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise'?”

And he left them, and went forth out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.

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IV

LAST DAYS IN JERUSALEM

_How the Lord Jesus Spoke with Those that Hated Him_.

(THE WEEK OF THE CRUCIFIXION--TUESDAY.)

And it came to pa.s.s, on one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, there came upon him the chief priests and the scribes with the elders; and they spoke, saying unto him, ”Tell us: By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?”

And he answered and said unto them, ”I also will ask you a question; and tell me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, ”If we shall say, 'From heaven'; he will say, 'Why did ye not believe him?' But if we shall say, 'From men'; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”

And they answered that they knew not whence it was.

And Jesus said unto them, ”Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.” And he told them--