Part 66 (1/2)

366 Deut. xxii. 22, and xxiii. 2. Selden, De Synedriis, lib. 3, cap. 4, 5.

367 Matt. i. 19, 20.

368 Matt. xi. 20-24. Luke iv. &c.

369 Matt. xxiii. per tot.

370 Matt. xii. 11-46. John vii. 40.

371 The expression _son of G.o.d_ was in common use among the Jews, to designate a man of remarkable wisdom and piety. It was not in this sense that Jesus Christ used it; for in that case it would have occasioned no great sensation. Besides, if we should a.s.sume, in order to make it a subject of accusation against these Jews, that Jesus did not expressly declare himself to be G.o.d, we should be exposed to this rejoinder: Why then do you believe in him?

372 See Deut. iv. 15, and xiii. per tot.

373 John vi. 39-42. Matt. xiii. 55.

374 This fact is clearly established as possible; and we must observe that till then there had been neither opposition nor enmity in the minds of this people, since they had listened to him with the greatest attention, and did not hesitate to acknowledge in him all that public law permitted them to do, viz., a prophet, a highly inspired man.

375 John x. 30-33.

376 Matt. x. 34. Mark x. 29.

377 Matt. xvi. 1-4. John viii. 13-18.

378 John vii. 43. Luke xxiii. 5.

379 Matt. ix. 10. Mark ii. 15. Luke xv. 1.

380 Matt. xix. 24.

381 John x. 20.

382 John vii. 12.

383 John xi. 47-50.

384 Matt. xxvi. 4. John xi. 53, 54.

385 Matt. xxi. 23.

386 It will be recollected, that the senate held its sessions in one of the porticos of the temple. At this time the high priest presided over the senate, so that the guards of the high priest, of the elders and the temple, were no other than the legal militia.

387 John xviii. 10, 11.

388 Mark xiv. 50. Matt. xxvi. 56.

389 Matt. xxvi. 60, 61. And the last came two false witnesses, and said, this fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of G.o.d, and to build it in three days. Mark xiv. 57, 58. And there arose certain and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. John ii. 19, 21, 22. Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. But he spake of the temple of his body. When, therefore, he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

390 I repeat that the expression _son of G.o.d_, includes here the idea of G.o.d himself; the fact is already established, and all the subsequent events confirm it. Observe, also, that I quote the narrative of only one of the parties to this great proceeding.

391 Deut. xxviii. 20. But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other G.o.ds, even that prophet shall die.

392 Matt. xxvii. 1. Mark xv. 1.