for the kingdom of God,13 came, and affrighted; ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved which was crucified; he is risen; he the body of Jesus. is not here; behold the place where they laid him. 44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead; and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47 And Mary Magdale'ne, and Mary the mother of Jo'ses, beheld where he was laid. Questions. Who was the Roman Governor by whom Jesus was condemned? Who was Barab/bas? What did the Jews demand to have done with Jesus? Whom did they crucify with Jesus? 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter, that he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. 8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed; neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. 9 Now, when Jesus was risen early, the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdale'ne, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 12 T After that he appeared in ano What miracles took place after the crucifix-Cher form unto two of them as they ion ? sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre ? 4 (And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away;) for it was very great.3 5 And, entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, Be not 13 Waited for the kingdom of God. Expected the coming of the Messiah. 1 Anoint or embalm him. It was a custom of the eastern nations to embalm the bodies of the dead to preserve them from putrefaction. The knowledge of this art is now lost. 2 The first day of the week. Our Sabbath. 3 For it was great. This sentence belongs to the third verse, and should immediately follow it. walked, and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it unto the residue; neither believed they them. 14 T Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. into all the world, and preach the 15 And he said unto them, Go ye Gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. that believe; In my name shall they 17 And these signs shall follow them cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; if they drink any deadly thing it shall 18 They shall take up serpents; and not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 T So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preachwith them, and confirming the word ed every where, the Lord working with signs following. Amen. Questions. On what day of the week did our Lord rise from the dead? To whom did Jesus appear first? What commission did he give to the apos tles? How many chapters are there in Matthew? How many in Mark? 4 The residue, the rest of the disciples. PREFATORY REMARKS TO THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. IT is not fully ascertained whether St. Luke was a Jew or a Gentile; but it is most probable that his religion was Judaism, before he was converted to Christianity. He was a physician by profession, and a man of more learning than the other Evangelists. He was not, as appears from his own words, chap. i. 2, a companion of our Saviour, and an eye-witness of his miracles; but what he records was delivered to him by those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses and ministers of the word. St. Luke was a constant companion of St. Paul in all his travels and evangelical labours, and assisted him in preaching the Gospel, as Mark is said to have accompanied and assisted the apostle Peter. At the time St. Luke wrote, it is supposed there were many erroneous narratives of the life of Jesus, and that he wrote to prevent people's giving to them, without examination, too easy credit; and likewise to give a more full and detailed account of many particulars than had been given by Matthew and Mark. As the immediate design of Luke's Gospel was the benefit of Gentile Christians in different countries, he wrote it in Greek, the most general language of that day. And as Matthew gave the genealogy of our Saviour from Abraham to Joseph, the reputed father of Jesus; so Luke traces it back from Mary to Abrahai and thence to Adam; for although he begins with saying, Jesus was, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, which was the son of He'li; he meant only, that Joseph was by his marriage with Mary the son of Heli, for Joseph was by birth the son of Jacob, and Mary was the daughter of Heli. This accounts for the difference in the genealogies of Matthew and Luke; and when it is remembered that the same person in ancient times had frequently several names, and different persons the same name, there will be no difficulty in admitting the account of both genealogies as perfectly correct, though they may apparently differ. St. Luke seems to have written his Gospel at the request and for the instruction of a Christian friend of great distinction, whom he calls most excellent, as we are accustomed to address governors and magistrates with the title of Excellency. The time when he wrote, and the place where, are not known. We have no authentic account either of the latter part of the life, or the death of this Evangelist; but it is most probable he suffered martyrdom. T THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. CHAP. I. 1 Luke's preface. 5 The conception of ri'as. daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. NORASMUCH as many have taken that Elisabeth was barren; and they 7 And they had no child, because F in hand to set forth in order a de-both were now well stricken in years.2 claration of those things which are 8 And it came to pass, that, while God in the order of his course, he executed the priest's office before most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed. 5 1 THERE was, in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zachari'as, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the 1 Of the course, &c. Of the family of Abia. priest's office, his lot was to burn in- 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zachari'as saw him he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him. 2 Stricken, advanced. Fear not, Zachari'as; for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 29 And when she saw him she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind3 what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called The Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people pre-a man? pared for the Lord. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not 35 And the angel answered, and said her, The Holy Ghost shall come gel, Whereby shall I know this? for I 18 And Zacharias said unto the an- thee, and the power of the High am an old man, and my wife well est shall overshadow thee; therefore stricken in years. also that holy thing, which shall be born of thee, shall be called The Son of God. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words 33 And Mary said, Behold the handwhich shall be fulfilled in their season. maid of the Lord; be it unto me ac21 And the people waited for Za-cording to thy word. And the angel chari'as, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22 And when he came out he could not speak unto them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. departed from her. 39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me ?4 26 And in the sixth month the 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of angel Gabriel was sent from God unto thy salutation sounded in mine ears a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 27 To a virgin espoused to a man 45 And blessed is she that believed; whose name was Joseph, of the house for there shall be a performance of of David; and the virgin's name was those things which were told her from Mary. the Lord. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly 3 Cast in her mind, considered. 4 Verse 43. Whence is it that I should be favoured, the Lord is with thee; bless-so honoured, as to receive a visit from the mo ed art thou among women. ther of my Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul doth | magnify the Lord. 67 T And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and pro 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in phesied, saying, God my Saviour. 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Isra 48 For he hath regarded the low es-el; for he hath visited and redeemed tate of his handmaiden; for, behold, his people, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to genera- the world began: tion. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 57 ¶ Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76 And thou, child, shalt be called The prophet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people, by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us, 59 And it came to pass, that on the 79 To give light to them that sit in eighth day they came to circumcise darkness, and in the shadow of death, the child; and they called him Zacha-to guide our feet into the way of rias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing-table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt peace. 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel, Questions. To whom did Luke address this Gospel! Who was king in Judea at the time the transactions occurred, which are recorded in this chapter? Who were the father and mother of John? Who foretold his birth? What was John to do? see v. 17. the mother of Jesus? Who revealed to Mary that she should be round about them; and all these say-1 ings were noised abroad throughout all the hill-country of Judea. 66 And all they that bad heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. 5 Hath holpen, hath helped and blessed. Whose Son was Jesus to be called? liverance. 8 The day-spring, &c. The light of divine truth. AND it came to pass in those days, lehem, and see this thing which is that there went out a decree from Ce- come to pass, which the Lord hath sar Augus'tus, that all the world made known unto us. should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyre'nius was governor of Syr'ia.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,3 (because he was of the house and lineage of David,)4 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. found Mary and Joseph, and the babe 16 And they came with haste, and lying in a manger. made known abroad the saying which 17 And, when they had seen it, they was told them concerning this child. dered at those things which were told and pondered them in her heart. rifying and praising God for all the 21 And when eight days were ac7 And she brought forth her first- child, his name was called JESUS, complished for the circumcising of the born son, and wrapped him in swad- which was so named of the angel bedling-clothes, and laid him in a man-fore he was conceived in the womb. ger, because there was no room for them in the inn.7 22 And when the days of her puri8 And there were in the same ses, were accomplished, they brought fication, according to the law of Mocountry shepherds abiding in the field, him to Jerusalem, to present him to keeping watch over their flock by the Lord; night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord Lord, Every male that openeth the 23 (As it is written in the law of the came upon them, and the glory of the womb shall be called holy to the Lord shone round about them; and Lord;) they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beth' 1 Cesar Augustus, the first Roman empe ror. 2 All the world, all the Roman empire, which at this time included Judea. 3 Bethlehem, a city about six miles south of Jerusalem, where our Saviour was born. David was also born and lived there; hence called the city of David. 4 of the house, &c. of the family of David. 5 Espoused, see Matt. i. 18. 6 Manger, a long trough for animals to feed out of. 7 The inn, the house allotted to strangers. 7 ing to that which is said in the law of 24 And to offer a sacrifice, accordthe Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. in Jerusalem, whose name was Sim'25 T And, behold, there was a man eon; and the same man was just and Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon devout, waiting for the consolation of him. the Holy Ghost, that he should not 26 And it was revealed unto him by see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. the temple; and when the parents and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy ser- salvation.S the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, 33 And Joseph and his mother marand the glory of thy people Israel. the Saviour of the world. |