Francis Patrick Kenrick

The spectators of agonistic exercises, crowded around to a great height on the seats of the amphitheatre, apjieared like a cloud overshadowing the cham- pions. The saints of the Old Testament are likened to them. They may be regarded as witnesses of the Christian's struggle. " Because at the celebration of the games the victors, in the morning combats, did not receive the prizes till the evening, but looked at those who engaged in the succeeding combats, the apostle, in allusion to that custom, by a high rhetorical figure, represents the ancient patriarchs, and prophets, and judges, and kings, and captains, and righteous men, mentioned in the preceding chapter, who had been victorious in their own combats, as standing round the Hebrews, and observing how they acquitted them- selves in the Christian race." Macknight.