Notes, Critical and Explanatory, on the Holy Scriptures

We do not know this fact from any other source, but Josephus in- forms us of the seditious spirit of the Galileans. Pilate sent soldiers to punish them, whilst they were engaged in offering sacrifice, and thus mingled their own blood with that of the victims.

Fig trees are not to be pruned before three years : within which time, if at all, they bear fruit.

The Jewish nation is represented under the image of the barren fig-tree. During three years our Lord had already preached to them. He continued His ministry six months more.

P. " Sabbath." It is plural in the text.

A demon causing infirmity. * ^^ Loosed." Her sinews and muscles had been contracted.

G. P. " is risen up : " which Grotius and others explain of rising^ to bolt the door, before retiring to rest. Castalio and the Saxon version read as the Vulgate. See Matt. xxv. 10.

P. " will kill.'''' Campbell justly remarks that this does not express the meaning of the evangelist.

It was not conformable to the divine counsels that Christ, the great prophet, should die in a remote and obscure part of Judea. It was customary to judge cases of importance at Jerusalem.

Some conclude hence that they acted at the instigation of Herod, who wished to intimidate and drive Him away, without daring to put Him to death. The craft of the prince is indicated by this figure.