CHAPTER II. THE LORD'S MINISTRY UNTIL THE WEEK OF HIS SUFFERING—HOW long- was it ?— The chronological emphasis of Luke iii. 1, 2, marks a great event in the history of the gospels. One, whom none of woman born, through the long ages of God's revelation under the 0.T. ever equalled in spiritual gift (Matt. xi. r), now comes, himself the fulfiller of many prophecies (Matt. xi. 13), to announce the speedy approach of Messiah. His ministry preceded the Lord's by about six months, so that the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cxsar' probably was the date of the beginning of the Lord's public life as well as of that of his great forerunner. This, the general opinion, is disputed Wieseler, who (for reasons which may be seen in Bishop Ellicott's _Hist. Lea., p. io4, note 0 conceives that the 15th of Tiberius coincides with the Baptist's imprisonment, and he makes it to be the year which fell between the Aug. of A. U.C. 78r and the same month of A.U. C. 782. It is certain that in ancient times (see Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. iii. 24) John's captivity was regarded as the terminus a quo of the deeds of our Lord,' as given by the three synoptical evangelists (comp. Matt. iv. 12 ; Mark i. 14 ; Luke iv. 14). No doubt this event suitably marks the beginning of Christ's general ministry in the north. Previously to it, however, he had emerged from his private life ; and, as Eusebius further observes, we must look to the supplemental gospel of St. John for the account of the things done by Christ, among the first of his deeds, and at the commencement of Me gospel' (loc. cit.) The same historian (i. ro) says that the whole time of the Lord's public ministry falls within an interval of four years WS' 6Xos ittera0 Terpairris Tapia-Tarot xp6vos). However incorrect be the grounds on which Eusebius bases this statement, we cannot but think that grave reasons render his conclusion substantially the right one.* Theodoret also refers to St. John's Gospel as furnishing chronological data on the point, and expressly names three years and a half as the period of Christ's ministry up to the time of his death (ths rept ra, Tpla grn Kat ijaLav Kliphas Ktipzos Tan erylous ain-or) p,a-rirets StaaaKaXict Kai rois Oaiaacrt pEpathiaar, 1-6 Tra-os firliAeve). For a summary of opinions on this much discussed question, we must refer to Bishop Ellicott's note 2, Hist. Led., p. 149. We simply add here our con viction, that the remarkable expression used by Daniel, ix. 27 r the midst of the week, etcl, and the three years ' and additional year of the significant parable, Luke xiii. 7, 8, are indications, which cannot be overlooked, that the duration of the Lord's public life, no less than the events of it, was among the appointments of prophecy, and that these indications may, with much propriety, be taken to possess a decisive force in a question but for them insoluble.
Prelinzinary events of the ilfinistry.—Among the many services rendered by the great herald, not the least was his baptism of the Saviour in the Jordan. This was the solemn consecration of Christ to his work ; it terminated in the divine attestation by the voice from the opened heaven, out of which descended the holy dove and alighted on the pray ing Saviour (Luke iii. 21, 22). No sooner was the
Messiah thus inaugurated in his mission, than he had to confront in spiritual conflict the fearful adversary of his kingdom, and of that race which he came to save. The tempter was baffled at every point, and he left the spotless Jesus to the pursuit of his ministry—not again, as it would seem, to renew his assault until the convenient time ' (this is unquestionably the force of St. Luke's Eixpi Katpoi), iv. 13) of the Lord's .passion, when his last strength would be put forth against the Redeemer's person, and in vain (comp. Luke xxii. 53, and John xiv. 30). While Jesus was undergoing his severe preparation for the work which lay before him, his kinsman was so thoroughly stirring the heart of the nation, that the Sanhedrim sent to him a deputation of priests and Levites, requesting hitn to explain his mission. With admirable humility and self-denial, the Baptist pointed to the mightier One, even then amongst them, but as yet unknown, whose shoe-latchet he was himself,' notwithstand ing men's high musings about him, 'unworthy to unloose ' (John i. 19-28). On the morrow Jesus unexpectedly appeared, and was greeted by the Baptist with that sublime exclamation, Behold the Lamb of God !' to which we might apply Christ's own explana.tion of another confession of like grandeur (Matt. xvi. 17). Marked was the impression which this testimony produced, when, on the day following, John repeated it on the departure of Jesus. Andrew and another of his followers (` not improbably the evangelist hiinself who gives the account,' Ellicott, p. 116) were so much struck, that they attached themselves to Christ, and thus became the very first of his disciples. In the evening of that quietly eventful day, which we might well distinguish as, in one sense, the.birth-day of the Christian church, Simon Peter was induced to join himself to the little company, which on the morrow was further increased by the accession of Philip of Bethsaida and Nathaniel of Cana (John i. 29-51). These men were afterwards called to the apostleship [NATIIANIEL BARTHOLOMEW] ; but at present they were preparing for that trust, by associating themselves with Jesus and beholding the wonderful displays of his gradually revealed power. Their first opportunity of strengthened convictions hap pened at Cana, where at the marriage-feast Jesus wrought the first of his miracles (John ii. 1-11). Nathaniel, who had just emerged out of the rude prejudice (John i. 46), which offended so many Jews against the Saviour (comp. John vii. 41, 42), must have been singularly confirmed in his belief of the Messiallship of Jesus by this manifestation of his ,glory ' (John ii. 11) in his own native town. The Lord was soon, on a grander field, to spread a like conviction of his Messianic mission. After a brief sojourn at Capernaum (ii. 12), he went up to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover (ver. 13).