April 1931
T h e
K i n g ’ s
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of the two disciples mentioned. If so, it is easy to guess that the other was John. V. 30. Go your way into the village. We are not told what village this was. Matthew’s story, which is more complete, mentions both an ass and a colt which were to be found there and brought back for' the Master’s use. Whereon no man ever yet sat. This remark is quite in keep ing with the use that was to be made of the animal (cf. Deut. 21:3). The Gospel of Matthew informs us that prophecy concerning Messiah was to be fulfilled (cf. Isa. 62:11; Zech. 9:9). V. 31. I f any one ask you. We cannot say whether Jesus had previously ar ranged with the owner for the use of the colt, or whether this was an evidence of His supernatural knowledge. The latter view seems the more likely to be true. V. 32. Found even as he had said. The exact correspondence with what Christ had foretold confirmed the faith of the disciples and strengthened the conviction that Jesus had supernatural foreknowl edge of the facts (cf. 22:10, 31-34; John 1:49; 4:17), .V. 33. The owners thereof sqid. Mark says: “Certain of them that stood-there,”, implying that others beside the owners were present. V. 34. The Lord hath need o f him. This was an assertion of authority. Since He is the Lord, He has the right to con trol all the possessions of His disciples. II. Procession to the City o f the Kino (35-40). y V. 35. They brought him to Jesus. The owners never had occasion to regret this loan to the Lord Jesus. Threw their gar ments upon the colt. The oriental mon arch expected that the animal upon which he was to ride should be covered with very gorgeous and costly cloths. The disciples had no money with which to pur chase such trappings, but they might easi ly have procured other customary cover ings. They substituted their own gar ments, because they wished to pay homage to Jesus (cf. 2 Ki. 9:13). V. 36. Spread their garments. This was a mark of reverence and honor which was commonly given to great conquerors as they returned in triumphal procession from their conquests. The other Gospels make note that palm branches were also cut down and strewn in the way. From this circumstance, the' anniversary of the day has come to be called Palm Sunday. V. 37. Was now drawing nigh. The first view of the city and the temple lifted the enthusiasm and joy of the multitude to the highest pitch. Began to rejoice and praise God. The people were re minded of many miracles which they had seen performed by the Lord Jesus, and, more especially,, of the very latest won der—the raising of Lazarus (John 12: 17, 18). Perhaps the unthinking mob ex pected some new and startling miracle in Jerusalem to confirm to the minds of all Israel the hope that Jesus was the Mes siah. The word “disciples” is used here as a comprehensive term for the. large number of those who claimed to be His followers (cf. John 6:60, 66). V. 38. Blessed is the King. The title “King” distinctly marks Him as Messiah (cf. Psa. 118:25, 26). He is recognized as coming “in the name of the Lord,” that is, He represents Jehovah and is backed by the authority of Jehov ah .
BLACKBOARD LESSON "T hy K} ng C ometh *
ly after His entry into the city, Jesus made a rapid survey of the temple and then returned to Bethany for the night. The visit to the temple, which is here described, occurred on the next day (Mon- day). Cast out them that sold. This was the second time He cleansed the temple, the first having occurred about three years before (John 2:13-17). The ecclesiastical authorities permitted traffic in the temple, which destroyed all sense of the sacred ness of the place. V. 46. It is written. Reverence for the Lord’s house and reverence for the Scriptures characterized the Lord Jesus throughout all His ministry. My house. At the time of the first cleansing of the temple, He had called it “my Father’s house” (John 2:16). Now He says: “My house.” Later He said: “Your house shall be left unto you desolate” (Matt. 23:38). - A house of. prayer. The quota tion is taken from Isa. 56:7. Luke omits the words “for all peoples,” which in dicates the right of the Gentile to ap proach the God of Israel. It was that portion of the temple which was called the court of the Gentiles which had be come a “den of robbers” instead of a place of prayer. A summary of this teaching is given by Luke in the two following chapters. Sought to destroy him. First, the chief priests and scribes, as well as the Sad- ducees, attempted to trap Him into some expression that could be made the basis of a charge of treason against God or of disloyalty to Rome. He escaped their snares, and so they sought other means to destroy Him. V. 48. The people all hung upon him. The eagerness of the common people in support of Jesus compelled the authorities to use most deceitful methods to carry out their purpose to destroy Him, lest they should bring the wrath of an excited populace upon themselves. * * * L esson Q uestions --V MAJESTY l^evi:7 1931 ? \?HITE HORSE 1\ING o f I^IMGS/ J erusalem fydir\£ a Dorvkey K,ir£ of Je*>3 1.6.H. Maf >7. Peace in heaven. That is, ‘ through the vicarious death of Jesus. Christ, peace has been effected between God, the Judge, and sinners who are worthy of death. There is not yet peace on earth in the full sense, because that reconciliation has not been accepted by all sinners (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17- 21). Glory in the highest. This may mean “in the highest places” or “in the highest degree.” God is worthy of all glory because.of His infinite majesty and His wonderful mercy to men. V. 39. Some o f the Pharisees. They were evidently spies. Recognizing that their power over the people was being lost (John 12:19), they were enraged. With their false views concerning .the Mes sianic kingdom, they may have honestly feared that, unless Jesus withdrew His claims and silenced the multitude, there might be an insurrection which would call for the interference of the Roman gar rison. V. 40. The stones will cry out. This was a proverbial way of saying that the truth must be spoken at all hazards (cf. Hab. 2:11). Jesus refused to conceal the fact that He was indeed the Messiah. III. The King in Tears (41, 42). V. 41. He saw dhe city. This was the city of which the psalmist said: “Glorious things are spoken of thee” (Psa. 87:3). But it was also the city that was noted for a special infamy, in that it had killed the prophets of God which had been sent to it (Matt. 23:37). Now there came over Jesus an awful sense of that crime of crimes,- of which Jerusalem would also be guilty—the killing of the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel. IPept over it. This is not the word that describes His silent tears at the grave of Lazarus (John 11:35) It might rather be read: “He wailed aloud” or “he sobbed.” The sight of a city, with its helpless inhabitants go ing to an awful doom, called forth a tor rent of tears from Him who, in the fol lowing days of such tragic sorrow and suffering to Himself, uttered not even a sigh. Surely this is evidence enough that He is a compassionate Saviour, V. 42. I f thou hadst known. Jerusa- lem had often been warned, and the peace that comes only through knowledge of God in Christ Jesus had been frequently offered. Opportunities that had been neg lected were withdrawn, and at last there was no hope. With sadness Jesus said: “I would . . . ye would not” (Matt. 23: 37). Now they are hid. Having deliber ately closed their eyes to the truth, the people; were at length judicially blinded (cf. John 9:39-41; 12:35-40). IV. The King and His House (45-48). V. 45. Entered into the temple. From Mark (11:11-19) we learn that immediate
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