verify his credentials. Finally, the alternative question reported by St. Mark: 'or' - if Thou

hast not proper Rabbinic commission - 'who gave Thee this authority to do these

things?' seems clearly to point to their contention, that the power which Jesus wielded

was delegated to Him by none other than Beelzebul.

The point in our Lord's reply seems to have been strangely overlooked by

commentators.17 As His words are generally understood, they would have amounted

only to silencing His questioners - and that, in a manner which would, under ordinary

circumstances, be scarcely regarded as either fair or ingenuous. It would have been

simply to turn the question against themselves, and so in turn to raise popular prejudice.

But the Lord's words meant quite other. He did answer their question, though He also

exposed the cunning and cowardice which prompted it. To the challenge for His

authority, and the dark hint about Satanic agency, He replied by an appeal to the

Baptist. He had borne full witness to the Mission of Christ from the Father, and 'all men

counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.' Were they satisfied? What was their view

of the Baptism in preparation for the Coming of Christ? No? They would not, or could

not answer! If they said the Baptist was a prophet, this implied not only the authorisation

of the Mission of Jesus, but the call to believe on Him. On the other hand, they were

afraid publicly to disown John! And so their cunning and cowardice stood out self -

condemned, when they pleaded ignorance - a plea so grossly and manifestly dishonest,

that Christ, having given what all must have felt to be a complete answer, could refuse

further discussion with them on this point.

2. Foiled in their endeavor to involve Him with the ecclesiastical, they next attempted

the much more dangerous device of bringing Him into collision with the civil authorities.

Remembering the ever watchful jealousy of Rome, the reckless tyranny of Pilate, and

the low artifices of Herod, who was at that time in Je rusalem,18 we instinctively feel, how

even the slightest compromise on the part of Jesus in regard to the authority of Cæsar

would have been absolutely fatal. If it could have been proved, on undeniable

testimony, that Jesus had declared Himself on the side of, or even encouraged, the so-

called 'Nationalist' party, He would quickly perished, like Judas of Galilee.19 The Jewish

leaders would thus have readily accomplished their object, and its unpopularity have

recoiled only on the hated Roman power. How great the danger was which threatened

Jesus, may be gathered from this, that, despite His clear answer, the charge that He

prevented the nation, forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, was actually among those

brought against Him before Pilate.20

The plot, for such it was,21 was most cunningly concocted. The object was to 'spy' out

His inmost thoughts,22 and, if possible, 'entangle' Him in His talk.23 For this purpose it

was not the old Pharisees, whom He knew and would have distrusted, who came, but

some of their disciples - apparently fresh, earnest, zealous, conscientious men. With