of Jesus an event connected with the last siege of Jerusalem and derived from Josephus.
In general, we take this opportunity strongly to assert that only unacquaintance with the
whole subject could lead anyone to look to Josephus for the source of any part of the
evangelic narrative. To these remarks we have to add that precisely the same error (if
such it be) as in our text of St. Matthew occurs in the Targum on Lament. ii. 20, where
this Zechariah is designated 'the son (= grandson) of Iddo,' comp. Ezr. v. 1, and Zech. i.
1, 7. For the correct reading ('son of Jehoiada') in the 'Gospel of the Hebrews,' comp.
Nicholson, p. 59.
116. 2 Chron. xxiv. 20-22.
117. Sanh. 96 b; Gitt, 57 b; also in the Midr. on Eccl. iii. 16 and x. 4. and on Lament. ii. 2,
and iv. 14.
And yet it would not have been Jesus, if, while denouncing certain judgement on them
who, by continuance and completion of the crimes of their fathers, through the same
unbelief, had served themselves heirs to all their guilt, He had not also added to it the
passionate lament of a love which, even when spurned, lingered with regretful longing
over the lost.118 They all knew the common illustration of the hen gathering her young
brood for shelter,119 and they knew also what of Divine protection, blessing, and rest it
implied, when they spoke of being gathered under the wings of the Shekhinah. Fain and
often would Jesus have given to Israel, His people, that shelter, rest, protection, and
blessing - but they would not. Looking around on those Temple -buildings - that House, it
shall be left to them desolate! And he quitted its courts with these words, that they of
Israel should not see Him again till, the night of their unbelief past, they would welcome
His return with a better Hosanna than that which greeted His Royal Entry three days
before. And this was the 'Farewell' and the parting of Israel's Messiah from Israel and its
temple. Yet a Farewell which promised a coming again; and a parting which implied a
welcome in the future from a believing people to a gracious, pardoning King!
118. vv. 37 -39.
119. Vayyik. R. 25.
Book V
THE CROSS AND THE CROWN
Chapter 5
THE END DAY IN PASSION -WEEK, THE LAST SERIES OF PARABLES: TO THE
PHARISEES AND TO THE PEOPLE
ON THE WAY TO JERUSALEM: THE PARABLE OF THE LABOURERS IN THE
VINEYARD
IN THE TEMPLE: THE PARABLE OF THE 'NO' AND 'YES' OF THE TWO SONS
THE PARABLE OF THE EVIL HUSBANDMEN EVILLY DESTROYED
THE PARABLE OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE KING'S SON AND THE WEDDING
GARMENT
(St. Matthew 19:30, 20:16; St. Matthew 21:28-32; St. Mark 12:1-12; St. Luke 20:9-
19; St. Matthew 22:1-14.)