Cleansing the Temple
27
with apparent anxiety for the coming of Christ. The scribes, who were
learned in the law and acquainted with the declarations of the prophets
regarding his coming, knew from prophetic history that the time of
looking and waiting for his advent to the world had expired. Through
the parables which Jesus spoke to the Jews, he brought their minds
to prophecies which had foretold the very things which were then
being enacted. He sought by every means within his power to awaken
their consciences and to enlighten their understanding, that they might
consider well the steps they were meditating.
In these parables he laid the purposes of the Pharisees before them,
together with the fearful consequences resulting. A solemn warning
was thus given to them. And to leave the matter without a shadow
[36]
of doubt, Jesus then dropped all figures and stated plainly that the
kingdom of God should be taken from them and given to a nation
bringing forth fruit. At this the chief priests and scribes were so
enraged they could scarcely restrain themselves from using violence
against him; but perceiving the love and reverence with which the
people regarded him they dared not follow out the malice of their
hearts.
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