Denouncing the Pharisees
49
the temple court and could not be erased, but remained to bear its
testimony to God, in witness against apostate Israel. As long as the
temple should stand, there would remain the stain of that righteous
blood, crying to God to be avenged. As Jesus referred to these fearful
crimes a thrill of horror ran through the hearts of the multitude.
His voice had been heard upon earth in gentleness, entreaty, and
affection; but now that the occasion required it, he spoke as judge, and
condemned the guilt of the Jews. The Saviour, looking forward, fore-
told that their future impenitence, and intolerance of God’s servants,
would be the same as it had been in the past:—
“Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and
scribes. And some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them
shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to
city.”
Prophets and wise men full of faith and the Holy Ghost, repre-
sented by Stephen, James, Paul, and many others, scribes, men of
learning, who understood the Scriptures and could present them in all
their bearings as revealed by God, would be scorned and persecuted,
condemned and to death.
The Saviour spoke no words of retaliation for the abuse he had
received at the hands of his enemies. No unholy passion stirred that
divine soul; but his indignation was directed against the hypocrites
whose gross sins were an abomination in the sight of God. The conduct
of Christ upon this occasion reveals the fact that the Christian can dwell
[69]
in perfect harmony with God, possess all the sweet attributes of love
and mercy, yet feel a righteous indignation against aggravating sin.
Divine pity marked the pale and mournful countenance of the Son
of God as he cast one long, lingering look upon the temple and then
upon his hearers, and with a voice choked by deep anguish of heart
and bitter tears exclaimed: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest
the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often
would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”
Pharisees and Sadducees were alike silenced. Jesus called his
disciples and prepared to leave the temple, not as one defeated and
forced from the presence of his adversaries, but as one whose work was
accomplished. He retired a victor from the contest with his bigoted
and hypocritical opponents. Looking around upon the interior of the