what was the effect of Pilate's sending Jesus to Herod ? 13 Then whom did Pilate call to appear before him? 14 And what did he remind them that they had done? And what did Pilate say he had done? | Then what did he say of Jesus? 15 Then what did he say respecting Herod's examination of Jesus? 16 Then what did Pilate resolve to do? 17 And in releasing him, he would have been complying with a yearly custom-what custom? At what feast? 18 But all at once these wretches cried out, respecting Jesus-what? | And whom did they wish to have released? 19 How shocking!-for what were the crimes for which Barabbas had been put in prison? 20 Still, Pilate wished to release Jesus-so what did he do? 21 But the people cried outwhat? 22 Then Pilate made another effort-what, in the 22d verse, did he ask them? How often had he asked this question before? And a very reasonable question it was then what did he state, as the result of his examination of Jesus? And what did he resolve to do? 23 What effect had this determination on the people? And what was the consequence of this? 24 Then what did the cowardly governor immediately do? 25 And, delivering up to their brutal will, Jesus, the prisoner in whom he was forced to confess that he found no fault at all, whom did Pilate release? 26 It was common for those who were about to be crucified, to carry their own cross; and perhaps at first they laid the cross on Jesus— but, finding him too weak as they led him away, and perhaps being afraid that he would die before he was executed, whom did they compel to bear it? Where was Cyrene? ANS. Cyrene was a city on the north-west coast of Lybia, a country in Africa. 27 And a great company followed, some of them friends-what are we told of them, in the 27th verse? 28 In the 28th verse, what did Jesus call these women? For whom did he tell them not to weep? Then for whom should they weep? 29 What occasion had they to weep for themselves and their children? 30 And in those days, what would the ungodly Jews do? 31 What important question did Jesus ask, in the 31st verse? In this, and the three former verses, Jesus referred to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans-but what did he mean by what he said about the green tree and the dry? ANS. That he was innocent, and therefore as improper a person to endure such sufferings, as green wood is unfit to be burnt; and that if the wrath of his enemies was so fierce against him, what must that guilty nation endure, who, by their awful crimes, had rendered themselves as fit objects for the fierce anger of God, as dry wood is for the fire! 32 Two other persons were led away with Jesus-what were they? And for what purpose were Jesus and the malefactors led away? 33 It was usual to crucify on mountains and high places-what was the name, of the mount on which Jesus was crucified? And what were the relative situations of Jesus and the malefactors? 34 How different were the feelings of Jesus and his enemies! they crucified him but how did Jesus pray respecting them? And we cannot help hoping that the great body of them did not know the full extent of the sin they were committing. The latter part of the verse, is the fulfilment of a prophecy in the 22d Psalm, and relates to the soldiers-what did they do? Whose raiment ? 35 And the people stood gazing, as thousands do in this country at a public execution but what else did they and the rulers do? In what way did they deride Jesus? 36 Who else mocked our Saviour? How did the soldiers mock him? 37 And what did they say to Jesus? 38 As it was customary to exhibit the crimes of those who were considered as great malefactors, a writing in three languages was put up over the cross of Jesus— what were these languages? And what was the writing?. 39 And, contrary to all reasonable expectation, one of the malefactors, who were crucified with our Lord, joined in the general feeling, and railed on him-what did he say? 40 The other malefactor, however seemed differently minded, and rebuked his companion-what did he say to him? 41 Yes; and besides their being alike condemned to die, there was a very important difference between their execution and that of our Lord--what did the converted thief say of his own sufferings and those of the other thief? Why did he consider their punishment just? But what did he say of Jesus? 42 And having reproved his hardened companion, the penitent thief turns to the Saviour and prays what was his prayer? 43 And it was the prayer of faith what answer did Jesus return? What was there in the conduct of this thief which proved that his ANS. conversion was genuine? Five things: his open confession of his sin and of the justness of his punishment; his fear of God; his faith in the Saviour; his prayer to him; and his desire to do good to his companion. And what should this conversion of the thief on the cross teach us? ANS. Not to despair of obtaining the mercy of God, even at the latest hour of life, not even if we have been the greatest of sinners, provided we heartily repent of our sins, and desire to be saved by Jesus Christ. True; but as this man lived in sin till just before he died, and yet went to heaven at last, does it not afford encouragement to sinners in general, to put off seeking the salvation of their souls till just as they are about to die? ANS. By no means ; for though one of these men was converted, the other was not: besides, we do not know that we shall not die suddenly, without a moment's time for thinking; and even if we should die a lingering death, yet having purposely put off religion till a dying hour, we cannot reasonably expect that God will then change our hearts: indeed, it is quite insulting him, intentionally to live in sin as long as we can, under a notion that we shall obtain mercy on a death-bed. 44 During the crucifixion, there was a great darkness over all the land-at what part of the day was this? 45 That is, from noon till three o'clock: but besides the darkness, another striking circumstance took place what was it? | 46 The 46th verse mentions the closing scene of our Saviour's life read it. What do you suppose is meant, by giving up the ghost? 47 When the centurion, or Roman captain, saw what was done, what did he do? And what did he say of Jesus? 48 And what are we told of the people in general, who came together to that wonderful sight? 49 Perhaps their feeling was only a common compassion, mixed with astonishment; but in the 49th verse, we read of some who tenderly loved our Saviour-who were they? And what do we read of them? And here was the fulfilment of Simeon's prophecy, in the 2d chapter, and the 35th verse-what was it? 50 The chapter finishes with an account of our Saviour's burialby whom was it conducted? What was Joseph's profession? And what was his character? 51 As a counsellor, he was present at the condemnation of Jesus by the chief priests-yet what are we told of him, at the beginning of the 51st verse? Where did Joseph live? And whereabouts was Arimathea? ANs. It is generally supposed to have been situated near Lydda, about 20 miles north-west from Jerusalem; though some think it was still nearer to Jerusalem. What are we told of Joseph, at the end of the 51st verse? 52 That is, he expected and desired the blessings of the gospel -being very desirous of obtaining the body of Jesus, what did Joseph do? 53 And having obtained Pilate's consent, what did he do with the body? 54 What day was it, when Joseph paid this respect to our Lord? Or, the day before the Sabbath and what are we told respecting the Sabbath? 55 What, in the 55th verse, do we read of the women who came with Jesus from Galilee? If 56 Having attended the funeral of their Lord, what did these women do? And at that time they only prepared them-why? According to what commandment? What a lesson is this for us! these good women would not break the fourth commandment, even to show their affection for their Lord, how careful should we be to avoid all kinds of work on the Sabbath, except works of necessity and mercy, which Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath, expressly approved. CHAP. XXIV. 1 THE last chapter, you know, contained an account of the death and burial of our Lord; and now we have an account of his resurrection and ascension to glory: yet in order to understand thoroughly the beginning of this chapter, we must read it in connexion with the conclusion of the last. We are here told of something which took place on the first day of the weekat what time of the day? And thus early we read that some persons came to the sepulchre-who were they, think you? And to what sepulchre, think you, did they come? And what did they bring with them? For what purpose, think you, did they bring these spices? 2 But when these good women and their companions arrived at the sepulchre of their Lord, what did they notice? 3 And they entered into the sepulchre-and what then? 4 Not finding the body of Jesus, how did they feel? And as they were wondering, what did they see? Then 5 Then how did the women feel? And what did they do? what did the men, (or rather angels in the appearence of men, and therefore called men,) ask these women? 6 What did they tell the women, of Jesus? And what did they tell them to remember? 7 What had Jesus said to his disciples in Galilee? 8 What effect did this communication of the angels respecting Jesus, produce in the women? 9 Then what did they do? The eleven what? 10 Who told these things to the eleven disciples? 11 And what effect had this communication on the apostles? 12 Then which of the disciples went to the sepulchre ? And stooping down, what did he see? Then he departed-n what state of mind? 13 In the 13th verse, we read of two of them-two of whom? Not two of the eleven disciples, however -but what are told of these two? How far was Emmaus from Jerusalem ? 14 Or, about eight miles-what was the subject of their conversation, as they walked? And what things were they? 15 And while they were earnest in conversation, a third person joined them-who? 16 But they did not know Jesus-why not? 17 Perceiving that these disciples were very sorrowful, what did Jesus say to them? 18 One answered for bothwhat was his name? Cleopas answered the apparent stranger, by asking a question, as though he was quite surprised-what was the question? 19 Wishing still to appear ignorant, what did Jesus ask them? Concerning whom did they say they were conversing? What honourable testimony did they bear of Jesus? 20 And what did they say, of the conduct of the chief priests and rulers towards him? 21 Of what did these disciples once feel almost certain? But now their faith seemed nearly, if not quite gone for how long did they say it was since Jesus was crucified? But what of all that? ANS. They had been taught to expect that Jesus would rise from the dead on the third day; but the third day was now come, and they had not seen him; so now they did not know what to think. 22 What did these disciples tell Jesus, of certain women, in the 22d verse? 23 And what, in the 23d verse ? What women did they mean? 24 And what did these disciples tell Jesus, of some others of their company' ? 25 Then, still keeping up the appearance of a stranger, Jesus rebuked their doubts-how, in the 25th verse? 26 Then what question did he ask them? 27 And then, beginning with the writings of Moses and the prophets, what did Jesus explain to these disciples ? 28 As Jesus and the disciples drew near to Emmaus, what are we told of Jesus? 29 But being pleased with his company, what did the disciples do? And what did they urge, as |