COLLEGEA LIBRARY HARMONY OF THE FOUR GOSPELS: IN WHICH THE NATURAL ORDER OF EACH IS PRESERVED. WITH A PARAPHRASE AND NOTES. BY JAMES MACKNIGHT, D. D. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, 1 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER, OF THE AUTHOR. That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been inftructed. IN TWO VOLUMES. THE THIRD EDITION. VOL. II. EDINBURGH; PRINTED BY J. RITCHIE. SOLD BY MESS. CREECH, HILL, OGLE & AIKMAN, CONSTABLE & CO. MANNERS BUTTON, WILLIAMS, AND OGLE, LONDON. PARAPHRASE & COMMENTARY ON THE HARMONY OF THE FOUR GOSPELS. SECT. XXXIX. Jefus cures a Centurion's flave in Capernaum. 2. And a certain AVING finished his fermon, Jesus went into Capernaum and cured a centurion's flave who was dangerously ill. Lukevii. 1. Now when he had ended all his fayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. centurion's fervant, who was dear unto him, was fick and ready to die. 3. And when be heard of Jesus, he * fent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal bis fervant This centurion seems to have been what they called a profelyte of righteousness; for he was a lover of the Jewish nation on account of their religion, and had built them a synagogue for worship, probably in some heathen country, the inhabitants of Capernaum standing in no need of fuch a favour. His attachment to the Jews, and his uncommon generofity, could not fail to make him greatly beloved in that country. - Hence the elders of Capernaum, where he now refided, heartily espoused his caufe on this occafion, for they presented his petition to Jesus, and urged it from the confideration of his character. when they came to Fefus, they befought him instantly, Jaying, That be was worthy for whom he should do this. 5. For be loveth our nation, and be bath built us a synagogue. - Jesus, who embraced every opportunity of doing good, whether to the bodies or fouls of men, did not decline this that was now offered to him. He cheerfully went with the elders as they defired: But in the way, fome of the centurion's friends whom he had fent, met JeVOL. II. fus A 4. And * Ver. 3. Sent unto him the elders of the Feus.) These elders were not the most aged perfons in Capernaum, but either the magiftrates of the town, or the rulers of the synagogue, (αρχισυναγωγοι). For as it was anciently the custom of the Jews, to intrust the management of public affairs to perfons advanced in years, as having most wisdom and experience, they called all who discharged those offices elders, even when in later-times they were admitted to them, without any regard to their age at all. 3342 607 |