of the wicked in high places. He that would use such language about his ruler as Christ here used about Herod, must first prove his prophetical commissioD, and satisfy us that he has a special mission from God.
[T<hday, and to-morrow^ and the third day.] This is a difficult expression, and one which has received three different interpre- tations. The expression in the next verse is only another way of saying the same thing.
Some think that our Lord meant three literal days. Bishop Pearce says, " This, and what follows to the end of the chapter, seem to have been spoken about two or three days before Jesus was crucified." This seems a very improbable and unsatisfac- tory interpretation.
Some think that by days our Lord meant years, according to the theory which makes prophetic days always mean years. This again seems an unsatisfactory view. According to it our Lord spoke these words in the nrst year of His three years ministry. Yet it appears more likely that He spoke them in the last
Some think that this expression is indefinite, and a proverbial form of speech, signifying merely a short space of time : — " I am yet a little time with you, and during that time I shall con- tinue my work, notwithstanding Herod's threats ; and at the end of that time, and not before, I shall be perfected, or finish my course by death." Similar modes of speaking occur in Hosea yL 2 ; and in the marginal readings of Gen. xxx. 33 ; xxxi. 2 ; £xod. iv. 10; xiii. 14; Deut. vi. 20; xix. 6; Josh. iii. 6; iv. 6 ; xxiL 24 ; 1 Sam. xix. 7.
I am disposed to adhere to this last opinion, as on the whole the most probable one. Major gives quotations from Euripides and Arrian which justify the interpretation of the three days in a proverbial sense by the usage of profane writers.
[/ sheUl be perfected.] This is a remarkable expression. In the Greek it is in the present tense. The meaning seems to be **I shall be perfected by my death, — I shall finish the work which I came to do." The same word is applied to oiur Lord in Heb. ii. 10. and v. 9.
33. — [/ must walk.] The meaning of this expression seems to be, " I must continue in the course I have begun, — I must go on, (to use a common English phrase,) as I have hitherto." It is the same word which is used in Luke i. 6 ; 1 Pet. iv. 3 ; 2 Pet. ii. 10 ; iii. 3 ; Jude 16. In each place it is rendered " walk," and in each means " maintaining an habitual course of life."
[/t cannot be that a prophet,., Jerusalem.] This is a peculiar expression. The Greek word rendered, " it cannot be," is only found here in the New Testament, and means literally " it is im-