We are told tliat curly in the ministry of Jesus a fame of Him wont IliKiuuii I l.ililee and the sur- rounding country, incin.liii^ Syria (Mt4^, Lk 4"). Special occasions were the n^toration of ademoniac (Mk 128, lIj 437) ami jijg cleansing of a leper (Lk 5'^, cf. Mk l''^). The First Gospel uses the term also in connexion with the restoring of Jairus' daughter and the giving of sight to two blind men (Mt 9-"- ^i). And, finally, this Gospel tells us that the fame of Jesus affected Herod (Mt 14' RV 'report,' cf. Mk 6", Lk 9').
An examination of the Greek text shows that in no two parallel passages is the same term used. The term of the first two Gospels (except in Mt 9=*) is aKoii (lit. 'hearing' ; RV 'report'), n.sed also for 'rumours 'in the eschatological discourse (Mt 24^, Mk 13'). St. Luke, however, eschews this word, and in his three passages uses three others : ip-q/ni (lit. 'speech'; RV 'fame.'Lk 4", so Mt 9) ; iJxos (lit. 'sound' ; RV 'rci)ort,' I,k t") ; and \iyos (lit. 'discourse'; RV 'repoil,' l.k r)i'i And elsewhere each Evangelist uses ),. i i|,lii .im^, Tlius we may conclude that the idea, cNpirsMd by these terms was of an indefinite character. It included, in varying degrees, such elements as curiosity, attrac- tion, wonder, faith, worship.
These passages, taken along witli others that mnrediivctlv .■x|.n-. a.lmiiat i..ii or aMonisliment
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arrested the gaze ol but in all the provim of Syria, men talkn new Figure that v a- cherished sacred trail
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Not only in Galilee, Paltstine, and in cities dated regarding a liilst. A few who ■il (liat the Messiah
had come (Jn !■"• ^^ I-'", Mt l(i' ;Jl''). (Jtliers less instructed talked wildly as if Elijah had descended, or the Baptist had risen (Mk O''^- '•', Mt IG'^"), or some jjrophet of local tradition or expectation had a.piii'aiv.l(.lii7"', MfJl"). Doubtless tiir multitudes dial hull;,' aroiuiil Him were very mixed crowds. \'anity and srllishnes.s mingled with their motives. Tliey luved display. They desired a succession of palpable beneiits. Some had political aims or ambitions. The majority failed to appreciate the renunciation and pure spirituality of the Teacher. And few were able to sustain the devotion of their higher moments. To Jesus it was often a relief to find a place of solitude for meditation and prayer. Yet He acknowledged the true instinct of the un- tutored worshipper (Mt 21'"). And it is to the honour of human nature to remember that the common people heard Him gladly (Mk 12"), and that not tlie nation at large, but tlie constituted authorities and their tools — a suspicious officialism, a proud and jealous priesthood— rejected the true Leader and Lord of men, the Shepherd and Bishop of souls. See, further, artt. Ambition and Glory-. i;. si-oTT.
FAMILY.— 1. 3Tc»ibcrsh{p.— J e.\yi^h faniily life, while having many points in comnmn ^\ iUi that nf the Gentiles, was marked by a hi'dier standard of
Surity, the avoidance of infanticide, and the con- emnation of the selfish cruelty that in human sacrifice gave the fruit of the body for the sin of the soul (Mic 6'). The father was the head of the house, exercising restrictive authority over the wife, having complete disposal of the children, and giving his name to the family inheritance. Although living for years in another locality, he was regarded and registered as belonging to the place of his ancestral origin (Lk 2*).
The wife, as being legally the purchased posses- sion of her husband, was under bis law, — the bciHci/i to her ba'al, or rightful possessor. Hence the land of Israel could be called the beiiluh of Jehovah (Is 62'). Betrothal (Mt 1"), as a covenant, was equi- valent to marriage ; it jirevented the woman from being married to any other man until she had received a writing of divorce. Among the duties of the wife, apiirt from the maternal charge of the faniily, was the daily preparation of the bread (Mt24'"), and the carrying of water from the village fountain (Jn 4'). Tlic desire for male children was luniversal (Jn 16-'), as these preserved the name and upheld the interests and rights of the family, and in due time enlarged its circle by bringmg in daughters from other households. The pre-eminence of the father carried with it a corre- sponding responsibility of watching over the life and honour, the rights and welfare of his family. See artt. Divorce, Marriage.
2. References to the family.— \twa,s out of such relationships that Christ drew examples that were familiar to all, when He spoke of fathers who knew how to give good gifts to their children (Lk 11"), of sons who obeyed or disobeyed the father's command (Mt 21°*) ; and when, beyond the attach- ments of unselfish devotion fostered by the sacred institutions of the family, He set the higher claim of what was due to Himself from His disciples (Mt W). The Lord's Prayer was a transfiguration of the family relationships.
3. Religion in the family. — It was especially in the superiority of its religious training that the Jewish home differed from the family life of the Gentiles. See artt. Boyhood, Childhood.