The Psalter of Solomon, not inaptly called by Ryle and James ' the Psalms of the Pharisees,' clearly reveals by its contents that it belongs to the period B.C. 70-40. Its chief interest for us consists in the strong indications which it gives of the reviving Messianic hopes of Israel at this time under the Koman yoke. Palestine was ready to respond to any bold or able adventurer like Judas, Theudas, or Bar Cochba, the last of whom was supported even by the distinguished Rabbi Akiba. The Synoptic Gospels furnish clear evidence that the national expectations which were directed to a Davidic Messiah in the middle of the last cent. B.C. still prevailed in the days of Jesus. The very form of the Matthew and Luke traditions respecting our Lord's birth exhibits an endeavour to conform to the prevalent expectation that the Messiah would be of Davidic descent. (1) The divergent pedigrees in the two Gospels trace the genealogy of Joseph, the reputed father of Jesus, from David. (2) Both lay stress on Bethlehem as Christ's birthplace, in conformity with the oracle in Mic 5^.
Quite apart from the form of the Gospel narra-
* A reference to the Hasmonaean princes who usurped the high priesthood (so Ryle and James).
t The Greek infiixovro has no object, and these words may probably be supplied.
X Pompey is undoubtedly meant. See the interesting and full discussion in Ryle and James' Com. on the Psalms of Solomon, Introd. p. xlii S.
MESSIAH
MESSIAH
177
II
tives and the predisposition of the Avritei>. the facts of the life of Jesus furnish conclusive evidence of this strong current of Messianic expectation.* We know that on rei>eated occasions, especially towards the close of His career, He was acclaimed as Son of David : Mt 9^ (cf. Mk hx*'-^) 12==* 15^, Mk IP* (Mt -iP-isj ^ survey of the facts, how- ever, leads to the conclusion that Jerusalem in South Palestine was the centre of tliis national movement of Messianic anticipation, and that its pidses become weaker as we pass to the Jewish populations farther removed from this centre.
(/) We also hnd the title 'comforter' (c-.r: iiienaJiem) bestowed on the Messiah of Davidic lineage. In Jn \i^^- ^ 15-'^ 16' -n-apdKXTjros is for- ensic in origin = ' advocate," hence comes to mean 'helper' (see Weiss, ad he). It has therefore nothing to do with the above Messianic title. See Wiinsche, Leiden dcs Jlessias, p. 112; Bousset, Edig. dcs Jiid.'- p. 261. We find a Menaheni, son of Judas the Galila?an, appearing in Jerusalem as a messiah. and after a brief interval overthrown (Volz, Esrhat. p. 210).
iv. Attitude of Jescs towards the MessiahSHIP. — This subject involves some deli- cate problems which do not admit of easy or immediate solution. Several questions present themselves, and the answers to these enable us to define approximately the attitude of Jesus towards the Messiahship. (1) What was the popular im- jiression created by the Personality and ministry of Jesus ? (2) In what form did Jesus regard Himself as Messiah, and how was this related to the popular impression or the current Messianic expectation ? (3) At what time did the Messianic consciousness IKJssess Jesus, and when was it proclaimed?
1. In reference to the first que^tion, the follow- ing facts may lie noted : (a) During the Galilfean Ijeriod of His minLstrj' Jesus was designated a prophet ; and of this He was plainly conscious (Mk 6^). Yet in popular estimation He was con- sidered to be endowed with powers so remarkable that some supposed Him to be Elijah (6^*), the precursor of the Messiah i\Mal 3^ 4^). or one of the great prophets returned to life (Mk 8^; perhaps Jeremiah or Isaiah, cf. 2 Mac 2^ 15^^-, 2 Es 2'-). This seems to have been the general opinion respecting Jesus do^\Ti to the close of His life (Lk 24^* ' a prophet mighty in deed and word '). (b) On the other hand, when JestLs passes into Juda»a, He is confronted by the powerful cuiTent of Messianic expectation which looked for a king of David's line (Mk \0^ IP-J^). Probably an attempt to draw Him into this path of Messianic claim and revolt against Roman imperial authority underlies the question as to tribute-money (Mk 12^*).
2. As to the form of Christ's own Messianic consciousness and its relation to the popular im- pression and the South Palestinian expectation, we note: («)That the narrative of the Temptation (Mt A^^-, Lk ■^^^■) points to the conclusion that early in His public ministry the path of a material or worldly Messiah - king was deliberately re- nounced (cf. Jn 6'^ 18^). ih) At an early period Jesus promulgated the fundamental principles of the Kingdom of God, and was fully conscious of His plenary authority to declare them even in opposition to the sacred Mosaic Tornh which He announced Hims?lf prepared to fulfil ('Ye have heard how it hath Ijeen said . . . but I saj' unto you'). Yet though the expression 'kingdom of God (or heaven)' is often on His lips, He does not name Himself as ' king.' (<•) He was evidently conscious of a higher vocation and dignity than the designation 'prophet' involved. For (i.) He never called Himself ' propiiet,' though popularly acclaimed as such ; (ii.) the prerailiug designation
* Cf. Keini, Jein ton Sa-'ara, i. 244, iii. 103. VOL. I!. — 12