The case of the Centurion's serA-ant (Mt 8'"^^, Lk 7"-""') is marked by one feature Avhich is significant. The patient Avas 'grievously toiniented' (5et;'wj
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PARENTS
^aa-avii'dfievos), wliere, however, the description is not given by Luke, but b}- Mattliew. Tiie indica- tion may therefore not be medicalJy so suggestive. Bennett (Diseases of Bible) inclines to regard it as a case probably of ' pi'ogressive paralysis attended by muscular spasms and involving respiratory movements,' while Macalister (art. ' Medicine ' in Hastings' BB), on the ground of Matthew's de- scription of tlie pain involved, prefers to regard it as one ' i)ossibly of spinal meningitis.' The narra- tives are, however, not medical, and their central interest lies in the centurion's ' great faith ' so warmly eulogized by Jesus, and in his simple straightforward conception of the nature of the power and authority possessed by our Lord. He compares it to the authority conferred upon and exercised by himself — on the one hand being a power derived from the supreme source of all authority, and on the other being absolute in enforcing and obtaining promptest obedience. It is significant that our Lord accepts this conception, and conmiends in the fullest fashion the faith of which it was a part (see art. Cures).
T. H. Wright. PARENTS. — 1. J elfish parents. — A few intro- ductory remarks on the conjugal relation are necessary. The husband was supreme in the household ; his authority recognized by the wife — and here it may be noted that, while polj-gamy was permitted by the Jewish law, the principle of ' one man one Mife ' had Avon general acceptance. As for the legal status of the wife, the provisions in respect to some things (see DivORCE) were one- sided ; but her position, if subordinate, was by no means one of al>solute dependence, nor was she relegated to the seclusion common in other Oriental nations. The husband ruled ; the wife's influence in all domestic concerns was great. Fidelity was expected on both sides. The match might have been arranged by other parties (see ]\L\.RRIAGE), but the relations of the wedded pair would be characterized by a growing love. The honourable position of the faithful wife (Pr SP"-^') would be evidenced in countless JeAvish homes. To the strong attachment of husband to wife, of Avife to husband, there is frequent and touching allusion in later JeAvish literature. It Avould make itself felt in the Avhole family life.
This brief notice of the conjugal relation should help to a correct appreciation of the relations now to be considered, viz. the parental, and, by conse- quence, the filial. At once it may be set doAvn that the requirements of the Fifth Commandment had taken deep hold in JeAvish life. As Bou.sset (Rel. cl. Jutl. 402) remarks, it Avas not forgotten that in the Decalogue the duties of children to parents foUoAV immediately upon those Avhich turn on ■matters religious and ritual. The requirements, it should be noted particularly, place both parents on tlie same level. In practice the supremacy of the father as ruler of the household Avas, indeed, recognized ; his poAver OA'er his children Avas almost absolute : at the same time, the utmost respect and obedience to both father and mother Avere de- manded and yielded. Domestic discipline Avas exceedingly strict ; the behaviour of child to parent Avould be marked by that courtliness of etiquette wiiich Avas once a feature of English family life ; tliere Avas, perhaps, little demonstra- tiveness of affection in the case of the father. Re- straint is, in short, observable ; but it formed no barrier to a love deep and strong Avhich knit child to parent and parent to child : the full pathos of the love Avhich linked a JeAvish father to his son cannot be set doAvn in Avords. The joj'ousness of child-life Avas in no Avise cramped ; allusion is met Avith to the readiness of parents to provide for, and to enter into, the amusement of the children. Not
until the •2nd cent. Avas the maintenance of children the subject of legal enactment ; fulfilment of the duty hatl probably been taken as a matter of course. It was certainly expected that cliildren should minister to the necessities of aged parents. See, further, BOYHOOD.
2. The home at Nazareth. — Joseph Avas in any case the legal father of Jesus (Dahnan, The Words of Jesus) ; hence the parental and filial relation as illustrated in the Holj' Family maj- be discussed apart from questions treated of elseAvhere (see Virgin-birth). The glimpses afforded are but fcAv : there are the stories in the opening chapters of MattheAv and Luke, and some incidents in our Lord's ministry. Fragmentary notices ; and yet a great deal maj' be read into them when studied in connexion Avith the preceding paragraphs.
What, then, is discernible in the ])arents of Jesus? Conjugal attachment; so also a genuine and .simple-hearted piety. They are punctilious in the observance of religious duties (Lk 2-^- ^^) ; if attendance at the Passover Avas only demanded of men, ^lary is quick to avail herself of a priA'ilege Avhich had been extended to Avomen also (Lk 2^'). That the child Jesus 'increased in Avisdom' (Lk 24(1. 5jj jg g^ statement not to be interpreted Avithout thought of the parental care Avhicli Avatched over His ripening intelligence. If His ' understanding and answers ' Avere cause of astonishment (Lk 2''^), the explanation points, in part at any rate, to early training given bj- His mother ; to the care- ful discharge, by Joseph, of the paternal duties, so preparing Him for the eventful day Avhen, arrived at the age of tAvelve years. He Avonld be- come a ' son of the LaAV.' There Avas the further discharge of paternal dutj' as the lad Avas taught a trade (]\Ik 6^). The strict discipline above spoken of is implied in Lk 2'^^ (Kat ^v inroTacrcrdiJ.ei'os avrols) : the resjiect and obedience Avhich Joseph and Mary claim as their due are promptly rendered by the boy, the groAving youth.