LiTERATiRE.— Besides the many Lires of Jestis (e.g. Keini, A. Rciville, O. Holtziiiann), the followinj: are among the most useful recent books : Baltlensperf^er, DaaSelbstbewusntseinJcxxi (1S91) ; J. Weiss, Die I'redigt .lenv koiii lieichc Guttes (1900) ; Bousset, JexiiH (1904, Eng. tr. l!)(i.')) ; O. Schmiedel, Die Uaxipt- probleineiler Leben-Jesji-FoischtiiKj ; T. Adaiiison, Stwliesofthe Mind ill Christ, 23.i ; H. Bnshnell, The jVVk' Life, p. 1 ; see also the earlier chapters of books relating to the Apostolic Age (e.g. VVeizsiieker, MoGifTcrt, etc.). Yj. ¥. SCOTT.
PLATTER (Trapo^h, Mt 23-5, ^i^^t^ l]^ Ips').— 1. The dish. — The words thus translated in the above parallel passages referred probably to tlie same kind of tray or flat dish. The latter word (pmrix) is also translated ' charger ' in Mt 14**- ^\ Mk 6-''- -". Originally a circular mat about three feet in diameter made of closely woven wheat straw in the natural colour or of variegated pattern, it became a Hat, low-rimmed tray of brass or coi)per, wliicli was laid on the stool or low table aroimd which tlie family gatiiered at meals. Similar to this, only with the rim somewhat deepened, are the smaller fiat dishes, resembling saucepans, made of glazed earthenware and tin- coated co])per, now used in Palestine for the serv- ing of co()k(!d food. The reference in the texts above quoted was prol)ably to a dish of this sort. It is placed on the large tray, and into it each one at the table dips with a small scoop of thin bread torn from one of tlie loaves at his side, and thus lifts out the required mouthful of food.
2. Cn-cmonifd. /v;/>?-r;ncc. — Christ rebuked the artificial scrupulosity that paid more attention to
contingencies of ceremonial pollution than to actual and necessary cleanliness. A dish might be soiled with dust and stains, and yet be technically free of impurity, unless it were laid on a table on which, for exainjue, a few drops of milk had previously fallen. The table itself also (Mk 7'') liad to be washed, not out of regard for simjjle and whole- some cleanliness, but to avoid the danger of such law-breaking contamination. At the present day, in a house or institution conducted on strictly Rabbinical lines, the utensils for the cooking of meat, and those used in the prep.aration of milk dishes, must be kei)t in difierent parts of the kitchen. This is done not in deference to delicate sensibilities with regard to taste and smell, but because the juxtaposition of such vessels might create a situation in which it would be possible to commit a conjectural infringement of the prohibi- tion against seething a kid in its mother's milk (Dt 14-1).
Rabbinical legislation with regard to food and dishes, and the relationship of Christ's disciples to such ceremonial pollution, formed one of the first difficulties encountered by the gospel. The con- cession on the Jewish side was a great testimony to the power of the new life in Christ, for such regulations were taught to Jewish children from infancy, and were commended by the venerated names of teachers who had ingeniously elaborated them. So great was the influence of such teach- ing, that St. Paul on one occasion remonstrated with his fellow-Apostle Peter for complying with it to the detriment of the gospel, and added, in lan- guage of personal compliment while condemning the dissimulation, that eveyi Barnabas was carried away with it (Gal 2'^^ RV). See also art. DiSH.
G. M. Mackie.
PLAY.— See Boyhood, vol. i. p. 222, and Games.
PLEASURE. — Not passing pleasure but true hapj)iness is to be sought l)y the disciple of Christ. Pleasure as such is transitory, but Christian joy and peace are continual and eternal. This life is a preparation for the fruition of eternal happiness, and not merely a series of opportunities for grati- fication to self and others (Lk 12'^). In itself pleasure is not evil, for all things were made by (!od tiirough His Son (Jn P). He sanctioned and sanctified social festivity in due season (Jn 2'-"), and said of Himself, in contra.st with the ascetic John the Baptist, ' The Son of Man came eating and drinking' (Mt 11'^). But pleasures are not always expedient, and may work eternal mischief (Lk '8''*). The days of Noah and Lot were days of pleasure and self-indulgence, when God's visita- tion fell suddenly on the devotees of eating and drinking and marrying (Lk 17-'- -*). Such sensual pleasure absorbs too much of man's limited effort to be truly profitable (Jn 6-"). The sons of this ivorhl \<iM\ edbrtless lives (Lk 20^'*), but Christ's Kingdom is not of this xoorld (Jn 18^"). The citizens of Christ the King must beware of careless indulgence in pleasure, being ready for His sudden presence (Lk 21** 12^®). Yet, far more than all tiiis, the pursuit of pleasures is disloyalty, because it is the following after will-o'-the-wisps (as it M ere) instead of the steadfast regard to the Light of the world (Jn 8'- i)^). It is really a folly to accumulate the means of pleasure (Lk 12'^- 1^) ; but for the Christian it is treason to pursue pleasure instead of lairinrj tdl and following Him (Lk 5")- In return, the Lord has unfailing pro- mises of blessedness here and hereafter (Lk 18®-^", Mk lO-'-'*'"'); but the true disciple must renounce everything this world offers, to be counted worthy of tiie eternal joy (Mt W\ Mk 8■•'^ Lk 9-3). The sensuous or sensual life of the soul (i/'i'X'?) must not be striven after (Mt IS-^ lO^^, Mk 8^5, Lk 9^*