The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 172

Vers.1-19.-0hrist's collisirmwith the Sanhedrin. We have studied Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his cleansing of the temple. And now we have to notice the interruptions to which he was subjected as he improved bis last days of ministration in the temple-court. He bacl. exercised authority in God's house, he was also teaching with authority the people; hence the Jewish rulers came, demanding from him the sign of his authority to do so. As with many still, there is great demand for sims, certificates, orders. In these circumstances Jesus throws them back on John °the Baptist, and asks if they had made out his autho1ity. This so "cornered" them that they decline giving an opinion, and Jesus consequently is warranted in declining to tell them by what authority he takes the course he does. Now, here it is to be noticed- L THE MINISTRY OF JESUS WAS BOUND Ul' HISTORICALLY WITH THE CLAIMS OF JOHN. It was to the Baptist he went for baptism. It was when being baptized by John that he received the gifts of the opened heaven, deecending dove, and assurance of Sonship. It was from John he received the first start in securing disciples, when the Baptist pointed to him and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh a.way the sin of the world!" How natural, therefore, that Jesus should take the chief priests back to John! It was no able manreuvre on the Master's part, but simple historic defence. "John recognized my authority and mission; he set his seal upon them: should this not satisfy you?" And surely this course taken by our Lord has deep significance. If ever one in this world might have stood in his own individual right and said, "My work and teaching are surely self-evidently Divine," he was the Man; but no, he takes his questions along the historic line, and shows how he stands on prophetic ground, as successor of the last of the prophets. It was the recognition of the prophetical succession rather than any independent assumption. II. FEAR OF MAN WILL INOAPACITATE MEN FOR THE SIMPLEST ACT OF JUDG:MENT. What Jesus asks these rulers to decide is whether John the Baptist, in introducing bapti8m, was taking a Heaven-inspired course or not. "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?" Instead of facing the question like men, they fenced with it. They saw clearly that in either case their answer would put them in a difficulty. If they said that John's baptism was from heaven, Jesus would immediately say, "Why then believed ye him not?" but if they declared it was a mere human innova- tion, they would come into such collision with the people as to run the risk of being stoned. In fear of man they decline judgment. Now it is instructive here to notice that such temporizers never can be martyrs. They have no notion of dying for their conviction about John. \Vhy should they be stoned? They prefer being silent on the whole subject. As long as we fear man more than God, as long as we ,alue man's esteem more than truth, we are unfit for judgment. We only become impartial when we are ready to take truth with all its consequences upon us. III. THE INCOMPETENT DO NOT DESERVE TO BE TREATED A.B JUDGES. These rulers have demonstrated their utter incompetency to undertake any decision upon a prophet's claims. '!'hey are consequently treated by Jesus as undeserving of the position of judges. It were well if this rule were faithfully observed. Men are treated often as if they had the judicial spirit, capacity, and temper, when they are simply man-fearing partisans. It is lost time putting such people in the judgment-seat. Better far to spend the time in teaching the common people, as the Master did, than in trying to convince the partisans who interrupt good work and do none themselves. IV. BY A PA.RADLE OF JUDGMENT HE REVEALS TO THESE PARTISANS THEm DANr.ER. The vineyard indicates the theocratic people, the husbandmen the men who exercised government among them, and the naturally expected fruit was the loyalty and spiritual service which prophets called for but seldom secured for their Master in heaven. Instead of rendering the fruits, tho rulers of the Jewish people subjected the line of prophets to increasing indi~nities. Last of all, the only Son is sent; but, instead of reverencin" him and yiel<lin~ to Divine demands, they cast him out of the Jewish Church and kill him. How clearly does Jesus thus claim SoDship to God, and indicate  180 THE GOSPEL .ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. [en. xx. 1-47.