76.  On the relation of proselytes to Judaism see SchuererJPTX II. ii. 291-327.  The synagogue in heathen lands drew to itself by its monotheism and its pure ethics the finest spirits of paganism.  But few of them, however, submitted to circumcision, and became thus proselytes.  Most of them constituted the class of “them that fear God” to whom Paul constantly appealed in his apostolic mission.  The Greeks of Jn. xii. 20 ff. were probably circumcised proselytes.

77.  On Judas see Plummer in HastBD II. 796 ff.; EdersLJM II. 471-478; WeissLX III. 285-289; AndLOL by index.  De Quincey’s essay on Judas Iscariot is an elaborate defence.

VII

The Last Supper

78.  GilbertLJ 335-354; WeissLX III. 273-318; EdersLJM II. 479-532; AndLOL 450-497; KeimJN V. 275-343; BeysLJ II. 434-448; SandayHastBD II. 633-638.

79. The day of the last supper.  John seems clearly to place it on the day before the Passover—­13 Nisan.  See xiii.  I, 29; xviii. 28; xix. 14, 31, 42.  Synoptists as clearly declare that the supper was prepared on the “first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover” (Mk. xiv. 12; see also Lk. xxii. 15); this is confirmed by the similarity between the Passover ritual as tradition has preserved it, and the course of events at the supper.  Unless interpretation can remove the contradiction, John must have the preference.  WeissLX III. 273-282, BeysLJ II. 390-399, accept John and correct the synoptists by him; thus the supper anticipated the Passover.  Some hold that John can be interpreted harmoniously with synoptists, and be shown to indicate that the supper was on the 14th Nisan.  So EdersLJM II. 508, 566f., 612f.; AndLOL 452-481; GilbertLJ 335-339.  Others believe that a true interpretation of synoptists shows that in calling the last supper a Passover they correctly represent the character, but misapprehend the time, of the meal.  For this argument see Muirhead, Times of Xt, 163-169, and read SandayHastBD II. 633-636 and his references.  The debate is still on, but the advantage seems to be with those who assign the supper to the 13th and the crucifixion to the 14th Nisan.

80. Did Jesus institute a memorial sacrament?  Read SandayHastBD II. 636-638, and Thayer, in Jour.  Bib.  Lit. 1899, 110-131; see also McGiffert, Apostolic Age, 68 ff. note; HoltzmannNtTh I. 296-304.

81. The Passover ritual.  The order according to the rabbis was the following:  the first cup of wine and water was taken by the leader, who gave thanks over it, and then it was shared by all (compare Lk. xxii. 17); then the head of the company washed his hands—­Dr. Edersheim connects with this the washing of the disciples’ feet, which changed the ceremony from an act of distinction into one of humble service; after this the dishes were brought on the table, then the leader dipped some of the bitter