would result.  There were some, however, in the capital who had real faith in him.  His repeated efforts to win Jerusalem mean nothing if we do not recognize that he hoped against hope that many of the people might yet turn and let him lead them.  With some such purpose, therefore, he went up a little later without ostentation, and quietly appeared in the temple teaching.  The effect of this unannounced arrival was that the opposition was not ready for him.  The multitude was compelled to form an opinion of him for itself, and he had opportunity to make his own impression for a time, independently of official suggestion as to what ought to be thought of him.  This course resulted in a division of sentiment among the people, so much so that when the leaders, both secular and religious, sought to compass his arrest, the officers sent to take Jesus were themselves entranced by his teaching.  In spite of the wish of the leaders Jesus continued to teach, and many of the people began to think of him with favor.  When, however, he tried to lead them on to become “disciples indeed,” they took offence, and showed that they were not ready yet to follow him.  This effort to “gather the children of Jerusalem” resulted in new proof that they preferred his death to his message (John vii. 2 to viii. 59).

163.  Interesting evidence of the fact that “Jesus did many other signs which are not written” in our accepted gospels is found in the story of his dealing with an adulteress whom the Pharisees brought to him for judgment (John vii. 53 to viii. 11).  This narrative had no secure place in any of the gospels in the earliest days, yet was so highly regarded that men would not let it go.  Hence in the manuscripts which contain it, it is found in various places.  Some give it in Luke after chapter xxi., some at the end of the Gospel of John, one placing it after John vii. 36.  Many considerations combine to prove that it was no part of the Gospel of John, but as many show that it preserves a true incident in the ministry of Jesus.  In scene it belongs to the temple, therefore in time to one of the Jerusalem visits.  To which of those visits it should he assigned is not now discoverable.  The ancient copyists who assigned it to this feast of Tabernacles, chose as well as later students can.  If the incident belongs to this visit, it illustrates the patience and the keen insight of Jesus in his effort to win self-satisfied Jerusalem.

164.  John is silent concerning the doings of Jesus after the feast of Tabernacles.  In x. 22 he notes that Jesus was at Jerusalem at the feast of Dedication, which followed two months later.  It seems probable that after his hurried and private journey to the feast of Tabernacles (John vii. 10) he returned to Galilee and gathered to himself again the little company of his loyal followers, preparatory to that final journey to Jerusalem which should bring the end foreseen, unless, perchance, Israel should yet repent and turn unto the Lord.  As the shadow