Far from seeking to soothe the murmurs stirred up by his disdain for the social susceptibilities of the time, he seemed to take pleasure in exciting them.  Never did any one avow more loftily this contempt for the “world,” which is the essential condition of great things and of great originality.  He pardoned a rich man, but only when the rich man, in consequence of some prejudice, was disliked by society.[1] He greatly preferred men of equivocal life and of small consideration in the eyes of the orthodox leaders.  “The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.  For John came unto you and ye believed him not:  but the publicans and the harlots believed him."[2] We can understand how galling the reproach of not having followed the good example set by prostitutes must have been to men making a profession of seriousness and rigid morality.

[Footnote 1:  Luke xix. 2, and following.]

[Footnote 2:  Matt. xxi. 31, 32.]

He had no external affectation or show of austerity.  He did not fly from pleasure; he went willingly to marriage feasts.  One of his miracles was performed to enliven a wedding at a small town.  Weddings in the East take place in the evening.  Each one carries a lamp; and the lights coming and going produce a very agreeable effect.  Jesus liked this gay and animated aspect, and drew parables from it.[1] Such conduct, compared with that of John the Baptist, gave offence.[2] One day, when the disciples of John and the Pharisees were observing the fast, it was asked, “Why do the disciples of John and the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?  And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?  As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.  But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast in those days."[3] His gentle gaiety found expression in lively ideas and amiable pleasantries.  “But whereunto,” said he, “shall I liken this generation?  It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.[4] For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.  The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.  But Wisdom is justified of her children."[5]

[Footnote 1:  Matt. xxv. 1, and following.]

[Footnote 2:  Mark ii. 18; Luke v. 33.]

[Footnote 3:  Matt. ix. 14, and following; Mark ii. 18, and following; Luke v. 33, and following.]

[Footnote 4:  An allusion to some children’s game.]

[Footnote 5:  Matt. xi. 16, and following; Luke vii. 34, and following.  A proverb which means “The opinion of men is blind.  The wisdom of the works of God is only proclaimed by His works themselves.”  I read [Greek:  ergon], with the manuscript B. of the Vatican, and not [Greek:  teknon].]