[Footnote 3:  John xi. 55, 56.  For the order of the events, in all this part we follow the system of John.  The synoptics appear to have little information as to the period of the life of Jesus which precedes the Passion.]

CHAPTER XXIII.

LAST WEEK OF JESUS.

Jesus did in fact set out with his disciples to see once more, and for the last time, the unbelieving city.  The hopes of his companions were more and more exalted.  All believed, in going up to Jerusalem, that the kingdom of God was about to be realized there.[1] The impiety of men being at its height, was regarded as a great sign that the consummation was at hand.  The persuasion in this respect was such, that they already disputed for precedence in the kingdom.[2] This was, it is said, the moment chosen by Salome to ask, on behalf of her sons, the two seats on the right and left of the Son of man.[3] The Master, on the other hand, was beset by grave thoughts.  Sometimes he allowed a gloomy resentment against his enemies to appear; he related the parable of a nobleman, who went to take possession of a kingdom in a far country; but no sooner had he gone than his fellow-citizens wished to get rid of him.  The king returned, and commanded those who had conspired against him to be brought before him, and had them all put to death.[4] At other times he summarily destroyed the illusions of the disciples.  As they marched along the stony roads to the north of Jerusalem, Jesus pensively preceded the group of his companions.  All regarded him in silence, experiencing a feeling of fear, and not daring to interrogate him.  Already, on various occasions, he had spoken to them of his future sufferings, and they had listened to him reluctantly.[5] Jesus at last spoke to them, and no longer concealing his presentiments, discoursed to them of his approaching end.[6] There was great sadness in the whole company.  The disciples were expecting soon to see the sign appear in the clouds.  The inaugural cry of the kingdom of God:  “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord,"[7] resounded already in joyous accents in their ears.  The fearful prospect he foreshadowed, troubled them.  At each step of the fatal road, the kingdom of God became nearer or more remote in the mirage of their dreams.  As to Jesus, he became confirmed in the idea that he was about to die, but that his death would save the world.[8] The misunderstanding between him and his disciples became greater each moment.

[Footnote 1:  Luke xix. 11.]

[Footnote 2:  Luke xxii. 24, and following.]

[Footnote 3:  Matt. xx. 20, and following; Mark x. 35, and following.]

[Footnote 4:  Luke xix. 12-27.]

[Footnote 5:  Matt. xvi. 21, and following; Mark viii. 31, and following.]

[Footnote 6:  Matt. xx. 17, and following; Mark x. 31, and following; Luke xviii. 31, and following.]

[Footnote 7:  Matt. xxiii. 39; Luke xiii. 35.]