The Life Of Jesus Christ In Its Historical Connexion

It is probable that the conversation, commenced at the breakfast -- table, was continued in the open air; [443] the irritated Pharisees interrogated him anew, seeking, by captious questions, to find some handle by which to gratify their malice and secure the vengeance which they hoped to wreak upon him. A multitude of other persons gathered; groups were formed around Christ; and the Pharisees finally withdrew. The Saviour then addressed himself to the immediate circle of his disciples, and gave them warnings and cautions, probably occasioned by the recent machinations of the Pharisees. "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy;" a leaven which impregnates all that comes from them, and poisons all who come in contact with them. They were to be on their guard; to trust no appearances; the hostile aim was there, even when carefully concealed. All their acts alike were poisoned by hypocrisy; against them all it would be necessary to watch. [444]

After this note of warning, which probably perturbed their minds, he allowed them, for their comfort, to catch a glimpse of the coming triumphs of the kingdom of God, and of the victories which his truth should achieve. The craft of men, he told them, should not check its progress; it should make its way by the power of God. His truth, as yet veiled and covered, was to be brought to the knowledge of all men. "For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the house-tops (the flat roofs of Eastern dwellings)." [445] And with this promise, too, is connected an exhortation to firmness and steadfastness in their struggles for the truth: "Be not afraid of them that kill the body," [446] &c.