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husband seven years from her virginity: and she was a widow of about four-score and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

13. The Magi. Jesus' Flight into Egypt. Herod's Cruelty. Jesus' Return.

Time.

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Now when Jesus was born in BethA. D. 1. lehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he

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a She was married when very young, was a wife but seven years, and remained afterwards a widow.

There were three Herods. Herod the Great, Herod Antipas, and Herod Agrippa. This is Herod the Great. Learned astronomers, probably "kings of Arabia and "Saba."

A meteor, or bright vapour.
i. e. Cities of Juda.

had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed: and, lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Bethlehem.

And when they were come into the Place. house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod `will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Place.

Egypt.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth,

and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

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But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: and he Place. came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Nazareth.

14. Jesus goes to the Passover when he is twelve years of age.

AND the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

"Because they were taken from her by death Jer. xxxi. 15.

Time.

A. D. 12.

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Place. Jerusalem.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went to Jerusalem after up the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou dealt thus with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, "How is it that ye sought "me? wist ye not that I must be about my "Father's business?" And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

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Nazareth.

And he went down with them, and Place. came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

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15. Of John the Baptist and his Ministry.

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Time. Now in the fifteenth year of the A.D. 29. reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto

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Judea.

Place. thy way Jordan.

Near

John the son of Zacharias in the Place. wilderness. And he came into all the Desert of country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey,

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⚫ A governor of a fourth part of a country.

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Annas having served the office retained the title, but Caiaphas was high priest that year.

In allusion to the custom in Eastern countries, of sending messengers and pioneers to make the ways level and straight before kings and princes, where they travelled withlarge retinues and great pomp. Mal. iii. 1.

A sackcloth of camel's hair.

An insect, a common food in the East to this day. See Lev. xi. 22.

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