THE NEW TESTAMENT
At the time that Herod the Great was king in Judea, there was a priest by the name Zacharias, and the name of his wife was Elisabeth. They were both righteous before God; but they had no children, and both were now old. One day while Zacharias was offering incense in the Holy Place, and the people were praying without, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him. And fear fell upon Zacharias; but the angel said unto him: Fear not, Zacharias, for thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear a son, and thou shalt call his name John[3]. He shall go before His face in the spirit and power of Elijah, and make ready for the Lord a people prepared for Him. Zacharias said: Whereby shall I know this? The angel answered: I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God. Behold, thou shalt be dumb until the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou didst not believe my words. (Luke 1:5-25.)
And Elisabeth brought forth a son. Her neighbors and kinsfolk would have him called Zacharias after his father; but his mother said: He shall be called John. They said: There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, and he took a tablet and wrote: His name is John. And immediately his mouth was opened, and he blessed God in a glorious song of praise. And thechild grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day when he stood forth before the people of Israel.(Luke 1:57-80.)
In the sixth month after Gabriel had appeared to Zacharias he was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth. There dwelt a virgin of the house of David, and her name was Mary. She was betrothed to a man of the house of David, and his name was Joseph. And the angel came in unto Mary and said: Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women! But Mary was greatly troubled at this saying and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be. And the angel said: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God. Thou shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.[4]Then Mary said: How shall this be, seeing I am not married? The angel answered: The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the Holy One which is born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And Mary said: Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.(Luke 1:26-38.)
It came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. And all went to enroll themselves, every one in his own city. And Joseph also went from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, to enroll himself with Mary, his betrothed wife. While they were there, the time was fulfilled, and Mary brought forth a son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, for there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds in the same country, abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And lo, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. But the angel said unto them: Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy: For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased.
And the shepherds came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger. And they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this Child. And all that heard it wondered; but Mary kept these words in her heart. When eight days were fulfilled for circumcising the Child, His name was called Jesus according to the word of the angel.
Forty days after the birth of Jesus, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. And there was in Jerusalem a pious man whose name was Simeon. He had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came that day in the Spirit into the temple. And when he saw the Child, he took It up in his arms and said: Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples.(Luke 2:1-31.)
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the days of Herod the king, Wise-men came from the East to Jerusalem, saying: Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the East, and arecome to worship Him. And Herod called together the chief priests and the scribes and inquired of them where Christ should be born. They answered: In Bethlehem, according to the prophecy of Micah. Then Herod called the Wise-men secretly and learned of them carefully what time the star appeared, and said to them: Go to Bethlehem and search out carefully concerning the Child, and when ye have found It, bring me word, that I may come also and worship It.
The Wise-men went their way, and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over the house where the Child was. And when they saw the star they rejoiced greatly and came into the house and found the Child and Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him, and they offered unto Him their treasures, gold, 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.
When they were departed an angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream and said: Arise, take the Child and His mother and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee; for Herod will seek the Child to destroy Him. Then Joseph took the Child and His mother by night and went into Egypt.
When Herod saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men he was exceeding wroth, and sent forth and slew all the male children in Bethlehem from two years old and under.—When Herod was dead an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying: Arise, take the Child and His mother and go into the land of Israel, for they are dead that sought the Child’s life. And he went into Galilee and dwelt in Nazareth. And the Child grew and waxed strong in spirit, becoming full of wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.(Matt. 2; Luke 2:39-40.)
55. The Child Jesus in the Temple
The parents of Jesus went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. When Jesus was twelve years old, they took Him with them. When they went home, He tarried behind in Jerusalem, and they knew it not, but supposing Him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey. And they sought for Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. And when they found Him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for Him. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. And Mary said: Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Thy father and I sought Thee sorrowing. Jesus answered: How is it that ye sought me? Knew ye not that I must be in my Father’s house? And He went down with them to Nazareth; and He was obedient to them.—And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:41-52.)
John dwelt quietly in the desert till he was thirty years of age. Then the word of God came to him, and he began to preach: Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. His manner of living was like that of the prophets of old; he had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. People both from Jerusalem and from the country came to him, and they were baptized of him, confessing their sins. Many believed that he was Christ; but he said: I am not Christ. I baptize only with water; but after me cometh One that is greater than I, the latchet of whose shoe I am notworthy to unloose. He shall baptize with the Holy Spirit. He is the Lamb of God that beareth the sins of the world.(Matt. 3:1-11; John 1:19-29.)
John exhorted both high and low to repentance. The tetrarch Herod Antipas had compelled his brother to part from his wife, Herodias, and had himself taken her to wife. John said to him: It is not lawful for thee to have her. Herod became angry for this, and cast John into prison. When Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before him; he was pleased with the dance, and promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she should ask, even the half of his kingdom. She went to the mother, who said: Ask for the head of John on a platter. The king was grieved, but for the sake of his guests he kept his word. John was beheaded, and his head was brought to the princess on a platter. And his disciples came and buried him.(Matt. 14:1-12.)
When Jesus was thirty years old, He came to John at the Jordan to be baptized. John said: I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? Jesus answered: Suffer it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then John baptized Him. And when Jesus went up from the water, lo, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit of God descended on Him in the form of a dove, and there came a voice out of the heavens, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.(Matt. 3:13-17.)
Then Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He afterward hungered. And the tempter came and said unto Him: If Thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. Jesus answered: It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word thatproceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil took Him into the holy city, and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said: If Thou art the Son of God, cast Thyself down; for it is written: He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee, and on their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest haply Thou dash Thy foot against a stone. Jesus answered: Again it is written: Thou shalt not try the Lord thy God. Again the devil took Him unto an exceeding high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and said: All these things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me. Jesus answered: Get thee hence, Satan! For it is written: Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.(Matt. 4:1-11.)
After Jesus had been baptized and tempted He began His work. For about three years He went from place to place in the country and in the cities; and for the great feasts He went up to Jerusalem. He spoke but a word and the blind saw, the deaf heard, the lame walked, the lepers were cleansed, and the dead were raised. He was God’s only begotten Son, born of the Father from eternity; therefore He could say: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man cometh to the Father but by me. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Everywhere the people flocked to Him and heard Him, for as He spoke had no man spoken.
Once He spoke to the people from a mountain. This speech is therefore called the Sermon on the Mount. In this He says:
I am not come to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them.
Ye have heard that it was said: Thou shalt not commit adultery; but I say unto you that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Ye have heard that it was said: Thou shalt not forswear thyself; but I say unto you: Swear not at all, but let your speech be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil.
When ye pray ye shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.
Be not anxious for what ye shall eat, or for what ye shall drink, nor for what ye shall put on. Behold the birds of the heavens: they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow! They toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Be not therefore anxious for the morrow; for sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them.(Matt. 5-7.)
As Jesus stood by the lake of Gennesaret one day, the people pressed upon Him to hear the Word of God. He entered Simon Peter’s boat and taught the people from there. When He had left speaking, He said unto Peter: Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Peter answered: We toiled all night,and took nothing; but at Thy word I will let down the nets. And they enclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their nets were breaking. And they beckoned unto James and John, who were in another boat; they came, and they filled both the boats. When Peter saw this, he fell down at the feet of Jesus and said: Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. But Jesus said to him: Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And they brought the boats to land, and left all and followed Him.(Luke 5:1-11.)
Many followed Jesus to hear the Gospel of salvation; from these He chose twelve men who constantly should be with Him; these He called apostles, that is, messengers; for they should be His messengers into all countries to testify about Him.
The names of the twelve apostles are these: 1. Simon, whom the Savior called Peter (that is: the rock); 2. his brother Andrew; 3. James, the son of the fisherman Zebedee; 4. his brother John, the disciple whom Jesus loved; 5. Philip; 6. Bartholomew; 7. Thomas; 8. Matthew; 9. James, son of Alpheus; 10. Judas Thaddeus; 11. Simon Zelotes (that is: the zealous one); and 12. Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Savior.
These twelve He sent out on short journeys to proclaim to the Jews that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. Two and two went together. Later on He sent out seventy disciples, who also went two and two, to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. (Matt. 10:1-5; Luke 10:1.)
One of the Pharisees, a member of the council, was named Nicodemus. He came to Jesus by night and said: Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these signs that Thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered: Except a man be born anew he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus said: How can a man beborn when he is old? He can not be born twice? Jesus answered: Verily, verily, I say unto thee: Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. For that which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Nicodemus answered: How can these things be? Jesus answered: Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things? As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up on the cross. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.(John 3:1-16.)
Jesus was passing through Samaria, and being wearied with His journey, He sat by the well outside of the city of Sychar. A woman from the city came to draw water. Jesus said unto her: Give me to drink. She answered: How is it that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, being a Samaritan woman? For there was bitter enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans. Jesus said: If thou knew who it is that speaketh with thee, thou wouldest have asked Him to give thee to drink, and He would have given thee living water. She answered: Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Jesus said: Go, call thy husband. She answered: I have no husband. Jesus answered: Thou saidst well: I have no husband; for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband. The woman said: Sir, I perceive that Thou art a prophet. Where ought we to worship God? We Samaritans believe it must be done on Mount Gerizim, and ye Jews say: It ought to be in Jerusalem. Jesus said: Woman, the hour cometh when no man shall ask about Gerizim and Jerusalem; for God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. The woman answered: When Messiah cometh He will declare unto us allthings. Jesus said: I am Messiah. So the woman left her water pot, and went into the city and told what had happened to her; and the men went out to Jesus, and He abode two days in the city, and many believed in Him. And they said to the woman: Now we believe not because of thy speaking, for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.(John 4:1-42.)