And while he was yet speaking, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, dost thou deliver up the Son of man with a kiss? But they that were about him seeing what would follow, said to him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? And *one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answering, said, Suffer ye thus far. And touching his ear, he healed him.

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, who were come to him, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and clubs? When I was by day with you in the temple ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

Then they seized him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were sitting down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid seeing him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looking upon him, said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after, another strongly affirmed, saying, Of a truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.+ And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And

* That was Peter, as we learn from the 18th chapter of St. John, the only Evangelist that mentions the name. St. John further informs us, that the servant's name was Malchus.

The peculiar accent and dialect of Galilee made them suspect Peter to be one of Jesus' disciples.

immediately, while he was yet speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord turning, *looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

QUESTIONS ON LESSON XXIII.

WHAT are the contents of this Lesson?

Why was the great festival called the "Passover?" Why was it sometimes called "the feast of unleavened bread ?"

Which of the disciples betrayed our Lord ?

To whom was he to deliver him up, and for what reward?

Whom did our Lord send to prepare the Passover?

What directions did he give them?

What did he say when he sat down with the twelve?

In what words did he institute the sacrament of the Lord's Supper?

What did he say about him that was to deliver him up?
What enquiry did this cause among the disciples?
What strife was there among them?

What did our Lord say about this strife?

In what way did he contrast his disciples with the Gentile kings?

What praise did he kindly give his disciples, and what was to be their reward?

What attempt did he say Satan desired to make on them, and which of them was to strengthen the rest?

What declaration did Peter make of his own constancy? What was our Lord's reply?

What change was to take place in the condition of the disciples, by our Lord's being taken from them?

*What a significant look that must have been! How gracious and condescending to spare Peter's feelings before the company present, by conveying, through a look, his meaning to him only.

+ Peter's repentance was immediate, sincere, and lasting, and he was, in consequence, received into favour again, and continued, till his death, a faithful and undaunted champion in his blessed Master's cause.

Whither did he go to pray, and what words did he use? How does it appear that his agony was great?

When he was risen from prayer, in what state did he find his disciples?

What did he then say to them?

Who led the multitude to seize Jesus?
What sign did Judas give the Jews?

What question did the disciples ask when they saw what would follow?

What violence did one of the disciples use in Jesus' defence?

How did Jesus remedy the effects of that violence?
What did he say to those who were come to take him?
Into what place did they bring him?

What disciple followed him afar off?

How often did Peter deny his Lord, and in what company?

What made some suspect Peter to be a disciple?

In what manner did our Lord remind Peter of his former confidence?

What effect had our Lord's significant look on Peter?
Of what kind was Peter's repentance?

LESSON XXIV.

Christ is mocked and stricken-brought before the council, and interrogated-brought to PilatePilate sends him to Herod-who mocks Jesus, and sends him back to Pilate-He is led away to be crucified-He is crucified between two thievesdifferent conduct of the two thieves-Jesus resigns his spirit-Joseph of Arimathea obtains the body, and lays it in a sepulchre-the women prepare spices and ointments-and rest during the Sabbath.

FROM LUKE XXII. AND XXIII.

AND the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And having blind-folded him, they

struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blaspheming they spoke against him.

And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people, and the chief priests came together, and led him into their council,* saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe; and if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor release me. Hereafter shall the Son of man be sitting on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God. And he said to them, Ye say that I am.+ And they said, What need have we of any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

And the whole multitude of them. rising up, led him unto Pilate."§ And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, saying, that he himself is Christ the King. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him, and said, Thou

* The great Jewish council, or Sanhedrim. Their object in questioning Jesus, was to convict him of blasphemy. fYe say,' or 'thou hast said,' is the usual phrase for giving assent. It means the same as our word 'Yes.'

Elders, chief priests and scribes.

The Roman Procurator or Governor of Judea. Though the chief priests had condemned Jesus to death, they could not put the sentence in execution, because the Romans had taken that power from them. They therefore brought him to Pilate, and by clamour and false accusation prevail to have him condemned. They did not charge Jesus when' they brought him to Pilate with the same crime for which they had condemned him, but with a crime which they thought would make him more odious to a Roman Governor, namely, sedition.

On the contrary, he recommended obedience to established authority, saying, "Render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's.'

sayest it. Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the multitudes, I find no fault in this man. And they were the more violent, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.

Now Pilate hearing of Galilee, asked whether the man was a Galilean? And as soon as he knew that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. And Herod seeing Jesus, was very glad; for he was long desirous to see him, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to see some sign* done by him. Then he questioned him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers set him at nought, and having mocked him, arraying him in a white garment, sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together; for before they were at enmity with each other.

And Pilate, having called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, said to them, Ye have brought this man unto me as one that perverteth the people; and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man, concerning those things of which ye accuse him; no, nor yet Herod; for I sent you to him; and lo, nothing worthy of death hath been done by him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him. (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release

*As Jesus knew that Herod's desire was not from a good motive, but to gratify his curiosity, he would not perform any miracle for such a wicked purpose.

The mutual civilities that passed between them were the means of reconciling them.