The Disciples Pluck the Corn

BY EDWARD ARMITAGE, R.A., AN ENGLISH ARTIST,

DIED 1896.
+

"And it came to pass, that he went through the cornfields on the sabbath-day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn."—Mark, 2, 23.

J

ESUS now departed from Jerusalem. The zealots

among the priests, and especially the Pharisees, began

to seek for an occasion to arrest Him. Perhaps some of the Pharisees even accompanied Him on His northward journey; for from this time forward we find them repeatedly approaching Him, arguing and challenging. It was apparently immediately after the passover, perhaps He was still in the neighborhood of Jerusalem, when their next opportunity against Him arose.

Jesus with His disciples was passing through a field of corn, when the disciples, being hungry, plucked some corn in passing, and began to prepare it for eating. The day was again the Sabbath, so at once the eager Pharisees demanded of Jesus if He approved this act of toil on the Sabbath. Jesus answered, gently as always, by recalling to their obstinate eyes examples from their own Scriptures, of things done at need despite the unfitness of time or place. Then He rose gloriously above their narrow plane of argument, telling them that "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath." Then viewing the trivial matter from an even higher stand, He told them that they must think of mercy, not of ritual observances, and that He, the "Son," was "lord even of the sabbath."

LUKE IX-THE TRANSFIGURATION

1619

27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

28¶And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

37¶And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill much people met him.

38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.

39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out: and they could not. 41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. 42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. 46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

1620

LUKE IX-THE DISCIPLES REBUKED

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. 49 ¶ And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.1

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

57¶And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Chapter 10

1 Christ sendeth out at once seventy disciples to work miracles, and to preach:.17 admonisheth them to be humble, and wherein to rejoice: 21 thanketh his Father for his grace: 23 magnifieth the happy estate of his church: 25 teacheth the lawyer how to attain eternal life, and to take every one for his neighbour that needeth his mercy: 41 reprehendeth Martha, and commendeth Mary her sister.

FTER these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come,

2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

The Revised Version omits, from this and the next verse, the entire speech of Jesus.