“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee;
and there went out a fame of him through all the region round
about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of
all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up;
and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the
Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”[246]
Such was the manner of the Saviour relative to the Sabbath. It is evident
that in this he designed to show his regard for that day; for it was not
necessary thus to do in order to gain a congregation, as vast multitudes
were ever ready to throng his steps. His testimony being rejected, our
Lord left Nazareth for Capernaum. Thus the sacred historian says:—
“But he, passing through the midst of them, went his way, and
came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on
the Sabbath days. And they were astonished at his doctrine; for
his word was with power. And in the synagogue there was a man
which had a spirit of an unclean devil; and he cried out with
a loud voice, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with
thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth; art thou come to destroy us? I
know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked
him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the
devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt
him not. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves,
saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he
commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the fame
of him went out into every place of the country round about.
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s
house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever;
and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and
rebuked the fever; and it left her; and immediately she arose
and ministered unto them.”[247]
These miracles are the first which stand upon record as performed by the
Saviour upon the Sabbath. But the strictness of Jewish views relative to
the Sabbath is seen in that they waited till sunset, that is, till the
Sabbath was passed,[248] before they brought the sick to be healed. Thus
it is added:—
“And at even when the sun did set, they brought unto him all
that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he
healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out
many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they
knew him.”[249]
The next mention of the Sabbath is of peculiar interest:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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