[164] John 4:9; Luke 9:51-53. Pages 172, 183 herein. [165] Note 2, end of chapter. [166] Bab. Talmud, Sanhedrin, 90. [167] Josephus, Ant. xx, 11:2. [168] Note the emphasis given to this distinction in John 7:45-49; see also 9:34. [169] Note 3, end of chapter. [170] Ezra 7:11; see also verses 6, 10, 12. [171] Matt. 23:8-10; see also John 1:38; 3:2. [172] Matt. 23:13, 14, 15, 23. etc., read the entire chapter; compare Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:46; see also as instances of special denunciation of the Pharisees Luke 11:37-44. Note also that the lawyers, who were professionally associated with the scribes, are included in the sweeping criticism: verses 45-54. See pages 552-560 herein. [173] 1 Maccabees 2:42; 7:13-17; 2 Maccabees 14:6. [174] Josephus, Antiquities, xvii, 2:4. [175] Acts 26:5; see also 23:6; Philip. 3:5. [176] Exo. 21:23-35; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21; contrast Matt 5:38-44. [177] Note 4, end of chapter. [178] Josephus, Antiquities xviii, 1:4. [179] "New Stand. Dict.," under "Sadducees." [180] Josephus, Antiquities xviii, 1:5. [181] Numb. 6:2-21; Judges 13:5, 7; 16:17; Amos. 2:11, 12. Page 87. [182] Matt. 22:15, 16; Mark 12:13. [183] Luke 13:1, 2; see also John 4:45; Mark 14:70; Acts 2:7. [184] 1 Chron. 24:1-18. [185] Note 5, end of chapter. CHAPTER 7. GABRIEL'S ANNUNCIATION OF JOHN AND OF JESUS. JOHN THE FORERUNNER. Associated with the prophecies of the birth of Christ are predictions concerning one who should precede Him, going before to prepare the way. It is not surprizing that the annunciation of the immediate advent of the forerunner was speedily followed by that of the Messiah; nor that the proclamations were made by the same heavenly embassador--Gabriel, sent from the presence of God.[186] About fifteen months prior to the Savior's birth, Zacharias, a priest of the Aaronic order, was officiating in the functions of his office in the temple at Jerusalem. His wife, Elisabeth, was also of a priestly family, being numbered among the descendants of Aaron. The couple had never been blessed with children; and at the time of which we speak they were both well stricken in years and had sorrowfully given up hope of posterity. Zacharias belonged to the course of priests named after Abijah, and known in later time as the course of Abia. This was the eighth in the order of the twenty-four courses established by David the king, each course being appointed to serve in turn a week at the sanctuary.[187] It will be remembered that on the return of the people from Babylon only four of the courses were represented; but of these four each averaged over fourteen hundred men.[188]