(6) What made their opposition all the worse was that though they could not deny his miracles, they went so far as to ascribe them to the agency of Satan. "He hath a demon, and is mad: why hear ye him?" is what they exclaimed (John 10:20). The Pharisees said, "By the prince of the demons casteth he out demons" (Matt. 9:34). So they dared to ascribe to demoniac possession the deeds of him in whom the Spirit dwelt without measure. It was this ascribing to the spirit of darkness of the works of the Holy Spirit that brought forth from the Master his statement concerning the unpardonable sin. It really consisted in ascribing to the Holy Spirit the works of the prince of darkness. #140. Away from the Crowds.#--After the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, the Master was mostly in out of the way places, such as Cæsarea Philippi, Decapolis, and the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. He feared lest the Galileans, if he wrought more miracles among them, would raise insurrection, and so bring on him the power of the Roman government. This would have ruined his mission to this earth. For about six months after the miracle of the five thousand he tarried in Galilee and its immediate vicinity before he started on his final journey to Jerusalem. It was during these six months that the transfiguration took place. Test Questions What event closes the year of popularity? What action did the people wish to take in consequence of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand? What sign have we that even the disciples were infected with this spirit? What did the people wish Jesus to do on the following day? When he declined what did the people do? All this time, what was the attitude of the Pharisees? How many of these men were there at this time in Palestine? Give the first ground of their opposition to him. Give the second ground of their opposition. Give the third ground. Give the fourth and the fifth ground assigned for their opposition. To what did they ascribe his power of working miracles? Where did the Master stay for the next six months? What marked event took place during these six months? Test Questions for Review Lessons 1 to 5 1. How long an interval of silence between Old and New Testament? 2. Give the limits of each of the five periods of New Testament history. 3. How may the life of Christ be divided? 4. What was the threefold nature of Jesus' temptation? 5. What is meant by the year of obscurity? 6. With whom did Jesus have a most noteworthy interview in Jerusalem? 7. What is the second year of Christ's life called? 8. Where was it for the most part spent? 9. Why did Jesus use parables so much? 10. Around what thought did most of his teachings revolve? 11. What were the five grounds given for the opposition of the Pharisees? 12. Where did the Master stay for six months after the year of popularity? Lesson 6 The Closing Week New Testament Division--Second Period (Continued)