The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

CHAP. X.

VERS. I.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Cometh into the Coasts of Iudea by the farther side of Iordan.

HERE is need of a discerning eye, to distinguish of the true time, and method of this story, and of Christs journey. If you make use of such an eye, you will find half a year, or thereabouts to come between the uttering of the words immediately beforegoing, and this travail of our Saviour: however it seems to be in∣timated by our Evangelist, and likewise by Matthew, that when he had finished those words, forthwith he entred upon his journey: When in truth he went before to Jeru∣salem, through the midst of Samaria, to the Feast of Tabernacles, Luke IX. 51, &c. Joh. VII. And again▪ From Galilee, after he had returned thither, through the Cities and Towns, to Jerusalem, Luke XIII. 22. to the Feast of Dedication, Joh. X. 22. And

again beyond Jordan indeed, Joh. X. 40. but first taking his way into Galilee, and thence beyond Jordan, according to that story which is before us. The studious Reader, and that in good earnest imployeth his labour upon this business, has no need of further proof; his own eyes will witness this sufficiently. Thus the Wisdom and Spirit of God di∣rected the pens of these holy Writers, that some omitted some things to be supplyed by others; and others supplyed those things which they had omitted: and so a full and compleat history was not composed but of all joyned and compared together.

I wish the Reverend Beza had sufficiently considered this, who rendreth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not Beyond, but By Jordan, and corrects the vulgar Interpreter and Erasmus, who render it, Beyond Jordan properly and most truly. As if by Perea, saith he, or the Country beyond Jordan, Christ passing over Jordan or the lake of Tiberias, came into Ju∣dea out of Galilee, which is not true. But take heed you do not mistake, Reverend Old-man. For he went over Jordan from Capernaum, as it is very probable, by the bridge built over Jordan between Chammath, near to Tiberias, at the Gadaren Coun∣try. He betook himself to Bethabara, and stayed some time there, Joh. X. 40. thence he went along Perea to the bank over against Jericho. While he tarrieth there a Mes∣senger sent from Mary comes to him concerning the death of Lazarus, Joh. XI. and thence after two days he passeth Jordan in Judea.

VERS. XVII.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Kneeled to him.

SO Chap. I. 40. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Beseeching him, and kneeling to him. This is variously rendred, Procidit ad pedes, Genu flexo, Genu petens, Ad genua procidens, &c. He fell at his feet, Bowing the knee, Beseeching upon his knee, Fal∣leng down at his knees. Which rendrings are not improper, but I suspect something more is included. For 1. It was customary for those that so adored, to take hold of the knees or the legs, 2 King. IV. 27. Mat. XXVIII. 9. 2. To kiss the knees or the feet. See what we have said at Mat. XXVIII. 9.

When a 1.1 R. Akiba had been twelve years absent from his Wife, and at last came back, his Wife went out to meet him: and when she came to him, falling upon her face, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 She kissed his knees. And a little after, When he was entred into the City, his Father-in-Law knowing not who he was, but suspecting him to be some great Rabbin, went to him and falling upon his face 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Kissed his knees. b 1.2 Speaking of Job, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Satan came and he kissed his knees. But in all this Job sinned not with his lips, &c. c 1.3 When a certain Rabbin had discoursed of divers things 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Bar Chama rose up and kissed his knees.

VERS. XXI.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Loved him.

THAT is, by some outward gesture he manifested that this man pleased him, both in his question, and in his answer: when he both seriously enquired con∣cerning attaining eternal life, and seriously professed that he had addicted himself to Gods Commandments with all care and circumspection.

Let us compare the customs of the Masters among the Jews. Eliezer d 1.4 ben Erech obtained leave from Rabban Jochanan ben Zaccai, to discourse of some things before him. He discoursed of Ezekiels Chariot (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chap. I. or, Of Mystical Di∣vinity) When be had made an end, Rabban Jochanan arose up, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And kissed his head. R. e 1.5 Abba bar Cahna heard R. Levi disputing profoundly. When he had made an end, R. Abba rose up, and kissed his head. There is a story of a certain Nazarite, young man, that exceedingly pleased Simeon the Just, with a certain answer that he gave. Where∣upon, said, Simeon, f 1.6 I bowed towards him with my head, and said, O Son, let such, as you, be multiplyed in Israel. This story is found elsewhere, g 1.7 Where for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I bowed towards him with my head, it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I embraced him, and kissed his head. h 1.8 Miriam before the birth of Moses had prophesied, My Mother shall bring forth a Son, who shall deliver Israel. When he was born the whole house was filled with light. His Father stood forth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And kissed her upon the head and said, thy prophesie is fulfilled. And when they cast him into the River 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 He struck her upon the head.

What if our Saviour used this very gesture towards this young man? And that the more conveniently, when he was now upon his knees before him. Some gesture at least he used, whereby it appeared both to the young man, and to the standers by,

that the young man did not a little please him, both by his question, and by his answer. So 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I have loved, Psal. CXVI. 1. in the LXX, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I have loved, one may render well, Complacet mihi; It pleaseth me well. So Josephus of Davids Souldiers, 1 Sam. XXX. Those four hundred, who went to the battle, would not impart the spoils to the two hundred, who were faint and weary, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. and said, that they should love (that is, be well pleased) that they had recei∣ved their wives safe again.

In some parity of sense, John is called the Disciple, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, whom Jesus lo∣ved; not that Jesus loved him more than the rest, with his eternal, infinite, saving love, but that he favoured him more with some outward kindness, and more intimate friend∣ship and familiarity. And why? Because John had promised that he would take care of Christs mother after his death. For those words of our Saviour upon the Cross to John, Behold thy Mother! and to his Mother, Behold thy Son! And that from thence John took her home; do carry a fair probability with them, that that was not the first time, that John heard of such a matter, but that long before he had so promised.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I have loved thee, Esa. LX. 10. is rendred 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I have had pity upon thee: which may here also agree very well, Jesus had pity upon him.

VERS. XLVI.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Bartimeus, the son of Timeus.

SOME suspect the Evangelist here guilty of a Solecism by making a Tautology: for it was neither necessary, as they think so to render the Syriac word in Greek: nor is it done so elsewhere in proper names of that nature. For it is not said by any Evangelist, Bartholomeus, the son of Tholomeus. Bar Abbas, the son of Abbas. Bar Jesus, the son of Jesus: nor in the like names. True indeed; But

• I. When the denomination is made from a common name, and not a proper, then it is not so ill sounding to interpret the word: which is done once and again, Mark III. 17. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Boanerges, which is, The sons of Thunder, Act. IV. 36. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Barnabas, which is, a son of Consolation.
• II. Bar Timai may be rendred otherwise then The son of Timeus: namely, either 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A son of Admiration, or which is more proper, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A son of profit. The Tar∣gum in Ester III. 8. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 To the King ariseth no profit (Timai) from them. The Evangelist therefore deservedly, that he might shew that this Bartimeus, was not named from this, or that, or some other Etymology, but from his fathers name, so interprets his name, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Bartimeus, the son of Timeus.
• III. Perhaps there was a Timeus of some more noted name in that age, either for some good report, or some bad: so that it might not be absurd to the Jews that then conver∣sed there, to say, This blind Bartimeus is the son of the so much famed Timeus. So it is unknown to us, who Alexander and Rufus were, Chap. XV. 21. But they were without doubt of most eminent fame either among the Disciples, or among the Jews.
• IV. What if 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Thimai be the same with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Simai, Blind, from the use of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Thau for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Samech among the Chaldeans; so that Bartimeus the son of Timeus, might sound no more than, The blind son of a blind Father.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Bab. Chetub. fol. 63. 1.
• b 1.2

  Id. Bava Bathr.
• c 1.3

  Sanhedr. fol. 27. 2.
• d 1.4

  Hieros. Cha∣gigah, f. 77. 1.
• e 1.5

  Id. H••raioth, fol. 48. 3.
• f 1.6

  Id. Nederim, fol. 36. 4.
• g 1.7

  Nazir, fol. 51. 3.
• h 1.8

  Ba••. Megil. fol. 14. 1.