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.

VERS. XX.

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

There were certain Greeks.

THAT these Greeks were Gentiles, as the Vulgar renders it, I do not question; and perhaps they were Syro-Grecians, and those either of Decapolis, or Gadara, or Hippo; the reason of this conjecture is, partly that they apply themselves to Philip of Bethsaida, as known to them, because of his neighbourhood; partly, which is more probable, that those Greeks that border'd upon Galilee, and the places where Christ wrought his miracles, might seem more prone both to embrace the Jewish Religion, and also to see Jesus, than those that liv'd farther off.

However, be they other Gentiles, and not Greeks; or be they Greeks come from more remote Countries, what had the one or the other to do with the Feast, or the Religion of the Jews? As to this, let the Jewish Writers inform us.

I. a 1.1 If an heathen send a burnt-offering out of his own Country, and withal send drink-offer∣ings; the drink-offerings are offered, but if he send no drink-offerings, drink-offerings are of∣fered

at the charge of the Congregation. Observe that. We have the same elsewhere b 1.2. And it is every where added, that this is one of the seven things that were ordain'd by the great Council; and that the sacrifice of a Gentile, is only a whole burnt-offering, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the thank-offerings of a Gentile are whole burnt-offerings; and the reason is given, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The mind of that Gentile is toward heaven. Gloss. He had rather that his sacri∣fice should be wholly consum'd by fire to God, than [as his thank-offerings] be eaten by men d 1.3.

That of Josephus is observable e 1.4, Eleazar the Son of Ananias the High Priest, a bold young man, perswaded those that ministred in holy things, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that they should accept of no sacrifice at the hands of a stranger. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. This was the foundation of the war with the Romans. For they refus'd a sacrifice for Cesar.

f 1.5 The Elders that they might take off Eleazar and his followers from this resolution of theirs, making a speech to them, among other things, say this, That their fore-fathers had greatly beautify'd and adorn'd the Temple, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from things devo∣ted by the Gentiles: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Always receiving the gifts from forreign Nations, not having ever made any difference in the sacrifices of any whom∣soever; for that would be irreligious, &c. When they had spoken this and many more things to this purpose, they produc'd several Priests skill'd in the ancient customs of their fore∣fathers, who shew'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that all their ancestors received offerings from the Gentiles.

II. Nor did the Gentiles only send their gifts and sacrifices, but came themselves per∣sonally sometimes to the Temple, and there worship'd. Hence the outward Court of the Temple was call'd the Court of the Gentiles, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the common Court, to which that in the Book of the Revelations alludes, Chap. XI. 2. But the Court which is without the Temple, leave out, and measure it not, for it is given to the Gentiles. And of those there shall innu∣merable numbers come and worship. And they shall tread the Holy City forty and two months. It is not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they shall tread it under foot as enemies and spoilers, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they shall tread it as worshippers. So Isa. I. 12.

g 1.6 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Syrians and those that are unclean by the touch of a dead body, enter'd into the mountain of the Temple.

h 1.7 Rabban Gamaliel walking in the Court of the Gentiles saw an heathen woman, and blessed concerning her.

i 1.8 They would provoke the Roman armes, espouse a war with them, introduce a new worship, and perswade an impiety with the hazard of the City, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, If no stranger but the Jews only may be allow'd to sacrifice or worship.

Hence that suspicion about Trophimus being brought by Paul into the Temple, is not to be suppos'd to have been with reference to this Court, but to the Court of the wo∣men, in which Paul was purifying himself.

k 1.9 There is a story of a certain Gentile that eat the Passover at Jerusalem, but when they found him out to be an heathen, they slew him; for the Passover ought not to be eaten by any one that is uncircumcised. But there was no such danger that an uncircumcised person could run by coming into the Court of the Gentiles, and worshipping there.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Menacoth, fol. 51. & 73. 2.
• b 1.2

  Fal. 166. 2. Vajicra Rab∣ba, fol. 166. 2.
• d 1.3

  See also Me∣nacoth, fol. 72. 2. & Temura••, fol. 103. 1, &c.
• e 1.4

  De Bell. lib. 2. cap. 30.
• f 1.5

  Ibid. cap. 31.
• g 1.6

  Remid••. rab. fol. 224.
• h 1.7

  Hieros. Avo∣dah Zarah, fol. 40. 1.
• i 1.8

  Ioseph. ubi sup••.
• k 1.9

  Pesachin, fol. 3. 2.