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| 1 And it happened in the afterwards, also he traveled through every city and village, publishing and proclaiming the glad tidings the kingdom of the God; and the twelve with him, |
Glad tidings – Thus far, only to God's servants; but it shall be to all. R5370:3
The same good tidings that were heralded by the angels at Jesus' birth. R5370:3
Of the kingdom of God – This is the key to all the preaching that Jesus did; his one message was the good tidings of the Kingdom of God. R5370:2
Not only was the Kingdom the topic with which the Lord began his public ministry, but it was really the main topic of all his preaching, other subjects being mentioned merely in connection with, or in explanation of, this one subject. A274
The very center and essence of the hope of the Church and the world. R5370:3
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| 2 and women certain, who were having been healed from spirits evil and infirmities; Mary that being called Magdalene, from whom demons seven has gone out, |
Mary – Apparently a woman of wealth. R5370:6, 2797:5
Called Magdalene – Not the same woman who washed and anointed our Lord's feet in the house of the Pharisee. ( Luke 7:37) R2797:5
Signifying that this Mary was of, or from, Magdala, a town on the sea of Galilee. R2797:5
Went seven devils – The poor woman was in the condition which many are who are in insane asylums. Her trouble was not organic, but caused by the harassing of the seven fallen angels who had taken possession of her. R5370:6
Being set free from their control, she became a very loyal servant of the Lord. R2173:3
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| 3 and Joanna, a wife of Chuza a steward of Herod, and Susanna, and others many, who ministered to him from the possessions of them. |
The wife of Chuza – Some suppose Chuza to be the nobleman of John 4:46 who traveled 25 miles from Capernaum to Cana to appeal to Jesus for the healing of his son, who was at the point of death. R4132:6
Herod's steward – Or chamberlain, the king's officer. R4132:6
Ministered unto him – Voluntarily contributing to the Master's support. R5552:1
The moneys contributed were given to Jesus, and not to the disciples. He voluntarily shared with them. R3257:2
The disciples evidently never lacked, though it is equally evident that they never solicited alms. F286
We have no suggestion that he ever took up a collection or in any manner solicited money. Many think that this is a suggestion that the followers of Christ should likewise make no appeals for money, but merely use of their own substance and such other moneys as shall voluntarily be given unto them. R5370:3
Such voluntary donations made it proper that there should be a common treasurer for the company, and that he should be of superior business acumen. R5552:1
His seamless robe, so beautifully representing his own personal perfection, had probably been a gift from one of these noble women. R2316:1
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| 4 Was assembling and a crowd great, and of the every city were coming to him, he said by a parable: |
Much people were gathered – As the fame of Jesus increased his opposition became more and more pronounced; especially from the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees, as they were brought into competition and unfavorable comparison with him as public teachers. R1735:3
Many of them illustrated truths not revealed at that time, and hence not understood. R1742:1
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| 5 Went out the sower of the sow the seed of himself; and in the sowing it, this indeed fell by the path; and it was trodden down, and the birds of the heaven ate it.
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A sower – It is never said, "The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a sower." There was no Church of Christ, or Kingdom of heaven, until the day of Pentecost. R97:3*
The work of sowing the word was to prepare them for a place in the Kingdom. Thus this parable prepares the way for that of the wheat and tares. This deals with the individual, the other with the Church collectively. R97:4*
Sow – First the Jewish wheatfield, then that of Christendom, and not in heathendom where the Word has never gone. R3764:3
By the way side – The fields of Palestine are not fenced and the paths of travel frequently cross them. R3763:2
Trodden down – By life's experiences. R3764:3
And the fowls – Representing Satan and his agents. R2634:6
The birds of Palestine are so numerous as to be one of the farmer's chief pests. R3763:2
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| 6 And another fell on the rock; and having sprung up it dried up, through the not to have moisture.
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Upon a rock – Palestine abounds with limestone, which renders the soil very rich but, when shallow, very hot. R3763:2
It withered away – Under the hot sun of persecution. R5650:5, 4910:5
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| 7 And another fell in midst of the thorns; and having sprung up with the thorns they chocked it.
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Among thorns – There are fifty kinds of thorny plants in Palestine, and the thistles sometimes grow to a height of 15 feet. R3763:2
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| 8 And another fell in the ground the good; and having sprung up bore fruit a hundredfold. These things having said, he cried: He having ears to hear, let him hear.
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An hundredfold – A single grain of barley has been known to produce a fruitage of 276 grains. R3763:2
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| 9 Asked and him the disciples of him, saying what may be the parable this. |
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| 10 He and said: To you it is given to know the secrets of the kingdom of the God; to the but others in parables; that seeing not they may see, and hearing not they may understand.
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Unto you – The Little Flock, the faithful, the saints. NS524:2
So constituted through acceptance of Christ, consecration to him, and begetting of the holy Spirit. NS598:1
The meek, honest and faithful of God's people only--in God's due time and way. D614
Not only to the disciples of that day, but to the disciples all through the age. R1742:1
The wise who will understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of the Melchizedek Priesthood are not the worldly-wise or great; they are chiefly the poor of this world, rich in faith. SM13:2
Truth is not intended for all. SM109:2
Not for the blind, not for the deaf, but for those "blessed," favored ones who have eyes and ears. R2414:5
"Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear." (Matt. 13:16) SM109:2
It is given to know – At the first advent, the humble Israelites indeed were not confused, but enlightened; and the same is true now in the second advent. D599
Passing from grace to grace, and from knowledge to knowledge. SM14:2
Our Lord thus indicated that his disciples should have been able to interpret this parable, because of their knowledge of the truth it was designed to illustrate. R1742:1
While "given," it is not given indiscriminately; it is given only to those of certain character. R4444:6
Those wholly consecrated now, and gladly following the "Lamb whithersoever he goeth" (Rev. 14:4), know that their Master will continue to give them meat in due season (Matt. 13:52), both in things new and old, as they are able to bear it. (John 16:12) R1151:1*
The mysteries – Even partially. R1149:1*
"The Mystery hidden from past ages and dispensations, but now revealed unto the saints." (Col. 1:26) SM246:T
The Mystery is this: that God's purpose from the first was that the great Deliverer should be not only the Lord Jesus, but should include also the elect Little Flock of this Gospel age. SM246:T
It is proper that the saints should know this Mystery, for now the strength which this knowledge would give will be of special value in their combat with the special trials and difficulties immediately before them. SM246:T
The Pentecostal blessing, evidencing our forgiveness, has reached every member of the consecrated class to enlighten the eyes of our understanding and to enable us to see the deep things of God and his gracious promises. R3590:6
We may tell of these mysteries, knowing that none will be able to comprehend thoroughly all of these mysteries except such as have taken several degrees in the Order of the Melchizedek Priesthood. SM14:2
Parables, which illustrated truths, can only be seen as the truths they illustrate become manifest. R1742:4
"Ye, brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief." (1 Thess. 5:4) C215
Israelites indeed, learn precept upon precept, line upon line. (Isa. 28:9, 10) SM109:2
The permission of evil was not understood until the Gospel age, and more fully in this harvest period; but only by the spirit-begotten. R1506:1
But to others – All not members of the inner circle of Israelites indeed. NS632:3; SM109:2
Not disciples. R72:2
The masses of Christendom. NS307:2
"Them that are without"--outside the pale of the believing disciples, which included the whole nation of Israel except a small "remnant." R1742:4
We need not be afraid of giving away the secrets of the Lord. SM246:T
In parables – Not understood by the people who heard them, and which seem to be but little better comprehended today. HG394:6
Because they are not in the right attitude of heart to properly profit by the knowledge. NS524:2
Dark sayings. D614
It was not because of Israelitish stupidity that they did not perceive the antitypes, not because of superiority of acumen that we see them now and they do not. NS598:1
So that they might fail to perceive the blessings of which they were proving themselves unworthy. R1742:4
Jesus taught a punishment and trouble now and in the future for the wicked, but it was always by parable. R1151:1*; A128
That seeing – They had indeed the natural sight and the natural hearing, but they lacked the mental sight and hearing. R2414:4
They might not see – So hard for the Jew to understand, and equally impossible for the natural man of the Gentiles to comprehend. R3590:6
Our Lord spake in this dark manner with the very intention that the majority might not understand. NS307:2
Natural men and not new creatures, never begotten of the holy Spirit, cannot see and understand spiritual things. R3328:4
Might not understand – Even if we tell it, all cannot hear. SM246:T
"I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you." (Acts 13:41) NS632:3
The parables and teachings were not uttered with the intention of making the blind see and the deaf hear, but purposely so that the deaf might not hear, and so that the blind might not see. R2414:4
Even now the dark sayings of our Lord are not understood except by his footstep followers. A128; D614; R2414:4, 1149:1*; SM109:2
Parables can be understood only as the truths they illustrate become manifest. R1742:4
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| 11 Is now this the parable: The seed, is the word of the God.
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The word of God – The good seed represents the message of the Kingdom, not a truth about the philosophies of men, or some scientific truth. R5736:5
Even as false teaching, human philosophies and doctrines of devils are not wheat-seed, but tare-seed. R2627:3
Matthew says, "the word of the kingdom." Our Lord, no doubt, used both expressions. R2628:5
The entire revelation which God has made to us--the Bible. R3764:1, 2627:3
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| 12 Those and by the path, are those hearing; then comes the accuser, and takes away the word from the heart of them, so that not having believed they may be saved.
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By the way side – Hardened by prosperity, needing the plowshare of trouble. R3764:3
Their hearts being solid and compact with selfishness; not bad people, but unsuited to the Lord's present work and call. R2627:3
They that hear – But into whose hearts it did not enter at all. They simply heard with the outer ear and forgot. It made no impression. R5736:2
Cometh the devil – We have so much more to contend with than the weaknesses of our own flesh and the imperfections of fellow men. F609
Whose very existence is denied by many. F609
Taketh away the word – Stealing away from them every element of truth they once had seen. R3764:3
The Adversary would always, if possible, prevent the seed from entering the heart and taking root. R5736:2
Out of their hearts – In this parable the field of operation is the heart of each individual, while in the wheat and the tares the field is the world. (Matt. 13:38) R97:2*
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| 13 They and on the rock, who, when they may hear, with joy receives the word; and these a root not they have, who for a season will believe, and in a season of temptation fall away.
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They on the rock – Having a veneer of outward grace but at heart a character of selfishness. R2627:5
Receive the word – At first give evidence of great fruitfulness and vigor. R2791:2, 5650:5, 4910:4, 3764:4
With joy – At first very much enthused, but they lack depth of character. They will not bring forth the fruitage, for they have not sufficient depth for rooting. They are shallow. R5736:2
Have no root – They lack depth of character. R5736:2, 5650:5, 3764:4, 2627:5
In time of temptation – As soon as they find out that the truth is not popular, they foresee persecution or social ostracism; then their ardor cools and their interest in the harvest message wanes and gradually dies out. R5736:2
Fall away – Not endure. R4910:5, 2791:2
Wither under the sun of persecution. R4910:4, 5736:2, 2791:2, 3764:4, 5650:5
Such cannot be of the Kingdom class. R2791:2, 4910:5, 2627:6
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| 14 That and into the thorns having fallen, these are they having heard, and by anxious cares and riches and pleasures of the life going forth are choked, and not bear fruit to perfection.
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Among thorns – Good ground, with fine prospects for developing the fruits of the holy Spirit, but it is infested with thorns--not frivolous pleasures, theater, cards, dancing, etc., but the cares and ambitions of life, the deceitfulness of riches. R5736:3
Earthly projects and ambitions whose interests conflict with the interests of the Kingdom. R3764:5
In Palestine these thorns or thistles grow in the very best kind of soil. R2627:6
Are they – They may be good business men, fine politicians, or immersed in some kind of study. Others may be fine housekeepers, having a pride in how well things are kept, or they may be leaders in society or in works of reform. R5736:3
And are choked – The ground, while good, is otherwise occupied, and the message of the Kingdom and its work are crowded out to a large degree, so that no fruit is brought to perfection. R5736:3
Riches – There are but few of the Lord's people that can be trusted with riches. R2520:2
And bring no fruit – "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." ( Luke 16:13) We cannot bring forth both thorns and wheat. R3764:5
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| 15 That and in the ground, these are, who in heart good and upright having heard the word, retain, and bear fruit with perseverance.
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But that – The truth is represented by the seed, and the individuals are also represented by the seed. A grain of truth is planted in an honest heart and it produces a character which is in harmony with that truth. R5736:5
On the good ground – This condition represents entire consecration to God. Everything which would hinder has been cast out. The cares of this life are not permitted to enter this heart and choke the word. R5736:3
Honest and good heart – Proper quality or depth of character, honesty being the most important feature of all. R5736:3,5
Keep it – His words should lead to self-examination, as not the hearers only, but the doers of the Word, are acceptable with God. R1741:3
Bring forth fruit – Those of this class grow daily in knowledge, in love, and are building one another up in the most holy faith. R5737:1
Their very best, according to circumstances, conditions and ability. R5736:5
To the very largest degree of our possibilities, surroundings and opportunities. R3765:4
Which will be measured by the degree of our zeal and our love for the Lord. R2628:4
With patience – The Greek word hypomonee has a deeper and fuller significance than attaches to the English word. It signifies rather constancy--the thought of being an endurance of evil in a cheerful, willing, patient manner. R2971:1, 4910:4, 3584:3
Patient endurance follows after the receiving and sprouting of the seed, and is necessary in order that the fruit may be developed and thoroughly ripened. R5650:5, 4910:5, 2791:2
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| 16 No one and a lamp having lighted, covers him with a vessel, or under a couch places; but upon a lamp-stand places, that those entering may see the light.
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Lighted a candle – "Ye are the light of the world." (Matt. 5:14) E293; R3243:2, 2036:3
A measure of light in the world, emanating from our dear Redeemer, and still shining forth from all those who are truly his. R3686:2, 5769:5
It is "the light that is in you," a light of faith, hope and love ignited in the heart. R3686:2
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| 17 Not for is hidden, which not manifest will become; nor stored away, which not will be known and into light may come.
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Nothing is secret – Faithfulness consists in a proper and diligent use of our gifts in harmony with the divine purpose and methods; and both the Lord and the Apostle point to a day of reckoning when the secret things will be brought to light. R1972:3
The day of his presence will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the secret counsels of the heart. (1 Cor. 4:5) R2979:6
That shall not – In the Millennial age. A303
Be made manifest – A testimony dreaded but disbelieved by unjust stewards of wealth and power. C20
The murderer will be faced by his victim, the debtor by his creditor, the thief by his dupe, the defamer by the one defamed. R1655:1
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| 18 Take heed then, how you hear; who for ever may have, it will be given to him; and whoever not may have, even what he seems to have, will be taken from him.
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Take heed – Divine truth, coming to us through the appointed channel of God's Word, comes with a moral and logical power, proving its authority and enforcing it with an emphasis which carries warning with it. R2057:3*
How ye hear – See that your heart is in a right condition to receive the truth. R2627:3
For whosoever hath – Hath used. R2496:6
Whosoever hath not – Hath not used. R2496:6
That which he seemeth to have – The flood is sweeping away what little faith nominal Christians have. R2142:5*
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| 19 Came and to him the mother and the brothers of him, and not was able to get near him on account of the crowd. |
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| 20 And it was told to him, saying: The mother of thee and the brothers of thee stand without to see thee desiring. |
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| 21 He and answering said to them: Mother of me and brothers of me these are, who the word of the God hearing and doing.
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And my brethren – In my new family, the "household of faith." (Gal. 6:10) F589
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| 22 And it happened in one of the days, and he he went into a ship, and the disciples of him; and said to them: We may pass over to the other side of the lake; and they put off.
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| 23 Sailing but of them, he fell asleep. And came down a squall of wind on the lake, and they were filling, and were in danger. |
He fell asleep – Evidently thoroughly exhausted with the labors of his journey and ministry. R3324:3
Came down a storm – Picturing the experiences of the Church during the Gospel age, tempest-tossed by the Adversary. R3325:1
Of wind – The Sea of Galilee is quite subject to such wind storms. R3324:2
This storm may have been supernatural and of the Adversary. R3324:4
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| 24 Coming to and they awoke him, saying: O master, O master, we are perishing. He and arising rebuked the wind and the raging of the water; and they ceased, and there was a calm. |
Awoke him – Tired, weary and asleep. R1063:2*
Raging of the water – Symbolizing the restless, anarchistic masses. A318
There was a calm – "Peace be still" (Mark 4:39)--after the time of trouble. R3325:4, 5058:3,6
Waters lashed to a fury cannot thus be quickly calmed except by a miracle. R3324:4
Yet he refused to miraculously deliver himself from his captors in Gethsemane. F650
"He maketh the storm a calm." (Psa. 107:29) R3324:1
Whoever can, by faith, take hold upon the Lord will find a great peace and calm come into his heart and affairs. R5058:6
Picturing the world's great rest from the evil one for a thousand years. R3325:4
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| 25 He said and to them: Where is the faith of you?
Fearing and they wondered, saying to one another: Who then this is, that even to the winds he gives a charge and to the water, and they hearken to him? |
Where is your faith? – When the adversary brings a whirlwind of temptation, opposition or persecution, with waves of adversity or affliction, and the Lord seems heedless, our faith is being tested. R3324:6
We today, by faith, are able to see the Lord with us in the ship, about to speak peace to the world. R3325:4
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| 26 And they sailed into the country of the Gadarenes, which is over-against the Galilee. |
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| 27 Going out and to him on the land, met him a man certain out of the city, who had demons from times many, and a mantle not he put on, and in a house not he remained, but in the tombs. |
Which had devils – Apparently the human will must consent before these evil spirits have power to take possession. But when they do take possession apparently the will power is so broken down that the individual is almost helpless to resist their presence, even though he so desires. R2173:3
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| 28 Seeing and the Jesus, and crying out, he fell down to him, and with a voice loud he said: What to me and to thee, Jesus, O son of the God of the highest? I beseech thee, not me thou mayest torment. |
Torment me not – Implying that an interference with their tormenting of mankind would be an injury to their rights. Similarly today, some men claim that their rights are interfered with when they are stopped from pillaging and injuring their fellow-creatures. R3772:2
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| 29 (He had commanded for the spirit the unclean to come out from the man; many for times it had seized him; and he was bound with chains and fetters, being guarded; and breaking the bonds, he was driven by the demon into the deserts.) |
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| 30 Asked and him the Jesus, saying: What to thee is a name?
He and said: Legion; for demons many had entered into him. |
Many devils – The tendency of fallen spirits to congregate in one person indicates the desire they have still to exercise the power originally given them--namely, the power to materialize as men. R2173:3
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| 31 And he besought him, that not he would command them into the abyss to go. |
Out into the deep – Into the abyss, the second death, utter destruction. R3772:4
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| 32 Was and there a herd of swine many feeding in the mountain; and they besought him, that he would permit them into them to enter. And he permitted them. |
Herd of many swine – Unclean to the Jew, and unlawful for them to eat. R2173:3
And they – Not attempting to palm themselves off as spirits of deceased human beings. F626
Assuredly these were persons and not merely a disease of the man's mind. R3772:5
Besought him – Evidently fallen angels cannot impose themselves upon even the dumb animals until given some sort of permission. R2173:3
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| 33 Having gone out and the demons from the man, they entered into the swine; and rushed the herd down the precipice into the lake, and were chocked. |
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| 34 Seeing and those feeding that having been done, fled and reported in the city and in the villages. |
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| 35 They came out and to see that having been done; and came to the Jesus, and found sitting the man, from whom the demons had gone out, having been clothed and being of sane mind, at the feet of the Jesus; and they were afraid. |
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| 36 Reported and to them and those having seen, how was saved he having been demonized. |
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| 37 And asked him whole the multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes, to go from them; for with a fear great they were seized. He and having gone into the ship, returned. |
Depart from them – Wherever the true Gospel goes its effect is to cause uproar and confusion in the kingdom of darkness. R1633:3
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| 38 Begged and of him the man, from whom had gone out the demons, to be with him. Sent away but him the Jesus, saying: |
Might be with him – "Unto you which believe he is precious." (1 Pet. 2:7) R3773:2
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| 39 Return to the house of thee, and relate, how much has done to thee the God.
And he went away, through whole the city publishing, how much had done to him the Jesus. |
Had done unto him – Our Lord's journey on that occasion seems to have resulted in the conversion of but one person, the demonic, who then became the Lord's mouthpiece there. R3773:4
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| 40 It happened and in the to return the Jesus, gladly received him the crowd; they were for all waiting for him. |
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| 41 And lo, came a man, to whom a name Jairus, and he a ruler of the synagogue was; and falling at the feet of the Jesus, besought him to come into the house of himself; |
He fell down – Figuratively expressing his homage, obedience and faith. R4588:5
Besought him – Here the faith was exercised by another on behalf of the patient, who, being dead, had no ability to exercise faith. R1939:2
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| 42 for a daughter only was to him about years twelve, and she was dying. In and to the to go him, the crowds pressed him. |
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| 43 And a woman being in a flow of blood from years twelve, who with physicians having expended whole the living, not had strength by any one to be cured; |
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| 44 coming behind, touched the tuft of the mantle of him; and immediately stopped the flow of the blood of her. |
Touched...his garment – Believing in his greatness and power, she immediately felt the thrill of life and strength in her body like an electric current. R4588:6
Who touched me? – Our Lord was full of vital energy, and felt the loss of it as electricity is drawn from a battery. R4588:6
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| 45 And said the Jesus: Who the having touched me?
Denying and all, said the Peter and those with him: O master, the crowds press on thee and crowd; and sayest thou: Who the having touched me?
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| 46 The and Jesus said: Touched me some one; I for know a power went out from me.
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I perceive – He felt the consequent weakness. R1359:4
Virtue is gone out – Since he could not suffer pain and sickness because of sin, he was placed among sinners, where their weaknesses and pains bore down upon him--he "himself took our infirmities and bare our sickness." (Matt. 8:17; Isa. 53:4,5) R2000:1
Every cure performed by Jesus served to exhaust his very life forces, yet he gave himself--spent his life in acts of love and kindness to poor, fallen humanity. R105:4
Jesus experienced the woes and sufferings of humanity without sharing in the imperfections and sins. R454:3
He impoverished himself to bless others. R1735:4
It is daily more recognized among scientific men that some persons possess greater vitality than others, and can communicate it to others who have less, though such are liable to feel for a time the weakness which is cured in the weaker one. R574:4
Power, vitality, strength, healing vigor. R574:4, 4588:6, 2000:1, 454:3, 105:4
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| 47 Seeing and the woman, that not she was unnoticed trembling came, and falling down to him, through what cause she touched him, related to him in presence of all of the people, and how she was cured immediately. |
She came trembling – Fearful she had stolen a blessing of which she felt unworthy. R4588:6
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| 48 He and said to her: Take courage, O daughter; the faith of thee has saved thee; go in peace.
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| 49 While of him speaking, comes some one from of the synagogue-ruler�s, saying to him: That is dead the daughter of thee; not trouble thou the teacher. |
Trouble not – Their faith in the power of Jesus was a very weak faith. When they saw the child was dead all hope departed. They had considerable faith in Christ, but they did not believe that his power extended to the raising of the dead. R1939:2
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| 50 The but Jesus having heard, answered him, saying: Not fear; only believe you, and she shall be saved.
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Shall be made whole – Merely an awakening; nowhere styled resurrection. R5578:3; OV352:1
Not in heaven, purgatory, or hell. R5611:5
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| 51 Coming and in to the house, not he suffered to enter no one, except Peter and John and James, and the father of the child and the mother. |
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| 52 Was weeping and all, and lamenting her. He but said: Not weep you; not she is dead, but sleeps.
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But sleepeth – As in the case of Lazarus, our Lord here referred to death as a sleep, in view of the fact of the resurrection. R1939:4
All the dead are to be reckoned as sleeping, waiting for his return and his exaltation with his elect bride in glory. R2197:6
The second death, from which there shall be no resurrection, is never called "sleep" in the Bible. R1939:4
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| 53 And they derided him, knowing that she was dead. |
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| 54 He but having put out all, and having grasped the hand of her, called out, saying: The child, arise.
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He put them all out – Because they manifested their lack of faith. While he rewarded their faith, weak though it was, he reproved them also. R1939:4
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| 55 And returned the breath of her, and she stood up immediately. And he commanded to her to be given to eat. |
Her spirit came again – Simply signifying, "And her breath returned," and is so rendered in the Diaglott. The Greek word pneuma, translated "spirit" in the Common Version, signifies breath, wind, or the spirit or breath of life. R1939:4
And she arose – Thus the Lord rewarded even the weak in faith, and gave them additional and overwhelming evidence to strengthen and establish their faith. R1939:4
Did not come back from heaven or hell, and was not resurrected, but was merely awakened out of the sleep of death. Christ was "the first fruits of them that slept" (1 Cor. 15:20), "the first that should rise from the dead." (Acts 26:23) R2618:2,4; OV352:1
Foreshadowing or illustrating the resurrection. R4603:4
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| 56 And were astonished the parents of her. He but charged them no one to tell that having been done. |
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