cross, before he gave up the ghost, appears from the account of
Mark, chap. 15; for in verse 25 it says: “And it was the third hour,
and they crucified him.” That is, according to our reckoning, nine
o’clock in the morning. Then, in verse 33, we are told that when the
sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the
ninth hour; which, according to our reckoning, was twelve o’clock
noon. Then, in verse 34, we read: “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried
with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani, that is,
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” which, according to our
way of reckoning time, is three o’clock in the afternoon. Again in
verse 37, we read: “And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up
the ghost;” which, as it appears, happened after the expiration of
the ninth hour, so that the Lord lived on the cross from nine o’clock
in the morning until three o’clock in the afternoon, that is, fully
six hours, and not before then did he give up the ghost, as has been
shown from the account of Mark.
Then the earth began to quake, the rocks were rent, the graves were
opened, the vail of the temple was rent in twain, and many miracles
happened, as a sign that he who died there was more than a common man,
yea, that he was the Son of the living God.
This, then, was the end, not of a martyr, but of the Head of all the
holy martyrs, through whom they and we all must be saved.
JOHN THE BAPTIST, SON OF ZACHARIAS AND ELISABETH, BEHEADED IN THE
CASTLE OF MACHÆRUS, AT THE COMMAND OF HEROD ANTIPAS, A. D. 32.
[Illustration: BEHEADING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.]
This John, surnamed the Baptist, because he was ordained of God to
baptize the penitent, was the son of the priest Zacharias, and his wife
Elisabeth; whose name was made known to his parents through the angel
of God, before he was born. Luke 1:5,13.
When he was about thirty years old (about six months before the Lord
Jesus Christ began to preach), in the fifteenth year of the reign of
Tiberias Cesar, Pontius Pilate being governor, and Annas and Caiaphas
the high priests, he was called and sent of God, to preach the baptism
of repentance for the remission of sins, to prepare the way for the
Messiah, as an angel or messenger before the face of Christ, to turn
the hearts of the fathers to the children. Luke 3:1,2; Mark 1:2,3; Luke
1:17.
Of the dignity of this man the angel of the Lord had said, that many
would rejoice at his birth, that he would be great in the sight of the
Lord, to make ready a people well-prepared (as not only the prophets,
but also Zacharias had prophesied of him through the Spirit of the Most
High), to give knowledge of salvation unto the people of the Lord for
the remission of their sins. Luke 1:14,15,77.
John, being thus sent of God, to bear witness of Christ, that he is the
true light, came to the Jordan, at Salim, and other places, teaching
and baptizing. John 3:23.
In the meantime, while he was baptizing the penitent, Christ himself
came to him (to confirm this holy work), and asked to be baptized by
him. But when John, from humility and good intention, declined, Christ
instructed him that this was necessary, saying, “Suffer it to be so
now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he
baptized the Lord. Matt. 3:13–16.
He held the Lord Jesus in high estimation, calling him the Lamb of God,
the Bridegroom of his church, the true Messiah, whose shoes he was not
worthy to bear. John 1:29; 3:29; Matt. 3:11.
He himself possessed such great influence, though in humility, that
many were in doubt whether he was not himself the Messiah; hence the
Pharisees sent their messengers to him, to inquire of him his vocation,
mission, authority, etc. To all this he answered candidly and with an
humble heart, saying, “I am not the Christ.” John 1:19,20.
When the course of his pilgrimage drew near its close, a certain matter
occurred, which was the cause of his death, and happened as follows:
King Herod Antipas had committed a wicked deed; namely, he had taken
his brother Philip’s wife, having put away his own wife, the daughter
of Aretas, king of Arabia; which conduct John the Baptist, on account
of his ministry, could not let go unreproved, but called Herod’s
attention to it, according to the law, saying, “It is not lawful for
thee to have her.” Matt. 14:4.
However, even as the ungodly will not be reproved, so it was with
Herod; for he conceived a hatred for John, and sought opportunity to
kill him. But, since many had a very high opinion of this pious man,
and great numbers, therefore, came to him, Herod, for the present, did
not dare to lay hands on him, to kill him; however he did not let him
go free, but imprisoned him in the castle of Machærus. _Euseb. Hist.
Eccl. lib. 1 chap. 11._
In the meantime John did not relax in his calling, but even from prison
sent some of his disciples to Christ, that they with the others might
assure themselves through the doctrine and the miracles which they
would there hear and see, that Christ, and none other, was the true
Messiah. Matt. 11:2; Luke 7:18.
Thereupon, not only when these messengers came, but also on many other
occasions, Christ testified of the greatness and worthiness of John
the Baptist; namely, that he was the true spiritual Elias, a burning
and shining light, the greatest prophet among all those born of women.
Matt. 11:14; John 5:35; Luke 7:28.
Time went on, meanwhile, and the hour of his departure was near
at hand. As regards the circumstances of his death, they are thus
described by the holy evangelist Matthew, chap. 14:3–12: “For Herod
had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for
Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said unto him, It
is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he would have put him to
death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced
before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to
give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of
her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. And
the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which
sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and
beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger,
and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. And his
disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told
Jesus.”
Josephus, the Jewish historian, also makes mention of the death of John
the Baptist, in the 7th chapter of the 18th book of his history of the
Jews, where he writes thus:
“There was a common report among the Jews, that Herod’s army was
destroyed through the righteous judgment of God, on account of John,
who is called the Baptist. For Herod, the tetrarch, caused this pious
man to be slain; who exhorted the Jews to all manner of virtue and
righteousness, led them to baptism, and said, that their baptism would
only then be acceptable to God, if they would abstain, not merely
from one or two sins, but would earnestly purify the heart, through
righteousness, and afterwards also the body.
“Since great numbers flocked to him, and the people were very eager for
his doctrine, Herod feared, lest he (John) might induce the people,
with whom his influence was great, to sedition; for it seemed, as
if they would do everything according to his will and counsel. He
therefore thought it best, to have him killed. For that reason he
caused him to be imprisoned in the aforesaid castle Machærus, and there
put to death.”
This happened, according to our reckoning, in the year thirty-two
after the birth of Christ, in the seventeenth year of Tiberias, the
Roman emperor; and thus was this great light of the church of God
extinguished in the midst of its brightness, to the sorrow of many
pious hearts.
It is stated that his body rested at Sebasta, in Palestine, till the
time of Julian, when his bones were burned by the enemies of truth, and
his ashes scattered to the wind. _Histor. Tripart. lib. 1. cap. 15.
Theod. lib. 3. cap. 6._
STEPHEN, ONE OF THE SEVEN DEACONS OF THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM, STONED
WITHOUT THE GATE OF THAT CITY, BY THE LIBERTINES, A. D. 34, SHORTLY
AFTER THE DEATH OF CHRIST.
[Illustration: STONING OF STEPHEN, THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR.]
Stephen, which in Greek signifies a _crown_, was one of the seven
deacons of the church at Jerusalem, a man full of faith and the wisdom
of God. Acts 6:5.
He was well versed in the holy Scriptures of the Old Testament, and
very eloquent. It happened that there arose certain of the sect of
the Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and
of Asia, and disputed with Stephen; and they were not able to resist
the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned a few
men to say: We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses,
and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and
the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to
the council, and set up false witnesses, to say, This man ceaseth not
to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: for
we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this
place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. And all
that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face, as
it had been the face of an angel. Acts 6:9–15.
Then said the high priest to him, Are these things so? Thereupon,
this godfearing man explained himself and answered with many reasons;
he, moreover, adduced, as if with a heavenly tongue, and with
incontrovertible reasons, many scriptures of the Old Testament, to show
that Christ is the true Messiah, and that the Gospel is true. Acts
7:1–53.
But when he began to speak with great warmth, and to set before the
eyes of his accusers their blood-thirstiness, their wrath was kindled
the more against him, for these things cut them to the heart, and they
gnashed on him with their teeth. Verse 54.
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up into heaven, and saw
the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and
said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on
the right hand of God. Verses 55 and 56.
But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran
upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him;
and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose
name was Saul. Verses 57 and 58.
In the meantime he called and said, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. He
kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to
their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Verses 59 and
60.
Such was the end of this upright man Stephen, to whom the honor of
Jesus Christ was dearer than his own life. It is stated to have taken
place in the year thirty-four after the birth of Christ, in the
nineteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, which was the thirty-eighth
year of his age. It happened in the seventh year after the baptism of
Christ. _Nic. lib. 2. cap. 3._
This having occurred, some godfearing men attended to the body, and
carried it to the grave, greatly lamenting this pious martyr.--The
stones were to him as rivers of sweetness. _August. cap. 22. Solil._
JAMES, THE SON OF ZEBEDEE, PUT TO DEATH WITH THE SWORD, BY HEROD
AGRIPPA, IN JERUSALEM, A. D. 45.
[Illustration: BEHEADING OF JAMES, THE SON OF ZEBEDEE.]
James, surnamed the Greater, was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and
a fisherman by occupation; but, Christ having called him to be his
disciple, he abandoned fishing, and followed Christ. Matt. 4:21; Mark
1:19.
He was instructed for a considerable time together with the other
disciples in the duties of the apostleship, until he was properly sent
out in that capacity. Matt. 10:2; Mark 6:17; Luke 6:13.
He was endowed with the gift of working signs and miracles, and
on account of this special gift he was one of the three surnamed
_Boanerges_, that is, _sons of thunder_. He was with Jesus on every
remarkable occasion; so much so, that he was chosen by the Lord to
behold his glory upon the holy mount; and, afterwards, to witness his
sufferings in the garden of Gethsemane. Mark 3:17,18; Matt. 17:1; 26:36.
Of him Christ had predicted, that he should drink of the same cup, of
which he (Christ) would drink, and that he should be baptized with the
same baptism, with which he was baptized; that is, that he should be
subject to his (Christ’s) suffering and death. Matt. 20:22,23.
After the death of Christ he joined the other apostles, to be a
witness with them, of his suffering, death, and resurrection, and to
be instructed concerning his kingdom during the forty days after his
resurrection.
After Christ’s ascension he also remained at Jerusalem; and when he,
together with the other apostles, had there received the Holy Ghost, he
preached the Gospel in Judea and Samaria. Acts 1:13,14.
From there, as some relate, he went to Spain; but, meeting with little
success, he returned to Judea, where, it is said, he was opposed by
Hermogenes, a sorcerer. But as Abdias, bishop of Babylon, and others,
relate many things of him, which seem to be altogether fictitious, we
shall not mention them. _Petr. de nat. lib. 6. cap. 133. Abdias Babyl.
van den Strijd der Apostelen._
This apostle lived only until the fourth year of the Emperor Claudius,
at which time, Agabus had predicted, there should be a dearth
throughout all the world. _Oros. lib. 7. cap. 6._
At that time Claudius charged Herod Agrippa to suppress the church of
Christ. Then Herod laid his bloody hands on this apostle and, on the
feast of the passover, put him in prison. Shortly afterwards he was
sentenced to death, and executed with the sword, in Jerusalem. This
occurred in the year forty-five after the birth of Christ. Acts 12:2.
Clemens relates that the executioner, seeing his innocence, was
converted to the Christian faith, and died with him. According to the
annotation of Eusebius Pamphilius, from Clemens Alexandrinus, the
executioner was so moved on account of the death of James, that he
professed himself to be a Christian; and so, as he states, both were
led forth together to death. As they were led out, the executioner
asked James to forgive him. James, after a little deliberation,
said, “Peace be with thee,” and kissed him. And thus both were
beheaded. _Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 9. ex Clem. Alexand._ Also _W. Baudart.
Apophthegmat. lib. 1. page 4._ from _Joach. Camer. in vita Christi,
page 42. Niceph. lib. 2. cap. 3. Strac. in Festo Jacobi, page 209. Cle.
Circa, cap. 45. Annum._ James was the first martyr of the apostles.
This history shows the alacrity of the ancient believers.
THE HOLY APOSTLE PHILIP, BOUND WITH HIS HEAD TO A PILLAR, AND STONED,
AT HIERAPOLIS, IN PHRYGIA, A. D. 54.
[Illustration: STONING OF THE APOSTLE PHILIP.]
Philip, a native of Bethsaida, in Galilee, had a wife and daughters of
very honorable life. John 1:44; 12:21; _Euseb. Hist. Eccles. lib. 3.
cap. 30; 31._
He was found of Christ, and called as his disciple to follow him; which
he did so faithfully, that when he found Nathanael, he brought him to
Christ, declaring to him, that he had found him of whom Moses and the
prophets had written, namely, Jesus of Nazareth, the true Messiah. John
1:45.
From that time on, Philip constantly followed Christ, listening to his
admonitions, and beholding the miracles he performed to the service of
the word of God; so that Christ ordained him an apostle, and sent him
out to preach the Gospel, in the first place to the scattered sheep of
the house Israel; which he also like his fellow apostles did. Matt.
10:3; Luke 6:13–15.
The Lord esteemed him as one of his greatest friends; for at the
glorious miracle of the feeding of five thousand, Christ, in order to
prove him, counseled with him, saying, “Whence shall we buy bread, that
these may eat?” John 6:5.
He was also kindly instructed by the Lord, when he asked to see the
Father; for Christ said to him, Philip, he that hath seen me hath seen
the Father, etc. John 14:8,9.
Once, when certain Greeks wished to see Jesus, and desired him to
procure them access to the Lord, he came with Andrew and told it to the
Lord, who answered, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be
glorified.” John 12:20–23.
This pious and godly apostle remained with the Lord, even to his
suffering; and, after their dispersion, when Christ had arisen, he
abode with his brethren, until they, according to the promise of
Christ, received the Holy Ghost, after his ascension. Luke 24:32,33;
Acts 2:4.
After the distribution of the countries, he taught several years in
Scythia, where he planted many churches; and since Syria and the upper
part of Asia fell to his particular share, he laid the foundations of
faith in many of these cities. _Pet. de Nat. lib. 4. cap. 107. Nic.
lib. 2. cap. 39._
Finally he came to Phrygia, and wrought several signs at Hierapolis.
There the Ebionites, who not only denied the divinity of Christ, but
also worshiped idols, continued obstinately in their blasphemous
doctrines and idolatry, and did not listen to this pious apostle of
Christ, but apprehended him, and, having made his head fast to a
pillar, stoned him; whereupon death ensued, and he thus fell asleep in
the Lord. His body was buried in the aforementioned city Hierapolis.
_Konst-tooneel, van veertigh heerlijke afbeeldingen Christi, ende
sijner Apostelen_, etc. In the life of Philip. _Bybelsch Naembœck van
P. J. Twisk, letter P._ on the name _Philippus, fol. 762. col. 2._
Also, _Introduction to the Martyrs Mirror of the Baptists_, printed in
the year 1631, _fol. 35. col. 1._
JAMES, THE SON OF ALPHEUS, OR BROTHER OF THE LORD, CAST DOWN FROM THE
TEMPLE, STONED, AND BEATEN TO DEATH WITH A CLUB, A. D. 63.
[Illustration: MARTYRDOM OF JAMES, THE SON OF ALPHEUS.]
James the Lesser was the son of Alpheus, and Mary Cleophas, sister to
the mother of Christ; he is called the Lord’s brother. Matt. 10:3; Gal.
1:19.
After proper instruction he was ordained an apostle by Christ, and sent
out to minister to the Jews; wherein he acquitted himself well, until
Christ’s death. After that, he, with others, was sent out to preach the
Gospel, which he did in the Jewish church. Matt; 28:19; Mark 16:15.
And although Peter, and James and his brother John, of whom the
last-mentioned two were the sons of Zebedee, were regarded as the
special apostles, he was nevertheless considered to be one of the three
pillars of the church, after the death of James the son of Zebedee.
Gal. 2:9.
He was appointed by the apostles the first overseer of the church at
Jerusalem; this was shortly after the death of Christ. _Euseb. lib.
4. cap. 5. and lib. 2. cap. 23._ This office he discharged faithfully
for thirty years, converting many to the true faith, not only (though
principally) by the pure doctrine of Christ, but also through his holy
life, on account of which he was called the Just. _Niceph. lib. 2. cap.
38._
He was very steadfast and holy, a true Nazarite, in dress as well as
in eating and drinking; and prayed daily for the church of God and the
common weal.
This apostle wrote an epistle for the consolation of the twelve tribes
who were scattered abroad, saying: James, a servant of God and of the
Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad,
greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations. James 1:1,2.
But although he comforted with many excellent reasons his own, who
believed in the name of Christ, the unbelieving Jews could not endure
his doctrine; so that Ananias, an audacious and cruel young man among
them, being the high priest, summoned him before the judges, that they
should compel him to deny that Jesus is the Christ, and force him to
renounce the Son of God and the power of his resurrection. _Josep.
Antiq. lib. 20. cap. 8. Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 1. verse 22. ex Egesipp.
Hieron. Catal._
To this end, the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees placed him upon
the pinnacle of the temple, at the time of the passover, that he should
deny his faith before all the people. But as he thus stood before the
people, he confessed with much more boldness that Jesus Christ is the
promised Messiah, the Son of God, our Savior, and that he is sitting at
the right hand of God, and shall come again in the clouds of heaven, to
judge the quick and the dead.
On account of this testimony of James, the multitude of the people
praised God, and magnified the name of Christ. Then cried the enemies
of the truth, O, the Just also has erred; let us take him away, for he
is unprofitable. They accordingly cast him down, and stoned him. But as
he was not killed by the fall and the stoning, having only broken his
legs, he, lying on his knees, prayed to God for those who stoned him,
saying, Lord, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
On account of this, one of the priests begged for his life, saying,
What do ye? the Just is praying for us. Leave off stoning! But another
of those present, who held a fuller’s stick in his hand, struck him
over the head with it, so that he died, and fell asleep in the Lord. He
was buried at the place where he had been thrown down from the temple.
_Hieron. Catalog. in Jacobo Justo._ Also, _W. Baudart. Apophthegmat.
lib. 1. p. 6. ex Euseb. Pamphil. Cæsariense, in hist. Eccl. Strac. in
Festo Philippi and Jacobi, p. 133. Anno 62. C. Aetat. Jacobi._
This occurred A. D. 63, in the ninety-sixth year of his age, in
the seventh year of the reign of Nero, during an interim in the
governorship between the death of Festus and the arrival of Albinus,
under the high priest Ananias, who perpetrated this lamentable deed on
James.
Concerning this James the following is contained in the Apophthegms
of Baudartius: “He was on his bare knees so often and for such long
periods, praying to the Lord God for the remission of the sins of the
people, that his knees were so hard and callous, that there was no
sensation in them at all. _lib. 1. p. 7._ O the great and constant
piety of this holy martyr!
BARNABAS, A COMPANION OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, DRAGGED OUT OF THE CITY AND
BURNED, AT SALAMINA IN CYPRUS, A. D. 64.
[Illustration: BURNING OF BARNABAS, A COMPANION OF PAUL.]
Barnabas, also called Barsabas, and surnamed Joseph, Joses, or Justus,
was a Levite from Cyprus, full of the Holy Ghost. He was called the son
of consolation, and such a one he indeed proved himself to the poor
saints. Acts 11:24; 1:23; 4:36; _Euseb. hist. Eccl. lib. 2. cap. 1._
It is maintained that he was one of the seventy disciples of Christ,
and from the multiplicity of his names we can see his renown and
eminence; which latter he gained by his zeal and piety; for he brought
Paul, after his conversion, to the apostles; and when the word of God
was preached to the Grecians, at Antioch, by some men from Cyprus and
Cyrene, he was sent by the apostles to investigate the matter; and
when he found it to be so, he confirmed them in the truth. Acts 9:27;
11:20–23.
After this he went to Tarsus, to seek Paul, and brought him to Antioch,
where they remained a whole year, teaching. Also, when the dearth arose
under emperor Claudius, he and Paul brought substantial relief to the
brethren who dwelt in Judea. Acts 11:25,26,29,30; _Oros. lib. 7. cap.
6. Euseb. hist. Eccl. lib. 2. cap. 3. 9._
On his return to Antioch, he was sent out by the Holy Ghost, to preach
in many countries. On account of his eloquence he was frequently the
speaker; yea, he was held in such high regard, and was so godly, that
the Gentiles at Lystra cried in the speech of Lycaonia, that he was a
god, and had come down from heaven, and called him Jupiter. And this
was not all; but the priests of that place came with oxen wearing
garlands, and desired to do sacrifice to him and Paul. But he and his
companion Paul utterly declined this, saying, “Sirs, why do ye these
things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you
that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God. Acts
12:25; 13:4–6; 14:1,2,11,12,15.