第59章 祭司的阴谋
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第59章 祭司的阴谋
§2
Chap. 59 - Priestly Plottings
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（本章根据：约11:47-54）
§4
伯大尼离耶路撒冷不远，所以拉撒路复活的消息很快传到城里。犹太官长派的奸细看见了神迹,就赶快将真相报告上去。于是犹太公会立即召集会议商量对策。基督现在已经完全显明他有控制死亡和坟墓的权柄，这伟大的神迹是上帝赐给人的最大凭据,证明他已差遣他的儿子来拯救世人。这一神能的显示，足以使一切有理智有良知的人心悦诚服。所以许多人看见拉撒路复活，就信了耶稣。祭司们因之就更恨耶稣了。他们既已拒绝证明他神性的一切较小的证据，如今这新的神迹也只能惹动他们的怒气。死人是在光天化日、众目睽睽之下复活的。任何巧辩也不能抹煞这样的证据。正因这缘故，祭司们的仇恨便越加恶毒。他们制止基督的工作的决心，比过去更坚定了。[1]{DA 537.1}
§5
Bethany was so near Jerusalem that the news of the raising of Lazarus was soon carried to the city. Through spies who had witnessed the miracle the Jewish rulers were speedily in possession of the facts. A meeting of the Sanhedrin was at once called to decide as to what should be done. Christ had now fully made manifest His control of death and the grave. That mighty miracle was the crowning evidence offered by God to men that He had sent His Son into the world for their salvation. It was a demonstration of divine power sufficient to convince every mind that was under the control of reason and enlightened conscience. Many who witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus were led to believe on Jesus. But the hatred of the priests against Him was intensified. They had rejected all lesser evidence of His divinity, and they were only enraged at this new miracle. The dead had been raised in the full light of day, and before a crowd of witnesses. No artifice could explain away such evidence. For this very reason the enmity of the priests grew deadlier. They were more than ever determined to put a stop to Christs work. {DA 537.1}[1]
§6
撒都该人过去虽然不赞成基督，但还不像法利赛人对他那样狠，对他的仇恨也没那么毒，可是现在他们都恐慌起来了。撒都该人不相信死人复活，他们根据所谓科学的论据说，死人重得生命是不可能的事。但他们的理论被基督几句话就驳倒，显明他们不明白《圣经》，对上帝的大能一无所知。如今基督又行了这个神迹。他们看出，想消除这神迹所给予民众的印象，是不可能的。基督既能从坟墓中将死人抢救出来，还有什么办法能使民众离弃他呢？他们曾以虚谎的谣言愚惑群众，但这次的神迹是无法否认的，他们真不知道该怎样抵消这神迹的影响。以前撒都该人并不赞成处死基督的计划，但在拉撒路复活之后，他们看出，唯有将基督处死，才能制止他对他们的大胆谴责。[2]{DA 537.2}
§7
The Sadducees, though not favorable to Christ, had not been so full of malignity toward Him as were the Pharisees. Their hatred had not been so bitter. But they were now thoroughly alarmed. They did not 5believe in a resurrection of the dead. Producing so-called science, they had reasoned that it would be an impossibility for a dead body to be brought to life. But by a few words from Christ their theory had been overthrown. They were shown to be ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God. They could see no possibility of removing the impression made on the people by the miracle. How could men be turned away from Him who had prevailed to rob the grave of its dead? Lying reports were put in circulation, but the miracle could not be denied, and how to counteract its effect they knew not. Thus far the Sadducees had not encouraged the plan of putting Christ to death. But after the resurrection of Lazarus they decided that only by His death could His fearless denunciations against them be stopped. {DA 537.2}[2]
§8
法利赛人相信死人复活，所以他们不能不看出这次的神迹证明：弥赛亚确已在他们中间。但他们向来反对基督的工作，一开始就恨他，因为他揭露了他们的假冒为善，扯掉了他们遮蔽自己道德丑态的宗教外衣。基督所教导的纯洁宗教定了他们假虔诚的罪。基督常指着他们的罪恶来谴责他们，故此他们急欲复仇。他们曾设法引诱他说一些话、作一些事，以便找到把柄来定他的罪。有几次，他们曾想拿石头打他，但他都安然地避开，不见踪影了。[3]{DA 538.1}
§9
The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, and they could not but see that this miracle was an evidence that the Messiah was among them. But they had ever opposed Christs work. From the first they had hated Him because He had exposed their hypocritical pretensions. He had torn aside the cloak of rigorous rites under which their moral deformity was hidden. The pure religion that He taught had condemned their hollow professions of piety. They thirsted to be revenged upon Him for His pointed rebukes. They had tried to provoke Him to say or do something that would give them occasion to condemn Him. Several times they had attempted to stone Him, but He had quietly withdrawn, and they had lost sight of Him. {DA 538.1}[3]
§10
基督在安息日所行的一切神迹，都是为了解救受苦的人，可是法利赛人却想定他犯了“干犯安息日”的罪，他们想激起希律党人来反对他，诡称基督企图建立一个国家与希律抗衡，故同他们商量怎样除灭他。他们又煽动罗马当局来反对他，诡称基督企图推翻罗马政权。他们用种种借口想消灭他在民众中的影响。可是直到现在，他们的计划都一一失败了。众人亲眼目睹他一切怜悯人的作为，聆听他圣善的教训，明知这些行为和言论决非干犯安息日或亵渎上帝的人所能作。连法利赛人所派的差役，也为他的话所感动，不敢下手抓他。最后，犹太人通过了一条法令，谁承认自己相信耶稣，就把谁赶出会堂。[4]{DA 538.2}
§11
The miracles He performed on the Sabbath were all for the relief of the afflicted, but the Pharisees had sought to condemn Him as a Sabbathbreaker. They had tried to arouse the Herodians against Him. They represented that He was seeking to set up a rival kingdom, and consulted with them how to destroy Him. To excite the Romans against Him, they had represented Him as trying to subvert their authority. They had tried every pretext to cut Him off from influencing the people. But so far their attempts had been foiled. The multitudes who witnessed His works of mercy and heard His pure and holy teachings knew that these were not the deeds and words of a Sabbathbreaker or blasphemer. Even the officers sent by the Pharisees had been so influenced by His words that they could not lay hands on Him. In desperation the Jews had finally passed an edict that any man who professed faith in Jesus should be cast out of the synagogue. {DA 538.2}[4]
§12
所以这次祭司、官长和长老们聚集商议时，就决定要置他于死地，因他行了那么令人惊叹的事。法利赛人和撒都该人比以前更为团结了。他们以前是对立的，但在反对基督上，又结为一体了。尼哥底母和约瑟在以前的几次会议上，曾拦阻他们定耶稣的罪，所以这一次不让他们出席会议。虽然议会中还有些有势力的人是相信耶稣的，可是他们的影响未能抵住那一帮恶毒的法利赛人。[5]{DA 538.3}
§13
So, as the priests, the rulers, and the elders gathered for consultation, it was their fixed determination to silence Him who did such marvelous 5works that all men wondered. Pharisees and Sadducees were more nearly united than ever before. Divided hitherto, they became one in their opposition to Christ. Nicodemus and Joseph had, in former councils, prevented the condemnation of Jesus, and for this reason they were not now summoned. There were present at the council other influential men who believed on Jesus, but their influence prevailed nothing against that of the malignant Pharisees. {DA 538.3}[5]
§14
虽然如此，公会议员们的意见却不是完全一致。这时犹太公会已不是个合法的组织，它之所以还存在，只是由于罗马当局的容忍而已。议员中有些人对处死基督，颇有疑虑。他们怕这样会激起民愤，使罗马人借机收回对祭司们的一些优待，撤消他们仍能掌握的一点权柄。撒都该人对基督的仇恨是与他们一致的，却认为应多加小心，谨慎为妙，恐怕罗马人剥夺他们的优越地位。[6]{DA 539.1}
§15
Yet the members of the council were not all agreed. The Sanhedrin was not at this time a legal assembly. It existed only by tolerance. Some of its number questioned the wisdom of putting Christ to death. They feared that this would excite an insurrection among the people, causing the Romans to withhold further favors from the priesthood, and to take from them the power they still held. The Sadducees were united in their hatred of Christ, yet they were inclined to be cautious in their movements, fearing that the Romans would deprive them of their high standing. {DA 539.1}[6]
§16
在这策划处死基督的议会中，有一位见证者在场。这位见证者从前曾听见尼布甲尼撒说夸大的话，曾看见伯沙撒设拜偶像的筵席（见但4:28-33；5:1-6）；基督在拿撒勒宣称自己是受膏者时，这位见证者也在场；而现在使犹太的官长们感悟到他们是在干什么事。基督一生的事迹，清楚地活现在他们面前，使他们警觉起来。他们记起从前圣殿中的情景：那时耶稣还只是个十二岁的儿童，站在博学的律法师面前所发的问题，使他们惊奇。再想到他新近所行的神迹，更证明耶稣不是别人，正是上帝的儿子。旧约《圣经》中关于基督的经文的真义,忽然闪耀在他们心中。官长们困惑为难地互相问道:“我们怎么办呢？”议会里出现了意见分歧。在圣灵的运行下，祭司和官长们无法排除内心的感悟：他们这样做，是在攻击上帝！[7]{DA 539.2}
§17
In this council, assembled to plan the death of Christ, the Witness was present who heard the boastful words of Nebuchadnezzar, who witnessed the idolatrous feast of Belshazzar, who was present when Christ in Nazareth announced Himself the Anointed One. This Witness was now impressing the rulers with the work they were doing. Events in the life of Christ rose up before them with a distinctness that alarmed them. They remembered the scene in the temple, when Jesus, then a child of twelve, stood before the learned doctors of the law, asking them questions at which they wondered. The miracle just performed bore witness that Jesus was none other than the Son of God. In their true significance, the Old Testament Scriptures regarding Christ flashed before their minds. Perplexed and troubled, the rulers asked, What do we? There was a division in the council. Under the impression of the Holy Spirit, the priests and rulers could not banish the conviction that they were fighting against God. {DA 539.2}[7]
§18
当会众正惘然不知所措时，大祭司该亚法站了起来。他是个骄傲而残忍的人，素来自高自大，唯我独尊，丝毫不能容忍别人。与他的家族连成一气的是那骄傲、妄为、鲁莽、野心勃勃、残暴无情的撒都该派，这些恶性都掩藏在虚伪的公义外衣之下。该亚法研究过预言，虽不明内中的真谛，却以大权威和肯定的口吻说：“你们不知道什么。独不想一个人替百姓死，免得通国灭亡，就是你们的益处。”大祭司强调说，即使耶稣是无罪的，也必须把他踢开。他将百姓都吸引去了，削弱了官长们的权威，实为大家的累赘。他只不过是一个人，与其官长的权威被削弱,不如让他死掉为妙。百姓若对其官长失去信任，国家的统治权就要崩溃。该亚法强调说，在耶稣行了这次神迹之后，跟随他的人很可能要起来造反。他又说，那时罗马人必来封闭圣殿,废除律法，灭我们的国家。这个加利利人的性命，与国家的存亡相比，算得什么呢？如果他是以色列人幸福之途的障碍，那么将他除灭岂不是对上帝尽了一份义务吗？我们宁可叫一个人丧命，而不能令通国灭亡。[8]{DA 539.3}
§19
While the council was at the height of its perplexity, Caiaphas the high priest arose. Caiaphas was a proud and cruel man, overbearing and intolerant. Among his family connections were Sadducees, proud, bold, reckless, full of ambition and cruelty, which they hid under a cloak of pretended righteousness. Caiaphas had studied the prophecies, and although ignorant of their true meaning, he spoke with great authority and assurance: Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation 5perish not. Even if Jesus were innocent, urged the high priest, He must be put out of the way. He was troublesome, drawing the people to Himself, and lessening the authority of the rulers. He was only one; it was better that He should die than that the authority of the rulers should be weakened. If the people were to lose confidence in their rulers, the national power would be destroyed. Caiaphas urged that after this miracle the followers of Jesus would likely rise in revolt. The Romans will then come, he said, and will close our temple, and abolish our laws, destroying us as a nation. What is the life of this Galilean worth in comparison with the life of the nation? If He stands in the way of Israels well-being, is it not doing God a service to remove Him? Better that one man perish than that the whole nation be destroyed. {DA 539.3}[8]
§20
该亚法宣称的一个人必须替通国死这句话，表明他对预言还有一点认识，然而只是极有限的一点。而约翰记载这事时，却将预言中更广泛、更深奥的意义说明了。他说：“也不但替这一国死，并要将上帝四散的子民，都聚集归一。”这傲慢的该亚法是如何盲目地承认了救主的使命啊！[9]{DA 540.1}
§21
In declaring that one man should die for the nation, Caiaphas indicated that he had some knowledge of the prophecies, although it was very limited. But John, in his account of this scene, takes up the prophecy, and shows its broad and deep significance. He says, And not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. How blindly did the haughty Caiaphas acknowledge the Saviours mission! {DA 540.1}[9]
§22
从该亚法口中出来的话，竟使最宝贵的真理变成谎言。他所建议的办法是根据邪教的道理来的。异邦人对一人替全人类死的道理模糊不清，所以就有用活人献祭的风俗。该亚法建议以耶稣为牺牲来救一个犯罪的国家，不是为了脱离罪恶，而是想在罪中得救,让人继续犯罪。他想借此使那些胆敢提出异议，说耶稣没有犯什么该死之罪的人无言可答。[10]{DA 540.2}
§23
On the lips of Caiaphas this most precious truth was turned into a lie. The policy he advocated was based on a principle borrowed from heathenism. Among the heathen, the dim consciousness that one was to die for the human race had led to the offering of human sacrifices. So Caiaphas proposed by the sacrifice of Jesus to save the guilty nation, not from transgression, but in transgression, that they might continue in sin. And by his reasoning he thought to silence the remonstrances of those who might dare to say that as yet nothing worthy of death had been found in Jesus. {DA 540.2}[10]
§24
基督的仇敌在这次会议中是有过深刻的觉悟的。圣灵感动了他们的心。但是撒但竭力地控制着他们，叫他们想起自己为了基督的缘故蒙受过大的损失。他一点不尊重他们所行的义，却提出了凡愿作上帝儿女者所必须具备的更大的义。他根本不注意他们的仪式和礼节，却鼓励罪人直接到慈悲的天父上帝面前，陈明他们的需要。这样他们就认为他已经把祭司抛开了，他又不肯承认拉比学校所讲的神学。他曾暴露祭司们的恶行，损伤他们的影响力到无法补救的地步。他又损害了他们的规条和遗传的势力，还说他们虽然严格地履行仪文律法，却废弃了上帝的诫命。这一切撒但使他们都想起来了。[11]{DA 540.3}
§25
At this council Christs enemies had been deeply convicted. The Holy Spirit had impressed their minds. But Satan strove to gain control of them. He urged upon their notice the grievances they had suffered on account of Christ. How little He had honored their righteousness. He presented a righteousness far greater, which all who would be children of God must possess. Taking no notice of their forms and ceremonies, He had encouraged sinners to go directly to God as a merciful Father, and make known their wants. Thus, in their opinion, He had set aside the priesthood. He had refused to acknowledge the theology of the rabbinical schools. He had exposed the evil practices of the priests, 5and had irreparably hurt their influence. He had injured the effect of their maxims and traditions, declaring that though they strictly enforced the ritual law, they made void the law of God. All this Satan now brought to their minds. {DA 540.3}[11]
§26
撒但告诉他们，要想保持自己的权威，就必须置耶稣于死地。他们随从了撒但的这个建议。他们一想到自己可能因耶稣而丧失正在行使的权柄，这一点已是采取行动的充分理由。除了几个不敢表态的人之外，全公会都接受该亚法的建议，像接受上帝的话一样。于是会议得出结论，分歧的意见达到一致。他们决定一有机会，就要从速将基督处死。祭司和官长们拒绝了耶稣神性的证据，就把自己锁在光亮无法透入的黑暗之中。他们完全被撒但所驱使，被他赶到永远灭亡的边缘上。而他们还在自欺，还在自鸣得意，以为自己是爱国志士，在为拯救祖国而努力呢！[12]{DA 541.1}
§27
Satan told them that in order to maintain their authority, they must put Jesus to death. This counsel they followed. The fact that they might lose the power they then exercised, was, they thought, sufficient reason for coming to some decision. With the exception of a few who dared not speak their minds, the Sanhedrin received the words of Caiaphas as the words of God. Relief came to the council; the discord ceased. They resolved to put Christ to death at the first favorable opportunity. In rejecting the proof of the divinity of Jesus, these priests and rulers had locked themselves in impenetrable darkness. They had come wholly under the sway of Satan, to be hurried by him over the brink of eternal ruin. Yet such was their deception that they were well pleased with themselves. They regarded themselves as patriots, who were seeking the nations salvation. {DA 541.1}[12]
§28
虽然如此，公会还是不敢向耶稣采取鲁莽的手段，怕激起民众的愤怒,使他们企图加在耶稣身上的暴力反落在自己头上。因此议会对其所宣布的事，没有立即执行。救主洞悉祭司们的阴谋，知道他们急欲除灭他，而且不久他们会达到目的。但耶稣不要促成危机，就带门徒离开了那一带。耶稣用自己的榜样再次加强他给门徒的教训：“有人在这城里逼迫你们，就逃到那城里去。”（太10:23）救人工作的范围非常广大，若不是因效忠上帝而有必要，主的仆人不可冒无谓的生命的危险。[13]{DA 541.2}
§29
The Sanhedrin feared, however, to take rash measures against Jesus, lest the people should become incensed, and the violence meditated toward Him should fall upon themselves. On this account the council delayed to execute the sentence they had pronounced. The Saviour understood the plotting of the priests. He knew that they longed to remove Him, and that their purpose would soon be accomplished. But it was not His place to hasten the crisis, and He withdrew from that region, taking the disciples with Him. Thus by His own example Jesus again enforced the instruction He had given to the disciples, When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another. Matthew 10:23. There was a wide field in which to work for the salvation of souls; and unless loyalty to Him required it, the Lords servants were not to imperil their lives. {DA 541.2}[13]
§30
到现在为止，耶稣公开为世人服务已有三年之久。他的克己、无私和仁爱的榜样是人所共见的。他的纯洁、吃苦和虔敬的生活是人尽皆知的。可惜这短短三年，竟是世人容忍其救赎主生存的时限，再长也忍不住了。[14]{DA 541.3}
§31
Jesus had now given three years of public labor to the world. His example of self-denial and disinterested benevolence was before them. His life of purity, of suffering and devotion, was known to all. Yet this short period of three years was as long as the world could endure the presence of its Redeemer. {DA 541.3}[14]
§32
耶稣一生备尝逼迫和侮辱。在伯利恒他被嫉妒的希律王所驱逐，在拿撒勒被自己的同胞所拒绝，这次他又在耶路撒冷无缘无故地被判死刑。耶稣与他几个忠心的门徒不得不在他乡另找暂时的栖身之所。那常为人类祸患悲伤的主,到处医治病人，使瞎子看见，聋子听见，哑巴说话，使饥饿的得饱足，使忧伤的得安慰，如今倒被驱逐，离开他所要拯救的人。他曾在波涛汹涌的海上行走，说一句话就使风浪平静；他曾赶逐污鬼，污鬼离开人身时还承认他是上帝的儿子；他曾使死人从长眠中醒过来，使成千的人目不转睛地听他智慧之言，可是对那些因偏见和仇恨而瞎了心眼、顽固地拒绝真光的人，他却无法感化他们的心灵！[15]{DA 541.4}
§33
His life had been one of persecution and insult. Driven from Bethlehem by a jealous king, rejected by His own people at Nazareth, condemned to death without a cause at Jerusalem, Jesus, with His few faithful followers, found a temporary asylum in a strange city. He who 5was ever touched by human woe, who healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and speech to the dumb, who fed the hungry and comforted the sorrowful, was driven from the people He had labored to save. He who walked upon the heaving billows, and by a word silenced their angry roaring, who cast out devils that in departing acknowledged Him to be the Son of God, who broke the slumbers of the dead, who held thousands entranced by His words of wisdom, was unable to reach the hearts of those who were blinded by prejudice and hatred, and who stubbornly rejected the light. {DA 541.4}[15]