第05章 约翰殉难
§1
第05章 约翰殉难
§2
Chapter 5. - The Death of John.
§3
改革的精神鼓舞着约翰的心。上帝的智慧和能力之光在他身上。来自上天的灵感燃起了一种圣洁的热诚，使他公开指责犹太祭司，向他们宣布上帝的咒诅。他们非常自负地自表虔诚，同时却对慈善、怜悯和上帝的爱一无所知。他们设法以华丽的衣装和道貌岸然来使人产生敬畏之心，令人肃然起敬，同时却为至高者所憎恶。{2SP 74.2}[1]
§4
The spirit of reform stirred the soul of John. The light of wisdom and the power of God were upon him. Inspiration from Heaven kindled a holy zeal that led him to denounce the Jewish priests, and pronounce the curse of God upon them. They made high pretensions to godliness while they were strangers to charity, mercy, and the love of God. They sought, by the gorgeousness of their apparel and their lofty manners, to inspire awe and command the respect of men, while they were abhorred by the Most High. {2SP 74.2}[1]
§5
他们的内心和生活虽然与上帝的旨意背道而驰，却用虚妄的推测欺骗自己，以为自己拥有永恒的福气，因为主对有信心之人的父亚伯拉罕发过应许。他们没有以谦卑为衣。他们缺乏亚伯拉罕的信心和虔诚。他们没有用生活的正直和纯洁来争取道德价值。只有这种道德价值才能使他们成为亚伯拉罕的子孙。他们没有这种价值，却指望分享主赐给亚伯拉罕的应许。先知约翰无畏地斥责法利赛人，揭露了他们的罪孽和伪善，令那些一直视他们了不起的人感到震惊。{2SP 75.1}[2]
§6
Though their hearts and lives were contrary to the will of God, they deceived themselves with the vain supposition that eternal blessings were theirs by virtue of the promises made to Abraham, the father of the faithful. They were not clothed with humility. They were destitute of the faith and piety of Abraham. They had not earned by integrity and purity of life, the moral worth which would ally them to him as his children, yet they expected to share the promises given him of the Lord. The fearless manner in which the prophet John had denounced the Pharisees and exposed their iniquity and hypocrisy, startled those who had been accustomed to seeing them honored and exalted. {2SP 75.1}[2]
§7
他的讲道在各地引起了强烈的兴趣。他恳切的呼吁和谴责搅动了人们的良心。民众从各城镇乡村云集到旷野，被他恳切热烈的劝告所吸引，他勇敢的警告和责备是他们前所未闻的。约翰的服装毫无外表的炫耀以引人注意或令人景仰。他粗劣的服装和简单清淡的饮食很象先知以利亚。他以旷野所提供的蝗虫和野蜜为食，饮用从永恒的山岭流出来的清水。{2SP 75.2}[3]
§8
His preaching had aroused intense interest everywhere. His earnest appeals and denunciations had stirred the consciences of men. People had flocked from towns, cities, and villages, attracted to the wilderness by his earnest and fervent exhortations, his courageous warnings and reproofs, such as they had never before heard. There was no outward display in the dress of John to attract, or to awaken admiration. He resembled the prophet Elijah in the coarseness of his apparel, and in his plain and simple diet. He fed upon locusts and wild honey, which the wilderness afforded, and drank the pure water flowing from the eternal hills. {2SP 75.2}[3]
§9
然而听他讲道的群众是那么多，以致他的名声传遍了全国。而今他却被监禁了，民众关切地等着要看结果如何，从未想到他会遭受严厉的惩罚，因为他的生活是无可指摘的。{2SP 75.3}[4]
§10
Yet so great had been the crowds that listened to him that his fame had spread throughout the land. And now that he was imprisoned, the people waited with interest to see what would be the result, never thinking that he would be visited with any severe punishment, as his life was without blame. {2SP 75.3}[4]
§11
希律打算释放约翰出监，却因怕希罗底不悦而一再推迟。希罗底决心处死约翰。希律在拖延时，希罗底却在积极活动，想方设法以最有效的方式报复先知，因为他曾勇敢地讲述真理，斥责他们不合法的生活。她知道希律虽然把约翰下在监里了，却想放了他，因为他尊重和敬畏约翰，相信他是上帝的真先知。约翰曾当面揭露希律内心和生活的秘密，他的责备使王有罪的良心深感恐惧。{2SP 76.1}[5]
§12
Herods purpose to release John from prison was delayed from time to time through fear of displeasing Herodias, who was determined he should be put to death. While he was delaying, she was active, planning how to be revenged in the most effectual manner on the prophet, because he had ventured to tell the truth, and reprove their unlawful life. She knew that although Herod kept John in prison, he designed to release him, for he honored and feared him, and believed that he was a true prophet of God. John had made known to Herod the secrets of his heart and life, and his reproofs had struck terror to the guilty conscience of the king. {2SP 76.1}[5]
§13
希律在许多事上曾改变了他放荡的生活。但享受美味佳肴和饮用刺激性的酒不断削弱和麻痹了他的体力和道德力，并抵制上帝之灵的恳劝。这些恳劝曾使希律良心发现，感悟并要放弃自己的罪。希罗底熟悉希律品格的弱点。她知道在平常的情况下，当他受理智控制的时候，她是不能置约翰于死地的。{2SP 76.2}[6]
§14
In many things Herod had reformed his dissolute life. But the use of luxurious food and stimulating drink was constantly enervating his moral as well as physical powers, and warring against the earnest appeals of the Spirit of God, which had struck conviction to his heart, and was urging him to put away his sins. Herodias was acquainted with the weak points in the character of Herod. She knew that under ordinary circumstances, while his intelligence controlled him, she could not compass the death of John. {2SP 76.2}[6]
§15
她曾试过让希律同意杀死约翰，但没有成功。她报复的精神如今又发作了，要用手腕成就她没有人性的计划。她知道，能达到目的的惟一办法就是藉着满足王不节制的食欲。她尽可能地掩盖了自己的仇恨，期待着希律的生日。她知道那是一个暴食醉酒的场合。希律对美味佳肴和酒的贪爱会给她一个机会使他放松戒备。她会引诱他放纵食欲；那会引起他更低级的情欲，扭曲他更纤细的感官，产生轻率的后果，使他无法作出正确的判断和决定。{2SP 76.3}[7]
§16
She had tried, but unsuccessfully, to gain the consent of Herod to have John slain. Her revengeful spirit was now at work to accomplish her inhuman design by strategy. She knew that the only way to accomplish her purpose would be through the gratification of the kings intemperate appetite. So she covered her hatred as best she could, looking forward to the royal birthday, which she knew would be an occasion of gluttony and intoxication. The kings love of luxurious food and wine would give her an opportunity to throw him off his guard. She would entice him to indulge his appetite, which would arouse passions of the baser order, subvert the finer sensibilities, produce a recklessness of consequences, and an inability to exercise his proper judgment and decision. {2SP 76.3}[7]
§17
她熟知这些宴饮狂欢对人的理智和道德的影响。她知道不节制会使人的心灵产生不自然的兴奋，降低道德的标准，使圣洁的愿望无法进入人心，抑制焦躁的情欲。宴会，娱乐，舞会，纵饮，蒙蔽了人的理性，消除人对上帝的敬畏。所以她就预备了一切能满足他的骄傲和虚荣的东西，使他放纵情欲。她为宴会和骄奢淫逸的狂欢作了最昂贵的准备。{2SP 77.1}[8]
§18
She was acquainted with the effect of these carnivals upon the intellect and morals. She knew that the unnatural exhilaration of the spirits induced by intemperance lowers the moral standard of the mind, making it impossible for holy impulses to enter the heart and govern the excited passions, that festivities and amusements, dances, and free use of wine, cloud the sense, and remove the fear of God; therefore she prepared everything to flatter his pride and vanity, and indulge his passions. She made the most costly preparations for feasting, and voluptuous dissipation. {2SP 77.1}[8]
§19
当那个重要的日子来到，希律和他的臣仆们在宴会厅贪食纵饮时，希罗底就差遣她的女儿，打扮得妖艳动人，来到希律面前。撒罗米身上戴着贵重的花环和鲜花，装饰着闪闪发光的珠宝和手镯，穿着暴露轻浮的衣服，跳起舞来取悦贵宾。对他们败坏的感官来说，这一迷人的身影，显得格外美丽与可爱，解除了他们最后的一点自尊和廉耻。他们没有被明智的理性、优雅的品味和敏感的良知所主导，反而被低级的本能所支配。美德和原则不再控制他们。{2SP 77.2}[9]
§20
When the great day arrived, and the king with his lords was feasting and drinking in the banqueting hall, Herodias sent her daughter, dressed in a most enchanting manner, into the royal presence. Salome was decorated with costly garlands and flowers, sparkling jewels and flashing bracelets. With little covering, and less modesty, she danced for the amusement of the royal guests. To their perverted senses, she seemed a vision of beauty and loveliness, and charmed away the last remnants of self-respect and propriety. Instead of being governed by enlightened reason, refined taste, and sensitive conscience, the baser qualities of the mind held the guiding reins. Virtue and principle had no controlling power. {2SP 77.2}[9]
§21
希律晕头转向了。他的机能紊乱了，判断力和敬畏之心被抛弃了。他所看见的只是享乐的宴厅，狂饮的宾客，狼藉的杯盘，闪烁的酒杯，耀目的灯光，以及跳舞的妖艳少女。他心血来潮，想炫耀一番，在他国内的权贵面前抬高自己。于是他轻率地发出承诺，并用一个誓言坚固他的承诺，要给希罗底的女儿她想要的任何东西。{2SP 78.1}[10]
§22
The mind of Herod was in a whirl. His faculties were confused, judgment and reverence were dethroned. He saw only the hall of pleasure, with his reveling guests, the banquet table, sparkling wine and flashing lights, and the young girl in her voluptuous beauty dancing before him. In the recklessness of the moment he was desirous to make some display which would exalt him still higher before the great men of his kingdom; and he rashly promised, and confirmed his promise with an oath, to give the daughter of Herodias whatever she might ask. {2SP 78.1}[10]
§23
撒罗米被派到王面前的目的达到了。她得到了这么美妙的应许之后，就跑到她母亲跟前，要知道她当求什么。她母亲的回答早已准备好了——施洗约翰的头，放在一个盘子里。撒罗米起初十分震惊。她并不明白她母亲所隐藏复仇的心理，所以起先不肯提出这个没有人性的要求；但邪恶母亲的决心女儿不敢违拗。她还吩咐女儿不可迟延，要在希律有时间反省并改变主意之前赶快提出她的要求。于是，撒罗米带着她惊人的请求回到希律面前说：“‘我愿王立时把施洗约翰的头放在盘子里给我。’王就甚忧愁；但因他所起的誓，又因同席的人，就不肯推辞”（可6:25,26）。{2SP 78.2}[11]
§24
The object for which she had been sent into the royal presence was now gained. Having obtained so wonderful a promise, she ran to her mother, desiring to know what she should ask. The mothers answer was ready--the head of John the Baptist in a charger. Salome was shocked. She did not understand the hidden revenge in her mothers heart, and at first refused to present such an inhuman request; but the determination of the wicked mother prevailed. Moreover, she bade her daughter make no delay, but hasten to prefer her request before Herod would have time for reflection. Accordingly Salome returned to Herod with her terrible petition: I will that thou give me, by and by, in a charger, the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oaths sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. {2SP 78.2}[11]
§25
希律张皇失措了，狂欢戛然而止；他的宾客们也都因这个没有人性的请求而恐惧战兢，毛骨悚然。一种不祥的寂静，突然临到这宴乐的场所。王虽酒醉慌乱，仍勉强振作精神。{2SP 79.1}[12]
§26
Herod was astonished and confounded. The riotous mirth ceased, for his guests were thrilled with horror at this inhuman request. An ominous silence settled down upon the scene of revelry. The king, though drunken and confused, endeavored to summon reason to his aid. {2SP 79.1}[12]
§27
他曾因稳健出众的判断力而受到赞扬，不愿有反复无常或卤莽的表现。他立誓原是为尊敬他的宾客。倘若他们中间有人说一句话反对他履行他的应许，那么他必乐意免先知一死。他给他们机会为囚犯说话。他们从前曾跋涉长途去旷野听约翰有力的讲道，也知道他是一个无罪的人，又是上帝的先知。希律告诉他们，他们若不认为有什么特别的羞辱，他就不愿遵守他的誓言。{2SP 79.2}[13]
§28
He had been exalted for constancy and superior judgment, and he did not wish to appear fickle or rash in character. The oath had been made in honor of his guests, and had one of them offered a word of remonstrance against the fulfillment of his promise, he would gladly have saved the life of John. He gave them opportunity to speak in the prisoners behalf. They had traveled long distances to the mountains in the wilderness to listen to his powerful discourses, and they knew he was a man without crime, and a prophet of God. Herod told them if it would not be considered a special mark of dishonor to them, he would not abide by his oath. {2SP 79.2}[13]
§29
然而他们起先虽然被姑娘反常的要求吓坏了，如今却因酒醉而目光呆滞，坐着不动，没有理智，没有敬畏之心，也没有想法。他们虽然受邀解除王的誓言，舌头却不说话。那群人中竟无人发声救一个从未伤害过他们的无辜之人的性命。希律仍在幻觉之下，为了保全他的名誉，他必须持守在酒醉的影响下所发的誓言，除非正式解除这个誓言。他等候有人发出异议，却是徒然。上帝先知的性命落在一群醉酒狂欢者手中了。这些人在国内身居高位，肩负重任。可是他们竟纵情于宴乐醉酒，以致理性受了麻痹。他们的头脑，因轻歌曼舞纸醉金迷而失了常态。他们的良心也因而昏蒙了。他们的静默无言，无异将上帝所膏的先知判处死刑，去满足一个荡妇的复仇之心。{2SP 79.3}[14]
§30
But though at first they were horror-stricken at the unnatural demand of the girl, they were so far intoxicated that they sat in silent stupor, without reason, reverence, or thought. Though they were invited to release the monarch from his oath, their tongues were dumb. No voice in all that company was raised to save the life of an innocent man, who had never done them harm. Herod, still under the delusion that, in order to maintain his reputation, he must keep an oath made under the influence of intoxication, unless formally released from it, waited in vain for a dissenting voice, but there was none. The life of Gods prophet was in the hands of a company of drunken revelers. These men occupied high positions of trust in the nation, and grave responsibilities rested upon them, yet they had gorged themselves with dainty food, and added drunkenness to surfeiting, until their mental powers were enervated by the pleasure of sense, their brains turned with the giddy scene of music and dancing, and conscience lay dormant. By their silence they pronounced the sentence of death upon the anointed of the Lord, to gratify the horrible caprice of a wicked woman. {2SP 79.3}[14]
§31
今日最严肃的责任往往落在那些因不节制的习惯而处在不良状态的人身上，他们不能运用造他们的主所赋予他们冷静的判断力和敏锐的洞察力去辩明是非。百姓的监护人，民中的当权者，同胞的性命既由他们决定，他们若是犯有不节制的罪，就应当遭受严厉的惩罚。那些执法的人应当是守法的人。他们应当是自制的人，完全符合统管他们体力、智力和道德力的律法，以便拥有充足的思维活力和高尚的正义感。约翰的殉道是那些赋有大权柄的人不节制的结果。这个充满变故的生日宴会应当成为警告爱宴乐之人的一个教训，并且劝告基督徒要节制。{2SP 80.1}[15]
§32
Too often in these days the most solemn responsibilities rest upon those who, from their intemperate habits, are not in a condition to exercise the calm judgment and keen perceptions of right and wrong with which their Creator endowed them. The guardians of the people, men in authority, upon whose decisions hang the lives of their fellow-creatures, should be subject to severe punishment if found guilty of intemperance. Those who enforce laws should be lawkeepers. They should be men of self-government, in full harmony with the laws governing their physical, mental, and moral powers, that they may possess full vigor of intellect and a high sense of justice. In the martyrdom of John we have a result of intemperance among those invested with great authority. This eventful birthday feast should be a lesson of warning to the lovers of pleasure, and an exhortation to Christian temperance. {2SP 80.1}[15]
§33
希律等人解除他的誓言，却空等一场，于是他便勉强吩咐刽子手去取约翰的性命。先知的头不久就被带到王和他的宾客面前。当希律王询问为何自己不能作先知的门徒时，那曾如实地告诉他必须在他的生活中作出改革的双唇，如今永远闭上了。那呼召罪人悔改的声音也永远不再听见了。一夜的狂欢与放荡，竟牺牲了一位上帝所差遣最大先知的性命。{2SP 80.2}[16]
§34
Herod waited in vain to be released from his oath, then reluctantly commanded the executioner to take the life of John. The head of the prophet was soon brought in before the king and his guests. Those lips were now forever sealed that had faithfully declared to Herod the reform he must make in his life, when that monarch inquired why he could not be the prophets disciple. Never more would that voice be heard in trumpet notes calling sinners to repentance. The frivolities and dissipation of a single night had caused the sacrifice of one of the greatest prophets that ever bore a message from God to men. {2SP 80.2}[16]
§35
希罗底以恶魔般残忍的满足感接受了先知血淋淋的头。她因报复而狂喜，以为希律的良心再也不会受到搅扰了。但她的算计却大错特错了。她的罪行没有给她带来一点幸福。她因自己毫无人性的作为而臭名昭著，而希律的心也更加因懊悔而压抑了，比受约翰谴责时更厉害。她以为会除掉先知对世界发挥影响的举动，却使人们永远铭记他是一位圣洁的殉道者，不仅在他门徒们心中，也在那些之前从未大胆地站出来作他信徒的人心中。许多曾听过他警告的信息，一直私下信服他教导的人，如今因他被冷血谋杀的惨事所驱策，竟公开地支持他的事业，并宣布自己是他的门徒。希罗底完全没能止息约翰所发教训的影响；这些教训要垂诸历代直到末日，而她败坏的生活和邪恶的报复必获致声名狼藉的结果。{2SP 81.1}[17]
§36
Herodias received the gory head with fiendish satisfaction. She exulted in her revenge, and thought that Herods conscience would be no more disturbed. But her calculations were greatly in error; no happiness resulted to her through her crime. Her name became notorious and abhorred because of her inhuman act, while the heart of Herod was more oppressed by remorse than it had been by the condemnation of John. And the very act which she imagined would rid the world of the prophets influence, enshrined him as a holy martyr, not only in the hearts of his disciples, but of those who had not before ventured to stand boldly out as his followers. Many who had heard his message of warning, and had been secretly convinced by his teachings, now, spurred on by horror at his coldblooded murder, publicly espoused his cause and declared themselves his disciples. Herodias utterly failed to silence the influence of Johns teachings; they were to extend down through every generation to the close of time, while her corrupt life and Satanic revenge would reap a harvest of infamy. {2SP 81.1}[17]
§37
宴会结束，酒劲过去之后，希律恢复了理智，便满心懊悔。他的罪行时常出现在他眼前。他不断地寻求摆脱有罪良心的刺痛。他对约翰是上帝所尊重之先知的信心是不动摇的。当他回想约翰舍己的生活，他大有能力的讲道，他严肃恳切的呼吁，他作为顾问健全的判断力，然后又想到自己竟把他处死时，他的良心就极其不安。他在处理国务，受人尊敬，面带微笑，仪态威严的同时，却隐藏了内心的焦虑与疼痛，且因上帝的咒诅就要临到他身上的可怕预感而不断担惊受怕。{2SP 81.2}[18]
§38
After the feast of Herod had ended, and the effects of his intoxication had passed away, reason again resumed her throne, and the king was filled with remorse. His crime was ever before him, and he was constantly seeking to find relief from the stings of a guilty conscience. His faith in John as an honored prophet of God, was unshaken. As he reflected upon his life of self-denial, his powerful discourses, his solemn, earnest appeals, his sound judgment as a counselor, and then reflected that he had put him to death, his conscience was fearfully troubled. Engaged in the affairs of the nation, receiving honors from men, he bore a smiling face and dignified mien, while he concealed an anxious, aching heart, and was constantly terrified with fearful forebodings that the curse of God was upon him. {2SP 81.2}[18]
§39
希律听说基督医治病人，赶出鬼魔和使死人复活，便极其烦乱不安。他确信约翰所传的上帝确实无处不在，祂目睹了王家宴会厅里的狂欢和邪恶的放荡，祂也亲耳听到了他命令刽子手去斩了约翰的头，亲眼看到了希罗底的得意，和她对她仇敌被斩下的头所施的嘲笑侮辱与责骂。希律以前从约翰口中听见的许多话，此时又在他良心上发出声音，比在旷野传道时更为清晰。他曾听约翰说过，什么也不能瞒过上帝，所以他感到战兢，惟恐因他所犯的罪会有某种可怕的刑罚报应在他身上。{2SP 82.1}[19]
§40
When Herod heard of the wonderful works of Christ in healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead, he was exceedingly troubled and perplexed. His convictions were that God, whom John preached, was indeed present in every place, and that he had witnessed the wild mirth and wicked dissipation in the royal banqueting room, and that his ear had heard his command to the executioner to behead John, that his eye had seen the exultation of Herodias, and the taunting and insult with which she had reproached the severed head of her enemy. And many things which he had heard from the lips of the prophet now spoke to his conscience in louder tones than the preaching in the wilderness. He had heard from John that nothing could be hidden from God, therefore he trembled lest some terrible punishment should be visited upon him for the sin he had committed. {2SP 82.1}[19]
§41
希律听到基督的话语时，便以为上帝让约翰复活了，并且差他来以更大的能力谴责罪恶。他也时刻惧怕约翰会来宣布他和他全家的罪状，以报杀身之仇。“耶稣的名声传扬出来。希律王听见了，就说：‘施洗的约翰从死里复活了，所以这些异能由他里面发出来。’但别人说：‘是以利亚。’又有人说：‘是先知，正象先知中的一位。’希律听见却说：‘是我所斩的约翰，他复活了’”（可6:14-16）。{2SP 82.2}[20]
§42
When Herod heard of the words of Christ, he thought that God had resurrected John, and sent him forth with still greater power to condemn sin. He was in constant fear that John would avenge his death by passing condemnation upon him and his house. And king Herod heard of him [Christ] (for his name was spread abroad); and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded; he is risen from the dead. {2SP 82.2}[20]
§43
主照着《申命记》中所描述的报应追讨希律：“耶和华却使你在那里心中跳动，眼目失明，精神消耗。你的性命必悬悬无定；你昼夜恐惧，自料性命难保。你因心里所恐惧的，眼中所看见的，早晨必说，巴不得到晚上才好；晚上必说，巴不得到早晨才好”（申28:65-67）。{2SP 83.1}[21]
§44
The Lord followed Herod as is described in Deuteronomy: The Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind. And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear, day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life. In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. {2SP 83.1}[21]
§45
这些话生动地描绘了罪犯的生活画面。他自己的思想，就是他的原告。良心的谴责，使人日夜不得安宁。世间的痛苦莫甚于此。{2SP 83.2}[22]
§46
In these words is presented a vivid picture of the criminals life. His own thoughts are his accusers, and there can be no torture keener than the stings of his own guilty conscience, which give him no rest night nor day. {2SP 83.2}[22]
§47
先知约翰乃是连接两个体制的链环。他是较小的光，在他以后还有一个更大的光要来。他要动摇百姓对遗传的信心，叫他们想起他们的罪，引导他们悔改；使他们预备好赏识基督的工作。上帝藉着灵感启示与约翰交通，光照先知的悟性，使他可以消除诚实正直的犹太人心中的迷信和黑暗，就是他们许多世代以来通过假教训所收集的。{2SP 83.3}[23]
§48
The prophet John was the connecting link between the two dispensations. He was the lesser light which was to be followed by a greater. He was to shake the confidence of the people in their traditions, call their sins to their remembrance, and lead them to repentance; that they might be prepared to appreciate the work of Christ. God communicated to John by inspiration, illuminating the understanding of the prophet, that he might remove the superstition and darkness from the minds of the honest Jews, which had, through false teachings, been gathering upon them for generations. {2SP 83.3}[23]
§49
然而跟从基督，目睹祂所行的奇事，接受祂所教神圣的教训和祂口中所出安慰之言的最小的门徒，所得的特权都比施洗约翰更大。但照在堕落之人身上的亮光，无论是过去或是未来的，总不会比耶稣的教训和榜样所放射出来的光更为明亮。在那些预表性的献祭礼节中，人只能隐约地明白基督和祂的使命。就连约翰都曾一时受骗，以为祂会成为现世的君王，统治公义的国民，没有完全领会那藉着救主而有的未来不朽坏的生命。“光照在黑暗里，黑暗却不接受光”（约1:5）。{2SP 84.1}[24]
§50
But the least disciple who followed Christ, witnessing his miracles, and receiving his divine lessons of instruction and the comforting words that fell from his lips, was more privileged than John the Baptist. No light had ever shone or ever will shine so clearly upon the mind of fallen man, as that which emanated from the teachings and example of Jesus. Christ and his mission had been but dimly understood and typified in the shadowy sacrifice. Even John was for a time deceived, and thought he would become a temporal ruler over subjects who were just and holy, not then fully comprehending the future immortal life through the Saviour. The light shone in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. {2SP 84.1}[24]
§51
虽然没有一个先知接受过比约翰更大的使命，做过更大的工作，可是他连自己劳苦的果效都没有见到。他没有权利与基督同在，亲见这更大之光所显示的神能。他没有看见瞎眼的人重见光明，患病的人得蒙医治，死了的人再得生命。他也没有看见那从基督每一句话中所透露的光，照射在预言的诸般应许之上。世界被圣子本体所反映的天父的荣光所照亮；但这位孤独的先知却没有特权藉着亲自体验基督的服务看见和领略上帝的智慧和怜悯。{2SP 84.2}[25]
§52
Although not one of the prophets had a higher mission or greater work to perform than had John, yet he was not to see even the result of his own labors. He was not privileged to be with Christ and witness the divine power attending the greater light. It was not for him to see the blind restored to sight, the sick healed, and the dead raised to life. He did not behold the light which shone through every word of Christ, reflecting glory upon the promises in prophecy. The world was illuminated with the brightness of the Fathers glory in the person of his Son; but the solitary prophet was denied the privilege of seeing and understanding the wisdom and mercy of God through a personal knowledge of the ministry of Christ. {2SP 84.2}[25]
§53
在这种意义上说，许多蒙受基督教导并见到祂所行奇事的人，比约翰更大。{2SP 84.3}[26]
§54
In this sense, many who were favored by the teachings of Christ and saw his miracles, were greater than John. {2SP 84.3}[26]
§55
基督在人间行走时，在殿中讲道时和行在街上时，在路上和海边教训众人时，在应邀作客于桌旁就餐时，总是发出指示，符合凡需要祂帮助之人的情况，照环境的需要医治人、安慰人、督责人。那些与祂在一起并在各种环境下听祂神圣教训的人，比施洗约翰更尊贵。{2SP 85.1}[27]
§56
Those who were with Christ when he walked a man among men, and listened to his divine teachings under a variety of circumstances--while preaching in the temple walking in the streets, teaching the multitudes by the way, and by the sea-side, and while an invited guest at the table of his host, ever giving words of instruction to meet the cases of all who needed his help; healing, comforting, and reproving, as circumstances required--were more exalted than John the Baptist. {2SP 85.1}[27]