EVENTS DURING THE SECOND TOUR OF GALILEE.
Veronese, Plate 68, represents the Centurion who came to Jesus at Capernaum, beseeching him to cure his servant. "I am not worthy," the Centurion is saying, "that thou shouldest come under my roof—only say the word and my servant shall be healed." (Matt. 8:8.)
Hofmann, Plate 72, has illustrated the raising of the widow of Nain's son, as graphically as Luke has told it, in chapter 7, verses 11 to 16. "Every one was awe-struck and began praising God."
Veronese, Plate 73, gives another grand feast to his friends (compare [plate 50]). This time it is supposed to be in the house of Simon the Pharisee, as recorded in Luke 7:36-50. The woman, who bathed the Master's feet with tears, is in this case a beautiful and decorous person, a center of attraction.
Rubens, Plate 74, has been more faithful to the story as recorded. The woman kisses the Master's feet and wipes them with her hair, v. 38. There is great consternation among the guests.
Hofmann, Plate 75, shows the self-righteous Pharisee, with his hypocritical friends, more graphically than either of the other artists. His keen insight into character is reflected from every face. Hofmann, above many others, is true to the account, and true to human nature. "Thy sins are forgiven," Jesus is saying. (Verse 48.)
Hofmann, Plate 76, tells of Jesus preaching from the boat (Mark 4:1). Every face in the picture is worth studying. The world is present by representation—infancy, childhood, youth, maturity, old age; the healthy and the diseased, the workman and the scholar. "And he taught them many things in parables," among other things the truth about the Kingdom of God. (Luke 8:9-10.)
Robert, Plate 77, in four decorative panels, illustrates the parable of the Sower, which Jesus gave at this time. In the first the birds came and devoured the seed, in the second the stony ground offered no good opportunity for a harvest, in the third thorns and thistles and other worldly things, "the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things," symbolized by the short-lived mushrooms and daisies, and by the moths, choke the good seed. In the last is the abundant harvest. (Mark 4:1-34.)
And when Jesus had finished these parables he departed to the other side of the lake. "And behold there arose a great tempest in the sea." Doré, Plate 78, shows the disciples in fear, crying out, "Save, Lord; we perish." Jesus, awakened from a sound sleep, says calmly, "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" (Matt. 8:25-26.) "Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm." (Verse 26.)
By the time Jesus had re-crossed in the boat, a great number of people had gathered to meet him. Here Jairus came and entreated Jesus to cure his little daughter who was at the point of death. As they were going to the house, servants came saying that the child was dead: but they went on to the house of Jairus. Clearing the house of the mourners, Jesus takes the child's father and mother, Peter, James and John, and with them enters the room of death. (Mark 5:21, 24, 35-40.)
Richter, Plate 80, is true to the account in the number of witnesses, but not in the action of the Master.
Hofmann, Plate 79, is, as usual, more literal. "Taking the child by the hand" Jesus said, "Little girl, I am speaking to you, get up." (Mark 5:41.)
Keller, Plate 81, shows the next moment when the damsel arose and the people were "utterly astounded." (Verse 43 in Twentieth Century New Testament.) Keller is no doubt more accurate than either of the others in the matters of costume and other accessories. The face of the child is worth studying.
