PASSION WEEK.
Jesus went on his way towards Jerusalem, and when he came within sight of the city he wept over it and said, "Would that you had learned, while there was time—yes, even you—the things that make for peace! But as it is, they have been hidden from your sight. For a time is coming for you when your enemies will surround you with earthworks, and encircle you, and hem you in on every side; they will trample you down and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not see that God was visiting you." (Twentieth Century N. T., Luke 19:42-44.)
Eastlake, Plate, 124, has not followed the scriptural account closely, but has designed a panel, with the text in mind, possibly influenced also by Matt. 23:37, "How often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
Deger, Plate 123, represents the triumphal entry into Jerusalem as recorded in all the Gospels, but with most complete detail in Luke 19:29-44. The people threw their garments upon a colt, and set Jesus thereon, and accompanied him from Bethpage to Jerusalem, waving palm branches (John 12:13), and spreading garments and palms in the street (Matt. 21:8), and shouting "Hosanna, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Matt. 21:9.) The artist has allowed the mother of Jesus to witness this short lived triumph of her son; nor has he forgotten the children (Matt. 21:15).
Doré, Plates 125 and 127, gives two incidents of the early part of the week: the Herodians asking about tribute to Cæsar (Matt. 22:16-22), and the poor widow giving her contribution to the temple treasury (Mark 12:41-44).
Titian, Plate 126, in dealing with the incident of the tribute to Cæsar, has selected the moment Doré selected, when Jesus asks, "Whose image and superscription hath it?" (Mark 20:24.)
Van Dyck, Plate 96, has chosen the moment when Jesus says, "Render therefore unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and unto God the things that are God's" (Matt. 22:21).
Towards the close of his discourse about The Last Things, Jesus gave the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. (Matt. 25:1-13.)
Poloty, Plate 128, has attempted to illustrate this parable, and has chosen the moment when the foolish virgins discover that they are unprepared. (Verses 8 and 9.) Evidently the cry, "Behold the bridegroom cometh," was not heard, upon this occasion, "at midnight" (Verse 6.)
