Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-09-28
SCRIPTURE TEXTS EXPLAINED.

A correspondent In North Carolina
wishes the Deseret News to settle a
controversy, which has arisen there as
to who II was that crucifled the Savior,
some persons claiming 1t was the Jews,
and others that II was the Gentiles. In
support Of the latter view, Matthew is
quoted as follows.
And Jesus, going up TO Jerusalem,
took the twelve disciples apart In the
way. and said unto them, behold we go
up TO Jerusalem, and the Son Of man
shall be betrayed unto the chief priests
and unto the scribes, and they shall
condemn him TO death. and shall deliver
him 10 the Gentlles, TO mock. and to
scourge and TO cruelty him: and the
third day he shall rise again--xx. IL
49,"
In advocacy Of the former idea, the
Apostle Peter Is quoted. who, in his
sermon on the day OF Pentecost, pro-
claimed:
'Ye men Of Israel, hear these words:
Jesus Of Nazareth, a man approved OF
God among you by miracles and won
ders and signs, which God did by him,
In the midst OF you, as We yourselves
also know; Him being delivered by the
determlnate counsel and forelnowledge
Of God, we have taken, and by wicked
hands have cruclfled the slain.--Acts II,
1928"
The dispute appears to us TO be one OF
very little moment, and TO be based up
on strained construction OF one or two
passages Of scripture which, when COM
pared with other passages and with
each other, explain themselves and
leave no room for genuine controversy
Technically, Christ was crucifled by the
Gentles, because 1t was a Roman off,
cial who pronounced sentence upon
him, and Roman executioners who
nailed him TO the cross. But the re-
sponsibilty for the crime rested upon
the Jews who. by the chief priests and
elders, bound Him after they had taken
council to put Him to death, and deliv-
cred Him to Pontius PLATE. II was a
Jew who betrayed Him. II was Jew
Caiaphas, who presided over the council
that said Gle is guilty Of death" II
was the Jews who did spit In His
face" and smite Him with ''the palms
OF their hands" 1t was the Jews who,
after Plate washed his hands, saying
he was innocent Of the blood Of this
just person" cried out, His blood be
on us and on our children. MATTHEW
XVI.
II Is clear from this history that both
Jews and Gentlles were concerned in
the cruclfixion OF Christ. The Jews
planned his capture. Jewish priests and
elders tried and condemned him. the
Jews turned him over 10 the Gentle
authorities and insisted upon his exc
oution. The Gentiles did the actual
work OF putting him TO death according
10 the Roman law, by the insistence OF
the Jewish authorities While the act
was performed by Genties, the respon-
sibility for It rested upon the Jews.
The same correspondent wants to
know whether "a prophecy can be full
filled twice" The reason for asking this
question Is that In Isaiah, which is UNI
derstood by the Latter-day Saints to
refer to the coming forth OF the Book
OF Mormon in the latter days. IL Is stat
ed.
Wherefore the Lord said. forasmuch
as this people draw near me with their
mouth. and with their lips do honor me.
but have removed their heart far from
me- and their fear toWafd me Is taught
by the precept Of men therefore. be-
hold, 1 Will proceed TO do a marvellous
work among this people. even a marvel
Gus work and wonder; for the wisdom
Of their wise men shall perish and the
understanding Of their prudent men
shall be hid. "-Nerse 1874"
But It is recorded In Matthew that
Jesus, when reprimanding the scribes
and Pharisees, exclaimed;
"Ye hypocrites. well aid Esalas
prophecy Of you. saying this people
draweth nigh unto me with their mouth
and honoreth me with their lips but
their heart is far from me. But In vain
they do worship me. teaching for doc
trines the commandments Of men-xy.
10"
II Is claimed by opponents Of the Lat.
ter-day Saints that this was a fulfill
ment Of the words OF Isaiah. and that
therefore his prophecy could not refer
10 the present age Of the world nor TO
occurrences In the last days. That is
4...