A harmony upon the the three Evangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke with the commentary…A harmonie vpon the the three Euangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke with the commentarie…

For I think that the water was brought thither by conducts that the Priests might draw thence. Unless peradventure the place was so called, because the water was poured out by pipes. In my judgement it was called the sheep market, because there were sheep brought thither to be offered up in sacrifice.

For I thinke that the water was brought thither by conducts that the Priestes might draw thence. Vnlesse peraduenture the place was so called, because the water was powred out by pypes. In my iudgement it was called the sheepe market, because there were sheepe brought thither to be offered vp in sacrifice.

3 The multitude sate. It may be that the sick folks laid in the porches to ask alms, when the people went that way, which went into the temple to worship. And they were also wont to buy sheep there, which they would offer in sacrifice. In the mean while God did heal some number of them every feast day, that by this means he might set forth the worship appointed in the law, and the holiness of the temple. Notwithstanding this may seem an absurd thing, that (seeing we do not read that there was any such thing done at such time as religion did most of all flourish, yea, seeing that miracles were wrought only extraordinarily in the Prophets time) the power and grace of God did appear more plainly in miracles then they were wont, when things were so decayed and almost utterly brought to confusion. I answer, that in my judgement there were two causes: for seeing that the spirit which dwelt in the Prophets was a sufficient witness to testify Gods presence, religion had no need of any other confirmation at that time. For the law was established by signs more then needed, and God ceased not to confirm the commandment which he had given by innumerable testimonies. But when the time of Christ his coming drew near, because they were destitute of Prophets, their state was most miserable, and they were sore tempted on every side, they had need of this extraordinary help, least they should think that they were utterly forsaken of God, and being thus discouraged should utterly have fainted & fallen away. For we know that Malachi was the last of the prophets, and therefore he concludeth his doctrine thus, chap. 4. 4. That the Jews may remember the law given by Moses, until Christ appear. For it seemed to God a profitable thing, to let them be destitute of Prophets for a season, to the end they might more earnestly desire Christ, and receive him with greater reverence when he was revealed. In the mean while least that the temple should want testimony, and the sacrifices, and all the worship from whence salvation should come unto the world, the Lord retained the Jews by this gift of healing, that they might know that it was not in vain that they were separated from other nations by God himself.