Verbum Free Book of the Month - August

What all does volume one cover?

Here is the Preface and TOC to the .99 cent volume:

Preface to Second Edition

When the author published the first edition of the present work, it was never contemplated that there should be a second edition. For that reason the first edition consisted of two thousand copies, and it was supposed that many of these would be among the author’s effects at his death.

But the success of the work was beyond hope. The edition was exhausted in the spring of 1907, and the Author was urged to publish a new edition.

Believing that the re-publication of the work will aid Christ’s cause, the author takes up the heavy task of revising it.

The general plan of the work is preserved. The Greek texts of the Four Gospels are arranged in the form of a harmony. A literal English translation accompanies the Greek text, and is arranged in the same way. By such method of arrangement the life of Christ, his words and deeds, become one connected narrative, and the statements of every Evangelist become fuller and clearer, being supplemented by the parallel passages of the others. Every important variant is given in the critical examination of the text, and the authorities are discussed.

On the text thus harmonized is built what the author hopes will prove a clear and comprehensive Commentary. Every question legitimately arising out of the Gospel narrative is treated at length. But while the author’s aim has been to give a critical commentary, special attention has been given to adapt the book to pulpit use. Hence the moral application of the events, words, and deeds is made a main feature of the work.

It has been the author’s principal aim to search out the literal sense of every passage, to ascertain the full significance of every element in the life of the Redeemer. But inasmuch as that divine life is not chronicled as a mere historical event, but as the perfect exemplar of every human life, moral reflections are drawn from every word and event in the Gospel narrative.

In the treatment of Hebrew names of the Old Testament, the plan, in general, has been to render them in the Commentary in accord with the Masoretic text, but in the translation of the Greek text of the New Testament, out of reverence for the original text, these names are generally rendered in conformity with the Greek.

The progress of Scriptural science during the last decade has made necessary a thorough revision, and this has been attempted by conservative methods.

Without doubt the author’s aim has been higher than the accomplishment, but he sends forth his book with the hope that it will be of some service in the great cause of religion.

A. E. BREEN.

Rochester, N. Y.,

Feast of the Circumcision of Christ, 1908.

Contents of the First Volume

Introductory

Luke 1:1–4

St. Luke’s Preamble 35–39

John 1:1–18

The Eternal Generation of the Word—The Word was made flesh—The Witness of John 39–71

Matt. 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38

The two Genealogies of Jesus 71–103

Luke 1:5–25

The Vision of Zachary—The Birth of John the Baptist 103–123

Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:26–27

The Birth of Jesus from the Virgin Mary 123–130

Luke 1:28–38

The Annunciation 130–148

Luke 1:39–45

The Visitation 148–154

Luke 1:46–56

The Magnificat 154–164

Luke 1:57–66

The Birth, Circumcision, and Naming of John the Baptist—Circumcision among other nations—The restoration of Zachary’s power of speech 164–172

Luke 1:67–80

The Canticle of Zachary—The dwelling of John the Baptist in the wilderness 172–184

Matt. 1:19–25

Perplexity of Joseph as evidences of the Blessed Virgin’s pregnancy—The Vision of the Angel—The Angel’s declaration of the Divinity of the Virgin’s Child—Isaiah’s Prophecy—The Obedience of Joseph—His Continency 184–205

Luke 2:1–7

The Census of Quirinius—The Journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem—The Birth of Jesus in the Manger 205–221

Luke 2:8–20

The Apparition of the Angel to the Shepherds—The Message of the Angel—Glory to God in the Highest—The Shepherds go to Bethlehem and find Jesus in the Manger 222–231

Luke 2:21–39

The Circumcision of Jesus—The Purification in the Temple—The Prophecy of Simeon—The Prophecy of Anna—The Return of the Holy Family to Nazareth 231–240

Matt. 2:1–12

The Visit of the Magi—Herod’s Perturbation and Wicked Design—The Wondrous Star—The Adoration of Jesus by the Magi—The Dream of the Magi 240–258

Matt. 2:13–23

The Flight into Egypt—The Slaughter of the Infants of Bethlehem—The Prophecy of Jeremiah—The Return from Egypt 258–278

Luke 2:40–52

The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple—Christ with the Doctors—The Finding in the Temple—The Boyhood of Jesus 279–295

Matt. 3:1–12; Mark 1:1–8; Luke 3:1–18

The Preaching of John in the Wilderness 295–331

Matt. 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22

The Baptism of Christ 331–338

Matt. 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–13

The Fasting and Temptation of Christ 338–358

John 1:19–51

The Testimony of John the Baptist to the Embassy of the Pharisees—The Calling of John the Evangelist, Andrew, and Simon 358–380

John 2:1–11

The Marriage in Cana—The Miracle of the Water made Wine 380–392

John 2:12–25

The Expulsion of the Merchants and Money-Changers from the Temple—The Prediction of the Crucifixion 392–405

John 3:1–21

Jesus and Nicodemus—Baptism 406–431

John 3:22–36

John baptizes at Ænon—His Disciples complain of Jesus’ Ascendency—John’s Answer 431–445

Matt. 4:12; Mark 1:14–15; Luke 3:19–20

The Imprisonment of John the Baptist 445–449

Luke 4:14; John 4:1–3

Jesus departs for Galilee 449–452

John 4:4–42

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman—The Beginning of Faith in Samaria 452–487

John 4:43–45

The Arrival of Jesus in Galilee 487–489

John 4:46–54

The Healing of the Son of the King’s Officer at Capharnaum 489–496

Luke 4:15–30

Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth—The Prophecy of Isaiah—The Jews attempt to stone Jesus 496–524

Matt. 4:13–17

Jesus fixes his Domicile at Capharnaum—The Prophecy of Isaiah 524–527

Matt. 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11

The Discourse from the Boat of Simon on Lake Gennesaret—The Miraculous Draught of Fishes—The Calling of James and John 527–537

Mark 1:21–28; Luke 4:31–37

The Cure of the Demonized Man in the Synagogue at Capharnaum 537–550

Matt. 8:14–15; Mark 1:29–31; Luke 4:38–39

The Healing of Simon’s Mother-in Law 550–555

Matt. 8:16–17; Mark 1:32–34; Luke 4:40–41

The Healing of the Sick at Capharnaum 555–563

Matt. 4:23–25; Mark 1:35–39; Luke 4:42–44

The Teaching of Jesus in the Synagogues of Galilee 563–572

Matt. 8:2–4; Mark 1:40–45; Luke 5:12–16

The Healing of the Leper 572–584

Matt. 9:1–8; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:17–26

The Healing of the Palsied Man let down through the Roof at Capharnaum 584–612

Matt. 9:9; Mark 2:13–14; Luke 5:27–28

The Calling of Matthew 612–617

Matt. 9:10–13; Mark 2:15–17; Luke 5:29–32

The Banquet in the House of Levi 617–628

Matt. 9:14–17; Mark 2:18–22; Luke 5:33–39

The Objections of the Pharisees—The Response of Jesus 628–645

John 5:1–16

The Healing of the Sick Man at the Pool of Bethesda 645–667

John 5:17–47

The divine Personality of Christ—His relation to the Father 667–710

Thanks, John.