Hostility to Religious Rebuke
“For this cause the Jews . . . went about to kill me.” “This cause” was his showing to Jews and Gentiles that they were sinners, and that they ought to repent and give proof of their repentance. This was ground enough for such hostility. Evil-doers never like to have their faults pointed out or rebuked. They have no objection to preaching, provided it is not directed against their favorite sins. But if they are more ready to pray than to pay tithes, if they cheat in their business, if they sell liquor or drink it, if they play cards, or smoke, or dance, or go to the theater,—and their minister has anything to say on that subject, they “wish he would preach the gospel, and not be meddling with things that don't concern him.” Even if they do not go about to kill him, they are likely to try to destroy his influence, and to look upon him as their enemy.—Sel.