Bible Characters, Vol. 4
Overview
Alexander Whyte’s Bible Characters are exciting evocations of both prominent and little-known personalities in the Old and New Testaments. Whyte, a minister in the Free Church of Scotland in the late nineteenth century, dedicated the majority of his literary career studying various figures contained in the Bible, and these six volumes are the fruit of his hard labor. Drawing directly from the Bible, but also referencing the work of other notable scholars, Whyte’s skillful rendering of these men and women is informative and illuminating.
Characters included:
- Joseph and Mary
- Simeon
- Zacharias and Elisabeth
- John the Baptist
- Nicodemus
- Peter
- John
- Mathew
- Zacchaeus
- Lazarus
- The Woman with the Issue of Blood
- Mary Magdalene
- The Mother of Zebedee’s Children
- The Widow with the Two Mites
- Pontius Pilate
- Pilate’s Wife
- Herod that Fox
- The Penitent Thief
- Thomas
- Cleopas and His Companion
- Matthias the Successor to Judas Iscariot
- Ananias and Sapphira
- Simon Magus
- The Ethiopian Eunuch
- Gamaliel
- Barnabas
- James, the Lord’s Brother
Top Highlights
“Joseph’s part in all this is told us by Saint Matthew alone.” (Page 2)
“Abraham’s faith has made him the father of all them who believe, surely Mary’s faith entitles her to be called their mother. If the converse of our Lord’s words holds true, that no mighty work is done where there is unbelief: if we may safely reason that where there has been a mighty work done there must have been a corresponding and a co-operating faith; then I do not think we can easily overestimate the measure of Mary’s faith.” (Page 8)
“We must not allow ourselves to entertain a grudge against the mother of our Lord because some enthusiasts for her have given her more than her due.” (Page 7)
“Only two, out of God, knew the truth about Mary; an angel in heaven, and her own heart on earth.” (Page 3)
“THERE was a soft spot still left in Zacchæus’s heart, and that soft spot was this: Zacchæus was as eager as any schoolboy in all Jericho to see Jesus who He was. And like any schoolboy he ran before and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus, for He was to pass that way.” (Page 72)
Praise for the Print Edition
No one takes a stronger grip on us—mind and very soul—in his expounding of Bible characters than Dr. Whyte
—The Presbyterian Review
We know of no writer who can make more real the personalities of these Bible characters, or can bring home more vividly or helpfully the lessons of their words and deeds.
—Christian Guardian
Each subject is handled with originality, freshness, skill, and sanctified scholarship.
—English Churchman
Terse, strong, epigrammatic in his style, he penetrates to the core of character, and expounds it, and all the lessons it teaches, in fine English.
—The N.Y. Observer
Product Details
- Title: Bible Characters, Vol. 4
- Author: Alexander Whyte
- Publisher: Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier
- Publication Date: 1896
- Pages: 268
Alexander Whyte (1836–1921) was a popular preacher and writer. He attended the University of Aberdeen and New College in Edinburgh. Whyte served as an assistant minister at Free St. Johns in Glasgow. Following that, he was a colleague at Free St. George’s in Edinburgh. Whyte has written several books including the six-volume Bible Characters series and Samuel Rutherford Collection.