ABSTRACT
The feature of the chapter just alluded to reveals to us the main design of the author in writing it, while a careful reading of the contents will reveal the folll>wing circumstances of the Prophet at this time. (I) He was strongly opposed by his townsmen, and his prophetic pretensions were rejected, especially by the Jewish and Ohristian portion of his hearers. (2) 'l'hough he professed to attest the doctrines of the Bible, and declared himseIt a believer in all the prophets from Adam. to Jesus (vers. 11-14), yet both Jews and Christians hesitated not to call him an impostor (ver. 23), insinuat. ing that their opinion Was attested by the fact that no one had ever seen him receive a revelation from God or Gabriel (vers. So, 51). (3) Some of the people, however, had believed in him (vers. 5 and 25), while others, once believers, had become apostates (ver. IS).
