The Devil’s Garden

Fruit from the Devi's Garden

Now there was on the other side of the wall that fenced in the way up which Christiana and her companions were to go, a garden; and that garden belonged to him whose was that barking dog of whom mention was made before. And some of the fruit trees that grew in that garden shot their branches over the wall; and being mellow, they that found them did gather them up, and oft ate of them to their hurt. So Christiana’s boys—as boys are apt to do—being pleased with the trees, and with the fruit that did hang thereon, did pluck them, and began to eat. Their mother did also chide them for so doing; but still the boys went on.

“Well,” said she, “my sons, you transgress; for that fruit is none of ours.” But she did not know that they did belong to the enemy; I’ll warrant you if she had, she would have been ready to die for fear. But that passed, and they went on their way.

Notes and Commentary

No sooner had the pilgrims left the comforts of the Gate than they again faced impending danger. When they were approaching the Gate, danger had been evident. The barking of the dog sounded fierce and menacing. But now danger is craftily disguised and dressed up as delight. The pilgrims would not flee from terror, so perhaps they will fall in temptation. 

Continue Reading Notes and Commentary

The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress and images used are public domain.

Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2023 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from 
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc
.

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