When they were returned out of the garden from the bath, the Interpreter took them, and looked upon them, and said unto them, “Fair as the moon.” Then He called for the seal wherewith they used to be sealed that were washed in His bath. So the seal was brought, and He set his mark upon them, that they might be known in the places whither they were yet to go. Now the seal was the contents and sum of the Passover which the children of Israel did eat when they came out from the land of Egypt, and the mark was set between their eyes. This seal greatly added to their beauty, for it was an ornament to their faces; it also added to their gravity, and made their countenances more like those of angels.
Notes and Commentary
When the pilgrims return from the bath, the Interpreter describes them as “fair as the moon.” The moon has no light of its own, but it brilliantly reflects the glory of sun. We have no light in ourselves, but God has made us in His image to reflect His glory. We are saved “through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” that we might shine forth the glory of Christ.
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:3–7).
Marked with a Seal
Now that the pilgrims are washed, the Interpreter has them marked with His seal. This seal represents the sealing by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption.
Continue Reading Notes and Commentary
The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.
Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2024 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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