,illustration3 ,cover art ,,the ,,king ,,of ,,the ,,jews ,a ,,story ,,of ,,christ',s ,,last ,,days ,,on ,,earth ,,adapted ,,from ,,the ,,oberammergau ,,passion ,,play ,by ,,william ,t4 ,,stead ,,chicago3 ,the ,church ,press #ajd ,la,s,a,l,l,e ,,avenue ,copyright #aijj and #aijb ,by ,george ,t4 ,b4 ,davis4 ,,contents4 ,i--,,jesus ,,drives ,,out ,,money ,,changers ,,ii--,,jesus' ,,last ,,journey ,,to ,,jerusalem ,,iii--,,the ,,last ,,supper ,,iv--,,betrayed ,,by ,a ,,kiss ,v--,,peter ,,commits ,,perjury ,,vi--,,judas ,,hangs ,,himself ,,vii--,,jesus1 ,,pilate ,,and ,,herod ,,viii--,,jesus ,,or ,,barabbas ,,ix--,,the ,,crucifixion ,x--,,conclusion ,,illustrations4 ,the entry into ,jerusalem ,knelt down and anointed ,jesus' feet4 ,drinking of it he passed the cup to ,peter4 ,he reached over and kissed him4 ,what accusation have you to bring against this man8 ,jesus staggered under the cross4 ,it is finished4 ,he is risen4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,jesus ,,drives ,,out ,,the ,,money-,,changers4 ,cast thyself down in adoring love1 ,race bowed down by the curse of ,god6 ,peace and grace out of ,zion above6 ,he is not wroth forever1 ,though his wrath be just--though uplifted his rod4 ,thus saith he1 who changeth never3 ,i will not the death of a sinner--,i will forgive-- ,let him live6 ,and he gave up his son the world from sin to free1 ,praise and thanks we give1 ,eternal1 to thee6 ,suddenly there was heard a noise of singing4 ,a great multitude came pouring down the narrow street that runs past ,pilate's house1 chanting as they came1 ,hail to thee1 ,o ,son of ,david6 ,little children1 old men and maidens ran forward1 some raising palm branches1 but all ever looking backward to one who should come4 ,more and ever more streamed down the street into the open space in front of the temple1 but still the ,hosanna song went on4 ,illustration3 ,the entry into ,jerusalem4 ,at last1 in the midst of the jubilant throng1 ,jesus appeared1 clad in a long garment of gray1 over which was cast a flowing robe4 ,his face was composed and pensive4 ,his long black hair and beard surrounded features somewhat swarthy from the rays of the hot sun1 and he rode on the side of the ass's colt that seemed almost too small to support his weight4 ,john1 the beloved disciple1 dressed in green raiment with a red mantle1 led the little ass1 carrying in his hand a long pilgrim staff4 ,the mob pressed tumultuously around1 singing and crying3 ,hosanna to the ,son of ,david6 ,jesus blessed them as he rode through their midst4 ,after passing the house of ,pilate he suddenly dismounted4 ,then ,jesus advanced to the front of the temple4 ,the hosannas died away as he contemplated the busy scene4 ,there were the priests busily engaged with the money-changers4 ,nathanael1 chief orator of the ,sanhedrin1 stood conspicuous among the chattering throng4 ,there were baskets with pigeons for sale as sacrifices4 ,there were the tables of the dealers4 ,buying and selling1 haggling and bargaining were in full swing in the market-place4 ,for a moment ,jesus1 who was above the average height1 and whose mien was dignified and commanding1 stood as if amazed and indignant1 then suddenly burst out upon the astonished throng of priests and merchants1 with the following protest3 ,what see ,i here8 ,shall my ,father's house be thus dishonored8 ,is this the house of ,god1 or is it a market-place8 ,how can the strangers who come from the land of the ,gentiles to worship ,god perform their devotions in this tumult of usury8 ,and you1 he continued1 advancing a step toward the priests1 who stared at him in amazement1 ,you priests1 guardians of the temple1 can you see this abomination and permit it to continue8 ,woe be unto you6 ,he who searches the heart knows why you encourage such disorder4 ,the crowd1 silent now1 watched with eager interest the money-changers and priests1 who but imperfectly understanding what had been said to them1 stared at the intruder4 ,who can this man be8 they asked4 ,and then from the lips of all the multitude there went up the simultaneous response1 as if the whole throng had but one voice3 ,it is the great prophet from ,nazareth1 in ,galilee6 ,jesus1 then moving forward into the midst of the astonished merchants in the temple1 exclaimed1 in words of imperious authority3 ,away with you from here1 servants to ,mammon6 ,i command it4 ,take what belongs to you and quit the holy place6 ,one of the traders exclaimed in terror3 ,come1 let us go1 that his wrath destroy us not4 ,then the priests1 recovering somewhat their self-possession1 stepped forward to remonstrate4 ,why troublest thou this people8 they asked4 ,everything here is for sacrifice4 ,how canst thou forbid that which the council has allowed8 ,and then the traders1 led by one ,dathan1 chimed in1 in eager chorus3 ,must there then be no more sacrifices8 ,for answer ,jesus stood forth and exclaimed3 ,there is room enough outside the temple for your business4 ',my house1' says the ,lord1 'shall be called a house of prayer for all nations2' you have made it a den of thieves4 ,and then crying1 ,away with all this6 with one vigorous movement he overturned the tables of the money-changers4 ,a rabbi exclaimed3 ,this must not be--thou darest not do this6 but his voice passed unheeded in the tumult4 ,the earthenware vessels fell crashing to the ground1 the money was scattered over the floor4 ,some of the dismayed merchants crying1 ,my money1 oh6 my money1 scrambled for the glittering coins4 ,others stared in fury at the unceremonious intruder4 ,half a dozen doves1 released from their wicker baskets1 took to flight amid the despairing lamentation of their owners3 ,oh1 my doves2 who will compensate me for this loss8 ,their lamentations were rudely cut short4 ,a small rope was hanging near by4 ,seizing it in the middle and twisting it once or twice round his hand1 ,jesus converted it into a whip of cords1 with which he drove out the traders4 ,away6 get you hence4 ,i will that this desecrated place be restored to the worship of the ,father6 ,the traders fled1 but the priests remained1 and1 after muttering together1 they asked in angry tones3 ,by what miraculous sign dost thou prove that thou hast the power to act in this wise8 ,jesus answered them3 ,you seek after a sign2 yea1 a sign shall be given unto you4 ,destroy this temple1 and in three days ,i will have built it up again4 ,the priests replied1 contempt mingling with indignation in their tones3 ,what a boastful declaration6 ,six and forty years was this temple in building1 and thou wilt build it up again in three days6 ,at this point the children who had been standing around watching the altercation with the dealers1 cried out in unison with their elders3 ,blessed be he that cometh in the name of the ,lord6 ,the priests1 shocked at their homage1 were sorely displeased1 and appealed to ,jesus1 saying3 ,hearest thou what they say8 ,forbid them6 ,they paused for his reply4 ,then ,jesus answered and said unto them3 ,i say unto you1 if they were silent the very stones would cry out4 ,encouraged by this emphatic approval1 the children cried out once more1 louder than ever1 the sound of their childish voices filling the temple3 ,hosanna to the ,son of ,david6 ,then the ,pharisees1 who stood by the overthrown tables of the money-changers1 spoke up and said angrily to the little ones3 ,silence1 you silly children6 ,jesus turned to them and said3 ,have you never read ',out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise4' ,that which is hidden from the proud is revealed unto babes8 ,and as the priests and ,pharisees muttered in indignation among themselves1 he continued3 ,for the ,scripture must be fulfilled4 ,the stone which the builders rejected is become the headstone of the corner4 ,the ,kingdom of ,god shall be taken from you and it shall be given to a people which shall bring forth the fruits thereof4 ,but that stone1 whosoever shall fall upon it shall be broken1 but on whomsoever it shall fall it shall grind him to powder4 ,come1 my disciples1 ,i have done what the ,father has commanded me1 ,i have vindicated the honor of his house4 ,the darkness remains darkness1 but in many hearts it will soon be day4 ,let us go into the inner court of the temple that we may there pray unto the ,father4 ,thereupon ,jesus1 followed by his disciples1 disappeared in the interior of the temple1 while the people cried aloud as with one voice3 ,praise be to the anointed one6 and the priests said angrily3 ,silence1 rabble6 ,the ,pharisees adding3 ,ye shall all be overthrown with your leader4 ,to which the crowd responded by crying louder than ever3 ,blessed be the ,kingdom of ,david which again appears6 ,then ,nathanael1 a leading man in the ,sanhedrin1 tall and well favored1 wearing a horned mitre1 and possessing the tongue of an orator1 stood forth1 and seeing ,jesus had departed and that there was now no one to withstand him in the hearing of the people1 lifted up his voice and cried3 ,whosoever holds with our fathers ,abraham1 ,isaac and ,jacob1 let him stand by us6 ,the curse of ,moses upon all the rest6 ,then a rabbi in blue velvet apparel1 sprang forward and declared with a loud voice3 ,he is a deceiver of the people1 an enemy of ,moses1 an enemy of the ,holy ,law6 ,the people answered mockingly3 ,then1 if so1 why did you not arrest him8 ,is he not a prophet8 ,several of the multitude followed ,jesus into the temple1 but the rest remained listening to the priests1 who cried more vehemently than ever3 ,away with the prophet6 ,he is a false teacher4 ,but ,nathanael1 seizing the opportunity1 thus addressed the remainder of the multitude3 ,oh1 thou blinded people1 wilt thou run after the innovator1 and forsake ,moses1 the prophets1 and thy priests8 ,fearest thou not that the curse which the law denounces against the apostate will crush thee8 ,would you cease to be the chosen people8 ,the crowd shaken by this appeal1 responded sullenly3 ,that would we not4 ,nathanael pressed his advantage4 ,who1 he asked1 has to watch over the purity of the law8 ,is it not the holy ,sanhedrin of the people of ,israel8 ,to whom will you listen2 to us or to him8 ,to us or to him who has proclaimed himself the expounder of a new law8 ,then the multitude cried all together3 ,we hear you6 we follow you6 ,nathanael continued3 ,down with him1 then1 this man full of deceit and error6 ,the people replied3 ,yes1 we stand side by side with you6 ,yes1 we are ,moses' disciples6 and the priests answered1 speaking all together3 ,the ,god of your fathers will bless you for that4 ,at this moment loud and angry voices were heard approaching down the narrow street that led to the house of ,annas1 the high priest4 ,the priests and ,pharisees listened eagerly4 ,as they caught the word revenge they turned to each other with exultant looks4 ,meanwhile ,dathan1 a merchant1 the chief of the traders who had been driven from the temple1 was seen to be leading on his fellow merchants1 who were lifting up their hands and weeping as they recounted their losses4 ,they shouted confusedly as they came3 ,this insult must be punished6 ,revenge6 ,revenge6 ,he shall pay dearly for his insolence4 ,money1 oil1 salt2 doves--he must pay for all4 ,where is he1 that he may experience our vengeance8 ,the priests replied3 ,he has conveyed himself away4 ,then1 cried the traders1 we will pursue him4 ,but ,nathanael1 seeing what advantage might result from the discontent of the merchants1 arrested their pursuit4 ,stay friends1 he said2 the faction that follows this man is at present too large4 ,if you attacked them it might cause a dangerous fight1 which the ,roman sword would finish4 ,trust to us4 ,he shall not escape punishment4 ,and the priests who stood around ,nathanael cried3 ,with us and for us3 that is your salvation6 ,then ,dathan and his friends exclaimed triumphantly3 ,our victory is near4 ,nathanael assured of the control of the multitude1 continued3 ,we are now going to inform the council of the ,sanhedrin of today's events4 ,the traders impatiently exclaimed3 ,we will go with you4 ,we must have satisfaction4 ,but ,nathanael dissuaded them1 saying3 ,come in an hour's time to the forecourt of the high priest4 ,i will plead your cause in the council1 and bring forward your complaint4 ,and as ,nathanael and the priests and the ,pharisees went out1 the traders and the people cheered them1 crying aloud3 ,we have ,moses6 ,down with every other6 ,we are for ,moses' law to the death6 ,praise be to our fathers6 ,praise to our father's ,god6 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,then the high priests and the rulers and the elders gathered together late in the night in the council of the ,sanhedrin4 ,in the highest place sat ,caiaphas with his jewelled breast-plate1 in robes of white embroidered with gold4 ,a vestment of green and gold covered his shoulders1 and on his head he wore a white-horned mitre adorned with golden bells1 which added to the majesty of his aspect4 ,annas1 the aged high priest1 sat on his left4 ,nathanael1 also on the raised dais1 was on the right4 ,below him sat the rabbis in blue velvet1 while seated around were ,pharisees1 scribes and doctors of the law4 ,caiaphas1 whose white hair and beard showed that he was well stricken in years1 was still in the full vigor of life4 ,as president of the ,sanhedrin1 he briefly opened the session3 ,honored brothers1 fathers and teachers of the people1 an extraordinary occurrence is the occasion of the present extraordinary assembly4 ,listen to it from the mouth of our worthy brother4 ,then ,nathanael arose1 and standing on the right hand of ,caiaphas1 said3 ,is it allowed2 ,o1 fathers1 to say a word8 ,all answered3 ,yes1 speak6 speak6 ,then said ,nathanael3 ,marvel not1 ,o fathers1 that you should be called together at so late an hour for the transaction of business4 ,it must be only too well known to you what we have with shame been compelled to see today with our own eyes4 ,you have seen the triumphal progress of the ,galilean through the ,holy ,city4 ,you have heard the ,hosannas of the befooled populace4 ,you have perceived how this ambitious man arrogates to himself the office of the high priest4 ,what now lacks for the destruction of all civil and ecclesiastical order8 ,only a few steps further1 and the law of ,moses is upset by the innovations of this misleader4 ,the sayings of our forefathers are despised1 the fasts and purifications abolished1 the ,sabbath desecrated1 the priests of ,god deprived of their office1 and the holy sacrifices are at an end4 ,as ,nathanael concluded1 all the fathers of the council exclaimed with one voice3 ,true--most true4 ,as he had been speaking they had been interchanging notes of appreciative and sympathetic comment4 ,but it was not until ,caiaphas spoke that the ,sanhedrin was roused to the highest pitch of excitement4 ,caiaphas1 who spoke with great fire and fervor1 thus addressed the rulers of ,israel3 ,and more than all this4 ,encouraged by the success of his efforts1 he will proclaim himself ,king of ,israel 7murmurs of alarm and indignation71 then the land will be distracted with civil war and revolt1 and the ,romans will come with their armies and bring destruction upon our land and our people4 ,woe is me for the children of ,israel1 for the ,holy ,city1 and for the temple of the ,lord1 if no barrier is opposed to the evil while there is yet time6 ,it is indeed high time4 ,we must be the saviors of ,israel4 ,today must a resolution be passed1 and whatever is resolved upon must be carried out without regard to any other consideration4 ,do we all agree to this8 ,and all the ,sanhedrin as one man cried out3 ,we do4 ,up sprang a priest to emphasize his vote3 ,a stop must be put to the course of this misleader4 ,caiaphas then said3 ,give your opinion without reserve as to what should be done4 ,and then a rabbi arose and said3 ,if ,i may be permitted to declare my opinion unreservedly1 ,i must assert that we ourselves are to blame that things have come to such a pass4 ,against this onrushing ruin much too mild measures have been employed4 ,of what avail have been our disputations with him1 or what has it profited that we have by our questionings1 put him in a dilemma2 that we have pointed1 out the errors in his teaching and his violations of the law8 ,nay1 of what use has been even the excommunication pronounced on all who acknowledged him as the ,messiah8 ,all this was labor in vain4 ,men turn their backs on us1 and all the world runs after him4 ,to restore peace to ,israel1 that must be done which ought to have been done long ago--we must arrest him and throw him into prison4 ,that is the only way to put an end to his evil influence4 ,the suggestion was hailed with enthusiasm1 and springing to their feet they cried3 ,yea1 that must be done6 ,then a third priest stood up and said3 ,once he is in prison1 the credulous people will no longer be attracted by the fascination of his manner or the charm of his discourse4 ,when they have no more miracles to gape at2 he will soon be forgotten4 ,and a fourth priest exulted as he added3 ,in the darkness of his dungeon let him make his light shine and proclaim his ,messiahship to the walls of the jail4 ,then it was the turn of the ,pharisees4 ,the first said3 ,he has been allowed long enough to lead the people astray and to denounce as hypocrisy the strict virtue of the ,holy ,order of the ,pharisees4 ,let him suffer in fetters for his contempt4 ,a second ,pharisee added complacently3 ,the enthusiasm of his hangers-on will soon cool down when he who has promised them freedom is himself in chains4 ,by this time it was evident all the council was of one mind4 ,then ,annas1 the venerable high priest1 arose and addressed the ,sanhedrin with much emotion3 ,now1 venerable priests1 a ray of confidence and joy penetrates to my breast when ,i see your unanimous resolution4 ,alas6 an unspeakable grief has weighed down my soul at the sight of the onward progress of the false teachings of this ,galilean4 ,it seemed as if ,i had lived to old age but in order to have the misfortune of seeing the downfall of our holy law4 ,but now ,i will not despair4 ,the ,god of our fathers still lives1 and he is with us4 ,if you have the courage to act boldly1 and to stand firmly and faithfully together1 there is safety at hand4 ,take courage1 steadfastly pursue the aim in view1 and be the deliverer of ,israel1 and undying fame will be your reward4 ,with one accord all answered and said3 ,we are of one mind1 while the priests added1 shouting eagerly1 ,israel must be saved6 ,then ,caiaphas began3 ,all honor to your unanimous resolution1 worthy brethren1 but now let me have the benefit of your wise counsels how we can most safely bring this deceiver into our power4 ,it might be dangerous1 remarked the first ,pharisee1 to seize him now at the time of the feast4 ,in the streets or in the temple he is everywhere surrounded by a mob of infatuated followers4 ,it could easily lead to an uproar4 ,then cried all the priests together with a loud voice1 as if impatient that one should speak at a time3 ,but something must be done at once4 ,the matter brooks no delay4 ,perhaps at the feast he might raise a commotion1 and then it might come to pass that we should be consigned to the place which we have destined for him4 ,no delay2 cried some other priests1 no delay6 ,then the second ,pharisee stood up and said3 ,we cannot now seize him openly with the strong hand4 ,we must carry out our scheme cunningly and in secret4 ,let us find out where he usually spends the night2 then we could fall upon him unobserved and take him into custody4 ,nathanael sprang to his feet1 for the auspicious moment had come1--the furious merchants from the temple were without in the courtyard4 ,to track the fox to his lair will not be difficult4 ,we could then soon find someone to help1 if it should please the high council to offer a large reward4 ,caiaphas at once put the resolution to the ,sanhedrin4 ,rising from his seat he said1 ,if you1 assembled fathers1 agree1 then in the name of the high council ,i will issue notice that whoever knows of his nightly resort1 and will inform us of the same1 will be rewarded for his pains4 ,with one voice the rulers and chief priests and scribes cried out1 rising from their seats1 ,we are all agreed4 ,then said ,nathanael1 ,without doubt we could secure the services1 as informers1 of those men whom the ,galilean today has injured so deeply in the sight of all the people1 driving them with a scourge out of the temple4 ,from of old they were zealous of the law1 but now they are thirsting for revenge against him who has made so unheard-of an attack upon their privileges4 ,but where1 said ,caiaphas1 are these traders to be found8 ,they are waiting1 said ,nathanael1 in readiness in the outer court4 ,i have promised them to be the advocate of their cause before the holy ,sanhedrin1 and they await our decision4 ,worthy priest1 said ,caiaphas1 inform them that the high council is disposed to listen to their grievance1 and bring them in4 ,nathanael as he went said1 ,this will be a joy to them and of great use to us4 ,when ,nathanael left the hall1 ,caiaphas addressed the council with words of cheer3 ,the ,god of our fathers has not withdrawn his hand from us4 ,moses still watches over us4 ,if only we can succeed in gathering around us a nucleus of men out of the people then ,i no longer dread the result4 ,friends and brethren1 let us be of good courage1 our fathers look down upon us from ,abraham's bosom4 ,god bless our high priest6 rang through the hall as ,nathanael1 followed by ,dathan and the other traders1 returned to his place4 ,he introduced them thus3 ,high priests and chosen teachers6 ,these men1 worthy of our blessing1 appear before this assembly in order to lodge a complaint against the notorious ,jesus of ,nazareth1 who has today insulted them in the temple in an unheard-of fashion and brought them to grief4 ,then with one voice the traders1 led by ,dathan1 cried out1 ,we beseech the council to procure us satisfaction4 ,the council ought to support our righteous demands4 ,the priests and ,pharisees responded eagerly1 ,you shall have satisfaction1 we will answer for that4 ,then ensued the following dialogue between the traders and the ,sanhedrin3 ,the ,traders3 ,has not the council authorized us to display openly in the court of the temple all things useful for the sacrifice8 ,a ,priest3 ,yes1 that has been sanctioned4 ,woe be to those who disturb you in the exercise of this right6 ,the ,traders3 ,and the ,galilean has driven us out with a scourge4 ,and the tables of the money changers has he overturned1 and released the doves4 ,we demand satisfaction4 ,caiaphas3 ,that you should have satisfaction the law decrees4 ,your losses will be made good in the meantime out of the temple treasury 7joy among the traders74 ,but that the offender himself may be duly punished it is necessary for us to have your help4 ,what can we do so long as he is not in our power8 ,the ,traders3 ,he goes daily to the temple2 there he can easily be arrested and carried off4 ,caiaphas3 ,that will not do4 ,you know that as he has a multitude of excited followers such a course might lead to a dangerous uproar4 ,the thing must be done quietly4 ,the ,traders3 ,that could be done best at night-time4 ,caiaphas3 ,if you could find out where he retires at night he would soon be without tumult in our hands4 ,then would you not only have the delight of seeing him chastised1 but also a considerable reward would fall to your lot4 ,nathanael3 ,and you would also have rendered good service to the law of ,moses if you assist in this4 ,then all the traders cried out together3 ,you can depend upon us1 we will spare no trouble4 ,and all the priests and ,pharisees congratulated themselves that the business was going well4 ,dathan1 conspicuous by his apparel1 then volunteered a statement4 ,he said3 ,i know one of his followers from whom ,i could easily gain some information if ,i could offer him a sufficient reward4 ,caiaphas at once authorized him1 ,if thou findest such a one make all necessary promises in our name4 ,only don't loiter2 we must attain our end before the feast4 ,annas enjoined the strictest silence1 to which with one voice the traders responded1 ,we swear it1 and then ,caiaphas proceeded to urge upon them the need of creating a party on their side among the people4 ,if1 my good fellows1 you really desire fully to glut your longing for revenge1 then take care and use every means to kindle in others the same holy zeal which glows in you4 ,they answered that they had not waited for his prompting1 but had already brought several others over to their side4 ,we will not rest until the whole populace is roused against him4 ,annas and ,caiaphas applauded their zeal4 ,you will thereby merit the greatest gratitude from the council1 said ,annas1 and ,caiaphas chimed in1 ,openly will ye then be honored before all the people as you have been today put to shame before them by this presumptuous man4 ,our life for the law of ,moses and the holy ,sanhedrin1 then cried the traders4 ,the ,god of ,abraham guide you1 said ,caiaphas dismissing them1 and they left the hall crying aloud1 ,long live ,moses6 long live the high priests and the ,sanhedrin6 ,even today may the role of the ,galilean be played out6 ,then ,caiaphas addressed these parting words to the council3 ,as though refreshed by sweet slumbers1 ,i live once more4 ,with such men as these we can put everything through4 ,now we shall see who will triumph1--he with his followers to whom he is always preaching love1--a love which is to include publicans and sinners and even the ,gentiles also1--or we with this troop inspired by hate and revenge which we are sending against him4 ,there can be no doubt to which side the victory will incline4 ,the ,god of our fathers give us the victory6 said ,annas2 joy in my old age will renew my youth6 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,let us now break up1 looking forward with confidence to the joy of victory4 ,praised be our fathers6 ,and all the assembly with a deep1 sonorous voice exclaimed1 ,praised be the ,god of ,abraham1 of ,isaac1 and of ,jacob6 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,jesus' ,,last ,,journey ,,to ,,jerusalem4 ,people of ,god behold2 thy ,savior is nigh to thee6 ,he is come who was promised thee long ago4 ,oh6 hear him1 follow his guidance ,blessing and life will he bring to thee4 ,but blind and deaf ,jerusalem has shown herself2 ,she has thrust back the hands held out to her in love2 ,therefore also the ,highest has turned away his face1 ,and lets her sink to destruction4 ,jesus1 accompanied by all his disciples1 set out to pay his last visit to ,bethany4 ,peter1 with his staff in hand1 walked with ,john beside the master4 ,judas was present1 with disheveled locks and haggard look1 ,james the ,greater and ,james the ,less1 and ,andrew and ,thomas1 and the rest of the disciples4 ,then ,jesus spoke unto them and said3 ,you know1 dear disciples1 that after two days is the feast of the ,passover4 ,so now let us make one last visit to our friends in ,bethany1 and then go to ,jerusalem1 where in these days all will be fulfilled which has been written by the prophets concerning the ,son of ,man4 ,the disciples understood not his saying1 and after some questioning among themselves ,philip ventured to address ,jesus1 saying unto him1 ,has the day then really come at last when thou wilt restore the kingdom to ,israel8 ,jesus looked upon ,philip with tender compassion1 and said unto him1 ,then shall the ,son of ,man be delivered up to the ,gentiles1 and shall be mocked and spat upon and they will crucify him2 but on the third day he will rise again4 ,then said ,john in a voice that trembled with emotion1 as the other disciples gazed at each other in horror1 ,dear master1 what dark and terrible words thou speakest4 ,what are we to understand by them8 ,make it clear unto us4 ,then ,jesus answered and said unto him1 ,the hour is now come when the ,son of ,man shall be glorified4 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 if a corn of wheat does not fall into the ground and die1 it abideth alone1 but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit4 ,now is the judgment of the world4 ,now shall the prince of this world be cast out4 ,and ,i1 if ,i be lifted up from the earth1 will draw all men unto me4 ,then were the breasts of the disciples troubled1 for they could not understand what these things meant4 ,thaddeus said to ,simon1 ,what does he mean by this speech8 ,simon replied with a puzzled air1 ,why does he compare himself to a grain of corn8 ,then said ,andrew unto him1 ,lord1 thou speakest at once of shame and of victory4 ,i know not how to reconcile those ideas in my mind4 ,jesus said1 ,that which is now dark to you as the night will be as clear as the day4 ,i have told you before that you may not lose courage whatever may happen4 ,believe and hope4 ,when the tribulation is passed1 then you will see and understand4 ,thomas answered and said unto him1 ,what ,i cannot understand is that thou shouldst speak of suffering and of death4 ,have we not heard from the prophets that the ,messiah shall live forever8 ,what can thine enemies do unto thee8 ,one single word from thee would annihilate them all4 ,jesus said unto him1 ,thomas1 reverence the secret counsels of ,god which thou canst not fathom4 ,then1 turning to the others1 he said1 ,yet a little while is the light with you4 ,walk while you have the light1 lest darkness overtake you4 ,by this time they had approached near the village of ,bethany1 and there met them one ,simon1 after whom there came ,lazarus1 who was raised from the dead1 with ,martha1 his sister1 and ,mary ,magdalene1 the latter tall1 dark1 with long black hair1 in dark blue dress with a yellow mantle4 ,simon pressed forward2 he was an old man and he hastened to meet ,jesus4 ,welcome1 best of teachers1 ,o what joy that thou shouldst honor my house with thy entrance4 ,dear friends1 be also welcome1 he exclaimed2 but he was startled to hear the reply1 ,simon1 for the last time ,i1 with my disciples1 lay claim to thy hospitality4 ,simon replied in grief1 ,say not so1 ,lord4 ,often still shall ,bethany afford thee brief repose4 ,by this time ,lazarus drew near2 he was of less than middle stature and silent1 as if his sojourn in the other world left him little to speak of in this4 ,see1 said ,jesus1 there is our friend ,lazarus4 ,my ,lord1 cried ,lazarus1 embracing him1 the vanquisher of death1 lifegiver and ,lord1 ,i see thee once again and hear the voice that called me from the grave4 ,then hastened the ,magdalene to his side1 and kneeling down1 ,rabbi1 she exclaimed2 ,martha also said1 ,welcome1 ,rabbi4 ,then ,jesus blessed them1 saying1 ,god's blessing be upon you6 ,then ,martha asked1 ,wilt thou ,lord1 grant me the happiness of serving thee8 while the ,magdalene timidly inquired1 ,wilt thou despise a token of love and gratitude from me8 ,and ,jesus replied with tenderness1 ,do1 good souls1 that which you purpose to do4 ,then said ,simon1 ,best of masters1 come under my roof and refresh thyself and thy disciples4 ,so ,jesus entered into ,simon's house1 exclaiming1 ,peace be upon this house1 to which the disciples added1 speaking together1 ,and to all that dwell therein4 ,then said ,simon1 ,lord1 all is ready1 set thee down at table and bid thy disciples sit down also4 ,then ,jesus sat down to meat1 saying1 ,let us now1 beloved disciples1 enjoy with thanks the gifts which our ,father in heaven bestows upon us through ,simon1 his servant4 ,o ,jerusalem1 would that my coming were as dear to thee as it is to these1 my friends6 ,but thou are stricken with blindness4 ,yes1 ,lord1 remarked ,lazarus2 ,o best of masters1 dangers threaten thee4 ,the ,pharisees are anxiously wondering whether thou wilt come up to the ,passover4 ,they are eagerly watching for thy destruction4 ,simon said1 ,stay here1 ,lord2 here thou art safe4 ,then ,peter interposed with an entreaty1 ,lord1 it is good to be here4 ,remain here1 in the seclusion of this house1 served by faithful love1 till the gathering storm be passed4 ,but ,jesus rebuked him sternly1 saying3 ,get thee behind me1 tempter4 ,thou savorest not of the things that are of ,god1 but those that be of men4 ,can the reaper tarry in the shade while the ripe harvest awaits him8 ,the ,son of ,man came not to be ministered unto1 but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many4 ,then the dark-browed ,judas spoke1 uttering this time the thought of all4 ,but1 master1 what will become of us if thou givest up thy life8 ,a chorus of approval burst from all the disciples1 ,ah1 all our hopes would then be destroyed4 ,trouble not yourselves1 said ,jesus1 ,i have power to lay down my life and ,i have power to take it up again4 ,this commandment have ,i received of my ,father4 ,and lo1 while they were yet speaking1 ,mary ,magdalene silently approached ,jesus1 carrying in her hand a bottle of ointment of spikenard1 very precious1 which she poured over his head as she murmured but one word1 ,rabbi4 ,and ,jesus also said but one word1 ,mary1 but his tone was full of tenderness and love4 ,as the perfume of the ointment filled the room the disciples spoke among themselves4 ,what an exquisite odor6 said ,thomas1 leaning past the others to look4 ,it is real oil of spikenard1 very costly1 said ,bartholomew4 ,thaddeus added1 ,such an honor has never been shown to our master4 ,but ,judas could not contain himself4 ,he growled from his distant seat1 ,to what purpose is this waste8 ,the money might have been much better expended4 ,yes1 said ,thomas1 ,i almost think so1 too4 ,then ,magdalene1 heedless of the murmurs of the disciples1 knelt down and anointed ,jesus' feet and wiped them with her long black tresses4 ,jesus1 after a little while1 noticing the muttering down the table1 asked1 ,what are you saying to each other8 ,why do you condemn that which is done only from grateful love4 ,illustration3 ,knelt down and anointed ,jesus' feet4 ,the ,magdalene knelt back1 sheltering herself as it were behind her ,lord4 ,judas blurted out impetuously his dissatisfaction4 ,to pour out so much costly ointment1 what wasteful extravagance6 ,friend ,judas1 said ,jesus1 look at me4 ,is what is done for me1 thy master1 waste8 ,judas said1 ,i know that thou lovest not useless expense2 the ointment might have been sold and the poor helped with the money6 ,hearing ,judas' answer he half turned away and looked wearily upward1 folding his hands4 ,judas1 said ,jesus somewhat sternly1 hand upon thy heart now4 ,is it only pity for the poor which moves thee so much8 ,judas replied1 ,at least three hundred pence could have been got for it4 ,what a loss both for the poor and for us4 ,then ,jesus answered and said1 ,the poor you have always with you1 but me ye have not always4 ,then he said1 ,let her alone1 she has wrought a good work on me1 for in that she has poured out the ointment upon me1 she has anointed me for my burial4 ,verily ,i say unto you1 wheresoever the gospel will be preached through the whole world1 there shall also this which she hath done be told for a memorial of her4 ,he then said to the disciples1 ,let us arise--and then turning to ,simon1 his host1 he said1 ,i thank thee1 benevolent man1 for thy hospitality1 the ,father will repay it unto thee4 ,say nothing of thanks1 master1 said ,simon2 ,i know what ,i owe to thee4 ,then ,jesus arose and said1 ,it is time to go hence4 ,farewell all ye dwellers in this hospitable house4 ,my disciples1 follow me4 ,peter said unto him1 ,lord1 wherever thou wilt1 only not to ,jerusalem4 ,jesus answered1 ,i go where my ,father calls me4 ,if it please thee to remain here1 ,peter1 do so4 ,then ,peter declared1 ,lord1 where thou abidest there will ,i also abide2 whither thou goest there go ,i also4 ,jesus said1 ,come then4 ,the disciples arose and clasping their staffs were ready to depart4 ,then ,jesus turned to ,mary ,magdalene and ,martha and said1 ,remain here1 beloved6 ,once more1 fare ye well4 ,dear1 peaceful ,bethany1 never more shall ,i tarry in thy quiet vale4 ,simon1 sore troubled in speech as he heard these words1 said unto him1 ,then wilt thou really depart hence forever8 ,mary ,magdalene threw herself at his feet and said1 ,alas1 ,i am filled with terrible forebodings4 ,friend of my soul6 ,my heart--oh6 my heart--it will not let thee go6 ,jesus said unto her1 ,stand up1 ,mary4 ,the night cometh and the winter storms come blustering on4 ,but be comforted4 ,in the early morning in the garden of spring1 thou wilt see me again4 ,lazarus exclaimed1 ,oh6 my friend1 my benefactor6 ,alas6 cried ,martha1 thou art going2 and comest thou back nevermore8 ,jesus said1 ,the ,father wills it1 beloved4 ,wherever ,i am ,i bear you ever with me in my heart1 and wherever you are1 my blessings will follow you4 ,farewell4 ,and behold as they turned to go1 there met them ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 with her companions4 ,mary had a white mantle round her head1 from beneath which her long dark hair hung down4 ,she hastened to her son1 crying1 ,jesus1 dearest son1 ,i hastened after thee with my friends1 in eager longing to see thee once more before thou goest1 all whither8 ,jesus clasped her hands gently and replied1 ,mother1 ,i am on the way to ,jerusalem4 ,to ,jerusalem1 said his mother4 ,there is the temple of ,jehovah1 whither ,i once carried thee in my arms to offer thee to the ,lord4 ,mother1 said ,jesus in solemn sadness1 the hour is come when according to the will of the ,father ,i shall offer myself4 ,i am ready to complete the sacrifice which the ,father demands from me4 ,ah1 cried ,mary with bitter and piteous cry1 ,i foresee what kind of a sacrifice that will be4 ,john and ,mary ,magdalene had joined the mother of ,jesus1 and the two ,marys standing together united their lament4 ,how much we had wished1 said the ,magdalene1 to keep back the master and make him remain with us4 ,it is of no use1 said ,simon gloomily1 his purpose is fixed4 ,then said ,jesus to his mother1 tenderly beholding her1 ,my hour is come4 ,all the disciples cried1 ,oh1 ask the ,father that he should let it pass by4 ,then all the women said1 ,the ,father has always listened to thee4 ,but ,jesus said3 ,how is my soul troubled1 and what shall ,i say8 ,father1 deliver me from this hour6 ,but for this hour came ,i into the world4 ,but ,mary hearing him1 exclaimed as in a trance1 ,oh1 venerable ,simon1 now will be fulfilled that which thou once prophesied to me1 ',a sword shall pierce through thine own soul6' ,and as she spoke ,mary ,magdalene gently supported her from falling4 ,jesus said in terms of gentle reproach1 ,mother1 the will of the ,father was also ever sacred to thee4 ,his word rallied her courage and she replied1 ,it is so to me still4 ,i am the handmaid of the ,lord4 ,what he requires of me ,i will bear patiently4 ,but one thing ,i beg of thee1 my son4 ,what desirest thou1 my mother8 ,that ,i may go with thee into the fierce conflict of suffering1 yea1 even unto death6 ,oh1 what love6 exclaimed ,john1 who stood tearfully beside the two ,marys1 wistfully looking for some ray of hope to illumine the darkness beyond4 ,jesus embraced her lovingly4 ,dear mother1 thou wilt suffer with me1 thou wilt fight with me in my death struggle1 but thou wilt also rejoice with me in my victory1 therefore be comforted4 ,oh1 ,god6 she cried in heartrending accents1 give me strength that my heart may not break4 ,we all weep with thee1 thou best of mothers1 said the holy women1 adding their tears to those of the mother of ,jesus4 ,i will go with thee1 my son1 to ,jerusalem1 said ,mary4 ,and the holy women declared they also would go with her4 ,but ,jesus1 holding her hand1 tenderly forbade her3 ,later you may go thither1 but not now4 ,for the present stay with our friends at ,bethany4 ,i commend to you1 ,o faithful souls1 my beloved mother1 with those who have followed her here4 ,eagerly the ,magdalene accepted the charge4 ,after thee1 she exclaimed1 there is no one dearer to us than thy mother4 ,but even at the eleventh hour ,lazarus interposed one last word of entreaty3 ,if only thou1 ,o master1 couldst remain6 ,not noticing this1 ,jesus said1 ,comfort ye one another4 ,after two days you may come up together to ,jerusalem1 to be there on the great day of the feast4 ,mary said3 ,as thou wilt1 my son4 ,but the holy women said3 ,how sadly will the hours pass when thou art far from us4 ,then ,jesus spoke to his mother and said1 ,mother1 mother1 for the tender love and motherly care which thou hast shown to me for the three and thirty years of my life1 receive the warmest thanks of thy son4 ,and stooping down he kissed her4 ,then raising his head1 he said1 ,the ,father calls me4 ,fare thee well1 best of mothers4 ,mary asked him3 ,my son1 where shall ,i see thee again8 ,and ,jesus replied3 ,there1 beloved mother1 where the ,scripture shall be fulfilled3 ',he was led as a lamb to the slaughter1 and he opened not his mouth4' ,mary sobbing1 cried aloud1 ,jesus1 thy mother1 oh6 ,oh1 ,god1 my son6 ,half fainting she was held up by the holy women1 who exclaimed1 ,o beloved1 faithful mother6 ,the disciples departed1 muttering1 ,we cannot endure it4 ,what will be the end of all this8 ,then burst from their lips the despairing cry1 ,alas1 what affliction lies before us all8 ,but ,jesus said1 ,sink not in the first conflict4 ,hold fast by me4 ,and the disciples repeated1 ,yea1 master1 fast by thee4 ,lazarus and the women looking back after ,christ as he passed out of sight1 exclaimed1 ,ah6 our dear teacher1 while ,simon said1 ,he brought happiness to my house4 ,simon then turned tenderly to ,mary and said3 ,come1 mother1 and condescend to enter in4 ,one consolation remains to us in tribulation1 said ,mary ,magdalene1 and ,martha added1 ,to have the mother of our ,lord with us4 ,turning to the other women1 ,lazarus said1 ,and you1 beloved ones1 come with us1 we will share our woe and tears together4 ,all then together went into the house1 ,mary ,magdalene supporting the mother of ,jesus4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,now as they came unto ,jerusalem they looked down upon the whole city which lay before them4 ,then said ,john unto ,jesus1 ,master1 behold what a splendid view of ,jerusalem from this spot6 ,matthew said1 ,the majestic temple1 how splendidly it is built4 ,jesus was troubled in spirit1 and after gazing for a moment over the city1 clasped his hands in grief and cried1 ,o ,jerusalem1 ,jerusalem1 ,o that thou hadst known even in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace6 but now they are hidden from thine eyes6 ,jesus wept4 ,his disciples beholding him weep were amazed4 ,at last ,peter ventured to say1 ,master1 why grievest thou so sorely8 ,jesus answered1 ,my ,peter1 the fate of this unhappy city goes to my heart4 ,then said ,john1 ,lord1 tell us what shall this fate be8 ,jesus answered and said unto them1 ,the days will come when her enemies will make a trench about her walls and close her in on every side1 and lay her even with the ground4 ,she and her children within her walls will be dashed to the earth1 and not one stone will be left upon another4 ,andrew1 giving expression to the general consternation1 asked1 ,wherefore shall the city have so sad a doom8 ,jesus said1 ,because she hath not known the day of her visitation4 ,alas6 she who hath slain the prophets will kill the ,messiah himself4 ,then spoke all the disciples together1 ,what a terrible deed6 ,james1 the elder1 said1 ,god forbid that the city of ,jehovah should bring such a curse upon herself4 ,and ,john with pleading voice added1 ,dearest master1 for the sake of the holy city and the temple1 ,i beg of thee go not thither1 so that the opportunity may be wanting to those evil men to do the worst4 ,or1 said ,peter1 go thither and display thyself in all thy majesty1 so that the good may rejoice and the evil tremble4 ,yes1 cried all the twelve eagerly1 do that4 ,philip said1 ,strike down thine enemies6 and all added earnestly1 ,and set up the kingdom of ,god among men6 ,jesus answered1 ,children1 that which you desire shall come to pass in due time1 but my ways are appointed to me by my father1 and thus saith the ,lord1 ',my thoughts are not as your thoughts1 and my ways are not as your ways4' ,then1 as if to cut short a useless discussion1 he said1 ,peter6 ,peter replied1 ,what wilt thou1 ,lord8 and the ,lord continued1 ,it is now the first day of unleavened bread1 in which the law commands that we should eat the ,passover2 you1 both ,peter and ,john1 go forward and prepare the ,passover that we may eat it in the evening4 ,peter and ,john1 who stood the one on the left and the other on the right1 asked1 ,where wilt thou1 ,lord1 that we prepare the ,passover8 ,jesus said1 ,when you come into the city there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water1 follow ye him and wheresoever he shall go in1 say ye to the good man of the house1 ',the master says1 ,where is the guest-chamber that ,i may eat the ,passover with my disciples8' and he will show you a large upper chamber furnished and prepared2 there make ready the ,passover4 ,thy blessing1 ,o best of masters6 said ,peter4 ,he and ,john knelt on either side of their ,lord1 ,jesus placed his right hand on the head of ,john and his left hand on the head of ,peter1 exclaiming1 ,god's blessing be with you6 ,peter and ,john having departed1 ,jesus said to the others1 ,accompany me for the last time to the house of my ,father4 ,then ,judas1 who had for some time past stood apart1 came forward and said1 ,but1 master1 allow me2 if thou wilt really leave us1 make some arrangement for our future support4 ,look here1 he added1 pointing to the small bag almost empty of coin1 which he carried in his girdle1 there is not enough here for one day more4 ,jesus looked upon him and said1 ,judas1 do not be more anxious than is needful4 ,but ,judas went on muttering and looking not at his ,lord1 but at the bag1 ,how well the value of that uselessly wasted ointment would have lain therein6 how long we could have lived on it without care6 ,jesus reproved him1 saying1 ,you have never lacked anything hitherto and1 believe me1 that what is necessary will not fail you in time to come4 ,judas said1 ,but1 master1 when thou art no longer with us our good friends will soon draw back1 and then we shall be left in sore distress4 ,jesus said unto him1 ,friend ,judas1 beware lest thou fall into temptation4 ,the other disciples who had listened to this conversation then interrupted1 saying altogether1 ,judas1 trouble not the master so much4 ,judas retorted1 ,who will take thought if ,i do not8 ,have ,i not been appointed by the master to carry the bag8 ,thou hast1 said ,jesus1 but ,i fear---- ,and ,i also fear1 interrupted ,judas1 that soon it will be empty and remain so4 ,then ,jesus went close up to him and said gravely and gently1 ,judas1 forget not thy warning4 ,arise1 now let us go hence1 ,i desire to be in the house of my ,father4 ,jesus then1 followed by his disciples1 excepting ,judas1 passed on to the city4 ,judas1 being left alone1 said to himself1 ,shall ,i follow him any longer4 ,i do not much care to do so4 ,the master's conduct to me is very inexplicable4 ,his great deeds allowed us to hope that he would restore again the kingdom to ,israel4 ,but he does not seize the opportunities that offer themselves1 and now he constantly talks of parting and dying1 and puts us off with mysterious words about a future which lies too far off in the dim distance for me4 ,i am tired of hoping and waiting4 ,i can see very well1 that with him there is no prospect of anything but continued poverty and humiliation1--and instead of the sharing1 as we expected1 in his glorious kingdom1 we shall perhaps be persecuted and thrown into prison with him4 ,i will draw back4 ,it was a good thing that ,i was always prudent and cautious1 and have now and then laid aside a trifle out of the bag in case of need4 ,how useful ,i should find those #cjj pence now which the foolish woman threw away on a useless mark of respect4 ,if1 as seems likely1 the society is about to dissolve1 they would have remained in my hands--then ,i should have been safe for a long while to come4 ,as it is1 ,i must consider the question1 where and how ,i can find subsistence4 ,as he stood alone under the trees1 perplexed and troubled1 ,dathan appeared in the distance1 and1 spying ,judas1 said to himself1 ,the occasion is favorable4 ,he is alone and seems much perplexed4 ,i must try everything in order to secure him4 ,then stepping forward he laid his hand upon the shoulder of ,judas1 exclaiming1 ,friend ,judas6 ,judas started as if a serpent had stung him and striking his head with his hand cried1 ,who calls8 ,a friend1 said ,dathan2 has anything sad happened to thee8 ,thou art so absorbed in thought8 ,judas1 staring wildly1 asked1 ,who art thou8 ,thy friend1 thy brother1 cried ,dathan4 ,judas1 staring backward1 exclaimed3 ,thou art my friend1 my brother8 ,at least1 said ,dathan1 ,i wish to be so4 ,how is it with the master8 ,i also would like to become one of his disciples4 ,judas said1 ,one of his disciples8 ,why8 said ,dathan1 hast thou then forsaken him8 ,are things not well with him8 ,tell me that ,i may know how to act4 ,then ,judas said unto him1 ,canst thou keep silence8 ,be assured of that1 said ,dathan4 ,then1 answered ,judas1 it is no longer going well with him4 ,he says himself his last hour has come4 ,and then ,judas rapidly ran over the various predictions of disaster which he had heard from the lips of ,jesus4 ,i intend to forsake him1 for he will yet bring us all to ruin4 ,see here1 said he1 producing the almost empty purse1 ,i am treasurer1 see how it stands with us4 ,friend1 said ,dathan1 shrugging his shoulders1 ,i shall remain as ,i am4 ,at this moment six of ,dathan's companions came up4 ,judas1 alarmed1 asked1 ,who are these8 ,i will not say another word4 ,stay1 friend1 said one of the newcomers1 you will not regret it4 ,why have you come here8 asked ,judas4 ,we were going back to ,jerusalem and we will bear thee company if it please thee4 ,judas1 suspiciously eyeing them1 asked1 ,do you also perhaps wish to go after the master8 ,then said the traders1 ,has he gone to ,jerusalem8 ,for the last time1 said ,judas1 so he says4 ,what6 said they1 for the last time8 ,is he then never going to leave the land of ,judea again8 ,why do you ask me this so eagerly8 said ,judas1 do you wish to become his followers8 ,why not8 said the traders with a laugh1 if the prospects are good2 and ,dathan added1 ,explain to us1 ,judas1 the meaning of thy words that he would bring you all to ruin4 ,and ,judas replied3 ,he tells us always to take no thought for the morrow1 but if today anything happened we should all be as poor as beggars4 ,does a master care thus for his own8 ,truly1 said the traders1 the lookout is bad4 ,then ,judas related once more the story of ,mary ,magdalene's waste of precious ointment4 ,and at the same time this very day he permitted the most senseless waste which a foolish woman was guilty of1 thinking to obtain honor2 and when ,i found fault with this ,i only met with reproachful words and looks4 ,and thou canst still care for him after that8 said the traders contemptuously1 and art still willing to remain with him8 ,thou shouldst take thought for thine own future2 it is high time4 ,so ,i have been thinking1 said ,judas1 but how can ,i find a good opening8 ,then said ,dathan1 ,thou hast not long to seek1 for the fairest opportunity is awaiting thee4 ,where8 ,how8 said ,judas eagerly4 ,hast thou not heard1 said the traders1 of the proclamation of the council8 ,such a good opportunity of making thy fortune thou wilt never find again thy whole life long4 ,judas' eyes gleamed4 ,what proclamation8 he asked4 ,the traders said1 ,whosoever gives information as to the nightly resort of ,jesus of ,nazareth shall receive a large reward4 ,a large reward6 said ,judas4 ,now who1 said they1 can earn it easier than thou8 ,dathan muttered to himself1 ,we have nearly attained our end4 ,the traders pressed ,judas anew1 ,brother1 don't neglect this good fortune4 ,judas said hesitatingly1 ,a fair opportunity4 ,shall ,i let it slip8 ,then struck in ,dathan1 ,the reward is not all4 ,the council will look after thee in the future4 ,who knows what might not yet come of it for thee6 ,consent1 friend6 ,strike the bargain1 cried all the traders together4 ,judas hesitated one moment and then clasped ,dathan's hand1 saying1 ,well1 be it so4 ,come1 ,judas1 said ,dathan1 we will bring thee straightway to the council4 ,but ,judas said1 ,no1 ,i must first go after the master1 and so obtain information in order to make things sure4 ,dathan said1 ,well1 then1 we will go to the council and report you in the meantime4 ,but when and where shall we meet8 ,in three hours you will find me in the street of the temple1 replied ,judas4 ,judas then shook hands all around with the traders4 ,done6 exclaimed ,judas1 as ,dathan and the traders left him4 ,judas was now alone4 ,he walked to and fro under the trees and said to himself3 ,my word is given2 ,i shall not repent of it4 ,shall ,i avoid the good fortune which is coming to meet me8 ,yes1 my fortune is made4 ,i will do what ,i promised1 but will make them pay me in advance4 ,if then the priests succeed in taking him prisoner1 if his reign is over--,i have assured my own prospects and will besides become famous throughout all ,judea1 as a man who has helped to save the law of ,moses1 and shall reap praise and glory4 ,but if the master should gain the victory1 then--yes1 then ,i will cast me down repentant at his feet1 for he is good4 ,i have never seen him drive the penitent from him4 ,he will take me back again and then ,i shall have the credit of bringing about the decision4 ,anyhow1 ,i'll take good care to leave a bridge behind so that should ,i be unable to go forward ,i can return4 ,the plan is well thought out4 ,judas1 thou art a prudent man4 ,and yet ,i feel a little afraid to meet the master1 for ,i shall not be able to bear his keen1 searching look1 and my comrades will see by my face that ,i am a----,no1 ,i will not be that4 ,i am no traitor6 ,what am ,i going to do but let the ,jews know where the master is to be found8 ,that is no betrayal4 ,betrayal is something more than that4 ,away with these fancies6 ,courage1 ,judas1 thy future is at stake4 ,judas1 who had started with horror when he first mentioned the word traitor1 resolved to play his appointed role and departed to find ,jesus4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,the ,,last ,,supper4 ,o ,judas1 art thou blinded quite ,by untamed greed of gold and gear8 ,and would thou sell thy master dear ,for base gain8 ,shudders not thy soul in dire affright8 ,thy lot has passed into the night1 ,already doth thy doom appear4 ',tis one of you that shall betray1 ,three times the ,lord thus spoke to him-- ,who's purposed his own soul to slay-- ,yet is his conscience dull and dim1 ,for ,satan rules his heart within ,and lust for gold that's won by sin4 ,oh ,judas6 but one moment stay4 ,oh6 finish not this foulest deed6 ,but no6 for deaf and blind with greed1 ,to the council ,judas hastes away1 ,and there repeats in evil trade1 ,the bargain once with ,dathan made4 ,and it came to pass that when ,peter and ,john were still on their way to ,jerusalem1 ,baruch1 the servant of ,mark1 came out into the street with a pitcher of water1 which he went to get filled at the well4 ,as he went he said to himself1 ,there is a great deal of business today1 there will be no lack of work this ,passover2 from the great crowd of pilgrims we can expect nothing else4 ,my master must expect many guests as he is already making so much to-do in the house4 ,when he was drawing the water ,john and ,peter came upon him4 ,see1 said they1 there is someone at the well4 ,baruch1 not noticing them1 went on drawing the water1 saying1 ,there must be something exceptional at this ,passover1 seeing the way in which the rulers of the council hasten about hither and thither4 ,as he lifted the pitcher and turned to go ,peter said1 ,this is he who carries the pitcher of water that our master gave us for a sign4 ,then said ,john1 ,let us follow him4 ,baruch looked around as he came to the door of his master's house1 and1 seeing the disciples1 said1 ,will you come in with me1 friends8 ,you are welcome4 ,we wish1 said ,john1 to speak with your master4 ,perhaps1 said ,baruch1 you desire to take the ,passover with us8 ,yes1 said ,peter1 the master desired us to bring this request to your master4 ,then said ,baruch1 ,come with me4 ,it will be a joy to my master to take you into his house4 ,there1 see1 he said as ,mark came out of his house1 there he is himself4 ,see1 master1 ,i bring guests4 ,welcome1 strangers1 said ,mark1 how can ,i serve you8 ,then said ,peter unto him1 ,our teacher sent us to say unto thee1 ',my time is at hand4 ,where is the hall where ,i can eat the ,passover with my disciples1 for my time is at hand4 ,i will keep the ,passover in thy house with my disciples4' ,oh1 joy6 exclaimed ,mark1 now ,i recognize you as the disciples of the miracle-worker who restored to me the light of my eyes4 ,how have ,i deserved that he should choose my house before all others that are in ,jerusalem in which to celebrate the ,passover8 ,oh1 fortunate man that ,i am1 that it should be my house which he honors with his presence4 ,come1 dear friends1 ,i will at once show you the hall4 ,peter and ,john replied1 ,good friend1 we follow thee4 ,and they went into the house and found all things as ,jesus had said unto them4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the upper chamber which ,mark had prepared for the ,passover ,jesus and his disciples stood around a long table4 ,jesus stood in the center with ,peter on his right hand and ,john on his left4 ,judas1 sullen and scowling1 sat next to ,peter1 and the other disciples were arranged in their order4 ,the table was covered with a white cloth with embroidered edges4 ,on the cloth stood a flagon of wine and several cups1 and a plate on which lay a loaf of bread4 ,jesus1 standing in the midst1 said unto them1 ,with longing have ,i desired to eat this ,passover with you before ,i suffer1 for ,i say unto you ,i will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of ,god4 ,jesus then took the cup1 and lifting it with both hands1 looked up to heaven and said1 ,i thank thee for this fruit of the vine4 ,then drinking of it he passed the cup to ,peter1 who also drank and passed it to ,judas1 who in his turn1 after drinking1 passed it to the next disciple1 and so on until it went all around4 ,take this1 said ,jesus1 as he passed the cup to ,peter1 and divide it amongst yourselves1 for ,i say unto you1 ,i will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of ,god comes4 ,illustration3 ,drinking of it he passed the cup to ,peter4 ,then exclaimed all the disciples together1 ,alas1 ,lord1 is this then the last ,passover8 ,jesus said unto them1 ,there is a cup which ,i will drink with you in the kingdom of ,god my ,father4 ,as it is written1 ',thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures4' ,then said ,peter unto him1 ,master1 when this kingdom shall appear1 how will the offices be portioned out8 ,who amongst us1 said ,james the elder1 will have the first place8 ,then ,thomas said1 ,will each one of us have lordship over a separate land8 ,that would be the best1 said ,bartholomew2 then no dispute would arise amongst us4 ,then ,jesus looked upon them and said1 ,so long a time have ,i been amongst you and you are still entangled in earthly things8 ,verily1 ,i appoint unto you1 which have continued with me in my temptations1 the kingdom which my ,father has appointed unto me1 that you may eat and drink with me in my kingdom1 and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of ,israel4 ,but1 remember1 the kings of the ,gentiles exercise lordship over them1 and they that exercise authority over them are called benefactors1 but ye shall not be so4 ,he that is greatest among you1 let him be as the least1 and the chief as your servant4 ,for whether is greatest he that sitteth at meat or he that serveth8 ,is not he that sitteth at meat2 but ,i am among you as one that serveth4 ,thereupon ,john removed the long purple robe from the shoulders of ,jesus1 and handed him a white linen towel1 with which he girded himself round the middle4 ,then came ,baruch in1 carrying a ewer of water and a basin4 ,as they looked in amazement one at another1 ,jesus said unto them1 ,now sit down1 beloved disciples4 ,then said the disciples one to another1 ,what is he going to do8 ,jesus1 turning to ,peter1 said1 ,peter1 reach me thy foot4 ,peter1 starting backward in amazement1 said1 ,lord1 dost thou wash my feet8 ,then said ,jesus1 ,what ,i do thou knowest not now1 but thou shalt know hereafter4 ,peter replied stoutly1 ,lord1 thou shalt never to all eternity wash my feet6 ,but ,jesus said1 ,if ,i wash thee not thou shalt have no part with me4 ,peter said1 ,lord1 if it be so1 then not my feet only1 but also my hands and my head4 ,but ,jesus answered1 ,he that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet1 but is clean every whit4 ,then stooping down ,baruch poured the water over the feet of ,peter1 and ,jesus dried them with a towel4 ,the other disciples took the sandals off their feet1 whispering to themselves in wonder as to what this meant4 ,jesus washed the feet of ,judas as those of the others4 ,last of all he washed the feet of ,john also4 ,then he washed his hands1 ,baruch pouring the water over them4 ,after which he took off the towel1 and ,john placed his mantle once more upon his shoulders4 ,looking round upon the twelve1 he said1 ,ye are now clean1 but not all4 ,jesus then seated himself in the midst of them4 ,then said ,jesus unto them1 ,do you know what ,i have done unto you8 ,ye call me master and ,lord1 and ye do well1 for so ,i am4 ,if ,i then1 your ,lord and master1 have washed your feet1 ye also ought to wash one another's feet4 ,for ,i have given you an example that ye should do as ,i have done unto you4 ,verily1 verily1 the servant is not greater than he that sent him4 ,if ye know these things1 happy are ye if ye do them4 ,then ,jesus stood up again and said1 ,children1 but for a little while shall ,i be with you4 ,that my memory may never perish from among you1 ,i will leave behind an everlasting memorial1 and so ,i shall ever dwell with you and amongst you4 ,the old covenant which my ,father made with ,abraham1 ,isaac and ,jacob has reached its end and ,i say unto you1 a new covenant begins1 which ,i solemnly consecrate today with my blood1 as the ,father has commanded me1 and this covenant will last until all be fulfilled4 ,jesus then took the bread1 lifted it up before him1 and replacing it on the table1 looked up to heaven and blessed it4 ,then1 lifting it up again1 he broke it in two1 saying1 ,take1 eat1 this is my body which was broken for you4 ,then passing around the table1 he placed a morsel of bread with his own hand in the mouth of each of his disciples4 ,all took it reverently1 but ,judas bit at it almost as a dog snatcheth meat from its master's hands4 ,after ,jesus had returned to his place1 he said1 ,this do in remembrance of me4 ,in like manner he took the cup and blest it and said1 ,take this1 and drink ye all of it2 for this is the cup of the ,new ,testament in my blood1 which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins4 ,then passing round the table again he gave each of them to drink1 and returning to his place he said1 ,as often as ye do this1 do it in remembrance of me4 ,during the time ,jesus went round the table administering the bread and wine to his disciples1 there was heard in the distance a chorus of angels singing3 ,oh6 the lowly love and tender6 ,see the ,saviour kneeling still ,at the feet of his disciples ,loving service to fulfil4 ,oh6 this love remember ever6 ,love as he has loved1 and so ,unto others render service ,as your ,lord has done to you4 ,then ,john in an ecstacy of affection exclaimed1 ,oh1 best of masters1 never will ,i forget thy love6 ,thou knowest that ,i love thee1 and leaning forward he laid his head on the breast of ,jesus4 ,the rest of the twelve1 who were sitting with clasped hands with the exception of ,judas1 who sat apart moody and sullen1 exclaimed together1 ,o1 ,master1 who art so full of love for us1 ever will we remain united with thee4 ,then said ,peter1 ,this holy meal of the new covenant shall ever be celebrated amongst us according to thy commandment4 ,and ,matthew added1 ,and as often as we shall keep it1 we will remember thee6 ,then cried they all1 ,o1 best teacher1 ,o divine one6 ,o best friend and teacher6 ,and ,jesus looking upon them said1 ,my children1 abide in me1 and ,i in you6 ,as the ,father has loved me1 so have ,i also loved you1 continue ye in my love4 ,but1 alas1 must ,i say it6 the hand of him who betrays me is with me at the table6 ,judas started1 but the confusion of the disciples caused his guilty look to be unnoticed4 ,several of the disciples exclaimed1 ,what6 a traitor amongst us6 ,is it possible8 said ,peter4 ,then ,jesus said1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 one of you shall betray me4 ,lord1 said ,andrew1 one of us twelve8 ,yes1 replied ,jesus1 one of the twelve who dipped his hand in the dish with me shall betray me4 ,so the ,scriptures shall be fulfilled4 ,he that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me4 ,thomas and ,simon1 speaking together with the same thought and same words1 asked1 ,who can this faithless one be8 while ,matthew said1 ,lord1 thou seest all hearts1 thou knowest that it is not ,i--and the two ,james cried1 ,name him publicly1 the traitor6 ,then while these words were on their lips1 ,judas1 fearing lest his silence should be observed1 started forward and asked furtively1 ,lord1 is it ,i8 but excepting by ,jesus his words passed unnoticed4 ,thaddeus exclaimed1 ,i would rather give my life for thee than that such a deed should be done2 and ,bartholomew1 ,i would rather sink into the earth with shame4 ,jesus1 looking toward ,judas said1 ,thou hast said it4 ,turning to the rest1 ,jesus continued1 ,the son of man goeth indeed as it is written of him1 but woe unto that man by whom the son of man is betrayed2 better were it for him that he had never been born6 ,peter1 leaning over to ,john1 whispered to him to ask ,jesus who it was4 ,then ,john whispered to ,jesus1 saying1 ,lord1 who is it8 ,jesus answered1 speaking so low as to be heard by ,john alone1 ,he it is to whom ,i shall give a sop after having dipped it4 ,the other apostles who had not heard this kept on asking1 ,who can it be8 ,jesus1 taking a piece of bread1 dipped it into a cup1 and placed it in the mouth of ,judas1 saying1 ,what thou doest1 do quickly4 ,then ,judas arose and hurried from the room4 ,the disciples seeing his departure wondered among themselves1 and ,thomas said to ,simon1 ,why does ,judas go away8 ,simon replied1 ,probably the master has sent him to buy something1 while ,thaddeus added1 ,or to distribute alms to the poor4 ,judas being now gone1 ,jesus spoke to the eleven1 saying1 ,if ,god be glorified in him1 ,god shall also glorify him in himself and shall straightway glorify him4 ,little children1 yet a little while ,i am with you4 ,ye shall seek me2 but as ,i have said to the ,jews1 whither ,i go you cannot come1 even so now ,i say unto you4 ,then said ,peter unto him1 ,lord1 whither goest thou8 ,jesus answered1 ,whither ,i go thou canst not follow me now1 but thou shalt follow me later4 ,peter passionately cried1 ,why can ,i not follow thee now8 ,i will lay down my life for thy sake4 ,then ,jesus looked upon him with compassion and said1 ,wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake8 ,simon6 ,simon6 ,satan hath desired to have thee that he may sift thee as wheat1 but ,i have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not2 and when thou art converted1 strength thy brethren6 ,this night all ye shall be offended because of me1 for it is written1 ',i shall smite the shepherd and the sheep of his flock shall be scattered abroad4' ,peter answered1 ,although all shall be offended1 yet will not ,i4 ,lord1 ,i am ready to go with thee to prison and to death4 ,jesus said unto him1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto thee1 ,peter1 today1 even this night1 before the cock crow twice1 thou shalt deny me thrice4 ,then said ,peter1 rising and clasping his hands1 ,even if ,i should die with thee1 ,i would never deny thee1 and the other ten disciples said altogether with a loud voice1 ,master1 we also will always remain faithful to thee2 none of us will ever deny thee4 ,then said ,jesus unto them1 ,when ,i sent you out without purse or scrip1 or shoes1 lacked ye anything8 ,all replied with one voice1 ,no1 nothing4 ,then ,jesus said1 ,but now ,i say unto you1 let everyone take his purse and likewise his scrip1 and whosoever hath not a sword1 let him sell his coat and buy one1 for now begins a time of trial2 and ,i say unto you that thus it is written1 and it must yet be accomplished in me1 ',and he was reckoned among the transgressors6' ,peter then and ,philip each drew a sword from the scabbard which hung at his side under his cloak1 exclaiming1 ,lord1 see here are two swords4 ,then said ,jesus1 ,it is enough4 ,let us stand up and give thanks4 ,then standing1 ,jesus and all the disciples said together with a loud voice1 ,praise the ,lord1 all ye people6 ,praise him1 all ye nations6 for his merciful kindness is everlasting2 the truth of the ,lord endureth forever4 ,then ,jesus1 leaving the table1 advanced to the foreground and stood for some time with his eyes raised to heaven1 the disciples standing on either side watching him with troubled faces4 ,shortly after he said unto them1 ,children1 why are ye so sad and why look ye on me so sorrowfully8 ,let not your heart be troubled2 ye believe in ,god1 believe also in me4 ,in my father's house are many mansions4 ,i go to prepare a place for you2 and ,i will come again and receive you unto myself1 that where ,i am there ye may be also4 ,i leave you not as orphans4 ,peace ,i leave with you1 my peace ,i give unto you4 ,keep my commandment4 ,this is my commandment1 that ye love one another as ,i have loved you6 ,by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples1 if ye love one another4 ,hereafter ,i will not talk much to you1 for the prince of this world cometh1 although he hath nothing in me4 ,but that the world may know that ,i love the ,father1 and as the ,father gave me commandment1 so do ,i4 ,let us go hence4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,sanhedrin was again in session4 ,caiaphas presided1 ,annas as before sat on his left hand and ,nathanael on his right4 ,no sooner had all the members of the assembly taken their seats than ,caiaphas rose and with radiant countenance began1 ,assembled fathers1 ,i have a joyful piece of news to impart to you4 ,the supposed prophet from ,galilee will soon1 we hope1 be in our hands4 ,dathan1 the zealous ,israelite1 has won over one of the most trusted companions of the ,galilean1 who will let himself be employed as a guide1 so that we may surprise him by night4 ,both are here1 only waiting a summons to appear before us4 ,bring them in1 cried with eager voices the priests and ,pharisees4 ,josue volunteered1 ,i will call them4 ,yes1 call them1 said ,caiaphas4 ,when ,josue left the room ,caiaphas asked their counsel as to the price which should be given for the betrayal of ,jesus4 ,nathanael stood up and said1 ,the law of ,moses gives direction for such a case2 a slave is valued at thirty pieces of silver4 ,the priests laughed thereat and said1 ,yea1 yea1 it is just the price of a slave that the false ,messiah is worth4 ,then came in ,dathan and ,judas1 ,josue conducting them into the presence of the ,sanhedrin4 ,dathan stood forward and said1 ,most learned council1 ,i here fulfil the task entrusted to me1 and present to the fathers a man who is determined for a suitable reward to deliver our and your enemy into our power4 ,he is a trusted friend of the notorious ,galilean and knows his ways and his secret abiding places4 ,then said ,caiaphas to ,judas1 ,knowest thou the man whom the council seeks8 ,judas answered1 ,i have now been a long time in his company and know where he is accustomed to abide4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,what is thy name8 ,he replied1 ,my name is ,judas1 and ,i am one of the twelve4 ,yes1 yes1 cried several of the priests1 we saw thee often with him4 ,caiaphas asked him1 ,art thou steadfastly resolved to do our will8 ,judas answered firmly1 ,i give you my word4 ,but1 continued ,caiaphas1 wilt thou not repent of it8 ,what induced thee to take this step8 ,judas answered1 ,the friendship between him and me has been cooling down for some time1 and now ,i have quite broken with him4 ,what has led to this8 asked ,caiaphas4 ,judas replied1 ,there is nothing more to be got from him and indeed ,i am resolved to remain loyal to lawful authority1 that is always the best4 ,what will you give me if ,i deliver him up to you8 ,then ,caiaphas1 speaking as if they were promising great things1 said1 ,thirty pieces of silver1 which shall be at once paid over to thee6 ,hear that1 ,judas8 cried ,dathan1 thirty pieces of silver1 what a gain6 ,before ,judas could reply1 ,nathanael sprang to his feet1 saying1 ,and mark thee well1 ,judas1 this is not all6 ,if thou executest this work right well thou shalt be cared for still further4 ,and thou mayest become a rich and famous man1 added a priest4 ,judas said aloud1 ,i am contented1 and added to himself1 ,now the star of hope is rising for me4 ,then said ,caiaphas to the rabbi who sat below the judgment seat arrayed in blue velvet and gold1 ,bring the thirty pieces of silver out of the treasury1 and pay it over in the presence of the council4 ,is this your will8 he added1 putting the question to the ,sanhedrin4 ,a great shout went up of ,yes1 yes1 it is4 ,but some there were present who did not join in that cry4 ,one of these1 ,nicodemus1 stood up and asked the ,sanhedrin1 ,how can you conclude so godless a bargain8 ,then turning to ,judas1 he said1 ,and thou1 abject wretch1 dost thou not blush to sell thy ,lord and master1 thou ,god-forgetting traitor whom the earth shall swallow up8 ,for thirty pieces of silver wouldst thou now sell that most loving friend and benefactor8 ,o1 pause while there is yet time4 ,that blood-money will cry to heaven for vengeance1 will burn like hot iron thy avaricious soul6 ,judas1 surprised by this sudden outburst1 stood trembling and amazed4 ,dathan1 ,caiaphas and the rest of the ,sanhedrin displayed unmistakable indignation at this unexpected intervention on the part of ,nicodemus4 ,josue said3 ,don't trouble yourself1 ,judas1 about the speech of this zealot2 let him go and be a follower of the false prophet4 ,thou dost thy duty as a disciple of ,moses in serving the rightful authorities4 ,then came in the rabbi with the silver in a dish4 ,come1 ,judas1 said he1 take the thirty pieces of silver and play the man1 counting the coins out on a stone table so that they chinked merrily as they fell4 ,judas snatched them up eagerly1 testing them now and then to see if they were genuine1 and then transferred them piece by piece with feverish haste to his bag1 which he tied up when filled and replaced in his girdle4 ,then1 resuming his place on the left of the judgment seat1 he exclaimed3 ,you can rely upon my word4 ,but1 said the priests1 the work must be accomplished before the feast4 ,judas answered and said3 ,even now the fairest opportunity offers itself4 ,this very night he shall be in your hands4 ,give me an armed band so that he can be duly surrounded and every road of escape cut off4 ,then said ,annas1 who up to now had not broken silence3 ,let us send with him the ,temple ,watch4 ,yes1 yes1 cried all the priests1 let us order them to go4 ,caiaphas said3 ,it would also be advisable to send some members of the ,holy ,sanhedrin with them4 ,half the assembly sprang to their feet crying3 ,we are ready4 ,caiaphas said3 ,if the choice is left to me ,i appoint ,nathan1 ,josaphat1 ,solomon and ,ptolomaus4 ,each of the four1 as he was named1 rose and bowed low4 ,then1 ,caiaphas1 turning to ,judas1 said3 ,but1 ,judas1 how will the band be able to distinguish the ,master in the darkness8 ,judas answered3 ,they must come with torches and lanterns and ,i will give them a sign4 ,excellent1 ,judas1 cried the priests in approving chorus4 ,now1 said ,judas1 ,i will hasten away to spy out everything4 ,then ,i will come back to fetch the armed men4 ,i will go with you1 ,judas1 said ,dathan1 and will not leave your side until this work is finished4 ,at the gate of ,bethpage ,i will meet your people1 said ,judas1 as he departed1 taking with him ,dathan and the four priests to accompany him4 ,when they had left the ,sanhedrin ,caiaphas addressed the assembly3 ,all goes admirably1 venerable fathers1 but now we are called to look the great question frankly in the face4 ,what shall we do with this man when ,god has delivered him into our hands8 ,then3 said ,zadok3 ,let us throw him into the deepest and darkest of dungeons and keep him well watched and laden down with chains4 ,let him be buried while still alive4 ,this1 however1 did not please ,caiaphas1 so using the full might of his eloquence and authority he continued3 ,which of you would guarantee that his friends would not raise a tumult and free him1 or that the guard might not be corrupted1 or could he not break his fetters with his abhorred magic arts8 ,the priests were silent4 ,caiaphas replied in tones of the deepest conviction3 ,i see that ye neither know nor understand4 ,then listen to the high priest4 ,it is better that one man should die and the whole nation perish not4 ,he must die6 ,and as the fatal words fell from the lips of ,caiaphas the whole ,sanhedrin was moved4 ,caiaphas continued3 ,until he is dead there is no peace in ,israel1 no security for the law of ,moses1 and no quiet hours for us4 ,hardly had ,caiaphas ended than the rabbi sprang to his feet exclaiming in excited tones3 ,god has spoken through our high priest6 ,only by the death of ,jesus of ,nazareth can and must the people of ,israel be delivered6 ,nathanael exclaimed3 ,long has the word lain upon my tongue6 ,now is it uttered4 ,let him die1 the foe of our fathers6 ,then sprang all the priests from their seats and with uplifted hands and eager voices exclaimed3 ,yes1 he must die2 in his death is our salvation6 ,when they sat down1 ,annas1 the aged high priest arose1 and speaking with intense bitterness1 declared3 ,by my gray hairs let it be sworn1 ,i will never rest until our shame is washed out in the blood of this deceiver4 ,then stood up ,nicodemus and said3 ,o1 fathers1 is it allowed to say one word8 ,and all cried3 ,yes1 yes1 speak1 speak6 ,then said ,nicodemus3 ,is the sentence already pronounced upon this man before there has been an examination or hearing of the witnesses8 ,is this a proceeding worthy of the fathers of the people of ,god8 ,nathanael said3 ,what6 ,wilt thou accuse the council of injustice8 ,zadok exclaimed3 ,dost thou know the holy law8 ,compare---- ,nicodemus replied3 ,i know the law2 therefore also ,i know that the judge may not pass sentence before witnesses are heard4 ,what need we any further witnesses8 cried ,josue4 ,we ourselves have often enough been witnesses to his speech and his actions1 by which he blasphemously outraged the law4 ,nicodemus answered1 unmoved by the clamor of the assembly3 ,then you yourselves are at once the accusers1 the witnesses and the judges4 ,i have listened to his sublime teachings2 ,i have seen his mighty deeds4 ,they call for belief and admiration2 not for contempt and punishment4 ,what1 exclaimed ,caiaphas indignantly1 this scoundrel deserves admiration6 ,thou wilt cleave to ,moses and yet defendest thou that which the law condemns8 ,ha6 ,fathers of ,israel1 the impious words call for vengeance4 ,the priests shouted3 ,out with thee from our assembly1 if thou persist in this way of speaking6 when another voice is heard4 ,joseph of ,arimathea stood forth on the opposite side of the hall and said3 ,i must also agree with ,nicodemus4 ,no one has imputed any deed to ,jesus which makes him worthy of death2 he has done nothing but good4 ,then said ,caiaphas3 ,dost thou also speak in this wise8 ,is it not known everywhere how he desecrated the ,sabbath2 how he has misled the people by his seditious speeches8 ,hath he not also as a deceiver worked his pretended miracles by the aid of ,beelzebub8 ,has he not given himself out as a ,god1 when he is nothing but a man8 ,you hear that8 cried the priests to ,joseph4 ,he remained standing and continued saying3 ,envy and malice have misrepresented his words and imputed evil motives to the noblest acts4 ,that he is a man come from ,god his ,god-like acts testify4 ,ha1 cried ,nathanael1 with a laugh of scorn1 now we know thee4 ,already for a long time hast thou been a secret follower of this ,galilean6 ,now1 thou hast shown thyself in thy true colors6 ,aged ,annas1 without leaving his seat1 remarked3 ,so1 then1 we have in our very midst traitors to our holy law1 and even here has the deceiver cast his net4 ,what do ye here1 apostates8 cried ,caiaphas4 ,be off to your prophet1 to see him once more1 before the hour strikes when he must die1 for that is irrevocably determined4 ,yes1 cried all the priests4 ,yes6 die he must2 that is our resolve4 ,then said ,nicodemus1 ,i curse this resolution2 ,i will neither have part nor lot in this shameful condemnation4 ,and ,i also1 said ,joseph of ,arimathea1 will quit this place where the innocent are condemned to death4 ,by ,god1 ,i swear that my hands are clean6 ,gathering their robes together1 ,nicodemus and ,joseph of ,arimathea walked slowly out of the ,sanhedrin4 ,then said ,josue1 ,at last we are rid of these traitors4 ,now we can speak out freely4 ,caiaphas1 however1 profiting by the protests of ,nicodemus and ,joseph of ,arimathea1 said to the assembly3 ,it will certainly be necessary that we should sit formally in judgment upon this man1 to try him and to bring forth witnesses against him1 otherwise the people will believe that we have only persecuted him from envy and hatred4 ,then said one ,jacob1 ,two witnesses at least the law requires1 and ,samuel answered3 ,these shall not be lacking2 ,i will provide them myself4 ,then said ,dariabbas1 ,our decision stands firm1 but in order not to offend the weak it would be well to observe the usual forms of justice4 ,and1 added ,ezekiel complacently1 should these forms not suffice the strength of our will we must supply what is lacking4 ,and a rabbi said1 ,a little more or less guilty matters little1 since once for all the public weal demands that he should be removed4 ,then ,caiaphas said1 ,in securing the execution of our sentences it would be safest if we could so contrive that the sentence of death should be pronounced by the governor2 then we should be clear of all responsibility4 ,we can try1 said ,nathanael4 ,if it miscarries1 it is still always open to us to have our sentence carried out by our trusty friends in the commotion of a great tumult1 without ourselves being openly responsible for anything4 ,and then1 said the rabbi1 if the worst come we should have him in our hands1 and in the silence of a dungeon it will not be difficult to find a more sure hand to deliver the ,sanhedrin from its enemy4 ,then ,caiaphas arose and said1 ,circumstances will teach us what should be done4 ,now let us break up4 ,but hold yourselves ready at any hour of the night to be called together4 ,there is no time to be lost4 ,our resolution is1 he must die4 ,and all the members of the high council cried tumultuously3 ,let him die6 ,let him die6 ,the enemy of our holy land6 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,betrayed ,,by ,a ,,kiss4 ,the foulest deed will soon be done ,that earth or hell displays-- ,alas6 ere this night's course be run ,judas his ,lord betrays6 ,come now1 ye faithful souls draw nigh ,see ,jesus suffer1 bleed and die1 ,now has begun the anguished fight ,beyond in dark ,gethsemane4 ,o1 sinners never let this night ,for evermore forgotten be6 ,for your salvation this has been ,which on the mountain we have seen1 ,when1 sorrowing unto death1 he sank ,to earth1 it was for you-- ',twas for your sake the damp turf drank ,those drops of crimson dew4 ,in the twilight of the same day there were gathered together in the neighborhood of the ,mount of ,olives those appointed by the ,sanhedrin to seize ,jesus4 ,judas was there with ,dathan and the other traders1 as well as the four priests sent by ,caiaphas to see that all things went well4 ,with them came the ,temple ,watch under the command of one ,selpha1 in steel helmet and steel-embossed leather cuirass4 ,the watch consisted of twenty men in armor1 two of whom carried long clubs set with spikes1 two bore braziers of burning coals1 while the rest carried spears4 ,conspicuous among the watch were ,malchus1 the high priest's servant1 and ,balbus4 ,they approached stealthily1 and ,judas addressed them1 saying1 ,now be careful6 ,we are now approaching the place whither the ,master has withdrawn himself4 ,then said ,solomon1 one of the priests1 ,i suppose the disciples will not perceive us too soon4 ,no1 said ,judas1 they rest unconcerned and dream nothing of any attack4 ,as to any resistance1 there is nothing of that to fear4 ,then cried the ,temple ,watch aloud1 ,should they try it they shall feel the weight of our arms4 ,you will seize him1 said ,judas1 without a single sword stroke4 ,but1 said ,josue1 how shall we know him in the darkness so as not to arrest another in place of the one we desire8 ,i shall give you a sign1 said ,judas1 when we are in the garden2 then look out4 ,i will hasten up to him1 and the man whom ,i shall kiss2 that is he2 bind him6 ,then said ,korah1 ,good1 this sign will prevent us from making any mistake4 ,ptolomaus1 the priest1 then turned to the watch and said1 ,do you hear8 ,you will know the master by a kiss6 ,yes1 yes1 cried the soldiers1 we shall not miss him4 ,now1 said ,judas1 let us make haste2 it is time4 ,we are not far from the garden4 ,then said ,josue to ,judas1 ,judas1 if tonight brings us good fortune1 thou wilt profit by the fruit of thy work4 ,the traders added1 ,we1 too1 will recompense thee richly4 ,then cried all the soldiers together1 ,now look out1 thou stirrer-up of the people1 thou wilt soon have thy reward4 ,thereupon the whole company moved off into the darkness and remained hidden in an ambush until the signal should be given4 ,after a time ,jesus and his disciples entered the garden of ,gethsemane4 ,jesus spoke unto them1 saying1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ye shall weep and lament1 but the world shall rejoice2 ye shall be sorrowful1 but your sorrow shall be turned into joy1 for ,i will see you again and your heart shall rejoice1 and your joy no one taketh from you4 ,i came forth from the ,father and am come into the world4 ,i leave the world again and go unto the ,father4 ,lo1 said ,peter1 now thou speakest plainly and no more in parables4 ,then said ,james the ,greater1 ,now we see that thou knowest all things1 and hast no need that one should ask thee anything4 ,and ,thomas added1 ,therefore we believe that thou comest forth from ,god4 ,jesus answered them saying1 ,do ye now believe8 ,behold the hour cometh1 yea1 is already come1 when ye shall be scattered every man to his own and leave me alone4 ,yet ,i am not alone1 for the ,father is with me4 ,yes1 ,father1 the hour is come2 glorify thy ,son that thy ,son also may glorify thee4 ,i have finished the work which thou hast given me to do4 ,i have manifested thy name to those thou gavest me out of the world4 ,holy ,father1 keep them in thy name2 sanctify them in the truth4 ,neither pray ,i for these alone1 but for them also who shall believe on me through their word2 that they may all be one1 as thou1 ,father1 art in me1 and ,i in thee4 ,father1 ,i will pray that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where ,i am1 that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me1 for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world4 ,then turning to the disciples who were following him into the garden he said in a voice which was broken with sorrow3 ,children1 sit down here while ,i go and pray yonder4 ,pray that ye enter not into temptation2 but you1 ,peter1 ,james and ,john follow me4 ,eight of the disciples then sat down on the ground under the trees1 while ,jesus went forward with the three4 ,bartholomew said1 ,never have ,i seen him so sad2 and ,james the ,less replied1 ,my heart is also laden down with sadness2 while ,matthew cried1 ,ah1 that this night were passed with its weary hours4 ,and another apostle exclaimed1 ,not in vain has our master prepared us for this4 ,philip said1 ,dear brothers1 we will sit down here and rest until he comes back4 ,yes1 said ,thomas1 that we will1 for ,i am utterly worn out and weary4 ,then ,jesus1 who had come forward with ,peter1 ,james and ,john1 said unto them1 ,ah1 beloved children1 my soul is exceeding sorrowful1 even unto death4 ,tarry ye here and watch with me4 ,then after a pause he added1 ,i will go a little further apart in order to strengthen myself by communion with the ,father4 ,as ,jesus with slow and staggering steps went toward the grotto1 ,peter cried1 looking after him1 ,ah1 dear good master1 and ,john exclaimed1 ,my soul is suffering with our teacher4 ,as they sat down ,peter said1 ,i am very anxious4 ,james said1 ,why does our dear master thus separate us from one another8 ,john replied1 ,alas1 we are to be witnesses1 and ,peter continued1 ,ye know1 brethren1 we were the witnesses of his transfiguration on the mountain1 but now1 what is it that we have to see8 ,slowly ,peter1 ,james and ,john1 who were sitting apart1 fell asleep4 ,jesus having reached the grotto1 said1 ,this hour must come upon me--the hour of darkness4 ,for this it was that ,i came into the world4 ,then falling upon his knees he clasped his hands1 and looking up to heaven cried1 with a great and pitiful voice1 ,father1 my ,father6 ,if it be possible1 and with thee all things are possible1 let this cup pass from me6 ,then ,jesus fell upon his face on the ground and remained silent for a while4 ,then again he rose upon his knees and cried1 ,yes1 ,father1 not as ,i will1 but as thou wilt6 ,then standing up1 he looked toward heaven and slowly returned to the three disciples4 ,and lo1 when he approached he found them asleep4 ,simon1 he said4 ,simon ,peter1 as in a dream1 rubbed his head and said1 ,alas1 my master4 ,jesus said1 ,simon1 dost thou sleep8 ,peter1 rousing himself1 said1 ,master1 here ,i am4 ,jesus said1 ,could you not watch with me one hour8 ,peter cried1 ,o1 ,master1 forgive4 ,the apostles said1 ,rabbi1 sleep has overpowered us4 ,then said ,jesus1 ,watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation4 ,the apostles answered1 ,yes1 ,lord1 we will watch and pray4 ,then said ,jesus unto them2 ,the spirit indeed is willing1 but the flesh is weak4 ,so saying he turned from them1 and again slowly walked toward the grotto4 ,praying he said1 ,my ,father1 thy demand is just1 thy decrees are holy1 thou claimest this sacrifice4 ,then falling upon his knees1 he prayed1 saying1 ,father1 the strife is hot4 ,falling upon his face he remained silent for a time1 then raising himself again he cried1 ,yes1 ,father1 if this cup may not pass from me unless ,i drink it1 ,father thy will be done4 ,then standing up he said1 ,holy ,one1 it will be completed by me in righteousness4 ,then once more he came back to his sleeping disciples2 this time he did not rouse them4 ,are also your eyes so heavy that you could not watch8 he said4 ,ah1 my most trusted ones1 even among you ,i find no consolation4 ,then returning over the rocky road which led to the grotto he paused for a moment in sorrow1 while a great sorrow overwhelmed him4 ,oh1 how dark it grows around me2 the anguish of death encompasses me6 ,the burden of ,god's judgment lies upon me6 ,oh1 the sins6 ,oh1 the sins of mankind6 ,they weigh me down4 ,oh1 the fearful burden2 oh1 the bitterness of this cup6 ,then coming to the grotto again1 he cried1 ,my ,father6 and falling down he prayed1 ,if it is not possible that this hour pass away from me1 thy will be done6 ,thy holiest will6 ,father6 ,thy son6 ,hear him6 ,then from out of the darkness a bright and shining angel in white apparel and with radiant wings descended upon him4 ,and out of the silence were heard these words1 ,o1 ,son of ,man1 sanctify the ,father's will6 ,look upon the blessedness which will proceed from thy struggles4 ,the ,father has laid it upon thee to become the sacrifice for sinful man4 ,carry it through to the end4 ,the ,father will glorify thee6 ,then said ,jesus1 ,yes1 most ,holy ,father1 ,i adore thy ,providence2 ,i will complete the work--to reconcile--to save1 to bless6 ,then standing up he cried in a more joyous tone1 ,strengthened by thy word1 ,o ,father6 ,i go joyfully to meet that to which thou hast called me1 as the substitute for sinful man4 ,with lighter step he returned to the place where the three disciples lay slumbering peacefully4 ,he looked upon them and said1 ,sleep now and take your rest4 ,peter1 hearing his voice1 said1 ,what is it1 master8 ,then all three answered1 ,behold1 we are ready4 ,then said ,jesus1 ,the hour is come2 the son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners4 ,rise1 let us be going4 ,even as he spoke these words the tramp of armed men was heard in the immediate neighborhood of the garden mingled with loud cries of denunciation and vengeance4 ,what is that uproar8 said the apostles4 ,come1 said ,philip1 who hurried from behind with the rest of the eight1 ,come1 let us gather around the master4 ,at that word the disciples hastened forward4 ,behold1 said ,jesus1 he who betrayeth me is at hand4 ,the disciples looked in the direction which ,jesus indicated1 and there by the flaring light of the braziers carried by the ,temple ,watch1 they saw ,judas advancing at the head of his band4 ,what does this multitude want8 said ,andrew4 ,for an answer all the disciples cried as with one voice1 ,alas6 we are undone6 ,and see1 cried ,john1 ,judas is at their head4 ,even as he said this1 ,judas1 with long and stealthy steps1 sprang forward1 looking from side to side as he came1 until he stopped immediately behind ,jesus2 then standing on tiptoe he reached over the shoulder of ,jesus and kissed him1 saying1 ,hail1 ,master4 ,illustration3 ,he reached over and kissed him4 ,jesus answered1 ,friend1 wherefore art thou come8 ,betrayest thou the son of man with a kiss8 ,then stepping forward to meet the armed band1 he faced them fearlessly and said1 ,whom seek ye8 ,a loud and angry shout went up from the soldiers3 ,jesus of ,nazareth6 ,jesus said1 ,i am he4 ,as he uttered these word the soldiers fell backward to the ground1 crying1 ,woe unto us6 ,what is this8 ,the disciples exultantly cried1 ,one single word from him casts them to the ground4 ,but ,jesus said to the soldiers1 ,fear not2 arise4 ,as they regained their feet the disciples whispered eagerly to ,jesus saying1 ,lord1 cast them down so that they shall never rise again4 ,but ,jesus a second time asked1 ,whom seek ye8 ,again the crowd replied1 ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,then ,jesus said1 ,i have already told you that ,i am he2 if therefore1 ye seek me1 let these go their way4 ,selpha1 the leader of the band1 cried1 ,seize him6 ,the soldiers approached ,jesus1 ,malchus and ,balbus carrying in their hands a small cord1 and grasped him by the wrists in order to bind him4 ,peter and ,philip asked ,jesus1 saying1 ,lord1 shall we smite with the sword8 ,before ,jesus replied1 ,peter's sword flashed from its sheath and descended on the head of ,malchus4 ,the helmet turned the descending blade1 and instead of splitting his skull it only sliced off his ear4 ,alas6 cried ,malchus1 ,i am wounded2 my ear is off4 ,then said ,jesus to the disciples1 ,suffer ye thus far1 and reaching forward to ,malchus he said1 ,be not troubled2 thou shalt be healed4 ,and touching his ear1 that moment it was made whole4 ,malchus felt his ear with astonishment4 ,his comrades satisfied themselves that the ear was as the other and stood motionless1 while ,jesus turned to ,peter and said1 ,put up thy sword into its sheath1 for all they who take the sword shall perish with the sword4 ,the cup which the ,father hath given1 shall ,i not drink it8 ,thinkest thou ,i cannot now pray to my ,father1 and he would presently give me more than twelve legions of angels8 ,but how1 then1 would the ,scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be8 ,then turning to the ,pharisees he said1 ,are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves to take me8 ,i sat daily with ye in the temple teaching1 and ye took me not4 ,but this is your hour and the power of darkness4 ,behold1 ,i am here6 ,surround him6 cried ,selpha2 bind him fast that he escape not4 ,then said ,nathanael1 whose eager zeal to destroy ,jesus had led him to join the soldiers1 ,you are responsible to the council that he does not escape4 ,at ,selpha's command ,malchus and ,balbus had seized ,christ1 and were busily engaged in tying his hands together with cords4 ,slowly1 one by one1 the disciples stole away1 leaving ,jesus alone in the midst of his captors4 ,in reply to ,nathanael1 the soldiers said1 ,out of our hands he will not escape4 ,then cried with a loud voice the traders1 with ,dathan at their head1 ,now1 we will wreak our vengeance4 ,and ,dathan added1 ,dost thou still remember what thou didst to us in the temple8 ,josaphat said to the other ,pharisees1 ,we will hasten on into the city4 ,the ,sanhedrin will be awaiting our arrival with impatience4 ,the traders replied1 ,but we will not leave this scoundrel for an instant4 ,first1 said ,nathanael1 we must go to the ,high ,priest ,annas4 ,lead him thither6 ,selpha said1 ,we follow thee6 ,as the band prepared to obey the word of command a trader came up to ,judas and said approvingly1 ,thou art a man1 indeed4 ,thou knowest how to keep thy word4 ,judas complacently answered1 ,did ,i not tell you that he would be in your power today8 ,the ,pharisees said1 ,thou hast placed the whole council under an obligation to thee4 ,the procession then went off1 leading ,jesus to the palace of ,annas4 ,the ,temple ,watch formed behind ,jesus1 who with his hands bound before him1 was thrown violently forward by ,malchus and ,balbus1 who held the other ends of the cords which bound him1 and marched behind him4 ,they cried1 ,on with thee6 ,in ,jerusalem they will settle your affair6 ,selpha1 who marched at the head of his band1 cried1 ,let us hasten2 lead him away carefully4 ,and all the band shouted1 ,ha1 run now as thou hast hitherto run to and fro about the land of ,judea4 ,spare him not6 said ,selpha1 drive him on6 ,forward1 shouted the soldiers1 shouting together2 otherwise thou shalt be driven on with staves4 ,and as they marched away1 driving ,jesus before them the traders derided him1 saying1 ,doth ,beelzebub1 then1 aid thee no longer8 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,it was dark night and there was silence in the street before the house of ,annas1 the high priest1 when his door opened and ,annas1 attended by ,esdras1 ,sidrach and ,missel1 came upon the balcony4 ,i can find no rest this night1 said ,annas1 looking impatiently down the street1 until ,i know that this disturber of the peace is in our hands4 ,oh1 if he were only safe1 and in fetters4 ,full of longing and anxiety ,i await the arrival of my servants with the joyful news4 ,then said ,esdras1 ,they cannot be much longer1 for it is a good while since they went away4 ,in vain has my troubled gaze looked up and down the street of ,kedron4 ,but nothing can ,i see and nothing hear4 ,go1 my ,esdras1 go toward the ,kedron gate and see4 ,i will hasten out1 said ,esdras1 hurrying away as quickly as his short1 squat figure would allow4 ,annas1 walking about impatiently1 tormented by misgivings as to the success of the enterprise1 began3 ,it would be a blow to the ,sanhedrin if this time the work should not succeed4 ,sidrach said1 ,do not give away to anxiety1 high priest1 and ,missel added1 ,there is no doubt of our success4 ,annas1 heeding not the consolation of his priests1 said1 ,they may have altered their way and returned through the ,siola ,gate4 ,i must send to see also on that side4 ,sidrach said1 ,if the high priest wishes it ,i will go to the ,siola ,gate4 ,yes1 do1 said ,annas1 but first see whether anyone comes through the street of the ,sanhedrin4 ,i will not loiter1 my lord1 said ,sidrach1 as he disappeared in the darkness4 ,annas resumed his troubled thoughts4 ,the night is going by1 and still the old uncertainty4 ,every minute of this weary waiting time is as an hour to me4 ,hark1 ,i think some one comes running6 ,yes1 he comes4 ,surely there will be good tidings4 ,sidrach1 bursting into the presence of the high priest1 exclaimed1 ,my lord1 ,esdras comes in haste4 ,i saw him just now running down the street with rapid foot4 ,then said ,annas1 ,surely it is joyful news that he brings since he hastens so4 ,truly1 ,i long for nothing now but the death of this malefactor4 ,then came ,esdras1 breathless with haste1 crying1 ,hail to the high priest4 ,i have seen the fathers who were sent to ,judas4 ,all has gone according to your wish4 ,the ,galilean is in bonds4 ,i heard it from their mouth1 and hurried as fast as ,i could to bring the joyful news in haste to thee4 ,annas cried1 ,oh1 heavenly message6 ,auspicious hour6 ,a stone is lifted from my heart2 ,i feel as if ,i were born again4 ,now for the first time can ,i rejoice to call myself high priest of the chosen people4 ,then came in to ,annas1 ,judas and the four ,pharisees1 who had been sent by the council to accompany him1 crying1 ,long live our high priest6 ,nathanael exclaimed1 ,the wish of the council is accomplished4 ,annas said1 ,oh1 ,i must embrace you for joy4 ,so1 then1 our plan has succeeded4 ,judas1 thy name shall take an honorable place in our annals4 ,even before the feast shall the ,galilean die4 ,judas1 whom the ,pharisees had brought in with the prisoner1 startled by that word1 sprang back1 repeating incredulously1 ,die6 ,his death is declared6 said ,annas4 ,for his life and blood1 cried ,judas1 ,i will not be responsible4 ,that is unnecessary1 said ,annas coolly1 he is in our power4 ,but1 persisted ,judas passionately1 ,i have not delivered him over to you for that4 ,thou hast delivered him over1 said the ,pharisees1 and the rest is our business4 ,repulsed on every side1 ,judas1 striking his forehead with his hand1 cried1 ,woe is me2 what have ,i done8 ,shall he die8 ,no6 ,that ,i did not wish4 ,that ,i will not have4 ,as he hurried into the street the ,pharisees laughed at him and said1 ,whether thou wilt have it or not1 die he must4 ,then said the priests to ,annas1 ,high priest1 the prisoner is at the threshold4 ,annas said1 ,let ,selpha1 with as many of the watch as are necessary1 bring him up here1 while the rest await him below4 ,then was ,jesus brought before ,annas on the balcony in custody with ,selpha1 the leader of the ,temple ,watch and the two servants of the temple1 ,malchus and ,balbus1 holding the cords by which ,jesus was bound4 ,the rest of the watch remained in the street below4 ,selpha bowed low as he entered and said1 ,high priest1 in accordance with thy command the prisoner now stands at thy bar4 ,when ,annas saw ,jesus he said1 ,have you brought him alone as prisoner8 ,balbus answered1 ,his disciples dispersed like timid sheep4 ,selpha said1 ,we did not find it worth the trouble to arrest them4 ,nevertheless ,malchus almost lost his life4 ,how did that happen8 asked ,annas4 ,one of his followers1 said ,selpha1 with a drawn sword smote him and cut off his ear4 ,how could that be8 said ,annas1 looking first at one side of ,malchus' head and then at the other4 ,it has left no mark2 there is nothing to be seen4 ,oh1 said ,balbus1 mocking1 the magician has conjured it back again4 ,what sayest thou to that8 asked ,annas4 ,malchus replied seriously1 ,i cannot explain it4 ,it is a miracle that has happened to me4 ,annas frowned1 ,has the deceiver also bewitched thee8 he asked1 and then turning to ,jesus said to him1 ,say1 by what power hast thou done this8 ,jesus did not answer4 ,speak1 said ,selpha1 when the high priest asks thee4 ,speak1 said ,annas4 ,give an account of thy disciples and thy teaching1 which thou hast spread abroad over the whole land of ,judea and with which thou hast corrupted the people4 ,then ,jesus answered and said unto him1 ,i spake openly to the world1 ,i ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple1 and in secret ,i taught nothing4 ,what askest thou me8 ,ask them that heard me what ,i have spoken4 ,behold1 they know what ,i have said4 ,balbus1 who was standing on the left hand of ,jesus holding one end of the cord by which his hands were bound1 struck him over the face a resounding blow1 saying1 ,answerest thou the high priest so8 ,jesus answered1 ,if ,i have spoken evil1 bear witness of the evil1 but if ,i have spoken well why smitest thou me8 ,then ,annas exclaimed1 ,wilt thou even now defy us1 when thy life and death are in our power8 ,i am weary of this villain6 and gave the signal for ,jesus to be removed4 ,oh1 said ,balbus1 as he roughly thrust him forward1 wait a little4 ,thy obstinacy will vanish4 ,as ,jesus was being led down the steps ,annas exclaimed1 ,i will go in now for a little while to rest1 or rather to meditate quietly as to how the work so happily begun may be brought to an end4 ,in any case the summons to the ,sanhedrin will reach me at an early hour in the morning4 ,annas then entered into his own house1 leaving ,jesus in the street below in the midst of the soldiers4 ,as ,selpha appeared bringing ,jesus into the street the watch cried out loudly1 ,ha1 is this business already over8 ,selpha said1 ,his defense has turned out badly1 and ,balbus added1 ,after all it gained him a smart slap over the face4 ,selpha said1 ,take him now and away with him to the palace of ,caiaphas4 ,off with him1 cried the soldiers tumultuously4 ,lift up thy feet4 ,cheer up6 said ,balbus1 mocking1 ,thou wilt have a still better reception from ,caiaphas1 and the soldiers shouted as they marched1 ,there will be the raven's croak about thine ears6 ,when ,jesus was taken from the house of ,annas he was led through the streets1 the band accompanying him1 shouting as they went4 ,on their way to the ,sanhedrin they led ,jesus down the street which passed ,pilate's house1 and as they went they cried to him with riotous laughter1 ,thou shalt become a laughing stock for the whole nation6 ,balbus said unto him scoffingly1 ,make haste6 ,thy disciples are quite ready to proclaim thee ,king of ,israel4 ,and the soldiers laughed as they said1 ,thou hast often dreamed of this2 is it not so8 ,then said ,selpha1 ,caiaphas will soon explain this dream to him4 ,and ,balbus1 seeing that ,jesus opened not his mouth1 and was silent1 shouted in his ear1 ,dost thou hear8 ,caiaphas will announce to thee thy exaltation to a high position6 ,a great burst of hoarse laughter from the watch followed1 as they shouted1 ,an exalted position between heaven and earth6 ,look out1 you fellows6 cried ,selpha1 there through the hall of ,pilate's lies our nearest way to the palace of ,caiaphas4 ,there1 station yourselves in the courtyard until further orders4 ,the soldiers answered1 ,thy command shall be fully obeyed6 ,hardly had the noisy soldiery passed with their prisoner out of the street than ,peter and ,john appeared before the house of ,annas4 ,then said ,peter1 ,how will it fare here with our good master8 ,oh1 ,john1 how anxious ,i am about him6 ,john answered1 ,he is certain to have to suffer here scorn and ill treatment4 ,i am very much afraid of approaching the house4 ,peter said1 ,but it is so silent about here4 ,john replied1 ,one hears not a sound in the place4 ,could they have taken him away again8 ,as they were talking ,esdras came out from the house of ,annas and asked1 ,what do you want at the palace at this time of night8 ,john answered1 ,forgive us2 we saw a number of people from afar come hither from the ,kedron ,gate1 and we came here in order to see what had happened4 ,esdras answered1 ,they have brought in a prisoner1 but he has already been sent to ,caiaphas4 ,to ,caiaphas1 said the disciples1 then we will go away at once4 ,you had better1 otherwise ,i will have you taken1 up as night brawlers1 said ,esdras4 ,we will go away quietly and make no disturbance1 said ,peter1 meekly4 ,as they went the priest1 looking after them1 said1 ,perhaps they are followers of the ,galilean4 ,if ,i only knew4 ,however1 they will not escape our people if they go to the palace of ,caiaphas4 ,the whole of his following must be destroyed4 ,otherwise the people will never be brought into obedience4 ,he then returned into the house4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,peter ,,commits ,,perjury4 ,how bleeds my heart6 ,the ,holiest stands before the judgement seat4 ,the malice of sinners he must bear1 ,betrayed and outraged1 bound and beaten there4 ,o1 sons of men1 your faces veil this day6-- ,the scarred form is touched by impious hands1 ,from ,annas dragged to ,caiaphas away1 ,what's here foreshadowed1 see1 fulfilled it stands4 ,see ,jesus1 how in silence he ,bears outrage1 blows and mockery6 ,o6 what a man6 ,oh1 hearts of men who now draw near1 ,melt with compassion when you see ,bowed down in deepest misery6 ,o6 what a man6 ,caiaphas1 in his bed chamber1 wearing a dressing gown1 surrounded by priests1 exulted over the news which had been brought him of the arrest of ,jesus4 ,this happy capture1 said he1 promises us a fortunate realization of our wishes4 ,i thank you1 noble members of the ,sanhedrin1 for zealous and prudent co-operation4 ,but the priests with one voice cried1 ,the greatest share of praise belongs to our high priest6 ,now1 said ,caiaphas1 let us pursue our path without delay4 ,everything is ready6 ,the council will immediately be assembled4 ,the necessary witnesses have already been brought along4 ,i shall now without losing a moment1 at once begin the trial of the prisoner4 ,then judgment shall be pronounced and provision made that it shall be executed4 ,the quicker the execution the surer the result6 ,dathan said1 ,it would be advisable to get everything over before our adversaries recover their senses4 ,caiaphas replied1 ,i have encountered this necessity4 ,trust me1 my friends4 ,i have thought of a plan4 ,i hope to carry it out4 ,at this ,zadok said1 ,the wisdom of our high priest deserves our fullest confidence1 and then cried they all1 the ,god of our fathers bless all his measures6 ,then ,selpha1 the leader of the band1 brought ,jesus into the chamber of ,caiaphas1 the high priest1 ,balbus and ,malchus holding the cords by which his hands were bound4 ,illustrious ,high ,priest1 here is the prisoner1 said ,selpha4 ,bring him nearer1 said ,caiaphas1 so that ,i may look him in the face and question him4 ,step forward1 said ,selpha1 and show respect here to the head of the ,sanhedrin4 ,then ,caiaphas1 having looked into the face of ,jesus1 said to him disdainfully1 ,thou art he then who dreamed of bringing about the destruction of the synagogue1 and the law of ,moses8 ,then assuming a more judicial tone1 he said1 ,thou art accused that thou hast stirred up the people to disobedience1 that thou hast despised the holy traditions of the fathers1 that thou hast transgressed the divine command for the keeping of the ,sabbath day1 and that thou hast even been guilty of many blasphemous speeches and acts4 ,here1 ,caiaphas continues1 pointing to five ,jews who had entered the chamber at the same time as ,selpha brought in ,jesus1 and had taken their stand on the left of the high priest1 confronting the accused1 ,here stand honorable men who are prepared to prove the truth1 of these accusations by their testimony4 ,hear them and then thou mayest answer if thou canst4 ,then stood forth the first witness and spoke1 saying1 ,i can testify before ,god that this man has stirred up the people by openly denouncing the members of the council and the scribes as hypocrites1 ravening wolves in sheeps' clothing1 blind leaders of the blind1 and has declared that no one shall follow their work4 ,at this the members of the ,sanhedrin smiled approvingly one to another4 ,the second witness said1 ,i can also testify to this1 and can still further declare that he has forbidden the people to pay tribute to ,caesar4 ,yes1 interrupted the first witness1 at any rate he has dropped words of double meaning about that4 ,then ,caiaphas turned to ,jesus and said1 ,what sayest thou unto this8 ,he paused for a reply1 but ,jesus opened not his mouth4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,art thou silent8 ,hast thou nothing to answer8 ,but ,jesus never answered a word4 ,the third witness took up his testimony4 ,i have often seen how he with his disciples1 in defiance of the law1 has eaten with unwashed hands2 how he has become accustomed to hold friendly intercourse with publicans and sinners and go into their houses to eat with them4 ,that we have also seen1 cried the other witnesses together4 ,i have heard many credible people say that he has even spoken with ,samaritans1 and indeed has lived with them for days together4 ,then the first witness began to speak again3 ,i was a witness how he has done on the ,sabbath what is forbidden by ,god's law1 in that he healed sick and infirm people without fear on that day4 ,he has seduced others to break the ,sabbath2 he ordered a man to take up his bed and carry it to his house4 ,the second witness joined in1 ,i also can testify to this4 ,again ,caiaphas turned to ,jesus and said1 ,what has thou to say against this evidence8 ,and after a pause1 seeing that ,jesus still spoke not1 he said1 ,hast thou nothing to say in reply8 ,but ,jesus spoke not4 ,then said the third witness1 addressing himself to ,jesus1 ,thou hast1 for ,i was present1 taken upon thyself to forgive sins1 which belongs to ,god alone4 ,thou hast1 therefore1 blasphemed ,god4 ,then again spoke the first witness1 ,thou hast called ,god thy ,father1 and hast dared to declare that thou art one with the ,father4 ,thou hast therefore made thyself equal to ,god4 ,the second witness added1 ,thou hast exalted thyself above our father ,abraham4 ,thou didst say1 ',before ,abraham was1 ,i am4' ,then spoke the fourth witness1 who said1 ,thou hast said1 ',i can destroy the temple of ,god1 and in three days build it up again4' ,the fifth witness1 who had not hitherto spoken1 stood forward and said1 ,i have heard thee say1 ',i will destroy this temple which is made with hands1 and in three days ,i will build another made without hands4' ,this concluded the testimony of the witnesses4 ,then ,caiaphas1 turning to ,jesus1 spoke to him with indignation3 ,so thou hast claimed to possess a superhuman divine power8 ,these are serious accusations1 and they are legally proved2 answer if thou canst4 ,jesus remaining silent1 ,caiaphas resumed1 ,thou thinkest that by silence thou canst save thyself4 ,thou darest not to admit before the fathers and judges of the people what thou hast taught before the people4 ,or dost thou dare8 ,then rising to his utmost height1 and stretching his hand on high1 ,caiaphas continued1 ,hear1 then1 ,i1 the high priest1 adjure thee by the living ,god4 ,say--art thou the ,messiah1 the ,son of the ,most ,high8 and as he uttered the sacred name ,caiaphas crossed his arms and dropped his head on his breast4 ,for a moment there was silence1 then ,jesus answered and said1 ,thou hast said it1 and so ,i am4 ,nevertheless1 ,i say unto you1 hereafter ye shall see the ,son of ,man sitting on the right hand of ,god in power and coming in the clouds of heaven4 ,as ,jesus spoke these words1 the members of the council started in horror1 and ,caiaphas rending his robe1 exclaimed with a loud voice1 ,he has blasphemed ,god6 ,what need have we of any further witnesses8 ,you yourselves have heard the blasphemy4 ,what think ye8 ,and all the members of the council cried together1 ,he is worthy of death4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,he is thus unanimously declared worthy of death4 ,but not ,i1 not the council1 but the law of ,god pronounces the death sentence upon him4 ,you teachers of the law1 ,i call upon you to answer2 what does the holy law say of him who is guilty of disobedience to the authorities appointed by ,god8 ,then stood up ,josue1 and unrolling the book of the law read therefrom3 ,the man that will do presumptuously and will not hearken to the priest that standest to minister there before the ,lord thy ,god1 or unto the judge1 even that man shalt die1 and thou shalt put away the evil from ,israel4 ,then again said ,caiaphas1 ,what does the law decree concerning him who profaneth the ,sabbath8 ,then ,ezekiel stood up and read1 ,ye shall keep the ,sabbath therefore1 for it is holy unto you4 ,every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death2 for whosoever doeth any work therein that soul shall be cut off from his people4 ,then asked ,caiaphas1 ,how does the law punish the blasphemer8 ,then stood up ,nathanael1 and unrolling the book of the law1 read3 ,speak unto the children of ,israel saying1 whosoever curseth his ,god shall bear his sin4 ,and he that blasphemeth the name of the ,lord he shall surely be put to death2 all the congregation shall certainly stone him1 as well the stranger as him that is born in this land4 ,thus1 said ,caiaphas1 is the judgment pronounced upon this ,jesus of ,nazareth--pronounced according to law1 and shall be carried out as speedily as possible4 ,meanwhile ,i will have the condemned placed under safe guard4 ,lead him forth1 guard him1 and by the safe dawn of the morning bring him to the ,great ,sanhedrin4 ,come1 then1 ,messiah1 said ,selpha1 roughly1 we will show thee thy palace4 ,there thou shalt receive due homage1 said ,balbus1 as he placed his hand on the shoulder of ,jesus1 and marched him out of the chamber4 ,then said ,caiaphas exultingly1 ,we are approaching the goal4 ,now1 however1 resolute steps are necessary4 ,the priests and ,pharisees cried together1 ,we will not rest until he is brought to death4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,with the break of day let us come together again4 ,this must be announced to the ,high ,priest ,annas and the rest4 ,then shall the sentence be confirmed by the whole assembled council1 and the prisoner will immediately be brought before ,pilate in order that he may confirm it and have it executed4 ,the priests then departed1 crying as they went1 ,god deliver us soon from our enemy4 ,when the council had been dismissed and all was still1 ,judas1 moving as one distracted1 came down the street in front of the high priest's palace2 as he went he muttered to himself3 ,fearful forebodings drive me hither and thither4 ,that word of ,annas' ',he must die6' ,oh1 that word pursues me everywhere4 ,then1 as if he remembered all that had happened1 ,judas cried1 ,no1 it cannot come to that2 they will not carry things so far6 ,that would be too terrible if my ,master--no6--and ,i--guilty of it8 ,no6 ,here in the house of ,caiaphas1 ,i will inquire how things stand4 ,shall ,i go in8 ,i can no longer bear this uncertainty1 and it terrifies me to ascertain the certainty4 ,my heart throbs with terror--surely ,i shall not have to hear the worst4 ,yet it must come some time4 ,and thereupon he went into the house of the high priest4 ,meanwhile in the hall of ,caiaphas the ,temple ,watch was standing waiting the result of the examination of ,jesus before ,caiaphas4 ,in the hall were the servant maids1 ,sarah and ,hagar1 who seeing the soldiers standing outside1 went to the door1 and said1 ,you may come in here4 ,it was ,hagar who spoke first1 and ,sarah added1 ,it is more comfortable in here4 ,true for you1 good people1 said ,melchi1 one of the soldiers4 ,then calling out1 ,ho1 comrades1 come in6 ,it is better for us to lie down in the hall4 ,then said a soldier named ,arphaxad1 ,i like this2 ,i wish we had come in long ago2 how stupid we are1 always standing outside in the open air and shivering4 ,but where is there any fire8 ,sarah1 added another soldier1 go and bring us fire1 also wood to lay thereon4 ,willingly1 said ,hagar4 ,that you shall have1 said ,sarah4 ,they went out together to comply with the soldier's wish4 ,will the trial soon come to an end8 asked several of the soldiers4 ,it will last1 said ,melchi1 until all the witnesses are examined4 ,and1 added ,panther1 the accused will also use all his eloquence to get himself out of the scrape4 ,that will help him nothing1 said ,arphaxad2 he has offended the priests too much4 ,then returned the serving maids with a brazier in which there was a little fire and some wood1 which they placed thereon1 making a great smoke4 ,here is your fire1 said ,hagar1 wood and fire tongs4 ,then cried the soldiers together1 ,thanks1 you good girls4 ,yes1 said ,panther1 stooping down over the brazier1 that is good4 ,now take care that the fire does not go out4 ,several of the soldiers stooped over the fire1 piled on wood1 and ,sarah busied herself with bringing in meat and bread4 ,peter and ,john1 who had been wandering about the streets seeking for tidings1 came to the door1 ,john preceding ,peter4 ,hagar1 who saw ,john standing in the entrance of the door1 said1 ,john1 comest thou also hither in the middle of the night8 ,come in here1 then1 thou must warm thyself4 ,could you make a little room for this young man here8 said ,hagar addressing the soldiers4 ,yes1 indeed1 cried the band together4 ,then said ,john1 ,good ,hagar1 ,i have a companion with me2 can he not also come in8 ,where is he8 said ,hagar4 ,let him come in2 why does he stand out in the cold8 ,john went to where ,peter was standing1 but came back alone4 ,where is he8 said ,hagar4 ,he stands on the threshold1 but does not trust himself to come in1 replied ,john4 ,then ,hagar went to the door and said1 ,come in1 good friend2 do not be afraid4 ,all the soldiers cried1 ,friend1 come also in here to us and warm thyself6 ,peter without saying a word timidly drew near to the fire and warmed his hands in the smoke4 ,the men went on talking round the fire and ,arphaxad said1 after a pause1 ,we still see and hear nothing of the prisoner4 ,several then asked together1 ,how much longer must we wait here8 ,then said ,panther1 ,probably he will come out from the trial as a man condemned to death4 ,i wonder1 said ,arphaxad1 whether his disciples will be sought after8 ,peter trembled as the band with hoarse laughter cried aloud1 ,that would be a fine piece of work if they all had to be captured6 ,then said ,panther1 ,it would not be worth the trouble4 ,if the ,master is once out of the way1 then the ,galileans will fly and never let themselves be seen again in ,jerusalem4 ,but1 said ,panther1 one at least ought to receive sharp punishment2 he who in the garden drew his sword and cut off ,malchus' ear4 ,yes1 yes1 cried the band1 laughing1 that should be1 as it is said1 an ear for an ear6 ,ha1 ha1 ha1 a good idea6 laughed ,panther1 but that rule would here find no application1 for ,malchus has his ear back again4 ,during this time1 while the soldiers were laughing and talking1 ,hagar was curiously looking at ,peter4 ,immediately a pause took place1 ,hagar said to ,peter1 ,i have been observing thee for some time4 ,now1 if ,i do not mistake1 thou art one of the disciples of the ,galilean4 ,yes1 yes1 thou wert with ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,peter started up from the fire over which he had been warming his hands and stammered out1 ,i8 ,no1 ,i am not4 ,woman1 ,i know him not1 neither know ,i what thou sayest4 ,when ,hagar thus spoke all the soldiers looked at ,peter1 who fearing his attack on ,malchus might be resented1 tried to slip through the band and escape unobserved4 ,passing the fire1 he came close to the other waiting maid1 ,sarah1 who1 looking him full in the face1 said in a shrill voice1 ,see1 this man was also with ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,the attention of the whole band being aroused1 they all clustered around ,peter1 asking1 ,art thou also one of the disciples8 ,levi said1 ,thou art one of them1 quite certainly4 ,peter in the midst of armed and violent men1 looked confusedly from side to side and declared1 ,upon my soul--,i am not--,i do not know the man4 ,even as he spoke the cock crew1 but the rattle of the weapons of the soldiers and imminent menace of a violent death left him no leisure to attend to anything but his own safety1 for a soldier at the same moment exclaimed1 ,look at this man4 ,of a truth he was also with him4 ,then said ,peter stoutly1 ,i know not what ye have to do with me4 ,what does this man matter to me8 ,but the soldiers crowding round him said1 ,yes1 yes1 thou art one of them4 ,thou art also a ,galilean2 thy speech betrayeth thee4 ,then ,peter1 raising his hands on high1 said with a troubled voice1 ,god be my witness that ,i do not know the man of whom ye speak2 and the cock crew a second time4 ,then ,melchi1 pressing forward1 looked ,peter full in the face and said1 ,did ,i not see thee in the garden with him1 when my cousin ,malchus had his ear cut off8 ,at this moment1 when the situation was getting very serious for ,peter1 attention was called off from him by a cry from the soldiers round the fire4 ,make ready1 they are bringing in the prisoner4 ,selpha then brought in ,jesus bound between ,malchus and ,balbus4 ,now1 how have things gone8 eagerly inquired ,arphaxad4 ,he is condemned to death1 said ,selpha4 ,the soldiers mocking1 cried1 ,poor king6 ,at this moment ,jesus met ,peter1 and looked upon him with a gaze full of sorrow4 ,peter smote his head with his hand and went out into the night4 ,come1 said ,arphaxad1 he will help us to pass the time4 ,forward1 comrades1 said ,selpha1 we must guard him till morning4 ,thereupon they all went out4 ,peter1 when he had left the hall of the high priest1 went out into the street weeping bitterly and suffering anguish of soul4 ,oh1 my ,master1 he cried1 how deeply have ,i fallen6 ,oh1 woe unto me1 weak and wretched man6 ,i have three times denied my dearest friend and teacher4 ,i cannot understand how ,i could so forget myself4 ,a curse upon my shameful faithlessness6 ,how my heart will repent of it--this contemptible cowardice4 ,my dearest ,lord1 hast thou still grace for me--grace for a faithless1 one--oh6 send it me6 ,this once more hear the voice of my repentant heart4 ,alas6 the sin is committed4 ,i cannot undo it1 but ever1 ever1 will ,i weep for it and repent of it--and now nevermore will ,i leave thee6 ,oh1 thou most loving one6 ,thou wilt surely not cast me off6 ,thou wilt not despise my bitter1 repentance4 ,no6 the gentle pitying look which thou didst cast upon thy deeply fallen disciple promises it--thou wilt forgive me4 ,i have this hope from thee1 best of teachers1 and the whole love of my heart shall from this moment be given to thee4 ,i will cling closely to thee and nothing1 nothing shall ever be able to separate thee from me again6 ,and with a face beaming with hope of forgiveness1 even for his threefold denial1 he went away4 ,hardly had he gone1 when ,john entered at the other end of the street1 asking anxiously1 looking on either side1 ,where1 then1 can ,peter have gone8 ,in vain my eyes have sought him in the crowd4 ,surely nothing evil can have befallen him4 ,perhaps ,i still may meet him upon the road4 ,i will now go to ,bethany4 ,dearest mother1 if ,i bring thee the tidings of these terrible things which have happened--the innocent one ill-treated and condemned by sinners1 what wilt thy heart feel8 ,o1 ,judas1 ,judas1 what hast thou done8 ,now it came to pass that the soldiers having taken ,jesus into the guardroom of ,caiaphas' palace1 mocked him and despitefully used him until it was day4 ,they seated him on a stool with a bandage over his eyes1 and surrounded him mockingly1 saying1 ,is not this throne too mean for thee1 great king8 ,hail to thee1 thou new-born sovereign6 ,but sit more firmly1 said one1 seizing ,jesus from behind and pressing him down on his chair4 ,thou mightest otherwise fall down4 ,thou art verily also a prophet4 ,so say1 ,o great ,elias1 say who it is who has struck thee1 and with that he dealt ,jesus a blow on the face4 ,others came in and also struck him1 saying1 ,was it ,i8 but ,jesus answered nothing4 ,then one of the band went up to him and shouted1 ,hearest thou nothing8 and shook him violently by the shoulders4 ,art thou asleep8 ,then turning to his comrades he exclaimed1 ,he is deaf and dumb2 a fine prophet indeed4 ,and thereupon he roughly pushed ,jesus forward so that he fell from the stool upon the ground upon his face4 ,alas6 alas6 they cried4 ,our king has fallen from his throne4 ,what is to be done now8 ,we have no longer any king4 ,thou art to be pitied1 such a great magician and now so weak and weary6 ,come1 help us to put him again upon his throne4 ,and then they seized him where he lay on the ground with his eyes bandaged and his hands tied1 and lifted him again upon his seat4 ,raise thyself1 ,o mighty king2 receive anew our homage4 ,as they were kneeling around him in scorn a messenger of ,caiaphas entered saying1 ,how goes it now with the king8 and the band shouted1 ,he speaks and prophesies not2 we can do nothing with him4 ,then1 said the messenger1 the high priest and ,pilate will soon make him speak4 ,caiaphas sends me to bring him4 ,up1 comrades1 said ,selpha4 ,thereupon1 taking ,jesus again by the cords which bound his hands1 they led him off1 saying1 ,stand up2 thou hast been king long enough4 ,and all shouted1 ,away with thee4 ,thy kingdom has come to an end4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,judas ,,hangs ,,himself4 ,the guilty deed fails not to win its wages1 ,the guiltless blood he sold cries from the ground2 ,driven to madness by the worm that rages ,and scourged by furies1 ,judas ranges round ,wildly1 and finds no rest ,from the fire in his breast1 ,till swept away by bitterest despair ,he flings away in reckless haste ,the load of life he can no longer bear4 ,when ,jesus was being mocked and ill-treated by the soldiers in the guardroom of ,caiaphas' palace1 ,judas wandered to and fro in despair4 ,now my fearful foreboding has become a terrible certainty4 ,caiaphas has sentenced the ,master to death1 and the council has concurred in his sentence4 ,all is over4 ,there is no hope1 no way of escape4 ,had the ,master wished to save himself he would have made them feel his might a second time in the garden4 ,as he did not do it then1 he will now do so no more4 ,what can ,i do for him1 ,i1 a miserable wretch who have delivered him into their hands8 ,they shall have the money back1 that blood money4 ,they must give me my ,master back again4 ,i will go at once and make the demand4 ,but1 oh1 will he be saved by that8 ,oh1 vain1 foolish hope4 ,they will mock me1 ,i know it4 ,o cursed synagogue1 thou hast tempted me through thy messengers1 thou hast hidden from me thy bloody designs until thou hadst him in thy clutches4 ,i will torture thee with bitter reproaches1 ye unjust judges4 ,i will have nothing to do with your devilish decision4 ,i will have no share in the blood of this innocent4 ,oh1 what tortures1 what pains of hell1 tear my inmost soul6 ,so saying he departed4 ,now within the hall of the ,sanhedrin were assembled the high priests1 the scribes and the leaders4 ,caiaphas and ,annas arrayed in their robes1 sat in the high place of the council1 and all the seats were filled except those of ,joseph of ,arimathea and ,nicodemus4 ,caiaphas spoke1 saying1 ,i thought1 fathers1 that ,i could not wait till the morning to send the enemy of the synagogue to death4 ,and ,annas said1 ,i could not get a moment's rest for eagerness to hear the sentence pronounced4 ,then cried they all1 ,it is pronounced4 ,he shall and must die4 ,caiaphas said1 ,i did not wish to trouble all the members of the ,sanhedrin to come hither in the night time4 ,but there was present the necessary number of judges to pronounce as the law prescribes4 ,all as with one mouth declared the accused worthy of death1 for all had heard with their own ears how this man blasphemed ,god in the most terrible way1 and was impious enough to call himself the ,son of ,god4 ,the priests and ,pharisees who had previously been present answered1 ,yea1 we bear witness to it4 ,we have ourselves heard the impious blasphemy from his lips4 ,then1 said ,caiaphas1 ,i will have the criminal brought before you once more1 so that you may be convinced of his being worthy of death4 ,then may the whole council pronounce the just sentence4 ,as he was speaking1 ,judas1 looking haggard and distracted1 rushed into the midst of the council1 crying wildly1 ,is it true8 ,have you condemned my ,master to death8 ,then said the rabbi unto him1 ,why dost thou force thyself uncalled for in this assembly8 ,be off4 ,we will call thee if we have need of thee4 ,but ,judas took no heed4 ,i must know it1 he said4 ,have you condemned him8 ,then all in the council cried aloud1 ,he must die4 ,woe1 woe6 said ,judas4 ,i have sinned4 ,i have betrayed innocent blood4 ,oh1 you blood-thirsty judges1 to condemn the innocent blood4 ,peace1 peace1 ,judas1 cried the council4 ,there will never1 never more be peace for me1 said ,judas1 bitterly1 and none for you4 ,the blood of the innocent cries aloud for vengeance4 ,what has driven you crazy8 ,speak1 but speak with reverence--thou standest before the ,sanhedrin1 said ,caiaphas4 ,then said ,judas passionately3 ,you are determined to deliver him up to death2 him who is free from all guilt4 ,you must not do it4 ,i have a protest to make against it4 ,you have made me a traitor4 ,your accursed pieces of silver6 ,annas interrupted him1 saying1 ,thou didst propose it thyself and close the bargain4 ,then said the priest unto him1 ,recollect thyself1 ,judas1 thou hast received what thou didst desire2 and if thou behavest thyself decently thou canst still---- ,judas interrupted him4 ,i will have nothing more4 ,i tear up your shameful bargain4 ,let the innocent go4 ,be off1 madman1 said a rabbi angrily4 ,but ,judas1 taking no heed1 knelt and stretched his hands toward ,caiaphas4 ,i demand the release of the innocent4 ,my hands shall be free from his blood4 ,what1 said the rabbi1 thou contemptible traitor1 wilt thou dictate to the ,sanhedrin8 ,know this1 thy ,master must die1 and thou hast delivered him to death4 ,and all the priests and ,pharisees cried aloud1 ,he must die4 ,and ,judas1 with staring eyes1 as one demented1 repeated1 ,die8 ,then ,i am a traitor4 ,i have given him up to death6 ,he sank down like a man crushed by a blow1 and then springing up and breaking out into wild passion1 he shouted aloud3 ,may ten thousand devils from hell tear me in pieces6 ,let them grind me to powder6 ,here1 ye bloodhounds1 take your accursed blood money6 ,and with that he snatched the bag from his girdle and flung it violently before the seat of the high priest4 ,why didst thou let thyself be made the tool for a transaction which thou didst not weigh beforehand8 said ,caiaphas4 ,yes1 cried several1 it is your own business4 ,then shouted ,judas wildly1 ,may my soul be damned1 my body burnt asunder1 and ye-- ,silence and out from here1 cried all the priests together4 ,and you1 shouted ,judas1 above them all1 you will sink with me into the lowest hell6 ,he then rushed from the hall4 ,after a pause1 during which the chief priests and rulers looked at each other in silence1 the money lay unnoticed on the floor4 ,caiaphas said1 ,what a fearful man6 ,i had some foreboding of this1 said ,annas4 ,it is his own fault1 remarked a priest4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,let him expiate that fault himself4 ,he has betrayed his friend1 we pursue our enemy4 ,i remain steadfast by my determination1 and if anyone here should be of another opinion1 let him stand up4 ,no1 cried they all with one voice1 what has been resolved upon1 let it be carried out4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,what shall we do with this money8 ,it is blood money2 it can no longer be put into the treasury of ,god4 ,annas said1 ,it might be used for some useful purpose under the sanction of the high council4 ,all agreed to this1 and a priest said1 ,a burying place for strangers is much wanted4 ,with this money a field may be purchased for that purpose4 ,is there such a one in the market8 asked ,caiaphas4 ,yes1 said a priest1 a potter in the city has offered a piece of ground for sale at just this price4 ,let ,saras conclude the purchase1 said ,caiaphas4 ,they then picked up the money which had lain untouched on the floor4 ,but now we will no longer delay to pronounce the capital sentence upon the prisoner1 continued ,caiaphas4 ,then said a rabbi1 ,i will have him brought in at once4 ,i shall see1 said ,annas1 whether the scorn which he showed toward me has not yet left him4 ,a real satisfaction will it be to me to share in the sentence4 ,let him die4 ,jesus then was brought in a second time before ,caiaphas4 ,selpha1 as before1 preceded him1 and ,balbus and ,malchus led him bound by the hands with a cord4 ,stand there1 said ,selpha1 and show more respect to the council than thou didst before4 ,then he added1 ,venerable fathers1 here we bring the prisoner4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,lead him into the middle4 ,balbus1 laying his hand on the shoulder of ,jesus1 thrust him forward saying1 ,step forward4 ,then ,caiaphas spake unto ,jesus1 saying1 ,jesus of ,nazareth1 dost thou stand by the words which thou hast pronounced this night before thy judges8 ,annas added1 ,if thou be the ,christ1 tell us6 ,then ,jesus answered and said1 ,if ,i tell you ye will not believe2 if ,i also ask you1 ye will not answer me nor let me go4 ,but hereafter shall ye see the ,son of ,man sitting on the right hand of ,almighty ,god4 ,a shudder ran through the ,sanhedrin1 and all cried excitedly1 ,art thou the ,son of ,god8 ,jesus answered1 ,ye say it and so ,i am4 ,annas exclaimed1 ,it is enough2 what need have we of any further witnesses8 ,the priests and ,pharisees who had not attended the night council1 said1 ,we have now heard it out of his own mouth4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,fathers of the people of ,israel1 it is now your duty to come to a final decision as to the guilt and punishment of this man4 ,then cried they all1 ,he is guilty of blasphemy4 ,he hath deserved death4 ,caiaphas said1 ,we will therefore lead him before the judgment seat of ,pilate4 ,and they all answered and said1 ,yes1 away with him4 ,let him die4 ,pilate1 said ,caiaphas1 must first be informed in order that he may proclaim the sentence before the feast4 ,a rabbi said1 ,could some one be sent from the council in order to give him timely information8 ,thou thyself1 said ,caiaphas1 together with ,dariabbas and ,rabinth shalt go before4 ,we will speedily come after4 ,when these three had departed ,caiaphas said1 ,this day1 then1 will save the religion of our fathers1 and exalt the honor of the synagogue1 so that the echo of our fame shall reach our latest descendants4 ,all shouted1 ,men will speak of us centuries hence6 and ,caiaphas resumed1 ,lead him away2 we follow4 ,once more they cried1 ,down with the ,galilean6 and departed4 ,the three messengers sent by the ,sanhedrin drew near to the house of ,pilate1 and as they went they spoke among themselves4 ,the rabbi said3 ,at last we breathe more freely again2 we have been insulted long enough4 ,dariabbas replied1 ,it was indeed high time2 his following was becoming very large4 ,now1 said the rabbi1 there is nothing more to be feared from him4 ,the traders have in these days displayed the most creditable activity1 to have gained for us a crowd of determined people4 ,you will see if it comes to anything1 they will effectively take the lead4 ,the waverers will concur with them1 and the followers of the ,nazarene will find it well to be silent1 and take themselves off4 ,then said ,rabinth1 seeing they had approached the place of ,pilate1 ,how shall we bring our message to ,pilate8 ,we dare not enter the house of the ,gentile today1 as in that case we should become unclean and could not eat the ,passover8 ,we will send a message through one of his own people1 said the rabbi1 and going up the stairs to the balcony of ,pilate's house1 he knocked gently at the door4 ,standing and listening1 he said1 ,surely1 there is some one there8 ,yes1 there is some one coming1 and retired a little way down the steps1 so as to avoid any contact with the ,gentile4 ,a servant of ,pilate opened it and said1 ,welcome1 rabbi1 will you not come in8 ,the precepts of the law will not allow us so to do today1 said the rabbi4 ,the servant said1 ,is that so8 ,can ,i carry your message8 ,the high priest sends us to bring a petition to the viceroy of ,caesar to ask if he will allow the council to appear before him and to bring before him a malefactor for the confirmation of his sentence4 ,i will deliver the message at once to my lord2 wait here in the meantime1 said the servant1 and went into ,pilate4 ,the rabbi returning down the steps joined ,dariabbas and ,rabinth1 who stood below4 ,it is very sad1 said ,dariabbas1 that we must knock at the door of a ,gentile in order to get the behests of our holy law executed4 ,take courage1 said the rabbi1 when once this domestic enemy is removed out of the way1 who knows whether we might not soon free ourselves from the foreign foe8 ,rabinth exclaimed1 ,oh1 may ,i live to see the day which will bring freedom to the children of ,israel6 ,pilate's servant returned and spoke unto them saying1 ,the governor greets you4 ,you are to inform the high priest that ,pilate is ready to receive the petition of the ,sanhedrin4 ,accept our thanks for thy kindness1 said the rabbi4 ,now let us hasten to report to the high priest the result of our errand4 ,the servant then returned and closed the door behind him4 ,the three messengers then returned4 ,rabinth remarked anxiously1 ,pilate will surely agree to the demand of the council4 ,he must1 said the rabbi1 how could he resist it when the ,sanhedrin and the whole people demand with one voice the death of this man8 ,and besides1 said ,dariabbas1 what does the governor care about the life of a single ,galilean8 ,were it merely to please the high priest1 who is of great importance to him1 he would not hesitate to permit the execution4 ,now1 ,judas1 being distracted by remorse1 found himself1 after wandering to and fro1 in the potter's field1 purchased with the thirty pieces of silver1 in the midst of which stood a blasted tree4 ,then after wildly looking around to see if anyone was near1 he said3 ,oh1 where1 where can ,i go to hide my shame1 to escape the torments of conscience8 ,no forest is dark enough6 ,no rocky cavern deep enough6 ,o1 earth1 open and swallow me up6 ,i can no longer exist4 ,o1 my dear ,master6 ,him1 best of all men1 have ,i sold1 giving him up to ill treatment1 to a most painful death of torture4 ,i1 detestable betrayer--oh6 where is there another man on whom such guilt of blood doth rest8 ,alas6 nevermore can ,i appear before the face of the brethren4 ,an outcast1 hated and abhorred everywhere--branded as a traitor by those who led me astray--,i wander about alone with this burning fire in my heart4 ,there is still one left4 ,oh6 might ,i look on the ,master's face once more1 ,i would cling to him as my only anchor4 ,but he lies in prison1 has perhaps been already slain by the rage of his enemies1 although by my guilt1 by my fault4 ,i am the abhorred one who has brought him to prison and to death4 ,woe to me1 the scum of men6 ,there is no hope for me1 my crimes can be expiated by no penance4 ,for he is dead--and ,i1 ,i am his murderer6 ,thrice unhappy hour in which my mother gave me to the world6 ,must ,i still drag on this life of agony and bear these tortures about with me8--as one pest stricken1 flee from men1 and be despised and shunned by all the world8 ,no6 ,i can bear it no longer6 ,not one step further6 ,here1 ,o life accursed1 here will ,i end thee6 ,on these branches let the most disastrous fruit hang6 ,he untwined his girdle and twined it about his neck4 ,ha1 ha6 come1 thou serpent1 entwine my neck and strangle the betrayer6 ,as ,judas spoke the last words he tied with convulsive and feverish agony the long girdle around his neck1 fastened it to the branch of the tree1 and swung himself off4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,jesus1 ,,pilate ,,and ,,herod4 ,thus before ,pilate's judgment seat ,the council1 full of passion's heat1 ,come to demand ,messiah's blood4 ,oh1 what has made them mad and blind8 ,and what has kindled in their mind ,of fury such a fiery flood8 ',tis envy which no mercy knows ,in which hell's flame most fiercely glows-- ,lights this devouring fire1 ,all's sacrificed unto its lust-- ,nothing too sacred1 good or just ,to fall to its desire4 ,oh1 woe to those whom passion sweeps ,helpless and bound into the deeps4 ,then went the high priests and the scribes1 together with the rulers and traders of the temple1 and the witnesses1 to the house of ,pilate4 ,jesus was led forth in front of them by ,balbus and ,malchus as before1 ,selpha being in command of the band of soldiers4 ,as they went the soldiers shouted aloud1 ,away with thee to death1 thou false prophet6 ,ha6 doth it dismay thee that thou wilt not go forward8 ,drive him on1 said ,selpha4 ,but ,jesus being weary walked with slow footsteps4 ,then the soldiers thrust him forward1 crying1 ,shall we have to carry thee in our arms8 ,go on6 ,thou hast not far to go1 only to ,calvary2 there upon the cross thou canst rest in comfort4 ,by this time they had approached the precincts of ,pilate's house4 ,then said ,caiaphas to the soldiers1 ,be still2 we have to announce our coming4 ,and they were still4 ,the rabbi said1 ,go to the door and knock4 ,it was done1 and ,quintus came out1 saying1 ,what does this crowd of people want here8 ,the rabbi replied that the council had assembled there4 ,quintus promised to announce them at once1 and the rabbi turning to the members of the ,sanhedrin1 said1 ,do you hear8 ,he will announce our presence without delay4 ,caiaphas addressed those who were following him3 ,ye members of the ,sanhedrin1 if you have at heart the holy traditions1 our honor1 the tranquility of the whole land1 then consider well this moment4 ,it decides between us and that deceiver4 ,if you are men in whom flows the blood of your fathers1 then listen to us4 ,an imperishable monument you will set up for yourselves4 ,be firm in your resolve4 ,then cried the priests1 ,our fathers forever2 death to the enemy of the nation6 ,do not rest1 then1 said ,caiaphas1 until he is blotted out of the number of the living6 ,and they cried again1 ,we will not rest1 we demand his death1 his blood4 ,then the soldiers turned to ,jesus and said1 ,hearest thou that1 ,o king and prophet8 ,then came ,pilate out with his attendants upon the balcony of the house2 two spearmen on either side advanced to the foot of the steps of the balcony1 and stood spear in hand whilst the audience listed4 ,then ,caiaphas stepped forward in front of the crowd1 and1 bowing low1 thus began1 ,governor and representative of the great ,caesar1 health and blessing to thee4 ,then ,caiaphas continued3 ,we have brought here before thy judgment seat a man of the name of ,jesus that thou mayest consent to the execution of the death sentence pronounced against him by the ,sanhedrin4 ,pilate answered1 ,bring him forth1 and the soldiers led ,jesus1 out before ,pilate so that he stood on the right hand of the balcony4 ,pilate having looked upon him asked1 ,what accusations have you to bring against this man8 ,illustration3 ,what accusations have you to bring against this man8 ,caiaphas1 speaking with some surprise1 said1 ,if he were not a great malefactor we would not have delivered him over to thee1 but have dealt with him ourselves according to the direction of our holy law4 ,well1 of what evil deeds has he been guilty8 asked ,pilate4 ,caiaphas answered1 ,he has in many ways grievously offended against the holy law of ,israel4 ,pilate answered1 ,then take him away and judge him according to your law4 ,then said ,annas1 ,he has already been judged by the ,sanhedrin and has been declared to be worthy of death4 ,then all the priests cried aloud1 ,for according to our law he has deserved death4 ,but ,caiaphas explained3 ,it is not lawful for us to execute the sentence of death upon any one2 therefore we bring the application for the execution of the sentence to the representative of ,caesar4 ,then ,pilate having looked upon ,jesus and upon ,caiaphas asked1 with indignation1 ,how can ,i deliver a man over to death unless ,i know the crime1 and before ,i have satisfied myself that his crime is worthy of death8 ,what has he done8 ,then said the rabbi1 ,the sentence of the council upon this man was unanimously pronounced1 and grounded upon a careful investigation into his crimes4 ,it seems therefore unnecessary that the illustrious governor should take upon himself the trouble of a second investigation4 ,what1 said ,pilate1 hotly1 do you dare to suggest to me1 the representative of ,caesar1 that ,i should be a blind instrument for the execution of your orders8 ,be that far from me6 ,i must know what law he has broken1 and in what way4 ,caiaphas1 ,annas and the members of the ,sanhedrin waxed wroth and spoke warmly among themselves on hearing the words of ,pilate4 ,caiaphas answered and said1 ,we have a law and by our law he ought to die because he made himself the ,son of ,god1 while all the people shouted1 ,we all have heard the blasphemy from his own lips1 and ,annas added1 ,and upon that account we must insist that he suffers the legal punishment4 ,then ,pilate said scornfully unto them1 ,on account of such a speech1 which at the most is only the outcome of an enthusiastic imagination1 a ,roman can find no one guilty of death4 ,who knows also1 he added1 with a glance at ,jesus1 whether this man may not be the son of some god6 ,if you have no other crime to lay to his charge you need not think that ,i will fulfil your desires4 ,caiaphas answered and said1 ,not only against our holy law1 but also against ,caesar himself has this man been guilty of serious offences4 ,we have found him to be an insurgent and deceiver of the people4 ,then cried all the priests and ,pharisees together tumultuously1 ,he is an agitator and a rebel4 ,pilate answered1 ,i have heard of one ,jesus who was said to go about the country and teach and do extraordinary works1 but ,i have never heard of any sedition stirred up by him4 ,were anything of that kind to happen ,i should have heard of it before you1 who am appointed for the maintenance of peace in the land1 and am perfectly well informed concerning the words and deeds of the ,jews4 ,but tell me1 when and where has he stirred up any commotion8 ,then ,nathanael stood forward and said unto ,pilate1 ,he brings together multitudes by thousands around him and he has quite recently1 surrounded by such a crowd1 made a solemn entry into ,jerusalem itself4 ,o ,i know that1 said ,pilate contemptuously1 but nothing took place on that occasion to disturb the public peace4 ,by this time ,caiaphas and the priests were in a state of indignation which they did not care to conceal1 and ,caiaphas asked angrily1 ,is it not sedition if he forbid the people to pay tribute to ,caesar8 ,pilate asked1 ,where have you proof of that8 ,proof enough1 retorted ,caiaphas1 for he gives himself out as the ,messiah1 the king of ,israel4 ,is not that to challenge the imperial authority8 ,pilate replied1 sarcastically1 ,i admire your suddenly awakened zeal for the authority of ,caesar4 ,then turning to ,jesus1 who had stood silent during the altercation1 he asked him1 saying1 ,hearest thou what serious accusations these bring against thee8 ,what answerest thou8 ,jesus remained silent4 ,see1 said ,caiaphas1 eagerly1 ,he cannot deny it4 ,his silence is an admission of his crime4 ,then cried all the multitude1 stretching out their hands toward ,pilate1 ,sentence him then6 ,patience1 said ,pilate1 there is time enough for that4 ,i will take him apart for a private hearing4 ,pilate1 speaking to his attendants1 said1 ,perhaps when he is no longer confused by the crowd and the fury of his accusers he will answer me4 ,then1 speaking to his servants he said1 ,lead him into the court4 ,and turning to ,caiaphas and the ,sanhedrin1 he said1 ,go6 my guard shall take charge of him1 but do you examine the justice or injustice of your complaints1 and be careful to investigate whether they do not perhaps come from a polluted source4 ,then let me know the result of your reflections4 ,at this ,caiaphas turned his back upon ,pilate and looked with indignation upon his followers1 who showed the liveliest manifestations of disgust4 ,josue said1 ,everything has been well considered and examined already4 ,the law pronounces him worthy of death4 ,the ,jews1 turning to go1 angrily discussed this reverse4 ,this is a troublesome delay1 said the rabbi4 ,but ,caiaphas encouraged them1 saying1 ,do not lose heart1 victory belongs to the steadfast4 ,then was ,jesus brought before ,pilate's judgment seat1 and ,pilate said unto him1 ,thou hast heard the complaint of the council against thee4 ,give me an answer thereto4 ,thou hast1 they say1 called thyself a ,son of ,god4 ,whence art thou8 ,but ,jesus made no answer4 ,then ,pilate said unto him with some surprise1 ,dost thou not speak even unto me8 ,knowest thou not that ,i have power to crucify thee and to release thee8 ,then ,jesus turned to him and said1 ,thou couldst have no power at all against me except it were given unto thee from above4 ,therefore he that delivereth me unto thee hath the greater sin4 ,frankly spoken1 said ,pilate1 aside4 ,then1 speaking to ,jesus he said1 ,art thou the king of the ,jews8 ,jesus answered1 ,sayest thou this thing of thyself1 or only because others have told it to thee8 ,pilate answered1 ,am ,i a ,jew8 ,thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me4 ,they accuse thee that thou hast desired to be the king of ,israel4 ,what ground is there for this8 ,then answered ,jesus and said unto him1 ,my kingdom is not of this world4 ,if my kingdom were of this world1 then would my servants fight1 so that ,i should not be delivered unto the hands of the ,jews2 but now is my kingdom not from hence4 ,then said ,pilate1 ,art thou a king then8 ,jesus answered1 ,thou sayest that ,i am a king4 ,to this end was ,i born and for this cause came ,i into the world1 that ,i might bear witness unto the truth4 ,everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice4 ,when ,pilate heard this he said1 ,what is truth8 ,hardly had he asked this question when the servant ,quintus entered hastily from the door behind4 ,lord1 thy servant ,claudius is here2 he has to bring thee a pressing message from thy wife4 ,pilate said1 ,let him come in4 ,lead the man hence for a moment into the hall4 ,the attendants having led ,jesus out1 ,claudius entered4 ,pilate asked him1 ,what bringest thou from my dear spouse8 ,my lord1 said ,claudius1 thy wife greeteth thee and prays thee from her heart1 for thine own sake and for hers1 that thou wouldst have nothing to do with this just man who has been accused before the judgment seat4 ,she has suffered anguish and terror on his account last night1 owing to a fearful dream4 ,pilate answered1 ,go back and tell her that she need not disturb herself4 ,i will have nothing to do with the proposals of the ,jews1 but do all that ,i can to save him4 ,saluting ,pilate1 the messenger departed4 ,pilate then said to his attendants1 ,would that ,i had nothing to do with this business6 ,what do you think1 my friends1 of the complaint of the ,jewish priests8 ,then said the courtier ,mela1 ,it seems to me that they are only inspired by envy and jealousy4 ,the most passionate hatred appears in their words and countenances4 ,and the courtier ,sylvius added1 ,the hypocrites pretend that they have the authority of ,caesar at heart1 whereas the matter concerns only their own authority1 which they believe endangered by this famous teacher of the people4 ,pilate answered1 ,i agree with you4 ,i cannot believe that this man entertains any criminal schemes in his mind4 ,there is so much that is noble in his features and in his demeanor4 ,his speech displays so noble a candor and such high natural gifts that he seemed much more to be a very wise man1 perhaps only too wise for these gloomy fanatics to be able to bear the light of his countenance4 ,and then the dream which troubled my wife on his account6 ,if he were really of higher origin8 ,no1 said ,pilate decidedly1 arriving at a resolution1 ,i will not let myself be induced to comply with the wishes of the priests4 ,then he ordered his servants1 saying1 ,let the chief priests appear here again1 and let the accused be led out again from the judgment hall4 ,then came ,caiaphas1 ,annas and the chief priests1 and the scribes and rulers of the people once more before ,pilate to receive his decision4 ,then ,pilate spoke unto them as follows3 ,here you have your prisoner again2 he is without guilt4 ,consternation and fury were displayed on the faces of all the ,jews4 ,then ,annas said1 ,we have ,caesar's word that our law shall be upheld4 ,how can he be without guilt who treads this very law beneath his feet8 ,then cried all the council1 saying1 ,he is worthy of death6 ,caiaphas1 who stood before the council1 asked1 ,is he not punishable by ,caesar when he maliciously injures that which ,caesar's will has guaranteed us8 ,pilate said1 ,i have told you already1 if he hath done anything against your law1 then punish him according to your law1 in so far as you are authorized so to do4 ,i cannot pronounce the death sentence upon him1 because ,i find nothing in him which according to the laws upon which ,i have to act is deserving of death4 ,then were the ,jews vexed beyond measure and muttered among themselves in hot displeasure1 but ,caiaphas replied1 ,if any one proclaims himself as king1 is he not a rebel8 ,does he not deserve the death punishment of high treason8 ,if1 said ,pilate1 this man has called himself a king it seems to me that so ambiguous a word is not sufficient to condemn him4 ,for it is openly taught among the ,romans that every wise man is a king4 ,but you have brought forward no facts to prove that he has usurped kingly authority4 ,then said ,nathanael1 ,is it not a sufficient fact that through him the whole people are stirred up2 that he fills the whole of ,judea with his teaching1 beginning from ,galilee1 where he first attracted followers to himself1 until here in ,jerusalem8 ,then asked ,pilate in surprise1 ,has he come out of ,galilee8 ,then cried they all1 ,yes1 he is a ,galilean1 and the rabbi added1 ,his home is in ,nazareth1 in the jurisdiction of ,king ,herod4 ,if that be so1 then am ,i relieved of the jurisdiction4 ,herod1 ,king of ,galilee1 has come hither for the feast2 he can now judge his own subject4 ,take him away and bring him unto his own king4 ,he shall be conducted thither by my body guard4 ,then ,pilate with his attendants left the judgment hall4 ,caiaphas exclaimed1 ,off1 then1 to ,herod6 ,with ,herod1 who professeth the faith of our fathers1 we shall find better protection for our holy law4 ,annas said1 ,and if a thousand hindrances were to oppose themselves1 the criminal must meet with the deserved punishment4 ,then they cried to ,christ1 as they went off to the palace of ,herod1 ,one hour sooner or later1 what matters it8 ,thou must come to die1 and this very day6 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,king ,herod stood beside his throne1 arrayed in scarlet robes1 wearing a golden crown upon his head1 and holding a golden scepter in his hand4 ,on either side were his courtiers4 ,he said unto them1 ,what6 have they the famous man from ,nazareth8 ,and are they bringing him a prisoner here to me8 ,yes1 my ,lord1 said ,zabulon1 ,i saw him and recognized him at the first glance4 ,then said ,herod1 ,i have for a long time desired to see this man1 with whose wondrous works the whole land rings1 to whom1 as if by magic1 people run in crowds4 ,can he be ,john1 risen from the dead8 ,oh1 no1 said ,naason1 ,john worked no miracles2 whereas they relate deeds done by this man which in truth are wonderful if they are not exaggerated4 ,as ,i have1 said ,herod1 so unexpected an opportunity of seeing him1 ,i am impatient to put his magic skill to the proof4 ,he will be very willing1 said ,manasses1 to oblige you in that respect in order to obtain your favor and protection4 ,then said ,herod1 who had seated himself1 to ,zabulon3 ,tell the priesthood they may bring their prisoner in4 ,they are probably coming with complaints against this man1 said ,manasses1 as they are forsaken by all the people4 ,herod replied1 ,let them do that before ,pilate--here ,i have nothing to do--no judgment to pronounce4 ,manasses remarked3 ,perhaps they have met with a refusal from the governor and are now siding another way4 ,herod replied1 ,i do not enter into their pious quarrels4 ,i will see him for myself and test his alleged miraculous powers4 ,then came into the presence of ,herod1 ,caiaphas1 ,annas1 the rabbi1 ,nathanael and four priests1 bringing ,jesus with them led by the soldiers of ,herod4 ,caiaphas bowed before ,king ,herod1 saying ,most mighty king1 and all the priests cried1 ,prosperity and blessing upon thee from the ,almighty6 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,a criminal is brought before thee here from the ,sanhedrin1 that thou mayest execute on him the judgment of the law4 ,the law1 said ,nathanael1 decrees his death2 and ,annas added1 ,may it please the king to confirm the sentence of the synagogue4 ,but1 said ,herod1 how can ,i be a judge in a foreign territory8 ,go to your own governor2 he will do justice4 ,then said ,caiaphas4 ,pilate sent him hither1 because being a ,galilean he is thy subject4 ,then this man belongeth to my jurisdiction8 ,who is he8 ,the priests said1 ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,caiaphas added1 ,pilate himself said1 ',go to ,king ,herod2 let him pronounce sentence upon his own subject4' ,did ,pilate say that8 ,wonderful6 said ,herod4 ,and turning to his courtiers he remarked1 ,pilate sends him to me6 ,allows me to act as judge in his own province6 ,a courtier replied1 ,it seems as if he wished to make approaches to thee again4 ,herod replied1 ,i will accept it as a proof of his friendly feeling4 ,then turning to ,jesus ,herod said1 ,i have heard very much of thee by common report and have longed to see the man that has created such a sensation in this country4 ,he is a deceiver1 said the rabbi2 an enemy of the holy law4 ,i have heard1 said ,herod1 taking no notice of the interruption1 that thou canst interpret all mysteries and achieve feats which set at defiance the laws of nature4 ,let us have an example of thy skill and mighty power2 then we will honor thee like the people and believe in thee4 ,o king1 said ,zadok1 do not let him lead thee astray1 for he is in league with ,beelzebub4 ,that is all the same to me1 said ,herod4 ,then1 addressing ,jesus1 he said1 ,i had last night a wonderful dream4 ,if thou canst tell me what ,i have dreamed of ,i will esteem thee as a first-class reader of hearts4 ,herod paused1 but ,christ remained motionless and silent4 ,thou canst not do so much as that1 continued ,herod1 but perhaps thou understandest how to explain the dream if ,i tell thee what it was4 ,i dreamt ,i stood upon the battlements of my palace at ,herodium and saw the sun go down4 ,there stood suddenly a man who stretched out his hand and pointed to the setting sun and said1 ',see there1 there is ,hesperia in thy bedchamber4' ,hardly had he said this when his form melted into mist4 ,i started and woke up4 ,if thou desirest to be like ,joseph when he stood before the ,king of ,egypt interpret to thy king this dream4 ,christ remained silent1 looking sadly at ,herod4 ,art thou not experienced in this branch of the business8 ,well1 then1 show some of thy famous magic art4 ,cause it suddenly to become dark in this hall1 or raise thyself and depart from us without touching the ground1 or convert the roll on which thy death sentence is written into a snake4 ,thou wilt not1 or thou canst not8 ,any of these things ought to be easy to thee2 they relate much more wondrous miracles of thine4 ,then turning to the courtiers ,herod said1 ,he does not stir4 ,ah1 ,i see well that what has made him so notorious was only idle tittle-tattle4 ,he knows nothing and can do nothing4 ,it is easy1 said ,naason1 to make believe before the foolish mob2 it is another thing to stand before a wise and powerful king4 ,then said ,manasses to ,jesus1 ,why should you not display your wisdom here8 ,why should your power vanish before the eyes of the king1 even as a soap bubble8 ,then said ,herod scornfully1 ,there is nothing remarkable about him4 ,he is a conceited fellow whom the applause of the people hath made crazy4 ,let him go4 ,it is not worth while making so much trouble on his account4 ,o1 ,king1 said ,caiaphas1 do not trust this sly and crafty rogue4 ,indeed1 he only makes himself out to be a fool in order to obtain a milder sentence from thee4 ,annas said1 ,if he be put away1 then would the peace of the kingdom also stand in danger1 for he has presumed to exalt himself to be king4 ,what6 said ,herod1 to be a king6 ,to be a king of fools1 that is more credible4 ,as such he deserves to receive homage1 therefore will ,i give him as a present a king's mantle1 and do formally install him as the king of all fools4 ,then cried the priests aloud1 ,not this2 he has deserved death4 ,caiaphas said1 ,o1 ,king1 protector of our holy law1 remember thy duty to punish the transgressor as the law ordains4 ,then said ,herod1 ,what have you really against him8 ,he hath profaned the ,sabbath1 said the rabbi4 ,nathanael added1 ,he is a blasphemer4 ,and all the priests cried1 ,and as such the law declares him worthy of death4 ,then said ,ezekiel1 ,he has also spoken contemptuously of the ,temple1 which thy father so gloriously rebuilt2 he has declared that he would rebuild a more beautiful one in three days4 ,then ,herod laughed and said1 ,now that proves indeed that he is a king of fools4 ,then said ,jonas1 ,he has also spoken insultingly of thee4 ,he has presumed to call thee1 his lord and king1 a fox4 ,then he has attributed to me a quality which he cannot certainly claim himself1 replied ,herod4 ,clothe him--wrapped in this splendid robe he will play his part well before the people4 ,then came in a servant bringing a white robe1 which he put on the shoulders of ,jesus1 and after ,jesus had been robed1 ,zabulon said to him1 ,now for the first time thou wilt create a real sensation1 thou great wonder-worker4 ,the priests cried1 ,he must die6 ,herod said1 ,no1 ,i will not be guilty of the blood of so exalted a king2 rather lead him forth before the people in this his proper apparel1 that they may admire him to their heart's content4 ,then said the first soldier to ,jesus1 ,come1 thou miraculous king1 and allow us to accompany thee6 ,the second soldier said1 ,what good luck for me to walk by the side of so illustrious a lord6 ,and so saying1 they led away ,jesus1 wearing the white robe which ,herod had put on him4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,thou hast convinced thyself that his alleged great works were nothing but lies and deceit1 whereby the people were defrauded by him4 ,give1 then1 thy sentence6 ,and all the priests cried1 ,pronounce the sentence of death upon him1 as the law demands6 ,herod replied1 ,my opinion is1 he is a simple fellow and not capable of the crime of which you accuse him4 ,if he has perchance done or spoken anything against the law it is to be attributed to his simplicity4 ,o1 ,king1 said ,caiaphas1 take care that thou dost not err6 ,i fear1 said ,annas1 thou wilt repent if thou allowest him to escape punishment4 ,i fear nothing of the kind1 said ,herod4 ,a fool one must treat as a fool4 ,he has already suffered by his follies and will avoid them in the future4 ,with that the trial is at an end4 ,then said the rabbi1 ,then it is all over with our law1 our religion1 ,moses and the prophets6 ,herod said1 ,i abide by my decision4 ,i am weary and will not concern myself further about this affair4 ,pilate may decide according to his official duty4 ,offer to him duty and friendship from ,king ,herod4 ,then went the priests out1 sorely dissatisfied with the decision of the king4 ,then ,herod rose from his seat and said1 ,this time the result has not corresponded to our expectations4 ,i expected to find a great wonder-worker and eloquent orator1 and behold1 there is only quite an ordinary man with never a word to say for himself4 ,ah1 said ,manasses1 how lying rumor exaggerates that which1 when more closely examined1 is shown to be nothing4 ,friends1 said ,herod1 that is not ,john4 ,john at least spoke1 and spoke with wisdom1 and an eloquence which one must esteem1 but this one is as dumb as a fish4 ,i am less than ever purposed to put him out of the way1 now that ,i have seen him for myself4 ,pilate would not have sent him to me if he had been found guilty of any serious crime against the state4 ,to revenge oneself on such a man would be the greatest folly4 ,we have occupied ourselves about this wearisome business long enough4 ,let us now go and make up for lost time by seeking more agreeable amusement4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,jesus ,,or ,,barabbas4 ,see6 what form of woe standeth the ,saviour there6 ,even ,pilate himself's touched with compassion now ,foolish people and blinded1 ,have you no hearts to pity him8 ,no1 for seized with madness they cry1 ,to the cross with him6 ,cry for torture and death upon the holiest4 ,for ,barabbas1 the murderer1 ,pardon asking1 and liberty4 ,oh1 how otherwise once 'fore the ,egyptian folk ,joseph6 ,around him shouts echoed1 and songs of joy ,as the ,savior of ,egypt ,he was solemnly shown to them4 ,but round the world's deliverer rages a nation in wrath1 ,blinded1 maddened with hate1 no man among them will rest ,till the judge all unwilling ,says1 ,then take ye and crucify him4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,ah1 see the king that's crowned in scorn1 ,what monarch such a crown has worn ,or scepter borne1 and he so great8 ,ye see him decked with purple shreds1 ,they laugh and jeer and shake their heads1 ,is this the royal robe of state8 ,ah6 what a man6 ,where is the trace of deity8 ,ah6 what a man-- ,the sport of the rude hangman he4 ,caiaphas and ,annas and the chief priests and rulers1 and the council and the traders of the temple1 and the witnesses accompanied the soldiers1 who once more led ,jesus to ,pilate's house4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,now ,pilate must be challenged more imperiously2 and if he does not do according to our will then shall the authority of ,caesar extort the sentence from him4 ,shall ,i now1 said ,annas1 in my gray old age see the synagogue overthrown8 ,no6 with stammering tongue ,i will cry for the blood and death of this criminal1 and then descend to the bosom of my fathers1 when ,i have seen this evil-doer die upon the cross4 ,we would sooner1 cried the rabbi1 speaking with great animation1 be buried in the ruins of the temple than to go back upon our resolution4 ,we shall never leave off until he is dead4 ,then proclaimed ,caiaphas1 ,whosoever goes back on this decision1 let him be cast out of the synagogue4 ,and ,annas added1 ,let the cross of the fathers fall upon him4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,time presses1 the day is advancing2 now we must employ all the means at our disposal in order to carry out our will before the feast4 ,at this time the ,jews and the soldiers leading ,jesus stood once more before the house of ,pilate4 ,pilate1 attended by his servants1 soon appeared on the balcony4 ,we bring the prisoner once more before thee and earnestly desire his death1 said ,caiaphas4 ,all the priests cried aloud1 ,we insist upon it1 he must die4 ,then said ,pilate1 ,ye brought me this man as an agitator and see1 ,i have heard your complaints1 and ,i have myself examined him1 and have not found anything in him touching those things whereof you accuse him4 ,then said ,caiaphas angrily1 ,we abide by our accusation2 he is a criminal worthy of death4 ,and the priests cried1 clamorously1 ,he is an offender against our law and against ,caesar4 ,then said ,pilate1 ,i have sent him because he is a ,galilean to ,herod4 ,have you brought forward your complaints before him8 ,yes1 said ,caiaphas1 but ,herod would not judge the case because thou art in authority here4 ,then said ,pilate1 ,he1 too1 has found nothing in the man that deserves death1 but in order to meet your desire ,i will have this man scourged and let him go4 ,but ,annas said1 ,that sufficeth not1 and ,caiaphas said1 ,the law prescribes for such a criminal not the punishment of scourging1 but the punishment of death4 ,the priests cried again1 ,to death with him4 ,then ,pilate1 hearing the clamor of the ,jews and seeing how bitter they were against ,jesus1 said unto them1 ,is your hate so deep and bitter unto the man that it cannot be satisfied by the blood from his wounds8 ,you compel me to tell you frankly what ,i think4 ,driven by ignoble passion ye persecute him because the people are more devoted to him than they are to you4 ,i have heard enough of your hateful accusations4 ,i will now hear the voice of the people4 ,an innumerable number will now assemble here in order to demand1 according to old custom1 the release of one prisoner at the ,passover festival4 ,then it will be seen whether your complaint is the outcome of popular sentiment or only of your personal revenge4 ,caiaphas1 smiling to himself1 bowed low before ,pilate and said1 ,the result will show1 ,o governor1 that thou thinkest evil of us unjustly4 ,then the priests cried1 ,it is not vengeance1 but zeal for the holy law of ,god which compels us to demand his death4 ,pilate said1 ,you know of the murderer1 ,barabbas1 who lies in chains1 and of his evil deeds4 ,between him and ,jesus of ,nazareth ,i will let the people choose4 ,the one whom they ask for1 him will ,i release4 ,then cried all with one voice1 ,release ,barabbas and to the cross with the other4 ,you are not the people1 said ,pilate haughtily1 the people will speak for themselves4 ,meanwhile ,i will have this one scourged4 ,then speaking to his servants1 he said1 ,the soldiers will lead him hence and scourge him according to the ,roman law4 ,then turning to his courtiers1 he said1 ,whatever he has done amiss will be sufficiently atoned for and perhaps the spectacle of the scourging may soften the blind wrath of his enemies4 ,when ,pilate quitted the balcony and entered his house ,caiaphas addressed a stirring speech to the ,jews4 ,his opportunity had come4 ,pilate1 said ,caiaphas1 appeals to the voice of the people4 ,all right2 we appeal to it also4 ,now1 said he1 turning to the traders and witnesses1 now1 true-hearted ,israelites1 your opportunity has arrived4 ,go hence into the streets of ,jerusalem1 summon your friends to come hither1 unite them in masses1 kindle in them the most glowing hatred against the enemy of ,moses4 ,the waverers seek to win by the strength of your words and by promises1 but terrify the followers of the ,galilean by an overwhelming outcry against them1 by insult and mockery1 by threats1 and if necessary by ill-treatment1 so that none of them may dare to let himself be seen here1 much less to open his mouth4 ,then cried the traders and witnesses together1 ,we will go hence and soon return again1 everyone at the head of an excited mob4 ,caiaphas said1 ,let us all meet in the street of the ,sanhedrin4 ,the traders bowed1 and as they went the priests cried after them1 ,hail to you1 faithful disciples of ,moses4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,let us not lose a single moment4 ,let us go together to the crowds to encourage them1 to inflame them4 ,annas added1 ,from all the streets of ,jerusalem will we lead the exasperated people before the judgment seat4 ,the rabbi said complacently1 ,if ,pilate wishes to hear the voice of the people1 let him hear it6 ,let him hear1 said ,caiaphas1 the unanimous cry of the nation2 release ,barabbas2 the ,galilean to the cross6 ,then all the ,jews cried aloud1 with an exceeding loud voice1 ,release ,barabbas2 the ,galilean to the cross6 ,then the soldiers led ,jesus away to the ,pretorium and took off his robe and tied his hands to a low pillar and scourged him4 ,when they were weary with scourging they said1 ,he has had enough1 he is all running down with blood4 ,thou pitiable king of the ,jews1 said one of the soldiers as they knelt and mockingly did homage to him1 what kind of a king can this be8 ,he has no scepter in his hand1 no crown upon his head4 ,that can be mended4 ,i will at once bring the insignia of the ,jewish sovereignty4 ,and then going out he brought a scarlet mantle1 a crown of thorns and a reed4 ,they were laid upon a cushion1 and together with them were laid iron gloves1 so that they might handle the crown of thorns without suffering therefrom4 ,here1 cried they1 this is certainly the most lovely attire for a king of the ,jews4 ,is it not true that thou hast never expected such an honor8 ,come1 let us hang this purple robe about thee4 ,but sit down1 a king should not stand4 ,here is a beautiful pointed crown4 ,and a soldier1 taking the crown of thorns with the iron gloves1 placed it upon the head of ,jesus4 ,let us look at you4 ,then they laughed aloud for joy4 ,but1 said one1 if it is not to fall off your head then must we set it in firmly4 ,come1 brothers1 help me4 ,then four of the soldiers seized in their hands two staves1 and1 crossing them over his head1 pressed the crown heavily down upon the brow of ,jesus4 ,jesus shuddered in agony4 ,here1 cried the soldiers1 is the scepter4 ,and taking the reed they placed it in his hands4 ,now nothing more is wanted4 ,what a king6 ,then all knelt before him crying1 ,hail to thee1 most mighty king of the ,jews6 ,when they were mocking him a servant entered from ,pilate1 saying that the prisoner mast be brought immediately into the judgment hall4 ,then said the soldiers1 ,thou comest at the wrong time4 ,thou hast disturbed us in the middle of our demonstrations of reverence4 ,then they said to ,jesus1 ,stand up1 we will lead thee about as a spectacle4 ,there will be rejoicing among the ,jewish people when their king appears before them in full splendor6 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,then was ,jerusalem in an uproar2 the traders and the priests ran everywhere hither and thither1 stirring up the people against ,jesus4 ,on all sides the crowds were mustered1 and directed by the priests to assemble in the streets of the ,sanhedrin1 and from this to proceed to ,pilate's house to demand the release of ,barabbas and the crucifixion of ,jesus2 from four sides the tumultuous mobs came pouring down to the place of assembly4 ,their hoarse cries of ,to the cross with him6 ,to the cross with him6 were heard in the distance before the foremost leaders came in sight4 ,at the head of one mob came ,nathanael1 fervently exhorting the multitude to demand the death of ,jesus4 ,moses1 your prophet1 said he1 calls upon you4 ,his holy law demands you should avenge it4 ,and the multitude cried together1 ,we belong to ,moses4 ,we are and remain followers of ,moses and of his teaching4 ,we hold fast by our priests and teachers4 ,away with him who would rise against them4 ,another multitude poured down from the right into the central thoroughfare4 ,caiaphas was leading them proudly1 exulting in the manifestations of their zeal4 ,into the same central place came a third band led by ,annas1 whose followers shouted aloud1 ,ye are our fathers1 and we will answer for your honor6 ,annas answered1 ,come1 children1 throw yourselves into the arms of the holy ,sanhedrin4 ,it will save you4 ,while the clamorous multitudes from these three quarters were pouring down confusedly into the main street1 the shouting of a fourth mob was heard down ,pilate's street4 ,ezekiel marched at the head of this new company crying1 ,shake it off2 the yoke of the deceiver6 and they cried in answer1 ,we will have nothing more to do with him2 we follow you6 ,as the four contingents of the populace collected thus in the open space it could be seen how successfully they had been organized4 ,each of the four divisions was led by a ruler of the people and had in its ranks a number of the traders of the temple1 the witnesses and the priests1 whose violent zeal gave movement and direction to the whole crowd4 ,various cries burst forth from the multitude and each section as it saw the strength of the others exulted and greeted their leaders with shouts of joy4 ,the whole people applauds you6 cried one part of the multitude4 ,we will be free from that false teacher1 the ,nazarene6 answered another section of the crowd4 ,then ,caiaphas1 ,annas1 ,nathanael and ,ezekiel1 meeting together1 cried with a loud voice1 ,your fathers' ,god will receive you again6 ,you are again to him a holy people6 ,the crowd now massed together in the main street cried1 ,you are our true friends4 ,long live the great ,sanhedrin6 ,long live our teachers and priests6 and ,annas answered1 ,death to the ,galilean6 ,up1 said ,caiaphas1 let us now hasten to ,pilate1 and ,nathanael and ,ezekiel added1 ,let us demand his death1 his blood4 ,then all the people answered1 ,on to ,pilate2 the ,nazarene shall die6 ,as they came tripping forward their leaders addressed them from time to time to incite their zeal4 ,he hath falsified the law1 cried the leaders4 ,he has contemned ,moses and the prophets6 ,he hath blasphemed ,god6 ,then all the people cried again1 ,to death with the false prophet6 ,the section led by ,ezekiel shouted1 ,death by the cross6 and the other sections took it up1 ,pilate must let him be crucified6 ,then said the leaders1 ,on the cross he shall atone for his crimes6 ,we will not rest1 cried the crowd1 until his sentence is pronounced4 ,the whole multitude was now moving rapidly toward the judgment seat of ,pilate4 ,caiaphas1 who lorded it over the whole assemblage with look and gesture1 thus addressed them1 ,hail to you1 children of ,israel6 ,you are indeed still true descendants of your father ,abraham6 ,oh1 rejoice that you have escaped the nameless destruction which this deceiver would bring upon you and your children6 ,only1 said ,annas1 by the untiring efforts of your fathers has this nation escaped the abyss4 ,then cried the people1 ,long live the council6 ,death to the ,nazarene6 and the priests and ,pharisees cried out1 ,curse him who does not vote for his death6 ,the people responded1 ,we demand his death6 ,then for some time there was nothing heard but a confused clamor1 but the voice of ,caiaphas rang out notwithstanding1 while the people responded to his appeals4 ,it sounded from afar in this wise3 ,caiaphas3 ,let him be cast out from the heritage of our fathers1 and all the people cried1 ,let him be cast out4 ,caiaphas said1 ,the governor will give you the choice between this blasphemer and ,barabbas4 ,let us insist upon the release of ,barabbas4 ,then the people cried1 ,let ,barabbas go free1 and down with the ,nazarene4 ,then said ,annas1 ,let the fathers be praised who have heard our wishes4 ,then all cried out1 ,pilate must consent1 the whole nation demands it of him4 ,caiaphas walked backward and forward with excited mien1 but proud and triumphant step1 and said1 ,oh1 most glorious day of the people of ,israel4 ,children1 be steadfast6 ,the priests and ,pharisees3 ,this day brings back honor to the synagogue and freedom to the people4 ,now1 said ,caiaphas1 as they approached the house of ,pilate1 let us demand the sentence with uproar and threaten him with universal revolt6 ,then cried the whole multitude tumultuously1 ,we demand the blood of our enemy6 ,so loud was the cry1 so savage the emphasis1 that two servants of ,pilate started out of the house and looking down on the turbulent throng cried out1 ,uproar6 ,insurrection6 ,and the people answered1 ,the ,nazarene shall die6 ,caiaphas1 hastening hither and thither in the crowd to excite them to still further violence1 said1 ,show courage4 ,stand out undismayed4 ,a righteous cause defends us4 ,then the people called out clamorously2 ,pilate--pronounce the sentence of death6 ,pilate's servant from the balcony said1 ,silence6 be quiet6 but the crowd shouted at him louder than before1 ,no1 we will not be quiet until ,pilate consents4 ,then said the servant1 ,pilate will come out immediately4 ,then cried all once more1 ,we demand the death of the ,nazarene4 ,and ,caiaphas1 listening to the shouts of the people1 said to the priests1 ,now let ,pilate1 as he wished1 learn the opinion of the people4 ,then came ,pilate with his followers out upon the balcony1 and with them came ,jesus1 led by two soldiers1 with the crown of thorns upon his head and the scarlet robe about him4 ,the crowd instead of shouting1 ,hail1 all hail1 as before1 shouted violently1 ,give judgment6 ,pass sentence upon him6 ,then ,pilate spoke1 pointing to ,jesus1 who1 with bound hands and the scarlet robe upon his bleeding shoulders1 stood between the soldiers1 ,behold the man6 ,the priests and ,pharisees answered1 ,to the cross with him4 ,pilate pleaded1 ,cannot even this pitiful sight awake any compassion in your hearts8 ,but the multitude answered1 ,let him die6 ,to the cross with him6 ,then ,pilate said1 ,take him and crucify him at your own risk--,i will have nothing to do with it1 for ,i find no fault in him4 ,then ,caiaphas said with a loud voice1 ,hear1 ,o governor1 the voice of the people4 ,it concurs in our complaint and demands his death4 ,yes1 shouted the crowd again1 we demand his death4 ,then said ,pilate to his soldiers1 ,lead him down and let ,barabbas be brought out of prison4 ,the jailer must at once deliver him up to the chief lictor4 ,when ,annas heard ,pilate's commands he cried1 ,let ,barabbas live4 ,pronounce the death sentence on the ,nazarene6 ,then the people cried1 ,to death with the ,nazarene6 ,then said ,pilate1 ,i do not understand this1 people4 ,only a few days ago with rejoicing and joyful clamor you accompanied this man through the streets of ,jerusalem4 ,is it possible that the same people this day call for death and destruction upon him8 ,that is indeed contemptible fickleness4 ,the good people1 said ,caiaphas1 have at last learned that they have been deceived by an adventurer who pretended to be the ,messiah1 the king of ,israel6 ,and now1 said ,nathanael1 the eyes of this people are fully opened1 and they see that he cannot help himself--he who promised to bring freedom and blessing to the nation4 ,israel1 said ,ezekiel1 will recognize no ,messiah who allows himself to be taken and bound and treated with scorn4 ,let him die1 the false ,messiah1 the deceiver1 cried the crowd4 ,then ,pilate spoke unto the people and said3 ,men of ,judea1 it is customary that ,i liberate to you a prisoner at the feast4 ,look upon these two4 ,one with mild countenance and dignified demeanor1 the ideal of a wise teacher1 whom you have long honored as such1 convicted of no single evil deed and already humiliated by the severest chastisement4 ,the other1 a vicious1 savage man1 convicted of robbery and murder1 a horrible image of a perfect scoundrel4 ,i appeal to your reason1 to your human feelings--choose6 ,which will ye that ,i shall release unto you1 ,barabbas or ,jesus1 who is called the ,christ8 ,then the priests and people cried out together1 ,let ,barabbas go free4 ,will ye not that ,i release unto you the king of the ,jews8 asked ,pilate4 ,then the priests and people cried1 ,away with him1 release unto us1 ,barabbas4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,thou hast promised to release him whom the people demand4 ,pilate answered shortly to ,caiaphas1 ,i am accustomed to keep my promise without needing a reminder4 ,then said he to the people1 ,what shall ,i do with the king of the ,jews8 ,and the priests and the people cried1 ,crucify him6 ,what1 said ,pilate1 shall ,i crucify your king8 ,and the people cried1 ,we have no king but ,caesar4 ,pilate said1 ,i cannot condemn this man1 for ,i find no fault in him4 ,he has been sufficiently chastised2 ,i will let him go free4 ,then said the priests1 ,if thou let him go free thou art no friend of ,caesar's4 ,caiaphas added1 ,he has proclaimed himself king2 and the priests said1 ,who proclaims himself king is a rebel against ,caesar4 ,and ,nathanael said1 ,and is this rebel still to remain unpunished1 still to scatter abroad the seed of revolt8 ,then cried the people1 ,it is the duty of the governor to put him out of the way4 ,caiaphas seeing that ,pilate answered not1 pressed more vehemently upon him1 saying1 ,we have done our duty as subjects of ,caesar and delivered this rebel to thee4 ,if thou payest no attention to our accusation and the desire of the people1 then are we free from guilt4 ,thou alone1 ,o ,governor1 art responsible to ,caesar for the consequences4 ,and ,annas said1 ,if on account of this man universal disorder and revolt ensues1 then we know who must bear this guilt1 and1 he added significantly1 ,caesar shall know it also4 ,then cried the people again1 ,the matter must be brought before ,caesar4 ,then ,ezekiel said to ,pilate1 ,they will be astonished when they hear at ,rome that ,caesar's viceroy has taken under his protection a traitor whose death the whole people desired4 ,and the crowd cried1 ,thou must execute him1 or otherwise there would be no peace in the land4 ,then said ,pilate1 ,why1 what evil hath he done8 ,i cannot1 ,i dare not1 condemn the innocent to death4 ,then said ,caiaphas1 ,permit me to ask one question4 ,why shouldst thou judge this man so carefully when quite recently thou hast allowed thy soldiers to massacre hundreds without judgment or sentence1 merely on account of some rebellious outcries8 ,as ,pilate heard the question of ,caiaphas he was dismayed1 and the crowd shouted3 ,thou canst not show favor to this man2 if thou wilt be a faithful servant to ,caesar4 ,then ,pilate's resolution forsook him1 and turning to his servants he said1 ,bring water4 ,caiaphas said unto him1 ,the people will not go away from this place until thou hast pronounced sentence of death upon the enemy of ,caesar4 ,yes1 cried the multitude1 we will not go from this place until sentence is pronounced4 ,then said ,pilate sorrowfully1 ,your violence compels me to yield to your desire4 ,take him hence and crucify him4 ,but see1 said he as he washed his hands in the basin which had been brought at his command4 ,i wash my hands2 ,i am innocent of the blood of this just man4 ,see ye to it4 ,then arose from the excited multitude a great and awful cry1 in which priests and people joined1 speaking as with one voice1 ,we take it upon ourselves6 ,his blood be upon us and upon our children6 ,then said ,pilate1 ,let ,barabbas be set free at the demand of the people4 ,lead him outside the city gate and let him never tread this ground again4 ,the soldiers then led ,barabbas away4 ,the priests and people cried3 ,now hast thou justly judged4 ,pilate said unto them1 ,i have given way to your violent demands in order to avoid a great evil4 ,but in the blood-guiltiness ,i will have no share4 ,let it fall upon you and your children as you have so loudly cried4 ,then again the priests and people cried1 ,it is good2 let it fall upon us and upon our children4 ,annas said1 ,we and our children will bless this day and with thankful joy cry1 ',health and wealth to the governor6' ,long live our governor1 cried the crowd4 ,long live ,pontius ,pilate6 ,then said ,pilate1 ,bring hither the two murderers who are kept in gaol4 ,let the chief lictor give them over without delay to the guard4 ,they have deserved death much more than the accused4 ,but the priests and people cried1 ,he has deserved death more than any4 ,pilate said1 ,the sentence of death must be written out and will be read publicly before all the people4 ,the scribe began to write1 and as he wrote1 from the street were heard the voices of the soldiers who were bringing the thieves1 driving them forward3 ,will you not move on1 you wretches8 ,have you not long ago deserved your fate8 ,thrust them on1 these outcasts of mankind4 ,when the thieves driven by the soldiers came to the foot of the balcony they were halted on the other side of the steps to that where ,jesus stood4 ,then said the rabbi1 pointing to the thieves1 ,that is worthy company for the false ,messiah on his last journey4 ,pilate said to the thieves1 ,of you and your misdeeds the earth shall today be free4 ,you shall die upon the cross4 ,let the sentence of death be now read4 ,then the scribe stood forward and read thus3 ,i1 ,pontius ,pilate1 viceroy in ,judea of the mighty ,caesar ,claudius ,tiberius1 pronounce at the desire of the high priests and the ,sanhedrin and the people of the ,jews1 the sentence of death upon a certain ,jesus of ,nazareth1 who is accused of having stirred up the people to revolt1 of having forbidden to pay tribute to ,caesar1 and of having proclaimed himself king of the ,jews4 ,the same shall be crucified outside the city between two malefactors who have been likewise condemned to death for many robberies and murders1 and be brought from life to death4 ,given at ,jerusalem on the eve of the ,passover4 ,when the scribe had read the sentence ,pilate broke a staff1 flung it among the people1 saying in tones of great bitterness1 ,now take him hence and crucify him6 and went rapidly into the house1 leaving ,jesus in the hands of the ,jews4 ,triumph6 cried ,caiaphas in wild exultation4 ,the victory is ours6 ,the enemy of the synagogue is destroyed6 ,the priests and people shouted1 ,away with him to ,golgotha6 ,long live the synagogue6 ,long live the nation6 ,then said ,annas1 ,hasten1 that we may come home in time to eat the ,passover4 ,the priests and ,pharisees said1 ,we will keep this ,passover with joy1 as did our fathers in ,egypt4 ,now1 said ,caiaphas1 let our triumphal procession go through the midst of ,jerusalem4 ,where1 asked the rabbi1 are his disciples8 ,they are invited to cry ,hosanna6 ,then rushed the multitude away1 crying1 ,up and away off to ,golgotha6 ,come and see him perish on the cross6 ,o delightful day1 the enemy of ,moses is overthrown6 ,ha6 now he has his reward6 ,so be it done to everyone who despises the law6 ,he deserves the death on the cross6 ,o happy ,passover6 ,now joy will return to ,israel6 ,there is an end of the ,galilean6 ,and so crying1 with wild and savage clamor1 they swept back to the street of the ,sanhedrin4 ,transcriber's note3 ,a line seems to be missing from the book at this point4 ,all that appears is a blank line followed by the single word3 me8 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,the ,,crucifixion4 ,ye pious souls rise up and go1 ,with grateful penitence aglow ,with me to ,golgotha1 and see ,what shall be done your souls to free ,see how the ,mediator dies ,the atoning death of sacrifice4 ,o1 who can know the love that lives ,in this heart now laid bare1 ,that kindness back for hatred gives ,and saves us from despair8 ,offer this love of ,his ,your heart's best impulses1 ,his cross before1 ,for evermore4 ,thus they took ,jesus and led him away1 and a great multitude followed him4 ,and when ,jesus1 bearing the cross1 with the thieves also bearing their cross1 was entering the street of ,annas1 ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 with ,mary ,magdalene and ,john and ,joseph of ,arimathea1 came down the street by ,pilate's house4 ,and ,mary said to ,john1 ,o beloved disciple1 how will it have gone with ,jesus since thou didst last see him in the house of ,caiaphas8 ,then answered ,john1 ,if the priests could do as they wish1 then sure enough he would be already among the dead4 ,but they could not carry out the sentence without permission of the governor4 ,but ,pilate1 ,i hope1 will not condemn him1 as he has never done anything bad1 but only what is good4 ,then prayed ,mary ,magdalene1 ,o ,almighty ,god1 incline the ruler's heart to justice1 that he may protect the innocent against the wiles of the wicked4 ,then said ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 ,whither shall we go1 ,o friends1 oh1 whither1 that ,i may but once more see my beloved son8 ,i must see him1 but where can ,i find him8 ,perhaps1 ,o perhaps1 he lies buried in the deepest dungeon4 ,mary ,magdalene said1 ,alas6 the most loving of teachers in prison6 ,joseph answered1 ,there is one to be seen from whom we can inquire4 ,john said1 ,the best thing will be to go to ,nicodemus2 he surely knows what is happening to our dear ,master4 ,yes1 let us go1 said ,mary4 ,every moment increases my grief in this uncertainty about the fate of my son4 ,be strong in faith1 dear mother1 said ,john4 ,whatever happens it is ,god's will4 ,suddenly a horrible noise of confused voices and tramping feet was heard in the distance4 ,from the tumult could be heard the words3 ,on1 on with him6 ,mary started and they all stood listening while the noise came nearer and nearer4 ,what terrible noise is that8 said ,joseph4 ,then stood they all still listening to hear what it might signify4 ,salome said1 ,as if of a thousand voices4 ,what can it be8 ,as they listened the procession to ,golgotha was already half way down the street of ,annas4 ,in front marched the centurion holding in one hand the staff of authority1 followed by ,jesus1 staggering painfully under the burden of his cross4 ,around ,jesus stood four executioners who brutally goaded him forward4 ,behind ,jesus came the thieves1 each bearing his own cross4 ,behind them came soldiers carrying spears1 in the midst of whom on a white horse rode a horseman carrying the ,roman banner on which were the letters ,s4 ,p4 ,q4 ,r4 ,by the side of the soldiery walked ,annas and ,caiaphas followed by all the council of the ,sanhedrin4 ,all around crowded a numerous multitude1 whose shouts were heard almost without intermission4 ,let him die6 they cried1 and all who hold with him4 ,jesus1 who had already fallen under the cross1 walked slowly and with difficulty4 ,one of the executioners said unto him1 ,is the burden already too heavy8 and the people shouted1 ,drive him with violence1 that we may get to ,golgotha4 ,the second executioner cried1 ,take care1 or he will be down4 ,the progress was so slow that not even the head of the procession could be seen from where the two ,marys and ,john were standing1 wondering what the noise might mean4 ,joseph said1 ,what shall we do8 ,in this commotion we cannot venture into the city4 ,but ,mary said1 ,what may this noise signify8 ,surely it does not concern my son4 ,as the noise waxed ever louder1 ,joseph said1 ,it seems as if an insurrection had broken out4 ,then said ,john1 ,we had better stop here till the storm passes over4 ,while they stood waiting and wondering ,simon of ,cyrene came hastily into the street that lay between those of ,pilate and ,annas4 ,he carried a basket1 and looking anxiously around him1 said1 ,i must hasten in order to get into the city4 ,the eve of the feast is coming1 and ,i have only a short time left in which to make my purchases and get everything ready1 so that ,i may get home in time4 ,hardly had he said this than he heard the sound of a great outcry1 and amidst which he could only distinguish the words1 ,let him not rest6 ,urge him on with blows6 ,said ,simon1 ,i hear a tumult--an outcry of a crowd--what has happened in the city8 ,i will keep quiet a little--perhaps my ears have deceived me4 ,jesus had fallen faint and had staggered against the house of ,ahasverus and was there endeavoring to support himself4 ,the third executioner said to him roughly1 ,it is no use thy fainting4 ,thou must keep on to ,golgotha4 ,then ,ahasverus came out of his house and said1 ,be off from my house2 here is no place for resting4 ,simon1 who was listening without being able to see the cause of the commotion1 said1 ,the noise waxes louder4 ,i must hasten to see what it is4 ,what comes there8 ,ah1 ,i cannot get in here4 ,i will wait and see what happens4 ,then1 as the procession turned the corner of ,annas' street1 ,joseph of ,arimathea1 listening1 said1 ,i think the crowd is coming out of the city gates1 and ,john1 seeing the cross said1 ,it appears that someone is being led out to ,golgotha for execution4 ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 saw him and cried out with a piercing wail1 ,it is he4 ,oh ,god6 it is my son4 ,jesus meanwhile staggered under the cross1 but was forced forward by the executioners grumbling as they did so1 ,he will drop on the road4 ,illustration3 ,jesus staggered under the cross4 ,the centurion1 seeing that ,jesus from sheer exhaustion had again fallen1 reached him a bottle1 saying1 ,here1 strengthen thyself4 ,jesus took it1 but did not drink of it4 ,mary cried1 weeping1 ,ah1 there1 ,i see him led to death even as a malefactor6 ,then said ,john1 as he tenderly supported her1 ,mother1 it is the hour of which he has told us before4 ,such is the will of the ,father4 ,then said the centurion to ,jesus1 ,wilt thou not drink8 ,then you must go on6 ,then one of the executioners shook him1 saying1 ,rouse thyself1 lazy king of the ,jews6 ,another of the executioners said1 ,forward6 ,pull thyself together6 ,the third said1 ,do not act thus weakly2 we must get on4 ,then ,mary cried as she looked on the scene1 ,oh where is any sorrow like unto my sorrow8 ,the third executioner1 seeing that all the efforts to compel ,jesus to move forward had failed1 said1 ,he is too much exhausted2 someone must help him1 otherwise-- ,then the rabbi1 seeing ,simon of ,cyrene1 pointed him out1 saying1 ,here1 this stranger-- ,the ,pharisees said1 ,just seize him6 ,then said the centurion1 ,come hither1 thou hast broad shoulders that can carry something4 ,simon1 protesting1 said1 ,i must-- ,truly you must1 said one of the executioners1 otherwise there will be blows4 ,simon began again1 ,i do not know1 but the centurion interrupted him1 saying1 ,you will find out soon enough--do not refuse4 ,flog him if he refuses to go6 said the ,pharisee4 ,simon struggled crying1 ,indeed ,i am innocent2 ,i have committed no crime4 ,silence6 said the centurion4 ,simon replied1 ,only not by force like this1 and then beholding ,christ he said1 ,what is this ,i see8 ,this is the holy man from ,nazareth4 ,place thy shoulders here1 said an executioner4 ,then said ,simon1 ,for the love of thee ,i will carry it4 ,o1 could ,i thereby make myself useful to thee4 ,christ1 who stood exhausted on one side1 looked upon ,simon and said1 ,god's blessing be upon thee and thine6 ,now1 forward1 said the centurion2 follow thou with the beam of the cross6 ,the first priest advancing1 said1 ,thou canst come quickly enough now4 ,the third executioner1 seeing that ,jesus still stood unable to move1 seized him by the neck and shook him saying1 ,see with what consideration we treat thee2 even the cross has been taken from thee4 ,dost thou need anything else8 said another of the men4 ,let him be1 said the centurion4 ,we will now halt a little that he may recover before we ascend the hill4 ,while the procession halted ,veronica and the women of ,jerusalem approached4 ,caiaphas meanwhile1 chafing with vexation at the delay1 exclaimed1 ,what6 ,still another stoppage6 ,when shall we come to ,calvary8 ,veronica1 coming up to ,christ1 kneeled before him1 and offering him her handkerchief1 said1 ,o ,lord1 how is thy face covered with blood and sweat4 ,wilt thou not wipe it off8 ,jesus took the handkerchief and wiped his face and gave it back to her1 saying1 ,compassionate soul1 the ,father will reward thee for this4 ,then spoke the women of ,jerusalem1 who drew near to the ,lord with their little ones1 ,thou good teacher2 never to be forgotten benefactor2 noblest friend of men1 thus art thou rewarded4 ,how we pity thee6 ,then they wept4 ,christ looking upon them in their tears said3 ,daughters of ,jerusalem1 weep not for me1 but for yourselves and your children4 ,for behold the days are coming in which they shall say ',blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bare1 and the paps that never gave suck4' ,then shall they call to the mountains1 fall on us and to the hills1 cover us4 ,for if they do these things in the green tree1 what will be done in the dry8 ,the women answered1 ,alas1 how will it be in the future for us and our children8 ,by this time the patience of the centurion was exhausted1 and he cried out1 ,clear out now1 these womenfolk4 ,the third executioner1 pushing them roughly away1 said1 ,what use are your women's tears8 ,back6 ,while the other executioners cried as they pushed ,jesus forward1 ,on with thee to the hill of death6 ,the crowd took up the cry and said1 ,quick2 forward to ,calvary6 ,are we really going forward again8 said the rabbi1 and ,nathanael said1 shrugging his shoulders1 ,the centurion is far too mild4 ,do not spare him so much1 said a priest4 ,the long procession was once more in motion when there appeared a servant from ,pilate4 ,the man cried1 ,halt6 and the procession stopped4 ,by command of the governor the centurion must appear before him as quickly as possible and receive further orders4 ,caiaphas exclaimed1 ,what does this mean8 ,what new orders are required8 ,the death sentence is pronounced and must be carried out without delay4 ,then said the centurion bluntly1 ,no1 this will not happen until ,i have received the further orders of my lord4 ,then turning to the soldiers he said1 ,keep watch meanwhile and go with the condemned to ,golgotha4 ,then dismiss this man 7,simon7 and await my arrival4 ,the centurion then went with the servant to ,pilate and the procession set forth again4 ,the people cried wildly1 ,up to ,golgotha1 to the cross with him4 ,hail to ,israel4 ,the enemy is vanquished4 ,we are free4 ,long live the ,sanhedrin4 ,jesus looked upon his mother as the procession passed the corner of ,annas' street1 but spoke not4 ,then said ,john1 when the dolorous procession had passed1 ,mother1 shall we not go back to ,bethany8 ,thou wilt not be able to bear the sight8 ,but ,mary answered1 ,how can a mother leave her child in the last and bitterest need8 ,cleophas objected1 ,but evil might befall thee1 if they recognized thee as his mother4 ,mary replied1 ,i will suffer with him1 bear scorn and shame with him2 die with him4 ,only1 said ,john1 if the strength of thy body does not give way4 ,fear not1 said ,mary4 ,i have asked strength of ,god and he has heard me4 ,let us go after them4 ,all answered1 ,best of mothers1 we follow thee1 and they slowly followed the procession to ,calvary4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,and when they reached ,golgotha1 which is by interpretation the place of a skull1 they crucified him there4 ,but first they hanged the two thieves on the crosses1 the one on the left1 the other on the right4 ,their arms were tied over the cross at the wrists1 and their feet were tied with cord to the beam4 ,but ,jesus was nailed to the central cross while it yet lay with the head slightly raised upon the ground4 ,one nail was driven through the palms of each hand1 and one through the two feet1 which were placed the one above the other4 ,jesus lay silent without moving4 ,on his head was the crown of thorns1 from which a little blood trickled over his brow4 ,his hands and his feet bled a little1 but the rest of his body was pale and colorless1 a light cloth only being cast around his loins4 ,the centurion who had returned from ,pilate1 stood on the right of the cross giving orders4 ,the lictor1 mounted on a white horse1 stood near the soldiers1 who held on high the ,roman standard with the letters ,s4 ,p4 ,q4 ,r4 ,caiaphas1 ,annas and all the members of the ,sanhedrin stood on the left exulting4 ,a great crowd of sightseers thronged the place4 ,among them1 coming from behind the centurion1 were the holy women from ,bethany1 with ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 and ,john1 and ,joseph of ,arimathea and ,nicodemus4 ,then said the executioners to the centurion1 ,we have finished with these1 pointing to the thieves1 ,now must the king of ,jews be exalted upon his throne4 ,which1 hearing1 the priests cried angrily1 ,not king6 ,deceiver1 traitor6 ,the centurion1 who held in his hand a scroll or escutcheon1 said1 ,first1 by command of the governor1 this writing must be fastened to the cross4 ,faustus1 he added1 turning to one of the hangmen named ,faustus1 make fast this title over the cross4 ,faustus took the scroll from the centurion1 and going to the cross1 nailed it with one hammer stroke over the head of ,jesus1 saying1 ,ah1 an escutcheon displayed2 this is right royal6 ,when this was done according to the command of the governor1 the centurion said to the executioners1 ,now1 up with the cross6 ,not carelessly1 but lay hold firmly4 ,then two hangmen1 taking the cross by the arms1 lifted it up so that its foot fell into the hole prepared for it4 ,but as the cross bearing the body of ,jesus was heavy1 the third hangman placed his back under it near to the feet of ,jesus1 saying1 ,come1 now1 all together1 and so helping raised it on high4 ,the fourth then filled in the hole at the foot saying when he finished1 ,all right1 the cross stands firm4 ,then said the centurion1 addressing the chief priests1 ,the execution is accomplished4 ,quite admirably so1 said ,caiaphas with a radiant face4 ,thanks and applause from us all6 ,yea1 thanks1 and applause from us all1 echoed the ,pharisees1 looking up at the cross4 ,caiaphas then declared1 ,this shall be a feast day forever4 ,and the ,pharisees said1 ,yes1 for all time to come it shall be kept every year with grateful jubilation4 ,and now1 said the aged ,annas1 now gladly will ,i go down to my fathers since ,i have lived to have the joy of seeing this wretch on the cross4 ,and as he gazed long as if exultingly drinking in the pleasure of satisfied vengeance1 he saw for the first time the writing on the cross1 but his old eyes could not decipher the words4 ,turning to ,caiaphas he said1 ,the superscription seems to be very short4 ,then the ,jews drew nearer to see what was written4 ,the hangmen seated themselves on the ground at the foot of the cross and looked up at ,jesus4 ,then the rabbi1 reading the words written by ,pilate exclaimed1 ,that is an insult1 an outrage upon the people and the ,sanhedrin6 ,caiaphas1 hearing him1 asked1 ,what is written8 ,annas1 who had also looked at the inscription1 said1 ,the rabbi is right4 ,the ,sanhedrin cannot allow this to pass4 ,then said the rabbi1 ,it is written1 ',jesus of ,nazareth1 king of the ,jews6' ,caiaphas as if incredulous1 approached the cross and reading it himself1 started back with indignation4 ,verily1 he cried1 that is an affront upon the honor of our nation4 ,down with it at once1 cried the priest4 ,but ,caiaphas said1 ,we dare not touch it ourselves1 but do you two1 addressing the rabbi and ,saras1 hasten at once to the governor to demand from him1 in the name of the ,sanhedrin and the assembled people that the superscription shall be altered4 ,say to him1 ',write not the king of the ,jews1 but that he said1 ,i am king of the ,jews8' ,we are off at once1 said the rabbi and ,saras4 ,stay1 said ,caiaphas1 also request from the governor that he may order the bones of the crucified to be broken and their bodies taken down from the cross before the eve of the ,passover4 ,when the rabbi and ,saras departed on their mission1 the hangmen1 who had been sitting at the foot of the cross1 bethought themselves1 and the first1 who was named ,agrippa1 standing up1 said1 ,now1 comrades1 let us divide our share4 ,taking the mantle of ,jesus1 they seized each one corner1 and then pulling all together1 rent it into four parts4 ,the coat remained4 ,agrippa held it up1 ,the mantle has made just four pieces2 shall we rip up the coat also8 ,see1 it is without seam4 ,no1 said ,faustus1 who had fastened the superscription over the head of ,jesus1 it would be better to cast lots for it4 ,look1 said ,agrippa1 as he went to the foot of the cross and took up the basket1 see1 here are dice4 ,then the four hangmen1 standing at the feet of ,jesus threw the dice1 ,agrippa threw them first1 saying1 ,i will try my luck first4 ,alas1 that is too little1 he added1 as he counted up the result of his throw1 ,i have lost4 ,catiline1 the third hangman1 as he rattled the dice in his hand1 looked up at ,jesus and said1 ,hi6 you up there1 if you can still work miracles on the cross1 give me good luck4 ,the others shrugged their shoulders and said1 ,what does he care about us8 ,catiline's throw was not high4 ,then ,nero said1 ,i ought to have had better luck1 and throwing the dice he counted fifteen4 ,nearly enough2 now1 ,faustus1 it is your turn4 ,faustus threw the dice1 saying1 ,i ought to get it4 ,they all bent over to see the result4 ,eighteen6 cried ,catiline2 that is the best yet4 ,then said ,agrippa1 ,take it1 handing him the mantle1 it is thine2 take it away4 ,and ,nero consoled himself by saying1 ,you are not to be envied4 ,faustus gathered up the coat1 and folding it up put it away4 ,by this time the rabbi and ,saras returned from ,pilate1 and coming back to ,caiaphas they said1 ,our mission was in vain4 ,the governor would not listen to us4 ,caiaphas indignantly asked1 while the priests and ,pharisees crowded around1 ,did he give you no answer at all8 ,this only1 said the rabbi4 ,what ,i have written ,i have written4 ,intolerable1 said ,annas4 ,caiaphas also was much perturbed4 ,but collecting himself he asked1 ,what did he order about the breaking of the bones8 ,about this matter he said he would give his orders to the centurion1 answered the rabbi4 ,then seeing that no more could be done1 the ,jews began to revile ,jesus1 going up to the cross and wagging their heads and scoffing at him4 ,josue1 the priest1 went up first and said1 ,so then it remains written1 king of the ,jews4 ,behold1 if thou art king of ,israel1 come down now from the cross1 that we may see and believe4 ,and all the ,jews laughed together4 ,then said ,eliezer1 ,thou that destroyest the temple and buildest it again in three days1 save thyself6 ,and ,caiaphas said1 ,ha6 thou that savest others1 thyself thou canst not save4 ,come down1 cried one of the witnesses1 ,art thou not the ,son of ,god8 ,and ,annas said1 ,he trusted in ,god2 let him deliver him now if he will have him4 ,then cried the hangmen1 ,what6 ,don't you hear8 ,show thy power1 mighty king of the ,jews1 and so the sport went on4 ,then ,jesus1 who all this time had hung motionless and silent1 raised slowly and with pain1 his head1 which had been bowed down1 and said1 ,father1 forgive them1 they know not what they do6 ,hearing ,jesus speak1 the thief who was crucified on his left said unto him1 ,hearest thou8 ,if thou be ,christ save thyself and us4 ,but the other thief who was crucified on the right1 answered and said1 ,dost thou not fear ,god1 seeing that thou art in the same condemnation8 ,and we indeed justly2 for we receive the due reward of our deeds2 but this man hath done nothing amiss4 ,then turning to ,jesus he said1 ,lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom8 ,then ,jesus looked upon him and said1 ,verily1 ,i say unto thee1 today shalt thou be with me in ,paradise4 ,listen to that1 said ,caiaphas scornfully1 he speaks as if he had power over the gates of ,paradise4 ,what1 said the rabbi4 ,have not his pride and presumption deserted him even as he hangs helpless on the cross8 ,and they were wroth with ,jesus4 ,during all this time ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 and ,john had been slowly approaching the cross1 and now they stood immediately below ,jesus1 ,mary on the right1 ,john on the left4 ,then ,jesus beholding them1 said to ,mary1 ,mother1 behold thy son4 ,and slowly and with difficulty turning his head to see ,john1 ,jesus added1 ,son1 behold thy mother4 ,then ,mary cried in ecstacy of love and adoration1 ,even in dying thou carest still for thy mother4 ,and ,john tenderly supporting ,mary1 but looking above to ,jesus1 exclaimed1 ,thy last request is sacred to me4 ,and then to ,mary he said1 ,thou my mother1 ,i thy son4 ,then ,jesus in a hollow voice1 cried hoarsely1 ,i thirst4 ,the centurion hearing him said1 ,he thirsts and calls for drink4 ,then1 said ,faustus1 ,i will reach him some at once4 ,then taking the reed with the sponge1 he filled it with vinegar and passed it to the centurion1 who1 taking a small phial from his dress1 poured hyssop on the sponge4 ,faustus then reached the sponge up to the lips of ,jesus4 ,but ,jesus turned away his head and would not drink4 ,here1 drink1 said ,faustus4 ,what1 wilt thou not8 and seeing that ,jesus would not touch the sponge he took it away4 ,then ,jesus cried in agony1 ,eli1 ,eli1 lama sabachthani6 ,but those hearing him did not understand1 but imagined he cried for ,elias4 ,hark6 said they4 ,he cried for ,elias4 ,then ,caiaphas laughed and said1 ,let be2 let us see whether ,elias will come to save him4 ,then ,jesus raising his head with a great effort to heaven1 and breathing heavily cried with a loud voice and said1 ,it is finished4 ,father1 into thy hands ,i commend my spirit6 ,and as ,jesus spoke these words his head fell forward on his breast and he gave up the ghost4 ,then suddenly the earth rocked and shook violently--thunder pealed--fierce lightnings flashed--darkness fell like a pall over the scene--the people stood trembling with fear4 ,illustration3 ,it is finished4 ,the priests and the people cried out in terror1 saying3 ,what a dreadful earthquake6 ,do you hear the crash of falling rocks8 ,woe1 woe be to us6 ,but the centurion said1 ,certainly1 this was a righteous man4 ,another soldier replied1 ,god himself bears witness by these convulsions of nature4 ,the centurion said1 ,oh1 his patience in the worst agony1 his noble calm1 this last loud cry to heaven at the moment before death1 all betoken his divine origin4 ,verily1 he is a ,son of ,god6 ,come neighbors1 said ,oziel1 ,i will remain no longer in this terrible place4 ,yes1 cried ,helen1 let us go home and may ,god have mercy on us4 ,and others smiting their breasts cried1 ,almighty ,god1 we have sinned6 ,forgive us4 ,and so it came to pass that no one remained round the cross but the holy women and ,john1 and the friends of ,jesus with the hangmen4 ,the chief priests and the rulers still stood together marveling near the cross of the repentant thief1 when suddenly a temple servant came rushing into their midst1 breathless with haste4 ,high priests and assembled council6 he exclaimed1 a fearful thing has occurred in the holy place4 ,i tremble in every limb4 ,what is it8 cried ,caiaphas in alarm4 ,not the temple8 ,has it fallen8 said ,annas4 ,no1 said the servant1 not that1 but the veil of the temple has been rent in twain from the top to the bottom4 ,i hastened hither with staggering feet1 and feared the whole world was bursting asunder with the shock6 ,dreadful6 exclaimed the priests and ,pharisees1 throwing up their hands4 ,but ,caiaphas said1 ,it is that wretch who has done this by his magic arts4 ,what a blessing it is that he is out of the world6 ,otherwise he would bring all the elements into disorder4 ,then all the priests and ,pharisees raised up their voices and cried1 shaking their fists against ,jesus1 ,cursed be the ally of ,beelzebub6 ,now1 said ,caiaphas1 let us hurry home and see what has happened2 then we will come back at once4 ,for ,i cannot rest until ,i have seen this fellow's bones broken and the corpse flung into the grave of the transgressors4 ,when ,caiaphas and ,annas and all the rulers of the ,jews had departed1 ,nicodemus said to ,joseph of ,arimathea1 having overheard the parting word-of ,caiaphas1 ,shall the holy body of the ,son of ,god be delivered over to such dishonor as to be flung into the grave of the evil-doers8 ,listen1 friends1 said ,joseph1 what ,i have decided to do4 ,i will go straightway to ,pilate1 and will implore him to give me the body of ,jesus4 ,he can hardly refuse me this favor4 ,do so1 by all means1 said ,nicodemus4 ,hasten hither1 and ,i will bring the spices for him4 ,they having departed1 the holy women tremblingly drew round the cross4 ,fear not1 good women1 said the centurion1 no harm shall happen to you4 ,then ,mary ,magdalene clasped the cross with both her arms1 pressed it to her breast and cried through her tears as she looked up at the silent and lifeless form above1 ,o dearest ,master1 my heart hangs with thee on the cross6 ,then entered a servant of ,pilate1 and addressing the centurion1 said unto him1 ,this is the command of my lord3 ,break the legs of the crucified and take down their bodies4 ,everything must be over before the eve of the ,passover begins4 ,the centurion said3 ,it shall be done at once4 ,men1 first break the legs of these two4 ,catiline said1 ,come1 let us put this business through without more delay4 ,then all the hangmen took ladders and placed them against the crosses of the thieves4 ,catiline1 seizing a strong club1 then mounted the ladder against the cross on the right hand4 ,strike1 said ,faustus1 so as to kill him4 ,then ,catiline smote the penitent thief heavily over each of the thighs and then across the shoulder bone4 ,as the blow fell the man's head fell forward and he gave up the ghost4 ,there1 said ,catiline1 he wakes no more4 ,in like manner did ,nero to the thief on the left hand1 saying1 ,i will hasten the other out of the world4 ,when the blows were falling upon the body of the thief1 ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 who had watched with terror the blows of the hangman1 cried out1 shuddering1 ,o my ,son1 they will surely not deal so cruelly with thy holy body6 ,nero called out to the thief1 ,movest thou no more8 ,no1 thou hast had enough4 ,i have given thee thy wages4 ,then coming down from the ladder they made ready to break the legs of ,jesus4 ,but as the hangman approached the foot of the cross with the ladder and the club1 ,mary ,magdalene sprang before him1 and thrusting him back with her slender arm1 cried piteously1 ,oh1 spare him1 spare him6 ,then ,catiline looking up at ,jesus said1 ,behold1 he is already dead4 ,there is no need therefore to break his legs4 ,but1 said ,faustus1 in order to make sure1 ,i will pierce his heart with a spear4 ,then grasping a lance he thrust it into the right side of ,jesus1 and forthwith there spurted out blood and water4 ,john1 who was looking up at the holy women1 shuddered as the spear entered the side of ,jesus4 ,mary ,magdalene turning to ,mary said1 ,oh1 mother1 that thrust hast pierced thy own heart also4 ,then said the centurion1 ,now1 take down the bodies from the cross4 ,where1 said one of the hangmen1 shall we put them8 ,the centurion replied1 ,as ordered1 into the grave of the malefactor4 ,then said ,mary1 with a terrible sob3 ,what a word2 it pierces my heart anew4 ,ladders here1 said the hangmen1 we shall soon have them down4 ,then the hangmen unfastened the cords which bound the thieves to their crosses1 and mounting the ladder received their bodies in their arms and bore them away4 ,while they were busy ,mary ,magdalene went out to the centurion and said to him3 ,may we not even pay the last honors to our friend8 ,alas1 said the centurion1 it is not within my power to permit this4 ,then came back ,caiaphas and ,annas and all the rulers of the ,sanhedrin from the temple to ,golgotha4 ,caiaphas1 speaking as they approached1 said1 ,it will be all the more delightful to see the body of this evil-doer cast into the pit of shame1 because we have witnessed the destruction he has brought to pass within the temple4 ,annas answered1 ,what joy it would be if my eyes could see him torn limb from limb by wild beasts4 ,ha1 said ,caiaphas1 as they saw the hangman bearing off the bodies of the thieves1 they are already being taken down4 ,now we shall soon see our ardent desires fulfilled4 ,hardly had ,caiaphas and the priests approached the cross when from the other side there came ,joseph of ,arimathea and with him a servant of ,pilate4 ,the servant said to the centurion1 ,the governor has sent me to inquire of thee whether it can really be true that ,jesus of ,nazareth is already dead as this man has informed me4 ,it is so1 indeed1 replied the centurion1 pointing to the cross4 ,look for yourself4 ,besides1 for a complete certainty1 his heart has been thrust through with a lance4 ,then said the servant1 ,i have orders to inform you that the body is to be delivered over to this man as a gift from ,pilate4 ,and having said this he departed4 ,oh1 blessed tidings6 cried the holy women still gathered together around the foot of the cross4 ,but the ,jews hearing the message1 waxed furious and the rabbi1 speaking of ,jesus1 said to the other priests and rulers1 ,the traitor of the synagogue1 he has fooled us again4 ,and spoiled our triumph1 said ,annas4 ,but ,caiaphas would not submit and said haughtily1 ,we shall not tolerate it that his body be laid anywhere else than in the grave of the transgressors4 ,the centurion replied1 ,as the body is given to this man1 it is obvious that he can bury it where and how he will4 ,there is no disputing that4 ,then he said to the soldiers and executioners1 ,men1 our work is done4 ,we will return4 ,then the hangmen gathered up their basket and their cord1 their dice and the fragments of ,christ's mantle and departed4 ,with them went the centurion and his band1 leaving ,caiaphas and the ,jews face to face with the holy women and their friends at the foot of the cross4 ,the ,jews were exceedingly wroth and raged amongst themselves at the centurion4 ,annas cried out to ,joseph of ,arimathea1 ,dost thou still persist in thy headstrong obstinacy8 ,art thou not ashamed to do honor to the very corpse of an executed malefactor8 ,joseph replied1 ,i indeed honor this noblest of men1 the teacher sent from ,god1 whom being innocent you have murdered4 ,and ,nicodemus added1 ,envy and pride were the motives of his condemnation4 ,the judge himself was forced to bear witness to his innocence1 and swore he would have no part in his death4 ,then said ,caiaphas furiously1 ,the curse of our law will destroy you1 ye enemies of our fathers4 ,the rabbi said1 ,do not excite thyself about them1 ,o1 high priest2 they are smitten with blindness4 ,but ,caiaphas1 refusing to be silenced1 cried1 ,cursed are ye by the holy council4 ,deprived of all your honors1 never more shall ye dare to take your seats in our midst4 ,neither do we desire to do so1 said ,nicodemus4 ,then said ,annas1 ,as the body is now in the hands of his friends1 we must be on our guard1 for this deceiver1 while he was yet alive said that in three days he would rise again4 ,the rabbi said1 ,they could easily practice a new deception on the people and make fresh trouble for us4 ,his disciples might take his body away secretly and then give out that he had risen from the dead4 ,in that case1 said ,caiaphas1 the last error would be worse than the first4 ,let us therefore go at once to ,pilate and ask him for a guard of soldiers to keep watch over the grave until the third day4 ,a prudent thought1 cried ,annas1 and the rabbi added1 ,thus their schemes will be foiled4 ,then they departed to go to ,pilate4 ,his enemies having left his friends alone around the cross1 ,nicodemus and ,joseph set about taking down the body of ,jesus4 ,bringing the ladders ,joseph mounted on the shorter one that was placed in front1 while ,nicodemus ascended the longer one behind4 ,joseph had with him a roll of linen so long that after putting it around the body of ,jesus1 the ends hanging over the cross reached to the ground1 where they were held by ,simon of ,bethany and ,lazarus4 ,then1 after taking off the crown of thorns ,nicodemus took the pincers and began to pull out the nails from the hands of ,jesus and bent the stiffening arms lovingly away from the cross4 ,while they were thus engaged the ,magdalen and ,mary talked together4 ,at last1 said ,mary ,magdalene1 the madmen have departed4 ,be comforted1 beloved mother1 now we are alone with our friends2 the mockery and blasphemy are past and a holy evening stillness surrounds us4 ,mary said1 ,o1 my friends6 ,what my ,jesus suffered this mother's heart suffered with him4 ,now he has finished his work and entered into the rest of his ,father4 ,peace also and trust from ,heaven fills my soul4 ,mary ,magdalene comforted her1 saying1 ,he is not taken from us forever2 that he promised4 ,o1 noble men1 said ,mary to ,joseph and ,nicodemus1 make haste and bring me the body of my beloved son4 ,the ,magdalene said1 ,mother1 wilt thou not rest a little here1 while we prepare his resting place8 ,then seating herself on a stone a little to the right of the cross1 ,mary waited while her friends made ready to receive the body of ,jesus4 ,come1 my companions1 said ,salome1 and help me to prepare the winding sheet to receive the body4 ,they spread the linen on the ground at ,mary's feet1 placing one end upon her lap4 ,by this time ,nicodemus had extracted the second nail which was in his left hand1 and ,joseph had taken the nail from the feet of ,jesus4 ,then ,simon and ,lazarus1 holding the ends of the linen roll1 slowly lowered the body into the arms of ,joseph of ,arimathea4 ,o1 come1 said ,joseph1 thou sweet and holy burden2 let me take thee upon my shoulders4 ,then with the body of ,jesus resting upon his shoulders ,joseph began to descend the ladder4 ,nicodemus had already come down and awaited him at the foot of the cross4 ,spreading out his arms to receive the body of ,jesus1 he said1 ,come thou holy body of my only friend1 let me embrace thee4 ,then they carried the body of ,jesus and placed it on the linen winding sheet that was prepared for it on his mother's lap4 ,nicodemus1 looking at his wounds sighed1 ,how the rage of thy enemies hath torn thy flesh4 ,now1 said ,john1 the best of sons rests once more on the bosom of the best of mothers4 ,mary looked down upon the pale1 blood-spotted face of ,jesus1 and then sighing heavily she said1 ,o1 my ,son1 how is thy body covered with wounds6 ,mother1 said ,john1 from these wounds flowed salvation and blessing for mankind4 ,see1 mother1 said the ,magdalene1 who stood on her right hand1 how the peace of heaven rests in death upon his face4 ,then said ,nicodemus who had brought some ointment1 ,let us anoint him and then wrap him in this new linen4 ,he then poured the ointment into all the wounds on the body of ,jesus4 ,he shall be laid1 said ,joseph of ,arimathea1 in my new grave which ,i have prepared in the rock in my garden4 ,but before they could wrap him in the winding sheets1 ,salome came near1 and kneeling1 raised to her lips the pierced left hand of ,jesus saying1 ,o1 best of ,masters6 ,one more loving tear upon thy lifeless body4 ,then came the ,magdalene on the right hand1 and kneeling down1 stooped low and kissed the right hand1 saying1 ,o1 let me once more kiss the hand which has so often blessed me4 ,then said ,john1 ,we shall see him again4 ,help me1 said ,joseph to ,nicodemus1 to bear him into the garden4 ,blessed am ,i1 said ,nicodemus1 that ,i may lay to rest the remains of him who was sent from ,god4 ,then taking up the body they bore it away4 ,then said ,john to ,mary and the other woman1 ,let us follow the dear1 the divine friend4 ,it is the last honor1 said ,mary1 that ,i can do my ,jesus4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,on the morning of the third day since ,jesus had been crucified1 before the sun had arisen1 the four soldiers who were appointed to watch the grave sat outside the tomb where the body of ,jesus had been laid4 ,one of them awaking1 cried1 ,brothers1 is not the night nearly over8 ,then said ,titus1 ,the sky is already reddening in the east2 a beautiful spring day is beginning to dawn4 ,hardly had he said these words when there was a great earthquake4 ,pedius springing up exclaimed1 ,immortal ,gods6 ,what a fearful shock6 ,the earth is splitting1 cried ,rufus4 ,then there was a peal of thunder4 ,titus called out1 ,away from the rock2 it is tottering2 it is falling6 and the stone which had been rolled up into the mouth of the sepulcher fell down with a crash4 ,jesus arose4 ,for a moment he appeared at the mouth of the sepulchre1 radiant in white apparel1 while the watch fell on their faces to the ground crying out1 ,ye gods1 what do we see8 ,a fire from heaven is blinding our eyes6 ,jesus then passed out through the door of the sepulchre and went down into the garden and out of sight4 ,after awhile the soldiers1 who were lying prostrate on the ground said to each other1 ,brother1 what has happened to us8 ,then said one of the soldiers1 ,i will not stop here another moment4 ,but ,titus looking up said1 ,the apparition is vanished1 and grasping his spear he rose to his feet saying1 ,brothers1 take heart2 we have nothing to fear1 as we have done no wrong4 ,they then stood up and saw the open door of the sepulchre from which the stone had fallen4 ,then said ,titus1 ,the stone is rolled away from the grave4 ,the grave is open4 ,yes1 said another1 and the garden door is bolted4 ,then they went with fear and trembling to the door of the sepulchre1 and one looking in1 said1 ,i do not see the corpse4 ,then another going farther inside said1 ,here is the linen cloth lying in which the body was wrapped4 ,he has gone out of the grave4 ,titus said1 ,he must have risen again1 as no one came into the garden4 ,then said the third soldier1 ,it has happened thus as the priests feared4 ,and ,titus answered1 ,he has fulfilled his word6 ,now1 what shall we do8 said the soldiers4 ,there is nothing else to be done1 said one1 excepting to hasten to the ,pharisees and tell them what has happened4 ,all replied at once1 ,that we will1 and they hastened away4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,conclusion4 ,i4--,,the ,,story ,,that ,,transformed ,,the ,,world ,written by ,mr4 ,stead at ,ober-,ammergau the night after witnessing the performance of the ,passion ,play4 ,this is the story that transformed the world6 ,this is the story that transformed the world6 ,yes1 and will yet transform it6 ,yes1 thank ,god1 so the answer comes2 and will yet transform it until the kingdom comes6 ,this is the story that transformed the world4 ,i awoke shortly after midnight1 after seeing the ,passion ,play at ,ober-,ammergau1 with these words floating backward and forward in my head like a peal of bells from some distant spire4 ,backward and forward they went and came1 and came and went4 ,this is the story that transformed the world6 ,this is the story that transformed the world4 ,and then in the midst of the reiterated monotone of this insistent message came the glad response from ,i know not where1 ,yes1 and will yet transform it6 ,and then the two met and mingled1 strophe and anti-strophe1 one answering the other1 ,this is the story that transformed the world4 ,yes1 and will yet transform the world6 ,illustration3 ,he is risen4 ,i tried to sleep1 but could not4 ,it was as if church bells were pealing their sweet but imperious music within my brain4 ,so ,i got up and wrote4 ,all is silent save the ticking of the watch by my bedside2 silent as the stars which gleam down from the blue sky above the cross-crowned crag1 which stands like some giant sentinel keeping watch over the village1 at its foot4 ,herod1 our host1 sleeps soundly1 and ,johannes1 wearied by his double service of waiter at the hotel and his role in the sacred play1 is oblivious of all4 ,the crowded thousands who watched for hours yesterday the unfolding of the passion of ,christ ,jesus of ,galilee have disappeared1 and ,i am alone4 ,but not alone4 ,for as real and as vivid as that same crowd of yesterday seem to me the thronging memories of other days1 of the centuries that rise between the time when ,jesus really lived on earth1 and today4 ,nineteen hundred years have gone since all that we saw represented yesterday was no mere mimic show but deadly tragic fact2 nineteen hundred years during which the shaping power of the world has been that story4 ,the old1 old1 story never before so vividly realized in all its human significance and its ,divine import4 ,its human significance1 for thank ,god1 we have at last seen ,jesus as a man among men1 a human being with no halo round his brow1 no radiance not of this world marking him off apart from the rest of his fellow-men1 but simply ,jesus1 the ,galilean1 gibbeted on the gallows of his time1 side by side with the scum of mankind4 ,and it was this story that transformed the world4 ,thou hast conquered1 ,o pale ,galilean6 ,over how many tribes and nations and kindreds of men8 ,oh1 the wonder of it all1 the miracle of miracles surely is this4 ,that this story should have transformed the world4 ,for after all1 what was the passion8 ,looked at as we looked at it yesterday1 not from the standpoint of those who see the sacred story through the vista of centuries that have risen in splendor and set in the glory of the cross1 but from the standpoint which the actors on the stage assumed yesterday1 what was the passion8 ,it was merely a passing episode in the unceasing martyrdom of man4 ,think you that of the thirty thousand ,jews whom the humane ,titus by a mere stroke of his stylus condemned to be crucified round the walls of ,jerusalem forty years after that scene on ,calvary1 none suffered like this6 ,for them1 also1 was reared the horrid cross1 nor were they spared the mockings and the scourgings1 the cruel thirst1 and the slow-drawn agony of days of death4 ,and among all that unnamed multitude how few were there but had some distracted mother to mourn for him1 some agonized mother to swoon at the news of his death8 ,jews they were1 as was he4 ,hero souls1 no doubt faithful unto death1 and now1 let us hope1 wearing a crown of life2 patriots who knew how to die in the service of the land which their fathers had received from ,god1 and of the temple in which was preserved his holy law4 ,but their self-sacrifice availed not even to save their names from oblivion4 ,their martyrdom was as powerless to avert the doom of the chosen people as the bursting of the foam-flakes on the sand is to arrest the rush of the returning tide4 ,why1 then1 should the death of one ,jew have transformed the world1 while the death of these uncounted thousands failed even to save the synagogue8 ,why8 ,that is the question that the ,passion ,play forces home--a question which never even comes to the mind of those who are accustomed from childhood to regard this ,jew as mysteriously ,divine1 not so much man as ,god1 cut off from us and our daily littleness by the immeasurable abyss that yawns between the finite and the infinite4 ,this greatest of all the miracles1 the coming of ,christendom into being1 has become so much a matter of course that we marvel as little at it as we do at the sunrise--which also in its way is a wonder worthy enough4 ,think for a moment of the many myriads of fierce heathen1 worshipping all manner of proud ancestral gods1 that have gone down before the might of that pale form4 ,civilizations and empires have gone down into the void2 darkness covers them over and oblivion is fast erasing the very inscriptions which history has traced on their tombs4 ,but the kingdom which this man founded knoweth no end4 ,the voice that echoed from the hills of ,galilee is echoing today from hills the ,romans never trod1 and the story of that life is rendered in tongues unknown at ,pentecost4 ,the more you look at it from the standpoint of the contemporaries of the carpenter of ,nazareth the more incredibly marvelous it appears4 ,and this is the great gain of the ,passion ,play4 ,it takes us clear back across the ages to the standpoint of those who saw ,jesus1 the ,galilean1 as merely a man among men4 ,it compels us to see him without the aureole of ,divinity1 as he appeared to those who knew him from his boyhood1 and who said1 ,are not his brethren still with us8 ,it is true that it is still not real enough4 ,the dresses are too beautiful--everything is conventional4 ,we have here not the real ,christ1 the ,jew1 the outcast and the vagabond4 ,for him we must wait till ,vereschagin or some other realist painter may bring us reality4 ,but even behind all the despisers of conventional ,christian art1 we have at least a sufficiently human figure to elicit sympathy1 compassion and love4 ,we get near enough to ,christ to hear the blows that fall upon his face1 to appreciate the superior respectability of the high priests1 and to understand the contempt of ,herod for the king of fools4 ,not until we start low enough do we understand the heights to which the crucified has risen4 ,it is only after realizing the depths of his humiliation we can even begin to understand the miracle of the transformation that he has wrought4 ,nor is that all4 ,it is the greatest thing1 but it does not stand alone4 ,for besides enabling us to realize the story which transformed the world1 it enables us to understand the agency by which that story effected its beneficent revolution4 ,i learned more of the inner secret of the ,catholic church in ,ober-,ammergau than ever ,i learnt in ,rome4 ,yet there is nothing distinctively ,roman about the ,passion ,play4 ,with the exception of the legend of ,st4 ,veronica with which ,gabriel ,maxs' picture has familiarized every ,protestant who looks into a photograph shop and sees the strange face on the handkerchief1 whose eyes reveal themselves beneath your gaze1 there is nothing from first to last to which the ,protestant ,alliance could take exception4 ,and yet it is all there4 ,there1 condensed into eight hours or less1 is the whole stock-in-trade of the ,christian church4 ,it was in its effort to impress that story upon the heart of man that there came into being all that is distinctively ,roman4 ,to teach truth by symbols1 to speak through the eye as much as the ear1 to leave no gate of approach unsummoned by the bearer of the glad tidings of great joy1 and above all in so doing to use every human element of pathos1 of tragedy1 and of awe that can touch the heart or impress the imagination--that was the mission of the church2 and as it got further and further afield and had to deal with rude and ruder barbarians the tendency grew to print in still larger capitals4 ,the ,catholic church1 in short1 did for religion what the new journalism has done for the press4 ,it has sensationalized in order to get a hearing among the masses4 ,protestantism that confines its gaze solely to the sublime central figure of the gospel story walks with averted face past the beautiful group of the holy women4 ,because others have ignorantly worshiped1 therefore we must not even contemplate4 ,but plant a competent ,protestant dramatic critic in the theater of ,ober-,ammergau1 let him look with dry eyes if he can upon the leave-taking at ,bethany1 and then as the universal sob rises from thousands of gazers1 he will realize perhaps for the first time how intense is the passion of sympathy which they have sealed up1 how powerful the emotion to which they are forbidden to appeal4 ,the most pathetic figure in the ,passion ,play is not ,christ1 but his mother4 ,there is in him also sublimity4 ,she is purely pathetic4 ,and after ,mary the mother comes ,mary ,magdalene4 ,protestantism will have much leeway to make up before it can find any influence so potent for softening the hearts and inspiring the imagination of men4 ,even in spite of all the obloquy of centuries of superstition1 and of the consequent centuries of angry reaction against this abuse1 these two women stand out against the gloom of the past radiant as the angels of ,god1 and yet the true ideals of the womanhood of the world4 ,yes1 this was the story that transformed the world6 ,this and no other4 ,this it was which to make visible1 men carved it in stone and built it in the cathedral1 and then1 lest even the light of heaven should come to the eye of man without bearing with it the story of the cross1 they filled their church windows with stained glass1 so that the sun should not shine without throwing into brighter relief the leading features of the wonder-working epoch of his life and death4 ,wherever you go in ,christendom you come upon endless reproductions of the scenes which yesterday we saw presented with all the vividness of the drama4 ,the cross1 the nails1 the lance1 have been built into the architecture of the world1 often by the descendants of the men who crucified their ,redeemer--not knowing what they did4 ,for centuries art was but an endless repetition in color or in stone of the scenes we witnessed yesterday1 or of incidents in lives which had been transformed by these scenes4 ,the more utterly we strip the story of the ,passion of all supernatural significance the more irresistibly comes back upon the mind the overwhelming significance of the transformation which it has affected in the world4 ,why8--,i keep asking why8 ,if there were no divine and therefore natural law behind all that1 why should that trivial incident1 the crucifixion of one among the unnumbered host of vagabonds executed every year in the reign of ,tiberius and the ,caesars that followed him1 how comes it that we are here today8 ,why are railways built and special trains organized and six thousand people gathered in curiosity or in awe to see the representation of this simple tale8 ,how comes it if there were no dynamo at the other end of that long coil of centuries1 that the light should still be shining at our end today8 ,shining alas6 not so brightly as could be wished1 but to shine at all1 is that in itself not miraculous8 ,through all the ages it has shone with varying luster4 ,and still it shines4 ,the dawn of a new day as ,i write is breaking upon this mountain valley4 ,the cocks are crowing in the village1 recalling the apostle who in the midst of the threatening soldiery denied his ,lord4 ,and even as ,peter went out and wept bitterly1 and ever after became the stoutest and bravest disciple of the ,master1 may it not yet be with those of this generation who also have denied their ,redeemer8 ,who knows8 ,the transformation would be far less startling than that which converted the ,coliseum from the shambles of imperial ,rome into the gigantic monument of triumphant martyrdom1 far less violent than that which made the ,german forbears of these good ,ammergauers into ,christian folk4 ,but if the transformation is to be effected1 and the light and warmth of a new day of faith1 and hope1 and love1 are to irradiate the world1 then may it not be confidently asserted that in the old1 old story of the cross lies the secret of the only power which can save mankind8 ,,ii4--,,the ,,interpretation ,,of ,,the ,,story4 ,wherein does it modify orthodox opinions8 ,chiefly in humanizing them1 in making the gospel story palpitate with actuality to quote the ,french phrase which ,matthew ,arnold loved to use4 ,these people on the stage at ,ober-,ammergau are not lay figures1 mere abstract representations of the virtues or the opposite4 ,they live1 breathe and act just as if they were actors in a ,french or ,russian novel4 ,that is the great difference4 ,these poor players have brought our ,lord to life again4 ,in their hands he is no mere influence of abstraction1 no infinite and almighty ruler of the universe4 ,he may be and no doubt every one of the ,ober-,ammergauers would shrink with horror from the suggestion that he was any other than the second person of the trinity4 ,but they have done more than repeat the ,athanasian creed4 ,they have shown how it came to be believable4 ,if that poor carpenter's son by getting himself crucified as one part fool and three parts seditious adventurer could revolutionize the world1 then the inference seemed irresistible that he must have been divine4 ,if the illegitimate son of a ,bengalese peasant hanged by order of our lieutenant-governor in the northwest provinces because of the mischief he was making among the ,moslems of ,lahore were to establish his faith on the ruins of ,westminster ,abbey1 and install the successor of his leading disciple on the throne of the ,british empire1 we should not wonder at his apotheosis4 ,to do so much1 with so little material1 compels the inference that there is the infinite behind4 ,nothing but a ,god could control such a machine4 ,it needed a fulcrum in eternity to make such a change in the things of time with so weak a lever as the life of this ,galilean4 ,but it is not only ,christ himself who becomes real to us1 but what is almost as important1 we see his contemporaries as they saw themselves1 or as he saw them4 ,caiaphas--who that has seen ,burgomaster ,lang in that leading role can feel anything but admiration and sympathy for the worthy chief of the ,sanhedrin8 ,he had everything on his side to justify him4 ,law1 respectability1 patriotism1 religious expediency1 common sense4 ,against him there was only this poor vagabond from ,nazareth--and the ,invisible4 ,but ,caiaphas1 like other men1 does not see the ,invisible and he acts1 according to his lights1 as he was bound to act4 ,he is the great prototype of the domineering and intolerant ecclesiastic all the world over4 ,since the crucifixion he has often changed his clothes4 ,but at heart he is the same4 ,he has worn the three-crowned hat of the successor of ,peter2 he has paraded in a bishop's miter2 he has often worn the gown and bands of ,presbyterian ,geneva4 ,caiaphas is eternal4 ,he produces himself in every church and in every village1 because there is a latent ,caiaphas in every heart4 ,perhaps the character who comes out best is ,pilate4 ,he is a noble ,roman1 whose impartiality and rectitude1 coupled with an anxious desire to take the line of least resistance and find out some practical middle course1 is worthy of that imperial race to whose vices1 as well as to many of their virtues1 we ,english have succeeded4 ,pilate did his best to save ,jesus up to a point--beyond that point he did not go1 and according to the accepted ethics of men in his position1 it would have been madness to have gone4 ,why should he1 ,pontius ,pilate1 procurator of ,judea1 risk his career and endanger the tranquillity of ,jerusalem merely to save a poor wretch like that ,galilean8 ,what ,englishman who has ever ruled a province in ,india1 where religious ferment was rife1 who would not have felt tempted to act as ,pilate acted--nay1 would not have acted as he acted without even the hesitation he showed1 if the life of some poor devil of a wandering fakir stood between him and the peace of the empire8 ,would to ,god that ,british magistrates1 even at home in our own land1 would give the despised and unpopular poor man the same number of chances ,pilate gave to ,jesus4 ,with ,downing street eager for the conviction of a socialist agitator1 and the whole of society and the mob savage against him1 a man would be a fool who would not appeal from ,bow street or old ,bailey to so just a judge as ,pilate4 ,to the last ,pilate never made himself the willing instrument of popular frenzy4 ,he argued against it1 he denounced it1 he resorted to every subterfuge by which he could save the prisoner's life1 and it was only when the ,sanhedrin threatened to denounce him to ,caesar as an enemy of the emperor that he unwillingly gave way4 ,here and there no doubt there are among our latter day magistrates and judges fanatical believers in abstract right1 who would have risked the empire rather than let a hair of ,christ's head be touched2 but the average ,english or ,american magistrate--especially if the accused was only a nigger--would shrug his shoulders at such ,quixotism as folly and worse4 ,it is better1 they would say1 that one man should die1 even unjustly1 than that everything should be upset4 ,another person who comes out better than might be expected is ,judas4 ,the conception of his character is very fine and very human4 ,judas1 as the treasurer of the little band1 naturally felt indignant at the apparent wanton extravagance which led ,mary ,magdalene to pour ointment worth #cjj pence upon the head of her master4 ,there is real human nature and sound practical common sense in his reply to those who told him not to worry about the money1 when he retorted1 ,who is there to take care about it if ,i don't8 ,judas never really from first to last meditates betraying his master to death4 ,the salves which he lays to his conscience when consenting to identify ,jesus at night are very ingenious4 ,judas was a smart man who calculated he stood to win in any event4 ,he got the indispensable cash2 all that he did was to indicate what could perfectly well have been discovered without his aid2 if ,jesus were what he believed him to be he could easily have baffled his enemies2 if he were not1 well1 then1 he had deceived them4 ,but the moment ,judas learns that he has really endangered his master's life1 his whole demeanor changes4 ,he flings back the blood money at the feet of those who had given it to him1 and in the madness of despair he hangs himself4 ,so far from ,judas being callous to ,christ's fate1 his suicide was a proof that his penitence was far more agonizing than that of ,peter4 ,simon ,peter also comes in for a share in the general rehabilitation4 ,it was impossible not to feel sympathy for the hasty old man1 hustled from side to side by a pack of violent soldiery4 ,knowing moreover that he had cut off one of their ears but a few hours before1 and that if they recognized him his own ears would have been cropped1 even if he didn't share the fate of the crucified1 his denial is so natural under the circumstances that you cease to marvel that even the cock crow on the roof failed to remind him of his master's warning4 ,the ,passion ,play has at least done this--it sets us discussing the conduct of ,caiaphas and ,pilate and ,judas1 as if they were our contemporaries1 as if they were statesmen at ,westminster or at ,washington or administrators in ,india or ,canada4 ,and this1 no doubt1 is no small service1 for these men are types of human character who are eternally re-embodied among us4 ,,iii4--,,the ,,religion ,,of ,,the ,,future4 ,the story of the ,passion ,play has ever been real to me in another than a ,catholic sense4 ,it has been the perpetual re-incarnation of the divine story in the history of our own times that has absorbed my attention4 ,these ancient figures on the stage of ,new ,testament history were but of importance in so far as they lived again in our own life4 ,of their mystical theological significance ,i am1 of course1 not speaking4 ,this is a thing apart4 ,but the perpetual re-incarnation of ,god's ,messiah in the great causes of justice1 freedom and humanity1 it is that which has made the gospel story ever new to me4 ,leaving ,ober-,ammergau ,i returned by ,switzerland to ,london4 ,at ,lucerne while waiting for the train1 ,i turned over the book in the waiting-room that describes the construction of the ,gotthard railway4 ,about one thousand tons of dynamite1 it is said1 had sufficed to pierce the tunnels through the mountain barrier that separated ,italy from ,switzerland4 ,blasting powder could never have done the work4 ,that helped to level the military roads for the legions of ,suwarrow4 ,it needed dynamite to tunnel the ,st4 ,gotthard--dynamite directed by science--and as ,i read this ,i fell a-thinking4 ,the old story1 that mediaeval ,christ in magenta and pearl gray1 with his disciples in artistic symphonies of harmonious and contrasted color1 no doubt transformed the world4 ,but a new world has arisen which sorely needs transforming again1 and is it not possible that the conventional ,christ1 who no doubt did mighty things in the past1 may have become as obsolete as blasting powder4 ,may we not hope that if the conventional ,christ did so much1 the real ,christ may do much more2 that the realization of the ,christ as he actually lived and died among us may be as much superior in its transforming efficacy as the dynamite of the modern engineer is to the powder sack of the soldiers who marched under old ,suwarrow8 ,of one thing we may at least be certain1 and that is1 if everyone of those who call themselves by the ,christian name would but say one ,christ-like word1 and do one ,christ-like deed between every sunrise and sunset1 it would lift a very ,alpine mass of sorrow and anxiety from the weary heart of the world4 ,what then might not be done if in very truth1 and with all sincerity1 we1 each of us1 tried to be a real ,christ in his or her sphere1 the sent of ,god in the midst of those with whom we pass our lives8 ,one more word and ,i have done4 ,the actors play different parts as they grow old4 ,they begin with being children in the tableaux and they pass in turn from one role to another4 ,the ,judas of #ahij was the apostle ,john in #ahhj4 ,when the ,christ was selected in #ahgj1 he was chosen out of four competitors4 ,one of the unsuccessful today plays ,king ,herod1 the other ,pontius ,pilate4 ,so it is ever in real life4 ,few1 indeed1 are those who are always ,christs4 ,when ,christians ceased to be martyrs they martyred their enemies4 ,the church came from the catacombs to establish the inquisition4 ,in our own lives we may be ,christs today and atheists tomorrow4 ,power and authority destroy more ,christs than the dungeon and the stake4 ,and perhaps one reason why the ,ober-,ammergauers have been able to give us the ,christ we see this year is because in their secluded valley they have remained poor and humble in spirit1 and have never ceased to remember the story that transformed the world4