Historical Miniatures Part 20

"No, it is another one now."

"Are there two of them?"

"Yes, this is another one."

"But they have the same history--a prophecy which foretold their birth, and the fable of a supernatural origin, just like the Perseus of mythology, and the philosopher Plato in history. Is it a confusion of persons?"

"No, not at all."

"What is his name? Josua, Jesse...?"

"His name is Jesus, and he is said to have pa.s.sed his childhood in the Egyptian towns Heliopolis and Leontopolis."

"Then he must be a magician or wizard; can he not come and divert me?"

"It is difficult to find him, for he is now in one place, now in another. But we will question the High Priest; I have had him called, and he waits below."

"Why is there this commotion in the court of the Temple?"

"They are going to erect the Emperor's statue in the Holy of Holies."

"Quite right! Our gracious Emperor Tiberius lives like a madman on Capri, and is pummelled by his nephew Caligula, if the offspring of incest can be called a nephew. And now he is to become a G.o.d. Ha! Ha!"

"Antiochus Epiphanes had the statue of Zeus set up in the Holy of Holies. He, however, _was_ a G.o.d. But to set up this beast, Tiberius, means a tumult."

"What are we to do? Call the Priest here."

Pilate went and fetched the High Priest Caiaphas.

Herod closed his eyes, and folded his hands over his breast. He regarded all matters of business as an interruption to his pleasures, and generally liked to cut them short. When Pilate returned with Caiaphas, the Tetrarch awoke from his doze, and did not know where he was, or what they were talking about. Pilate stepped forward, aroused him to consciousness, and directed his attention to the matter in hand.

"There is a tumult in the Temple," was his first observation, for that disturbed his sleep. "Ah! the Priest is here. What is the meaning of the uproar below?"

"It is the Galilaean, who has taken to using force, and has driven the money-changers out of the Temple."

Herod's curiosity was aroused: "I should like to see him."

"He has already gone."

"Tell us, High Priest, who is this man? Is he the Messiah?"

"That is incredible. The son of a poor carpenter, who is weak in the head!"

"Is he a prophet?"

"He stirs up the people, he breaks the law, he is a glutton and wine-bibber, and he blasphemes G.o.d. Yes, he says that he himself is G.o.d, the Son of the Highest."

"Have you witnesses to this?"

"Yes, but they contradict each other."

"Then procure better witnesses, who will agree. But now, Priest, we must talk of something else. You know that the Senate have decreed the apotheosis of the Emperor, and that his image is to be set up in the Temple. What do you think about it?"

"We live by the favour of the Emperor. But if this abomination is done, we will all die as the Maccabees did."

"Then die!"

Caiaphas considered a moment before he answered. "I will summon the Sanhedrim, and tell them what the Emperor wishes."

"Yes, do that. And before the Pa.s.sover you must bring the Galilaean before me, for I wish to see him."

"I will."

"Then go in peace."

Caiaphas retired.

"They are a hard people, these Israelites," said Pilate, for want of something better to say. "I am also of Israel," answered Herod somewhat curtly, "for I am an Edomite, of Esau's race, and my mother was a Samaritan, belonging to the despised people."

Pilate saw that he had made a slip, and therefore struck the ground three times with his official staff. A large trap-door opened, and a table came up covered with all kinds of delicacies according to Roman taste.

Herod's countenance cleared.

In the Court of the Priests stood Caiaphas and Annas, and spoke with each other.

"Since we cannot avert the abomination," said Caiaphas, "and the Emperor's image is to be erected in the Holy of Holies, and the people will be destroyed if there is an insurrection, it is better for us to bring an offering to the Lord, and that one man die for the people."

"You are right. An extraordinary atoning sacrifice is necessary, and as the Pa.s.sover is approaching, let us sacrifice the Galilaean."

"Good! But the offering should be pure. Is the Galilaean pure?"

"Pure as a lamb."

"May he then take Israel's sins upon him, that we may be set free through his blood. Who brings him into our hands?"

"One of his disciples, who stands outside."

"Fetch him in."

John, later known as the "Evangelist," was brought in, and Caiaphas began to examine him.

"What do you say concerning your teacher? Has he transgressed the law of Moses?"

"He has fulfilled the law."

"But what new commandment has he introduced into our holy law?"