When I came into Capernaum, I thought to have heard all men rejoicing for
that Jesus had not been taken by the Thracians. But, go where I might, I
found it quite contrary; for all men were wroth with him for departing.
Barabbas was there, and James the son of Judas of Galilee, and many others
of the Galilean sect; but I could not have much speech with them, so hot
was their anger against Jesus; but on the morrow, lighting upon my cousin
Baruch, I questioned him touching that which had happened, and he said
that “the Prophet had turned from him all the hearts of the Galileans
because he would not raise up Israel to avenge the death of John.”
Then I asked how soon they had received tidings of John’s death, and he
said “Yesterday a little before sunset.” I marvelled how the news should
have been brought past the Thracians; for, said I, “they stayed all
travellers from Tiberias, neither suffered they any to pass them.” But
Baruch said that James the son of Judas had contrived that lights should
be held up each night from Gamala on the other side of the lake, to the
intent that the Galileans in Capernaum might know how John fared; and one
light should signify that the Prophet lived, but two lights that he lived
not. “And,” said Baruch, “yestereven before the sun went down, many of the
Galileans had gathered together by twos or by threes upon the strand to
watch for the signal. And first one light appeared, as was usual; and the
men said that it was well, for they had one more day wherein to labour for
the Prophet’s deliverance. But then Barabbas cried out that there were two
lights; and at first no man would believe it, for (because the sun had not
yet set) the lights were not plain to see. But presently Judas also saw
the second light, and then they all saw it. Hereupon arose a loud
lamentation, and the news spread at once through all the city, and the
women began to wail, and the men rushed forth into the streets, and there
was a great gathering. Presently with one consent the multitude ran
together to the door of the house where Jesus lodged; and first Barabbas
went in to ask Jesus to be leader of the host, but soon he came forth
again, saying that Jesus would not. Then went in James the son of Judas,
saying that he would beseech Jesus in the name of his father, who had
fought and died for Israel. With James there went in also three others of
the eldest and most reverend of the Galileans, and they remained in the
house longer, so that the people thought they had prevailed upon Jesus;
and there was a great expectation. But when the elders came out, they
showed by their countenances that they had not prevailed.
“Then there was much clamour; and the greater part cried out that they
would not depart from before the threshold of Jesus till they had
persuaded Jesus to be leader of the host; and some cried out to draw him
forth by violence and to make him leader of the host. But immediately the
door opened, and Jesus himself came forth. Then they no more talked of
violence; but Barabbas and others of the armed men held out their right
hands to him, and promised to give up their lives for his sake if he would
be their king. Others fell down on their knees before him; and some caught
him by the garment to have stayed him. Only James the son of Judas said
nothing; and it seemed to me,” said Baruch, “that at the sight of James,
Jesus was more moved than by all the rest. Howbeit he halted not, but
moved straight down to the beach.
“Then when the people perceived that he would leave them, they cried out
even louder than before, and threw dust in the air and poured it upon
their heads; and some threw themselves on the ground in his path for to
stay him; and some also spared not threatening. But Jesus took no heed
thereof, but went still onward with his eyes fast set upon the ground;
till one thrust himself before the rest, crying aloud and saying that they
would do more for John dead than for Jesus living, and that it was better
for a man to lose his life, as John the Prophet had lost it, than to save
his life as Jesus desired to save it. Thereat Jesus stayed for an instant,
and lifted his eyes from the ground; howbeit not in anger, but rather as
he is wont to do (for thou well knowest his manner) whensoever he heareth
a Voice of God. But when all the people shouted again, supposing that he
had been bent from his purpose, then Jesus beckoned with the hand, and
when he had commanded silence, he spake briefly unto them, and said the
hour was not yet come; and so he departed.
“Now,” said Baruch, “while Jesus was speaking to the people, and even
afterwards while he was in the sight of the people, it was a marvellous
thing to see how still they were; for he hath a power over the hearts of
the people so that when he is present no one dare move his tongue against
him. But as soon as the boat had rowed away and they could see him no
more, straightway Barabbas and his friends began to curse and swear; and
they said that they would never again ask aught of Jesus, nor place any
faith in him. James the son of Judas said little, but his mind seemed to
be the same. For this cause therefore all the Galileans are incensed
against Jesus; insomuch that, whereas they had begun to rate him far above
John, they now esteem the memory of John more than the presence of Jesus.”
After this, Baruch began to advise me to sever myself from Jesus and to
return to my home at Sepphoris, for, said he, “He hath the Pharisees for
his enemies; and the richer sort are also estranged from him; and it is
commonly reported that Herod the Tetrarch seeketh to slay him with the
sword; and now behold, even the Galileans are turned away from him. Now
therefore be persuaded, and come back with me to the house of my father
Manasseh, and tarry with us for the night, and refresh thyself, and on the
morrow set forth for thy home.”
But I made him some fair answer and bade him farewell; for I had
determined with myself to take ship that same night, to have sailed over
to the other side. But on the morrow, I thought it good (albeit perchance
I erred therein) to return first to my mother and to relate to her all
that had come to pass, and to bid her farewell: for all men now accounted
of Jesus as of one that must either fight or perish: for it could not be
that he should live and be honoured of men, and yet not avenge the death
of John the Prophet. Wherefore, before I joined myself to a cause that
seemed so full of peril, I desired to take leave of my mother.
On the fourth day after I was come to Sepphoris, word was brought that
Jesus of Nazareth was gathering the people for battle, and that he was
making a levy throughout all Galilee, and for this intent had chosen out
twelve of his disciples, whom also he called Apostles; and these he had
sent out by two and two through the several villages and towns. Jonathan
the son of Ezra brought me these tidings; and I was with him next day,
walking on the road between Sepphoris and Capernaum, when we met Simon
Peter and Andrew.
They told us that they had been sent forth by Jesus to proclaim the
Kingdom of Heaven, and to drive out unclean spirits, and to heal diseases.
They came without wallet, or food, or money, trusting to the alms of the
people. But when we questioned them as to the Kingdom, and whether indeed
it was to be achieved by force of arms (as the rumour went), or by signs
such as fire from heaven and the like: concerning this they knew nothing.
As for the healing of diseases, we saw with our own eyes that they had
this power; for they healed certain that were sick in Sepphoris, and even
cast out three or four unclean spirits.
When we had bidden farewell to Simon Peter and Andrew (for they were in
haste, passing from place to place like messengers of war) then Jonathan
turned to me and said, “Whoso pulleth down his old house and doth not
first build for himself a new one, is he wise?” I replied, “Nay.” Then
said Jonathan, “Lo, Jesus of Nazareth pulleth down the house of the Law;
tell me therefore, what buildeth he in the place thereof?” I was silent,
for I knew not what to answer; but at last I said that Jesus spake of a
certain new Spirit which would purify the children of men and enable them
to attain righteousness without the Law. But Jonathan said, “Nay but, my
son, can a Spirit tell each man of the children of men, from day to day,
what meat he shall eat and what he shall not eat; and when to fast and
when to feast; and what to do on the Sabbath day, and what not to do? Now
if the Spirit shall tell each man different things, shall there not be a
confusion as of Babel? But if the same things, then why should not these
things be written in a law? Moreover who shall tell which man hath the
Spirit and which hath not? For all will say they have it.” Then I said
that I could not answer those questions, but that I trusted in Jesus of
Nazareth as in one sent from God, who could not deceive, neither be
deceived, for that his deeds and words were those of a prophet. After this
manner I answered; but Jonathan said nothing, but only shook his head a
little, as one that doubted more than he hoped.
Now on the third day after this discourse (it being, as I remember, the
month called Adar, a little after the Feast of Purim), my mother being now
completely recovered of her disease, I determined to return to Jesus. For
tidings came in daily that all Galilee was ready to rise up when he gave
the sign, and I was unwilling to show myself a laggard if matters should
come to smiting with the sword. But every day I heard that Jesus was more
and more beloved of the people. For all (save only the Pharisees) were now
drawn towards him, in that he seemed to be bent upon avenging John the
Prophet. And his fame began to be noised abroad through all the country of
Galilee and the parts beyond, insomuch that many that had not heard of him
before, began to cast in their minds what he could be. And some said that
he was Elias. For the common folk, yea, and the Scribes also, were ever
expecting that Elias should be sent down to earth, according to the saying
of the prophet Malachi. But others said that he was John the Baptist risen
from the dead; and this saying was commonly reported, especially among the
Gentiles which border on the land of Galilee and in Decapolis, insomuch
that Herod himself heard of the rumour, and feared lest it might be even
so. But whatsoever men reported about Jesus, in any case his fame waxed
very great at this time. For before John was beheaded, the fame of John
prevailed over the fame of Jesus in the minds of many; but now all alike,
even the disciples of John, looked to Jesus as the avenger of John and as
the only Deliverer; insomuch that, at this time, Jesus had both his own
fame and also the fame of John the Prophet.
I found Jesus in a village about seven miles to the north of Galilee. But
when I had saluted him, I noted that he was marvellously changed; yet not
so that he was austere, nor even very sad; yet still changed withal,
albeit I knew not how nor why. But I had expected that he should have
rebuked me for that I had been so long absent, neither had I come to him
with all speed so as to be present when first he made the levy in Galilee.
Howbeit, he reproved me not; but questioned me kindly touching my mother’s
health, and rejoiced when I gave him a good report: but afterwards he gave
himself again to meditation. When I was come forth from his presence, I
asked the disciples concerning the state of Galilee, and what number of
men were ready to fight on our side, and when the levy should be made, and
the hour for battle should be at hand. But the rest were silent, and Judas
alone made answer, that concerning these things the disciples knew
nothing; yea, and from certain signs he conjectured that even to Jesus
himself the hour of uprising was not yet known, no, nor yet the manner of
it, nor the means for it.
“But,” said I, “did not the people in Galilee receive you when ye went
forth to proclaim the Redemption?” “Yes truly did they,” said Judas, “but
all of the baser sort, and the poor folk which have naught of their own;
wherefore they be always ready for warfare.” “And what answer made Jesus
to your report?” asked I. “Truly a marvellous answer,” replied Judas, “for
when we said that only the poor and simple folk received us, he rejoiced
thereat, and thanked God that it was even so.” “Nay,” said I, “that were
hard to believe.” “But yea,” said Judas; “for his words were these, that
he thanked the Father, because He had hidden these things from the wise
and the prudent, and revealed them unto babes.” Then I looked at Nathanael
to know whether it was even so, and Nathanael nodded his head, as if to
say that it was so.
But Judas continued: “This also is not the worst. For he hath not only
turned from him the Galileans; but besides, since our flight, whereas
there is special need to be busy and striving, behold, these ten days, he
museth and meditateth, and ceaseth not. Neither are his musings touching
war, nor vengeance, nor military matters; but he broodeth over
prophesyings and abstruse matters. And a stranger might go near to think
that he had conceived an imagination that, because the Lord hath suffered
John the son of Zachariah to die, therefore he must needs die also. But
unless he be speedily raised up from this humour of dejection, all is
lost.”
He said no more at this time, for Jesus came forth into the court‐yard
where we sat together around the fountain; and straightway we held our
peace. Then we fell to discourse of John the son of Zachariah, how great
things he had prophesied, and how we had hoped that he should have
triumphed with us in the Kingdom of God; and one likened John unto Elias
the prophet, saying that he spake in the spirit of Elias, and that many of
the common people would have it that this John was indeed Elias risen from
the dead. Then another spake of the love in which the disciples of John
the son of Zachariah still had their Master, and how, though he were dead,
yet did they still cleave to him in their hearts; insomuch that his spirit
seemed to rule over them yet more than his living presence. But another
said that John the Prophet could not be Elias: for was it possible that
the Lord should suffer such an one as Elias to be slain? And to him
Nathanael replied that Isaiah the Prophet was sawn asunder, and wherefore
not also Elias? Then Thomas, one of the Twelve, lamented for John the son
of Zachariah, because he had been thus swallowed up by destruction,
neither had he left children to stand in his stead upon the earth; “for
they that die, leaving children behind them,” said he (quoting a certain
proverb of my countrymen) “die not, but only fall asleep: but they that
die and leave no children, these die indeed.” To this John the son of
Zebedee made answer that whoso leaveth behind him children perverse and
alien from his own nature, he liveth not, for all his children; but whoso
leaveth behind him disciples and followers like unto himself and imbued
with his own doctrine, such an one liveth, yea even though he be childless
and lie in the grave. Hereat methought Jesus was strangely moved: howbeit
he sat still where he was, and spake never a word.
But presently mention was made of Jonah the Prophet, how that he also was
an exile and fled from his country, even as our Master had been forced to
flee. Then Judas said that Jonah had done ill to flee, for that none could
flee from the presence of the All‐seeing, the Maker of all things, “for,”
said he, “the son of man, while he liveth, is like unto a horse tethered
by a cord which suffereth him to graze, but resteth still in the hand of
his owner.” Thereon some one took up the discourse and said, “Nay, but
rather the cord is a cord of love, and the owner is not an owner, but a
father;” and another disciple quoted the words of the psalmist, “By thee
have I been holden up from the womb.” Thereat Jesus smiled as if to say
that that disciple had spoken well, and he bade John repeat the rest of
that same psalm. But when John came, in his repeating, to the words, “O
God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy
wondrous works,” then did Jesus seem somewhat moved. But afterwards when
John came unto the words, “Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore
troubles, shalt give me life again, and shalt bring me up again from the
depths of the earth;” then indeed the face of Jesus kindled with a
marvellous light, and he bade John cease. But he himself sat, still
musing, and his lips moved like unto one repeating the same words over and
over again: “Thou shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.”
It came to pass that, about two or three weeks after these things we came
to Nazareth, where Jesus was born. Now Jesus had not gone to the place
these many days. Some said that he came thither now for to shew unto his
mother and his brethren (for his father had been long since dead) that he
was sound in health and not possessed nor distraught. Others said that he
desired to cause his brethren to believe in him; for at this time they
believed not. But others said that he desired to bid farewell to his
mother before he went forth to deliver Israel; and to this most people
agreed.
But when we came to Nazareth, we marvelled that there was so little faith
in the men of that place. For they thronged us, as in the other towns, and
they were fain to look on Jesus, and called him by familiar names (some
being playmates and schoolfellows, some his kinsfolk, and almost all of
the number of his acquaintances); moreover they were eager that he should
do some mighty work before their eyes; yet could they not believe that he
was a prophet, much less that he was the Redeemer of Israel. Neither would
they believe that he could drive out evil spirits or heal diseases.
Hence it came to pass that Jesus could do no mighty work there. And when
they brought unto him many that were sick, and possessed with evil
spirits, he looked on them, but perceived that they had not faith to be
healed. Wherefore he healed none of them; save only that he laid his hands
on a few that were sick of slight diseases and healed them, and even these
not without labour. For the same things happened as once in another city,
where a man was healed that had been afflicted with a deaf and dumb
spirit. For there, because of the man’s want of understanding and lack of
faith, Jesus took him apart from the people (for there was a great stir of
traffic and of men coming and going), and made signs to him, at the same
time touching his ears and his tongue; and he also spake very loud in the
man’s ears, not in Greek, but in the language of the Jews (which is used
by the poorer people), saying _Ephphatha_. In this way the man was healed,
but only with labour and by degrees. And so it was now, but even worse.
Wherefore Jesus himself marvelled at their unbelief.
Now the cause of their unbelief was that they knew him from a child. For,
said one of them to Jesus himself in my hearing, “Behold, these thirty
years we have known thy goings out and thy comings in; we have also sat by
thy side in the school, and whatsoever thou didst learn we also learned;
thou didst play with us at our games round the well; we have seen thee a‐
working in thy father’s house; our couches and our seats are made by thy
hand; and shall we call thee the Redeemer of Israel?” Moreover another
bade him come back to the carpenter’s shop; and a third cried out that he
had changed trades for the worse, for the Redemption of Israel was a
dangerous trade. All these were moved by jealousy, and spake out of the
malignity of their hearts.
But a certain old Scribe, Josiah the son of Hezekiah, (which also was the
chief Scribe of the place, and had known Jesus and loved him of a child)
coming forth from his house, met him and fell upon his neck, and blessed
him, and embraced him; and then, when he had looked more narrowly at his
countenance, he began to mourn over him as if he were his own son,
lamenting for that the bloom of beauty had departed from the countenance
of Jesus: “for behold,” said he, “sorrow hath driven out the former
brightness of thy joy. Thou wast as the dew of the morning, O my lamb, but
art become as the parched ground at noontide. Behold, O my lamb, around
thy cradle mercy and righteousness joined hands together; and when thou
didst sport amid this valley, lo, truth and peace went ever with thee, and
thou didst still hold converse with the angels of God? Unfit art thou, O
my gentle one, to do battle with the wickedness of wicked men, and with
the cunning arts of the adversary. Verily thou wilt be led as a lamb to
the slaughter. Hast thou fathomed the depth of the pit of destruction? Or
dost thou know by experience the snares of deceit? Return, O thou that art
the apple of mine eye, while there is yet time, lest evil befal thee. For
I know that danger compasseth thee around, and if thou shalt go hence,
thou wilt come back to me no more.”
Jesus spake comfortably to the old man and consoled him; and while he
consoled him, his face shone with joy and love; insomuch that the old man
also rejoiced, saying that Jesus appeared now again as he appeared in the
days of his youth. But still he besought Jesus to return and to avoid
contention with the Pharisees, saying that “no vessel but peace can hold
blessing.” But Jesus answered him kindly and bade him farewell. And so we
departed from Nazareth.
When we were now come to the top of the hill which looketh down on
Nazareth, we rested a little to recover our breath. Now Jesus was
sorrowful because of the unbelief of his kinsfolk and acquaintance, and he
was silent (as was his wont when sorrow fell upon him), musing and
meditating, and, as it seemed to me, praying; even as one striving to
unloose the knot of some hard saying or riddle. For the unbelief of his
kinsfolk had filled him with astonishment. While he thus mused, we
conversed together, and Judas said that it was an error to have come to
Nazareth. “For who knoweth not,” said he, “that a prophet hath no honour
in his own country? For a prophet known is a prophet despised.”
But John the son of Zebedee replied that it was a strange thing that the
acquaintance and kinsfolk of Jesus should suppose that they knew the mind
and spirit of Jesus because they knew his outward shape and mien and
manner of speech: “For his mind and spirit pass knowledge; and the more a
man knoweth thereof, the more a man must needs wonder thereat.” So spake
John; but Judas jested at him, and said that John spake as a babe and as a
simple clown, knowing nothing of the world. “Yet,” added he, looking up at
Jesus, “it is strange methinks that even our Master should also wonder at
that which is in no way wonderful.” Then John rebuked him and said,
“Knowest thou not the saying of our Master, ‘They that wonder shall reign,
and they that reign shall rest?’ Wherefore who knoweth whether it may not
be that even our Master day by day learneth some new revelation from God
whereat to wonder? For whoso increaseth not diminisheth.”
When I heard these words I looked at Jesus, and behold, it was even as
John said. For the sorrow that rested upon his countenance because of the
unbelief of his kinsfolk seemed to be passing away, and to be revealing
beneath it an exceeding joy, as of one learning some hidden mystery, or
hearing some glad tidings. And there came into my mind the words of
Barabbas (which were contrary to the words of John), how he said that
Jesus did everything with forethought; and behold, both the words of John
seemed true and also the words of Barabbas; but the words of John seemed
the truer. For though Jesus did naught in haste nor in fear nor
perturbation; yet was he not like unto one that seeth all things to come,
great and small alike, marked out for him as in a chart, nor like unto him
which trusteth in the strength of his own unchangeable will. Nay rather,
even as a little child hangeth upon the bosom of his mother and hath no
will of his own, even so did Jesus continually look upon earth and heaven
and on the deeds and words of men; and, look where he might, he discerned
in all things some new knowledge, some revelation concerning the will of
the Father in heaven; insomuch that no day passed, yea no hour of the day,
but Jesus in this wise held communion with his Father.
By this time Jesus was arisen from his seat, and we ceased conversing
together when he drew nigh. But Judas, desirous to say somewhat (so as to
hide what he had been saying), pointed down to the white houses of
Nazareth and to the fields and orchards which compass the city round in
the bottom of the valley; and he said to Jesus that the place was
exceeding beautiful, like unto a handful of pearls in a goblet of emerald.
But Jesus looked narrowly at Judas for an instant, and then down at
Nazareth, and then at Judas again; and the sounds of the bleating of the
goats and the piping of the shepherds came up to our ears, and the
laughter of the children as they sported round the well. When Jesus heard
these things, he sighed, and cast his eyes down again on Nazareth, even on
the place of his nativity; and he looked at it for a long while very
lovingly. Then he turned away his head and departed, and he saw it no
more.