JESUS, PILATE AND HEROD.
Thus before Pilate's judgment seat
The council, full of passion's heat,
Come to demand Messiah's blood.
Oh, what has made them mad and blind?
And what has kindled in their mind
Of fury such a fiery flood?
'Tis envy which no mercy knows
In which hell's flame most fiercely glows--
Lights this devouring fire,
All's sacrificed unto its lust--
Nothing too sacred, good or just
To fall to its desire.
Oh, woe to those whom passion sweeps
Helpless and bound into the deeps.
Then went the high priests and the scribes, together with the rulers
and traders of the temple, and the witnesses, to the house of Pilate.
Jesus was led forth in front of them by Balbus and Malchus as before,
Selpha being in command of the band of soldiers. As they went the
soldiers shouted aloud, "Away with thee to death, thou false prophet!
Ha! doth it dismay thee that thou wilt not go forward?"
"Drive him on," said Selpha. But Jesus being weary walked with slow
footsteps.
Then the soldiers thrust him forward, crying, "Shall we have to carry
thee in our arms? Go on! Thou hast not far to go, only to Calvary;
there upon the cross thou canst rest in comfort."
By this time they had approached the precincts of Pilate's house. Then
said Caiaphas to the soldiers, "Be still; we have to announce our
coming." And they were still.
The rabbi said, "Go to the door and knock."
It was done, and Quintus came out, saying, "What does this crowd of
people want here?"
The rabbi replied that the council had assembled there. Quintus
promised to announce them at once, and the rabbi turning to the members
of the Sanhedrin, said, "Do you hear? He will announce our presence
without delay."
Caiaphas addressed those who were following him: "Ye members of the
Sanhedrin, if you have at heart the holy traditions, our honor, the
tranquility of the whole land, then consider well this moment. It
decides between us and that deceiver. If you are men in whom flows the
blood of your fathers, then listen to us. An imperishable monument you
will set up for yourselves. Be firm in your resolve."
Then cried the priests, "Our fathers forever; death to the enemy of the
nation!"
"Do not rest, then," said Caiaphas, "until he is blotted out of the
number of the living!"
And they cried again, "We will not rest, we demand his death, his
blood."
Then the soldiers turned to Jesus and said, "Hearest thou that, O king
and prophet?"
Then came Pilate out with his attendants upon the balcony of the house;
two spearmen on either side advanced to the foot of the steps of the
balcony, and stood spear in hand whilst the audience listed. Then
Caiaphas stepped forward in front of the crowd, and, bowing low, thus
began, "Governor and representative of the great Caesar, health and
blessing to thee." Then Caiaphas continued: "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 Sanhedrin."
Pilate answered, "Bring him forth," and the soldiers led Jesus, out
before Pilate so that he stood on the right hand of the balcony.
Pilate having looked upon him asked, "What accusations have you to
bring against this man?"
[Illustration: "What accusations have you to bring against this man?"]
Caiaphas, speaking with some surprise, said, "If he were not a great
malefactor we would not have delivered him over to thee, but have dealt
with him ourselves according to the direction of our holy law."
"Well, of what evil deeds has he been guilty?" asked Pilate.
Caiaphas answered, "He has in many ways grievously offended against the
holy law of Israel."
Pilate answered, "Then take him away and judge him according to your
law."
Then said Annas, "He has already been judged by the Sanhedrin and has
been declared to be worthy of death."
Then all the priests cried aloud, "For according to our law he has
deserved death."
But Caiaphas explained: "It is not lawful for us to execute the
sentence of death upon any one; therefore we bring the application for
the execution of the sentence to the representative of Caesar."
Then Pilate having looked upon Jesus and upon Caiaphas asked, with
indignation, "How can I deliver a man over to death unless I know the
crime, and before I have satisfied myself that his crime is worthy of
death? What has he done?"
Then said the rabbi, "The sentence of the council upon this man was
unanimously pronounced, and grounded upon a careful investigation into
his crimes. It seems therefore unnecessary that the illustrious
governor should take upon himself the trouble of a second investigation.
"What," said Pilate, hotly, "do you dare to suggest to me, the
representative of Caesar, that I should be a blind instrument for the
execution of your orders? Be that far from me! I must know what law
he has broken, and in what way."
Caiaphas, Annas and the members of the Sanhedrin waxed wroth and spoke
warmly among themselves on hearing the words of Pilate. Caiaphas
answered and said, "We have a law and by our law he ought to die
because he made himself the Son of God," while all the people shouted,
"We all have heard the blasphemy from his own lips," and Annas added,
"And upon that account we must insist that he suffers the legal
punishment."
Then Pilate said scornfully unto them, "On account of such a speech,
which at the most is only the outcome of an enthusiastic imagination, a
Roman can find no one guilty of death. Who knows also," he added, with
a glance at Jesus, "whether this man may not be the son of some god!
If you have no other crime to lay to his charge you need not think that
I will fulfil your desires."
Caiaphas answered and said, "Not only against our holy law, but also
against Caesar himself has this man been guilty of serious offences.
We have found him to be an insurgent and deceiver of the people."
Then cried all the priests and Pharisees together tumultuously, "He is
an agitator and a rebel."
Pilate answered, "I have heard of one Jesus who was said to go about
the country and teach and do extraordinary works, but I have never
heard of any sedition stirred up by him. Were anything of that kind to
happen I should have heard of it before you, who am appointed for the
maintenance of peace in the land, and am perfectly well informed
concerning the words and deeds of the Jews. But tell me, when and
where has he stirred up any commotion?"
Then Nathanael stood forward and said unto Pilate, "He brings together
multitudes by thousands around him and he has quite recently,
surrounded by such a crowd, made a solemn entry into Jerusalem itself."
"O I know that," said Pilate contemptuously, "but nothing took place on
that occasion to disturb the public peace."
By this time Caiaphas and the priests were in a state of indignation
which they did not care to conceal, and Caiaphas asked angrily, "Is it
not sedition if he forbid the people to pay tribute to Caesar?"
Pilate asked, "Where have you proof of that?"
"Proof enough," retorted Caiaphas, "for he gives himself out as the
Messiah, the king of Israel. Is not that to challenge the imperial
authority?"
Pilate replied, sarcastically, "I admire your suddenly awakened zeal
for the authority of Caesar."
Then turning to Jesus, who had stood silent during the altercation, he
asked him, saying, "Hearest thou what serious accusations these bring
against thee? What answerest thou?" Jesus remained silent.
"See," said Caiaphas, eagerly, "He cannot deny it. His silence is an
admission of his crime."
Then cried all the multitude, stretching out their hands toward Pilate,
"Sentence him then!"
"Patience," said Pilate, "there is time enough for that. I will take
him apart for a private hearing."
Pilate, speaking to his attendants, said, "Perhaps when he is no longer
confused by the crowd and the fury of his accusers he will answer me."
Then, speaking to his servants he said, "Lead him into the court." And
turning to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, he said, "Go! my guard shall
take charge of him, but do you examine the justice or injustice of your
complaints, and be careful to investigate whether they do not perhaps
come from a polluted source. Then let me know the result of your
reflections."
At this Caiaphas turned his back upon Pilate and looked with
indignation upon his followers, who showed the liveliest manifestations
of disgust. Josue said, "Everything has been well considered and
examined already. The law pronounces him worthy of death." The Jews,
turning to go, angrily discussed this reverse.
"This is a troublesome delay," said the rabbi.
But Caiaphas encouraged them, saying, "Do not lose heart, victory
belongs to the steadfast."
Then was Jesus brought before Pilate's judgment seat, and Pilate said
unto him, "Thou hast heard the complaint of the council against thee.
Give me an answer thereto. Thou hast, they say, called thyself a Son
of God. Whence art thou?" But Jesus made no answer. Then Pilate said
unto him with some surprise, "Dost thou not speak even unto me?
Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee and to release thee?"
Then Jesus turned to him and said, "Thou couldst have no power at all
against me except it were given unto thee from above. Therefore he
that delivereth me unto thee hath the greater sin."
"Frankly spoken," said Pilate, aside. Then, speaking to Jesus he said,
"Art thou the king of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or only because
others have told it to thee?"
Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests
have delivered thee unto me. They accuse thee that thou hast desired
to be the king of Israel. What ground is there for this?"
Then answered Jesus and said unto him, "My kingdom is not of this
world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight,
so that I should not be delivered unto the hands of the Jews; but now
is my kingdom not from hence."
Then said Pilate, "Art thou a king then?"
Jesus answered, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born
and for this cause came I into the world, that I might bear witness
unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice."
When Pilate heard this he said, "What is truth?"
Hardly had he asked this question when the servant Quintus entered
hastily from the door behind. "Lord, thy servant Claudius is here; he
has to bring thee a pressing message from thy wife."
Pilate said, "Let him come in. Lead the man hence for a moment into
the hall." The attendants having led Jesus out, Claudius entered.
Pilate asked him, "What bringest thou from my dear spouse?"
"My lord," said Claudius, "thy wife greeteth thee and prays thee from
her heart, for thine own sake and for hers, that thou wouldst have
nothing to do with this just man who has been accused before the
judgment seat. She has suffered anguish and terror on his account last
night, owing to a fearful dream."
Pilate answered, "Go back and tell her that she need not disturb
herself. I will have nothing to do with the proposals of the Jews, but
do all that I can to save him." Saluting Pilate, the messenger
departed.
Pilate then said to his attendants, "Would that I had nothing to do
with this business! What do you think, my friends, of the complaint of
the Jewish priests?"
Then said the courtier Mela, "It seems to me that they are only
inspired by envy and jealousy. The most passionate hatred appears in
their words and countenances."
And the courtier Sylvius added, "The hypocrites pretend that they have
the authority of Caesar at heart, whereas the matter concerns only
their own authority, which they believe endangered by this famous
teacher of the people."
Pilate answered, "I agree with you. I cannot believe that this man
entertains any criminal schemes in his mind. There is so much that is
noble in his features and in his demeanor. His speech displays so
noble a candor and such high natural gifts that he seemed much more to
be a very wise man, perhaps only too wise for these gloomy fanatics to
be able to bear the light of his countenance. And then the dream which
troubled my wife on his account! If he were really of higher origin?
No," said Pilate decidedly, arriving at a resolution, "I will not let
myself be induced to comply with the wishes of the priests." Then he
ordered his servants, saying, "Let the chief priests appear here again,
and let the accused be led out again from the judgment hall."
Then came Caiaphas, Annas and the chief priests, and the scribes and
rulers of the people once more before Pilate to receive his decision.
Then Pilate spoke unto them as follows: "Here you have your prisoner
again; he is without guilt." Consternation and fury were displayed on
the faces of all the Jews.
Then Annas said, "We have Caesar's word that our law shall be upheld.
How can he be without guilt who treads this very law beneath his feet?"
Then cried all the council, saying, "He is worthy of death!"
Caiaphas, who stood before the council, asked, "Is he not punishable by
Caesar when he maliciously injures that which Caesar's will has
guaranteed us?"
Pilate said, "I have told you already, if he hath done anything against
your law, then punish him according to your law, in so far as you are
authorized so to do. I cannot pronounce the death sentence upon him,
because I find nothing in him which according to the laws upon which I
have to act is deserving of death."
Then were the Jews vexed beyond measure and muttered among themselves
in hot displeasure, but Caiaphas replied, "If any one proclaims himself
as king, is he not a rebel? Does he not deserve the death punishment
of high treason?"
"If," said Pilate, "this man has called himself a king it seems to me
that so ambiguous a word is not sufficient to condemn him. For it is
openly taught among the Romans that every wise man is a king. But you
have brought forward no facts to prove that he has usurped kingly
authority."
Then said Nathanael, "Is it not a sufficient fact that through him the
whole people are stirred up; that he fills the whole of Judea with his
teaching, beginning from Galilee, where he first attracted followers to
himself, until here in Jerusalem?"
Then asked Pilate in surprise, "Has he come out of Galilee?"
Then cried they all, "Yes, he is a Galilean," and the rabbi added, "His
home is in Nazareth, in the jurisdiction of King Herod."
"If that be so, then am I relieved of the jurisdiction. Herod, King of
Galilee, has come hither for the feast; he can now judge his own
subject. Take him away and bring him unto his own king. He shall be
conducted thither by my body guard." Then Pilate with his attendants
left the judgment hall.
Caiaphas exclaimed, "Off, then, to Herod! With Herod, who professeth
the faith of our fathers, we shall find better protection for our holy
law."
Annas said, "And if a thousand hindrances were to oppose themselves,
the criminal must meet with the deserved punishment."
Then they cried to Christ, as they went off to the palace of Herod,
"One hour sooner or later, what matters it? Thou must come to die, and
this very day!"
* * * * * *
King Herod stood beside his throne, arrayed in scarlet robes, wearing a
golden crown upon his head, and holding a golden scepter in his hand.
On either side were his courtiers. He said unto them, "What! have they
the famous man from Nazareth? And are they bringing him a prisoner
here to me?"
"Yes, my Lord," said Zabulon, "I saw him and recognized him at the
first glance."
Then said Herod, "I have for a long time desired to see this man, with
whose wondrous works the whole land rings, to whom, as if by magic,
people run in crowds. Can he be John, risen from the dead?"
"Oh, no," said Naason, "John worked no miracles; whereas they relate
deeds done by this man which in truth are wonderful if they are not
exaggerated."
"As I have," said Herod, "so unexpected an opportunity of seeing him, I
am impatient to put his magic skill to the proof."
"He will be very willing," said Manasses, "to oblige you in that
respect in order to obtain your favor and protection."
Then said Herod, who had seated himself, to Zabulon: "Tell the
priesthood they may bring their prisoner in."
"They are probably coming with complaints against this man," said
Manasses, "as they are forsaken by all the people."
Herod replied, "Let them do that before Pilate--here I have nothing to
do--no judgment to pronounce."
Manasses remarked: "Perhaps they have met with a refusal from the
governor and are now siding another way."
Herod replied, "I do not enter into their pious quarrels. I will see
him for myself and test his alleged miraculous powers."
Then came into the presence of Herod, Caiaphas, Annas, the rabbi,
Nathanael and four priests, bringing Jesus with them led by the
soldiers of Herod. Caiaphas bowed before King Herod, saying "Most
mighty king," and all the priests cried, "Prosperity and blessing upon
thee from the Almighty!"
Then said Caiaphas, "A criminal is brought before thee here from the
Sanhedrin, that thou mayest execute on him the judgment of the law."
"The law," said Nathanael, "decrees his death;" and Annas added, "May
it please the king to confirm the sentence of the synagogue."
"But," said Herod, "how can I be a judge in a foreign territory? Go to
your own governor; he will do justice."
Then said Caiaphas. "Pilate sent him hither, because being a Galilean
he is thy subject."
"Then this man belongeth to my jurisdiction? Who is he?"
The priests said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Caiaphas added, "Pilate himself said, 'Go to King Herod; let him
pronounce sentence upon his own subject.'"
"Did Pilate say that? Wonderful!" said Herod. And turning to his
courtiers he remarked, "Pilate sends him to me! Allows me to act as
judge in his own province!"
A courtier replied, "It seems as if he wished to make approaches to
thee again."
Herod replied, "I will accept it as a proof of his friendly feeling."
Then turning to Jesus Herod said, "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 country."
"He is a deceiver," said the rabbi; "an enemy of the holy law."
"I have heard," said Herod, taking no notice of the interruption, "that
thou canst interpret all mysteries and achieve feats which set at
defiance the laws of nature. Let us have an example of thy skill and
mighty power; then we will honor thee like the people and believe in
thee."
"O king," said Zadok, "do not let him lead thee astray, for he is in
league with Beelzebub."
"That is all the same to me," said Herod. Then, addressing Jesus, he
said, "I had last night a wonderful dream. If thou canst tell me what
I have dreamed of I will esteem thee as a first-class reader of hearts."
Herod paused, but Christ remained motionless and silent. "Thou canst
not do so much as that," continued Herod, "but perhaps thou
understandest how to explain the dream if I tell thee what it was. I
dreamt I stood upon the battlements of my palace at Herodium and saw
the sun go down. There stood suddenly a man who stretched out his hand
and pointed to the setting sun and said, 'See there, there is Hesperia
in thy bedchamber.' Hardly had he said this when his form melted into
mist. I started and woke up. If thou desirest to be like Joseph when
he stood before the King of Egypt interpret to thy king this dream."
Christ remained silent, looking sadly at Herod.
"Art thou not experienced in this branch of the business? Well, then,
show some of thy famous magic art. Cause it suddenly to become dark in
this hall, or raise thyself and depart from us without touching the
ground, or convert the roll on which thy death sentence is written into
a snake. Thou wilt not, or thou canst not? Any of these things ought
to be easy to thee; they relate much more wondrous miracles of thine."
Then turning to the courtiers Herod said, "He does not stir. Ah, I see
well that what has made him so notorious was only idle tittle-tattle.
He knows nothing and can do nothing."
"It is easy," said Naason, "to make believe before the foolish mob; it
is another thing to stand before a wise and powerful king."
Then said Manasses to Jesus, "Why should you not display your wisdom
here? Why should your power vanish before the eyes of the king, even
as a soap bubble?"
Then said Herod scornfully, "There is nothing remarkable about him. He
is a conceited fellow whom the applause of the people hath made crazy.
Let him go. It is not worth while making so much trouble on his
account."
"O, King," said Caiaphas, "do not trust this sly and crafty rogue.
Indeed, he only makes himself out to be a fool in order to obtain a
milder sentence from thee."
Annas said, "If he be put away, then would the peace of the kingdom
also stand in danger, for he has presumed to exalt himself to be king."
"What!" said Herod, "to be a king! To be a king of fools, that is more
credible. As such he deserves to receive homage, therefore will I give
him as a present a king's mantle, and do formally install him as the
king of all fools."
Then cried the priests aloud, "Not this; he has deserved death."
Caiaphas said, "O, King, protector of our holy law, remember thy duty
to punish the transgressor as the law ordains."
Then said Herod, "What have you really against him?"
"He hath profaned the Sabbath," said the rabbi.
Nathanael added, "He is a blasphemer."
And all the priests cried, "And as such the law declares him worthy of
death."
Then said Ezekiel, "He has also spoken contemptuously of the Temple,
which thy father so gloriously rebuilt; he has declared that he would
rebuild a more beautiful one in three days."
Then Herod laughed and said, "Now that proves indeed that he is a king
of fools."
Then said Jonas, "He has also spoken insultingly of thee. He has
presumed to call thee, his lord and king, a fox."
"Then he has attributed to me a quality which he cannot certainly claim
himself," replied Herod. "Clothe him--wrapped in this splendid robe he
will play his part well before the people."
Then came in a servant bringing a white robe, which he put on the
shoulders of Jesus, and after Jesus had been robed, Zabulon said to
him, "Now for the first time thou wilt create a real sensation, thou
great wonder-worker."
The priests cried, "He must die!"
Herod said, "No, I will not be guilty of the blood of so exalted a
king; rather lead him forth before the people in this his proper
apparel, that they may admire him to their heart's content."
Then said the first soldier to Jesus, "Come, thou miraculous king, and
allow us to accompany thee!"
The second soldier said, "What good luck for me to walk by the side of
so illustrious a lord!" And so saying, they led away Jesus, wearing
the white robe which Herod had put on him.
Then said Caiaphas, "Thou hast convinced thyself that his alleged great
works were nothing but lies and deceit, whereby the people were
defrauded by him. Give, then, thy sentence!"
And all the priests cried, "Pronounce the sentence of death upon him,
as the law demands!"
Herod replied, "My opinion is, he is a simple fellow and not capable of
the crime of which you accuse him. If he has perchance done or spoken
anything against the law it is to be attributed to his simplicity."
"O, King," said Caiaphas, "take care that thou dost not err!"
"I fear," said Annas, "thou wilt repent if thou allowest him to escape
punishment."
"I fear nothing of the kind," said Herod. "A fool one must treat as a
fool. He has already suffered by his follies and will avoid them in
the future. With that the trial is at an end."
Then said the rabbi, "Then it is all over with our law, our religion,
Moses and the prophets!"
Herod said, "I abide by my decision. I am weary and will not concern
myself further about this affair. Pilate may decide according to his
official duty. Offer to him duty and friendship from King Herod."
Then went the priests out, sorely dissatisfied with the decision of the
king. Then Herod rose from his seat and said, "This time the result
has not corresponded to our expectations. I expected to find a great
wonder-worker and eloquent orator, and behold, there is only quite an
ordinary man with never a word to say for himself."
"Ah," said Manasses, "how lying rumor exaggerates that which, when more
closely examined, is shown to be nothing."
"Friends," said Herod, "that is not John. John at least spoke, and
spoke with wisdom, and an eloquence which one must esteem, but this one
is as dumb as a fish. I am less than ever purposed to put him out of
the way, now that I have seen him for myself. Pilate would not have
sent him to me if he had been found guilty of any serious crime against
the state. To revenge oneself on such a man would be the greatest
folly. We have occupied ourselves about this wearisome business long
enough. Let us now go and make up for lost time by seeking more
agreeable amusement."