King of the Jews | Page 5

in order to have the misfortune of seeing the
downfall of our holy law. But now I will not despair. The God of our
fathers still lives, and he is with us. If you have the courage to act
boldly, and to stand firmly and faithfully together, there is safety at
hand. Take courage, steadfastly pursue the aim in view, and be the
deliverer of Israel, and undying fame will be your reward."
With one accord all answered and said: "We are of one mind," while
the priests added, shouting eagerly, "Israel must be saved!"
Then Caiaphas began: "All honor to your unanimous resolution, worthy
brethren, but now let me have the benefit of your wise counsels how we
can most safely bring this deceiver into our power."
"It might be dangerous," remarked the first Pharisee, "to seize him now
at the time of the feast. In the streets or in the temple he is everywhere
surrounded by a mob of infatuated followers. It could easily lead to an
uproar."
Then cried all the priests together with a loud voice, as if impatient that
one should speak at a time: "But something must be done at once. The
matter brooks no delay. Perhaps at the feast he might raise a
commotion, and then it might come to pass that we should be
consigned to the place which we have destined for him."
"No delay;" cried some other priests, "no delay!"

Then the second Pharisee stood up and said: "We cannot now seize him
openly with the strong hand. We must carry out our scheme cunningly
and in secret. Let us find out where he usually spends the night; then
we could fall upon him unobserved and take him into custody."
Nathanael sprang to his feet, for the auspicious moment had come,--the
furious merchants from the temple were without in the courtyard. "To
track the fox to his lair will not be difficult. We could then soon find
someone to help, if it should please the high council to offer a large
reward."
Caiaphas at once put the resolution to the Sanhedrin. Rising from his
seat he said, "If you, assembled fathers, agree, then in the name of the
high council I will issue notice that whoever knows of his nightly resort,
and will inform us of the same, will be rewarded for his pains."
With one voice the rulers and chief priests and scribes cried out, rising
from their seats, "We are all agreed."
Then said Nathanael, "Without doubt we could secure the services, as
informers, of those men whom the Galilean today has injured so deeply
in the sight of all the people, driving them with a scourge out of the
temple. From of old they were zealous of the law, but now they are
thirsting for revenge against him who has made so unheard-of an attack
upon their privileges."
"But where," said Caiaphas, "are these traders to be found?"
"They are waiting," said Nathanael, "in readiness in the outer court. I
have promised them to be the advocate of their cause before the holy
Sanhedrin, and they await our decision."
"Worthy priest," said Caiaphas, "inform them that the high council is
disposed to listen to their grievance, and bring them in."
Nathanael as he went said, "This will be a joy to them and of great use
to us."

When Nathanael left the hall, Caiaphas addressed the council with
words of cheer: "The God of our fathers has not withdrawn his hand
from us. Moses still watches over us. If only we can succeed in
gathering around us a nucleus of men out of the people then I no longer
dread the result. Friends and brethren, let us be of good courage, our
fathers look down upon us from Abraham's bosom."
"God bless our high priest!" rang through the hall as Nathanael,
followed by Dathan and the other traders, returned to his place. He
introduced them thus: "High priests and chosen teachers! These men,
worthy of our blessing, appear before this assembly in order to lodge a
complaint against the notorious Jesus of Nazareth, who has today
insulted them in the temple in an unheard-of fashion and brought them
to grief."
Then with one voice the traders, led by Dathan, cried out, "We beseech
the council to procure us satisfaction. The council ought to support our
righteous demands."
The priests and Pharisees responded eagerly, "You shall have
satisfaction, we will answer for that."
Then ensued the following dialogue between the traders and the
Sanhedrin:
The Traders: "Has not the council authorized us to display openly in the
court of the temple all things useful for the sacrifice?"
A Priest: "Yes, that has been sanctioned. Woe be to those who disturb
you in the exercise of this right!"
The Traders: "And