"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 God. Yes, he says that he himself is
God, 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 Passover you must bring the Galilaean
before me, for I wish to see him."
"I will.
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