Mustafa Barghouthi, the Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative condemned heavily yesterday Israeli aggression consisting in shutting down and beating Palestinian activists and journalist during the press conference held by the parents of Tristan Anderson, the American peace activist who was shot in Ni’lin last week. "The boundaries of minimum respect for the victims have been crossed once again. We feel that there are no limits in the Israeli troops behaviour, no respect for the grieving of Tristan’s family", the deputy said, shocked. Tristan Anderson, 37 years old, an American citizen and peace activist, had an Israeli high velocity gas canister shot at his head in Ni’lin on the 13th of March. His skulls shattered several injuries and he was left in a very critical state at Tel Aviv hospital...
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“There is no respect for the grieving”
Barghouthi shocked by the Israeli assault on the press conference with injured American’s parents
Palestinian National Initiative
 |
Tristan Anderson
25 March 2009
Ramallah: Mustafa Barghouthi, the Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative condemned heavily yesterday Israeli aggression consisting in shutting down and beating Palestinian activists and journalist during the press conference held by the parents of Tristan Anderson, the American peace activist who was shot in Ni’lin last week.
"The boundaries of minimum respect for the victims have been crossed once again. We feel that there are no limits in the Israeli troops behaviour, no respect for the grieving of Tristan’s family", the deputy said, shocked.
Tristan Anderson, 37 years old, an American citizen and peace activist, had an Israeli high velocity gas canister shot at his head in Ni’lin on the 13th of March. His skulls shattered several injuries and he was left in a very critical state at Tel Aviv hospital.
On Monday, during a press conference held by Tristan’s parents, a woman and a journalist were beaten by the Israeli troops. 11 persons were detained including 3 foreign peace activists.
The press conference was held in a very symbolic place, known as the 'protest tent’, in Sheikh Jarrah, where the Al Kurd family has taken up residence for months after being evicted from their home.
Several journalists were reported being prevented to attend the conference. The Israeli army demanded that the event will be shut down. As several refused, they assaulted the audience, beating and detaining activists, media crews and officials.
"Such a raid leaves me speechless", condemns the Deputy. 'But we have to stand up loud. The Anderson family has the right to tell the world what Tristan has endured and express solidarity and their indignation and feelings regarding the shooting of their son. America is a country where freedom of speech is a core value. But once entering the Israeli controlled territory, nothing prevails anymore. Israeli soldiers have no shame and this should be reported. Loudly."
Contacts:
Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi: 0599/ 201 528
Or: 0599/ 940 073
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| Comment by yosimite sam - 26 Mar 2009 - 23:34 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | | Where is the video of this incident? |
| Comment by yosimite sam - 26 Mar 2009 - 23:35 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | Where is the video of this incident?
Sam |
| Comment by nicolae - 26 Mar 2009 - 23:44 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | JESUS WAS NOT A Jew
Benjamin H. Freedman, Jewish Historian - Researcher - Scholar.
From “Common Sense”, p. 2-1-53 and 5-1-59
“Christians have been duped by the unholiest hoax in all history, by so-called J ews. This is considered their most effective weapon.”
“This ‘big lie’ technique is brainwashing United States Christians into believin g that Jesus Christ was “King of the Jews”, in the sense that so-called ‘Jews’ t oday call themselves ‘Jews’. This reference was first made in English translatio ns of the Old and New Testaments, centuries before the so-called Jews highjacked the word ‘Jew’ in the 18th century A.D. to palm themselves off on the Christian world as having a kinship with Jesus Christ. This alleged kinship comes from the myth of their common ancestry with the so-called ‘Jews’ of the Holy Land in the Old Testament history, a fiction based on fable.”
“American Christians little suspect they are being brainwashed twenty-four hours of every day over television and radio, by newspapers and magazines, by motion pictures and plays, by books, by political leaders in office and seeking office, by religious leaders in their pulpits and outside their churches, by leaders in the field of education inside and outside their curricular activities, and by all leaders in business, professions and finance, whose economic security demands that they curry the favor of so-called “Jews” of historic Khazar ancestry. Unsuspecting Christians are subjected to this barrage from sources they have little reason to suspect. Incontestable facts supply the unchallengeable proof of the historic accuracy that so-called “Jews” throughout the world today of eastern European origin are unquestionably the historic descendants of the Khazars, a pagan Turko-Finn ancient Mongoloid nation deep in the heart of Asia, according to history, who battled their way in bloody wars about the 1st century B.C. into eastern Europe where they set up their Khazar kingdom. For some mysterious reason the history of the Khazar kingdom is conspicuous by its absence from history courses in the schools and colleges.
“The historic existence of the Khazar kingdom of so-called “Jews”, their rise an d fall, the permanent disappearance of the Khazar kingdom as a nation from the m ap of Europe, and how King Bulan and the Khazar nation in about 740 A.D. became so-called “Jews” by conversion, were concealed from American Christians by censo rship imposed by so-called “Jews”, of historic Khazar ancestry, upon all U.S.A. media of mass communications directed by them. Then in 1945 this author gave nation-wide publicity to his many years intensive research into the “facts of life” concerning Khazars. The disclosures were sensational and very effective but apparently angered so-called “Jews” who have continued to vent their spleen upon this author since then solely for that reason. Since 1946 they have conducted a vicious smear campaign against him, seeking thus to further conceal these facts, for obvious reasons. What have they to fear from the truth?
“In an original 1903 edition of the Jewish Encyclopedia in New York’s Public Lib rary, and in the Library of Congress, Volume IV, pages 1 to 5 inclusive, appears a most comprehensive history of the Khazars. Also in the New York Public Librar y are 327 books by the world’s greatest historians and other sources of referenc e, in addition to the Jewish Encyclopedia, dealing with Khazar history, and written between the 3rd A.D. and 20th centuries by contemporaries of the Khazars and by modern historians on that subject.”
Jesus was a ‘Judean’, not a Jew.
During His lifetime, no persons were described as “Jews” anywhere. That fact is supported by theology, history and science. When Jesus was in Judea, it was not the “homeland” of the ancestors of those who today style themselves “Jews”. Thei r ancestors never set a foot in Judea. They existed at that time in Asia, their “homeland”, and were known as Khazars. In none of the manuscripts of the original Old or New Testament was Jesus described or referred to as a “Jew”. The term originated in the late eighteenth century as an abbreviation of the term Judean and refers to a resident of Judea without regard to race or religion, just as the term “Texan” signifies a person living in Texas.
In spite of the powerful propaganda effort of the so-called “Jews”, they have be en unable to prove in recorded history that there is one record, prior to that p eriod, of a race religion or nationality, referred to as “Jew”. The religious se ct in Judea, in the time of Jesus, to which self-styled “Jews” today refer to as “Jews”, were known as “Pharisees”. “Judaism” today and “Pharisaism” in the time of Jesus are the same.
Jesus abhorred and denounced “Pharisaism”; hence the words, “Woe unto you Scribe s and Pharisees, Hypocrites, Ye Serpents, Ye Generation of Vipers”. |
| Comment by nicolae - 26 Mar 2009 - 23:45 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | JESUS WAS NOT A Jew
by Jason Collett
Many denominational Christians and even church leaders are under the mistaken be lief that Jesus was a Jew. But nothing could be further from the truth.
Judea and Galilee were two separate states and political entities, as illustrate d on the map of Palestine in the time of our Saviour in your Bible. Jesus Himsel f was not a Jew (Judean) or resident of Judea, He was a Galilean or resident of Galilee (Matthew 26:69; John 7:41), and a Judahite or descendent of the Tribe of Judah. The Judeans of prominence were not of the Tribe of Judah, but of Edomites. Pilate was being ironic when he wrote the sign “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Judeans” for the Cross (John 19:19). That is, “the Galilean who was King of the Judeans,” as in “Queen Victoria of England, Empress of India.” Jesus grew up in Nazareth in Galilee. His disciples were fishermen from the Sea of Galilee. And although He visited Jerusalem, he spent most of His life in his home country of Galilee. John 7:1, “After this Jesus stayed in Galilee; for He could not walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.” His followers were constrained “for fear of the Jews” (John 7:13, 19:38, 20:19).
Why was this?
Psalm 83:3 says God’s elect are “hidden” or protected ones, and that they are un der attack from a coalition of evil groups led by Edom. Who was Edom?
Esau, the brother of the patriarch Jacob, became the ancestor of the people call ed Edom, or Idumea. The Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus, XIII ix 1; XV vii 9 instructs us: John Hyrcanus forcibly assimilated the Edomites as a nati onal group and they became “Jews” in about 120BC. The Jewish historian Josephus, who lived just after the time of Christ, wrote, “They [Edom] were hereafter no other than Jews’. The Jewish scholar Cecil Roth in his Concise Jewish Encyclopedia (1980) says on page 154, “John Hyrcanus forcibly converted [Edom] to Judaism. From then on they were part of the Jewish people. In the Talmud the name of Edom was applied to Christian Rome, and was then used for Christianity in general”.
Terrible judgements against Edom are made in most of the prophecies of the Old T estament. For instance, Isaiah 34, 63, Jeremiah 49, and the entire book of Obadi ah.
Isaiah 63:1-6, “Who is this coming from Edom . . . in garments stained with crim son? It is I [the Lord] who speak in righteousness and am mighty to save.”
“Why are your garments red, as if you had trodden the winepress?”
“I have trodden the winepress alone: and of the people there was none to help Me . In My anger I trod them down, trampled them in My wrath. Their blood splattere d My garments, and all My clothes are stained. For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed has come. . . I will tread down the people i n My anger, and bring their blood upon the ground”.
These verses refer to Revelations chapter 19:11-21, when the Word of God destroy s His enemies: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse: and He that s at upon him was called Faithful and True. . . His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns, and He had a Name written that no man knew but Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God. . . and He trod the winepress of God’s fierce anger”.
Jehovah of the Old Testament “hated Esau (Edom), against whom He has indignation forever” (Malachi 1:2-4). If Jesus will destroy Edom when He returns, then Edom is present today, and obviously evil, anti-Christian, and anti-Semitic.
The Edomite, Antipater, became the Procurator of Judea in 47BC. Ten years later his son Herod actually became “king of the Jews,” initiating the Edomite dynasty which ruled Palestine under Roman authority for over a hundred years. The Edomi te assimilation opened the way for the virtual takeover along the lines predicte d by Ezekiel and stimulus for an influx of population from the arid country of Edom into the more hospitable environment of Judea, an influx obviously encouraged for political reasons by the ruling Herodian dynasty. Edomites would have been appointed to the most influential positions, in order to extend and consolidate Edomite authority over the land and its people. Herod became notorious for his massacre of infant boys two years old and undger,” a supernaturally inspired attempt on the life of Christ (Matthew 2:16). Herod’s son Herod Antipas, continuing the work, and was responsible for the gruesome murder of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:6-12).
Christ demonstrated a very real antipathy towards the people called Jews, in Bib les published after about 1776, but who would be more accurately described as Ju deans, or residents of the Edomite-dominated territory of Judea. Jesus said to t he Jews “You do not believe because you are not of My sheep” (John 10:24-27). “I was only sent to the lost sheep of the House of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). In fact, Christ referred to “those Jews (o |
| Comment by nicolae - 26 Mar 2009 - 23:45 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | Christ Was Not A Jew
Jesus Christ Was Not A Jew: Does this shock you? We certainly hope it does. For it is time that Christians woke up to the fact that they have been brainwashed b y the Jews with the “big lie technique” to the falsehood that Christ was a Jew.
We ask you now, to set aside all prejudice in the matter and as God states in th e Bible, “Come let us reason together.” (Isaiah 1:18)
There are two ways that a person can be a Jew; racially (which means a cross bet ween the descendants of Esau and True Israelites ‑ There is Edom [Esau is called Edom in Genesis 36:8. And Edom is in ‘Modern Jewry’ Jewish Encyclopedia, 1925 edition, Vol. 5, p. 41) or religiously. Let us now see whether Christ fits either of these categories.
Ninety‑five percent of the people that we know as Jews today, are mongrels ; they are a product of the amalgamation of many races. The majority of the Jews are Asiatics, of Mongolian, stock, the descendants of the tribes of Khazars of Russia who accepted Judaism in 740 A.D.
They are the descendants of Cain; No racial Jew is an Israelite. That’s right, w e repeat, NO RACIAL JEW IS AN ISRAELITE. The Bible itself identifies the Jews as the seed of Cain thereby identfying Satan as their father. (John 8:44)
Christ said to the Jews, in the 23rd chapter of Matthew, verses 33‑35: “Yo u serpents, you generation (race) of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore behold I send you a prophet, wise men and scribes and some of t hem you shall kill and crucify and some of them yuo shall scourge in your synago gues and persecute them from city to city that upon you may come all the righteous blood that has ever been shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel” (Note that carefully).
Here Christ is saying to the Jews that they are guilty of the murder of Abel. Je sus could not have said this unless the Jews were/are the descendants of Cain. C hrist goes on to say: “Unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Brachias who you slew between the temple and the alter.” It’s very plan! And it’s in your Bible.
Christ said to the Jews “You are guilty of the death of righteous Abel because y ou rfather Cain murdered him.” It is also well for you to note here that Jesus f urther blames these Jews for all the deaths of righteous people from the beginni ng of time right down to this day. This is not a statement of man but of our Red eem, our King, our Savior.
Christ never lied and spoke only the truth; every word contained in the sixty 209;six books of the Bible is the Word of Almighty God. Are the Jews then God’s Chosen People as some “fogbound, lying, deceiving, Judeo‑Chrisian Clergy” would have us believe? Far from it! Rather than being God’s Chosen People, they are Satan’s Children! Let us turn for proof of this, to the eighth chapter of John the 42nd verse. The Jews have just said to Christ, we are God’s Chosen People, God is our Father. Christ did not answer the Jews the way ninety‑nine percent of our Judeo‑Christian preachers would do today. Rather, He said in the 42nd vers, “If God were your Father you would love me for I proceeded forth and came from God. Neitherdid I come of myself, but He sent Me. Why is it that you do not understand my speech. It is because yuo cannot hear my words.” (Read carefully the 44th verse) where Christ said to the Jews, “Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks oa lie, he speaks of his own for he is a liar and the father of it.”
The Word “Jew”
A Jew is a person whose religion is Jew‑dah‑ism (Judaism). The word Jew is not found in the original texts of the Scriptures, but in many English Bi bles the word is an incorrect rendering of the latin word Judaeus, the Greek wor d Ioudaios, and the Hebrew word Yehudi. Although not found in either the Hebrew or the Greek Scriptures, the word Jew is an English rendering most often incorrectly translated from Yahudah, that is, referring to one belonging to one of the tribes of Israel (Yisrael) called Yahudah (Judah), a Yahudite. The word Jews, the plural of the word Jew, is incorrectly translated most often from the word Yahudim (descendants of the tribe of Yahudah).
The letter ‘J’ was not in general use until after the 17th century as used in ma ny Bibles for the word ‘Jew’ to substitute for the correct word Yahudite, or Yah udim. In some English Bibles we have received the word Juda, also an error in tr anslation because the word derives from the Greek Iudaios, which in the English would be Judaios. Judaios was none other then a Greek diety (see W.H. Roscher’s lexicon of mythology).
As used in the Scriptures, the word ‘Jew’ is sometimes translated to refer to a Yudean (Judean) a native or inhabitant (which includes many diverse races and pe ople groups living in the region) of Yudea (Judea). As the word |
| Comment by nicolae - 26 Mar 2009 - 23:46 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | Jew, Sephardim (Spanish Jews)
After the Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrian King Shalmane ser V, in 745‑722 BCE, (for their sin before Yahweh), The Israelites were exiled into (Assyria), 2 Kings 17:5‑7. The King then imported people group s from his country (Assyria) to replace the exiled Israelites to maintain and co ntrol the land of the exiles. The Sepharvaim were one of these people groups, along with Cuthahites, Arrahites, 2 Kings 17:24. They mingled with each other, along with Edomites, who had migrated Northward from Idumea (field of Edom), after Israel and the Yahudim (Judeans) were exiled. Adad and Anu were ancient gods of Babylonia and were also the gods of these pagan Sepharvaim people. The Sephardim Yudeans (Judeans) are a mongrel people whose descent is directly from a mixture of this Assyrian people group and the remnant of escaped Yudeans (Judeans) along with Edomites who had migrated into the land originally occupied by the Kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Yahudah (Judah). This made their religion also of mixed character, 2 Kings 17:24‑41.
The people known as “Spanish Jews,” are descended from the Canaanites, the peopl e who colonized Carthage. Following its sack by Rome, they adopted this Sepharva im, or Sephardim name for deceptive purposes and constitute 5% of world Jewry to day. The Sephardim Jews speak Latino, a mixture of Spanish and Hebrew. The Sepha rdim Jews migrated West through Egypt, then North into Spain from Judea and Samaria before, during, and after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE,. This migration became known as the “Jewish ‘Sephardim’ Diaspora”. Today, these Sephardim Jews are still using their ancient adopted name Sephardim (the spelling is a transliteration into English and not of significance). They settled in Spain, Portugal, the Eastern Mediterranean, Italy, the Balkans, Salonica and Macedonia, eventually emigrating into France and England, and Western Europe.
The Sepharviam Yudeans (Judeans) were known as Samaritans during the time of Mes siah, because they were living in Samaria, which was the area from which Israel was removed by the Assyrian King Shalmaneser V. The twelve apostles during the t ime if Messiah, were instructed not to enter the cities of the Samaritans, Matt. 10:5. Although the True Israelites of tribal descent, living in Samaria did received the witness of Yahshua and the message of redemption from the apostles, Acts, 1:8. Some of the mixed Samaritans also became proselytes to the Christian faith, Acts 8:4‑25.
The Sephardim Jews, (or Sepharviam Jews) are not of Israelite blood; they are no t of the tribe of Yahudah although they were called Yudeans, ‘Judeans’, as an in habitant, i.e. person living in the land originally occupied by the tribe of Yah udah of Israel). Their descent is mixed from Edom/Esau Canaanite stock. The Seph ardim Jews, like the Ashkenazi Khazar Jews are not a Semitic people. The word Sephardim is not a Hebrew word for Spain, although the name has become ‘associated’ with Spain because many Sephardim Jews organized in Spain.
Jew‑dah‑ism, (modern ‘Judaism’)
Jew‑dah‑ism, is a cultic (ritual‑istic) religion which origina ted approximately 1000 CE, and is traced to Rabbenu Gershon of Mainz Germany thr ough the publishing of his ‘halachic creativity’ (interpretation of Old Covenant laws), he thereby established the beginning of the modern cultic religion of Je w‑dah‑ism. Today the religion is also greatly influenced by the Babylonian Talmud, an ancient Pagan ritual‑listic system of various extreme opinions, interpretations, codes, rules, and regulations.
The modern cultic religion of Jew‑dah‑ism has nothing in common with the Scriptural Cultic system of worship which was completely destroyed by Messi ah as a religious system in 70 CE at the destruction of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) , Herod’s Temple, and through the establishment of the New Covenant through Yahs hua Messiah. Christianity, as a religious system of Faith, replaced the ancient system of Cultic (ritual‑istic) sacrificial worship.
Jewish
A term incorrectly applied to reflect anything pertaining to a Yahudite, a desce ndant of the tribe of Yahudah. In common use, the term ‘Jewish’ is now applied t o things pertaining to the Jews. Scriptural accuracy has no bearing on the use o f the modern term ‘Jewish’.See also the word ‘Israel’ |
| Comment by prometheus - 27 Mar 2009 - 00:27 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | Supposedly the land of the Abrahamic religions that brought us God the creator.. .the supreme good GOD and the leaders still act this way and prob think they are doing Gods will.
Oh wait..I totally forgot. We are ruled over by a cruel ET reptilian race thats pretending to be the good God. I always forget that minor detail. |
| Comment by prometheus - 27 Mar 2009 - 00:35 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | One other thing.
I dont subscribe to any of the earth religions...I am neither jew, gentile, paga n, satanist,luciferian, guru, new ager, christian, wiccan, atheist, agnostic, hi ndu, budhist, free mason, illuminist, catholic, scientist... or any other silly belief....Kinda like Christ was...truly the easier softer way. |
| Comment by archie1954 - 27 Mar 2009 - 04:21 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | | I don't believe that criticism of the Jews is warranted under these circumstance s. It's the Zionists that need some re-education. Zionism is responsible for muc h of the trouble in the world today and even then it is not only the Zionists wh o are at fault, the Americans with their slavish adherence to Israeli desires is equally complicit. A fair and bona fide negotiation for a two state resolution of the Palestinian problem is necessary and will not occur until the US ceases to give unrestricted support to anything and everything Israel does or doesn't do. The US has by its actions made Israeli war crimes their own. |
| Comment by james - 27 Mar 2009 - 04:54 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | | PROOF! That Jesus Christ WAS NOT A JEW! http://www.kingdomoflight.org/i_have_i n_my_possession_a_copy_o.htm This is a letter that was written by Pilat e to Tiberius Caesar concerning what the jews did to Jesus! |
| Comment by james - 27 Mar 2009 - 05:30 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | I have in my possession a copy of the letter written by Pontius Pilate to Tiberi us Caesar, Emperor of Rome. This Historic Letter is from the "Archko Volume" con taining manuscripts, in Constantinople, and the Records of the Senatorial Docket , taken from the Library at Rome, Translated by Drs. McIntosh and Twyman of the Antiquerian Lodge, Genoa, Italy. This has been checked and is in accord with the copy of the original lodged in the British Museum, which has verified the accuracy of the transcription. Verified in November, 1935.
Historic Letter Resurrected Pilate's lengthy letter to Tiberius Caesar---Discuss es at length the arrest, the trial and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
TIBERIUS CAESAR-EMPEROR OF ROME-NOBLE SOVEREIGN
GREETING:
The events of the last few days in my providence have been of such a character t hat I will give the details in full as they occurred, as I should not be surpris ed if, in the course of, time, they may change the destiny of our nation, for it seems of late that all the gods have ceased to be propitous. I am almost ready to say, Cursed be the day that I succeeded Vallerius Falceus in the government of Judea; for since then my life has been one of continual uneasiness and distress.
On my arrival at Jerusalem I took possession of the Praetorium, and ordered a sp lendid feast to be prepared, to which I invited the Tetrarch of Galilee, with th e high priest and his officers. At the appointed hour no guest appeared. This I considered an insult offered my dignity, and the whole government which I repres ent. A few days later, the high priest designed to pay me a visit. His deportment was grave and deceitful. He pretended that his religion forbade him and his attendants to sit at the table of the Romans, and eat and offer libations with them, but this was only a sanctimonious seeming, for his very countenance betrayed his hypocrisy. Although I thought it expedient to accept his excuse, from that moment I was convinced that the conquered had declared themselves the enemy of the conquerors; and I would warn the Romans to beware of the high Priests of this country. They would betray their own mother to gain office and a luxurious living. It seems to me that, of conquered cities, Jerusalem is the most difficult to govern. So turbulent are the people that I live in momentary dread of an insurrection. I have not soldiers sufficient to suppress it. I had only one centurion and a hundred men at my command. I requested a reinforcement from the perfect of Syria, who informed me that he had scarcely troops sufficient to defend his own province. An insatiate thirst for conquest to extend our empire beyond the means of defending it, I fear, will be the cause of the final overthrow of our whole government. I lived secluded from the masses, for I do not know what those priests might influence the rabble to do; yet I endeavored to ascertain, as far as I could, the mind and standing of the people.
I WAS TOLD IT WAS JESUS
Among the various rumors that came to my ears there was one in particular that a ttracted my attention. A young man, it was said, appeared in Galiee preaching wi th a noble unction a new law in the name of God who had sent him. At first I was apprehensive that his design was to stir up the people against the Romans, but my fears were soon dispelled. Jesus of Nazareth spoke rather as a friend of the Romans than of the Jews. One day in passing by the place of Siloe, where there was a great concourse of people, I observed in the midst of the group a young man who was leaning against a tree, calmly addressing the multitude. I was told it was Jesus. This I could easily have suspected, so great was the difference between him and those listening to him. His golden-colored hair and beard gave him the appearance of a celestial aspect. He appeared to be about thirty years old. Never have I seen a sweeter or more serene countenance. What a Contrast between him and his hearers, with their black beards and tawny completion!
Unwilling to interrupt him by my presence, I continued to walk, but signified to my secretary to join the group and listen. My secretary's name is Manlius. He i s the grandson of the chief of the conspirators who encamped in Eturia waiting f or Cataline. Manlius had been for a long time an inhabitant of Judea, and is wel l acquainted with the Hebrew language. He was devoted to me, and worthy of my confidence. On entering the Praetorium I found Manlius, who related to me the words Jesus had pronounced at Siloe. Never have I read in the works of the philosophers anything that can compare to the maxims of Jesus. One of the rebellious Jews, so numerous in Jerusalem, having asked Jesus if it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar, he replied: "Render unto Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and unto God the things that are God's."
I EXTENDED TO HIM MY PROTECTION
It was on account of his sayings that I granted so much liberty to the Nazarene; for it was in my pow |
| Comment by james - 27 Mar 2009 - 06:15 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | Here is some more of the letter by Pilate concerning Christ; JESUS APPEARED TO BE ONE OF THOSE GREAT PHILOSOPHERS THAT
GREAT NATIONS SOMETIMES PRODUCE
To Herod, who then reigned in Galilee, the enemies of Jesus addressed themselves , to wreak their vengeance on the Nazarene. Had Herod consulted his own inclinat ions, he would have ordered Jesus immediately put to death; but, though proud of his royal dignity, yet he hesitated to commit an act that might lessen his infl uence with the Senate, or like me, was afraid of Jesus. But it would never do for a Roman officer to be afraid of a Jew. Previously to this, Herod called on me at the Praetorium, and, on rising to take leave, after some trifling conversation, asked me what was my opinion concerning the Nazarene. I replied that Jesus appeared to me to be one of those great philosophers that great nations sometimes produced; that his doctrines were by no means sacrilegious, and that the intentions of Rome were to leave him to that freedom of speech which was justified by his actions. Herod smiled maliciously, and, saluting me with ironical respect, departed.
CLAMORING FOR THE DEATH OF THE NAZARENE
The great feast of the Jews was approaching, and the intention was to avail them selves of the popular exultation which always manifests itself at the solemnitie s of the Passover. The city was overflowing with a tumultuous populace, clamorin g for the death of the Nazarene. My emissaries informed me that the treasure of the temple had been employed in bribing the people. The danger was pressing. A Roman centurion had been insulted. I wrote to the Perfect of Syria for a hundred foot soldiers and as many cavalry. He declined. I saw myself alone with a handful of veterans in the midst of a rebellious city, too weak to suppress an uprising, and having no choice left but to tolerate it. They had seized upon Jesus, and the seditious rabble, although they had nothing to fear from the Praetorium, believing, as their leaders had told them, that I winked at their sedition, continued vociferating: "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
Three powerful parties had combined together at that time against Jesus. First, the Herodians and the Sadducees, whose seditious conduct seemed to have proceede d from double motives: they hated the Nazarene and were impatient of the Roman y oke. They never forgave me for having entered the holy city with banners that bo re the image of the Roman emperor; and although in this instance I had committed a fatal error, yet the sacrilege did not appear less heinous in their eyes. Another grievance also rankled in their bosoms. I had proposed to employ a part of the treasure of the temple in erecting edifices for public use. My proposal was scorned. The Pharisees were the avowed enemies of Jesus. They cared not for the government. They bore with bitterness the severe reprimands which the Nazarene for three years had been continually giving them wherever he went. Timid and too weak to act by themselves, they had embraced the quarrels of the Herodians and the Sadducees. Besides these three parties, I had to contend against the reckless and profligate populace, always ready to join a sedition, and profit by the disorder and confusion that resulted therefrom.
CONDEMNED TO DEATH
Jesus was dragged before the High Priest, and condemned to death. It was then th at the High Priest, Caiaphas, performed a divisory act of submission. He sent hi s prisoner to me to confirm his condemnation and secure his execution. I answere d him that, as Jesus was a Galilean, the affair came under Herod's jurisdiction, and ordered him to be sent thither. The wily Tetrarch professed humility, and protesting his deference to the lieutenant of Caesar, he committed the fate of the man to my hands. Soon my palace assumed the aspect of a besieged citadel. Every moment increased the number of malcontents. Jerusalem was inundated with crowds from the mountains of Nazareth. All Judea appeared to be pouring into the city.
"BEWARE, BEWARE, AND TOUCH NOT THAT MAN; FOR HE IS HOLY."
I had taken a wife from among the Gauls, who pretended to see into futurity. Wee ping and throwing herself at my feet she said to me: "Beware. Beware, and touch not that man; for he is holy. Last night I saw a vision. he was walking on the w ater; he was flying on the wings of the wind. He spoke to the tempest and to the fishes of the lake; all were obedient to him. Behold, the torrent of Mount Kedron flows with blood, the statues of Caesar are filled with gemonide; the columns of the interium have given away and the sun is veiled in mourning like a vestal in the tomb. Ah! Pilate, evil; awaits thee. If thou wilt not listen to the vows of thy wife, dread the curse of a Roman Senate; dread the frowns of Caesar."
By this time the marble stair groaned under the weight of the multitude. The Naz arene was brought back to me. I proceeded to the halls of justice, followed by m y guard, and asked the people in a severe |
| Comment by james - 27 Mar 2009 - 06:20 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | JESUS APPEARED TO BE ONE OF THOSE GREAT PHILOSOPHERS THAT
GREAT NATIONS SOMETIMES PRODUCE
To Herod, who then reigned in Galilee, the enemies of Jesus addressed themselves , to wreak their vengeance on the Nazarene. Had Herod consulted his own inclinat ions, he would have ordered Jesus immediately put to death; but, though proud of his royal dignity, yet he hesitated to commit an act that might lessen his infl uence with the Senate, or like me, was afraid of Jesus. But it would never do for a Roman officer to be afraid of a Jew. Previously to this, Herod called on me at the Praetorium, and, on rising to take leave, after some trifling conversation, asked me what was my opinion concerning the Nazarene. I replied that Jesus appeared to me to be one of those great philosophers that great nations sometimes produced; that his doctrines were by no means sacrilegious, and that the intentions of Rome were to leave him to that freedom of speech which was justified by his actions. Herod smiled maliciously, and, saluting me with ironical respect, departed.
CLAMORING FOR THE DEATH OF THE NAZARENE
The great feast of the Jews was approaching, and the intention was to avail them selves of the popular exultation which always manifests itself at the solemnitie s of the Passover. The city was overflowing with a tumultuous populace, clamorin g for the death of the Nazarene. My emissaries informed me that the treasure of the temple had been employed in bribing the people. The danger was pressing. A Roman centurion had been insulted. I wrote to the Perfect of Syria for a hundred foot soldiers and as many cavalry. He declined. I saw myself alone with a handful of veterans in the midst of a rebellious city, too weak to suppress an uprising, and having no choice left but to tolerate it. They had seized upon Jesus, and the seditious rabble, although they had nothing to fear from the Praetorium, believing, as their leaders had told them, that I winked at their sedition, continued vociferating: "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
Three powerful parties had combined together at that time against Jesus. First, the Herodians and the Sadducees, whose seditious conduct seemed to have proceede d from double motives: they hated the Nazarene and were impatient of the Roman y oke. They never forgave me for having entered the holy city with banners that bo re the image of the Roman emperor; and although in this instance I had committed a fatal error, yet the sacrilege did not appear less heinous in their eyes. Another grievance also rankled in their bosoms. I had proposed to employ a part of the treasure of the temple in erecting edifices for public use. My proposal was scorned. The Pharisees were the avowed enemies of Jesus. They cared not for the government. They bore with bitterness the severe reprimands which the Nazarene for three years had been continually giving them wherever he went. Timid and too weak to act by themselves, they had embraced the quarrels of the Herodians and the Sadducees. Besides these three parties, I had to contend against the reckless and profligate populace, always ready to join a sedition, and profit by the disorder and confusion that resulted therefrom.
CONDEMNED TO DEATH
Jesus was dragged before the High Priest, and condemned to death. It was then th at the High Priest, Caiaphas, performed a divisory act of submission. He sent hi s prisoner to me to confirm his condemnation and secure his execution. I answere d him that, as Jesus was a Galilean, the affair came under Herod's jurisdiction, and ordered him to be sent thither. The wily Tetrarch professed humility, and protesting his deference to the lieutenant of Caesar, he committed the fate of the man to my hands. Soon my palace assumed the aspect of a besieged citadel. Every moment increased the number of malcontents. Jerusalem was inundated with crowds from the mountains of Nazareth. All Judea appeared to be pouring into the city.
"BEWARE, BEWARE, AND TOUCH NOT THAT MAN; FOR HE IS HOLY."
I had taken a wife from among the Gauls, who pretended to see into futurity. Wee ping and throwing herself at my feet she said to me: "Beware. Beware, and touch not that man; for he is holy. Last night I saw a vision. he was walking on the w ater; he was flying on the wings of the wind. He spoke to the tempest and to the fishes of the lake; all were obedient to him. Behold, the torrent of Mount Kedron flows with blood, the statues of Caesar are filled with gemonide; the columns of the interium have given away and the sun is veiled in mourning like a vestal in the tomb. Ah! Pilate, evil; awaits thee. If thou wilt not listen to the vows of thy wife, dread the curse of a Roman Senate; dread the frowns of Caesar."
By this time the marble stair groaned under the weight of the multitude. The Naz arene was brought back to me. I proceeded to the halls of justice, followed by m y guard, and asked the people in a severe tone what they demanded.
"The death of the Nazarene," was t |
| Comment by james - 27 Mar 2009 - 06:23 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | JESUS APPEARED TO BE ONE OF THOSE GREAT PHILOSOPHERS THAT
GREAT NATIONS SOMETIMES PRODUCE
To Herod, who then reigned in Galilee, the enemies of Jesus addressed themselves , to wreak their vengeance on the Nazarene. Had Herod consulted his own inclinat ions, he would have ordered Jesus immediately put to death; but, though proud of his royal dignity, yet he hesitated to commit an act that might lessen his infl uence with the Senate, or like me, was afraid of Jesus. But it would never do for a Roman officer to be afraid of a Jew. Previously to this, Herod called on me at the Praetorium, and, on rising to take leave, after some trifling conversation, asked me what was my opinion concerning the Nazarene. I replied that Jesus appeared to me to be one of those great philosophers that great nations sometimes produced; that his doctrines were by no means sacrilegious, and that the intentions of Rome were to leave him to that freedom of speech which was justified by his actions. Herod smiled maliciously, and, saluting me with ironical respect, departed.
CLAMORING FOR THE DEATH OF THE NAZARENE
The great feast of the Jews was approaching, and the intention was to avail them selves of the popular exultation which always manifests itself at the solemnitie s of the Passover. The city was overflowing with a tumultuous populace, clamorin g for the death of the Nazarene. My emissaries informed me that the treasure of the temple had been employed in bribing the people. The danger was pressing. A Roman centurion had been insulted. I wrote to the Perfect of Syria for a hundred foot soldiers and as many cavalry. He declined. I saw myself alone with a handful of veterans in the midst of a rebellious city, too weak to suppress an uprising, and having no choice left but to tolerate it. They had seized upon Jesus, and the seditious rabble, although they had nothing to fear from the Praetorium, believing, as their leaders had told them, that I winked at their sedition, continued vociferating: "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
Three powerful parties had combined together at that time against Jesus. First, the Herodians and the Sadducees, whose seditious conduct seemed to have proceede d from double motives: they hated the Nazarene and were impatient of the Roman y oke. They never forgave me for having entered the holy city with banners that bo re the image of the Roman emperor; and although in this instance I had committed a fatal error, yet the sacrilege did not appear less heinous in their eyes. Another grievance also rankled in their bosoms. I had proposed to employ a part of the treasure of the temple in erecting edifices for public use. My proposal was scorned. The Pharisees were the avowed enemies of Jesus. They cared not for the government. They bore with bitterness the severe reprimands which the Nazarene for three years had been continually giving them wherever he went. Timid and too weak to act by themselves, they had embraced the quarrels of the Herodians and the Sadducees. Besides these three parties, I had to contend against the reckless and profligate populace, always ready to join a sedition, and profit by the disorder and confusion that resulted therefrom.
CONDEMNED TO DEATH
Jesus was dragged before the High Priest, and condemned to death. It was then th at the High Priest, Caiaphas, performed a divisory act of submission. He sent hi s prisoner to me to confirm his condemnation and secure his execution. I answere d him that, as Jesus was a Galilean, the affair came under Herod's jurisdiction, and ordered him to be sent thither. The wily Tetrarch professed humility, and protesting his deference to the lieutenant of Caesar, he committed the fate of the man to my hands. Soon my palace assumed the aspect of a besieged citadel. Every moment increased the number of malcontents. Jerusalem was inundated with crowds from the mountains of Nazareth. All Judea appeared to be pouring into the city.
"BEWARE, BEWARE, AND TOUCH NOT THAT MAN; FOR HE IS HOLY."
I had taken a wife from among the Gauls, who pretended to see into futurity. Wee ping and throwing herself at my feet she said to me: "Beware. Beware, and touch not that man; for he is holy. Last night I saw a vision. he was walking on the w ater; he was flying on the wings of the wind. He spoke to the tempest and to the fishes of the lake; all were obedient to him. Behold, the torrent of Mount Kedron flows with blood, the statues of Caesar are filled with gemonide; the columns of the interium have given away and the sun is veiled in mourning like a vestal in the tomb. Ah! Pilate, evil; awaits thee. If thou wilt not listen to the vows of thy wife, dread the curse of a Roman Senate; dread the frowns of Caesar."
By this time the marble stair groaned under the weight of the multitude. The Naz arene was brought back to me. I proceeded to the halls of justice, followed by m y guard, and asked the people in a severe tone what they demanded.
"The death of the Nazarene," was t |
| Comment by james - 27 Mar 2009 - 06:29 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | By this time the marble stair groaned under the weight of the multitude. The Naz arene was brought back to me. I proceeded to the halls of justice, followed by m y guard, and asked the people in a severe tone what they demanded.
"The death of the Nazarene," was the reply.
"For what crime?"
"He blasphemed; he has prophesied the ruin of the temple; he calls himself the S on of God; the Messiah, the King of the Jew."
"Roman justice," said I, "punishes not such offences with death."
"CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!"
"Crucify him! crucify him!" cried the relentless rabble. The vociferations of th e infuriated mob shook the palace to its foundations.
There was but one who appeared to be calm in the midst of the vast multitude; it was the Nazarene. After many fruitless attempts to protect him from the fury of his merciless prosecutors, I adopted a measure which at the moment appeared to me to be the only one that could save his life. I proposed a measure, as it was their custom to deliver a prisoner on such occasions, to release Jesus and let him go free, that he might be the scapegoat, as they called it; but they said Jesus must be crucified. I then spoke to them of the inconsistency of their course as being incompatible with their laws, showing that no criminal judge could pass sentence on a criminal unless he had fasted one whole day; and that the sentence must have the consent of the Sanhedrin, and the signature of the president of that court; that no criminal could be executed on the same day his sentence was fixed, and the next day, on the day of his execution, the Sanhedrin was required to review the whole proceeding; also, according to their law, a man was stationed at the door of the court with a flag, and another a short way off on horseback to cry the name of the criminal and his crime, and the names of his witnesses, and to know if anyone could testify in his favor; and the prisoner on his way to execution had the right to turn back three times, and to plead any new thing in his favor. I urged all these pleas, hoping they might awe them into subjection; but they cried, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
I THEN CALLED FOR A BASIN, AND WASHED MY HANDS
I then ordered Jesus to be scourged, hoping this might satisfy them; but it only increased their fury. I then called for a basin, and washed my hands in the pre sence of the clamorous multitude, thus testifying that in my judgment Jesus of N azareth had done nothing deserving of death; but in vain. It was his life these wretches thirsted for.
Often in our civil commotions have I witnessed the furious anger of the multitud e, but nothing could be compared with what I witnessed on this occasion. it migh t have been truly said that all the phantoms of the infernal regions had assembl ed at Jerusalem. The crowd appeared not to walk, but to be borne off and whirled as a vortex, rolling along in living waves from the portals of the Praetorium even into Mount Zion, with howling screams, shrieks, and vociferations such as were never heard in the seditions of the Pannonia, or in the tumults of the forum.
By degrees the day darkened like a winter's twilight, such as had been at the de ath of the great Julius Caesar. It was likewise the ides of March. I, the contin ued governor of a rebellious province, was leaning against a column of my basili ca, contemplating athwart the dreary gloom these fiends of Tartrus dragging to e xecution the innocent Nazarene. All around me was deserted. Jerusalem had vomited forth her indwellers through the funeral gates that leads to Gemonica. An air of desolation and sadness enveloped me. My guards had joined the cavalry, and the centurion, with a distressed play of power, was endeavoring to keep order. I was left alone, and my breaking heart admonished me that what was passing at that moment appertained rather to the history of the gods, than that of men. A loud clamor was heard proceeding from Golgotha, which, borne on the winds, seemed to announce an agony such as was never heard by mortal ears. Dark clouds lowered over the pinnacle of the temple, and setting over the city covered it as with a veil. So dreadful were the signs that men saw both in the heavens and on the earth that Dionysius the Areopagite is reported to have exclaimed: "Either the author of nature is suffering or the universe is falling apart."
Whilst these appalling scenes of nature were transpiring, there was a dreadful e arthquake in lower Egypt, which filled everybody with fear, and scared the super stitious Jews almost to death. It is said Balthasar, an aged and learned Jew of Antioch, was found dead after the excitement was over. Whether he died from alar m or grief is not known. He was a strong friend of the Nazarene.
THE SACRICIFICE WAS CONSUMMATED
Near the first hour of the night I threw my mantle around me, and went down into the city toward the gates of Golgotha. The sacrifice was consummated. The crowd was returning home, still agitated, it is |
| Comment by james - 27 Mar 2009 - 06:29 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | By this time the marble stair groaned under the weight of the multitude. The Naz arene was brought back to me. I proceeded to the halls of justice, followed by m y guard, and asked the people in a severe tone what they demanded.
"The death of the Nazarene," was the reply.
"For what crime?"
"He blasphemed; he has prophesied the ruin of the temple; he calls himself the S on of God; the Messiah, the King of the Jew."
"Roman justice," said I, "punishes not such offences with death."
"CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!"
"Crucify him! crucify him!" cried the relentless rabble. The vociferations of th e infuriated mob shook the palace to its foundations.
There was but one who appeared to be calm in the midst of the vast multitude; it was the Nazarene. After many fruitless attempts to protect him from the fury of his merciless prosecutors, I adopted a measure which at the moment appeared to me to be the only one that could save his life. I proposed a measure, as it was their custom to deliver a prisoner on such occasions, to release Jesus and let him go free, that he might be the scapegoat, as they called it; but they said Jesus must be crucified. I then spoke to them of the inconsistency of their course as being incompatible with their laws, showing that no criminal judge could pass sentence on a criminal unless he had fasted one whole day; and that the sentence must have the consent of the Sanhedrin, and the signature of the president of that court; that no criminal could be executed on the same day his sentence was fixed, and the next day, on the day of his execution, the Sanhedrin was required to review the whole proceeding; also, according to their law, a man was stationed at the door of the court with a flag, and another a short way off on horseback to cry the name of the criminal and his crime, and the names of his witnesses, and to know if anyone could testify in his favor; and the prisoner on his way to execution had the right to turn back three times, and to plead any new thing in his favor. I urged all these pleas, hoping they might awe them into subjection; but they cried, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
I THEN CALLED FOR A BASIN, AND WASHED MY HANDS
I then ordered Jesus to be scourged, hoping this might satisfy them; but it only increased their fury. I then called for a basin, and washed my hands in the pre sence of the clamorous multitude, thus testifying that in my judgment Jesus of N azareth had done nothing deserving of death; but in vain. It was his life these wretches thirsted for.
Often in our civil commotions have I witnessed the furious anger of the multitud e, but nothing could be compared with what I witnessed on this occasion. it migh t have been truly said that all the phantoms of the infernal regions had assembl ed at Jerusalem. The crowd appeared not to walk, but to be borne off and whirled as a vortex, rolling along in living waves from the portals of the Praetorium even into Mount Zion, with howling screams, shrieks, and vociferations such as were never heard in the seditions of the Pannonia, or in the tumults of the forum.
By degrees the day darkened like a winter's twilight, such as had been at the de ath of the great Julius Caesar. It was likewise the ides of March. I, the contin ued governor of a rebellious province, was leaning against a column of my basili ca, contemplating athwart the dreary gloom these fiends of Tartrus dragging to e xecution the innocent Nazarene. All around me was deserted. Jerusalem had vomited forth her indwellers through the funeral gates that leads to Gemonica. An air of desolation and sadness enveloped me. My guards had joined the cavalry, and the centurion, with a distressed play of power, was endeavoring to keep order. I was left alone, and my breaking heart admonished me that what was passing at that moment appertained rather to the history of the gods, than that of men. A loud clamor was heard proceeding from Golgotha, which, borne on the winds, seemed to announce an agony such as was never heard by mortal ears. Dark clouds lowered over the pinnacle of the temple, and setting over the city covered it as with a veil. So dreadful were the signs that men saw both in the heavens and on the earth that Dionysius the Areopagite is reported to have exclaimed: "Either the author of nature is suffering or the universe is falling apart."
Whilst these appalling scenes of nature were transpiring, there was a dreadful e arthquake in lower Egypt, which filled everybody with fear, and scared the super stitious Jews almost to death. It is said Balthasar, an aged and learned Jew of Antioch, was found dead after the excitement was over. Whether he died from alar m or grief is not known. He was a strong friend of the Nazarene.
THE SACRICIFICE WAS CONSUMMATED
Near the first hour of the night I threw my mantle around me, and went down into the city toward the gates of Golgotha. The sacrifice was consummated. The crowd was returning home, still agitated, it is |
| Comment by james - 27 Mar 2009 - 06:35 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | The sacrifice was consummated. The crowd was returning home, still agitated, it is true, but gloomy, taciturn, and desperate. What they had witnessed had strick en them with terror and remorse. I also saw my little Roman cohort pass by mourn fully, the standard-bearer having veiled his eagle in token of grief, and I over heard some of the Jewish soldiers murmuring strange words which I did not understand. Others were recounting miracles very like those which have so often smitten the Romans by the will of gods. Sometimes groups of men and women would halt remain motionless in expectation of witnessing some new prodigy.
THEY ALL SLUNK OFF LIKE COWARDLY CURS
I returned to the Praetorium, sad and pensive. On ascending the stairs, the step s of which were still stained with the blood of the Nazarene, I perceived an old man in a suppliant posture, and behind him several Romans in tears. He threw hi mself at my feet and wept most bitterly. It is painful to see an old man weep, a nd my heart being already overcharged with grief, we though strangers, wept together. And in truth it seemed that the tears lay very shallow that day with many whom I perceived in the vast concourse of people. I never witnessed such an extreme revulsion of feeling. Those who betrayed and sold him, those who testified against him, those who cried, "Crucify him! we have his blood," all slunk off like cowardly curs, and washed their teeth with vinegar. As I am told that Jesus taught a resurrection and a separation after death, if such be the fact, I am sure it commenced in this vast crowd.
"Father," said I to him, after gaining control of my feelings," who are you, and what is your request?"
PERMISSION TO BURY JESUS OF NAZARETH
"I am Joseph of Arimathaea," replied he, "and am come to beg of you upon bended knees the permission to bury Jesus of Nazareth."
" Your prayer is granted." I said to him, and I ordered Manilus to take some sol diers with him to superintend the interment, lest it should be profaned.
A few days after the sepulcher was found empty. His disciples proclaimed all ove r the country that Jesus had risen from the dead, as he had foretold. This creat ed more excitement even than the crucifixion. And to its truth I cannot say for certain, but I have made some investigation of the matter; so you can examine fo r yourself see if I am in fault, as Herod represents.
Joseph buried Jesus in his own tomb. Whether he contemplated his resurrection or calculated to cut him another, I cannot tell. The day after he was buried one o f the priests came to the Paetorium and said they were apprehensive that his dis ciples intended to steal the body of Jesus and hide it, and then make it appear that he had risen from the dead, as he had foretold and of which they were perfectly convinced. I sent him to the captain of the royal guard {Malcus} to tell him to take the Jewish soldiers, and place as many around the sepulcher as were needed; then if anything should happen they could blame themselves, and not the Romans.
When the great excitement arose about the sepulcher being empty, I felt a deeper solicitude than ever. I sent for Malcus, who told me he had placed his lieutena nt, Ben Isham, with one hundred soldiers, around the sepulcher. He told me that Isham and the soldiers were very much alarmed at what had occurred there that mo rning I sent for this man Isham, who related to me, as near as I can recollect, the following circumstances; He said that at about the beginning of the fourth watch; He saw a soft and beautiful light over the sepulcher. He at first thought the women had come to embalm the body of Jesus, as was their custom, but he could not see how they had gotten through the guards. While these thoughts were passing through his mind, behold the whole place was lighted up, and there seemed to be crowds of the dead in their graveclothes. All seemed to be shouting and filled with ecstasy, while all around and above was the most beautiful music he had ever heard: and the whole air seemed to be full of voices praising God. At this time there seemed to be a reeling and swimming of the earth, so that he turned so sick and faint that he could not stand on his feet. he said the earth seemed to swim from under him, and his senses left him, so that he knew not what did occur. I asked him if he could not have been mistaken as to the light. Was it not day that was coming in the East? He said at first he thought of that, but at a stone's cast it was exceedingly dark; and then he remembered it was too early for day. I asked him if his dizziness might not have come from being awakened and getting up too suddenly, as it sometimes had the effect. He said he was not, and had not been asleep all night, as the penalty was death for him to sleep on duty. He said he had let some of the soldiers sleep at a time. Some were asleep then. I asked him how long the scene lasted. He said he did not know, but he thought it was nearly an hour. He said it |
| Comment by james - 27 Mar 2009 - 06:41 [USER NOT REGISTERED] | I asked him if his dizziness might not have come from being awakened and getting up too suddenly, as it sometimes had the effect. He said he was not, and had no t been asleep all night, as the penalty was death for him to sleep on duty. He s aid he had let some of the soldiers sleep at a time. Some were asleep then. I as ked him how long the scene lasted. He said he did not know, but he thought it was nearly an hour. He said it was hid by the light of the day. I asked him if he went to the sepulcher after he had come to himself. He said no, because he was afraid; that just as soon as relief came they all went to their quarters. I asked him if he had been questioned by the priests. he said he had. They wanted him to say it was an earthquake, and that they were asleep, and offered him money to say that the disciples came and stole Jesus; but we saw no disciples, he did not know that the body was gone until he was told. I asked him what was the private opinion of those priests he had conversed with. He said that some of them thought that Jesus was no man; that he was not a human being; that he was not the son of Mary; that he was not the same that was said to be born of the Virgin in Bethlehem; that the same person had been on earth before with Abraham and Lot, and at many times and places.
It seemed to me that if the Jewish theory be true, these conclusions are correct , for they are in accord with this man's life, as is known and testified by both friends and foes, for the elements were no more in his hands than the clay in t he hands of the potter. He could convert water into wine; he could change death into life, disease into health; he could calm the seas, still the storms, call up fish with a silver coin in its mouth. Now, I say if he could do all these things, which he did and many more, as the Jews all testify, and it was doing these things that created this enmity against him-- he was not charged with criminal offenses, nor was he charged with violating any law, nor of wronging any individual in person, and all these facts are known to thousands, as well by his foes as by his friends--I am almost ready to say, as did Manlius at the cross: "Truly this was the Son of God."
Now noble Sovereign, this is as near the facts in the case as I can arrive at, a nd I have taken pains to make the statement very full, so that you may judge of my conduct upon the whole, as I hear Antipater has said many hard things of me i n this matter. With the promise of faithfulness and good wishes to my noble Sove reign.
I am your obedient servant.
Pontius Pilate.
This letter backs up the biblical account of the events of the Life, Ministry, C rucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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