human
Illustrious High Priest, here is the prisoner,
gpt
Bring him nearer, said Caiaphas,
human
Step forward, said Selpha,
gpt
Thou art he then who dreamed of bringing about the destruction of the synagogue, and the law of Moses? Then assuming a more judicial tone, he said,
human
Thou art accused that thou hast stirred up the people to disobedience, that thou hast despised the holy traditions of the fathers, that thou hast transgressed the divine command for the keeping of the Sabbath day, and that thou hast even been guilty of many blasphemous speeches and acts. Here, Caiaphas continues, pointing to five Jews who had entered the chamber at the same time as Selpha brought in Jesus, and had taken their stand on the left of the high priest, confronting the accused,
gpt
Here stand honorable men who are prepared to prove the truth, of these accusations by their testimony. Hear them and then thou mayest answer if thou canst.
human
I can testify before God that this man has stirred up the people by openly denouncing the members of the council and the scribes as hypocrites, ravening wolves in sheeps' clothing, blind leaders of the blind, and has declared that no one shall follow their work.
gpt
I can also testify to this, and can still further declare that he has forbidden the people to pay tribute to Caesar.
human
Yes, interrupted the first witness,
gpt
What sayest thou unto this? He paused for a reply, but Jesus opened not his mouth. Then said Caiaphas,
human
Art thou silent? Hast thou nothing to answer?
gpt
I have often seen how he with his disciples, in defiance of the law, has eaten with unwashed hands; how he has become accustomed to hold friendly intercourse with publicans and sinners and go into their houses to eat with them.
human
That we have also seen, cried the other witnesses together.
gpt
I have heard many credible people say that he has even spoken with Samaritans, and indeed has lived with them for days together.
human
I was a witness how he has done on the Sabbath what is forbidden by God's law, in that he healed sick and infirm people without fear on that day. He has seduced others to break the Sabbath; he ordered a man to take up his bed and carry it to his house. The second witness joined in,
gpt
I also can testify to this.
human
What has thou to say against this evidence? And after a pause, seeing that Jesus still spoke not, he said,
gpt
Hast thou nothing to say in reply?
human
Thou hast, for I was present, taken upon thyself to forgive sins, which belongs to God alone. Thou hast, therefore, blasphemed God.
gpt
Thou hast called God thy Father, and hast dared to declare that thou art one with the Father. Thou hast therefore made thyself equal to God.
human
Thou hast exalted thyself above our father Abraham. Thou didst say, 'Before Abraham was, I am.'
gpt
Thou hast said, 'I can destroy the temple of God, and in three days build it up again.'
human
I have heard thee say, 'I will destroy this temple which is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'
gpt
So thou hast claimed to possess a superhuman divine power? These are serious accusations, and they are legally proved; answer if thou canst. Jesus remaining silent, Caiaphas resumed,
human
Thou thinkest that by silence thou canst save thyself. Thou darest not to admit before the fathers and judges of the people what thou hast taught before the people. Or dost thou dare? Then rising to his utmost height, and stretching his hand on high, Caiaphas continued,
gpt
Hear, then, I, the high priest, adjure thee by the living God. Say--art thou the Messiah, the Son of the Most High?
human
Thou hast said it, and so I am. Nevertheless, I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of God in power and coming in the clouds of heaven.
gpt
He has blasphemed God! What need have we of any further witnesses? You yourselves have heard the blasphemy. What think ye?
human
He is worthy of death.
gpt
He is thus unanimously declared worthy of death. But not I, not the council, but the law of God pronounces the death sentence upon him. You teachers of the law, I call upon you to answer; what does the holy law say of him who is guilty of disobedience to the authorities appointed by God? Then stood up Josue, and unrolling the book of the law read therefrom:
human
The man that will do presumptuously and will not hearken to the priest that standest to minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shalt die, and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.
gpt
What does the law decree concerning him who profaneth the Sabbath?
human
Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore, for it is holy unto you. Every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein that soul shall be cut off from his people.
gpt
How does the law punish the blasphemer?
human
Speak unto the children of Israel saying, whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord he shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him, as well the stranger as him that is born in this land.
gpt
Thus, said Caiaphas,
human
Come, then, Messiah, said Selpha, roughly,
gpt
There thou shalt receive due homage,
human
We are approaching the goal. Now, however, resolute steps are necessary.
gpt
We will not rest until he is brought to death.
human
With the break of day let us come together again. This must be announced to the High Priest Annas and the rest. Then shall the sentence be confirmed by the whole assembled council, and the prisoner will immediately be brought before Pilate in order that he may confirm it and have it executed.
gpt
God deliver us soon from our enemy.
human
Fearful forebodings drive me hither and thither. That word of Annas' 'He must die!' Oh, that word pursues me everywhere. Then, as if he remembered all that had happened, Judas cried,
gpt
No, it cannot come to that; they will not carry things so far! That would be too terrible if my Master--no!--and I--guilty of it? No! Here in the house of Caiaphas, I will inquire how things stand. Shall I go in? I can no longer bear this uncertainty, and it terrifies me to ascertain the certainty. My heart throbs with terror--surely I shall not have to hear the worst. Yet it must come some time.
human
You may come in here. It was Hagar who spoke first, and Sarah added,
gpt
It is more comfortable in here.
human
True for you, good people, said Melchi, one of the soldiers. Then calling out,
gpt
Ho, comrades, come in! It is better for us to lie down in the hall.
human
I like this; I wish we had come in long ago; how stupid we are, always standing outside in the open air and shivering. But where is there any fire?
gpt
Sarah, added another soldier,
human
Willingly,
gpt
That you shall have,
human
Will the trial soon come to an end?
gpt
It will last, said Melchi,
human
And, added Panther,
gpt
That will help him nothing, said Arphaxad;
human
Here is your fire, said Hagar,
gpt
Thanks, you good girls.
human
Yes, said Panther, stooping down over the brazier,
gpt
John, comest thou also hither in the middle of the night? Come in here, then, thou must warm thyself. Could you make a little room for this young man here?
human
Yes, indeed,
gpt
Good Hagar, I have a companion with me; can he not also come in?
human
Where is he? said Hagar.
gpt
Let him come in; why does he stand out in the cold?
human
Where is he?
gpt
He stands on the threshold, but does not trust himself to come in,
human
Come in, good friend; do not be afraid.
gpt
Friend, come also in here to us and warm thyself!
human
We still see and hear nothing of the prisoner.
gpt
How much longer must we wait here?
human
Probably he will come out from the trial as a man condemned to death.
gpt
I wonder, said Arphaxad,
human
That would be a fine piece of work if they all had to be captured!
gpt
It would not be worth the trouble. If the Master is once out of the way, then the Galileans will fly and never let themselves be seen again in Jerusalem. But, said Panther,
human
Yes, yes, cried the band, laughing,
gpt
Ha, ha, ha, a good idea! laughed Panther,
human
I have been observing thee for some time. Now, if I do not mistake, thou art one of the disciples of the Galilean. Yes, yes, thou wert with Jesus of Nazareth.
gpt
I? No, I am not. Woman, I know him not, neither know I what thou sayest.
human
See, this man was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
gpt
Art thou also one of the disciples?
human
Thou art one of them, quite certainly.
gpt
Upon my soul--I am not--I do not know the man.
human
Look at this man. Of a truth he was also with him.
gpt
I know not what ye have to do with me. What does this man matter to me?
human
Yes, yes, thou art one of them. Thou art also a Galilean; thy speech betrayeth thee.
gpt
God be my witness that I do not know the man of whom ye speak;
human
Did I not see thee in the garden with him, when my cousin Malchus had his ear cut off?
gpt
Make ready, they are bringing in the prisoner.
human
Now, how have things gone?
gpt
He is condemned to death,
human
Poor king!
gpt
Come, said Arphaxad,
human
Forward, comrades, said Selpha,
gpt
Oh, my Master, he cried,
human
Where, then, can Peter have gone? In vain my eyes have sought him in the crowd. Surely nothing evil can have befallen him. Perhaps I still may meet him upon the road. I will now go to Bethany. Dearest mother, if I bring thee the tidings of these terrible things which have happened--the innocent one ill-treated and condemned by sinners, what wilt thy heart feel? O, Judas, Judas, what hast thou done?
gpt
Is not this throne too mean for thee, great king? Hail to thee, thou new-born sovereign! But sit more firmly, said one, seizing Jesus from behind and pressing him down on his chair.
human
Thou mightest otherwise fall down. Thou art verily also a prophet. So say, O great Elias, say who it is who has struck thee,
gpt
Was it I?
human
Hearest thou nothing? and shook him violently by the shoulders.
gpt
Art thou asleep? Then turning to his comrades he exclaimed,
human
He is deaf and dumb; a fine prophet indeed.
gpt
Alas! alas! they cried.
human
Our king has fallen from his throne. What is to be done now? We have no longer any king. Thou art to be pitied, such a great magician and now so weak and weary! Come, help us to put him again upon his throne.
gpt
Raise thyself, O mighty king; receive anew our homage.
human
How goes it now with the king? and the band shouted,
gpt
He speaks and prophesies not; we can do nothing with him.
human
Then, said the messenger,
gpt
Up, comrades,
human
Stand up; thou hast been king long enough. And all shouted,
gpt
Away with thee. Thy kingdom has come to an end.