"It is well said," murmured several who were high in authority, "let them be fetched with all speed; we will not go hence until we have seen them."
So Annas commanded the officers, "Fetch hither the men, but without show of violence, for they have a great following among the people. A popular enthusiasm," he added, "when bred at the wrong moment and on the wrong subject, is most disastrous4; though what it may accomplish when properly directed, those of you who were in the city at the time of the execution of the man from Galilee will remember. The populace must be with us now as they were then."
Caleb therefore with a chosen few of his men sought the temple; and there they found a great multitude assembled in Solomon's porch, listening to the apostles who spoke5 to them of Jesus, the crucified carpenter of Galilee. Him they declared boldly to be the Prince of Israel; assuring the people that though he had been rejected by them and cruelly slain6, yet was he able to save them from out the sin and misery7 of their present lives, and furthermore give them everlasting8 life in place of death. So that for them that believed there was now no further terror in the grave, since he had promised and was able to raise their corrupt9 bodies into the likeness10 of his own glorious body. And all the people heard their words with joy; and they cried aloud to the Crucified One to forgive them their sins and to remember his promises to them also.
When the chief captain of the temple police was seen to approach stealthily, a man whose long, silvery beard descended11 upon his breast, and in whose eyes burned the fire of desert suns cried out: "Seest thou these men? They are even as the leopard12 of the mountain which steals upon his prey13 unaware14. Look to it now that they do the men of God no violence!"
And the people answered with a great shout, "Let us stone them forthwith; if they be dead they will trouble us no more!" And Caleb feared exceedingly lest they should lay hands upon him; but being a discreet16 man and in pursuit of his duty furthermore, he made a bold stand before them.
"Ye men of Israel," he cried, "there is no violence intended these men, if they will but come with me peaceably. The council and senate of the people of Israel would hear them of these matters whereof they are now preaching, and for this purpose have they even now assembled themselves together. Let the apostles go, I pray ye, that those in high places may also receive the Gospel." This he said, not because he himself believed, but because he was a man of wisdom, and knew that unless he could placate17 the multitude, great harm might come not only to himself but to the senate also.
"Should these men once accuse the chief priests of the murder of the Nazarene," he said within himself, "the mob would immediately hale them forth15 from the council chamber18 and tear them limb from limb." And for a moment he was half minded to send word to the citadel19 asking for a detachment of Roman soldiers, but he bethought himself that this would only betray his fear. So he again spoke, and this time in the ear of Peter.
"I beseech20 thee, good Rabbi," he said, with apparent humility21, "that thou wilt22 appease23 the people, since thou art obeyed of them; and I, despite mine office, have no authority at all over them."
"Call not thou me good, who denied the Lord of Glory," answered Peter. "I will go with thee." Then he beckoned24 with his hand unto the multitude that they should pay him heed25, and when they were silent, expecting that he would command them concerning the officers, he said: "Ye men of Israel, this Jesus, whom we preach unto you, while he was yet alive, commanded that they which would follow him should do no evil to any man. Yea, he declared that if a man should smite26 his neighbor on the cheek, that the smitten27 one should also suffer his enemy to smite again without resistance or anger; and when, on the night before his death, the chief priests sent a company of men armed with swords and staves for to seize him, I was filled with indignation and smote28 the high priest's servant with the sword, so that his ear was severed29 from his head; but the Lord rebuked30 me, and bade me put up my sword into its place, then he reached forth his hand and touched the wounded man and healed him. Furthermore, ye remember how that afterward32, when he was mocked and scourged33 and spit upon by his enemies, he opened not his mouth with revilings, but bore all with patience, though there remained within his call more than twelve legions of angels, armed with the fiery34 swords of heaven. If then ye would follow him on whom ye have believed, give place to wrath35 and conduct yourselves peaceably. For ye may have confidence that the Lord Christ, whose we are and whom we serve, will not suffer us to be tried above that we can bear, but will with the necessity provide a way of escape."
And when the people heard these words, they suffered the apostles to go away with the officers. But Ben Hesed, and with him others of them that were strong-hearted, followed hard after, and waited near the door of the council chamber.
"For," said Ben Hesed grimly, "it is also written concerning the Lord, 'With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the froward thou wilt show thyself froward. The Lord will save the afflicted36 people, but he will bring down high looks,' and further, 'He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms; I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them, neither did I turn again till they were consumed.'"
And when Caleb perceived that the men were even at the doors, he wrote upon a tablet, saying: "Be discreet, I pray thee, in thy dealings with these apostles, for there be them without which are able to make of thee and of all that are within, even as the small dust of the balance." And this he caused to be given to Annas privily37.
When Annas had read these words, his heart burned like a live coal within him. Yet was his brow calm and unruffled as he fixed his keen eyes on the men who stood humbly38 enough in the presence of that imposing39 assembly. "Again hath it become necessary to rebuke31 you openly because of your blasphemous40 conduct. Stiff-necked and ignorant fishermen, how is it that ye do thus persist in doing the things which work only for unrighteousness? Did not we straightly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And, behold41, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine42, and intend to bring the blood of the slain Nazarene upon us."
"We ought to obey God rather than man," affirmed Peter simply.
Annas trembled with his pent up anger, but he still spoke with calmness. "This have ye before declared as the reason and excuse of your disobedience to this most holy council of the People of Israel. Dost thou think then that the God of our fathers speaks no longer save to fisher folk, publicans and malefactors? Nay43, for upon us doth rest the power of God and the wisdom of God; in that we would defend from scurrilous44 and wicked hands the faith which we have kept unsullied from the days of our father Abraham even until now."
"We have but one answer to make to this," said John, looking squarely into the furious eyes of the man who had spoken, "and it is this. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew45 and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted46 with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour47, that he might give repentance48 to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
"Hearest thou these sayings?" cried Annas, starting to his feet. "What is this else but foul49 blasphemy50? It is poison of this kind that these fellows spread industriously51 amongst the people day by day. The Nazarene, a prince and saviour forsooth, and we his murderers! If the people once come to believe this, what shall come to pass? We shall be overthrown52 and the whole nation given over to blasphemy and idolatry."
"We shall be doing God service if we immediately put these to death," said Jochanan. "It must needs be done, the public weal demands it."
"I am of the same mind," exclaimed Alexander.
"And I--and I!" shouted half a score of voices.
"Let them be stoned!"
"Give them over to the Romans!"
"I beseech your indulgence, my good lords!" interrupted a grave deep voice from the inner circle of the assembly, "that ye may grant a brief hearing to one, who because he is still somewhat unfamiliar53 with these new doctrines54, perchance looks upon them from a slightly different standpoint from those of you who have patiently borne the heat and burden of the day."
"Gamaliel! Gamaliel!" cried several voices. "Let us hear what he hath to say."
The speaker was a man of powerful physique, and of calm and dignified55 bearing. As he looked keenly about over the excited assemblage with an air of conscious authority, every eye was fixed upon him with grave attention. "May I request," he continued when the tumult56 of excited voices had died away into silence, "that the persons under discussion be put forth for a little space."
This command being obeyed with alacrity57 by the underlings of Caleb, the speaker resumed in a deep measured voice. "As I have listened to the sayings of these men," he said, "my mind hath sought the past, for it is in the experiences of years gone by that man hath ever found the best council for the exigencies58 of the present. To adopt excessive measures for the disruption of this new sect59 would, in my opinion, be not only unwise in the present disturbed state of the populace, but actually dangerous. I have mingled60 with the multitude and I know that whereof I speak; therefore take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching61 these men. Turning, as I have suggested, to the annals of the past, we find that before these days there rose up a certain Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. After a time he was slain in a brawl62, and all who believed on him were speedily scattered63 and brought to naught64. Again, somewhat later appeared Judas, a Galilean, in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him; he also perished, and those who had obeyed him were dispersed65. So now I say unto you, refrain from these men and let them alone, for if this preaching and healing which they do be of men it will speedily come to naught. But if, on the other hand, it be of God, ye cannot overthow it, lest haply ye be found to fight against God."
A deep murmur3 of approval followed these words, after which a number of the more influential66 ones expressed themselves as in favor of adopting the safe and conservative course recommended by the wise doctor of the laws who had spoken.
Presently, when all had been said, Annas arose and looked about him. In the hush67 that followed, the tumult of the surging multitudes without could be distinctly heard.
"Though I believe that these men and their works are neither of man nor of God, but of the devil," he began, his voice shaking with suppressed excitement, "yet is the devil ever watchful68 of his own, and the populace are not to be trifled with at the present moment; therefore do I agree with the worshipful Gamaliel in thinking that the safe course for ourselves and for the cause which we serve will be, as he hath suggested, to let the men be for the present. I am not without hope of interesting Herod in the matter. Let it come to his ears once that these fellows are preaching to the people that their Master is shortly coming back to establish his throne in Jerusalem--as I can bring witnesses to testify--and he will speedily take care of them that say such things. I will therefore command that the men be scourged in our presence, which may prove a wholesome69 corrective to their mistaken zeal70; after that they shall be released."
This accordingly was done, the dignitaries looking on calmly whilst the scourging71 was administered by the underlings of the temple police.
When the sickening sound of the blows had at length ceased, Annas again spoke. "There is somewhat that ye have still to answer for," he said. "How is it that ye made good your escape from the prison? These your guards declare that they stood continually before the doors from the evening when ye were incarcerated72 even until the morning."
The face of John glowed with a celestial73 light. "The angel of the Lord, whose we are and whom we serve, came and fetched us out, and the eyes of the keepers were holden that they wist not when we went by them."
Annas eyed the speaker with a mocking smile. "How is it," he said slowly, his eyes lingering with manifest satisfaction upon the crimson74 marks of the scourging, "that he who delivered fhee from the prison house, was not able also to deliver thee from the hands of them that beat thee?"
"We were delivered from the prison that we might speak to the people of him who is able to save them from their sins," answered John. Then he also smiled, but it was as an angel might have smiled, on whom the King immortal75, invisible, had conferred some high and heavenly boon76. "The servant is not above his Lord," he said, "and if we suffer with him, we shall also reign77 with him; he hath gone to prepare a place for us, that where he is, there we may be also."
Then Annas rose in his wrath. "Let what ye have received at our hands serve to remind you that ye are forbidden to speak the name of the crucified Galilean in Jerusalem. Further disobedience shall meet with a punishment to which this shall be as nothing." Then were the apostles thrust out from the council chamber; and they departed, rejoicing greatly that they were counted worthy78 to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple and in every house where dwelt them that believed, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
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1
apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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2
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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3
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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4
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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5
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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6
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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7
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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8
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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9
corrupt
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| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
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10
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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11
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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12
leopard
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| n.豹 | |
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13
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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14
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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15
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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16
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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17
placate
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| v.抚慰，平息(愤怒) | |
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18
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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19
citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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20
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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21
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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22
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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23
appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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24
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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26
smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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27
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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28
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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29
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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30
rebuked
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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32
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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33
scourged
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| 鞭打( scourge的过去式和过去分词 )； 惩罚，压迫 | |
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34
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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35
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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36
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
privily
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| adv.暗中，秘密地 | |
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38
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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39
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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40
blasphemous
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| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
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41
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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42
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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43
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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44
scurrilous
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| adj.下流的，恶意诽谤的 | |
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45
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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46
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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47
saviour
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| n.拯救者，救星 | |
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48
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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49
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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50
blasphemy
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| n.亵渎，渎神 | |
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51
industriously
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52
overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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53
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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54
doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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55
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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56
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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57
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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58
exigencies
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| n.急切需要 | |
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59
sect
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| n.派别，宗教，学派，派系 | |
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60
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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61
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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62
brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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63
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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64
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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65
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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66
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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67
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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68
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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69
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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70
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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71
scourging
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| 鞭打( scourge的现在分词 )； 惩罚，压迫 | |
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72
incarcerated
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| 钳闭的 | |
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73
celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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74
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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75
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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76
boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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77
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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78
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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