Where Did Jesus Die? — Page 181
Chapter Twelve—The Unknown Life of Jesus 181 before the Judges. He commanded the priests and the learned men, old men of Hebrew origin, to judge him in the temple. (p. 127) The latter, after hearing Issa, reported to the Governor: ‘We have seen the man whom thou accuseth of inciting our people to rebellion, we have heard his preaching and know that he is of our people. ’ (p. 131) The Governor sent his spies and at last Issa was arrested and Pilate called together the chief rulers, priests, elders, and law-givers with the object of making them pass judg- ment on Issa. Then Issa was brought from the prison and he was seated before the Governor between two thieves that were to be tried with him. (p. 140) But they said to Pilate: ‘We will not take upon our heads the great sin of condemning an innocent man and of acquitting two thieves, a thing contrary to our laws. ‘Do therefore as thou pleasest. ’ Having thus spoken the priests and wise men went out and washed their hands in a sacred vessel, saying: ‘We are innocent of the death of a just man. ’ (p. 143) Then by order of the Governor Jesus was nailed to the cross and the two thieves as well. All that day he remained on the cross and in the evening he died. Three days later the Governor sent his soldiers to take up the body of Issa and bury it elsewhere, fearing a general upris- ing of the people. The following day the sepulchre was found open and empty by the multitude and the rumour