Where Did Jesus Die? — Page 60
? 60 But the disappearance of Jesus filled his disciples with new hope and confidence, for now they knew that they themselves were to proclaim the word of Jesus, as he, their beloved, would return no more. … But in the city there arose a rumour that Jesus was taken up in a cloud, and had gone to heaven. This was invented by the people who had not been present when Jesus departed. The disciples did not contradict this rumour, inasmuch as it served to strengthen their doc- trine, and influenced the people who wanted a miracle in order to believe in him. (p. 125) Dead to the World The concluding part of the letter refers significantly to a plan adopted to set suspicions of the Jews at rest and to ensure the safe flight of Jesus from his own country to a foreign land. The closing words of the letter about Jesus purport to show that only Joseph and Nicodemus had three times been with him in his place of concealment. … the last time when the sixth full moon was waning, and they came to our Brotherhood… (p. 127–128) … their hearts were sorely grieved, for the chosen one was taken up into the heavenly dwellings of the Father… And he was buried by the physician close by the Dead Sea… (p. 128)