Temptation and 40 Day Fast

Jesus fasted then was tempted in the desert

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.       Matthew 4:1-11

Buddha was tempted and fasted

Buddha could resist the powers of the prince of evil. This Angelic-Buddha-Messiah was tempted by the devil, and he fasted for forty-seven days and nights, without taking an atom of food.  This story taken from "Siamese Life of Buddha," by Moncure D. Conway, also found in the Fo-pen-hing, and other works on Buddha and Buddhism.

"The Grand Being (Buddha) applied himself to practice asceticism of the extremest nature. He ceased to eat (that is, he fasted) and held his breath. . . . Then it was that the royal Mara (the Prince of Evil) sought occasion to tempt him. Pretending compassion, he said: 'Beware, O Grand Being, your state is pitiable to look on; you are attenuated beyond measure, . . . you are practicing this mortification in vain; I can see that you will not live through it. . . . Lord, that art capable of such vast endurance, go not forth to adopt a religious life, but return to thy kingdom, and in seven days thou shalt become the Emperor of the World, riding over the four great continents.'"

To this the Grand Being, Buddha, replied: "'Take heed, O Mara; I also know that in seven days I might gain universal empire, but I desire not such possessions. I know that the pursuit of religion is better than the empire of the world. You, thinking only of evil lusts, would force me to leave all beings without guidance into your power. Avaunt! Get thou away from me!' "The Lord (then) rode onwards, intent on his purpose. The skies rained flowers, and delicious odors pervaded the air." 

Jesus about to "begin to preach" when he was tempted by the evil spirit.  Buddha about to go forth "to adopt a religious life," when he was tempted by the evil spirit.  

Jesus fasted, and was he "afterwards an hungered"  So did Buddha "cease to eat," and was "attenuated beyond measure."

With Jesus, The evil spirit took him and showed him "all the kingdoms of the world," which he promised to give him, provided he did not lead the life he contemplated, but follow him, the devil.  With Buddha, the evil spirit said to Buddha: "Go not forth to adopt a religious life, and in seven days thou shalt become an emperor of the world."

With Jesus, he resisted these temptations, and said unto the evil one, "Get thee behind me, Satan"?  With Buddha, he resisted the temptations, and said unto the evil one, "Get thee away from me."

With Jesus, after the evil spirit left him the "angels came and minister unto him".  With Buddha, after the evil one had left him "the skies rained flowers, and delicious odors pervaded the air."

Zoroaster, the founder of the religion of the Persians, was tempted by the devil, who made him magnificent promises, in order to induce him to become his servant.  He did not oblige.

Quetzalcoatle, the virgin-born Mexican Saviour, was also tempted by the devil, and a forty days' fast is among the stories.

40 Days and 40 Nights

Jesus fasted for 40 daysand 40 nights.

 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry    Matthew 4:2

Moses did the same when he stayed on top of the mountain.

  18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.     Exodus 24:18

Elijah also had a long fast, which, of course, was continued for a period of forty days and forty nights. 

8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.    1 Kings, 19:8

St. Joachim, father of the "Holy Bessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God" had a long fast, which was also continued for a period of forty days and forty nights. The story is to be found in the apocryphal gospel Protevangelion.

The ancient Persians had a religious festival which they annually celebrated, and which they called the "Salutation of Mithras." During this festival, forty days and fourty nights were set apart for thanksgiving and sacrifice.

"The ancient Mexicans had a forty days' fast, in memory of one of their sacred persons (Quetzalcoatle) who was tempted (and fasted) forty days on a mountain."

"The ancient Mexicans had a forty days' fast, in memory of one of their sacred persons (Quetzalcoatle) who was tempted (and fasted) forty days on a mountain."  Lord Kingsborough says:

The temptation of Quetzalcoatle, and the fast of forty days, . . . are very curious and mysterious."  

The ancient Mexicans were also in the habit of making their prisoners of war fast for a term of forty days before they were put to death.  The Spaniards were surprised to see the Mexicans keep the vernal forty days' fast.

The Tammuz month of Syria was in the spring. The forty days were kept for Proserpine.

The India tribes of the New World, the females of the Orinoco would fast 40 days before marriage.

Among the Carib-Coudave tribe, in the West Indies, "when a child is born the mother goes presently to work, but the father begins to complain, and takes to his hammock, and there he is visited as though he were sick. He then fasts for forty days."

The females belonging to the tribes of the Upper Mississippi, were held unclean for forty days after childbirth.

The prince of the Tezcuca tribes fasted forty days when he wished an heir to his throne, and the Mandanas supposed it required forty days and forty nights to wash clean the earth at the deluge.

At the end of forty daysand fourty nights Noah sent out a raven from the ark. 

6 After forty days Noah opened a window he had made in the ark.   7 and sent out a raven ...   Genesis 8:6-7

Isaac and Esau were each forty years old when they married.

20 and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram[a] and sister of Laban the Aramean.    Genesis 25:20

34 When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite.   Gen 26:34

Forty days were fulfilled for the embalming of Jacob.

3 taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.

The spies were forty days in search of the land of Canaan.

25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.    Numbers 13:25

The Israelites wandered forty years in the wilderness. 

6 The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died ...   Joshua 5:6

The land "had rest" forty years on three occasions. 

11 So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.     Judges 3:11

31 ..... Then the land had peace forty years.      Judges 3:31

28 Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace forty years.     Judges 8:28

The land was delivered into the hand of the Philistines forty years.  

13 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.    Judges 13:1

Eli judged Israel forty years.

18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. He had led Israel forty years.    Samuel 4:18

King David reigned forty years.

11 He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem.      1 Kings 2:11

King Solomon reigned forty years. 

42 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.    1 Kings 11:42

Goliath presented himself forty days.

16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.      1 Samuel 17:16

The rain was upon the earth forty days at the time of the deluge.

12 And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.

Moses was on the mount forty days and forty nights on both occasions.

18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.      Exodus 24:18

28 Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.        Exodus 34:28

Pillars

The number forty was used by the ancients in constructing temples. There were forty pillars around the temple of Chilminar, in Persia; the temple at Baalbec had forty pillars; on the frontiers of China, in Tartary, there is to be seen the "Temple of the forty pillars." Forty is one of the most common numbers in the Druidical temples, and in the plan of the temple of Ezekiel, the four oblong buildings in the middle of the courts have each forty pillars.  Most temples of antiquity were imitative—were microcosms of the Celestial Templum—and on this account they were surrounded with pillars recording astronomical ideas.

The Tomb and After

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to how many days Jesus was in his tomb. Jesus prophesized 3 days and 3 nights.

A  Not two full days and not two full nights.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.     John 20:1

B  Not two full days and two nights.

Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb     Mark 16:2

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.     Luke 24:1

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.    Matthew 28:1

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to whether Roman soldiers guarded Jesus’ tomb.

A  No.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.     John 20:1

B  Yes.

The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.     Matthew 28:4

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to whether the stone that covered the tomb of Jesus was removed when the women first arrived.

A  No, not removed.

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.     Matthew 28:1-2

B  Yes, removed.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.     John 20:1

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.     Mark 16:4

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,     Luke 24:2

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to how many people approached the tomb Sunday morning.

A  One.    Mary Magdalene.    

   (Sunday early dawn)

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.     John 20:1

B  Two.    Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary.” 

   (Sabbath, still dark, before Sunrise)

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.     Matthew 28:1

C  Three.   Two Marys and Salome.   

   (at the rising of the Sun)

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.     Mark 16:1

D  Five or more….  Two Marys, Joanna, and the other women.

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.     Luke 24:1

It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.     Luke 24:10

When did the women (or woman) arrive at the sepulchre?

While it was still dark.

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. John 20:1

At sunrise.

As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. Matthew 28:1

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. Mark 16:1-2

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to whom the women at the tomb greeted and where they greeted them (inside or outside?)

A  By no one at all.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”     John 20:1-2

B  By one man sitting inside the tomb.

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.     Mark 16:5

C  By two men standing inside the tomb.

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.     Luke 24:4

D  By one angel sitting outside the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.     Matthew 28:2,

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.     Matthew 28:5

Two angels sitting inside the tomb

And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.        John 20:12

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to how many angels appeared at the tomb.

A  Two.

and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.     John 20:12

B  One.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.     Matthew 28:2,

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.     Matthew 28:5

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to if the angel or angels told the Marys that Jesus was “risen.”

A    One angel told two Marys.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.     Matthew 28:6

B   The two angels were not present to tell Mary Magdalene.

So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”      John 20:2

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to whether the angels tell Mary that Jesus would appear in Galilee.

A  Yes.  One angel told two Marys.

Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”      Matthew 28:7

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene,who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.      Mark 16:6

 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?      Luke 24:5

B  No  One Mary saw two angels but they didn’t say anything.

and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.     John 20:12

C  They talked to her.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”  “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”     John 20:13

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to where and to whom did the “risen” Jesus reveal himself.

A  To Mary Magdalene, at the tomb.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.     John 20:1

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”  “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.      John 20:11-14

B  To Mary Magdalene on the way to the Galilee.

But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”     Mark 16:7

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.     Mark 16:9

C  To two Marys on the way to Jerusalem.

From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.     Matthew 26:16

D  To Cleopas and another, at Emmaus.

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus.... And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? ... And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.    Luke 24:13-31

E.  To Cephas (Peter) at an unknown location.

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve     1 Cor. 15:4-5

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to who Mary received word from an angel of the resurrection.

A  No.  She was told by Jesus.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”     John 20:1-2

B  Yes.  She was told by an angel.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.     Matthew 28:6

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to whether Jesus told Mary he would appear in Galilee.

A  Yes. 

   Both Marys informed the disciples they were to meet in Galilee

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.      Matthew 8:10

B  No.

   Mary saw Jesus but thought he was a gardener.  Jesus identified himself but said nothing of Galilee.

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.    John 20:14-18

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to Mary Magdalene recognizing Jesus after he first appeared to her.

Yes, she recognized him.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Matthew 28:9

No, she didn't recognize him.

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. John 20:14

Jesus didn't appear to her; she had a vision of angels who told her that he was alive.

And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. Luke 24:23

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to Mary Magdalene’s state of mind when Jesus first appeared to her after his death

A  Grief stricken.

Mary [Magdalene] stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou?      John 20:11-15    

B  Joy filled.

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.     Matthew 28:8-9

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to if the women immediately told the disciples when they first learned Jesus had “risen.”

A  They fold no one.

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.     Mark 16:8

B  They rushed to inform the disciples.

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.     Luke 24:9

 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.    Matthew 28:8

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to how Mary Magdalene reported the news to the disciples.

A  She described her visitation by “risen” Jesus.

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.     John 20:18

B She described what she had been told by two men.

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.     Luke 24:9

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to who Mary met after seeing the angels.

A  Jesus.

   John  Mark  Matthew say

B  The disciples.

 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.         Luke 24:4-10

Was it OK to touch the risen Jesus before his ascension?

Jesus didn't let people touch him before his ascension.

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.     John 20:17

Jesus permitted people to touch him before his ascension.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.     Matthew 28:9

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me.      Luke 24:39

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side.     John 20:26-27

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to how many disciples were present when Jesus appeared to them.

B  Ten.  Thomas was not present.

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.     John 20:24    (Judas was dead by this time.     See Matthew 27:5)

A  Eleven.  Judas was dead.

 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him,they worshipped him: but some doubted.      Matthew 28:16-17

 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.     Mark 16:14

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, ... And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.      Luke 24:33-37

C  Twelve

   (Even though they don’t account for Judas being dead at that time !!!).

 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.     Matthew 27:5

With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.     Acts 1:18

 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.      1 Corinthians 15:5

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to how many times Jesus appeared after he was “risen.”

A  Four.

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”      John 20:14-17

 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”    John 20:19-23

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”     John 20:26

 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: ….  14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.      John 21:1-23

B  Three.

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.      Mark 16:9

Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country.      Mark 16:12  

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”     Mark 16:14-18

C  Two.

   Luke 24:13-31

   Luke 24:36-51

D  Two.

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.    Matthew 28:9

When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”      Matthew 28:17-20

E  One.

     1 Corinthians 15:5, 6, 7, 7, 8

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to what city Jesus appeared in after he was “risen.”

A  All were in Jerusalem

    Luke 24:13-53

B  All were in Galilee

    Matthew 28:7-20

Jesus First Appeared to the Eleven Disciples in a Room at Jerusalem or on a Mountain in Galilee???

Room at Jerusalem

And they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together. . . . And as they spake, Jesus himself stood up in the midst of them. . . . But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. (Luke 24:33, 36, 37.)

The same day, at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut, where the disciples were assembled, . . . came Jesus and stood in the midst. (John 20:19.)

Mountain in Galilee

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, unto a mountain where Jesus had appointed. And when they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted. (Matt. 28:16, 17.)

The Disciples were Commanded Immediately after the Resurrection to go into Galilee or to Tarry at Jerusalem???

Galilee

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid; go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. (Matt. 28:10.)

But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.      Mark 16:7

Tarry in Jerusalem

But tarry ye in Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.     Luke 24:49

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.      Acts 1:4

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to if Mary was permitted to touch Jesus after he had “risen.”

A  Yes.  By his feet.

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.      Matthew 28:9

B  Yes.   By handling his hands and feet.

Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”     Luke 24:39

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   John 1:1

C  No.  Jesus said “Touch me not…”

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”      John 20:17

Did Jesus forewarn the apostles of his death and resurrection?

Yes, he did.

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Matthew 16:21

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. Matthew 20:18-19

Jesus ... said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Matthew 26:1-2

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Matthew 26:31-32

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31

Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. Mark 10:33-34

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. Mark 14:28

Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. Luke 18:31-33

No, he did not.

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. John 20:9

Jesus Violence

Give Him a Sword

Take my enemies, who would not have me rule over them, bring them here, and kill them before me.   Luke 19:27

This is a concluding statement of a parable that Jesus was telling regarding a nobleman who became king.  The point of the parable is that the Jewish people rejected him as king and hence the decree of judgment concerning the unfaithful and disobedient.  This mirrors what Matthew wrote,

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.    Matthew 12:30

Burn Them

He who does not abide in me is thrown away like a withered branch.  Such withered branches are gathered together, cast into the fire and burned.  John 15:6

This statement by Jesus demonstrates that the Jews and others that do not follow him are enemies that deserve to be burned.  This statement was used by the Catholic Church to justify their practice of burning people alive at the stake (especially women).

Sell Your Clothes and Buy a Sword

… and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.  Luke 22:36

This clearly refers to the physical world of Jesus’s kingdom and not the spiritual world.

Use the Sword

Think not that I have come to send peace to the world.  I come not to send peace, but the sword.  Matthew 10:34

One of Jesus’s disciples in fact did in fact do just this by cutting off the ear of a servant of the High Priest with the sword. Luke 22:49-50;  Matthew 26:51.

Use the Whip

    And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple. John 2:15]

Hate your Family and Neighbors

“If anyone comes to me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”         Luke 14:26

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.     Matt 10:21

35 For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—         Matt 10:35

51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.

53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”     Luke 12:51-53

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.     Matt 10:37

Anyone following your teachings shall be put to death ...

4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’   Matt 15:4

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Revelation 19:11

Jesus Rejects his Mother 

47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.     Matt 12:48

32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.      Mark 3:33

4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”       John 2:4
 

Make Them Blind

For judgment I have come into this world, that those that do not see may see, and those who see may be made blind.  John 9:39

This statement contradicts the statement by Jesus;

‘Judge not that you may be judged.’     Matthew 7:1

Suffer the Wrath of God

He who believes in the son has everlasting life.  But he who does not believe in the son shall not see life, but shall suffer the everlasting wrath of God.  John 3:36

‘Love thy neighbor’ only applies to people who believe in Jesus, otherwise a persons fate is suffering the everlasting wrath of God.

This position is in conflict with the Jewish Talmud which states,

The righteousness of nations will have a share in the World to Come.  Tosefta, Sanhedrin 13

Any individual, whether Jew or Gentile, man or woman, servant or maid can bring the Divine presence upon himself in accordance with his deeds.   Tana DeBei Eliahu Rabba 9

Jesus, Did you Forget???

Whoever hates his brother is a murderer.    1 John 3:15

Husbands love your wives. . . . For no man ever yet hated his own flesh. Eph. 5:25, 29

Resist not evil, but whoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:39

All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.   Matthew 26:52

And suddenly there was with the angels a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.     Luke 2:13, 14

Honour your father and mother.     Eph 6:2

Blessed are the peacemakers.      Matthew 5:9

One of them ... drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus ... Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.       Matthew 26:51-52

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.       Luke 2:14

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.       John 14:27

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.      John 16:33

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ.      Acts 10:36

Jesus Casts the Swine to their Death.

32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.    Matthew 8:32

13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.     Mark 5:13

33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.    Luke 8:33

Fig Tree Withered When?

Immediately 

Withering of fig tree:   the disciples saw it wither immediately. 

19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!     Matt 21:19-21

Next day

It only withered the next day.

13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.      Mark 11:13-14, 11:20-21

Jesus You Dummy! It wasn't the Season for figs!!!!!

13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.     Mark 11:13-21

When did Jesus curse the fig tree?

Before driving the merchants from the temple.

And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.        Mark 11:12-17

After driving the merchants from the temple.

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves.
...
And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.       Matthew 21:12-19

Jesus Overturns the Money Tables

Jesus created a violent disturbance making people lose money at a time when thousands gathered in Jerusalem for Passover.

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.    Matthew 21:12

15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves,     Mark 11:15

45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling.   Luke 19:45

15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.     John 2:15

When did Jesus's temple tantrum occur?

At the beginning of his ministry

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee ...
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. John 2:11-16

The day of his trimphal entry

And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
...
And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought. Luke 19:36-45

The day after his triumphal entry

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. ... And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. ... And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Matthew 21:1-13

And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. ... And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. ... And on the morrow ... they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. Mark 11:1-17

Don’t Give to Cesar

Jews at that time of horrible Roman occupation and confiscation believed that nothing rightfully belonged to Cesar.  Jesus was saying that what the Romans were taking were not theirs.   He was saying DON’T pay Romans anything.  The things that were  Caesar’s ……. was violence.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.    Mark 12:17

The Terrorist Jesus

In 175 B.C.E.,Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the son of Antiochus III invaded Judea.

Judaism was outlawed.  In 167 BCE Antiochus ordered an altar to Zeus erected in the Temple. He banned circumcision and ordered pigs to be sacrificed at the altar of the temple.  The sacrifice of pigs to the Greek gods was standard ritual practice in the Ancient Greek religion.

In 165 B.C.E. the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid monarchy was successful. The Temple was liberated and rededicated.

In 63 B.C.E. Judea and the Galilee area was conquered by the Roman General Pompey.  In B.C.E. 31 the areas were ruled by Herod the Great until his death in 4 C.E.  After his death a Jewish uprising happened again that the Romans crushed.

Zealot John the Baptist

In 26 C.E. John the Baptist preached that God was going to help to establish a Jewish, non-Roman Kingdom, and that kingdom was at hand.  John the Baptist was very popular among the people and they regarded him a prophet, one of the highest honors.

The New Testament states his beheading was because he was in mere opposition to the King’s niece’s marriage.

For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.     Mark 6:17

Historian Josephus reported that the ruler Herod Antipas beheaded John the Baptist in 29 C.E. because the Romans feared he would lead another anti-Roman uprising.        Antquities, Josephus 18:5:2

Zealot Jesus

John’s cousin Jesus, continued to preach the same.  Jesus would even pray, ‘let you will be done “on earth” as it is in heaven.’  Jesus violently turned over the tables filled with money at the Temple.  Pontius Pilate arrested and executed Jesus for his claiming to be king and opposing Roman taxes.

4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.     Acts 12:4

Why Jesus was a Terrorist.

Everyone referred to Jesus as if he were the King.  The titles were  Christ,  King of Israel,  Son of David,  Son of God,  Son of Man.  These all are titles referring to an earthly kingdom.

CHRIST – Jesus asked Peter who he was and Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”  Christ is a Greek word that means the Messiah.  Peter knew that Christ was the title given to every King of Israel.  Peter would follow what Jesus said to do and not what Rome said.

KING OF ISRAEL – Nathanial, a disciple of Jesus told Jesus, “You are the King of Israel”.  Messiah means anointed King, one who has a claim to the throne of David, a throne that rules an earthly kingdom.

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.     John 1:49

SON OF DAVID – Two blind men begged Jesus to heal them.  They called out to him, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us.”  This statement shows that Jesus had claimed the throne of David.

SON OF GOD – This was an honorary title given to every Jewish King of Israel.  It alludes to the fact that they were descendants from King David and acted piously as if they were God’s son.  Psalm 2:7 refers to God’s son.  Psalm 2 is recited at every coronation of the King of Israel.  “Son of God” is a royal title given throughout the centuries to the reigning King of Israel.

SON OF MAN – This is a name given by Daniel the Prophet to the Messiah regarding his kingship and that all nations and tongues would recognize his dominion and his reign would be established forever.  Daniel 7:13, 14.  By Jesus using this term he was claiming to be the Messiah and claiming dominion over the nations of the world, including Rome.  And people were following him.

Jesus He Tried

According to prophesies of Zecharaiah, Jesus tried to do and fulfill them himself so he could be the Messiah.

1.   Zecharaiah stated that the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey,

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your King is coming to you;  He is just and having salvation,  Lowly and riding on a donkey,  A colt, the foal of a donkey.     Zecharaiah 9:9.

7  They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.  Matthew 21:1, 2, 7.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey,

2.   Zecharaiah stated that the Messiah would wage a violent war against all those nations who were against Israel,

9  On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem    Zechariah 12:9-10

Jesus was preaching this.

3.   Zecharaiah stated that this war would start on the Mount of Olives,

On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.     Zecharaiah 14:4

Jesus was arrested on the Mount of Olives where he was with his many followers,

30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.     Matthew 26:30, 36

14 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.     Mark  14:25. 26.

I guess things just didn’t work out like Jesus wanted.

Jesus Arrested

Romans sent a cohert (a very large number of soldiers somewhere between 300 and 600 soldiers) to arrest Jesus.  They feared his many followers would fight the arresting soldiers when Jesus would be taken into custody.

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people     Matthew 26:47

43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.     Mark 14:43

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs?   Luke 22:52

12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him    John 18:12

Charges against Jesus

Opposed Taxes (OUCH!!!) –

And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”     Luke 23: 2

Perverting the Nation –

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.     Matthew 21:12

Forbidding to give Tribute to Cesar – (ouch again)

17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

And they were amazed at him.     Mark 12:17

Saying He is a King –

37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”     John 18:37

 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.    Luke 23:2

The High Priest said he was a threat to the Jews.

 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.     John 11:48

A Zealot threat to the Temple and Israel

The High Priest stated, “If we let him [Jesus] alone like this, everyone will believe in him and the Romans will come and take away both our place [the Temple] and the nation.  It was expedient that one man should die for the people,”  John 11:48, 50

Sign Posted on the Cross

Pontius Pilate wanted everyone to know the reason Jesus was crucified.  He attached a board at the top of the cross that said “King of the Jews”

26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.     Mark 15:26

Rome was making a statement to all the Jews that this man was executed for sedition, and someone better think twice if he wants to go down that same path.

The Term “King”

Josephus used the word “king” as a leader of a band of insurgents.  It was a leader by force with others following him.  A “created king immediately.”         Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus, 17:10:8

When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.     John 6:15

Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”      John 1:49

The Two Thieves Crucified with Jesus

Correct translation of “thieves” is armed rebels.

Thieves was the word translated in Luke 23:32, Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27.  However the well known historian of that time Josephus used the same word many times to mean armed rebel against Rome, i.e.

Cumanus sent his troops against the sizable force of Jewish peasants and their brigand leaders [christian word for thieves].         Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus, 20:6:3

High Priest Along with the Romans

The High Priest and the Sadducees joined the Romans to be against the disciples.

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,     Acts 4:1

Peter

An Angel broke out Peter and the apostles from jail and were told to go preach in the Temple.

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”    Acts 5:19

Peter and the other apostles were flogged for whatever they were preaching.  The well respected Gamaliel of the Sanhedrin compared Peter to a well known zealot and stated at that time,

For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.  37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.     Acts 5:36-37

38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.   Acts 5:38

When Peter was later arrested they bound him then chained him to two Roman soldiers.  In addition to that they placed two Roman soldiers at the door of his cell. I’m sure there were many other soldiers near by.  They were expecting trouble in the form of a large number of men similar to the 400 men that rallyed for Theudas.

6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.     Acts 12:6

At Peters trial by the Jewish High Court (the Sanhedrin) the leader of the Pharisee Party, Gamaliel compared Peter to Theudas, the current leading anti Roman zealot.  He also compared Peter to Judas of Galilee who founded the Zealot Party.  Peter was considered to be a dangerous anti Roman zealot.

Paul

Paul was arrested because he was a leader of other zealots.

“We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect”    Acts 24:5

He was arrested on the Mount of Olives where Zechariah believed God would begin the messianic war against those opposing Jerusalem.

35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers.

36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”        Acts 21:35-36

38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?”     Acts 21:38

Unable to find Paul, some Jews dragged Jason and some brothers before the city officials shouting, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.  Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king, Jesus.”   Acts 17:6 to 8

Remember in the past Paul would go to Damascus, a foreign nation, and illegally kidnap and execute Christians who fled Judea because of their anti-Roman zealotry.       Acts 9:1, Acts 20:26, Acts 22:4, Acts 22:20, 1 Cor 11:32

Jesus’ Disciples had Rebel Nicknames

Five of Jesus’ disciples had zealot nicknames.

Simon the zealot,  Matthew 10:2.

Peter was called bar-Jonah written bariona.  Bariona in Aramaic means zealot.  Matthew 16:17.

Judas was referred to as “Isacariot,” Isacariot is a transliteration from Latin to Aramaic means “dagger-man.”  Scarius was applied to zealots opposed to the Roman rule of Judea.  Mark 3:14, Matthew 10:2

John and James the sons of Zebedee were referred to by their nickname “boanerges” which means “son of fiery zeal” or “sons of thunder” [bener ra’ash].  This was a name given to the warrior zealot.  Mark 3:17

Death of James

Jesus’ brother James was executed by the King Harod in 62 C.E. because he was a threat to the Roman security interests.

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.       Acts 12:2

After the Death of Jesus

After the death of James, the Zealot Party lead a revolt  in 66-70 C.E. which resulted in the destruction of the Temple.

The Zealot and Pharisee Parties led an uprising against Rome in 132-135 C.E. which resulted in the total destruction of the whole country of the Jews at that time.

Baptism of Jesus

Did John the Baptist recognize Jesus as the Son of God?

Yes and No ...

Yes, he recognized him immediately.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
... And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.       John 1:29-34

No, he still wasn't sure when he was in prison.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?      Matthew 11:2-3

 John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?       John 7:19

Did John the Baptist recognize Jesus as the Messiah? 

YES

14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”      Matt 3:14-17

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”        John 1:29-34

10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.  11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”      Mark 1:10-11

NO

18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”     Luke 7:18-20

2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”        Matt 11:2-3  ......

             .... (John apparently had forgotten the dove and the voice).

At his baptism, did God address Jesus directly?

Yes.

Thou art my beloved son. Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22

No, God addressed those who witnessed his baptism.

This is my beloved son. Matthew 3:1

John the Baptist is Elijah

Jesus says he is

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.
12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 
13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.      Matt 17:11-13

John the Baptist - Not Who Jesus Says He Is

19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 
20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”  He said, “I am not.”  “Are you the Prophet?”   He answered, “No.”            John 1:19-21

Herod believed John had risen from the dead ?

YES

16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”     Mark 6:16

NO ..... Herod did not believe this 

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead,      Luke 9:7

Who was the greatest prophet?

Moses

And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.      Deuteronomy 34:10

John the Baptist

Jesus said that John the Baptist was the greatest person who was ever "born of women."

 Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.       Matthew 11:11

 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.       Luke 7:28

Jesus

Wasn't Jesus born of a woman ... the Holy Blessed virgin Mary (Mother of God)???

Where did John baptize?

In the Jordan River

And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.       Matthew 3:4-6

 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.       Mark 1:9

In Bethabara, beyond the Jordan

These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.       John 1:28

Were the Pharisees baptized by John?

Yes

When he saw many of the Pharisees ... come to his baptism he said unto them ... Ye generation of vipers ... I [John the Baptist] indeed baptize you with water....       Matthew 3:7-11

No

And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.       Luke 7:29-30

Was John the Baptist Elijah?

Yes.

Jesus said the John that Baptist was Elijah (Elias).

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.      Matthew 11:13-14

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already.... then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.       Matthew 17:12-13

But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.       Mark 9:13

No.

John that Baptist said that he was not Elijah.

this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? ... And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias [Elijah]? And he saith, I am not.       John 1:19-21

Did Herod think Jesus was John the Baptist?

Yes

Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptist reincarnated.

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.      Matthew 14:1-2

But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.      Mark 6:16

No

People were saying that Jesus was John the Baptist who had risen from the dead, or Elijah (Elias), or one of the other prophets. But Herod didn't believe Jesus was John the Baptist, saying, "John I have beheaded: but who is this?"

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him [Jesus]: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.       Luke 9:9

Did Jesus baptize anyone?

Yes.

Jesus baptized people in Judea.

After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.        John 3:22

He baptized people with fire and the Holy Ghost.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.        Matthew 3:11

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.        Luke 3:16

No, Jesus didn't baptize anyone.

Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples.       John 4:2

 In whose name is baptism to be performed?

The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.      Matthew 28:19

Jesus.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:38

They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.     Acts 8:16

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.      Acts 10:48

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.     Acts 19:5

What did Jesus do after his baptism?

He went immediately into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days.

And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan.      Mark 1:12-13

He called his disciples and attended the wedding at Cana.

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples. ... The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. ... And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee.       John 1:35, 43 , 2:1

Infanticide

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.          Matthew 2:12-19

No one from that nation, or any other nation, or of that age, or of any other age makes any mention to anything remotely resembling the supposed Herod infanticide. No Rabbinical writers that detailed Herods wicked acts in their writings ever even hinted at such an infanticide. Such a horrible and atrocious act would have been written about far and wide in that region and others.

Most certainly the Historian Josephus, who was related to Herod’s wife, and lived in that country, and professed to write, in detail, every evil act by Herod, ever even comes close to mentioning any infanticide. Josephus devoted 37 chapters to Herod and his evil acts. This type of infanticide would be a bloody deed that would be unmatched in history.

All other historians of that time who wrote about the character of Herod never came close to writing about any thing close to this alleged utterly cruel infanticide. According to best estimates, Herod was not living at the time of this fantasy killing of all male children under the age of two. According to the writings of Josephus, Herod would have been 68 or older when this major act of child genocide occurred.

I’m sure Herod was not a dummy and would have calculated that he would be dead before any an infant would grow up and have the capacity to overthrow him from his throne. Herod would have had a simpler solution of narrowing down the target to the spectacular future child and just killing that one child. This special child had three rich wise men visiting him giving him, among other things, gifts of gold. People talk.

The killing of a huge number of children and breaking the hearts of his loyal subjects would have surely overthrew him more than any other act he could do. The revengeful repercussions would be certain and big. There also would have been some evidence of a population drop.  The Christian scholar Rev. Edward Evanson stated it very clearly, “It is an incredible, borrowed fiction.”

Origin

This is a standard element of the theme of the story of a mean King who has prophesy told against him that a born child will grow up and depose him.  The King then kills all the male infants to prevent this deposing.  This “innocents were slaughtered” myth is found in many religions;

Sargon, Nimrod, Moses, Jason, Krishna, Mordred, Oedipus, Perseus, Romulus, Remus, and Zeus.

And the Hero of the story always escapes and grows to manhood and deposes the King.

Matthew Can’t Read

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”   Matthew 2:17-18

This is a quote from Jeremiah 31:15 but the verse is a clear reference to the captivity in Babylon as demonstrated by reading the next two verses;

15 This is what the Lord says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

16 This is what the Lord says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the Lord.
“They will return from the land of the enemy.
17 So there is hope for your descendants,” declares the Lord.
“Your children will return to their own land.    Jeremiah 31:16-17

The quoting of Jeremiah by Matthew was to gain believability by alledging that the infanticide was prophesied and happened.  In fact the verse is about the many descendants of Rachael, mostly men (but includes women) that that were killed in battle. [Jeremiah chapter 3]

Analysis

When a marvellous occurrence is said to have happened everywhere, we may feel sure that it never happened anywhere. Popular fancies propagate themselves indefinitely, but historical events, especially the striking and dramatic ones, are rarely repeated.

That this is a fictitious story is seen from the narratives of the birth of Jesus, which are recorded by the first and third Gospel writers, without any other evidence. In the one—that related by the Matthew narrator—we have a birth at Bethlehem—implying the ordinary residence of the parents there—and a hurried flight—almost immediately after the birth—from that place into Egypt,  the slaughter of the infants, and a journey, after many months, from Egypt to Nazareth in Galilee. In the other story—that told by the Luke narrator—the parents, who have lived in Nazareth, came to Bethlehem only for business of the State, and the casual birth in the cave or stable is followed by a quiet sojourn, during which the child is circumcised, and by a leisurely journey to Jerusalem; whence, everything having gone off peaceably and happily, they return naturally to their own former place of abode, full, it is said over and over again, of wonder at the things that had happened, and deeply impressed with the conviction that their child had a special work to do, and was specially gifted for it. There is no fear of Herod, who seems never to trouble himself about the child, or even to have any knowledge of him. There is no trouble or misery at Bethlehem, and certainly no mourning for children slain. Far from flying hurriedly away by night, his parents celebrate openly, and at the usual time, the circumcision of the child; and when he is presented in the temple, there is not only no sign that enemies seek his life, but the devout saints give public thanks for the manifestation of the Savior.

Dr. Hooykaas, speaking of the slaughter of the innocents, says:

"Antiquity in general delighted in representing great men, such as Romulus, Cyrus, and many more, as having been threatened in their childhood by fearful dangers. This served to bring into clear relief both the lofty significance of their future lives, and the special protection of the deity who watched over them. "The brow of many a theologian has been bent over this (Matthew) narrative! For, as long as people believed in the miraculous inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, of course they accepted every page as literally true, and thought that there could not be any contradiction between the different accounts or representations of Scripture. The worst of all such pre-conceived ideas is, that they compel those who hold them to do violence to their own sense of truth. For when these so-called religious prejudices come into play, people are afraid to call things by their right names, and, without knowing it themselves, become guilty of all kinds of evasive and arbitrary practices; for what would be thought quite unjustifiable in any other case is here considered a duty, inasmuch as it is supposed to tend toward the maintenance of faith and the glory of God!"

 As we stated above, this story is to be found in the fictitious gospel according to Matthew only; contemporary history has nowhere recorded this audacious crime. It is mentioned neither by Jewish nor Roman historians. Tacitus, who has stamped forever the crimes of despots with the brand of reprobation, it would seem then, did not think such infamies worthy of his condemnation.

Josephus also, who gives us a minute account of the atrocities perpetrated by Herod up to even the very last moment of his life, does not say a single word about this unheard-of crime, which must have been so notorious. Surely he must have known of it, and must have mentioned it, had it ever been committed.

"We can readily imagine the Pagans," says Mr. Reber, "who composed the learned and intelligent men of their day, at work in exposing the story of Herod's cruelty, by showing that, considering the extent of territory embraced in the order, and the population within it, the assumed destruction of life stamped the story false and ridiculous. A governor of a Roman province who dared make such an order would be so speedily overtaken by the vengeance of the Roman people, that his head would fall from his body before the blood of his victims had time to dry. Archelaus, his son, was deposed for offenses not to be spoken of when compared with this massacre of the infants."

No wonder that there is no trace at all in the Roman catacombs, nor in Christian art, of this fictitious story, until about the beginning of the fifth century.  Never would Herod dared to have taken upon himself the odium and responsibility of such a sacrifice. Such a crime could never have happened at the epoch of its professed perpetration. To such lengths were the early Fathers led, by the servile adaptation of the ancient traditions of the East, they required a second edition of the tyrant Kansa, and their holy wrath fell upon Herod. The Apostles of Jesus counted too much upon human credulity, they trusted too much that the future might not unravel their maneuvers, the sanctity of their object made them too reckless. They destroyed all the evidence against themselves which they could lay their hands upon, but they did not destroy it all. 

Where

Canon Farrar, speaking of the sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt, says: "St. Matthew neither tells us where the Holy Family abode in Egypt, nor how long their exile continued; but ancient legends say that they remained two years absent from Palestine, and lived at Mataréëh, a few miles north-east of Cairo." 

Chemnitius, out of Stipulensis, who had it from Peter Martyr, Bishop of Alexandria, in the third century, says, that the place in Egypt where Jesus was banished, is now called Matarea, about ten miles beyond Cairo, that the inhabitants constantly burn a lamp in remembrance of it, and that there is a garden of trees yielding a balsam, which was planted by Jesus when a boy. 

Crishna

Joguth Chunder Gangooly,  in his "Life and Religion of the Hindoos," that:

"A heavenly voice whispered to the foster father of Crishna and told him to fly with the child across the river Jumna, which was immediately done.  This was owing to the fact that the reigning monarch, King Kansa, sought the life of the infant Saviour, and to accomplish his purpose, he sent messengers 'to kill all the infants in the neighboring places.'" 

Mr. Higgins says:

"Soon after Crishna's birth he was carried away by night and concealed in a region remote from his natal place, for fear of a tyrant whose destroyer it was foretold he would become; and who had, for that reason, ordered all the male children born at that period to be slain." 

Sir William Jones says of Crishna: "He passed a life, according to the Indians, of a most extraordinary and incomprehensible nature. His birth was concealed through fear of the reigning tyrant Kansa, who, at the time of his birth, ordered all newborn males to be slain, yet this wonderful babe was preserved." 

In the Epic poem Mahabarata, composed more than two thousand years ago, we have the whole story of this incarnate deity, born of a virgin, and miraculously escaping in his infancy from the reigning tyrant of his country, related in its original form. Representations of this flight with the babe at midnight are sculptured on the walls of ancient Hindoo temples. 

This story is also the subject of an immense sculpture in the cave-temple at Elephanta, where the children are represented as being slain. The date of this sculpture is lost in the most remote antiquity. It represents a person holding a drawn sword, surrounded by slaughtered infant boys. Figures of men and women are also represented who are supposed to be supplicating for their children. Thomas Maurice, speaking of this sculpture, says:

"The event of Crishna's birth, and the attempt to destroy him, took place by night, and therefore the shadowy mantle of darkness, upon which mutilated figures of infants are engraved, darkness (at once congenial with his crime and the season of its perpetration), involves the tyrant's bust; the string of death heads marks the multitude of infants slain by his savage mandate; and every object in the sculpture illustrates the events of that Avatar." 

Sir Wm. Jones tells us that when Crishna was taken out of reach of the tyrant Kansa who sought to slay him, he was fostered at Mathura by Nanda, the herdsman.

Here is evidently one and the same legend. Salivahana, the virgin-born Saviour, anciently worshiped near Cape Comorin, the southerly part of the Peninsula of India, had the same history. It was attempted to destroy him in infancy by a tyrant who was afterward killed by him. Most of the other circumstances, with slight variations, are the same as those told of Crishna and Jesus. 

Buddha

 Buddha's life was also in danger when an infant. In the southern country of Magadha, there lived a king by the name of Bimbasara, who, being fearful of some enemy arising that might overturn his kingdom, frequently assembled his principal ministers together to hold discussion with them on the subject. On one of these occasions they told him that away to the north there was a respectable tribe of people called the Sâkyas, and that belonging to this race there was a youth newly-born, the first-begotten of his mother, &c. This youth, who was Buddha, they said was liable to overturn him, they therefore advised him to "at once raise an army and destroy the child." 

East Mongols

In the chronicles of the East Mongols, the same tale is to be found repeated in the following story: "A certain king of a people called Patsala, had a son whose peculiar appearance led the Brahmins at court to prophesy that he would bring evil upon his father, and to advise his destruction. Various modes of execution having failed, the boy was laid in a copper chest and thrown into the Ganges. Rescued by an old peasant who brought him up as his son, he, in due time, learned the story of his escape, and returned to seize upon the kingdom destined for him from his birth." 

Hau-ki

Hau-ki, the Chinese hero of supernatural origin, was exposed in infancy, as the "Shih-king" says: "He was placed in a narrow lane, but the sheep and oxen protected him with loving care. He was placed in a wide forest, where he was met with by the wood-cutters. He was placed on the cold ice, and a bird screened and supported him with its wings," 

Mr. Legge draws a comparison to Romulus.

Horus

Horus, according to the Egyptian story, was born in the winter, and brought up secretly in the Isle of Buto, for fear of Typhon, who sought his life. Typhon at first schemed to prevent his birth and then sought to destroy him when born. 

Cyrus

Cyrus, king of Persia (6th cent. B. C.), is the hero of a similar tale. His grandfather, Astyages, had dreamed certain dreams which were interpreted by the Magi to mean that the offspring of his daughter Mandane would expel him from his kingdom. Alarmed at the prophecy, he handed the child to his kinsman Harpagos to be slain; but this man having entrusted it to a shepherd to be exposed, the latter contrived to save it by exhibiting to the emissaries of Harpagos the body of a still-born child of which his own wife had just been delivered. Grown to man's estate Cyrus of course justified the prediction of the Magi by his successful revolt against Astyages and assumption of the monarchy.

Alarmed at the prophecy, he handed the child to his kinsman Harpagos to be slain; but this man having entrusted it to a shepherd to be exposed, the latter contrived to save it by exhibiting to the emissaries of Harpagos the body of a still-born child of which his own wife had just been delivered. Grown to man's estate Cyrus of course justified the prediction of the Magi by his successful revolt against Astyages and assumption of the monarchy.

Herodotus, the Grecian Historian (B. C. 484), relates that Astyages, in a vision, appeared to see a vine grow up from Mandane's womb, which covered all Asia. Having seen this and communicated it to the interpreters of dreams, he put her under guard, resolving to destroy whatever should be born of her; for the Magian interpreters had signified to him from his vision that the child born of Mandane would reign in his stead. Astyages therefore, guarding against this, as soon as Cyrus was born sought to have him destroyed. The story of his exposure on the mountain, and his subsequent good fortune, is then related. 

Abraham

Abraham was also a "dangerous child." At the time of his birth, Nimrod, king of Babylon, was informed by his soothsayers that "a child should be born in Babylonia, who would shortly become a great prince, and that he had reason to fear him." The result of this was that Nimrod then issued orders that "all women with child should be guarded with great care, and all children born of them should be put to death." The mother of Abraham was at that time with child, but, of course, he escaped from being put to death, although many children were slaughtered.

Zoroaster

Zoroaster, the chief of the religion of the Magi, was a "dangerous child." Prodigies had announced his birth; he was exposed to dangers from the time of his infancy, and was obliged to fly into Persia, like Jesus into Egypt. Like him, he was pursued by a king, his enemy, who wanted to get rid of him.

His mother had alarming dreams of evil spirits seeking to destroy the child to whom she was about to give birth. But a good spirit came to comfort her and said: "Fear nothing! Ormuzd will protect this infant. He has sent him as a prophet to the people. The world is waiting for him." 

Perseus

Perseus, son of the Virgin Danae, was also a "dangerous child." Acrisius, king of Argos, being told by the oracle that a son born of his virgin daughter would destroy him, immured his daughter Danae in a tower, where no man could approach her, and by this means hoped to keep his daughter from becoming enceinte. The god Jupiter, however, visited her there, as it is related of the Angel Gabriel visiting the Virgin Mary,  the result of which was that she bore a son—Perseus. Acrisius, on hearing of his daughter's disgrace, caused both her and the infant to be shut up in a chest and cast into the sea. They were discovered by one Dictys, and liberated from what must have been anything but a pleasant position. 

Æsculapius

Æsculapius, when an infant, was exposed on the Mount of Myrtles, and left there to die, but escaped the death which was intended for him, having been found and cared for by shepherds. 

Hercules

Hercules, son of the virgin Leto, was left to die on a plain, but was found and rescued by a maiden. 

Œdipous

Œdipous was a "dangerous child." Laios, King of Thebes, having been told by the Delphic Oracle that Œdipous would be his destroyer, no sooner is Œdipous born than the decree goes forth that the child must be slain: but the servant to whom he is intrusted contents himself with exposing the babe on the slopes of Mount Kithairon, where a shepherd finds him, and carries him, like Cyrus or Romulus, to his wife, who cherishes the child with a mother's care. The Theban myth of Œdipous is repeated substantially in the Arcadian tradition of Telephos. He is exposed, when a babe, on Mount Parthenon, and is suckled by a doe, which represents the wolf in the myth of Romulus, and the dog of the Persian story of Cyrus. Like Moses, he is brought up in the palace of a king. 

Telephos

The Theban myth of Œdipous is repeated substantially in the Arcadian tradition of Telephos. He is exposed, when a babe, on Mount Parthenon, and is suckled by a doe, which represents the wolf in the myth of Romulus, and the dog of the Persian story of Cyrus. Like Moses, he is brought up in the palace of a king. 

As we read the story of Telephos, we can scarcely fail to think of the story of the Trojan Paris, for, like Telephos, Paris is exposed as a babe on the mountain-side.  Before he is born, there are portents of the ruin which he is to bring upon his house and people. Priam, the ruling monarch, therefore decrees that the child shall be left to die on the hill-side. But the babe lies on the slopes of Ida and is nourished by a she-bear. He is fostered, like Crishna and others, by shepherds, among whom he grows up. 

Iamos

Iamos was left to die among the bushes and violets. Aipytos, the chieftain of Phaisana, had learned at Delphi that a child had been born who should become the greatest of all the seers and prophets of the earth, and he asked all his people where the babe was: but none had heard or seen him, for he lay away amid the thick bushes, with his soft body bathed in the golden and pure rays of the violets. So when he was found, they called him Iamos, the "violet child;" and as he grew in years and strength, he went down into the Alpheian stream, and prayed to his father that he would glorify his son. Then the voice of Zeus was heard, bidding him come to the heights of Olympus, where he should receive the gift of prophecy. 

Chandragupta

Chandragupta was also a "dangerous child." He is exposed to great dangers in his infancy at the hands of a tributary chief who has defeated and slain his suzerain. His mother, "relinquishing him to the protection of the Devas, places him in a vase, and deposits him at the door of a cattle pen." A herdsman takes the child and rears it as his own. 

Jason

Jason is another hero of the same kind. Pelias, the chief of Iolkos, had been told that one of the children of Aiolos would be his destroyer, and decreed, therefore, that all should be slain. Jason only is preserved, and brought up by Cheiron. 

Bacchus

Bacchus, son of the virgin Semele, was destined to bring ruin upon Cadmus, King of Thebes, who therefore orders the infant to be put into a chest and thrown into a river. He is found, and taken from the water by loving hands, and lives to fulfill his mission.

Herodotus relates a similar story, which is as follows:

"The constitution of the Corinthians was formerly of this kind; it was an oligarchy, (a government in the hands of a selected few), and those who were called Bacchiadæ governed the city. About this time one Eetion, who had been married to a maiden called Labda, and having no children by her, went to Delphi to inquire of the oracle about having offspring. Upon entering the temple he was immediately saluted as follows; 'Eetion, no one honors thee, though worthy of much honor. Labda is pregnant and will bring forth a round stone; it will fall on monarchs, and vindicate Corinth.' This oracle, pronounced to Eetion, was by chance reported to the Bacchiadæ, who well knew that it prophesied the birth of a son to Eetion who would overthrow them, and reign in their stead; and though they comprehended, they kept it secret, purposing to destroy the offspring that should be born to Eetion. As soon as the woman brought forth, they sent ten persons to the district where Eetion lived, to put the child to death; but, the child, by a divine providence, was saved. His mother hid him in a chest, and as they could not find the child they resolved to depart, and tell those who sent them that they had done all that they had commanded. After this, Eetion's son grew up, and having escaped this danger, the name of Cypselus was given him, from the chest. When Cypselus reached man's estate, and consulted the oracle, an ambiguous answer was given him at Delphi; relying on which he attacked and got possession of Corinth." 

Romulus and Remus

Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were exposed on the banks of the Tiber, when infants, and left there to die, but escaped the death intended for them. The story of the "dangerous child" was well known in ancient Rome, and several of their emperors, so it is said, were threatened with death at their birth, or when mere infants. Julius Marathus, in his life of the Emperor Augustus Cæsar, says that before his birth there was a prophecy in Rome that a king over the Roman people would soon be born. To obviate this danger to the republic, the Senate ordered that all the male children born in that year should be abandoned or exposed. [

Astrea

The flight of the virgin-mother with her babe is also illustrated in the story of Astrea when beset by Orion, and of Latona, the mother of Apollo, when pursued by the monster.  It is simply the same old story, over and over again. Someone has predicted that a child born at a certain time shall be great, he is therefore a "dangerous child," and the reigning monarch, or some other interested party, attempts to have the child destroyed, but he invariably escapes and grows to manhood, and generally accomplishes the purpose for which he was intended. This almost universal mythos was added to the fictitious history of Jesus by its fictitious authors, who have made him escape in his infancy from the reigning tyrant with the usual good fortune.

No wonder there are not traces of this fiction in the Roman catacombs or Christian art.  The story seemed to appear in the fifth century.

Presents for Baby Jesus

At the birth of Christ Jesus, is the recognition of the divine child, and the presentation of gifts.  We are informed in the New Testament novel by Matthew, that guided by a star, the Magi from the east came to where the young child was.

"And when they were come into the house (not stable) they saw the young child, with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshiped him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh."   Matthew 2:2

The Luke narrator—who seems to know nothing about the Magi from the east—informs us that shepherds came and worshiped the young child. They were keeping their flocks by night when the angel of the Lord appeared before them, saying:

"Behold, I bring you good tidings—for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

After the angel had left them, they said one to another:

"Let us go unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."    Luke 2:8-16

The Luke narrator evidently borrowed this story of the shepherds from the " Gospel of the Egyptians ", or from other sacred records of the biographies of Crishna or Buddha. It is related in the legends of Crishna that the divine child was cradled among shepherds, to whom were first made known the stupendous feats which stamped his character with marks of the divinity. He was recognized as the promised Saviour by Nanda, a shepherd, or cowherd, and his companions, who prostrated themselves before the heaven-born child. After the birth of Crishna, the Indian prophet Nared, having heard of his fame, visited his father and mother at Gokool, examined the stars, &c., and declared him to be of celestial descent.

Not only was Crishna adored by the shepherds and Magi, and received with divine honors, but he was also presented with gifts. These gifts were "sandal wood and perfumes." (Why not "frankincense and myrrh?") Similar stories are related of the infant Buddha. He was visited, at the time of his birth, by wise men, who at once recognized in the marvellous infant all the characters of the divinity, and he had scarcely seen the day before he was hailed god of gods.

"'Mongst the strangers came A grey-haired saint, Asita, one whose ears, Long closed to earthly things, caught heavenly sounds, And heard at prayer beneath his peepul-tree, The Devas singing songs at Buddha's birth."

Viscount Amberly, speaking of him, says:

"He was visited and adored by a very eminent Rishi, or hermit, known as Asita, who predicted his future greatness, but wept at the thought that he himself was too old to see the day when the law of salvation would be taught by the infant whom he had come to contemplate."

"I weep (said Asita), because I am old and stricken in years, and shall not see all that is about to come to pass. The Buddha Bhagavat (God Almighty Buddha) comes to the world only after many kalpas. This bright boy will be Buddha. For the salvation of the world he will teach the law. He will succor the old, the sick, the afflicted, the dying.
He will release those who are bound in the meshes of natural corruption. He will quicken the spiritual vision of those whose eyes are darkened by the thick darkness of ignorance. Hundreds of thousands of millions of beings will be carried by him to the 'other shore'—will put on immortality. And I shall not see this perfect Buddha—this is why I weep."

He returns rejoicing, however, to his mountain-home, for his eyes had seen the promised and expected Saviour.

Paintings in the cave of Ajunta represent Asita with the infant Buddha in his arms. The marvelous gifts of this child had become known to this eminent ascetic by supernatural signs.

Buddha, as well as Crishna and Jesus, was presented with "costly jewels and precious substances." (Why not gold and perfumes?) Rama—the seventh incarnation of Vishnu for human deliverance from evil—is also hailed by "aged saints"—(why not "wise men"?)—who die gladly when their eyes see the long-expected one.

How-tseich, who was one of those personages styled, in China, "Tien-Tse," or "Sons of Heaven,"  and who came into the world in a miraculous manner, was laid in a narrow lane. When his mother had fulfilled her time:

"Her first-born son (came forth) like a lamb. There was no bursting, no rending, No injury, no hurt—Showing how wonderful he would be."

When born, the sheep and oxen protected him with loving care.

The birth of Confucius (B. C. 551), like that of all the demi-gods and saints of antiquity, is fabled to have been attended with allegorical prodigies, amongst which was the appearance of the Ke-lin, a miraculous quadruped, prophetic of happiness and virtue, which announced that the child would be "a king without a throne or territory." Five celestial sages, or "wise men" entered the house at the time of the child's birth, whilst vocal and instrumental music filed the air.

Mithras, the Persian Saviour, and mediator between God and man, was also visited by "wise men" called Magi, at the time of his birth. He was presented with gifts consisting of gold, frankincense and myrrh.'

According to Plato, at the birth of Socrates (469 B. C.) there came three Magi from the east to worship him, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Æsculapius, the virgin-born Saviour, was protected by goatherds (why not shepherds?), who, upon seeing the child, knew at once that he was divine. The voice of fame soon published the birth of this miraculous infant, upon which people flocked from all quarters to behold and worship this heaven-born child.

Many of the Grecian and Roman demi-gods and heroes were either fostered by or worshiped by shepherds. Amongst these may be mentioned Bacchus, who was educated among shepherds,  and Romulus, who was found on the banks of the Tiber, and educated by shepherds.

Paris, son of Priam, was educated among shepherds, and Ægisthus was exposed, like Æsculapius, by his mother, found by shepherds and educated among them.

Viscount Amberly has well said that:

"Prognostications of greatness in infancy are, indeed, among the stock incidents in the mythical or semi-mythical lives of eminent persons."

We have seen that the Matthew narrator speaks of the infant Jesus, and Mary, his mother, being in a "house"—implying that he had been born there; and that the Luke narrator speaks of the infant "lying in a manger"—implying that he was born in a stable. 

December 25th, Christmas Day

Christmas—December the 25th—

     is a day which has been set apart by the Christian church on which to celebrate the birth of their Lord and Saviour, Jesus. All the Christians believe it to be the day on which he was born.  This is altogether erroneous.

In the distant past the early Christian churches had no uniformity in the period of observing the Nativity; some held the festival in the month of May or April, others in January.

The year in which the Jesus character was born is also as uncertain. Says Mosheim, the ecclesiastical historian, "The year has not hitherto been fixed with certainty, notwithstanding the deep and laborious researches of the learned."

According to Irenæus (A. D. 190), on the authority of "The Gospel," and "all the elders who were conversant in Asia with John, the disciple of the Lord," Jesus lived to be nearly fifty years of age. If this celebrated Christian father is correct, and who can say he is not, Jesus was born some twenty years before the time which has been assigned as of his birth year.
 

The Rev. Dr. Giles says:

"Concerning the time of Christ's birth there are even greater doubts than about the place; for, though the four Evangelists have noticed several contemporary facts, which would seem to settle this point, yet on comparing these dates with the general history of the period, we meet with serious discrepancies, which involve the subject in the greatest uncertainty."

Again he says:

"Not only do we date our time from the exact year in which Christ is said to have been born, but our ecclesiastical calendar has determined with scrupulous minuteness the day and almost the hour at which every particular of Jesus' miraculous life is stated to have happened.  All this is implicitly believed by millions; yet all these things are among the most uncertain and shadowy that history has recorded. We have no clue to either the day or the time of year, or even the year itself, in which Christ was born."

Some Christian writers fix the year 4 B. C., as the time when Jesus was born, others the year 5 B. C., and again others place his time of birth at about 15 B. C. The Rev. Dr. Geikie, speaking of this, in his Life of Christ, says:

"The whole subject is very uncertain. Ewald appears to fix the date of the birth at five years earlier than our era. Petavius and Usher fix it on the 25th of December, five years before our era. Bengel on the 25th of December, four years before our era; Anger and Winer, four years before our era, in the Spring; Scaliger, three years before our era, in October; St. Jerome, three years before our era, on December 25th; Eusebius, two years before our era, on January 6th; and Idler, seven years before our era, in December."

Albert Barnes writes in a manner which implies that he knew all about the year (although he does not give any authorities), but knew nothing about the month. He says:

"The birth of Christ took place four years before the common era. That era began to be used about A. D. 526, being first employed by Dionysius, and is supposed to have been placed about four years too late. Some make the difference two, others three, four, five, and even eight years. He was born at the commencement of the last year of the reign of Herod, or at the close of the year preceding."

"The Jews sent out their flocks into the mountainous and desert regions during the summer months, and took them up in the latter part of October or the first of November, when the cold weather commenced. . . . It is clear from this that our Saviour was born before the 25th of December, or before what we call Christmas. At that time it is cold, and especially in the high and mountainous regions about Bethlehem. God has concealed the time of his birth. There is no way to ascertain it. By different learned men it has been fixed at each month in the year."

Canon Farrar writes with a little more caution, as follows:

"Although the date of Christ's birth cannot be fixed with absolute certainty, there is at least a large amount of evidence to render it probable that he was born four years before our present era. It is universally admitted that our received chronology, which is not older than Dionysius Exignus, in the sixth century, is wrong. But all attempts to discover the month and the day are useless. No data whatever exists to enable us to determine them with even approximate accuracy."

Bunsen attempts to show (on the authority of Irenæus, above quoted), that Jesus was born some fifteen years before the time assigned, and that he lived to be nearly, if not quite, fifty years of age.

According to Basnage, the Jews placed his birth near a century sooner than the generally assumed epoch. Others have placed it even in the third century B. C. This belief is founded on a passage in the "Book of Wisdom,"  written about 250 B. C., which is supposed to refer to Christ Jesus, and none other. In speaking of some individual who lived at that time, it says:

"He professeth to have the knowledge of God, and he calleth himself the child of the Lord. He was made to reprove our thoughts. He is grievous unto us even to behold; for his life is not like other men's, his ways are of another fashion. We are esteemed of him as counterfeits; he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness; he pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed, and maketh his boast that God is his father. Let us see if his words be true; and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him. For if the just man be the son of God, he (God) will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies. Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience. Let us condemn him with a shameful death; for by his own saying he shall be respected."

This is a very important passage. Of course, the church claim it to be a prophecy of what Christ Jesus was to do and suffer, but this does not explain it.

If the writer of the "Gospel according to Luke" is correct, Jesus was not born until about A. D. 10, for he explicitly tells us that this event did not happen until Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

Now it is well known that Cyrenius was not appointed to this office until long after the death of Herod (during whose reign the Matthew narrator informs us Jesus was born
), and that the taxing spoken of by the Luke narrator as having taken place at this time, did not take place until about ten years after the time at which, according to the Matthew narrator, Jesus was born.

Eusebius, the first ecclesiastical historian,  places his birth at the time Cyrenius was governor of Syria, and therefore at about A. D. 10. His words are as follows:

"It was the two and fortieth year after the reign of Augustus the Emperor, and the eight and twentieth year after the subduing of Egypt, and the death of Antonius and Cleopatra, when last of all the Ptolemies in Egypt ceased to bear rule, when our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, at the time of the first taxing—Cyrenius, then President of Syria—was born in Bethlehem, a city of Judea, according unto the prophecies in that behalf premised."

Had the Luke narrator known anything about Jewish history, he never would have made so gross a blunder as to place the taxing of Cyrenius in the days of Herod, and would have saved the immense amount of labor that it has taken in endeavoring to explain away the effects of his ignorance. One explanation of this mistake is, that there were two assessments, one about the time Jesus was born, and the other ten years after; but this has entirely failed. Dr. Hooykaas, speaking of this, says:

"The Evangelist (Luke) falls into the most extraordinary mistakes throughout. In the first place, history is silent as to a census of the whole (Roman) world ever having been made at all. In the next place, though Quirinius certainly did make such a register in Judea and Samaria, it did not extend to Galilee; so that Joseph's household was not affected by it. Besides, it did not take place until ten years after the death of Herod, when his son Archelaus was deposed by the emperor, and the districts of Judea and Samaria were thrown into a Roman province. Under the reign of Herod, nothing of the kind took place, nor was there any occasion for it. Finally, at the time of the birth of Jesus, the Governor of Syria was not Quirinius, but Quintus Sentius Saturninus."

The institution of the festival of the Nativity of Christ Jesus being held on the 25th of December, among the Christians, is attributed to Telesphorus, who flourished during the reign of Antonius Pius (A. D. 138-161), but the first certain traces of it are found about the time of the Emperor Commodus (A. D. 180-192).

For a long time the Christians had been trying to discover upon what particular day Jesus had possibly or probably come into the world; and conjectures and traditions that rested upon absolutely no foundation, led one to the 20th of May, another to the 19th or 20th of April, and a third to the 5th of January. At last the opinion of the community at Rome gained the upper hand, and the 25th of December was fixed upon. [362:4] It was not until the fifth century, however, that this day had been generally agreed upon.

How it happened that this day finally became fixed as the birthday of Christ Jesus, may be inferred from what we shall now see. On the first moment after midnight of the 24th of December (i. e., on the morning of the 25th), nearly all the nations of the earth, as if by common consent, celebrated the accouchement of the "Queen of Heaven," of the "Celestial Virgin" of the sphere, and the birth of the god Sol. In India this is a period of rejoicing everywhere.   It is a great religious festival, and the people decorate their houses with garlands, and make presents to friends and relatives. This custom is of very great antiquity.

In China, religious solemnities are celebrated at the time of the winter solstice, the last week in December, when all shops are shut up, and the courts are closed.

Buddha, the son of the Virgin Mâya, on whom, according to Chinese tradition, "the Holy Ghost" had descended, was said to have been born on Christmas day, December 25th.

Among the ancient Persians their most splendid ceremonials were in honor of their Lord and Saviour Mithras; they kept his birthday, with many rejoicings, on the 25th of December.

The author of the "Celtic Druids" says:

"It was the custom of the heathen, long before the birth of Christ, to celebrate the birth-day of their gods," and that, "the 25th of December was a great festival with the Persians, who, in very early times, celebrated the birth of their god Mithras."

The Rev. Joseph B. Gross, in his "Heathen Religion," also tells us that:

"The ancient Persians celebrated a festival in honor of Mithras on the first day succeeding the Winter Solstice, the object of which was to commemorate the Birth of Mithras."

Among the ancient Egyptians, for centuries before the time of Christ Jesus, the 25th of December was set aside as the birthday of their gods. M. Le Clerk De Septchenes speaks of it as follows:

"The ancient Egyptians fixed the pregnancy of Isis (the Queen of Heaven, and the Virgin Mother of the Saviour Horus), on the last days of March, and towards the end of December they placed the commemoration of her delivery."

Mr. Bonwick, in speaking of Horus, says:

"He is the great God-loved of Heaven. His birth was one of the greatest mysteries of the Egyptian religion. Pictures representing it appeared on the walls of temples. One passed through the holy Adytum to the still more sacred quarter of the temple known as the birthplace of Horus. He was presumably the child of Deity. At Christmas time, or that answering to our festival, his image was brought out of that sanctuary with peculiar ceremonies, as the image of the infant Bambino is still brought out and exhibited in Rome."

Rigord observes that the Egyptians not only worshiped a Virgin Mother

"prior to the birth of our Saviour, but exhibited the effigy of her son lying in the manger, in the manner the infant Jesus was afterwards laid in the cave at Bethlehem."

The "Chronicles of Alexandria," an ancient Christian work, says:

"Watch how Egypt has constructed the childbirth of a Virgin, and the birth of her son, who was exposed in a crib to the adoration of the
people."

Osiris, son of the "Holy Virgin," as they called Ceres, or Neith, his mother, was born on the 25th of December.

This was also the time celebrated by the ancient Greeks as being the birthday of Hercules. The author of "The Religion of the Ancient Greeks"
says:

"The night of the Winter Solstice, which the Greeks named the triple night, was that which they thought gave birth to Hercules."

He further says:

"It has become an epoch of singular importance in the eyes of the Christian, who has destined it to celebrate the birth of the Saviour, the true Sun of Justice, who alone came to dissipate the darkness of ignorance."

Bacchus, also, was born at early dawn on the 25th of December. Mr. Higgins says of him:

"The birth-place of Bacchus, called Sabizius or Sabaoth, was claimed by several places in Greece; but on Mount Zelmissus, in Thrace, his worship seems to have been chiefly celebrated. He was born of a virgin on the 25th of December, and was always called the Saviour. In his Mysteries, he was shown to the people, as an infant is by the Christians at this day, on Christmas-day morning, in Rome."

The birthday of Adonis was celebrated on the 25th of December. This celebration is spoken of by Tertullian, Jerome, and other Fathers of the Church, who inform us that the ceremonies took place in a cave, and that the cave in which they celebrated his mysteries in Bethlehem, was that in which Christ Jesus was born.

This was also a great holy day in ancient Rome. The Rev. Mr. Gross says:

"In Rome, before the time of Christ, a festival was observed on the 25th of December, under the name of 'Natalis Solis Invicti' (Birthday of Sol the Invincible). It was a day of universal rejoicings, illustrated by illuminations and public games."

"All public business was suspended, declarations of war and criminal executions were postponed, friends made presents to one another, and the slaves were indulged with great liberties."

A few weeks before the winter solstice, the Calabrian shepherds came into Rome to play on the pipes. Ovid alludes to this when he says: "Ante Deûm matrem cornu tibicen adunco Cum canit, exiguæ quis stipis aera neget."
—(Epist. i. l. ii.)
i. e.,

"When to the mighty mother pipes the swain, Grudge not a trifle for his pious strain."

This practice is kept up to the present day. The ancient Germans, for centuries before "the true Sun of Justice" was ever heard of, celebrated annually, at the time of the Winter solstice, what they called their Yule-feast. At this feast agreements were renewed, the gods were consulted as to the future, sacrifices were made to them, and the time was spent in jovial hospitality. Many features of this festival, such as burning the yule-log on Christmas-eve, still survive among us.

Yule was the old name for Christmas. In French it is called Noel, which is the Hebrew or Chaldee word Nule.

The greatest festival of the year celebrated among the ancient Scandinavians, was at the Winter solstice. They called the night upon which it was observed, the "Mother-night." This feast was named Jul—hence is derived the word Yule—and was celebrated in honor of Freyr (son of the Supreme God Odin, and the goddess Frigga), who was born on that day. Feasting, nocturnal assemblies, and all the demonstrations of a most dissolute joy, were then authorized by the general usage. At this festival the principal guests received presents—generally horses, swords, battle-axes, and gold rings—at their departure.

The festival of the 25th of December was celebrated by the ancient Druids, in Great Britain and Ireland, with great fires lighted on the tops of hills.

Godfrey Higgins says:

"Stuckley observes that the worship of Mithra was spread all over Gaul and Britain. The Druids kept this night as a great festival, and called the day following it Nolagh or Noel, or the day of regeneration, and celebrated it with great fires on the tops of their mountains, which they repeated on the day of the Epiphany or twelfth night. The Mithraic monuments, which are common in Britain, have been attributed to the Romans, but this festival proves that the Mithraic worship was there prior to their arrival."

This was also a time of rejoicing in Ancient Mexico. Acosta says:

"In the first month, which in Peru they call Rayme, and answering to our December, they made a solemn feast called Capacrayme (the Winter Solstice), wherein they made many sacrifices and ceremonies, which continued many days."

The evergreens, and particularly the mistletoe, which are used all over the Christian world at Christmas time, betray its heathen origin. Tertullian, a Father of the Church, who flourished about A. D. 200, writing to his brethren, affirms it to be "rank idolatry" to deck their doors

"with garlands or flowers, on festival days, according to the custom of the heathen."

This shows that the heathen in those days, did as the Christians do now. What have evergreens, and garlands, and Christmas trees, to do with Christianity? Simply nothing. It is the old Yule-feast which was held by all the northern nations, from time immemorial, handed down to, and observed at the present day. In the greenery with which Christians deck their houses and temples of worship, and in the Christmas-trees laden with gifts, we unquestionably see a relic of the symbols by which our heathen forefathers signified their faith in the powers of the returning sun to clothe the earth again with green, and hang new fruit on the trees. Foliage, such as the laurel, myrtle, ivy, or oak, and in general, all evergreens, were Dionysiac plants, that is, symbols of the generative power, signifying perpetuity of youth and vigor.

Among the causes, then, that co-operated in fixing this period— December 25th—as the birthday of Christ Jesus, was, as we have seen, that almost every ancient nation of the earth held a festival on this day in commemoration of the birth of their virgin-born god. On this account the Christians adopted it as the time of the birth of their God. Mr. Gibbon, speaking of this in his "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," says:

"The Roman Christians, ignorant of the real date of his (Christ's) birth, fixed the solemn festival to the 25th of December, the Brumalia, or Winter Solstice, when the Pagans annually celebrated the birth of Sol."

And Mr. King, in his "Gnostics and their Remains," says:

"The ancient festival held on the 25th of December in honor of the 'Birthday of the Invincible One,' and celebrated by the 'great games' at the circus, was afterwards transferred to the commemoration of the birth of Christ, the precise day of which many of the Fathers confess was then unknown."

St. Chrysostom, who flourished about A. D. 390, referring to this Pagan festival, says:

"On this day, also, the birth of Christ was lately fixed at Rome, in order that whilst the heathen were busy with their profane ceremonies, the Christians might perform their holy rites undisturbed."

Add to this the fact that St. Gregory, a Christian Father of the third century, was instrumental in, and commended by other Fathers for, changing Pagan festivals into Christian holidays, for the purpose, as they said, of drawing the heathen to the religion of Christ.

As Dr. Hooykaas remarks, the church was always anxious to meet the heathen half way, by allowing them to retain the feasts they were accustomed to, only giving them a Christian dress, or attaching a new or Christian signification to them.

In doing these, and many other such things,  the Christian Fathers, instead of drawing the heathen to their religion, drew themselves into Paganism.

Confucius

CONFUCIUS OF CHINA

BORN 551 B. C. E.

This moral teacher, religious chieftain, and philosopher,

though not subjected to the ignominious death of the cross, deserves a passing notice for the excellency of his morals and the acquisition of a world-wide fame.

In the following particulars his history bears a strong analogy to that of Jesus Christ.

1. He commenced as a religious teacher when about thirty years of age.

2. The Golden Rule was his favorite maxim.

3. Most of his moral maxims were sound and of a high order. The New American Cyclopedia says (vol. v. p. 6o4), “His writings approach the Christian standard of morality;” and in some respects they excel.

4. He traveled in different countries, preaching and teaching his doctrines.

5. He made a host of converts, amounting now to one hundred and fifty millions.

6. His religion and morals have been propagated by apostles and missionaries, some of whom are now traveling in this country, laboring to convert Christians. to their superior religion and morals. “There was a time,” says the work above quoted, “when European philosophers vied with each other in extolling Confucius as one of the sublimest teachers of truth among mankind.”

In the following respects his teachings were superior to those of Christ :

1. He taught that “the knowledge of one’s self is the basis of all real advances in morals and manners.” A lesson Christ neglected to teach.

2. “The duties man owes to society and himself are minutely defined by Confucius,” says the Cyclopedia.

The Birth Place of Jesus

The writer of that portion of the Gospel according to Matthew which treats of the place in which Jesus was born, implies, as we stated in our last chapter, that he was born in a house. His words are these:
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east" to worship him. "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother."

The writer of the Luke version implies that he was born in a stable, as the following statement will show:

"The days being accomplished that she (Mary) should be delivered . . . she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, there being no room for him in the inn."

If these accounts were contained in these Gospels in the time of Eusebius, the first ecclesiastical historian, who flourished during the Council of Nice (A. D. 327), it is very strange that, in speaking of the birth of Jesus, he should have omitted even mentioning them, and should have given an altogether different version. He tells us that Jesus was neither born in a house, nor in a stable, but in a cave, and that at the time of Constantine a magnificent temple was erected on the spot, so that the Christians might worship in the place where their Saviour's feet had stood.

In the apocryphal Gospel called "Protevangelion," attributed to James, the brother of Jesus, we are informed that Mary and her husband, being away from their home in Nazareth, and when within three miles of Bethlehem, to which city they were going, Mary said to Joseph:

"Take me down from the ass, for that which is in me presses to come forth."

Joseph, replying, said:

"Whither shall I take thee, for the place is desert?"

Then said Mary again to Joseph:

"Take me down, for that which is within me mightily presses me."

Joseph then took her down from off the ass, and he found there a cave and put her into it.  Joseph then left Mary in the cave, and started toward Bethlehem for a midwife, whom he found and brought back with him. When they neared the spot a bright cloud overshadowed the cave.

"But on a sudden the cloud became a great light in the cave, so their eyes could not bear it. But the light gradually decreased, until the infant appeared and sucked the breast of his mother."

Tertullian (A. D. 200), Jerome (A. D. 375) and other Fathers of the Church, also state that Jesus was born in a cave, and that the heathen celebrated, in their day, the birth and Mysteries of their Lord and Saviour Adonis in this very cave near Bethlehem.

Canon Farrar says:

"That the actual place of Christ's birth was a cave, is a very ancient tradition, and this cave used to be shown as the scene of the event even so early as the time of Justin Martyr (A. D. 150)."

Mr. King says:

"The place yet shown as the scene of their (the Magi's) adoration at Bethlehem is a cave."

The Christian ceremonies in the Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem are celebrated to this day in a cave,  and are undoubtedly nearly the same as were celebrated, in the same place, in honor of Adonis, in the time of Tertullian and Jerome; and as are yet celebrated in Rome every Christmasday, very early in the morning.

We see, then, that there are three different accounts concerning the place in which Jesus was born. The first, and evidently true one, was that which is recorded by the Matthew narrator, namely, that he was born in a house. The stories about his being born in a stable or in a cave  were later inventions, caused from the desire to place him in as humble a position as possible in his infancy, and from the fact that the virgin-born Saviours who had preceded him had almost all been born in a position the most humiliating —such as a cave, a cow-shed, a sheep-fold, &c.—or had been placed there after birth. This was a part of the universal mythos. As illustrations we may mention the following:

Crishna, the Hindoo virgin-born Saviour, was born in a cave, fostered by an honest herdsman,  and, it is said, placed in a sheep-fold shortly after his birth.

How-Tseih, the Chinese "Son of Heaven," when an infant, was left unprotected by his mother, but the sheep and oxen protected him with loving care.

Abraham, the Father of Patriarchs, is said to have been born in a cave.

Bacchus, who was the son of God by the virgin Semele, is said to have been born in a cave, or placed in one shortly after his birth.

Philostratus, the Greek sophist and rhetorician, says, "the inhabitants of India had a tradition that Bacchus was born at Nisa, and was brought up in a cave on Mount Meros."

Æsculapius, who was the son of God by the virgin Coronis, was left exposed, when an infant, on a mountain, where he was found and cared for by a goatherd.

Romulus, who was the son of God by the virgin Rhea-Sylvia, was left exposed, when an infant, on the banks of the river Tiber, where he was found and cared for by a shepherd.

Adonis, the "Lord" and "Saviour," was placed in a cave shortly after his birth.

Apollo (Phoibos), son of the Almighty Zeus, was born in a cave at early dawn.

Mithras, the Persian Saviour, was born in a cave or grotto, at early dawn.

Hermes, the son of God by the mortal Maia, was born early in the morning, in a cave or grotto of the Kyllemian hill.

Attys, the god of the Phrygians,  was born in a cave or grotto.

The object is the same in all of these stories, however they may differ in detail, which is to place the heaven-born infant in the most humiliating position in infancy.
We have seen it is recorded that, at the time of the birth of Jesus "there was a great light in the cave, so that the eyes of Joseph and the midwife could not bear it." This feature is also represented in early Christian art. "Early Christian painters have represented the infant Jesus as welcoming three Kings of the East, and shining as brilliantly as if covered with phosphuretted oil."

In all pictures of the Nativity, the light is made to arise from the body of the infant, and the father and mother are often depicted with glories round their heads. This too was a part of the old mythos, as we shall now see. The moment Crishna was born, his mother became beautiful, and her form brilliant. The whole cave was splendidly illuminated, being filled with a heavenly light, and the countenances of his father and his mother emitted rays of glory.

So likewise, it is recorded that, at the time of the birth of Buddha, "the Saviour of the World," which, according to one account, took place in an inn, "a divine light diffused around his person," so that "the Blessed One" was "heralded into the world by a supernatural light."

When Bacchus was born, a bright light shone round him,  so that, "there was a brilliant light in the cave."

When Apollo was born, a halo of serene light encircled his cradle, the nymphs of heaven attended, and bathed him in pure water, and girded a broad golden band around his form.

When the Saviour Æsculapius was born, his countenance shone like the sun, and he was surrounded by a fiery ray.

In the life of Zoroaster the common mythos is apparent. He was born in innocence of an immaculate conception of a Ray of the Divine Reason. As soon as he was born, the glory arising from his body enlightened the whole room, and he laughed at his mother.

It is stated in the legends of the Hebrew Patriarchs that, at the birth of Moses, a bright light appeared and shone around.

There is still another feature which we must notice in these narratives, that is, the contradictory statements concerning the time when Jesus was born. As we shall treat of this subject more fully in the chapter on "The Birthday of Christ Jesus," we shall allude to it here simply as far as necessary.

The Matthew narrator informs us that Jesus was born in the days of Herod the King, and the Luke narrator says he was born when Cyrenius was Governor of Syria, or later. This is a very awkward and unfortunate statement, as Cyrenius was not Governor of Syria until some ten years after the time of Herod.

The cause of this dilemma is owing to the fact that the Luke narrator, after having interwoven into his story, of the birth of Jesus, the old myth of the tax or tribute, which is said to have taken place at the time of the birth of some previous virgin-born Saviours, looked among the records to see if a taxing had ever taken place in Judea, so that he might refer to it in support of his statement. He found the account of the taxing, referred to above, and without stopping to consider when this taxing took place, or whether or not it would conflict with the statement that Jesus was born in the days of Herod, he added to his narrative the words: "And this taxing was first made when
Cyrenius was governor of Syria."

We will now show the ancient myth of the taxing. According to the Vishnu Purana, when the infant Saviour Crishna was born, his foster father, Nanda, had come to the city to pay his tax or yearly tribute to the king. It distinctly speaks of Nanda, and other cowherds, "bringing tribute or tax to Kansa" the reigning monarch.

It also describes a scene which took place after the taxes had been paid. Vasudeva, an acquaintance of Nanda's, "went to the wagon of Nanda, and found Nanda there, rejoicing that a son (Crishna) had been born to him. "Vasudeva spoke to him kindly, and congratulated him on having a son in his old age.

"'Thy yearly tribute,' he added, 'has been paid to the king . . . why do you delay, now that your affairs are settled? Up, Nanda, quickly, and set off to your own pastures.' . . . Accordingly Nanda and the other cowherds returned to their village."

Now, in regard to Buddha, the same myth is found. Among the thirty-two signs which were to be fulfilled by the mother of the expected Messiah (Buddha), the fifth sign was recorded to be, "that she would be on a journey at the time of her child's birth." Therefore, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets," the virgin Maya, in the tenth month after her heavenly conception, was on a journey to her father, when lo, the birth of the Messiah took place under a tree. One account says that "she had alighted at an inn when Buddha was born."

The mother of Lao-tsze, the Virgin-born Chinese sage, was away from home when her child was born. She stopped to rest under a tree, and there, like the virgin Maya, gave birth to her son.

Pythagoras (B. C. 570), whose real father was the Holy Ghost, was also born at a time when his mother was away from home on a journey. She was travelling with her husband, who was about his mercantile concerns, from Samos to Sidon.

Apollo was born when his mother was away from home. The Ionian legend tells the simple tale that Leto, the mother of the unborn Apollo, could find no place to receive her in her hour of travail until she came to Delos. The child was born like Buddha and Lao-tsze—under a tree. The mother knew that he was destined to be a being of mighty power, ruling among the undying gods and mortal men.

Thus we see that the stories, one after another, relating to the birth and infancy of Jesus, are simply old myths, and are therefore not historical.
 

Alexandria Library

Alexandria library

The home of the world’s great conqueror Alexander the Great, in 331 BCE, was at one period of time the great focal center for religious speculation and propagandism, the great emporium for religious dogmas throughout the East, and a place of resort for the disciples of nearly every system of religious faith existing at that time.  Nearly all existing religions in the world today were transformed and remodeled in Alexandria.

This capital city of Egypt had five hundred thousand inhabitants which was a huge city for those times.  It had a very voluminous library.  Every faith and religious order had theological schools throughout the city.  It was the custom of the people to discuss religious ideas and to improve and remodel their religious systems and even change their long accepted creeds.

At the time of the Babylonian captivity the Essenian Jews fled to Egypt.  The Essenes were Jews that mixed their faith with the Pythagorean and Egyptian oriental theology, or Buddhism.  The doctrine of Pythagoras is intensely Buddhistic.  This is the beginnings of the Christian religion.  Their Jewish sect religion was totally changed by the intermixture of heathen doctrines.

The leading doctrines of the Essenes are the same that comprise the Christian doctrines of today exception the doctrine of divine incarnation.  The “God manifest in the flesh” was a doctrine well know from the Ganges to the Yellow Sea to the Ilissus.  It is the fundamental principle of the Indian Buddhists, the basis of Zoroasterism, and is pure Platonism.  This incarnation theology merged with the Essenes theology in Alexandria.  Christianity originated nothing.  It has no new doctrines or precepts.  It is incontrovertible that Christian theology grew out of Buddhism and Essenian theology.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.       Acts 11:25

The Essenian sect went out of history right around that time.  The Essenian sect must have changed their name to Christians.