Page:As others saw Him.djvu/167

 Rh with the thought of all Israel, said, "The Christ is the son of David."

Then all men watched with expectancy to hear what the Nazarene would say to this; for if he agreed with them, then would he deny himself to be the Christ: for his genealogy had by no means been proven. But yet, how could he disprove the belief of all Israel, that the Christ was the Son of David? Yet that did he after the manner of our Sages, using words of Scripture as his confirmation; for he said unto them, "How then is it that David himself saith in the Book of Psalms, 'The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool'? David therefore himself calleth the Christ Lord; how then can the Christ be his son?"

At this the Pharisees knew not what to say, for no man had hitherto used that stichos of the Psalms, and they knew not what to reply. But the common folk were rejoiced exceedingly; joy spread on their faces, and I saw many a fist raised and shaken in exultant defiance at the Roman sentry, who walked hither and