Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/63

 of the law returned their scrolls to the attendants, and went out, one by one, grieved at their hearts that a teacher had arisen mightier than themselves; the Levites ceased their songs, and retired to the inner courts; and the members of the council withdrew to consult how they might destroy the false prophet whom they now left with the multitude.

Yet not governing the multitude did they leave him. There were many who heard him not: many who despised, many who rejected him. His brethren stood apart with other Galileans, and some who were of Jerusalem.

“Wherefore,” said one, “did this prophet, thy brother, not teach on the first day of the feast? Our people were gathered together even as now, and were not afterwards dispersed as they shall be this night. If his words are worthy to be received, wherefore should they not have sanctified the rites of the temple, as the prophets of Jehovah hallowed the worship of old?”

“Ask not of us,” said his brethren, “for we know not. Neither call him one of us, for we are not with him in this matter.”

“What did ye on the way? Men say that