Authors: Kathleen O'Neal Gear
The Betrayal (22 page)
Despite his shriveled features, Hanan is a stately man, tall, with thin white hair and a long white beard. His purple robe is belted with a bright blood-red sash.
Shimon leans sideways and says, “Look at Hanan's face. He's such a greedy serpent. He must be biding his time for the best moment to strike.”
Kaiaphas quiets the room with one uplifted hand. “Councilors, it is absolutely indispensable that we do everything possible to prevent his execution. Yehoshua ben Pantera is a very popular figure. If he is executed it may well spark the revolt we have feared for many years. If that happens, you can be certain that Rome will respond with catastrophic force. Do you begin to understand? Yerushalaim is filled with festival attendees. Many innocent people will die.”
Fabric rustles as men shift positions or hiss to those nearby.
Yeshua has still not raised his head.
Gamliel stands and every eye moves to watch him. “I would ask a question, High Priest.”
Kaiaphas nods. “I recognize the esteemed scholar Gamliel.”
“There are many rumors flying. Let us clarify our goals here tonight. I assume, from what you have said, that we are here to conduct the preliminary inquiry necessary for establishing the facts of the case for ben Pantera's defense. Is that correct?”
“It is.”
Gamliel exhales. “Very well, I'm sure we all have households filled with family who have come from great distances to celebrate the holy days and want to get home. Let us hear the witnesses.”
Kaiaphas turns to the guards. “Bring forward Hanoch ben Bani.”
The guards lead forward a grisly little man with rotted teeth. His brown robe is filthy, as is the brown himation that covers his greasy black hair. They must have picked him up off the streets. He kneels before Kaiaphas. “I didn't do nothing, High Priest. I swear!”
Kaiaphas says, “You are not here to defend yourself, ben Bani. You are here to give testimony regarding Yehoshua ben Pantera. You told the Temple police that you had spent the past few days listening to ben Pantera preach in the Temple. Did you ever hear him say he wished to overthrow Rome?”
The little man turns wide eyes upon Yeshua. “No, High Priest. He never said nothing of the kind. He said he would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, and there were those who sat with me that thought he meant to use force to do it
â
the Zealots especially
â
but that's not what he said.”
â
the Zealots especially
â
but that's not what he said.”
Old Yohanan lifts his hand and stands again.
Kaiaphas nod. “I recognize Yohanan ben Yakob.”
Yohanan says, “Did you ever hear him say he had kingly blood, that he was descended from the House of David?”
Hanoch shakes his head nervously. “No, he never said that. I did hear him arguing with the Pharisees about the
mashiah,
though.”
mashiah,
though.”
Kaiaphas asks, “What did he say?”
“He asked the Pharisees if they supposed that the
mashiah
was the son of David, and when they told him yes, he said that didn't make no sense because David calls the
mashiah
âLord' in the holy books, which meant the
mashiah
couldn't be his son.”
85
mashiah
was the son of David, and when they told him yes, he said that didn't make no sense because David calls the
mashiah
âLord' in the holy books, which meant the
mashiah
couldn't be his son.”
85
A hushed discussion rises in the chamber.
Above the noise, Yohanan calls out, “Did he ever preach violence? Especially on the day he caused the riot? Was he preaching Zealot doctrines in the Temple?”
In a trembling voice, Hanoch answers, “He told us that a man must love his enemies, and bless them that curse him. I didn't hear nothing about violence.”
“Did you see him meeting with any Zealots?”
Ben Bani blinks. “He talked to anyone who came to him. Some were Zealots. But half of everybody here this week is either a Zealot or has sympathies for the Zealots.”
While the Councilmen quietly discuss what he'd said, Kaiaphas calls, “Who else has a question for this witness?”
“I do,” Shimon says, and stands. His blue eyes narrow. “Did ben Pantera ever say he was the chosen of God prophesied in the holy books?”
Hanoch turns glowing eyes on Yeshua. His voice grows soft and reverent. “No, but
I
believe it. I was a follower of Yohanan Baptistoi. When they killed
him, I knew that Yeshua ben Pantera was the Annointed One of Yisrael that we've been waiting for.”
I
believe it. I was a follower of Yohanan Baptistoi. When they killed
him, I knew that Yeshua ben Pantera was the Annointed One of Yisrael that we've been waiting for.”
“The one who will overthrow our enemies and reign forever as king?” Shimon asks.
“Yes.”
Shimon's mouth curls into an unpleasant smile. “That, I believe, is the source of the treason charge. He does not have to claim to be from the kingly line of David. He only has to say he is the Annointed One and the rest follows. Pilatos will assume he plans to overthrow Rome and set himself up as our king.”
My heart flutters, because I know Shimon is right. Treason against Rome is a slippery charge. It can mean many things, from insulting a centurion to rallying an army to charge Rome itself ⦠and setting oneself up as a king challenges the divine rule of Tiberias Caesar.
Shimon sits back down and Kaiaphas says, “Yehoshua ben Pantera, would you like to rebut or cross-examine the witness?”
Yeshua remains silent.
“Guards, you may take this witness back and bring forward the Sidonian, Delos,” Kaiaphas orders.
The man walks forward without waiting for the guards, which they do not seem happy about as they follow closely on his heels. Delos is perhaps twenty-five, with a long, slender face and pale golden hair. He wears a tan Roman tunic and a white himation over his head.
“I am Delos,” he announces when he stands before Kaiaphas. “Ask me your questions.”
Kaiaphas gestures for the guards to back away slightly. “You told the police that you came here from Sidon with your sick daughter. Is that
â
”
â
”
“I did,” he says. “My daughter had three demons. I came to beg Yeshua ben Pantera to cast them out.”
Yohanan lifts his hand, and Kaiaphas nods to recognize him. Yohanan says, “Did you ever see him speaking with Zealots?”
“No.”
Kaiaphas continues this line of questioning. “Did he cast the demons from your daughter?”
“Yes, High Priest. My six-year-old daughter is well for the first time in her life.”
“Have you ever heard him preach that Rome, or Roman officials, should be overthrown through violent means?”
The Sidonian opens his mouth to respond, but stops. He seems to be thinking about the question.
“I urge you to answer the question truthfully,” Kaiaphas instructs.
Clearly uncomfortable, Delos says, “I heard him say that he had come not to bring peace but a sword, but I took that to mean
â
”
â
”
From across the room, Hanan quietly interrupts, “I think we all know what that means.”
Delos desperately turns to Yeshua. “This man works miracles through the power of God! He is one of the sacred âsons of oil' promised to us by our ancient prophets. If you were wise, you would release him and sneak him out of the city before the Romans can get their filthy hands upon him!”
Hanan says, “High Priest, may I comment?”
Kaiaphas nods.
Hanan stands. “There are those who say he heals through the power of Beelzebub, that he casts out demons by demons. How does Pantera respond to these charges?”
“Ben Pantera,” Kaiaphas says, “do you do your magic through the power of evil or good?”
Yeshua stands quietly with his head down.
One of the Temple policemen strikes him with the palm of his hand. “Answer the high priest.”
Yeshua clenches his jaw for a long moment. Finally, he says, “If I have done things through evil, show me the evidence of the evil. If you have no evidence, why do you let him strike me?”
“Look at his manner!” Hanan calls in a loud voice. “He believes he is the Annointed One and expects us to bow down to his authority. In the eyes of the people, as well as the praefectus, such an act will confirm the very charges of which he may stand accused: that he claims to be a king!”
Conversations break out across the room.
Kaiaphas holds up a hand to bring silence, and says, “What sword were you speaking of, ben Pantera? The forces of the Zealots?”
This question is more critical than perhaps Yeshua realizes. Tomorrow he will be questioned by a Roman praefectus whose authority to execute a man is said to flow from the
ius gladii,
the “right of the sword.” If Yeshua is seen as
claiming this same right, it could very well be seen as a challenge to the authority of the praefectus.
ius gladii,
the “right of the sword.” If Yeshua is seen as
claiming this same right, it could very well be seen as a challenge to the authority of the praefectus.
Yeshua inhales a breath and lets it out slowly. “I have said nothing in secret. I speak openly to the world, and daily in the Temple. Why do you ask me of my teachings? Ask those who heard me. They know what I have said.”
Impatiently Kaiaphas urges, “I ask you again to explain your teaching.”
As though to point out their error, Yeshua gently says, “I teach that a man should do good to them that hate him, and pray for them who use and persecute him. I teach that
â”
â”
“Enough,” Hanan says. “He is avoiding the question.”
Gamliel stands and when Kaiaphas nods to him, he says, “Perhaps the question should be avoided.”
I swivel on the bench to stare up at Gamliel.
“What do you mean?” Hanan says gruffly. “We are here to decide the fate
â”
â”
“Regardless of the nature of this man's teachings, if they are the work of a man, they will come to naught, but if they are of God, neither we nor Rome can overthrow them. God's way is unfathomable to men, therefore Yehoshua ben Pantera's teachings may indeed be divinely inspired by the one living God.
86
What is at issue here, as our high priest has aptly pointed out, is how we may help him avoid execution. I believe we have lost sight of that.”
86
What is at issue here, as our high priest has aptly pointed out, is how we may help him avoid execution. I believe we have lost sight of that.”
I rise to be recognized, and when Kaiaphas nods, I say, “I agree. If our goal tonight is truly to prepare a defense for this man, let us get to it.”
Kaiaphas looks at Yeshua. “Ben Pantera, would you like to rebut or cross-examine Delos the Sidonian?”
Yeshua pulls his white himation down to cover more of his face.
Kaiaphas waits, then says, “Guards, you may take the Sidonian away.”
Delos gives Yeshua an aching look of apology as he is forced to walk by.
Gamliel says, “High Priest, I believe at this point that we must look carefully at what the witnesses have said.”
“Go on.”
“Their testimonies are clear. One claims he has seen ben Pantera speaking with Zealots, the other says he has not. One says ben Pantera preaches violence, the other says he does not. The witnesses do not agree.
87
If testimony like this is the source of the treason charge, then we must heartily recommend to the praefectus that ben Pantera be released for lack of evidence.”
87
If testimony like this is the source of the treason charge, then we must heartily recommend to the praefectus that ben Pantera be released for lack of evidence.”
Hanan rises again. “Before we make such a recommendation, ben Pantera must recant his statements that he is the
mashiah.
”
mashiah.
”
Yeshua turns to frown at him.
I leap to my feet. “High Priest, I object! Yehoshua ben Pantera has never said he is the
mashiah,
nor did either of our witnesses claim he'd ever said such a thing.”
mashiah,
nor did either of our witnesses claim he'd ever said such a thing.”
Hanan gives me a small smile. “Perhaps, but his followers preach it loudly. The one known as Kepha has been spreading the story everywhere he heals. Let us be under no illusions. No matter what these witnesses have said, if we cannot provide documentation that ben Pantera has solemnly and formally recanted his pretensions to be the Annointed One, he
will
be convicted of a capital crime under Roman law.”
will
be convicted of a capital crime under Roman law.”
Kaiaphas surveys the chamber, waiting for other comments, before he says, “Yehoshua ben Pantera, are you the
mashiah
? The Annointed One?”
mashiah
? The Annointed One?”
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