HerodtoPontiusPilatetheGovernorofJerusalem: Peace.
Iamingreatanxiety.Iwritethesethingsuntothee,that whenthouhastheardthemthoumayestbegrievedfor me.ForasmydaughterHerodias,whoisdeartome, wasplayinguponapoolofwaterwhichhadiceuponit, itbrokeunderher,andallherbodywentdown,andher headwascutoffandremainedonthesurfaceoftheice. Andbehold,hermotherisholdingherheaduponher kneesinherlap,andmywholehouseisingreatsorrow. ForI,whenIheardofthemanJesus,wishedtocometo thee,thatImightseehimalone,andhearhisword, whetheritwaslikethatofthesonsofmen.Anditis certainthatbecauseofthemanyevilthingswhichwere donebymetoJohntheBaptist,andbecauseImocked theChrist,beholdIreceivetherewardofrighteousness, forIhaveshedmuchbloodofothers’childrenuponthe earthThereforethejudgmentsofGodarerighteous;for everymanreceivesaccordingtohisthoughtButsince thouwastworthytoseethatGod-man,thereforeit becomethyoutoprayforme
MysonAzboniusalsoisintheagonyofthehourof death
AndItooaminafflictionandgreattrial,becauseIhave thedropsy;andamingreatdistress,becauseI persecutedtheintroducerofbaptismbywater,which wasJohnTherefore,mybrother,thejudgmentsofGod arerighteous
Andmywife,again,throughallhergriefforher daughter,isbecomeblindinherlefteye,becausewe desiredtoblindtheEyeofrighteousnessThereisno peacetothedoersofevil,saiththeLordForalready greatafflictioncomethuponthepriestsanduponthe writersofthelaw;becausetheydelivereduntotheethe JustOne.Forthisistheconsummationoftheworld,that theyconsentedthattheGentilesshouldbecomeheirs. Forthechildrenoflightshallbecastout,fortheyhave notobservedthethingswhichwerepreachedconcerning theLord,andconcerninghisSon.Thereforegirdupthy loins,andreceiverighteousness,thouwiththywife rememberingJesusnightandday;andthekingdomshall belongtoyouGentiles,forwethe(chosen)peoplehave mockedtheRighteousOne.
Nowifthereisplaceforourrequest,OPilate,because wewereatonetimeinpower,burymyhousehold carefully;foritisrightthatweshouldbeburiedbythee, ratherthanbythepriests,whom,afteralittletime,as theScripturessay,atthecomingofJesusChrist, vengeanceshallovertake.
Faretheewell,withProclathywife.
Isendtheetheearringsofmydaughterandmyownring, thattheymaybeuntotheeamemorialofmydecease. Foralreadydowormsbegintoissuefrommybody,and lo,Iamreceivingtemporaljudgment,andIamafraidof thejudgmenttocome.Forinbothwestandbeforethe worksofthelivingGod;butthisjudgment,whichis temporal,isforatime,whilethattocomeisjudgment forever.
EndoftheLettertoPilatetheGovernor.
LETTEROFPILATETOHEROD.
PilatetoHerodtheTetrarch:Peace.
Knowandsee,thatinthedaywhenthoudidstdeliver Jesusuntome,Itookpityonmyself,andtestifiedby washingmyhands(thatIwasinnocent),concerninghim whorosefromthegraveafterthreedays,andhad performedthypleasureinhim,forthoudidstdesireme tobeassociatedwiththeeinhiscrucifixionButInow learnfromtheexecutionersandfromthesoldierswho watchedhissepulchrethatherosefromthedeadAndI haveespeciallyconfirmedwhatwastoldme,thathe appearedbodilyinGalilee,tothesameform,andwith thesamevoice,andwiththesamedoctrine,andwiththe sanedisciples,nothavingchangedinanything,but preachingwithboldnesshisresurrection,andan everlastingkingdom
Andbehold,heavenandearthrejoice;andbehold, Proclamywifeisbelievinginthevisionswhich appeareduntoher,whenthousentestthatIshould deliverJesustothepeopleofIsrael,becauseoftheillwilltheyhad
NowwhenProcla,mywife,heardthatJesuswasrisen, andhadappearedinGalilee,shetookwithherLonginus thecenturionandtwelvesoldiers,thesamethathad watchedatthesepulchre,andwenttogreetthefaceof Christ,asiftoagreatspectacle,andsawhimwithhis disciples.
Nowwhiletheywerestanding,andwondering,and gazingathim,helookedatthem,andsaidtothem, Whatisit?Doyebelieveinme?Procla,knowthatin thecovenantwhichGodgavetothefathers,itissaid thateverybodywhichhadperishedshouldliveby meansofmydeath,whichyehaveseen.Andnow,ye seethatIlive,whomyecrucified.AndIsufferedmany things,tillthatIwaslaidinthesepulchre.Butnow,hear me,andbelieveinmyFatherGodwhoisinme.ForI loosedthecordsofdeath,andbrakethegatesofSheol; andmycomingshallbehereafter.
AndwhenProclamywifeandtheRomansheardthese things,theycameandtoldme,weeping;fortheyalso wereagainsthim,whentheydevisedtheevilswhich theyhaddoneuntohim.Sothat,Ialsowasonthecouch ofmybedinaffliction,andputonagarmentof
mourning,andtookuntomefiftyRomanswithmywife andwentintoGalilee.
AndwhenIwasgoinginthewayItestifiedthesethings; thatHeroddidthesethingsbyme,thathetookcounsel withme,andconstrainedmetoarmmyhandsagainst him,andtojudgehimthatjudgethall,andtoscourge theJustOne,Lordofthejust.Andwhenwedrewnigh tohim,OHerod,agreatvoicewasheardfromheaven, anddreadfulthunder,andtheearthtrembled,andgave forthasweetsmell,likeuntowhichwasneverperceived eveninthetempleofJerusalem.NowwhileIstoodin theway,ourLordsawmeashestoodandtalkedwith hisdisciples.ButIprayedinmyheart,forIknewthatit washewhomyedelivereduntome,thathewasLordof createdthingsandCreatorofall.Butwe,whenwesaw him,allofusfelluponourfacesbeforehisfeet.AndI saidwithaloudvoice,Ihavesinned,OLord,inthatI satandjudgedthee,whoavengestallintruth.Andlo,I knowthatthouartGod,theSonofGod,andIbeheld thyhumanityandnotthydivinityButHerod,withthe childrenofIsrael,constrainedmetodoeviluntothee Havepity,therefore,uponme,OGodofIsrael!
Andmywife,ingreatanguish,said,Godofheavenand ofearth,GodofIsrael,rewardmenotaccordingtothe deedsofPontiusPilate,noraccordingtothewillofthe childrenofIsrael,noraccordingtothethoughtofthe sonsofthepriests;butremembermyhusbandinthy glory!
NowourLorddrewnearandraisedupmeandmywife, andtheRomans;andIlookedathimandsawtherewere onhimthescarsofhiscrossAndhesaid,Thatwhich alltherighteousfathershopedtoreceive,andsawnot inthytimetheLordofTime,theSonofMan,theSonof theMostHigh,whoisforever,arosefromthedead,and isglorifiedonhighbyallthathecreated,and establishedforeverandever
1Justinus,oneofthewritersthatwereinthedaysof AugustusandTiberiusandGains,wroteinhisthird discourse:NowMarytheGalilæan,whobaretheChrist thatwascrucifiedinJerusalem,hadnotbeenwitha husband.AndJosephdidnotabandonher;butJoseph continuedinsanctitywithoutawife,heandhisfivesons byaformerwife;andMarycontinuedwithouta husband.
2.TheodoruswrotetoPilatetheGovernor:Whowasthe man,againstwhomtherewasacomplaintbeforethee, thathewascrucifiedbythemenofPalestine?Ifthe manydemandedthisrighteously,whydidstthounot consenttotheirrighteousness?Andiftheydemanded thisunrighteously,howdidstthoutransgressthelawand commandwhatwasfarfromrighteousness?
Pilatesenttohim:BecausehewroughtsignsIdidnot wishtocrucifyhim:andsincehisaccuserssaid,He callethhimselfaking,Icrucifiedhim
3.Josephussaith:Agrippa,theking,wasclothedina robewovenwithsilver,andsawthespectacleinthe theatreofCæsarea.Whenthepeoplesawthathis raimentflashed,theysaidtohim,Hithertowefeared theeasaman:henceforththouartexaltedabovethe natureofmortals.Andhesawanangelstandingover him,andhesmotehimasuntodeath.
EndoftheLetterofPilatetoHerod.
THEEPISTLEOFPONTIUSPILATE,Whichhe WrotetotheRomanEmperorConcerningourLord JesusChrist.
PontiusPilatetoTiberiusCæsarGreeting:
UponJesusChrist,whomIfullymadeknowntotheein mylast,abitterpunishmenthathatlengthbeeninflicted bythewillofthepeople,althoughIwasunwillingand apprehensiveIngoodtruth,noageeverhadorwill haveamansogoodandstrictButthepeoplemadea wonderfuleffort,andalltheirscribes,chiefsandelders agreedtocrucifythisambassadoroftruth,theirown prophets,liketheSibylswithus,advisingthecontrary; andwhenhewashangedsupernaturalsignsappeared, andinthejudgmentofphilosophersmenacedthewhole worldwithruinHisdisciplesflourish,notbelyingtheir masterbytheirbehaviorandcontinenceoflife;nay,in hisnametheyaremostbeneficent1HadInotfeareda seditionmightariseamongthepeople,whowerealmost furious,perhapsthismanwouldhaveyetbeenliving withusAlthough,beingrathercompelledbyfidelityto thydignity,thanledbymyowninclination,Ididnot strivewithallmymighttopreventthesaleandsuffering ofrighteousblood,guiltlessofeveryaccusation, unjustly,indeed,throughthemaliciousnessofmen,and yet,astheScripturesinterpret,totheirowndestruction
FarewellThe5thoftheCalendsofApril
THEREPORTOFPILATETHEGOVERNOR, ConcerningourLordJesusChrist;whichwasSent toAugustusCæsar,inRome.
Inthosedays,whenourLordJesusChristwascrucified underPontiusPilate,thegovernorofPalestineand Phoenicia,thethingshererecordedcametopassin Jerusalem,andweredonebytheJewsagainsttheLord. PilatethereforesentthesametoCæsarinRome,along withhisprivatereport,writingthus:
Tothemostpotent,august,divineandawfulAugustus Cæsar,Pilate,theadministratoroftheEasternProvince:
Ihavereceivedinformation,mostexcellentone,in consequenceofwhichIamseizedwithfearand trembling.ForinthisprovincewhichIadminister,one ofwhosecitiesiscalledJerusalem,thewholemultitude ofJewsdelivereduntomeacertainmancalledJesus,
andbroughtmanyaccusationsagainsthim,whichthey wereunabletoestablishbyconsistentevidence.But theychargedhimwithoneheresyinparticular,namely, ThatJesussaidtheSabbathwasnotarest,nortobe observedbythem.Forheperformedmanycuresonthat day,andmadetheblindsee,andthelamewalk,raised thedead,cleansedlepers,healedtheparalyticwhowere whollyunabletomovetheirbodyorbracetheirnerves, butcouldonlyspeakanddiscourse,andhegavethem powertowalkandrun,removingtheirinfirmitybyhis wordalone.Thereisanotherverymightydeedwhichis strangetothegodswehave:heraisedupamanwhohad beenfourdaysdead,summoninghimbyhiswordalone, whenthedeadmanhadbeguntodecay,andhisbody wascorruptedbythewormswhichhadbeenbred,and hadthestenchofadog;but,seeinghimlyinginthe tombhecommandedhimtorun,nordidthedeadmanat alldelay,butasabridegroomoutofhischamber,sodid hegoforthfromhistomb,filledwithabundantperfume. Moreover,evensuchaswerestrangers,andclearly demoniacs,whohadtheirdwellingindeserts,and devouredtheirownflesh,andwanderedaboutlikecattle andcreepingthings,heturnedintoinhabitersofcities, andbyawordrenderedthemrational,andprepared themtobecomewiseandpowerful,andillustrious, takingtheirfoodwithalltheenemiesoftheunclean spiritswhichweredestructiveinthem,andwhichhe castintothedepthofthesea
And,again,therewasanotherwhohadawitheredhand, andnotonlythehandbutratherthehalfofthebodyof themanwaslikeastone,andhehadneithertheshapeof amannorthesymmetryofabody:evenhimHehealed withawordandrenderedwholeAndawomanalso, whohadanissueofbloodforalongtime,andwhose veinsandarterieswereexhausted,andwhodidnotbear ahumanbody,beinglikeonedead,anddailyspeechless, sothatallthephysiciansofthedistrictwereunableto cureher,forthereremaineduntohernotahopeoflife; butasJesuspassedbyshemysteriouslyreceived strengthbyhisshadowfallingonher,frombehindshe touchedthehemofhisgarment,andimmediately,in thatveryhour,strengthfilledherexhaustedlimbs,and asifshehadneversufferedanything,shebegantorun alongtowardsCapernaum,herowncity,sothatshe reacheditinasixdays’journey.
AndIhavemadeknownthesethingswhichIhave recentlybeeninformedof,andwhichJesusdidonthe Sabbath.Andhedidothermiraclesgreaterthanthese,so thatIhaveobservedgreaterworksofwonderdoneby himthanbythegodswhomweworship.
ButHerodandArchelausandPhilip,Annasand Caiaphas,withallthepeople,deliveredhimtome, makingagreattumultagainstmeinorderthatImight tryhim.Therefore,Icommandedhimtobecrucified, whenIhadfirstscourgedhim,thoughIfoundnocause inhimforevilaccusationsordealings.
Nowwhenhewascrucified,therewasdarknessoverall theworld,andthesunwasobscuredforhalfaday,and thestarsappeared,butnolustrewasseeninthem;and themoonlostitsbrightness,asthoughtingedwithblood; andtheworldofthedepartedwasswallowedup;sothat theverysanctuaryofthetemple,astheycallit,didnot appeartotheJewsthemselvesattheirfall,butthey perceivedachasmintheearth,andtherollingof successivethunders.Andamidthisterrorthedead appearedrisingagain,astheJewsthemselvesbore witness,andsaidthatitwasAbraham,andIsaac,and Jacob,andthetwelvepatriarchs,andMoses,andJob, whohaddiedbefore,astheysay,somethreethousand fivehundredyears.AndtherewereverymanywhomI myselfsawappearinginthebody,andtheymade lamentationovertheJews,becauseofthetransgression whichwascommittedbythem,andbecauseofthe destructionoftheJewsandoftheirlaw
Andtheterroroftheearthquakecontinuedfromthe sixthhourofthepreparationuntiltheninthhour;and whenitwaseveningonthefirstdayoftheweek,there cameasoundfromheaven,andtheheavenbecame seventimesmoreluminousthanonallotherdaysAnd atthethirdhourofthenightthesunappearedmore luminousthanithadevershone,lightingupthewhole hemisphereAndaslightning-flashessuddenlycome forthinastorm,sotherewereseenmen,loftyinstature, andsurpassinginglory,acountlesshost,cryingout,and theirvoicewasheardasthatofexceedinglyloud thunder,Jesusthatwascrucifiedisrisenagain:comeup fromHadesyethatwereenslavedinthesubterraneous recessesofHadesAndthechasmintheearthwasasif ithadnobottom;butitwassothattheveryfoundations oftheearthappeared,withthosethatshoutedinheaven, andwalkedinthebodyamongthedeadthatwereraised AndHethatraisedupallthedeadandboundHadessaid, SaytomydisciplesHegoethbeforeyouintoGalilee, thereshallyeseeHim
AndallthatnightthelightceasednotshiningAnd manyoftheJewsdiedinthechasmoftheearth,being swallowedup,sothatonthemorrowmostofthosewho hadbeenagainstJesuswerenottobefound.Otherssaw theapparitionofmenrisingagainwhomnoneofushad everseen.OnesynagogueoftheJewswasaloneleftin Jerusalemitself,fortheyalldisappearedinthatruin.
Thereforebeingastoundedbythatterror,andbeing possessedwiththemostdreadfultrembling,Ihave writtenwhatIsawatthattimeandsentittothine excellency;andIhaveinsertedwhatwasdoneagainst JesusbytheJews,andsentittothydivinity,mylord.
THEREPORTOFPONTIUSPILATE,Governorof Judea;WhichwassenttoTiberiusCæsarinRome.
Tothemostpotent,august,dreadful,anddivine Augustus,PontiusPilate,administratoroftheEastern Province
Ihaveundertakentocommunicatetothygoodnessby thismywriting,thoughpossessedwithmuchfearand trembling,mostexcellentking,thepresentstateof affairs,astheresulthathshown.ForasIadministered thisprovince,mylord,accordingtothecommandofthy serenity,whichisoneoftheeasterncitiescalled Jerusalem,whereinthetempleofthenationoftheJews iserected,allthemultitudeoftheJews,beingassembled, delivereduptomeacertainmancalledJesus,bringing manyandendlessaccusationsagainsthim;butthey couldnotconvicthiminanything.Buttheyhadone heresyagainsthim,thathesaidthesabbathwasnottheir properrest.
Nowthatmanwroughtmanycuresandgoodworks:he causedtheblindtosee,hecleansedlepers,heraisedthe dead,hehealedparalytics,whocouldnotmoveatall, buthadonlyvoice,andalltheirbonesintheirplaces; andhegavethemstrengthtowalkandrun,enjoiningit byhiswordaloneAndhedidanotheryetmoremighty work,whichhadbeenstrangeevenamongourgods,he raisedfromthedeadoneLazarus,whohadbeendead fourdays,commandingbyawordalonethatthedead manshouldberaised,whenhisbodywasalready corruptedbywormswhichbredinhiswoundsAndhe commandedthefetidbody,whichlayinthegrave,to run,andasbridegroomfromhischambersohewent forthfromhisgrave,fullofsweetperfumeAndsome thatweregrievouslyafflictedbydemons,andhadtheir dwellingsindesertplaces,anddevouredthefleshof theirownlimbs,andwentupanddownamongcreeping thingsandwildbeasts,hecausedtodwellincitiesin theirownhouses,andbyawordmadethemreasonable, andcausedtobecomewiseandhonorablethosethat werevexedbyuncleanspirits,andthedemonsthatwere inthemhesentoutintoaherdofswineintotheseaand drownedthemAgain,anotherwhohadawitheredhand, andlivedinsuffering,andhadnoteventhehalfofhis bodysound,hemadewholebyawordaloneAnda womanwhohadanissueofbloodforalongtime,so thatbecauseofthedischargeallthejointsofherbones wereseenandshonethroughlikeglass,forallthe physicianshaddismissedherwithouthope,andhadnot cleansedher,fortherewasinhernohopeofhealthatall; butonce,asJesuswaspassingbyshetouchedfrom behindthehemofhisgarments,andinthatveryhour thestrengthofherbodywasrestored,andshewasmade whole,asifshehadnoaffliction,andbegantorunfast towardsherowncityofPaneas.Andthesethings happenedthus:buttheJewsreportedthatJesusdidthese thingsonthesabbath.AndIsawthatgreatermarvels hadbeenwroughtbyhimthanbythegodswhomwe worship.HimthenHerodandArchelausandPhilip,and AnnasandCaiaphas,withallthepeople,deliveredupto me,toputhimonhistrial.Andbecausemanyraiseda tumultagainstme,Icommandedthatheshouldbe crucified.
Nowwhenhewascrucifieddarknesscameoverallthe world;thesunwasaltogetherhidden,andthesky appeareddarkwhileitwasyetday,sothatthestarswere seen,thoughstilltheyhadtheirlustreobscured, wherefore,Isupposeyourexcellencyisnotunawarethat inalltheworldtheylightedtheirlampsfromthesixth houruntilevening.Andthemoon,whichwaslikeblood, didnotshineallnightlong,althoughitwasatthefull, andthestarsandOrionmadelamentationovertheJews, becauseofthetransgressioncommittedbythem.
Andonthefirstdayoftheweek,aboutthethirdhourof thenight,thesunappearedasitnevershonebefore,and thewholeheavenbecamebright.Andaslightnings comeinastorm,socertainmenofloftystature,in beautifularray,andofindescribableglory,appearedin theair,andacountlesshostofangels,cryingoutand saying,GlorytoGodinthehighest,andonearthpeace, goodwillamongmen:ComeupfromHades,yewhoare inbondageinthedepthsofHades.Andattheirvoiceall themountainsandhillsweremoved,andtherockswere rent,andgreatchasmsweremadeintheearth,sothat theveryplacesoftheabysswerevisible
Andamidtheterrordeadmenwereseenrisingagain,so thattheJewswhosawitsaid,WebeheldAbrahamand Isaac,andJacob,andthetwelvepatriarchs,whodied sometwothousandfivehundredyearsbefore,andwe beheldNoahclearlyinthebodyAndallthemultitude walkedaboutandsanghymnstoGodwithaloudvoice, saying,TheLordourGod,whohathrisenfromthedead, hathmadealiveallthedead,andHadeshehathspoiled andslain
Therefore,mylordking,allthatnightthelightceased notButmanyoftheJewsdied,andweresunkand swallowedupinthechasmsthatnight,sothatnoteven theirbodiesweretobeseenNowImean,thatthoseof theJewssufferedwhospakeagainstJesusAndbutone synagogueremainedinJerusalem,forallthe synagogueswhichhadbeenagainstJesuswere overwhelmed.
Throughthatterror,therefore,beingamazedandbeing seizedwithgreattrembling,inthatveryhour,Iordered whathadbeendonebythemalltobewritten,andIhave sentittothymightiness.
THETRIALANDCONDEMNATIONOFPILATE.
NowwhentheletterscametothecityoftheRomans, andwerereadtoCæsarwithnofewstandingthere,they wereallterrified,because,throughthetransgressionof Pilate,thedarknessandtheearthquakehadhappenedto alltheworld.AndCæsar,beingfilledwithanger,sent soldiersandcommandedthatPilateshouldbebroughtas aprisoner.
AndwhenhewasbroughttothecityoftheRomans,and Cæsarheardthathewascome,hesatinthetempleof
thegods,aboveallthesenate,andwithallthearmy,and withallthemultitudeofhispower,andcommandedthat PilateshouldstandintheentranceAndCæsarsaidto him,Mostimpiousone,whenthousawestsogreatsigns donebythatman,whydidstthoudaretodothus?By daringtodoanevildeedthouhastruinedalltheworld.
AndPilatesaid,KingandAutocrat,Iamnotguiltyof thesethings,butitisthemultitudeoftheJewswhoare precipitateandguilty.AndCæsarsaid,Andwhoare they?Pilatesaith,Herod,Archelaus,Philip,Annasand Caiaphas,andallthemultitudeoftheJews.Cæsarsaith, Forwhatcausedidstthouexecutetheirpurpose?And Pilatesaid,Theirnationisseditiousandinsubordinate, andnotsubmissivetothypower.AndCæsarsaid,When theydeliveredhimtotheethououghtesttohavemade himsecureandsenthimtome,andnotconsentedto themtocrucifysuchaman,whowasjustandwrought suchgreatandgoodmiracles,asthousaidstinthyreport. 1ForbysuchmiraclesJesuswasmanifestedtobethe Christ,theKingoftheJews
AndwhenCæsarsaidthisandhimselfnamedthename ofChrist,allthemultitudeofthegodsfelldown together,andbecamelikedustwhereCæsarsatwiththe senateAndallthepeoplethatstoodnearCæsarwere filledwithtremblingbecauseoftheutteranceofthe wordandthefalloftheirgods,andbeingseizedwith feartheyallwentaway,everymantohishouse, wonderingatwhathadhappenedAndCæsar commandedPilatetobesafelykept,thathemightknow thetruthaboutJesus
AndonthemorrowwhenCæsarsatinthecapitolwith allthesenate,heundertooktoquestionPilateagainAnd Cæsarsaid,Saythetruth,mostimpiousone,forthrough thyimpiousdeedwhichthoudidstcommitagainstJesus, evenherethedoingofthyevilworksweremanifested, inthatthegodswerebroughttoruinSaythen,whois hethatwascrucified,forhisnamehathdestroyedallthe gods?Pilatesaid,Andverilyhisrecordsaretrue;for evenImyselfwasconvincedbyhisworksthathewas greaterthanallthegodswhomwevenerate.AndCæsar said,Forwhatcausethendidstthouperpetrateagainst himsuchdaringanddoing,notbeingignorantofhim,or assuredlydesigningsomemischieftomygovernment? AndPilatesaid,Ididitbecauseofthetransgressionand seditionofthelawlessandungodlyJews.
AndCæsarwasfilledwithanger,andheldacouncil withallhissenateandofficers,andorderedadecreeto bewrittenagainsttheJewsthus:
ToLicianuswhoholdeththefirstplaceintheEast Country.Greeting:
Ihavebeeninformedoftheaudacityperpetratedvery recentlybytheJewsinhabitingJerusalemandthecities roundabout,andtheirlawlessdoing,howthey compelledPilatetocrucifyacertaingodcalledJesus,
throughwhichgreattransgressionoftheirstheworld wasdarkenedanddrawnintoruin.Determinetherefore, withabodyofsoldiers,togotothemthereatonceand proclaimtheirsubjectiontobondagebythisdecree.By obeyingandproceedingagainstthem,andscattering themabroadinallnations,enslavethem,andbydriving theirnationfromallJudeaassoonaspossibleshow, whereverthishathnotyetappeared,thattheyarefullof evil.
AndwhenthisdecreecameintotheEastCountry, Licianusobeyed,throughfearofthedecree,andlaid wasteallthenationoftheJews,andcausedthosethat wereleftinJudea,togointoslaverywiththemthatwere scatteredamongtheGentiles,thatitmightbeknownby CæsarthatthesethingshadbeendonebyLicianus againsttheJewsintheEastCountry,andtopleasehim.
AndagainCæsarresolvedtohavePilatequestioned,and commandedacaptain,Albiusbyname,tocutoffPilate's head,saying,Ashelaidhandsuponthejustman,thatis calledChrist,healsoshallfallinlikemanner,andfind nodeliverance
AndwhenPilatecametotheplaceheprayedinsilence, saying,OLord,destroynotmewiththewicked Hebrews,forIshouldnothavelaidhandsuponthee,but forthenationoflawlessJews,becausetheyprovoked seditionagainstmssbutthouknowestthatIdiditin ignoranceDestroymenot,therefore,forthismysin, norbemindfuloftheevilthatisinme,OLord,andin thyservantProclawhostandethwithmeinthisthehour ofmydeath,whomthoutaughtesttoprophecythatthou mustbenailedtothecrossDonotpunishhertooinmy sin,butforgiveus,andnumberusintheportionofthy justonesAndbehold,whenPilatehadfinishedhis prayer,therecameavoicefromheaven,saying,All generationsandthefamiliesoftheGentilesshallcall theeblessed,becauseundertheewerefulfilledallthese thingsthatwerespokenbytheprophetsconcerningme; andthouthyselfmustappearasmywitnessatmy secondcoming,whenIshalljudgethetwelvetribesof Israel,andthemthathavenotconfessedmyname.And thePrefectcutofftheheadofPilate,andbeholdan angeloftheLordreceivedit.AndwhenhiswifeProcla sawtheangelcomingandreceivinghishead,shealso, beingfilledwithjoy,forthwithgaveuptheghost,and wasburiedwithherhusband.
THEDEATHOFPILATE,WHOCONDEMNED JESUS.
NowwhereasTiberiusCæsaremperoroftheRomans wassufferingfromagrievoussickness,andhearingthat therewasatJerusalemacertainphysician,Jesusby name,whohealedalldiseasesbyhiswordalone;not knowingthattheJewsandPilatehadputhimtodeath, hethusbadeoneofhisattendants,Volusianusbyname, saying,Goasquicklyasthoucanstacrossthesea,and tellPilate,myservantandfriend,tosendmethis
Volusianus,havingheardtheorderoftheemperor, immediatelydeparted,andcametoPilate,asitwas commandedhim.AndhetoldthesamePilatewhathad beencommittedtohimbyTiberiusCæsar,saying, TiberiusCæsar,emperoroftheRomans,thyLord, havingheardthatinthiscitythereisaphysicianwho healethdiseasesbyhiswordalone,earnestlyentreateth theetosendhimtohimtohealhisdisease.AndPilate wasgreatlyterrifiedonhearingthis,knowingthat throughenvyhehadcausedhimtobeslain.Pilate answeredthemessenger,sayingthus,Thismanwasa malefactor,andamanwhodrewafterhimselfallthe people;so,aftercounseltakenofthewisemenofthe city,Icausedhimtobecrucified.Andasthemessenger returnedtohislodgingshemetacertainwomannamed Veronica,whohadbeenacquaintedwithJesus,andhe said,Owoman,therewasacertainphysicianinthiscity, whohealedthesickbyhiswordalone,whyhavethe Jewsslainhim?Andshebegantoweep,saying,Ah,me, mylord,itwasmyGodandmyLordwhomPilate throughenvydeliveredup,condemned,andcommanded tobecrucifiedThenhe,grievinggreatly,said,Iam exceedinglysorrythatIcannotfulfilthatforwhichmy lordhathsentme
Veronicasaidtohim,WhenmyLordwentabout preaching,andIwasveryunwillinglydeprivedofhis presence,Idesiredtohavehispicturepaintedforme, thatwhileIwasdeprivedofhispresence,atleastthe figureofhislikenessmightgivemeconsolationAnd whenIwastakingthecanvastothepaintertobepainted, myLordmetmeandaskedwhitherIwasgoingAnd whenIhadmadeknowntohimthecauseofmyjourney, Heaskedmeforthecanvas,andgaveitbacktome printedwiththelikenessofhisvenerablefaceTherefore, ifthylordwilldevoutlylookuponthesightofthis,he willstraightwayenjoythebenefitofhealth
Isalikenessofthiskindtobeprocuredwithgoldor silver?heaskedNo,saidshe,butwithapious sentimentofdevotion.Therefore,Iwillgowiththee, andcarrythelikenesstoCæsartolookupon,andwill return.
SoVolusianuscamewithVeronicatoRome,andsaidto Tiberiustheemperor,Jesus,whomthouhastlong desired,PilateandtheJewshavesurrenderedtoan unjustdeath,andthroughenvyfastenedtothewoodof thecross.Therefore,acertainmatronhathcomewith mebringingthelikenessofthesameJesus,andifthou wiltdevoutlygazeuponit,thouwiltpresentlyobtainthe benefitofthyhealth.SoCæsarcausedthewaytobe spreadwithclothsofsilk,andorderedtheportraittobe presentedtohim;andassoonashehadlookeduponit heregainedhisoriginalhealth.
ThenPontiusPilatewasapprehendedbycommandof CæsarandbroughttoRome.Cæsar,hearingthatPilate hadcometoRome,wasfilledwithexceedingwrath
againsthim,andcausedhimtobebroughttohim.Now PilatebroughtwithhimtheseamlesscoatofJesus,and woreitwhenbeforetheemperorAssoonasthe emperorsawhimhelaidasideallhiswrath,and forthwithrosetohim,andwasunabletospeakharshly tohiminanything:andhewhoinhisabsenceseemedso terribleandfiercenowinhispresenceisfound comparativelygentle.
Andwhenhehaddismissedhim,hesoonbecame terriblyinflamedagainsthim,declaringhimself wretched,becausehehadnotexpressedtohimtheanger ofhisbosom.Andimmediatelyhehadhimrecalled, swearingandprotestingthathewasachildofdeath,and unfittedtoliveuponearth.Andwhenhesawhimhe instantlygreetedhim,andlaidasideallthefuryofhis mind.
Allwereastonished,andhewasastonishedhimself,that hewassoenragedagainstPilatewhileabsent,andcould saynothingtohimsharplywhilehewaspresentAt length,byDivinesuggestion,orperhapsbythe persuasionofsomeChristian,hehadhimstrippedofthe coat,andsoonresumedagainsthimhisoriginalfuryof mindAndwhentheemperorwaswonderingverymuch aboutthis,theytoldhimithadbeenthecoatoftheLord JesusThentheemperorcommandedhimtobekeptin prisontillheshouldtakecounselwiththewisemen whatoughttobedonewithhimAndafterafewdays sentencewasgivenagainstPilatethatheshouldbe condemnedtothemostignominiousdeathWhenPilate heardthisheslewhimselfwithhisowndagger,andby suchadeathputanendtohislife
WhenPilate'sdeathwasmadeknownCæsarsaid,Truly hehasdiedamostignominiousdeath,whoseownhand hasnotsparedhimHewasthereforefastenedtoagreat blockofstoneandsunkintheriverTiberButwicked anduncleanspirits,rejoicinginhiswickedandunclean body,allmovedaboutinthewater,andcausedintheair dreadfullightningandtempests,thunderandhail,sothat allwereseizedwithhorriblefear.Onwhichaccountthe RomansdraggedhimoutoftheriverTiber,borehim awayinderisiontoVienne,andsunkhimintheriver Rhone.ForViennemeans,asitwere,WayofGehenna, becauseitwasthenaplaceofcursing.Andevilspirits werethereanddidthesamethings.
Thosemen,therefore,notenduringtobesoharassedby demons,removedthevesselofcursingfromthemand sentittobeburiedintheterritoryofLosania.Butwhen theyweretroubledexceedinglybytheaforesaid vexations,theyputitawayfromthemandsunkitina certainpoolsurroundedbymountains,whereevenyet, accordingtotheaccountofsome,sundrydiabolical contrivancesaresaidtoissueforth.