JOHN THE BAPTIST: PRECURSOR OF THE MESSIAH

                        JOHN THE BAPTIST:

                     PRECURSOR OF THE MESSIAH

                                by

                         Harriet Shikoski

To my Readers;

     Many details included in this story of John the Baptist originated in the visions of Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerick (1774-1824).  She was a German Augustianian nun who was told in vision that she was priveleged to receive more visions than had any other person in history.  Her visions were recorded by Clemens Bretano, arranged and edited by the Very Reverend Carl E. Schmoger, C.SS.R. and translated from German to English.  In my turn I have also picked and arranged the material.

     Please remember that Sister Anne Catherine was a visionary.  She saw events, not when they occurred at their historical time, but when they were mystically presented to her.  Some of them were more a manifestation of some invisible truth than a material happening.  They allowed her to experience not only the sight of events, but also the thoughts and emotions of the people involved.

     How true are the details acquired in this fashion?  Even conceding that the private revelations to Sr. Anne Catherine were accurate, it would be a miracle indeed if they retained such accuracy after passing through so many human minds.

     Though the total accuracy may be questioned, I still believe that the following story of John the Baptist captures his true character and life and helps us to understand the man who was the "voice of one crying in the desert", the precursor who "prepared the way of the Lord."

                                

Note: If you wish to compare these statements with Biblical references, look up the following:  Matt 3:1-17, Matt 11:2-13, Mark 6:16-29, Luke 1:11-25, Luke 1:40-44, Luke 1:57-80, John 3:23-40

            JOHN THE BAPTIST, PRECURSOR OF THE MESSIAH

     The parents of John the Baptist were Zachary and Elizabeth.  They were regarded by their contemporaries with extraordinary veneration because both had descended in a direct line from Aaron.

     Elizabeth was a  tall, active, elderly woman.  Her face was small and delicate.  She had been born in an isolated country house two hours from Misael in the plain of Esdrelon.  The property belonged to her parents, and she afterward inherited it.  Her mother, Emerentia, was the daughter of Emoroun and Stolanus, who were the great grandparents of the Virgin Mary.  Elizabeth was a first cousin to Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary.  Thus Elizabeth and Mary were cousins.  Emoroun had consulted the prophet on Mount Carmel before her marriage.  She was told by him to marry Stolanus, and that in a few generations to come, the Messiah would be born of their descendants.

     Elizabeth's father was a Levite who exercised the functions of a priest.  In her fifth year Elizabeth entered the Temple as one of the Temple virgins.  When she left it, she returned for a time to Misael and, after another period spent at the house in which she had been born, she went to Zachary's home in Judea.  Zachary was a Levite also.  He was a tall, exceedingly majestic old man.  He was a priest who officiated in the Temple in Jerusalem, and had been one of the priests present in the Temple at the time that the Virgin Mary was presented there at the age of three.

     Elizabeth was very friendly and supportive of the Essenians, and was related to some members of that sect.  The Essenians were looked down upon and ridiculed by people close to the Temple.  Zachary did not want to live near the Temple in order to protect Elizabeth from this unpleasantness.  His house was situated on a hill outside of Juttah.  Around it lay lovely gardens and vineyards, but a wilderness was not far away. Juttah and Hebron were connected by a row of houses between them, Juttah being like a suburb of Hebron.  At Hebron lived priests of a lower degree; in Juttah those of a higher degree.  Zachary was the Superior of them all.  His house included the school of Juttah which adjoined the room in which John was born.

   
  Zachary's turn to offer sacrifice in the Temple was nearing when he talked with Elizabeth, telling her that he dreaded going to Jerusalem; he dreaded the contempt he often received there because of his childlessness.  While he was teaching some people at Juttah and praying with them in preparation for a feast, he told them of his great dejection, and his presentiment that something remarkable was going to happen to him.

     Zachary went with these people whom he taught to Jerusalem.  He had to wait four days before his turn came to offer the sacrifice.  Meanwhile he prayed in the forepart of the Temple.  When his turn came, he entered the sanctuary outside the entrance to the Holy of Holies.  A partition concealed the officiating priest making him invisible to those outside the sanctuary, though they could see the smoke of the burning incense rising above it.      Zachary went into the Holy of Holies.  When he kindled the incense a light came down on him; in it was a luminous figure.  Zachary, frightened, stepped back and sank as if in ecstasy.  The angel raised him up and spoke to him saying, "Do not be afraid, Zachary, for your prayer is heard.  Your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son for you, and you shall name him "John".  You shall have joy and gladness and many shall rejoice in his birth.  He shall be great before the Lord.  He shall drink no wine or strong drink.  He shall be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb."

     Zachary asked the angel , "How shall I know this, for I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years?"

     The angel answered, "I am Gabriel, who stands before God and am sent to speak to you.  You shall become dumb and unable to speak until the day when these things come to pass, because you have not believed my words."

     The people outside the sanctuary were troubled and anxious because Zachary remained there so long in the sanctuary.  They were moving toward the door to open it, when Zachary replaced the Tables in the Ark and came forth.  The crowd questioned him about his long stay in the sanctuary.  He tried to answer but could not.  He signified to them that he had become dumb and went away.  Afterward Elizabeth, though advanced in years, conceived the child John, who later became known as John the Baptist.

     Elizabeth had learned in vision that one of her relatives would give birth to the Messiah.  She kept thinking of Mary, very much wanted to see her, and kept watching down the road for her.  Zachary thought it very unlikely that the newly married couple would make the long journey from Nazareth, but Elizabeth kept watching and at last saw Mary and Joseph coming.  She went to meet Mary, who ran to her as soon as she saw her.  Joseph hung back to let the women greet each other.  He took the ass around the side of the house and cared for its needs.  As the two blessed women came to greet each other, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the child within her leaped for joy at the nearness of his Savior.    The Blessed Virgin remained with Elizabeth three months until after the birth of John, but she returned to Nazareth before his circumcision.

     When John was circumcised and the priest asked what name should be given him, Elizabeth answered, "John," but the priest protested that that was not a family name of theirs and suggested " Zachary".  He looked at Zachary who received his voice back and said, "His name is John."

     Six months after John was born Jesus was born.  On that day John was exceedingly joyful.  Even at that tender age he was spiritually attuned to his Messiah, and conscious of His presence, even from a distance.

     The people of Juttah and surroundings marveled at John's brightness and development, and at Elizabeth conceiving in her old age.  Prophecies were circulating that the coming of the Messiah was near, and some wondered aloud if John might not be that Messiah.  These rumors were picked up by Herod's spies.

     After Jesus' birth Herod had asked the Kings from the East to report to him about the "New Born King."  When the Kings did not return to him, he thought they had failed to find that new born King.  The whole affair seemed to be dying.  But after Mary's return to Nazareth, Herod heard of the prophecies of Simon and Anna made when the Child Jesus was presented in the Temple.  Herod's fears were awakened.  He sent garrisons provided with weapons and uniforms to Bethlehem, Gilga and Hebron.

     An angel appeared to Joseph to warn him, and to tell him to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus.  An angel also appeared to warn Zachary of the danger to John, but Zachary could not leave.  His sole support for his whole life had been from the Temple.  If he did not serve as a Temple priest when his turn came, he would not receive the support from the Temple.  He had no other skills and he was too old to learn a new trade.  Elizabeth fled with John into the wildness.  After the soldiers left she came back with John, but always fled again to the wilderness if anything the least bit suspicious occurred.  But the soldiers knew that if Elizabeth was not around, the boy was probably still with her and still alive.  So John was left alone in the wilderness.  An Essenian trusted by Elizabeth took food to him.  Elizabeth herself dared not go to John for fear she would be followed by Herod's spies.

     Some Essenians knew about John and, from time to time, brought him a few comforts of the "world".  They imparted knowledge of their religion to him.  It was said that no one, who went looking for John in the wilderness, ever found him unless John wished it.  If John wanted to meet with them he would show himself, but he was always aware of them before they knew he was near.

     John made his escape in the desert partly urged by divine inspiration, and partly also to his own inclinations, for he was of a meditative nature and loved solitude.  He was destined to grow up in solitude apart from intercourse with his fellow-beings and destitute of the customary social bonds with people.

     The only garment John wore was a camel skin.  It passed over his shoulder and breast and was fastened under his right arm and hung down behind.

     John played with flowers and animals.  Birds were particularly familiar with him.  They lighted on his head when he was walking or praying, and perched on his staff when he laid it across branches.  He played with animals, following them into their dens, feeding them, or earnestly watching them.  He used branches to weave for himself a sleeping hut among the bushes.  It was very low and only  large enough to allow him to lie in it.

     Sometimes when the Holy Spirit was with John and Herod's spies were not around, John would come to visit his parents.  John was home on one such visit when he was six or seven.  Zachary left.  He loved John so much and his grief at losing him was so great that he felt compelled to not witness his departure.  He had given him his blessing for he was in the habit of blessing both mother and child whenever he left home.  Elizabeth went with John back to the desert wilderness.  After going some distance into a ravine, Elizabeth took leave of John.  She blessed him, pressed him to her heart, kissed him on the cheeks and forehead, and turned away, looking back at him as she retraced her steps weeping.

     At a time when Zachary went with a herd to the Temple, Herod's soldiers set upon him and rudely maltreated him at a spot where the city could not be seen.  He was tortured and at last pierced with a sword because he would not reveal where John was hidden.  At the time Elizabeth was in the wilderness with John.  Zachary was buried by his friends.  Elizabeth's sorrow was great and from then on she feared for her own life.  John came secretly to Juttah to console his mother.  Her sorrow was so great she could no longer bear to remain in Juttah.  She wanted John to go with her to Nazareth but he refused to go, so she returned with him to the wilderness.  She was too old and unaccustomed to such harsh living to survive, and she soon died.  An Essenian buried her in a cave there in the wilderness.

     After his mother's death, John buried himself deeper into the desert and from then on was altogether alone.  He passed from one wilderness to another.  The skin he wore was no longer big enough for his grown body.  He now wore it around his loins, and over his shoulders hung a brown shaggy cover which he had woven himself.  There were in the desert wool-bearing animals which ran tamely around John, and camels with long hair on their necks.  They stood patiently allowing John to comb it out.  He twisted the hair into cords and wove them into the covering which he wore hanging around him when he appeared among men and baptized.

     He ate berries, roots and herbs that he found growing.  He instinctively knew which ones were good to eat and which ones were not.  He gathered wild honey.  He ate no meatletting the animals go their own way.  He did eat dried wild locusts which grew as big as present day crabs.

     He slept on the hard rock and under the open sky.  He ran over rough stones, through thorns and briers, wore himself out working on trees and stones, and lay prostate in prayer and contemplation.  He leveled roads, made little bridges and changed the course of well-springs.  His penance and mortification became more and more severe, his prayer longer and more fervent.  He saw Jesus with his bodily eyes only three times in his life, but Jesus was with him in spirit and John, who was always in the prophetic state, saw in spirit the actions of Jesus.

     John was a powerful, earnest man when he was full grown.  His complexion was brown, much darker than Jesus'.  He had an abundance of hair, his chest was like a skin quite covered with hair.  He was in continual and familiar communication with angels by whom he was instructed.

     John was praying, standing by a dry well in the desert when a light hovered over him like a cloud.  Then a shining stream of light fell over him and into the basin.  John was instructed to begin to baptize.  Before leaving the desert he dug a well within reach of the inhabited districts.  On his left was a brook which ran into the Jordan.  To the right lay a level space in the midst of the wilderness and there he dug a well.  He knelt on one knee, on the other he supported a long roll of bark.  He was in ecstasy, and standing by him was a man who drew plans and wrote upon the roll.  When John returned to consciousness he read what had been written, and at once set vigorously to work at the well.  The bark roll lay beside him on the ground weighted with a stone at each end to prevent it from rolling together.  John often looked at it and followed its instructions.

     This work of John's was, like all his actions and his whole life, a symbol, a prefiguration.  By it the Holy Spirit not only instructed him what to do, but he really accomplished in its performance all that the work itself signified, God accepting the good intention which he associated to it.  The Holy Spirit urged John on in his work just as He had formerly inspired the Prophets.

     John removed the sod from a wide circumference and dug out of the hard marl a large circular basin which he very carefully and beautifully lined with stones, except in the center where it was dug to a little water.  With the excavated earth, he formed around the basin a rim which he divided into five sections.  Opposite the openings between four of these sections and at equal distance around the basin, he planted four slender saplings whose tops were covered with luxuriant foliage.  These four trees were of different kinds, each bearing its own signification.  But in the center of the basin he set a very choice tree with narrow leaves; its blossoms hung in pyramidal clusters around a prickly calyx.  This tree had long lain partially withered before John's cave.  The four little trees were more like slender berry bushes.  John protected their roots by little mounds of earth.

     When the basin had been excavated down to the well, in which later on the central tree was planted, John hollowed out a channel from the brook near his cave to the basin.  Then he gathered reeds in the wilderness, inserted one into the other and, through this conduit (which he covered with earth,) conducted the waters of the brook to the basin.  The reed pipe could be closed at pleasure.

     He made a path through the bushes down to one of the openings in the basin's rim.  It ran around the basin between it and the four trees just described.  Before the opening at the entrance there was no tree, and on this side alone was access to the basin free, on all the others the path was hemmed in on bushes and rocks.  John planted on the mounds at the foot of the four trees an herb.  It had a tall, succulent stalk and bore brownish red, globular blossoms.  It was a very efficacious remedy for ulcers and sore throats.  John also planted around various other plants and young trees.

     During his labor John consulted the bark roll before him from time to time and measured all with a stick.  Even the trees he planted were sketched on the plans.

     John labored for several weeks and when he had finished there was only a small quantity of water in the bottom of the basin.  The middle tree, whose leaves had lately been brown and withered, had become fresh and green.  In a vessel, formed of the bark of a large tree, and whose sides had been smeared with the pitch, John now brought water from another well and poured it into the basin.  This water was from a well near one of the caves in which John had first dwelt.  It had gushed from a rock upon which he struck with the end of his standard.  After that he let as much water into the basin from the brook as was necessary.  If the reservoir became too full, the water could flow off by the channels in the rim and refresh the vegetation of the surrounding surface.

     John stepped into the water up to the waist.  With one hand he clasped the tree in the center while he struck the water with a little staff to the end of which he fastened a cross and pennant.  Every stroke sent the water in a spray above his head.  A gushing from the Holy Spirit descended while angels appeared on the rim of the basin.  This was John's last labor in the desert.  This well was in use even after Jesus' death.  When the Christians were obliged to flee, the sick and travelers were baptized there.  It was also visited as a place of devotion.  At Peter's time it was protected by a surrounding wall.

     Soon after the completion of the baptismal well, John left the desert for the haunts of men.  Wherever he went he made a most wonderful impression.  Tall of stature, strong and muscular, though emaciated by fasting and corporal mortification, he presented an extraordinary pure and noble appearance, his manner simple, straight-forward and commanding.  His face was thin and haggard; his expression grave and austere; his auburn hair in curls over his head, and his beard short.  Around his waist was a tunic that reached to the knee, and his rough brown mantle appeared to be in three pieces.  The back part was fastened around the waist by a strap, but in front it was open, leaving the breast uncovered and arms free.  His breast was rough with hair almost the color of his mantle and in his hand he carried a staff bent like a shepherd's crook.

     Coming down from the desert, he first built a little bridge over a brook.  He took no notice of the crossing that lay some distance, for he never turned out of his way, but worked straight on wherever he went.  Near Cidessa he instructed the people.  They were the first pagans that afterward went to his baptism.  They were a mixed multitude who had settled there after the destruction of the Temple that occurred before Jesus' coming.  One of the latest of the Prophets had foretold to them that they should remain in these parts until a man should come to them, a man who would tell them what they should do.  Later on they moved to Nazareth.

     John allowed nothing to prove an obstacle in his way.  He walked boldly up to all he met, and spoke of one thing only, penance and the near coming of the Lord.   His voice pierced like a sword.  It was loud and strong, though tempered with a tone of kindness.  He treated all kinds of people as children.  The most remarkable thing about him was the way in which he hurried on straight ahead, deterred by nothing, looking around at nothing, wanting nothing.  He hastened on his way through desert and forest, digging here, rolling away stones there, removing fallen trees, preparing resting places, calling together the people who stood staring at him in amazement, even bringing people out of their huts to help him.  People were astonished.

     He did not tarry long anywhere, but was soon in another place.  He went along the Sea of Galilee, around Tarichea, down to the valley of the Jordan, passed Salem and on to the desert toward Bethel.  He passed Jerusalem.  He had never been in the Holy City; he gazed sadly upon it and uttered lamentations over it.  Entirely possessed by the thought of his mission, on he went, earnest, grave, simple, full of the Holy Spirit, crying aloud, "Penance!  Prepare!  The Lord is nigh!"

     He entered the shepherd's valley and journeyed to the place of his birth.  His parents were dead, but some youths, his relatives on Zachary's side resided there.  They were among the first to join him as disciples.  When he passed through Bethsaida, Capharnaum and Nazareth, the Blessed Virgin did not see him, for since Joseph's death she had seldom gone out of the house.  But several male relatives of her family were present at his exhortations and accompanied him some distance on his way.

     John's movements were quick though not accompanied by haste.  His was no leisurely travelling like that of the Savior.  He literally ran from field to field.  He entered houses and schools to teach, and gathered the people around him in the streets and public places.  Some priests and elders stopped him, questioning his right to teach, but soon, astonished and full of wonder, they allowed him to proceed on his way.

     The expression "To prepare the way for the Lord," was not wholly figurative, for John began his mission by literally preparing the way, and traversing the roads and different places over which Jesus and His disciples afterward travelled.  He cleared them of stones and briers, made paths, laid planks across brooks, cleaned the channels, dug wells and reservoirs, put up seats, resting places and sheds to afford shade in the various places where later on the Lord rested, taught and acted.  While thus engaged the earnest, simple hearted solitary man by his rough garments and conspicuous figure attracted the attention of the people, and excited wonder when he entered the huts sometimes to borrow a tool, sometimes even to claim assistance from the residents.

     Everywhere he was soon surrounded by a crowd whom he boldly and earnestly exhorted to penance, and to follow the Messiah of whom he announced himself the precursor.  He often pointed in the direction in which Jesus was passing at the moment, but though Jesus and John were sometimes near each other, they did not meet face to face.  But John saw the Lord always in spirit, for he was generally in the prophetic state.  He saw Jesus as the accomplishment of his own mission, as the realization of his own prophetic vocation.

     To John, Jesus was not a contemporary, not a man like himself.  He was to him the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God made man, the Eternal appearing in time.  In contrast to the apostles becoming acquainted with Jesus first as a man and only later regarding Him as the Messiah, John knew Jesus first, foremost, and primarily, as the Savior, the Messiah.  Therefore John could not dream of associating with Him.  John felt also that he himself was not like his fellowmen, existing in time, living in the world and connected with it, for even in his mother's womb the hand of the Eternal touched him, and by the Holy Spirit he had, in a way superior to the relations of time, been brought into communication with his Redeemer.  As a little boy he had been snatched from the world, and, knowing nothing except what pertained to his Redeemer, had remained in the deepest solitude of the wilderness until, like one born anew, earnest, inspired, ardent, he went forth to begin his wonderful mission, unconcerned about anything else.  Judea is now to him the desert; and as formerly he had had for companions the fountains, rocks, trees, and animals, as with them he had lived and communed, so now did he treat with men, with sinners, no thought of self arising in his mind.  He sees, he knows, he speaks only of Jesus.  His word is, "He comes!  Prepare you the ways!  Do penance!  Receive the Baptism!  Behold the Lamb of God Who beareth the sins of the world!"  In the desert blameless and pure as a babe in the mother's womb, he comes forth from his solitude innocent and spotless as a child at the mother's breast.  "He is pure as an angel," the Lord once said to his Apostles.  "Never has impurity entered into his mouth, still less has an untruth or any other sin issued from it."

     John baptized in three different places; (1) in the beginning at Ainon in the neighborhood of Salem, (2) at On opposite Beth-Araba, on the west side of the Jordan not far from Jericho, and (3) on the east side of the Jordan some miles north of the second site.  The last time he baptized was at Ainon to where he had returned.  It was there that he was taken prisoner.

     At Ainon the water in which John baptized was an arm of the Jordan formed by a bend of the Jordan.  This bend of the river encircled pools and wells which were fed by its waters.  One of these pools, separated by a dam from the arm of the river, formed the baptism place.  On one side of the pool its waters flowed inland like a creek and into this extended tongues of land.  The aspirants for baptism stood in the water up to the waist between two of these tongues, supporting themselves by a railing that ran along before them.  On one tongue stood John.  He scooped up water in a shell and poured it on the head of the neophyte, while on the opposite tongue stood one of the baptized with his hand resting on the shoulder of the latter.  John himself had laid his hand upon the first.  The upper part of the body of the neophytes were not entirely nude; a kind of white scarf was thrown around them, leaving the shoulders bare.  Near the pool was a hut into which they retired for unrobing and dressing.  The baptist wore a long white garment during the ceremony.

     John had been attracting public attention by his teaching and baptizing when Herod, who was then living in his castle at Callirrhoe, sent messengers to John, asking John to come to him.  John replied to the messengers that he had much to occupy himself and that if Herod wished to confer with him he should come himself.  Herod rode in a low wheeled chariot surrounded by a guard.  From its raised seat he could command a view upon all sides as from a canopied throne.  He invited John to meet him in a little city.  John went to a man's hut outside the city and Herod came alone to meet him.  Herod asked John why he lived in so miserable a hut at Ainon, adding that he would build a house for him there.  John replied that he needed no house, that he had all he wanted and that he was accomplishing the will of One greater than he.  He spoke earnestly and severely though briefly, standing all the while with his face turned away from Herod.

     One day many priests and doctors of the Law came to John from the towns around Jerusalem intending to call him to account.  They questioned him as to who he was, who had sent him, what he taught etc.  John answered with extra-ordinary boldness and energy, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness make straight the way of the Lord".  He announced to them the coming of the Messiah, and charged them with impenitence and hypocrisy.  Not long after that multitudes were sent from Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Hebron by the Elders and Pharisees to question John about his mission.  They made his having taken possession of the place chosen for baptism a subject of complaint.

     Many publicans had come to John.  He had baptized some of them and spoken to them upon the state of their conscience.  Among them was the publican, Levi, later called Matthew.  Levi was deeply touched by John's exhortation, and he amended his life.  He was held in low esteem by his relatives.  John refused baptism to many of these publicans.

     Some Jews, roused by the rumor that the Messiah was to come from Galilee, would no longer suffer the heathens to dwell among them.  Herod sent troops to bring the people to order.  These troops were made up of rabble.  They told Herod that they would first be baptized by John, but this was mere policy.  They thought by doing so they would have more success among the people.  Herod replied that it was not at all necessary to be baptized by John, neither were they obliged to recognize his mission, especially as he wrought no miracles, but that they might make inquiries at Jerusalem.

     They had among them chief men of three different ranks whose office it was to propose the questions to John.  They had an interview with the priests in the judgement hall in which Peter afterward denied the Lord.  The priests derided the soldiers' question as to whether they should receive John's baptism or not.  Their answer was that they might or they might not, it was all the same.  About thirty of the soldiers went to John who reproved them sharply as if to imply that he had little cause to hope for their amendment.  He administered baptism to only a few in whom he perceived still a little good.  These last also he sternly reproached for their hiding under false appearances.

     The multitude gathered at Ainon was very great.  John baptized none for several days, being engaged in vehement and zealous preaching.  Crowds of Jews, Samaritans and heathens occupied the hills and ramparts around, separate from one another, some under tent shelters, some under sheds, and some in the open air.  John's pulpit was in the center of the encampment and all listened to him as he preached.  They came to hear his preaching and receive baptism after which they departed.

     In Jerusalem the Sanhedrin held a great consultation about John, the result of which was that nine messengers were despatched to him from three different authorities.  Annas sent Joseph of Arimathea, Simeon's oldest son, and a priest whose office it was to inspect the sacrifices.  Three members of the Council and three private citizens were also chosen for the mission.  Their instructions were to question John as to who he was, as some claimed that he was Elias returned from the other world.  They were instructed to summon him to appear in Jerusalem, for if his mission was authorized he should first have presented himself at the Temple.  They found fault with his unseemly raiment, and with his administering baptism [a cleansing ceremony] to Jews when it was customary to do so only to heathens!

     With John at this time were Andrew, John the Evangelist, and many of the disciples and future apostles.  Peter, who had already been baptized and Judas the Traitor were not there, though Judas had been at the fishery around Bethsaida making inquiries about Jesus and John.

     For three days John had not baptized.  He had just resumed that work as the messengers from Jerusalem arrived.  They wanted an audience with him right away.  John replied roughly and shortly that they must wait until he was ready.  When at last they gained a hearing, they told him that he acted entirely too independently, that he should present himself in Jerusalem, and should adopt a less unsightly garb.  When the envoys departed, Joseph of Arimathea and the son of Simeon remained with John and received baptism from him.  There were many present whom John would not baptize, consequently they went to the envoys and charged John with discrimination.  As Joseph of Arimathea was journeying back to Jerusalem, he met Obed, a relative of Veronica.  Obed was a server in the temple.  Joseph, in answer to his questions, told Obed much about John.  Obed then went and received the baptism.  As a Temple server he was one of the secret disciples.  It was only at a later period that he followed Jesus openly.

     On the shore of the Jordan River opposite John's place of baptism, were many sick persons who had been brought there, some in litters and some on a kind of wheel barrow.  They could not be taken across the river on the raft so they implored John to come to them.  He did so attended by two of his disciples.  He had only his linen scarf thrown around him and his mantle hanging from his shoulders.  At one side hung a leathern bottle of baptismal water, on the other the shell he used in baptizing.

     He prepared a beautiful basin separated from the river by a dike.  He did this himself for he always had a spade with him.  Through a channel which he could close at pleasure he let in the water from the river, and then poured into it the bottle of baptismal water he had brought with him.  He instructed the sick and then baptized them, pouring water out of the shell over them as they lay on the edge of the basin.  When he finished he returned to Ainon.

     At Ainon an angel appeared to John and told him to go the other side of the Jordan near Jericho for the time was drawing nigh.  One would soon arrive there and he should announce His coming.  At this command John and his disciples took down their tents and journeyed for some hours along the east side of the Jordan, then crossed the river.  There were about one hundred people with John, among them his disciples and numerous pagans.  They all set to work preparing the place and building the tent.  All sorts of things were brought over from the baptism place at Ainon.  All was now better arranged.  The sick were carried there in beds.

     From the Temple in Jerusalem messengers, both Pharisees and Sadducees, were now despatched to John.  He knew through an angel of their coming.  When they reached the neighborhood of the Jordan, they sent a courier on before, to summon John to meet them at a place near by.  But he replied by messenger that, if they wanted to speak to him, they might come to him.  They did so, but John paid no attention to them.  He went on teaching and baptizing.  They listened for awhile and then withdrew.  When John had finished, he ordered them to meet him under the tent shelter the disciples had erected.

     Now accompanied by his disciples and many others, he went to them.  They put all kinds of questions to him, asking whether he was this one or that, and he invariably answered in the negative.  Then they asked who that One was of whom he spoke so much, for the Prophecies were still remembered, and the rumor was current among the people that the Messiah had come.  John answered that among them had arisen One whom they knew not, that he himself had never seen him with his eyes, and yet before his birth, he had been commanded by Him to prepare His ways and to baptize Him.  If they would return at a certain time, he continued, they would behold Him there, for He was coming to receive baptism.  Then he chided them severely, telling them that they had not come to be baptized, but merely for the purpose of seeing what was going on.  They retorted that they now knew who he was, that he was baptizing without a mission, that he was a hypocrite clothed in rough garments, etc. and thus abusing him they went their way.

     Not long after about twenty other messengers from the Sanhedrin arrived.  They were men of all conditions, some of them priests wearing caps, broad girdles and long scarfs hanging from the arm.  They addressed John very earnestly, telling him that they had been sent to him by the whole Sanhedrin to summon him to appear before the Council in order to prove his calling and mission.  They urged as a proof of his having none, his lack of obedience to the Sanhedrin.  John replied in plain terms, bidding them tarry a little while, and they should see coming to him the One from whom he had his mission.  He told them undisguisedly that the One to whom he so plainly referred had been born in Bethlehem and reared in Nazareth, that He had fled into Egypt etc. but that he himself had never seen Him.  The deputies of the Sanhedrin reproached John with maintaining a secret understanding with Jesus, asserting that their communications were carried on by trusty messengers.  To this John replied that he could not show to their blind eyes the messengers between Jesus and himself; they could not be seen by them.  Indignant at his words the deputies departed.

     There were not many Galileans among John's followers, of them only a few of the subsequent disciples of Jesus.

     Herod had gone to Jerusalem to meet his brother's wife, who had gone there with her daughter Salome, then about sixteen years old.  Herod desired to marry the mother, and had in vain laid the question of the lawfulness of such a union before the Sanhedrin.  The refusal of the Council to sanction his desires excited his wrath.  As he feared the public voice, he determined to silence it by the decision of the Prophet John.  He did not doubt that John, in order to win his favor, would approve the step he wished to take.

     John was preaching when Herod came marching by, and he continued his discourse undisturbed by Herod's presence.  Herod's cavalcade consisted of himself, Salome the daughter of Herodias, her female attendants, and about thirty followers.  Herod and the women rode in a chariot.  He had sent a courier on to John, but John would not let Herod come to the place of baptism.  He regarded him as a man who with his women and followers would defile the sacred ceremonies.  He suspended the baptism therefore and, followed by his disciples, went to the place set aside for preaching.  Here he spoke boldly on the question which Herod had intended to propose.  He said that Herod should wait for the One who was to come after him, that he himself would not baptize there much longer, for he must make way for Him whose precursor he was.

     John's words were so pointedly directed at Herod that Herod could not fail to see that his design was known.  However he sent a large roll of writings to John concerning his suit.  John would not pollute the hand so often raised in baptism by touching Herod's rolls, and they were laid down before John.  Herod and his train indignantly left the place.  He left behind him some of his followers with the writings in order to compel John to give his sanction to what they contained, but in vain.  After Herod's departure John returned to the place of baptism.

     A three days' festival was celebrated at the stone of the Ark of the Covenant where John's teaching tent had been erected.  This spot was always regarded as sacred by the devout among the Jews, but at this time it was rather dilapidated.  John had it repaired.  He, as well as some of his disciples, were in priestly robes.  Over a grey undergarment, the Baptist wore a white robe, long and wide, girded at the waist by a sash woven in yellow and white, the ends fringed.  On either shoulder was a setting as if of two curved precious stones, upon which were engraved the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, six on each.  On his breast was a square shield, yellow and white, fastened at the corners by fine golden chains.  In this shield were set twelve precious stones each bearing the name of one of the Twelve Tribes.  Around his shoulders hung a long linen scarf, a white and yellow stole fringed at the ends.  His robe also was fringed with white and yellow silk balls like fruit.  His head was uncovered but under the neck of his robe he wore a narrow strip of woven stuff which could be drawn over the head like cowl, and which then hung over the forehead in a point.

     Before the stone upon which the Ark of the Covenant had rested stood a small altar.  In the center of the surface was a cavity covered by a grating, and below it a hole for ashes.  There were present many disciples in white garments and broad girdles such as the Apostles used to wear in the early assemblies for divine worship.  They served at the incense sacrifice.  John burned several kinds of herbs and spices, also some wheat on the portable altar of incense.  All was decorated with green branches, garlands and flowers.  Crowds of aspirants to baptism were present.

     The priestly garments and ornaments of the Baptist had all been prepared at this place of baptism.  In those days there dwelt near the Jordan some holy women, recluses, who worked at all kinds of necessary things and prepared the sacred robes of the Baptist.

     At this time John wore a long white garment when baptizing.  He performed no manual labor with the exception of completing the place for Jesus' baptism.  He did all with his own hands, the disciples carrying to him the materials.  John spoke of the Savior who had sent him as a precursor to Him and Whom he had never seen.  Incense was again offered.

     From Maspha down into Galilee the news had spread that John was to hold this great meeting for instruction.  Consequently multitudes of men were present.  Almost all the Essenians had come.  Most of the people were clad in long white garments.  Married couples arrived, the wives sitting between panniers of doves on asses which the husbands led.  The men offered bread, the wives doves.  During the ceremony John stood behind a grating and received the loaves which were laid on a grated table. He removed the flour still clinging to them.  The loaves were piled in pyramids on dishes, John blessed it and raised it on high as if for offering.  It was afterward cut in pieces and distributed among the people.  They that had come from the greatest distance receiving the largest portions since they had more need of it.  The flour scraped from the loaves and the crumbs of the cutting fell through the grated table into a tray and were burned on the altar.  The doves brought by the women were divided also.  The ceremony occupied almost half a day.  The whole festival lasted during the Sabbath and three days inclusively.  At its conclusions John again became busy at the place of baptism.

     John delivered to his disciples at the Jordan a discourse upon the nearness of the Messiah's baptism.  He told them that he had never seen Him eye to eye, "But," he said, "I shall as proof of what I say show you the place where He will receive baptism.  Behold, the waters of the Jordan will divide and from their midst an island will arise."  The waters of the river divided and on a level with its surface appeared a small white island circular in shape.  This happened at the spot over which the Children of Israel had crossed the Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant and at which also Elias had divided the waters with his mantle.

     Wonder seized the beholders.  They prayed and sang praises.  John and his disciples laid great stones in the water.  Upon them they placed branches and trees, over which they scattered fine, white gravel, thus forming from the shore to the island a bridge beneath which water could flow.  Then they planted twelve small trees around the island, connecting their upper branches in such a way as to form a kind of latticed arbor.  Between the trees they set hedges of low bushes which had red and white blossoms.  The fruit was yellow.  These hedges looked very beautiful for some were covered with blossoms, others were full of fruit.

     To the left of the bridge, not in the middle of it, but nearer to the shore of the island, there was a deep hole in which welled up clear water.  Some steps led down to it.  Near by, rising above the surface of the water, lay a smooth red stone of triangular form upon which Jesus was to stand, and to the right of it was a slender fruit bearing palm tree which He was to clasp with one arm during His baptism.  The edge of the well was laid out in ornamental style and was very beautifully formed.

     The Jordan was very much swollen when Joshua led the Israelites through it.  The Ark of the Covenant was borne far ahead of the people.  When it arrived at the Jordan, the forepart of the Ark, which was usually borne by two, was now taken charge of by one alone, while the others supported the back.  As soon as the leader set the foot of the Ark in the river, the rushing waters instantly stood still, rose up like galleries, and continued rising and swelling, until like a mountain they could be seen far away in the region of the city of Zarthan.  Water flowed toward the Dead Sea leaving the bed of the river such that the carriers bore the Ark over dry-shod.  The Israelites crossed in the same way, but at some distance from the Ark and farther down the river.

     The Ark of the Covenant was borne by the Levites far into the river bed to a spot upon which were four square, blood-red stones arranged in order.  On either side lay two rows of triangular stones six in each row.  They were smooth as if cut with a chisel.  Levites set down the Ark of the Covenant on the four central stones and stepped, six to the right, six to the left, on the twelve stones lying near.  These were triangular, the sharp end sunk in the earth.

     There were twelve other stones still farther off.  They, too, were triangular, very large and massive, and with all kinds of figures and flowers.  Joshua caused twelve men from the twelve tribes to be chosen to bear these stones on their shoulders to the shore, and thence to a place at some distance where they were deposited in a double row for a memorial of this spot.  The names of the Twelve Tribes and of those that bore them were engraved on the stones.  Those upon which the Levites stood were still larger than the others and, before the Israelites left the bed of the river, they were turned so that their points stood upward.  The stones borne to the shore were no longer to be seen in John's time.  John had, however, pitched his tent between the sites of the double rows.

     The place upon which the Ark of the Covenant rested in the Jordan was the exact spot upon which later on was the baptismal well of Jesus on the island, which otherwise appeared to be destitute of water.

     When the Israelites and the Ark of the Covenant had crossed and the twelve stones had been turned point upward, the Jordan began again to flow.

     The water in the baptismal well on the island was so low down that, from the shore only the head and neck of him that was being baptized could be seen.  The descent to the well was by a very gentle slope.  The octangular basin, about five feet in diameter, was surrounded by a broad ledge in five sections upon which was standing room for several.

     The twelve triangular stones upon which the Levites had stood, extended to both sides of Jesus' baptismal well, their sharp ends rising out of the ground.  In the well itself lay those four red ones upon which the Ark had rested.  They were now below the surface of the water though in earlier times, when the waters of the Jordan were low, their points were distincly visible.

     Close to the edge of the well was a three cornered pyramidal stone resting on the sharp end.  It was on this that Jesus was standing at His baptism when the Holy Spirit came upon Him.  On His right and close to the edge of the well, arose the slender palm tree which He clasped during baptism.  On His left stood the Baptist.  This triangular stone upon which Christ stood was not one of the twelve that surrounded the inside of the well.  There was a mystery connected with it also.  It was covered with all kinds of veining and flowers.  The other stones, the twelve, were of different colors, and they too were pierced by innumeralbe veinings and covered with flowers.  They were larger than those carried to the land.  They were precious stones that had been placed there by Melchizedek before the waters of the Jordan had begun to flow, but when he placed them there they were small.  He had in this way laid the foundations of many subsequent buildings.  These foundations had long lain concealed by mud and earth, but when brought to light, they became holy places wherein something remarkable happened.  The gems worn by the Baptist in his breast plate at this feast, had been taken either from those twelve stones or from those that had been removed to the shore.

     When John was busy at the place of Baptism, about twenty deputies from all the authorities of Jerusalem approached with the intention of calling him to account.  They paused at the spot where the festival had been celebrated and sent word to him to appear, but John heeded not.  The next day they approached nearer the baptismal place, but John would not allow them so much as to enter the circle of the numerous dwellings on the outskirts of the enclosure.  This was the circle that was hedged off.  When he finished his labors he talked with the envoys, though standing at some distance from them.  He spoke in his customary style, paying no attention to the questions put to him, but dwelt upon Him who would soon come to be baptized, who was greater than he and whom he had never seen.

     Herod sat in a kind of chest upon a mule.  He was        accompanied by his brother's wife with whom he was then living.  She was magnificently and shamelessly adorned, her hair in curls, her robes wide and flowing.  She too rode a mule and was attended by a retinue of servants.  Without dismounting she halted at some distance; Herod alighted and approached on foot for a conference with John who, however, would not let him come nearer than was absolutely necessary.  Herod tried to plead with John to change the sentence of excommunication which John had pronounced against Herod shortly after Herod had laid before John the papers in defence of his unlawful connection.  John had excluded him from all share in the baptism and the salvation of the Messiah if he refused to break off his shameful relations with his brother's wife.

     Herod inquired of John whether he knew of a Man by the name of Jesus of Nazareth of whom the whole country was talking, whether or not he kept up communication with Him, and whether that Man was the One whose coming he was constantly announcing.  He urged John not to hesitate to inform him on these points, for he intended to lay his case before Him.  John answered that that Man would give him (Herod) just as little quarter as he himself did, that he (Herod) was and always would be an adulterer, that he might present his case where he would, but it would always remain adultery.  When Herod asked John why he did not approach nearer to him and why he would speak to him only from a distance, John answered, "You were blind before, but your adultery has made you still more blind.  The nearer I approach to you, the more blind will you become.  But when I shall be in your power you will do that which you will have cause to repent."  In these words of John lay the prophecy of his own death.  Herod and Herodias left very much irritated.

     As the time drew near for Jesus to come to the baptism, John became greatly troubled in mind.  It was as if his time was now short.  His manner of acting was no longer so spirited, and he became deeply depressed.  By turns from Jericho, from Jerusalem and from Herod came people delegated to drive John from the place of baptism.  John's followers pitched their encampment to a great distance around the place.  The newcomers demanded of John that he retire to the other side of the Jordan.  Herod's soldiers broke down the hedges of the enclosure and drove the people away, but they did not proceed as far as John's tent.  John's words to his disciples on this occasion were anxious and dejected.  He earnestly longed for Jesus to present Himself at the baptism, for then as he said, he would retire before Him to the opposite side of the Jordan.  He told them he would not be among them much longer, which words troubled them very much for they did not want him to leave them.

     When John was informed of Jesus' approach, he roused himself and with new courage began to baptize.  Crowds came to him, chiefly those whom Jesus had exhorted to receive baptism, among them many publicans.

     When John spoke of the Messiah saying that for Him he himself would soon make room, his words breathed so great humility as to cause real trouble with his disciples.  The disciples whom Jesus had left in Nazareth also came to John, conversing with him about Jesus.  John was so inflamed with ardent love for Jesus that he grew almost impatient at His not proclaiming Himself the Messiah openly and in unmistakable terms.  When John baptized these disciples, he received the assurance of the nearness of the Messiah.  He saw a cloud of light hovering over them, and had a vision of Jesus surrounded by all His disciples.  From that moment John was unspeakable joyous and expectant, constantly glancing in the distance to see whether or not the Lord was yet in sight.

     The island with the baptismal well had grown beautifully green, but no one went to it excepting John occasionally.  The path over the bridge was usually kept barred.

     Jesus, walking more quickly than Lazarus, reached John's place of baptism two hours before him.  It was morning twilight when, on a road near the place, He caught up with a crowd of people who also were going up to the baptism, and He walked on with them.  They did not know Him, but they could not keep their eyes off him for there was something very remarkable about Him.  When they reached the end of their journey it was morning.  A crowd more numerous than usual was assembled, to whom John, with great animation, was preaching of the nearness of the Messiah and of penance, proclaiming at the same time that the moment was approaching for him to retire from his office as teacher.  Jesus was standing in the throng of listeners.  John felt His presence.  He also saw Him, and that fired him with zeal and filled his heart with joy.  But he did not on that account interrupt his discourse, and when he finished he began to baptize.

     He had already baptized very many and it was drawing near ten o'clock when Jesus in His turn came down among the aspirants to the pool of baptism.  John bowed low before Him, saying, "I ought to be baptized by you, and you come to me?"  Jesus answered, "Suffer it to be so for now, for it becomes us to fulfil all justice that you baptize Me and that I be baptized by you."  He also said, "You shall receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and of blood."  Then John begged Him to follow him to the island.  Jesus replied that He would do so, provided that some of the water with which all were baptized should be poured into the basin, that all present should be baptized at the same place that He was, and that the tree by which He was to support Himself should be transplanted to the ordinary place of baptism that all might share the same conveniences.

     The Savior then went with John and His two disciples, Andrew and Saturnin.  They crossed the bridge to the island and entered a little tent close to eastern edge of the baptismal well that had been erected for the purpose of robing and disrobing.  Jesus' disciples followed the Lord to the island, but at the far end of the bridge the people stood on the shore in great crowds.  On the bridge itself three could stand abreast.  One of the foremost in the latter position was Lazarus.

     The baptismal well lay in a gently inclined octangular basin, the bottom of which was encircled by a similarly shaped rim connected with the Jordan by five subterranean canals.  The water surrounded the whole basin, filling it through incisions made in the rim, three in the northern side serving as inlets, and two on the southern acting as outlets.  The former were visible, the latter covered, for at this point were the place of action and the avenue of entrance.  For this reason the water did not here surround the well.  From this south side, sodded steps led down into it by an inclination of about three feet in depth.

     The nine disciples of Jesus went down to the well with Him and took their stand on the ledge around it.  Jesus entered the tent and there laid off, first, His mantle and girdle, then a yellow woollen garment which was closed in front by laces, then that narrow woollen strip which He wore around His neck and crossed over the breast, and which He was accustomed to wind around His head at night and in stormy weather.  Retaining His brown woven undergarment, He stepped forth and descended to the margin of the well where He drew it off over His head.  About His loins was fastened a broad linen band which was also wound around each limb for about half a foot.  Saturnin received the garments of the Lord as He disrobed and handed them to Lazarus who was standing on the edge of the island.

     Jesus descended into the well and stood in water up to His breast.  His left arm encircled the tree, His right hand was laid on His breast, and the loosened ends of the white linen binder floated out on the water.  On the southern side of the well stood John holding in his hand a shell with a perforated margin through which the water flowed in three streams.  He stooped, filled the shell, and then poured the water in three streams over the head of the Lord, one on the back of the head, one in the middle, and the third one over the forehead and on the face.  The words which John said were similar to, "May Jehovah through the ministry of His cherubim and seraphim pour out His blessing over You with wisdom, understanding and strength."  They expressed three gifts for the mind, the soul and the body respectively.  In them were contained all that was needed to convert every person, renewed in mind, in soul, and in body, to the Lord.

     While Jesus ascended from the depths of the baptismal well, Andrew and Saturnin, who were standing to the right of the Baptist, threw about Him a large linen cloth with which He dried His person.  They then put on Him a long white baptismal robe.  (Before the baptism of Jesus only a small white scarf was put on the newly baptized, but after Jesus' baptism a larger garment was used.)  After this Jesus stepped on the red triangular stone which lay to the right of the descent into the well.  Andrew and Saturnin each laid one hand upon His shoulder while John rested his upon His head.

     They were just about mounting the steps when the Voice of God came over Jesus Who was standing alone and in prayer upon the stone.  There came from heaven a great rushing wind like thunder.  All trembled and looked up.  A cloud of white light descended, and out of it streamed a winged dove-like figure which hovered over Jesus.  The heavens opened.  An apparition of the Heavenly Father resembling an ancient Prophet appeared, and, in a voice of thunder, proclaimed, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."  Jesus was perfectly transparent, entirely penetrated by light, one could scarcely look at Him.  Angels were all around Him.

     Off at some distance was Satan, a dark black figure as if in a dark cloud, and myriads of horrible black reptiles and vermin swarming around him.  It was as if all the wickedness, all the sins, all the poison of the whole region took a visible form at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and fled into that dark figure as into their original source.  That sight was abominable, but it served to heighten the effect of the indescribable splendor and joy and brilliancy spread over the Lord and the whole island.  The sacred baptismal well sparkled and glittered, its foundations, edges and waters becoming like a pool of living light.

     The four stones that had once supported the Ark of the Covenant shone beneath the waters.  On the twelve stones around the well upon which the Levites had stood, appeared angels bending in adoration, for the Spirit of God had, before all mankind, rendered testimony to the living Foundation, to the chosen Cornerstone of the Church around which we, as so many living stones, must build up a spiritual edifice, a holy priesthood, that thereby we may offer an acceptable, spiritual sacrifice to God through His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased.

     Jesus ascended the steps and entered the tent near the baptismal well.  Saturnin brought the garments which Lazarus had been holding all this time and Jesus put them on.  When clothed He left the tent and, surrounded by His disciples, took His stand on the open space near the central tree.  John in joyous tones addressed the crowd and bore witness to Jesus, that He was the Son of God and the promised Messiah.  He cited the Prophecies of the Patriarchs and Prophets now fulfilled, recounted what he had seen, reminded them of the voice of God which they had heard.  John referred also to the sacred memories that embalmed the spot upon which they were standing on account of the Ark of the Covenant's having rested here, when Israel was journeying to the Land of Promise.  Now, he continued, had they seen the Realization of the Covenant witnessed to by His Father, the Almighty God Himself.  John referred all to Jesus, and called this day, that beheld the fulfillment of the desire of Israel, blessed.

     That the spot upon which Jesus had been baptized was the same as that upon which the Ark of the Covenant had stood, that the stones in the baptism pool were those upon which It had rested in the bed of the Jordan, were facts known only to Jesus and John and of which neither had spoken.  The Jews had long ago forgotten the resting places of these stones, and it was not made known to the disciples.

     John bade Andrew announce the baptism of the Messiah throughout Galilee.  Then Jesus spoke, confirming in plain and simple words the truth John had proclaimed.  He told them that He would withdraw from them for a short time, after which all the sick and afflicted should come to Him and He would heal and console them.  They should in the meantime prepare themselves by penance and good works.  He would withdraw for awhile and then return to lay the foundations of that Kingdom which His Father had given Him.  John began his work again and continued throughout the whole day baptizing at the sacred well of Jesus all that were on the island.  They were for the most part people who later on joined the Community of Jesus.

     The next morning Jesus departed with His disciples, followed by the crowd that gathered around Him.  Jesus had already passed the memorial stone of the Ark of the Covenant and was about one quarter of an hour beyond John's tent before which the latter stood teaching.  A gap in the valley disclosed this scene to the distant traveller, and Jesus in passing was for not longer than a couple of minutes visible to the Baptist.  John was seized by the Spirit, and, pointing to Jesus, he cried out, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!"  Jesus passed, preceded and followed by His disciples in groups, the multitude lately gathered around Him in the rear.  It was early morning.  The people crowded forward at the words of John, but Jesus had already disappeared.  They called after Him in acclamations of praise but He was out of hearing.  When returned from their fruitless attempt to see Jesus, the people complained to John that Jesus had so many followers and that, as they heard, His disciples had already begun to baptize.  What, they asked, would be the outcome of all that?  John answered by repeating that he would soon resign his place to Jesus since he was only a servant and precursor.  These words were not at all acceptable to John's followers, who were somewhat jealous of Jesus' disciples.

     Jesus left His disciples and spent forty days in the desert preparing for His public life.

     Again John's disciples declared that the baptism that had lately taken place in Gilgal was a usurpation of his right.  But in deep humility John again repeated what he had often told them before--that he would soon give place to his Lord, whose herald and precursor he had been.  The disciples could not rightly understand his words.

     At break of day Jesus went over the Jordan at that same narrow place which he had crossed forty days before.  Some logs lay there to facilitate a passage.  This was not the usual crossing place at  the end of the public road, but a neighboring one.  Jesus proceeded along the east bank of the Jordan up to a point directly opposite John's place of baptism.  John at that moment was busy teaching and baptizing.  Pointing straight across the river he exclaimed, "Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world"  Jesus then turned away from the shore and returned to Bethabara where he stayed all day with five disciples.  Jesus talked about His teaching mission about to begin.  He spoke of baptizing and commissioned some of them to do so.  Whereupon they objected that the only suitable place was where John was baptizing, and it would never do to interfere with him.  But Jesus spoke of John's vocation and mission, remarking that his work was close to its completion, and confirming all that John had said of himself and the Messiah.

     John abandoned his place of baptism, crossed the Jordan and baptized about one hour north of Bethabara, at the place where Jesus had lately allowed the disciples to baptize and where John himself had baptized at an earlier period.  John made this change to suit the convenience of the people from the region under Philip the Tetrach.  Philip was a good natured man.  Many of his people desired baptism, but were unwilling to cross the Jordan to receive it.  Another reason also influenced John to baptize where Jesus' disciples had lately been similarly engaged, and that was to show that there was no disunion between him and Jesus.

     In these last days Herod frequently went to John, but John always treated him with contempt as an adulterer.  Herod interiorly acknowledged that John was right, but Herodias was furious against John.  John baptized no more, and Jesus was now the whole subject of his preaching.  All the candidates for baptism he sent across the Jordan to Him.  Jesus taught and prepared the aspirants for baptism while his disciples baptized.  Many old dilapidated teacher's chairs formerly used by the Prophets had been repaired by the Baptist and were now used by Jesus.

     John the Baptist did not go to the feast of the Pascal Supper at Jerusalem.  Because he had not made his bar mitzvah, he was not a Jew under the Law.  Nor was he at all like other men.  He was more like a voice clothed with flesh, than a man.  He was at this time having a large number of fresh aspirants to baptism because of the multitudes going to Jerusalem for the feast.  About the same time Herod ordered his soldiers to arrest John and bring him to Callirrhoe where he kept him confined for about six weeks in a vault of his castle.

     The Baptist had been arrested at the place of baptism.  Herod kept him in custody in the hopes of intimidating him, coercing him to change his position on Herod's adultery.  But through fear of the immense crowds that were hurrying to hear John, Herod released him.  John then retired to the place where he had formerly baptized near Ainon and opposite Salem.

     The baptismal well was in the region of a lake from which two streams, after bathing the foot of a hill, flowed into the Jordan.  On this hill were the remains of an old castle, whose towers were still habitable.  Scattered around were gardens and walks and other dwellings.  Between the lake and the hill was John's baptismal well.  In the center of the spacious caldron-shaped summit of the hill, John's disciples had raised an awning over a terraced elevation formed of stone.  It was there that he taught.  This region was under Philip's jurisdiction, but it ran like a point into Herod's country.  Because of that Herod was somewhat reserved in executing his designs against John.

     An uncommonly great crowd of people had assembled to hear John.  Whole caravans from Arabia on camels and asses, and hundreds of people from Jerusalem and all Judea both men and women had come.  The crowds came and went by turns.  They covered the caldron-shaped plateau, encamped at the base of the hill, and stood on the heights around.  The most beautiful order was established and maintained by John's disciples.  Those nearest the preacher reclined on the ground, those behind them sat on their heels, while those in the outer rows stood.  In this way all could see.  The heathens were separated from the Jews, and the men from the women who always stood back in the last row.  On the slope of the hill were other groups squatting, head and arms resting on their knees, or again clasping one knee and lying or sitting on the other hip.

     Since his return from Herod, John was as if penetrated by a new spirit.  His voice sounded unusually sweet and yet was so powerful and far reaching that every word was understood.  He again wore his mantle of skins and was more roughly clothed than at On where he had sometimes appeared in a flowing robe.  His teaching was of Jesus and His persecution in Jerusalem.  Pointing toward Upper Galilee where Jesus was at that moment going about working miraculous cures, John said, "But He will soon reappear in those parts [Jerusalem].  His persecutors will gain nothing over Him until His mission shall have been fulfilled."

     Herod and Herodias came with a guard of soldiers to John's place in instruction.  Herod rode upon a long narrow chariot on which one could recline or sit sideways.  The wheels were heavy, low, round disks without spokes, though there were other larger ones and rollers at the back.  The road was so uneven that on one side the chariot rested on the high wheels, and on the other upon the low ones.  The journey was painful.  Herod's wife, along with her ladies in waiting, rode upon a similar chariot.  They were drawn by asses preceded and followed by soldiers and courtiers.

     Herod had undertaken this journey because John was now preaching again and that more boldly and zealously than before.  He was anxious to hear him and learn whether he said anything personally against himself.  His wife was only waiting for an opportunity to excite him to extreme measures against John.  She hid her crafty designs, however, under a fair appearance.

     Herod had still another motive in making this journey.  He knew that the Arabian King Aretas, father of his reputed wife, had come to John, and to escape observation had mingled with the disciples.  He wanted to see whether Aretas had any design to stir up the people against himself.  His first wife, a good and very beautiful lady, had returned to her father who, having heard of John's teaching and of his opposition to Herod's unlawful desires, had come to satisfy himself of the truth of what had been told him.  Anxious to attract no attention, Aretas was dressed simply like John's disciples with whom he identified himself.

     Herod alighted at the old castle on the hill and sat during John's instruction given upon the graded terrace in front.  Herodias, surrounded by her guards and attendants, sat on cushions under an awning.  John was preaching in a loud voice at that moment crying out to the people that they should not be scandalized at Herod's second union, that they should honor him without imitating him.  These words pleased Herod at first, though on second thought they irritated him.  The force with which John spoke was indescribable.  His voice was like thunder, and yet sweet and intelligible.  He seemed exerting himself for the last time.  He had already warned his disciples that his days were drawing to a close, but that they should not abandon him.  They should visit him in prison.  For three days he had neither eaten or drank.  The whole time had been spent in teaching, in proclaiming aloud his testimony to Jesus, and in rebuking Herod for adultery.  The disciples implored him to discontinue and take a little nourishment, but he listened not.  He was wholly under the spirit of inspiration. 

     The view from the height upon which John taught was uncommonly beautiful.  One could see off in the distance the Jordan, the cities lying around, fields, and orchards.  A great building once stood here.  Stone arches like those of bridges, overgrown with thick green moss could be seen.  Two of the towers of the castle at which Herod stopped, had been lately restored and it was in them that he lodged.  This region was rich in springs and the baths were kept in perfect order.  The water that supplied them was brought through a skillfully constructed, vaulted canal from the hill upon whose summit John taught.  The baptismal pool was oval in form and encircled by three beautiful green terraces through which five pathways were cut.

     John ate only a little poor honey.  When he took food with his disciples, it was always in very small quantities.  He prayed alone, and spent much of the night gazing up to heaven.

     John knew that the time of his arrest was near.  He spoke as if under inspiration and as if taking leave of his audience.  He announced Jesus more clearly than ever.  He was now coming, he said, consequently he himself should retire and they should go to Jesus.  He, John, was soon to be apprehended.  They were, he continued addressing his audience, a hard and indocile people.  They should recall how he had come at first and prepared the ways for the Lord.  He had built bridges, made foot paths, cleared away stones, arranged baptismal pools and conducted the water to them.  He had a difficult task, struggling against stony earth, hard rocks, and knotty wood.  And these labors he had had to continue toward a people stubborn, obdurate, and unpolished.  But they whom he had stirred up, should now go to the Lord, to the well beloved Son of the Father.  They whom He received would be truly received; they whom He rejected should indeed be rejected.  He was coming now to teach, to baptize, to perfect what he himself had prepared.  Then turning to Herod, John earnestly reproached him several times before the people for his scandalous connection.  Herod who both reverenced and feared him, was inwardly furious, though preserving a cool exterior.

     The instruction ended and the crowd began to disperse on all sides, the people from Arabia and Aretas, Herod's father-in-law going with them.  Herod had not caught sight of Aretas.  Herodias had already gone, and now he himself departed, concealing his rage and taking a friendly leave of John.

     John sent several disciples to different quarters with messages, dismissed the others, and retired to his tent to give himself up to prayer.  It was already dark and the disciples had left, when about twenty soldiers, after placing guards on all sides, surrounded the tent and one entered.  John told him that he would follow quietly, that he knew his time had come and that he must make way for Jesus.  They did not need to fetter him, for he would willingly accompany them, and that, in order to avoid a tumult, they should lead him away with as little noise as possible.  The twenty men hurried him off at a rapid pace.  He had only his rough mantle of skins thrown about him, and his staff in his hand.  Some of his disciples met him as he was being led away.  He took leave of them with a glance and bade them visit him in prison.  But soon the disciples and people mobbed together and cried aloud, "They have arrested John!"  Then arose weeping and lamentations.  They wanted to follow but did not know what direction to take, for the soldiers had taken an unknown route.  Intense excitement, grief and mourning prevailed.  The disciples scattered and fled in all directions just as they did later at Jesus' arrest.  The news was soon spread throughout the whole country.

     After marching with the soldiers all night, John was conducted  first to the tower at Hesebon.  Toward morning some soldiers of the place came to meet the prisoner, for it was already known there that John had been arrested, and the people were gathering there in groups.  The soldiers who had charge of John seemed to be a body guard to Herod.  They wore helmets, their breasts and shoulders protected by armor formed of metal plates and rings, and they bore long lances in their hands.

     The people of Hesebon gathered in crowds before John's prison, and the guards had enough to do to drive them off.  The upper part of the tower had several exterior openings.  John stood in his prison crying in a voice loud enough to be heard without.  His words were to this effect, that he had prepared the ways, had broken rocks, had directed streams, had dug fountains, had built bridges; he had had to cope with obstacles the most adverse and contradictory, and it was owing to the obstinacy of those whom he now addressed that he had been arrested.  But they should turn to Him who would soon come by the paths which he himself had made straight.  When the Master approached, then they who had prepared His way should withdraw, and all should turn to Jesus, the latches of whose shoes he himself was not worthy to loose.  "Jesus," he continued, "is the light, the truth, and the Son of the Father."  He called his disciples to visit him in his confinement, for no one would yet lay a hand on him.  His hour had not yet come.  John uttered the above in a voice as loud and distinct as if he were addressing the multitude from an orator's stand.  Again and again the guard dispersed the crowd, but the throng soon reassembled and John's instructions recommenced.

     He was afterward led by the soldiers from Hesebon to the prison of Machaerus.  The access to which was up a high and steep mountain.  He rode with several in a low, narrow, covered chariot, like a box drawn by asses.  Arriving at Machaerus, the soldiers conducted him up the steep mountain path to the fortress.  They did not enter by the principal gate, but by a private entrance in the wall near by, which was almost concealed by over hanging moss.

     Traversing a passage somewhat inclined, they reached a brazen door which opened into another that ran under the gateway of the fortress, and thence led into a large underground vault.  It was lighted from above and was clean, though destitute of every species of comfort.

     From the place of baptism, Herod went to his castle of Herodium, which had been built by Herod the Elder, and where once, for mere sport, he had caused some persons to drowned in a pond.  Here, filled with dejection, Herod hid himself away and would see nobody, although many had already presented themselves to express to him their disapproval of John's arrest.  A prey to inquietude, he shut himself up in his own apartments.

     After some time, John's disciples, provided they came in small numbers, were allowed to approach the prison, converse with him, and pass things to him through the grating.  But if many came together they were turned away by the guards.  John ordered the disciples to go on baptizing at Ainon until Jesus came to establish Himself there for the same purpose.  The prison was large and well lighted, but its only resting place was a stone bench.  John was very serious.  His countenance always wore an expression of thoughtfulness and sadness.  He looked like one who loved and heralded the Lamb of God, but who knew the bitter death in store for him.

     Nicodemus was remarkably impressed and very desirous of hearing every word of Jesus.  The men spoke indignantly of John's imprisonment, but Jesus said it had to be, it was the will of God, and they should not speak of such things in order not to attract attention and thereby give rise to danger.  If John had not been removed from the scene of action, He Himself would not yet have been able to labor here.  The blossoms must fall, if the fruit is to appear.

     Many of His hearers questioned Him as to where they should now be baptized and cleansed, since John was imprisoned.  Jesus answered that John's disciples were again baptizing near Ennon across the Jordan, and that, until He Himself should appear there, with His disciples to give baptism, they should go there.  On the following day accordingly, crowds flocked to Ennon.  The crowd was dense.  The halls of the synagogue were open to accomodate the immense throng of hearers.  The Pharisees stood around Him inside while Jesus turned toward the interior, or again toward the outside.

     Jesus again clearly and energetically explained Isaias, applying all its prefiguration to their own time and to Himself.  The times, He said, were fulfilled and the Kingdom was near.  They sighed for the Prophet, the Messiah, Who would relieve them of their burdens, but when He would come they would not receive Him because He would fail to realize their erroneous notions of Him.  He proved that all the conditions and signs that were still read from the scriptures had been fulfilled.  He said, "The lame shall walk, the blind see, the deaf hear.  Is there not something of that now?  What means these gatherings of the gentiles to hear instruction?  What do the possessed cry out?  Why are demons expelled?  Why do the cured praise God?  Do not the wicked persecute Him?  Do not spies surround Him?  But they will cast out and kill the Son of the Lord of the vineyard and how shall it be with them?  If you will not receive salvation yet shall it not be lost.  You cannot prevent its being given to the poor, the sick, to sinners and publicans, to the penitent, and even to the gentiles in whose favor it shall be taken away from you."  Such was the substance of Jesus' preaching.  He added, "That John whom they have imprisoned, you acknowledge to be a Prophet!  Go to him in prison and ask him for whom did he bear witness?"  While Jesus spoke the rage of the Pharisees increased and they whispered and muttered together.

     Jesus sent two of John's disciples to Ennon with a commission to say to His own disciples there, that they should go to Machaerus and calm the people, for He knew that an insurrection had broken out in that place.  Aspirants to baptism had crowded to Ennon, immense caravans had arrived, but when they found out that the Prophet had been arrested, they proceeded to Machaerus, their numbers increasing on the way.  They raged and shouted, crying for John to be released, that he might instruct and baptize them.  They even threw stones at Herod's palace.  The guards hastily closed all approaches to the castle.  Herod pretended that he was not at home.

     Jesus sent some shepherds from Dothain to Machaerus with directions to John's disciples to disperse, for their rebellion, He said, might render John's imprisonment more rigorous, or even give occasion for his death.

     Herod and his wife were in Machaerus.  Herod caused the Baptist to be summoned to his presence in a grand hall near the prison.  There he was seated surrounded by his guard, many officers, Doctors of the Law, and numerous Herodians and Sadducees.  John was led through a passage into the hall and placed in the midst of the guards before the large open doors.  Herodias insolently and scornfully swept past John as she entered the hall and took an elevated seat.  Her facial features were different than that of most Jewish women.  Her whole face was sharp and angular, even her head was pointed, and her countenance was in constant motion.  She had developed a very beautiful figure and in her dress she was loud and extreme, also very tightly laced.  To every chaste person she must have been an object of scandal, as she did everything in her power to attract all eyes upon her.

     Herod began to interrogate John, commanding him to tell him in plain words what he thought of Jesus who was making such a disturbance in Galilee.  Who was He?  Was He come to deprive him (Herod) of his authority?  He (Herod) had heard indeed that he (John) had formerly announced Jesus, but he had paid little attention to the fact.  Now, however, John should disclose to him his candid opinion on the subject, for that Man (Jesus) held wondrous language on the score of a Kingdom, and uttered parables in which He called Himself a King's Son, although He was only the Son of a poor carpenter.  John spoke in a loud voice as if addressing the multitude, giving testimony to Jesus.  He declared that he, himself, was only to prepare His ways; that compared to Him he was a nobody; that never had there been a man, not even among the Prophets, like unto Jesus, and never would there be one; that He was the Son of the Father; that He was the Christ, the King of Kings, the Savior, the restorer of the Kingdom; that no power was superior to His; that He was the Lamb of God who was to bear the sins of the world.  So John spoke of Jesus, crying out in a loud voice, called himself His precursor, the preparer of His ways, His most insignificant servant.  It was evident that his words were inspired.  His whole bearing was stamped with the supernatural, so much so that Herod, becoming terrified, stopped his ears.  At last he said to John, "You know that I wish you well, but you excite sedition against me among the people by refusing to acknowledge my marriage.  If you will moderate your perverse zeal and recognize my union as lawful before the people, I shall set you free, and you can go around teaching and baptizing.  Thereupon John again raised his voice vehemently against Herod, rebuking his conduct before all the assistants and saying to him, "I know your mind! I know that you do recognize the right and tremble before the judgement!  But you have sunk your soul in guilty pleasures, you lie bound in the snares of debauchery!"  The rage of Herodias at these words is simply indescribable, and Herod became so agitated that he hastily ordered John to be led away.  He gave direction for him to be placed in another cell which, having no communication outside, would prevent his being heard by the people.

     Herod was induced to hold that judicial examination because of his anxiety excited by the tumult raised by the aspirants to baptism, and the news brought to him by the Herodians of the wonders wrought by Jesus.

     The whole country was discussing the execution in Jerusalem of certain adulterers from Galilee who had been denounced by the Herodians.  They dwelt on the fact that sinners in humble life were brought to justice, while the great ones went free; and that the accusers themselves, the Herodians, were adherents of the adulterous Herod who had imprisoned John for reproaching him for his guilt.  Herod became dispirited.

     After John's judicial hearing, Herod sent officers to the tumultuous people.  They were commissioned to deal gently with them, to tell them not to be disquieted on John's account, assured them that John was well and kindly treated.  Herod had indeed changed his prisoner's cell, but it  was only that he might have him nearer to himself.  In disobeying orders given them to disperse quietly, they might cast suspicion upon their master and render his imprisonment more painful.  They should therefore go home at once for he would soon resume his work of baptizing.  The messengers from Jesus and John arrived just as Herod's officers were haranguing the crowd, and they too delivered similar messages.  The people scattered by degrees, but Herod was a prey to the greatest anxiety.  The execution of the adulterers in Jerusalem had reminded the public of his own adulterous marriage.  They murmured loudly over John's imprisonment for having spoken the truth and maintained the Law according to which those poor criminals had been put to death.

     The Baptist had again sent messengers to Jesus urging Him to go to Jerusalem and to say openly before the whole world who He was.  John was now so impatient, so anxious, because, though so powerfully impelled to announce Jesus, he was unable to do so.

     Two of John's disciples who had been sent to Jesus by the Baptist had an interview with Jesus and then returned to Machaerus.  They had been present at the Sermon on the Mountain near Meroz and had witnessed the miracles performed there.  They belonged to the disciples who had followed their master to the place of his imprisonment and had received his instructions outside his prison.  They were warmly attached to him.  As they had never witnessed any of Jesus' actions, John had sent them to Him that they might be convinced of the truth of what he himself had told them of Him.  He commissioned them to beg Jesus in his name to declare openly and precisely who He was and to establish His Kingdom on earth.  These disciples told Jesus that they were now convinced of all that John had announced of Him, and they inquired whether He would not soon go to free John from prison.  John, they said, hoped to be released through Him, and they themselves were longing for Him to establish His Kingdom and set their master at liberty.  They thought that would be a more profitable miracle than even His curing the sick.  Jesus replied that He knew John was longing and hoping soon to be freed from imprisonment, and that he should indeed be released, but that He should go to Machaerus and deliver John who had prepared His ways, John himself never even dreamed.  Jesus ended by commanding him to announce to John all that they had seen, and to say to him that He would fulfil His mission.

     While Jesus was traversing the fields with the disciples, some of John's followers arrived.  They had not been sent by John although they had constant intercourse with him and his disciples.  They were degenerate followers of John, sworn to the Herodians, who had sent them to follow Jesus and hear what He taught concerning His Kingdom.  They were more austere though at the same time more polished in their manners that Jesus' disciples.  Some hours after another troop of John's disciples made their appearance.  They were twelve in number, only two of whom had been sent by John, the rest had come through curiosity.  Some of them had been present when Jesus raised the youth of Naim, and they hurried back to tell John what they had seen.  They asked, "What is it?  What must we think?  We have seen Him perform such and such miracles!  We have heard such and such words from His lips!  But His disciples are much less strict than we are in the observance of the Law.  Whom shall we follow?  Who is Jesus?  Why does He cure all who appeal to Him?  Why does He console and help strangers though He does not take a step toward freeing you?

     John always had trouble with his disciples because they would not separate from him.  John hoped that his followers would be converted to Jesus in the same manner as other Jews had been.  It was for this reason that he sent them so often to Jesus, that they might learn to know Him and eventually follow Him.  But they were so prejudiced in favor of John that what they saw and heard made little impression on them.  His desire that his disciples would follow Jesus led John to urge Him so frequently to manifest Himself.  He thought that Jesus, seeing them come again and again with their doubts, would be compelled to proclaim aloud that He was the Messiah, the Son of God.  That is why he so often sent his own disciples with their usual questions to Him.

     The Baptist felt himself urged once more to bear public witness to Him.  This he did the more readily since all efforts to induce Him to testify of Himself had been fruitless.  For this reason he sent a request to Herod to allow him to address his disciples and all others who might desire to hear him.  He brought forward as a plea in his own favor, that he should soon be reduced to silence.  Herod did not hesitate to grant the favor asked.  John's disciples and a crowd of people were admitted to the open square of the castle in which the precursor was confined.  Herod and his wicked wife sat on elevated seats surrounded by a numerous guard of soldiers.  Then John was led forth from his prison and he began his discourse.  Herod was quite pleased that the affair should come off as he was glad of the opportunity to appease the people by letting them see how light and easy was the imprisonment to which John was subjected.  Under the powerful inspiration of the Holy Spirit the Baptist spoke of Jesus.  He said that he himself was sent only to prepare the way for Him.  He had never announced another than Jesus, but stubborn as they were, the people would not acknowledge Him.  Had they forgotten, he asked, what he had told them of Him?  He would recall it to them clearly, once more, for his own end was not far distant!  At these last words the whole assembly was moved, and many of John's disciples wept.  Herod grew uneasy and embarrassed, for he had by no means resolved upon John's death, while his concubine concealed her feelings as best she could.  John continued zealously to speak.  He recounted the wonders that took place at Jesus' baptism, and declared Him to be the Beloved Son of God announced by the Prophets.  His doctrine was the same as His Father's.  What He did the Father also did, and no one can go to the Father excepting by Him, that is, by Jesus.  And so he went on refuting at length the reproaches of the Pharisees against Him, and especially that of His healing on the Sabbath day.  Everyone, he said, should keep holy the Sabbath, but the Pharisees profaned it, since they did not follow the teachings of Jesus, the teachings of the Son of Him Who had instituted the Sabbath.  John said many things of a similar nature, and proclaimed Jesus the One outside of whom no salvation could be found.  Whoever believed not in Him and followed not His doctrine, would be condemned.  He exhorted his disciples to turn to Jesus, not to remain standing blindly near Him on the threshold, but to enter into the Temple itself.

     After his discourse John sent several of his disciples with a letter to the synagogue of Capharnaum.  In it he repeated all that he had said in testimony of Jesus.  An unusually large crowd assembled in Capharnaum for the city was actually swarming with people this Sabbath.  There were here Jews from all quarters, and they listened with great joy to John's testimony of Jesus.  Many gave utterance to loud acclamations, and their faith gained new strength.

     The Pharisees had to give way to the multitude, they could not say a word.  They shrugged their shoulders, shook their head and feigned to be well disposed.  They however asserted their own authority and told John's disciples that they would place no obstacle in Jesus' way if He refrained from violating the laws and disturbing the public peace.  He was, it was true, very wonderfully endowed, but it was theirs to maintain order, and there should be moderation in all things.  John too was a good man, but shut up as he was in prison, he might easily form a wrong estimate of things, besides, he had never been much with Jesus.

     Some of John's disciples, those that had brought the writings, came here to Jesus to amuse themselves, and tell Him how indignant they were against Him because He made no effort to deliver their master from imprisonment.  They told Him how rigorously they had fasted to obtain that God would move Him to free their master.  Jesus comforted them and again praised John as the holiest of men.  After that they spoke with Jesus' disciples.  They inquired why Jesus did not Himself baptize.  Their master, as they said, labored so zealously in that way.  The disciples of Jesus answered in words like these, John baptized because he is the Baptist, but Jesus heals because He is the Savior, adding that John had never effected a miraculous cure.

     During these days Jesus repeated to His disciples His testimony of John the Baptist.  "He is," He said, "as pure as an angel.  Nothing unclean has ever entered his mouth, nor has any untruth or anything sinful ever come forth from it."  When the disciples asked Jesus whether John had long to live, Jesus answered that he would die when his time came, and that was not far off.  This information made them very sad.

     Cariathaim was a Levitical city and in it no Pharisees.  A couple of its families were related to Zachary.  Jesus visited them and found them very much troubled on John's account.  He recalled to them the wonders that had preceded and accompanied John's birth and spoke of his mission and wonderful life.  He reminded them likewise of many circumstances attendant on the birth of Mary's Son, showed them that John's fate lay in the hands of God, and that he would die when he had fulfilled his mission.  Jesus prepared them in this way for John's death.

     Jesus with Peter and John journeyed rapidly the whole day and night through the plain of Esdrelon in the direction of Ginnin.  They seldom paused to rest.  Jesus said on the way that John's end was approaching, and after that His enemies would begin their pursuit of Himself.  But it was not lawful to expose one's self to one's enemies.  They were going to Hebron to console John's relatives and prevent any imprudent manifestation.

     For two weeks Herod's guests poured into Machaerus, most of them from Tiberias.  It was one succession of holidays and banqueting.  Near the castle was an open circular building with many seats.  In it gladiators struggled with wild animals for the amusement of Herod's guests.  Dancers, male and female, performed all kinds of sensual dances.  Salome, the daughter of Herodias, practiced them before metallic mirrors in presence of her mother.

     Zorobabel and Cornelius of Capharnaum were not among the guests.  They had excused themselves.

     For some time past John had been allowed to go around at large within the  castle precincts and his disciples could come and go as they pleased.  His release had been promised him if he would approve Herod's marriage, or at least never again protest against it.  But John had always forcibly denounced it.  Herod, however, was thinking of setting him free on his own birthday.  His wife was secretly nourishing very different thoughts.  Herod would have wished John might see and admire the leniency of the prisoner's treatment, but scarcely had the games and banqueting begun, when John shut himself up in his prison cell and bade his disciples retire from the city.  They obliged and withdrew to the region of Hebron where already many were assembled.

     Salome, the daughter of Herodias, had been trained entirely by her mother, whose constant companion she had been from her earliest years.  She was in the bloom of girlhood, her deportment bold, her attire shameless.  For a long time Herod had looked at her with lustful eyes.  This the mother regarded with complacency and laid her plans accordingly.  Herodias herself had a very striking, very bold appearance and she employed all her skill, made use of every means to set off her charms.  She was no longer young, and there was something sharp, cunning and diabolical in her countenance that bad men love to see.  She occupied a wing in the castle near the grand courtyard, somewhat higher than the hall opposite in which the birthday feast was to be celebrated.  From the gallery around her apartments one could look down into that open pillared hall.  The splendor almost blinded one for far, far back, halls, columns and passages were blazing with torches and lamps, with transparent, glittering, sensuous pictures and vases.

     Herodias and her female companions arrayed in magnificence stood in the high gallery of her apartment gazing upon Herod's triumphal entrance into the banqueting hall.  He came attended by his guests all arrayed in pomp and splendor.  The courtyard through which he passed to the triumphal arch was carpeted and lined with choirs of singers who saluted him with songs of joy.  Around the arch were ranged boys and girls waving garlands of flowers and playing upon all kinds of musical instruments.

     When Herod mounted the steps to the arch of triumph, he was met by a band of dancing boys and girls, Salome in their midst.  She presented him with a crown which rested on a cushion covered with sparkling ornamentation and carried by some of the children of her suite under a transparent veil.  These children were dressed in thin, tightly fitted garments, and on their shoulders were imitations of wings.  Salome wore a long transparent robe, caught up here and there on the lower limbs with glittering clasps.  Her arms were ornamented with gold bands, strings of pearls and circlets of tiny feathers.  Her neck and breast were covered with pearls and delicate sparkling chains.  She danced for awhile before Herod who, quite dazzled and enchanted, gave expression to his admiration in which all his quests enthusiastically joined.  She should, he said to her, renew this pleasure for him on the next morning.

     The procession entered the hall, and the banquet began.  The women ate in the wing of the castle with Herodias.  Meanwhile John in his prison cell knelt in prayer, his arms outstretched, his eyes raised to heaven.  The whole place around him shining with light but it was a very different light from that which glared in Herod's hall.  The whole city of Machaerus was illuminated by torches, and, as if on fire, it cast a reflection far into the surrounding mountains.

     When all had eaten and wine had flowed freely, the guests requested Herod to allow Salome to dance again, and for this purpose they cleared sufficient space and ranged around the walls.  Herod was seated on his throne surrounded by some of his most intimate associates, the Herodians.  Salome appeared with some of her dancing companions, clothed in a light transparent robe.  Her hair was interwoven in part with pearls and precious stones, while another part floated around her in curls.  She wore a crown, and formed the central figure in the group of dancers.  The dance consisted of a constant bowing, a gentle swaying and turning.  The whole person seemed destitute of bones.  Scarcely had one position been assumed when it glided into another.  The dancers held wreaths and scarfs in their hands, which waved and twined around one another.  The whole performance gave expression to the most shameful passions and in it Salome excelled all her companions.

     Herod was perfectly ravished, perfectly entranced by the changing attitudes.  When at the end of one of the figures, Salome presented herself before the throne, the other dancers continued to engage the attention of the guests, so that only those in the immediate vicinity heard Herod saying to her, "Ask of me whatever you will and I will give it to you.  Yes, I swear to you, though you ask the half of my kingdom, yet will I give it to you."

     Salome left the hall, hurried to that of the women and conferred with her mother, who directed her to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a dish.  Salome hastened back to Herod and said, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a dish."  Only a few of Herod's most confidential associates who were nearest the throne heard the request.  Herod looked like one struck with apoplexy, but Salome reminded him of his oath.  Then he commanded one of the Herodians to call his executioner, to whom he gave the command to behead John and give the head on a dish to Salome.  The executioner withdrew, and in a few moments Salome followed him.  Herod, as if suddenly indisposed, soon left the hall with his companions.  He was very sad.  His followers told him that he was not bound to grant such a request.  Never the less, they promised the greatest secrecy, in order not to interrupt the festivities.  Herod, exceedingly troubled, paced like one demented the most remote apartments of his palace, but the feast went on undisturbed.

     John was in prayer.  The executioner and his servant took with them the two soldiers on guard at the entrance of John's prison.  The guards bore torches, but the space around John so was brilliantly illuminated that their flame became dull, like a light in the daytime.  Salome waited in the entrance hall of the vast and intricate dungeon house.  With her was a maid servant who gave the executioner a dish wrapped in a red cloth.  The executioner addressed John, "Herod, the king, sent me to bring your head on a dish to his daughter Salome."  John allowed him little time to explain.  He remained kneeling, and bowing his head toward him he said, "I know why you have come.  You are my guest, one for whom I have long waited.  If you knew what you are about to do, you would not do it.  I am ready."  Then he turned his head away and continued his prayer before the stone in front of which he always prayed kneeling.  The executioner used a machine designed for this special purpose.  In the twinkling of an eye the head was severed from the trunk.  John still remained in a kneeling posture.  The head bounded to the floor and a triple stream of blood sprang up from the body, sprinkling both the head and the body of the saint, as if baptizing him in his own blood.  The executioner's servant laid the head on the dish held by his master, who presented it to the expectant Salome.  She received it joyfully, yet not without secret horror and that secret loathing which those given to sin always have for blood and wounds.  She carried the holy head on the dish covered by the red cloth.  The maid went before her bearing a torch to light the way through the subterranean passages.  Salome held the dish timidly at arm's length before her, her head, still laden with ornaments, turned away in disgust.  She was met by her mother who raised the cover from the holy head which she loaded with insult and abuse.  Then she hurled it from her and kicked it with her foot through a round opening down into a pit into which the offal and refuse from the kitchen were swept.  Then did that infamous woman and her daughter return to the noise and wicked revelry of the feast as if nothing had happened.  As soon as Herod ceased to take part in the festivities, Herodias began to entertain.

     The two guard soldiers laid the holy body of the saint upon the stone couch.  They were afterward discharged from duty and imprisoned that they might not disclose what they knew of John's murder.  The guests never gave John a thought.  His death remained concealed for a long time.  The report was even spread that he had been set free.  Five of those who knew of John's death were shut up in dungeons.  They were the two guards, the executioner and his servant, and Salome's maid who had shown some compassion for the saint.  Other guards were placed at the prison door and they in turn were at regular intervals replaced by others.  One of Herod's confidential followers regularly carried food to John's cell, consequently no one had any misgiving of what had taken place.

     Jesus went with His companions to Juttah.  Mary, Veronica, Susanna, Johanna Chusa, Johanna Marcus, Lazarus, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus and several of the disciples from Jerusalem were there waiting for Jesus.  Zachary's house was situated on a hill outside Juttah.  Both it and its surroundings consisting of vineyards were the inheritance of the Baptist.  The son of his father's brother, also named Zachary, occupied the house at this time and managed affairs.  He was a Levite and an intimate friend of Luke.  He was younger than the Baptist, about the age of the Apostle John.  He belonged to that class of Levites who were most like the Essenians, and who, having received from their ancestors the knowledge of certain mysteries, waited with earnest devotion for the coming of the Messiah.  Zachary was enlightened and unmarried.  He received Jesus and His companions with the customary marks of respect, washing their feet and offering them refreshments.  After that Jesus repaired to the synagogue in Hebron.

     At the family meal Jesus taught.  The women seated apart.  After the meal the Blessed Virgin went with Jesus, Peter, John and the Baptist's three disciples, James, Heliacim and Sadoc (the sons of Mary's eldest sister Mary Heli) into the room in which John was born.  They spread a large rug or carpet on the floor and all knelt or sat around it.  Jesus however remained standing.  He spoke to them of John's holiness and his career.

     Then Jesus disclosed to them the fact that John had been put to death by Herod.  Deep grief seized upon them all.  They watered the rug with their tears, especially John who threw himself weeping on the floor.  Jesus and Mary alone were standing, one at each end.  Jesus consoled them with earnest words and prepared them for a still more cruel blow.  He commanded silence on the matter since, with the exception of themselves, it was at present known only to its instigators.

     When speaking in Juttah Jesus referred to John's eager desire to see Himself.  But John had, He said, overcome himself and longed for nothing but the fulfillment of his mission, which was that of precursor and preparer, not that of constant companion and fellow laborer.

     When a little boy John had indeed seen Jesus when His parents were journeying with Him through the desert on their flight to Egypt.  John was in the desert, naked with the exception of the skin that he wore crossed over one shoulder and girded around his waist.  He had a little stick upon which he had fastened a piece of bark to form a pennon.  He felt that his Savior was near and that He was thirsty.  Then little John prayed, drove his little pennon into the earth, and a gushing spring spouted up.  As the water ran toward the Holy Family, John ran on along side of it through bushes for some distance before waiting, watching, dancing and waving the pennon he had made. 

     The Holy Family reached the newly formed stream and gratefully refreshed themselves with its water.  John continued to wave to the Holy Family as he skipped and danced for joy until they had crossed the brook and were out of sight.  His parents, Mary and Joseph, Jesus continued, held Him up with the words, "See! John in the desert!"  It was thus that the Holy Spirit had led the boy to salute his Master whom he had already saluted from his mother's womb.  John had then seen his Messiah from about the distance of an arrow shot.  The Holy Family was too anxious to escape from Herod to take time for a visit.  John hurried back to the little dell where the spring had gushed forth and turned it into a well for his own use.  While Jesus was relating the above, the disciples were shedding tears at the thought of John's death.

     On the return journey of the Holy Family from Egypt John again saw Jesus in spirit.  He sprang forward exultingly in the direction of his Lord, but he did not see Him then, as they were separated by about a two hours journey.  Jesus spoke also of John's great self-command.  Even when baptizing Him, he had restrained himself with the bounds exacted by solemn occasion, although his heart was well nigh broken by intense love and desire.  After the ceremony he was more intent upon humbling himself before Him than upon gratifying his love by looking at Him.

     The next time that Jesus taught in the synagogue of Hebron the sacred edifice was thrown open on all sides and near the entrance in an elevated position was a teacher's chair by which He stood.  Jesus' discourse on this occasion was full of deep significance.  The lessons from scripture were those referring to the Egyptian darkness, the institution of the Pascal Lamb, and the redeeming of the first born.  He said that when sun and moon are darkened, the mother brings the child to the Temple to be redeemed.  More than once He made use of the expression, "The obscuring of the sun and of the moon."  He referred to conception, birth, circumcision, and presentation in the Temple as connected with darkness and light.  The departure from Egypt, so full of mystery, was applied to the birth of mankind.  He spoke of circumcision as an external sign which, like the obligation to ransom the first born, would one day be abolished.  He spoke also of Hebron and of Abraham, and came at last to Zachary and John.  He alluded to John's high dignity in terms more detailed and intelligible than ever before, namely, his birth, his life in the desert, his preaching of penance, his baptism, his faithful discharge of his mission as precursor, and lastly of his imprisonment.  Then He alluded to the fate of the Prophets and the High Priest Zachary who had been murdered between the altar and the sanctuary, also to the sufferings of Jeremiah in the dungeon at Jerusalem, and persecutions endured by the others.  When Jesus spoke of the murder of the first Zachary between the Temple and the altar, the relatives present thought of the sad fate of the Baptist's father whom Herod had decoyed to Jerusalem, and then caused to be put to death in a neighboring house.  Jesus however had made no mention of this last fact.  Zachary was buried in a vault near his own house outside of Juttah.

     As Jesus was thus speaking in an impressive and very significant manner of John and the death of the Prophets, the silence throughout the synagogue grew more profound.  All were deeply affected, many were shedding tears, and even the Pharisees were very much moved.  Several of John's relatives and friends at this moment received an interior illumination by which they understood that the Baptist himself was dead, and they fainted away from grief.  This gave rise to some excitement in the synagogue.  Jesus quieted the disturance by directing the bystanders to support those who had fainted, as they would soon revive; so they lay a few moments in the arms of their friends, while Jesus went on with his talk.

     There was something significant in the words, "Between the Temple and the altar," as recorded of the murder of that first Zachary.  They might well be applied to John the Baptist's death since, in the life of Jesus, it also stood between the Temple and the altar, for John died between the Birth of Jesus and His sacrifice upon the Altar of the Cross.  This signification of the words was not understood by Jesus' hearers.  At the close of the instruction they who had fainted were conducted to their homes.  Besides Zachary, John's cousin, Elizabeth had a niece, her sister's daughter, married here in Hebron.  She had a family of twelve children, of whom some were daughters already grown.  It was these and some others who had been so deeply affected.

     On leaving the synagogue Jesus went with young Zachary and the disciples to the house of Elizabeth's niece, where He had not yet been.  The holy women however had visited her several times before their departure.  Jesus had engaged to eat with her this day, but it was a very sad meal.  Jesus was in a room with Peter, John, James Cleophas, Heliacim, Sadock, Zachary, Elizabeth's niece and her husband.  John's relatives asked in a trembling voice, "Lord, shall we see John again?"  They were in a retired room, the door locked, so that no one could disturb them.  Jesus answered with tears, "No!" and spoke most feelingly but in consoling terms of John's death.  When they sadly expressed their fears that the body would be ill treated, Jesus reassured them.  He told them no, that the corpse was lying untouched, though the head had been abused and thrown into a sewer, but that it too would be preserved and would one day come to light.  He also told them that in some days Herod would leave Machaerus and the news of John's death would spread abroad, then they could take away the body.  Jesus wept with His sorrowful listeners.

     John's female relatives celebrated the Sabbath at their own home.  They clothed themselves in mourning garments and sat on the floor, a stand full of lights or lamps being placed in the center of the apartment.

     The people of Juttah began to suspect from the words of Jesus and the mourning of John's relatives that John was no longer among the living, and soon the report of his death was whispered around.

     Before His departure from Juttah, Jesus visited Zachary's tomb in company with His disciples and the nephews of the murdered man.  It was not like ordinary tombs.  It was more like the catacombs consisting of a vault supported on pillars.  It was a most honorable burial place for priests and Prophets.  It had been determined that John's body should be brought from Machaerus and buried here.  Therefore the vault was arranged and a funereal couch erected.  It was very touching to see Jesus helping to prepare a resting place for His friend.  He rendered honor to the remains of Zachary also.

     Elizabeth was not buried here but on a high mountain in that cave in which John had sojourned when a boy in the desert.

     When Herod with his family with a numerous escort of soldiers removed from Machaerus to Hesebon, the news of John's beheading was spread by some deserters.  Some of the Centurion Zorobabel's servants, who had been wounded at the late disaster in Jerusalem, retured to Capharnaum, and also brought the sad news.  Zorobabel immediately imparted the frightful news to Judas Barsabas who was in the neighborhood, upon which he with Saturnin and two other disciples, hastened to the region of Machaerus, where they everywhere received the same account.  From Machaerus they hurried to John's native place in order to take steps for the removal of the body.  Upon hearing that Jesus was at the inn, they came there to meet Him.  Soon after that the sons of Mary Heli, the nephews of Joseph of Arimathea, the nephews of Zachary, and the sons of Johanna Chusa and Veronica set out for Machaerus, taking a route through Juttah.  They took with them an ass laden with all that was necessary for carrying out their design.  Machaerus now, with the exception of a few soldiers, was quite deserted.

     Jesus tarried awhile in these parts in order not to meet Pilot who with his wife and a retinue of fifteen persons, was on his way from Jerusalem to Appolonia.  From Appolonia he embarked for Rome, to lodge a complaint against Herod.

     When Saturnin with the disciples reached Machaerus they climbed the mountain on which stood Herod's castle.  They carried under their arms three strong wooden bars, about a hand in breadth, a leather cover in two parts, leather bottles, boxes in the form of bags, rolls of linen cloths, sponges, and other similar things.  The disciples best known at the castle asked the guards to be allowed to enter, but on being refused, they retraced their steps, went around the rampart, and climbed upon one another's shoulders over three ramparts and two moats to the vicinity of John's prison.  It looked as if God helped them, so quickly did they enter without disturbance.  After that they descended from a round opening above the interior of the dungeons.  When the two soldiers on guard at the entrance to John's cell perceived them and drew near with their torches, the disciples went boldly on to meet them and said, "We are the disciples of the Baptist.  We are going to take away the body of our master whom Herod put to death."  The soldiers offered no opposition but opened the prison door.  They were exasperated against Herod on account of John's murder and were glad to have a share in this good work.  Several of their comrades had taken flight during the last few days.

     As they entered the prison the torches went out and the whole place filled with light.  The disciples hastened to John's body and prostrated before it in tears.  Besides them was an apparition of a tall shining lady who looked very much like the Mother of God at the time of her death.  It was St. Elizabeth who had come to render assistance to John's disciples.  She appeared to be the moving spirit of all.

     The corpse was still covered with the hairy garment.  The disciples quickly set about making the funereal preparations.  They spread out cloths upon which they laid the body, and then proceeded to wash it.  They had brought with them for that purpose water in leather bottles and the soldiers supplied them with basins of a brownish hue.  Judas Barsabas, James and Heliacim took charge of the principal part of these last kind offices to the dead, the others handing them what was needed and helping them when necessary.

     Meanwhile some of the other disciples gathered up a quantity of blood that had flowed on the spot upon which the head had fallen, as well as that upon which the body had lain, and put it into the empty bags that had held the herbs and spices.  They then laid the body wrapped in its winding sheet upon the leather covers which they fastened on top by means of a rod made for the purpose.  The two light wooden bars were run into the leather straps of the covers, which now formed a kind of box.  The bars, though thin and light, showed no signs of bending under their load.  The skin that John used to wear, was thrown over the whole, and two of the disciples bore away the sacred remains.  The others followed.  The two soldiers left Machaerus with them.  They guided the disciples through the narrow passages back of the ramparts and out through that subterranean way by which John had been brought into the prison.  All was done rapidly and with recollection so touching that no words can describe it.

     At first with rapid steps they descended the mountain in the dark.  Soon however they lit a torch, two walked between the poles carrying the body on their shoulders, the others followed.  This procession proceeded silently and swiftly through the darkness by the glare of their one torch.  They appeared to float on the surface of the ground.  How they wept when at the dawn of day they ferried across the Jordan to the place where John had first baptized and they became his followers.  They went around close to the shores of the Dead Sea, always choosing lonely paths and those that led through the desert until they reached the valley of the shepherds near Bethlehem.  Here with the remains they lay concealed in a cave until night, when they journeyed on to Juttah.  Before daybreak they reached the neighborhood of Abraham's tomb.   They deposited John's body in a cave near the cells of the Essenians who guarded the precious remains all day.

     Toward evening about the hour when Our Lord also was anointed and laid in the tomb (it being likewise a Friday) the body was brought by the Essenians to the vault where Zachary and many of the Prophets were reposing and which Jesus had recently caused to be prepared for its reception.

     The Baptist's relatives, male and female, were assembled in the vault with the disciples and the two soldiers who had come with them from Machaerus.  Several of the Essenians were also present, among them some very aged people in long white garments.  These older ones had provided John with means of subsistence during his first sojourn in the desert.  The women were clothed in white, in long mantles and veils.  The men wore black mourning mantles and around their neck hung narrow scarfs fringed at the ends.  Many lamps were burning in the vault.  The body was extended on a carpet, the winding sheet removed and, amid many tears, was anointed and embalmed with myrrh and sweet spices.  The headless trunk was a heart rendering sight to all present.  They deeply regretted not being able to look upon John's features.  Each one present contributed a bundle of Myrrh or other aromatic herbs.  Then the disciples, having  re-swathed the body, laid it in the compartment hewn out for it above that of his father.  They arranged the bones of Zachary and wrapped them in fresh linens.

     The Essenians afterward held a kind of religious service in which they honored John not only as one of their own, but as one of the Prophets promised to them.  A portable altar was placed between the two rows that they formed on either side, and one of them with the aid of two assistants prepared it for the ceremony.  All laid little loaves on the altar in the center of which lay a representation of a Pascal Lamb, over which they scattered all kinds of herbs and tiny branches.  The altar was covered with a red under cloth and a white upper one.  The priest read from rolls of writing, burned incense, blessed and sprinkled with water.  All sang as in choir.  John's disciples and relatives stood around in rows and joined in the singing.  The eldest delivered a speech upon the fulfillment of the Prophecies, upon the signification of John's career, and made several allusions touching upon Christ.  He spoke of the death of the Prophets as well as that of the High Priest Zachary who had been murdered between the Temple and the altar.  He said that Zachary, the father of John, had also been murdered between the Temple and the altar.  His death signified something still higher than that of the ancient High Priest, but John was the true witness in blood between the Temple and the altar.  By these last words he alluded to Christ's life and death.

     The ceremony of the Lamb had reference to a prophetic vision that John had while still in the desert, and had communicated to one of the Essenians.  The vision itself referred to the Pascal Lamb, the Lamb of God, to Jesus, the Last Supper, to the Passion and consummation of the Sacrifice upon the cross.  They did not perfectly understand all this.  They performed the ceremonies in a prophetic, symbolical spirit, as if they had among them at that time many endowed with the gift of prophecy.

     When all was over, he who conducted the service distributed among the disciples the little loaves that had lain on the altar, and gave to each, one of the little branches that had been stuck on the lamb.  The other relatives also received branches, but not those from the lamb.  The Essenians ate the bread, after which the tomb was closed.

     The holy souls among the Essenians were possessed of great knowledge and prophetic insight upon the coming of the Messiah, also of the interior signification and of the reference to Him of the various customs of Judea.  Four generations before the birth of the Blessed Virgin they had ceased to offer bloody sacrifices, since they knew that the coming of the Lamb of God was near.  Chastity and continence were among them a species of worship celebrated to honor the future redeemer.  In humanity they saw His temple to which He was coming, and they wished to do all in their power to preserve it pure and unsullied.  They knew how often the Savior's coming had been retarded by the sins of mankind, and they sought by their own purity and chastity to satisfy for the sins of others.

     All this had in some mysterious way been infused in their Order by some of the prophets without, however, their having in Jesus' time a perfectly clear consciousness of it.  They were, as to what concerned their customs and religious observances, the precursors of the future church.  They had contributed much toward the spiritual training and guidance of Mary's ancestors and other holy patriarchs.  The education of John in his youth was their last great work.

     Jesus had no particular communication with the Essenians, although there was some similarity between His customs and theirs.  With a great many of them he had no more to do than with other pious and kindly disposed people.  He was intimate with several of the married Essenians who were friends of the Holy Family.  As this sect never disputed with Jesus, He never had cause to speak against them.  They are not mentioned in the Gospels, because He had nothing to censure them as He had in others.  He was silent also on the great good found among them, since, if He had touched upon it, the Pharisees would have immediately declared that He Himself belonged to that sect.

     As it became known at Machaerus through the domestics of Herodias where John's head had been thrown, Johanna Chusa, Veronica, and one of the Baptist's relatives journeyed there in order to make a search for it.  But until the vaulted sewer could be opened and drained, the head, which was resting on a stone projecting from the wall, could not be reached.  Two months flowed by and then many of the out buildings and movables belonging to Herod's court at Machaerus were removed, and the whole castle was fitted up for a garrison and fortified for defence.  The sewers were cleaned out and repaired, and new fortifications added to the old.  There were many people engaged in carrying away the rubbish, and others gathered up mud and slime from the sewers to enrich their fields.  Among them were some women from Juttah and Jerusalem with their servants.  They were waiting until the deep steep sewer, where the Baptist's holy head was, should be cleaned.  They prayed by night, fasted by day, and sent up ardent prayers to God that they might be able to find that for which they were seeking.  The bottom of the sewer, because of its being dug under the mountain, was very inclined.  The whole of the lower end was already emptied and purified.  To reach the upper part where the holy head was lying the workmen had to clamber up by stones projecting from either side.  A great heap of stones obstructed this part which was at a considerable distance from the outer entrance.

     While the workmen went to take their meal, people who had been paid to do so introduced the women into the sewer which was cleaned out as far as that heap of bones.  They prayed as they advanced that God would allow them to find the holy head and they climbed the ascent with difficulty.  Soon they perceived the head sitting upright on the neck upon one of the projecting stones as if looking at them, and near it shone a lustre like two flames.  Were it not for this light they might easily have made a mistake, for there were other human heads in the sewer.  The head was pitiful to behold.  The women wrapped it in a linen cloth and bore it away with hurried steps.

     Scarcely had they accomplished a part of the way when a company of a thousand of Herod's soldiery came marching up toward the castle.  They had come to replace the several hundreds already there on guard.  The women concealed themselves in a cave.  The danger past they again set out on their journey through the mountains.  On their way they came across a soldier who, having fallen, received a severe wound on the knee.  He was lying on the road unconscious.  Here also they came up with Zachary's nephew and two of the Essenians who had come to meet them. They laid the holy head upon the wounded soldier, who instantly recovered consciousness, arose and spoke, saying that he had just seen the Baptist, and he had helped him.  All were much touched.  They bathed his wounds in oil and wine and took him to an inn, without, however, saying anything to him about John's head.  They continued their journey always choosing the most unfrequented route just as had been done when John's body was conveyed to Juttah.  The head was delivered to the Essenians near Hebron, and some of their sick having been touched with it, were cured.  It was then washed, embalmed with precious ointments, and with solemn ceremonies laid with the body in the tomb.

     Late at night the disciples returned from Juttah which they had left after the Sabbath.  They told Jesus about their bringing John's body away from Machaerus and its burial near his father.  The two soldiers from Machaerus had come with the disciples.  Lazarus took charge of them, kept them concealed and provided for their wants.

     Jesus said to the disciples, "Let us retire to some solitude, there to rest and mourn, Not over John's death, but over the deplorable causes that led to it."