The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 51 -
A Promise For Maronius Pilla
WHEN MARONIUS PILLA received this verdict from Cyrenius, he declared in a quaking voice,
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'Woe is me, all is betrayed! I am a republican, and such has been openly set forth to the emperor. Woe, I am lost!'
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And Cyrenius asserted, 'I well knew what purposes you both served and what motive allied you with Herod in the murder of the children.
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That is also why I acted as I did.
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Truly, if you, like me, were not descended from the first house in Rome, I would without any mercy have had your head struck off,
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if I did not even have you fastened to a cross! But I pardoned you, in the first place because you were more misled by Herod to take this step, and because you are one of the first patricians of Rome along with me and Augustus Caesar.
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But you will not be prefect as long as Herod lives and until you are completely healed.
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And you will fulfill the condition of your being here in that you will take upon you without any argument the work which I shall apportion to you, and that you shall lead your life under my strict observation.
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'In the spring I am going to make an official trip to Egypt - to where you will accompany me.
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There a wise old man lives outside the city. I will let him examine you - and he will tell you all your illness.
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There the first moment will show to what extent all your statements are to be trusted.
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So prepare yourself well, for there you will encounter more than the oracle at Delphi.
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There you will be confronted by a judge whose keenness of eye makes bronze melt like wax. - So be prepared, for this declaration will stand!'