6210. Ovid {*Ovid, Pontus, l. 4. e. 5. 1:439} wrote about Sextus Pompeius who was consul this year and {*Ovid, Pontus, l. 4. e. 6. 1:441} the next poem about Brutus, in which he mentions the death both of Augustus and Fabius Maximus. (It is obvious from Tacitus, {Tacitus, Annals, l. 1. c. 5.} that Maximus died this year under Tiberius.) Ovid showed in these verses that he was more than five years into his banishment and that then he was entering the sixth, (of the beginning of which we are certain.)
Now one quinquennial Olympiad's run, In Scythia I, and the second Lustral gun.
6211. In this sixth year he remembered also: {*Ovid, Pontus, l. 4. e. 10. 1:463}
This is the sixth summer on the Cymmerian shores That I must spend amongst these Getic boors.
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6212. Ovid mentioned in his eulogy to Caras of the sixth winter, (from which he counts the beginning of the seventh year of his banishment.) {*Ovid, Pontus, l. 4. e. 13. 1:477}
This the sixth winter (my dear friend)
Must I in this cold climate spend.
6213. Where also he tells of a poem at this time written by him in the language of the Getes of the canonization of Augustus. {*Ovid, Pontus, l. 4. e. 13. 1:477}
Ah shame, in Getic language then did I
Compile a book, fancy my Posey;
Yea gloried in it, and estsoon began
Amongst these barbars to be the only man.
6214. An Hebrew woman that had been bound by Satan eighteen years from this date, was restored by Christ to health. {Lu 13:1-16}
6215. Valerius Gratus is sent by Tiberius as governor to Judea to replace Annius Rufus. Gratus held the government for eleven years. {Josephus, Antiq. l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:478>}
6216. When the governor of Crete died, for the rest of his term the island was committed to the charge of the quaestor and his assessor. {Dio, l. 57. 7:147}
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6217. The Armenians had received Vonones into their kingdom who was expelled from his own by the threats of Artabanus the king of the Parthians and Medes. Vonones solicited in vain for help from Tiberius through his ambassadors whom he sent to Rome. Since the most powerful of the Armenians followed the faction of Artabanus, Vonones gave up all hope of recovering the kingdom. He retired with an huge amount of treasure to Antioch and submited himself to Creticus Silanus, the governor of Syria. Because Vonones was educated at Rome, the governor kept him with him in Syria and set a guard over him but allowed him to maintain the pomp and name of a king. Artabanus set Orodes, one of his sons, to be king over the Armenians. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:>} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 4.} {Suetonius, Tiberius, c. 49.}
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6218. Ovid the poet died in banishment and was buried near the city Tomos. {Jerome, Chronicles}
6219. Tiberius had Archelaus, the king of Cappadocia tricked into coming to Rome through the letters of Livia. Tiberius hated him because he had not offered him any help all the while he lived at Rhodes. She did not hide her son's displeasure with him but offered him mercy if he would come and ask for it. Archelaus did not know of the treachery or possible hostility and hurried to Rome. He was churlishly entertained and not long after he was accused of feigned crimes in the senate. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 42.} He was accused as though he planned a sedition. The old king was worn out with extreme old age and gout and was believed to dote on the people. He defended himself in his letter in the senate and pretended that he was not well at that time in his mind and escaped danger for the time being. {*Dio, l. 57. 7:157} However, not long after this he died from other causes because he was tired with grief and with old age. Then Cappadocia was organised into a province and committed to the government of an equestrian. {*Dio, l. 57. 7:159} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 42.} {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 37.}
6220. Tiberius stated that by the profits of that kingdom of Cappadocia, the tribute of one in the hundred might be stopped and appointed the tribute of one in two hundred to be raised. (??) {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 42.} He ordered that its chief city called Mazaca, a most noble city, should be called Caesarea. {Jerome, Chronicles}
6221. At the same time after Antiochus, the king of the Commangenes had died, there arose a contention between the nobility and the common people. The nobility desired that the kingdom should be made into a province and the common people wanted another king. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 42.} {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:479>} In similar manner also the country of the Cilicians was in a turmoil when their King Philopator died. Many wanted it to become a Roman province and many wanted a kingdom. The provinces of Syria and Judea were oppressed with taxes and made a petition that their tribute might be lessened. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 42.}
6222. Tiberius discussed these things with the senate and persuaded them that these problems in the east could only be settled by the wisdom of Germanicus. Thereupon by the decree of the senate, Germanicus was given the charge of all the provinces east of Italy. This was a greater command than anyone before him had. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 43.} Under the pretence of problems in the east, Tiberius intended to take him from the legions that he usually commanded and gave him charge over new provinces which exposed him more to treachery and hazards. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 45.??}
6223. Because the governor of Syria, Creticus Silanus was related (??) to Germanicus, Tiberius appointed Cn. Piso as his successor. He was a head strong and rebellious man and was well aware that he was made governor of Syria to thwart Germanicus. Some believed that he had secret orders from Tiberius to do so. Without a doubt, his wife Plancina was advised by Augusta through female jealousy to quarrel with Agrippina (the daughter of M. Agrippa) and Julia, the wife of Germanicus {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 43.}
6224. In the same year twelve famous cities of Asia were destroyed in one night by an earthquake. These were Ephesus, Magnesia, Sardis, Mosthene, Aegae, Hiero-Caesarea, Philadelphia, Temnus, Cyme, Myrina, Apollonia, and Hyrcania. They stated also that huge mountains were laid flat and plains raised up into hills and fire flashed out of those ruins. The disaster was most serious among the Sardians and created much sympathy for them. Tiberius promised them 1,000,000 Sesterces and to release them for five year's time of all that they were to pay to the common treasury. The Magnetes near the mountain Sypilus were the next worst damaged. They were given relief from taxes for five years also as well as the Temnians, Philadelphians, Aegetians, Apollonienses, and such as are called Mosthenians, or Macedonians of Hyreania, and those who lived at Heiro-Caesarea, Myrina and Cyme. Tiberius sent some of the senators to them to see the situation and help them. This charge was committed to M. Aletus who was once a praetor. If one who had been consul over Asia had been sent, there might have been some envy between equals (e.g. the governor of Asia) and the business would have been hindered. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 43.} {*Strabo, l. 12. 5:515,517 l. 13. 6:179} {*Pliny. l. 2. c. 84. 1:329} {*Dio. l. 57. 7:159} {Eusebius, Chronicles} {Orosius, l. 7. c. 4.}
6225. For this magnificent generosity to the public, a large statue of Tiberius was erected in the forum at Rome by the temple of Venus. Each of the cities which was rebuilt, also erected a statue of Tiberius according to Phlegon Trellianus in his book of wonders stated from Apollonius the Grammarian. Scaliger also adds that there were silver medals coined to commemorate these things. On one side of the coin was the face of Tiberius and on the reverse side was the picture of Asia in a woman's clothing sitting with these words CIVITATIBUS ASIAE RESTITUTIS meaning, "for the cities of Asia restored."
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6226. Germanicus was sent out to settle the affairs of the east. {Suetonius, Caligula, c. 1.} He sailed into the isle Lesbos where his wife Agrippina had previously given birth to Julia. He desired to see the places of antiquity and fame, he went to the confines of Asia, Perinthus and Byzantium, cities of Thrace. Then he entered the straits of Propontis and the mouth of the Pontic Sea. Likewise he relieved the provinces which were oppressed with civil discord or oppressive magistrates. He sailed to Colophon and consulted the oracle of Clarius Apollo. The oracle told him in dark speeches (as the manner of oracles was) that his death was near. {Tacitus, Annals, l, 2. c. 54.}
6227. Cn. Piso sailed as quickly as possible by the Cyclades and using the shortest routes by sea, he overtook Germanicus at Rhodes. Piso was saved from danger of shipwreck by Germanicus but yet was not placated. He left Germanicus and went ahead of him to Syria. When he came to the legions with gifts and bribes, he tried to win them over to him. He reached such an height of corruption that among the common people, he was called the father of the legions. Both he and his wife Plancina as well by herself were involved in this. She instigated some of the soldiers to obey her base commands and spoke disrespectfully against Agrippina and Germanicus. It was all the easier because it was secretly whispered that this was done with the emperor's consent. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 55.}
6228. Although Germanicus knew about those things, the affairs of Armenia required his attention first. At that time, the Armenians had expelled Vonones and had no king. (This is if we can believe Tacitus for Suetonius {Suetonius, Caligula, c. 1.} stated that the king of Armenia was conquered by Germanicus. This was Orodes, the son of Artabanus, king of the Parthians, as it was stated from Josephus.) The good will of the country was inclined more towards Zeno, the son of Polemon, the king of Pontus. From his childhood, he had imitated the customs and clothing of the Armenians in hunting and feasting and other exercises which were greatly esteemed by the barbarians. He had won to him the good will of the nobles and common people. Germanicus intended to make him king in the city of Artaxatis. The noble men approved of this and the multitudes flocked around him. The rest reverenced him as their king and greeted him by the name of Artaxias after the name of their city. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 56.}
6229. Then the Cappadocians were organised into a province and Q. Veranius was made its governor. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 56.} To encourage them that the Roman government would be mild, some of the tributes that they used to pay to their kings, were reduced. Q. Servaeus was made governor over the Commagenians. This province was ruled by a praetor. (??) {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 56.}
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6230. After all the affairs of the allies were successfully settled, Germanicus was still uneasy about Piso's arrogance. Germanicus had ordered that either he himself or his son, should lead some of the legions into Armenia and neither did anything. Finally, they both met at Cyrrhum, a city of Syria, where the tenth legion wintered. In the presence of a few families, Caesar had a heated discussion with Piso and and Piso answered with a proud submission. Hence they departed with grudges against each other. After that Piso was seldom at Caesar's tribunal, and if at any time he assisted, he showed himself froward and obviously dissented from him. This speech of his was told at a banquet made by the king of the Nabateans, where large crowns of gold were given to Germanicus and Agrippina and small ones to Piso and the rest. This feast was made for the son of a Roman prince and not for the son of the Parthian king. The son threw away his crown, and spoke many things against the generosity of the host. (??) Although Germanicus could hardly digest this, yet endured it all patiently. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 57.}
6231. Ambassadors came from Artabanus, the king of the Parthians, to Germanicus to renew the friendship and league between them. The king said that he would give so much to the honour of Germanicus that he would come to the banks of the Euphrates River. He desired in the meantime that Vonones might not stay in Syria, lest by secret messengers he might make a rebellion among the noble men of the country around there. Germanicus answered agreeably to the alliance between the Romans and the Parthians. Concerning the king's coming and the honour done to himself, he answered politely and with modesty. Vonones was moved to Pompeipolis, a sea town of Cilicia. This was not done so much at Artabanus' request, as to spite Piso to whom Vonones was most acceptable for many services and gifts which he had given to Plancina, Piso's wife. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 58.}
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6232. When M. Silanus and L. Norbanus were consuls, Germanicus went into Egypt to learn its history but pretended a concern for the province. He opened the granaries and brought down the price of grain and did other things to win the favour of the people. He went about without soldiers, wore open shoes and dressed like a Greek. Tiberius lightly blamed him for his behaviour and apparel and sharply rebuked him that contrary to Augustus' order he had entered Alexandria without the permission of the prince. However, Germanicus did not yet know that his journey was frowned on and sailed up the Nile River starting at the town Conopus. Later he visited the great ruins of Thebes where the Egyptians' letters could still be seen in the old buildings which contained their ancient wealth. He intended to see other marvels of which the main attraction was the stone image of Memnon. When it is illuminated by the sun, it makes a sound like a man's voice. He also saw the pyramids as high as mountains built by the former kings to show their riches. He saw the impassable sands and the hand made ditches to hold the flooding of the Nile River. They were so narrow in same places and so deep in other places that the bottom could not be determined. Then he came to Elephantine and Syene. So that summer was spent by Germanicus in seeing various provinces. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 59-62.}
6233. At the same time Vonones bribed his guards and tried by all means to escape to the Armenians and from there to the Albanians and Heniochians and to his relative, the king of Scythia. Under the pretence of going hunting, he left the seacoasts and took the byways. His fast horse brought him quickly to the Pyrimus River, whose bridges the inhabitants had broken down when they heard of the king's escape. The river was too deep to ford across. Therefore on the bank of the river, he was captured and bound by Vibius Fronto, captain of the cavalry. Then as it were through anger, he was run through by Remmius Evocatus, to whose keeping he was first committed. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 68.}
6234. The daughter to Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, was born. She was his only child and died when she was twelve years old. Christ restored her to life. During this year also, the woman became sick of the flux of blood. Twelve years later she was healed by touching the garment of Jesus. {Lu 8:42,43 Mr 5:42}
6235. There were many vain oracles that went about as though they had been the Sibyls concerning the destruction of Rome which was to happen in the year 900 from its founding. Tiberius reproved them and saw all the books which contained any prophesies. He rejected some as of no importance and he received others into the number of those which were to be approved. {*Dio, l. 57. 7:161,163}
6236. The senate debated about elimination of the Egyptian and Jewish religion. An act was made that those who observed them must depart from Italy if within a certain day they did not stop those practices. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 85.} They were compelled to burn all their religious garments with all things belonging to them. {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 36.} This may also be what Seneca refers to. {Seneca, ep. 108.}
``When I was a young man in the government of Tiberius, the foreign rites of the countries were removed. It was thought superstitious to abstain from some kinds of food.''
6237. An horrible crime was committed against Paulina, a noble woman by the Egyptian religion. When it was known, Tiberius commanded the temple of Isis to be thrown down and Isis' statue to be drowned in the Tiber River. {Josephus, Annals, l. 18. c. 4. <c. 3. 1:481>} A certain imposter was the reason for the expulsion of the Jews. He fled his country for fear of being punished, according to their laws. He then lived at Rome and made himself as though he were an interpreter of Moses' law. He had also three associates like himself. A noble woman, Fulvia, embraced the Jewish religion and became their scholar. They persuaded her that she should send purple and gold to the temple of Jerusalem. When they had received this, they used it for themselves. Tiberius was informed of this by his friend Saturninus, the husband of Fulvia who complained of the wrong to his wife. Tiberius ordered all the Jews to get out of the city. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 5. <c. 3. 1:481>}
6238. The consuls enlisted 4000 of the youth for soldiers from the Jews who were the sons of free men. They were sent into Sardinia to suppress the robbers. They thought it no great loss if they should perish through the intemperance of the air. Many who refused to be enlisted because of the religion of their country, were grievously punished. The rest of that nationality or any that followed their religion, were turned out of the city under the penalty of perpetual slavery if they did not obey. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 5. <c. 3. 1:481>} {Suetonius, in Tiberius, c. 36.} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 85.}
6239. Rhascupolis or Rhascoporis, the king of Thracia, killed Cotys his brother's son, who also was his partner in the kingdom. He was betrayed by Pomponius Flaccus. (Ovid mentions Flaccus {*Ovid, Pontus, l. 4. . e. 9.} as governor of Moesia.) He was brought to Rome and there condemned and taken to Alexandria. He was killed as though he had made an attempt to flee from there. {Tacitus, Annals l. 2. c. 67.} {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 126. 1:311} {Suetonius, Tiberius, c. 37.}
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6240. When Germanicus returned from Egypt, he found that everything he had ordered about the legions or cities was not done or done exactly opposite to what he ordered. Thereupon, he had very harsh words with Piso as if Piso had disobeyed the emperor directly. Hence Piso decided to leave Syria, but was then detained by reason of Germanicus' sickness. When he heard he was getting better and that the vows were to be made for his health, he thought his sergeants, drove away the beasts brought to the altar and disturbed the preparation for the sacrifices and the solemn meeting of the people of Antioch where Germanicus was. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 69.} When Germanicus was sick, he used him most harshly in words and deeds without any moderation. {Suetonius, Caligula, c. 2.}
6241. Then Piso went to Seleucia and expected Germanicus to become sick again. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 69.} In the house where Germanicus lived, they found pieces of human bodies dug out, verses and charms, his name engraved on lead sheets, ashes half burned and mingled with corrupt blood and other sorceries. It was believed that by this the souls are dedicated to the infernal powers. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 69.} {*Dio, l. 57. 7:163}
6242. Germanicus was very angry and renounced by letters Piso's friendship according to the ancient custom. Some add that he ordered him to leave the province. Piso did not stay but weighed anchor. However he sailed slowly so that he might return the sooner if news of Germanicus' death should open a way for him into Syria. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 70.} {Suetonius, Caligula, c. 3.}
6243. Germanicus was greatly weakened by his sickness and knew his end was near. He accused Piso and his wife Plancina and desired his friends to revenge it. He died to the great regret of the province and the neighbouring people. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 71,72.} He died at Antioch from a disease that had no respite when he was 34 years old. He was suspected to have been poisoned that was given to him through the treachery of Tiberius and Piso. {Suetonius, Caligula, c. 1, 2.}
6244. The day that Germanicus died, the temples were battered with a storm of stones, altars were overturned, the household gods by some were thrown into the streets and children laid out to die. They report also that the barbarians consented to a truce for public mourning with whom there was civil war or war against the Romans. Some governors among them cut off their beards and shaved their wives' heads, as a sign of their greatest mourning. The king of kings did no hunting or feasting with the nobles, which is a kind of holiday among the Parthians. {Suetonius, Caligula, c. 5.}
6245. His funeral was without any images or pomp and was solemnized with the praises and memory of his virtues. Before his body was burnt, it lay naked in the forum of Antioch where it was to be buried. It was uncertain, if he showed any signs of poison for there was a difference of opinion. Those who favoured Germanicus thought he was and those who favoured Piso did not think so. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 73.} In addition to the marks which were all over his body and the froth which came from his mouth, the heart did not burn with the rest of his body. It was thought that it would not be consumed with fire if the man died from poison. {Suetonius, Caligula, c. 1.} In a speech Vitellius later made, he tried to prove Piso guilty of this villainy and used this argument and publicly testified that the heart of Germanicus could not be burned because of the poison. Piso used the defence that the hearts of those who die of the disease called Cardiaca Passio cannot be burned. {*Pliny, l. 11. c. 71. 3:549}
6246. Cneus Sentius was chosen as the governor for Syria, by the lieutenants and senators who were there. They sent Martina to Rome, a woman infamous in that province for poisoning but very much liked by of Piso's wife, Plancina. This was done at the request of Vitellius and Veranius who alleged crimes and accusations against them as if they were already found guilty. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 74.} Although Agrippina was worn out with grief and sickness, she was impatient of anything which might hinder her revenge. She sailed with Germanicus' ashes and her children. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 75.}
6247. Piso received the news of Germanicus' death at the isle of Cos and expressed his joy most intemperately. Plancina was more insolent, who then first of all stopped her mourning for the death of her sister. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 75.} The centurions came flocking about him and told him that the legions were already at his command and he should return to the province which was wrongfully taken from him and now had no governor. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 76.} He sent letters to Tiberius and accused Germanicus of riotousness and pride and that himself was driven out to make way for a revolt Germanicus was planning. Piso said that he had taken the charge of the army again with the same fidelity he had governed it before. He had ordered Domitius Celer with a galley to sail to Syria as quickly as possible by the open sea and avoid the longer coastal route. Piso then marshalled and armed renegades and his rascal companions. He sailed over to the continent and intercepted an ensign of new soldiers who were going to Syria. He wrote to the leaders of Cilicia to send him help. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 78.}
6248. Piso and his companions sailed by the coast of Lycia and Pamphilia and met with the ships which conveyed Agrippina. They each hated one another and prepared to fight. They were equally afraid of each other and only exchanged harsh words. Marsus Vibius told Piso that he should come to Rome and answer for himself. He scoffingly replied that he would come when the praetor who was to inquire into the poisonings would appoint a day for the plaintiff and defendant. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 79.}
6249. In the meanwhile, Domitius went to Laodicea, a city of Syria, and came to the winter quarters of the sixth legion. It was the best one to corrupt but he was prevented from this by the lieutenant Pucureius. Sentius warned Piso by letters that he should not go about to corrupt the army nor raise any war in the province. He immediately marched with a strong force and was ready to fight. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 79.}
6250. Piso seized the strong citadel of Celenderis in Cilicia. He had intermixed the renegades and the new soldiers that he had intercepted, with his own troops, Plancina's slaves (??) and the forces which the leaders of the Cilicians had sent him. He marshalled them into the form of a legion and then he drew out his companies before the citadel walls on a steep and craggy hill. All the other sides were surrounded by the sea. When the Roman cohorts came, the Cilicians fled and the Romans occupied the citadel. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 80.}
6251. In the meantime, Piso tried in vain to attack the navy that was not far off. He then returned to the citadel again. He tormented himself on the walls and called every soldier by name. He offered bribes and tried to raise a rebellion. He succeeded so well that the standard bearer of the sixth legion defected to him with his ensign. Then Sentius commanded the cornets and trumpets to sound and made an assault on the rampart. He raised the ladders and ordered the ablest men to follow him and others to shoot from engines, arrows, stones and firebrands. In the end, Piso was overcome and entreated that since he had laid down his arms he wanted to stay in the citadel until Caesar was consulted as to who should be the governor of Syria. These conditions were rejected and nothing was granted to him except naval escort and safe conduct to Rome. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 81.}
6252. When the rumour of Germanicus spread, it was exaggerated by the distance it travelled to Rome. The people were deeply grieved by his death {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 82.} as much as it pleased Tiberius and Livia. {*Dio, l. 57. p. 615.} No consolations or edicts could restrain the public mourning which lasted all the festival days of the month of December. {Suetonius, Caligula, c. 6.}
6253. Germanicus was decreed every honour which love or imagination could conceive. Arches were erected at Rome and on the bank of the Rhine River. On the Amanus mountain in Syria, an inscription was placed of what he had done and that he died for the country. A sepulchre at Antioch was made for his burial. A funeral monument was made at Epidaphne where he died. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 2. c. 83.}
6254. Although it was winter, Agrippina still continued her voyage by sea and arrived at the island Corcyra opposite the coast of Calabria. She rested a few days to settle her mind and then sailed to Brundusium. After she landed with her two children and held the funeral urn in her hand, there was a general mourning among them all. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 1.}
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6255. Drusius, the son of Tiberius, went as far as Tarracina to meet her with Germanicus' brother Claudius and the children of Germanicus who had remained in the city. The new consuls M. Valerius and M. Aurelius, the senate, and a large number of the people lined the way. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 2.}
6256. The day that the remains of Germanicus were placed in Augustus' tomb in Campus Martius, there was a desolate silence that was sometimes broken by their weeping. Everyone honoured Germanicus and had great sympathy for his widow, Agrippina and railed against Tiberius. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 4, 5.}
6257. When Piso came to Rome, he landed at Caesar's tomb. That day, the shore was full of people. Piso with a large company of followers after him and Plancina with a number of women in her train went ashore. They both looked very cheerfully and solemnizing their happy return in an house that overlooked into the forum which was decked out for feasts and banquets. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 9.} The next day Fulcinius Tiro accused Piso before the consuls. Tiberius referred the whole case to the senate. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 10.} The day the senate met Drusius, Tiberius made a prepared speech and tried to accommodate and moderate the defendant's offence. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 12.} The accusers were given two days to bring in their accusations and after six day's time, the defendant had three days to answer for himself. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 13.}
6258. As the case was pleaded, the outcry of the people could be heard before the court. They said they would tear him in pieces if the senate found him innocent. They had dragged his images into the Gemonian Steps and began to break them in pieces. (These steps descended from the capitol to the forum and were used to expose the bodies of executed criminals.) However, by Tiberius' orders they were restrained from their actions. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 14.} They showed the same hatred against Plancina but she was protected by Tiberius (through the influence of his wife.) Piso knew he was finished when his wife separated her defence from her husband's. Thereupon he killed himself with his own sword. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 15.}
6259. Suetonius writes that he was almost torn in pieces by the people and was condemned to death by the senate. {Suetonius, Caligula, c. 2.} Dio related this account. For the death of Germanicus, Piso was brought into the senate by Tiberius himself. Piso desired that he might have time to defend himself and he committed suicide. {*Dio, l. 57. 7:165} Cornelius Tactius says that he had often heard from the old men, {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 16.} that there was often seen a little book in Piso's hand which he kept to himself. His friends said it contained Tiberius' letters and commission against Germanicus. Piso planned to disclose it to the senators and to accuse Tiberius, had he not been deluded by Tiberius' vain promises. Piso did not kill himself but someone was sent to murder him. Tacitus said:
``I will not confirm either of these things although I ought not to conceal it to have been said by those who lived until I came to a man's age.'' {Suetonius, Tiberius, c. 52.}
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6260. Licences for ordaining sanctuaries increased greatly throughout the cities of Greece. These places became havens for debtors against their creditors and those that were suspected of capital crimes. Hence the wickedness of men was protected by the ceremonies of the gods. Tiberius ordered that the cities should sent their charters and ambassadors to the senate to Rome for confirmation. The Ephesians were first heard concerning this business. Then came the Magnetians, Aphrodisians, Stratonicenses, Hiero-Caesarians, Cypriots, Pergamenians, Smyrnians, Tenians, Sardians, Milesians, Cretians, and others. An honourable standard was prescribed. They were commanded to erect altars in the very temples for a sacred memory yet so that under pretence of religion, they should not fall into rivalries. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 60-63.}
6261. Caius Silvanus was accused of bribery by his companions and banished into the Isle Cythera. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 66-69} Caesius Cordus was also accused of bribery by the Cyrenenses, by the suit of Ancharius Priscus and was condemned. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 3. c. 70.}
4026 AM, 4736 JP, 23 AD
6262. Aelius Sajenus killed Drusius (the son of Tiberius and his partner in the tribuneship after Sajenus committed adultery with Drusius' wife, Livia) by poison given him by Lygdus, an eunuch. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 4. c. 8. 10.} Sajenus also accused the Jews who lived at Rome to Tiberius of pretended crimes so that he might wholly destroy that nationality. He knew they were the main ones who opposed his wicked practices and he said they conspired against the life of the emperor. {Philo, de legat. ad Caium} {Flaccus, in initio.}
6263. After Drusius' funeral was over Tiberius returned to his accustomed business and took no extra time off. He jeered the ambassadors of the Illenses that came too late to comfort him, as though the memory of grief had been blotted out. He replied that he also was forty when they had lost so gallant a citizen as Hector was. {Suetonius, Tiberius, c. 52.}
6264. The senate passed the decrees of Tiberius that the city Cibyra in Asia and Aeginum in Achaia that were badly damaged by an earthquake should not have to pay tribute for the next three years. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 4. c. 13.}
6265. The Samians and the men of Cos sent their ambassadors to Rome and desired the confirmation of their ancient right of sanctuaries. One temple was for Juno and the other for Aesculapius. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 4. c. 13.}
6266. Lucilius Longus died who was the companion of the fortunes of Tiberius whether good or bad and who only of all the senators, was Tiberius' companion when he exiled himself to Rhodes. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 4. c. 15.}
6267. Lucilius Capito, the governor of Asia, was condemned by the accusation of the province. In the previous year, they had brought C. Silanus to justice and the cities of Asia decreed a temple dedicated to Tiberius, his mother, and the senate. They received permission to build it. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 4. c. 15.}
6268. Valerius Gratus the governor of Judea, removed Ananus or Annas from the high priesthood and made Ismael, the son of Fabus, the high priest. He soon removed him also. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:478>}
4027 AM, 4737 JP, 24 AD
6269. Ismael was removed from the high priesthood and Eleazar, the son of Annas, (or Ananus who was previously removed,) was made high priest by Valerius. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:478>}
6270. Cassius Severus the orator, seventeen years earlier, was banished into Crete for his vicious tongue by the decree of the senate. He behaved just as poorly there and had all his estate taken from him. He was forbidden both water and fire and was banished into the stony island of Seriphos. Eight years later, he died in extreme poverty. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 4. c. 21.} {Jerome, Chronicles}
6271. P. Dolabella, the proconsul of Africa, summoned to help him and his country men, Ptolemy, the son of Juba, King of Mauritania. He killed Tacfarinas and put an end to the Numidian war. The king of the Garamantes had helped Tacfarinas with light cavalry whom he sent from a long way off. When Tacfarinas was killed, Garamantes sent ambassadors to give satisfaction to the people of Rome. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 4. c. 23-26.}
6272. Vibius Serenus a banished man, was falsely accused by his son of treason and was condemned for an old grudge that Tiberius had against him. Gallus Asinius was of the opinion that he should be confined, either to Gyaros or Donusa. Tiberius set aside his grudge and said that he disagreed with that sentence. He said that both those islands lacked water and that to whom life was granted, things necessary for life were also to be granted. Thereupon, Serenus was banished to Amorgos, (one of the islands of the Sporades.) {Tacitus, Annals, l. 4. c. 28-30.}
6273. The ten year term of Tiberius' empire had expired and he made no plans of resuming it by any decree for another ten years longer neither did he want to have it divided by ten year periods as Augustus had done. He just continued on by his own authority. However, the decennial plays were held. {*Dio, l. 57. 7:181}
4028 AM, 4738 JP, 25 AD
6274. Valerius Gratus removed Eleazar from the high priesthood after one year and gave the office to Simon, the son of Camithus. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:478>}
6275. The citizens of Cyzicum imprisoned some Roman citizens and had not completed the temple for Augustus that they had started. They had their liberty again taken from them that they had earned by being besieged in the war of Mithridates. {Tacitus, Annals, l. 4. c. 36.} {*Dio, l. 57. 7:183}
6276. Fonteius Capito, who had governed Asia as proconsul, was acquitted because it was found that he was falsely accused by Vibius Serenus. (Tacit. Annal. 4. c. 36.)
4029a AM, 4738 JP, 25 AD
6277. Eleven cities in Asia strove with great rivalry to see in which of them would build the temple that was appointed for Tiberius and the senate. Tiberius heard their ambassadors disputing for many days concerning this matter in the senate. The Hypepenians and Trallians, as also the Laodiceans and Magesians were eliminated as not having enough strength to do this. The Ilians related how Troy was the mother of Rome and they had a good argument but the glory of antiquity was doubted and they were eliminated. The Halicarnassians affirmed that their city had not been shaken with an earthquake for 1200 years and that the foundation of their temple was upon a natural rock. The Pergamenians were excluded because they already had a temple to Augustus. The senators thought one temple was enough for them. The Ephesians and Milesians were excluded because their cities were already involved with the ceremonies of Apollo and Diana. The decision was between the Sardians and Smyrnaeans. Each presented their case. The senate preferred the Smyrnaeans and Vobius Marius was of the opinion that M. Legidus who governed that province, should be placed in charge of the new temple as well as his other duties. Legidus refused through modesty and the senate selected by lot Valerius Naso who had been praetor, for the job. {Tiberius, Annals, l. 4. c. 55, 56.}
4029b AM, 4739 JP, 26 AD
6278. When Simon had held the high priesthood for one year Valerius Gratus appointed Joseph as his successor in that office. He was surnamed Caiphas, the son-in-law of Annas or Ananus who was formerly removed from the priesthood. {Joh 18:13} After the annual changes of the high priest were completed, Gratus returned to Rome after he had been eleven years in Judea. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:478>} By this action, we are rather inclined to refer these changes to the end of his government than to the beginning.
6279. Pontius Pilate was sent as the successor to Valerius Gratus. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:478>} Philo documents Pilate's actions in his government. {Philo, Embassy to Caius} Philo wrote that he was afraid lest the embassy which was sent by the Jews to take away the bucklers that were dedicated to him within the Holy City, would find out about his other crimes:
``sale of judgments, repines, slaughters, rackings, condemning innocent men to death, savage cruelty &c.''
4030a AM, 4739 JP, 26 AD
6280. The 30th jubilee happened in the 30th year of our Lord Jesus Christ and the beginning of his gospel. It was now proclaimed by the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
``Prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straight,'' {Mr 1:1-3}
6281. and the start of the acceptable year of the Lord or the time of his divine pleasure in which the good God showed the great one to the world. {Isa 61:2 Lu 4:19}
6282. It was in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, (which was the 13th of his empire which began after the death of Augustus) when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod (Antipas), the tetrarch of Galilee and his brother Philip, tetrarch of Ituraea and the region of Trachonitis and Lysanias, tetrarch of Abylene, under the priesthoods of Annas and Caiphas. The word of the Lord came to John, the son of Zacharias in the desert. {Lu 3:1,2} He by God's authority was a Nazarite who was both a priest and prophet of the Lord and baptized in the desert of Judea. (These cities were mentioned in {Jos 15:1-6}) He preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. {Mt 3:1 Mr 1:4 Lu 3:3} By his ministry, he announced and made known to Israel, Christ who would come after him. {Joh 1:7,8,13} So John would certainly know who he was, God gave him this sign. Whomever he saw the Holy Ghost descending on and remaining, he would know that it was he that should baptize others with the Holy Ghost. {Joh 1:33}
6283. It is most probable that his ministry began on that most suitable day, the tenth day of the seventh month, (about the 19th day of our October.) This was the solemn fast in which whoever did not afflict his soul was to be cut off from his people. It was the day of atonement in which the high priest went into the holy of holies to expiate the sins of the people with blood that was offered. On the same day a trumpet was sounded announcing the start of the year of jubilee in the land. {Le 25:9}
6284. Hence John the Baptist was the preacher of repentance and remission of sins to be attained by the blood of Christ who was to come. John went into every region around Jordan, lifting up his voice like a trumpet proclaiming:
``Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.''
6285. Many came to him from Jerusalem, all Judea and the regions around the Jordan River. (This would be especially true of that huge multitude who returned from Jerusalem after the feast of tabernacles was over about the beginning of November.) Many were baptized by him in the Jordan and confessed their sins. {Mt 3:2,3,5,6 Mr 1:5}
6286. John had his garment of camel's hair and a leather belt about his waist like Elijah. {2Ki 1:8} He ate locusts (which was a clean inexpensive food {Le 11:22}) and wild honey. {Mt 3:4 Mr 1:6}
6287. John sharply rebuked the Pharisees who came to his baptism. {Lu 3:10,13} When people wondered if John was the Christ, John answered:
``I indeed baptize you with water, but there cometh one who is stronger than I, whose shoe latchet I am not worthy to unloose, he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire, whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat in his barn, and will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. {Lu 3:15-17 Mt 3:11,12 Mr 1:7,8}
4030b AM, 4740 JP, 27 AD
6288. When all the people were being baptized, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized of John. {Lu 3:21 Mt 3:13 Mr 1:9} John denied that Jesus needed any baptism from him but the Lord urged him and said that it was needful that all righteousness be fulfilled. Then John baptized him. {Mt 3:14,15} Jesus was about 30 years old. {Lu 3:23}
6289. There was made a most obvious manifestation of the trinity. The Son of God in the human nature which he assumed ascended out of the water and was praying. The heavens were opened and the Spirit of God was seen in a bodily shape like a dove and descended on him. The voice of the Father was heard from heaven and said:
``This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.'' {Mt 3:16,17 Mr 1:10,11 Lu 3:21,22}
6290. Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost and returned from the Jordan. He was driven by the Spirit into the desert. He was tempted for forty days and nights, by Satan while he remained among wild beasts. He ate nothing and after this was over, he was hungry. {Lu 4:1,2 Mt 4:1,2 Mr 1:12,13}
6291. Satan then presented the Lord with a threefold temptation. When this was over, Satan left him for a time {Mt 4:3-11 Lu 4:3-13} and the angels came and ministered to him. {Mt 4:11 Mr 1:13} Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee. {Lu 4:14}
6292. Herod Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus, had by Cyprus, the daughter of Phasaelus Agrippa the younger, the last king of the Jews. He is mentioned in Acts. {Ac 25:1-26:32} He was 17 years old when his father died. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 7. <c.5. 1:485> l. 19. c. ult. <c. 9. 1:524>}
4031 AM, 4741 JP, 28 AD
6293. Berenice his sister of whom likewise mention is made in Acts was born and later married to Herod, the king of Chalcis and was sixteen years old when her father died. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 7. <c.5. 1:485> l. 19. c. ult. <c. 9. 1:524>}
4033a AM, 4742 JP, 29 AD
6294. The fourth year of John the Baptist's ministry started. His ministry of preparing the people for Christ was drawing to a close, for this was his primary purpose. The Lord himself, whose way John had prepared, entered into his ministry. He executed his prophetic office and sealed his ministry with famous miracles, for John did no miracles. John's ministry of preparation was so celebrated by Isaiah and Malachi so many ages before. None will wonder that so long a period of time was assigned to it by us when they consider that a shorter time for so great a work would be too short especially without the help of miracles to accomplish as much as the angel Gabriel confirmed to his father Zacharias that John should do. {Lu 1:16,17}
``Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God, and he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, that he may turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, and to prepare a people ready for the Lord,''
6295. Those words of Paul argue that not a short period of time but a full course of preaching was to be finished by John before the coming of the Lord. {Ac 13:24,25}
``When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel, and as John fulfilled his course, he said, whom think ye that I am? I am not he, but behold there cometh one after me whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.''
4033b AM, 4743 JP, 30 AD
6296. The next day after Christ came, the Jews from Jerusalem sent some priests and Levites of the sect of the Pharisees to John when he was baptizing at Bethabara by the Jordan. They asked him to plainly tell them if he was the Christ or not. He denied that he was Elijah or that prophet (foretold by Moses, {De 18:15} and was indeed the Christ, {Ac 3:22 7:37} but by the Jews thought to be another.) He said he was:
``The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord:''
6297. Then he added that testimony about Christ which Paul so praised:
``I baptize with water, but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not, he it is, who cometh after me, who is preferred before me, whose shoe latchet I am not worthy to unloose. {Joh 1:19-28 5:33}
6298. The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said:
``Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. This is he of whom I spoke, there cometh one after me, that is preferred before me, for he was before me, &c. and I saw him, and testify that this is the Son of God.'' {Joh 1:29-34}
6299. The next day John stood with two of his disciples. John saw Jesus walking and said, "Behold the Lamb of God." When his two disciples heard that they followed Jesus and stayed with him that day for it was about the tenth hour (4 o'clock). Andrew was one of these two and brought his brother Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw Simon he said, "You are Simon, son of Jona, you shall be called Cephas." {Joh 1:35-42}
6300. The next day Jesus went into Galilee and asked Philip (who was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Simon Peter) to follow him. Philip found Nathanael under a fig tree and brought him to Jesus. Jesus said that he was truly an Israelite in whom there was no guile. Jesus said he was that ladder of heaven, (foreshadowed by Jacob's dream, {Ge 28:12}) upon which the angels of God were seen ascending and descending. {Joh 1:42-51}
6301. On the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, to which Jesus was invited along with his mother and his disciples. There he turned the water into wine which was his first miracle. His glory was thus shown and his disciples believed on him. {Joh 2:1-11}
6302. Now we are come to the public ministry of Christ, whose acts we do record according to the four distinct passovers we can gather from the harmony of the four gospels as written by that learned man and much laboured in the studies of the Holy Scriptures, John Richardson, Dr. of Divinity and worthy Bishop of Ardah, in our province of Armagh. In this record it is note worthy that only Matthew neglected the order of time which is constantly observed by the other three gospels (if you will exclude the parenthesis when John was cast into prison by Herod.) {Lu 3:19,20}
The
FIRST PASSOVER
Of The
MINISTRY Of CHRIST.
{Joh 2:13}
From which the first year of the
seventieth and last week of Daniel
begins in which the covenant is
confirmed with many.
{Da 9:27 cf. Mt 26:28}
6303. Jesus went to Jerusalem for the passover. {Joh 2:13}
6304. Jesus went into the temple, he scourged those who bought and sold there and drove them out. As a sign of his authority, he told them how the temple of his body would be destroyed by the Jews and be raised again by himself. {Joh 2:13-22}
6305. He performed miracles and many believed on him but he did not commit himself to them because he knew what was in man. {Joh 2:23-25}
6306. He instructed Nicodemus the disciple who came to him by night about the mystery of regeneration, in faith, in his death and in the condemnation of unbelievers. {Joh 3:1-21}
4034a AM, 4743 JP, 30 AD
6307. Jesus left Jerusalem and went into the land of Judea with his disciples. {Joh 3:22}
6308. Jesus stayed there and baptized people. (That is his disciples baptized people who had been baptized before either by himself or John.) John baptized in Aenon for he was not yet cast into prison. {Joh 3:22-24}
6309. John's disciples and the Jews had a discussion about purifying. {Joh 3:25}
6310. John instructed his disciples who were envious of Jesus. John told them about Jesus and his office and of the excellence of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He gave this notable and last testimony of him before his imprisonment. {Joh 3:26-36}
6311. Herod the tetrarch cast John into prison for reprehending his incest with his brother Philip's wife and his wickedness. {Mr 6:17-20 Mt 14:3-5}
6312. Jesus heard that John was cast into prison and that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus had made and baptized many disciples (that is, by the hand of his disciples.) He left Judea after he had stayed there about eight months and went into Galilee. {Joh 4:1-3 Mt 4:12}
6313. Jesus needed to go through Samaria where he converted the Samaritan woman near the city of Sychar and the citizens of Sychar. It was four months before the harvest, (or the passover, about the middle of the ninth month, called Ab.) {Joh 4:4-42}
6314. After he had stayed two days in Sychar, he continued on to Galilee. (This is his second return from Judea to Galilee after his baptism.) {Joh 4:43,44}
6315. Jesus was received by the Galileans who had seen the great things which he had done at Jerusalem. He preached with great fame in their synagogues. {Joh 4:45 Lu 4:14,15 Mr 1:14,15}
6316. In Cana, Jesus healed the sick son of a nobleman. This was the second miracle that Jesus did when he left Judea and came to Galilee. {Joh 4:46-54}
4034b AM, 4744 JP, 31 AD
6317. He did miracles in Capernaum and later came to Nazareth where he was raised. He entered the synagogue, as his custom was, he expounded the prophesy of Isaiah about himself. The citizens first wondered at this but later were filled with wrath. They thrust him out of the city and tried to throw him down headlong from a hill. However, he passed through the crowd and went his way. {Lu 4:16-30}
6318. He left Nazareth and lived at Capernaum. He taught them on the sabbath days and they were astonished at his doctrine. Lu 4:31,32 Mr 1:21,22 Mt 4:13-17
6319. In the synagogue of Capernaum, he cast out an unclean spirit and ordered the spirit that he should not tell who he was. {Lu 4:33-37 Mr 1:23-28}
6320. He arose from the synagogue and went into the house of Simon and Andrew and healed Simon's wife's mother who lay sick with a fever. {Lu 4:38,39 Mr 1:29-31 Mt 8:14,15}
6321. About sunset, he healed all the sick folk who were brought to him and cast out devils. He ordered them not to speak. {Lu 4:40,41 Mr 1:32-34 Mt 8:16,17}
6322. In the morning, he went into a deserted place to pray. When Simon and others sought for him and would have prevented him from leaving, he replied that he must preach to other cities also. {Lu 4:42-44 Mr 1:35-39}
6323. He went through all Galilee and taught in their synagogues and cast out devils. {Lu 4:44 Mr 1:39}
6324. As he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, a great multitude pressed upon him. Therefore he entered into Simon's ship and taught the multitude from there. {Lu 5:1-4}
6325. When he had finished speaking, at his command, the disciples went fishing and caught a large number of fish. Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John were astonished. Jesus commanded them to follow him and he would make them fishers of men. {Lu 5:4-11 Mr 1:16-20 Mt 4:18-22}
6326. Jesus went through all Galilee and taught in their synagogues and healed every disease. His fame went into all Syria and a great multitude followed him. {Mt 4:23-25}
6327. In a certain city, he healed a leper. Jesus forbid him to tell anyone but he told everyone he met. People came to him from every place to hear him and to be healed. So many came that he could not publicly enter the city and he went into deserted places and prayed. {Lu 5:12-16 Mr 1:40-45 Mt 8:1-4}
6328. After some days, he again returned to his own city of Capernaum and he taught them at home. In the presence of the scribes, Pharisees and a large crowd, he forgave the sins of one who was sick with the palsy. The sick man was let down through the roof of the house and Jesus healed the disease also to the astonishment of all. {Lu 5:17-26 Mr 2:1-12 Mt 9:1-8}
6329. Jesus went out again by the seaside and all the multitude came to him and he taught them. As he passed by he saw and called Levi or Matthew who was sitting at the receipt of custom. Lu 5:27,28 Mr 2:13,14 Mt 9:9
6330. In the house of Levi, Jesus defended himself and his disciples for they ate with publicans. He excused and vindicated them against the Pharisees because his disciples did not fast. {Lu 5:29-39 Mr 2:15-22 Mt 9:10-13}
6331. And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, (that is, the first sabbath of the new year which was instituted after the Jews left Egypt and began from the month Nisan or Abib,) Jesus went through the grain fields. He cleared his disciples from the reproach of the Pharisees because they plucked the ears of grain. He explained the doctrine of the sabbath. {Lu 6:1-5 Mr 2:23-28 Mt 12:1-8}
The SECOND PASSOVER
of the
MINISTRY of CHRIST.
{Joh 5:1} cf. {Joh 4:3,5}
From which begins the second year
of the 70th week of Daniel.
6332. After these things, the feast of the Jews was coming and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. On the sabbath day, he healed a man who had been infirmed for thirty eight years and lay at the pool of Bethesda. He answered the Jews who were seeking to kill him because he said that God was his Father. {Joh 5:1-47}
6333. He went from there and entered again into a synagogue and taught the people. He healed one that had a withered hand. The Pharisees went out and immediately with the Herodians took counsel how they might destroy him. {Lu 6:6-11 Mr 3:1-6 Mt 12:9-14}
6334. When Jesus knew this, he withdrew himself to the sea and healed the multitudes who followed him. He strictly charged them that they should not make him known. He ordered his disciples to have a small boat to wait on him because of the multitude who thronged him. {Mr 3:7-12 Mt 12:15-21}
6335. It came to pass in those days, that he went into a mountain to pray and continued in prayer all night. When it was day, he chose the twelve whom he called apostles. {Lu 6:12-16 Mr 3:13-19}
6336. Jesus went down with them and stood in a plain and a great multitude came to him and he healed them all. {Lu 6:17-19}
6337. They went into a house and the multitude came together again so that they could not so much as eat a meal. When his friends heard of this, they went to lay hold on Jesus for they said that he was beside himself. {Mr 3:20,21}
6338. When he saw the multitude, he went up into a mountain. When he sat down, his disciples came to him. He then preached that long and excellent sermon, first to the apostles and later to all the people. {Lu 6:20-49 Mt 5:1-7:29}
6339. When he had finished speaking to the people, he went into Capernaum and healed the centurion's servant who lay sick with the palsy and was almost dead. {Lu 7:1-10 Mt 8:5-13}
6340. The next day, he went into the city of Nain and raised one who was dead and being carried out for burial who was the only son of a widow. Thereupon, his fame spread abroad. {Lu 7:11-17}
6341. When John was in prison, he was told by his disciples about the fame and deeds of Jesus. John sent two of them to him to ask to ask if Jesus was the one they should expect or should they look for someone else. After they returned to John with Jesus' answer, Jesus gave a great testimony about John. Then he upbraided some cities for their ingratitude. He rested in the fact of the divine sovereignty of his Father who hid these things from some and revealed them to others. {Lu 7:18-35 Mt 11:2-30}
6342. And Simon, the Pharisee wanted Jesus to dine with him. As they were eating, Simon criticized the actions of a women because she was a great sinner. Jesus defended the woman who washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head and kissed and anointed them. {Lu 7:36-50}
6343. It came to pass later that he went from the city and preached. His disciples were with him and certain women ministered to him. {Lu 8:1-3}
6344. They brought to him one who had a demon and who was blind and dumb. Jesus healed him and eagerly defended himself against the Pharisees and scribes that came down from Jerusalem who blasphemed him said that he cast out devils through Beelzebub. {Mr 3:22-30 Mt 12:22-37} Some of the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign. When Jesus had sharply rebuked them, he gave them no other sign than that of Jonah. {Mt 12:38-45}
6345. And while he spoke to the people, he was told that his mother and brethren, stood outside and wanted to see and speak with him. Jesus replied and showed them whom he counted for his mother and brothers and sisters. {Lu 8:19-21 Mr 3:31-35 Mt 12:46-50}
6346. The same day Jesus left the house and sat by the seaside. Great multitudes came to him so that he went into a boat and sat and taught them many things through the parable of the sower and many other parables. {Lu 8:4-18 Mr 4:1-34 Mt 13:1-53}
6347. The same day at evening, he told his disciples to sail across the lake. When he had given an answer to some who wanted to follow him, he sent away the multitudes. As they were sailing, a strong storm of wind came up. He rebuked the wind and calmed the sea and saved his disciples. {Lu 8:22-26 Mr 4:35-41 Mt 8:18-27}
6348. They came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, or Gergesenes which was on the opposite shore from Galilee. When he was come to land, he was met by two fierce men who were possessed with demons. (Mark and Luke mention only one man.) He cast out the demons and allowed them to enter into a herd of swine. The Gadarenes asked him to leave their country. The possessed persons begged Jesus to stay with them. This request was denied and Jesus sent them back to proclaim around Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for them. Jesus sailed across the lake again to his own city of Capernaum. {Lu 8:27-39 Mr 5:1-20 Mt 8:28-34}
6349. It came to pass that when Jesus was returned, the people received him gladly for they waited for him. He was by the seaside. {Lu 8:40 Mr 5:21}