206. Iesus went up to the temple
When day was come, Iesus went up to the temple with a great multitude of people. Whereupon the high priest drew near, saying:
'Tell me, O Iesus, hast thou forgotten all that thou didst confess, that thou art not God, nor son of God, nor even the Messiah?'
Iesus answered:
'No, of a surety, I have not forgotten; for this is my confession which I shall bear before the judgment-seat of God on the day of judgment. For all that is written in the book of Moses is most true, inasmuch as God (our creator) is {God} alone, and I am God's servant and desire to serve God's messenger whom ye call Messiah.'
Said the high priest:
'Then what booteth it to come to the temple with so great a multitude of people? Seekest thou, perchance, to make thyself king of Israel? Beware lest some danger befall thee!'
Iesus answered:
'If I sought mine own glory and desired my portion in this world, I had not fled when the people of Nain would fain have made me king. Believe me, verily, that I seek not anything in this world.'
Then said the high priest:
'We want to know a thing concerning the Messiah.'
And then the priests, scribes, and Pharisees made a circle round about Iesus.
Iesus answered:
'What is that thing which thou seekest to know about the Messiah? Perchance it is the lie? Assuredly I will not tell thee the lie. For if I had said the lie I had been adored by thee, and by the scribes {and} Pharisees with all Israel: but because I tell you the truth ye hate me and seek to kill me.'
Said the high priest:
'Now we know that thou hast the devil at thy back; for thou art a Samaritan, and hast not respect unto the priest of God.'