The tragedy of Calvary. Part 109.

The tragedy of Calvary: or the minute details of Christ's life from Palm Sunday morning till the resurrection and ascension taken prophecy, history, revelations and ancient writings by Meagher, Jas. L. (James Luke), 1848-1920

Tissot, Jesus Is Led Back from Herod to Pilate

MINUTE DETAILS OF THE SCOURGING AND CROWNING WITH THORNS.

WHEN Herod ordered Jesus back to Pilate, the Jews surged around him. They were mad because they had not succeeded in getting Herod to condemn him, and they inflicted their disappointment and anger on the Victim. In order to show him to the whole multitude, and give their agents time to gather all his enemies, they led him back by another and longer route. The leaders gave orders to bring all the men of Jewry to the Forum to demand his death.

The long garment with which they clothed him in Herod's palace hindered his walking, and on the way back he fell a number of times. For when he tripped he could not help himself, for his hands were tied. Each time he fell, they kicked and struck him to make him rise.

About eight o'clock the procession approached Pilate's palace, where a great concourse of people had gathered. With them mixed Scribes, Pharisees and priests stirring up the people to demand his death. Remembering the many revolts of former times, the excitement of Passover gatherings, Pilate stationed 1,000 Roman soldiers around the Forum, palace and courts, while the rest of the legion, 5,000 well armed, waited in the southern parts of the Antonia fortress overlooking the Temple area.

The Virgin Mother, her eldest sister Mary, the daughter of Heli; Mary, daughter of Cleophas; Mary Magdalen, Martha, Mark's mother, John the Apostle, and about twenty women, all Jesus' followers, had entered the palace, and stood in a room overlooking the Forum, where they could see all.

Herod had sent a messenger to tell Pilate, that he appreciated his kindness; that he looked on the famous Galilean as a fool; that he had treated him as such and sent him back. Pilate was glad that Herod also found no fault in him. The procurator returned a diplomatic answer, and from that moment these two,—enemies for years, —became fast friends.

The archers and the guards were now seen coming up the steep sides of the hill on which Antonia was built, dragging Jesus with them. As they passed through the mob all the people, the ruffians, the scum of the town, insulted, struck, spat on, and in every way insulted Jesus. As they were mounting the steps, or staircase, leading up to the palace, his long robe of mockery, with which Herod's servants had clothed him, became entangled with his feet, and he fell and cut his holy head on the edges of the steps. They dragged him to his feet, kicking and abusing him, while a shout of laughter rose from the crowd on every side.