Volume 2

Jesus in Seleucia
149
to the most distant quarters even as far as the homes of
the heathens. They stopped at almost every house inviting
the people, who were already prepared, to go on the
following day to the Baptism, and on the day after to the
great instruction that Jesus was to deliver in a larger
grassy enclosure, on the other side of the lake near
Seleucia. The invitations were accompanied by words of
instruction. The disciples were thus occupied until dusk,
when they left the city and proceeded along the western
side of the lake to where some fishing vessels were lying.
They went on board, and instructed the fishermen who
were fishing by torchlight on the broad side of the lake
below the spot where the Jordan flowed into it. The glare
of the torches allured the fish, which were then taken with
hooks and darts. The disciples told the fishermen to bring
their fish over to the green square near Seleucia, where
the instruction was to be held, and they should be well
rewarded. The green square, of which they made mention,
was a kind of zoological garden surrounded by a wall and
a hedge. Wild animals taken alive were confined there,
consequently it was provided with all kinds of dens and
cages for that purpose. The place belonged to Adama and
was about one hour and a half from Seleucia.
When morning dawned, Jesus joined the disciples, and
they went back to the city together by a roundabout way
on which were several huts. Invitations and instructions
were given at these huts as at the other houses. Arrived at
the city, Jesus and the disciples went to the residence of
the Governor, which stood in an open square, and there
took some refreshment. The repast consisted of little rolls
joined in pairs, and small fish with upright heads. These
last were served in a many-colored, shining glass dish
formed like a ship. Jesus laid one of the fishes on a roll
before each of the disciples. All around the edge of the table
were cavities hollowed out like plates, and into them
the portions were put.