Volume 2

Jesus Instructs the Heathens
247
To the same place some heathens belonging to the city
had come, also some Jews; but these latter stood apart by
themselves. The heathens were differently clad from the
Jews, their tunics reaching only halfway down the lower
limbs. Some of thenl must have been rich, for I saw
women who had their hair so braided with pearls as to
form a perfect cap. Some wore it on the top of the head
above their veil, braided with pearls into a little basket.
Jesus ascended the mountainside, where walking about
He taught the crowds. He went among them, here and
there, and at times He stood still, keeping up a kind of
conversation with the travellers. He addressed them questions,
which He answered Himself in words full of instruction.
He asked, for instance: HWhence are ye? What
impelled you to take this journey? What do ye expect
from the Prophet?" and then He taught them what they
nlust become, in order to share in salvation. He said:
HBlessed are they that have journeyed so long and so
toilsome a way, to seek salvation! But woe to them among
whom it arises and who will not receive it!" He explained
the Prophecy of the Messiah and the call of the heathens,
told of that of the Three Kings (of whonl these people
knew) and also of their expedition in obedience to it.
In the caravan were some people from that country and
city where the envoy of Abgarus of Edessa had stayed
overnight near the brick kilns, on his return journey with
Jesus' picture and letter. Jesus did not cure any sick here.
The strangers were for the most part well-disposed, but
there were some anlong them who regretted having undertaken
such a journey. They had expected to hear something
very different from the Prophet's words, something
more flattering to the senses .
.After these instructions, into which Jesus introduced
many similitudes, He went with His four disciples to dine
with a Jewish Doctor of the Law, a Pharisee, who dwelt
outside the city. He had invited Jesus to be his guest,