Volume 2

Jesus Outside Bezech
303
During the journey Jesus taught in a field before some
huts where a crowd of laborers and shepherds had
gathered. About four o'clock that afternoon, they reached
the neighborhood of Bezech about two hours east of
Abelmahula and near the Jordan. It was like two distinct
cities, lying as it did on both sides of a stream that
flowed into the Jordan. The country around was hilly and
rugged, the houses stood somewhat scattered. Bezech was
less a city than two united villages. The inhabitants lived
to themselves with very little intercourse with strangers.
They were chiefly engaged in husbandry, and they
leveled their rugged and hilly farmlands with great labor.
They also manufactured agricultural implements for sale,
and wove coarse carpets and canvas for tents.
About an hour and a half from this place, the Jordan
made a bend toward the west, as if about to flow straight
to Mount Olivet. It turned back, however, thus forming a
kind of peninsula on its eastern bank, upon which stood
a row of houses. In coming from Galilee to Abelmahula,
Jesus had to cross a little river. Ennon was on the opposite
side of the Jordan, about four hours, perhaps,
from Bezech.
Jesus taught in an inn outside the city, the first of those
erected for His and the disciples' accommodation that He
had met on this journey since leaving Bethania. It was in
the charge of a pious, upright man, who went out to meet
the travellers, washed their feet and gave them refreshments,
after which Jesus entered the city. The superintendents
of the school came out into the street to receive
Him, and He visited several houses and cured the sick.
There were now thirty disciples with Jesus. Those from
Jerusalem and its environs had arrived with Lazarus, and
several of John's disciples had come. Some of the latter
were just from Machaerus with a message to Jesus from
their master, a pressing request to reveal Himself more
clearly and to say only that He was the Messiah. Among