The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. - documenta ...

The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.Anne Catherine Emmerich204him most anxious to disappoint them; and the desire was increased by that glimmering of the truthwhich partly enlightened his mind. There was some hesitation among the crowd when Pilate askedthis question, and a few voices answered, ‘Barabbas.’ A servant sent by Pilate’s wife asked forhim at this moment; he left the platform, and the messenger presented the pledge which he hadgiven her, saying at the same time: ‘Claudia Procles begs you to remember your promise thismorning.’ The Pharisees and the priests walked anxiously and hastily about among the crowd,threatening some and ordering others, although, in fact, little was required to incite the alreadyinfuriated multitude.Mary, with Magdalen, John, and the holy women, stood in a corner of the forum, trembling andweeping; for although the Mother of Jesus was fully aware that the redemption of man could notbe brought about by any other means than the death of her Son, yet she was filled with the anguishof a mother, and with a longing desire to save him from those tortures and from that death whichhe was about to suffer. She prayed God not to allow such a fearful crime to be perpetrated; sherepeated the words of Jesus in the Garden of Olives: ‘If it is possible, let this chalice pass away.’She still felt a glimmering of hope, because there was a report current that Pilate wished to acquitJesus. Groups of persons, mostly inhabitants of Capharnaum, where Jesus had taught, and amongwhom he had wrought so many miraculous cures, were congregated in her vicinity; they pretendednot to remember either her or her weeping companions; they simply cast a glance now and then,as if by chance, at their closely-veiled figures. Many thought, as did her companions likewise, thatthese persons at least would reject Barabbas, and beg for the life of their Saviour and Benefactor;but these hopes were, alas, fallacious.205Pilate sent back the pledge to his wife, as an assurance of his intention to keep his promise. Heagain came forward on the platform, and seated himself at the little table. The Chief Priests tooktheir seats likewise, and Pilate once more demanded: ‘Which of the two am I to deliver up to you?’A general cry resounded through the hall: ‘Not this man, but Barabbas!’ ‘But what am I to do withJesus, who is called Christ?’ replied Pilate. All exclaimed in a tumultuous manner: ‘Let him becrucified! let him be crucified!’ ‘But what evil has he done?’ asked Pilate for the third time. ‘I findno cause in him. I will scourge and then acquit him.’ But the cry, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ burstfrom the crowd, and the sounds echoed like an infernal tempest; the High Priests and the Phariseesvociferated and hurried backwards and forwards as if insane. Pilate at last yielded; his weakpusillanimous character could not withstand such violent demonstrations; he delivered up Barabbasto the people, and condemned Jesus to be scourged.CHAPTER XXII.The Scourging of Jesus.117