Unknown Life of Jesus Christ New Edition 2009 Publication

Author(s): Nicholas Notovitch, Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation

Page 158

Summary this object a number of spies were sent to watch him and finally apprehended him.
According to the Evangelists, it was the Pharisees and the Hebrews who sought to put Jesus to death, while the Buddhist chronicle declares positively that Pilate alone was responsible. This latter version is evidently much more, probable than the former; the conquerors of Judea could not long tolerate the presence of a man who announced to the people their near deliverance from the foreign yoke. Undoubtedly, the popularity of Jesus was alarming to Pilate, who, to insure his own safety naturally surrounded the young preacher with his crafty agents instructed to watch his every word and action. They tried by putting embarrassing questions to Jesus to draw from him imprudent words which would serve as an excuse for Pilate's anger. If the teaching of Jesus had displeased the learned men and Hebrew priests, they would simply have forbidden the people to listen to him or follow him and would have prevented him from entering the temple. The Evangelists, however, relate that Jesus enjoyed great liberty among the Israelites, and in the temples where Pharisees and wise men conversed with him.
In order to insure the condemnation of Jesus, Pilate submitted him to preliminary tortures to force from him an avowal of high treason. These tortures did nut produce the-desired result. But, contrary to the usual experience with other innocent prisoners subjected to like sufferings Jesus remained firm, never faltering or speaking the slightest words by which he could be condemned. Thus finding himself foiled, Pilate commanded that Jesus be put to the utmost tortures, hoping to hasten death by exhausting his vital forces. Jesus, however, using his great will to increase his strength and courage, and having confidence in his just cause which was that of the nation and of God, endured with great fortitude all the bitter cruelties of his executioners. The secret and extraordinary tortures provoked discontent among the elders,
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