it is believed that sufficient warrant for his death has been gotten, for he said not many days ago he could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days, which can be interpreted as speech against the law.  Joseph asked that a meaning should be put on the words, and Nicodemus answered that Jesus spoke figuratively.  To his mind the Temple stood for no more than observances from which all spiritual significance had faded long ago, and Jesus meant that he could and would replace dead formulae by a religion of heart:  the true religion which has no need of priests or sacrifices.  We must persuade him to leave Jerusalem and return to Galilee, Joseph cried, his voice trembling.  By no means, by no means, Nicodemus exclaimed, raising his voice and stamping his lance.  He has been called to the work and must drive the plough to the headland, though death be waiting him there.  But he can be saved, I think, Nicodemus continued, his voice assuming a thoughtful tone, for though he has spoken against the law the Jews may not put him to death:  his death can be obtained only by application to Pilate.  Will Pilate grant it to please the Jews?  Joseph asked.  The Romans are averse, Nicodemus answered, from religious executions and will not comprehend the putting to death of a man for saying he can destroy the Temple and build it again in three days.

Nicodemus became prolix and tedious, repeating again and again that it was the second part of the sentence that would save Jesus, for it was obvious that though a man might destroy the Temple in three days (a great fire would achieve the destruction in a few hours), he could not build it again in three days.  This second part of the sentence proved beyond doubt that Jesus was speaking figuratively, and the Romans would refuse to put a man to death because he was a poet and spoke in symbols and allegories.  The Romans were hard, but they were just; and he spoke on Roman justice till they came round the hills shouldering over against Bethany, and found themselves in the midst of a small group of men taking shelter from the wind behind a large rock.  Why, Master, it is you.  And Joseph recognised Peter’s voice, and afterwards the voices of James and John, who were with him, called to Matthew and Aristion, who were at some little distance, sitting under another rock, and the five apostles crowded round Joseph, bidding him welcome, Peter, James and John demonstratively, and Aristion and Matthew, who knew Joseph but little, giving him a more timid but hardly less friendly welcome.  We did not know why you had left us, they said.  But it is pleasant to find you in Jerusalem, for we are lonely here, Matthew said, and the Hierosolymites mock at us for not speaking as they do.  But you are with us here, young Master, as you were in Galilee?  John asked.  We knew not why you left us.  But we did, John, Peter interposed, we knew well that Jesus said to him, when he returned from his father’s sick-bed, that those who would follow him must leave