Forty-Two Months and Ten Toes

By Westerly Tressler

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Vine Press
• Release date: Jun 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781951886905

Westerly Tressler

Westerly began writing Forty-Two Months to demonstrate how the Festivals preordained the day-to-day actions of the Jewish Messiah. But before Westerly had finished writing the script, he became aware the Festivals were the "KEY" to establishing the year, month, and day the Nativity, Piercing (i.e. Crucifixion), Resurrection, and Ascension of Yeshua/Jesus took place. Even so, that KEY had remained hidden.

Book preview

Permissions & Bibliography

Holy Bibles Consulted and quoted from:

JPS 1955 ~ THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. JEWISH PUB. SOC. OF AMER.

According to Masoretic Text, Leonard S. Davidow, 1960-1957. The text of this Bible was copyrighted in 1955, by the Jewish Publication Society of America, The Menorah Press, Chicago. Used by Permission.

NKJV ~ HOLY BIBLE, NEW KING JAMES VERSION

The MacArthur Study Bible, Word Publishing, Copyright © 1997; Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979,1980, 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

NIV ~ HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

KJV ~ HOLY BIBLE, AUTHORIZED KING JAMES VERSION

Oxford University Press, Amen House, E.C.4, New York and Toronto.

AMP ~ THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE

Scripture taken from, THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE, Old Testament - copyright ©1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright ©1958, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by Permission.

THE NEW TESTAMENT IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK

Macmillan and Company, 1893.

Publications for readers to consult regarding the documentation:

Jewish Literacy, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, William Morrow & Co., 1991

To Be A Jew, Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin, Basic Books, 1972

The Jewish Way, Rabbi Irving Greenberg, Simon & Schuster, 1988

Marking Time, by Duncan Steel, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000

Encyclopedic Dictionary, Holy Scriptures, Leonard S. Davidow, 1960-57

Encyclopedia Britannica, Latest (10th) Edition, The Werner Company, 1900

Encyclopedia Britannica, William Benton, Publisher, 1969-70

New Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon, Hendrickson Publishers, 1981

Analytical Greek Lexicon Revised, Moulton, Zondervan Corp., 1978

Crudens Complete Concordance, Zondervan Publishing House, 1949

Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Moody Press, 1957

The Book of 1stEnoch, Translated by R.H. Charles, D.Litt., D.D., Pub. 1917

The Second Book of Adam and Eve, The World Publishing Company, 1927

The Book of Jasher, The Researchers Library of Ancient Texts, Vol 1, 2011

Websites for readers to consult regarding the documentation:

U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO), Astronomical Applications Department

Library of Congress Country Studies, Section 1

The Third Temple Entrance in Alignment with The East Gate

Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology, 2ndedition, Gale Group, 2001

Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence, Gale Research, 1998

Desert-Tropicals.com/Plants/Moraceae/Ficus Carica, 9/30/2001

Fig Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia, 2002

About The Author

I was eight years old when America entered World War II. Coveted rationing stamps limited where we could go and what we could eat or wear. There was also an unwritten but practiced social structure; Whites were perceived to be in the great middle class, Blacks were looked down on and confined to ghettos, Indians and Gypsies were considered to be child snatchers, and Jews were supposed to be swindlers. This pervasive culture still existed in 1949, when I became a follower of Jesus (Yeshua the Jewish Messiah). My life was transformed and my mode of thinking was radically changed. I carried my Bible to class in the eleventh grade. Reactions of my peers varied; from serious questions about my faith to avoidance of any confrontation. Some in social cliques took time to collectively taunt me in the presence of others, but in private some asked sincere questions.

In 1950–1955, I attended college and earned my Th.B. degree. The professors were first-rate except they implied Christianity had replaced Jewish mores. This contradicted my Mother’s teachings and I determined to someday delve into Jewish customs. After graduation I served two years in the U.S. Military, married my fiancée, and together we raised our children while I worked full time coordinating transportation for various business firms. My study time was limited, but I wrote bible-centered fictional dramas for children. To bring these stories to life for both children and adults, my family and I became weekend traveling evangelical puppeteers.

In 1988, I began an intensive self-study of the Bible. The parallels between the Exodus Passover, and the Piercings (i.e. Crucifixion) and Resurrection of Jesus; intrigued me. I discovered they were intrinsically interrelated. In order to better understand the correlation, I began reading Jewish history; and Orthodox & Rabbinic books on Judaism, Jews, and the Jewish Festivals. A new world of knowledge and understanding opened up to me. Now statements in the Bible were no longer contradictory. I merged the Exodus Passover with the Crucifixion Passover and the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly. At that point I knew the New Testament was also the inspired WORD OF GOD, and all accounts in the Gospels were true. Thus, Forty-Two Months and Ten Toes evolved from the treasured fragments.

~ Westerly Tressler

Dedication and Acknowledgements

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:10-12, NIV

This book is dedicated to my loving wife Sharon, whose patience and prayers allowed me to pursue this extensive but rewarding enterprise. The candid suggestions & contributions offered by our children, William, Lynnette and Nola, were also helpful and meaningful. Not to be forgotten is my late Mother, who instilled within me the purpose for writing this book. As a young boy she taught me to hold those of Jewish heritage in high regard, because they are still GOD’s Chosen People and the Apple of His Eye. This teaching allowed me to set aside traditional Church bias and write a story of love and conflict between two Jewish teenagers, while they followed Yeshua/ Jesus during his final Passover Festival.

Special acknowledgements must also be conferred on several longstanding friends, with whom my family has maintained contact since our blissful college days. Mary Brown Martin was the first to edit the manuscript. She offered many constructive suggestions. I eventually gave in to her prodding, and compelled myself to stop and smell the roses, by subjectively feeling what I was writing; i.e. living in the narratives, and making use of word-pictures to depict both real and nostalgic story settings. Kenneth Somerlot, M.A., Th.B., after retiring from a career in Public School Administration, both edited and directed the technical production of this book. Early on, Louise Somerlot, M.A., was supportive of my research. After retiring as a Public School Teacher-Counselor, she agreed to edit the manuscript, and also assisted in refining the final draft for publication. The late, Dr. Clifford VanSickle, Ph.D., Th.B., spent his career as a University professor. His method of editing was to treat me like one of his students. He questioned some of the research and candidly pointed out many of my writing idiosyncrasies. I am deeply indebted to each of these friends and many others who encouraged the publication of this book.

~ Westerly Tressler

Contents

Permissions & Bibliography

About The Author

Dedication and Acknowledgements

Charts

Prelude

Healing At Jericho

Journey to Jerusalem

Bethany Along the Way

Selection of the Lamb

Teaching in the Temple Courts

Treachery From Within

The Last Supper

Arrested Tried and Sentenced

Death of the Firstborn

The Tree and the Tomb

The Conception and Punishment of Jesus

Part II ~ The Punishment of Yeshua-Jesus

The Birth and Circumcision of Jesus

Part III ~ Mary’s Story—The Birth of Jesus

Part IV ~ 7-days later — The Circumcision of Jesus

Resurrection!

Forty Days of Evidence

Pentecost – Shavuot

Consummation

Damascus and Beyond

Where were the Angels?

Analysis A

Analysis B

Analysis C

Analysis D

Analysis E

Analysis F

Analysis G

Analysis H

Charts

Map of Israel in First Century

Temple Complex & Alignment of Gates

Seven Major & Five Minor Jewish Festivals

The Twelve Days of Passover

Jewish Exodus Calendar for Nisan & Iyar

The Twenty-Four Hour Jewish Day

The Crucifixion Timetable

Anointing – Triumphal Entry – Lord’s Supper

First Day of Nisan Established for Passover

The Three Days and Three Nights

The Conception and Birth of Jesus

Jesus’ Genealogy from Eve to Mary

The Fifty Days of Firstfruits (Pentecost)

Manna and the First Sabbath of Record

Chronology of Jesus’ Age & Tiberius’ Reign

bce & ce Leap Years Explained

Genesis Generations, Adam to Noah’s Flood

Genesis Generations, Noah’s Flood to Moses

Exodus Generations & 400 years in Egypt

Prelude

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down,

I suppose that even the whole world

Could not contain the books that would be written.

Composite of, John 21:25 NIV & NKJV

My first written account of how the Jewish Exodus Events determined every facet of Jesus’ Crucifixion Week was nothing more than a documented synchronization of Passover narratives. Then I realized no one except ardent theologians might take time to read it, or make any application of the information. Therefore, I decided to write a fictional but credible story, knowing I would have to weave its illustrative settings into the historical information contained in the four Gospel accounts. At first, I attempted to adhere to the long-held and accepted teachings of the Church, but I was unable to reconcile many Church traditions with Jewish rituals and customs. Therefore, I felt obliged to frame credible situations to illustrate how statements in each of the Gospels embellished the other three Gospel accounts, along with the New Testament Epistles and Old Testament Prophecies.

Subsequently, I discovered a treasure-trove of information that unexpectedly came to life. Whenever a piece of evidence contradicted my traditional Church dogma, I nevertheless used it with a mind-set of let the chips fall where they may. Ultimately, each bit of evidence fit into the puzzle as though I had intended it to be included in the original manuscript.

The Item of Greatest Interest was the manner in which the nine Jewish Lunar High Sabbaths, advanced and retreated on our Western Solar Calendar; and still adhered to the numbered days on the Jewish Calendar, e.g.: The Lunar High Sabbath of the Passover always falls on Nisan 15 on the Jewish Lunar Calendar; and it can fall on any weekday between, March 21st & April 23rd, on our Western Calendar.

The Sabbath Defined: Many in the West innocently refer to Sunday as the Sabbath. But, in Temple Times Sunday was the First Day of the Week and it was divided into two periods: (1) EARLY on the First Day of the Week (from sundown on Saturday to the Cock-Crowing on Sunday morning); and (2) The First Day of the Week (from the Cock-Crowing early on Sunday morning until sundown). Sunday was confirmed by Moses as the first day of the workweek for the Israelites; and in Israel it is yet today. The Jewish Sabbath begins on Friday before sundown and ends after sundown on Saturday, the Seventh Day of the week, as ordered by GOD in Genesis 2:3.

The Solar Sabbath Defined: Solar Sabbaths are the 52 Seventh-Day Saturday Sabbaths that occur during the solar year. On the western calendar they are observed from midnight on Friday night, until midnight on Saturday night.

The Lunar Sabbath Defined: Judaism is the only culture that observes nine Lunar HIGH Sabbaths each year. The observance of the Lunar High Sabbath of the Passover, while the sun is passing through the constellation of Aries, forces the Jewish lunar year to automatically adjust to the Western Solar Year. The Islamic religion, copied from the Bible’s Old and New Testaments by Mohammed, failed to insert a Lunar High Sabbath; so the Islamic lunar calendar does not adjust to the solar year. Instead the Muslim lunar festivals move erratically through the 12 months of the solar year.

The Jewish Holy Days: Christians are not required to keep any Jewish Lunar High Sabbath on the correct day. Jews, however, are commanded to observe all nine Lunar High Sabbaths during its encompassing Festival, and at its appointed time on the Jewish Lunar Calendar. It is an everlasting ordinance regardless of on which day of the week the Lunar High Sabbath may fall. Jews must also observe all 52 of the 7thDay Sabbaths, because of this same ordinance.

The Christian Holy Days: It is not the purpose of this book to abolish Sunday’s, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Pentecost, or Christmas as Holy Days for the Church. But the veracity of the Temple Times Jewish Orthodox Calendar, and statements in the Gospels, dictate each of the celebrated events took place on a Jewish Festival Day; and not on the days contrived by the Church.

The Fictional Settings Portrayed in the Story: These are based on Jewish and Roman customs during Temple Times; along with Old Testament prophecies harmonized with historic facts; all subject to Middle East colloquial terminology. Thus, many long-held Church Traditions are purposely ignored when refuted by Judaically-interpreted texts. One example is: contrary to Church tradition, Jesus and the Twelve were not alone for the LORD’s Supper (i.e. the Bedikat Hametz), because it was a traditional family affair held on the night before the Passover Feast. Therefore the men, women, and children who had followed Jesus from Galilee, would also have attended.

The Characters: Most of the individuals in the story were live 1stcentury personalities; and others were briefly mentioned characters who were in Jerusalem during the crucifixion week. The role assigned to each was based on his or her likely persona. Also, many dialogues and situations were integrated into the narratives to validate the accuracy of the Old and New Testament writings. Even so, the writer may be accused of inserting bizarre events into the story, because many are contrary to Church Tradition. Observant Jews, however, should find them quite rational.

First Century Topography Utilized in the Story: The website of The Third Temple Entrance In Alignment With The East Gate, `http://www.excel.net/~hoy/eastgate.html` was extensively considered in all situations taking place on the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. Visible present day features are the result of the Roman three-year siege and ultimate destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, in 67–70ce (i.e.

ad

). This was followed by centuries of wars and detrimental excavations.

The Crucifixion Tree: Jesus was hanged on a tree as prophesied in, Deuteronomy 21:23, so he would be accursed by GOD in our place. The dramatic story in Forty-Two Months describes a logical fulfillment of that prediction. Also, the text of the Greek New Testament clearly states Jesus was nailed to an impaling stake, and not to a fabricated Christian cross. A fig tree was utilized in the story because Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover their nakedness, and Jesus cursed the fig tree near the top of Olivet 3-days before his death. A fig tree played a part in the fall of man, so why not in the redemption of man? Even so, it is not the purpose of this book to abolish a "cross" as the icon of the Church. But it is Jesus’ (the Lamb of GOD) blood that covers our sins; not a cross. In the 16thCentury, the Church began using a green Christmas tree to depict the Messiah’s birth and eternal life; and candles to reveal the Messiah as the Light of the World. But Jews have celebrated the 9-month gestation of Jesus since the 2ndCentury bce (

bc

), by lighting the Nine Hanukkah Lights on the menorah tree. Was this simply coincidental???

Dating the Nativity: The alignments of SEVEN Lunar High Sabbaths with SEVEN 7thday Sabbaths, confirms the Nativity and Circumcision of Jesus took place on, Tishri 15 & 22 and September 28 & October 6; respectively, in 6bce.

Dating the "Crucifixion: The Jewish Lunar High Sabbaths and the 7thDay Sabbaths during the Crucifixion" Passover were aligned in the same identical patterns as they were during the Exodus Passover. Roman numbering confirms the date of the Death of Jesus as, Nisan 14 & April 9, in 27ce.

Dating the End-of-the-Age: Prophetic Dating of the Nativity and the Death of Jesus’ would not have been possible before the events had taken place. So, we can only speculate on how the Festivals may be aligned for the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70thweek (i.e. the Great Tribulation). Four Festivals relating to the End-of-the-Age are addressed near the end of this book. Even so, they are only offered as potential segments of that enigma. The Sun and Moon: And God Said: ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years.’ Archaeological structures such as Giza, Gobekli Tepe, & et al., indicate the years were ostensibly about 365.25 days each prior to the conjunction of all the planets in 3102bce. Then, according to the Books of 1stEnoch and Genesis, a transition to 364-days each occurred; and then to 360-days each, just prior to Noah’s Great Deluge. Between the Deluge and the Exodus from Egypt, a transition back to about 365.25 days each occurred. The moon’s 30 day transit also experienced a transition back to about 29.53 days per month. The Mayan Calendar versus the Jewish Calendar: Throughout the centuries the Mayan calendar, which had its origin in 3114bce, underwent scrutiny and fine-tuning by men trying to establish an end-date. The Orthodox Jewish Lunar Calendar, in contrast, will never require any adjustment by men. Only the LORD Himself has made any adjustments; three of which were just noted. The LORD also made two additional adjustments so His Appointed Times would occur during alignments of certain Lunar and 7thDay Sabbaths. One adjustment occurred when Joshua commanded the sun to stand still for almost a full day. The other one completed that day when the sundial reversed itself by 10° for King Hezekiah.

Author’s Suggestion: Enjoy this book as a novel or study it as a documentary. In either event, you should discover how Yeshua (Jesus the Jewish Messiah) has fulfilled, and will fulfill: The Perfect Jewish Calendar and its High and 7thDay Sabbaths.

Chapter 1

Healing At Jericho

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, And the tongue of the dumb shall sing.

Isaiah 35:5-6, JPS 1955.

Tuesday morning: Nisan 6 & April 1 in 27ce (i.e. ad)

8-nights & 9-days before the Lunar High Sabbath of the Passover

The dawn’s early morning sunbeams were touching the tops of Jericho’s highest buildings when the solitary figure of a young man emerged from the eastern edge of the city. Swinging a staff from side to side, he seemed uncertain of himself, as he cautiously made his way through the early morning mists. He seemed to be examining the ground ahead for obstacles, while following the Jordan River Road toward a forlorn tree standing a few hundred yards from the edge of the city. The only leaves on the tree were those that had weathered the recent winter.

Upon reaching the lonely tree, he abruptly veered toward a flat rock jutting from the ground a few feet from the roadway. When he touched the rock with his staff, he untied a pillow hanging from his side. After placing it on the stone’s flat surface, he turned to face the road. Then he sat on the pillow and laid his staff across his lap.

The rock was situated at the edge of a green field of flax with mature buds ready to burst into bloom. Across the road in front of him, a field of grain stretched up a slope and disappeared over a long crescent shaped knoll. The golden hue of the ripening barley appeared to have captivated his attention. Remaining motionless, he listened to the cheerful tranquility of an early morning chorus of songbirds. Occasionally the casual droning of a passing honeybee mixed itself into the morning’s harmonic symphony. After enjoying the light-hearted calls of mating birds for several minutes, he untied a ceramic cup from his belt. Then he placed his staff by his side and set the cup between his feet.

After a while travelers began passing by, trekking their way toward Jerusalem for the upcoming Passover Festival. The steady clink of coins in the cup indicated this would be an eventful and rewarding day. In his mind, he began calculating the value of the charitable contributions he might possibly collect while sitting under his tree. Each day he had received more and more alms. Many devout Jews were now throwing more coins into his cup. Others were attempting to conceal an insincere or short-lived dedication to GOD, prior to the Passover Celebration. Even so, the young man was quite happy to accommodate their benevolent spirit while it lasted.

When the heat of the noontime sun had nearly stopped the flow of travelers, he decided to return to the city. As he began preparing for his departure, two men converged on his tree and sat down under its scanty shade. They had approached so quietly the young man did not realize they were there. After listening intently, he felt assured no one was nearby and confidently removed a rock covering a hole in the ground by his side. Then he removed his large cache of coins from the hole, filled his cup, and stuffed the rest into his pillow. After carefully replacing the rock over the empty hiding place he picked up his staff. But as he stood to his feet he was startled when one of the two men asked a question. Master Judas, shall I fetch you some water from aElisha’s spring?

a Elisha’s spring was located near New Testament Jericho. Today it is known as the Spring of Ein es-Sultan. See 2ndKings 2:19–22 for a brief history of this Spring.

No! came a gruff reply, and stop calling me, Master! You might slip and say that in front of the Rabbi, or one of his illiterate disciples. If he discovers you’re my servant instead of my brother, he’ll surely expel me from the inner circle.

The boy was terrified and his body became rigid like the rock he had sat upon, because he realized he may have disclosed his hiding place to two devious strangers.

Judas continued, "I’ll wait until I can personally fill my flask with water from the spring. Instead, we’ll rest here for a little while before entering the city to spread the word of bYeshua’s arrival in Jericho; tomorrow morning. But before I inform any of the city’s peasantry, I’ll personally advise Zacchaeus, the cchief publican, of his planned arrival. Even though that traitor has a reputation for collecting more taxes from us Jews than Rome deems fair, I think I can convince him to be supportive of my cause. A generous contribution could relieve his conscience….if he has one."

b Yeshua (meaning Savior) is the transliterated Hebrew name of Jesus. Yeshua was translated into Greek as Ίησοΰς (yā΄-sūs) and thence into English as Jesus. In this book, the name, Jesus, is used in the narrations, but his transliterated Hebrew name, Yeshua (yĕ- shū-ŭh´), is used in the dialogues.

c A Publican was generally a local native who collected taxes for the Roman Empire. The chief publican’s name in Jericho was Zacchaeus; see Luke 19:1–10.

Using a respectful tone, the other man whispered his response. "Pardon the presumption of your humble….I mean, younger brother, Brother Judas, but hasn’t Rabbi Yeshua chastised you many times for pressing people for donations?"

Judas hissed a quick response. The only reason he objects to my soliciting funds is because he doesn’t want anyone to know I’m raising money for a messianic revolt. If either the aGreat Sanhedrin or the Roman authorities discover I have excessive amounts of money, they may arrest me for possible subversive activities. Haven’t you noticed that even though he tells me to return it, he never checks to see if I did?

a The Great Sanhedrin judged matters pertaining to the Mosaic Law. It consisted of 70 members plus the presiding High Priest, whose vote precluded any stalemate. See Jewish Literacy, pg. 123–124. NOTE: Bibliographies are listed on page iii in this book.

The servant nodded and whispered his agreement; You’re absolutely right Brother Judas. If the Rabbi wanted you to give it back, he would ask if you gave it back.

Raising his voice, Judas spoke so the frightened beggar would surely hear him. Look at the blind boy standing over there. He’s probably been begging all morning. Before we started talking I watched him remove a rock covering a hole beside him. Then he emptied its contents into his pockets and pillow. I wonder how many coins he’s collected.

The blind boy tightened his grip on the pillow and cup, fearing at any moment the two intruders might knock him to the ground and walk away with his coins. The servant sensed the frustration of the beggar, and replied, He’ll no doubt use a few coins to buy himself some crusts of bread for supper.

That’s right, agreed Judas, "but if he were to give the coins in his cup to me, I would tell Rabbi Yeshua to perform one of his magic tricks, so the boy’s sight would be restored when He passes by this tree tomorrow morning."

The blind boy straightened his back, and asked, "Are you a disciple of Yeshua the Nazarene?"

With a tone of arrogance, Judas replied, "When I joined Yeshua and his other disciples, I was given the surname of Judas bIscariot. There’s another disciple in the group also named, Judas, but I’m the one who is Yeshua’s financial advisor. It’s my responsibility to coordinate the activities of the other eleven members of his inner circle."

b Iscariot means man from Kerioth, per Biblical Archaeology review, Vol. 19, No. 1, pg. 40, Jan/Feb 1993. The other Judas was called Thaddaeus, see Matthew 10:3, Luke 6:16, and Acts 1:13. Thayer explains the Apostle Jude and Thaddaeus, is the same person.

The blind boy raised his cup of coins about chest high, and blurted out, You’ll tell the Rabbi to heal me tomorrow morning if I simply give you these few coins in my cup?

Judas seized on the possibility of easily securing the coveted money. You can trust me, he deviously confided. After all, I’m the Rabbi’s most trusted disciple. He never makes any decisions without first consulting with me. The Rabbi teaches, if anyone has faith only the size of one little amustard seed, he can move a mountain. Have you ever felt a mustard seed, blind boy?

a For Jesus’ comparison of faith to a mustard seed, see Mathew 17:20-21 and Luke 17:6.

Yes, he replied, They’re small but entertaining to fondle. Judas continued, Do you remember how much larger one coin was in comparison to a mustard seed? If you give those coins to me, I’ll pass them on to the Rabbi so he’ll know your faith is greater than many mustard seeds. Now tell me your name so I can point you out to the Rabbi tomorrow morning.

My name is Bartimaeus! he excitedly replied.

Are you the son of Timaeus, the parliamentarian of the Great Sanhedrin? asked Judas.

Yes, Bartimaeus responded. "Here! Take the money I have in both of my pockets and my pillow also. I want the Rabbi to know how much faith I have he’ll restore my sight. I’ll surely be waiting right here tomorrow morning on this very rock, and may bEl Shaddai bless you!"

b El Shaddai (ĕl΄ shăd-dă-ēē´) is a transliteration from the Hebrew and means, God Almighty, see Encyclopedic Dictionary, JPS 1955, pg. 832. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not know the LORD as YHWH. They knew Him as El Shaddai, see Exodus 6:2–3.

The servant emptied the cup of coins into Judas’ moneybag. Then while Bartimaeus emptied the coins from his pockets and pillow, into the cupped hands of the servant, Judas said, "May the celohim smile on you blind boy."

c elohim (ĕ-lō-hēēm΄) is the plural form of "eloah;" a name used by Jews to designate any of the pagan gods of the Gentiles. Jews used it in colloquial speech as an inclusive term for the pagan gods of the surrounding nations. Jews were not supposed to even speak the name of a pagan god, see Exodus 23:13 & Psalm 16:4. NOTE: In the 6thCentury

bce

(Before Common Era, i.e.

bc

), Adonai began to be substituted for YHVH or YHWH (see Encyclopedia Americana International Edition, Vol. 16, pg. 13). Today, when Jews refer to the GOD of Abraham, they still use the name Adonai. See Unger’s Bible Dictionary, pg. 311.

Judas and his servant abruptly headed for the city, and Bartimaeus began considering what he had just done. Talking to himself, he posed several questions. "Why did Judas invoke the elohim to smile on me? Does he believe all the pagan gods are equal with aYHVH? I’ve always been taught, YHVH is ONE, and He’s the only LORD of the Universe. Judas should have at least called Him, Adonai, to designate Him as his Master. And I can’t think of even one instance in the Scriptures where any of the prophets of Adonai ever accepted payment from anyone for healing them. I also wonder why Judas’ servant is masquerading as his brother?"

a The reader may pronounce YHVH as: LORD, GOD, Adonai (ă-dō-nă-ēē’), Yahweh, Yahveh or Jehovah. The original Hebrew pronunciation of YHVH is unclear, but Yahweh or Yahveh is close. The Hebrew letters h w h y (Heh Vau Heh Yod) are transliterated into English as YHWH or YHVH and make up the Tetragrammaton. The name "I AM" is included in these letters. In English versions of the Bible, YHVH is translated as LORD or ETERNAL; but it is read as Adonai in Hebrew versions. Adonai means my Master. YHVH occurs 6,823 times in the Hebrew Bible (see the Encyclopedic Dictionary, JPS 1955, pg. 832).

The clink of another coin in his empty cup interrupted his thoughts, and he responded, Thank you for your generosity!

Bartimaeus fondled the coin and realized he could easily buy a loaf of bread to feed himself that evening. He left his tree and probed his way back toward the city’s east entrance. The afternoon was unusually warm, so before he reached the entrance he probed his way to a nearby tree. While he stood in its scanty shade to rest and get relief from the relentless rays of the sun, he casually listened to a gathering of men sitting near the entrance. Soon, he noted the spokesman was Timaeus, his father. Bartimaeus had stumbled upon a gathering of the city’s religious leaders. His father was a revered leader among the bSadducees, and he was advising them concerning the Rabbi called, Jesus the Nazarene.

b In the 1stCenturies (

bc

/

ad

), Sadducees (sad’-ū-sēēs) were mostly aristocrats and priests. They were Israel’s political leaders and dominated the policies of the Sanhedrin. Their political views were socially liberal, but the common people generally did not share their idealistic interpretations of the Scriptures. The Sadducees believed in the free will of man, but did not believe in angels or spirits, and rejected a resurrection of the body or soul.

Bartimaeus listened as Timaeus answered a question from one of the leaders. "I was recently commissioned by the Great Sanhedrin to observe this rabble-rouser called, Yeshua the Nazarene. But ever since he staged the fake cdeath and restoration of a man in Bethany, he’s become very evasive. The Sanhedrin only knew he was residing in the region of Judea beyond the Jordan River. Then a few days before the New Moon of the dRam, I discovered he was staying in a tiny village called eEphraim, by the Arabian Desert. When I heard he planned to leave for Jerusalem after the new moon appeared, I decided to wait here and then follow him to Jerusalem, where I’ll assist the Sanhedrin in arresting him."

c The story of Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the sleep of death is in John 11:1–44.

d Aries means, the Ram. The Ram symbolizes Yeshua/Jesus. There are three constellations that portray the Springtime Jewish Festivals. In Temple Times, the Lunar High Sabbath of the Passover on Nisan 15 had to be observed while the sun was passing through the Constellation of Aries (i.e. between March 23 & April 23). The 7-stars of Taurus, did and still do, portray the Counting of the Omer (i.e. counting the 7-weeks or 49-days from the Passover to Shavuot, i.e. the Day of Pentecost). Gemini (i.e. the twins) portrays the offering of the twin loaves of Leavened Bread on Shavuot.

e If, John 11:54, had been referring to the well-known city of Ephraim located about 12 miles north-northeast of Jerusalem, he would not have needed to explain where it was located. This second city of Ephraim was associated with the Woods of Ephraim located north of the Jabbok (Jăb-bōk΄) River in Gilead. The woods were situated between the Jordan River and the wilderness called the Arabian Desert today. Using six days to travel from the edge of the desert to the Jordan River would not be unusual, because women and children would have accompanied Jesus and his disciples to attend the mandatory Festivals of Passover and Unleavened Bread at the Temple. Also, it would have been normal for them to spend a day by the Jordan River before crossing over.

Timaeus was asked another question. Bartimaeus was unable to understand the question from where he was standing, but Timaeus’ answer was explicit. I’ve been informed the Rabbi crossed the Jordan River this morning, where many more of his followers from the region of Galilee had gathered to meet him. This is the a3rdday of the week, so they no doubt spent yesterday washing their clothing and possessions for the Passover. Therefore, the Rabbi should arrive in Jericho tomorrow morning, the 7thday of Nisan, along with his inner circle of disciples.

a According to Numbers 19:12 & 19, purification rites were to be performed on the 3rdday of the week (Tuesday) and then again on the 7thday of the week (Saturday).

Bartimaeus clearly heard the next question. Rabbi Timaeus! If the Nazarene restores the sight of your youngest son, will you still insist on having him arrested?

This Rabbi doesn’t really heal people! retorted Timaeus. He performs miracles through magic spells, or pays people to feign sickness so he can claim to heal them. I’ve warned my son not to get his hopes up, because he’s absolutely blind in both eyes. I predict the Rabbi will find a way to avoid him.

We’ll see! mumbled Bartimaeus to himself. I’ve paid my seed money to Judas Iscariot for the Rabbi to restore my sight, and he promised to bring the Rabbi to me. Plainly disheartened by his father’s comments, though, Bartimaeus groped his way to another out-of-the-way tree to await the dispersal of the gathering. As soon as the religious leaders left, Bartimaeus made his way back into the city.

Wednesday morning: Nisan 7 and April 2 in 27ce

7-nights & 8-days before the Lunar High Sabbath of the Passover

The early morning sun lifting above the distant mountains found Bartimaeus sitting under his begging tree. He did not want to miss meeting Jesus. A few travelers were already making their way past his tree. As the morning wore on, the number of pilgrims traveling up the road toward Jerusalem continued to increase. Coins kept clinking in Bartimaeus’ cup, and he offered words of appreciation to each donor. All the while, the memory of Judas Iscariot’s promise to tell Jesus to heal his eyes kept going through his mind. But the words of his father, that Jesus would find a way to avoid him, also plagued him. The two views caused Bartimaeus to be full of both hope and doubt. He knew his father’s opinions were seldom wrong, but Judas had promised Jesus would open his eyes; so he mumbled, "Surely, when Judas tells Yeshua I gave him all my money, special consideration will be in order."

Around midmorning he heard a clamor that sounded like a platoon of Roman soldiers pushing their way through the crowds of people. Bartimaeus felt his heart begin to pound in his chest. The noise sounded like they were coming directly toward him, but he dared not move. He had no one to lead him to a safe place away from the road, so he emptied his cup into the shallow depression beneath the rock next to where he sat. After returning a few coins into the cup, he again set it down between his feet. Hopefully, the soldiers might not suspect what he had done. He knew when the soldiers passed by they would confiscate any coins in his cup and callously shove him to the ground. Then they would laugh and tell him to get up, only to push him down again. Such was the fate of a blind boy. Situations of this sort had been a part of his daily routine many times in the past. Soon the noise was directly in front of him, so he began bracing himself for the onslaught of the soldiers. All the while he hoped they would not notice him. When he sensed more people were pressing in around him, he asked in a loud whisper, What’s happening? Where are the soldiers? Please tell me because I can’t see!

Someone in the crowd answered, "There aren’t any soldier’s! Yeshua the Nazarene is passing by!"

Bartimaeus bellowed out, You mean the Rabbi is right in front of me? Where’s Judas Iscariot? He’s supposed to tell the Rabbi to restore my sight! No one seemed to be listening, so he called out in a loud coarse voice, Judas! Judas Iscariot! I’m over here by this tree! I’m right where I was when you talked to me yesterday! Don’t you remember? I’m the one who gave you all my money, so the Rabbi would heal my eyes!

Be quiet you lowly beggar! ordered someone nearby. The Rabbi is on his way to Jerusalem and everybody wants to get near him. He doesn’t have time for the likes of you!

Bartimaeus shouted even louder; Judas! Judas Iscariot! Where are you? You promised to lead the Rabbi to me! I put my trust in you! I gave you all the money I had! Where are you now that I desperately need you?

As the noise of the crowd gradually faded toward the city, Bartimaeus’ emotions engulfed him in a swirl of despair. Then in a fit of anger, he muttered, Where’s Judas Iscariot? He promised the Rabbi would restore my sight if I gave him all my money! Why didn’t Judas hear me calling for him? I’m positive I yelled loudly enough. Maybe the man was right. Why should the Rabbi take time to help the likes of me? Maybe my father was right. Maybe he only restores sight to those who aren’t really blind. Surely he would have healed my eyes though, if I could have gotten near him.

Bartimaeus remained seated to contemplate his situation. Then he sensed someone was standing directly in front of him. Who are you? he demanded, and what do you want?

My name is John Mark, but my friends call me Mark, was the response.

Who’s the girl with you? Bartimaeus demanded.

Mark was surprised Bartimaeus knew a girl was with him, but he answered, "Her name is aTalitha Cumi. She noticed you sitting on the rock when Yeshua passed by, and she pleaded with me to ask him why he didn’t restore your sight."

a Talitha Cumi (tă-lē-thă´ cū-mē´) is a transliteration from Aramaic and means: little girl (or little lamb) arise! See Mark 5:41 and Luke 8:54. Jairus of Capernaum had brought Jesus to his home and Jesus raised his daughter, Talitha, from the dead. In this book Talitha meets Bartimaeus about 3-years later when she is a charming 15/16-year-old girl. Talitha and her mother have followed Jesus for the past 6-months, and she is perplexed when she attempts to empathize with Bartimaeus. His response is apropos though, because girls were usually uneducated and ranked just above slaves in the social structure.

Passed by is right! was the angry reply. Look at me! I’m still blind because Judas Iscariot didn’t bring the Rabbi to where I’m sitting! And why does a meddlesome girl care if he heals me or not? Is she looking for a way to embarrass me in front of her friends; like so many of the inconsiderate and self-righteous girls in Jericho have often done?

The teenage girl was clearly dismayed by Bartimaeus’ ill- conceived reply. But rather than defend herself, she mustered an amiable voice, and asked, What’s your name blind boy?

Bartimaeus was surprised by the girl’s friendly response, but he still answered antagonistically, by enunciating, "My–name–is–

Blind–Bar–Ti–mae–us!"

Talitha held back any hint of feeling demeaned, and asked, What’s the surname you were given at your bar mitzvah?

Bartimaeus angrily complained; Due to my blindness, I never had the privilege of celebrating a bar mitzvah. I was only named Bar-Timaeus at my circumcision, so I don’t have a surname like other boys my age. I’m simply referred to as the blind son of Timaeus. It’s as though I don’t exist. Even the Rabbi ignored me. This Rabbi is supposed to be able to raise the dead and heal blind eyes. But maybe he can’t heal anyone who is totally blind like me, so he passed me by!

Mark explained; "Just before the Master entered the city, I asked him why he didn’t heal you. He gave me permission to come back and talk to you, and I asked him what I should say. He told me I was worried and troubled about many things and added: adon’t worry about what you should say. It will be given to you at that time what you should speak."

a Paraphrased out of context from Matthew 10:19–20; with contractions inserted.

Bartimaeus impatiently broke in, saying, One of the Rabbi’s disciples named, Judas Iscariot, promised me the Rabbi would heal my eyes if I gave him all the money I collected yesterday. He said my coins were like mustard seeds of faith. What is it you’re supposed to tell me? I’m supposed to give you all the money I collected today? And then you’ll take me to the Rabbi? Or are you going to tell me Judas Iscariot isn’t one of the inner-circle of disciples?

Mark hesitated, but replied, "No, I don’t want your money. But yes, Judas really is a member of the inner circle of twelve. He seems to be more interested in raising funds though, than in promoting Yeshua’s heavenly kingdom….but I must say; to my knowledge, Rabbi Yeshua has never accepted any form of payment from anyone for healing them. Nonetheless, on my way back here I thought about many things I could say. Now I can’t remember a thing I was planning to say. I can only remember a verse of scripture my mother repeated to me many times when I was a little boy. I haven’t thought about it for years. I’m not sure I can even say it correctly. Then looking up, he prayed, Please El Shaddai, give me the right words to comfort this distraught boy. Then Mark put his hands on Bartimaeus’ shoulders, and said, aTo everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to seek, and a time to lose; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak….that’s all I recall."

a See the complete quotation in, Ecclesiastes 3:1–8. Quote is from the, JPS 1955.

An awkward period of silence ensued, while Bartimaeus tried to grasp what Mark had just said. Then he exploded! That’s all you have to say? The Rabbi knew I was here and yet he passed me by! I wanted him to give me my sight, but he chose to ignore me! Why didn’t he heal my eyes like everyone says he does? He ignored me just like every other uncaring person ignores me! And by the sound of your voice, you’re just a teenage man like me. He didn’t even care enough about me to send one of the renowned Twelve!

Mark attempted to give a tactful answer; I’ve been concerned many times when the Master didn’t do things the way I thought he should. Yet his way always turns out to be the right way. So think about the scripture I just quoted.

Bartimaeus continued to be argumentative. Speaking half to Mark and half to himself, he said, Perhaps my father was right. Maybe the Rabbi only performs miracles when it will promote his own interests. Then he raised his voice and questioned, Did he send you back to console me, so I wouldn’t proclaim his hypocrisy throughout Jericho?

Mark defended Jesus, by saying, "As I said, I don’t understand many things about what the Master does. I’ll also tell you this; there seems to be a purpose in everything he says and does. He plans to leave the city of Jericho when the bShofar announces the completion of the cevening sacrifice in Jerusalem. Then he’ll follow the road leading to Jerusalem. I suggest you wait for him on the western side of the city."

b A Shofar (shō-făr΄) is a ram’s horn. They were used to signal times of day, and to relay routine and urgent messages throughout Israel.

c The evening sacrifice was usually killed at about 2:30pm, and offered up on the Altar in front of the Temple Sanctuary at about 3:30pm.

Having said that, Mark led Talitha to where a woman was chaperoning several waiting adolescent and teen boys and girls. Bartimaeus sat motionless for quite some time while he pondered Mark’s message. Suddenly, he realized Talitha, along with another girl, was again standing in front of him. Still angry over what had just taken place, Bartimaeus blurted out, What do you want? I thought I made it very clear, I don’t want any girls meddling in my affairs!

How did you know it was I if you’re blind? she demanded. Because you smell like the same sweaty girl who just left! was his demeaning reply.

Embarrassed, Talitha meekly replied, Oh! I…Umm…I’ve been walking with the Master and his disciples since early this morning. The sun is hot and the air is muggy. After a pause, she asked, May I ask you another question?

In an attempt to further humiliate the perceived common girl, he responded, Are you trying to prove you’re capable of doing a better job of embarrassing me, than the girls of Jericho? Well, let’s find out just how proficient you are. I must warn you, however; you’re competing against some of the shrewdest and most conniving girls in all Israel.

Talitha had an urge to defend her intentions with a surge of hostility, but instead she calmly stated her mission. "Before I arrived near the place where you were sitting this morning, the Master motioned for me to walk beside him. I heard you calling out for Judas Iscariot to help you. Did you think someone, other than Rabbi Yeshua, could make you see?"

A sense of rage roiled within Bartimaeus. Instead of being attacked in a demeaning way by the young girl, she was simply asking a legitimate and logical question. The thought of a girl having a greater understanding than he, of why he had not received his healing from Jesus, infuriated him. So, in an attempt to justify his prior actions, he answered in a contemptible tone, I called on Judas Iscariot because he promised to tell the Rabbi I wanted to be healed. Now leave me alone and keep your impudent remarks to yourself! I’m quite capable of solving my own problems!

Ignoring Bartimaeus’ unappreciative response, she asked, "Why didn’t you call on, Yeshua the son of David, to help you? I’ve never seen the Master turn away from anyone who directly asked him for help."

Livid with anger Bartimaeus retaliated, saying, Whom I called on to help me is none of your concern! And I especially don’t need any advice from an insolent nomadic vagrant!

Then in a deliberate show of contempt, Bartimaeus purposely ignored the bewildered girl standing in front of him. He gathered the coins he had placed under the rock, and stuffed them into his pockets. Then he stood and doggedly made his way toward the city. Talitha was left standing by the rock. Little by little, tears of dismay trickled down her cheeks. The encounter with Bartimaeus had left her utterly disheartened. The two girls retreated to the chaperone, where Talitha buried her face in the woman’s shawl and cried.

After Bartimaeus had passed through the east entrance of Jericho, he once again found his father by questioning various people. Timaeus was now discussing Jesus’ arrival in Jericho with several youthful priests and a young aPharisee. When Timaeus noticed Bartimaeus standing nearby he spoke to him in a questioning but demeaning tone. You were there when the Rabbi passed your tree this morning weren’t you?

a Most of the common people aligned themselves with the Pharisees (fair’-i-sees). Most Scribes were Pharisees. Their conservative views were a counterbalance to the liberal policies of the Sadducees. The Pharisees believed the Scriptures were to be interpreted literally. They also believed in the immortality of the soul, the existence of angels and spirits, and a resurrection of the dead on the Last Day (i.e. Yom Kippur). See Acts 23:8.

Yes, replied Bartimaeus.

Continuing in a condescending tone, Timaeus drove home his point by asking, You’re still blind aren’t you?

Yes, Father, I’m still blind, he meekly admitted.

Timaeus leaned back on his seat, and said, Let me explain something to you Bartimaeus. The Rabbi ignored you because you’re absolutely blind. There’s no way he can use you to make people think he has healed you, because you’re a hopeless case. There’s no cure for your blindness. You must realize he has little use for one who is incurably blind.

He didn’t completely ignore me, countered Bartimaeus. "One of his young followers named, John Mark, came to me afterward with a message. He told me; ‘There’s a time to kill and a time to heal.’ He also told me when the Rabbi would be leaving Jericho to go up to Jerusalem. I plan to be there when he leaves, because it may be my appointed time for healing."

Timaeus responded, The Rabbi is assuming you won’t be able to get to the west side of Jericho before he leaves. Then if someone asks him why he didn’t heal you, he’ll say it was because you didn’t show up before he left Jericho. This will prove he’s only trying to gain a large following by deceitfully convincing people he can restore sight and raise the dead!

Bartimaeus timidly asked, "If he’s an impostor like you say; why hasn’t the Sanhedrin or the Roman Army apprehended him? He walks in the Land of Israel where everyone can see him; yet no one arrests him. El Shaddai evidently protects him….and I still believe he’ll heal my eyes."

It’s all trickery! retorted Timaeus, as he bolted from his seat. "There’s no way the Rabbi can create new eyes for you! He can’t really heal people! Only Adonai can heal people! Your Rabbi can’t raise the dead either, because not even Adonai raises the dead! Don’t you understand what he’s up to Bartimaeus? The man claims he’s equal with Adonai! He says Adonai is his Father, and he and his Father are ONE. It’s Blasphemy! The only reason the Romans haven’t arrested him is because he advocates we Jews should get along with, and actually serve the Romans. Why should they arrest him? When the true Messiah comes, he won’t condone the Romans ruling over us. Instead, he’ll deliver our nation from Rome!"

Then the young Pharisee, whose name was aSaul of Tarsus, took issue with Timaeus concerning the raising of the dead, saying, "Adonai can raise the dead, but this Rabbi is not Adonai, so any reports of his raising the dead are false."

a Church historians generally agree Saul of Tarsus (i.e. Paul the Apostle) was born between 1

ce

and 10

ce

(i.e. Common Era or

ad

). This would set Paul’s age at between 17 and 27 years old during Jesus’ ministry, and between 52 and 62 years when Paul died. As a young boy, Saul studied in Jerusalem under Gamaliel of the sect of the Pharisees; see Acts 22:3. So Saul was in Jerusalem during the various Festivals that both he and Jesus were required to attend during Jesus’ 3½-year ministry. Saul’s first contact with Jesus did not occur on the road to Damascus. In that instance, Saul asked the

Lord

, Who are you,

Lord

? (see Acts 9:5), because he knew whom he saw was the

Lord

, and he also realized the

Lord

looked like Jesus. He was simply asking the

Lord

to confirm, He and Jesus were ONE.

Timaeus did not answer the young Pharisee, because he was purposely avoiding a confrontation with Saul regarding a resurrection of the dead. Bartimaeus tactfully changed the subject, by saying, I’ve heard some man called, Barabbas, is claiming to be the Messiah and is organizing an insurrection.

You heard correctly! replied Timaeus. "That radical Jew who calls himself, bYeshua Barabbas, has claimed to be the Messiah. He tried to organize a band of renegade Jews to revolt against Caesar, but the Sanhedrin wasn’t concerned about him, because they knew the Romans would arrest him. In fact, he’s already in custody in the cAntonia Fortress and awaiting the arrival of Pontius Pilate, who will soon arrive in Jerusalem for the Passover. Even so, this Rabbi of yours has gained a tremendous following with his claim of being ONE with Adonai; and I’m convinced if our nation begins following him, he’ll claim to be our Promised Messiah. If that happens, Pilate will take note of the massive movement to overthrow the Roman Empire, and this impostor will cause Caesar to send his armies to destroy us. We must stop him!"

b It was common for many would-be-messiahs to prefix their names with the title of Yeshua (Savior), because all signs pointed to the Messiah’s imminent appearance. This is an example of how Satan copies GOD’s ways in order to deceive people into going astray. c Herod the Great fortified the Birah (Citadel), and called it the Antonia Fortress in honor of Mark Anthony. It was located at the northwest corner of the Temple Mount.

Bartimaeus argued, "What if he is the Promised Messiah?

Wouldn’t you be guilty of blasphemy against Adonai?"

Answer me this! demanded Timaeus. "Has this man turned any rivers into blood like Moses did? Has he called for any aplagues on our enemies; such as frogs, gnats, flies, the death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts or darkness? Has he called for the death of any of our enemy’s firstborn sons? If and when this man calls down judgment on our enemies, and Adonai answers him, I’ll concede he MAY be the Messiah we’re looking for. But as long as he advocates for us Jews to turn the other cheek to the Romans, and feigns the healing of sick people so he can persuade everyone he’s ONE with Adonai, I’ll continue to pursue his arrest so he can be tried by the Great Sanhedrin and stoned to death for blasphemy!"

a The story of the ten plagues against Egypt is in Exodus 7:14–11:10.

Without hesitation, Bartimaeus responded, I believe you’re afraid to arrest him because you aren’t really sure who he is!

Seething with anger, Timaeus retorted, Don’t criticize your superiors on how we conduct the business of administering justice under the bMosaic Law. We especially don’t need a blind boy telling those of us who can see the world around us, how to deal with this cunlearned Rabbi!

b Jews call the first five books of the Bible, the Torah. Christians call them, the Pentateuch. The laws contained in the Torah make up the Mosaic Law. During 2ndTemple times, however, the Great Sanhedrin compiled a total of 613 laws known as the Traditional Law or Oral Law, which are now written in the Mishnah.

c Some scholars believe Jesus studied in another country, possibly as far away as India. This is absurd. There is no historical record of Jesus attending any school of learning. According to the Apostle John, he never received any formal academic instruction: And the Jews marveled, saying, How does this Man know letters, having never studied? See John 7:15, NKJV. Also see Matthew 13:54–56 & Mark 6:1–3.

Tears welled up in Bartimaeus’ eyes as he turned to leave. First, Jesus had ignored his call for help. Now, his father had also turned on him. Barely able to cope with this sense of hopelessness and rejection, he still managed to turn back toward his father, and say, "I’m sorry I upset you, Father. The Rabbi will be leaving Jericho after the Shofar announces the completion of the evening sacrifice. I plan to be on the western side of the city, so I can ask him to heal my eyes. I hope you’ll be there too. You know I’m totally blind, and only a miracle from Adonai can change that. If he heals my eyes, maybe you’ll change your mind concerning him. But if he tries to heal my eyes and cannot, you’ll have your excuse to arrest him….I love you Father!"

Bartimaeus tightly clutched his staff and continued probing his way toward the western edge of Jericho. Timaeus was unable to conceal his sorrow for turning on his son, and he hurried to retreat into a narrow and secluded walkway.

Wednesday afternoon: Still Nisan 7 and April 2 in 27ce

7-nights & 7½-days before the Lunar High Sabbath of the Passover

The sun was high overhead when Bartimaeus arrived at the center of Jericho. He sat down to rest under a sycamore tree, where he had often begged for alms. When he was about to resume his walk toward the western side of Jericho, he heard a loud commotion of many voices coming from the direction of the chief tax collector’s house. So he hurried up the street and accidentally bumped into one of the youthful priests who had been with Timaeus earlier that morning.

Clearly irritated, the priest bellowed, Pay attention to where you’re going blind boy! Then he shoved him backward; sending him sprawling onto the stone-studded street. As Bartimaeus painfully stood to his feet, the other young priests watched and laughed. Even so, he appeared undaunted by this type of treatment he had often encountered in the past. After he had regained his composure, he politely asked, What’s happening that has made so many people gather near the publican’s house?

With an air of scorn, the young priest answered, "Don’t try to make us believe