Temple: Destroy This Temple

Destroy This Temple

John 2:18 The Jews therefore answered and said to Him, “What sign dost Thou show to us that Thou doest these things?” ¹⁹Yeshua answered and said to them, “Destroy this Temple, and I will raise it up in three days!” ²⁰The Jews therefore said, “Forty and six years was building this Temple! And Thou wilt raise it up in three days?” ²¹But He spoke concerning the Temple of His Body. ²²When He was raised up from among the dead, His disciples therefore remembered that He had said this to them. And they believed the Scripture and the word that Yeshua had spoken.

To what Temple is Yeshua referring?

In verse 21, the text testifies that He spoke of the Temple of His Body. This is not Yeshua’s physical body. Had it been, the wording in verse 21 would have been different—more like this: “But He spoke concerning His death and resurrection.” Instead, this Temple is the Body of Christ—that is, the entire entity and group over which He is head.

The next text demonstrates that His Body is the Church:

Colossians 1:24 …who now rejoice in my sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Messiah in my flesh for His Body’s sake, which is the Church.

This body first consists of Israel, Messiah Yeshua’s property. Israel is and always has been the core of this Body. All Israelis in faith and out of faith together constitute this Body. As Israelis die in unbelief, they are removed from this Body. Thus, Israelis are temporary members unless they come to faith. Romans explains this:

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also. And if the root is holy, so are the branches. ¹⁷And if some of the branches are broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree with them, ¹⁸don’t boast against the branches! But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee! ¹⁹Thou wilt say then, “The branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in!” ²⁰Fine! They were broken off because of unbelief, and thou standest by faith! Don’t be highminded, but fear! ²¹For if God spared not the natural branches—lest He also spare not thee!

I have drawn a representation of this tree:

Olive Tree

If an Israeli comes to faith, he/she is grafted into the tree again, now being a living branch.

Persons who are born of God are also added to the Israelis making up this Body. They are connected to Avraham, as the following text explains:

Romans 4:13 For the promise that he will be the heir of the world is not to Avraham or to his seed through the Torah, but through the righteousness of faith. ¹⁴For if they who are of the Torah are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is made of no effect ¹⁵because the Torah works wrath. For where no law is, no transgression is. ¹⁶Therefore [the promise]is of faith so that [it] is by grace to the end the promise will be sure to all the seed—not only to that which is of the Torah, but also to that which is of the faith of Avraham (who is the father of us all, ¹⁷as it is written, “I have made thee a father of many nations”) before Him Whom he believed—God Who makes-alive the dead and calls those things that are not as though they were—¹⁸who believed in hope against hope so that he will become the father of many races according to what was spoken: “So shall thy seed be.”

Some non-Jewish folks who become Saints join themselves to Israel, and are thus named on another branch in the above picture.

There is another group to consider. They are non-Jewish, non-believing friends of the Israelis who will risk their lives for them during the Tribulation. (They will become part of that Body in faith later, after the Tribulation). They are often described in the Bible, with two texts specially describing them: Matthew 25:31 and following, and Psalm 1. They are the ‘sheep’ in the so-called Sheep/Goat Judgment of Matthew 25. Messiah states this of that event:

Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, He shall then sit upon the throne of His glory. ³²And all races shall be gathered before Him. And He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divides sheep from goats. ³³And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on the left. ³⁴Then the King shall say unto them on His right hand, “Come, ye blessed of my Father! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world! ³⁵For I was hungry, and ye gave me food! I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink! I was a stranger, and ye took me in!—³⁶naked, and ye clothed me! I was sick, and ye visited me! I was in prison, and ye came unto me!” ³⁷Then the righteous shall answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed, or thirsty, and gave drink? ³⁸When did we see thee a stranger, and took in, or naked, and clothed? ³⁹Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came unto thee?” ⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, “Faith I say unto you! Inasmuch as ye have done unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done unto me!” ⁴¹Then He shall say also unto them on the left hand, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and His angels!! ⁴²For I was hungry, and ye gave me no food! I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink! ⁴³I was a stranger, and ye didn’t take me in!—naked, and ye didn’t clothe me!—sick and in prison, and ye didn’t visit me!” ⁴⁴Then they also shall answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?” ⁴⁵Then He shall answer them, saying, “Faith I say unto you! Inasmuch as ye didn’t to one of the least of these, ye didn’t to me!” ⁴⁶And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, and the righteous into everlasting life!

Messiah classified the sheep-side folks with the following descriptions:

Blessed of my Father (verse 34)
Inheritors of the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world (verse 34)
Righteous (verse 37)
Entering into everlasting life (verse 46)

While they are not yet part of that Body of Messiah, they certainly will be!

The Temple as a Type

The Temple is a type: an item that is important in itself, and properly pictures and portrays another item that is far more important, along with events that happen to that item. Every temple in the world (I propose—if the word isn’t being used in some other way) is a living quarter for a god; that is what a temple is designed to be. The Temple of the Body of Messiah is a residence for the God of Israel. That Temple (that is, the answer to the type, and not the type itself) will experience a fragmentation (I will explain that shortly), and then it will be brought back together within a three-day period.

What does the word translated destroy truly mean?

Translators did great violence against the text when they applied their own theology to the translation instead of leaving the word alone with its normal meanings. The following are the acceptations given in Thayer’s lexicon for this word:

To loose any person (or thing) tied or fastened; bandages of the feet, the shoes; of a husband and wife joined together by the bond of matrimony; of a single man, whether he has already had a wife or has not yet married; to loose one bound, i.e. to unbind, release from bonds, set free; of one bound up (swathed in bandages); bound with chains (a prisoner), discharge from prison, let go; to loosen, undo, dissolve, anything bound, tied, or compacted together; an assembly, i.e. to dismiss, break up; laws, as having a binding force, are likened to bonds; to annul, subvert; to do away with, to deprive of authority, whether by precept or act; to declare unlawful; to loose what is compacted or built together, to break up, demolish, destroy; to dissolve something coherent into parts, to destroy; metaph., to overthrow, to do away with.

The basic flavor of this word isn’t to destroy; it is to separate into various parts; to break up a whole item into parts. It can include scattering a group into smaller groups, and this is what will happen during the Tribulation. What the Temple represents (typifies) will be separated into small units to save the lives of Jewish folks (and others).

Who does the destroying?

Yeshua said, “Fragment this Temple…” He spoke to the Israelis when He said this. Jewish leaders in Israel will be the Israelis responsible for this during the Tribulation by making a covenant with death:

Isaiah 28:14 Therefore, hearken-ye-to the saying of Yehovah, men of the scoff, the rulers of this People that is in Jerusalem. ¹⁵For ye said, “We cut a covenant with Death!” and, “We made a vision with Sheol!” “The scourge is gushing! For he passed! He will not come-to us! For we placed a prevarication, our shelter! And we were hidden in a lie!” ¹⁶Therefore, so said my Lords Yehovah, “Behold, I am establishing a stone in Zion—a chosen stone, a corner, preciousness of a foundation—a foundation of the Believer. He will not hasten! ¹⁷And I will place justice for a commandment and righteousness for a plummet. And hail shall sweep-away the shelter of the prevarication; and waters shall gush-away the hiding-place! ¹⁸And he shall cover your covenant with Death. And your vision with Sheol will not stand. The scourge that will pass-over gushes! And ye shall be to him for treading! ¹⁹He will take you from the time-of his passing-over! For in the morning, in the morning he will pass-over, in the day and in the night! And he shall be only frustration to understand a report!”

That covenant will drive all Israelis who fear Yehovah to either leave the area or to work underground. They will have to work in small groups if they will save lives of other Israelis. Yehovah will have already sent many Israelis to the farthest locations throughout the world long before this time for their preservation and protection. This will be the backdrop to the time of Jacob’s Tribulation. While this fragmentation will last for a few years, the last part of the gathering itself will be within three days (I will show my evidence for this shortly).

The Hosea text

Hosea 5:15 “I will walk. I will return to my place until they declare themselves guilty and seek my faces! They will seek me sunrise in their Tribulation!” Hosea 6:1 “Come! And we shall return unto Yehovah! For He tore, and He will heal us! He smote, and He will bind us up! ²He will make us alive after two days! He will raise us up in the third day! And we shall live in His sight! ³Then we shall know! We shall follow on to know Yehovah! His going forth is prepared as the morning. And He shall come unto us as the rain—as the latter, former rain unto the land!”

These Israelis know the exact timings of these events! He will raise up that Temple (consisting of Israelis and all His Body) in three days.

The Significance of Three Days

Why do a number of texts refer to events that are three days or within three days? If anyone will have a hope during terrible times, knowing when those times will end is vital. Some have given up just before the end of the terrors in previous terrible times, not realizing how close they were to the end. They might have endured to the end, had they known.

At the same time, being too specific will give information to enemies; they may use that information to commence a terrible slaughter in vengeance. Thus, Messiah has given information that is specific to the week, but not to the day or the hour:

Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the Tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light. And the stars shall fall from the heavens, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. ³⁰And then the sign of the Son of man shall appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the earth shall mourn. And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of the heavens with power and great glory. ³¹And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet; and they shall gather His elect together from the four winds—from one end of the heavens to the other. ³²Now learn a parable of the fig tree: When his branch is yet tender, and he puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. ³³So likewise, when ye shall see all these things, ye know that it is near—at the doors. ³⁴Faith I say unto you, this generation shall not pass until all these things are fulfilled. ³⁵Heavens and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. ³⁶But no one knows of that day and hour—no, not the angels of the heavens, but only my Father.”

Mark 13:24 “In those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light. ²⁵And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken. ²⁶And then they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷And then He shall send His angels. And they shall gather together His elect from the four winds: from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of the heavens! ²⁸Now learn a parable of the fig tree: When her branch is yet tender and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is near. ²⁹So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh: at the doors. ³⁰Faith! I say unto you that this generation shall not pass until all these things are done. ³¹Heavens and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. ³²But no man knows of that day and hour—no, not the angels that are in the heavens or the Son, but the Father. ³³Take ye heed! Watch and pray! For ye don’t know when the time is, ³⁴as a man taking a far journey who left his house. And he gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work. And he commanded the porter to watch. ³⁵Watch ye therefore! For ye don’t know when the master of the house comes: at even or at midnight or at the cockcrowing or in the morning, ³⁶lest coming suddenly, he finds you sleeping! ³⁷And what I say unto you I say unto all: Watch!”

These two texts refer to the gathering as well as the coming of the master (the Messiah). The gathering will be within a three-day period within the last week of the Tribulation; the coming of the Messiah will be exactly 1,290 days after the False Prophet of the Assyrian (antichrist) sets up an image of the Assyrian in the Temple:

Daniel 12:11 From the time that the daily [sacrifice] shall be taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

Thus, any reader can know the very day of Messiah’s coming (once the abomination—a ‘living’ statue of the Assyrian that has power to kill—has been set up). The gathering is a different issue. Messiah Himself doesn’t know the day or the hour. Any careful reader can know the week in which the gathering takes place (it will be within the last week of the Tribulation). If the person knows the week, the person will also know the month and the year once the abomination has been set up.

These three-day periods are long enough that enemies will not believe them, and they are short enough that those who truly hope and believe will be able to easily wait. Another text refers to a shortening of the length of a day during the last part of the Tribulation, so that the maximum of three days that one must wait will not be 72 hours, but instead will be 48 hours:

Matthew 24:21 For great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be, shall be then. ²²And except those days shall be shortened, there shall no flesh be saved! But those days shall be shortened for the elect’s sake.

The amount of the shortening is specifically described:

Revelation 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded. And the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars, so as the third part of them was darkened. And the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

The last phrase describes a shortening of a day and a night by a third. Thus, a 24-hour day/night cycle becomes a 16-hour day/night cycle. The most any Saint will have to wait to be gathered is 48 hours.

Raising it up

The Hosea text above mentioned raising up: “He will make us alive after two days! He will raise us up in the third day! And we shall live in His sight!” The word translated raised used here includes the following acceptations: to arouse (from sleep, from death), cause to rise, to awake; to recall the dead to life; to cause to rise from a seat or bed, etc. The purpose of the Temple’s fragmentation into its various parts will be to save lives. When the antitype of the Temple (that very real Body of persons of which the Temple is a picture) is caused to rise, all its various parts will ascend Mount Zion, literally rising up that very large mountain. (Mount Zion is presently quite small; it will become a great mountain during the Tribulation.) While the Temple (that is, what the Temple typifies) will be fragmented for quite a while, the gathering will bring it all together on Mount Zion within the period of three days by the act of Yeshua.

For those who thought that this text referred to Yeshua’s death and resurrection, Yeshua said in this text that He (not Yehovah the Father) will raise this Temple up, whereas Yehovah was the one who raised Yeshua from the dead:

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death so that, just as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also shall walk in newness of life.

1 Peter 1:21 …who by Him do believe in God Who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory so that your faith and hope will be in God.

The Matzah in the Passover

Yeshua stated the following:

1 Corinthians 11:24 And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take! Eat! This is my Body that is broken for you! Do this in remembrance of me.”

Luke 22:19 And He took bread. And He gave thanks. And He broke it and gave unto them, saying, “This is my Body that is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

What did this show-and-tell act of taking Matzah, breaking it, telling them to take, telling them to eat, then telling them that this is His Body broken/given for them portray? Why did Yeshua break Matzah, and then tell them to take, to eat, and that it was broken for them?

In order to understand the answer to this question, another question must supercede: Whom did the disciples represent when Yeshua spoke to them in so many recorded discourses? The disciples themselves often found Yeshua’s words very confusing. He said things to them that didn’t make sense to them—at least, not to all of them. For example,

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God; believe also in me.”

He said, “your (plural) heart (singular) as if they all had one heart, one mind. Then He said, “Ye believe in God.” That was true, except for Judas Iscariot. When He said, “Believe also in me,” He implied that they didn’t believe in Him. That was true of Judas Iscariot, but not of the rest of the disciples. The rest definitely believed in Him. I noticed these types of comments made by Yeshua throughout His ministry, and finally figured that He spoke to the disciples through the disciples to another group of disciples during the Tribulation. Those disciples will believe in Yehovah the Father, and won’t know who the Messiah is. Thus, we would call them unbelievers regarding Yeshua.

When Yeshua took the Matzah, broke it, and told them to take it, He was commanding them to receive something important. Matzah itself typifies a group (of persons) that is without sin, since leaven is a type of sin. If they take that piece of Matzah, they are receiving a small part of the Body of Messiah—a small group of folks (who are very likely fleeing for their lives, since the fulfillment will be during the Tribulation.

After they received this, He next told them to eat it. In the Bible, eating anything is becoming participant with it. That is why offerers of sacrifices ate of the sacrifices. It is also why Messiah said,

John 6:49 “Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. ⁵⁰This is the bread that comes down from the heavens so that a man may eat of it and not die. ⁵¹I am the living bread that came down from the heavens. If any man eats of this bread, he shall live forever. And the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” ⁵²The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us flesh to eat?” ⁵³Then Yeshua said unto them, “Faith! Faith, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. ⁵⁴Whoso eats my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life. And I will raise him up at the last day. ⁵⁵For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. ⁵⁶He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father, so, he who eats me, even he shall live by me. ⁵⁸This is that bread that came down from the heavens—not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He who eats of this bread shall live forever.”

Anyone who eats Passover bread (Matzah), or better, what it typifies, has become participant with what it typifies: pieces of that sin-free section of the Body of Messiah. That is why Messiah stated, “This is my Body that is given/broken for you.” Those folks who are part of the Matzah groups will risk their lives to save the lives of those Jews who are disciples, yet who have not come to faith in Yeshua; they make up the you.

Are the Temple and His Body Two Different Entities?

The expression, “Temple of His Body” gives the impression that they are two different identities. Had Yeshua spoken to the Jewish crowds in Greek, this might have been obvious. He spoke in Hebrew. If He used Aramaic, it is a variant of Hebrew. In either case, a Hebrew expression with of in it nearly never provides the equivalent Hebrew word for of; it is constructed into the phrase by the order and sometimes form of the first noun. For example, saying “the men of the city” in Hebrew would sound like this: “the men the city,” “men city,” or “men the city.” One speaking or reading Hebrew would know to supply the concept of the word of. Yet, there are cases where a reader or a hearer might not know whether the of is appropriate. Consider this phrase: the angel of the Lord. Now, suppose that “the Lord” is actually Yehovah; it would be, the angel of Yehovah. Is this angel one of the beings that Yehovah created, or is it Yehovah Himself? The Bible shows cases for both. In some cases, this is a separate being from Yehovah, and not deity; in other cases it is Yehovah Himself.

When it should be rendered the angel of Yehovah, the angel is a separate being.
When it should be rendered the Angel Yehovah, the angel is Yehovah Himself in messenger form, a reference to the Messiah.

If Yeshua is referring to the physical structure known as the Temple, the one that will be built during the Millennium, I have not seen a reference indicating that it will be built in three days, and I do not expect it to be built that rapidly. If Yeshua is referring to the Temple consisting of His Body, I have every expectation that He will assemble it to Mount Zion within the three-day gathering period. If this is the case, the Temple and His Body are one entity.

Did the Disciples understand this?

Verse 22 states, “When He was raised up from among the dead, His disciples therefore remembered that He had said this to them. And they believed the Scripture and the word that Yeshua had spoken.” The Spirit of Yehovah is giving readers an infallible editorial comment on what took place.

After Yeshua was raised up from among the dead, His disciples therefore remembered that He had said this to them. That does not tell the reader what they understood, but only that they remembered this statement.
His disciples believed the Scripture. What Scripture did they believe? That was something written. Which text was in mind? I propose that the Hosea 5 and 6 text given above was what they identified with what Yeshua had said. They believed that text. If this is the case, look again at that text:

If they believed this, what did they believe about this text? What timing did they consider this text to hold? Did they properly understand it? I ask, because I remember another text where they thought they understood what Yeshua was saying, and they didn’t. They had set the wrong timing on Yeshua’s words. One example is when Messiah said the following:

Luke 22:36 He then said unto them, “But now, he who has a purse, he shall take it, and likewise his scrip. And he who has no sword, he shall sell his garment, and buy one. ³⁷For I say unto you that what is written must yet be accomplished in me: ‘And he was reckoned among the transgressors.’ For the things concerning me have an end.” ³⁸And they said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” And He said unto them, “It is enough.”

They did not understand timings.

July 26, 2010July 7, 2017

And His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful

This article was written by Arthur Glass in 1946. Mr. Glass was born into a poor and very Orthodox Jewish family late in his parents’ life in Poland. His sister took him to Canada before the Holocaust. He was always a student of Jewish Scriptures. He later became a strong advocate for Israel’s Messiah.

Please note: if you are unfamiliar with the strange pagination of this document, it is designed to be printed out on both sides in landscape form (11″ by 8 1/2″), then folded and stapled. This way, the booklet is a half-page in size, and the page numbers will be right. Trying to read this booklet without doing this first will be rather difficult!

Click here for the PDF Booklet.

This article is an exploration of Hebrew words pertaining to the names and titles of Messiah in Isaiah. It also has footnotes added by his grandson. The title Sabba is used, meaning grandfather, since his grandson addresses issues to his article throughout the booklet.

If you have questions about this set of articles or other theological or interest questions, use the links on the main web page to write and send them.

June 7, 2010August 24, 2016

Crucifixion Texts Sorted and Reconciled

Crucifixion Texts

Sorted and Reconciled

Preface

I have taken several liberties in order to reconcile the four accounts of the crucifixion. Where sentences said the very same thing, I used only one. Where wording differed a little, I used both. Where resorting was necessary, I proposed a sorting. I used Yeshua instead of Jesus, and changed a few names to reflect the Hebrew (since folks used Hebrew and its derivative rather than Greek when conversing with each other). I also put the times in bold, since this document’s primary purpose was to solve the mystery of the times of the events during the crucifixion.

I did this reconciliation using a table with five columns, the first column being for my section headings and the other four being for Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

I am aware that the term Jews is used in a different way in these books (since nearly all the characters are Jews), often referring to a sect known as the Yehudeem, but which can only be translated as the Jews. This sect had righteous folks like Nicodemus and violent folks who were leaders in the plots against Yeshua. I trust that you, the reader, will have enough sense to know the difference as you read. The majority of Jews knew nothing of these events until they were done, and the same majority had a strong appreciation for Yeshua, though they didn’t consider Him deity, a king or the Messiah. They liked the miracles that He did, and how He spoke out against some leaders who were openly attempting to stop Him through any means including violence. Most leaders of Israel were not in this category. Only a few of the Israelis at that time strongly believed Yeshua to be the Messiah. Many including John the Baptist hoped He would set up His kingdom, and were severely disappointed that He didn’t. Fewer yet had any belief that He was deity. Yeshua’s ministry and teachings gave hope to Israel during a very troubling time of Roman occupation.

I had to do this reconciliation in order to solve the mystery of the times of day. The one that specifically stood out was the one in Mark:

Mark 15:24 And when they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots upon them—what every man should take. 25And it was the third hour. And they crucified Him.

This seemed to have Him crucified at 9:00 a.m., while the other texts had Pilate still judging Him at noon. I propose that verse 25’s “And it was the third hour” actually refers back to verse 16 when the soldiers led Yeshua into the hall to mock and cloth him with purple. The following verses (16-24) seem to be an account of what specifically the soldiers did to Yeshua from the time He was led away until after the crucifixion. Yeshua was delivered to the soldiers to be crucified in verse 15. The second half of verse 25 said, “And they crucified Him.” They did many things to Him before the actual crucifixion. Is it possible that verses 16-24 are a window into all that the soldiers did before, during and after the crucifixion? I have seen where additional information appears when texts on the very same topic are sewn together. Saul’s meeting with Yeshua on the road to Damascus has three versions in Acts. When they are sewn together, the reader can see what could not be seen before: that Yeshua made sure that Saul’s fellow travelers could not hear Him at first during which time He described what Saul would do for Him. Yeshua then makes sure that they can hear His instructions about where Saul needs to go/be taken. Had his compatriots heard what Yeshua had in mind for him, they would have sought to kill him. But hearing only where they needed to take him, they delivered him after hearing the voice of God or an angel, and they had no ethical or moral dilemma.

I do not offer this as proof to you regarding the resolution of this apparent conflict, but only state that I was quite satisfied. I do hope that the flow and details of these events in this document will be of some benefit to you. Please feel free to copy this (and any other useful work on this website), and use it in any way you desire.

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Delivery to Pontius Pilate

And immediately when the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Yeshua to put Him to death. The chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And when they had bound Him, the whole multitude of them arose. They then led and carried Yeshua away and delivered Him from Caiaphas unto the Hall of Judgment, to Pontius Pilate the governor. And it was early. And they themselves didn’t go into the Hall of Judgment lest they should be defiled, but so that they might eat the Passover.

Judas, Hanging, Field of Blood

Then Judas who had betrayed Him repented Himself when he saw that He was condemned, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders saying, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? See thou to that!” And he cast down the pieces of silver in the Temple. And he departed.

And he went and hanged himself.

And the chief priests took the silver pieces. And they said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.” And they took counsel. And they bought the potter’s field with them in which to bury strangers. Therefore that field was called “The field of blood” unto this day. Then that which was spoken by Zechariah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value, and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.”

First Accusation before Pilate

And Yeshua stood before the governor. Pilate then went out unto them. And he said, “What accusation do ye bring against this man?” They answered and said unto him, “If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee!” Then Pilate said unto them, “Take ye Him and judge Him according to your Law.” The Jews therefore said unto Him, “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death” (that the saying of Yeshua that He spoke might be fulfilled, signifying what death He should die).

And the chief priests accused Him of many things.

And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the race and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Messiah—a King!” And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.

Then Pilate asked Him again. And he said unto Him, saying, “Answerest thou nothing? Behold how many things they witness against Thee!” But Yeshua still answered him never a word insomuch that Pilate the governor greatly marveled.

And Pilate the governor asked Him, saying, “Thou art the King of the Jews.” And Yeshua answered and said unto him, “Thou sayest.”

Pilate Asks Again about King of the Jews

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again. And he called Yeshua. And he said unto Him, “Thou art the King of the Jews.” Yeshua answered Him, “Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell thee it about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Thine own race and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me. What hast thou done?” Yeshua answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight so that I should not be delivered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from here now.” Pilate therefore said unto Him, “Thou art a king then.” Yeshua answered, “Thou sayest that I am a king. I was born to this end, and I came into the world for this cause, that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Every one that is of the Truth hearkens to my voice.” Pilate says unto Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews.

Herod’s Jurisdiction

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and to the people, “I find no fault in this man.” And they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry beginning from Galilee to this place!” When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod who also himself was at Jerusalem at that time.

Herod Sees Yeshua

And when Herod saw Yeshua, he was exceeding glad. For he was desirous to see Him from a long season, because he had heard many things of Him. And he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him.

Herod and Soldiers Mock

He then questioned with Him in many words. But He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. And Herod with his men of war set Him at nothing. And they mocked Him. And they arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe. And they sent Him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together, for they were previously at enmity between themselves.

Pilate’s Wife

When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him saying, “Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man! For I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.”

No Fault Even from Herod

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, said unto them, “Ye have brought this man unto me as one who perverts the people. And behold, I have found no fault in this man touching those things of which ye accuse Him, having examined Him before you—no, nor yet Herod. For I sent you to him. And behold, nothing worthy of death is done unto Him. I find no fault in Him at all. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him.”

Traditional Release

Now, the governor of necessity was wont to release unto the people one prisoner at that feast—whom they desired. Therefore when they were gathered together, the shouting multitude began to desire him to do as he had always done unto them.

About Barabbas

And they then had a notable prisoner called Barabbas who was a robber, and was cast into prison for a certain sedition made in the city, who lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

Offer to Release Barabbas or Yeshua

Pilate the governor answered and said unto them, “Ye have a custom that I should release one unto you at the Passover. Which of the two do ye desire that I release unto you? Barabbas or Yeshua Who is called Messiah? Desire ye therefore that I release the King of the Jews unto you?” For he knew that the chief priests had delivered Him for envy.

Moving the People for Barabbas’ Release

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude. And they moved the people so that they should ask Barabbas—that he should instead release Barabbas unto them and destroy Yeshua. They said, “Barabbas!”

What to Do with Yeshua?

And Pilate answered. And he again said unto them, “What do ye desire then that I shall do with Yeshua who is called Messiah?” They all say unto him, “He shall be crucified!” And the governor said, “Why? What evil has He done?” But they shouted the more saying, “He shall be crucified!”

What Again to do with Yeshua?

And Pilate answered. And he again said unto them, “What do ye desire then that I shall do unto Him whom ye call the King of the Jews?” And they shouted again, “Crucify him!” Then Pilate said unto them, “Why? What evil has He done?” And they shouted the more exceedingly, “Crucify him!” And they shouted all at once, saying, “Away with this man! And release Barabbas unto us!” Pilate therefore spoke again to them, willing to release Yeshua. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify him!” “Crucify him!”

The Third Time

And he said unto them the third time, “Why? What evil has He done? I have found no cause of death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him, and let Him go.”

Pilate therefore went forth again. And he says unto them, “Behold, I bring Him forth to you so that ye may know that I find no fault in Him.”

Requiring that Yeshua be crucified

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that He would be crucified. Then they all shouted again saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!”

Voices Prevail; Pilate Washes His Hands

And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that a tumult was instead made, he took water. And he washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. See ye to it!” Then all the people answered and said, “His blood is on us and on our children!” And so Pilate, willing to content the people, then released Barabbas unto them who was cast into prison for sedition and murder, whom they had desired.

Praetorium: Stripping Yeshua

Then the soldiers of the governor took Yeshua and led Him into the common hall called Praetorium. And they call. And they gathered the whole band of soldiers unto Him. And it was the third hour. And they stripped Him.

Clothing Yeshua

And they clothed Him with a purple robe. And they put a scarlet robe on Him.

Crown of Thorns

And when the soldiers had platted a crown of thorns, they put it around upon His head, and a reed in His right hand.

Bowing before Yeshua

And they bowed the knee before Him. And they mocked Him. And they began to salute Him saying, “Shalom, King of the Jews!” And they smote Him with their hands. And they spit upon Him. And they took the reed, and smote Him on the head. And they worshipped Him, bowing their knees.

Then Yeshua came forth wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate says unto them, “Behold the man!” Therefore when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him!” “Crucify Him!” Pilate says unto them, “Take ye Him and crucify Him! For I find no fault in Him.”

He Ought to Die by Our Law

The Jews answered Him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die because he made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid.

And he went again into the Hall of Judgment. And he says unto Yeshua, “From where art thou?” But Yeshua gave him no answer. Then Pilate says unto Him, “Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee and have power to release thee?” Yeshua answered, “Thou couldest have no power against me at all except it were given thee from above. Therefore he who delivered me unto thee has the greater sin.”

And Pilate sought to release Him from thenceforth.

But the Jews shouted saying, “If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend. Whosoever makes Himself a king speaks against Caesar!” When therefore Pilate heard that saying, he brought Yeshua forth.

And he sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he says unto the Jews, “Behold your King!” But they shouted, “Away with Him!” “Away with Him!” “Crucify Him!” Pilate says unto them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. Then Pilate therefore took Yeshua. And he scourged Him. And he delivered Yeshua unto them to be crucified when he had scourged Him. And he delivered Yeshua to their will.

And after they had mocked Him, they took the robe off from Him and put His own raiment on Him. And they took Yeshua. And they led Him away to crucify Him.

Simon of Cyrene Bears His Cross

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, Simon by name, who passed by coming out of the country. They then laid hold upon him. And they laid the cross on him so that he would carry it behind Yeshua. And they compelled him to bear His cross.

A Large Company Follows; Prophecy

And a great company of people followed Him there, and of women who also bewailed and lamented Him. But Yeshua turning unto them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me. But weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming in which they shall say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bare, and the breasts that never breastfed!’ Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’—and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?”

Arriving at Golgotha; Two Thieves

And they bring Him. And there were also two others—malefactors—two thieves, led with Him to be put to death, crucified with Him. And He went forth into a place that is called Golgotha in Hebrew, which is being interpreted, ‘The place of a skull’, bearing His cross. And when they were come to the place that is called Skull, they crucified Him and the malefactors there—one on the right hand and the other on the left, and Yeshua in the midst. And the Scripture that says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors” was fulfilled.

Poison Vinegar

And they gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with poison. And when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink.

Wine Mingled with Myrrh

And they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He didn’t receive it.

Parting Garments and Casting Lots

And the soldiers then took His raiment. And they parted His garments, casting lots upon them—what every man should take. And they made four parts—a part to every soldier, and also His coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They therefore said among themselves, “We shall not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be” so that the Scripture that says, “They parted my raiment among them, and they did cast lots for my vesture” and what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled.

Therefore the soldiers did these things. And they watched Him there, sitting down.

“Father, Forgive Them”

Then Yeshua said, “Father, forgive them. For they don’t know what they are doing.”

Watching Yeshua

And the people stood beholding. And the rulers with them also derided Him, saying, “He saved others! He shall save himself if he is the Messiah, the chosen of God!”

Now His mother and His mother’s sister, Miriam the wife of Cleophas and Miriam of the Tower stood there by the cross of Yeshua. When Yeshua therefore saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He says unto His mother, “Woman, behold thy son!” Then He says to the disciple, “Behold thy mother!” And that disciple took her unto his own home from that hour.

Written Sign: King of the Jews

And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And they set up His accusation over His head. And the superscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew, “THIS IS YESHUA OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS”. Many of the Jews then read this title. For the place where Yeshua was crucified was nigh to the city. And it was written in Hebrew and Greek and Latin.

Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Write not, ‘The King of the Jews’, but that he said, ‘I am King of the Jews’.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written!”

“Save Thyself!”

And they who passed by reviled and railed on Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Ah, thou who destroys the Temple and builds it in three days, save thyself! If thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross!” Likewise also, the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocking Him said among themselves, “He saved others! He cannot save himself! If he is the Messiah the King of Israel, he shall now descend from the cross so that we may see and believe! And we will believe him! He trusted in God. He shall deliver him now, if He will have him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God!’” The thieves also who were crucified with Him reviled Him and cast the same in His teeth.

One Thief Turns

And one of the malefactors who were hanged railed on Him, saying, “If thou art Messiah, save thyself and us!”

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, “Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?—and we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing amiss.”

And he said unto Yeshua, “Sir, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” And Yeshua said unto him, “I say unto thee, faith! Today thou shalt be with me in paradise!”

Darkness from Sixth to Ninth Hour

And when the sixth hour was come, there was a darkness over all the land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened. And the veil of the Temple was torn in the midst.

Ninth Hour: “Eli”

And about at the ninth hour, Yeshua shouted with a loud voice saying, “Eloi! Eloi! Lama sabachthani?”—that is to say, being interpreted, “My God! My God! Why hast Thou forsaken me?” And when they heard that, some of them that stood by there said, “Behold, he calls Elijah! This man calls for Elijah!”

Vinegar to Drink

After this, Yeshua, knowing that all things were now accomplished so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, says, “I thirst.” Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there. And one of them immediately ran, and took a sponge. And they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, a reed, and put it to His mouth, and gave Him to drink saying, “Let alone! We shall see whether Elijah will come to take Him down! Let be! We shall see whether Elijah will come to save him!”

Yeshua Dies

When Yeshua therefore had received the vinegar, He said, “It is finished!”

And when Yeshua had shouted again with a loud voice, He said, “Father! I commend my spirit into Thy hands!” And having said thus, He bowed His head. And He yielded up the spirit.

Centurion’s Observation

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “This was certainly a righteous man!”

And when the centurion saw that He so shouted and gave up the spirit, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Women Beholding

And all the people that came together to that sight smote their breasts and returned, beholding the things that were done. There were also many women beholding afar off, among whom was Miriam of the Tower, and Miriam the mother of Jacob the less and of Joses, and Salome, and the mother of Zebedee’s children—who also followed Him and ministered unto Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up unto Jerusalem with Him. And all His acquaintance and the women who followed Him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things.

Breaking Legs

The Jews therefore besought Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away so that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day. For that Sabbath day was a high day, because it was the Preparation. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Yeshua and saw that He was already dead, they didn’t break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear. And blood and water came straight out there.

Joseph of Arimathaea

And behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counselor. And he was a good and a righteous man. The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them. He was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate and begged the body of Yeshua.

And he took it down and wrapped it in linen. And he laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone in which man was never before laid. And that day was the Preparation. And the Sabbath drew on.

And also the women who came with Him from Galilee followed after. And they beheld the sepulchre and how His body was laid. And they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And they rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.

Veil Torn, Graves Open, Centurion

And, behold, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. And the earth did quake, and the rocks tore, and the graves were opened. And many bodies of the Saints who slept arose. And they came out of the graves after His resurrection. And they went into the holy city. And they appeared unto many.

Now when the centurion who stood over against Him and they who were watching Yeshua with him saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they greatly feared, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Truthful Record

And he that saw it bare record. And his record is true. And he knows that he says true so that ye might believe. For these things were done so that the Scripture shall be fulfilled, “A bone of Him shall not be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

February 20, 2009June 14, 2017

Who Killed Yeshua?

Who Killed the Messiah?

By K. Fry

Was it—

Pontius Pilate-Gentile Roman Governor?

  A-Matt 27:2 through 58
  B-Mark 15:1 through 15
  C-Luke 23:1 through 24
  D-John 19:1 through 31
“I am innocent of this man’s blood.” He had the Messiah whipped and flogged (Scourged)

The Israelis?

  A-Matt 27:16 through 26
  B-Mark 15:7 through 15
  C-Luke 23:18
  D-John 18:40
“Give us Barabbas, not the Messiah!” These were the Israelis. John 18:31 “Then said Pilate unto them, ‘Take ye him, and judge him according to your law.’ The Jews therefore said unto him, “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.”

The Soldiers of the Governor (Not Roman Soldiers)?

A-Matt 27:27
B-Mark 15:15 They led Him away to be crucified.
C-Luke 23:36 They mocked Him.
D-John 19:2 They put the crown of thorns and a Purple Robe on the Messiah.
E-John 19:23 They crucified the Messiah and parted the Messiah’s robe.
F-John 19:34 They pierced His side, and blood and water came out.

The Gentiles?

A-Matt 20:19

Yehovah?

A-Isaiah 53:10 “Yet it pleased Yehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yehovah shall prosper in his hand.”
B-Matthew 26:39 “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, ‘O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’”
1-Luke 22:44 “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
C-Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’— that is to say, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’”
Mark 15:34 “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is, being interpreted, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’”
D-John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Yeshua?

A-John 10:15 “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
B-John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, ‘My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.’”
C-John 12:27 “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.”

All Humanity?

A-Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

The High Priest?

A-Matthew 26:57 “And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.”
B-Matthew 26:58 “But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest‘s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.”
C-Matthew 26:62 “And the high priest arose, and said unto him, ‘Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?’”
D-Matthew 26:63 ‘But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, ‘I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.’”
E-Matthew 26:65 “Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, ‘He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy!” (Blasphemy was punishable only by death).
F-The only person who was legally authorized to approve a sacrifice that Yehovah would accept was the High Priest.
G-John 18:31 “Then said Pilate unto them, ‘Take ye him, and judge him according to your law.’ The Jews therefore said unto him, ‘It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.’”

Yeshua-The High Priest?

A– John 10-17 “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
B-Yeshua had the authority as High Priest to cause Himself to be the final sacrifice.

Who Killed the Messiah?

Who didn’t?

February 17, 2009September 8, 2016

Two-Podium Reading of Yeshua’s Birth

A Two-Podium Reading of Yeshua’s Birth

Designed for Children and Two Spotlights

1 – Left Podium

Some names and locations will be assigned their literal meanings. Bethlehem, for example, will be called House-of-Bread, and John’s name will be the Hebrew meaning of Yochanan, Yehovah-Favoured. Jesus’ name in Hebrew is Yeshua, and it means Salvation. We will call Him Yeshua or Salvation.

Dr. Lukas had a friend named Theophilus. He wrote his friend about the birth and life of Yeshua. This is the beginning of this narrative. I have sewed the Luke and Matthew texts together.

2 – Right Podium

L1:1 Forasmuch as many took in hand to draw up a narration concerning the matters that have been fully believed among us ²as they delivered to us, they having been eyewitnesses and attendants of the word from the beginning, 3it also seemed good to me to write to thee with method, having been accurately acquainted with all things from the first, most excellent Theophilus, so that thou wilt know concerning the certainty of the things of which thou wast instructed.

3 – Left Podium

Aharon lived many centuries before these events. His lineage was of the Israeli priests who alone had the right and responsibility to care for the Temple of Yehovah and the sacrifices. A course of priestly responsibilities was started before the time of the events that we are describing. Those courses were given names. One name was Avia.

4 – Right Podium

⁵There was a certain priest named Zachariah of the course of Avia in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea. And his wife is of the daughters of Aharon. And her name is Elisheva. ⁶And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of Yehovah, blameless. ⁷And there was not a child to them inasmuch as Elisheva was barren. And both were advanced in their days.

5 – Left Podium

The Temple was no place for the public to enter. It consisted of two small rooms, and only the High Priest and perhaps a worker were allowed to enter one of those rooms. The High Priest and a worker or two were allowed to enter the other room. If anyone tried to enter the Temple for any reason except those very few who had responsibilities, they would be killed. Yehovah commanded it that way. Any gatherings of the Israelis at the Temple were done outside of the main Temple building.

6 – Right Podium

⁸And he was during fulfilling his priestly service in the order of his course before God ⁹according to the custom of the priestly service. His lot was to burn incense, having entered into the Temple of Yehovah. ¹⁰And all the multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. ¹¹And a messenger of Yehovah appeared to him standing at the right of the altar of incense. ¹²And Zechariah seeing him was troubled. And fear fell upon him. ¹³But the messenger said to him,

“Don’t fear, Zechariah. For thy supplication has been heard. And thy wife Elisheva shall bear thee a son. And thou shalt call his name Yehovah-Favoured. ¹⁴And he shall be joy and exultation to thee! And many shall rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵For he shall be great in the sight of Yehovah. And he shall in no wise drink wine and strong drink. And he shall even be filled with the Spirit of the Holy-[One] from his mother’s womb. ¹⁶And he shall turn many of the children of Israel to Yehovah their God. ¹⁷And he shall go-forth before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers upon children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for Yehovah.”

¹⁸And Zechariah said to the messenger, “By what shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her days.”

¹⁹And the messenger answering said to him, “I am Gabriel who stands in the sight of God. And I was sent to speak to thee and to announce to thee these beneficial-proclamations. ²⁰And behold, thou shalt be silent and unable to speak until the day in which these things shall take place because thou didn’t believe my words that shall be fulfilled in their season.”

²¹And the people were expecting Zechariah. And they wondered at his delaying in the Temple. ²²But having come out, he was not able speak to them. And they recognized that he had seen a vision in the Temple. And he was making signs to them, and continued dumb. ²³And he was, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.

7 – Left Podium

Almost all women desired to birth children. Some thought that Yehovah didn’t favour a woman who was barren. Some would even speak badly about her and would reproach her, as if it were her fault.

8 – Right Podium

²⁴And after those days Elisheva his wife conceived. And she hid herself five months, saying, ²⁵ “Thus has Yehovah done to me in the days in which He looked to take away my reproach among men.”

9 – Left Podium

Being betrothed is the same as being married. The only difference is that those who are betrothed don’t yet live together, and haven’t had sexual intercourse with each other. They are married; they are not just engaged. Only after sexual intercourse do they know one another.

10 – Right Podium

M1:18Now, the birth of the Anointed Salvation was thus. ²⁶And in the sixth month the messenger Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee whose name is Nazareth ²⁷to a virgin betrothed to a man of the house of David whose name is Yoseph. And the virgin’s name is Miriam. ²⁸And the messenger coming to her said, “Shalom, favoured-[one]! Yehovah is with thee! Thou art blessed among women!” ²⁹But she, seeing, was troubled at his word. And she was reasoning of what kind this salutation might be. ³⁰And the messenger said to her, “Don’t fear, Miriam. For thou hast found favour with God. ³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in the womb, and shall bring forth a son. And thou shalt call his name Salvation. ³²He shall be great! And he shall be called the Son of the Highest. And Yehovah Elohim shall give him the throne of David his father. ³³And he shall reign over the House of Jacob to Hider. And there shall be no end of his kingdom.”

11 – Left Podium

The expression, to Hider in Hebrew, means to the period of time beyond what the Bible describes. The Bible describes the period from the creation of the heavens and the land to when this planet will be burned with fire, and a new planet will be created. That period of time is revealed. The rest hides. Yehovah also hides from view so that humans can have faith. Faith isn’t necessary if everything is visible and fulfilled.

12 – Right Podium

³⁴But Miriam said to the messenger, “How shall this be since I don’t know a man?” ³⁵And the messenger answering said to her, “The Spirit of the Holy-[One] shall come upon thee. And the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. Therefore also the Holy-[One] born shall be called the Son of God. ³⁶And, behold, thy kinswoman Elisheva! She has also conceived a son in her old age. And this is the sixth month to her who was called barren. ³⁷For not anything shall be impossible with God.” ³⁸And Miriam said, “Behold the slavemaiden of Yehovah. Be it to me according to thy word.” And the messenger departed from her.

13 – Left Podium

When folks would greet each other, they would usually say, “Shalom!” That word means peace, and declares that those greeting each other have no debts to each other that haven’t been paid.

The Spirit of Yehovah is called the Spirit of the Holy-[One], since He is the Spirit of the Holy One of Israel. The word holy always means owned.

14 – Right Podium

³⁹And Miriam arising in those days went into the hill country to a city of Judah with haste. ⁴⁰And she entered into the house of Zechariah. And she ‘shalomed’ Elisheva. ⁴¹And he was: as Elisheva heard the ‘shalom’ of Miriam, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elisheva was filled with the Spirit of the Holy-[One]. ⁴²And she shouted with a loud voice and said, “Thou art blessed among women! And the fruit of thy womb is blessed! ⁴³And from where is this to me—that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴For behold, as the voice of thy salutation came into my ears, the baby leaped in exultation in my womb! ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed! For there shall be a fulfillment to the things spoken to her from Yehovah!”

⁴⁶And Miriam said, My being magnifies Yehovah, ⁴⁷And my spirit exulted in God my Saviour! ⁴⁸For He has looked upon the humiliation of His slavemaiden! For, behold, all generations will call me blessed from now-on! ⁴⁹For the Mighty-[One] has done great things to me! And His Name is holy! ⁵⁰And His Grace is to generations generations to those fearing Him! ⁵¹He wrought strength with His arm. He scattered haughty-[ones] via thought of their heart. ⁵²He put down rulers from thrones and exalted low-[ranking-ones]. ⁵³He filled hungry-[ones] with good things. And He sent-away the rich empty. ⁵⁴He helped Israel His servant to remember Grace according as He spoke to our fathers, to Avraham and to his seed to Hider!”

⁵⁶And Miriam abode with her about three months. And she returned to her house.

⁵⁷Now the time that she should child-birth was fulfilled to Elisheva. And she bore a son. ⁵⁸And the neighbours and her kinsfolk heard that Yehovah was magnifying His Grace with her. And they rejoiced with her!

⁵⁹And he was on the eighth day. They came to circumcise the little child. And they were calling him after the name of his father Zechariah. ⁶⁰And his mother answering said, “No! But he shall be called Yehovah-Favoured!”

⁶¹And they said to her, “No one is among thy kinsfolk who is called by this name!”

⁶²And they made signs to his father what he might wish him to be called. ⁶³And having asked for a writing tablet, He wrote saying, “Yehovah-Favoured is his name!” And they all wondered. ⁶⁴And his mouth immediately was opened, and his tongue. And he spoke, blessing God. ⁶⁵And fear came upon all those who dwelt around them.

And all these things were being communicated in the whole hill-country of Judaea. ⁶⁶And all who heard laid-up in their heart, saying, “What then will this little child be?”

And the hand of Yehovah was with him.

15 – Left Podium

The purpose of being filled with the Spirit of Yehovah is to be given the power to do some necessary function that would otherwise be impossible. Quoting Yehovah verbatim (that is, word for word) is impossible if the one speaking never previously heard those words. A prophet must be filled with the Spirit of Yehovah, since a true prophet always exactly quotes the testimony of Yeshua when prophesying.

A visit or visitation from Yehovah is when He directly interacts with a group (like Israel), usually to rescue or help in some way. The Hebrew text often speaks of visitations and their importance.

A ram’s horn, or in Hebrew, a Shofar, is blown like a small trumpet. The sound travels far. The sound can be used for an alarm or for gathering purposes.

16 – Right Podium

⁶⁷ And Zechariah his father was filled with the Spirit of the Holy-[One]. And he prophesied saying, ⁶⁸“Blessed is Yehovah the God of Israel! For He visited and did redemption for His people! ⁶⁹And He raised a ram’s-horn of salvation for us in the House of David His servant ⁷⁰just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets since time began! ⁷¹Salvation is from our enemies and from the hand of all those who hate us ⁷²to fulfill Grace with our fathers and to remember His Holy Covenant, ⁷³to give us the oath that He vowed to Avraham our father, ⁷⁴being saved from the hand of our enemies. We will serve Him without fear ⁷⁵in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives! ⁷⁶And thou, little child, shall be called prophet of the Highest! For thou shalt go before the faces of Yehovah to prepare His ways, ⁷⁷to give knowledge of Salvation to His people in remission of their sins ⁷⁸through bowels of compassion of our God in which the Sunrise from on high has visited us ⁷⁹to shine upon those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace.”

⁸⁰And the little child grew and was strengthened in spirit. And he was in the deserts until the day of his showing to Israel.

17 – Left Podium

Miriam and Yoseph must not have discussed what Gabriel told her. She must not have even told Yoseph that Gabriel came to her. That left Yoseph wondering how his wife had become pregnant, since he knew that he and she had not had sexual intercourse. All he knew was that she was pregnant, and she wasn’t declaring who the father was. He loved her, but he could not continue with a wife who wasn’t candid about what happened. He determined to divorce her.

He didn’t want to harm or shame her. The divorce had to be secret so that her reputation would not be tarnished by him. Others would know that she was pregnant, and would draw whatever conclusions they desired, but not by his actions.

Miriam knew that telling Yoseph would sound like a lie. She also knew that it was up to Yehovah to communicate with Yoseph so that he could again trust her. She was Yoseph’s wife, since betrothal is marriage, so she couldn’t ‘break an engagement’. She was in a terrible position, but she just waited.

18 – Right Podium

M1:18 Yeshua’s mother Miriam, having been betrothed to Yoseph, was found to be pregnant from the Spirit of the Holy-[One] before they came together. ¹⁹But Yoseph her husband secretly purposed to put her away, being righteous and not willing to publicly expose her.

²⁰And when he had pondered these things, behold a messenger of Yehovah appeared to him in a dream saying, “Yoseph son of David! Don’t fear to take to Miriam thy wife! For what is in her is owned—is begotten by the Spirit! ²¹And she shall bring forth a son. And thou shalt call His Name Salvation. For He shall save His people from their sins!” ²²Now this all came to pass that what was spoken by Yehovah through the prophet will be fulfilled, saying, ²³ “Behold the pregnant virgin! And she shall child a son. And they shall call His Name Immanuel,” which being interpreted is ‘God-With-Us.’ ²⁴And having been aroused from sleep, Yoseph did as the messenger of Yehovah had ordered him. And he took his wife. ²⁵And he didn’t know her until she brought forth her son—the firstborn.

19 – Left Podium

The Kaesar in Rome was as a prince. He ruled like a king over the Roman Empire. Registration was for taxation. Anyone among the common folk avoiding registration and taxation faced terrible consequences. The command of Kaesar Augustus included the necessity of men returning to the cities from which they originally came.

20 – Right Podium

L2:1 And he was in those days. A decree went out from Kaesar Augustus that all the inhabited-land shall be registered. ²This first registration took place when Kyrenios was governor of Syria. ³And all went to be registered—each to his own city. ⁴And Yoseph also ascended from Galilee, from the city Nazareth to Judea, to a city of David that is called House-of-Bread (because of his being of the House and family of David) ⁵to register himself with Miriam who was betrothed to him as wife, she being large-in-pregnancy.

⁶And he was in the [time] they were there: The days of her birthing were fulfilled. ⁷And she childed her first-born son. And she wrapped Him in swaddling-rags. And she laid Him in the feed-trough because there was not a place for them in the inn.

⁸And shepherds were lodging in the fields in the same region and keeping guard over their flock by night. ⁹And behold, a messenger of Yehovah stood by them. And the glory of Yehovah shined around them. And they feared a great fear.

¹⁰And the messenger said to them, “Don’t fear. For behold, I bring-a-message of great joy to you that shall be to all the people! ¹¹For a Saviour who is the Anointed-[One] of Yehovah was born to you today in the city of David! ¹²And this is the sign to you: Ye shall find a baby wrapped in swaddling-rags lying in the feed-trough.”

¹³And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly army with the messenger commending God and saying, 14 “Importance is to God in the highest! And peace is in men of good-thinking on earth!” ¹⁵And he was, as the messengers departed from them into the heavens.

And the men shepherds said to one another, “We shall indeed go-through as far as House-of-Bread! And we will see this thing that has come to pass—that Yehovah made known to us!”

¹⁶And they came, having hasted. And they found both Miriam and Yoseph, and the baby lying in the feed-trough! ¹⁷And having seen, they broadcasted concerning the saying that had been told them concerning this little child. ¹⁸And all who heard wondered concerning the things that had been spoken to them by the shepherds.

¹⁹But Miriam kept all these sayings, pondering in her heart.

²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and commending God for all things that they had heard as it was said to them, and they had seen.

²¹And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising the little child, Yoseph called His Name Salvation—that was called by the messenger before He was conceived in the womb.

21 – Left Podium

The Torah of Yehovah is the Teaching of Yehovah, also known as the Teaching of Moshe, referring to Moses. The first six books of the Bible are the Torah, the Teaching.

An Israeli woman who birthed a child would remain unclean for a specified number of days after the birth. Since she was unclean, which has nothing to do with being dirty, but instead means that she could not join in any assembly of the Israelis, and she could not touch anything without making it unclean. In other words, others would need to help and even pamper her during this period so that she wouldn’t cause them to become unclean! It was more like a vacation for her, so that she could concentrate on her newborn.

22 – Right Podium

²²And when the days for their purification according to the Teaching of Moshe were fulfilled, They brought Him to Jerusalem to present to Yehovah 23as it has been written in the Teaching of Yehovah: that every male opening a womb shall be called the property of Yehovah, ²⁴and to offer a sacrifice according to what has been said in the Teaching of Yehovah: a pair of turtledoves or two young of pigeons.

23 – Left Podium

The word Christ comes from the Greek word Christos meaning anointed one. This is the same as the word Messiah that comes from the Hebrew word Mashiakh, also meaning anointed one. Yehovah already had anointed a number of persons, like David. Anyone anointed was assigned a task that the person would successfully do. Several evil persons were also anointed, assigned to tasks and positions, and they did evil in those positions.

Yeshua is Anointed by Yehovah. His assignment was to be the sacrifice for the sin of the world, as well as being King of all kings and Lord of all lords in the future. Many in Israel desired to know the identity of Yehovah’s Messiah, since He will also save Israel from Israel’s enemies.

The Messiah was also known as the Consolation of Israel, since He would console Israel after many centuries of grief brought by Israel’s sin and the wrath of Yehovah. That consolation will come when Israel turns from sin.

24 – Right Podium

²⁵And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name is Hearkening. And this man is righteous and well-received, waiting for the Consolation of Israel. And the Spirit of the Holy-[One] was upon him. ²⁶And it was divinely communicated to him by the Spirit of the Holy-[One] that he will not see death before he will see Yehovah’s Anointed-[One]. ²⁷And he came in the Spirit into the Temple. And when the parents brought the little child Salvation so that they might do for Him according to what had become customary by the Teaching, ²⁸he also received Him into his arms. And he blessed God. And he said, 29 “Now, Master, Thou art sending Thy slave in peace according to Thy speech! ³⁰For my eyes have seen Thy Salvation ³¹Whom Thou prepared before the faces of all the peoples: ³²the Light for revelation of races, and the Importance of Thy people Israel!”

³³And Yoseph and His mother were wondering at the things that were spoken concerning Him. ³⁴And Hearkening blessed them. And he said to Miriam His mother, “Behold, this is set for the fall and arising of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against!—³⁵and of thee also: a sword shall pierce thy being!—so that reasonings of many hearts will be revealed!”

³⁶And there was Khannah, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in many days, having lived seven years with a husband from her virginity. ³⁷And she is a widow of about 84 years who didn’t depart from the Temple, serving with fastings and supplications night and day. ³⁸And she positioning at the same hour confessed to Yehovah. And she spoke concerning Him to all those waiting for Redemption in Jerusalem. ³⁹And when they had completed all things according to the Teaching of Yehovah, they returned to Galilee to their city, Nazareth.

⁴⁰And the little child grew. And He became strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom. And the favour of God was upon Him.

25 – Left Podium

These astrologers read the constellations as a few read the Bible: literally. Yehovah printed His plan in the constellations, but few have learned to read. Many treat the Bible the same way as modern astrologers treat the constellations: they don’t believe it literally, and they can’t read it properly. These astrologers read and believed, fearing Yehovah the God of Israel.

They came to worship Him: that is, to prostrate (lay down flat) before Him, showing that they were His servants. Worshipping always means to lay down flat, face-down before another or before something.

26 – Right Podium

M2:1 Now Salvation, having been born in House-of-Bread of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, astrologers from the east arrived at Jerusalem ²saying, “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star in the sunrise. And we are come to worship Him.” ³But Herod the king was troubled, having heard, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴And having gathered together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah should be born. ⁵And they said to him, “In House-of-Bread of Judaea. For thus it has been written by the prophet: ⁶ ‘And thou House-of-Bread, land of Judah, in no wise art least among the governors of Judah. For a leader shall go forth out of thee’ who shall shepherd my People Israel.”

⁷Then Herod, having secretly called the astrologers, exacted from them the time of the appearing star. ⁸And having sent them to House-of-Bread, he said, “Having gone, exactingly-search for the little child. And when ye shall have found, bring word back to me that I also may worship him, having come.” ⁹And they departed, having heard the king.

And behold, the star that they saw in the east led-before them, until, having come, it stood over where the little child was. ¹⁰And they rejoiced an exceedingly great joy, having seen the star. ¹¹And having come into the house, they found the little child with Miriam His mother. And having fallen down, they worshipped Him. And having opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him—gold and frankincense and myrrh. ¹²And they withdrew by another way into their own country, having been admonished in a dream not to return to Herod.

¹³Now they, having withdrawn, behold an messenger of Yehovah appears in a dream to Yoseph, saying, “Having risen, take and flee into Egypt with the little child and his Mama. And be there until I tell thee. For Herod is about to seek the little child and destroy him.”

¹⁴And he, having risen, took and withdrew into Egypt with the little child and His mother by night. ¹⁵And he was there until the death of Herod so that what was spoken by Yehovah through the prophet will be fulfilled, saying, “I called to my son from Egypt.”

27 – Left Podium

These astrologers arrived about a year and a half after Yeshua’s birth. Note the age of the children that Herod will target.

28 – Right Podium

¹⁶Then Herod was greatly enraged, having seen that he was mocked by the Astrologers. And having sent, he killed all boys from two years old and under who were in House-of-Bread and in all its borders according to the time that he had accurately inquired from the Astrologers. ¹⁷Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, ¹⁸ “A voice in Rama was heard: lamentation, weeping of bitternesses. Rachel is weeping concerning her sons. She is refusing to be consoled concerning her sons. For they aren’t!”

¹⁹But Herod having died, behold an messenger of Yehovah appears to Yoseph in Egypt in a dream, ²⁰saying, “Having risen, take and go into the Land of Israel with the little child and His mama. For they who were seeking the life of the little child have died.” ²¹And he, having risen, took and came into the Land of Israel with the little child and His mama. ²²But he was afraid to go there, having heard that Archelaus reigns over Judaea instead of Herod his father. And he withdrew into the parts of the Galilee, having been divinely instructed in a dream.

²³And having come, he dwelt in a city called Nazareth so that what was spoken by the prophets, that he shall be called a Nazarene, shall be fulfilled.

29 – Left Podium

We have read you the words of the events surrounding Yeshua’s birth, including the slaughter of many innocent children when Yeshua was about a year and a half old. If you are a normal hearer, you will see this as a romantic tale of events, then you will celebrate Christmas according to your family customs. You will think of three wise men from the east who arrived at baby Jesus’ manger, when the text never gives the number of astrologers, and they certainly do not arrive at the manger. You will think of Mary riding a donkey with Joseph beside her, when the text never indicates that she rode anything. You will imagine animals in the stable when no animals are mentioned. You won’t ask why Miriam placed the newborn into a feed trough. You won’t consider why gold, frankincense and myrrh, of all things, were given to them as gifts. You won’t ask how long the astrologers traveled to arrive in Israel, and in what country or countries they lived. You won’t consider how important the literal people and land of Israel are in the plan of Yehovah for all humans. If you are a normal hearer, you will only hear what you desired to hear and what you desired to imagine.

If you are a hearer with the capacity to hearken to the Word of God, however, you will ask many questions, and you will seek many answers.

We produced this for you—not so you would be entertained at this time of yearly entertainment, and not so that you would watch us read and sing, but so that you would think and ask.

Yeshua never was called Immanuel. He will be.

O come, O come Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that lies in lonely exile here…