Section XXVIII

Section XXVIII. On margin of Vat. ms., in another hand: “This is the beginning of the second part of Diatessaron, which means The Four.” See p. 467 of Ciasca’s Essay, mentioned above (Introduction, 5).

[1, 2] [Arabic, p. 107] [1]And at that time the feast of tabernacles of the Jews drew near. [2]So the brethren of Jesus said unto him, Remove now hence, and go to Judæa, that thy disciples may see the deeds that thou doest. [3] For no man doeth a thing secretly and wisheth to be apparent. [4]If thou doest this, shew thyself to the world. For up to this time not even the brethren of Jesus believed on him. [5]Jesus said unto them, My time till now has not arrived; but as for you, your time is alway ready. [6]It is not possible for the world to hate you; but me it hateth, for I bear witness against it, that its deeds are evil. [7]As for you, go ye up unto this feast: but I go not up now to this feast; for my time has not yet been completed. [8]He said this, and remained behind in Galilee.

[9]But when his brethren went up unto the feast, he journeyed from Galilee, and came to the borders of Judæa, to the country beyond Jordan; [10]and there came after him great multitudes, and he healed them all there. [11]And he went out, and proceeded to the feast, not openly, but as one that conceals himself. [12]And the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, In what place is this man?[13]And there occurred much murmuring there in the great multitude that came to the feast, on his account. For some said, He is good: and others said, Nay, but he leadeth the people astray. [14]But no man spake of him openly for fear of the Jews.

[Arabic, p. 108] [15]But when the days of the feast of tabernacles were half over, Jesus went up to the temple, and taught. [16]And the Jews wondered, and said, How doth this man know writing,[17] seeing he hath not learned? [18]Jesus answered and said, My doctrine[19] is not mine, but his that sent me. [20]Whoever wisheth to do his will understandeth my doctrine,[19] whether it be from God, or whether I speak of mine own accord. [21]Whosoever speaketh of his own accord seeketh praise for himself; but whosoever seeketh praise for him that sent him, he is true, and unrighteousness in his heart there is none. [22]Did not Moses give you the law, and no man of you keepeth the law? [23]Why seek ye to kill me? The multitude answered and said unto him, Thou hast demons:[24] who seeketh to kill thee? [25]Jesus answered and said unto them, I did one deed, and ye all marvel because of this. [26]Moses hath given you circumcision (not because it is from Moses, but it is from the fathers); and ye on the sabbath circumcise a man. [27]And if a man is circumcised on the sabbath day, that the law of Moses may not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I healed on the sabbath day the whole man? [28]Judge not with hypocrisy, but judge righteous judgement.

[29]And some people from Jerusalem said, Is not this he whom they seek to slay? [30]And lo, he discourseth with them openly, and they say nothing unto him. Think you that our elders have learned that this is the Messiah indeed? [31]But this man is[32] known whence he is; and the Messiah, when he cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. [33]So Jesus lifted up his voice as he taught in the temple, and said, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and of my own accord am I not come, but he [Arabic, p. 109] that sent me is true, he whom ye know not: [34]but I know him; for I am from him, and he sent me. [35]And they sought to seize him: and no man laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. [36]But many of the multitude believed on him; and they said, The Messiah, when he cometh, can it be that he will do more than these signs that this man doeth?

[37]And a man of that multitude said unto our Lord, Teacher, say to my brother that he divide with me the inheritance. [38]Jesus said unto him, Man, who is it that appointed me over you as a judge and divider? [39]And he said unto his disciples, Take heed within yourselves of all inordinate desire; for it is not in abundance of possessions that life shall be. [40]And he gave them this parable: The ground of a rich man brought forth abundant produce: [41]and he pondered within himself, and said, What shall I do, since I have no place to store my produce? [42]And he said, I will do this: I will pull down the buildings of my barns, and build them, and make them greater; and store there all my wheat and my goods. [43]And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid by for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, enjoy thyself. [44]God said unto him, O thou of little intelligence, this night shall thy soul be taken from thee; and this that thou hast prepared, whose shall it be? [45]So is he that layeth up treasures for himself, and is not rich in God.

[46]And while Jesus was going in the way, there came near to him a young man[47] of the rulers,[48] and fell on his knees, and asked him, and said, Good Teacher, what is it that I must do that I may have eternal life? [49]Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good, while there is none good but the one, even God?[50][51]Thou knowest the commandments.[52][53]If thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.[52] The young [Arabic, p. 110] man said unto him, Which of the commandments?[54] Jesus said unto him, [55]Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not do injury, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Love thy neighbour as thyself. [56]That young man said unto him, All these have I kept from my youth: what then is it that I lack? [57]And Jesus looked intently at him, and loved him, and said unto him, [58]If thou wouldest be perfect, what thou lackest is one thing:[59] go away and sell everything that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and take thy cross, and follow me. [60]And that young man frowned at this word, and went away feeling sad; for he was very rich. [61]And when Jesus saw his sadness, he looked towards his disciples, and said unto them, How hard it is for them that have possessions to enter the kingdom of God!