King Jesus: A Novel (FSG Classics)
Language: English
Pages: 432
ISBN: 0374516642
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
King Jesus, long out of print, is one of the most controversial historical novels of all time. In it, Robert Graves has summoned his superb narrative powers, his painstaking scholarship, his wit and unsurpassed ability to recreate the past, to produce a magnificant portrayal of the life of Christ on earth.
usurpation was justified in the myth of Jacob and Esau, and also plainly established in the calendar of the Jews —who now let their year turn with the Moon, not with the Sun as in ancient days. Joachim said : “This child born to Hannah, will it be male or female? Prophesy again.” The Kenite, still radiant with the spirit of the lyre, answered : “Who can prophesy whether the Sun or the Moon was first created? But if the Sun, then let him be called the Sun’s name, Jerahmeel ; and if the Moon,
on the High Priest’s mitre above his brow will make this plain to me.” For as it happened the High Priest himself was officiating that day ; it was a feast of the New Moon. As he approached the High Priest, who stood by the Altar of Sacrifice, and asked permission to make his offerings, Joachim gazed earnestly at the golden plate, to see whether it were bright or cloudy. It shone bright as flame, and he said to himself : “Now I know that my sins are forgiven me and my prayers heard, and the
next entrusted the carcases to the team of Levite butchers, who, working dexterously on their marble slabs, drew out the entrails, which were at once washed in the fountain of the Court, and cut out the joint of oblation —the thigh piece—from each carcase, together with the breast and right shoulder, which were the Levite’s perquisites. Next, each oblation was wrapped around with a length of entrails and enclosed in a double layer of fat. The priest laid it on a golden plate, sprinkled it with
disciples beamed proudly—all but Judas of Kerioth, who was once again astonished and grieved. Why had Jesus broken the principle which he had strictly laid down for them? When asked by whose authority he had acted, why had he mentioned John? Why had he not answered boldly that Jehovah was his authority? And worse : why had he, hitherto a quietest and a prophet of peace, stood up to incite the Zealots and Anavim to passionate thoughts of military glory? Jesus lifted a hand for silence and told
“What, crucify your true-born King? Why should I do anything so barbarous ?” “You will be an enemy of the Emperor’s if you do not,” cried Caiaphas. “This man is planning a religious revolution which, if we do not check it, will be the prelude to a nationalistic revolt. I do not doubt that the Zealot parade was organized as a demonstration against his arrest.” “Indeed, is it as serious as that? Why in the world did you not tell me so at once? Well—I do not know—perhaps I shall let you have your