The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 47 -
The First Letter Of Cyrenius To Herod
ON THE FOURTH DAY Cyrenius took his leave after especially enjoining the garrison commander to unfailingly make his protection available to this family at every opportunity.
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And when he was leaving, Joseph with his entire family wanted to accompany him to where his ship was anchored.
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This Cyrenius declined in a very friendly manner and said, 'My very dear, venerable friend, save yourself the trouble and stay here.
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For one cannot know how many later messengers may already have caught up with my ship - and with what manner of reports.
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And while your safety is now assured, it is also necessary for me to use such prudence here that no spying probers shall find out for what reason I now visited Egypt in January.'
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Joseph well understood Cyrenius, remained at home and blessed his benefactor in the entrance hall of the house.
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Thereupon Cyrenius, after promising to visit Joseph again soon, departed on foot with his four servants and in a short time reached his ship.
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Arrived there, he was immediately received with great rejoicing - but after this several news-bearers came to him with great lamentations.
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For many parents fled the coast of Palestine from the persecution of Herod, the child-murderer, and in great agitation told Cyrenius of the abominations Herod was committing around Bethlehem and in the whole southern part of Palestine with the help of the Roman soldiers.
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At this Cyrenius immediately wrote a letter to the prefect of Jerusalem, and another of the same import to Herod himself.
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And the letter read briefly as follows: i Cyrenius, a brother of the emperor and supreme governor of Asia and Egypt, command you in the name of the emperor to desist from your cruelty on the spot,
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failing which I shall look upon Herod as a naked rebel and shall discipline him according to the law, according to decency and according to my just anger.
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His abominations are to be closely investigated by the prefect of Jerusalem who is to unfailingly inform me thereof, so the ruthless tyrant shall not escape a just punishment for his deed.
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Written on my ship "Augustus" off the coast of Ostracine, in the name of the emperor, by his supreme representative in Asia and Egypt and particularly governor of Coelesyria, Tyre and Sidon. Cyrenius vice Augusti.'