self as Jesus this day hath spoken of himself." But what if this man were destined to be the Christ, the God-given Ruler that should restore the throne of David? But how could that be, since none of the signs and portents of the last times had come upon the earth? Who had seen the blood trickle from the rocks? or the fiery sword appear in the midnight sky? Had babes a year old spoken like men? But others said, "Nay, the kingdom of God will not come with expectation. As it hath been said, 'Three things come unexpectedly—a scorpion, a treasure-trove, and the Messiah.'" And again, others said, "Perchance this is not the Messiah ben David, but the Messiah ben Joseph, who shall be slain before the other cometh." Thus the minds of men and their words went hither and thither about the sayings of this man Jesus in the Temple.
