Study Desk

he asked them, "Do you want me to set free for you the ‘King of the Jews'?"

For it was evident to him that it was out of jealousy that the head cohanim had handed him over.

But the head cohanim stirred up the crowd to have him release Bar-Abba for them instead.

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the mob, set Bar-Abba free for them; but he had Yeshua whipped and then handed him over to be executed on the stake.

On hearing this, some of the bystanders said, "Look! He's calling for Eliyahu!"

Yosef of Ramatayim, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who himself was also looking forward to the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Yeshua's body.

They were asking each other, "Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?"

But he said, "Don't be so surprised! You're looking for Yeshua from Natzeret, who was executed on the stake. He has risen, he's not here! Look at the place where they laid him.

Later, Yeshua appeared to the Eleven as they were eating, and he reproached them for their lack of trust and their spiritual insensitivity in not having believed those who had seen him after he had risen.

for he will be great in the sight of Adonai . He is never to drink wine or other liquor, and he will be filled with the Ruach HaKodesh even from his mother's womb.

He will go out ahead of Adonai in the spirit and power of Eliyahu to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready for Adonai a people prepared."

Z'kharyah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man; my wife too is well on in years."

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Z'kharyah; they were surprised at his taking so long in the Temple.

" Adonai has done this for me; he has shown me favor at this time, so as to remove my public disgrace."

The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Miryam, for you have found favor with God.

For with God, nothing is impossible."

For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy!

who has taken notice of his servant-girl in her humble position. For — imagine it! — from now on, all generations will call me blessed!

"The Mighty One has done great things for me! Indeed, his name is holy ;

Miryam stayed with Elisheva for about three months and then returned home.