1 A number of women stood off watching from a distance, among them being Miryam of Maḡdala – also called Miryam of Bĕyth Anyah, Marmaryam, and Miryam the mother of Ya’aqoḇ the Younger and Yosĕph – and Salome, who had followed 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏, administering to His needs in Galil.
2 There were also others who had come to Yerushalayim with Him, but the only talmid there was Ya’aqoḇ.
3 When the women wept with pity, he said to them, “I see now what I was blind to before. Let us not waste tears in futile pity, but strengthen our hearts so His sacrifice is not in vain. He did this to change the hearts of the people. Let us be worthy of Him.”
4 Then Ya’aqoḇ left, for he received word that the talmidim were being sought, it being feared they would set fire to the Great Hĕyḵal, or arouse the people so there was a revolt. There had been disturbances in the city, but because of Barabbas, only three were killed.
5 Miryam, the mother of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏, was taken to the house of Yoḥanan, and Marqos and Yosĕph also came there. It was in that house that the first words of this Besorah were written.
6 Many of the talmidim had deserted 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 and were in hiding. Others went about not knowing what to do, their hearts full of misery and sorrow. They lacked the influence needed to save 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 from the common pit of criminals. And Miryam, His mother, did not claim the body, though the arrangements made were unknown to her.
7 Now, one of the elders of the Supreme Council was a man named Yosias, called Yosĕph of Ramathayim – son of Yoachim, son of Nathan, son of El’azar, son of Ĕliyahu, son of Yaḵin, son of Zadok – who lived on the Merchant’s Road, a day’s journey from Yerushalayim. He also owned an estate northwest of the city. He had a brother-in-law named Nikodius, and both were secret followers of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏. Yosĕph of Ramathayim, the wise Commander, had been present at the Council when it sat in judgment on 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏, and he supported Him, but many more who could have done so were absent because of the hour.
8 When evening drew near and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 had been four hours on the stake, Yosĕph of Ramathayim, being a man of status and authority, went to Pontius Pilatus without fear, for they were friends. He requested the body of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏, His kinsman, saying, “It is written in our law that the sun shall not be permitted to set on the body of a murdered man.”
9 The Governor said, “You are an upright man, and I will not deny this to you.”
10 But he was surprised to hear 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 had died so quickly, and he sent for the centurion in charge of the execution, a man known to Yosĕph, who assured Pilatus that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 was undoubtedly dead.
11 On hearing this, Pilatus granted the Commander custody of the body, and though some Yahuḏim present objected, wishing 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 to be buried in the criminals’ pit, they had to submit to Roman law. Yet the Yahuḏim’s law also stated it was the duty of the nearest relative to dispose of the body, irrespective of how death occurred.
12 Now this being the Shabbat Eve, the bodies could not remain upon their stakes after nightfall. Therefore, the Yahuḏim requested of Pilatus that the legs of the condemned men be broken, allowing the bodies to hang free so they quickly died. So, the soldiers took mallets and broke the legs of the other two, but when they came to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏, the centurion said, “He is already dead.”
13 Yosĕph the Commander took his son Yosĕph, Nikodius and one other and, having already purchased a linen shroud, went to the place of execution and removed 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 from the stake. Wrapping Him in the sheet, they carried 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 through the darkness to a tomb already cut out of the rock. It was a two-chambered cavern northwest of the city, having a ledge running around the inside, and the entrance faced eastward towards the place of execution. It was the north end of a garden planted with cabbages, and the gardener was also custodian of the tomb.
14 When 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 had been placed inside, a great stone was rolled across the entrance, and two men were left on guard beside it. Now, things happened on the Shabbat which may not be written, for they are in the secret of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, known only to the elect of the House of Elohim, which is in the Isle of Departure.
15 Those who guarded the tomb, when questioned regarding these things, said, “The talmidim came early and carried Him away for burial in a proper manner at another place. For He was laid here only because of the Shabbat, and it was not His tomb.” None questioned them further, for this was proper. And the guards were only placed to protect certain bodies from those who would work evil sorceries on them, those who improperly tampered with bodies being put to death.
16 After the Shabbat was over, some women came with spices and oils to deal with the body of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏. But when they came to the tomb, they found that the great stone had been rolled aside. The guards were gone, but a young man was seated just inside the entrance, and he said to them, “Do not be afraid of me, for I am a friend. 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏, whom you seek, is not here. But go and tell Kĕpha that He will be with Him as promised.” The women were very much afraid and left in haste.
17 When they had gone, Miryam came with another and stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she did so, a voice behind her said, “Why do you weep?” Turning, she saw the gardener and said to Him, “They have taken 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 away, and I have no knowledge of what has happened to Him.” Then the gardener told her to go to Yoḥanan, the son of Ḥanan.
18 Kĕpha and two others were also making their way to the tomb when they met the women coming away. The women told them what they had seen and heard. And Kĕpha, thinking they were talking wildly through sorrow, sent one of his companions to go with them. Then he hastened to the tomb, arriving to find it empty and no one there. So, being perplexed, he sat down outside while the other went in search of the gardener. While seated there, he saw a shining figure in the gloom within the tomb and knew it for a messenger. And he heard a voice saying, “𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 has fulfilled the promises and is truly ha’Mashiaḥ, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄’s Anointed.”
19 Then the other returned with the gardener, who told Kĕpha to go and meet Yoḥanan, the son of Ḥanan, at Emeras, about nine miles distant. And they went to that place, which was a village not far from the house of Yosĕph of Ramathayim.
20 Arriving there, they found Yoḥanan, the son of Ḥanan, and another Yoḥanan, and Ya’aqoḇ and Yosĕph, the sons of Yosĕph by Anna – his first wife, the fair stranger, – his son by Miryam, and Marqos, his adopted son. Nikodius was also there with El’azar, and they were all in the house of Hosius. Later, a number of emissaries came.
21 Then, while they were seated at a table, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 came among them and said, “Let us take food together and rejoice, for the neḇuoth have been fulfilled regarding ha’Mashiaḥ as it is said in the Qodesh Books. The Servant of Man is arisen from among those who sleep, for death has not claimed Him. But these things, while fulfilling the promises, will not bring about the Rule of Elohim, for this will not come while men sit waiting for signs. The people have been given that which fulfills their hopes and aspirations. Now surely, they will believe in My cause and arise to sweep evil aside. Now the Ruaḥ of Truth dwells among you, though it is still out of place in a world under the rule of man.”
22Then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 told of all the things which had been written in the Qodesh Books concerning these things, and how ha’Mashiaḥ, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄’s Anointed, would be disowned by men, would suffer for their willfulness and arise from among the dead to appear on the third day. Then He said, “Are not all these things fulfilled in Me?” Then He departed.
23 Some days later, all the talmidim who were the chosen of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 met in a secret place. And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 joined them and proved Himself to those who still disbelieved. And they said, “Aḏonai, forgive our disbelief and forgive us for doubting the things You taught concerning Yourself.”
24 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 said, “This is the day of the coming of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, who will rule the Earth. Yet is it not written, ‘This will be a day of darkness, and not of light’?”
25 Then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 spoke these words: “I go to a place far away beyond the world, where you may not follow. For I fulfill the hopes of all men. Now, you go out, carrying the message that the neḇuoth have been fulfilled and the time is at hand when the Rule of Elohim should be established among men. For, the promises having been fulfilled for the people, surely, they will now believe and rally to the cause of good, sweeping wickedness and evil from the face of the Earth. Say to them, ‘That has been done that had to be done.’”
26 “Now you must take up the burden, for if you would become children of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 and reclaim your lost heritage, you must prove yourselves worthy heirs. Let not all the suffering be in vain.”
27 Then He told them secret things concerning the Rule of Elohim, and how men should be freed from trouble, distress and pain. He explained how each man could be freed of all sickness and see beyond the range of the eye. These and many other things were explained, and also many things concerning the Dominion of the Ruaḥ.
28 He said, “Follow My teachings, and the power of the Ruaḥ Ha’Qodesh will come to you, enabling you to do many great things causing wonder among others. Yet all these are the rightful possessions of men, if they will but establish their worthiness.”
29 “Think not that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 will descend from the shamayim to do the work of men. The world is yours, but ḥai is with Elohim; in the end, there is the accounting. Man must be responsible for his own destiny, so seek no divine intervention while men remain apathetic. 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 comes to the aid only of those who strive, who surmount the difficulties and obstacles of life.”
30 Having said these things, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 revealed Himself to them in His form of glory, so they might know Truth had been established in Him. Then they were all bedazzled and astonished at what Man could become and the extent of His powers awaiting development. Then they knew 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 was all He claimed to be and hailed Him as Mashiaḥ, the Anointed by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄. For in Him the Ruaḥ of Mashiaḥ was manifested as in no other. After this, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 left.
31 Now, rumors of strange events came to the ears of certain Yahuḏim who were Hĕrodians and Sadducees. Then they were exceedingly angry with those in power who had inclined towards Yosĕph, the wise Commander. He said to those who raised their voices against him, “Why do you seek to stir up trouble? Those in high places, holding positions of power, did only what they thought best and complied with the Torah. What else could they do? I received the body of my kinsman because this was my duty, and I dealt with it decently, letting it rest in my private tomb over the Shabbat.”
32 Despite his authority, there was evidence against Yosĕph, and he was imprisoned, being kept under constant guard. One Shabbat, during the night hours, the Ruaḥ of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 was projected to Yosĕph so he was comforted. But the guards, seeing it, fainted with fear. Then Yosĕph was brought before Pontius Pilatus, but the Governor found no fault in him, and he was released.
33 Later, Ḥanan and his son-in-law, who were then the Kohĕn ha’Gadol of the Yahuḏim, came to the house of Yosĕph, bringing with them the Qodesh Books written on scrolls within their box. They requested that he swear upon it in the sacred Name of Elohim, but he made oath only that he had done no wrong or broken no law. The wise Commander remained in his house for many days, after which he went about undisturbed.
34 Then, when Pontius Pilatus returned to Rome, Yosĕph departed from his home shores, coming to Setnadoin, from whence he moved to a well at the foot of a hill. He brought with him a clay cup which had been set in silver by a silversmith, and this was that cup used by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏.
35 Some say Yosĕph of Ramathayim married Miryam, mother of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏, after the death of his wife, but this is a known heresy put about by those in ignorance of what is written, for his wife was not that Miryam.