"They are no fools, the Jewish people," muttered Caiaphas; "they are a fair and reasonable people."
When the name of Lazarus was repeated by the crowd, a great sadness overspread the face of Jesus; this the people misread for trouble at His impotence, or at their detection of it. Fiercely and half mad with excitement, they gathered round the Nazarene.
"How long dost Thou make us to doubt?" said one. "Tell us plainly if Thou be the Christ."
Then once more Jesus answered them: "I told ye and ye believed not; the works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand."
A scoffing voice called out: "Nevertheless they have plucked Lazarus from out Thy hand." A mocking laugh went up from the crowd, and Caiaphas joined in it. Then the voice of Jesus rose once more:
"My Father, which gave them Me is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand."
"He maketh out that Lazarus is with the Father," cried one.
"I and My Father are one," went on the calm, impressive voice.
Then some of the Jews took stones and hurled them at Him; but fearlessly, and with an indifference that brought a shout of admiration from the
