Chapter 67 Gertius, Captain of the Roman Guard

After he was arrested, they handed him over to me.Pontius Pilate ordered me to supervise him until the next morning. My soldiers took him as a prisoner and he obeyed them. In the middle of the night, I left my wife and children and went to inspect the arsenal.I've gotten used to walking around and making sure my barracks in Jerusalem are all right.That night I went to inspect the armory where he was held. My soldiers and some young Jews were playing tricks on him.They stripped him of his clothes, and put on his head the crown of last year's thorns. They made him lean against a post, and danced and yelled before him.

They also made him hold a reed in his hand. As I entered, a man cried, "Look, sir, here is the King of the Jews!" I stopped in front of him and took one look at him, feeling ashamed, but I don't know why. I have fought in Gaul and Spain, and I have lived and died with soldiers, and I have never been afraid or cowardly.But when I stood in front of this man, when he looked at me, I panicked.My lips seemed to be sealed and I couldn't speak a word. I left the arsenal immediately. This accident happened thirty years ago, when my sons, who were infants at that time, were now grown up, serving Tarcia and Rome.

But I have often referred to him to admonish them, telling them that he faced death with life on his lips, and pity for the murderer in his eyes. Now that I am old, I have lived my life to the fullest.I am convinced that neither Pompey nor Sinza was a greater commander than the Galilean. For after he died without resistance, the earth raised up an army to fight for him... Jesus died, but was more honored than Pompey and Sinza who lived.