t
for a prophet to be killed anywhere but in Jerusalem. It is always our
holy city that kills the messengers whom God sends!"

The Pharisees turned and walked away. "Well!" exclaimed John. "For men
who want to save us from Herod they certainly act oddly."

"They care nothing about our lives," said the Zealot sourly. "They are
just trying to scare us out of Galilee. Herod knows he cannot put us
into prison--there would be a riot!"

The people were indeed very loyal to Jesus. Many who had listened to him
in their home villages greeted him with great joy when they found him
teaching in Tiberias and refused to go on without him.

"We want you to lead us to Jerusalem," declared one man from Capernaum
who had often listened to Jesus at the lakeside.

"I must stay here several days to teach others who travel through,"
answered Jesus.

"Then we shall wait." More and more people joined this man in asking
Jesus to lead them to Jerusalem.

The disciples were greatly worried by this. "Herod is sure to hear of
this!" exclaimed Andrew, anxiously watching the people crowd around
Jesus.

"He must know we are here by now," said John. Any moment the men
expected the officers of King Herod to come to arrest them. They were
greatly relieved when Jesus led a small group of especially loyal
followers into the hills west of Tiberias.

"At least we are safe out here," observed John as they climbed the brown
hill above Herod's capital city. When Jesus stopped, they could see the
whole Lake of Galilee spread below them. High above the city rose the
towers of Herod's palace. Peter looked northward to where Capernaum lay.
Beyond the city he could see Mount Hermon, majestic and cool. A few days
before, he had stood on its slopes and gazed at Capernaum, where his
wife and children lived. Then he had expected to see them soon. But now
he knew he might never see them again.

A ridge concealed the group with Jesus from the road which led west from
Tiberias to the Mediterranean Sea. "Tonight we shall rest in the hills,"
said Jesus to them; there were about seventy beside the disciples.
"Tomorrow I will send you to prepare my way to Jerusalem."

The thought of leaving Herod's territory cheered the disciples, but they
had not heard all that their Master had to say. "For a few more days I
am going to remain here to summon these people to repent and confess
that God is King," continued Jesus. "You are to stay with me. I am
sending these others