“Child—yes! Why do you Hebrews carry so many children with you?”
The Hebrew was silent, but since he perceived that the Roman knew the reason, and since the latter looked like a benevolent man, he resolved to tell the truth.
“Herod the King heard from the Wise Men of the East the prophecy that a King of the Jews would be born in Bethlehem in the land of Judaea. In order to escape the supposed danger, Herod had all the children recently born in that district put to death. Just as Pharaoh once had our first-born put to death here. But Moses was saved, in order to free our people from the Egyptian bondage.”
“Well! but who was this King of the Jews to be?”
“The promised Messiah.”
“Do you believe that he is born?”
“I cannot tell.”
“I can,” said the Roman. “He is born; he will rule the world, and bring all people under his sceptre.”
“And who will that be?”
“The Emperor, Augustus.”