[48] Josephus, who wrote as late as Trajan’s reign, evidently knows nothing of them.
[49] The Parthian kingdom, after a long decline, may be said to have died out, A.D. 230.
[50] See note at the end of the chapter.
[51] Such is Jost’s statement (ii. 141). He adds that the Jews obeyed the edict, but very unwillingly.
[52] Nothing more, that is, than discontented murmurs. It is related that when Abba bar Huna lay sick at Pumbeditha, and Rabbi Jehuda was attending him, a Magian came into the room and carried off the light: whereupon the Rabbi prayed that the people might pass under the dominion of the Romans again, rather than endure such ignominy.
[53] The date of Mani’s birth seems uncertain. The time when he attracted notice was circ. 272. He returned to the Persian Court circ. 278, when Hormisdas, or some say Varanes, caused him to be flayed alive, for failing to cure the king’s son; but Beausobre discredits this story.
[54] To quote an example of these. A disputation was held between the Rabbins and the Christians, headed by Pope Sylvester. The Jews brought in an ox, and one of their miracle-mongers whispered the name of God in its ear, whereupon it instantly fell dead. But Sylvester, no-way discomposed, ordered the ox, in the name of Jesus Christ, to return to life. Upon which, we are told, it got up and began feeding!
[55] Chrysost. Or. in Jud. He seems to have confounded Constantine with Adrian.
[56] Eutych. vol. i. 466.
[57] Probably founded on Daniel ix. 26, 27. But that prophecy is obscure, and susceptible of a different interpretation. Even if the Temple had been rebuilt, every one of our Lord’s prophecies would still have been fulfilled. (See Appendix iv.)