599
What is said regarding the conduct of his Apostles on the evening preceding the crucifixion?
Luke: “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest” ([xxii, 24]).
This was immediately after he had announced his speedy betrayal and death and when his disciples, if sincere, must have manifested the deepest sadness and humility. If the Evangelist is not a base calumniator the Apostles were a set of heartless knaves.
600
When the Jews came to arrest Jesus what did the disciples do?
Matthew: “Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled” ([xxvi, 56]).
Mark: “And they all forsook him, and fled” ([xiv, 50]).
Justin says: “All his friends [the Apostles] stood aloof from him, having denied him” (Apology i, 50).