frequently a group of buildings of
unequal height standing near each other and surrounded by the same
court, but with passages between, independent entrances, and separate
roofs. Sometimes they would form a square or quadrangle with porticos
and corridors around it, plants and fountains in the midst, and a
slight awning overhead to protect the open courtyard from the sun or
rain, the communication with the street being through a smaller
courtyard and archway, called in the Gospels "a porch." In some such
cluster of splendid buildings Annas and Caiaphas and others of their
family would live, and the whole would be called the high priest's
palace.

In one of the large reception halls Annas waited, impatient and
feverish, to know the result of the midnight expedition. He had a
nervous dread of what Jesus might do when driven to bay; and dreaded
lest the secret should leak out, and the Galilean pilgrims rise in
defence of their favorite Prophet, whom four days before they had
escorted into the city with shouts. What if Judas should not prove
true? All these disquieting thoughts chased each other like pursuing
phantoms through his mind, and it was an immense relief when the clank
of weapons in the court assured him of the safe return of Malchus'
party, and answering voices told him that Jesus was at last safe within
his power.

The prisoner was at once brought before the old man, who eagerly
scrutinized his features in the flickering light of lanterns and
flambeaux, casting shadows which a Rembrandt would have loved to paint.
One or two intimates may have stood around Him; but the main inquiry
was left to Himself, as He put the Master through a preliminary and
informal examination, in the hope of extracting from His replies
materials on which the court, which was hastily summoned for an early
hour in the morning, might proceed.

On the surface the inquiry seemed fair and innocent enough. The high
priest, we learn from verse 19, asked Jesus of His disciples and His
doctrine. But the lamb-skin hid a wolf. For the questions were so
worded as to entangle, and to provide material on which to found the
subsequent charge, which was even then being framed, that Jesus was a
disturber of the public peace, and a teacher of revolutionary doctrine.

_First, then, about His disciples._--Annas would like to be informed
what this association of men meant. Why were they formed into a
society? By what bond were they united? W