Naked saints stood on blocks of stone, flies and wasps buzzing round them, and still as statues they endured torments for the glory of their gods.

The disciples of Jesus saw and heard all this in astonishment, and were terrified to find there were so many gods.

When they were alone together with the Master in a cedar-grove near Sidon, one of them who had been deeply wrapt in thought said: "An idea has just occurred to me.

Whether it be Brahma the reposeful, or Osiris the shining, or Jehovah the wrathful, or Zeus the loving, or Jupiter the struggling, or Wotan the conqueror, or our God the Father--it occurs to me that it all comes to the same in the end." They were alarmed at this bold speech, and looked at the Master expecting an angry reproof.

Jesus was silent for a while, then said calmly: "Do good to those who hate you." They scarcely understood that with these words He marked the incredible difference between His teaching and all other doctrines.
They were still speaking when a young man with a beardless face and insolent expression came riding by on a tall steed.