And so they made their way towards Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover.

Long ago Moses had delivered the Jews from bondage in Egypt, and led them back to their native land.

In grateful remembrance many thousands assembled every year at Jerusalem at the time of the first full moon of spring, made a pilgrimage to the Temple, and, according to the ancient custom, ate of the Paschal lamb, with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast, as once they ate manna in the wilderness.

At such an assembly there was of course much commerce and show.

The execution of criminals took place at that time, so that people were sure of one terrible spectacle in accordance with the words of the Rabbis in the Temple who said; He who breaks the Law shall be punished according to the Law.
"I should like to see such a thing once," said the disciple Thaddeus to his comrades as they went along.