The country was still reeling this week following revelations of the circumstances surrounding the death of the preacher John at King Herod's palace last month. Neither Governor Pilate nor the religious authorities made any public comment on the matter.
Surprisingly, there were no scenes of public disorder involving John's friends and supporters. Most seemed stunned by the events and kept a low profile. Meanwhile a rumour spread that John's cousin Jesus might also have been killed, as he had not been seen for days.
He had been to visit his sick friend Lazarus in Bethany but didn't stay there too long. It was said he had been advised to go somewhere safer, when news of the circumstances surrounding John's death emerged.
Martha and Mary, Lazarus's sisters, said on Wednesday however they were very concerned about Jesus's whereabouts. He had left them two days before and, though he promised to send them a message before sunset, they had not heard from him. "This is not like him at all," said Mary, "and he was so worried about Lazarus."
To add fuel to their fears it was reported that King Herod has been taking a particular interest in Jesus. Palace sources confirmed the king had speculated that Jesus was John back from the dead.
The king had heard of the many miracles attributed to Jesus. One source recalled him saying "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead" - when told about Jesus's healing powers, his walking on Lake Galilee, and his feeding of 5,000 people with a few loaves and fishes. Another source at the palace attributed the comment simply to guilt on Herod's part. "He has been deeply agitated since John died. His doctors say he is sleeping very little and has terrible nightmares," the source said.
It was recalled that on the evening John was beheaded the king had become very distressed when Salome asked for the preacher's head. One of the guests recalled: "It was clear he did not want to have John killed. He had admired John as a holy man. Herodias was
to blame for it all. She saw his hesitation when Salome asked for John's head and she kept repeating: `You promised her anything . . . anything.' Finally he gave in."
Some of the king's doctors are said to fear for his mental health, while it is said Herodias is becoming increasingly impatient with him and his "lily-livered weakness".
Salome has left the country and is said to be staying abroad with friends.
Then it was reported that Jesus was seen on the shores of Lake Galilee. And, though his popularity had plummeted after his `I am the bread of life' address some weeks ago, people began to seek him out again. Some wanted to see whether he was really Jesus or John raised from the dead.
By the lake on Friday, asked by a man where he had been, Jesus said "foxes have holes and the birds have their nests but this Son of Man has no place to lay his head". The man he spoke to, believed to be a teacher, said to him: "Sir, I will follow you anywhere, regardless." And another man said: "I will too, but first I must go and bury my father." And Jesus said to him "let the dead bury the dead" - just the sort of comment that drives his spin doctors crazy.