“Hence proceeds already a manifest alteration of the doctrine of the Christians, and more is likely to proceed. For you may already perceive different shapes of teaching among them, and each later shape departs further from the truth in order to come nearer to the ancient prophecies. Thus, for example, there was read in our presence in the synagogue an ancient dirge which is commonly interpreted to predict the death of the Messiah, wherein it was said that his hands and feet were pierced, and that gall and vinegar were given him to drink, and that his enemies divided his raiment and cast lots for it, and that the passers-by wagged their heads at him and mocked him for his trust in God, saying, ‘He trusted in God, let God therefore deliver him, if He will have him.’ Now, after this had been read and after the principal speaker, who was a man of some discretion, had pointed out that this prophecy was fulfilled by Christus, I took occasion, when we left the synagogue, to question the man thus:
_Onesimus._ Say you then that in all points this prophecy was fulfilled by Christus?
_The Speaker._ In these points—that his hands and feet were pierced, and that his enemies derided him, and that vinegar was given him to drink.
_Onesimus._ You say well, for a draught is wont to be given to those who are condemned to death; but tell me further, did any cast lots for his raiment, and did the bystanders say these precise words ‘He trusted in God,’ and the like? And is it so handed down in your Tradition?
_The Speaker._ It is not indeed so handed down in our tradition; but it may have been so.
When I had thanked him for his courtesy I hastened forwards to an honest and illiterate leather-cutter to whom I put precisely the same questions; but now mark the different replies in this, which I call the second, shape of the Christian doctrine.
_Onesimus._ Tell me, good friend, was this prophecy, whereof we heard but now, fulfilled in all points by Christus?
_Onesimus._ And did his enemies cast lots for his raiment?
_Onesimus._ And did the bystanders say ‘He trusted in God’ and use these exact words?
_Onesimus._ And are these things taught in the Tradition concerning the acts and deeds of Christus?