Apologies & Dialogue 1-35

And how Christ, after he was born, was to escape the notice of other men until he grew to manhood — which also came to pass — hear what was foretold concerning this. These are the words: "A child has been born to us, and a young man has been given to us, whose government is upon his shoulders" — which signifies the power of the cross, to which he set his shoulders when he was crucified, as will be shown more clearly as the discourse proceeds. And again the same prophet Isaiah, inspired by the prophetic Spirit, said: "I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contradicting people, to those who walk in a way that is not good. They ask of me now judgment and dare to draw near to God." And again, in other words through another prophet, he says: "They pierced my feet and hands, and cast lots for my clothing." Now David the king and prophet, who said these things, suffered none of them; but Jesus Christ stretched out his hands, being crucified by the Jews who contradicted him and said that he was not the Christ; for as the prophet said, mocking him, they set him upon the judgment seat and said, "Judge for us." And the words "They pierced my hands and feet" were a description of the nails fixed in his hands and feet upon the cross. And after they had crucified him, they cast lots for his clothing, and those who crucified him divided it among themselves. And that these things came to pass, you can learn from the Acts drawn up under Pontius Pilate. And that it was expressly foretold that he should sit upon the colt of an ass and enter into Jerusalem, we shall give the words of the prophecy of another prophet, Zephaniah. These are they: "Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion; proclaim, daughter of Jerusalem; behold, your king comes to you, meek, mounted upon an ass and a colt, the foal of a beast of burden."