Zacchaeus the publican

Jesus is in Jericho. He teaches children to be kind to animals and not to be unkind to them. Next, Judas returns with John from his meeting with Diomedes, the buyer of Aglaia's jewels. He tells of his ruse, how he made John look like a young fiancé, how he made him believe he wanted to buy jewelry similar to Aglaia's so that the merchant would give his price. Then he told her he didn't want to buy, but to sell, and he managed to get twelve talents, which is considerable. But the apostle lied... Jesus warned him not to do it again, and gave all the money to John the Baptist's disciples.

The apostolic group is in Jericho. Zacchaeus, still a tax collector, receives an offering from Aglaia (who is anonymous in this chapter) and Judas, who is not far away, investigates her. But Zacchaeus won't tell him anything, and the Iscariot leaves in a huff. That's when he runs into the rest of his companions, who thought he'd gone to Keroth to help his mother. Peter is rather... ironic, and there's a spat between the two apostles. Jesus cuts the conversation short, and no doubt seeing that Judas is about to lie in order to apologize, begs him to be quiet and ask him if he'll see them off again. Judas agrees. Jesus divides the group into three. Peter, Jude Thaddeus, James of Alphaeus, Matthew will go to Bethlehem and meet Isaac and the shepherds on the way. Judas, Thomas, Andrew, James of Zebedee will go to Gethsemane to prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles. John, Simon the Zealot, Philip and Bartholomew stay with Christ in Bethany, at the home of Lazarus. When they arrive near the home of Theophilus' son, Judas excuses himself, but keeps his eyes on Lazarus' house. No doubt he hopes for a change of group, but Jesus maintains his decision. He goes to see Lazarus, who introduces him to Martha for the first time. Then they talk about Jonah (Jesus announces his death) and he reveals that he knows he has seen Mary Magdalene. Lazarus is devastated, even though Jesus assures him that he has pity for her. Respectful of his grief, Jesus leaves him alone for a moment and speaks with Martha. She tells him that Doras and Judas had been insinuating things to her brother, and that he had lost his peace. The conversation then turns to Mary Magdalene, and Jesus encourages them to forgive, as their forgiveness may help his conversion. The importance of brotherly and family forgiveness.