for many years! These persons looked at them sternly, and reproved them
most severely for the crime they had committed that day, in bringing
about the death of 'the just man,' and calling down his blood upon their
heads. Even in the midst of this confusion, some attempts were,
however, made by the priests to preserve order; they prevented those
who were in the inner part of the Temple from rushing forward, pushing
their way through the crowds who were in advance of them, and
descending the steps which led out of the Temple: they even continued
the sacrifices in some parts, and endeavoured to calm the fears of the
people.

The appearance of the Temple at this moment can only be described by
comparing it to an ant-hill on which persons have thrown stones, or
which has been disturbed by a sick being driven into its centre. The
ants in those parts on which the stones have fallen, or which the stick
had disturbed, are filled with confusion and terror; they run to and
fro and do nothing; while the ants in those parts which have not been
disturbed continue to labour quietly, and even begin to repair the
damaged parts.

The High Priest Caiphas and his retinue did not lose their presence
of mind, and by the outward tranquillity which their diabolical
hardness of heart enabled them to preserve, they calmed the confusion
in a great degree, and then did their utmost to prevent the people from
looking upon these stupendous events as testimonies of the innocence of
Jesus. The Roman garrison belonging to the fortress of Antonia likewise
made great efforts to maintain order; consequently, the disturbance of
the festival was not followed by an insurrection, although every heart
was fixed with fear and anxiety, which anxiety the Pharisees
endeavoured (and in some instances with success) to calm.