"Simon Magus" [Simon Zelotes, Simon the Canaanite, Simon the Pharisee, Simon the Leper, the "Good Thief"]. The main character apart from Jesus.  Simon Magus was a gnostic, self-styled miracle worker, head of West Manasseh Magians in the gospel period, and a Hellenist, in the war faction of the Twelve Apostles.   He became Pope in AD 31.  Jesus was associated with him, as Hellenists accepted Jesus as the David.".

   Jesus and the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls --- page 395

March 19, 33 AD (Thursday)

     "In the reproduction "Jerusalem", [at Qumran] , the "Mount of Olives" was the monastery building east of the aqueduct.   After the Last Supper Jesus with his companions went across to the building, then turned down to the area of the divided cistern south of the monastery wall."

     "There were two hours to wait until midnight, when the test for Simon Magus and his associates would come.  Jesus had given evidence of support for Simon [the raising of Lazarus story], and was known to endorse western ways and the Julian calendar [this midnight was the proper time]; Theudas-Barabbas also was in the same party, as a close associate of the tetrarch Antipas."

     "If heaven favored Jesus at this time, the sign would come in the place in which he was most identified, the meeting hall of villagers.   Both married men and Gentiles were of this rank, and the hall had been built in the place where they assembled when they came to Qumran as pilgrims."

    "Jesus, coming to the doorway, said to John Mark, "Sit here", then took Peter, James, and John inside the hall.   During the next two hours he wrestled with the question of his loyalties.  He was not really on the side of the Magus; he had merely given him personal friendship.  It would be a betrayal of his own political position if he was arrested and tried as a zealot.  His political sympathies actually lay with Annas, who had also come into the village hall for the midnight vigil.  For a time, Jesus turned to him for support, submitting to him, and praying to him as the Father. (Mark 14:35-39)   Jesus and the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls --- page 108, 109

5 AM old time  8 AM new time -- Pilate arrives from Jerusalem (40

                                                       km, 200 stadia, 2 1/2

                                                       hours by horse, horse rate 80 st

                                                        per hour)  He tries and

                                                       condemns Simon

                                 Magus.

6 AM old time 9 AM new time -- The tetrarch Antipas offers a

                                                       bribe for Theudas.

                                                      Judas ("this man") is tried in his

                                                      place.   Jesus is heard also,

                                                      defined as the third man, the

                                                      King, and made to wait (John

                                                      18:31-38, Mark 15:1-5, Luke 23:1-

                                                      10, Matt. 27:1-2, 11-14)

7 AM old time 10 AM new time -- Pilate becomes a member [of

                                                      the Essenes]  by a token

                                                      washing of hands, in order to

                                                      receive the bribe.  He announces

                                                      that Theudas-Barrabas is to

                                                      be released, and Judas

                                                      to hang. (John  18:38-40, Mark

                                                      15:6-15, Matt. 27:15-25, Luke

                                                      23:13-19.

                                                         AGRIPPA  mocks Jesus' claim

                                                     to be king in his place,

                                                     dressing him in the purple of a

                                                     king-bishop, and putting on

                                                     him the ascetic crown of thorns

                                                     worn by Jonathan Annas

                                                     (Stephen "the crown", and the

                                                     Thorn, in the flesh).

                                                     (John 19:2-5, Mark 15:16-20,

                                                     Matt. 27:27-30)

8 AM old time 11 AM new time -- Independent trial of Jesus.  No

                                                     bribe is offered for him,

                                                     and he is condemned.  (John 19:8-

                                                    12, Luke  23:20-21)'

Jesus and the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls --- page 240, 241

Three Crosses, Two Thieves

March 20, 33 AD

8:55 AM old time 11:55 new time-- Pilate gives the formal order

                                                          for execution (John 19:

                                                          13-16)

                                                          The men are taken to the

                                                           unclean SW section.

                                                          Jesus is offered poison as a

                                                          way of avoiding the pain 

                                                          to come, but refuses it (John

                                                          19:14-17, Mark  15:

                                                          22-23, Matt 27:33-34)

9 AM old time 12 noon new time--  The crosses are erected in the

                                                          unclean area near the 

                                                          unstepped cistern (John  19:23-

                                                          24,  Mark 15:25-27,

                                                          Luke 23:33-38, Matt 27:36-38).

                                                          Jesus speaks to Simon

                                  Magus, whose cross

                                                         is to the east of his

                                                         (Luke 23:39-43)

Luke's "Good Thief"- "Bad Thief" Story

March 20, 33 AD- Noon

    Luke 23:39 "And one of the malefactors  which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us."

      40 "But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost thou not fear God, seeing  thou art in the same condemnation?"

      41 "And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss."

      42 "And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

      43 "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."