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Jesus the Son of Man · Chapter

Cleopas of Bethroune explained

Cleopas of Bethroune reflects on the profound and elemental nature of Jesus' speech, describing how his words were not merely for human ears but for the very elements of the earth.

What happens

Cleopas of Bethroune reflects on the profound and elemental nature of Jesus' speech, describing how his words were not merely for human ears but for the very elements of the earth. He emphasizes Jesus' authority in saying 'But I say unto you,' which transcends the teachings of the prophets, and expresses the difficulty of conveying the essence of Jesus' words, which remain a half-remembered love-song within the soul.

Themes in this chapter

  • Nature and the Divine

    Jesus' speech is described as being directed to the sea, the mountain, and the angels, emphasizing the connection between the divine and the natural world.

  • Humanity and Divinity of Jesus

    Cleopas describes Jesus' words as not being uttered by a man of our race or world, but by a host of seraphim, highlighting the divine authority of Jesus.

Characters to notice

  • Jesus

    Cleopas recalls Jesus' speech, which was directed to the sea, the mountain, and the angels, and his authoritative declarations 'But I say unto you.'

  • Cleopas

    The narrator of this chapter, who reflects on the impact of Jesus' words and admits his inability to fully convey them.

Key passages

  • “His speech was simple and joyous, and the sound of His voice was like cool water in a land of drought.”

    His words were plain and full of joy, and his voice was refreshing like water in a dry land.

    Cleopas uses a simile to convey the refreshing and life-giving nature of Jesus' speech.

  • “But I say unto you, empty your ears of what you have heard.”

    But I tell you, forget what you have been taught before.

    Jesus asserts his authority over the teachings of the prophets, calling for a new understanding.

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