# Manasseh, a Lawyer in Jerusalem explained — Jesus the Son of Man

> Chapter companion for Jesus the Son of Man by Kahlil Gibran.

## What happens

Manasseh, a lawyer in Jerusalem, reflects on hearing Jesus speak. He admired Jesus as a man but was not convinced by His teachings, finding them vague and obscure. Manasseh believes that Jesus' enemies, by confronting Him, have inadvertently given Him strength and made Him more dangerous.

## Themes in this chapter

### Misunderstanding and Betrayal

Manasseh admires Jesus as a man but does not understand or accept His teachings, illustrating a form of misunderstanding.

### Hypocrisy and Religious Authority

Manasseh, a lawyer, represents the religious establishment that is skeptical of Jesus, and he critiques the enemies' actions as counterproductive.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus

Manasseh recalls hearing Jesus speak, admiring His voice and gestures but not the substance of His speech.

### Manasseh

A lawyer in Jerusalem who reflects on Jesus' impact and the consequences of His enemies' actions.

## Key lines

> He charmed me but never convinced me; for He was too vague, too distant and obscure to reach my mind.

I was attracted to Him but not persuaded, because His words were too unclear and remote for me to grasp.

_Manasseh expresses his intellectual distance from Jesus' teachings._

> For is it not strange that in opposing a man you give Him courage? And in staying His feet you give Him wings?

Isn't it odd that by opposing someone you embolden them, and by trying to stop them you enable them to soar?

_Manasseh reflects on how opposition can strengthen a person's cause._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jesus_the_son_of_man_se/chapters/manasseh-a-lawyer-in-jerusalem
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jesus_the_son_of_man_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jesus_the_son_of_man_se/chapters