Well, episode 11 ends Part II and thus ends the original first edition of "Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times."  But, as you may well be aware, some questions still remain to be answered.   Did Claressa embrace Manaheem's new-found faith? What happened to the bereaved family of Benjamin? Did Joseph, the oldest son get to go to Rabbi school? Did Barabbas continue to follow the master and did his wife and children join him? And was Pontius Pilate able to forget about his decision...

The search for truth, meaning and fulfillment goes on (for all three characters) (Ch.18-20) and culminates against the background of crucifixion.  Ch. 21 sees Manaheem trying to get back once more with Claressa.  The outro has info. on the sequel.

Pilate starts to send the letters when they bring Jesus. He sends Jesus to Herod who, in the presence of Manheem, taunts him, asking for a miracle, then sends him back to Pilate and they both go to the praetorium.(Ch.13-14) Barabbas (Ch.15) sees them from his cell window and asks Manaheem for help. Herod suggest that Pilate offer to release Jesus and they become friends again (Ch.16). Both Timotheus and Manaheem view the trial of Jesus (Ch.17), Timotheus from a hole in his cell wall and...

Barabbas solicits the aid of the two beggars in robbing Benjamin (Ch7). Lucas jumps at the chance but Timotheus is hesitant. Portia (Ch. 8) tells Pilate she forgot to send the letters. The rest of Ch.8 tracks the sleep, or lack of it, of Pilate and Portia, Benjamin, Barabbas and Timotheus. Chapter 9 is the robbery. Timotheus almost turns back. The robbery goes bad. Benjamin's family (Ch.10) learn the news and some neighbor children suggest an answer. Barabbas is sentenced (Ch.11) and the...

we find Barabbas and his men hiding out in cave in the forest and Deborah and the children sick with worry about him. (Pt.2, Ch.1), Claressa asking Manaheem about the mission, Benjamin, the cloth shop owner busy expanding (Ch3), and the beggars again looking for a spot (Ch.4) and viewing another miracle. Meanwhile Pilate's wife suggests that Herod might have had something to do with the insurrection and Manaheem blackmails Herod over his part in it. Meanwhile, (Ch.5) Barabbas suggests robbery...

Ch. 21 is titled "The Unforgettable Party," referring to Herod's birthday party at which Herodius' daughter, Salome, dances and, in answer to Herod's promise, asks for the head of John the baptist on a platter. Shortly after the head is brought in, the palace is attacked by Aertes' army. Herod, suspecting Pilate might have something to do with the attack, (Ch.22) sends a page for Manaheem, who is with Claressa. The page mentions the beheading. Thus Manaheem rebukes Herod strongly, but still...

Barabbas and his men (Ch.17) go over their attack plans and dream of their success. Meanwhile, Benjamin is also making plans--plans to expand his shop. Aertes is outraged (Ch.18) at Herod's sending Samantha back and plans to attack Herod. Meanwhile, John arrives in Tiberius and is told of Herod's adultery and bigamy. Preaching on the palace lawn, he confronts the king, who has him thrown into the dungeon, where he visits him (Ch.19) and taunts him asking why his God and Messiah hasn't rescued...

we find Manaheem thinking. (a first person monologue of his thoughts on love and conformity as they relate to his situation with Claressa, and his decision to solve his need for more money by blackmailing Herod) while Barabbas and his men make concrete plans for the attack and Barabbas still debates whether to tell his wife. We then get a glimpse of Benjamin, the cloth shop owner and his home-life. Barabbas finally does tell his wife. We follow the two beggars (Ch.14) as they search for...

Pilate and Portia (Ch.7) decide to send complaint letters to Caesar about Herod. A messenger from Herod tells Pilate to raise the temple tax. He replies telling Herod to mind his own business. Portia compliments Pilate, but wonders if more taxation might not be good. Manaheem recruits Barabbas (Ch.8) as insurrection leader. Barabbas tries to convey to his wife the serious political situation. Manaheem (Ch.9) meets his ex-wife, Claressa, and drives her home. They express their love and decide...

We meet Potius Pilate and his wife Portia (Ch.4). Pilate sees himself as a week ruler, but yet, explores the virtue of democratic rule. His wife encourages him to be more strict and to take over Herod's territory. He tells her Herod is his good friend, but when Herod and his wife come to call and she insults Herod, Pilate finally joins her. When Herod returns (Ch. 5) Manaheem is still there reading scrolls. He comments on the penalty of Adultery, telling Herod he noticed his look at Herodius...

(Ch.3 of the e-book), we find out who the mysterious stranger is (in case you haven't figured it out) and also who he is working for and why he is trying to recruit an insurrection leader and to go against whom. We also gain insight into his thinking as he criticizes customs. We watch as he enters the foreboding looking palace and confronts the ruler about the evils of conformity after receiving his pay. We also learn what started him on his stance of non-conformity. For this, there is a...

A mysterious stranger arrives in Jerusalem seeking a man who "can be inspired and trained to lead a small insurrection." Failing to interest both a rich shopkeeper and an elderly beggar, he decides to try a brawny blacksmith named Barabbas. Barabbas has already been thinking about "the evils of the Romans and their high taxation." Thus, the stranger had a ready audience with the blacksmith, who thinks all the way home about the possibility of successful insurrection and whether or not to tell...