a little lower than the angels.)

Next comes the testimony of his disciples concerning him—something we have already explained at the very opening of this book—namely their description of him as a man who had come from God, supported by signs and power.

A comparable narrative is that when he let his disciples go on ahead, they boarded the boat and he said to them,

“Go on; I shall catch up with you.”

He then came to them walking on the sea. When they saw him in that state they cried out, “What is this? Alas!” and, fearing they would drown, they shouted for help. Jesus said to them, “Take heart and do not be afraid; it is I.” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, if it really is you, command me to come to you upon the water.” He replied, “Come.” Simon stepped down onto the water intending to walk on it, but he could not and began to sink. He cried, “Lord, save me!” Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said, “Why did you doubt, you of little faith?”

He (the author) says: This shows the Messiah’s inability to carry through with what Simon Peter had asked of him. The same applies to the man who informed Jesus about his daughter and the demon afflicting her: he brought her to the disciples, but they could not drive it out—even though he had already empowered them to do just that and more—so Jesus himself expelled it from her.

The Gospel also relates that, while recounting the parables he directed at the chief priests, they realised he was speaking about them. On hearing this, they wanted to seize him but were afraid