We next behold Jesus accompanied by his disciples on the road toward
the house of Simon of Bethany. As they walk along, he talks sadly of
his approaching death. None of them can understand his words; for to
them he has been victorious over all his enemies. "A word from thee,"
says Peter, "and they are crushed." "I see not," says Thomas, "why
thou speakest so often of sorrow and death. Do we not read in the
prophets that Christ lives forever? Thou canst not die, for with thy
power thou wakest even the dead." Even John declares that Christ's
words are dark and dismal, while he and his associates use every effort
to cheer the Master.

At the house of Simon of Bethany, Mary Magdalen breaks the costly dish
of ointment. Judas, who carries the slender purse of the disciples, is
vexed at the waste, and talks of all the good the value of this
ointment might have done if given to the poor.

Very carefully worked out is the character of Judas, represented by
Johann Zwink, the miller of Oberammergau, who ten years ago took the
part of Saint John. The people of Oberammergau regard Zwink as the
most gifted of all their actors; for he can, they say, play any part.
("_Er spielt alle Rolle._") Gregor Lechner, who in his younger days
had the part of Judas, is now Simon of Bethany. Of all the actors of
Oberammergau, the people told us, Lechner is the most beloved
("_bestens beliebt_").

[Illustration: Johann Zwink as Judas.]

In Zwink's conception, Judas is a man full of ambition, but without
enthusiasm. He is attracted by the power of Christ, from which he
expects great results. But Christ seems to care little for his own