That was what he wanted to find out. And
he went into the Temple hoping that the teachers there would tell
him.
He found the vast Court of the Gentiles, as it had been on his first
visit, swarming with people. Jews and Syrians and foreigners of
many nations were streaming into it through the eight open gates,
meeting and mingling and eddying round in confused currents,
bargaining and haggling with the merchants and money-changers,
crowding together around some group where argument had risen to a
violent dispute, drifting away again in search of some new excitement.
The morning sacrifice was ended, but the sound of music floated
out from the enclosed courts in front of the altar, where the more
devout worshippers were gathered. The Roman soldiers of the guard
paced up and down, or leaned tranquilly upoa their spears, looking
with indifference or amused contempt upon the turbulent scenes of
the holy place where they were set to keep the peace and prevent
the worshippers from attacking one another.
The Boy turned into the long, cool cloisters, their lofty marble
columns and carved roofs, which ran around the inside of the walls.
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