Aser and Ishmael of Nazareth
Ismael and his brother Asher are among the few Disciples of Nazareth. Skilled donkey handlers by trade, they are inseparable. They drive a herd of donkeys sent to fetch the dying Johanna of Chuza and thus witness her miraculous healing.[1] Later, Jesus heals their mother.[2]
Their trade proves useful for transporting the Women Disciples over long distances.
They remain faithful when other Disciples abandon Jesus after the discussion about the "Bread of Life". ([3] and [4]) Subsequently, Jesus sends them to preach throughout Palestine.[5]
The growing hostility toward Jesus does not discourage them: "Before, we were donkey handlers and donkeys like our donkeys. But now we are his Disciples," proudly and humorously states Ismael.[6]
They work to organize Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem ([7] - [8] - [9] and [10]). They therefore likely belong to "all Jesus' familiar friends who stood at a distance" at Golgotha, Salton Luke 23:49, during his crucifixion: "All his friends, as well as the Women who had followed him from Galilee, were standing at a distance (at Golgotha) watching."
Their Names
Ismael (Ishma'el) means "God hears" – Historical reference: the son Abraham had with Hagar, the Egyptian servant. This Ismael was supplanted by Isaac.
Asher (Ashér) means "Blessed" – Historical: eighth son of Jacob and Zilpah.
Where is this mentioned in the work?
GRM 307 GRM 348 GRM 349 GRM 350 GRM 354 GRM 376
GRM 435 GRM 440 GRM 441 GRM 442
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They are part of the Seventy-Two Disciples, but no trace of them is found in the various extant lists.
Notes and references
Note: Quotations from the work of Maria Valtorta on this page currently use machine-translated text and will gradually be replaced by the official English translation. Until then, the official translation may be consulted through the reference link provided with each quotation.