Eleazar Ben Boethus, the Sanhedrist

He is a known and influential member of the Sanhedrin. He argues Against Jesus at Ishmael Ben Fabi, accompanied by Chananiah. The power of Jesus and his influence over the crowds should have allowed, according to them, to proclaim him king:

"If you know how to wield the sword as well as you know how to speak, there will be no greater king than You in [[Israel, Jewish people|Israel]," he says to Jesus.

Jesus corrects him: his kingdom is not of this world.

Eleazar asks Jesus for advice: he has bought a property but there is an old servant there, and the seller does not want her. Eleazar does not want to throw her out on the street. What should he do?

Jesus sends him back to himself and to the wisdom given to him by Age (he is indeed old):  

You are very close to Justice, Eleazar. Act as you would advise doing and the God of Jacob will always be with you.      

From then on, Eleazar gradually opens up to the light. Against the majority of his colleagues, he defends Jesus whom they accuse, notamment, of impurity:        

"We cannot accuse him without knowing," he protests.

During the trial for the rape of Eleazar ben Annas, he is sidelined for protesting Against the blatant injustice. He then draws closer to Chouza when he, with a group of friends — including Manaen — plots to crown Jesus () in place of Herod Antipas. The many conspirators meet secretly in the house of Chouza in Decapolis. "'No,'" responds firmly Jesus to their proposal, but he does not reproach them:    

I do not reproach you, Eleazar, only for the old servant you were left with, always just, but not now.        

During the interrogation of Sidonia, the one-born confession — a trap set with the complicity of Judas — he once again defends Jesus.

Defense reiterated during the tumultuous Sanhedrin session following the resurrection of Lazarus.      

With John of Gaash, a sanhedrist with whom he became friends, he warns Jesus returned from Ephraim that the Sanhedrin has not disarmed Against him.

During the trial of Jesus, he refuses to sit in the Sanhedrin, publicly displaying his favorable opinions of Jesus.

His name

Èl'azar (Elhasça – Elassa) means "God has helped - God has done" - Historical reference: one of the sons of Aaron, successor of the priestly office.

Where is he mentioned in the work?

EMV 335 EMV 368 EMV 376

EMV 463 EMV 464

EMV 510 EMV 542 EMV 546 EMV 548 EMV 549 EMV 570 EMV 585 EMV 588 EMV 596

EMV 604

Learn more about this character

Eleazar ben Boethus, second son of Simon Boethus, was high priest in 2 AD but was quickly deposed (Flavius Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVII, 339; XIII, 1; XIX, VI, 2).

According to Maria Valtorta, he was among, with Hillel, the wise men summoned by Herod the Great to find out where the king announced by the magi according to Matthew 2:4 was born.