Joseph led his young wife down towards the sloping rocks where were the graves of the prophets.

There he was so overcome that suddenly he stretched forth his hands to heaven: "Almighty Jehovah, when will the Messiah come ?" His cry was re-echoed in the hollows of the rocks, and Mary said: "You should not shout so, Joseph.

The dead will not awaken, and Jehovah hears a prayer that is quietly spoken." Mary had hoped in her heart that they would enter Jerusalem and spend the night there.

Joseph said it could not be, for he had no relatives in the town who could give them lodging, and he had not money enough to pay strangers for a lodging.

Also he did not like the strange ways of the place; he yearned for his beloved Bethlehem.