He could have no real interest in the king, for he was ready to join in the organization against him, could he have obtained his own terms.

He might intend to gain credit with the royal party, by claiming to have stopped a dangerous plot, and at the same time to benefit himself, by bringing about the expulsion or death of many of his foreign trade rivals.

For this end, the Jew would desire that he should be taken alive, in order to serve as a witness against the others.
"He will not get any names from me," he said.

"Besides, none of them have promised to take any active measures against Augustus.

I did not ask them to do so.