Complete Works XVIII: Against Celsus I-IV (Lommatzsch)

and falsely testified against, being able to make a defense and show himself innocent of any charge, and to recount the praises of his own life and of the powers, as they had come from God, in order to give the judge a way to speak more favorably about him, that he did not do this, but rather held in contempt, and with a noble spirit overlooked, his accusers. That the judge would have released Jesus without hesitation original: "διστάσας" had he defended himself is clear from what is recorded about him, in which he said: "Which original: "τίνα" of the two do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?" and from what the scripture adds saying: "For he knew original: "ᾔδει" that it was out of envy that they had delivered him." Jesus, therefore, is always falsely accused, and there is never a time, while wickedness exists in men, that he is not accused. And he himself continues even now to be silent toward these things, and does not answer with a voice, but he defends himself in the life of his genuine disciples, which cries out things that are excellent, and is superior to all false witness, refuting and overturning the false testimonies and accusations.

3. I dare, therefore, to say that the defense which you ask us to make weakens the defense that lies in the facts, and the power of Jesus, which is manifest to those who are not insensible. Nevertheless, so that we may not seem to shrink from what you have commanded, we have attempted to dictate, according to our present capacity, against each of the