a heap of mud. And who knows what more they have among themselves of which we know nothing!
[Luther now shows in elaborate, scientific discussions about the Messiah and Bab-Kochab, his thorough knowledge of the Jewish character, the writings and hopes of Juda and finally arrives at the so-called “captivity” among the Christians.]
Now behold what a nice, thick, fat lie it is when they complain about being captives among us. Jerusalem was destroyed more than 1400 years ago and during that time we Christians have been tortured and persecuted by the Jews in all the world. For nearly 300 years (as stated above) we might well complain that during that time they captured and killed the Christians, which is the clear truth. On top of that, we do not know to this day which Devil brought them into our country. We did not fetch them from Jerusalem!
On top of all that, no one is holding them now. Land and highways are open to them; they may move to their country whenever they care to do so! We would like to add a present in order to get rid of them. They are a heavy burden to us in our country, like a plague, pestilence, and nothing but misfortune.
—36—
