And not for the nation only, but also that he might unite in one body the Children of God now scattered far and wide.

Now those who had been scattered in different directions, in consequence of the persecution that followed upon the death of Stephen, went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, telling the Message--but only to Jews.

Then Jesus said to them: "Even you will all fall away from me to-night. Scripture says--'I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

"Listen! a time is coming--indeed it has already come--when you are to be scattered, each going his own way, and to leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

Jesus also said: "This is what the Kingdom of God is like-- like a man who has scattered seed on the ground,

For not long ago Theudas appeared, professing to be somebody, and was joined by a body of some four hundred men. But he was killed; and all his followers scattered and dwindled away.

Saul approved of his being put to death. On that very day a great persecution broke out against the Church which was in Jerusalem; and its members, with the exception of the Apostles, were all scattered over the districts of Judea and Samaria.

Now those who were scattered in different directions went from place to place proclaiming the Good News.

Presently Jesus said to them: "All of you will fall away; for Scripture says--'I will strike down the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'

So he made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the Temple Courts, and the sheep and bullocks as well; he scattered the money of the money-changers, and overturned their tables,

(As Scripture says--'He scattered broadcast, he gave to the poor; His righteousness continues for ever.'

Seeing that he had answered with discernment, Jesus said to him: "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." After that no one ventured to question him further.