I’ve been reading an early medieval poem called “The Heliand”, an epic poem on the life of Christ. It was written in Old Saxon language for the peoples of northern Germany in the early 800s, probably commissioned by one of the sons of Emperor Charlemagne. It moves through the life of Christ, drawing from all the Gospels while not covering everything. It is paraphrased to re-tell the story in a way that helped these early-medieval pre-Christian Germans, although it is amusing to read of the twelve disciples as Jesus’ “thanes”!

Here is a section corresponding to Luke 18:31-33…

“The he hight them, his disciples,

His followers twelve come closer:

They were the truest of men

On this earth to him

And the Mighty One did explain

Unto them one more time

What troubles there were

Standing before them.

“No doubt can there be,” quoth he.

Quoth they should go to Jerusalem

To the folk of the Jews.

“There shall all things be accomplished

Amid the people

And be brought to pass

Even as in earlier times

Wise men did speak

With their words about Me.

Among the strong folk

There they shall sell Me,

The men to the host.

Then shall my hands be held bound

My arms and fingers be fettered;

Full much I shall suffer,

Scorn shall I hear,

And hurtful speech,

Mockery much

And many a threat.

They will torture Me wounded

With the edge of their weapons,

Rob me of life

But through the might

And the strength of the Lord,

I shall arise again on the third day

From death to this light.”

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You can read about the Heliand on Wikipedia HERE.

You can read the Heliand online on Archive.org HERE (needs a simple account login).

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