What do you think?
Rate this book
The Resurrection: A Criminal Investigation...
"Execute them all!" The Emperor Tiberius was angry. The news from Judea was ridiculous. What was that fool Pontius Pilate up to? What incredible nonsense in that last dispatch from Judea. The carpenter son of a virgin had risen from the dead after being crucified. Impossible. What fools would believe a fairy tale like that. The criminal was really innocent? What? Who would murder an innocent man? Was this an execution for state reasons or for private gain? How could Pontius Pilate allow such a mess to happen? Worse still, how could it now come to the attention of the Emperor? There must be a problem brewing. The followers of this risen criminal could be a threat to Pax Romana - the peace of Rome. Nonsense. He would send Tribune Quintus to find out what had taken place. His orders would be to investigate what happened, determine the best interests of Rome, and act accordingly. If need be, he could execute the whole lot, all the followers of the criminal, and even Pontius Pilate. "Send for Tribune Quintus" he roared to his aide.
So starts The Resurrection: A Criminal Investigation into the Mysterious Disappearance of the Body of the Crucified Criminal Jesus of Nazareth. Tribune Quintus Gaius Caesar is the co-head of the Praetorian Guard in Rome, possibly the illegitimate son of the Emperor, and a proven leader in battle. Summoned to Capri, the Emperor's retreat from Rome, he is ordered to Judea. On the way, he stops in Tarsus to meet Saul the tentmaker, a bitter enemy of Jesus and his followers. In Judea, Tribune Quintus investigates all aspects of the trial, execution, and after-death appearances of Jesus, aided by scores of Roman soldiers and three Centurions. He interviews Pontius Pilate, the High priest Caiaphas, King Herod, Maryam the mother of Jesus, Lazarus who was purportedly raised from the dead by Jesus, the rumored lover of Jesus - Maryam Magdalene, Peter and the other eleven Apostles. Was it all a conspiracy, a fraud, using trickery and deceit; or was there something mysterious occurring? From Pontius Pilate he learns that Saul has done a complete reversal and has now become a follower of the executed Jesus. No matter; the best interests of Rome must be determined and followed. Nothing must stand in the way of Rome. The followers of this Jesus must be quashed - extinguished totally - if they could be any threat to Rome. Pontius Pilate was either a hero or a fool.
Quintus would find out, take action as he decided, and report back to an angry Emperor Tiberius.
This book replaces the episodic miracles, parables, and sayings of Jesus Christ with a narrative full of real-life exchanges between the familiar figures of Christianity and Judaism in the first century. If Jesus was innocent, why was he executed, and who engineered that murder? How can the strange behavior of Pontius Pilate be explained? Was Jesus a fraud, a trickster, or a true miracle maker? Was his body stolen from the tomb, or did he rise from the dead? Was Christianity founded on a big lie, or on reality? If real, how can it be explained? The findings of an exhaustive investigation must be placed before the Emperor. What will he decide? And what of Quintus after his report. The suspense-laden inquiry will keep the reader enthralled in this centuries-old mystery.
The Resurrection: A Criminal Investigation is the natural sequel to The Passion of the Christ.
So starts The Resurrection: A Criminal Investigation into the Mysterious Disappearance of the Body of the Crucified Criminal Jesus of Nazareth. Tribune Quintus Gaius Caesar is the co-head of the Praetorian Guard in Rome, possibly the illegitimate son of the Emperor, and a proven leader in battle. Summoned to Capri, the Emperor's retreat from Rome, he is ordered to Judea. On the way, he stops in Tarsus to meet Saul the tentmaker, a bitter enemy of Jesus and his followers. In Judea, Tribune Quintus investigates all aspects of the trial, execution, and after-death appearances of Jesus, aided by scores of Roman soldiers and three Centurions. He interviews Pontius Pilate, the High priest Caiaphas, King Herod, Maryam the mother of Jesus, Lazarus who was purportedly raised from the dead by Jesus, the rumored lover of Jesus - Maryam Magdalene, Peter and the other eleven Apostles. Was it all a conspiracy, a fraud, using trickery and deceit; or was there something mysterious occurring? From Pontius Pilate he learns that Saul has done a complete reversal and has now become a follower of the executed Jesus. No matter; the best interests of Rome must be determined and followed. Nothing must stand in the way of Rome. The followers of this Jesus must be quashed - extinguished totally - if they could be any threat to Rome. Pontius Pilate was either a hero or a fool.
Quintus would find out, take action as he decided, and report back to an angry Emperor Tiberius.
This book replaces the episodic miracles, parables, and sayings of Jesus Christ with a narrative full of real-life exchanges between the familiar figures of Christianity and Judaism in the first century. If Jesus was innocent, why was he executed, and who engineered that murder? How can the strange behavior of Pontius Pilate be explained? Was Jesus a fraud, a trickster, or a true miracle maker? Was his body stolen from the tomb, or did he rise from the dead? Was Christianity founded on a big lie, or on reality? If real, how can it be explained? The findings of an exhaustive investigation must be placed before the Emperor. What will he decide? And what of Quintus after his report. The suspense-laden inquiry will keep the reader enthralled in this centuries-old mystery.
The Resurrection: A Criminal Investigation is the natural sequel to The Passion of the Christ.
190 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Rocco Leonard Martino
11 books6 followersDr. Martino is an international authority on finance, planning, space flight and computer systems. Trained in astrophysics, this rocket scientist was one of the creators of the computer age. He has traveled the world and served many of the largest organizations and governments on the globe. He has written newspaper columns, novels, plays, and technical works. He has authored twenty works of non-fiction and one other novel. He uses his knowledge of the inner workings of government and business to punctuate his message.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 13, 2013
Believe it! For 99 cents, I was able to read, perhaps, one of the most important books I will ever read! Once I started, I couldn't stop until finished, less than a day! For me personally, it seemed to give me what I had been searching for all my life!
Where was the justice for Jesus?
Of course, most of us have read that his death was all part of a plan...But for those of us who ask Why? Who seek to solve the mystery of what happened...and Want Closure... Dr. Martino has provided it! If you do a search on Dr. Martino, you will discover that he is an international authority in his professional fields. Please conclude therefore, that the work is well done, presented in a logical format, and, in my mind, would represent a professional investigation report that would be suitable to present to your superior. Please note that there is nothing religious about this book...and should be read that way. That's why I considered it a thriller--a police procedural investigation novel that has one of the best cop characters I've ever read! Some readers may recognize some names who are called as witnesses...
Now let's look at the main characters. The superior in this case is Tiberius, Second Emperor of Rome. Tiberius was fuming as we open the book because he just received a communication from one of his subordinates, Pontius Pilate. What had he just done?!
Tribune Quintus, who at that time was defined as an individual who defended the rights of people (cop!) was chosen to investigate what had caused all the trouble in Jerusalem. He and over 100 individuals took sail immediately upon receiving orders.
Both of these individuals worshiped the Roman gods at that time, so, I felt that was important, don't you think? Neither of these officials had any vested interest in anything other than the actions of Pontius Pilate and King Herod, both of whom ruled some part of the lands owned by the Emperor. His mission was:
Find out what exactly happened to the body.
Determine the political and power situation in Judea. This would require exhaustive examination of the relationship of the Jews, the Jewish leaders, King Herod, and the followers of Jesus to each other and to Rome.
Uncover the reasons for the current unrest, and unearth all factors in the life of Jesus and the actions of his followers, both as real and potential threats to Pax Romana.
Interestingly, Quintus was instructed to stop to visit Saul, a Tentmaker on their way. This was the first individual to whom Quintus had talked other than the Emperor and while he recognized his education as a pharisee, he also saw that Saul was adamant that Jesus should have been killed. As an aside, Quintus was assisted by a secretary, a slave who took notes which was fun to consider since it is hard to imagine how somebody would be able to keep notes at that time.
Fortunately for Quintus, Pontius Pilate was in Damascus so Quintus had the opportunity to proceed in his absence without any type of interaction. He immediately sought out Lucius who was head of the Roman Garrison. Although there had been early notices of what was to happen, Lucius had not been told to prepare so they went over things, and Quintus then asked for a list of all those that had been involved in either the death or the burial of Jesus. Two centurions, Sutonius and Longinus were identified and soon became totally involved in the investigation. Another centurion had come with Quintus, so they are were quickly formed into teams that would be responsible for various duties.
Longinus had been first interviewed by Quintus. He had been at the site when Jesus died. He had been the one to pierce his side with a lance to see that water and blood flowed out, as it would in death... Longinus became a personal aid to Quintus as he grew to trust him more and more and planned on nominating him as a Tribune when he met with Tiberius.
The disappearance of the body was the most problematic to Quintus and his investigation. He studied the grave, interviewed all individuals who were still alive--the guards that were assigned there were all executed--and could not find how the body had been stolen, carried away, or, if the man had not been dead, role the stone back by himself and escape.
Subsequent interviews with Pontius Pilate and Caiphas were brilliantly done. King Herod's interview was not covered much--it was clear to Quintus, upon meeting him, that this man was evil and would do anything to protect himself...
In my opinion the importance of this book is that there was no mandate guidance from the Emperor. He knew the two men involved but he couldn't just oust them from their positions. Sending an officer, albeit a close friend of his, was exactly what was needed. In fact, that is what Lucius, head of the Garrison, said should have happened long ago. Since it was not led by either the Jewish or the local officials, the novel allows so much to be explored by the individual in charge of the investigation--one who had no background on what had happened, who the people were that were really involved, nor the charged criminal...
This is a must-read for anybody who would like to learn how the investigation of an individual should be conducted...before...they were crucified... Thank you Dr. Martino for satisfying my personal need for closure...and for justice to prevail, at least legally...
GABixlerReviews
Where was the justice for Jesus?
Of course, most of us have read that his death was all part of a plan...But for those of us who ask Why? Who seek to solve the mystery of what happened...and Want Closure... Dr. Martino has provided it! If you do a search on Dr. Martino, you will discover that he is an international authority in his professional fields. Please conclude therefore, that the work is well done, presented in a logical format, and, in my mind, would represent a professional investigation report that would be suitable to present to your superior. Please note that there is nothing religious about this book...and should be read that way. That's why I considered it a thriller--a police procedural investigation novel that has one of the best cop characters I've ever read! Some readers may recognize some names who are called as witnesses...
Now let's look at the main characters. The superior in this case is Tiberius, Second Emperor of Rome. Tiberius was fuming as we open the book because he just received a communication from one of his subordinates, Pontius Pilate. What had he just done?!
Tribune Quintus, who at that time was defined as an individual who defended the rights of people (cop!) was chosen to investigate what had caused all the trouble in Jerusalem. He and over 100 individuals took sail immediately upon receiving orders.
Both of these individuals worshiped the Roman gods at that time, so, I felt that was important, don't you think? Neither of these officials had any vested interest in anything other than the actions of Pontius Pilate and King Herod, both of whom ruled some part of the lands owned by the Emperor. His mission was:
Find out what exactly happened to the body.
Determine the political and power situation in Judea. This would require exhaustive examination of the relationship of the Jews, the Jewish leaders, King Herod, and the followers of Jesus to each other and to Rome.
Uncover the reasons for the current unrest, and unearth all factors in the life of Jesus and the actions of his followers, both as real and potential threats to Pax Romana.
Interestingly, Quintus was instructed to stop to visit Saul, a Tentmaker on their way. This was the first individual to whom Quintus had talked other than the Emperor and while he recognized his education as a pharisee, he also saw that Saul was adamant that Jesus should have been killed. As an aside, Quintus was assisted by a secretary, a slave who took notes which was fun to consider since it is hard to imagine how somebody would be able to keep notes at that time.
Fortunately for Quintus, Pontius Pilate was in Damascus so Quintus had the opportunity to proceed in his absence without any type of interaction. He immediately sought out Lucius who was head of the Roman Garrison. Although there had been early notices of what was to happen, Lucius had not been told to prepare so they went over things, and Quintus then asked for a list of all those that had been involved in either the death or the burial of Jesus. Two centurions, Sutonius and Longinus were identified and soon became totally involved in the investigation. Another centurion had come with Quintus, so they are were quickly formed into teams that would be responsible for various duties.
Longinus had been first interviewed by Quintus. He had been at the site when Jesus died. He had been the one to pierce his side with a lance to see that water and blood flowed out, as it would in death... Longinus became a personal aid to Quintus as he grew to trust him more and more and planned on nominating him as a Tribune when he met with Tiberius.
The disappearance of the body was the most problematic to Quintus and his investigation. He studied the grave, interviewed all individuals who were still alive--the guards that were assigned there were all executed--and could not find how the body had been stolen, carried away, or, if the man had not been dead, role the stone back by himself and escape.
Subsequent interviews with Pontius Pilate and Caiphas were brilliantly done. King Herod's interview was not covered much--it was clear to Quintus, upon meeting him, that this man was evil and would do anything to protect himself...
In my opinion the importance of this book is that there was no mandate guidance from the Emperor. He knew the two men involved but he couldn't just oust them from their positions. Sending an officer, albeit a close friend of his, was exactly what was needed. In fact, that is what Lucius, head of the Garrison, said should have happened long ago. Since it was not led by either the Jewish or the local officials, the novel allows so much to be explored by the individual in charge of the investigation--one who had no background on what had happened, who the people were that were really involved, nor the charged criminal...
This is a must-read for anybody who would like to learn how the investigation of an individual should be conducted...before...they were crucified... Thank you Dr. Martino for satisfying my personal need for closure...and for justice to prevail, at least legally...
GABixlerReviews
November 8, 2013
What a fantastic and unique read! I do not believe anyone has ever done a fiction style version of The Resurrection of Christ. The characters were deep and engaging. This book is a must read for the person practicing the Christian faith and those not as well. It is EXTREMELY historically accurate, but still so much to relate to. I really believe something like this may have happened, and Dr. Martino brings that to life!
November 15, 2016
A Forensic Examination of the Crucifixion
A beautifully written What If scenario. The bible and study certainly relates this story line as believable. What is written could actually have occurred one never knows.
A beautifully written What If scenario. The bible and study certainly relates this story line as believable. What is written could actually have occurred one never knows.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews