As a student, Erin Linton, pointed out to me, Herod and Pilate are typical pagan enemies: Their enmity is skin deep, and liable to change to alliance and friendship when it is to their advantage. When faced with a scapegoat, the mimetic rivals become friends. (Just so, the windy plains of Troy are spotted with small reunions: Greek and Trojan fight without resolution, and decide to exchange gifts and become friends.) Meanwhile, the Jews’ implacable hatred for Jesus and Jesus’ enmity with Satan move toward the cross. Christian enmity is far deeper and more permanent than the enmity of classical antiquity.
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