Jesus' Tour of the Mediterranean World 

While in Jerusalem for Passover in the spring of 22 CE, Jesus met a wealthy traveler named Gonod and his son Ganid who was seventeen years of age. They were from India and on their way to Rome and other Mediterranean destinations but were hoping to find someone who could serve as an interpreter for both and a tutor for the son. The father insisted that Jesus accompany them on their journey. Jesus told him about his family and how it was unjust to leave them for nearly two years, during which time they might be in need. As a result, Gonod proposed to Jesus that he advance him a year's wages so that he could entrust such funds to his friends to protect his family from poverty. And Jesus agreed to go on the journey.

Jesus gave John Zebedee the funds provided by Gonod and trusted him with the knowledge of this Mediterranean journey. But he told him not to tell anyone, not even his own family, and John never did tell anyone where Jesus was during this almost two-year journey.

From Jerusalem, they went to Caesarea by way of Joppa. At Caesarea, they took a boat for Alexandria. From Alexandria, they sailed for Lasea in Crete. From Crete, they sailed for Carthage, touching at Cyrene. At Carthage, they took a boat for Naples, stopping at Malta, Syracuse, and Messina. From Naples, they went to Capua, where they traveled by the Appian Way to Rome.

After their stay in Rome, they went overland to Tarentum, where they set sail for Athens in Greece, stopping at Nicopolis and Corinth. From Athens, they went to Ephesus by way of Troas. From Ephesus, they sailed for Cyprus, putting in at Rhodes on the way. They spent considerable time visiting and resting on Cyprus and then sailed for Antioch in Syria. From Antioch, they journeyed south to Sidon and then went over to Damascus. They traveled by caravan to Mesopotamia, passing through Thapsacus and Larissa. They spent some time in Babylon, visited Ur, and then went to Susa. From Susa, they journeyed to Charax, from which Gonod and Ganid left for India.

It was while working four months at Damascus that Jesus picked up the rudiments of the language spoken by Gonod and Ganid. While there, he had labored much of the time on translations from Greek into one of the languages of India, being assisted by a native of Gonod’s home district.

On this Mediterranean tour, Jesus spent about half of each day teaching Ganid and acting as interpreter during Gonod’s business conferences and social contacts. The remainder of each day, which was at his disposal, he devoted to making close personal contacts.

As Jesus traveled, he continuously searched for those seeking truth and knowledge, and he took every opportunity to get to know the needs, desires, frustrations, and joys of discovery of his human family. He was able to have a heart-to-heart conversation with almost everyone he met. Even though he was very intelligent, he was able to converse with each person on their level. His gentle sense of humor dissolved any hesitations his fellow humans may have had about him, and his compassion (without pity) helped them feel safe, even in vulnerability. He made those in his presence feel like they were the most important person in the world at that moment. And he always left people feeling cheered and better about themselves. No doubt, even long after they parted ways, those he interacted with carried a memory of his love, and of being worthy of love.

Some of the personal conversations Jesus had included the following:

• A conversation with Gadiah about Jonah and the whale.
• Discussion about a difficult boss with Anaxand in Caesarea.
• Jesus counsels the Chinese merchant and others.

The three enjoyed a most pleasant passage to Alexandria. Ganid was delighted with the voyage and kept Jesus busy answering questions. As they approached the city’s harbor, the young man was thrilled by the great lighthouse of Pharos.

At the Library of Alexandria, under Jesus’ direction, Ganid made a collection of the teachings of all those religions of the world that recognized a Universal Deity and attended many lectures by learned professors.

Among the many men with whom Gonod transacted business was a certain Jewish banker, Alexander, whose brother, Philo, was a famous religious philosopher of that time. Philo was engaged in the laudable but exceedingly difficult task of harmonizing Greek philosophy and Hebrew theology. Ganid and Jesus talked much about Philo’s teachings and expected to attend some of his lectures, but throughout their stay at Alexandria, Philo was sick and in bed.

Among the many interactions Jesus had in Alexandria, the following are highlighted:

• A heart-to-heart talk with Ganid about Plato’s doctrines and the nature of reality.
• A memorable pep talk with a young man who was afraid.
• A discourse on time and space at Carthage.

On their journey to Naples and during their stay in Rome, Jesus personally came into affectionate and uplifting contact with upward of five hundred mortals of the realm.

Among the interactions Jesus had were the following:

• A discussion with Angamon, the leader of the Stoics, on true values.
• A conversation with Mardus, leader of the Cynics, on good and evil.
• A discussion with Nabon, a Greek Jew, about truth and faith.
• Counseling a rich man about wealth.

Jesus met with and taught many spiritual men in Rome, who later became great leaders in teaching Jesus’s message, but they never knew that the tutor they met was the same Jesus they taught about so passionately.

Jesus enjoyed many intimate talks with a large number of hungry souls, including the following notable interactions:

• In the mountains of Switzerland, Jesus had an all-day talk with both father and son about Buddhism.
• He dealt with a man who was mistreating his wife.
• Jesus educates Ganid on forgiveness and assists in creating a better life for two courtesans.

In Corinth, they had close converse with a great number of persons who greatly profited by the instruction received from Jesus, including a miller, a Roman centurion, a leader of the Mithraic cult, an Epicurean teacher, a Greek contractor and builder, a Roman judge, the mistress of an inn, a Chinese merchant, a traveler from Britain, a runaway lad, a condemned criminal, and held many conversations with Crispus, the chief ruler of a synagogue.

At Athens, Jesus gave a discourse on science; at Ephesus, he gave a discourse on the soul; and at Cyprus, he gave a discourse on the mind.

After preparing their luggage for the camel caravan, Jesus, Gonid, and Ganid passed down to Sidon and then over to Damascus. And after three days, they made ready for the long trek across the desert sands to Ur.

The day of the separation had finally arrived. It was a difficult ordeal, but they were all brave, especially the young man, despite having teary eyes. In bidding his teacher farewell, Ganid said:

“Farewell, Teacher, but not forever. When I come again to Damascus, I will look for you. I love you, for I think the Father in heaven must be something like you; at least I know you are much like what you have told me about him. I will remember your teaching, but most of all, I will never forget you.” Said the father, “Farewell to a great teacher, one who has made us better and helped us to know God.” And Jesus replied, “Peace be upon you, and may the blessing of the Father in heaven ever abide with you.”