The Bronze Bow: Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

During the springtime barley harvest, Daniel grows impatient. He wants to fight the Romans, but Rosh keeps sending them into brief skirmishes that don’t seem meaningful to Daniel. He wishes he could talk to Joel. Finally he convinces Rosh to let him visit Capernaum. Rosh tells Daniel not to get his hopes up about Joel, whose grandfather was wealthy—Joel has much to lose. But he lets Daniel go.

Before dawn the next morning, Daniel leaves the mountain for the journey to Capernaum. He eventually travels down a slope toward the Sea of Galilee and enters the city. He wanders the bustling streets down to the harbor, feeling hungry and realizing Rosh hadn’t given him any money to buy food. A smiling young woman offers him a cooked fish, fresh from last night’s catch, and asks if he’s looking for the teacher. Curious, Daniel pushes down to the beach where Jesus is standing among the fishermen, joking with the crowd. Again, Daniel is struck by the man’s warmth and strength.

Jesus begins to teach the crowd. He compares the kingdom of heaven to a valuable pearl and a net bursting with fish. Daniel’s attention is interrupted by the appearance of two soldiers among the crowd. Neither Jesus nor the rest of the crowd seems to notice them, but Daniel spits and angrily walks away.

As Daniel wanders through Capernaum, he can’t escape the sight of Roman soldiers. Yet other Jews seem to take the soldiers’ presence in stride. Daniel can’t understand this. Do the Jews have no pride? Why doesn’t Jesus do something about it?

Finally, Daniel remembers his errand and searches for Rabbi Hezron’s house, on a steep hill above Capernaum’s harbor. Among wealthier houses, Daniel begins to doubt his welcome. When a servant lets him into the house, he is astonished by the sunny courtyard filled with trees, marble, and a splashing fountain. Soon, he’s greeted by Malthace, who seems dismayed by his appearance. But Joel welcomes him exuberantly. When Daniel starts to take off his cloak, Joel notices the battered garment underneath and tells him to leave it on.

As Daniel cleans up, he updates Joel on happenings in Rosh’s camp. Then they join Hezron for dinner. Daniel awkwardly imitates Joel in reclining on the Roman-style couches. He feels out of place in the midst of the finery and formality, and when he gobbles down his food, he senses Hezron’s disdain. When Daniel mentions his father, Jamin, Hezron remembers Jamin as a rash man, though his fate was tragic. Throughout the conversation, Daniel feels angry and alienated.

When Hezron says that Capernaum’s Jews are indebted to the Romans for their synagogue, Daniel jumps up in anger, saying he would never enter a synagogue raised with Roman funds. Hezron scolds Daniel for speaking too freely and for insulting his hospitality. Daniel blushes and apologizes, but he tells Hezron that he can’t bear to see Jews living alongside Romans as if nothing is wrong. At this, Hezron softens and tells Daniel that though all Jews grieve the occupation, they must be patient. The Zealots may be brave, he thinks, but they lack judgment.

Hezron goes on to tell Daniel that Israel’s greatest strength is the Jewish Law. The Law will outlast Roman occupation, and it commands Jewish people’s highest loyalty. That’s why, Hezron says, he can’t let Joel associate with Daniel—he cannot let Joel be swayed toward violence. He dismisses Daniel from his house. Daniel storms out, but as soon as he does, he feels ashamed. He’s let Rosh down—and he’s also lost the first friend he ever made.