concern of Jesus' life in Saramago's book. Again taking Matthews story and novelizing it we read of Joseph over hearing Herod's guards speaking of the massacre that is bound to take place, as opposed to hearing from an angel, Joseph runs to save his son Jesus who would be massacred along with all the other babies as Herod ordered. Just as important to Saramago's story is the fact that Joseph, in his haste, he forgot to warn the others in Bethlehem securing their fate and forever damning Joseph and his son later on to the realization and repercussions that he was responsible for the death of all 27 deaths. (Saramago, 103) This thought will haunt both father and son in nightmare for some time, ultimately leading to Jesus first trip away from home.
             After Herod's death it is agreed between both gospels (Matthew and Saramago's) that the new family returns to Nazareth. A point is made in Saramago's book that is Endo seems to take issue with. This being after the return to Nazareth as the story goes Mary has another child. Endo says that we are unsure as to if Jesus actual had blood brothers despite what it says in Matthew and Mark. It is argued (primarily by the Catholics) that the Hebrew words for brother and sister not only include those that are of the same mother and father but cousins as well. But as Endo points out Jesus lived in the company of close relatives and quite possible constituted one close extended family. (Endo, 10) This being the case Saramago take the stand that these brothers and sisters are so by blood, using these relationship to develop the characters.
             Endo make the comment that "The Gospels say nothing concerning the death of [Jesus'] foster-father but oral tradition holds that Joseph died when Jesus himself was nineteen years of age." (10) This being the case the story Saramago make, however close to oral tradition it may be, begins a connection between Jesus...