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Cartaphilus (or, Cartophyllus)

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Cartaphilus (or, Cartophyllus)

in Christian legend, was a Roman soldier who was doorkeeper at the entrance to the palace of Pilate at the time of our Lord's crucifixion. When Jesus was led out thence, and went too slow for Cartaphilus, the latter struck him with his hand, and mockingly said, "Faster, Jesus, faster; why tarriest thou?" But Jesus pitifully looked at him, and said, "I go, but thou shalt tarry until I come again!" In fulfillment of the Savior's prophecy, Cartaphilus still waits in tears and anxiety for the judgment, and only the Savior's own merciful prayer sustains him: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." This is the basis, of the fable about the Wandering Jew (q.v.). See Meth. Quar. Rev. July, 1882.