As the guests assemble, many seem to be preoccupied with some topic of absorbing interest. A suppressed excitement pervades the company. Little groups converse together in eager but quiet tones, and wondering glances are turned upon the Son of Mary. As Mary had heard the disciples' testimony in regard to Jesus, she had been gladdened with the assurance that her long-cherished hopes were not in vain. Yet she would have been more than human if there had not mingled with this holy joy a trace of the fond mother's natural pride. As she saw the many glances bent upon Jesus, she longed to have Him prove to the company that He was really the Honored of God. She hoped there might be opportunity for Him to work a miracle before them.

Efterhånden som gæsterne samles, ser det ud, som om mange af dem beskæftiger sig med et overvældende interessant emne. Selskabet er besjælet af en svag ophidselse. I små grupper taler de sammen, ivrigt men stilfærdigt, og der sendes undrende blikke til Marias søn. Da Maria havde hørt disciplenes vidnesbyrd om Jesus, var hun blevet lykkelig over forvisningen om, at hendes længe nærede håb ikke havde været forgæves. Dog ville hun have været mere end menneskelig, hvis denne hellige glæde ikke havde været blandet med den kærlige moders naturlige stolthed. Da hun så de mange blikke rettede mod Jesus, længtes hun efter at få ham til over for selskabet at give bevis for, at han var den af Gud udvalgte. Hun håbede, at der skulle vise sig en anledning for ham til at gøre et under for dem.