midnight
He lives yet , and is hourly seen and spoken to . You may go see him to-morrow . And now , as nothing more is needed for the purpose , I ask you that which I came to ask , it being but a repetition of what you asked me , O Simonides , What more than a man is this Nazarene ? '' The question was put solemnly , and long after midnight the company sat and debated it ; Simonides being yet unwilling to give up his understanding of the sayings of the prophets , and Ben-Hur contending that the elder disputants were both right -- that the Nazarene was the Redeemer , as claimed by Balthasar , and also the destined king the merchant would have . `` To-morrow we will see . Peace to you all . '' So saying , Ben-Hur took his leave , intending to return to Bethany .