impose the capitation-tax_ [on unbelievers].—_Also, that he will remain, according to one tradition, seven years; according to another, forty years; and die, and be prayed over: but it is probable that_ [by the latter period] _is meant the whole time of his tarrying upon the earth, before the ascension and after_. (iii. 43—47.) _Remember_ when the apostle said, O Jesus, son of Mary, is thy Lord able to cause a table to descend unto us from heaven?[337] He replied, Fear God, _in demanding signs_, if ye be believers. They said, We desire that we may eat therefrom, and that our hearts may be at ease _in consequence of additional evidence_, and we may know, _with increased knowledge_, that thou hast spoken truth unto us _in asserting thyself to be a prophet_, and may be witnesses thereof.—Jesus the son of Mary said, O God, our Lord, cause a table to descend unto us from heaven, that it (_namely the day of its descent_) may be unto us a festival,[338] unto the first of us and the last of us (_or those who shall come after us_), and a sign from Thee _of Thy power, and of my prophetic office_; and provide us with food _thereby_; for Thou art the best of providers.—God said, _in reply to him_, Verily I will cause it to descend unto you; but whosoever of you shall disbelieve after _its descent_, I will surely punish him with a punishment wherewith I will not punish any [other] of the peoples.—_And the angels descended with it from heaven: upon it were seven cakes of bread and seven fishes; and they ate of them until they were satisfied. And in a tradition related by Ibn-´Abbás it is said that the table brought down from heaven bread and flesh, and they were commanded not to act deceitfully, nor to store up for the morrow; but they_ [that is, some of the people] _did so, and were transformed into apes and swine_. (v. 112-115.)