- Jairus: Master, come with us. Sit by our fire.
- Cleopas: There are many things we don't understand.
- Jesus: [distracted] I will come and talk to you Cleopas. I... I promise... Jairus... very soon and we... we will talk about many things.
- [walks toward the Garden of Olives]
- Tamar: Where are you going?
- Jesus: You can't come with me now.
- [kneels before her]
- Jesus: But one day you will.
- Tamar: [sad] I don't *want* you to go.
- Jesus: Shh, shh don't be upset. Don't be afraid. In my Father's house there are so many rooms,
- [smiles]
- Jesus: *so* many.
- [he embraces Tamar]
- Jesus: I'm going to find a wonderful place for you. One day, you will always be with me.
- Jesus: Father. Father. Father. Let there... let there be some other way. Let there be... let there be some other way.
- [a cup of thorns appears]
- Jesus: No! Take this cup away! Take it away! Take it away! Father! Father, dear father, listen to me, listen. If there is another way, another way, a way out!
- Lucifer: Go! Run, there's still time. Run, run for it! Come on, run.
- Jesus: No. No! Not my will! It's not my will it's your will, your will father, your will be done! Father... your will be done.
- Pontius Pilate: There are Jews from all over the Empire gathering here along the whole of Judea and the disgusting pilgrims from the North. They're the worst, the Galileans. Oh, but I hear you've already put down a little revolt up there.
- Tribune: One hundred and seventeen crucified sir.
- Pontius Pilate: And the ringleader?
- Tribune: Barabbas and the others? We thought...
- Pontius Pilate: Ah ah. Public execution of rebels on the day of freedom? Very good tribune.
- Tribune: [salutes] Hail Caesar, son of the Gods.
- Pontius Pilate: Hail Caesar... but don't let them hear you talk of 'The Gods'.
- Andrew: [to the disciples gathered around a fire] I was the first to follow him. If anyone's gonna be in charge, it's gonna be me.
- Judas Iscariot: Could you lead an army? Would man follow you to glory?
- Andrew: I was the *first*.
- [Jesus approaches carrying firewood]
- James the Disciple: Go on, ask him Judas.
- Judas Iscariot: Master, um...
- [hesitates]
- James the Disciple: [interrupts] We've been waiting for you to come, and tell us who will be the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven!
- Jesus: [laughs] All right. All right, I'll tell you.
- [walks toward a little girl, lifts her off a donkey]
- Jesus: Unless you change utterly and become like little children, you will never even enter the kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this little child, he will be the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.
- Jairus: We were walking the way to Emmaus.
- Cleopas: To my cousin's house. The women and children had gone ahead.
- Jairus: We agreed to meet at Emmaus, hide there for a few days and travel back.
- Cleopas: When this man came up to us...
- Jesus: Hello! Do you mind if I join you?
- Cleopas: [surprised] No... um... no.
- [beat]
- Jesus: [breaking the silence] It um... sounded like an interesting conversation.
- Cleopas: Some things are too terrible to explain.
- Jesus: Oh? What things?
- Jairus: What things? The terrible death of Jesus from Galilee.
- Jesus: Tell me about it.
- Cleopas: Tell you? Where have you been?
- Jairus: We believed he was a great... prophet.
- [shakes head]
- Jairus: More than that.
- Cleopas: That he was the chosen one who would... save Israel.
- Jesus: Oh the Messiah!
- Jairus: But how could the Messiah die the death of a common criminal?
- Jesus: [chuckles] Oh foolish men. You're so learned. You talk of prophets, have you never read the prophets? You talk of the Messiah - don't you understand that he *had* to die? Don't you understand the scriptures at all?
- Mary of Nazareth: What did you say?
- Jesus: Well, I said I had other work.
- Mary of Nazareth: Your Father's work?
- Jesus: Yes
- Mary of Nazareth: You said that once... so long ago.
- Jesus: But you remember?
- Mary of Nazareth: I remember everything, all the way down to Jerusalem for the Passover, and then the crowds...
- [remembering]
- Mary of Nazareth: Nowhere... nowhere we couldn't find you. We searched Jerusalem night and day.
- Sadduccee: [teaching in the temple] We must be strong in every way.
- Young Jesus: What you say is true. And it is written, "out of the strong came forth sweetness," there is sweetness in God's law. And in His love, there is strength.
- Mary of Nazareth: [sees Jesus] Oh my son! Why have you done this to us? We've been so worried!
- Joseph of Nazareth: [to the Sadducees] Running away.
- Young Jesus: Why were you looking for me? Didn't know know where I'd be? I have to be about my Father's business.
- Mary of Nazareth: [remembering] After that, I lay awake. I lay awake for so many nights.
- [beat]
- Mary of Nazareth: When are you going?
- Jesus: At first light.
- Mary of Nazareth: So soon?
- Jesus: Push the boat further out.
- Simon Peter: Out?
- Jesus: Into the deep.
- Simon Peter: Why? What for?
- Jesus: [smiling] Let your nets down for a catch of course.
- Simon Peter: [rolls eyes] No one catches fish during the day. They hide from the sunlight, right down in the depths.
- [sees Jesus' expression doesn't change]
- Simon Peter: But if you insist, I'll let them down.
- [to Andrew, grumbling]
- Simon Peter: Right in the middle of the day.
- [casts nets, sits]
- Simon Peter: We could be here for hours.
- Mary Magdalene: [running through the streets] I see you! Hahaha!
- [thinks buildings are closing in on her]
- Mary Magdalene: Agh!
- [runs to a hill, cackling]
- Jesus: Mary! Mary!
- Mary Magdalene: We know who you are! Jesus! Son of the most high... God!
- [screams]
- Jesus: Come out of her! Let her go!
- Mary Magdalene: [sees empty tomb]
- [whispers]
- Mary Magdalene: They've taken the body. Oh!
- [weeps]
- Mary Magdalene: Oh my Lord! My Lord!
- Jesus: [appears behind her] Why are you crying?
- Mary Magdalene: [sobbing] They... they've taken my Lord away! And I don't know where they have put him!
- Jesus: [sits behind her] Tell me who you're looking for.
- Mary Magdalene: Oh sir, if you're the gardner, please tell me where they've taken him.
- Jesus: *Mary*
- Mary Magdalene: [turns around]
- [incredulous]
- Mary Magdalene: Lord?
- Jesus: It's all right.
- [Mary embraces him]
- Jesus: You don't have to hold on to me now. Go! Tell everyone! Tell Peter!
- Jesus: [to the paralyzed man] My friend, your sins are forgiven you.
- Matthew: [to himself] Sins... forgiven?
- Ben Azra: [thinking] Who can forgive sins but God?
- Jesus: [looking at Ben Azra] Let me ask you a question. Which is easier to say? "Your sins are forgiven you" or "Get up and walk?" But to prove the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins
- [turns to paralyzed man]
- Jesus: I command you, take up your mat and walk.
- Barabbas: What can one man do against the might of Caesar?
- Judas Iscariot: What do they fear, hmm? What do Kings and Emperors fear? They fear the people. When they rise like one man, when they follow one man!
- Herod: You say this Jesus can perform the impossible?
- Ben Azra: Oh he can perform powerful illusions Majesty.
- Herod: Powerful illusions. Well isn't all human power an illusion?
- Phineas: Not the Kingship granted to Herod.
- Herod: You really are encouraging to a vulnerable soul. Oh, if only Caesar was as sympathetic as you. But if I fail to govern my people, what will happen to us if Pilate sends reports back to Rome? And if this Jesus goes on and on performing such extraordinary tricks? Hmm? Where will it end?
- Herod: Oh what a pleasure. What an honour to be in the presence of the King. The King of the Jews! Look, I bow, I kiss your feet. Robes! The finest. A crown.
- [he presents the crown of thorns]
- Herod: Send his majesty back to Pilate! Let Rome decide the fate of this dumb prophet. This marvellous mute King of Jews.
- John the Baptist: This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. I should be coming to be baptised by you.
- Jesus: Judas... go and do what you have to do.
- Judas Iscariot: Master?
- Jesus: Do it now. Do it quickly.
- Rachel: We must take her to him.
- Jairus: What?
- Rachel: We must take her to Jesus.
- Jairus: Rachel...
- [Cleopas arrives]
- Rachel: Oh Cleopas... you must tell him.
- Cleopas: How is she?
- Rachel: She's dying.
- Jairus: No! She is not dying Rachel!
- Rachel: Oh Jairus! Are you that afraid of them? They have such a hold over your life!
- Jairus: God is my life! Not man... not any man!
- Cleopas: I think we should listen to this Jesus.
- Jairus: What?
- Cleopas: No one ever lost their soul by listening to a liar. Only by believing him and following him. And if he speaks the truth...
- Simon the Pharisee: The truth?
- Cleopas: We have nothing to fear from the truth, do we?
- Simon the Pharisee: No, no. We must question Jesus, see how he defends himself.
- Rachel: Yes! We must listen.
- Simon the Pharisee: Why should the people think their leaders do not listen? I will invite Jesus and his band of followers to my home, and we'll see whether he really is God's prophet.
- Pontius Pilate: Who is he, and what has he done?
- Ben Azra: Jesus, from Galilee.
- Pontius Pilate: Jesus? Oh, is this the man?
- Annas: He opposes paying taxes to Caesar!
- Pontius Pilate: In other words he shares your opinion. And?
- Judas Iscariot: Listen! I've made a mistake!
- Ben Azra: What's that to me?
- Judas Iscariot: No... I've betrayed an innocent man! I've betrayed a good man!
- Pontius Pilate: Who are you? Where do really come from? Don't you realise I have the power to release you or to crucify you?
- Jesus: You would have no power over me if hadn't been given to you from above.
- Pontius Pilate: From above? Who are you?
- Pontius Pilate: Don't you want your King?
- Caiaphas: The only King we want is Caesar, and if you do nothing about this, then you are no friend of Caesar.
- Pontius Pilate: ...I'm washing my hands of this... of all of you.
- [sighs]
- Pontius Pilate: Deal with their King according to Roman law.
- Lazarus: I don't understand. Joseph died and left you a set of tools, a workshop and contacts in the big city!
- Jesus: Lazarus I have new work to do.
- Mary: Is that what you mean by the kingdom?
- Reuben: Yes! The kingdom of God! I mean, last time you came you were just fixing the door.
- Jesus: Well is the door still opening smoothly?
- [all laugh]
- Thomas: Unless I see him, right here before me, *right* here! And unless I see the mark of the nails and put my finger into those wounds
- [Jesus appears behind Thomas]
- Thomas: I will not believe!
- Jesus: Thomas.
- Thomas: What?
- Jesus: Thomas.
- Thomas: I've got nothing to say on this matter to anyone!
- [turns around]
- Thomas: Any... any...
- [falls to his knees]
- Thomas: [softly] Anyone at all.
- Jesus: Go on
- [draws back sleeve]
- Jesus: put your finger here. Touch the marks. Don't be a doubter anymore. Believe.
- Thomas: [softly] My Lord... and my God.
- Jesus: [lifts Thomas to his feet] Yes, you believe because you've seen me Thomas. But even happier are those who believe without ever seeing me at all.
- Simon Peter: The Lord! I... he was... I thought they'd taken the body!
- James the Disciple: Who?
- Simon Peter: Priests! Romans! But... but he was there! In front of my eyes! In front of me! *This* near! Like...
- Thomas: [irritated] I cannot believe what I'm hearing.
- [walks toward door]
- Simon Peter: Thomas! I saw him!
- Thomas: You're all crazy, all of you. Dreams, visions, everyone's going mad.
- [goes to open the door]
- Thomas: I'm leaving.
- Cleopas: [burst through door, knocking Thomas to the floor] THE LORD!
- Thomas: Ow!
- Jairus: [breathless] We... we have...
- Cleopas: [excited] We've seen him!
- Barabbas: We all want the same thing. We believe in the same God! We fight *together* because we believe!
- Judas Iscariot: *I* believe!
- Barabbas: In what Judas?
- [beat]
- Barabbas: Should we throw in our lot for some unknown rabbi from Nazareth?
- Judas Iscariot: They say he has... he has... powers from God.
- Barabbas: Powers? What powers can one man have
- [draws sword]
- Barabbas: against the *might* of Caesar?
- Judas Iscariot: What do they fear?
- [grasps Barabbas' shoulders]
- Judas Iscariot: What do kings and emperors fear? They fear the people! When they rise up for one man, when they follow *one* man!
- [leaves to listen to Jesus]
- Barabbas: Dream of your messiah Judas, dream.
- Joram: [chuckles] Dream of your house with hot baths!
- Barabbas: We'll strike the Romans first and let that be God's sign to the people. He will bless our land with freedom -
- [sees Judas listening to Jesus preach]
- Barabbas: NO!
- Judas Iscariot: [motioning to Jesus] The people love him!
- Jesus: The Son of Man will suffer many things. He will be arrested. He will be killed.
- Simon Peter: No Lord, that will never happen to you! Never!
- Judas Iscariot: [to himself] The messiah... killed? Defeated by the Romans? No!
- [thinking to himself]
- Judas Iscariot: A false messiah... defeated... we'll all... we will all die!
- Simon Peter: [sees Jesus approach him] Leave me. Lord leave me.
- [voice breaking]
- Simon Peter: I am such a sinful man!
- Jesus: [gently] Don't be afraid Simon.
- [places his hands on Simon's shoulders]
- Jesus: From today, I'm going to make you a fisher of men.
- Jesus: Simon, I will call you "Peter," for the rock.
- Simon Peter: Rock?
- Jesus: Yes, I'm going to build
- [places his hand on Simon Peter's chest]
- Jesus: on *this* rock.
- Tamar: Why are we meeting in secret?
- Mary Magdalene: Because Jesus is safer here.
- Cleopas: No one would arrest him at Passover.
- Tamar: [surprised] Arrest him?
- Jesus: [raises bread] Blessed are you oh Lord our God, who brings forth bread from the earth.
- [breaks bread and passes it]
- Jesus: Take this and eat. This is... my body. Which is broken for you.
- Thomas: Your body?
- Jesus: Do this in memory of me.
- [lifts cup]
- Jesus: Drink from this all of you, for this is my blood. My blood which is poured out for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
- [as the cup is passed]
- Jesus: This is the last time I shall drink wine with you.
- Simon Peter: Master.
- Jesus: Until I drink the new wine with you, in the kingdom of my Father, in heaven.
- Simon Peter: In heaven?
- [frightened]
- Simon Peter: No. No!
- Jesus: Simon, Satan wants to grind you into powder and scatter you to the wind! But I have prayed for you.
- Simon Peter: Master, you know me. I won't leave you.
- Matthew: Look, we have to keep records. It's the law.
- Simon Peter: Is it the law to cheat? And steal? And line your own pockets? Is that the law? Traitor?
- Mary Magdalene: [rambling] Hands off me! I'll give you murderers! Your money.
- [tosses money at tax collectors]
- Mary Magdalene: Your money!
- Tax Collector: Leave this one. She's the mad woman from Magdala.
- Matthew: [wearily] How much does she owe?
- Simon Peter: Nothing! And nor do we! We caught nothing, no catch, no money. We're not paying taxes for thin air!
- Mary Magdalene: [muttering] I told the emperor. I told the emperor about you.
- Mary Magdalene: [rambling] Thieves! You think I don't see you? The emperor, he told me... I know! Oh!
- [looks towards workers]
- Mary Magdalene: Oh lovely.
- Carpenter: [mockingly] Lovely!
- [they laugh]
- Foreman: Back to work!
- Mary Magdalene: [smiling at Foreman] You like nice things?
- Foreman: Get out!
- [shoves Mary to the ground]
- Foreman: Out!
- Mary Magdalene: [screams] Agh!
- [Foreman goes to strike her with a scourge, is blocked by Jesus]
- Tamar: [points to Jesus] Father.
- Mary Magdalene: [whimpering] Mmm...
- [Jesus kneels in front of Mary, but she runs away]
- Jairus: [dismissive] This is how it is in Sepphoris, an unholy place for the synagogue!
- Tamar: Father!
- Tamar: [gasping for air] Father?
- Jairus: [taking her in his arms] Yes, I'm here.
- Tamar: Am I going to die?
- Jairus: No.
- [holds her close]
- Jairus: *No.*
- Rachel: She keeps saying his name. Jesus.
- Tamar: Yes. Take me to Jesus.
- Pharisee: [in Jairus' memory] Anyone who follows Jesus is an enemy of God!
- Jairus: No.
- [Tamar and Rachel weep]
- Jairus: No. No I will not listen to them. I will go. I will go to Jesus.
- Rachel: You will?
- Jairus: Yes.
- [points to Tamar]
- Jairus: And you will be healed by his power.
- [Tamar smiles]
- Jairus: By the power of God!
- Jairus: Master!
- [falling at Jesus' feet]
- Jairus: Master! Master my little girl...
- [Jesus raises Jairus to his feet]
- Jairus: she's dying. Please if you could come to my house and lay your hands on her, she will be healed.
- Jesus: [places his hands on Jairus' shoulders] Yes. I will, I will come.
- Jairus: Oh thank you!
- Herod: Yes. The death of John was... unfortunate.
- Ben Azra: But necessary my lord Herod! A warning to the people!
- Herod: To warn them of what?
- Ben Azra: Disobeying their rulers. Destroying *your* kingdom.
- Herod: You do have a talent for easing my conscience. And yet one dead prophet is clearly not enough for you.
- Ben Azra: There have been reports, rumors. If this madness continues...
- Simon the Pharisee: You think this Jesus from Nazareth is mad?
- Ben Azra: Well he's more dangerous than John, and we had to deal with him.
- [beat]
- Simon the Pharisee: What will happen to John now?
- Ben Azra: Simon, you have all this. Your home, your servants, influence. Do you want all you've worked for in your life lost in an uprising against Rome? Do you want to be lynched by crowds shouting about the kingdom of heaven on earth? I must prepare a report on this Jesus and take it back to Jerusalem.
- Joseph of Arimathea: What must a man do to be saved?
- Jesus: Well, you must trust the Lord your God will all your heart. And...
- Joseph of Arimathea: And?
- Jesus: And you must love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.
- Joseph of Arimathea: And who is my neighbor?