MELEK: Anything for the poor cripple?
In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk.
God made Jesus Lord and Messiah.
Silence them now.
(GRUNTS) JOHN: Peter!
PETER: John, we may never leave here.
Pilate will visit the temple on Pentecost.
Boaz, this is the abomination the prophets talked about.
BOAZ: Then our time has come.
PILATE: Cornelius!
I hope your cause is worth dying for.
BOAZ: I hope yours is. (GRUNTS)
CORNELIUS: Marcus Drusus was found murdered.
We've arrested a group of men in the area.
Execute them.
Deliver the assassin to us.
Blessed be the name of his glorious kingdom forever and ever.
(GRUNTS) (COUGHS)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
A friend of yours killed a friend of mine.
Who is he?
Just finish it.
Others will pay the price for the things that you've done.
A single name from you could spare them.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
Isn't this what you wanted? Power?
How does it feel?
(LAUGHING)
(COUGHING)
Good. It feels good.
(COUGHS)
(GRUNTING)
CAIAPHAS: Governor, I must express our deep discomfort.
It is, of course, your right to pursue justice for a Roman death,
but the killing of three Jews at the temple is not...
Open it.
What is this?
The Roman officer who was murdered.
We are appalled that someone could do this at the temple.
The assassin came for me.
There will be no repeat offense.
And seeing as we do not have the assassin himself,
10 Jews will be punished in his place.
Punished?
Crucified. Today.
Governor, I'm...
Is there not some other form of reparation?
And tomorrow. And the day after that. Do you understand?
How many days?
Ten Jews will be crucified every day
until I have the man who tried to kill me.
(CLAMORING)
ROMAN SOLDIER 1: Come on, move it.
ROMAN SOLDIER 2: Come on, move!
They're just boys. Look at them. What have they done?
You're shielding a murderer.
Ten will die each day that he evades justice.
Take them.
(CLAMORING)
ANNAS: We should delay the trial of Jesus' followers
until Pilate's assassin has been caught.
No, Annas.
The temple has to be seen to be strong now.
We need a quick trial to end their disruption.
Leave the crippled beggar to me. I will deal with it.
What news of the assassin, Reuben?
I've been to everyone.
Reactionaries, agitators, smugglers, even bandits.
No one knows who did it.
Go again. Press harder.
(GROANING)
(HORN BLARING)
So, it's begun.
THOMAS: Do you repent your sins?
STEPHEN: I do.
THOMAS: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the son of God,
who died on the cross and rose on the third day?
STEPHEN: I do.
Then in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
I baptize you.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(CHUCKLES)
MAN: Lord bless you, brother.
MARY MAGDALENE: Go back to the city and wait for word from us.
We'll find you a place to stay before night falls.
MAYA: I'm going to Jerusalem, too.
What?
I need to know what's happening to my father.
Mary, why don't you go with her? We'll manage here.
STEPHEN: Peter's your father?
I've heard lots about him. I'm Stephen.
Maya.
STEPHEN: Can I join you?
(SIGHS)
(SIGHING HEAVILY)
(KEYS JINGLING)
Papa.
His name and where to find him.
It's all right. Don't cry.
Big girl.
Let her go.
Then I'll tell you.
(MAN SCREAMING)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(SCREAMING CONTINUES)
We're going to die today, John.
ROMAN SOLDIER: Cohort!
(PEOPLE TALKING INDISTINCTLY)
(MAN GRUNTS)
ROMAN SOLDIER 1: Sir.
(GRUNTS)
The assassin's name is Boaz. But he has fled.
You disappoint me, Cornelius. Continue as before.
You may go.
Boaz is a Jew.
You should give his name to Caiaphas.
He's better placed to find one of his own.
You suggest that I humble myself before Caiaphas?
Rome does not beg favors of its subjects, Claudia.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
LEAH: Melek?
Stand up.
How much did the Nazarenes pay you to pretend you were healed?
No one paid me anything.
This man Peter intends to destroy the temple.
Help us to prevent that.
(COINS CLINKING)
(GRUNTING)
ROMAN SOLDIER 1: Your problem now.
(GROANS)
ROMAN SOLDIER 2: This way.
ROMAN SOLDIER 3: Come on, move it.
(INDISTINCT MURMURING)
(CROWD MURMURING)
CAIAPHAS: Tell me, Peter.
Peter.
Your father named you Simon, did he not?
He did.
And yet "Peter". Who gave you this name?
Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
(CROWD MURMURING)
(WIND WHOOSHING)
Don't you honor your father, Peter?
I do.
But apparently less than you honor a man
put to death for blasphemy and sedition.
Peter is a nickname, a term of endearment.
It simply means, "My rock".
(WIND GUSTING)
(EXHALES)
CAIAPHAS: You see, a rock can be something to build with.
A new temple, for instance.
Or it can be a weapon.
A rock in a sling. The question is, which are you?
(WIND GUSTING)
Tell us, in whose name do you claim the cripple was healed?
Let it be known to all of you, and to all of the people of Israel,
that he was healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
whom you crucified! (CROWD CLAMORING)
Do you say the Nazarene himself healed him, not God?
I say, he was healed by God, in the name of Jesus Christ,
whom God resurrected from death!
You're liars!
(CLAMORING STOPS)
There was no healing, only deception.
We know that this...
This miracle was nothing more than theater
with actors playing roles
to falsely glorify their dead Nazarene!
MAN: It's true.
WOMAN: That is true.
(CROWD MURMURING)
MAN: Say something.
CAIAPHAS: You are the beggar known as Melek?
I am.
And you've begged at the temple since childhood,
presenting yourself as lame, yes?
Yes.
Yet today, in the sight of God,
we clearly see you're quite well.
Because he was never lame.
He'd simply found that appearing to be a sickly child
was a more effective lever into a stranger's purse, yes?
Truthfully, under the eyes of God,
do you admit these men conspired with you
to create the illusion of healing, a pretense,
which they claimed to be a miracle?
I am a poor man.
My whole life's been spent begging here.
And I'm beholden to this temple.
Under the eyes of God, I will tell the truth.
(CROWD MURMURING)
I was born lame.
I never walked a step in my life.
(MEN CLAMORING)
There was no trickery, no deception.
I praise God for this man, Peter,
and the one they call Jesus of Nazareth.
I praise God for healing me.
They're innocent. Just release them. Free them!
MAYA: Let them go! Please!
Free them!
So, the cripple was healed. Caiaphas, your hand is forced.
WOMAN: Free them! MAN: Let them go!
WOMAN: Free the men!
You are to be released.
(SIGHS)
But it is on the condition that you do not speak
or teach the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Break this condition, and you, in turn, will be broken.
PETER: You've judged us.
Now you must judge, if in God's eyes,
it's right that we obey you rather than Him.
Get out of my sight before I change my mind.
(PEOPLE CHEERING)
WOMAN: I prayed for you, Peter.
(APPLAUSE)
(PEOPLE SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)
PETER: Brother.
(SIGHS)
All these people. What happened?
You did. And they just keep coming.
PETER: Simon.
(CHUCKLES)
Were you prepared to die?
Yes. And if this is the result, I'm prepared to do it again.
WOMAN: Peter!
My friends, when I left here,
there was little more than a handful of us, hiding. (LAUGHS)
Timid. Waiting.
But now I return to find we are already beyond counting!
ALL: Yes!
(ALL CHEERING)
We have found each other in faith, and now we must honor that.
We must provide for each other as we draw strength from each other.
The man beside you stands because you are there to hold him up.
We are united when each of us gives what we have
and takes only what we need.
The kingdom of God is coming, and we will be fit to enter!
Yes! (CHEERING)
(LAUGHING)
(COINS CLINKING)
Some have so little to give.
But they give all they have, and they're our greatest benefactors.
ANANIAS: Are you sure?
Are you certain you want to give everything?
Well, that's the deal.
And if what they say is true, that the kingdom of God is coming...
Yes, if it's true.
SAPPHIRA: But if it's true, don't you want to be part of it
and away from all the corruption and misery out there?
ANANIAS: Forgive me. I want to believe. I truly do.
I just think we should try to be cautious.
Yes.
(THUDDING)
We sold our old home for a new home here.
All that we have in the world,
we give to Him.
It's building, Peter.
MAN: Yes, it's him.
Are you Peter?
I am. Please, come.
My daughter's sick. If you are willing, bring her back, please.
It'll be God's will, not mine.
In the name...
In the name of Jesus Christ, be healed.
(SIGHS)
Child, hear me.
I walked with Him, ate with Him, called Him my friend.
In the name of Jesus Christ, be healed.
(WIND BLOWS)
(GASPS)
(WOMAN GASPS)
Oh, thank you.
Peter, that was... I mean... We need to tell people about this.
We should go to the temple.
No. We're not preaching in the temple yet.
But God is with you right now. We need to show the High Priest.
I said no.
Be patient, Stephen. The time will come.
STEPHEN: What have these young men done?
Move aside, boy. This is the governor's business.
I ask what they've done to deserve this.
Move aside.
No.
(CHUCKLES)
Don't make me cut your throat. I want you to live.
Why?
Because I am merciful.
(GRUNTS)
(STEPHEN COUGHING)
MAN 1: Move along.
MAN 2: Clear the way there!
MOTHER MARY: Peter.
(SIGHS)
Tell me what's troubling you.
Everything's changing so quickly.
You knew this wasn't going to be easy.
Bad things are gonna happen.
To me. The others. Terrible things.
My son chose you for a reason.
He knew your faith was strong enough to bear the responsibility,
to help you to become the man our people need you to be.
CORNELIUS: Get them up there. Move it.
ROMAN SOLDIER: Yes, sir.
Pilate, what are you doing?
Did you ever meet Marcus Drusus?
Here he is. Murdered.
He came for me, you know.
But now I'm building a mountain of their ashes.
(UNSHEATHES KNIFE)
If I've found you, they will find you.
But they won't kill you quickly, like I would.
I wouldn't tell them anything, Levi. I swear it.
But I don't want that to be put to the test.
If you were going to kill me, you'd have done it in the street.
So why not?
Because you took a Roman life.
As long as they don't take yours, you're an inspiration.
If one can do it, so can others.
Then what do you propose?
That you disappear.
(GASPS)
You're a very unusual man, John.
You know me?
I saw your trial.
Now, these days,
most people, they keep a low profile for fear of crucifixion.
And yet you... (CHUCKLES)
I had a vision.
And it bids me to be here on this cracked stone.
For what it's worth,
I would encourage against preaching here just yet.
I see you're a man who's prospered.
Does it suit you if we stay quiet?
I'm disappointed you assume my wealth sets us apart.
I would gladly exchange my last penny to hear your message preached
to the world from this altar.
Then why don't you?
You haven't asked.
You confine yourselves to the poor and sick.
I'm poor and sick in my soul.
I spent my life collecting wealth
only to find it's taken my place.
The man is meaningless.
Then come with me now.
Join us in the name of Jesus Christ, and the man will be fulfilled.
What about your vision?
I believe it led me here to find you.
(SOLDIERS GRUNTING)
(HORN BLARING)
(BLARING CONTINUES)
The man I came here with was a dependable, ambitious diplomat.
But you are extracting a mass blood sacrifice
to appease your almighty wrath.
What's happening to you?
I am an instrument of Roman power.
My actions are an expression and a reminder of that power.
And that power sustains Rome.
It is paramount.
You will never, ever involve yourself
in what you plainly do not understand.
You know, there's a story,
and, it's probably no more than a means to inflate the price,
but when I bought this land, I was assured
King David once made camp here.
Is that why you bought it?
No.
I bought it to make a profit.
Paid through the nose.
I'm glad to give you this land.
Barnabas, it's perfect.
A new beginning.
My sister's only child,
a boy I cradled, taught, and loved,
is at this moment hanging from a cross,
paying a debt that was never his!
Dear friend, I am heartbroken. Come.
Joseph. I don't want your platitudes.
What I want, and what we need, is for this to end!
You've made a career out of being close to Pilate.
Make it count for something now.
(SIGHS)
EVA: Nowhere's safe.
There is somewhere. There are people who can forgive my sins.
They'll find you. Please, stay here. Stay with me.
I can't. They'll kill you, too.
Then let them.
(SNIFFLES)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
SAPPHIRA: Peter.
We'd be honored if you'd join us.
May I say,
we're in awe of what you've achieved here, Peter?
This camp, all these people, they're only here
because they heard you speak, ourselves included.
None of this is my achievement.
It's the work of the Holy Spirit.
And we're humbled in its presence.
(MAN CHANTING)
(GRUNTS)
I cry aloud, aloud to God, aloud to God that he may hear me.
LEAH: I've never seen him like this.
ANNAS: Your husband's devotion is admirable.
In the day of my trouble, I seek the Lord.
He takes comfort in forgetting,
and humbling himself before God.
In which case, we're all cowards.
No, he has a position and a responsibility that none of us have.
You hold my eyelids from closing.
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I cry aloud to God, aloud to God that he may hear me.
In the day of my trouble, I seek the Lord.
(ROOSTER CROWING)
PETER: Boaz.
Shall we talk like men, or shall we squabble like children?
You and I have already spoken.
If we're still at odds, then this place is not for you.
Then I fear we are about to squabble.
I don't judge you, and I do not know why you're here.
I only know that you believe in a course of action
that I will not tolerate or condone.
But if you're willing to repent your sins in the name of Jesus...
I am a man of God,
but I do not recognize this name Jesus from the scriptures.
I recall Joshua, Solomon, King David. All warriors.
Are you so lost to hate?
Do you recall the Psalms, Peter?
"Blessed be the Lord. My rock, who trains my hands for war."
PETER: There are people here who take advantage of us.
Then name them, and we'll see to it that they leave.
No. It's not the way.
Then what's to be done?
(WIND BLOWING)
ANANIAS: All that we have in the world, we give to Him.
Are you feeling all right?
What's in your heart, Ananias, to make you lie to the Holy Spirit?
What?
You've kept for yourself some of the money from the sale of your house.
What made you think of doing such a thing?
This is absurd.
You've lied. Not just to us, but to God.
(WIND BLOWING)
(ANANIAS COUGHING)
(COUGHING CONTINUES)
(WHEEZING)
Bury him. Now.
(PEOPLE MURMURING)
Peter.
What's happened? Where's Ananias?
Sapphira.
Please, speak truthfully.
When you and your husband sold your house,
did you keep anything back for yourselves?
We did not.
You're lying.
I know you held it back. The Holy Spirit told me so.
There may have been something, but what does that matter?
We donated a huge amount, and happily so.
It matters because you bet against our mission succeeding!
You bet against God, Sapphira!
How can you conspire to test the spirit of the Lord?
SAPPHIRA: It was not malicious in any way!
We were simply being prudent!
Where's Ananias?
Listen.
The feet of a man that buried your husband
are just outside.
And they mean to bury you, too.
Governor.
I come to ask for mercy. Please, let the crucifixions end.
(CHUCKLES)
Uh, I don't understand. Were you attacked?
It is ritual to mark our grief.
Your grief?
May I speak freely? It doesn't look good for you.
Really? How so?
Your chief responsibility as governor is to maintain the peace,
but you've squandered that.
Because of your actions, anti-Roman feeling fills the city.
More blood will be spilled.
Roman blood.
You have a thousand men. We have a million.
You, Pilate, will have provoked insurrection
through your catastrophic misjudgment,
and you, Pilate, will be finished.
Restrain him.
(GRUNTS)
Open your mouth.
Eat.
No, no.
Eat it.
No. No.
(GROANING)
I said eat it.
(GAGGING)
I will continue as I see fit until I have what I want!
There will be no mercy!
(COUGHING)
CLAUDIA: Leah. (GASPS)
Pilate's brutality will never find the assassin,
but you can.
You can end this.
His name is Boaz.