You! Come here. Mother, mother. There's a Roman soldier. Where's Alphaeus' house,
the leatherworker? I don't know. -This is the village of Parish, isn't it?
-Yes, sir. I've ridden too far for guessing games.
Now, where will I find Alpheus? You passed the street, sir.
It's the second one back there. Run quick by the back way
and warn your father. The third, no, the fourth house. If it isn't, I'll be back. It is, sir. I swear. You're looking for Alphaeus, sir? Yes. He's not in there, sir. He left the village two days ago. There's no one in there, sir. It's too dangerous,
we shouldn't stay here another moment. -Who puts people to death?
-The Romans. No one there? Keep going. Fast. Please, at least wait
till we've had facts instead of rumors. All we've heard is gossip about a rabbi
having been put to death in Jerusalem. A young rabbi from Galilee. How many men fit that description? More than one. Remember my friend, Alphaeus' kinsman
is traveling with the Nazarene. Surely he'd let us know of any trouble. If he hasn't been executed
with all the rest. You stay and greet the Roman swords,
not me. If you take my advice,
you'll scatter before it's too late. Which of you is Alphaeus? I am not, not I. I was just leaving, if you'll excuse me. I am Alphaeus. These men are merely my guests
for the evening. Thomas said I might find others
meeting with you. Men will say anything under torture. We just stopped in for a moment. Our interest is in God,
not in any revolt against Rome. I'm here on my own business, not Caesar's. Your cousin Thomas
has been delayed in Jerusalem. When he found out I was coming this way,
he asked me to give you a message. My name is Cornelius. Welcome to my home. Rachel, water and linen
for our guest, my dear. Then food and wine.
Let me have your helmet. Long journey over those mountains, and a dusty one. Slip out and look around,
this may be a Roman trap. There now, I feel better. Then the message from Thomas,
does it concern the Nazarene named Jesus? Was he put to death?
Simply curious, that's all. -My cousin, is he arrested?
-What of the Galilean's other followers? One at a time, one at a time. Your cousin is free and in good health. So are all the Galilean's close followers. All but one Judas of Kerioth
who died by his own hand. The Galilean, is he dead? He was crucified. -No, what reason?
-Wait, let me go on. Thomas said:
"Tell all you know, leave out nothing." Shall we make ourselves comfortable? Up to a month ago,
I was stationed to the North, beyond the Sea of Tiberius,
which you call Galilee. There my hundred had the luck
to catch a thieving killer named Barabbas. Well, I know you've heard of him
as a patron of the people. Leader of a zealot band. If you'd found your outpost
brutally massacred, your young sentries knifed
in the back, you'd… Well, at any rate, we cornered him,
crushed his rebel army, put him in chains, marched into Jerusalem, for the honor of being sentenced
to death by the procurator. I gave my testimony and listened
as Pilate tried to question the prisoner. Barabbas sneered at the governor,
refused to answer, and when sentence of death was passed,
cursed, as soldiers led him off to prison. I was commended and ordered
to stay in the city with my men until the end of the Passover feasts. Centurion! Longinus,
where in the Empire did you drop from? Six months ago, Carthage,
before that, Alexandria. Welcome to duty in the city. How'd you know I'd drawn that? Who do you think urged
the procurator to keep you? Worked to share quarters with you? This way, we'll take the shortcut
through the temple courtyard. Well, they've changed things
since I was last here. -Changed?
-It used to look like a stockyard. Bullocks and goats,
sheep and pigeons for sacrifices. Money changers tables over there. They were there until three days ago. New young teacher from the north,
drove them out single handed. -One man?
-One man. To be exact, that man, Jesus by Joseph
from Nazareth in Galilee. I think I've heard of him. If you'd arrived here four days ago
you'd have heard of nothing else. This Sunday morning,
I had a report of trouble at the lily gate so I went down to investigate. The next thing I knew, I was caught up
in a crowd shouting, Hail the Messiah. Hail to Jesus of Nazareth,
King of the Jews. They threw down their cloaks
for him to ride on. He was mounted on a donkey, walking on a carpet of robes
and palm branches. I was sure
we had a revolution on our hands, but I was jammed so tightly in the mob
to leave and alert the guard. He rode up to the temple gates, looked at them
with tears in his eyes and went away. -Just like that?
-Just like that. Believe me, I was delighted to see him go. The next morning he was back
in the temple courtyard, storming at the changers and sellers for turning his sacred place
into a thieves' den. They scattered before him like rats. He's a man of courage. Well, I wouldn't call the money changers
a valiant enemy. I don't mean just for baiting them,
but for having the nerve to come back. He must realize that the high priest
can stand no such opposition. Have you not read this scripture? The very stone
which the builders rejected… -What's wrong?
-Those are Caiaphas closest aids. Let's stroll over
and see what's happening. This was the Lord's doing
and it is marvelous in our eyes. We know that you are true
and do not regard the position of men, but truly teach the words of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes
to Caesar or not? A very choice trap. If he says pay,
the entire crowd turns against him. Don't pay, and I arrest him for treason. Well, come, teacher, answer. Should we pay them or should we not? Why put me to the test? Your great authority and wisdom. Show me a coin. Whose likeness and inscription is on it? Why, Caesar's. Render unto Caesar
the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. Too bad he isn't a Roman.
We could use men of his cut. He better return to Galilee,
or out of Jerusalem or he'll be a corpse. For twisting the beards
of two courtyard lawyers? No, for preserving the peace
that Augustus demands of this province. I know you make a point
of ignoring politics, but this state of Israel is a vast,
steaming cauldron, ready to boil over. If it does, we'll all be scalded. Wine from Hebron. Well, without trouble
there'll be no need for armies. We'll be slaving on a farm
or trudging away in a mine. Personally, I prefer the Emperors Sword. It's fed me and I've bled for it. If I have to bleed again,
I prefer doing it for profit or glory, not to cover up a man's stupidity. -Such as?
-Marrying a lady from the purple. Well, almost from the purple. Might have bought Pontius a throne,
but not a statesman's mind. He's still a soldier, always will be. What's the matter with that? You've been out
in the desert sun far too long. Not me, I've served a Statesman before. I'll take a soldier Commander any day. When trouble starts,
a soldier crushes it fast. He doesn't bicker and argue
till the enemy's in the best positions. If it was years ago, we had a cohort
at every ten mile post, I'd agree. The empire's grown too large. Our troops are spread far too thin, with 28 legions to control the world,
three in Britain, five on the Rhine, nine spread the length of the Danube, and 11 split from Dacia through Arabia
in Egypt to Carthage in Spain, and we've one, only one in all Judea. Well, this is it. Take your bed, I brought over your trunk,
make yourself at home. That bed looks good. We can't rule through crushing power
anymore, my friend. In these times, we need the help of such local potentates
as we can bribe and use. You mean Herod? As Herod was before his libertine living cost him the scanty respect
and obedience he had. Now we appoint the high priest,
manipulate through the temple. Unfortunately, this present one, Caiaphas, is more greedy and grasping
than his father in law, Annas, was. So I've heard, but there must be a limit
to even an Israelite's patience. Show them a leader that will stand up
to this Caiaphas and the cauldron will really boil. Don't think Caiaphas doesn't know it. Perhaps it might be better
if the Nazarene did leave the city. If he doesn't? Caiaphas may feel forced to silence him. Maybe the Nazarene's followers
will rise up to protest. Enough of this gloomy croaking. It's time to dine,
and I know an inn not far away. The lamb is cooked with wine. My men were given the honor
of guarding the palace where the procurator was staying
during his visit to Jerusalem. Although I was kept busy
with routine matters, I was unable to put Longinus's predictions
from my mind. I kept thinking of the Nazarene. I guess that's why
one off duty moment, I acted on impulse. Wait, you. Aren't you the man I saw
in the temple court standing by the side of the Nazarene? Yes. Come here. You're one of his followers. What's your name? -Thomas.
-Thomas? Tell him for his own good
to leave Jerusalem at once, understand? I understand, but I doubt if he'll do it. Then I'll order him to go. -Where is he staying?
-In Bethany. Way up there? -When's he coming down the hill?
-At sundown. We're meeting for the feast
of the unleavened bread. I'll be on duty then. Give him the message as I told you.
Tell him it's a Centurion's command. I'll tell him. Thomas? Yes. Let me know what he does. That is how I came to know your cousin. Now, I learned later of the things
which transpired that night. Their meeting place was in an upper room, and even then the Nazarene must have known
what still lay in the future. I have earnestly desired to eat
this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I shall never eat it again
until it is fulfilled in God's Kingdom. Blessed art thou, Lord God,
king of the world. Who hath brought forth bread
from the earth. Take, eat. This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Blessed art thou, O Lord God of the world,
who hath created the fruit of the vine. Drink ye all of this,
for it is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many,
for the remission of sins. I tell you, I shall not drink again
of this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it
new with you in my father's kingdom. Behold the hand of him
who betrays me is on the table. For the son of man goes
as it has been determined, but woe to the man by whom he is betrayed. Master, who do you mean? None of us would betray you. Master, how can you doubt our loyalty? I'd never do such a thing. Even as they were affirming their loyalty,
it was one who slipped out to betray him. Why didn't the others stop him? They didn't suspect him. The Nazarene had just said
he would be betrayed. I know, I know, but as Thomas explained it to me,
each man loved Jesus so dearly. The very thought of betrayal
seemed impossible. Besides, the one who went out
was so well trusted. He'd been chosen as their purse keeper, and they assumed that he was going to pay
for the food they'd eaten, or to give alms to the poor. Thomas said they were all eager
to assure Jesus of their loyalty, even argued as to which of them
would be foremost as his follower. However, the Nazarene was displeased
by their rivalry. Who has followed him longest,
answer me that? Who forsook the most?
I could have been a wealthy man. Did you leave a home
and servants as I did? No. My children. My children. The kings of the Gentiles
exercise lordship over them and those in authority
are called benefactors, but not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you
become as the youngest and the leader as one who serves. For which is the greater,
one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? However, I am among you,
as one who serves. You are those
who have continued with me in my trials. As my father appointed a kingdom for me, so do I appoint one for you. Simon. Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you
that your strength may not fail. When you have turned again, strengthen your brethren. Turned again? I have not turned away. Lord, I am ready to go with you
to prison and to death. I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow
until you three times deny you know me. No, master. Not I. Never would I deny you. When the supper was ended, Thomas said, he led them out
to a nearby garden called Gethsemane. Wait here and pray
that you may not enter into temptation. Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done. Peter, could you not watch with me one hour, watch and pray
that you may not enter into temptation? Master. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Behold the hour is at hand. The son of man is betrayed
into the hands of sinners. Master. Judas, would you betray
the son of man with a kiss? That's the man, Jesus. As I said, I had no knowledge
of these happenings until later, but I wasn't the only one
kept unaware of Caiaphas moves that night. While the city lay sleeping,
he had Jesus brought to Annas' home, where a chosen section of the Sanhedrin
questioned him till daybreak. -In the house's home?
-Yes. You're sure of that? Peter followed them
with the soldiers in the courtyard. They have no right to do that. Our laws provide for trial
before the whole Sanhedrin. -Openly in the temple.
-That's true. Trial in the dead of night. That's not justice, it's mockery. Be that as it may, Caiaphas did it. No wonder all the decent people
of Israel have turned against him. It is a bitter thing being conquered,
but being betrayed by one of your own. My first knowledge of what had occurred
came just as the day broke, When having agreed on his guilt, they brought him to the palace
where Pilate was staying. They wouldn't enter
the judgment hall themselves. Some religious business
about not defiling themselves by entering a Gentile's house
during the Passover. I had the task of waking the procurator
and telling him what they thought. Needless to say,
he wasn't in the best humor when he came. Good morning, your Excellency. If a man's word upsets urgency. -We regret urgently having interfered.
-It will only take a moment. This man you've brought to me,
of what is he accused? He incited the people to riot
in the courtyard of the temple. He even claims to be the Messiah,
the Christ, the Son of God. He encourages his followers
to hail him as the king of all the Jews. These affairs are yours, not Rome's. Take him, judge him
according to your laws. We have Excellency,
and found him deserving of death. All we ask is your endorsement
of our finding. If he weren't guilty,
we wouldn't have brought him here. Wait here. I have heard many men examined,
questioned more than a few myself. If the Nazarene had guilt
or evil in his nature, I couldn't detect it, nor could Pilate. Are you a king, then? You say I am a king. To this end was I born and for this cause
I came into the world, that I should bear witness for the truth. Everyone that is of the truth
hears my voice. Truth, what is truth? I find no fault in the man. He's stirred up the people. -He's claimed to be the king himself.
-All over Judea, from here to Galilee. From Galilee? Is he a Galilean? Yes, he comes from Nazareth. Then he comes
under Herod's jurisdiction, not mine. -Centurion?
-Yes, your Excellency. Have the prisoner taken to the Tetrarch. Herod asked him a hundred questions,
but the Nazarene gave him no answer. He demanded that Jesus
perform a miracle for his amusement. Jesus held his silence. Finally mocking him,
Herod had him robed in purple, to befit your kingship, he said, and ordered me
to take him back to the governor. Little as I knew the man, and hardened as a soldier of Rome must be,
My heart went out to him. I reported all
that had happened to the governor, and again, he went
to the Nazarene's accusers. You brought the man to me as one
who incites the people. I questioned him. I found no fault in him, no guilt in the things
of which he was accused. No, nor did Herod. The prisoner has done nothing
to merit death. I'll have him chastised and then released. No! No! He found no wrong in the man. No guilt, yet he ordered him
to be flogged. Perhaps it was to save
the Nazarene's life. Pilate thought a flogging
would appease them. Pilate, the governor? He speaks for the emperor. Since when has Roman justice been betrayed
to appease the men of a conquered land? Perhaps I do our governor an injustice. Yet I feel that he was more eager
to humble Caiaphas than to help an innocent man. Be that as it may, he made another attempt. You're all familiar with the custom
of releasing a prisoner during the feast. Of course, we know. Well, after Jesus had been flogged. They brought him
before the governor once more. The soldiers had made him a crown. A crown of thorns. You have heard how many things
they have witnessed against you. They say you call yourself the son of God. Who are you?
From where do you come? Why don't you answer? Don't you realize I have the power
to release you or crucify you? You would have no power at all against me, except it were given you from above. Therefore he that delivered me to you
has the greater sin. If you release that man
you're no friend of Caesar's. I bring him before you so you may know
I find no fault in him. Behold, the man. By custom, as at each Passover,
I will free a prisoner to you. Will you have me release for you
the King of the Jews? What then shall I do
with Jesus called Christ? Crucify him! I am innocent of this man's blood. See to it yourselves. Release Barabbas. Pilate backed down once more, but he had one final taunt
for Caiaphas and his cohorts. He ordered a sign
for the Nazarene's Cross saying: This is the king of the Jews. While he hung on the cross, those who had persecuted him
came to mock him. If you're the son of God,
come down from the cross. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. If you are the Christ,
save yourself and save us. Do you not fear God? You who are condemned? You and I are condemned justly. We have received
the due reward for our deeds, but this man, has done nothing wrong. Jesus, Lord, remember me
when you come into your kingdom. Verily, I say to you, today you shall be with me in paradise. When my hours of duty ended,
I could not keep away. I made my way to the hilltop
and found my friend Longinus in charge. He still lives. As we stood watching,
the Nazarene's mother came up the hill accompanied by her sister
and two of her son's followers. Woman, behold, thy son. Behold, thy mother. I waited, and watched. I wanted to leave, but I couldn't. The seventh hour passed, and the eighth. My God. My God, why have you forsaken me? I thirst. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. It is finished. That evening, a wealthy man,
Joseph of Arimathea, met the procurator. Asking permission
to place the Nazarene's body in his own new tomb. Pilate granted the request. No sooner had the man left, however, than Caiaphas messengers
came shouting protests. It seemed the Nazarene had made predictions
of rising from the grave, and they who feared him in life
were now suspicious that his followers would steal his body
and claim his forecast fulfilled. To humor them, Pilate gave orders
for a guard to be placed at the tomb. It was very kind of you
to take the time to tell us. I wish we could have seen more
of the Nazarene while he lived. Even though he was not
the redeemer of the Scriptures. Still, he was a wise and gentle man. A great teacher. His death is a real loss. He is not dead. You said he was crucified. That he died on the cross. I did. How can you say that? -That he's not…
-Listen. My friend Longinus drew the duty
of guarding the sepulchre. On the last night of the week,
I went with him. This late inspection. Well, I'd better go no further. You mean you stay here with your men? Orders, I thought you knew. No. Caiaphas' idea. He assumes all soldiers can be bribed. -I've done odder jobs for the Empire.
-Me too. More than I foresaw when I received
my first pilum and gladius. That's a long time back for both of us. Long time,
a lot of marches, a good many scars. You know something? Life on a farm of one's own
might not be so unbearable, in Tuscany or Umbria. The Valley of the Po. I remember the grapes. The light, the light. Man, pull yourself together!
Earth's tremble, that was all. -No, the figure.
-What figure? I don't know. One with shining robes so bright,
I was dazzled. Pilate will never believe this. He'll have to,
when all your men tell the same story. Get them ready, I'll go with you. Perhaps I should leave
one or more of my men here. To guard what, an empty tomb? As I learned later from Thomas, the woman of Magdala,
bearing oils and spices to anoint the body came to the tomb
while the dawn mist was on the ground. Finding the stone rolled aside
and the sepulchre empty, she believed the Nazarene's body
had been stolen by his enemies. She ran back to the city
and told Peter of her discovery. Together with John,
they hurried back to the tomb. John ran ahead, but on reaching the door
and seeing the empty tomb, he dropped to his knees,
overwhelmed by grief. Why didn't the guard stop them? How could they have permitted them to? I wonder, why did they remove the grave cloth? How could we understand
the thinking of men who would do a thing like that? Come, we must go tell the others. You go, Peter, you and John. I want to stay here a while. Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek? They have taken away my Lord. Sir, if you've carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. Mary. Master. Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to the father, but go to my brethren and tell them, I am ascending
to my father and your father. To my God and your God. The resurrection rumors spread,
and so one afternoon… Whatever you may say
is for my curiosity, not Pilate's. Sit down. You're not under arrest. I've heard wild tales about the Nazarene. Well, having been seen alive. Is there any truth to it? There are those who say
he has risen from the grave. You know any who claim
to have actually seen him? Yes. Who? A woman, Mary of Magdala. A man named Cleophus and his friend,
who walked with him on the road to Emmaus, and ten of those, who with me, have traveled constantly with him
these past three years. They've actually seen him, talked to him? So they say. Do you believe them? I don't know. I was away when he appeared to them,
I didn't see him myself. -Are they honest men?
-Yes. I'm sure they believe they saw him, but, all my life
I've been called doubter, skeptic. Until I see him with my own eyes, see the nail holes in his hands,
the wound in his side. I'd like to question the others. Can you arrange it? I think so. We stay in the upper room of the house
where we observed the Passover feast. If you will come there tonight. A Roman centurion? He asked to come for his own interest,
not as a soldier. You shouldn't have told him
where to find us. Would be safer to meet him somewhere. Matthew, put the bar on the door
while we discuss this. The man may have spoken with sincerity. -If he hasn't…
-I think we should leave here, quickly. We can go to Lazarus' home,
at least for the night. It's the first place they'd look for us. Why wasn't he satisfied
with what you told him? Surely that should be enough? I could only say, they say they have seen but I have not. If you'd assured him
that you believe the master had risen… I could not say that. Unless I see in his hands
the prints of the nails and place my fingers in the mark,
and my hand in his side, I will not believe. Peace be with you. Master. Thomas, come to me. Put your finger here, and see my hand. Put out your hand and place it in my side. Do not be faithless, but believing. My Lord and my God. Have you believed
because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe. Cornelius, he lives. I've seen, there is no doubt. When? Where? Just now, in the room. He took my hand
and placed it on his wounds. Didn't you see him? You must have passed him on the stairs. The stairs. His robe, your master's robe, brushed my arm. My friends, we can cease discussing
the teachings of a wandering rabbi, and start worshiping the risen son of God. It was no mortal man
that Thomas and the others followed. No leader of a small group or one land. He was the leader of all men, a victor. Not of a mere human enemy,
but over death itself. With all that is left to me of life, I shall tell his story. Jesus lives. He is the hope. The only hope of all mankind. I know. For I beheld his glory.
