(CROWD CHEERING)
PILATE: The Emperor is coming.
CLAUDIA: We must avoid dishonor
by cultivating goodwill with his successor.
PILATE: You mean Caligula?
You may not be so keen to welcome us
when you find out why we're here.
SAUL: Tell me where Peter is, and we'll stop.
SIMON: I don't think it'll be any better in Samaria, Philip.
Let me help you.
(GRUNTS)
On the journey here, I saw four vultures.
This place gives you visions.
Simon the Sorcerer!
(CROWD GASPS)
He thinks he can do what I can't.
In the name of Jesus, I release you from your prison.
(CROWD CHEERING)
PHILIP: Do you repent your sins?
SIMON THE SORCERER: I do.
RUEBEN: Tell Saul about Peter.
He headed north.
Where? Damascus.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
RUEBEN: We'll all sleep better once Saul leaves for Damascus.
Really?
Your task is to make sure he doesn't bring his campaign of violence
back to Jerusalem,
not before Tiberius has left for Rome.
And how exactly do I do that?
You're going with him.
I won't defend this as youthful high spirits.
Forgive me, and it pains me to say this,
this is not the behavior of a future emperor.
TIBERIUS: I agree.
Caligula has a great deal to learn
about the responsibilities he will carry,
but it doesn't help that he spends
so much time with this Jew, Agrippa.
He's a malign influence.
Wake them, get them out of here. Claudia mustn't see this.
CLAUDIA: Claudia mustn't see what?
How dare they scrawl my name on a wine-soaked whore?
I will not set foot inside this room again
until every sign of this debauchery is gone.
SAUL: If we reach Ramada before sunset,
we should make Damascus in two days.
RUEBEN: Saul, that's over 70 miles away,
and you want to do that in a day,
over open deserts and mountain tracks in the hottest month?
It would appear our new recruit
would be happier staying at home.
(MAN LAUGHING)
I'm not going to kill myself marching at that pace.
We get word that Philip needs us.
SIMON: Somebody has to go to Samaria.
So, what do we do?
We hide in a cellar.
(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)
(FOOTSTEPS)
Simon, I feel the same way, but as long as Saul's out there...
I know going to join Philip is dangerous, but I feel like a coward.
PETER: Well, now you don't need to.
Saul's gone. He's left Jerusalem.
We'll go to Samaria tonight, John.
Mary. It's me, Joanna.
What are you doing here?
I'm with the House of Antipas, maid-servant to Herodias.
Are you working in the palace?
MARY: We must be careful. None here share our faith.
Is Peter here, too?
He's in the city, hiding, safe.
Uh...
I thought about you every day since Jesus cured us.
I have tried to follow his word, but...
I heard he was dead.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
Joanna.
Jesus isn't dead.
Before they crucified him, he told us
he would rise after three days, and he did.
He's very much alive.
No.
It's true. He came to me first.
I've sat with him, eaten with him.
He is who he said he was.
He is the Messiah.
(HORSE NEIGHS)
TIBERIUS: I was fond of Agrippa once, but now...
Should I have him killed?
No.
Take Caligula back to Rome with you,
and my husband will deal with Agrippa.
Pilate is a good governor.
You only have to see the trouble-free
streets of Jerusalem to see what...
You work hard to promote your husband.
I'm sure he will benefit from your wisdom
when I promote him to a position in Rome.
(SIGHS)
Thank you.
(LAUGHS)
I don't know what pleases me more,
the thought of spending more time in your company in Rome
or finally being able to...
(SCREECHING)
(EXHALES SHAKILY)
Is there something wrong?
No.
Just a chill. That's all.
Do not underestimate Peter.
He is a snake-oil trader, but a good one.
First, he tells the people that they have a problem,
that they killed the man sent to them by God.
Then he tells them that he has the answer.
All they have to do is repent and throw themselves in the river.
(MEN LAUGHING)
Does he ever stop?
I never saw a man with so much energy
for the destruction of his enemies.
(HORSES NEIGH)
And here we sit, now, the chosen few,
whose work it is to stamp out this heresy
before it spreads from Jerusalem
and takes control of Syria, Lydda, Emmaus, and even Masada,
before Peter the fisherman can sell the whole world his fake cure.
PILATE: Most people here believe all Romans to be degenerate.
(YAWNS)
Are you determined to prove them right?
Do you hear something?
A noise, like a cow breaking wind.
(CHUCKLES)
On top of that, you insult my wife.
Is it possible to insult a man's wife
when she's the daughter of a whore?
Take back those words before I open your throat.
Do it.
I'd almost die happy thinking about what Tiberius would do to you.
(HORSE NEIGHS AND SNORTS)
(GRUNTS)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
RUEBEN: Get up, you stupid animal!
Come on.
PILATE: I should've done it.
I should've slit his throat after what he said.
And how long would you have lived if you had?
Then done the same with Agrippa.
Or you could ignore them both
and look forward to life in Rome.
I've never come across such treacherous,
poisonous, power-hungry schemers.
What is it?
I'm looking forward to everything there being a lot less...
Jewish. Aren't you?
What are you talking about, Claudia?
Tiberius has offered you a position in Rome.
(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)
At last.
(SIGHS)
We can finally leave this place.
All we have to do is play our part
in keeping Agrippa and Caligula away from each other.
PHILIP: I baptize you in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
(CROWD CHEERING)
Peter! John!
It's so good to see you both.
My friends, today, we commit ourselves to Jesus,
who these two men knew, and from him,
received the power of the Holy Spirit.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
JOANNA: How can we celebrate the Messiah
when we dare not say his name?
I'm scared.
Don't be.
Your faith will bring you strength when we pray together.
(FOOTSTEPS) Shh.
Chuza!
I wasn't expecting you back.
This is my husband.
And who is this?
Mary. I only just started work here in the palace,
but I know Joanna from...
From the market.
We used to see each other at the market.
Didn't we agree you need to tell me about any new friends?
My wife has come under some bad influences recently.
I don't want it to happen again.
Don't worry. I'll keep her from harm.
Your husband doesn't know about your faith?
He does.
I agreed to hide it to protect us both.
It was Antipas and Herodias that had John the Baptist beheaded.
These are ruthless people we work for.
Do you think he'd give you away?
No, he wouldn't do that.
AGRIPPA: Gaius!
Ooh.
You've soiled another serving girl.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Oh...
Why so serious? It's just a bit of fun.
Let's get out of this mausoleum and find some proper women.
AGRIPPA: You're far too choosy.
My friend doesn't know ripe fruit when he sees it.
Forgive us. We...
You can leave us.
Are you deaf or just stupid? Leave us.
I have work to do for your sister, Herodias.
Shh...
She won't mind if you spend a few minutes with me.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
HERODIAS: My dear brother.
I've told you before,
don't let me catch you playing with my things.
RUEBEN: Saul.
Saul!
Saul, this pace is madness.
What if you don't find him?
What if Peter's not even in Damascus? Do we march onto Antioch?
Why are you even here, huh?
I'm here because I was ordered to be here
by the same man we both answer to.
Then you should be helping this mission, not slowing it down.
Why do you hate Peter so much?
Because his claims are ridiculous.
Because the idea that God would use him as an instrument of his will
to spread the word of a new Messiah is ridiculous. (CHUCKLES)
How can people believe
that the creator would choose a simple
fisherman to articulate his message?
No. No.
He would choose a man who knew a world outside of a fishing village,
not a man who spreads lies about an impostor, Jesus,
but a man who can add beauty and power
and truth to his message, a man like...
(SIGHS)
Yeah.
JESUS: Saul.
Saul.
Why do you persecute me?
Who are you?
I am Jesus, whom you persecute.
No.
No! No! No!
(GASPS)
What do you...
What do you want from me?
(WIND BLOWS)
What do you want from me?
Go into Damascus.
You'll be told what to do.
(GRUNTS)
Help me.
SAUL: Someone!
Help me! Help me!
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
ASHER: (SOFTLY) Saul.
You have to eat something.
I know some of you want to be back with your families,
and I know Damascus is full of foreigners and the food is overpriced,
but we came here with Saul, and we know why we're here.
The man who brought us is a remarkable man.
Whatever happened to him in the desert, we can't give up.
We must find Peter and his followers.
SIMON THE SORCERER: I was deluded.
I was deceiving people with my cheap trickery,
and I started to believe my own claims of greatness.
And then Philip, he came to Samaria.
He showed me the true path.
He started talking about Jesus, and I believed.
I was baptized.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS IN DISTANCE)
We are not loved by the Temple in Jerusalem,
and neither are you.
Well, together, we shall help to spread the word
and the power of Jesus, eh?
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
They've heard all about the miracles you performed in Jerusalem.
They hope to see more here in Samaria.
(WOMAN GROANS)
My child is coming, Barnabas.
I have to leave Damascus.
(WOMAN GASPS) What?
I just saw Reuben, the right-hand man to High Priest Caiaphas,
and Asher, one of Saul's men.
Saul is in Damascus.
You arrive here and you fill our heads
with the power of Jesus Christ the Savior
and now you cower at the first sign of danger.
Ananias!
Saul of Tarsus, who wants me dead,
who wants us all dead, is here.
And what am I supposed to do?
Tell my wife, "Don't have our child yet. We have to leave the city?"
Stay.
Stay, and we'll find strength together.
Trust in Jesus.
Let the Holy Spirit into your troubled limbs.
He brings you eternal life.
(WIND BLOWS)
(CROWD MURMURS)
JOHN: Have faith in Jesus Christ.
He is the way, the truth and the life.
(WIND BLOWS) (CROWD MURMURS)
We pray that all our new believers receive the Holy Spirit.
(MUMBLES INAUDIBLY)
JOHN: We enter God's kingdom by repentance and faith,
by accepting him in our lives.
(WIND BLOWS)
(CROWD GASPS)
When you return to Rome...
(BLOWS)
This document says you'll be considered
for the position of Praetor to the treasury.
"Considered?"
And my seal on it says you will get the job.
Caesar, I don't know how to show you my gratitude.
By doing the job well.
And by always listening to your wife's advice.
There.
It's official.
Always listen to your wife.
(LAUGHS)
I won't forget this!
CLAUDIA: What are you talking about?
Are you such a coward you have to go behind our backs?
Been drinking again, have we?
Tiberius is insisting I go with him to Rome
and Agrippa stays here.
I know it is a result of your plotting.
Believe me,
when I'm not in your presence, I don't give you a moment's thought.
(CHUCKLES)
He thinks he can break the bond between us,
but he is wrong.
Now, you make a very grave mistake
if you think Tiberius will always protect you.
(SPITS)
(SHUDDERING)
(CROWD CHEERING)
CALIGULA: Pilate, you will pay for your scheming!
And you will answer to me! You will answer to me!
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
(COINS CLINK) Peter.
This... This is everything that I own.
I want you to use it to help spread the word of Jesus.
Now, all I want in return is just,
you know, just a few drops of the Holy Spirit,
as a friend,
as a fellow Jesus follower.
Yeah?
You think God could be bought?
(WIND BLOWS)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
(GRUNTS)
You think this is just magic?
Peter! Come! Hold your anger!
Hey! Take back your words! Repent!
Ah!
If you value your life, repent now!
(GRUNTS)
I repent!
(SCREAMING)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
Please, Lord! Show mercy to this man!
I beg you! Let him live!
(SOBS)
(WHIMPERS) Peter saved me.
JOANNA: (PRAYS) Don't ask me to deceit.
If it isn't your will, isn't a part of your plan for your servants,
then as you watch over us, I pray
that you help my husband understand.
He's a good man.
I pray in the name of your son, Jesus,
who died that we might be saved.
If it pleases you, he'll choose
and discover the wisdom of Jesus.
If it does not, then it's...
(GROANS)
(VULTURES CRY)
(WHIMPERS)
(GASPS)
Claudia.
Whatever it was, it was just a dream.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
What is it? What was so terrible?
It's nothing.
(INFANT COOS)
JESUS: Ananias.
(WIND BLOWS)
Ananias.
Lord.
(GASPS)
Go to the street called Straight.
Ask for a man from Tarsus. His name is Saul.
But I know the harm that this man
has done to your people in Jerusalem.
He is my chosen instrument.
He will proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings
and the people of Israel.
(GASPS)
What? Stop, wait! You mustn't!
(BREATHING HEAVILY) Ananias.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Someone needs to go to Jerusalem
and tell Caiaphas what's happening.
And tell him what, exactly?
That his golden boy, his great weapon
against the rise of these blasphemers,
is sitting in the dark starving himself to death?
ANANIAS: Perhaps I can help.
I have a message for Saul of Tarsus, an important one.
From whom?
From someone who knows him well,
knows him better than anyone, I'd say.
And you are?
I am Ananias.
Is he here?
Where's Ananias? Is he here?
I'm here.
Oh!
Save me from this, please.
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
(GROANS)
He has chosen you to know his will,
and to see the righteous one, and to hear the words from his mouth.
(GASPS)
He can see.
Saul can see again.
(VOICE BREAKS) I can see. I can see!
Thank you. Thank you.
(LAUGHS)
AGRIPPA: Separate me from Caligula and keep me in this place,
but at least show me some respect.
Do as I ask and punish these blasphemers.
It's your duty. Make an example of them!
Duty. Since when have you had any thoughts of duty?
He's right, though I do question his reasons.
He has an interest in this woman.
ANTIPAS: Chuza, as my chief steward,
you know the consequences of betrayal.
Is it true?
Is your wife a follower of the Nazarene they call Jesus?
I heard you pray to him.
HERODIAS: Just...
Give us the truth.
The truth is that I...
The truth is
that my wife, Joanna,
ever since we were married, has had fits of madness.
Since all the talk began of the Nazarene coming back to life
after being crucified, she's...
Well, she's been taken by the idea.
And sometimes she imagines she's talking to him.
My fear is that one day, she'll slip into lunacy
and not return.
Your argument is that your wife isn't a follower of Jesus,
she's just mad?
ANTIPAS: And what do you say, woman?
What are you? Mad?
It's true.
I was once cured of demons.
I do not allow prayers to that man
in my household, even imagined ones.
Control your wife.
Enough. Let them go.
What? That's all?
(SCOFFS)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
ASHER: It's good to have you back.
Well, I open my heart, and I give
my thanks to God for his forgiveness.
What happened to you in the desert?
I saw him.
I saw.
I saw Jesus Christ, the son of God.
And he's here.
(LAUGHING)
His presence is here on Earth through those followers I persecuted.
I felt so sure that I was right, but I...
I was the one that was wrong.
(CHUCKLES)
SAUL: All of us just
wrong.
I have to make amends. I have to.
So, I'm going to the river to be baptized by this man, Ananias.
And I implore you, come with me.
Feel God's love. Be baptized, in the name of Jesus.
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(GASPS)
(MOANS)
(TIBERIUS GAGS)
CALIGULA: Shh...
(GASPS)
(GAGS) Shh, shh.
(PILATE GROANS)
This is ridiculous.
You're keeping me awake with your foolish dream.
Tell me now.
What is it you are seeing?
(BREATHES SHAKILY) I see...
Tiberius. I see him murdered in his bed.
And I see him struggle as they hold a pillow over his face.
The pillow is held by Caligula.
Nonsense.
It's your fanciful imaginings.
(SIGHS)
SAUL: (ECHOING) Help me.
Someone!
Help me!
I saw Jesus Christ, the son of God.
BARNABAS: How can you hope for salvation, Saul,
when you have the blood of those who chose Jesus on your hands?
You're right.
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
You're right.
And I hope
that all the people I persecuted...
They can find it in their hearts to forgive me.
I'm not the same man you once had reason to hate.
I was blind.
And now I see.
ANANIAS: Barnabas.
Saul wants to be baptized to accept Jesus.
How can we deny him that?
(WATER SPLASHES)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
Jesus has chosen you to proclaim his name to the world,
to the Gentiles, their kings, and the sons of Israel.
I baptize you in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
(GASPS)
(LAUGHING)
SAUL: I'm baptized. I'm baptized.
(LAUGHING)
SAUL: Now, I can spread the word of Jesus Christ!
If he will forgive me, I will be complete in Jesus!
Barnabas!
(PANTS)
Reuben!
What's happened to you? What are you doing here?
He... I had to walk. What?
He... He said everything that we thought we knew was wrong.
Who? Who did? Saul.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
He's become a follower of Jesus.
This is a very bad idea.
Tell him! Saul, you can't preach
the word of Jesus inside the synagogue.
That is exactly what we have to do.
I understand that you're used to having
the weight of the authorities behind you.
If I've been chosen to proclaim his name,
better I do it today than tomorrow,
better this hour than the next!
Better this moment.
Gather around! Listen to me! I've been given...
I think, with a few changes and a little imagination...
Don't get ahead of yourselves. Tiberius hasn't made his decision yet.
I made a good case for you as my successor.
You never know what could happen.
Enough of this.
We have what we wanted. Let's just be grateful.
I thought you left with the Emperor.
Isn't that sweet?
As one pair of vipers prepare to leave, another plans to move in.
My friend! I knew they couldn't keep us apart.
I bring news.
Very grave news.
Emperor Tiberius
is dead.
It's shocking news.
I was
shocked.
We must be thankful.
I'm told he died peacefully, in his bed.
Were you looking forward to your new position in Rome?
Such a shame.
Your husband, in this palace,
held a blade against my throat.
He really wanted me dead.
Can't that be left in the past?
Yes.
You're right.
Let's stay with the present.
So...
Where is your respect?
Kneel! In the presence of your new emperor!