A.D. The Bible Continues (2015): Season 1, Episode 6 - The Persecution - full transcript

There will be no mercy!

My sister's only child
hanging from a cross!

- Joseph...
- We need this to end!

We must govern ourselves

so that we are never again
subjected to Roman justice.

You did nothing
of any worth whatsoever.

Make way for King Antipas.

Your position
is reliant on my endorsement.

John, I'm poor and sick
in my soul.

I'm glad to give you this land.

Barnabas, it's perfect.



God has a purpose for
each of us. I'm meant to preach.

Be patient, Stephen.
The time will come.

And didn't Jesus say, "I will
rebuild this temple in three days"

before he rose from the death
you condemned him to?

Silence him.
Shut him up.

Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

"No longer will violence
be heard in your lands",

nor ruin and destruction
within your borders.

Your walls
shall be called salvation,

and your gates praise.

No longer will the sun
light your days

nor the moon bright your night.

You will have the Lord
for everlasting light

"and your God for your glory."



My son is dead!
Stephen is dead!

Because of you!
You and your politics!

Where is he?

Where is he now,
this Messiah of yours?

Why doesn't he raise him up

or ask the Lord
to bring Stephen back to us?

Is it for us to test him?

I dreamt last night

that Stephen wouldn't be
the last of us to die.

Another hungry soul
that's heard the word.

God be with you.

Have you come to hear
the word of Jesus?

No.

I am Saul.

Scholar, Jew,
Roman citizen, pharisee,

defender of the great temple
of Jerusalem.

I have come to teach you
of the wrath

you will all bring down
upon yourselves

if you do not end
your blasphemy.

If.

The desert and
the parched land will be glad.

The wilderness will rejoice...

And blossom.

Like the crocus,

it will burst into bloom.

It will rejoice greatly...

...and shout for joy.

So, tell us,

how are we so wrong
in our belief?

Friend, speak with us.

What's the matter,
have you no tongue?

Or no brain?

Jesus of Nazareth,

this peasant Messiah
you love and praise,

is nothing more
than a false prophet.

You dare come here and say that?

I don't say it.
The Sanhedrin says it.

The psalms of Solomon say it.

The prophecies of Jeremiah,
Isaiah, and Daniel say it.

Who are you to say otherwise?

Who?

Oh.

What's the matter?

Have you no tongue?

No courage?

Be gone, little man.

I don't understand you,
Jonathan.

You saw the slaughter,
the wave of crucifixions,

saw what bloody turmoil
made its home in Jerusalem.

Of course.
Father, I'm not blind.

And you accept that Caiaphas,
as high priest,

stands knee-deep
in blood.

Blood spilled by Pilate
wielding the power of Rome.

Yes, I accept Caiaphas
has not handled things well.

So, why can't you accept
that he must be replaced?

Jerusalem needs a man
who will forge

a different relationship
with Rome

to take us back
to the peaceful times

Caiaphas once stood for.

The Sanhedrin is looking
for a man to challenge Caiaphas.

The Annas family
needs that man to be you.

The whole idea
of your loving family

gathered in our house
to give thanks

gives me indigestion.

Well, take a potion.
Clear your head.

Hmm.

Two guests of honor
have invited themselves.

Although a little more notice
wouldn't have hurt.

Antipas and Herodias.

I had no idea
the Nazarene camp

was so close to the city.

And so populated.

Why would anyone
leave everything they knew

to live like that?

Hyah.

We are honored
the festival of Purim

has brought you to our home.

In truth, it was a useful excuse
to come to Jerusalem.

To see if the city
was still standing.

My son and I think,

as Jews, we can talk honestly
about recent dark days.

The people will not
soon forget the blood spilled

in Governor Pilate's
wave of crucifixions.

They shouldn't forget.

But was there ever a time
when the people were content?

If the anger of the people
was fading,

there would be room
for this complacent approach.

Father,
we are hardly complacent.

But the anger is growing,

just as the new city of tents
out in the desert is growing.

You mean the camp?
Hm.

There are thousands there now.

Yes.

We passed it on our way here.

Where will it stop?

At 5,000 converts?

100,000?

Will everybody please stop

going on about these people?

Tell me, what exactly is it
that you'd have me do?

Hmm?

Have them slaughtered
in their tents?

Antipas,
surely, the people...

And you, as their ruler...

Want to see a high priest
in control of events.

Not led by them.

Not governed by the whim
of his Roman master.

I do enjoy
the smell of treachery.

Poor old Caiaphas
has the look of a man

preparing to face
the executioner.

If it was a choice

between him and young Jonathan
as high priest,

I don't know who I'd go for.

Neither.

But I'll have to give my support
to one of them,

and then let Pilate
have the responsibility.

My lady.

And then there was
Zachary of Beersheba,

a passionate man
who tried to follow

the example of Moses

and lead his friends
across the red sea.

He drowned,
and so did they.

And then there was Simon
from Peraea...

Brave,
well-intentioned Simon.

Well, he believed
that he was sent by God

but only made a Jew's life ha...

But only made a Jew's life
harder under Rome.

And there was
another pretender...

An imposter from Galilee,
this man Jesus.

You're Peter.
I've heard you preach.

You do it well.

A little softhearted,
perhaps, but...

I have a case to make
against your false Messiah!

Do you want to hear it, Peter,

or are you afraid
I will unpick your delusions

in front of this gullible crowd?

This man is living in darkness

and doesn't even know
his eyes are closed.

He claims such knowledge,

but he's just stumbling
in the dark

if he doesn't know this...

No one can come to the father
except through Jesus.

Jesus is the way and the truth
and the life.

This Jesus of yours

is nothing more
than a false prophet

of illiterate fishermen.

He has you all in a net of lies.

John!

You use words
like a trader selling stones.

There's no heart to them,
no love.

I have... Love

for those things
you want to destroy...

The temple
in the heart of Jerusalem.

Centuries of law and tradition

your pathetic little band
can no more replace

than a flea
can fill the shoes of a man.

Speak simply.

If there is truth
to your thoughts,

you'll be understood.

Here's a simple truth...

If you set yourself
against the temple,

you will be destroyed
by the temple.

Simple.

Truth.

Even if I could persuade
the Sanhedrin

to trust your family,

who stood by while more and more

of our people were crucified.

There was nothing... and even
if I was willing to speak

in your defense
and so gain for you

the support you'll need
to unseat Caiaphas

and heal the wounds
you've caused,

have you no shame

that you'd plot
against your own son-in-law?

I have shame.

Shame that I didn't act sooner

to save so many from their pain.

Those who died
and those, like you,

who lost the ones they loved.

We ask you
to not let that failing

cost more blood and suffering,

not to let the moment pass
when we can act to start afresh.

My son Jonathan
is a man of integrity

who will truly speak
for the people of Jerusalem.

The only man
who can bring both...

Both change and continuity.

Before you even think of making
the case to Pilate,

he'll need the unreserved
backing of Antipas.

Pilate will want his approval
to maintain order.

If, with your support,
we can unite

the Sanhedrin behind us,
we can approach Antipas today.

You won't regret this,
I promise.

This man would have you believe
in a crucified Messiah.

Deuteronomy says,

"for he that is hanged
on a tree or on a cross

is accursed of God."

But God raised him up,

having loosed him
from the pains of death

because it was not possible
he should be held by it.

So you claim,

but who among you
has seen the resurrection?

Who?

You?

You? You?

Only your charlatans,
who need you to believe it.

Jesus and the truth
of his message are loved.

By all our people?

Not even by all of Jerusalem.

They loved him so little...
They executed him.

And fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy.

The Messiah is a man of sorrows
and acquainted with grief.

This man thinks
it's a mark of success

when those you love
are executed.

He won't be happy
until you're all dead...

Like Stephen.

If you stay here
one moment longer,

I swear I'm going to tear
your head off.

Don't worry.

I've heard enough to see
that reason won't break you

from your delusions.

You will see me again, though.

Be sure of that.

Rabbi Gamaliel,

how can these blasphemers
in the desert

want to end all this?

Don't concern yourself
with them.

Look to your own studies.

Improve your understanding,
and then...

Yes, but they just don't see

that this...
All of this...

Is the heart and soul
of Jerusalem.

I tried to tell them,
but they just won't see reason.

Then, Saul,
don't spend more of your energy

trying to correct their mistake.

I see a path for you
from scholar to rabbi,

from rabbi to, perhaps,
a seat on the Sanhedrin.

Who knows?

These men,

they do the same work
as the Sanhedrin.

They toil to preserve the old

while making it new.

What this fisherman Peter
and the others want to do

is destroy the old,

replace it with the new.

I have to find a way
to stop them.

I have to.

I think that went well.

For you.

An anniversary gift.

After you left our house,

my wife reminded me that
it was at Purim 10 years ago

that we first met.

Me as high priest,

you as tetrarch
of Galilee and Perea.

Each trying
to work the other out.

And here we are, still trying.

Please.

So, your father-in-law
and his son

would very much like
to take from you

those fine robes of office
that you wear.

Now...

What are you going to do

about these fanatics
in the desert?

The ringleader of the cult,
the man they follow,

is from Galilee.

This reflects very badly on me.

They will soon tire
of the hardships

that come from following
their... Messiah.

But what happens?

Dissent becomes revolt.

The Roman response
could be devastating.

Solve this problem for me,
Caiaphas.

And if this attempt
to overthrow you reaches Pilate,

you will have my support.

We know
you're conspiring

with my father and brother.

Should I know
what you're talking about?

The three of you
won't win this fight.

My husband will remain in office
as high priest,

and you will suffer
for your betrayal.

Tide is turning
against your husband,

and I can't stand
in the way of it.

If you don't recognize that,

you'll both drown in the flood.

The high priest
has more to deal with today

than you can even imagine.

And you think
that I should bring him

out here to talk to you?
Yes.

Come back in three days.

The answer
will still be the same,

but at least it'll give me
chance to forget you.

In three days, the danger
to the temple could be doubled.

What danger to the temple?

Forgive me. I...

I was merely talking about the
followers of the false Messiah

gathering in the desert.

Come with me.

You wanted to see me?

Thank you for your good grace.

Having read much
in the temple archives

of your family's great history,

I hope that, with respect...

Could we perhaps have
a little less respect?

Time kills us all.
Of course.

I believe we share
a common interest,

a common desire

to rid Jerusalem of a pest...

The fishermen
and their followers

growing in numbers
and confidence

outside the city walls.

And what is it that fuels
your desire to see them gone?

They offend me.

Their actions
to undermine the temple,

their defiance offends me.

Their defiance of the Sanhedrin,

who could not have been
more definitive in their verdict

when they said...

What exactly do you want?

The authority to... Act
on your behalf

and solve this problem...

To remove these blasphemers
so completely

that not even the stain
of their memory is left behind.

I just can't stop
thinking about Stephen.

Stop being such a man.

What?

You see the women
at the funeral.

They weep and they wail

and they scream out their pain

so the whole world
knows about it.

And while all this
openhearted grieving goes on,

the men look at their feet

and put on their sad face.

Don't bottle it up.

Let out that pain.

Honor Stephen
by leading us, Peter.

Aah!

What I need is for you
to give me the authority

you would give the least
promoted of your temple guard.

Authority to use how?

And 20 men from that guard.

Aah! Their strength
is their popularity.

I want to take that from them.

You have questions.

You say,
"why did he call me his rock?"

You ask, "am I the foundation?"

Is this where his church
will be built?"

There is only one
foundation stone.

And his name is Jesus Christ!

And his church is not here.

It's not in those tents
or these walls.

It's you... all of you.

You are his church.

And like those we ask to believe

even though they didn't see him
rise again,

we must push away our fear

even as we recognize
the persecution we face.

We have to go to Jerusalem
and preach the word

to build his church!

Recruit your own men.

I'll pay.

Forgive me,

but wouldn't it benefit
your authority

to be seen as the hand at work?

We need to claim back
the true message of our faith

from the families of the temple
and their masters from Rome.

They crucified the man
who said to you,

"I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me
won't walk in darkness."

And with my own eyes, I saw him.

We just buried a man...
A good man and a friend.

Stoned to death because
he dared speak the truth.

He was a young man, like you.

He shed blood and felt pain,
just like you.

His mother wept tears for him,
just as yours would.

But he had a burning need

to speak the truth
of the word of God.

With the authority
of high priest Caiaphas,

I, Saul of tarsus,

hereby accuse all the people
here of supporting blasphemy!

Do you see this?

These friends of Rome
standing against us?

Is this your answer?
Violence?

You underestimate me.

You will all be taken away

and your name added
to a list of offenders!

These people have done nothing.

Any further offense,

and you will all face
the Sanhedrin court!

Then take us.
Take our names.

We're the ones to arrest.

No.
You two can go.

These people will soon learn
the danger of your company.

You and your men are no match

for the fire of the Holy Spirit
that fills us.

Really?

Well, let's see whose fire
burns brightest, shall we?

Take them!

I've weakened these fanatics
by isolating them,

by turning their supporters
against them.

By terrorizing
the citizens of Jerusalem.

Well, there was a problem
nobody seemed able to solve.

Neither have you.

They know you'll persecute them

if they listen to the preachers
in Jerusalem,

so they're leaving the city

to hear what they have to say.

Did you really think
this man Saul

would stand in the way
of our mission?

The temple won't stand for this.

They won't let it go on
much longer.

It looks like your hero Saul

couldn't solve the problem
of the Nazarene camp.

Where are the other
two conspirators?

I didn't come to bicker.

I came to ask you
to show some dignity,

to recognize
that the will of the Sanhedrin

is turning against you,

and ask you,
for the good of this family,

to stand down.

For the good of this family?

For the good of this family,

you, who in his day
as high priest

hadn't the wits
to walk in step with Rome.

You, who left a mess behind him
that I had to clear up.

Yo plot against me?

And now I must listen
to the rantings

of a failed and a bitter old man

for the good of this family?

Get out of my house!

Before I forget
you're my wife's father

and put a blade
between your ribs.

We'll take this to Pilate.

You must favor Caiaphas
over his brother-in-law.

Must I?

Don't tell me what to do.

A 10-year-old alliance

shouldn't be tossed aside
without good cause.

Is it Caiaphas you approve of
or his wife?

I hear the two of you
are becoming

the best of friends.

Minerva, goddess of wisdom.

Minerva,

which of these men
shall be high priest,

and which one shall be left
to rot in the desert?

Nothing.

Very disappointing.

There is a rumor

you knew of the plot
against my life and did nothing.

Is that true?

No.
That's ridiculous.

And a rumor you have a spy
here in my palace.

And another that you visit
the Nazarene's camp each night

and pray with them.

All of which,
it's been suggested,

makes you unfit
to continue in office.

Is any of this true?

None of it.

Lies are being spread by those
who wish to undermine me.

You undermine yourself
by failing to get a grip on...

Enough.

I will not waste my time
separating truth from fiction,

like a mother
with squabbling children.

Tiberius shall decide.

I met a Greek once
who made every decision

with the toss of a coin.

Emperor's head...

Or the divine Livia?

Shall I commend you
for your ambition?

Or do I condemn you
for spreading baseless rumors?

Heads, I condemn.

Livia, I commend.

Heads.

Then I condemn you

for making such a poor job
of your treachery.

These fishermen
and their followers...

Are they being dealt with?

They are, firmly and finally.

Unless he wants to be loved
by all,

the high priest's job
is not a hard one.

He must deliver what's expected

of the province of Judea by Rome

and resist the many,
often irrational,

demands of his people.

There are girls in the kitchen
who can do that.

Dogs in the street.

Even a donkey.

Heads, you stay.

Livia...

I'll replace you with a donkey.

Get that, will you, Caiaphas?

Head.

Excellent.

You both may go.

I need to speak
with your high priest.

And the lesson is,

don't play politics
unless you're good at it.

This coin...

It has two heads.

It does, doesn't it?

By order of Caiaphas,
who remains high priest,

you are removed
from the Sanhedrin.

Even though it was
your own father and brother

who hatched this plot?

And you will leave Jerusalem

or find yourself
arrested for treason.

This all began

with the murder
of the Nazarene... Jesus.

All your interfering,
your scheming.

It will bring you down...
Eventually.

I tried to reason with them,

but they just wouldn't listen.

I tried to come between them
and their supporters,

but it would appear
they would prefer

the idiotic doctrine
of the Nazarene.

This gives you my full
authority to rid me of them.

Permanently.

Do whatever is necessary.

Whatever is necessary.

Let me tell you
about these people.

These people want to bring down
the temple...

The temple.

The guiding hand
in yours and my life.

The well of wisdom.

And they think nobody...

Nobody...
Will stand in their way.

They disregard the ruling
of the Sanhedrin,

who call them blasphemers!

The very next day,

one of them walked
into the temple itself

proclaiming his profanity.

And although...

And although
the people of Jerusalem

delivered their justice
and they stoned him to death,

they continue recruiting
the gullible and the weak-minded

to their cause.

Do we say enough?

Enough!

Will we break their heads?

With swords

and clubs and bare fists,

we will say, "leave this land",

or you will leave this earth
in a shroud of blood!"

Grab weapons!
Grab armor!

Follow me!

Pay heed to this
and spread the word.

These people are being arrested
for aiding, sheltering,

and feeding the followers
of the false Messiah.

They will be...

They will be imprisoned.

Anyone else who does likewise

will also pay
with their freedom.

And don't think of scurrying off
to the desert

for help from your friends.

It's their turn next.

He's coming!

Saul's coming back!

He's bringing men with swords.

Take what you can!

Let's get everyone out of here.

This way.
Go. Go with them.

We should go back to Galilee.

No, we have to stay together.

We gather again in Jerusalem.

We have to go now.

No. I'll stay.

I will not be cowed
by this man and his threats.

I won't leave you
to face him alone.

He won't be alone.

This was my land.
I'm staying.

And me.

There's more than one way
to welcome a visitor.

See you in Jerusalem.

Please hurry.
Run.

Mix it carefully.

Too much and it won't work.

Go.
Move faster.

Go on. Faster.

Take my hand.

James, go.

Pull it all down.

Burn it.

I want nothing left to show
that they were ever here.

Now!

He's leaving it too late.

No.

He knows what he's doing.

There!

Take him!

Let's see whose fire
burns brightest now!

No!

No!!

I will crush you!

You will try!

You will try!