The Jewish Guards

We happy few. Us band of brothers.

The Jewish Guards are in action from the first scene guarding the meeting between Judas and the Priests to the very end standing with the priests at the Crucifixion.
Their job is to stand between Caiaphas with the chief priests and the unclean Romans as well as do the business of the Sanhedrin - the council of Jewish priests.
We have four guards, enough to arrest Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane and escort him to the House of Caiaphas, led by Malchus. Then the young guard Aaron is left guarding the entrance to the courtyard, letting in Mary and Mary Magdalene as well as Saints John and Peter.

"Whose side are you on?"

This year we had the additional scene where Mary Magdalene tells off the guard Aaron for the illegal trial to let the crowd hear that this is not a proper trial under Jewish law.
The guards hold Jesus as he is questioned by Caiaphas and torment and beat Jesus for alleged insolence. Once Jesus is found guilty of blasphemy they restart the beatings with encouragement and assistance of the chief priests. They then escort Jesus to the Roman Praetorium, where they not-so-gently call for the attention of Pontius Pilate.

Defending Caiaphas the High Priest

As Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate play their game for control of the situation,  the guards tussle with the Romans, ably demonstrating that there is no love lost between them.
Once the Crucifixion has been announced, they follow along behind the procession of Jesus and the Romans shouting encouragement for the process and various lovely insults back and forth.
There is an occasional scuffle allowing the entrance of Veronica as well as requiring the Centurion Longinus to call a halt to sort out the disturbance.

Pilate! Pilate! Come out!

Finally they arrive at the crucifixion and join in the taunting of Jesus on the cross.
All in all, the guards play an important role and is definitely a part for active and strong young lads. They provide a very colourful and energetic position in a play that is very passionate.

Escorting Jesus. He loved them still.

A Jewish Guard and loving it.