2021 - Temple Guards

Temple Guard Captain - not to be trifled with

The temple guards have a simple job - to follow instructions from Caiaphas and the Chief Priests.

This also involves providing security for the Sanhedrin and being on hand as required. They are respected as tough guardians representing the people for Jerusalem through the commands of the Sanhedrin.

In the Re-enactment they are also in most scenes from the initial payment of Judas for betraying Jesus, through to the end as they are part of the insulting of Jesus on the Cross.

Protecting the Chief Priests

We typically have four to six Temple Guards in the play all carrying shields and clubs. They start by guarding the house of Caiaphas when they meet Judas by night.

The Temple Guard captain escorts in Judas and quite happily escorts him back out afterwards.

How hard is to arrest one man?

Who are you looking for? Jesus of Nazareth.

We next see them at the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss and then they attempt to arrest Jesus, but are wary of arresting someone who presents with such authority.

There is a brief fight as St Peter rushes in with his sword to defend his Lord and master, quickly chopping of the ear of Malchus, one of the temple guards.

Jesus stops the fight, heals Malchus, rebukes St Peter and then lets himself be arrested.

What have I said to cause offence?

The journey back to the house of Caiaphas is a rough one for Jesus, as his closest friends and disciples all scatter and the Temple Guards and none too gentle in their transport of him.

Sts Peter and John follow at a distance and negotiate their way into the grounds to see what happens to Jesus.

How dare you talk back to the Chief Priests that way?

During the first attempt to entrap Jesus, the guards are not amused at the replies made to Caiaphas. Jesus reasonably asks what he has said that caused offence, and the guards then beat Jesus and ridicule him.

It's all the Roman's fault

Then they let Jesus continue to be accused and questioned until Jesus finally convicts himself by saying that he is the Christ, answering "I AM".

He gets beaten some more and thrown into the Sanhedrin's prison before being taken to the palace of Pontius Pilate.

The temple Guards get to escort Jesus to Herod's palace and then back to Pilate until finally Pilate is forced to sentence Jesus to death by crucifixion.

Watching the tomb being guarded by the Romans

During the way of the cross, the Temple Guards continue to hurl insults and get in constant scuffles wth the Roman soldiers, butting shields and heads as they make the whole journey a lot less straight forward than it should otherwise be.

The Chief Priests watch on with silent approval, allowing this chaos to continue to show the Romans that getting rid of Jesus is the best move for them to make.

The Centurion Longinus observes all that is happening and realises there is more than meets the eye, making sure that his soldiers keep the troublemaking Jews away from the prisoners.

Being a temple guard is quite a busy - and physical - role in our Re-enactment. We ensure we have some choreography and safety training during the rehearsals and before the play begins to make sure the rough and tumble of the clashes with Jesus, the apostles and the Romans is relatively safe despite the loudness and physical action.

We have a couple of additional strong young lads who have volunteered to join the Temple Guards for the 2022 play. I think we will need to make sure the Romans and Temple Guards get more training!