The Temple Guards have a simple mission. Protect Caiaphus and the High Priests and Scribe, and follow their commands. They have been given authority of the Temple and maintain local laws on behalf of the ruling priests while under the watchful eye of the Roman conquerors.
All while being watched by thousands of spectators.
The Temple Guard Captain is an experienced actor in the play, having performed many different roles over the years. His job is to take the lead of his men as they protect the priests and follow their orders to sort out the trouble-maker, Jesus.
The recruit gets to explain to Caiaphus that the arrest was delayed and keep the crowd back at the front gate, confronting an angry Mary Magdalene.
The arrest in the garden goes messy when Peter leaps into action. One guard takes on John and James, while Peter attacks Malchus.
Malchus, the second in command, gets his ear cut off in the scuffle, then is heard by Jesus.
Jesus is brought to Caiaphus and the Sanhedrin, bound and beaten after the arrest.
The Captain and second in command beat up Jesus for showing disrespect to Caiaphus. (At this point there were audible gasps from the crowd as this had been rehearsed a number of times. No one was hurt, but it looked pretty realistic!)
After the verdict of "Blasphemy!", Jesus is taken by the guards and priests to see Pontius Pilate.
The Romans stood guard, protecting the separation of state and temple. It was a nervous peace as there had already been multiple riots over the last few years and Pilate did not want any more riots.
After the verdict of death by crucifixion, the temple guards follow behind the procession, continually clashing with the guards while keeping any danger away from them.
The team of Temple Guards work together well. There is a lot of ad-libbing the insults and "encouragement" of the Way of the Cross, as well as plenty of physical activity interacting with Jesus and the Romans.
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