Scene 12: Pontius Pilate and Claudia Meet

Mary watched her battered son as he was dragged past

See?  have punished Jesus and now I can let him go.

This is a scene is not directly from scripture, but is important in that it establishes some of the challenges Pontius Pilate was facing with the events of the day. Also, the scenes with Mary and Mary Magdalene are also based on pious traditions.

Jesus is escorted out past Mary. Mary took a step forward as the guards approached, dragging Jesus. She was silently horrified at his physical state.
Mary reached out a hand to Jesus but the guards dragged him past her.

At this point, Claudia, Pilate’s wife, was watching and was also horrified by the state of Jesus.

Pilate saw Claudia and went to comfort her.

"Claudia, I know you told me of your concerns and I have sought to have this man Jesus punished without having his death on our hands. The blood you see here is his and it is paid so that we can keep peace in Jerusalem."

But Claudia was not calmed and said, "Pontius, I told you to have nothing to do with this man. He is innocent in all that they say he has done."

Pilate briefly considered this and replied, "What is innocence, my beloved? What is truth?"

Claudia promptly said, "That man is innocent! All he has ever spoken has been truth. It is the Jews that spite him. Are you afraid to refuse their demands lest they uprise?"

You don't understand, Pontius!

Pilate scoffed and replied, "I have no need to fear the Jews and their false God, or this man Jesus and his delusions. Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Bacchus; these are the gods we answer to."

Emboldened, Claudia shook the white cloth she was holding and said, "You don’t understand...The dream I had... I am warning you. If you condemn this man; all generations from now on will recall that this righteous man suffered and died because you allowed it. Don’t you see? This trial is greater than just keeping peace between us and the Jews. That man is greater than all of us! Innocent blood is being shed. He is as pure as this cloth."

Pilate turned away and went back into his rooms.

Here are some clean cloths

Claudia gazed after him. She looked at the blood which had been shed, and noticed a commotion with guards and the crowd.

John helping Mary up to the scourging area

A Roman soldier, keeping the crowd back from the scourging area shouted, "Keep back! No one gets through. I don’t care who you are."

John stepped up to the guard and explained, "Please. This is his Mother."
Claudia, seeing Mary attempting to approach the place Jesus was scourged and blocked by the guards, intervened, "Let the woman through."
The guards stepped aside and allowed Mary and Mary Magdalene through and John quickly slipped in after them too.
Mary looked at Claudia, the Roman lady who had let her through. Claudia silently offered Mary a white cloth.
Mary and Mary Magdalene walked over to clean the blood from the floor.
Claudia watched quietly and is overcome by Mary mopping up her son’s innocent blood.

Mary and Mary Magdalene wipe up Jesus' blood

Scene 11: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns

Scourging at the pillar

The soldiers led him to the inner part of the Praetorium, where the whole cohort was gathered. There they stripped him, tied him to a column and scourged him.

Taking turns

Lots of blood

They dressed him in scarlet and mockingly named him King.
They twisted some thorns into a crown, and forced it on his head. They paid him mock homage.

Pilate, wondering why the scourging was taking so long, made his way down to the inner court. He was shocked and furious and called out to the Centurion, "Centurion! Enough! Return him to the upper chambers."

Looking around at the all the mess he added, "And find someone to have this blood cleaned from my halls."

Fearing Jesus would soon be dead, Pilate ordered Jesus to be taken upstairs.

Crowning with Thorns

Scene 10: Christ or Barrabas?

Who do you want me to release? Christ or ..

Caiaphas and the Chief Priests returned and once more demanded Pilate's attention. Herod didn't do what was needed so they had to force Pilate to make the right decision.

Meanwhile, a message has arrived from Pilate's wife, Claudia, warning him to have nothing to do with the man Jesus, as she had suffered nightmares on his account the night before.
Pilate was now anxious to release Jesus.

He looked down on these troublesome Jews with disdain and said, "You have brought this man before me as one who seduces the people. I examined him in your presence and could not find substance to your charges, nor could Herod, seeing that he has sent him back to us. It is plain that he has done nothing which deserves death."
As expected, Caiaphas was not giving up so easily, so Pilate had a good idea.
It was the custom that at festival time Pilate would release any one prisoner the people chose. Pilate believed that perhaps this was his opportunity to be rid of Jesus.

this horrible criminal, Barrabas

Pilate called down to Longinus, the Centurion, "Centurion! Who is the worst criminal murderer that we have in the depths of the prisons that not even the Jews would ever want to see released?"
The Centurion answered quickly as the answer was obvious, "That would be Barrabas, Sir."
Pilate then instructed, "Then get that murderer, Barabbas and bring this Jesus to me."
Barabbas was in prison at this time with other rioters who had committed murder during a recent uprising. As Barrabas was such a terrible murderer, Pilate was sure that the crowd would choose Jesus.

Pilate called out to the crowd, "I bring him forth to you that you may know I find no cause in him. I will release for you this Jesus, the King of the Jews!"
But the crowd called, "We want Barabbas!"
Surprised as this choice between an innocent man and a murderer even they hated, Pilate asked, "Which of the two would you have me release? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

Give us Barrabas!

The crowd yelled out, "Away with him! Give us Barabbas! Not this man. We want Barabbas!"
Pilate asked them, "But what am I to do with this one you call King of the Jews?"
The crowd was silent as Caiaphas replied sternly, "Crucify him."
The crowd then cried out, "Crucify him! On the cross with him. Crucify him!"
Pilate tried once more to get some reason, "But why, what harm has he done?"
But the crowd cried louder and started to get unruly, "Crucify him, crucify him!"
Concerned at what looked like impending violence, the soldiers started bracing themselves and Pilate tried his next plan, "Why, what wrong has he done? I can find no fault in him that deserves death; I will scourge him, and then he shall go free."
Barrabas was Pontius Pilate’s second attempt to avoid condemning Jesus.
Pilate, anxious to placate the crowd, orders Jesus to be scourged,"Centurion, take him to the Praetorium! You are to punish him severely but do not kill him!"

A great resource is the story written by Daniel A Lord (1958). Here is a PDF version or an ePub.

Scene 9: Jesus is Brought to Pilate

Pilate! We're calling for you!

It was morning and Caiaphas and the Chief Priests would not enter the palace themselves. There was a paschal meal to be eaten and they must not be defiled by entering the house of a gentile.

What do you want?

The Centurion Longinus makes them wait while he gets Pilate. Not content with waiting the Temple Guards shout for Pilate until he appears.
Pilate is the man placed in charge of this troublesome province where the locals just wouldn't accept they had been conquered and accept their fate. He had already had to forcefully quell a couple of rebellions and had been told not to get in trouble again. So watch this exchange between Pontius Pilate and Caiaphas as both play verbal and other games to establish dominance and get what they want.

Pilate, looking down at the belligerent crowd, and Jesus held by the Temple Guards, asks the question, "What charge do you bring against this man?"

We're watching you

Caiaphas replied, "If he were not a criminal we would not be handing him over to you."
Pilate tells them, "Take him yourselves and try him by your own law."
Caiaphas responds with, "We are not allowed to put a man to death."

This was to fulfil the words of Jesus indicating the way he would die.
Pilate was at first amused, curious why the Jewish people would bring one of their own for death.

Did you say Galilee? That's Herod's jurisdiction.

One of the chief priests then claims, "This man is subverting the loyalty of our people, he forbids the payment of tribute to Caesar, and calls himself Christ the King."
Pilate then questions Jesus about being a king until Jesus says, "It is you who say it. Yes I am a King. I was born for this day. I came into the world for this; to bear witness to the truth, and all who are on the side of truth shall listen to my voice."
Pilate, not realising the answer is standing right in front of him, then utters his most famous line, "What is truth?"

Here is the criminal.

He then announces to Caiaphas, "I can find no fault in this man."
That is not what Caiaphas wants to hear so the Chief Priests start making new accusations that may convince Pilate.
"He rouses sedition among the people"
And then one says, "He has gone round the whole of Judea preaching, beginning in Galilee and ending here."
Pilate's ears pricked up at the word Galilee and a he seizes on a great escape route.
"Galilee? That’s Herod’s juisdiction. Take him to Herod and let him deal with this man."
Satisfied that he has nicely dealt with today's problem, he dismisses the Jews with their prisoner and goes back inside.

Herod was overjoyed at seeing Jesus. For a long time Herod had been eager to have sight of Jesus because he had heard so much of him and now Herod hoped to witness some miracles.
Herod asked Jesus many questions but could get no answer from him, although the Chief Priests and scribes stood there, loudly accusing Jesus. So Herod made fun of Jesus, arraying him in festal clothes out of mockery and sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate, who up to this point were enemies, from that day now became friends.
Herod too, advises that he cannot put a man to death. Displeased with Herod’s judgment, Caiaphus and the Chief Priests return to the Praetorium and once again demand an audience with Pilate.

Scene 8: Jesus is denied by Peter

Warming themselves by the fire

Peter is the man Jesus chose to lead his people. Jesus knew all about Peter's strengths and weaknesses and knew that after the trial Peter would stand firm. Peter would be a better man for it, knowing all too well the weaknesses to which we are all subject.

You too were with Jesus the Nazarene

Meanwhile outside in the courtyard one of the high priest's servant girls saw Peter sitting there in the firelight, looked closely at him and said:
"You too were with Jesus the Nazarene!"
Peter stood up and replied, "Woman, I have no knowledge of him; I do not know what you mean!"
Peter hurried out into the forecourt. The cock crew the first time.
The servant girl saw him again and started telling the bystanders.
"That man is one of His followers."
Peter replied, "Not I. I know nothing of the man."
At this point Peter is becoming a little desperate. He has seen Jesus beaten and degraded by the leaders of the people and he was all alone in a crowd of those who supported the leaders. I find it hard to blame him.
A relative of Malchus, the guard who had his ear cut off by Peter, called out, "Did I not see you with him in the garden?"
Another bystander joined in, "It is certain you are one of them; even your speech betrays you; why, you are a Galilean."

That Man is one of his followers!

Peter, surrounded and alone, cried out, "God is my judge; this man is nothing to me! Stay away from me with your lies; I do not know this man!"
The cock crew a second time.
Peter turned around and his eyes met Jesus and he remembered the words Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the second cock-crow you will thrice deny me.’

God is my judge. I do not know the man

Peter burst into tears and went out weeping bitterly. As he left he caught sight of Mary and rushed over to her embrace.

Over the years this scene has developed into a very powerful reminder of what Peter went through. We had many people tell us afterwards this year that they cried at this scene with their emotions roiling until the embrace of Peter into Mary's arms.

I know you, Peter.

Peter realises his failure

Into the arms of Mary

Scene 7: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin

Waiting for Jesus

In the scriptures, Jesus was first brought in front of Annas, father in law of Caiaphas, for informal questioning. This has been combined into the one trial for our re-enactment. The initial questioning up to the beating was done in the presence of Annas and then Jesus was brought in front of the full court.

They led Jesus into the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where all the Chief Priests, elders and scribes had assembled. Peter and John followed at a distance. John spoke to the guard at the door and brought Peter right into the grounds. It was cold and the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire and stood there warming themselves. Peter went to sit with the attendants, warming himself by the fire and John went to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene.

Jesus brought before Caiaphas

So Jesus. Tell us of your teachings

The actual trial was illegal by Jewish standards where the trial had to be public, witnesses were there for both sides, with cross-examination allowed and so on.
This is why we have Mary Magdalene making a scene with the Temple Guard at the entry to the court grounds.
The guard pushes here away and she joins Mary and John as they watch what unfolds in the outer court.

This is an illegal trial!

Caiaphas opens the proceedings by asking Jesus about his teachings and followers. Jesus basically states his right to not be accused based on his own witness.
"I have spoken openly before the world; my teaching has been given in the synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather; nothing that I have said was said in secret. Why do you question me? Ask those who listened to me what my words were; they know well enough what I said."
A Temple Guard struck Jesus and said, "Is this how you make answer to the high priest?"
Jesus, once more highlighting his rights as the accused, replied, "If there was harm in what I said, tell us what was harmful in it; if not, why do you strike me?"

Watching proceedings...

The guards then tied a blindfold on Jesus and beat him up, mocking him with statements like, "Tell me a prophesy coward, who struck you?"

Caiaphas steps in and puts a stop to the beating and gets the proceedings moving again.

What evidence is brought against you?

Caiaphas and the Chief Priests and elders of the people tried to find an accusation against Jesus which would lead to his death.
"Who else accuses you?" Caiaphas asked.
Then a number of "witnesses" presented a variety of accusations based on what they claim Jesus said and did.
Many accused him falsely, but their accusations did not agree. At last two stood up and falsely accused him thus:
"We heard his say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made by men’s hands and in three days I will build another with no hand of man to help me."
Another accuser replied, "Ha, it took forty years to build the temple and he would build it in three days? What fool’s thoughts are these?"
This was backed by another accuser,"I heard him say he could raise it in two days!"

Is that how you answer the High Priest?

Even on this point their evidence was conflicting. Caiaphas, knowing that he could not get suitable evidence on which to convict Jesus, stood up before the whole assembly and put this question to Jesus.

"Have you no answer? What is the accusation these people bring against you?"

But Jesus remained silent and still did not answer. Caiaphas, annoyed  by his inability to have any valid accusations, invoked the power of his position as High Priest.

"I adjure you by the living God, are you the Christ?"
Jesus recognised Caiaphas' invoking of the authority of the High Priest position and so answered, "Why, if I tell you, you will never believe me: and if I ask you questions, I know you will not answer them, nor acquit me. I will only tell you that a time is coming when you will see the Son of Man again, when he is seated in power at God’s right hand, and comes on the clouds of heaven."

And they beat him

Caiaphas listened carefully and realising this was not a No, he pushed further, "You are, then, the Son of the blessed God?"


Jesus replied, using the words God used to Moses in the burning bush and the name for God recognised by all Jews, "Your own lips have said it. I AM."
In shock that Jesus would claim to be God Himself, Caiaphas reacted in amazement and horror, "BLASPHEMY!"
He ripped his cloak and cried to those in the court, "He has blasphemed; what further need have we of witnesses? Mark well, you have heard his blasphemy yourselves from his own mouth. What is your finding?"

And placed a blindfold on him

He said he would build the temple in 3 days!

The chief priests and elders replied, "The penalty is death!"

Are you the Son of the Living God?

I AM

Blasphemy!

Scene 6: Jesus is betrayed by Judas and Arrested

The one I kiss is the one you must arrest

 Judas, who was one of the twelve, came near. He knew the place well; Jesus and his disciples had often gathered in it. There Judas came, accompanied by the guard, and officers, and a great crowd carrying swords and clubs, with lanterns and torches; they had been sent by the chief priests and the scribes and Pharisees and the elders of the people.
The traitor had arranged a signal with them.
"It is none other than the man whom I shall greet with a kiss; hold him fast, and take him away under guard."
The Chief Priests and Temple Guards didn't want to arrest the wrong man and at night the chances are that he would get away so they needed Judas to let them know.
The Romans were there to watch what was happening.

My Friend, on what errand have you come?

When Judas approached, and gave Jesus the friendly, familiar hug and kiss, Jesus said, "My friend, on what errand have you come? Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"
You will see that moments like this happen throughout he Passion. Jesus could have stopped the whole train of events at almost every point. Here Judas could have repented and told Jesus what was happening and stopped the arrest. Jesus gave him the chance.

Seeing that Judas would not take the opportunity, Jesus said to the waiting Temple Guards, "Who is it you are looking for?"
The guards replied, "Jesus of Nazareth"
Jesus said, "I am Jesus of Nazareth"

Judas, would you betray me with a kiss?

At this, the guards fell back. Their prisoner wasn't meant to stand with such authority and firmly announce his identity. They were in doubt as to what they should do.
So Jesus looked at them firmly and asked again, "Who are you looking for?"
"Jesus of Nazareth" the guards replied, with a little bravery, seeing as they were asked again.
Jesus replied, "I have told you already that I am Jesus. If I am the man you are looking for, let these others go free."
With this he would make good the words he had spoken to his disciples, “I have not lost any of those you have entrusted to me.”
As the Temple Guards approached Jesus, James then asked…
"Lord, shall we strike out with our swords?"
Remember how Jesus asked that they get swords at the Last Supper? James had learned from his prior experience with Jesus that he should check on these things so wanted to make sure that now was the right time to use the swords and defend Jesus.

We have swords for a reason!

But Peter, impetuous as always, heard the question, saw the Guards coming for his best friend Jesus and launched himself at the guards, cutting off the ear of the Temple Guard, Malchus.
Jesus cried out, "Stop! Peter! Let them have their way in this!"
Once more Jesus had to step in to force the process along in order to achieve God's will.
While everyone reacted to Jesus' voice of authority and paused, Jesus went to Malchus, placed his hand on Malchus' head and healed the cut-off ear.
He then explained to Peter and the others, "Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink that chalice which my Father himself has appointed for me? All those who take up the sword, will perish by the sword. Do you doubt that if I call upon my Father, even now, he will send more than twelve legions of angels to my side? But how, were it so, should the scriptures be fulfilled, which have prophesied that all must be as it is?"

Malchus. Be healed.

Then he spoke to the waiting Temple Guards, "You have come out to my arrest with swords and clubs, as if I were a robber; and yet I used to sit teaching in the temple close to you, day after day, and you never laid hands on me. But your time has come now, and darkness has its will."
At this the Temple Guards rushed forward and grabbed Jesus. They attempted to catch His followers but the disciples all ran and escaped.
Scripture records that there was a young man there following Jesus, who was wearing only a linen shirt on his bare body and when they laid hold of him left the shirt in the temple guards' hands and ran away from them naked. Wouldn't that be an interesting scene for the play? Maybe not.

While the Chief Priests gladly led the Temple Guards and their prisoner away to the house of Caiaphas, the Roman Centurion realised all this meant trouble. While he was amused at the mess the Temple Guards had arresting some unarmed itinerant preacher, the Centurion Longinus saw that their peace may be disturbed.

Peter, let them have their way in this.

Hey Malchus. Wasn't your ear cut off? Looks good to me.

He said to his second in commander, the Optio Marcus, "Come Marcus. We must tell Pontius Pilate what has happened here tonight. I fear this arrest means trouble."

OK. You can arrest me now.

We better let Pontius Pilate know there is trouble brewing. Again.

Scene 5: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Can this cup pass me by?

Jesus with his disciples went across the Kedron valley to mount Olivet. Here there was a garden, called Gethsemane. Leaving the other Disciples behind, Jesus entered the garden accompanied by Peter, James and John.
He asked them, "Sit down here while I go in there and pray. My soul is ready to die with sorrow; abide here, and watch with me."
Then he went a little further to pray. He knew what was to come and being fully human realised this was going to be painful both physically and mentally. So he does what we are to do. Pray.
"Abba, Father, all things are possible for you so please if it is your will, take this cup from me. But let it be your will, not mine."

Can you not stay awake for one hour?

Abba. Father. Your will be done.

Jesus returned back to where his closest friends were waiting for him and found them asleep. With sorrow and probably understanding of their human natures, he woke them and said, "Simon, are you asleep? Had you not the strength to keep awake one hour with me? Stay awake and pray that you will not be put to the test, for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

So He went off to pray a second time with similar words asking that they go wth a different plan, but if it is God's will then that is what will be done.
He returned to find the disciples asleep again, they were so tired after all that had been happening. So he let them sleep and went back a third time.
"My Father, if this may not pass me by, but I must drink it, then your will be done."
Jesus then saw an angel from heaven encouraging him. He was now in agony, and prayed still more earnestly, his sweat falling to the ground like thick drops of blood.

Although we haven't had the angel in recent plays it was present in earlier ones, so we will reintroduce an angel, holding a golden chalice, who gives comfort to Jesus, placing a hand on His shoulder and passing him the chalice filled with water for him to have a drink.

After this, Jesus went back to his disciples and told them, "Enough, the hour has now come. The Son of Man is soon to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up brothers for my betrayer is close at hand."

At that announcement it sort of needs a drum beat, "Dum Dum Dum!" as the drama now is about to step up considerably.