32 quotes
The Downfall of Herod: A Tragic Legacy
Narrator
Herod the Great, crushed by his many murders, self-crucified, fell dead. And Herod Antipas took murder for his crown.
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A Call for Redemption and Forgiveness
Salome
Go away you vile man!
John the Baptist
Daughter of adultery! There is but one that can save you. Go seek him out! Kneel at his feet and ask forgiveness for the sins of your mother.
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A Warning of Consequences from Lucius
Lucius
For some reason, I favored Your mother once before. I will give You a moment with the prisoner John. But remember this...break Caesar's law, and you shall find in me the most merciless of men.
[remembering Jesus as a boy he met]
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A Call to Leave Darkness Behind
Salome
Would you like me to come and visit you in your new cave?
John the Baptist
You are the seed of evil-doers. The child of corruption. Leave this house of darkness. Find your way into the light while there is yet time.
[leaves to the cell]
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A Final Message to Jesus
John the Baptist
You treated me well. I should like to ask just one more kindness.
Lucius
Ask.
John the Baptist
Before I leave this world, I would send a message to Jesus.
Lucius
What is the message?
John the Baptist
Ask of Him, in these words, "Was it Your coming that was foretold, or are we to expect another?
Lucius
You doubt Him?
John the Baptist
No. I do not doubt Him. But I would like to hear it from His own lips.
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Divine Service versus Material Reward
Pontius Pilate
Tell me, what is your occupation?
[Interrogating John the Baptist after Lucius arrested him]
John the Baptist
I do the bidding of the Lord my God.
Pontius Pilate
Judging from your appearance, your God seems to be a rather unprofitable master to serve.
John the Baptist
I do not seek my reward in the world you live in.
Pontius Pilate
Nevertheless, you will find one here.
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A Conflict of Orders and Morality
Herod
Lucius, order every first born male child put to the sword.
Lucius
I am a Roman soldier. I do not murder children.
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Jesus Declares His Intent to Free John
Lucius
The prisoner John is not allowed visitors. If You wish to send him a message, leave it with the guard.
Jesus
I would see John.
Lucius
Why?
Jesus
I come to free John.
Lucius
And just how do you propose to break him free from his cell?
[sarcastically]
Jesus
I come to free him within his cell.
Lucius
Freedom? Behind stone walls?
Jesus
You are free to come and go as you please, and yet you are still a prisoner because you place no faith in anything but your sword.
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Skepticism Towards Prophecy and Leadership
Herod Antipas
One more Messiah on the way. Do these Jews never tire of inventing deliverers?
[observing John the Baptist from a distance]
Pontius Pilate
There are no such things as miracles. Only fools who believe in them.
Barabbas
We need more fighters and fewer prophets.
Barabbas
Judas dreams. And all dreamers are fools.
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Herod Antipas Dismisses Jesus' Performance
Herod Antipas
Take this faker back to Pilate. Tell him Herod was not pleased with His performance.
[annoyed that Jesus did not do any miracles he requested]
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The Sacrament of Body and Blood
Jesus
Blessed you are you, oh Master, Our King of the Universe that gives us the bread, fruit of the Earth. Take, eat, therefore this is my body that will be given by you, do this in my memory. Blessed you are you, oh Master, Our King of the Universe that gives us the wine, fruit of the Vineyard. Take, drink, therefore this is my blood that will be spilled by many for the pardon of sins.
[breaking bread during the Last Supper; pours wine]
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Doubt Among Disciples in the Face of Miracles
Narrator
For Jesus saw his own disciples doubt him. Awed by his miracles, faithful to him; yet, still they wondered why the Messiah could not raise up miraculous armies to strike Judea free. Could simple love and brotherhood be weapons against Rome?
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A Moment of Divine Abandonment
Jesus
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
[on the cross]
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Final Words of Commitment and Surrender
Jesus
It is finished. Father, into your hands, I commit my soul.
[last words; dies]
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Hope in Darkness: The Promise of a Messiah
Narrator
Trapped in this darkness, the Jews survived, by one promise: God would send a Messiah to deliver them forth.
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Choice and Consequence in Crucial Moments
Lucius
Pilate offered that mob a choice.
Barabbas
And they chose me?
[incredulous]
Lucius
Your followers yelled the loudest. Go; look at Him who is dying for you.
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The Inevitability of His Arrival
John the Baptist
Take me. But, you cannot stop Him who comes after me.
[to Lucius, who is about to arrest him]
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The Dangers of Power and Manipulation
Salome
Yes, we do live in a very wicked world. You frighten me, you angry man!
[to John the Baptist; sarcastically]
Herod Antipas
Salome, come back!
Salome
This beast amuses me. Make him dance! On a bed of hot coals.
Herodias
It were better to cut his vicious tongue from its roots.
John the Baptist
Woman, is not your cup of abominations full enough?
Herodias
How dare to say that to my face? Get down on your knees and beg my forgiveness!
[insulted]
John the Baptist
You, woman? Who has given herself the captains of Assyria? To the young men of Egypt? Who has deserted her first husband's bed, to live in incestuous lust with his brother?
Salome
Is there blood in your veins? Or poison?
[feeling his skin]
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A Discussion on Peace and Brotherhood
Pontius Pilate
What did the man say?
Lucius
He spoke of...peace, love, and the brotherhood of man.
[dryly]
Herod Antipas
Is that all?
[scoffs]
Lucius
That is all.
[leaves]
Herod Antipas
What is the matter?
[noticing Pilate looks puzzled]
Pontius Pilate
The look on Lucius face.
Herod Antipas
He had a long journey. He looked tired.
Pontius Pilate
He looked more than tired to my eyes.
[cools off the heat stove with cold water]
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Plans to Capture Barabbas and the Zealots
Pontius Pilate
Who are these prople?
Lucius
They call themselves Zealots. A man named Barabbas leads them.
Pontius Pilate
I want him in chains before the year runs out.
Lucius
Putting him in chains will be easy: getting our hands on him, that's what is difficult.
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Herod's Response to Jewish Rebellions
Narrator
From the dusts at Herod's feet, rebellions of Jews rose up. And Herod, in reply, planted evil seeds from which forests of Roman crosses grew high on Jerusalem's hills.
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A Mother's Commitment to Her Son
Jesus
The chair will have to wait until I return.
[while hiding his last quest from his mother]
Mary
The chair will never be mended. I am going with you.
[vaguely; Jesus is surprised what she had said. He realizes that she already knew. She puts away the sewing supplies; leaves with her son]
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A Moment of Shared Solitude and Sin
Mary
I am alone now, share my table.
Mary Magdalene
I am a woman of sin.
Mary
You will share my table.
Mary Magdalene
I have done much evil.
Mary
Child, God knows evil exists as well as good. Just as there is light and darkness. Evil exists that we may be the better for it.
Mary Magdalene
Will you speak to your son for me?
Mary
Intercede...
[humbled by the request]
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A Commanded Dance and Refusal
Herod Antipas
Dance for me Salome! Salome, drink a little wine. Taste this, so that I may drain the cup.
Salome
I'm not thirsty.
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Prophecy of Judgment Against Idol Worshippers
John the Baptist
Behold, the sign of the pagan. As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, so shall he send hosts to destroy the idol worshippers. The day is coming when the sword shall descend upon her legions. Her mighty kings and princes shall grow feeble. Her stolen treasures made worthless. Her cities shall crumble into dusts. We shall raise our voice and be heard.
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A Conversation About Jesus' Interests
Camel Driver
Your son?
[spotting the 12-year-old Jesus, while refreshing himself in a well in Nazareth]
Mary
Yes.
Camel Driver
And, does He like being a carpenter?
Mary
Yes, He does.
Camel Driver
There's a big world outside this garden. Do you want Him to see it?
Mary
He will see it soon enough.
Camel Driver
Let me take Him with me. I'll pay you well. I can use a lad like that to help me with my caravan.
Mary
No. Someday, He will leave me, but someone else will call Him.
Camel Driver
And who will that be?
Mary
My son will know Him when He comes.
Lucius
Have no fear. We're simply checking the census against the tax rolls. Now, you are...Joseph. And you live here with your wife Mary.
[arriving at Jesus' home in Nazareth on horseback with another Roman soldier; reading from a scroll]
Joseph
That is so.
Lucius
Who's this boy?
[pointing to Jesus]
Mary
My son, Jesus.
Lucius
I have no record of His birth. When was He born?
[looking at the scroll again]
Mary
Twelve years ago.
Lucius
Where?
Mary
In Bethlehem.
Lucius
Bethlehem? Count those in the next house. See that the boy is registered before the year is out.
[realizing Jesus must have survived the killing of the young boys in Bethlehem which he commanded on Herod's orders 12 years before, and after a long, tense pause; Mary slowly nods "yes"; to the other Roman soldier; the Roman soldier rides away; to Mary; rides away]
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A Commanded Dance Meets Defiance
Herod Antipas
Salome, dance for me. I command you to dance!
Salome
I will not dance.
Herod Antipas
You cannot refuse me. Salome will now dance for us!
Salome
I do refuse.
Herod Antipas
Salome, I beg of you. I'll give you anything you want.
Salome
Anything?
[surprised with interest]
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Tension Among Herod, Herodias, and Salome
Herodias
I heard that name John the Baptist. I hear he speaks evil things of me wherever he goes.
Salome
His heart should be ripped from his body!
Herod Antipas
Your daughter, Herodias, grows more like her mother day by day.
[amused by Salome's reply]
Salome
Do I not please you?
Herod Antipas
My stepdaughter pleases me very much, Salome.
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The Limits of Power and Authority
Herod Antipas
A king who cannot walk to his own throne is no longer a king, father.
[to Herod]
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Ambition and Governance in Ancient Rome
Pontius Pilate
Judea. A fine wedding present your father gave me.
[sarcastically]
Claudia
My dear Pontius, it is said whoever can govern Jerusalem can govern anywhere, even Rome.
Pontius Pilate
Do you think Tiberius really has me in mind as his successor in Rome?
Claudia
I wish I knew my father's mind as well as I know my husband's ambition.
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Questioning Barabbas' Support in Jerusalem
Pontius Pilate
How many followers has he?
Lucius
Who? God, Jesus, or Barabbas?
Pontius Pilate
Barabbas.
Lucius
How many dissatisfied Jews are there in Jerusalem?
Pontius Pilate
Have you considered the possibility of the followers of Jesus and Barabbas joining forces?
Lucius
I have.
Pontius Pilate
Where would it happen?
Lucius
Since we are here...here!
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King of Kings - Narrator
Narrator
Caesar could find no Jew to press Rome's laws on this fallen land. So, Caesar named one Herod the Great, an Arab of the Bedouin tribe as the new false and maleficent King of the Jews.
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