CYON SACRED HEART PARISH NNAMDI AZIKIWE INT’L

AIPORT, ABUJA

PASSION & DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST : A PLAY (29th March, 2024)

The script is based on Matthew 21:1-11, 26-27 Luke19:28-38,Mark 11:1-10,
John 12:12-27,13:4-15, & 18

ACT 1: PREPARATION FOR PASSOVER

Act 1 — Scene I: Temple Conflict

(characters : Jesus, Priests, the crowd & the priests )

ACT 2 : LAST SUPPER (characters: Jesus, the 12 Apostles)

Act 2 — Scene I: Washing of feet

Act 2 — Scene II: Institution of the Eucharist

ACT 3 : JUDAS PLOT TO BETRAY JESUS

(characters: Judas, Pharisees & Scribes, Caiaphas, Annas, Malchus the

guard)

ACT 4 : GARDEN OF GATHSEMANE

Act 4 — Scene I: Jesus leaves 3 apostles to pray

Act 4 — Scene II: Judas Kissing & the Arrest

(Characters: Jesus, Judas, 3 apostles, Sanhedrin guards & Priest )

ACT 5: HOUSE OF CAIAPHAS & PETER’ DENIAL

(Characters: Jesus, Peter, Caiaphas, 2 Priests, Annas, 2 witnesses, 2

Servants women, the Scribes, 2 guards , Nicodemus, Joseph)

Act 5 : Scene I: Peter’s Denial

Act 5: Scene II: The Sanhedrin trial

ACT 6: PILATE’S & HEROD’S TRIAL

Act 6 —Scene I: Pilate First Trial ( private)

Act 6 —Scene II: Herod’s Trial

Act 6 —Scene III: Pilate Open Trial & Judgement

(Characters: Jesus, Pilate, Pilate’s Wife, Herod, Priests, Roman

Soldiers ,Caiaphas , Annas , The Centurion, Crowd; Scribes & Pharisees )

ACT 7 : STATIONS OF THE CROSS

(characters: Jesus, the Roman soldiers, The crowd, Mother Mary, Mary

Magdalene, Veronica, Simon of Cyrene)

ACT 8 : THE CRUCIFIXION & DEATH

(Characters: Jesus, the 2 thieves, the soldiers)

CASTS
Jesus

12 Disciples (Peter, John, Judas & James has more significant roles)

Caiaphas, (the High priest)

Annas

4 Sanhedrin Guards

The Centurion

4 Roman Soldiers Including Longinus

Pilate

Herod

4 Priests

Nicodemus

Elders ( Scribes, Pharisees, )

Joseph of Arimathea

2 Servants Women

2 Witnesses

2 thieves

Herod’s Servants; Herodias, Salome ,2 Guards & servant woman

Barabbas

Pilate’s Wife; Claudia

Herod’s Wife

Crowd

Daughters of Jerusalem; Veronica, Mary Magdalene

ACT 1: PREPARATION FOR PASSOVER

Act 1 —Scene I : Temple Conflict

Setting: Temple
People are selling and buying, changing money,transacting business and making a lot of noise in
the background chants are going on.

Jesus comes with a whip, pushing down tables and flogging the people with whip.

Jesus: (while flogging) “Away from here! Take all these things out of here! God says
in the scriptures ‘My temple will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a
hideout for thieves”.

Children: (Shouting) Yes Drive then, drive them! Hosanna Son of David, Hosanna
Son of David

Action: Blind and the lame coming for healing, children directing and leading them
to Jesus.

Scribes: (murmur in anger, then confront Jesus)

Scribes 1: Do you hear what these children are saying?

Jesus: Yes! Have you never read from this part of scripture: “by the mouth of the
children and of babies, you have found praise to foil your enemy”?

Action: At this time, the crowed had gathered around Jesus and the stage is set for
confrontation.
The scribes go out briefly to fetch the Pharisees and the Pharisees return for
confrontation.

Caiaphas : Look at the confusion you have caused in the temple here! What authority
have you for acting like this (pointing at Jesus) and who gave you this authority?

Jesus: And I will ask you just one question, if you answer it, then I will tell you my
reason for acting like this: John’s baptism – what was its origin, heavenly or human?

Priest 2: Look, let me tell you John’s baptism was…

Priest 3: (cutting him short) Wait a moment we shall give you an answer.
Action: Priests gather and murmur

Priests: (To Jesus) We do not know

Jesus: Neither will I tell you too my authority for acting this way.

Pharisee Party: (they come into the scene)

Pharisee 1: Rabbi, we know you are an honest man who fears no one except God.
Tell us then, is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

Jesus: (smiles) you hypocrites, why are you putting me to the test? Show me the
money for paying the tax

Action: one brings some coins (or bank notes) out of his pocket and give one to Jesus.
Then pocket the rest.

Jesus: Whose picture is this, whose title?

Pharisees: (in unison) Caesar’s!

Jesus: Very well then, pay Caesar what belong to Caesar, and God what belong to
God.

Action: thrill of murmur through the crowed

Sadducee1: Rabbi, there were seven brothers, the first married a wife and died
leaving the widow childless. Same thing with the second down to the last
brother. Now at the resurrection, whose wife will she be?

Jesus: You are wrong because you neither understand neither the scriptures nor the
power of God for at the resurrection, men and women do not marry, no, they are like
the angels of God. Have you never read what God said in the scripture: “I am the
God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. He is God, not of the dead
but of the living (crowd murmurs)

Pharisee1: Rabbi, which is the greatest commandment of the law? Tell us

Jesus: You must love your God with all your heart,with all your soul and with all
your mind. You must also love neighbors as yourself. On these two hang whole law
and the prophets (the crowd reacts appreciatively)
Jesus: If you take in my words, you will become my disciple. You will know the truth
and the truth will set you free.

Caiaphas : We are not slaves, we are free borne.

Jesus: Whoever commits sin is a slave and he shall have no position in the house.

Priest 2: We are legitimate children, descendants of Abraham.

Priest 3: Our only father is God.

Jesus: If God is your father you would have love me and keep my words because I
have my origin in God. (Crowd murmurs) whoever keeps my words will never
see death.

Priest 2: Now we know you are possessed. Abraham is dead. The prophets are dead
too and you say “whoever keep my words will never see death” are you greater than
our father Abraham? Tell us.

Priest 3: You are not fifty yet and you have seen Abraham?

Jesus: In truth, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am!

Action: confusion as some picks up stone him while other tried to stop him. Jesus departs in the
midst of commotion.

ACT 2 : LAST SUPPER

synopsis : When it was evening, Jesus took his place at the table with the
Twelve Apostles, As they sit Jesus washes their feet & blessed bread & wine, shared
among them as a sign of love

Act 2 — Scene I: Washing of feet

Andrew : What are you going to do?

Peter : Rabbi, are you going to wash my feet?
Jesus : You don’t understand what I am doing, but you will understand later.
Peter: But, I can’t let You do this!
Jesus : If I do not wash you, you will have nothing with me.
Peter : Lord? Then wash my hands and head as well!
Jesus : You have been washed, only your feet were not. (Rising, addressing all) Now,
you are clean. You call me Master and Teacher. But the Master is no greater than the
slave, and the messenger is no greater than whoever sends him. I am among you like a
servant. Follow me and do to one another as I have done to you

After washing of feet Jesus went back to his position

Act 2 — Scene II: Institution of the Eucharist

Synopsis: Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after giving thanks to God and blessing it he broke
it, gave it to his disciples.
settings:Peter and John come in with the Passover meal and place them before Jesus)
Jesus : (looks up to heaven and mutters words of thanksgiving to God)
Take this all of you and eat it. This is my body, which is given for you. Do this
in memory of me.[He gave the bread to them & the passed the it along
themselves ]

Then Jesus picked up the cup and gave thanks to God

Jesus: This cup is the new covenant of my blood that is poured out for many for
the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.

(He drinks from the cup and passes it to them while they each drink from it. As they drink, he
continues to speak)

Jesus : My hour has come Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.

Apostles: [Each Apostle states one after another.] Surely not I, Rabbi?

Jesus: The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me

Jesus :I tell you the truth, as the scriptures foretold the Son of Man must die, but
however much I suffer it will be nothing to the sorrow of he who betrays me.

Judas :Is it me, Rabbi?

Jesus: You have said it. Now, quickly, do what you are set to do!
[Judas leaves & goes across Last Supper and exits.]

Jesus : You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,
“I will strike the shepherd, and the flock will be scattered.” But after I am
raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.
Peter : I will never desert you .

Jesus : Peter, Peter! Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you
will deny me three times.

Peter: I will not deny you master!

Apostles: (One after another) I will not deny you master

ACT 3 : JUDAS PLOT TO BETRAY JESUS

Caiaphas: (to the council of Priests & Elders in the Sanhedrin ) “That man has got to
be stopped! We are losing the respect of the people! There will be a riot soon, and we
will have the Romans on our necks as well! Do you know what he did today?”

Annas: “What did he do, Caiaphas?”

Caiaphas: “He stormed into the temple courtyard, turned over the tables of the money
changers and called the temple of God a den of thieves! Then he went straight into the
temple and started teaching the people – and he’s not one of us!”

Annas : “No! He didn’t! What did you say to him?”

Caiaphas: “I asked him by whose authority he had done all that, but he wouldn’t say –
he just asked me a question about that other troublemaker, John the Baptist, trying to
trick me. When I wouldn’t answer, neither would he.”

Priest 4: “He wouldn’t answer you, the High Priest? What insolence!”

Priest 2: “We could arrest him. He has said some terrible things about us. He even
walks about and does his strange tricks on the Sabbath.”

Nicodemus: But our law does not allow us to pass judgment on a person without first
giving him a hearing?

Caiaphas: “Locking up is no good – the people are on his side. No, we have to convict
him of blasphemy against God, so that we can have him executed. That’s the only way
to stop this nonsense.”
Priest 1: “But how do we arrest him? His followers will resist. If only we knew where
he went off to at night! Then we could catch him on his own”
Priest 1 :He comes to the temple every day. Why is it a problem? Let us have him
arrested there.
Nicodemus: Soldiers in the temple, No way!

Caiaphas :To arrest him now, in the days of the festival, is too dangerous. We cannot
dare arrest him in public – in the temple or in the open streets – he is surrounded by
followers wherever he goes.
Annas: Are we planning to sit still until the festival is over?
Priest 2 :It must happen now.
Annas : It is far too important to delay, we must act now.

Judas arrives at the Sanhedrin gate and the guard (Malchus) waves at him to stop

Malchus: Who are you ? You are not known here, this is a private gathering

Judas : (To Malchus at porch) I am here to see the high priest concerning Jesus of
Nazareth.

Malchus: (going to Caiaphas & Annas ) A man to see you about the Nazarene.

Caiaphas signals him to bring him in

Judas: I am Judas Iscariot, a long time disciple of Jesus, I can help you with his arrest
but it will cost you something

Caiaphas: (Counting out coins & putting them in bag) Here, thirty silver coins for
you.

Caiaphas: I will instruct the Temple guard. Go to them when the time is right. No
crowd, no riot. We want it kept quiet as well.
[Judas nods & leaves, going toward upper room. Caiaphas Annas, & Guard 1 exit]
End of scene

ACT 4 : GARDEN OF GATHSEMANE

Synopsis :Following the Passover Jesus goes to mount Olives, & into the Garden of Gethsemane
with some of his disciples & prays about the terrible day to come. He knew that the hour is nigh.
Judas, accompanied by Roman soldiers & some temple guards , comes to find him and Jesus is
arrested.

Act 4 — Scene I: Jesus took 3 apostles to pray

Jesus: (To the eight, taking, Peter, James & John aside, says to them), Peter, James & John your
presents is a comfort to me. Sit here, while I go over there to pray.
(Moves off by Himself)
Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me, yet, let your will, not mine, be
done.
Jesus: Sit here while I go over there to pray.

He walked a little farther and knelt on the ground to pray.

Jesus : My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but
what you want.

(Jesus got up and returned to his disciples and found them sleeping
Apostles: [All yawn and lay on the ground very sleepy.)

Jesus: Could you not stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray that you
may not come to the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Again Jesus went away for a second time and prayed.

Jesus: My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, then your will be
done.

Again he got up and returned to his disciples and again he found them sleeping,
Jesus left them again and went away to pray for a third time.

Jesus : Father! not my will, but let your will be done.

Jesus returned to his Apostles and woke them up

Jesus : Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the
Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See my
betrayer is at hand.

Act 4 — Scene II: Judas Kissing & the Arrest

Judas arrived ,with him was a large crowd armed with swords & clubs & sent by the chief
priests & elders

Judas [to the crowd]: The one I will kiss is the man, Seize him.

Judas : Greetings, Rabbi!( blew him a kiss.)

Jesus: Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?
Jesus: (To Priests ) Who is it you want?

PRIEST 2 : (Coming up to Jesus) Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus : I AM HE!
[all soldiers, crowd , priests & Judas fall back.] [When all rise, all move away from Jesus a couple
of steps.]
(Jesus stepping closer to them)
Jesus : ( again Jesus asked) who is it you are looking for?
Soldiers: Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus : I have already told you that I AM HE
Peter: Lord, shall we use our swords?
Jesus : No, Peter! You must let them have their way!
[Peter cuts off Malchus’ ear]
Jesus : Put down your sword! (Jesus touched the guard’s & healed him)
Peter: But my Lord!
Jesus : All who take up the sword, die by the sword.
Peter : But how are we to protect you?
Jesus: Do you not think that I couldn’t appeal to my Father who would at once send to
my aid more than 12 legions of angels.
Jesus : Peter, this has all happened to fulfill what the prophets wrote.

The soldiers bind Jesus’s hands and lead him away

ACT 5: HOUSE OF CAIAPHAS & PETER’S DENIAL

Synopsis:At last Caiaphas has Jesus where he wants him – captured, bound and on his own.
Accompanied by the Scribes and the Elders, he can now interrogate Jesus and prove that he is a
blasphemer. To that end, Caiaphas has paid several people to give evidence against Jesus.

Act 5 : Scene I: Peter’s Denial

setting: Sanhedrin guards come down with Jesus ; Malchus leading. The crowd follows, Peter & John
are with them. Judas is hovering around, temple guards go to the Sanhedrin, a Servant woman letting
them by
Peter sitting near the fire in the courtyard was recognized by a girl servants she walks around Peter !
Servant Woman 1 : (to Peter)You too were with Jesus of Galilee
Peter : Not me, I don’t know what you are talking about.
(First Cock crow)
Servant Woman 2 : He was with Jesus of Nazareth
Peter: (again now scared & looking around him) I do not know that man!
(Second Cock crow)
After a little while one of the guards standing there came to Peter
Guard 2 :You are one of his followers you’re a Galilean, your accent gives you away
Peter : I swear that I am telling the truth, I do not know that man!
(Just then a roster crows for the third time)
Peter remembered what Jesus told him, he went out in shame & cried bitterly

Act 5: Scene II: The Sanhedrin trial

Setting: the high priest and some members of the Sanhedrin are in council, murmuring and
whispering to each other in anticipation of Jesus arrest and trial

Pharisee 1: Shalom, high priest, members of the Sanhedrin Jesus have been arrested
and is in the custody of the soldiers outside.

Annas : You’ve been brought before this court because of certain accusations made
against you. What do you have to say?

Jesus kept quite

Caiaphas: The people say you have been blaspheming.

Jesus : You know I have always spoken openly. I have always taught in synagogues
or at the temple, where all Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
Guard 2 steps forward and strikes Jesus on the face.

Guard 2 : (furious) How dare you speak to the High Priest like that!
Jesus : If I’m lying, then bring evidence against me. But if I’m telling the truth, then
why hit me?
Priest 2 : We were in the synagogue on the sabbath, as it’s our custom. Jesus the
Nazarene was also present, & before us all, healed a leper.
Caiaphas: In the synagogue, on Sabbath?

[Agitated Crowd noises]

Caiaphas : Order! Order! You must wait to be recognized before speaking!

Caiaphas : For all those who desire to witness the man on trial come forward and lay your
changes

The chief priest, his council & witnesses(witness 1 & 2 not significant) tried to find false evidence
against Jesus to persecute him but couldn’t find any, Finally 2 men stepped up, signaled them to talk

Witness 3: Just the other day he caused riot in the temple, he drove & scared the goods
& temple of God

Caiaphas: Yes, I heard about that! the riot caused quite a stir Jesus. Not a good thing
with the Romans around now, is it?
Witness 4: This man said ( pointing at Jesus) He would pull down the temple, & rebuild it
better in 3 days
Nicodemus: (Stepping up & being recognized) Is this supposed to be reliable
testimony? He said He would ‘build another Temple not made with hands,” clearly
symbolic, and that from three years ago! If that was so serious, it should have been
addressed then, not now. I have followed this man’s ministry for these three years. I
believe He is a man of integrity, honoring God whom he calls his father. Indeed

Annas: what do you have to say about these accusations against you ?
But Jesus kept quiet
Caiaphas: (furious) In the name of the living God I now put you under oath: Are you
the messiah, the son of God ?
Jesus : You say I am, And I tell you all; You will see the son of man sitting at the right
hand of God the almighty
The Priests, Scribes & pharisees were outraged a large noise rose & Caiaphas tore his garment and
cried ;
Caiaphas: Blasphemy! We need no more witness! We have all heard him
blaspheme.Take him to Pilate, the Roman Governor!
The guards bundled Jesus out

ACT 6: PILATE’S & HEROD’S TRIALS

Act 6 —Scene I: Pilate Private Trial

Synopsis:Caiaphas, with a group of priests, has brought Jesus to the court of the Roman governor,
Pontius Pilate
Setting: Priest 1 & 2 leave Sanhedrin palace Pilate, Centurion, and Soldiers are already set for scene.
The crowd begins to filter into the scene

Caiaphas: One Jesus of Nazareth, a self- proclaimed teacher who subverts the traditions of our
nation. He has gained a radical following.

Pilate: If He breaks your traditions, judge Him yourselves, by your Law.

Caiaphas : He has committed blasphemy ,he has proclaimed Himself our Messiah, our
King.
Pilate: (to Jesus) Are you the king of the Jews?
Jesus : The words are yours.
Annas : We believe He is a danger to the peace of Rome as well as our own nation.
Priest 1 : His followers are encouraged against Rome in matters of taxes and rule.
Caiaphas : His crimes are worthy of death by our Law and by Rome’s.
Pilate : Death? You wish to put this man to death over those matters you ’ ve
accounted?
Priest 2 : His teaching has caused discontentment among the people all through Judea.
It started in Galilee and has spread as far as this city.
Pilate : Is this man then a Galilean?
(Priests acknowledge that & nodded)
Pilate : Why then bring him to me?
Priest 1 : For trial, you’re Excellency.
Pilate : For trial? But is he not under Herod’s jurisdiction?
Priest 2 : This man is under Herod’s jurisdiction, but...
Pilate: Herod is here in Jerusalem at this very time. Take him to Herod. Do not trouble me further.

The crowd and Priests moves down quickly to Herod’s porch

Act 6 —Scene II: Herod’s Trial

Synopsis: Herod was pleased when he saw Jesus because he has heard about him & wanting to see him.
He was hoping to see Jesus perform some miracle & he made fun of him with his soldiers & council, but
Jesus made no answer

Herod: Who is this? What do we see here? Do we see John the Baptist here? Salome,
Herodias, look this is John the Baptist. He is risen from the dead.
All Laugh

Priest 2: You’re Excellency.

Herod : Silence! (to Jesus) :Are you John come back from the grave to haunt us? No, this is not
John, we know that. This is the man called Jesus. Thank you for bringing him to meet us. We are
greatly pleased to meet him at long last. So, you are Jesus of Nazareth. We hear that you perform
miracles...that you heal the sick and the lame. Make the blind see. The deaf hear. The dead live
again!
Laughter
Herod: Is all of this true? As you are a Galilean and our jurisdiction, we are indeed very interested
in seeing such miracles performed in our presence.
Salome would you not like to see a miracle preformed?
Salome: Yes! Oh yes! (Salome clothes Jesus with purple mantle)
Herod: Oh, and you Herodias?
Herodias: Very well.
Herod: You see we are not alone in our curiosity. So perform for us! Entertain us
with you miracles.
Crowd voices of affirmation with mockery ; perform miracle!!!
Herod: What is wrong? Why is he not doing anything? Wait, I have it. Is there water
in that jug?
Herod Servant: Yes, Excellency!
Herod: Well, then bring it to us. Set it there in front of him. Now, step back! Change
this water into wine for us, Can you do that?
Well, we are waiting! You, taste it!.....Well?
Herodias : Excellency, it is still water!
Herod: No miracle? Take him back to Pilate!
Priest l & 2 leave for the Sanhedrin Palace Back to Pilate’s chamber, Herod hands Jesus over to
the priests & they brought him back to Pilate

*Inside Pilate’s Palace *

Pilate: Centurion! What is your report?
Longinus: Sir! Herod returned him back over to us.
Pilate: So, Herod seeks my friendship. Then, I will be forced to judge this man myself.
Longinus, you have been in the city these last few days; what have you seen and
heard?
Longinus: Sir! The crowd does seem to think He is sent by God, a “Messiah” if you
would, but I have not seen Him take the role of King. In addition, I heard Him tell the
priests to pay what Caesar required.
Roman soldier 1 escorts Jesus out & up the steps. Claudia is still present.

Longinus: I think the priests do not care for their Law as much as they envy His
popularity.
Pilate moves to question Jesus. Centurion remains on call. Claudia sits to listen. Roman Soldier 1 stays
near Jesus on the porch.

Pilate : (to Jesus )I ask you again Are You the King of the Jews?
Jesus: Are you asking me this because of your own accord, or because of what the
Jews are saying?”
Pilate: What do you mean? Am I a Jew that I would be concerned ? No, your own
people and their chief priests have brought you before me. What have you done?
Jesus : You say I am a king. My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my followers
would be fighting to save me from arrest.
Pilate: Who are you? Are you or are you not king?
Jesus : King is your word. My task is to bear witness to the truth. Anyone who
belongs to the truth listens to my voice
Pilate: (slightly bitter) Truth? What is truth?
Jesus : I know all who are not deaf to truth listen to my voice. For this was I born, for
this did I come into the world
[Pilate motions & Jesus s is removed back to the tunnel by Roman Soldier 1]

Claudia: Are you troubled by this?

Pilate : (Sitting down on judgment seat) Angry is more like it! I hate being used as a pawn
by those I am supposed to rule! They expect me to join with them!
Claudia : You cannot! my Lord please! Surely you don’t believe them! Jesus is
innocent!
Pilate : I believe the charges are false, Claudia, why are you acting this way? Is there
something more? You believe he is innocent; do you believe in Him?
Claudia: I have seen Him in my dreams, quiet and strong... suffering. Can you free
Him? You must free Him!
Pilate : I cannot judge him guilty; that is... the truth. It is custom to release a prisoner,
at the feast. I will release the Nazarene.
Claudia : This Priest are Jealous of him you said it yourself that you believe the
charges are false, set him free please
Pilate & Claudia exit

Act 6 —Scene III: Pilate Open Trial & Judgement

Settings: Crowd gathers around Pilate’s porch. As Priests & Elders arrive , Romans are dispersed to
guard the crowd. Pilate is summoned. Jesus is brought out and stands on top of the porch. Scribes,
Pharisees sounds begin to rise. Pilate comes out onto the porch raises his hand & crowd quiets.]

Pilate : This man, Jesus, has been brought to me by your own chief priests & charged
with rebellion against the authority of Rome. I have questioned him & found no
grounds for the charges against Him certainly nothing worthy of death. As is custom
at this feast, I will release Him to you.

Priests: If you want to release someone, then give us Barabbas!

Crowd : Yes give us Barabbas!
Pilate: Barabbas? Would you have me release a murderer into your very midst.
Pilate : (to the Centurion). Have Barabbas brought forth .Go quickly!
Pilate: (to Claudia) I shall show them what type of man they would release.
Priest 1 and Priest 2: “Crucify him!” (the priests turn and urge the crowd to take up
the call)
Crowd: (Cries louder ): give us Barabbas!
Pilate: (To Crowd) Then, if I release Barabbas, who stands condemned, I will also
release Jesus, uncondemned!
Crowd : (Various cries,) No! He must not be released!
Pilate : But why? What is He guilty of?
[Barabbas is brought out.]
Caiaphas : (Stepping forward & silencing the crowd) By our Law, He has committed
blasphemy by claiming to be the Son of God. And, according to our Law, He must be
put to death!
Pilate: (to Jesus) Look at this man! He is a thief! A murderer! Now which would you
have me release to you? Barabbas? Or Jesus called Messiah?
Crowd voices: Release Barabbas! Give us Barabbas!!(Voices rise crying out for Barabbas.)
Pilate : (To a Roman soldier with Barabbas) Release him! and waved his head in regret
Pilate: (to Jesus)Speak to me! Don’t you know I have the power to release you, or have
you crucified?
Jesus : You would have no power over me if it hadn’t been given you from above.
Crowd: crucify him !
Pilate: Why, what evil has he done? I find in him no grounds for the sentence of death.
I shall have him flogged and then release him” (Pilate turns to go.)
Pilate: (To centurion in a low voice) Have Him flogged; humiliate Him; perhaps that
will satisfy them.
Jesus is brought down to the flogging post.
Longinus : (to roman solders 1 & 2), now!
soldiers flog Jesus. The crowd spat & cursed him At the end, Pilate signals to Longinus, then
leaves the porch.

Longinus : Hold!
(Roman laughter)
Roman soldier 2: I’d like to hear him speak after I get through with him (mocking).
Roman soldier 3: I’ll make a cripple out of him in no time.
Roman soldier 4: Hail O great and might king!
[Roman laughter]
[The Roman Soldiers gather around Jesus & mock Him, placing the crown of thorns
on His head, a reed in His hand and a robe on Him, hailing Him as King and bowing.
Jesus is brought to the bottom of Pilate ’ s steps. Longinus goes up & gets Pilate.
Mother Mary & Mary Magdalene have worked their way up to Jesus. There is a
moment’s contact, hand to hand, then Jesus is brought to the top & Pilate comes out.
& signals for quietness.]
Pilate : Enough! Behold your king!! He has been flogged, beaten, ridiculed, spit upon.
What more can you want!
Crowd: Crucify him
Pilate: Crucify Him yourselves! I hold no charge against Him. I would release him.
Crowd: (Cries louder.) Crucify him!
Caiaphas: If you let him go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who sets
themselves up as a king is an enemy of Caesar
Pilate : Should I Crucify your king?
Crowd : We have no king but Caesar !
 He signals Longinus to tell the servants to bring water
Pilate : (Roman servant brings water) I am washing my hands. My hands are clean of this
innocent man’s blood, see to it yourself
Crowd : His blood be upon us and upon our children!
Crowd/Priests : Crucify him Pilate! Crucify Him!
Pilate : Then away with Him!
Final Scene at the stage

ACT 7 : STATIONS OF THE CROSS

[JESUS is led to cross & carries it through the moving CROWD. He falls the first
time and. and VERONICA (Joanna) wipes His face. The ROMANS successfully keep
people away. He falls the second time. This time the ROMANS are occupied with the
TWO THIEVES. JESUS has a moment there with MOTHER MARY, MARY MAG.
Then they continue to Calvary.]
JESUS: Daughters of Jerusalem! Do not weep for me. No, weep for yourselves and
your children, for the days are surely coming, when they will start saying
to the mountains: Fall on us. And to the hills, cover us. And if these things are done
when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?

PRIEST 1: Do you see what is written there? ( pointing at the cross )

Guard 2 : King of the Jews?
Priest 2: You must tell the high priest; Go!
Guard 3: Sir! (he whispered to Caiaphas, Caiaphas rushed to Pilate)
Pilate : What is it Caiaphas?
Caiaphas : Pilate, the charges on His cross read, “King of the Jews.” Many of the
people are reading it; it should say that He only “ claimed ” to be the King of the
Jews.
Pilate : What I have written stays written.