Written by

Paul Schrader
Based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis
“It is not God who will

save us -- it is we who

will save God, by battling,

by creating and transmuting

matter into spirit.”

-- Nikos Kazantzakis

Saviors of God
 2.

EXT. NAZARETH - DAY

Seen from above: JESUS, the son of Mary, 28 years old, lies
on a scrubby hillock under an olive tree.

The mid-morning sun shines on his clean-shaven face. He is

dreaming:

JESUS (V.O.)
The pain starts just above the
neck. It feels as if an old man has
snuck up and grabbed me from
behind. His fingers slip underneath
the skin and work, claw, their way
up the back of my neck. Then the
real pain begins. Each finger digs
into the soft matter behind my
brain, and then strain across the
top of my head toward my eyes. Just
before they reach the eyes, they
dig down...

Jesus wakens. He looks around, holding his head.

JESUS (V.O.)
(continuing)
I remembered I had to make a cross.

INT. CARPENTER’S WORKSHOP - DAY

Jesus shapes a long piece of timber with an adze.

His patched tunic rests on the workbench. The white plaser-

and-brick walls are hung with the tools of Jesus’ trade:
saws, hammers, rasps and measuring squares. Two small windows
let in light and breeze from the village.

His face is etched by lines caused by thinking too much.

Brain fever.

A nail-studded belt hangs from a hook above his head. The

belt is speckled with dried blood.

JESUS (V.O.)
At first I fasted for three months.
Then I whipped myself before
sleeping. At first it worked, then
the headaches returned.

Jesus wipes wood shavings from his sweaty chest. He hears a

NOISE from outside. Frightened, he looks toward the door:
 3.

JESUS (V.O.)
(continuing)
Who is it? Who are you? Why are you
following me?

JUDAS, 30, blacksmith, bursts into the room. The door RATTLES
on its wood hinges. Jesus goes back to work.

Judas’ face is ablaze with wild red hair, beard and

moustache. His bulging forearms are dirtied by grease, burnt
by fire. He belongs to the Sicarri (”assassins”) the
terrorist wing of the Zealots, a radical Jewish political
organization. His presence is frightening.

JUDAS
I thought I’d find you here. Aren’t
you ashamed? The carpenters from
Cana and Capernaum refuse to make a
cross for a Zealot, but you get up
and throw yourself into it like a
madman. Where’s your pride?

Jesus, silent, backs away.

JUDAS
(continuing)
What if the Messiah were to come
now and find you doing this?

Jesus returns to his adze. He says quietly:

JESUS
Leave me alone, Judas. I must work.

JUDAS
Aren’t you ashamed?

JESUS
(softly)
No.

JUDAS
You’ve seen them hanging there for
days, skin falling off their
bodies. Crying night after night.
Our prophets. Because of the Romans
and men like you.

A migraine moves across Jesus’ face. He winces.

JESUS
No. I don’t have any pride. I don’t
go to Synagogue.
(MORE)
 4.

JESUS (CONT'D)
I disobey the commandments. I work
on the Sabbath.

JUDAS
And who will pay for your sins?

JESUS
I don’t know. I’m struggling.

Judas, disgusted, calls to the crowd outside.

JUDAS
Come here! Look at the traitor!
Look at the cross-maker.

The crowd jeers. Jesus resumes his task.

EXT. CARPENTER'S WORKSHOP - DAY (LATER)

A CENTURION pushes his way through the crowds gathered

outside the white-washed buildings. He is sickened by the
foul-smelling Jewry.

Jesus stands outside his workshop hewing a cyprus cross. A

semi-circle of spiteful Israelites surrounds him. The
Centurion approaches:

CENTURION
You ready?
(as Jesus nods)
Com’on.

Jesus takes the nail-studded belt from its hook and buckles
it around his waist. The Centurion helps Jesus heft the cross-
beam to his shoulders. The Centurion leads Jesus through a
gauntlet the crowd has formed from the village to a rocky
hill outside Nazareth. Ahead, six Roman soldiers lead the
protesting ZEALOT. Two mounted soldiers flank the group.

The Zealot, crazed by fear, possessed by God, calls out to

anyone who will listen:

ZEALOT
Stand up Israelites! Now’s the time
of Judgement! Yahweh is counting
everyone! Stand, be counted!

The Zealot’s hands are tied behind him. His clothes are torn
and bloody, his long hair and gray beard matted with blood
and sweat.
 5.

Judas insinuates his way into a group of townspeople. Fearful

of the Romans, he speaks under his breath:

JUDAS
How long are we going take this?
Can we let the Romans kill anyone
who opens his mouth? When are we
going be men? When will we be Jews?

No one pays attention to Judas. Seeing this, he withdraws.

The villagers heap abuse on Jesus. PETER and JAMES are in the
crowd.

MARY, 56, mother of Jesus, pushes her way through the crowd.
She stands in front of Jesus, trying to hold back the crowd
with her arms. She calls out:

MARY (MOTHER OF JESUS)

Forgive my son! He’s crazy! He
doesn’t know what he’s doing. He
has problems. Ever since he was a
baby. He’s not well in the head.

The crowd hoots her into silence. Jesus, turning his eyes
from her, trudges forward. The CENTURION follows close
behind.

As they near the crucifixion site, another woman, MARY

MAGDALENE, 25, approaches Jesus. She wears brightly colored
clothes, her lips and cheeks are painted like a prostitute.
The villagers revile her as she passes.

She walks alongside Jesus, staring him in the face. The color
flows from Jesus’ face: his resolve nearly melts with it.

JESUS
Magdalene. Who told you to come?

MAGDALENE
You thought you could forget me.
You never will.

Jesus’ mind goes back to a day the previous year.

FLASHBACK - MAGDALA - DAY

A wedding feast in the lake village of Magdala. A long table

is spread with fresh fruit, cheeses, bread and wine.

MARY MAGDALENE’S FATHER proposes a toast:

 6.

MAGDALENE’S FATHER
Join me. A toast to the engagement
of my first daughter, Mary, and
Jesus of Nazareth.

The celebrants raise their cups in a toast. Mary, Jesus’

mother, beams.

Away from the other, Jesus and Mary Magdalene speak.

JESUS
I’ll return. I promise.

MAGDALENE
I don’t understand.

JESUS
I can’t marry. God won’t let me.
He’s pursuing me.

MAGDALENE
That’s not God, it’s the devil.
(holds his head)
Jesus, you need a woman.

JESUS
I must be alone. He comes at night
into my head. God’s angry at me.

He pushes her away.

MAGDALENE
Are you serious? What about me?
What will become of me? No one will
have me.

Jesus turns and walks away.

EXT. NAZARETH - CRUCIFIXION SITE - DAY

Magdalene spits on Jesus’ face:

MAGDALENE
Cross-maker!

Jesus lowers his face.

The Zealot’s voice rings out:

ZEALOT
Children, have faith in the God of
Israel! Don’t be afraid. Rome is in
smoke.
(MORE)
 7.

ZEALOT (CONT'D)
Remember the Maccabees, remember
how they threw out the Greeks! In
the same way we’ll throw out the
Romans! There is only one God of
Hosts!

The Zealot has reached the crucifixion site: a rocky, flint

covered mound. The soldiers wait for the cross.

Children throw pebbles at Jesus as he approaches the Zealot.

The Roman guards brace themselves for violence.

Jesus sets the cross down beside the Zealot. The guards
wrestle the Zealot to the ground.

Mary, unable to contain herself, bursts through the crowd:

MARY (MOTHER OF JESUS)

Jesus! My son! Get away from here!

The guards move toward her. Peter and ANOTHER MAN help the
women take her away before the Romans can arrest her. Judas,
sickened by this spectacle, walks away.

The guards place the Zealot on the cross and tie his arms.
Jesus, moving the wedges, readies the hole for the cross.

The Magdalene throws herself at the Zealot’s feet:

MAGDALENE
Be brave!

One of the cavalrymen drives her back with his horse. There
will be no revolt today.

The guards prepare to drive the nails into the Zealot’s

hands. A hush comes over the crowd.

The spike is placed in the Zealot’s palm. The hammer raised.

Metal hits metal: the spike pierces the upraised hand. The
Zealot’s scream (almost ecstatic) is echoed by the crowd.

Blood spatters; a drop falls on Jesus’ lips.

EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF NAZARETH - DAWN

Jesus, without staff or sandals, walks quickly across a

grassy plain northeast of Nazareth. Although much of the
“lake district” of Galilee is rocky and barren today, it was
not so in Jesus’ time. Then it was a fertile and pleasant
valley, the treasure of the Mid-East. It was later de-nuded
by the Turks. Behind Jesus, Nazareth stirs to life.
 8.

Jesus leans his body into the wind as he reaches the crest of
a low ridge:

JESUS (V.O.)
If I take the goat’s path south to
bypass Magdala and Tiberias.
Traders from East and West go out
of their way to drink and whore
and...

Jesus watches a small caravan headed down the hills toward

the sea. He shakes these thoughts from his mind.

JESUS (V.O.)
(continuing)
This is the happiest moment of my
life. I’ve always felt something
was after me. I must be as stupid
as everyone says. God only wanted
me to join him in the desert. He
waits in a well at the Monastery.

Jesus skips for joy as he walks:

JESUS (V.O.)
Why would he want someone as stupid
as me? Thank you!

He sings a psalm as he goes:

JESUS
“The Lord reigns, let the earth be
glad’ let the distant shores
rejoice.
Rise up, O Judge of earth; pay back
the proud what they deserve.
How long will the wicked, O Lord,
how long will the wicked be
jubilant?”

EXT. SEA OF GENNESARET - MORNING

Jesus walks a hundred yards off the coast of the Sea of

Gennesaret (today called Galilee). In the water a group of
men pull in their nets after a morning of fishing. They are
ZEBEDEE, James and John, PHILIP, a shepherd, stands with
them.

By American standards, the Sea of Gennesaret is quite small:

13 miles long and 8 miles wide. From any point, the opposite
shore is visible.
 9.

To this day its sweet, clear water is naturally stocked with

fish. Because it’s located in a pocket in the hills,
Gennesaret remains subject to sudden violent storms.

On shore, Judas talks with Peter.

Zebedee, fiftiesh, is the father of James and John. Peter

spots Jesus and calls out:

PETER
Look who’s here. Hey, Cross-maker!

Jesus glances at them and keeps walking.

PHILIP
(calling out)
You better keep walking. Don’t stop
here.

ZEBEDEE
Don’t bother him. We’re all part of
the same plan. The fish says, ‘God,
don’t let me get caught.’ The
fisherman says, ‘God, give me
fish.’ Back to work.
(to Judas)
Hey, Red! You mind your own
business, too.

Philip walks over to Peter and Judas and says to Zebedee:

PHILIP
Be careful, Zebedee. He’s from the
Idumea. Lions still live out there.
Don’t pick a fight with him.
(to Judas)
What’s happening in the plain?

JUDAS
Everything’s fine, Philip. The
Lord’s merciful. In Nazareth, He
crucifies prophets. Here, He sends
enough rain to ruin a year’s crops
in one night. In Jerusalem, the
Romans squat in the temple.

ZEBEDEE
Shut up. Whatever God does is
right.
 10.

JUDAS
It is for you. You hire fifty
fishermen like slaves and pay them
minimum. Then you give to the
temple and get God’s blessing.

ZEBEDEE
Hey, you got the mark of Cain on
you. Now get out!

Judas walks off, calling back to Zebedee:

JUDAS
I wouldn’t want to be in your boat
when the Messiah comes.

Philip catches up with him.

PHILIP
Wait. I want to talk to you.

JUDAS
Why now? Were you afraid a few
minutes ago? The King of the Jews
is on his way. Decide what side you
are on.

PHILIP
Help me. I am afraid. But, I can’t
stand it anymore.

JUDAS
(moving close to him)
Philip, can you kill?

PHILIP
A man?

JUDAS
What do you think? Sheep?

PHILIP
I killed a bull once, but never a
man.

JUDAS
A man’s easier.

PHILIP
(hushed)
Are you one of them -- the Zealots?
 11.

JUDAS
Don’t be afraid. We’re fighting for
freedom. The day will come when you
can join us. Do you have a knife?

PHILIP
Yes.

JUDAS
Carry it all the time. These are
hard times.

Judas opens his shirt revealing a double-edged dagger.

JUDAS
(continuing)
Yesterday the brotherhood condemned
the traitor. The lot fell to me.

PHILIP
The cross-maker?

JUDAS
(nods)
Keep your mouth shut. Think about
what I’ve said. The day will come
when we will need you.

PHILIP
How will I know?

Judas turns to leave:

JUDAS
Don’t be in a hurry. You’re not one
of the brothers yet.

EXT. GALILEE - DAY

Jesus passes two PEASANT GIRLS reaping in an open field.

Their partially open dresses reveal their sweaty breasts.

As Jesus averts his eyes, one of the girls calls to him:

FIRST PEASANT GIRL

Hungry?

SECOND PEASANT GIRL

(gesturing)
There’s water and bread in the
house.
(as Jesus declines)
(MORE)
 12.

SECOND PEASANT GIRL (CONT'D)

We keep a loaf for travelers. We
call it the grasshopper’s bread.

The First Girl points to a distant village:

FIRST PEASANT GIRL

But if you want love, go to
Magdala.

Both Girls giggle. Their sexuality frightens Jesus:

JESUS
No. I must keep going.

Jesus walks quickly away. The Girls turn to each other and
laugh again.

LATER - JESUS

walks along the seashore. Hearing FOOTSTEPS, he stops

abruptly. Turns and looks:

JESUS (V.O.)
Who’s that? Who’s following me?

Seeing nothing. Jesus starts again. The FOOTSTEPS return --

LOUDER.

JESUS (V.O.)
Is that you?

He clutches hie head, collapses to his knees in pain:

JESUS (V.O.)
Magdalene! Magdalene!

EXT. MAGDALA - DAY

Jesus walks through the narrow streets of Magdala a fish-

market village on the Sea of Gennesaret, which also serves as
a rest spot for caravans and traders en route from the Indias
to Tyre and Sidon.

The streets are crowded with camels, donkeys and traders of

all descriptions: Mongols on horseback, Afghans laden with
rugs and blankets, Nubian slaves following their Greek and
Roman masters.

Jesus pushes his way through a crowd as he reaches the home

of Mary Magdalene. A row of camels, horses and donkeys stand
outside. Jesus enters.
 13.

As Jesus enters, A NAZARENE calls to him:

NAZARENE
Ah, Carpenter, you’ve come to
worship?

The man laughs and moves on.

EXT. MARY MAGDALENE’S COURTYARD - DAY

A camel sleeps by the wall in the center of the courtyard.

Jesus latches the door behind him.

A dozen traders and merchants are seated on benches around

the courtyard; each waits his turn with the Magdalene.

They have come from the four corners of earth. Side by side
sit a Bedouin in a long white jellaba, a young Indian
nobleman with gold bands around his ankles, a fat green-
turbened TURK.

The hot sun beats down on them all. Each sweats, looks
impatiently from side to side, engages in small talk. How
much are slaves selling for in Alexandria and Damascus? What
is the trading price of cinnamon and pepper?

A short Bedouin emerges from Magdalene’s house. He passes

through the courtyard without glancing to either side.

The next in line, an old Jew, enters Magdalene’s door. The

Turk calls to him:

TURK
Hurry up, old man. Don’t take all
day!

The others join in laughter.

LATER - THE SUN

is waning. Three merchants wait with Jesus. An old woman

passes through selling bread, dates and wine.

An Egyptian emerges from the Magdalene’s house. Another man

gets up. Jesus defers to him.

LATER - IT’S DARK

Jesus sits alone. The last customer closes the courtyard

door.
 14.

Jesus stands, enters Magdalene’s house.

INT. MAGDALENE’S ROOM - NIGHT

Jesus steps into the dark, amber-lit room.

Mary, lies naked on a stack of blankets, covered with the

sweat of all nations. Facing the wall, she calls out in a
hoarse voice:

MAGDALENE
Is there anyone else?

Jesus stops in the middle of the room, unable to go further.

Mary turns and recognizes Jesus. She instinctively pulls the

blanket over her nakedness.

MAGDALENE
What are you doing here?

JESUS
I want you to forgive me.

The Magdalene doesn’t understand.

JESUS
I’ve done a lot of wrong things.
I’m going to the desert to be
cleansed. The worst things I’ve
done are to you. Forgive me.

MAGDALENE
Ah, now I get it. You sit out there
all day with the ‘customers’. Then
you come in here with your head
down. La-te-la. It ain’t that easy.
I ain’t gonna forgive you just
‘cause you wanna be forgiven.

JESUS
(falls to his knees)
It’s my fault, but I’ll pay the
debt.

MAGDALENE
You bleat like an animal. Lift your
head up and face the truth. You
want the same as the others. But
you can’t admit it, so you blame
me. I pity you, Jesus. I detest
you.
 15.

Jesus, his head bowed low, starts to weep:

JESUS
You’re full of the devil. Please,
can’t you see that?

Tears fall from Jesus’ cheeks. Magdalene sits up, puts her
arm on his shoulder:

MAGDALENE
Don’t you understand? A woman is
like a wounded doe. All she can do
is lick her wounds. That is her
only joy.

JESUS
(looks at her)
Don’t you remember when we were
children?

Mary’s eyes are also wet:

MAGDALENE
Yes, I remember. I pity you. I
detest you. Every time I see you my
heart breaks.
(starts to get up)
Look the other way. I’m naked.

Mary stands and puts a dress on.

LATER

Mary takes a casserole from the fire, pours it into a bowl

and hands it to Jesus with a barley roll.

Jesus, starved, bites into the bread:

MAGDALENE
Is that the way you eat? Without
saying grace? Don’t you think you
oughta thank God for giving you
bread, beans and whores?

The bread sticks in Jesus’ throat:

JESUS
Why do you hate me? Why do you
tease me? Let bygones be bygones.
Forgive me.

MAGDALENE
Stop whining. Forgiveness isn’t
given. It’s taken.
 16.

Jesus eats. Mary looks at him tenderly. She touches his face.

MAGDALENE
Yes. I remember when we were
children. When you were three and I
was one.
(Jesus does not respond)
I remember when we laid under the
tree together. There were three
steps leading to your house. I’d
watch you trying to climb. I wanted
to help you but...

Magdalene is coming on to him. He is her one, her only, her

lifetime love. No matter what he does, she will never stop
loving him.

Jesus is afraid; he knows her power -- and his weakness.

JESUS
Stop!

He stands and walks over to the fire.

MAGDALENE
I never felt so much tenderness
toward anyone as felt for you
then...

JESUS
(his head in his hands)
Adonai! God, help me!
(to Magdalene)
I’m thinking about God. I must
leave...

His voice is strangled, heartbroken.

MAGDALENE
Please stay. That is, if you will
condescend to share a prostitute’s
shabby room.
(Jesus doesn’t respond)
It’s cold. Sleep by the fire.

Jesus walks to the door:

JESUS
I can’t stay.

MAGDALENE
Don’t worry. I won’t tempt you. I
won’t touch your precious
virginity.
 17.

JESUS
I’m sorry.

Jesus leaves. The door rattles against the jamb. A moment

after he exits, Mary Magdalene sinks her head into the
blankets, sobbing.

EXT. MONASTERY - DAY

Jesus walks hurriedly toward a walled desert commune. The

landscape is now barren, and wild. In the distance, sheer
cliffs ascend from a sandy plain.

In Christian times, these communes were called monasteries;

but these pre-Christian outposts lacked the doctrinal
simplicity and ascetic commitment of the later Catholic
monasteries. They were simply groups of religious men living
together to meditate, do good works and preserve the Torah
and other religious documents.

Jesus knocks on the main door. He waits anxiously as the

ABBOT opens the door.

JESUS
Thank God. I thought I’d never make
it. Please let me in. I’m safe now.

The Abbot, taken back, lets Jesus in.

EXT. MONASTERY MONTAGE - DAY

-- Jesus, now bearded, copies scrolls with other acolytes.

-- Jesus works the commune garden.

INT. JESUS’ CELL - NIGHT

Jesus sleeps on a woven mat.

He hears a HISSING SOUND. His eyes open, he sits up.

A snake emerges from a hole in the wall and slithers across

the earthen floor. Another snake follows it. The snakes coil
around each other and copulate.

Jesus sits up, his back to the wall, watching:

JESUS (V.O.)
Why now after all this time? So
this is sex. Men and women
coupling.
(MORE)
 18.

JESUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)

This is why they were thrown out of
Paradise.
(watches the snakes)
But everything is of God. And
everything has two meanings, one
obvious, one hidden. What are they
telling me?

He looks at one of the snakes. It speaks to him in Mary

Magdalene’s voice:

SNAKE/MAGDALENE
Jesus, I forgive you.

The snakes change color as they coil. Is this real -- or a

vision? The question doesn’t occur to Jesus. Nor would it to
his contemporaries. They lived in a time which accepted
healings, miracles, stigmata and visions as extensions of the
natural world.

Jesus grabs her chest; the snakes hiss inside his breast.

JESUS (V.O.)
Leave me alone.

Jesus breathes a sigh of relief. The Abbot stands in the

door. Jesus looks up. The snakes are gone.

ABBOT
What’s wrong?

Jesus doesn’t answer. The Abbot puts his fingers to Jesus’

lips.

JESUS
They’re gone.

ABBOT
Yes, they’ve fled.

JESUS
Where?

ABBOT
And now you must leave too.

JESUS
What?

ABBOT
The snakes came from you. Now you
must leave too. Go into the
villages. Stand and speak.
 19.

JESUS
To who?

ABBOT
To anyone who will listen.

JESUS
And say what?

ABBOT
Don’t worry about that. Just open
your mouth. Do you love mankind?

JESUS
I see men and I feel sorry for
them, nothing else.

ABBOT
That’s enough. It’s time for you to
leave.

JESUS
That’s why I was sent here?

ABBOT
I don’t know.

EXT. DESERT MONASTERY - NIGHT

A full moon illuminates the walled enclave.

INT. JESUS' CELL - NIGHT

A palm-sized lamp burns as Jesus straightens his room. His

few possessions are neatly laid out for travel.

He hears a HISSING NOISE outside the room. Stops. Listens.

He cautiously opens the door and steps into the corridor.

INT. MONASTERY CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Jesus strains to see:

JESUS
Hello?

Suddenly an arm grabs Jesus from behind and throws him

against the wall.
 20.

Judas stands in front of him, panting, his double-edged

dagger in his hand. His red face glistens with anger.

JUDAS
Crucifier!

JESUS
Judas? Is that you?

JUDAS
Welcome. I’ve come to kill you. I
hissed and you came.

Judas pushes Jesus inside the cell.

INT. JESUS' CELL - NIGHT

Judas locks the door behind him. He throws the ‘elbow key’
across the room.

JUDAS
Did you hear me? Don’t start
crying. Get ready.

Jesus, composed, stands across the room.

JESUS
I am ready.

JUDAS
Don’t make any noise. Don’t call
for help.

JESUS
I’m happy to see you, Judas. It
wasn’t you that hissed. It was God.
Can’t you see? This is perfect.
Tonight, I was cleansed. I’m tired
of wrestling with God; I’m tired of
living.
(opens his tunic)
Here’s my neck. Cut it with your
knife.

Judas backs off. He is disgusted by the sight of Jesus’ bare

neck. He has come here to fight like a man. To spill blood in
a struggle. He puts his dagger to Jesus’ neck.

JUDAS
Why you don’t resist? What kind of
man are you? Fight!
 21.

JESUS
(calm)
Why? What you want, I want -- and
God must want it too, because
that’s why he brought us together.

JUDAS
(takes his knife down)
I put a knife to your neck and you
don’t blink. What’s going on?

JESUS
Think whatever you want.

JUDAS
(studies him a second)
Okay. You may think i’m just a
stupid blacksmith. But you talk --
I’ll understand. Who are you? What
do you want? What are all there
stories which follow you; a
flowering staff, a lightning flash,
the voices you hear, the fainting
spells which seize you? What’s your
secret?

JESUS
Pity.

JUDAS
Pity for who? Yourself? For Israel?
Is that it? Are you tortured by
Israel’s suffering?

JESUS
Pity for man.

JUDAS
Man! The Greeks who slaughtered us -
- they were men, weren’t they? And
the Romans -- they’re men, too.
Don’t pity man, pity Israel. The
rest can go to Hell.

JESUS
I feel pity for donkeys,
sparrows...

JUDAS
And ants? I suppose you feel pity
for them, too?
 22.

JESUS
Yes. Everything’s a part of God.
When I look into the ant, into his
shiny black eye, I see God.

JUDAS
You don’t fear death?

JESUS
Why should I? Death isn’t a door
which closes; it’s a door which
opens. It opens and you enter.

Judas, confused, lowers his knife:

JUDAS
If I don’t kill you, what will you
do?

JESUS
I don’t know. I want to speak to
others.

JUDAS
What are you going to say?

JESUS
(shrugs)
I’ll just open my mouth and God
will do the talking.

Judas wavers between confusion and anger. He looks at Jesus:

he sees a GLOW behind his head. He no longer has any taste
for this task.

JESUS
What are you waiting for Judas?

JUDAS
Who are you? Maybe you’re the one
who will make the people rise up
against the Romans. Maybe you’re
the one we’ve been waiting for.

JESUS
Maybe God didn’t send you to kill
me. Maybe he sent you here to
follow me. I am ready to be killed;
I’m also ready to live. Decide.

Judas is in a quandary:
 23.

JUDAS
Don’t be in such a rush. It’s a
long night.
(pause)
You’re a strange one. I’ll tell you
what I’m going to do. I’m going to
sleep down here by the door and
think about it. You turn your head
away from me. I need more time to
think.

Jesus lies on his mat, his face to the wall. Judas sits, his
back to the door, thinking. He puts his knife away.

EXT. GALILEE - DAY

Judas and Jesus walk across the plain toward Magdala. A wind
blows across the Sea of Gennesaret. On the hillside, the
flowers -- red anemones and white narcissus -- are in bloom.

Jesus, bearded, is dressed in monastery whites. For the first

time he looks like familiar Jesus of romantic paintings. The
meager possessions are wrapped in cloth.

Judas and Jesus appear to home come to an understanding.

EXT. MAGDALENE'S HOUSE - DAY

Zebedee, James, John, Philip and two others approach the

house. Two camels, their hampers packed, are tied outside.
The buildings are constructed of wood and black basalt rock.

ZEBEDEE
(points to camel)
Can you believe this? It’s bad
enough we live in a whorehouse, but
she, a Jew, works on Sabbath. While
our women can’t even look in a
mirror, she makes ‘love’ with
Romans.

Zebedee’s voice is raised. A crowd starts to gather. TABAS, a

Zealot and trouble-maker, joins with two companions.

TABAS
Yeah, we come back from synagogue
and look the other way.

A WOMAN stands across the narrow street:

 24.

WOMAN OF MAGDALA
You ought to see the things I see.
I’m too poor to move, so I have to
put up with it.

ZEBEDEE
You shouldn’t move.

TABAS
The whore should move.

TABAS’ COMPANION
Let’s put an end to it.

Tabas and his companions bang on Magdalene’s door. The

growing crowds egg them on.

EXT. MAGDALA - DAY

Jesus and Judas enter the village. The streets are quiet. It
is Sabbath. Ahead, they hear a commotion.

JESUS
What is it?

JUDAS
Let’s find out.

They hurry through the streets until they come to a clearing.

A mob has assembled around a shallow pit.

Judas, the man of action, pushes his way through the crowd.
Jesus follows.

Mary Magdalene lies in the pit, her knees and elbows are
bloody from being dragged down the street. Terrified.

The crowd, in a festive mood, hurl insults and spit at her.

Children collect rocks for a stoning.

JESUS
(to Judas; urgent)
It’s Magdalene.

Jesus steps into the center of the pit, stands next to

Magdalene and holds up his hands:

JESUS
Stop!
 25.

First there’s a stunned silence, then a buzz runs through the

crows. No one is more surprised than Judas. He watches
closely.

In the crowd Philip and Peter have joined Andrew and John.
Tabas calls out:

TABAS
Get out of the way. She violated
the Sabbath. She must pay the
price.

A small anonymous stone hits Magdalene’s hip. She grabs

Jesus’ leg.

MAGDALENE
Help!

ZEBEDEE
(chants)
Death! Death! Death!

Jesus walks in a circle around Magdalene. He stares her

accusers in the eye.

JESUS
Listen to me! Look me in the face.
Which of you has not stolen, lied,
murdered? Let the one without sin
throw the first stone.

The crowd is frozen. Zebedee picks up a large rock.

ZEBEDEE
I’m not afraid. I’m innocent.

JESUS
(steps up to him)
Don’t make a mistake, Zebedee.
There is a God. Don’t tell me
you’ve never cheated an employee,
snuck into a widow’s bedroom at
night? Aren’t you afraid God will
paralyze you if you lift that
stone? That your hand will wither
and hang at your side?

The old man is suddenly filled with fear and superstition.

Zebedee drops the rock and runs. The sympathies of the mob
shift to Jesus.

Judas is heartened. Perhaps this is the leader to unite the

people.
 26.

Tabas and his companions start toward Jesus, but Judas steps
between them, braced for action. The crows, afraid of Judas,
backs away.

Jesus helps Mary to her feet. Judas calls to the crowd:

JUDAS
Come, follow the rabbi. He will
speak.

Judas, Jesus and Magdalene walk away from the pit toward the
outskirts of town. A large segment of the crowd follows. One
VILLAGER whispers to another:

VILLAGER
What’s happening? Is Magdalene
getting married?

EXT. HILLSIDE IN MAGDALA - DAY

Jesus and Judas lead the curious crows up a steep, green

hillside. In the distance the sun is low over Mt. Hebron.

Magdalene sits near Jesus’ feet; Judas stands in the

background. The crowd waits to hear what Jesus has to say.
Jesus looks out over the ragamuffin villagers, the peaceful
countryside.

JESUS (V.O.)
This is the moment I’ve always
feared. There is so much to say.
God has so many miracles.

A pause. The words burst out:

JESUS
Brothers! I’m glad to see you. Let
me tell you a story. A man, a
sower, was sowing in his field. One
seed fell on the road -- the birds
ate it. Another fell on stones and
died. But another took root,
sprouted, became grain and fed many
people.
(pause)
Don’t you have ears? Do you hear
me?

ZEBEDEE
(belligerent)
I got ears, but I don’t understand.
Be clearer.
 27.

Jesus thinks, then says softly:

JESUS
I am the sower.

ZEBEDEE
God help us! I suppose we’re the
stones?

A moment of confusion. Zebedee says to those near him:

ZEBEDEE
Another beggar.

John, an open-faced, fuzzy-cheeked boy about 19, leaves his

father an approaches Jesus:

JOHN
Rabbi, tell me. If you are the
sower and we are the stones, what
is the seed?

Jesus is baffled, he has no answer. John repeats the

question:

JOHN
What is the seed you offer?

The answer comes to Jesus:

JESUS
Love one another. Love one another!

The crowd whispers “What did he say?” “Love each other?”

TABAS
That’s stupid. We’re starving.
Tortured. Hungry. How can hungry
people love each other?

JUDAS
(steps forward)
Yes, ‘Rabbi’, is this what I’ve
been waiting for? Love one another?
I suppose that means love the
Romans too?

JESUS
I used to think God was angry, but
not anymore. He used to jump on my
head like a crazy bird with claws.
But then he came to me like a cool
breeze and said: ‘Arise’ -- and
here I am.
 28.

ZEBEDEE
Go to hell!

TABAS
Pie in the sky.

Jesus, speaking rapidly, goes directly to the social concerns

of the mob:

JESUS
Blessed are those who hunger and
thirst after righteousness, for
their stomachs will be filled with
bread. Blessed are those who mourn,
for God will comfort them. Blessed
are the meek, the suffering, for
God will give them a kingdom in
heaven.

Jesus is now talking like a prophet -- a Zealot.

The dirt-poor villagers are agitated: “Yes, we will get the

wealth of the rich,; we’ll get Israel back.”

FIRST VOICE
Let’s kill the rich!

SECOND VOICE
Why bother with the rich? Kill the
Romans!

JESUS
(protests)
I didn’t say death. I said love!

The crows, incited by rhetoric and hunger, disperses in

search of shops to plunder.

ZEBEDEE
(motions to his son)
Come on, let’s get out of here.

JOHN
No. Go on without me.

John and Andrew stay behind with Peter, Philip and Judas.

Jesus wipes Mary Magdalene’s bloody feet with his tunic.

MAGDALENE
Rabbi. I’ll come with you. You need
someone to cook and...
 29.

JESUS
No. Go back home and be an example.

He helps her to her feet, kisses her forehead.

EXT. SEA OF GENNESARET - DAY

Another day. Jesus leads his little band along the seashore:
Peter, John and Andrew walk with Jesus; Judas and Philip
follow. Two peasant women, a street urchin and a couple of
dogs bring up the rear. They approach Zebedee who mends his
nets with James, Nathaniel and two other fishermen.

PHILIP
Hello Zebedee.

ZEBEDEE
(to John)
Where have you been? We’ve been
working all morning.

John steps over to his brother:

JOHN
Come with us. Believe me -- this is
for real. Just what we talked
about.

PHILIP
(joining in)
You don’t have to work for your old
man anymore.

JAMES
But I told Nathaniel I would go to
his cousin’s wedding...

JUDAS
(to Zebedee)
Watch out you’ll lose another son.

JESUS
(to James)
Put down your net. I’ll make you a
fisher of men.

James does not respond. Jesus leads his group down the shore.
As they go, Zebedee calls to John:

ZEBEDEE
Where are you going?
 30.

ANDREW
(laughing)
To the Kingdom of God!

James watches as they recede. He thinks a moment, drops his

net and runs to follow them.

EXT. GALILEE - NIGHT

The disciples sleep in an olive grove. Jesus, awake, sits on

a nearby knoll, looking into the night.

Judas walks over and sits next to him:

JUDAS
Excuse me, Rabbi. I’d like to talk.
(sits)
I don’t feel comfortable with the
others. I mean, they’re good men,
but weak. They couldn’t defend
themselves, much less fight for
you. I’m a rough man -- hard but
honest. Who I love, I die for; who
I hate, I kill.
(Jesus doesn’t answer)
I can even kill someone I love if
he does the wrong thing. Do you
understand?

JESUS
Yes. I understand.

JUDAS
The other day when you said turn
the other cheek to the man that hit
you, I didn’t like that. I’m a free
man, not a slave. I don’t turn my
cheek to anyone.

JESUS
I want freedom, too.

JUDAS
You do? You want freedom for
Israel?

JESUS
I want freedom for the soul.

JUDAS
Uh-ah. There’s no freedom for the
soul without freedom for the body.
(MORE)
 31.

JUDAS (CONT'D)
You know that. The Romans come
first.

JESUS
The soul is first.

Andrew, sleepy-eyed, walks over, concerned:

JUDAS
Who’s there?

ANDREW
It’s me, Andrew.

JESUS
Go back to sleep. Judas and I are
having a private talk.

Andrew turns and leaves. Judas waits until he is out of

earshot:

JUDAS
You know the Zealots commissioned
me to kill you.

JESUS
Why did you stop?

JUDAS
I decided to wait.

JESUS
For what?

JUDAS
To see if you were the one we’re
waiting for. I don’t want to kill
Israel’s Savior -- not me. I said,
‘Wait, he may not even know it
yet.’ But don’t listen to the
others -- they’re sheep. It’s you
and I who will decide who’s burning
you up -- God or Satan. If you
waver from Israel’s path, I’ll kill
you. Don’t be fooled.

JESUS
How can we know? I was full of hate
when I saw them torturing
Magdalene. Yet I opened my mouth
and out came the word ‘love’. Help
me. What I should do?
 32.

JUDAS
(thinks)
We’ll go to Judea and see John the
Baptist. He stands out every day
shouting, ‘He is coming, He is
coming.’ Let him decide.

JESUS
(nods)
Okay.
(a beat)
I’m afraid, Judas. Stay here.

Judas spreads his blanket on the ground.

EXT. GALILEE - NIGHT

Later that night. Judas is asleep. Jesus awakens. Jesus

surveys the still black night. He pulls an apple from his
tunic, picks a seed from it and tosses it to the ground.

A tree grows immediately from the seed. Ripe, red apples grow
from every branch.

EXT. CANA - DAY

Jesus and his disciples approach Cana, a village west of

Magdala and Gennesaret. His “merry band” has swelled to a
dozen or so, women and children included.

A celebration is going on in the town: Nathaniel’s cousin is

getting married. Jesus and his followers are all in good
spirits: it’s a festive occasion.

Village children run away, announcing Jesus’ arrival. He’s

become a local celebrity in the past several weeks.

Nathaniel greets James on the outskirts of town:

NATHANIEL
Hello, James. You’ve come for my
cousin’s wedding?

JAMES
If we’re welcome. Nathaniel, this
is Jesus from Nazareth, our Rabbi.

NATHANIEL
Yes, we’ve heard about you. Will
you bless the couple?
(Jesus nods)
(MORE)
 33.

NATHANIEL (CONT'D)
There’s gonna be a big party
tonight.

EXT. CANA - NIGHT

A half-dozen virgins, freshly-bathed, carrying lit lamps,

sing a wedding psalm.

Jesus exchanges small talk with a group waiting for the

ceremony to begin.

Mary Magdalene steps next to Jesus. She looks like a changed

woman: simply dressed, radiant.

MAGDALENE
I heard you were here.

Jesus takes her hand. An OLD MAN says to Mary:

OLD MAN
You don’t belong at a wedding.
We’re here to celebrate purity.

JESUS
Listen to me. I’ll tell you a
story. There were ten virgins
waiting for the groom. Five filled
their lamp; five didn’t. The groom
was late and the five foolish
virgins went to get more oil. He
let the wise virgins in and locked
the door. When the foolish virgins
came they begged to get in. What
would you have done?

The Old Man doesn’t respond.

JESUS
(to Nathaniel)
What would you have done?

NATHANIEL
(thinks)
I guess I woulda let them in.

JESUS
You’re right. That’s what the groom
did. He said, ‘This is a feast. Let
everyone eat and drink.’
(points to Mary)
God’s kingdom is large enough for
everyone.
 34.

OLD MAN
Nazarene, that’s against the law.

JESUS
The Law is against my heart.

LATER

The ceremony is over. Jesus, the disciples and the other

guests are laughing, drinking and swapping stories. (Jesus’
hand rests on Magdalene’s shoulder.) The wine has loosened
everyone’s spirits.

Everyone but Nathaniel: he’s upset.

JAMES
What’s wrong?

NATHANIEL
I didn’t buy enough wine. More
people came and stayed late and now
we’re out.

Jesus points to several large vats:

JESUS
What’s in those?

NATHANIEL
Water.

JESUS
No. It’s wine.

NATHANIEL
Com’on.

JESUS
Go over. Check it out. It’s wine.

Nathaniel goes over to a vat, lifts the lid, dips his finger
inside and tastes:

NATHANIEL
You’re right. It is wine.

JAMES
(as a joke)
It’s a miracle.

Everyone laughs.
 35.

EXT. RIVER OF JORDAN - DAY

Jesus and his followers reach the edge of the Dead Sea. Sixty
miles south of Galilee, it seems like another country. The
green hills of Gennesaret have been replaced by barren plains
and rocky cliffs. In the background the mountains of Moab are
pink against the midday sun.

Jesus takes Andrew by the arm.

JESUS
(with trepidation)
Where is he? Where’s the Baptist?

ANDREW
Ahead, beyond the reeds the river
is calm. Let’s go.

JESUS
You’re tired. Stay here.

ANDREW
It may be dangerous. I’d better
come.

JESUS
No. I want to go alone.

Jesus walks through the burning heat toward the oasis. Judas,
who had been following behind, runs and catches up to him.

JUDAS
You forgot to call me. This is the
big moment. I want to be with you.

JESUS
Come along.

They walk down a slope. John the Baptist’s voice echoes in

the distance. They push their way through a mixture of lower
class Israelites.

Jesus gasps when he first sees THE BAPTIST: a wild man,

unkempt, unwashed, dressed in animal skins, he shouts in the
wind:

THE BAPTIST
Repent! The day of the Lord has
come! Roll on the crows, bite the
dust, howl! The Lord says: ‘On this
day I shall command the sun to set
at noon; I shall crush the horns of
the new moon and spill darkness
over earth.
(MORE)
 36.

THE BAPTIST (CONT'D)

I shall reverse your laughter, turn
it into tears, and your songs into
lamentations. I shall blow and all
your finery -- hands, feet, noses,
ears, hairs -- will fall to the
ground.

He’s awesome. Even Judas is taken back. He grabs Jesus:

JUDAS
Master, can’t you hear? It’s the
Messiah.

JESUS
No, the Messiah won’t come with an
ax in his hand.

Jesus walks ahead. Judas calls to him:

JUDAS
We’ll see. Go to him!

Jesus walks slowly toward the Baptist, his eyes fixed on the
prophet. The crowd flails and shouts in the manner of modern-
day Pentecostalists.

JESUS (V.O.)
Even from behind, I knew I had seen
him before. Where? When? Was it a
dream? Yes, it was. But he was all
dressed in white.

Jesus steps behind the Baptist. John suddenly turns at him:

THE BAPTIST
Who are you? Who?

JESUS
(his voice trembling)
Do you recognize me?

THE BAPTIST
Who are you?

JESUS
Have you read Isaiah, forerunner?
Do you know the prophets?

THE BAPTIST
You’re The Chosen One?
 37.

JESUS
I don’t know.
(demanding)
Tell me.

The Baptist looks around: the crowd wails in SILENT MOTION. A

sudden calmness. He starts to shake:

THE BAPTIST
Why have you come?

JESUS
To be baptized.

THE BAPTIST
I don’t dare. If you are the
Master, you should baptize me.

JESUS
I don’t know yet. Do your duty.
Baptize me.

Jesus kneels at John’s feet. Judas looks on.

EXT. RIVER OF JORDAN - NIGHT

Jesus and the Baptist sit on the dark river bank. A group of
pilgrims camp in the distance.

They are weary from hours of debate:

JESUS
Isn’t love enough?

THE BAPTIST
No. The tree is rotten. You must
take the ax and cut it down.

JESUS
If I was a woodcutter, I’d cut; if
I was a fire, I’d burn. But I’m a
heart and I love.

THE BAPTIST
(with evangelical fervor)
What do the prophecies say? ‘On the
day of the Lord, blood will flow
from wood, the stones of the houses
will come alive and kill their
owners!’ The day of the Lord is
here. I was given the ax, now I
pass it to you.
 38.

Jesus, frightened, stands and turns away:

JESUS
No, I cannot. Be patient. I’ll go
to the desert. To Idumaea. God will
speak to me there.

THE BAPTIST
Watch out. God isn’t alone out
there. Devils are waiting too -- I
know.

The Baptist walks over to Jesus.

JESUS
Goodbye, Baptist.

John kisses Jesus on the mouth.

JESUS (V.O.)
His tongue felt like a burning coal
in my mouth.

THE BAPTIST
Don’t be afraid. You are the One.
Two roads open up in front of you:
the road of man, the road of God.
Take the more difficult one. Make
your arms strong. Strike!

Jesus walks away, not looking back.

EXT. IDUMAEA DESERT - SUNSET

Jesus runs across the desert as if pursued. He stops, pants,

continues.

EXT. DESERT - DAY

The next day, Jesus wanders through the wild, uninhabited

terrain. The sun, like a blast furnace, blows sand into his
face.

He sits beside a large rock:

JESUS (V.O.)
I’m not going any further. This is
it: I’m staying here. I’m a grain
of sand in this desert, God. Can
you see me? I have no weapon but
love.
(MORE)
 39.

JESUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)

(draws a circle in the
sand)
I’m not going to leave this circle.
I won’t leave until you talk to me.
And not with hums, or thunder or
headaches -- but with a clear human
voice. Tell me which part to take.
Or else let me die here.

FADE OUT.

EXT. DESERT - NIGHT

FADE IN: Days have past. The hunger and deprivation are
beginning to show on Jesus’ face. His clothes are the color
of soil.

He hears a sound, looks into the moonlit light: a large

SERPENT coils at the edge of the circle.

The Serpent speaks in a half-human, half-animal voice.

SERPENT
I felt sorry for you, Jesus. You
were lonely. You cried, ‘I don’t
want to be alone’, so I came.

JESUS
I didn’t call you. Who are you?

SERPENT
Your soul.

JESUS
My soul!

SERPENT
You’re afraid of being alone. Just
like Adam. He called me and I
reached into his ribs and gave him
a wife.

JESUS
You want me to do wrong.

SERPENT
Do wrong? To love and care for a
woman? To have a family -- this is
wrong? Why are you trying to save
the world? The world doesn’t need
to be saved. Find love.
 40.

JESUS
I have love.

SERPENT
Look into my eyes, look at my
breasts...

The Serpent’s voice dissolves into the soft, comforting voice

of Mary Magdalene.

SERPENT
...Do you recognize them? Say the
word. Nod your head and we’ll be in
my bed together.

JESUS
No, no, no.

SERPENT
(compassionately)
Oh, Jesus.

The Serpent suddenly explodes, leaving no trace. Jesus place

his head between his legs and begins to sob, as if he has
lost a loved one.

FADE OUT.

EXT. DESERT - NIGHT

FADE IN. Another week has passed. Jesus’ clothes are torn and
tattered by the desert winds. He awakens.

JESUS (V.O.)
After ten days the hunger went
away.

He hears a sound. A LION stands at the edge of the circle.

LION
Welcome, Jesus. Congratulations.
You’ve overcome the petty
temptations of a woman, a family.
We’re both bigger than that. A
woman’s not enough, we need the
whole world.

JESUS
Who are you?
 41.

LION
I am you. I am your heart, your
hungry heart which pretends to be
humble but wants to conquer the
world. I will set my four feet
down, one in Babylon, one in
Jerusalem, one in Alexandria, the
last in Rome.

JESUS
I’ve never wanted a kingdom on
earth. Heaven’s good enough for me.

The Lion’s voice transforms into Judas’:

LION
You lie. You’ve always wanted
power. When you were making crosses
for the Romans in Nazareth, your
head was exploding with dreams of
power. You said it was God, but you
really wanted to rule others. Now
you will.

Jesus, shaking, approaches the Lion.

JESUS
Step into my circle, liar, so I can
pull out your tongue.

The Lion steps into the circle, and, as he does, disappears.

FADE OUT.

EXT. DESERT - NIGHT

FADE IN. Jesus lies sleeping by the rock. Another week has
past. He’s a wasted skeleton.

A blinding, hallucinatory light wakes him. An ARCHANGEL

stands at the circle’s edge. The Angel is a ten-year-old boy,
dressed in white with soft wings folded under his arms.

Jesus strains to see through his swollen eyelids:

JESUS
Who are you?

ARCHANGEL
I’m the one you’ve been waiting
for. Remember when you were a
child, you cried ‘Make me a God.
God, make me a God.’
 42.

JESUS
But I was just a child then.

ARCHANGEL
Adonai. You are God. The Baptist
told you. Join me in power. We will
rule over the living and the dead.
You will sit on the throne, I’ll
sit at your right hand.

Jesus suddenly realizes who he’s talking to:

JESUS
Satan!

The ripe tree from Jesus’ dream appears behind the Archangel.
The Angel offers Jesus an apple.

Jesus bites into the apple: it turns into blood in his mouth.
The blood drips down his chest.

The Archangel’s soft feathery wings grow into black, spiked

flanges, rising menacingly above his shoulder blades. The
tree withers behind him. The boy smiles:

ANGEL
We will meet again.

The Archangel turns and leaves. Jesus picks up a stick at his

feet. The stick is an ax.

The Baptist’s voice speaks to him:

BAPTIST (V.O.)
The day of the Lord is here. Run
and carry the message: ‘I am
coming.’

Jesus strikes at the root of the tree with the ax. The sky
turns red: there is a deafening thunderbolt followed by a
lightning flash.

INT. MARY AND MARTHA’S - DAY

The door opens. An emaciated figure in tattered clothes

stands silhouetted in the doorway.

MARY and MARTHA, sisters in their early thirties, turn

aghast. Mary sits at a waving loom, Martha near the fire.
 43.

JESUS
I’m a foreigner. From Galilee. I’m
cold and hungry and need rest.

MARTHA
Come in.

MARY
(to Martha)
Lazarus is out. We’re alone.
(to Jesus)
Are you a good man?

MARTHA
(to Jesus)
Don’t let my sister’s fears worry
you. I’m Martha, this is Mary. We
don’r have much, but you’re welcome
to what we have. Who are you?

JESUS
Jesus of Nazareth.

He staggers into the room, collapses on the hearth.

EXT. MARY AND MARTHA'S - NIGHT

Night falls on their modest Bethany home.

INT. MARY AND MARTHA'S - NIGHT

Jesus, washed and wearing a new tunic, eats bread and olives.
Martha hands him wine flask. Sitting by the fire, they almost
look like a family unit.

MARTHA
Speak more. We don’t know anything
about you.

JESUS
What is there to say?

MARY
Silence doesn’t satisfy a woman.
Women need a kind word.

MARTHA
Don’t listen to her. Not even
silence is enough for a woman. She
wants a husband in bed at night.
She wants a baby to suck her
breasts -- but what do men know?
 44.

MARY
Do you have a wife?

JESUS
(thinks)
No.

They lapse into silence.

MARY
These are hard times. The King has
killed the Baptist.

JESUS
What?

MARTHA
It was at Herod’s palace in
Tiberius. The King was drunk. They
say he had the prophet beheaded to
satisfy a girl.

Jesus smashes his forehead against that fireplace.

JESUS
Oh, God. These are the final days.

MARTHA
(unable to hear him)
What?

JESUS
(stands)
I must go.

MARTHA
But you’ve hardly had time to rest.

MARY
Please stay.

JESUS
It’s time to leave.

He stops at the door, smiles compassionately at them:

JESUS
Thank you, Mary, Martha. God will
bless you for your kindness.
(a sad beat)
I wish I could stay.
 45.

He closes the door behind him. Martha looks at Mary, down-

cast. A good man had entered their lives, like a miracle. Now
he is gone.

EXT. JERUSALEM TAVERN - NIGHT

Torches light the exterior of a small inn near the Sheeps

Gate. (So named because the sheep were sold here.)

INT. TAVERN - NIGHT

The disciples sit around several tables. The INN-KEEPER

sleeps on a bed of straw in the corner.

JAMES
Now they say they’re going to kill
everyone who was baptized.

PHILIP
Nobody told you to get baptized.
Serves you right.

PETER
You were baptized, too. Begged for
it. So, shut up.

JAMES
I hear the fishing is great in
Gennesaret. You just drop the nets
in and they fill with fish.

NATHANIEL
I don’t know what’s happened to my
sheep.

PETER
So go back.

JAMES
We promised the Master we’d wait
here for him.

NATHANIEL
It’s been over a month. He talks to
the Baptist, then disappears.

PHILIP
How do we know what The Baptist
said?
 46.

JAMES
Talk like that will get you a
swelled head -- just like the
Baptist.

They all laugh. Judas interrupts:

JUDAS
I say we wait.

A momentary silence.

PETER
I agree with Judas -- and say we
have another drink.
(calls out)
Inn-keeper, wake up! We need more
wine.

The Inn-keeper sleepily obliges. The door opens: Jesus

enters. John sinks to his knees.

JOHN
Master.

JESUS
Thanks for waiting, my dear
friends. It hasn’t been a waste of
time.

JOHN
What do you mean?

JESUS
Were you baptized?

PETER
Yes.

JESUS
John baptized with water and they
killed him. Now I will baptize with
fire.

JUDAS
Is this the message of the Baptist?

Jesus reaches into his chest and pulls out his own bloody
heart. He offers it at arms length to the disciples. Blood
drips from the ventricles.

JESUS
This is my heart. Please take it. I
lead the way.
(MORE)
 47.

JESUS (CONT'D)
If you have sheep, give them away;
if you have nets, let them rot;
family, children, leave them
behind. We’re on the march.

Jesus places his heart back in his chest.

JESUS
I once believed in love, now I
carry the ax. Are you with me?

Judas falls to his knees and kisses Jesus’ feet:

JUDAS
Adonai!

The others follow Judas’ example.

PETER
You lead, we follow.

JESUS
We’re going back to Nazareth. We’ll
begin our campaign there.

EXT. SAMARIA - DAY

Jesus and his followers (they have grown in number) walk

through the Samarian lowlands. Mts. Gerigim and Ebal lie to
the east.

The group advances with determination and purpose. Judas

walks at Jesus’ right; Peter at his left. A cluster of
indigent villagers, women and children follow them.

They come upon a makeshift asylum for the insane. The men are
housed in a group of low-lying buildings.

The deranged men run toward Jesus, fall at his feet, beg in
pitiful gibberish.

Judas and Peter try to ward them off. Jesus is angry -- not
at the men, but at the evil spirits that possess them.

He slaps one man, kicks another:

JESUS
Satan! Leave these men alone. Get
out!
(points)
Go into those pigs over there.
 48.

The insane men grow suddenly calm. The disciples turn to

watch as the herd of swine, squealing, run off a cliff and
plunge into the ravine.

The insane have returned to their senses. Most are confused,

some praise Jesus.

JESUS
Go to the temple and cleanse
yourselves.

That said, Jesus moves on. He doesn’t give a second thought

to the “miracle” he has performed.

LATER. A BLINDMAN, led by his BROTHER and SISTER, approach

Jesus and the disciples. His reputation has spread through
the countryside.

SISTER
Mister, welcome. Come to our home.

BROTHER
Adonai.

SISTER
My brother has no sight.

BLIND MAN
Adonai, help me.

Jesus stops. He takes ground herbal powder from his sleeve

and mixes it with sand. He spits into the mixture, then
applies it to the Blind Man’s eyes. He looks upwards and
chants:

JESUS
Jeremiah, Moses, Elijah, Isaiah --
touch my mouth, touch my lips.

Jesus kisses the man’s mud-caked eyes. The clay falls from
the Blind Man’s eyes. His gruesomely deformed eyes are now
normal: he can see.

JESUS
Go to the temple. Tell no one what
has happened.

Jesus motions for his disciples to follow. They continue

talking among themselves. The Blind Man stands behind,
stunned. His Sister embraces him.
 49.

EXT. NAZARETH - DAY

Sabbath. The faithful, fresh from synagogue, mill about under

the date palms in the manner of churchmen over the centuries.
These are not common people. On the contrary, they represent
the Jewish hierarchy: the severely moral Pharisees, with
their belief in afterlife; their rivals, the legalistic
Sadducees, in collusion with the Romans; and the landowners
and shopkeepers who supported the synagogue.

There is a commotion. Several of the churchmen point in the

direction of Jesus and his band of rabble. Jesus mounts the
rocky crucifixion site. He calls out:

JESUS
Brothers! Listen to me. Isaiah
cried, ‘The spirit of the Lord
flowed over me, he chose me to
bring good news to the poor, he
sent me to set free the slaves and
make the blind see.’

The churchmen, curious, gather around.

JESUS
(continuing)
My dear old friends: The prophet
was talking about me. God came to
me in the desert. He gave me a
great secret and told me to bring
it to you -- didn’t you hear me
coming? I ran here first -- to give
the news to my hometown. The
kingdom of the Lord has come!

Someone from the crows taunts him:

VILLAGER #1
We hear you do miracles. Do one for
us.

JESUS
(impassioned)
Everything is a miracle. Look at
the sky, look at the weeds under
your feet. The Day of the Lord is
here. There are only a few hours
left. Are you ready? Call the poor
and give them your goods before it
is too late. What do you care about
your possessions? Your gold and
silver will rust and their rust
will eat your flesh like fire.
(MORE)
 50.

JESUS (CONT'D)
You will drown in the sweat of the
poor. Look above your heads. The
flames of God are already coming
down!

The local burghers boo and laugh.

VILLAGER #2
Who are you, the son of Mary, to
tell us about God?

VILLAGER #3
I remember when he made crosses.
(to companion)
Get his brothers to take him away.

JESUS
What are you laughing at? Are you
trying to protect your houses and
olive trees -- they will all turn
to ashes. Ashes!

VILLAGER #2
This is what happens when a man
doesn’t marry. The semen backs up
into his brain.

Someone throws a stone; it grazes Jesus’ head, drawing blood.

VILLAGER #4
Go home! You’re full of devils.

JESUS
(wiping blood from his
brow)
This is my home!

Peter and Judas rush to Jesus’ defense. Judas puts his hand
to his dagger.

PETER
Shame on you! What has he done to
you?

The soil-colored poor from the slums have begun to gather

around. These are the “Am Ha-aretz”, the destitute lower
classes oppressed by wealthy Jews and Romans alike. They
think: Jesus is right. This is the new law. The kingdom of
the poor has come.

The rich and poor scuffle, exchanging insults and taunts.

The scene is near chaos when JESUS’ BROTHER arrives with some
friends. They struggle to take Jesus down hill.
 51.

JESUS’ BROTHER
Jesus, come with us.

JESUS
James, you’re my brother. Leave me
alone.

Judas draws his dagger. Jesus breaks free of his brother.

JESUS
(to Judas)
Put it away. This is no town for
prophets. We’ll go to Jerusalem.
(to Thomas)
Blow your horn, we’re leaving.

Thomas blows his trumpet as Jesus walks off.

EXT. OUTSIDE NAZARETH - DAY

Jesus and his followers head across the plain toward Samaria.

JESUS (V.O.)
If I could touch every stone,
breathe on every twig, they would
rise up and join me. Jerusalem is
falling. I can feel it.

He turns to Judas who walks at his side:

JESUS
We’re going to Jerusalem.

JUDAS
I know.

JESUS
Not the Old Jerusalem, the New
Jerusalem.

JUDAS
A New Jerusalem!

JESUS
Yes, we will build it. See this
silly group of fools, cripples,
jealous, blind, petty -- this is
our army. They will shout and the
Old Jerusalem will fall. God can
endure it no longer.
 52.

JUDAS
(looks back)
This isn’t much of an army.
Remember the Maccabees. We’ll need
more men.

JESUS
God will provide.

Judas and Jesus walk in step. John runs alongside the Master:

JOHN
Master, your mother is here.

JESUS
What?

JOHN
Your mother.

Mary, possessed by maternal frenzy, grabs Jesus’ arm:

MARY (MOTHER OF JESUS)

Son, please come home, i’ll take
care of you. You’re sick but I’ll
make you better.
(to others)
Forgive him. Help me take him home.

JESUS
Who are you, woman?

MARY (MOTHER OF JESUS)

(desperate)
Your mother.

JESUS
I have no mother, no brothers. Only
my father who is in heaven.

He shakes his arm from her grip. Mary falls to her knees
crying. Jesus keeps walking. The disciples follow.

EXT. ALONG THE JORDAN RIVER - DAY

Jesus and his ragtag “army” continue their southward march.

Judas looks with pride at their growing numbers.

Martha and Mary, dressed in black, approach Jesus. He walks

over to them.
 53.

MARTHA
Rabbi, forgive us. We heard you
were near. We’ve walked two days.

MARY
Our brother Lazarus is very sick.
We heard you’ve performed miracles,
healed the sick, made cripples
walk, blind...

JESUS
(interrupts)
Take me to him.

EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF BETHANY - DAY

As Jesus, Martha, Mary and the others approach Bethany, a

village WOMAN runs to meet them.

BETHANY WOMAN
Oh, Mary, Martha, you’ve come too
late. Lazarus is dead. He was
buried three days ago.

Martha falls into Jesus’ arms; He consoles her.

JESUS
Take me to the tomb.

EXT. LAZARUS’ TOMB - SUNSET

Jesus and a select group of disciples approach a row of tombs

carved into the hillside. The Bethany Woman points out
Lazarus’ tomb. It is sealed by a large boulder.

Jesus instructs Judas and Peter:

JESUS
Roll away the stone.

They elicit the help of two others and lean their shoulders
to the difficult task.

JESUS (V.O.)
What am I going to do?

The stone moves: a hideous stench gusts from the tomb. Some
disciples turn their faces; others put handkerchiefs to their
noses.
 54.

Jesus stands at the entrance of the tomb and yells. His voice
echoes: a wild, strange cry, like something from another
world.

JESUS
Lazarus! In the name of the
prophets, in the name of Jeremiah
and my Father, the most Holy God, I
demand that you rise and come out!

At first, nothing. Then, slowly, a desiccated figure emerges

from the tomb. He is wrapped head to toe in white burial
cloth. The crowd gasps.

Slowly, and with great effort, LAZARUS unwraps the soiled

linen from his face. Jesus is frightened by his own miracle.

JESUS (V.O.)
Is the power of God so great? If it
can raise the dead, can it also
move mountains? Can it destroy
Rome? Tear the world in two?

Strips of rotting flesh drip off Lazarus’ face. The disciples

step back, astounded. Lazarus smiles at Jesus:

LAZARUS
Adonai!

Jesus embraces him.

JESUS (V.O.)
God help me.

INT. MARY AND MARTHA'S - NIGHT

Mary, Martha and family friends minister to the feeble

Lazarus. He seems confused, not quite sure if he is dead or
alive.

Jesus passes them and walks outside.

EXT. MARY AND MARTHA'S - NIGHT

Judas, Peter and John are sitting at a table in the garden.

Jesus joins them, interrupting their small talk.

JESUS
Peter, Judas, tell me, who do
people think I am?
 55.

PETER
Huh?

JESUS
You know -- what do they say?

JOHN
Some say you’re John the Baptist,
reborn...

PETER
That’s stupid. Some say you’re
Ezekial, others, Jeremiah.

Jesus sits down.

JESUS
Who do you think I am?

JUDAS
My favorite character is David. My
mother always used to talk about
him. When he conquered Jerusalem he
put the Jebusites to the ban --
killed all of them, didn’t fool
around. Gave everybody to God. The
same with the Ammonites.

PETER
I always liked Ezekiel.

JUDAS
Ezekial!

PETER
Yeah. He didn’t mince words about
anything. Remember Obolibah -- the
Jerusalem women who made love to
the Chaldeans ‘cause they were
hung?
(gestures; laughs)
Ezekial wasn’t afraid of anybody.
He just told the truth.

JOHN
My favorite is Isaiah...

PETER
(interrupts)
Sex, that’s all it was...
 56.

JUDAS
(interrupts; to Jesus)
Who do you like?

JESUS
Jeremiah.

PETER
Jeremiah was a loser...

JESUS
You should have had his guts. He
was born right near here, you know.
Jus over the hill. He said, the
Lord would write a New Covenant.
I’ll make it with Israel. I’ll put
my law in their minds. I’ll write
it in their hearts.

JOHN
Isaiah knew right from wrong. How
long ago did he live?

JUDAS
I don’t know. Before Jeremiah.

JOHN
No, Jeremiah was before Ezekial.

JUDAS
Get off it.
(to Peter)
When was Jeremiah?

PETER
(shrugs)
Beats me.

JESUS
(thinks)
I’m not sure.

EXT. TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM - DAY

Prior to the Passover feast, from the 15th to the 25th of

Adar, every Jewish male had to pay a temple tax in the amount
of one Galilean shekel. Since the coin of the land was Roman
(and to a leaser extent Persian, Tyrian and Syrian) money-
changers were needed to exchange Roman denarii for shekels.
Obviously, they made a profit on this exchange.
 57.

The money-changers had permanent booths outside the temple

proper. To a stranger the temple looked more like a brokerage
house than a place of worship.

Jesus enters the temple grounds with his central core of

disciples. They have come to worship.

Jesus comes to a cold stop: he’s sickened by the sight of the

money-changers. He turns to Peter:

JESUS
What is this?

PETER
It’s for the feast.

Jesus, enraged, strides past the booths, overturning the

tables. Scales, weights and coins from all over the world
scatter in every direction. The vendors rush to retrieve
their money.

Other vendors and customers turn on Jesus. Judas, Peter and

the others forcibly fight them off. Jesus calls out:

JESUS
My father’s house is a place of
worship, not a bank, or a store.

The disciples circle Jesus for his protection. The RABBI,

surrounded by SADDUCEES, steps out of the temple.

RABBI
Nazarene, what are you doing?

JESUS
God doesn’t need a fancy house. He
doesn’t need cyprus and bloody
animals. For years I used to come
to the temple, but now the temple
has come to me.

SADDUCEE
(shocked)
Watch what you say.

JESUS
When I say, ‘I’, Rabbi, I am saying
‘God’.

RABBI
This is blasphemy!
 58.

JESUS
Didn’t you hear? I’m the Saint of
Blasphemy. Make no mistake: I
haven’t come to bring peace, I’ve
come to bring a sword.

The Sadducee whispers to an associate, then says to Jesus:

SADDUCEE
Take your ideas to the Romans.

JESUS
I’m sick of all of you. This temple
will be destroyed. One stone won’t
stand on another. God does not
belong in a ghetto. God is not an
Israelite!

Even the disciples are shocked by this heresy. They escort

Jesus out of the temple ground for his own safety.

As they reach the temple gates they are mobbed by the poor
and the infirm waiting outside. The beggars press on Jesus,
pulling at his arms and legs.

MOB MEMBER #1
Heal me.

MOB MEMBER #2
Cure us. Make us rich.

JESUS
(pushes them away)
Get away. You sicken me. You’re
selfish and full of hate. God won’t
help you.

This new crisis is broken up by four Roman cavalrymen. They

stampede into the mob, whipping beggars and curiosity-seekers
alike. The OFFICER demands:

ROMAN OFFICER
Who is Jesus from Nazareth?

JESUS
I am.

ROMAN OFFICER
Come with us. The Procurator wants
to see you.

The cavalrymen lead Jesus away, leaving the disciples behind.

 59.

INT. THE ANTONIA - DAY

The Roman garrison, the Antonia fort, was situated on the

northwest wall of the temple. Roman soldiers, standing on the
Antonia walls, could observe all the activities in the temple
grounds.

The Roman soldiers escort Jesus into an open courtyard.

PILATE, dressed in leather and metal military regalia, waits

for him on a raised platform decorated by crudely carved
eagles. Two soldiers, spears in hand, flank the Procurator.

PILATE
Are you Jesus of Nazareth, King of
the Jews?

JESUS
I’m not a king.

PILATE
You aren’t the Messiah? The people
say you are.

JESUS
My kingdom is not of this earth.

PILATE
Oh yeah? Where is it then? In the
air, maybe?

JESUS
In heaven.

PILATE
Good. You can have it. And take the
Jews with you. They’re disgusting.
They never wash, you know.

The Roman soldiers chuckle; they appreciate the Procurator’s

sense of humor.

JESUS
God has raised his fist over Rome.

PILATE
(blasé)
Rome is immortal. They tell me you
do miracles. Is this good magic or
bad magic? Can you do a trick for
us?
 60.

JESUS
I’m not a pet. I don’t do tricks.
But I’ll tell you a vision the
prophet Daniel had. A huge statue
had a head of gold, its breast was
of silver...

PILATE
(interrupts)
Wait a second, Jew. You’re going to
tell me a parable. I’m not one of
your goddamn peasants.

JESUS
Listen. Learn.

There’s an awkward moment.

PILATE
(sighs)
Okay, tell me this vision.

JESUS
The stomach was of bronze, the legs
of iron and the feet of clay. A
stone was thrown. It broke the
earthen feet and the statue
collapsed. God is the thrower, I am
the stone. Rome is the statue.

PILATE
Oh, give me a break. I understand
what you’re up to. You insult Rome
so I’ll crucify you and you can
become a martyr like the others.
Your kind come and go. How are you
going to bring down Rome?

Jesus starts to speak, then stops. He suddenly realizes he

doesn’t know what to say.

JESUS (V.O.)
God, what is the answer? I don’t
know what to say.

PILATE
Just as I thought. Another hustler.
Do you make any money out of this?

JESUS (V.O.)
Please speak to me. I need words.
 61.

A pain suddenly surges through the back of Jesus’ head. He

holds his neck.

PILATE
Get out of here. Leave me alone. My
wife dreams of you -- that shows
you how stupid women are.

Jesus, confused, humiliated, is led away.

EXT. ANTONIA - DAY

Jesus is released. Judas waits for him.

JUDAS
What happened?

Jesus has no answer. He just walks off. Judas follows.

EXT. GOLGOTHA - NIGHT

Golgotha -- “hill of the skull.” The name is not

metaphorical. In 4 B.C., two thousand Jews were crucified in
Jerusalem in one day alone. The walls of the city hover
nearby.

Judas, who has been looking for Jesus, finds him alone on the
bald hill. He sits beside him. Remnants of rotting timber are
scattered over the stones.

JUDAS
I’ve been looking all over for you.
For two days you haven’t talked to
anyone. We’re heartsick. What did
Pilate want?

Jesus collects his thoughts.

JESUS
Judas, I have a terrible secret to
tell you.
(Judas waits)
I’ll tell you because you’re the
strongest of my companions. Only
you will be able to hear it.

JUDAS
Thank you for trusting me, Master.
Speak. Whatever it is, I can take
it.
 62.

JESUS
You know why I came to Jerusalem?

JUDAS
Yes, this is where the revolution
will happen.

Jesus sweating profusely, nods.

JESUS
The Lord’s flames are all around
me. I can no longer sleep. I come
to this rock, Golgotha, and lie
awake. Last night Isaiah came to
me.

JUDAS
(eager)
What did he say?

JESUS
(trembling)
He opened his book and I read in
giant letters: ‘He has borne our
faults; he has wounded for our
transgressions. He was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth.
Despised and rejected, he went
forward without resisting like a
lamb led to the slaughter.’

Jesus, pale, sinks his head into his hands. He starts to cry.

JUDAS
I don’t understand.

JESUS
Judas, my dear brother, I’m the
lamb. I’m the one who is going to
die.

JUDAS
You? You mean you’re not the
Messiah?

JESUS
I am.

JUDAS
(jumps up)
No. That can’t be.
 63.

JESUS
Don’t shout. It will become clear
to you. I didn’t understand at
first.

JUDAS
But every day you have a different
plan.

JESUS
I can’t help it. That’s how God
comes to me. Now I finally
understand. All my life something
has been following me: footsteps,
voices, headaches, a shadow. Now I
know the shadow is the cross.

JUDAS
I don’t believe you.

JESUS
I hope you’re right. Be patient
with me. Tell no one about this
conversation. Promise me that.

JUDAS
Yes, Master.

JESUS
Good. I knew I could count on you.

EXT. BETHANY - DAY

Philip and Nathaniel walk along a narrow street. Bethany,

even though a small village, seems overcrowded.

NATHANIEL
What do you want?

PHILIP
What do you mean?

NATHANIEL
When we set up the new government.

PHILIP
(thinks)
Well, I guess I’d like more sheep.
Only now a large herd. I’d hire
other shepherds to take care of
them.
(MORE)
 64.

PHILIP (CONT'D)
You know, Laban, that man who has a
large ranch north of Tiberias? I’d
like a spread like that.

NATHANIEL
Yeah.

PHILIP
How about you?

NATHANIEL
First off, I’d like to be able to
worship in the temple. I mean
really worship -- without Roman
banners and soldiers standing
around.

PHILIP
(nods)
Of course. What else?

As Nathaniel contemplates his answer, Thomas runs to greet

them.

THOMAS
The Master has returned! He’s at
Martha and Mary’s house.

They rush down the street. Thomas leads the way.

EXT. MARY AND MARTHA'S HOUSE - DAY

The disciples gather around Jesus in the courtyard. Mary and

Martha serve olives, bread, cheese and water.

The disciples are in a festive mood as Thomas, Philip and

Nathaniel enter. Jesus, although the center of attraction, is
strangely silent. The newcomers eagerly greet him.

Judas and Magdalene confer in the corner of the courtyard.

MAGDALENE
What’s bothering him? Tell me.

JUDAS
I can’t. He swore me to secrecy.

MAGDALENE
You can tell me. I’d never breathe
a word.

JUDAS
No.
 65.

MAGDALENE
Why did he choose you anyway?
You’re nothing but a trouble-
maker...

JUDAS
Who do you think he should have
chosen? That windmill Peter? Maybe
that idiot John? Maybe even you --
a woman! He chose me because I’m
strong.

Magdalene, hurt, goes inside the house. Judas walks over to

Philip who is standing alone.

JUDAS
Do you have your dagger?

PHILIP
Yes.

JUDAS
Good. Carry it all the time. The
Messiah is going to march on
Jerusalem next Sabbath.

PHILIP
He is?

JUDAS
He told me. How many men can you
get together? I know about a dozen.
I mean strong men, willing to die.

PHILIP
From Bethany and Jericho, maybe
five or six. But they’re all
Zealots.

JUDAS
Good. Go and get them. We’ll need
all the men we can get when we go
to Jerusalem. If there’s enough of
us, we’ll get more inside the city.

There is a commotion where Jesus sits. They turn and look.

Magdalene, having washed Jesus’ feet and dried them with her
hair, now anoints them with perfume. Thomas, ever the
merchant, objects:
 66.

THOMAS
Master, why do you let her do this?
We could have sold this perfume and
given the money to the poor.

Jesus speaks with a new air of authority: quieter, but more

forceful.

JESUS
You’ll always have the poor,
Thomas, but you won’t always have
me.

Jesus beds over and kisses the top of Magdalene’s head. Then
he takes her hand, instructing her to rise.

JOHN
I don’t like it, Rabbi. The perfume
makes you smell like you’re already
dead and waiting to be buried.

JESUS
Don’t be so afraid of death, John.
Death is a key, it opens the door.
(to Magdalene)
Here, sit beside me. I’m lonesome.
Tell me stories about when we were
children.

Magdalene sits beside Jesus. Mary hands him a wine flask. He

takes a sip and passes it on.

EXT. OUTSIDE JERUSALEM - DAY

Jesus is on the march. Judas, Philip and Peter lead a group

of ruffians twenty strong. Behind them the disciples and the
entourage follows.

Philip turns to Judas:

PHILIP
I’m worried about Jesus.

JUDAS
You don’t know him like I do. It
looks like he blows this way, then
the other, but when the time comes,
he’ll give the command. His
indecision is over.

PHILIP
(looks around)
There aren’t many of us.
 67.

JUDAS
Just wait. When Jesus calls,
there’s gonna be such a mob you’ll
have to push your way through.

Behind them, John, Andrew and Thomas argue:

THOMAS
I’m not afraid.

JOHN
Then don’t act like it.

THOMAS
I’ll do anything the Master asks --
anything but get crucified.

ANDREW
You’re a coward.

THOMAS
I’d like to see you say that after
you’ve been hanging up there two
days and the crows come by and pull
out your eyes.

JOHN
I made my decision. If you can’t
make yours, leave now. But the
Kingdom lies ahead.

THOMAS
(touches his chest)
I’m ready. I have my knife.

EXT. JERUSALEM - DAY

Jesus and his followers pass through Sheep’s Gate.

Their arrival has been heralded in advance: crows line the

narrow road into the city.

The mob has come prepared, palm branches in hand. They throw
the branches in front of Jesus’ processional. Someone
provides a donkey, another throws a blanket over its back.
Jesus climbs astride the mule.

The crowd cheers as Jesus and the disciples pass: “Hosanna,

Hosanna!” Jesus’ followers are perhaps a hundred strong.

A new chant -- abetted by Judas and his followers -- goes up:

“Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews!”
 68.

The procession moves down the cobblestone lane toward the

temple until it reaches Solomon’s Porch. Jesus dismounts and
looks around.

Outside the temple walls, stall occupy every nook and cranny.
Hundreds of people are selling, buying, bargaining, hawking
their wares: merchants, money-changers, innkeepers,
prostitutes.

Jesus, full of rage, followed by the disciples, sweeps down

on the wine stands and workshops, overturning the tables,
striking the tradesmen with his goad.

JESUS
Get out! Away!

The mob enthusiastically follows suit, looting stalls and

routing merchants.

JESUS (V.O.)
God, whatever Your plan, tell me
now. Quickly -- while I have the
strength.

Jesus enters the temple grounds. This is his moment. The

whole world waits. He calls out:

JESUS
I have come to set fire to the
world! In the desert The Baptist
said, ‘Repent, Repent!’ The Day of
the Lord is coming!’ But I say it’s
already too late to repent. The Day
of the Lord is already here. I am
the Day of the Lord. I come with
the baptism of fire!

The ragamuffins reply: “Fire! Fire -- burn it all down!”

The TEMPLE GUARDS (usually Levites) grab their lances and

swords. Judas’ cohorts draw their weapons.

Battle is imminent. The paving stones will soon be covered

with Jewish blood.

Suddenly, the Roman sentries blow their trumpets from the

Antonia tower. CAIAPHAS, the high priest, commands the Temple
Guards to put down their weapons and withdraw.

There is no longer anyone for the rebels to attack: The

Levites are in the temple, the Romans in the palace. Peter
grabs a torch from the wall: SAUL, a man of Tarsus, stands by
Caiaphas.
 69.

PETER
Let’s go! Now’s the time.

Although his followers have numerical strength, Jesus remains

passive. The disciples turn to him -- waiting for a signal.
Instead, Jesus looks at the ground.

JUDAS
Master, give us the signal.

PETER
Decide!

Jesus closes his eyes. John comes up to him:

JOHN
If you don’t give the sign now,
we’re finished. What we’ve done
today means death.

JESUS (V.O.)
I’m also waiting. Put the ax in my
hands.

PHILIP
We came to fight.

Jesus looks at his hands: blood oozes from his palms. He

closes his fists to hide the stigmata.

JESUS
(to Judas)
Come beside me.

Judas puts his arm around Jesus:

JUDAS
What’s wrong? We mustn’t let them
be ashamed of us.

JESUS
Stay by my side.

He waves to the disciples.

JESUS
Com’on. Let’s go.

The disciples, confused, in shock, turn to follow Jesus. One

of the spectators throws an olive at them. The “revolt” is a
fiasco.
 70.

ANDREW
What’s happening?

James leads the donkey. Peter hurries alongside Jesus and

Judas.

PETER
(to Judas)
Can’t you see the mess we’re in?

JESUS
Peter, I want you to prepare for
the paschal dinner.
(to others)
Before our ancestors left Egypt,
they celebrated Passover. We will
celebrate the New Passover before
we escape from slavery.

The crowd begins to dissipate. The show’s over.

PETER
But, Rabbi, Passover without a lamb
is impossible. Where will I get it?

JESUS
(bitter)
The lamb is ready. At this very
moment he’s proceeding to the
slaughter all on his own. Don’t
worry about the lamb.

EXT. JERUSALEM - SUNSET

The city is alive with Passover preparations. One house-

holder lights his lanterns; another hurries down the street
with a basket of bread and fruit.

Jesus and Judas walks past a fountain in a small square. They

watch suspiciously as a woman draws a bucket of water. They
stop at a selected spot between two trees.

John approaches:

JOHN
Peter said to tell you everything
was ready for Passover.

JESUS
Thanks. Tell him we’ll be right
there.
 71.

JOHN
Be sure to take the alley route.
The Romans are looking all over for
us.

Jesus nods. After John leaves, Jesus turns confidentially to

Judas:

JESUS
Try to be brave. I’m trying too.

JUDAS
Are you sure there’s no other way?

JESUS
(shakes head)
No. I’m sorry.

JUDAS
No other way?

JESUS
I would have liked another one,
too. I kept hoping -- until now.
There is no other way. The end of
the world is here. This world, the
kingdom of Satan, will be destroyed
and the kingdom of heaven will
come. How? By my death.

JUDAS
I won’t let you die.

Jesus grasps his arm and says sternly:

JESUS
You once made me a promise. You
said if I ever strayed, if I ever
shied away from revolution, you
would kill me. Remember?
(Judas nods)
I have strayed, haven’t I?

JUDAS
Yes.

JESUS
Then you must keep your word. Go to
Caiaphas. The Temple Guards want to
arrest me where there aren’t any
crowds. Tonight we’ll be in
Gethsemane. Arrange for them to
find me at the three-rock point.
 72.

JUDAS
No, I couldn’t.

JESUS
You must. Don’t abandon me now.

JUDAS
But if you were me, could you
betray your master?

JESUS
(thinks)
No. But that’s why God gave me the
easier job -- to be crucified.

JUDAS
Do the others know?

JESUS
No. I’ll tell them tonight.

Night has fallen. Jesus and Judas take a circuitous route

toward the meeting place. The traditional Passover psalm
echoes from behind closed doors they pass.

INT. UPPER ROOM - NIGHT

Judas taps a secret knock. Peter opens the door cautiously

and lets them enter.

A high window lets moonlight into the large room. Three seven-
branched candelabra illuminate the lamb, wine and unleavened
bread.

The disciples are seated on cushions around three sides of a

square table. The fourth is open to facilitate serving. Jesus
takes his place at the center of the table.

Mary, Martha and Magdalene have all come to Jerusalem to

celebrate the festival with Jesus and his disciples and
prepare the ritual meal.

Jesus fills the disciples’ cups from a pitcher of salt water.

JESUS
First we must drink salt water to
remember the tears and pain our
ancestors suffered in the land of
Egypt.
 73.

Jesus swallows his drink in a single gulp. Mary brings a tray

of bitter herbs proscribed by Jewish law: oregano, bay and
savory. Jesus watches as the disciples eat:

JESUS
Passover celebrates the passage
from slavery to freedom. Tonight’s
Passover goes even further: it
celebrates the passage from death
to eternal life. I will lead the
way, you will follow.
(to John)
John, you know the prophets. Isaiah
says, ‘He had neither beauty nor
luster that we would turn our eyes
to him. He was despised and
rejected by me...’

JOHN
(continues)
‘... But he took on himself all our
pains. He was wounded for our
transgressions and with his stripes
we were healed.’

JESUS
(interrupting)
‘... He was scourged and afflicted
yet, like a lamb led to the
slaughter, he opened not his
mouth.’
(a beat)
My dear, wonderful friends. I am
the lamb. And I will not open my
mouth.

The disciples exchange fearful glances.

PHILIP
I don’t understand. We didn’t come
to Jerusalem to die, we came to
rule.

PETER
If you die, I’ll die first. Because
I will be at your side.

JESUS
Be quiet. What did you have before
I found you? Nothing.
(no answer)
Now you have God’s love -- and
eternal life. Don’t worry. You
won’t die yet.
(MORE)
 74.

JESUS (CONT'D)
There’s still a lot of work to do.
We haven’t come to rule, but to
serve. I’ll rise from the dead to
lead you.

The disciples stare in shocked silence. Jesus has either gone

completely mad -- or he is the Messiah.

Jesus breaks the bread loaves and passes them around. He

pours wine for the others:

JESUS
Take and eat; this is my body.
Drink, this is my blood.

As they do, the bread and the wine transubstantiate into

flesh and blood in their mouths. Peter is the first to cough
up the bloody flesh. The others, sickened, follow. They wipe
their bloody mouths.

John starts to weep. Jesus turns to Judas.

JESUS
Go and do what you promised.

As Judas exits, Peter says angrily:

PETER
Where is he going?

JESUS
Don’t stop him. The wheel is
already in motion. Tonight we’ll go
to Gethsemane to pray.

EXT. GETHSEMANE - NIGHT

Jesus and the disciples, cross the Kidron River an approach

Gethsemane, a 3-acre park on the eastern slope of the Mount
of Olives.

Just east of the walls, the Kidron Valley lies between

Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. Today, as then, it is a
necropolis “outside the walls”. As they walk, Jesus and his
disciples pass the monumental Hellenistic tombs of “Bene
Hezir” and “Absalom” -- silent testimonials which still stand
today.

As they climb the steep hills of Gethsemane, Jesus leaves

most of his group behind and proceeds with Peter, James and
John. Passing through thick, gnarled olive groves, they reach
a clearing marked by three boulders.
 75.

JESUS
Wait for me here.

Jesus walks alone until he finds a secluded spot. Pulling his

tunic around him, he kneels beneath an ancient tree.

Jesus’ self-control, which had been superhuman to this point,

melts away. His body shakes; swear drops from his forehead
down his cheeks.

JESUS
Abba, Father, we’ve been together a
long time. I’ve had many doubts. I
never asked to be chosen, but I
always obeyed. I turned on my
mother, I gave up Magdalene. I’ve
never had a family, never had a bed
to sleep in. I’ve never made love
with a woman. Nightmares and
hallucinations have followed me my
whole life.

Jesus, exhausted, pauses. He looks down, takes a breath, and

continues:

JESUS
You’ve done many miracles. You
opened the Red Sea, saved Noah; you
took Elijah directly to heaven in a
fiery chariot. Now you ask me to
take crucifixion and hold it in my
lips like a thorny rose. Is death
the only answer for me? Is there no
way you can take this bitter cup
from my hands?

Jesus waits for the answer that doesn’t come. He looks one
way, then the other. The wind blows sadly through the trees.

A GUARDIAN ANGEL in the form of a nine-year-old girl appears.

She sets a silver chalice before Jesus.

JESUS (V.O.)
Is this your answer?

The Angel drinks from the cup, then hands it to Jesus. As she
does, she and the cup vanish.

JESUS (V.O.)
Your will be done. I only ask for
strength.
 76.

Jesus wipes the sweat and tears from his face. He pulls
himself to his feet, heads back.

At the three-rock point he finds Peter, James and John fast

asleep. John’s head rests peacefully on his brother’s chest.
Jesus is tempted not to wake them.

JESUS
(softly)
Couldn’t you stay awake with me for
just an hour?

Peter is the first to awake. Ashamed, he falls at Jesus’

feet.

PETER
Forgive me.

Jesus hears the sound of soldiers in the distance.

JESUS
It doesn’t matter. It’s too late.
The time has come.

Jesus hears the evening nightingale overhead. He smells the

vernal perfumes of the garden. A feeling of peace sweeps over
him. He smiles at James and John as they awaken.

Judas and a band of armed Temple Guards and Romans burst into
the clearing. Peter pulls his dagger; Jesus pushes him back.
Judas greets his master:

JUDAS
Welcome, Rabbi.

Judas kisses him fiercely on the mouth. Jesus embraces his

faithful disciple. Tears stream down Judas’ cheeks.

Peter pulls his knife and slices off one of the Temple
Guard’s ears. This is not random but calculated violence --
because a Levite cannot serve as a Temple Guard if he is
physically deformed. Peter’s reaction is not one of
disappointment, but achievement. As if saying, “So there.”

Jesus pushes Judas unwillingly away, picks up the severed ear

off the ground and miraculously restores it to the Levite.

JESUS
(to Peter)
Welcome the messengers of God.
(to Soldiers)
Let’s go.
 77.

EXT. ANTONIA - DAY

Jesus again stands before Pilate. He is bloody, beaten,

exhausted from lack of sleep. A clique of Temple Guards,
Pharisees and Sadducees stand in one corner of the court-
yard.

PILATE
I knew we’d meet again. They tell
me you say you call yourself a
king. Is that right?
(Jesus doesn’t answer)
Speak up. I have the power to
crucify you. Are you a king?

JESUS
I could tell you that my kingdom is
not on earth, but you wouldn’t
understand that. However, I will
tell you that I hold you, Rome,
heaven and earth in the palm of
this one hand.

He extends arm. Pilate, unbelieving, turns to the Jewish

leaders:

PILATE
Where were you Jews when they
handed out brains?

The soldiers laugh, but the Jewish hierarchy will not be

distracted.

SADDUCEE
He must die. Your Majesty. He wants
the people to revolt.

PILATE
(shrugs)
Of course. I don’t care either way.
Just another dead Jew. Crucify him -
- or whatever else. First have some
fun with him. If he wants to be
king, we’ll make him one.

EXT. ANTONIA - DAY

Roman soldiers lead Jesus onto the balcony overlooking

Solomon’s Porch and present him to the awaiting mob.

He has been whipped; his white tunic is drenched with blood.

A crown of thorns drips blood down his face.
 78.

A Centurion announces:

JERUSALEM CENTURION
Behold the man! Behold your king!

The crowd hoots with laughter and scorn. Jesus does not
react.

A BEGGER turns to Peter:

BEGGAR
I know you. You’re one of his
followers.

PETER
No. It must be someone else.

BEGGAR
No, it’s you.

PETER
You’re crazy.

Peter turns quickly and disappears in the crowd.

EXT. JERUSALEM - DAY

Roman soldiers lead Jesus through the present streets of

Golgotha. Like the Zealot of Nazareth, Jesus bears his cross
as he struggles across his rocky dolorosa.

The blood has dried on his tunic. He still wears his thorny
“crown.”

The sympathies of the rabble have shifted. Now it’s just

another show: a multiple crucifixion. Laughter, ridicule,
figs for sale. Jesus weakens. His knees buckle and he falls.

The soldiers conscript a bystander to carry the cross as they

lead Jesus forward.

EXT. GOLGOTHA - DAY

A curious crowd has already assembled at the crucifixion

site. Toward the rear, afraid to approach, Magdalene, Mary,
Martha and Jesus’ Mother stand in a tight group.

The Romans bring Jesus to the peak of the hill and strip him
naked. Two other criminals are prepared for crucifixion.

Jesus looks at the rough-hewn cross laid before him. He

searches the crows.
 79.

JESUS (V.O.)
Mother? Magdalene? Where are you?

He spots his Mother and waves to her:

JESUS (V.O.)
(continuing)
Farewell. Forgive me for being a
bad son.

Saul, arrogant, his hands on his hips, stands watching.

Two SOLDIERS grab Jesus by the arms:

FIRST SOLDIER
Alright, Your Majesty, it’s time to
get on your throne.

They stretch Jesus out on the cross while slave laborers

finish preparing the post hole for the cross.

JESUS (V.O.)
Don’t give up on me.

The Soldiers place the crude spikes against Jesus’ pals. The
sound of METAL AGAINST METAL rings out as the hammer comes
down.

A bloody mist sprays on Jesus’ face. He grimaces but does not

cry out.

Martha and the three Marys hide their faces. Near Jesus, the
other criminals are being impaled.

The Romans fasten ropes around Jesus’ arms. The spikes alone
will not support his weight.

It takes three soldiers to hoist Jesus’ cross upright. Now,

suddenly, he is above the masses. All of Jerusalem is within
view.

In the distance he sees the temple. The outer veil glows in

the midday sun, a blood-red vision.

His body jars into place. The pain is excruciating. His

fellow criminals howl in agony.

Jesus surveys the mob: a sea of hostile faces. He finds

Magdalene, Mary, Martha and his Mother standing in a group.
His heart goes out to Magdalene.
 80.

The Sadducees are satisfied, the Romans are complacent.

Groups of townspeople and schoolboys point out the sufferings
of the condemned men.

JESUS (V.O.)
(continuing)
Father, forgive them.

The sky changes color. Horses buckle under their riders; DOGS
BARK. A fierce wind blows across the rocky hill. The earth
trembles. Spectators turn and run.

Jesus looks to heaven. From the depths of his bowels he

screams:

JESUS
Eli, Eli...

And faints.

EXT. GOLGOTHA - DAY

The sky turns a pleasant pale blue. Jesus looks up at the

thick white cumulous clouds floating on the horizon. Birds
sing in the distance.

He thinks: Am I dead? No, the crowd is still there, SILENT.

On either side of Jesus, his fellow criminals writhe in
silent agony.

The Angel from Gethsemane appears before him. He has seen

many angels in his life, but never one as beautiful as this.
Her soft blonde hair falls on her shoulders. In the garden he
was too frightened to notice her true beauty.

JESUS
Who are you?

GUARDIAN ANGEL
I’m your guardian angel. Remember
when God told Abraham to sacrifice
his son? Just as Abraham lifted the
knife, God spared Isaac. Your
father sent me here. He is God of
mercy, not punishment. He saw you
and said, ‘Take care of him. He’s
suffered enough.’ He tested you --
and is pleased. He doesn’t want
your blood. Come with me.
 81.

In a moment Jesus and the Guardian Angel are standing at the

foot of the cross. They pass through the silent crowd
unnoticed. Jesus looks over his shoulder: his cross is empty.

JESUS
(relieved)
You mean I’m not the Messiah?

GUARDIAN ANGEL
No.

Jesus smiles: he is finally free of God.

JESUS
Where are the disciples?

GUARDIAN ANGEL
They have fled in fear.

EXT. JUDEAN COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

They walk through the pleasant landscape of the Jordan

Valley. All is quiet, peaceful.

JESUS
Is this the Kingdom of God I spoke
about?

GUARDIAN ANGEL
(laughing)
No, this is earth.

JESUS
Why has it changed so much?

GUARDIAN ANGEL
It hasn’t changed, you have. You
can now see its true beauty. You
may find this hard to believe, but
often us angels look down on
mankind and envy them.

Ahead Jesus sees a group in ceremonial dress. Virgins dressed

in white, merchants carrying incense and gifts.

JESUS
What is this?

GUARDIAN ANGEL
A wedding ceremony.

JESUS
Who’s getting married?
 82.

GUARDIAN ANGEL
You are.

Mary Magdalene, dressed in white, steps from the group.

Jesus’ face bursts into a smile. He rushes into her arms.

JESUS
Magdalene, my love.

MAGDALENE
(kissing him)
Jesus.

JESUS
I’ve waited for this moment so
long.
(Magdalene starts to cry)
What’s wrong? Why are you crying?

MAGDALENE
I’m so happy. I’m crying for joy --
and thanks. Thanks to God for
bringing you here.
(they embrace again)
We must hide. Everyone is looking
for you. Pilate is furious. I know
where we can be safe.

He holds her tight.

EXT. JUDEAN HOUSE - NIGHT

A small hut near the Jordan. Moonlight shimmers off the

river.

The Guardian Angel sits on a stool in front of the door.

INT. JUDEAN HOUSE - NIGHT

Jesus and Magdalene make love on blankets spread over straw.

He kisses her breasts, her lips.

MAGDALENE
I feel like I’ve just been born.
That this is the first day of my
life.

JESUS
I never knew the world was so
beautiful. I was blind.
(kisses her breasts again)
(MORE)
 83.

JESUS (CONT'D)
I didn’t know that the body was so
holy. But now I understand.

MAGDALENE
Understand what?

JESUS
That this is the road.

MAGDALENE
What road?

JESUS
The road on which the mortal
becomes immortal, God became human.
I was so stupid: I tried to find a
way outside my own flesh. I wanted
clouds, great ideas, death. But now
I know: a woman is God’s greatest
work. And I worship you. God sleeps
between your legs.

MAGDALENE
I want to have a child with you.

JESUS
Me too.

Magdalene hears a noise at the door.

MAGDALENE
What’s that?

The Guardian Angel steps into the darkened room.

GUARDIAN ANGEL
It’s me. I wondered if I could
watch. I’m lonely too.

JESUS
(laughs)
Yes, yes. Watch.

Jesus resumes lovemaking.

EXT. JUDEAN HOUSE - DAY

The house shows signs of domestication: wine jugs, a work

bench.

Magdalene, several months pregnant, steps outside to shake

out a blanket.
 84.

SAUL, a short balding man, walks toward her with three Temple
Guards. Magdalene senses something is wrong. She looks around
for Jesus or his Angel. They are nowhere to be found.

The Guards surround her.

SAUL
Here she is. The famous Magdalene.
Whore of the Nazarene.
(grabs her hair)
You thought you could hide from me.

MAGDALENE
Who are you?

SAUL
(arrogant)
I’m Saul, sent from Damascus to
kill your lover -- that’s who I am.
He won’t get away again. Tell me
where he is.

MAGDALENE
I don’t know what you’re talking
about. I hear he died in Jerusalem.
Leave me alone.

SAUL
(taps her belly)
And where did you get this?

MAGDALENE
You’re from Damascus. You should
know.

SAUL
Tell us -- or we’re kill you.

MAGDALENE
How can I tell you what I don’t
know?

One of the Levites picks up a rock.

FIRST GUARD
Stop lying, you slut. Tell us.

Magdalene turns and starts to run. The Guard throws the rock,
hitting her square in the back. She falls to the ground.

Saul and the Guards pick up stones and throw them as they
walk toward her.
 85.

SAUL
(throwing)
Here’s for the lips that’ve kissed
a thousand men.

The rock breaks Magdalene’s jaw. The Guard throws another

rock.

FIRST GUARD
And this is for your worn-out tits!

SECOND GUARD
(joining in)
And for your belly!

Magdalene’s blood flows in every direction. Saul and the

Guards, satisfied, turn to search the house.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

EXT. MARY AND MARTHA'S - NIGHT

The Guardian Angel furtively leads Jesus through the deserted

Bethany streets. The Angel glances one way, the other.

Jesus is distraught. He has just discovered Magdalene’s body.

Her blood is on his fingers and tunic. He tries to go back
but the Angel pulls him ahead.

GUARDIAN ANGEL
Come.

They turn the corner to Mary and Martha’s house.

INT. MARY AND MARTHA'S - NIGHT

MARTHA
Mary, look! It’s Jesus. It’s a
miracle.

The Guardian Angel closes the door behind them, remaining in

the shadows. Jesus steps into the center of the room.

MARY
(touching him)
Is it really you?

JESUS
Yes.
 86.

MARTHA
Come by the fire where we can get a
better look at you.

Mary takes his hands.

MARY
What’s this?

Jesus examines the dried blood on his fingers.

JESUS
I’m in danger. The Temple Guards
want me. They killed Magdalene.

Martha gasps.

MARY
What will we do? They’ll find you
here.

The Angel calls to Jesus

GUARDIAN ANGEL
Psst.

Jesus goes over to her.

GUARDIAN ANGEL
Master, I’m sorry about Magdalene.
I’ll never leave you alone. I’ll
always protect you. But I’m afraid
i’ll attract attention. I’ll turn
myself into a slave boy. I’ll run
errands for you.

The Guardian Angel instantly transforms into a ten-year old

Arab servant. He still speaks with the voice of the angelic
girl.

GUARDIAN ANGEL
(continuing)
I’ll always be at your side.

Martha walks over to them.

MARTHA
You must be hungry. I’ll cook some
stew for you and your little
friend.
 87.

JESUS
(realizing his negligence)
Martha, I’ve been thinking so much
about myself I even forgot to say
hello. Mary, come here. It’s so
good to see you again. We’re all
still alive. Thank God.

He embraces them both.

INT. MARY AND MARTHA'S - NIGHT (LATER)

They all sit around the fire. Jesus cleans his bowl with a
piece of bread. He smiles at Mary.

Martha rubs the Angel’s curly head.

MARTHA
Rabbi, I like your little friend.

JESUS
(expansive)
I used to thank heaven, seven
heavens were not big enough for me.
And now look at this miracle. Can
you believe it? A tiny house is big
enough for me, a mouthful of bread,
the kind words of a woman.

MARY
But what will happen if they find
you here?

JESUS
I’ll change my name. I’ll be
Lazarus. I raised him from the
dead, so what? He died again. Now I
am Lazarus.

Jesus looks to his Angel for assistance. As Jesus continues

to speak, he gradually transforms into a healthy, virile
Lazarus. He continues to speak with his old voice.

(The actor who played Lazarus assumes Jesus’ role; the actor
who plays Jesus dubs the dialogue.)

The sisters watch in astonishment.

JESUS
(continuing)
Jesus is dead. Lazarus is reborn.
I’ve changed my body and soul.
(MORE)
 88.

JESUS (CONT'D)
I now declare war on fasting and
suffering and charity. I’m through
wrestling with God. I’m not going
to build crosses any more. I’m
going to build cradles and
bedsteads.

Mary, her eyes welling up, embraces his legs.

MARY
Rabbi, when I was little the girls
sang this song:
‘Whoever gives me a swallow’s egg,
I will give him my lips,
Whoever gives me an eagle’s egg,
I’ll give him my breasts;
And whoever gives me a stab, I’ll
give him my heart.’

Jesus lifts Mary up and embraces her. Martha senses she is

unwanted. She starts to leave.

MARTHA
Excuse me, Rabbi. I’ve got a
feeling that you’ll make my sister
your wife. But let me stay. Let me
breathe the air of married life.
I’ll make the beds and do the
chores.

Saying this, Martha walks into another room. Jesus and Mary
walk toward the blanket on the ground.

The Guardian Angel sits in a darkened corner, watching.

FADE TO:

EXT. MARY AND MARTHA'S - DAY

Years have passed. An older Lazarus (formerly Jesus) sits out

front hewing a chair. Two children play nearby.

Jesus’ Arab servant sits beside him; he is still a ten-year-

old boy.

A NEIGHBOR approaches:

NEIGHBOR
Good afternoon, Lazarus!
 89.

Jesus waves as the Neighbor passes. The servant boy speaks to

him -- still in the young girl’s voice:

GUARDIAN ANGEL
Are you satisfied with me? Do you
have any complaints?

Jesus stops working, sets the chair on its side.

JESUS
None. What a twisted road I took to
find God.

GUARDIAN ANGEL
Don’t worry. I won’t leave you. I
like you.

Jesus rests in the sunlight. Martha walks over to them. She

has been washing clothes.

JESUS
Where’s Mary?

MARTHA
Picking olives. She won’t be back
until this evening.

Martha pauses a moment, then takes Jesus’ hand.

MARTHA
(continuing)
Let’s go inside. It’s too hot out
here.

Jesus stands and puts his arm around Martha’s waist. Martha
rubs the Guardian Angel’s curly head and instructs him:

MARTHA
(continuing)
Watch the children.

The Angel smiles as Jesus and Martha enter the house.

FADE TO:

EXT. BETHANY - DAY

Years have passed. Jesus and Martha return from market with
three of their children, ages seven through ten. The Guardian
Angel walks with the children.
 90.

Ahead, Mary sits in front of the house repairing a dress. Two

girls play with straw dolls in the dirt beside her.

The two youngest children, boys, race toward Mary. One

snatches a doll from one of the girl as they race off again.
Mary scolds them as they go.

JESUS
We’re either going to have to stop
having children or enlarge the
house.

MARY
(laughs)
We’ll enlarge the house.

A small group has gathered down the road. Someone is speaking

in the square. Jesus goes over to check it out. His Angel
follows.

Paul, formerly Saul, preaches to a handful of villagers. He

seems transformed: standing straight, radiating confidence.
He speaks with the evangelistic fervor of a born-again
Christian.

PAUL
I was once a sinner, the greatest
of sinners. You name it, I did it.
Whored, drank, murdered -- yes,
murdered. Then one day, returning
to Damascus, I was struck by a
burning light and a voice called to
me. ‘Saul, why are you persecuting
me? What did I ever do to you?’
‘Who are you?’ I said. ‘Jesus’, the
voice replied . Scales fell from my
burning eyes. I was baptized and
became Paul, the apostle, and now I
bring the Good News to every
country.

BETHANY VILLAGER
What good news?

PAUL
Jesus of Nazareth -- you must have
heard of him. He wasn’t the son of
Mary, he was the son of God. His
mother was a virgin. Gabriel came
to earth and put God’s seed in her
womb. He took on our sins, he was
tortured, crucified -- but three
day later he rose again and
ascended to heaven.
(MORE)
 91.

PAUL (CONT'D)
Death was conquered, praise God!
Death was conquered and the Gates
of Heaven are now open to everyone.

Jesus has been rising to a slow boil. He can restrain himself

no longer. He calls out:

JESUS
Did you ever see this resurrected
Jesus of Nazareth?

PAUL
I saw a blinding flash of light and
I heard his voice.

JESUS
Liar!

PAUL
His disciples saw him. They were
hiding in an attic with the doors
locked when suddenly he appeared
before them. Thomas wasn’t
convinced but he put his fingers in
his wounds and gave him some fish,
which he ate.

JESUS
Liar!

Disgusted, Jesus turns and walks away. His Angel follows.

Paul excuses himself from his listeners. He and his YOUNG

ASSISTANT follow Jesus down the road.

Jesus feels Paul’s footsteps drawing closer. He’s about to

explode. Suddenly, he turns on his heel, grabs Paul by the
shoulders and shakes him violently.

JESUS
(continuing)
Liar! I’m Jesus of Nazareth. I was
never crucified, never resurrected.
I’m a man like everybody else. Why
are you spreading these lies?

Jesus’ Arab servant tugs at his sleeve.

GUARDIAN ANGEL
Quiet.

PAUL
You?
 92.

JESUS
Yes, me. Son of Mary and Joseph,
who preached in Galilee. James and
John, sons of Zebedee, were my
disciples. We marched on Jerusalem,
I was brought before Pilate but God
spared me.

Jesus’ Angel doesn’t like this conversation; he tugs

violently at his sleeve. Jesus shoves him to the ground. Paul
takes Jesus around a corner where they won’t be seen.

PAUL
Shut up.

JESUS
Now I’m a family man. I eat, work,
have children. Don’t go around the
world spreading these lies about
me.
(shouts)
I’ll tell everyone the truth.

Now it’s Paul’s turn to explode.

PAUL
Shut up! Look around you. Look at
their suffering and unhappiness.
Their only hope is the Resurrected
Jesus. I don’t care if you are
Jesus or not. The Resurrected Jesus
will save the world -- that’s all
that matters.

JESUS
The world can be saves by lies?

PAUL
What’s ‘truth’? I’ve created truth
out of longing and faith. I don’t
struggle to find truth -- I build
it. If it’s necessary to save the
world to crucify you, then I’ll
crucify you -- and I’ll resurrect
you, like it or not. You can stay
in your little house. But the rest
of the world will look up in the
air and see you crucified. They
will weep and their souls will be
cleansed. The enemy is death and
I’ll defeat death by resurrecting
you -- Jesus of Nazareth, Son of
God, Messiah.
 93.

JESUS
I won’t let you. I’ll tell everyone
the truth.

PAUL
Shout all you want. Who will
believe you? The wheel you set in
motion can’t be stopped. The
faithful will grab you and throw
you in a burning fire.

JESUS
No.

PAUL
The whole world is before me --
Egypt, Syria, Phoenicia, Greece,
Rome. You don’t know what a joy it
is to set out in the morning, to
hold the cross, to put hope in the
hearts of men -- all for the sake
of Christ.

Jesus seems confused -- “almost persuaded” by Paul’s logic,

his mesmerizing enthusiasm.

PAUL
(continuing)
Not you. I’m glad I met you. Now
I’m rid of you.
(turns to leave)
Goodbye, Lazarus.

Paul waves to his Assistant as he returns to the town square,

calling out:

PAUL
(continuing)
Friends! Listen to me! This is the
greatest day of your life. I bring
the Good News...

Jesus, exhausted, dazed, staggers toward his house. The

Guardian Angel faithfully follows.

Ahead Mary and Martha wait for him. Jesus collapses into
their arms. His Angel takes his hand. Jesus turns to his
“family”.

JESUS
Don’t ever leave me. I’m happy
here.

FADE TO:
 94.

EXT. MARY AND MARTHA'S - DAY

Jesus is now an old man.

His skin has wrinkled and yellowed; his beard, white and
thin, reaches to his chest. He is now the same withered
Lazarus that he had once raised from the dead. He sits in the
vine arbor beside the house, basking in the midday sun.

His Guardian Angel, unchanged by time, sits beside him. Jesus

turns to him:

JESUS
Remember when Mary and I planted
these vines -- how many times have
we eaten these grapes?

GUARDIAN ANGEL
(shrugs)
I don’t remember.
(pause)
You know, Master, the end is near.

JESUS
What end? Are you leaving me?

GUARDIAN ANGEL
Yes. The end has come. You’ve grown
old.

The SOUNDS OF YELLING AND SCREAMING come from the street. A

woman’s WAIL pierces the air. Jesus and his servant turn to
look.

Mary and Martha, aged, rush from the house. Jesus and the
Angel stand.

JESUS
What’s wrong?

MARTHA
They’re burning Jerusalem. The
siege is over. The city is
destroyed. The Romans are killing
everyone.

MARY
Our sons. Where are they?

Jesus takes them by their arms.

JESUS
Let’s go inside. Bolt the doors and
windows.
 95.

They go inside and close the door behind them.

FADE TO:

INT. MARY AND MARTHA'S - NIGHT

They huddle inside. The cries from the street have

diminished.

Jesus cautiously opens the window shutters. The streets are

empty: the sky is red in the distance.

MARTHA
Everyone is fleeing to the south.

Mary starts to cry.

JESUS
Why are you crying? Time is like a
fire and God turns the spit. Each
year he rotates a paschal lamb.
This year Jerusalem, next Rome,
next...

MARY
(interrupts)
You don’t understand women at all.

JESUS
I’m sorry. Forgive me. You must be
tired. Go to bed. I’ll be there
shortly.

Mary and Martha retire, leaving Jesus alone by the fire with
his Guardian Angel.

There is a KNOCK on the door. The Arab servant walks over and
cautiously opens the door. He turns back and smiles at his
master mockingly, Jesus shudders.

JESUS
Who is it?

GUARDIAN ANGEL
It’s your old friends.

JESUS
My friends?

GUARDIAN ANGEL
Your disciples.
 96.

The Angel opens the door. Jesus strains to see. Four old men
inch into the room. Deteriorated and unrecognizable, they
lean against each other as if held by glue.

The Angel sits on the table watching them.

JESUS
You in front, come here.

A feeble man steps forward.

PETER
Do you recognize me, Rabbi?

JESUS
Peter, is that you? When I was
young and foolish, I called you the
rock, the rock upon which I would
build my church. But now you look
more like a sponge. What happened?

PETER
The years, Master.

JESUS
(points)
And you, Philip, you were so strong
and now you’ve become fat. I loved
you, shepherd, you had no sheep.
You herded them in your mind.

PHILIP
I gave into hunger.

Jesus points to the mutilated man next to Peter:

JESUS
And you? They’ve cut off your nose,
your ear, taken out your eye. Who
are you?

JAMES
(bows)
Rabbi.

JESUS
James!

JAMES
The Romans tortured me and cut away
my face. I saw Jerusalem burn. I
saw the Ark of the Covenant taken
from the temple.
 97.

JESUS
(shocked)
The Ark?

PHILIP
The Temple is destroyed, just as
you said.

PETER
There is another, outside.

PHILIP
Be careful, Rabbi, he’s still the
same -- full of anger.

A large figure steps into the doorway.

JESUS
Judas!
(Judas doesn’t answer)
Judas, come in.
(still no answer)
Has it come to this? Time changes
everything: men, cities, nations,
even gods. Hasn’t it changed your
anger?
(steps forward)
Judas, can’t you hear?

PETER
He’s still pig-headed.

NATHANIEL
He’s been fighting. His hands are
still bloody.

Jesus takes another step towards Judas.

PHILIP
Be careful.

PETER
(reprimanding)
Judas, the Master is speaking to
you.

Judas breaks his silence with a loud voice:

JUDAS
Traitor!

Everyone freezes.
 98.

JUDAS
(continuing)
Traitor. Your place was on the
cross. That’s where God put you.
But when death came you got scared
and ran and hid under the skirts of
Mary and Martha. You became a fake
Lazarus to save yourself.

PETER
Don’t you have any respect?

JUDAS
For him? He was supposed to lead an
army of angels. Instead he came
here to stud women.

JESUS
Judas, can’t you be more kind?

JUDAS
Rabbi, you broke my heart. How can
I be kind? Sometimes I want to
scream and bang my head against a
rock and curse the day I ever met
you. We held the world in our hand.
Remember what you said to me? You
took me in your arms and begged me,
‘Betray me, betray me. I must be
crucified so I can be resurrected
to save the world.’

The wounds on Jesus’ hands and feet begin to bleed.

JUDAS
(continuing)
‘I am the lamb’, you bleated.
‘Death is the door. Judas, my
brother, don’t be afraid. Help me’.

Judas eyes fill with moisture.

PETER
Look at his wounds, Judas. Have
mercy.

JUDAS
He was going to be the New
Covenant. Now Israel is no more.

JESUS
(trembling)
But my Guardian Angel...
 99.

JUDAS
Your Guardian Angel! Look at him!

All their eyes turn to the Arab servant boy, who is now
crouched on the table like a gargoyle. As they watch he
transforms into the young Archangel from the Idumaea desert.
His black spiked wings rise above his back.

JUDAS
(continuing)
Satan.
(to Jesus)
Shame on you, traitor.

The others join in. They spit at Jesus’ feet and call him
names. “coward”, “traitor”.

PETER
We believed in you. You betrayed
us.

They turn and leave in a group. Jesus is alone with Satan.

Jesus looks at the great Archangel.

Satan floats off the table and heads toward the door.

SATAN
Goodbye, Jesus of Nazareth. I told
you we would meet again.

Satan walks into the night. All is silence. Jesus looks

around the room.

After a moment, Jesus walks through the open door.

EXT. MARY AND MARTHA'S - NIGHT

Jesus steps on the deserted street. The village is still.

There is a red glow in the distance: Jerusalem is burning.

He surveys the empty street. Blood still stains his hands and
feet.

The old man gets on his hands and knees in the middle of the
road. He lifts his head toward heaven.

JESUS
Abba, father, will you still listen
to me? Are you still there? Will
you listen to a selfish, unfaithful
son? I fought you when you called.
I resisted. I thought I knew more.
(MORE)
 100.

JESUS (CONT'D)
I didn’t want to be your son. Can
you forgive me? I didn’t fight hard
enough. I want to take your hand; I
want save my fellow men. Father,
take me back. Kill the fatted calf.
I want to be your son. I want to
pay the price. I want to be
crucified and rise again. I want to
be the Messiah.

Suddenly the sky turns pale blue. Jesus looks around.

EXT. GOLGOTHA - DAY

Jesus is back on the cross, 37 years before.

He has regained his 33 year-old Nazarene form. (He is again

the original actor who plays Jesus). The earth is shaking.
Spectators are running.

Jesus is racked with pain. He screams:

JESUS
... lama sabachthani!

Jesus looks around, realizes where he is. The past thirty-

seven years have been a dream. He has resisted the last
temptation. He looks to heaven and says:

JESUS
(continuing)
It is finished.

THE END