Original subtitles

[♪ musical swirl ♪]

[rocks clattering]

JAIRUS: And the king arose in a wrath

from the wine-drinking

and went into the palace garden,

but Haman--

[hissing and pounding table]

--he stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther,

for he saw that harm was determined against him

by the king.

And the king returned from the palace garden

to the place where they were drinking wine,

just as Haman--

[hissing and pounding table]

--was falling onto the couch where Esther was.

And the king said,

"Will he even assault the queen in my presence,

in my own house?!"

- ♪ This was on the 13th day of the month of Adar, ♪

♪ and on the 14th day they rested ♪

♪ and made that a day of feasting and gladness. ♪

[shaking rattles]

♪ Therefore the Jews of the villages ♪

♪ hold the 14th day of the month of Adar ♪

♪ [shaking rattles] ♪

♪ as a day for gladness and feasting, ♪

♪ as a holiday! ♪♪

- L'Chaim!!

ALL: L'Chaim!!!

[crowd noise, flutes and rattles]

[rattles shaking]

[rattles shaking]

JAIRUS: L'Chaim!!

[neighbors repeat]

[rattles and flutes]

Blessed are You, Lord our God,

Master of the Universe!

Perform miracles for our fathers,

in those days at this time.

To life!

FAMILY: To life!

[flutes]

- No, no, no, no, Yaeli!

What are you doing?!

[flutes]

[crash]

[screaming]

[flutes]

♪ ♪

[♪ woman vocalizing ♪]

♪ ♪

♪ Oh, child, come on in. ♪

♪ Jump in the water. ♪

♪ Got no trouble with the mess you been. ♪

♪ Walk on the water. ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Walk on the water. ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Walk on the water. ♪

♪ Oh, child... ♪

♪ Walk on the water. ♪

♪ Got no trouble. ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Walk on the water. ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Walk on the water. ♪♪

- You dragging your feet?

- I'm not.

- Every time I look,

you're a few cubits farther back than before.

- Yeah, well, I'm thinking.

And my thoughts are making my body heavy.

- Can you stop thinking and walk?

- After what we just saw?

- All the more reason to move.

Don't make this difficult.

- You think the situation among the Gentiles isn't difficult?

- Of course it is!

Walking doesn't have to be.

- Ugh! Ahhh!!

- Or it does.

- Oh, Hades!

Ugh, oh, oh!

[breathing heavy]

Ugh! Ah.

- You're bleeding.

- Oh, thank you!

I know what blood looks like!

- Oh wow.

- Just go without me.

I'm slowing you down anyway.

- Are you suggesting you'll stay behind and die?

- Maybe.

[breathing heavy] Ah! Ah!

- We're almost home.

- Ah! Ah!

[bandage rips]

Can you--?

Yeah.

Ah!

[bandage rips]

Ugh! Ugh!

[breathing heavy] Whoo! Oh!

Ugh!

Ahhhhh!

[breathing heavy]

Perfect... just perfect!

- What?

- Blood, carnage!

It's a fitting end to our trip to the Decapolis.

- No one was bleeding.

- Yes, not from their skin, Andrew,

but the whole place was torn apart,

just like this foot.

And all because of our teaching!

- You're the one who's supposed to be made for this.

- I thought I was; that's what's so--!

- John caused controversy all the time.

- Yes, but among the Jews, Andrew.

We caused a multinational crisis

on the verge of erupting into violence,

maybe even war!

We might have blood on our hands!

People might die because of us!

- Yeah, one thing at a time, yes?

Hold here--

Blood on our hands; that's a little much.

- We failed in our mission.

Messiah gave us His words and we didn't deliver.

And if that doesn't upset you...

then maybe it should, Andrew.

- You'll need a walking stick.

Oh. [thud]

[door creaks open]

- Oh, welcome back!

- At least someone's happy to see us!

- He's a different Philip right now.

- Well, for good reason!

- W-w-wait, what happened?

- What are these?

- Oh, I was making packages of food for the homeless.

Little James said it's a Purim tradition.

- Purim!

I'd completely forgotten.

- How are we talking about holidays right now?!

- What do you mean?

What happened at the Decapolis?

- Our teaching-- we made a mess.

- We did not intentionally create a mess.

We preached the words of our Rabbi

and some people... took issue.

Where is the vinegar?!

- Oh, it's on the bottom table, to the right.

I rearranged the bottles.

The way you had them organized before was very inefficient.

- The Decapolis is in full-scale meltdown

and you're over here rearranging cabinets?

- How could he know?

- Why do you need vinegar?

- To disinfect the wound.

- Right, so it doesn't spread through my mortal body

and kill me?

- Actually, yes!

- Oh! Hades!!

- Uh... you still haven't told me

what you did to the Decapolis.

- Not what we did.

- What we said.

- To smooth things over?

- Sometimes people respond better to stories

than to teaching--

- Oh, a parable!

Oh, good! Which one?

PHILIP/ANDREW: The Banquet.

- Ah, I love a banquet.

- We might as well just tell him what happened.

- Yes, I'd love to hear it.

- Thank you, Philip.

So, Judas...

it comes directly from Jesus,

so it is perfect; don't misunderstand.

- Okay.

But what?

- But I think, perhaps,

Jesus shares it when He wants a challenge.

- Were you challenged?

[very fast] - Oh, yes.

- Challenged, yes; challenged is fair, yeah.

- So... so, it goes like this--

One time there was a rich man

who was throwing a big party.

- It's this big banquet he wants everybody to come to.

- So he sent his servant out to all those invited, saying,

"Everything is ready; it's time, come."

- Only, the guests that he's inviting

are making excuses.

The first says, "I've just bought a field,

"I must go out and look it over.

Please excuse me."

- And another said, "I've just bought five yokes of oxen,

"and I must examine them.

Therefore, I cannot come."

And another said, "I've just married a wife,

and therefore I cannot come."

- Those are perfectly legitimate reasons.

[exasperated] - Even our own people heckled.

- Someone in the crowd said the exact same thing.

- So the servant

reported these things to the master,

and the master of the house became very angry.

And he said to his servant,

"Go to the streets of the city

and bring back the poor and crippled and blind and lame."

- So he did, and they came,

only, there was still room left over in the banquet.

So he said,

"Go out to the highways and hedges

"and compel people to come in,

so that my house may be filled."

- You said this to a mixed crowd?

- We did not know the extent to which the crowd was mixed.

- So, "go out and find some leftovers"

did not exactly play well.

- Well, it should have!

God wants everyone to come to the party!

- The Master said, "I want My house filled!"

Everyone is invited!

- Okay... okay,

so, tell me if I have this right.

The Jews understood you to mean

that Jesus was calling for Gentiles,

and the Gentiles thought you were calling them second class.

And then the conservatives, who live by Jeremiah,

would've heard you saying the original guests

who didn't want to go to the banquet

would miss the party.

And those better versed in Isaiah--

"behold, I am doing a new thing!"

--were probably emboldened,

except that Gentiles were there.

- Yeah, that's about right.

- How did you know that?

- I'm a businessman;

it's my job was to know people, and I've met all kinds.

- It was demoralizing.

- Maybe you're over-identifying your role in it.

- Would people be brawling

in the streets of the Decapolis, Judas,

if we hadn't gone there and preached?

- Brawling?!

Boys, it is way too early for the war,

we have to be smarter.

[door squeaks open]

- Chag Purim sameach!

[all sigh]

Or... not.

Come on, [claps] come on, it's a holiday, not Shiva.

- I think we may have created a crisis

in the Decapolis.

- So, talk to Jesus about it.

- I was about to suggest that.

- What happened to your foot?

- We are going to go see Jesus first thing in the morning.

So how often does Philip get like this?

- About twice a year.

I just keep my distance.

- I'm sitting right here.

- Yeah, we know.

MATTHEW: Mm.

This is very well-written.

- I will just have to trust you on that.

- You cannot read?

That must be very limiting.

- It wasn't my choice--

- You could learn.

You are very intelligent.

[knocks on door]

Thomas!

- Hello, Matthew.

- Did Ramah return as well?

- Heyyyy!

How did it go?

- Uhhh, it's... complicated.

- Where's Ramah?

- Did her dad say "no" or something?

- I mean, he didn't say "no--"

Ramah stayed behind in Tel Dor.

- Oh.

- Well, at least you're back, huh?

[pats back]

Huh?

- Thomas!

Is Ramah...?

- [sad chuckle]

Ramah stayed behind to work on Kafni.

He's not a believer.

- In Jesus?

We knew that.

- In me. [sad chuckle]

- Ah... that's disappointing.

Are you embarrassed?

- Nathanael!

- He didn't say "no."

He just didn't say "yes."

Ramah's working on him.

We're hopeful.

[♪ soft, tender music ♪]

- Wait!

Thomas!

- So, the good news is... unh! ...we got the ash.

[yoke clunks on ground]

The bad news is the townspeople now think

that the followers of Christ are up to some scheme.

[chomping apple]

Did I miss something?

- Thomas is back.

And we were just wondering how it went at the market.

- We bought more than half the vendor's supply of sulphur.

People are going to think we're building weapons,

preparing for war.

- Igniting spears isn't the only use for sulphur.

It can also be used to clean stains from white linens.

- It can be used to make incense.

- It can be used to purify a room

where a sick person has lain.

- Hmm.

- Is Jesus back?

- Yes, He's over at our place.

speaking to Abba about the olive grove.

- We need to speak with Him right away.

- Wait, why?

- Philip, what happened to your foot?

- Were you attacked?

- Nearly.

- We have a big problem at the Decapolis.

- I thought you were sent to go fix it?

- We need Jesus to intervene.

- On behalf of Gentiles?

- Excuse me... I am sitting right here.

- You're different.

There are hundreds of pilgrims here in Capernaum,

our own people,

who haven't seen Jesus for weeks,

living in squalid conditions

waiting for one opportunity to hear more of His words,

the words that captured them on the Mount.

ANDREW: He never promised them more teaching.

They followed us to Capernaum of their own accord.

- The Gentiles are curious now.

This was all foretold by the prophet Isaiah.

Do we remember?

"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,

"my beloved with Whom my soul is well pleased.

"I will put my Spirit upon Him,

"and He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles,

and in His name the Gentiles will hope!"

- I have been studying the genealogy of Jesus.

- Sounds exciting.

- Mm-hmm.

And there appear to be many Gentiles

in His own ancestry.

Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho who was married Salmon,

who fathered Boaz.

- And Boaz married Ruth, who was a Moabite.

- We could let Jesus decide for Himself?

- Exactly, that's--

Thank you, Mary.

- She's right.

- Let's go.

- Well, I should get to work.

- I'll continue looking at this.

- Okay.

- It smells nice over here.

- It's the holy anointing oil of the first press.

Sad news about Thomas and Ramah, huh.

- It is.

Matthew, I have something I wanted to ask you.

- You do?

- Yesterday I was upstairs,

and I was moving some things around,

and I came across a box with... prayer tassels inside?

- W-What are you going to ask me about them?

- Why were they hidden away?

- Why is unimportant?

They were hidden for a reason.

Did that occur to you?

- I-I put them back, of course.

It was an accident, I told you.

I just wondered--

[hits table, grabs papers]

- I-I'm very glad that you are staying at my old house,

but I will ask you to please

not go through my personal belongings anymore!

- Matthew, wait!

SHMUEL: "Sent by God,"

those were his exact words?

JEKAMIAH: Yes.

- Parentage?

- He claimed to be of the house and lineage of David.

- No, I mean his father's house.

Jesus, Son of... whom?

- Oh, He didn't say.

- Origin?

- What do you mean?

- From whence he hails!

Jesus of what??

- Oh.

I didn't ask Him.

- You just gave him the money?

- Yes.

- My sympathy for your loss is dwindling.

- His preaching was powerful!

Like nothing I've heard before.

- Did he perform any signs or miracles?

- No.

- Was he surrounded by loyal followers?

- He was alone.

He said He's going to build an army

outside Beersheeba in the Negev,

and though I'm clearly too old to fight,

a 50-shekel donation will help His troops craft weapons.

- Thank you for your report.

- You're not going to open a formal inquiry?

- There are countless such conmen swindling people

all over Judea,

and Jesus is a common name in our nation.

If we started an inquiry, where would we stop?

- But you seemed eager to accept an audience with me.

- This is not the swindler I'm looking for.

- Oh, now you make it sound like

it is my fault I was defrauded!

- I am sorry.

You're free to go.

♪ ♪

[marketplace sounds]

[cow moos]

- Go!

[woman vocalizing]

[woman vocalizing]

[market conversations]

- I think you will be very pleased--

- We will make our decisions.

Look at the meager chump.

Its neck is pathetic.

- But the coat--

- You could draw spots and make it a cow then, yes?

This is no lamb for sacrifice!

- Yeah, you guys sure know your stuff.

That back part is called a "chump?"

Who knew?

- Who are you?

This is a Gentile!

- This is.

- You are not permitted here--

Are-are you eating?

- Oh, what, this?

Yeah, well, I was going to but... the smell.

- This is outrageous!

These are sacred grounds!

Everything must remain kosher!

I will have you brought before Caiaphus.

- Don't do that.

I'm here on Pilate's business.

I can see you're upset.

Look, all I wanna know is who is the authority around here

on trouble-making, rogue preachers.

Specifically, in Galilee, anyone?

Anybody talking about anything unusual?

- Give us one good reason to tell you.

[cow moos]

[pats chest]

[loudly clears throat to spit]

Yanni!

Ask Rabbi Yanni!

- Rabbi Yanni, great!

Thank you, men.

[clicks teeth] Good things.

Listen, if they don't want it, I'm starving.

- Take this.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

[indistinct conversation]

- What are you doing here, Jew?

- I... I was just walking and I ended up--

- You don't just "end up" in the Roman Quarter.

How did you get past the guard?

- I didn't see--

- You're coming with me.

GAIUS: Canius...

what's going on?

- This Jew somehow got past the gate.

- I'll handle it.

I'd like to interrogate him myself.

- Are you sure?

He's nobody.

- Go to the entrance

and make sure Antius is posted there.

This never should've happened.

I want to know where he was.

Yes, Primi.

[receding footsteps]

- Don't talk, don't ask questions,

do not make a sound until we get inside.

[door clinks open, then shut]

- You could've been arrested.

What possessed you to cross into our Quarter?

- I'd gone everywhere else.

This was the last part of town

I thought could distract me, you know?

The novelty of it.

- You couldn't drink yourself into distraction at The Hammer?

LIVIA: What is this?

- It's nothing to worry about, Livia.

- But it's not yet the end of the day, you--

- I needed a private place

to interrogate this Jew who was trespassing.

- I mean no harm.

- Are you the doctor?

- The--the what?

- Gaius said there was a Jewish doctor or something

that might be able--

- Livia, please furnish this man

with one of my cloaks.

I don't want any more trouble

while I see him out of the quarter.

- Do you know the Jewish Doctor?

Can He help Ivo?

- Um, Simon, this is my son, Marius,

and Ivo is our, um...

- Yeah, yeah, you mentioned, um...

the son of your servant.

- He's my best friend.

He's really sick.

- All right, Marius, that's enough;

please go to your room.

[receding footsteps]

- [sighs]

Jewishness isn't contagious, Livia.

- So... he already knows our whole story.

- Not all of it.

We'll take the back door into the alley,

and sneak you out a side entrance.

This way.

[receding footsteps]

♪ ♪

[crickets chirping]

[footsteps]

- Mary?

- Matthew, I'm... please forgive me.

It was none of my business.

- You aren't the one who needs to apologize.

I'm very sorry for my outburst.

- Your feet-- they're covered in mud.

- Oh, [chuckles] well, um,

Jesus is always going away to His lonely places,

and I thought I would try it.

- Oh.

How was it?

- Eh, I barely stepped out into the fields

before I found myself trudging through mud.

I took it as a sign to come back and apologize.

May I explain?

♪ ♪

[market noise]

- Ah, just as I planned.

Late in the afternoon on the sixth day...

no line.

- You arranged for there to be no line at this time?

- Oh, someone else did, long time ago.

- Who?

- Never mind.

You've really never noticed?

You seem like someone who notices things.

- Thank you.

Hmm... traffic does slow down late on the sixth day.

- Because everyone is at home preparing for Shabbat.

- Shouldn't you be doing that?

- Shouldn't you?

- Are you here to satisfy your tax requirement?

Why didn't you want there to be a line?

- Maybe I wanted all your attention for myself.

Besides, who wants to wait in a line?

I am Matthew, son of Hezron,

from the tribe of Benjamin.

- We only require one name and one ancestor.

- I know that.

Maybe being from the tribe of Benjamin

is the last thing I have to be proud of.

What tribe are you from?

- I don't discuss those things.

- He was the favorite of Jacob's 12 sons.

- I thought Joseph was the favorite.

- Ahhhh!

You do discuss these things, huh?

If he wasn't the favorite,

at least he was the baby of the family,

and the only other son

born of Jacob's true beloved, Rachel.

- Something's not right.

- Mm, you might say that.

- Your adjusted income from last year

is not commensurate with the amount you owe.

Did you come into a large sum of money?

- No.

- Your tax liability is the highest in Capernaum.

I don't even think it's possible

to have incurred this much debt,

even in a sudden change of fortune.

Wait a minute.

What are all these re-assigned figures and transfers?

- Son...

I do not have many more days left on this earth.

- I can't believe what I'm seeing.

- Oh, that... [breathes deeply]

I bought all the debt of my children and my family

and put it under my name.

- I've--I've just never seen...

It's this... this is such a staggering achievement

of financial acumen.

I must say I'm impressed.

- [sighs] I have seen everything I need to see,

and I am ready to meet my Maker... again.

- Surely with your brilliance,

you have also prepared the way to pay this.

- You know, Benjamin was not his original name?

Rachel died shortly after giving birth to him,

and as her soul was departing she called him Ben-oni.

"Son of my Sorrow."

Later on, Jacob changed it to Benyamin.

"Son of my Right Hand."

That was kind of him.

- Do you have land?

Assets?

Savings?

Anything you can sell off to fulfill this unthinkable sum?

- In thinking back on it,

I think old Eema Rachel was correct.

Son of My Sorrow.

- Why would you do this?

You will be arrested and placed in a Roman labor camp.

- But they will not be able to touch my children.

I did all this legally, mind you.

- I know!

I am astonished,

and it will be very unpleasant for you--

- Honestly.

How long do you think I will last in a labor camp?

- You are... shrewd.

- Oh, to answer your question...

no, I have no assets.

I could've kept what little money I had

and let others pay their share,

but to what end?

To watch them struggle

as I have struggled my entire life as a shepherd?

- I thought human sacrifice was against our religion.

- Mm...

but symbolic self-sacrifice is not.

Besides, I will not be the one running the sword through, huh?

- Though I take no pleasure in doing this...

I have no choice but to place you under arrest.

- I understand.

Thank you.

May I gift you?

- Gift?

- A gratuity?

For your wonderful service and kindness

in listening to me go on.

- It is not customary.

- In truth, these are the most valuable things I own.

- An asset?

- More valuable than gold, more precious than rubies.

- I may be able to help you liquidate it!

We could work together!

A ledger coming up this short on a balance this big

reflects very poorly on my performance.

- [sighs] These are one of a kind.

They date back to the first Exile,

made with the world's most exquisite tekhelet.

- Well, there must be a buyer for it!

If the amount settles the debt, you will be spared!

- I encourage you to consider

keeping them for yourself, my son.

- Please! We are not relatives!

Don't use that word.

- No... I have made up my mind.

I want you to have them.

You chose this occupation.

I know you have no use for these now.

But someday... you might need them.

- That is very unlikely.

I will put these on the market and see what we can do.

- Officer?

I confess.

- [scoffs]

Don't worry, old man.

Someone will come to collect you.

- I will look for a buyer.

- When you know the true value of these...

no man will be able to meet their price.

[woman vocalizing]

Shabbat shalom, young man.

[woman vocalizing]

♪ ♪

MAGDALENE: More valuable than gold.

- "More precious than rubies" he said.

I kept them to respect the genius of that man.

I also kept them as a reminder of the sins against my people.

- Why?

- I want to understand things, Mary.

Especially inscrutable things that unsettle me.

And this was the most mysterious of them all.

I have so many regrets.

If I were to get those tassels appraised and sold,

I would only incur more regret, and I couldn't bear it.

- It wasn't about the tassels-- they're just a symbol.

That man wanted you to have his faith.

That was the last thing he had,

his most valuable thing in the world.

- And you have it!

That man wanted you to be Jewish again,

and you are.

It was his dying wish.

- Why would he want that for someone like me?

- Because sometimes God sends a dove.

- A dove?

- [sighs]

I've never told anyone this before,

but... the day I met Jesus

was the same day I was ready to end my life.

- What?

- I was going to leap from a great height,

when a dove caught my eye,

and I couldn't resist following it.

And it led me to the place where I met Jesus.

That old man was your dove.

- Huh. [chuckles]

Our lives have often been painful, yes?

- Yes.

- So we think life is full of scarcity

and not abundance.

But then there are those times when...

out of nowhere,

somehow the world expresses its longing to be whole.

And suddenly, God steps in.

And we are pulled out of our blindness...

and we're invited into redemption.

I know I was.

I know you were.

- Huh.

I don't know what to say.

- Maybe don't say anything. [chuckles]

I know you have felt unworthy.

Matthew...

I know you've felt unworthy,

but it's time...

to add a new accessory to your clothes.

[stifled crying]

Or rather, an old one.

[both laugh]

Shalom, shalom, Matthew.

- Shalom, shalom, Mary.

[crying] Yes.

[shuddered breaths]

- Put your hood up.

[footsteps]

- [whispering] The next time you need a change of scenery,

try a new food.

Teach yourself discus throwing.

- [laughing] Discus? Really?

You know, it seems like you might be the one

who needs a distraction.

- Listen.

I'm going out of my way to help you.

- I'm a fisherman.

I can tell when a ship has run aground.

How long has it been like this?

- I don't know what you're talking about.

- Yes, you do.

That boy--

- It's none of your business.

- Your wife asked if I was the Jewish Doctor

you told her about; what?

You told her about Jesus?

[footsteps]

- [sighs]

I mean, the boy's been sick for almost a month,

and he's getting worse every day.

- None of your doctors can help?

- You saw the color of his skin.

They think less of him because he's a servant.

- Well... it's honorable you kept him on

when his mother died.

- He's not just a servant.

- Your son said they were best friends.

It's like--it's like having a brother; I understand.

- They are.

Half-brothers.

Whoo.

- Does she know?

- Well, we don't-- we don't talk about it.

Yeah, for Roman men, it is a more common thing.

- It's common for lots of men,

it's just--it's more accepted in your culture.

- Just spare me the sermon, okay?

- I'm not judging.

[overlapping footsteps]

- I did not feel guilty about it at the time,

but lately, I do regret my actions.

And now he's sick and I, uh...

can no longer pretend that he's not my son.

And neither can she.

- You know,

silence between a husband and wife...

it's poison, right?

The longer you don't say something,

the worse it gets.

Trust me.

- I do not.

- You trust me enough.

- Just stick to your side of the street, Simon.

- Fine.

- Shalom, Shalom, Gaius.

- Why do you say it twice?

- Well, once means peace.

Twice means perfect peace.

Complete wholeness.

- Well, that'll be the day.

- Yeah.

♪ ♪

THADDEUS: I think it's a great idea!

Especially to have them on before Rabbi arrives.

- Yes, yes, just tell me how to tie them.

- It would be faster if I just do it for you.

- Oh, I--I don't like to be touched,

thank you.

- No problem.

So, uh, first, you have to pull your, uh...

it's easiest if you take your outer tunic off first.

- Off?

- Yeah, I mean...

you have your tallit katan on underneath, right?

That's where you attach them.

- Could you please turn around.

- Uh, [chuckles] sure thing.

- Why do we wear these, anyway?

- God commanded it in the Law of Moses.

- But what do tassels have to do with Torah?

- The Hebrew letters that spell the word

are the numerical value of 600,

plus there are 13 knots and threads used

to make the tassels.

- And there are 613 commandments in the Law!

- See? You got it.

613.

When we wear them on the four corners of our garments

it's like--

- It's like being surrounded by God's Word all day.

[claps] You're practically a rabbi already!

Oh, sorry, sorry.

Okay, so on the bottom right corner of the tallit,

there should be a hole there.

- Oh, yes, I see it.

THADDEUS: Okay, you take three short strings,

and one long string,

- The blue one?

- Yes, the blue one is longest.

- Okay.

[door squeaks open]

- He's here!

- Nathanael!

We will be there in a moment!

[chuckling]

- Thaddeus, what are you looking at?

- I promise, we'll be in shortly.

[door clicks shut]

- Ugh!

- You okay?

- Just--you know, he's just so rude sometimes.

[chuckling]

- Aha.

And what was your strategy to clarify it?

- Well, we, uh, we told, um...

- We tried to--uh, to tell one of your parables.

- Parables, good!

That's what I would've done.

- Which parable?

- The-- [clears throat] The Banquet.

- You know, the one where the guests give excuses

not to come,

and so everyone else gets invited.

- You chose The Banquet??

- People get upset by that one!

- Of course they do.

- Well, if it makes you feel any better,

we first considered The Wheat and the Tares,

but we thought better of it.

- I already told you

some people wouldn't understand that parable.

- I'm not even sure I understand

the Wheat and the Tares.

- [chuckles] Give it time.

- The problem is they did understand the parable

and it caused fights in the street,

- Rioting...

between Jews and Gentiles.

- Hmm.

- Leander's told us it's getting worse every day.

The prominent Hellenist priest has changed his ways,

which is good, but...

when he abdicated his duties as priest and leader,

others tried to fill the void,

and so, projects are going undone,

and people are just angry

and blaming each other for everything.

- It led to stealing, fights in the streets.

Many people are actually leaving their homes

to escape the violence.

- That's the environment you suggest sending us into?!

- What part of the parable caused this fight to break out?

- The people outside the city;

the ones in the highways and the hedges,

the last to be invited

and the last to accept the invitation.

- That's what I suspected.

- Speaking of which-- the highways and hedges?

Does that actually refer to Gentiles?

- [sighs]

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

We leave in the morning.

Everyone, go home, gather your things.

We take to the "highways and the hedges" before dawn.

Boys...

this is part of it.

You try and carry heavy things,

sometimes one gets dropped.

But we pick it up and keep going forward.

Hmm?

- Mm-hmm.

[indistinct conversations]

- John, may I have a word?

- Yes, Rabbi.

- I can do that--

- This isn't going to be easy.

- I'm sorry?

- The Decapolis will be perilous.

The hearts I must reach there are hard,

Jew and Gentile alike.

Our time will be fraught.

- We are ready for anything, Master.

We have Zee.

I can ask my father to come along for extra help.

He's good with crowds.

- I want you to stay behind.

- The rest of us will leave in the morning.

You will stay and wait.

- [scoffs] You just said the situation was fraught,

which means I should be there more than ever.

- For what?

Strength in numbers?

Our challenges there are not based on

how many followers are surrounding Me.

This is not about a lack of resources.

- Well, then, what?

- Hard hearts, John.

Cold, unyielding granite.

- I don't understand.

- You seemed to think that we needed a full group

for this trip, hmm?

Who was missing at today's meeting?

- Oh.

- You will stay and wait for him.

The success of this trip depends on Simon.

- Master,

whatever it is you need, I can provide.

- Waiting for Simon is what I'm asking you to provide.

- Simon is distracted!

He's not himself; something is off.

Maybe...

maybe it's better if he stays behind.

- John... I love you,

but that's not the approach I take to people in pain.

You should know that by now.

- But what about one of the others?

Wouldn't it be better if one of them--

- You've known Simon since childhood.

- But what about Matthew?

They were able to work together to find Mary in Jericho.

- Did you think that pairing them up for that task

was a good idea at the time?

[sighs]

John... it has to be you.

No more questions.

♪ ♪

[woman vocalizing]

[woman vocalizing]

- Where's your brother?

Is he okay?

- We've got our hands full without worrying about it now.

[woman vocalizing]

[humming and chopping]

- Shalom, Simon.

- What are you doing here?

- Did you sleep in?

- I didn't sleep at all.

- Why?

- Where's everyone?

- They left before dawn for the Decapolis.

No one told you?

- If you run, you could probably catch up with them.

- I'm not much of a runner.

- Simon!

What are you doing here?

- I'm having a cup of water; I'm thirsty.

- Why aren't you on your way with the others?

Did they tell you to stay behind

and look after the women?

- I didn't know about the trip;

I thought Andrew and Philip went and sorted it out.

[sighs]

- You're disconnected, Simon;

you have no clue what's going on.

- You rebuke me, Zebedee?

- Abba?

- Don't play games with me, kid.

Salome and I were at your bris.

JOHN: Abba!!

- What's gotten into him?

- What's gotten into...?

Just go get your things!

- Fine.

I travel light.

What are you doing here, anyway?

- I came here to wait for you.

- Really?

- Oh, believe me, it was not my choice!

If it were up to me? I would've left you behind.

- Ah, did someone eat your breakfast, John?

What have I ever done to you?

- It's what you haven't done!

- This again?

- You miss meetings.

You hang around all night with a Roman official.

Your wife doesn't even know where you are!

- So leave me behind, like chaff in the wind.

- [loudly] I can't!

Jesus said the success of this trip to the Decapolis

depends on you!

You, of all people!

I don't understand it,

and frankly, I feel disrespected by it,

but what am I going to say to Jesus, huh?

No?

- Yeah, you could.

- You know I can't do that.

Let's go! [huffs]

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

- Andrew! Philip!

I knew you'd return.

- Why are you acting like this?

- There's so much unrest and anger,

I don't want to draw attention to--

You...

You must be the Rabbi we've heard so much about.

- More than "heard about," as I understand.

Rise, I'm sorry for the trouble.

- No, the strife between Jew and Gentile

was there all along in Abila,

just simmering beneath the surface.

It's simply out in the open now.

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

- It was bound to happen now.

TELEMACHUS: Rabbi!

- Telemachus?

- Jesus of Nazareth!

Your teachings have reached us.

- So I've heard.

- He has not.

- What do you mean?

- He's deaf.

- My abba cannot hear and can barely speak.

[trying to speak]

- Telemachus, you're out of line.

This is not why we need Jesus.

- Why shouldn't it be?

- Because Rabbi, there are far greater problems right now

than one man's--

- I can think of no better place to start.

- We didn't mean to spring this on you, I promise,

I really didn't know that--

[trying to speak]

- Please, Rabbi!

Please, I don't mean to disrespect, but--

- I understand, son.

- [trying to speak]

- It's okay.

[soft percussive beats]

[slowly exhales]

Ephphatha.

Be opened.

- [trying to speak]

- Don't be afraid.

That's what birds sound like.

They sing.

[joyful laughter]

- I don't even hear them.

- Abba!

Can you hear me?!

- The sound of your voice...

the sound of my voice!

Oh, Telemachus!

♪ ♪

[slowly] Telemachus.

Am I saying that right?

- Yes, it's perfect.

- [over-articulating] How?

How... how do I know?

- How can we ever repay you?

- I have no money, no way to compensate--

- Actually, you can.

- How?

- By telling no one what happened.

I strictly charge you to keep this quiet,

which should be easy for you;

you've had quite a lot of practice.

[laughter]

Now is not the time for this word to spread.

Do you hear me?

- Now I hear you.

[laughter]

- That's good!

NASHÓN: You've brought friends?

I thought we'd seen the last of you!

And consorting with Greeks, I see!

- Nashón, they're here to bring peace.

Nashón is a healer.

Argo never had enough money for Nashón to heal him though.

- Here to bring peace?

That's what they said the last time.

You must be the Rabbi.

The one everyone's been talking so much about.

Tell me--

what sort of respectable Rabbi would be speaking amicably

with a man who corrupts our Hebrew children

by teaching them Greek philosophy?

JESUS: If this "corrupter of children"

were to raise money for your fee,

would you speak to Him then?

- He will never raise the money.

I know that.

You want to dilute our faith!

- How do you know what He wants?

Argo!!

- What did you just say?

The town deaf-mute??

LEANDER: He's not the town deaf-mute anymore, Nashón,

now, go on your way.

NASHÓN: Who did it?

I want to know who healed you?!

Your deafness was no doubt punishment

for some ghastly sin committed by you or your parents,

and I want to know who--

- [firmly] It doesn't work that way.

- Oh? Then how does it work?

[panting]

- What is it?

[distant conversations]

DION: Ho-ho!

What have we here?

The Galileans return... this time in droves.

- A drove is a flock or herd of animals.

- Oh, I know.

- They're Syrophoenicians--

- My friends, you seem upset.

How can I help you?

- Are you the one they call Jesus of Nazareth?

- I Am.

DION: They say You do miracles.

All we've heard is rumors and heresy

from the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

Show us proof of who You are.

Give us a sign...

or at least some food and supplies

for all the people displaced from their homes.

Otherwise, take yourself,

your followers,

and your monotheism

back West where you belong!

FATIYAH: I'm in awe!

The Jews and their long-awaited Messiah finally arrived

to cause even more trouble.

And this is His "army."

- Nabataeans...

FATIYAH: How many is that, nine?

I have more children than that!

Could I be your Messiah?

- Blasphemy!

- Anyone else think we should move to higher ground?

- I agree.

- Rabbi, tell us what to do.

FATIYAH: Wow.

Are your followers always this strong and intimidating?

- Everyone, calm down and settle in.

Looks like we're going to be here for a while.

[crowd conversations]

[woman vocalizing]

SIMON: Just one trip.

One errand out of a thousand,

and this is the time I can't miss?

- You said you'd go with Him to the ends of the earth.

- That doesn't mean every time He goes somewhere.

And the Decapolis is hardly the ends of the earth.

- I didn't say it was.

- You know,

I'm remembering something you told me in Samaria.

- I prefer not to talk about Samaria

if that's okay with you.

- That field He tricked you into cultivating

for a Samaritan,

to correct your prejudice.

- It wasn't a trick,

and I'm not particularly fond of that memory, Simon.

- Melech, with the broken leg.

- Agh!

- You said in the morning he was healed.

But we were already at Photina's house;

Jesus didn't have to be present to perform the miracle.

- What's your point?

- Why can't He perform a miracle in the Decapolis

from Capernaum,

instead of dragging us all into mostly Gentile territory

that already has it out for us?

- Ask Him.

I'm sure He'd be more than willing

to answer your question,

since "success depends on you being there."

- Oh, come off it!

He's nicer with you than with me.

I don't hold that against you, do I?

- Oh, how very generous of you.

Any other virtues you'd like to lord over me?

Simon the exceptional.

Simon the distinct.

And, also, yes,

maybe He calls me "beloved" sometimes,

but that's only because you have Eden.

I don't know what you're whining about

when you have found someone like her.

- Look, I'm sorry.

I--I went too far.

I know I wouldn't want anybody to resent me

for having a wife.

Simon?

Hey.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, Simon.

Hey, I didn't mean anything by it.

Simon, what's going-- what did I say--?

Simon?

- I trusted Jesus.

- Of course you do!

W-w-wait, trusted?

- I trusted that Eden would be okay...

safe, while we were gone.

- I didn't know it, John,

but before we all left on our two by two missions...

we conceived a child.

- And while we were gone...

- Oh, no, no, no, no.

I'm--I'm so sorry, brother.

- [crying] When it happened,

she almost died along with the baby.

There was so much damage,

the doctor said she might never be able to...

- Adonai in heaven.

- Why didn't you tell us?

- Because I'm furious, John!

I'm so angry!

Look, He is Who says He is.

I don't believe it, I know it.

He's the first and the last.

He can do anything.

How could He let something like this--

- Whoa, whoa, whoa,

that's not the right way to think--

- --happen to Eden?

Happen to me?!

Let's-- let's keep going.

- You're not exempt, Simon.

Remember He said that in this world

bones will still break,

hearts will still break,

but He's making a way for people

to access a better kingdom!

- He heals total strangers,

while I gave up everything for Him.

- That doesn't mean your life will now be perfect.

In fact, He said the complete opposite.

- I don't want to talk about this anymore.

Life was a whole lot easier when we fished.

- She still could've lost a baby

while you were a fisherman, Simon.

We just wouldn't have anybody to turn to.

- He could've prevented it and He did not.

[distant conversation]

- Sounds like we're close.

He said, it all depends on you.

♪ ♪

[woman vocalizing]

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