Original subtitles

The colt is what he wants.

Go tell him.

Please.

Please!

We're pilgrims, on our way to festival.

John, put away your sword.

Have some.

They're sweet dates from Galilee.

These two aren't as tough as they look.

Peter, bring some water.

We've been on the road two days.

During the night we passed Pilate and his troops. You?

Two years.

All over Galilee.

I need a donkey.

Jerusalem isn't far.

- That's not why. - The colt.

The colt's not to sell.

It's to keep.

- Judas. - Rabbi.

Give the man whatever he wants.

Serious?

Ten. No, twenty.

Twenty denarii.

I know who you are.

You're Jesus of Nazareth.

What do you know about him?

People say he's the leader we dream of,

who will defeat the Romans.

Does this look like an army?

Apart from John and James.

What, then? Who are you?

(Bustle, chatter)

(Eagle calls)

(Bells jangle)

Peter, this is dangerous.

It's written in the scriptures.

What is? Why we need a donkey?

See? Not everyone's read as many books as you, Matthew.

The people who matter have.

The prophet Zachariah spoke,

"O daughter of Jerusalem, your king is coming to you.

"He is victorious but he is humble, riding on a lowly donkey's colt."

John.

Some of our people are already in the city.

Go ahead and tell them I'm coming by the east gate.

The glory of the Lord comes into the house

by way of the gate which faces east.

Stop!

The temple authorities will see you announcing yourself king.

We'll be accused of sedition.

We're a handful of men.

Matthew, you're still thinking like a tax collector.

I've not come to barter.

John! Arriving like this during Passover, there'll be uproar.

You can preach, like everywhere else, spread your message, but...

Matthew, I've been preaching in Galilee for two years.

I'm going to Jerusalem.

You must know I'm not here just to preach.

If you follow me,

I will bring you to the kingdom of God.

Take your families down to the east gate.

- Jesus is coming. - Take your children.

- I know this man from Galilee. - Go to the east gate.

James, James!

(Soldier) Out of the way!

Get back!

Clever girl.

(Woman) Caiaphas.

Stay inside today, in the shade.

Take care of my son.

God willing, it will be a boy.

And he'll be high priest too.

Pilate comes today from Caesarea, him and his troops.

Don't.

I know. After a long winter.

Still, it's only a week. He'll be gone again.

With our money.

One day the Romans will devour each other and not us.

We'll be free of their pagan rule.

Good boy.

Wine, Maria, wine. I don't trust the water.

We all need to bathe. So, Marcus, how are you enjoying Jerusalem so far?

It's busy.

Wait till you see what this lot are like.

A Judean will start an argument in an empty house.

The priests are the worst.

There are always troublemakers during Passover week.

The usual whining - taxes are too heavy, our soldiers too rough.

Pilgrims gather at the western wall of the temple,

in the bathing houses and markets.

Any trouble will start there.

Five years ago there was a riot.

We had to finish it breaking bones.

Emperor Tiberius wants a peaceful Judea

so the riches of Syria can pass safely through on their way to Rome.

We need men patrolling the temple porticoes

and watching over the main courtyard.

And I want patrols in the lower city.

It's a nest of beggars, thieves and whorehouses.

The temple guard are supposed to be keeping order but don't believe it.

Make way! Make way!

Make way. Out of the way.

(Woman howls)

(Howling, sobbing)

Let me through. Let me through!

Out of the way. Come on, let me through.

(Sighs)

Give the family some food.

And talk to the water carriers, ask them if they've seen anything.

(Caiaphas) A murder, days before Passover.

Bandits, they target the pilgrims.

People must feel safe to come here and worship.

This man, had he a family?

Wife and children.

Look after them from the temple tax.

Ten denarii?

That should be enough to get them home.

We have to stay on top of the crowds, show the Romans we're in charge.

Jerusalem is our city.

Have you got Pilate's tax?

What we pay on frankincense alone should be enough for him.

Yes. Yes, it's ready.

A preacher called Jesus is on his way from Nazareth.

Nazareth?

When did anything good come out of Nazareth?

(Bustle, chatter)

The others keep asking what the kingdom of God will be like.

- What do you tell them? - To ask you.

It isn't what John and James dream of -

a great palace, soldiers, golden throne.

What, then?

I promise you, Mary Magdalene, before the week is over,

you'll know God like never before.

(Cheering)

Should we use another gate?

No. The gate is important.

My father will never abandon me.

(Caiaphas) This preacher, he came in the east gate on a donkey?

- A colt. - A colt?

Well, that's it.

The prophets -"Your king is coming to you,

"he is victorious but he is humble, riding on a lowly donkey's colt."

Our new king, sent to free us from Rome.

A carpenter? From Nazareth?

Double the temple guard.

He's hardly a danger.

The city is packed with pilgrims, people are calling out that God has sent our king,

he's marching on the temple, but that doesn't concern you?

Not marching. They were mostly children who were calling out.

I thought you had spies to warn us about troublemakers.

I do. I have a young man in his group.

They never caused any trouble in Galilee.

I'll talk to him.

So this fellow knows something of the prophets?

You know what it's like. When I was high priest we had a few every year,

preachers too long out in the desert.

I know, I'm sure you're right. But I won't have anything interfere with Passover.

Of course, of course.

- Clear the way! - James, we'll go to the temple.

Make way!

What now?

Change money so we can pay the temple tax.

Get Judas.

Take the donkey. Take the donkey.

What's Jesus doing?

Come on!

The colt!

You know how hungry children get. Why do you think they're begging?

They'll be laughing together tonight.

- We won't be. - (Philip) We need the money, we've no food.

(Laughter)

Philip, Simon the Leper is preparing a meal at his house in Bethany.

And tomorrow?

Let tomorrow take care of itself.

If you want to know God...

put your trust in him.

Be like a child taking his father's hand.

(Clamouring)

Exchange money and buy a bird.

That's 40 denarii.

That'll be ten shekels. Three, four...

Ten.

I hope you're not being clever, hm? Taking payment but giving us nothing.

(Sighs)

How long have you been with this Jesus?

Only... Only a year.

A year, and he's told you nothing of his plans?

I don't know his plans, Sagan, none of us do, I mean, not really.

Maybe some of the older ones.

Only to come to Jerusalem and to preach.

You know I could have you thrown in jail?

He said he wants to set men's hearts on fire.

What does that mean?

What's keeping Judas?

How long does it take to find a dove to sacrifice?

There he is. He's got one.

Come on.

Judas, pay the temple tax.

Where else does a child pay to enter his father's house?

He's here.

Judas.

Judas, it's time.

Builders, about water to the villa. They say it'll take another month.

They said that a month ago.

Rome is 20 days' ride, they can say what they like.

Prefect.

The temple priests will be here soon. Should I release the ceremonial robe?

We mustn't delay their Passover.

When they arrive, bring Caiaphas in to us.

I'm told the Judeans won't...

Ah, yes, they won't come in. They think we're unclean.

Us? We're unclean?

Impure. We're impure, in their eyes.

Don't know how you deal with them, I really don't.

I'll see him outside.

What did you expect would happen?

Be crowned high priest?

Is that not why we're here?

It will happen,

but not in the way you imagine.

What's your hurry? Come lie with us.

Andrew.

- What's your name? - For a silver piece

you can know more than my name.

Better pay me than temple tax.

- No one will take us seriously. - They're sinners.

These are your sisters.

- Are you mocking us? - Why? Why would I mock you?

To the temple priests, we're dirt on their sandals.

Try. Try to forgive them their vanity.

What do they call you, holy man?

Jesus.

Jesus?

Jesus, my bed's cold.

Come and warm it.

Don't you know the bed is cold because your heart is empty?

What do you know about my heart?

Only that the love you seek you haven't found.

I want a man who comes here to plough, not preach.

(Laughter)

Hey, girl.

Leave me alone.

Hey!

Hey!

(Coughing)

Philip, Andrew.

These are your brothers and sisters.

Sick and in pain.

But they're not allowed inside the temple.

Don't you understand yet?

Mina.

What are you doing? You're here to earn!

I know.

Your spirit is weak and you're full of fear.

Have faith.

Believe in me.

All your sins are forgiven.

God is with us.

Here and now.

The kingdom of God is in our hearts.

(Banging)

- Open up! - Temple guard! Open up!

Asher! Asher!

(Shouting)

(Shrieking)

(Smashing)

What's wrong?

This door is always open!

I want the place searched! Searched!

Kick it, Asher!

All night they'd been boasting of killing a pilgrim.

Preacher named Jesus been here?

No, he hasn't been back this way today.

Let me know the next time he's here.

Let's go.

Careful.

- Dearest Caiaphas. - Prefect.

You don't have to come all the way up here. My men will come down to the temple.

- I like to welcome you, Prefect. - Of course you do.

But if you would allow me to keep my robes in the temple...

Come, come. Who grants you authority in your temple?

My authority comes from God.

But on this earth, who, for example,

allows you to keep Roman coins out of the temple?

Exactly.

And because it's clear, Rome's rule in Judea is light.

No one wants that to change.

Tiberius certainly doesn't.

Peace in Judea is our emperor's dearest wish.

(Wailing)

(Wailing continues)

Rabbi.

Take me with you.

You've suffered enough already.

- Your sins are already forgiven. - Please!

Tomorrow my mission begins.

It will cause pain and suffering to everyone who believes in me.

I believe in you.

Your faith strengthens mine.

Come.

Bring my message to the world.

The kingdom of God is within you.