Excerpt:
(Some Pharisees and scribes arrive with Jesus, bound and a crowd gathers around the edge of the stage. The bystander is in the crowd and may yell a few positive things to oppose the majority. There is a judgment seat for Pilate. He enters with the Centurion and some soldiers)
PILATE: It is very early. Why are you bothering me at this time of the day? (Looks at Jesus standing with them) What accusation do you bring against this man?
PHARISEE 2: He is a blasphemer! He claimed He would destroy the temple and rebuild it in 3 days!
SCRIBE: He said He was the Christ!
PHARISEE: If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have brought Him here.
PILATE: Is this really a matter for your governor? Take Him and judge Him according to your own law.
SCRIBE: We are not permitted to put anyone to death.
PILATE: Death?
PHARISEE: We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.
PILATE: (Crossing slowly to Jesus and looking him over) Are YOU the King of the Jews?
JESUS: It is as you say.
SCRIBE: There! What other proof do you need? He blasphemes!
(Pilate puts up his hand to silence them and he slowly walks up to Jesus and leads him off to speak with him alone.)
PILATE: I’ll ask you again…Are you the King of the Jews?
JESUS: Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?
PILATE: I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You up to me; what have You done?
JESUS: My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.
PILATE: So You are a king?
JESUS: You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.
PILATE: What is truth? (Turns and walks back to the Jews) I find no guilt in Him. (Crosses to his judgment seat and sits)
SCRIBE: He claims to be the Christ!
PHARISEE: He blasphemes!
PHARISEE 2: He is leading the people away from our teaching! He must die!
PILATE: Let Him speak in His defense! (Looks at Jesus waiting for a response in defense) Do you make no answer? Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?
SCRIBE: He does not even deny it!
PHARISEE 2: He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee, even as far as this place.
PILATE: You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. Nothing deserving death has been done by Him. (Pause) As you know, each year at your Passover feast, it is customary for me to release one prisoner. I will therefore punish and release for you the King of the Jews.
CROWD: No! Give us Barabbas! Away with this man! Release for us Barabbas!
PILATE: Barabbas is a murderer!
CROWD: Give us Barabbas!
PILATE: Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?
CROWD: Let Him be crucified! Crucify Him!
PILATE: Why? What evil has He done?
CROWD: Crucify Him!
PILATE: What evil has He done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; I will therefore punish Him and release Him. (Claps his hands and guards enter and take Jesus) Scourge Him! (He is taken offstage and whipped or perhaps it’s done on stage. It is either seen or heard. This could take a couple minutes)
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