Jesus of Nazareth

Pontius Pilate:
Do you realize I have the power to release you or have you crucified?

Jesus Christ:
You wouldn't have had that power over me if it hadn't been given to you from above.

[discussing the idea of Jesus' being born in a stable]

Balthazar:
And yet, I see the justice of it.

Gaspar:
Not in glory, but in humility.

Simon Peter:
[having denied Jesus thrice] Oh God... oh God... [shouting] My God! Please, help me!

Jesus Christ:
Destroy this temple, and in three days I will make it rise again.

Zerah:
It took centuries to build this temple. Do you think you can build it again in three days?

Jesus Christ:
You have said it, but you have not understood.

Zerah:
[indignant] Rabbi, I understand better than you *think*.

Simon Peter:
[Peter is drunk] Andrew. Andrew, I'm not like you. I'm not a follower of priests and prophets; I'm a fisherman. I've got my family to think of. You followed the Baptist, now follow this one...

Philip:
[grabbing Peter's Arm] Peter!

Simon Peter:
[wresting free] Just leave me alone! Why did you bring Him here to me? [grabbing his net] *This* is my life! My nets... my boat. [shouting] Go on! Follow Him! But leave me!

Andrew:
Come on, you can't talk to him when he's like this. [motioning the others to leave] Come on, Philip.

Herod Antipas:
And we go on sinning. And very pleasant it is, too.

Jesus Christ:
What is the heart of the law?

Joseph of Arimathea:
"Hear, O Israel, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy strength." This is the greatest commandment.

Jesus Christ:
You have said well. You are not far from the Kingdom of God, Joseph of Arimathea. But there is another commandment, no less greater: you must love your neighbor as yourself.

Simeon:
[seeing the Baby Jesus for the first time] Now I can die contented, Lord, according to Thy will. [gently, to the Virgin Mary] And a sword shall pierce your heart.

Herod Antipas:
John if I set you free, what would you do with your freedom?

John the Baptist:
I would follow the one whose way I have prepared, like so many others who already follow him, but you will not set me free.

Virgin Mary:
Today, in our hearing, the scriptures are fulfilled.

Simon Peter:
Go on. You can preach to the fish!

Simeon:
[at the temple, where he finally sees the Baby Jesus] Now I can die contented, Lord, according to Thy word. [to the Virgin Mary, in a kindly voice] And a sword shall pierce your heart.

Elizabeth:
[referring to the fact that Mary is to be the mother of Christ] When I heard the news, the child in my womb leapt for joy!

Pontius Pilate:
Do you not realize I have the power to crucify you or set you free?

Jesus Christ:
You wouldn't have that power if it hadn't been given to you.

Jesus Christ:
What is the greatest commandment?

Joseph of Arimathea:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole strength. And the second is like it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Jesus Christ:
You have answered well. You are not far from the Kingdom of God, Joseph of Arimathea.

Nicodemus:
And through His wounds we are healed.

Simon Peter:
I denied him because I was a coward. We are all cowards. We accused Judas of being a traitor but we ALL betrayed Him. We ALL abandoned him. At least our brothers in the Sanhedrin who condemned him didn't know him. The Romans, they did not know HIM. But we... we ate with Him. We lived with Him. We knew He was the Christ! And still we betrayed Him. Brothers can't you see? You ask if I believe He's risen? Yes I do. For I know in my heart He will not abandon us. I know in my heart He has forgiven me... us... Forgiven all of us.

'All are welcome at my table'. Jesus Christ.