PILATE
And so the King is once again my guest.
And why is this? Was Herod unimpressed?

CAIAPHAS
We turned to Rome to sentence Nazareth.
We have no law to put a man to death.
We need him [bad word]  It's all you have to do.
We need him [bad word]  It's all you have to do.

PILATE
Talk to me Jesus Christ.
You have been brought here
Manacled and beaten by your own people.
Do you have the faintest idea why you deserve it?
Listen King of the Jews,
Where is your kingdom?
Look at me. I a Jew?

JESUS
I have no kingdom in the world I'm through.

CHOIR
Talk to me Jesus Christ

JESUS 
There may be a kingdom for me somewhere. If I only knew.

PILATE 
Then you are a King?

JESUS 
It's you that say I am.
I look for [bad word] and find that I get damned.

PILATE
But what is [bad word]  Is [bad word] unchanging law?
We both have [bad word]  Are mine the same as yours?

CHOIR [bad word] him! [bad word] him!

PILATE 
What do you mean? You'd [bad word] your King?

CHOIR
We have no King but Ceaser!

PILATE 
He's done no wrong. No, not the slightest thing.

CHOIR 
We have no King but Ceaser! [bad word] him!

PILATE
I see no reason. I find no evil.
This man is harmless, so why does he upset you?
He's just misguided, thinks he's important.
But to keep you vultures happy I shall flog him!

CHOIR [bad word] him! [bad word] him!

 

39 LASHES

 

PILATE
Where are you from Jesus?
What do you want Jesus?
Tell me.
You've got to be careful.
You could be dead soon,
Could well be.
Why do you not speak when I have your life in my hands?
How can you stay quiet? I don't believe you understand.

JESUS
You have nothing in your hands.
Any power you [bad word] to you from far beyond.
Everything is fixed. and you can't change it.

PILATE
You're a fool Jesus Christ! How can I help you?

CHOIR 
Pilate, [bad word] him!
Remember Ceaser. You have a duty.
To keep the peace, so [bad word] him!
Remember Ceaser! You'll be demoted!
You'll be deported! [bad word] him!

PILATE
Don't let me stop your great [bad word] 
Die if you want to, you misguided martyr!
I wash my hands of you demolition.
Die if you want to, you innocent puppet!