Observations
It was an interesting episode, but one that I found somewhat wanting in conveying the narratives as they are found in the text of the New Testament. I think it is overplaying the political conflict between Caiaphas and Pilate. I give this episode about a 5 out of 10.
This episode covers some of the stories found in the span of Acts 4:4-5:11. Most of the key elements from these set of texts are found in the program, although as has been the case, the setting and the ordering may be altered, sometimes considerably. This episode introduces Stephen (who does not yet appear in the text) and Barnabas (who does).
Pilate becomes increasingly unstable and relentless. He believes he is the hand of Rome. He has also conflated his personal quest for vengeance with Rome’s will. There is nothing that will stop him and no one can talk him out of pursuing all means in order to capture and execute his attempted assassin and the killer of one of his soldiers. Even when Caiaphas tries to explain that his actions are actually causing political destabilization, Pilate no longer listens. Pilate is shown to be literally going down the road to madness.
Caiaphas, too, has gone mad with his single-minded desire to be rid of anything having to do with Jesus. The only thing that brings him back from the edge of disaster is when Joseph of Arimathea, after finding his nephew as one of the ones crucified due to Pilate’s vengeance, comes and demands that Caiaphas put an end to this madness.
Boaz, the Zealot, is driven by hatred and anger toward the Romans. The more the Romans act against the Jews, the more determined Boaz is to harm and destroy them.
We have seen quite a bit of Cornelius throughout the series thus far, but he has been mostly depicted as a loyal soldier to Pilate. I am assuming that this Cornelius will be the one Peter eventually is told to go see – the first Gentile convert to Christianity. I think we got a first glimpse of his character in this episode. He sees himself as desiring to be merciful. He seems to carry out at least some of the orders given him somewhat reluctantly. It will be interesting to see this character change and how that affects his relationship to Rome.
Motifs
The episode is appropriately given the title “The Wrath.” Pilate’s wrath is most evident, but as the episode progresses, the viewer sees that in many ways “wrath” propels the actions of some of the key players. In none of the cases are the results of wrath good. Anger and hatred cause a madness that causes people to become blind to the effects their actions have and they become deaf to reason.
Nonviolence is shown as the counter to the effects of wrath. Joseph shows this in his prayer offered as he surveys the innocent youths that have been crucified. Peter shows this in his confrontation of Boaz.
Faith is the antidote to fear. Peter and John face the real possibility of death, yet they do not fear. And when released, instead of retreating into silence, they with all the disciples are more determined to speak about Jesus. Claudia has not expressed an explicit belief in Jesus, but I see faith in her, and it is this quality that allows her to stand up to the madness of her husband, Pilate, and go behind his back to try do something to restore order and peace.
The women recede mostly to the background in this episode. The only exception is Claudia who continues to be Pilate’s (unwanted) voice of conscience and reason.
Quibbles
The number of believers, down from five-thousand to a few dozen at most. Given the budget for the series, I can understand why the producers chose to drastically reduce the numbers of people that are given in Acts.
Hemorrhaging from all body orifices? Really? Did you really have to overdramatize Ananias and Sapphira’s deaths like that? The text of Acts just says they dropped dead. It was just as likely to have been a heart attack, aneurysm, or a fatal stroke. (At least the pronunciation of Sapphira was true to the Greek – a short “i”.)
Minor quibble – a rather large amount of time seems to pass between Ananias and Sapphira donating the proceeds and Peter discovering their deceit.
I think this episode brings in far too much dramatization that is not even tangentially found in Acts. Some fictionalized and imagined historical context is fine, but when it feels like that forms a rather large part of the episode, maybe the series title should be something other than “The Bible Continues.”
The explanation for why God was displeased with Ananias and Sapphira is rather interesting. The Peter of this show explains that it was because their holding back of some of their proceeds from the sale was a lack of faith, a betting against the success of Jesus’ mission and against God. This is certainly an invention not found in the text of Acts, which gives the reason quite plainly, “they lied to God.”
In the series, both the Jewish and Roman authorities are out to get followers of Jesus. And so in the program, the land belonging to Barnabas isn’t sold but is donated to the apostles who then turn it into the first Christian campsite. This too is contrary to the text of Acts that strongly imply the apostles and the Christians remained in Jerusalem and did in fact, worship at the Temple regularly. But then the supposed conflict between the parties would have to go away, and the dramatic tension would be eliminated. We certainly cannot have that if we are to keep an audience…
Synopsis
Prison scene. Cornelius visits cell where a man is being tortured to give up the name of Pilate's attempted assassin. Caiaphas comes to see Pilate. Pilate tells him that ten Jews will be crucified every day until the assassin is found. Caiaphas wants to continue his pursuit of the disciples and bring Peter and John to trial. Other priests believe the assassin needs to take priority. Caiaphas believes that the priesthood must appear strong by not caving in to Roman demands.
Baptisms into the Christian community taking place outside of Jerusalem. Stephen is baptized. Maya, Mary Magdalene, and Stephen return to Jerusalem to seek information about Peter and John.
Joseph of Arimathea goes out to where the Jews have been crucified. He prays a prayer of nonviolence, to not act with violence upon violence, to have empathy for all who suffer and are in pain.
The man's (initial scene's) daughter is brought by Cornelius to see him. Cornelius demands the man's name. Scene cuts away to Peter and John. There are screams of agony from the man's cell. Peter and John are sure they will die this very day.
The man in the cell appears to have died, but Cornelius has found the information he needs. He takes a squad of soldiers to raid the building where the assassin is thought to be. Boaz has fled, but the weapons have been left behind. Cornelius reports to Pilate that the assassin is known but has fled. Claudia suggests that Pilate ought to let Caiaphas find Boaz, but Pilate refuses to lower himself to accept Jewish assistance. "Rome does not beg favor of its subjects."
Leah comes to see the cripple who was healed. She asks how much he was paid to pretend to be a cripple. Leah says that she believes Peter will destroy the temple. She hands money to the former cripple, asking him to prevent this from happening. Peter and John are led to the temple courtyard where they will face the Sanhedrin. Caiaphas questions Peter. (Dramatic guests of wind occur whenever Peter and John feel the Holy Spirit move within them.) Peter claims the cripple was healed by God in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He accuses the leader of crucifixion but that Jesus was resurrected. Caiaphas accuses Peter and John of deceit. The former cripple is brought in. He glances back at Leah. Beggar, Melek, is questioned. A quick cut to Joseph who appears troubled, then back to Caiaphas. Caiaphas accuses Melek of pretending to be lame since childhood because it was an easy way to get handouts from strangers. Melek refutes Caiaphas' accusation. He praises God and Jesus for his healing. Melek is rushed out. Caiaphas orders Peter and John released, but commands them to never speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter asks whether it is right to obey Caiaphas or God. In great commotion Peter and John leave the Temple and return to the rest of the disciples. They find that the number of believers has grown considerably since their arrest. If this is the result of their speaking and arrest, Peter will do this again.
Peter gives a speech to the gathered. Because the kingdom of God is coming, they should share their belongings and take only what is needed. The believers give what they have. A couple discuss whether they should or shouldn't give everything. The woman thinks they should; the man thinks they should be prudent. They come to Peter and claim they are giving all they have
Out in the streets Peter is approached by a mother whose daughter is sick. She asks for healing. Peter says any healing would be because of God's will. Peter takes the girl, holds her and in the name of Jesus asks for healing. But nothing seems to happen. Peter tries again. This time the girl is healed. Stephen is amazed. He thinks they should go to the Temple and show the priests. Peter rejects Stephen's course of action. Peter says to Stephen that the time will come when the priests will hear of it. But now is not the time.
Cornelius and a squad of soldiers lead Jewish youths and come upon Stephen. Stephen demands to know what they have done. Cornelius orders Stephen to move. Stephen refuses. Cornelius beats and kicks Stephen, but does not kill him. When Stephen asks why, Cornelius answers, "Because I am merciful."
Mary, the mother, converses with Peter. She reassures Peter that Jesus chose him because he knew Peter would remain faithful and could take on the responsibilities needed by a new movement.
Cornelius leads the youths to their deaths by crucifixion. Scene cuts to Pilate and Claudia, where Pilate is handling ashes of the murdered Roman soldier, Marcus. He builds a small mound of ashes on his table. He tells Claudia that he is building a mountain out of the ashes of Jews.
Boaz is found by one of his associates and told to disappear.
The disciples are sleeping. John has a dream. In the morning he goes to look for what he saw in the dream. It is at the Temple - a crack pattern in the stone ground. He is approached by a man whom he does not seem to know. The man seems to know about John. He has attempted to fulfill himself through wealth, but his soul remains poor. John asks the man to come with him. The crack on the ground is gone. John believes the man was what the dream wanted him to find.
Crosses continue to rise. Joseph looks at them. Claudia accuses Pilate of changing for the worse. "I am an instrument of Roman power. My actions are an expression and reminder of that power. And that power sustains Rome. It is paramount." Pilate demands that Claudia never involve herself in affairs of which she does not understand.
Peter, John, and the man John met (Barnabas) walk in the wilderness. Barnabas offers a piece of land to the disciples.
Joseph comes into Caiaphas' chamber and in agonized voice tells them that his nephew is one of the crucifieds. Annas offers consolation. Joseph refuses platitudes and demands that this be brought to an end now. He reminds Caiaphas that the close association with Pilate that he has cultivated all his life needs to be cashed in now.
Boaz appears to leave.
Christians set up camp on Barnabas' donated land.
Caiaphas tears his cloak and pours ashes on his head.
Boaz shows up in the Christian camp. Peter wants to know why Boaz is here. Peter tells Boaz that if he repents and accepts Jesus, he is welcome to stay. Boaz states that he believes in God. But Boaz does not recognize Jesus. He knows David, Solomon, Joshua, etc. but not Jesus. Boaz believes that God, the Rock, has trained his hands for war. Peter turns away. Peter notes that there are people taking advantage of them. But he won't name them. He doesn't believe it is the way.
Peter has a vision and sees that Ananias has kept a portion of the sale for himself. Ananias denies the accusation. He starts hemorrhaging all over his body and dies. The people look on in fear. Sapphira is brought to Peter's tent. Peter pleads for her to speak truthfully. He asks if they gave all, and she says they did. Peter informs her that he saw in a vision that they kept back a small amount. She asks why that matters. What they gave was a huge amount. Peter tells her that it was because they bet against the mission of Jesus succeeding and bet against God. She hemorrhages like Ananias.
Caiaphas comes to Pilate to beg for mercy. Pilate laughs at Caiaphas' appearance of ashes and sackcloth. Caiaphas accuses Pilate of provoking insurrection upon himself by his poor judgment. Pilate takes some of Marcus' ashes and forces it into Caiaphas' mouth. Pilate will not back down and there will be no mercy. Claudia looks upon Pilate with anger and exasperation. Claudia catches Leah in the darkness and tells her the name of the assassin is Boaz. Leah will know what to do.
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