All language subtitles for Saint Peter • San Pietro [2005]_SDH

St. Peter.

I give you
a new commandment.

I want you to
love one another,

as I have
loved you.

This way, you will be recognized
as My disciples--

if you love
one another.

Where are You
going, Lord?

Peter,

where I am going,
you cannot follow Me,

You will follow Me later.

And not
follow You now?

Why? I would give
my life for You.

You would give
your life for Me?

I say to you,
before the rooster crows,

you will turn
against Me three times.

I would rather die with You,
Lord, than deny You.

He's dead.
He's dead!

What happened?
What are you talking about?

- You're too late. He's already dead.
- Who's dead?

Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth,
the Messiah.

If He's dead, He can't
have been the Messiah.

Make way, make way!

Peter! Peter!
It's me. It's me, your brother.

Come.
Don't be afraid.

- Andrew.
- I looked for you everywhere.

I was afraid that
they'd caught you.

Perhaps I deserve
to be caught.

What do you mean?

Soldiers!
Peter, come!

Peter, the soldiers
are searching

the whole city
of Jerusalem.

We must leave, Peter,
leave the city,

or they'll
kill us as well.

Isn't what they've done
to the Lord enough?

- Murderers!
- What are you doing?

Have you
gone mad?

They crucified
the Lord,

crucified Him
like a thief!

- Did you not see?
- I saw!

I saw.

I died with Him.

No. No, Peter.

It's you who
will lead us.

It's you who must
guide us now.

- Yes.
- Yes, it's you.

Where are
the others?

They are waiting
for you. Now.

Peter, we weren't able to protect Him.
I'll never forgive myself.

But why did He not prove to everyone
that He was the Son of God?

One word-- one word would
have been enough.

That's enough now.
Be silent. Let Peter speak.

I feared I would
never see you again.

We are all here,
except for John and Judas.

Judas has hung
himself, Peter...

a few hours
after his betrayal.

He hanged himself from a tree
outside the gates of Jerusalem.

May the Lord
have mercy on his soul.

Peter, it cannot
end like this.

We are many, aren't we?
Let's make ourselves heard.

What do you suggest, Matthias?
A revolt?

- Yes, exactly.
- They will slaughter us.

We cannot allow
this, Peter.

James is right. We must go
to the temple priest in the Sanhedrin

and declare
our obedience.

What do you think?
You must decide.

Who can that be?

- Can you see?
- John. It's John.

John, please
tell us,

what do you know?
John, what is it?

"This is your son,"
He said,

looking at Mary.

"And this is
your mother,"

He said to me.
Yes, to me.

Then-- then
I heard Him say,

"Father,
into Your hands

I commit My Spirit."

And then He said--

What, you were there?

- Peter.
- You were beneath His cross?

Peter, you're alive!

Rise.

It is I who should
kneel before you.

I lack the courage
to stand by Him like you did.

I do not deserve
your trust

and l-- I am not able to answer
your questions,

but John has given us to understand
what we should do now.

Jesus has entrusted
His mother to us,

and we must
look after her

while she buries
her son.

- Come, Peter.
- No, Magdalene.

Please come.

Oh, please, Mary,
do not look at me so gently.

- I don't deserve it.
- My son loved you like a brother.

I was not worthy.
I deserve only sorrow.

The pain you feel
depends on the joy

that He gave us
with His presence.

And what did I do with that?
I left Him.

You could not have prevented
what happened. No one could.

Do you understand?

This was the design.
He knew this.

He always wanted this.

I abandoned Him.

But He has not
abandoned you.

Look for Him, Peter.

Do not stop looking
for Him,

and He will find you.

He will find you.

Help me, Jesus.

Please help me.

I know
I don't deserve it.

I count
for nothing now,

for I could not even make myself
have the courage

to ask You
to forgive me...

but please
help me to understand

what I must do
for my brothers

who are alone now

without You.

But what are you doing?
Where are you going?

We're collecting
all our possessions,

- returning home to Emmaus.
- Me too. My family needs me.

But we had
decided to wait.

Wait for what?
What else could possibly happen?

It's just more
dangerous to stay.

But we need to
have faith.

Jesus cannot have
left us like this.

Jesus is dead,
do you realize?

And who will take care of our
families now? How will we manage?

You believed in Him
and hailed Him

as the Messiah
until a few days ago.

Maybe we were wrong.
If He died, He was not the Messiah.

What are you
waiting for then?

Go! Return
to your homes!

Out!

Why is he
like that?

Peter, calm down.

- Peter...
- I hear this far too often:

"He was not
the Messiah."

You know too well that
anger is not the solution.

You are the youngest
but the wisest.

I apologize.

You are our guide.
You are Peter,

as strong as a rock.
Have you forgotten the words of Jesus?

Never for one moment
can I forget them.

But above
all the rest,

there is one memory
that torments me.

- He's missing! He's gone!
- What are you saying, Magdalene?

Jesus!
The tomb is empty!

Go and see for yourselves
if you don't believe me.

Go on!
Go on!

The third day, Peter.

The third day.

Do you remember
what Jesus said?

"l must be given
into the hands of sinners

and be killed

to rise again

on the third day."

Doesn't this mean
that He's alive?

Followers of Jesus!
They're inside the tomb!

- They're inside the tomb.
- No, wait. Careful.

What are you saying?
That's blasphemous.

They are followers of Jesus.
They've desecrated the tomb.

They're up there!
Quickly!

Let's separate.

Offerings. Offerings
for a poor beggar.

Offerings.

Offerings. Offerings
for a poor beggar.

Please help me.

Help me.
Please help me.

Make an offering.

Peter,

I told you

that I would make you

a fisher of men.

Master.

He looked
like anyone else--

a traveler
on the road to Emmaus.

But then He spoke
and He broke the bread.

Only then did
we recognize Him.

It was Jesus.

Peter!

I saw Him too.

A beggar.

I thought He was
a beggar,

but then
I heard His voice.

So He's alive!
He has returned to us!

He has not
abandoned us.

He has defeated
death for us.

How can you all
be so sure?

If Peter says so,
I believe in him.

Listen to me, John.
I do not doubt

the words of Peter
or those of our friends.

Well, then
I don't understand.

We would all give our lives
to see Jesus again.

We want to see Him again
with all of our hearts.

This is the problem.
How can we be sure

that this is not
just our imagination?

All I can tell you
is that it was Him.

I believe you, Peter,
but I'm worried for us all.

We have suffered enough,
all of us.

May peace be with you.

There now.

As you can see, Pilate,

these tents are perfect
for your military

and can stand
all weather conditions.

Of course, Saul,

you cannot drink
with a pagan like myself.

Your religion forbids it.
You're a Jew,

and a pretty zealous
one at that.

I would say
that I am fervent.

The problem is that
there are Jews and Jews.

- Sorry, I don't understand.
- The body

of that crucified
Nazarene

has vanished
from the sepulcher,

and now his followers are spreading
the news that this Jesus

has risen
from the dead

and hence is the Messiah,
the Son of God.

They must have
stolen the body

to spread this rumor.

I don't know how they
could have done it.

I had placed
guards there.

They're impostors.

I know,

but some people
believe it,

giving way
to doubts,

false hopes,
and above all,

unrest that
I have to quell.

They betray the faith of my people,
and what I hate the most

is that they take advantage
of the ignorance of simple people.

Mmm.
I agree with you,

but I have to govern
in a foreign land.

I need to be
extremely careful.

I cannot openly
take sides.

Saul, you at least are
able to fight them openly.

You can use a sword.
You're a Jew.

Your people
listen to you.

It is precisely
to defend my people

that I will go
fight the followers

of this Jesus
mercilessly.

There he is!
There he is!

- Peter, tell us it's true!
- He's risen!

There He is!

Peter! Peter!

Peter!

Is it true?

What you are saying is true!
It's true!

Yes! Yes, it's
true, Matthias!

It's all true!
Jesus is alive!

He's among us once again,
in flesh and blood!

We must tell
everyone.

We must shout the news
from the rooftops of Jerusalem...

- Yes! Yes!
-...with all of our strength.

- Yes!
- Calm down, calm down, calm down.

We must first face
the priest of Sanhedrin

to avoid
the conflict.

But Jesus spoke to the people
in the squares,

not in the Sanhedrin.

Jesus is the Messiah,
but what are we?

Can't you see all the soldiers
in the streets? We need to be prudent.

It's true. We're being accused of--
"Have you stolen the body of Jesus?"

It doesn't matter.
We will tell everyone the truth--

that Jesus is
alive once more.

Yes, but how?

How will we
prove this?

We do not need to prove
anything to anyone.

We must only tell
the truth without fear,

without fear,
without fear!

John is right!
John is right!

It really happened!
It really happened!

Let us tell everyone

that Jesus has risen!

And then? What will
Jesus ask of us?

What is His design?

Peter! Peter,
what do you think?

- Peter?
- Peter?

Where has he gone?

Come on!

Stand back!

Stop now.
Go.

I know you.
You are one of Jesus's disciples.

You're mistaken.
Leave me alone.

Are you the Son of God?

Yes, I am.

Why do you deny it
when I've seen you with Him?

It was not me.
I've told you, you are mistaken.

Take him to Pilate.

You were at the Mount
of Olives.

You were with Jesus.

You are one
of His followers.

I do not know Jesus.

How must I tell you?
I've never seen him before.

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

This way.

- Come on.
- Wait here.

Stand over here.

Peter...

they really need you.

They're all here.

I cannot guide you.

Don't you
understand?

Leave me alone.
Go!

Peter, what
are you saying?

You must not
abandon us.

I have--

I have reneged Him.

I have reneged
the living God...

three times.

I didn't even have
the courage to confess it

to my family,
my brothers, my sons.

Perhaps there is only one thing
that I know how to do now--

fish.

What is he saying?

Come on.
Come on, let's go.

Jesus had predicted that,
you remember,

and I swore
not to renege Him,

to have died with Him.

Peter, we were
all confused.

- We were all afraid.
- Perhaps I would have done the same.

But you were
there with Him.

You did not leave Him.

You did not betray Him.

You too were afraid.

And Jesus,
was He not afraid?

I saw the fear in His eyes
as they led Him away,

and I left Him alone.

I said I did not know Him
as He faced the cross.

Yes, He--

He, among all of us--

He's the one
I reneged.

But He has returned.
He also returned for you.

No.

I do not deserve
His trust nor yours,

and I no longer
trust myself.

I trust you.

I too trust you.

- I trust you.
- I trust you too.

I trust you, Peter.

I trust you
too, Peter.

Peter, not a single
fish today.

It is not
our lucky day.

Why don't you throw your nets
on the starboard side?

Did you hear
what that guy said?

Yes, the starboard side.

You can tell that man
has never been fishing in his life.

Do as he says.

But it's absurd.

That's not the way to fish.
Everyone knows that.

Throw the net
on the starboard side!

It's a miracle!

It's the Lord!

Look, it is Him!
It is Jesus!

Be careful!
Peter!

Peter, what
are you doing?

Wait!

You trusted Me.

So, do you
love Me, Peter?

- Oh, Lord...
- Do you love Me, Peter?

Of course I love You.
You know that.

Do you love Me more
than anyone else?

Three times
You asked me, Lord--

three times--

the same number of times
that I denied You.

You know
everything, Lord.

I love You more
than my life.

Then tend to My flock.

You must protect them
in My name.

It is your task.

I failed You, Jesus.
I failed You.

This is also why
I've chosen you,

and why I choose you
once again.

But in truth
I say to you,

when you were young,

you dressed yourself
and you went where you pleased,

but when you
grow older,

you will stretch out
your hands

and someone else will
dress you and lead you

where you do not
wish to go.

So be it, Lord.
So be it.

Follow Me.

You will all bear witness
to Me in Jerusalem,

in all of Judea
and Samaria,

and to the furthest
corners of the earth.

And how shall we
manage that, Jesus?

How shall we
bear witness?

Bring Me your kinsmen
and people.

Lead them to Me with your words
and your actions,

and lead them to Me
the same way you came to Me now.

In the water,
like baptism.

Go and baptize

in the name of the Father,
of the Son

and the Holy Spirit,

and I will be with you every day
until the end of time.

Many of Jesus's disciples
are returning to Jerusalem

to join Simon,
better known as Peter,

to start all over again
with the rantings

about the so-called
Son of God.

Now they're even saying
that He's alive,

that He has
risen from the dead.

This is an indecency!
They still haven't given up!

It is now obvious
why they stole Jesus's body.

It is so we would believe
He is immortal.

And of course, he will continue
his preachings and create unrest.

This is true.

The followers of Jesus
are a menace to Israel.

Rome is watching
for the first signs of an uprising

so that they can send over
more troops to crush us.

They will crush us.

This time we have to
stop them immediately,

before the situation
gets out of hand.

I think
it would be unjust

to condemn them
before having listened to them,

before having a clear idea
of their intentions.

Master,

right now Peter
and his followers

are our enemies...

and you yourself
taught me, Gamaliel,

that it is not
prudent to wait

when you're faced
with an enemy.

This is true, Saul,

but I also taught you
that only God knows His enemies.

Of course,

but we have the duty
to fight God's enemies

when they are proved
to be such,

and I am ready
to do this.

I will not rest
until I have succeeded.

Many have come
for the harvest festival--

many more than
I could have imagined.

The temple
will be crowded.

We may not have
room for them all.

This is not
what worries me.

Are you thinking of Peter
and his disciples?

This is a festivity
celebrated by all Jews.

They will not miss
this opportunity.

They will try to make converts
of all these people.

Then they will have to
come out into the open.

This is what
I hope.

There are many of our soldiers
guarding Jerusalem.

They will not
go by unnoticed.

Oh! Be careful,
little one.

What is your name?

You cannot speak?

My name is Andrew.

He's Stephen.
And what is yours?

Of course he didn't answer.
He couldn't understand.

I wonder where
they came from.

Perhaps Mesopotamia.

Do you understand
what we are saying, Peter?

How could we bear witness
to the word of the Lord

to the corners
of the earth?

How will we make
ourselves understood?

None of us speaks
any other languages.

Andrew is right.
No one had thought of that.

Did you think
it would all be easy?

My brothers,

each person
who is a Jew like us,

wherever in the world he may be born,
whatever language he may speak,

has the right to know

that the Messiah
we were waiting for

has finally arrived.

But how will we make ourselves
understood by everyone?

All I know is that we must
stay united, as Jesus asked,

and He will never
abandon us.

Remember?

"Where there are two or three people
assembled in My name...

I am with them."

Mommy!
Where's my mommy?

- What's wrong, my child?
- I got lost.

- What's happened?
- I can't find my mother.

How many times do
I have to tell you?

You must stay
close to me.

- I understood what they were saying.
- So did l.

People of Judea,

listen.

Listen to me.

Jesus has risen
from the dead.

God has resurrected Him!

Jesus, the Messiah,
has risen.

He has defeated death!

He has defeated death
because love--

love defeats death.

The Lord said
unto us,

"ln My last days,

I will bestow My spirit
upon each person."

And then He added,

"Whoever invokes the name
of the Lord will be saved."

Thus, let yourselves
be baptized

in the name
of Jesus Christ

and thereby receive
the gift

of the Holy Spirit.

Baptize me, Peter,

in the name
of the Lord.

I too want to be
baptized.

Glory be to the Lord.

Everyone! Everyone understood
your words, Peter!

Yes, and I too, I too can speak
to everyone and understand everyone.

It is a gift
from our Lord.

It is the Holy Spirit

answering all our questions,
all our fears.

Peter, Peter.

Do not worry.
He's not here to harm us.

I wish to be
baptized.

Explain to him why
he cannot be baptized.

My name is Lucius.

I've wanted to be one
of you for some time.

Today I found
the courage to ask.

But you are
a pagan.

He is a pagan.
He's not a Jew.

God wishes us to speak
to our own people--

Jews like ourselves.

Our law doesn't even permit us
to enter the homes of non-Jews,

let alone sit
at their tables.

But you spoke
to everyone,

and everyone
understood you--

Elamites, Greeks,
and people from Egypt.

Our Jewish brothers
are everywhere,

everywhere
in the world.

My words were
addressed to them,

only to--

only to them.

I'm sorry.

Peter, they want
to be baptized,

and there are
many of them.

Shall we baptize them immediately?
We cannot wait.

We must remain prudent.
There are guards everywhere.

You must split up
into groups

and lead them
out of Jerusalem.

Take them to the watering holes,
outside the walls?

- Shall we baptize them there?
- The Lord be with you.

Be prudent, please.

Thank you.

Are we not going
to arrest them?

No, not yet.

There are too many of them,
and some might react.

I do not want
bloodshed today,

not on a feast day.

So do we just
let them go?

Do not take
initiative.

Follow from
a far distance.

I only want to know
what they're doing.

What about you?

I will follow Peter.

He is the one
I fear the most.

Of all places, you want
to go to the temple?

It is where the people
of Israel pray-- our people.

I must announce to them
the resurrection of Jesus, to them too.

- A little help...
- It could be dangerous.

After all that happened today,
nothing can happen to us.

It is nevertheless a decision

that I must
make by myself.

- I trust your decision.
- Stand by me.

My brothers...

people of Israel,

I beg you,
listen to me.

And why should we
listen to you?

What more do you wish
to say to the people of Israel

that they have not
heard already

from Abraham
and Moses?

That Jesus is the Messiah

that the people of Israel
have been waiting for.

- Impostor!
- Out of here, you liar!

Do you hear them?

Do you hear what
your people think of you?

You are an impostor,

and do you know the punishment
for those who lie in temple?

For me,
the greater punishment

would be not to speak
the truth.

Bless me.

I beg of you.

I can't walk.

Take that and leave!

I have no silver,
no gold,

but I can give you
the love

of Jesus of Nazareth.

Stand up and walk.

Do you take us for fools?
It's only a trick!

You two had agreed
to do this.

Soldiers,
take them!

We must leave,
quickly.

- I've cured him.
- Quickly.

Like Jesus used to do,
I've cured him.

To the Sanhedrin.

Take him before the Sanhedrin
to face judgment.

You! You are the ones
who stole Jesus's body!

You stole it so you could say
He had risen from the dead.

Jesus really rose
from the dead.

I saw Him
with my own eyes.

I heard His voice.

I touched His hands
with my own hands.

This is a lie

and God will
punish you for that!

But first, it is the law of Israel
that will punish you.

You are just frauds

who take advantage
of the simple nature of others

to steal their
possessions.

I baptize you,
Jeremiah,

in the name of the Father
and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit.

They are making converts.
We must warn Saul.

You must swear to stop
spreading your doctrine.

I cannot speak
against the truth,

the truth that Jesus
has risen from the dead.

Arrest them!

Wait.

If...

what these two men
say is false,

that means their doctrine
does not belong to God

and therefore will
dissolve in thin air.

If instead their doctrine
comes from God,

we'll be unable
to stop them.

But we cannot wait.
It is necessary

to arrest them
for the good of Israel.

Is it for the good
of Israel

that we should find ourselves
fighting against God?

If any among you want
to run the risk

of assuming a position
against God,

he should please
step forward

and assume responsibility
for requesting

Peter and John to be
incarcerated.

Let them go.

Master...

Master, this time
I'm not in agreement with you.

A frequent
occurrence lately.

Peter is dangerous!

He's able to exert an exceptional
influence over others.

Forgive me,
but perhaps

he has influenced
you too.

You are a brave
man, Saul,

and you are also
honest and loyal,

but you change completely
when facing Peter

and the disciples
of Jesus.

- l--
- It almost seems

as if you were
afraid of them.

What are you
so frightened of?

What is it

you hide
within your heart?

Saul.

They are giving baptism to many,
just as Peter ordered.

- This is what I feared.
- He is a leader now,

and perhaps he will soon
pass himself off as the Messiah.

It's dangerous to touch
Peter at the moment.

Gamaliel's on his side,
as well as many others.

They may want to revolt, and that is
precisely what we must avoid.

What do you intend
to do then?

We must lower
our sights.

You, stop.

- What can I do for you?
- Do you know Simon,

also called Peter?
Do you not?

Of course.
I know him well.

And he ordered you
to give baptism.

Your friend Peter is saying
that Jesus has risen from the dead,

and that He is
the Son of God.

As everyone knows,
there is only one God.

If He had a son,
there would be two.

It is blasphemy.

But perhaps you don't
agree with Peter.

Warn Peter.

Yes.

Come with me.

Citizens of Jerusalem,
come here.

Let's listen to what
this young follower

of Jesus of Nazareth
has to say.

- Peter, Peter!
- What?

Run, quickly!
Stephen is in danger. Hurry!

Jesus came to remind us
of the teachings

of the law
of Moses--

"Love God,

listen to His prophets,
practice justice--"

That's enough of
all that nonsense!

Answer me, do you believe Jesus
to be the Son of God?

Jesus is the Son of God.

For our salvation,
He died and rose from the dead.

You all here have heard.

This man has blasphemed.
He must be punished and stoned for this.

You still have time
to retract that.

I have nothing
more to say!

Stone him!

Is there anyone here
who agrees with Stephen?

Does anyone wish
to be stoned with him?

Stone him!
Stone him!

Lord Jesus, receive
my spirit.

Do not blame them
for this sin.

What have you done?

- What have you done?
- He blasphemed.

He said Jesus was
the Son of God.

He spoke the truth.

Jesus is
the Son of God.

The time is right.

Let's stone him
as well.

No.

I need him alive.
Arrest him.

The money we have gathered
has provided food for many.

We can still
do much more.

What happened?

Stephen...

they have killed him.

And Peter,

he's been arrested.

Our Father,
Who art in Heaven,

hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom--

Hmm. I know
that you hate me

but I can show you
a way out

for yourself and for the followers
of your Messiah.

These are the conditions
of your release.

Read it.

I do not know
how to read.

So you cannot read.

And you expect
to preach in the temple?

To teach your faith
to all the Jews?

Let me tell you
what is written:

You deny everything.

You admit that Jesus
did not rise from the dead,

that you stole His body
from the sepulcher.

And you swear you will
never preach His name again.

This way you will
save all your--

I've already
denied Jesus.

I will not repeat
my mistake.

I wanted to save you.

You are so stubborn,

blinded by your madness.

What if you
are the ones...

who are blind?

This way. Follow me.
Come on.

This way.
This way.

Stop!

Go on, move along.
Move along.

Followers of Jesus,

for you it is over.

Everyone out!
Get out of here right now!

Come on,
let's get out of here.

You are coming
with us,

filthy, blasphemous
followers of Jesus.

This is the end
for you.

What's going on?
Stop it!

Move it!
Let's go!

- Move!
- What's going on?

Don't just stand there!
Move move!

Get going!
Follow the crowd!

What are you doing?
What are you doing?

Let's go!

Let's go!

Jeremiah, wait a little longer
before leaving. Things will improve.

Perhaps, but we prefer
to move to Damascus.

It will be a long journey,

but it's better than staying here
and risking jail.

We fear for our child,

but our faith in Jesus
remains the same.

May God protect you.

And please
be careful.

To Damascus!

The followers of Jesus
are also there.

Come!

Any news of my brother?

- I would like to do something.
- We could pray.

Mary is right.

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done

on earth as it is
in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those
who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come...

...Thy will be done

on earth
as it is in heaven.

Our Father,
Who art in heaven...

...hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done...

Saul.

Saul.

What is it?

Leave me alone!

I have heard that Saul
has left for Damascus,

but the streets are
still full of soldiers.

They could find us
any moment now.

I feel as if I am losing my mind
like this. We are trapped in here,

and we don't have
any news of Peter.

Perhaps you too
should leave Jerusalem,

like so many of the others
already have.

- We can't leave Peter behind in jail.
- Assuming he's still alive.

That's not possible.
Peter is in jail.

- A few of us could stay behind...
- It is you!

- This must be a miracle!
-...to stay in touch with the others.

It's Peter.
At least that's what he says.

Peter!

Peter, it's you!
It's you!

Peter, you're alive!

Are you okay?
What happened?

- Tell us, tell us.
- How did you escape?

- We have been praying for you.
- Did they release you?

How did you manage
to persuade them?

I just prayed.

Thank you.

There are not many
of us left, Peter.

Many have left.

Their flight
is not a defeat.

If the seeds are clasped
into one's hands

they can never
provide fruit,

because they need to be spread
all over the fields.

Our brothers
who have left

are now the seeds
that Jesus has sown everywhere,

and from this
moment onwards,

we must spread
ourselves like seeds.

But no matter
where we go,

we must be of one heart,
one soul.

We will give
everything we have

to those
who are most poor,

to those who are
most needy,

and then together
we will break the bread

and praise God.

The first sign for us
to recognize each other

will be the love
we show one another.

Love.

The community in Jaffa was pleased
to hear you speak, Peter.

Peter?

Did I hear correct?

Are you Simon, known as Peter,
the apostle of Jesus?

I am-- my name
is Cornelius,

and you have no idea
how happy I am to meet you.

I beg you,
come into my home.

You cannot.

He is a pagan.

It is a Roman home,
and it is impure.

You-- you knew
Jesus well.

You were with Him.
And I believe in Him.

I believe in His
resurrection.

You're Barsabas.

I have heard you speak
about Jesus here in Jaffa.

I listened from a distance.
You are the one who convinced me.

I was speaking
to my own people, to the Jews.

I know.
I'm not a Jew.

This is why I'm not permitted
to enter your homes,

I cannot take part
in your meals.

But I would really
like to listen

to the word of Jesus
from your mouth.

I'm sorry.

We Jews are not permitted
to enter the homes of pagans.

It is the law of Moses.

Peter.

Peter.

Do not call impure...

all that God
has purified.

Peter. Peter!

Cornelius.

Do you still wish to welcome me
into your home?

With all my heart.
Please, come in.

Peter!

Do not do this.

God has no favorites.

He's pleased with those
who love Him and are just,

whichever people
they come from.

Peter!

Praise be
to the Lord.

I have a son in Britannia
serving the legions,

and this is
my family.

This is my wife,
Lavinia.

And these are
my daughters...

Flavia

and Martia.

I am Peter,
servant of God.

Peter!

The laws of our fathers
forbid us from entering

the homes of non-Jews.

You are aware of the laws
better than any of us, Peter, and yet--

And yet you baptize Cornelius
and his family.

Tell us why.

Jesus bestowed
the Holy Spirit

upon Cornelius
and his family,

as He did for us.

It happened
before my eyes.

Jesus is our Messiah,
the Messiah of the Jews,

not of pagans,
be they Roman or Greek.

- My brothers.
- Barnabas.

- Saul!
- Murderer!

- Let's get out!
- Let's leave! Quick!

- Calm down. Please please, be calm.
- Don't move.

Don't move.
Don't move.

Don't you see?
He has come to capture us.

Your eyes.

It was as you said,
Peter.

I was blind,
but these eyes have seen.

I'm here

to beg your
forgiveness

and that of Jesus.

I wish

to join you.

I wish to spread
the Lord's word

to the four corners
of the earth, as you do.

Since you have never seen Jesus
or listened to Him,

how can you preach
and speak in His name?

How?

I think Barsabas
deserves an answer.

I did see Him.

Jesus spoke to me
on the road to Damascus.

It was when my eyes
could not see.

At the very moment,
Peter,

He called me to this.

And now I am here

to ask your permission
to obey Him...

to ask your help,
to understand better.

What were His teachings?

I want to hear the voices
who listened to His voice,

follow the example

that follows
His example.

Saul...

Saul no longer exists.

Now my name is...

Paul.

"Paul"-- that means
"the smallest."

Because I am
the last among you.

Welcome to
our group, Paul.

I was right here,
getting the nets ready

with my brother Andrew,

like any other day.

We did not know

that our lives were
just about to change.

"Follow me,

and I shall make you
fishers of men."

We just dropped our nets

and followed Him.

It was Jesus.

And it was the first time
I ever heard Him speak.

What--

what was His voice like?

You couldn't mistake it
for anybody else's.

It stays inside you

like a flame that you
could never put out.

I want to ask you
something

which may compromise
our unity

which was so dear
to Jesus.

I would like you to bring
the word of God to all.

You mean,
also to pagans?

Yes.
To everybody.

That is precisely
what Jesus asked of me

when He called me.

The flame.

It was the same voice.

Here.

I baptize you, Lucius,
in the name of the Father,

the Son
and the Holy Spirit.

You see, Peter?
What did I tell you?

He's baptizing pagans!

Please calm down,
Matthias.

How can I be calm?

You have betrayed our law,
the law of Moses.

I follow the law
of Jesus,

and Jesus makes no difference
between Jews and non-Jews.

How dare you
speak of Jesus,

you who never
even met Him,

who never even saw Him
as we did?

I saw Him.

I was at the feet of the cross
when Jesus died.

You were
under the cross?

So you are one of those
who killed Him.

Yes. I was
one of them.

I met His eyes.

I heard His voice
while He forgave us.

He forgave us,

the very people
who were killing Him!

It was then

that I understood
that He was the real Son of God.

Lucius is not a believer
thanks to my words or yours, Peter.

Lucius believes
because Jesus himself

gave him the gift
of faith,

even though
he's not a Jew,

even though he was

one of His
executioners.

Who are we, Matthias,
to deny him baptism?

Who are you to make a decision
that is only ours to make?

You--
you murdered Stephen,

and now you baptize
one of Jesus's murderers.

Tell him.

Peter, you tell him too!

Calm down, Matthias.

Calm down.

We must all
calm down.

This is not
the time to quarrel.

Come with me.

I want to show you
something.

- Look!
- There he is!

- There he is!
- Peter!

Peter!

Peter! Peter!
Peter! Peter!

How many of them
are Jews?

Not even one.

The people of Antioch
no longer confuse us with the Jews.

They have started
to call us Christians.

"Christians"?
What does that mean?

Believers in
the Messiah, Jesus.

"Christ" is the Greek
word for "Messiah."

Stay with us
this evening,

so you will
meet everybody

and we will have
the chance to talk.

Peter.

Sit down with us.

- That's enough. Let us leave now!
- Mathias...

Let us begin to eat
something first.

Should we not
discuss things?

I do not wish to sit

at the same table
with a pagan.

I respect traditions!

Never mind, Paul.
Matthias, come.

Come with me.
Let us sit here.

Peter, Matthias,

do you not see you're
offending these people?

I was just trying to keep
from having an argument.

My mission is
to unify all of us.

You will never
manage to do this

if you do not openly
and courageously say

what is right
and what is not.

You cannot expect
to please everyone all the time.

If you will not decide
for everyone,

you will lose us all.

Thank you, Paul.

Thank you for the honesty
of your words.

We shall meet in Jerusalem
in a month's time

to clarify this issue
once and for all.

Peter, you are
the one who must

put an end
to this madness.

I have just said it.

We will decide on
the best thing to do

when we get
to Jerusalem.

Yes, but I warn you,

it is them or us.

Peter.

Peter.

I'm so happy
to see you again.

I needed
your presence

like a child
seeking his mother.

I have a difficult
choice to make,

a choice which may divide
our church forever.

Well, sit down then.

Keep me company
while I make the bread.

The Lord always gives
those He really loves

great responsibilities.

I was 15 years old

and I still lived
with my parents.

I was waiting to get
married to Joseph

and preparing
my wedding gown.

It was a sunny morning
the day I was told.

What does a young girl feel

when she discovers

she will give birth
to the Son of God?

Fear.
Fear, Peter.

Great fear.

I did not know whether
to tell my parents

or how to tell them

or Joseph.

I thought no one would
understand,

that I would
lose them forever.

And instead...

Peter, my brothers,

we are all
born Jews.

Jesus, the son of God,
chose to be born among us.

We cannot retract our laws
and all of our traditions.

What would
the Messiah say

if He saw us baptizing pagans
and sharing meals with them?

Maybe they're
right, Peter.

We are the ones
who saw Jesus,

who listened
to His voice,

who lived with Him.

That is
precisely why.

How is it
you do not understand?

I know you're defending your laws
and your traditions.

That is exactly what I did
when I was your enemy.

I stained my hands
with blood to defend

the laws and traditions
of our people,

even with Stephen's blood.

But now I ask you,

you have heard Peter speak
in many different languages.

What do you think this meant?
And what about you, Peter?

You saw the spirit
and the Pentecost

descend on Cornelius
and his family.

- Peter.
- God does not discriminate

between people

or individuals.

Jesus has demolished
all barriers.

What more must he do
to make us understand

that God's only wish
is to accept everyone,

absolutely everyone,
in one single embrace?

- Peter, l-I believe that--
- That is enough.

It is I who must
speak now.

Never again
must we impose

any particular
obligation

on those believers
who are of pagan origin.

Jews, non-Jews,
Greeks, Romans--

we must consider them
all as our brothers,

and as such
we should baptize them.

All men are saved
in the same manner--

by the grace
of our Lord.

Everybody may be Christian.

No one here
should feel offended

or proud.

It is Jesus
Who guides our steps,

and perhaps even those
conflicts that we had

will be useful for us
to understand better

the path He wants
to show us.

This should be
a lesson for us

and for our church
in times to come,

when the Lord returns.

Peter, I trust Jesus,
Who chose you...

but it's hard for me
to understand.

I don't want to see that sadness
in your eyes.

We must act with our hearts
filled with joy,

like Jesus
used to give us.

Have you forgotten?

Do you not remember
that joy?

Come with me.

Matthias, come.

What are we
doing here?

- What are we doing here?
- We are fishermen, are we not?

Yes, fishers of men, of course,
but I never caught a fish in my life.

- Well, neither have l.
- Get in. I will show you how.

I will stay here
and I will light a fire,

so when you return,
we can cook the fish immediately.

We need you here with us.
Get in the boat. Stop fussing.

I-- l--

I can't swim!

Don't be frightened.

If you fall into the water,
we'll fish you out.

Don't be afraid.

Come on, get in.

Come on!

We must make sure
that they're well-knotted

and properly spread
under the water.

We've thrown
the bait,

and now
all we have to do is wait.

Matthias,
come closer to me.

I want to explain
something to you.

- Take the helm.
- What?

Take the helm.

I have no idea.

Now our lives are
in the hands of Matthias.

I do not find that
being comfortable.

- It does not comfort me either.
- Nor me.

Come on, Peter.

A fisherman in a boat
puts his life

into the hands
of all the others.

Now the waters are
still and calm.

There are no waves.

But we know how terrible
the sea can be.

And who would have the courage
to face it alone?

Who would leave
the safety of the shore

if he did not have faith
in his companions,

if he was not sure that
they would be ready

to risk their lives
for him

as he would for them?

I want you to come
one by one

and take the helm
for a few moments.

Thank you.
John.

It will be the same
when we are scattered.

Each one will have
his own helm.

Come, Andrew.

Yes.

And we will follow the course
that Jesus has shown us.

There will be
only one boat.

- James.
- Come here.

Take the helm.

But we will
all be in it

at whatever time
and wherever we are.

Paul.

We are united

as brothers

in calm seas,
and most of all

when the waters
are stormy.

Andrew to Thessaly,

Thomas to Syria,
Bartholomew to Persia.

And you, Paul?

Where will you announce
the word of Jesus?

In a city in which
there is a little of Thessaly,

a little of Syria...

a little of Persia,

- and a great deal more.
- Rome?

Rome.

Do not fear.
I will be prudent.

I, on the other hand,
believe you will not.

I hope that this is not
the last time we embrace.

- God willing.
- God willing.

Remember,

one heart,
one soul.

I baptize you

in the name
of the Father,

the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.

I baptize you
in the name of the Father,

the Son
and the Holy Spirit.

Blessed, you
who are poor,

for yours is
the kingdom of God.

Blessed, you who are
crying now,

because you will be
laughing.

I baptize you, Leda,

in the name of the Father,
of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit.

I baptize you, Indira,

in the name of the Father
and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit.

Blessed be you
who are poor,

for yours is
the kingdom of God.

Blessed be you
who are hungry now,

because you will be
satiated.

And they brought along a woman
discovered committing adultery.

So to test Him,
they asked Him,

"Lord, this woman
has been discovered

committing adultery.

Now in the law, Moses commands
such women to be stoned to death.

What do you say?"

So Jesus

turned and bent over

and started to write
in the sand with His finger.

But they insisted.

They were already
holding stones

and continued
to provoke Him.

He stood up
and said,

"Let the one
among you

who is without sin

to be the first
to throw a stone at her."

Hearing that,

they dropped
their stones,

and one by one,
they all left.

So Jesus remained there
alone with the woman.

He asked her,

"Woman,

where are your
accusers?

Did they not
condemn you?"

And she said,
"Not one, sir."

And Jesus said,

"Neither do l
condemn you. Go.

And from now on,

do not sin further."

And His voice?
What was His voice like?

It lights a flame
in your heart

that will never
be extinguished.

- What did He write on the sand?
- He was a carpenter, wasn't He?

He must have been strong.

What was His face like?
How did He look at you?

I cannot answer
all these questions.

I never lived with Him.

But I have a friend

who knew Him better
than anyone else.

How many miles
have these feet walked?

Even I do not know.

It's time for them
to rest a while.

We've grown old,
Peter.

You must rest now.

When you were young,

you dressed yourself
and you went where you pleased.

But when you
grow older,

you will stretch out
your hands,

and someone else
will dress you

and lead you where
you do not wish to go.

Follow me.

Peter. Peter.

Are you Peter?

Who are you?

My name is Mark.
Paul sends me.

- Paul?
- The Christians in Rome

wish to meet you, Peter.

You were the first
among the apostles, the rock,

chosen by Jesus.

You were the first to have
seen Him risen.

They wish to listen to you
who lived with Him for so many years.

- Paul is waiting for you.
- In Rome?

Yes, in Rome.
I will show you the way.

Why do you ask me
to leave again?

What can I do in Rome?

I'm old, Jesus, old.

You have no idea
what it means to be old.

You don't know.

Forgive me, Lord.

Forgive me.

Forgive this--
this stupid fisherman...

and allow him the joy
of following you.

Are you sure?

- What shall we do without you?
- It's not I who wants it,

but Jesus
who wants me to.

Take all our
greetings to Paul.

You must accompany me
with your prayers.

Pray until you
see me return.

There she is--
Rome.

An immense city.

I can see it,

and I'm frightened
by it.

- One gets used to it.
- You think so?

Yes, Peter.

If I didn't know
that Paul was there,

I would have
already turned back.

Peter.

Peter.

Peter.

Are you asleep?

You couldn't stay awake
for one hour?

Peter,

the hour has come.

- I must go.
- Where are you going, Lord?

The Son of Man must be delivered
into the hands of sinners.

Do not go, Lord.
Death awaits you.

Rise.

We must go.

- Peter.
- Rise. We must go.

Peter. Peter.

Peter, wake up.

They're opening the city gates.

Welcome to Rome, Peter.

We must go through there.

That is the district where Paul lives.

Even if I could speak
every language on earth

but did not have love,

my voice would have no sound.

And even if I had the gift of prophesy

and knew all
the mysteries of science...

and was endowed
with sufficient faith

that I could move mountains

but did not have love,

I would be... nothing.

We're almost there.

Lay all this aside--

anger, passion,

malice.

Do not lie to one another.

Here there are no longer Greeks,

Romans, Jews, barbarians,

no slaves or freed men,

because we are all brothers,

all sons of the same Father,

because Christ is everything,

in everyone.

- Christ.
- Paul of Tarsus,

I declare you under arrest!

You were warned!

Let's go.

Paul!

Paul has done no wrong!
This is not right!

Calm down, Lino,
or they'll arrest you too.

Go! Go back home! Go!

You must all leave! Go!

Go home!
Go home!

Mother, l...

- l...
- Silvia!

Where are you going? Silvia!

Don't worry, Fulvia.
You'll meet again at home.

Keep moving.

Go on! Go on!

Mark! You've come back!

- Did you see it?
- Yes, I saw it.

- But who...?
- That's Peter.

Come with me.

It's dangerous
to stay here.

Lino is a brother.

May the Lord bless
your steps, Peter.

A teacher of rhetoric.
He belongs to a noble Roman family.

- Why have they arrested Paul?
- They had warned him

not to preach in public.

There will be a trial now.
He risks death.

Take me to him.

They will never let you
see him without a permit.

Do not despair.
Gather all the brothers together.

- I wish to speak to them.
- Forgive me

for allowing myself to
be overcome by despair.

Your arrival here today

is a sign from God.

We will wait for you
on the other side of the Tiber

at our meeting place.

- Mark knows where it is.
- Certainly.

The Vatican Hill.

Thrace! Thrace! Thrace!

You'll never get him
to your party, Flaminia.

I'll give it a try all the same.

- Flaminia.
- Persius.

It is an honor to
see you in my arena.

Will you honor me with your presence
at my party, then?

Tomorrow evening.
Nero too will be there.

How could I possibly miss it?

Rather, how could we?

My son and l.

Claudius would be the joy
of all the young ladies.

And I will ever
be more pleased if you bring...

Thrace.

You ask the impossible.
You know that.

Thrace exists only in my arena.

I will permit him to keep his
mask if that is the problem.

Thrace doesn't like
social events.

He's a slave of yours.
A word from you is enough.

All the gladiators of Rome

would do anything
for an invitation to my parties.

Thrace is different.

I swore to him that no one
would ever know his real name,

nor will anyone
ever see his face.

I keep my promises,

even those made to slaves.

I'm sorry, father.

I, uh-- I will return immediately.

I must speak to a friend.

Don't you-- don't you want
to see Thrace win?

But it won't be
the first or the last.

- I'll come with you.
- Not now.

- Kill him!
- Death to him!

Kill him! Kill him!
Kill him! Kill him!

Silvia!

Silvia, what are
you doing here?

I know we had sworn
never to see each other again,

- but...
- What's the matter?

I...

I need your help.

I understand.

I shouldn't have come.

Silvia.

I'm listening.

Are you wondering where
Paul is imprisoned?

Wherever he may be,
he is always in my heart.

Our brothers
are on their way.

Here they are.

Oh, my brother, you did not
leave me alone, did you?

- It's him.
- It's him.

Oh, no,
please stand up.

I'm just a man
like you.

- You are much more than that.
- You lived with Jesus.

You are the chosen one...
for us all.

It is as if Jesus himself
was here. It's true.

- You are much more than a mere man.
- You spoke to him.

You heard his voice.

You will have Paul released,
won't you?

God sent you here for this.

How will you do that, Peter?
How will you save him?

With a miracle, won't you?
The way Jesus taught you?

Only the power of God
can save Paul.

But the trial will
be held tomorrow.

If you don't do something to help him,
they will sentence him to death.

The Lord will not
allow that, will he?

That would be a defeat
for all of us.

With these eyes...

I saw the death
of our Lord Jesus.

I saw his body
in the sepulcher...

and the stone that sealed it.

I too feared death, then,

like you who fear
for Paul now.

I saw Jesus
rise from the dead

with the same eyes
that had seen him dead.

And since then...

I have never never feared.

- Mommy!
- Mother, Mother!

Come.

Come here.

They look like you, Anna.
They look like you.

It's a little untidy.

Oh, it's fine just as it is.

We are slaves. We can
only offer you this small house.

Daddy, you're back!

- I'm back.
- This is David, my husband.

This is Peter.
He arrived here today.

I know all about him.
I was told on my way here.

Welcome to my home.
I'm honored to have you as my guest.

I've heard that they
have arrested Paul.

Mommy, I'm hungry.

I'll make you something
to eat right now.

He's tired.
He works so hard.

You must forgive him.

I know the tiredness
from hard work.

You feel it even more

when you're a slave.

But your husband has you

and you have him,
and together you have children.

If you feel loved
and respected by those you love,

then you also feel free.

And most of all,

no man is a slave
in his own home.

This is your room.

Please rest now.

Dinner will be ready in awhile.

Thank you. And...

God bless you.

"What can separate us
from Christ's love?

Perhaps circulations,
persecutions,

and the danger,

the swords.

Neither death nor life

shall separate us from
the love of Christ, the Lord."

Let Paul of Tarsus
be shown in.

- My brother.
- Paul of Tarsus, you are charged

- with having preached in public...
- My brother.

...despite the ban imposed by Nero
himself as a condition for retaining

your temporary freedom
after your previous arrest.

It has been a long day,
and we are tired.

Well, you have this much time
to beg forgiveness from Caesar Nero

and to burn incense
in honor of his genius,

acknowledging him as a divinity

who guides and protects all Romans.

Otherwise, you shall be beheaded.

God does not ask one
to burn incense...

but to love one's neighbor

as one loves one's self.

I have entrusted
my life to him.

Praise be to the Lord Jesus.

Paul of Tarsus,
your yourself pronounce

your own death sentence.

Do you not have a lawyer
who can advise you?

Thabeus Quintillius,

please, allow me to defend--

You're an excellent teacher of rhetoric,
Lino, but you're not a lawyer.

And in the absence
of a lawyer,

this court sentences
Paul of Tarsus--

One moment.

I am Claudius Maximus,
son of Persius.

I'm a lawyer, and I will
defend Paul of Tarsus.

The crime he's accused
of is a serious one

and is punished with
the death sentence.

But, although he's a Jew,

Paul of Tarsus is
a Roman citizen,

and therefore I request
that he be judged

personally by
the Emperor Nero,

a right that every
Roman citizen can claim.

This is a miracle.
No one could have hoped for this.

You were right, Peter.
One must have faith in the Lord.

What will happen now?

Now that Claudius has obtained
a postponement of the trial,

Nero himself will
decide Paul's destiny.

In the meantime,
the death sentence is suspended.

- Who is this Claudius?
- He is the son of Persius,

a Roman with a great
influence over Nero.

Here he comes.

The Lord guides
your steps.

I only did my duty.

Claudius,
this is Peter.

He lived with Jesus,
and he was chosen to guide us.

I'm not a Christian.

I admire you all the more
for what you have done.

What do you think he will do
at the audience with the emperor?

Nero would never revoke
the death sentence.

But he might
if my father asked him.

And will you convince him?

I will try.

I would like to see Paul.

Can you help me in this?

I will get you a permit, but...

this must remain
between you and me.

I'm sorry,
but I must go now.

Thank you once again.

May God bless you.

You were wonderful.

I don't know how to thank you.
I know how much it cost you.

It cost me a great deal more
not to see you for all this time.

I know,

but we have already
discussed this.

You and I will never
be able to be together.

Nor can we be apart.

You have many more
distractions than I do.

Look, if you mean
what you saw there--

You weren't ashamed
of her, were you?

Of course you weren't.

She's rich

and not a Christian like me.

I couldn't care less
that you are a Christian.

I don't even care what I am.

Look at me in the eyes

and tell me it is all over.

I must go.

My mother is waiting for me.

Silvia, I love you.

I-- I have already
suffered enough.

Please, Claudius, stop it.

Maybe you really do love me,

but you didn't even have
the guts to tell your father.

Or perhaps
something has changed?

I have learned
how to wait.

- Without me--
- You learned to become a good fisher...

of men.

I met Claudius.

He has something of that--

of that light that you
have in your eyes.

The others, however,
are still fragile.

They need a strong leader.

Jesus will guide them,
just as he guided us.

He will guide them
through you.

Through us.

Ah. God willing.

God willing.

Sit. I have heard

that Thomas has
arrived in India.

And Philip in Mesopotamia,

James in Spain,
Matthew in Ethiopia

and your friend Matthias

is in Alexandria
with the Jews.

Always among the Jews, right?

But I know that
he has converted

and baptized many pagans
of his own free will.

All in the same boat.

One heart, one soul.

Let the brothers of Rome
come onboard as well.

- We will do it together.
- You are the one called upon

- at the helm.
- With you beside me.

I believe that...

this time...

it's Jesus who wants me
by his side.

I do not think I will
leave this place alive.

When the time comes for us
to appear before God...

we'll await
His judgment in silence.

Then He will look at us,

He will look at you,

and He will take you in his arms.

Father.

I was expecting you.

- How are you today, Grandmother?
- As always,

but if she were able to understand
what I'm about to tell you,

she would be happy.

I've spoken to Nero.
Your path is cleared.

Within a year,
you will be a senator.

You're pleased,
aren't you?

- Of course.
- Well,

why are you jeopardizing
everything with your behavior, then?

I know that in court today
you defended a Christian,

a certain Paul of Tarsus.

- Yes, Father.
- Why did you do it?

I'm in love
with a Christian girl.

So what they say is true after all.
Her name is Silvia, isn't it?

I know what you think.
I tried to leave her, but...

It was useless.

Well, marry her then.

- Father!
- She will have to give up her faith.

You cannot risk your career
by marrying a Christian.

- This is all I ask of you.
- It will not be easy for her.

If she loves you,
it will be extremely easy.

And if she cares
about your future,

I assure you that the gold
we will cover her with

will make it easy for her
to forget who she was.

I will do as you say, Father.

But there is
one thing I ask of you.

Will you intervene
with Nero on Paul's behalf?

You know what Nero
thinks of Christians,

and you know what
I think of them.

Yes, I know.
I think the same,

but I simply wish
to keep my word.

- Given to your Silvia?
- Not only to her.

Also to her mother
and to a certain Peter.

Did you say "Peter"?

Yes. Yes, he's a Jew.

He lived with Jesus,
but why are you asking?

It is he-- Peter.

Thanks to him,
your grandmother is the way she is.

Let's play on Mommy
and Daddy's lap!

- You are very good with children.
- I love kids.

This is just
what they need--

love, tenderness, affection

and, most of all,
a happy family like this one.

Thank you, Peter.

When I'm married,
I would love to have many children.

You'll have to find
a suitable husband first.

- Master.
- Who gave you permission

to admit strangers
into my house?

- Forgive me, Master.
- I did not give you leave to speak.

- And pick up the pieces!
- Who are you?

This is Persius, Claudius's father.

I'm surprised at you, Lino.

You answer on my behalf,

you mix with my slaves,

yet I knew you
to be a good Roman.

For us, there are
no slaves, just men.

Of all your blasphemies,
this is the most serious,

- Peter.
- You know my name?

I know it well enough to tell you
to keep away from my son.

And from this city.

Don't touch her.

We are not your slaves.

Hmm.

I understand my son.

You are very beautiful.

There is no hope left
for Paul now.

You've been fighting
for me for five years...

and yet you still manage
to surprise me.

Five years.

Soon you'll have
the right to freedom

for yourself and your family.

This was our agreement,
and I respect agreements.

But first I must ask you
a last sacrifice.

I'm asking you to do
a difficult thing for a man like you,

but...

you always win.

And betting
on you doesn't pay

- as it used to.
- And so?

So next time
you will lose against Brennis.

- If I lose, I die.
- And I will win a nice sum of money.

My son's career is costing me
many sesterces, you know.

Clearly, I will not
have you killed.

You'll have a return
fight against Brennis.

If you slay him,

you will be free.

You and your family.

You have my word.

One last thing--
you must keep me informed

about... Peter.

I want to know everything...

he does.

- Can I fold that one, Mother?
- Hello, little one.

This one is beautiful!

Please, Mommy?

- Leave me alone.
- I can't do anything for Paul anymore.

You can't do anything for Paul.
You can't do anything for me.

You can never
do anything!

- Listen to me now.
- No, you listen to me.

I trusted you,
and I would have braved

anything--
anything for us.

Do you mean that
you no longer love me?

I tried not to love you.

But I can't help it.

Marry me, then.

I spoke to my father.
He doesn't oppose our love.

- Are you serious?
- Yes!

For you I found the courage
to come out in the open.

Now it's you who must
give me proof of our love.

- Tell me what I must do.
- Give up your home...

your faith, and then
you will be my wife.

Give me time.

Paul of Tarsus,

as judged by
the Emperor Nero Caesar,

if view of your violations

of the ban
of preaching in public,

and your refusal
to burn incense

in honor of
the emperor's genius,

acknowledging him as

the God who protects
and guides

us Romans,

the emperor sentences
Paul of Tarsus...

to death...

by decapitation.

I hate this city.

I cannot bear
living here anymore.

- Rome is not Nero.
- Well, what is it, then?

How would you describe a city
that sentences a man like Paul to death?

Someone who has
preached love for the Lord?

Citizens, Romans,

in two days' time
in the amphitheater

there will be
a great duel

between Brennis
the barbarian

and Thrace, the champion
of all champions!

- The faceless gladiator!
- Murderers!

- In two days' time!
- Shame on you!

- Shame on you!
- A duel between Brennis the barbarian

and Thrace!

Murderers!

Calm down, Anna,
calm down.

Go back home
to your children.

It's all over, Peter.

It's all over for us.

No, Anna.

When we bear
our cross as he did,

he's closest to us.

Don't do it. Don't.

You taught me
to love, mother.

Claudius!

- Welcome to your home.
- We were expecting you.

Come.

This is where we dine.

And we'll have a triclinium
added for you as well.

Come.

My love.

Take courage, my son.
Introduce Silvia to your grandmother.

It is time that
she too should know.

Do you remember
the words of the prophet Isaiah?

"Look at the rock from
which you have been carved...

at the quarry

from which you have
been extracted."

I look at you,

and I see the rock
from which I was carved...

the quarry from which
I was extracted.

"And Jesus broke the bread

and said...

'Take and eat of it, all of you,

because this is my body

offered for you.

Do this as
a memory of me."'

What do you think?
After a blow like this one,

will the Christians say
that Paul of Tarsus too

will rise from the dead?

Don't worry
about me any longer.

It's you Jesus has chosen.

I find it hard this time
to follow His will.

You. He chose you,

and He continues to do so.

Look after His flock.

From Jerusalem to Rome
to the four corners of the earth.

This is only the beginning.

Peter, this time I'm afraid.

Jesus was afraid
when He was on the cross.

- But I am just a man.
- Jesus became a man

to be like us,
even with fear.

Who will separate us
from Christ's love?

Who will separate us
from the love of Christ?

The sword?
Persecution? Pain?

Neither life nor death
will separate us

from our love
in Christ, the Lord.

Peter?

No one will come today.

You must forgive them.

Their suffering
for Paul's death is too painful.

No, it's not just that.

If Nero sentences Paul,
all Christians are in danger.

They-- they're simply afraid.

It is a question of time.

You will see that soon they will once
again find their strength and faith.

You will help them
find their faith.

You will help them
find it again.

Me?

Why me?

I'm returning to Capernaum,

to my home.

An ignorant fisherman

in the largest city in the world.

How could I have
been so proud?

I had never seen this sea
before traveling to Rome.

This...

I would not even know how
to cast the nets in this sea.

I'm a lake fisherman.

Small lake.

I'm nothing else.

What are we gonna do now?

He cannot abandon us like this.

What will become of us?

You can't go now, Peter!

You can't!

Peter!

- Peter!
- Peter, you cannot abandon us!

- Peter!
- Remember who you are!

You are Peter!

Who do you say I am?

Who do you say I am?

Who do you say I am?

You are the Messiah,

the Son of the living God.

You are blessed.
You are blessed,

Simon, son of Jonah,

because this is revealed to you

not by flesh or blood, but...

by my Father, who is in heaven.

And I say to you, you are Peter.

And on this rock,

I will build my church.

You are Peter.

And on this rock,

I will build my church.

Peter...

Forgive me.

Forgive me.
I have not abandoned you.

I will not abandon
my people.

Let us go and find
our brothers and comfort them.

Come.

- Peter.
- I waited for you on the hill.

We've all been
working very hard.

Please, please.

David came home
with good news, Peter.

He will soon be a free man.
We too. We will be a free family.

I am pleased.

We will need everyone
to help gather all the faithful.

As Paul said before he died,

"This is only the beginning."

Rome is becoming
a dangerous place for us Christians.

All I know is that
we must stay united as Jesus asked.

I hope so will all my heart,

but I do not wish to
endanger my family, especially now

that we will soon be free.

Do not make things
hard for us, please.

- Anna...
- Oh, Fulvia.

Not even you and Silvia
were at the hill.

Silvia has gone away.

She went with Claudius.

She went to his house.

I wish my husband
were still alive.

Rome has changed.

It's frightening now.

Frightened.
You're frightened.

You're all frightened.

The 12 of us were also frightened

that evening so many years ago.

No one had ever seen
such a storm before.

I held on firmly

to the helm of my boat
while James,

John and the others
were trying to bail out the water.

And what did Jesus do
in the middle of all this commotion?

Jesus slept.

So we woke him,

and angrily we told him,

"Are you not worried
that we'll all die?"

He looked at us

and he turned to the wind

and to the lake,

and he said,

"Be silent. Be calm."

And the skies
and the lake obeyed him.

They obeyed him.

But he continued
to stare at us,

and he asked,

"Why are you afraid?

Do you not yet have faith?"

I understand your problems

and I understand your pain,

but the path of the Lord
cannot stop here.

If you do not
want to follow me,

I will turn to others--

others who have
not yet heard

the word of Jesus.

Wait, sir.
Don't you like?

Sir, come here.

I have something for you.

I know how to please.

- Let me please you.
- Get off me!

Brothers, sisters,

listen to me, please.

Move on, old man.
There's nothing for you around here.

Get out of here.
Don't try this on us.

I'm not here to take.
I'm here to give--

to give you the word
of the Lord Jesus.

Then you have really
made a mistake here.

We are all sinners here.

But it is not the healthy
who need the help of a healer.

I am not here to call
on the righteous.

I'm here to call on--
on the sinners

who need to repent,
who need to convert.

Convert her, then.
She's worth three sesterces,

and you've got all night.

She's Licia, and she's better
than all the others.

Three sesterces,
and you can have all night

to convert her.

Is your life worth so little?

Would you pay more?
What can you offer me?

- Forgiveness.
- Not even my mother has forgiven me.

- God is willing to.
- I have exhausted

the patience of all the gods.

My child, believe me,

God has already
forgiven you.

Is there really such a god?

Considering the valor

shown in so many fights

and the many pleasant hours,

we owe him.

I propose

that the great Thrace's life

should be spared.

- Life for Thrace!
- Life for Thrace!

You deserve these.

You deceived them all.

It is something I'm good at.

Now we wait
for the return match.

Kill Brennis

and you will be a free man.

Anything to tell me about Peter?

He is...

he's still speaking of Jesus...

...to no matter who.

He never gives up, hmm?

He's not that kind.

You admire him. Be careful.

He will ruin your family...

as he ruined mine.

Let's go.

Here.

This way you'll get some fresh air.

What's that sadness
in your eyes?

To think that I also fell
in love with your smile.

It was a gust of wind.

I fell in love
with your honesty also.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

I just need a little time,

and then I will be
as happy as I was before.

As happy as
you were before?

And l, who had thought I had given
you everything you ever dreamt of.

What are you lacking?

Jesus is true happiness.

Jesus is true love.

Blessed be you
who are poor,

for yours is
the kingdom of God.

Blessed be you
who are hungry now,

because you will be satiated.

Blessed be you
who are crying now,

because you will laugh.

You who are rich, beware,

because you have already
received your reward.

Beware you who are
already satiated,

for you will experience hunger.

Beware.

Beware, those who now love,

because they will experience
torments and misery

and sadness.

Bravo. Very effective.

Really.

Now you even come
to preach under my house.

Here I am, Peter, here I am.

I am rich, well-fed and healthy.
Should I be ashamed?

Why on earth should l?

Who is this god of yours?

A god who is displeased
if I enjoy life?

"Blessed be the poor,

the hungry."

I have experienced hunger,

poverty and desperation,

and I did not feel blessed at all.

Now, I wonder,

what is your real objective?

Is it not perhaps that--

that you and those
like you experience

a subtle pleasure
in seeing people suffer?

And are you happy now
that you have everything?

No. Do not answer me.

Answer to yourself.

I will speak to those

- who are listening to me.
- I'm listening, Peter.

Be good to those
who hate you.

Pray for those
who vilify you.

Do unto others as you
wish them to do unto you.

What merit is there
in loving those who love you?

You should instead
love your enemies

and give without expecting
anything in return.

Then your merit will be great,

and you will be
the children of the Almighty.

And so be merciful,

just like your Father is merciful.

Peter? Peter?

Peter.

Pe... ter.

Grandmother!

This is the first time I hear...

I hear her voice.

Where are you going?
What do you think you're doing, Silvia?

Claudius, your grandmother
heard Peter's voice

and spoke his name!

She spoke!
Do you understand?

Don't you even
want to know why?

Stay with her. I will go.

- Peter, Peter...
- Peter, bless us.

Peter!

Bless us.

What do you want?

Peter!

Silvia. How good it is
to see you again.

How is my mother?

The sadness in your eyes
reminds me of hers.

This way.

Avinia,

Cornelius's wife in Japha.

Such a long time ago.

She's your grandmother.

The mother of Persius,
is she not?

You see?
He knows her.

Did you need
proof of this?

Yes, Cornelius was my father.

It was you who influenced him
with your chatter.

You clouded his mind to the extent
that he abandoned everything.

He started to travel.

Always traveling,

preaching the absurdities
that you call the word of God.

Because of all
that nonsense, because of you,

my father was arrested
along with my mother...

and they were both
sentenced to death.

Look.

I'm the one who
saved her from death.

I arrived just in time
to save her from her executioners.

My father was already dead.

But she lost both consciousness
and speech from the pain.

Because of you!

Now you must ask
for her forgiveness.

You must kneel before her

and ask her to forgive you
for all the ill you have brought her!

Bless me.

Bless me.

And forgive...

my son.

Now...

I can die...

in peace.

Mother?

M-Mother?

Mother.

Mother?

You have killed her!

Get away! Get out!

Leave!

Wait, Silvia. Wait.

Don't do it.

Your grandmother has
helped me to understand

that I cannot
recant my faith.

Come away with me.

If you leave this house,

you will never return.

You're talking like your father.

But I love you!

Don't go then.

I can't-- I can't make you happy

if I lack inner peace.

I cannot.

Now only you and I are left here,

my son.

Peter!

Peter.

- Mother.
- Silvia!

- Try again. Come on.
- I won.

Here. Come on.

- I won again.
- Who's there?

- Peter!
- Peter!

Peter!

I was afraid you were angry at us.

A father can scold his children,

but he doesn't abandon them.

- Go, go.
- Stay with us.

- Sit down, Peter.
- Let's play a game.

Thank you.
Thank you, David.

Go and play
in the other room. Thank you.

- All right.
- Come on. In the other room.

Is all well?

For those who believe in Jesus,
everything is always well,

even if you don't know it.

It is hard to believe this,
when you are not free to do

what you believe is right,

or when you're not
brave enough to do it.

Can you get it?

Oh, let me do that.

I've got it.

Look what I found.
How beautiful. It's a mask.

I'm bringing the dishes.

- Supper is ready.
- Who does it belong to?

Maybe it's Daddy's.

Don't let the supper go cold.

It's kind of heavy.

Come and sit down.

Do as your mother asks,

And don't say anything of this.

Not a word, huh?

Hey, this is between us.

- All right.
- It's our secret.

I am not what I seem.

A brave man is what you seem.

- What are you in fact?
- A killer.

I fight in the arena,
and they call me Thrace.

But only Persius knows
who I really am.

How long have you
been doing that?

Since I came to Rome.

I know what you think of me.

I am a sinner and will not escape
the punishment of God,

but I have chosen freedom
for my wife and my children

in exchange for my desperation
and my torment.

And did Persius
offer you freedom?

All I have to do
is win the next fight.

And kill the next opponent.

You do not know
how much it costs me--

him dead...

and me free.

Free from Persius, perhaps,

but free from Thrace?

From his torment?

The sword? The money?

The friends? Ourselves?

None of all these things
can make us free.

And-- and what does, then?

The truth.

Only the truth
can make us free.

Thrace! Thrace! Thrace!

Thrace!
Thrace! Thrace!

- Throw it.
- Got it.

Mother, where's the ball?

- Come in and play with us.
- Catch.

Mommy, can we play
with Daddy's mask?

What mask?

May my soul praise the Lord,

and may all that is within me
bless his Holy name.

He forgives our sins

and cures all disease,

saves life from the grip of death.

He crowns you with grace
and forgiveness.

The Lord is good and merciful,

slow to anger and great in love.

He does not take account of our sins

and does not let us
return to our failings.

As the heavens are deep
above the earth,

so is His forgiveness

for those who fear Him, like a Father

has pity over His sons.

Let it be so with David, Lord.

Show him the path
to his freedom,

because You know what
we are ordered

and You remember

that we are dust.

Thrace! Thrace!
Thrace! Thrace!

Death! Death!
Death! Death!

Death! Death! Death!
Death! Death! Death!

Truth.

Only the truth
can make us free.

You've never seen my face!

The time has come for us

to look at each other.

My name is
David Bene Salem.

This was to have been
my last fight.

If I had killed my opponent,

thanks to the blood
of this man

I could have returned
to my land with my family

a free man!

But I had forgotten

that the blood for my freedom

has already been shed--

the blood
of a young Nazarene, Jesus,

the Son of God.

Thanks to that blood,

I'm already free.

I'm already free!

Save him, I beg you.

Do it for me.

Now let us return home.

You are my home.

You are my love.

Paul's death...

his death has meant a long journey
through the desert for us,

a desert in which we feared

we might get lost.

But God

provided us with a guide

who did not stop walking--

Peter.

Thanks to him,
we are all here today

united in joy.

Happiness is to be
found in the Lord.

It is a part of Him, like love

and hope.

It is also like the sky above,

and like this breeze
that blows gently,

like a caress from His hand.

As I look at you here
and now in this joy,

I am sure of this--

till the end of time,

Rome will be the heart
of the Lord's church.

Let us give thanks to Him

with a prayer that
Jesus taught to me

and that I will
give to you today.

Our Father,

who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth,

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those
who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

- Quickly! We must go!
- What is it?

Rome is on fire!
Quickly!

- Get the children! Quickly, quickly!
- Come, children.

- It's all right.
- Come on, now, hurry!

This way!

Over there.
That's the water.

What do you want to do?

We're more likely to be killed
by the smoke than by the fire!

Yes, I know, but we must cover
our mouth and noses.

For the smoke. Here.

Whatever happens,
don't stop and keep on walking.

Go!

Silvia!

Silvia...

Silvia!

Silvia!

Master!

Master!

- You found him.
- It's a miracle he's still alive.

He was in the Subura
near the homes of the Christians,

they say this is where
the fire started.

They say it's the fault
of the Christians.

By blaming the Christians,

Nero has run
to safety once again.

Even if some of the senators believe it,
it was he who started the fire.

To build himself
a villa on the ruins.

Persius may enter.

For your own sake,

I hope you have something
really important to tell me.

I know who the leader
of the Christians is.

His name is Peter.

Swines! It was you!

Criminals! You must burn!

Christians! Curse them!
There are more in there!

Damned arsonists!

There they are!
Up there, at least two families!

No. No, please.
We've done nothing wrong.

Please!

Fulvia, Silvia,
we must leave immediately!

Nero has blamed us
for everything.

- The Praetorians are coming to get us.
- No, but Peter?

He's waiting for us. Let's go.

Cover your heads.
We mustn't attract attention.

Why are you arresting them?

They're Christians.
They set Rome on fire.

- Are you one of them.
- I'm not,

but they seem
good people to me.

- Who said it was them?
- Nero, the emperor.

Claudius!

You're a Christian too, huh?

No, Silvia...

- where's Silvia?
- Don't worry.

- Silvia!
- She must be right behind us.

There is a trapdoor here.
Peter and the others are hiding here.

No. No no, something's happened.
Wait here.

Silvia. Silvia. Silvia!

Oh, they've taken
her from me. They've...

oh!

Where is Silvia?

Look!

This is all that's
left of my daughter!

Are you satisfied now?

You wanted desperately
to attract attention.

Well...

Nero has noticed us now.

- Fulvia...
- Leave me alone!

- It's Mark!
- The appointment is for tomorrow

at the Appian Way at dawn.

Peter!

How many of us
will be leaving Rome?

Leave Rome?

You mean you want to flee?

What else can we do?

Stay here and wait
for them to kill us?

I'm not leaving.

I'm not leaving
my daughter behind.

I'm not coming either.
Rome is my city.

But don't you see?
If we stay,

they will slaughter us all!

It is madness to stay here.
Many have already been imprisoned,

and we cannot remain
hidden forever.

You're right, David.
You must leave.

I'll stay here with the others.

No, l--

I will stay.

Your life is precious, Peter.

You are our guide.

You bear witness to Christ.

It is your duty to live.
And together with you,

those who can survive
also have the right to live,

because they represent our hope.

If they survive, they will
be able to return one day,

and you will be with them.

It is only with us

that not all will be lost.

There are hundreds of them,

but they will be unable
to leave without you.

You are the only one
they trust, Peter.

Lead us away, Peter. Nero has
already killed hundreds of brothers,

and he will not stop
until we all are dead.

Even those who have been
arrested will tell you to leave.

Tomorrow we will
be on our way.

We leave Rome.

My brothers and my sisters,

my children,

my people have
experienced many nights

such as this one,

when evil appears to prevail,

that God chooses to hide the good

in His mysterious ways.

I wish to remember one
in particular with you.

It was the night

that Jesus was arrested.

That night,

Jesus took the bread...

gave thanks to God,

then he broke the bread

and offered it to us

and pronounced words
the true meaning of which

I understood only later.

He said,

"This is my body...

in sacrifice for you."

Then he took

the chalice of wine,

gave thanks to God,

and said,

"This is a chalice
of my blood

for the new and eternal testament

shed for you

and for all

for the remission of your sins."

Claudius, what are
you doing there?

Come over here.
We're having a great time!

I've invited all these people,

these friends, girls, all of Rome.

- You could at least smile.
- Hey, stop! You may not enter!

What do you want?
What are you doing here?

Silvia-- she's been arrested!

- She's alive!
- Not for long if we don't do something.

Help her, please! I beg you!

Why do you not ask
Peter to help you?

Peter left.

Did you hear?

This is the place.

There's nobody here.

Is anyone here?

Do not be afraid.

It is l, Peter.

We were expecting you.

Everyone is here.

Come closer. Come.

We must walk
towards Ostia in short stages.

We must travel in small groups,
no more than six people,

distant from one another.

We must not attract attention.

It will be a long journey.

You catch up
with David and Anna's group.

We will join you
when you decide to stop.

- All right.
- Come, Mark.

I will go over there to pray.

You come and call me
when it is time for us to go.

Of course.

James.

John.

Peter.

The time has come.

I must go.

Where are you going, Lord?

I am coming to Rome

to be crucified once again.

You will be crucified once again?

Yes.

I will be crucified once again.

We must go.

Peter. I'm sorry if
I frightened you.

The time has come.

Yes, Mark.

The time has come.

Have you gone mad?
Where are you going?

You will find
your death in Rome.

I too said this to Jesus once.

I did not know then.
I had not realized

that you need a great deal
of love to understand.

You must never leave
your children behind.

But your children
are abandoning Rome.

Yes, Mark,

but most of my children
are yet to be born.

We need you now.
Why go back to Rome?

Peter, why?

Why?

Why did Paul
come here to Rome?

Why did Jesus
hand himself over

to his executioners?

It was He who taught us

that there's no greater love

than to give one's life
for one's friends,

and I must follow
Jesus to the end.

Even to the cross.

Peter...

Don't cry, Mark.
Don't cry.

Go join the others.

But write.

Write down everything that
I have told you. Omit nothing.

If Jesus has
continued to love me

in spite of all the mistakes
that I have made,

then no man must feel

unworthy of his love.

Fulvia, Claudius.

Have you seen her?
Where is she?

They have been locked
in the dungeons under the arena,

and they won't let
anyone in there.

Burn them!
Burn them all!

- There she is. Silvia!
- Silvia!

Silvia, we're over here!

Silvia!

Claudius! Mother!

- Silvia!
- Claudius!

- Silvia!
- Mother!

Silvia!

Claudius!

Excellent.
And how long will it be

before the ruins
of the fire will be removed

and we can start work
on my new residence?

Three months
at the most, emperor.

Mmm.

Two months,
and we can start work.

We have captured
the leader of the Christians.

Really?
Bring him here at once.

And so you are the leader
of these fanatics, are you?

A miserable old man.

My name is Simon...

known as Peter.

Hey, Christians, get up!

Everybody get up!
Out you go! You are free!

Nero has shown everyone
how merciful he is!

Go!

Go go go!

Come on, go!

Go.

Mother!

- Silvia!
- Oh, Mother!

Claudius!

Forgive me,
my beloved. Forgive me.

How is this all possible?

Why did they free us all?

They captured Peter
at the gates of Rome,

and perhaps this has placated
Nero's thirst for blood.

What will become of him?

They will kill him.

Peter returned for us.

He returned for us.

We are all back.

Our Father,

who art in heaven...

Our Father,
who art in heaven...

...hallowed be Thy name.

...hallowed
be Thy name.

Thy kingdom...

- Thy kingdom come...
- Thy kingdom come...

-...Thy will be done...
-...Thy will be done...

...on earth,

as it is in heaven.

...on earth,
as it is in heaven.

For Peter we pray.

Give us this day

our daily bread...

Give us this day
our daily bread...

...and forgive us our

trespasses...

as we forgive those
who trespass against us...

...and forgive us
our trespasses

as we forgive those
who trespass against us...

...and lead us not
into temptation...

You have won, Peter.

None of us will
ever be the same.

Rome will change forever.

...but deliver us...
from evil.

...but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

I am not worthy to die

in the manner of our Lord.

Please, place the cross
ups-- upside down.

Upside down.

I will be with you every day
until the end of time.