Original subtitles

Your daughter-in-law,

who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons

has given him birth.

Then Naomi took the child

in her arms and cared for him.

The women living there said,

Naomi has a son, and they named him Obed.

Are you awake?

Stephen?

Stephen?

Obed? Um...

He was the father of Jesse,

the father of David.

The candle!

Mum, Mum, let's go downstairs.

That sound...

Where are you going?

I'm just going to take a look, all right?

Absolutely not. We're going downstairs right now.

We have to read the Yizkor for your father.

I'll be careful.

Get away from the door, Stephen.

I need to see.

Stephen!

Keep the noise down, lads!

You've had too much to drink!

Shh!

Do you hear this?

-Yeah. -In Hindi?

I don't know.

But I hear it in my language.

And Greek?

And Sumerian.

How?

I don't--

Let me explain.

We welcome visitors to the Emporial District of Salem.

Please ensure you have your identification at all times.

The temple and its High Minister would like to extend

their greetings for those visiting for the festival of Pentecost.

Please be advised, there is a festival curfew of 9 PM.

There will be no exceptions.

We encourage you to enjoy your short stay...

Arriving from San Dicio.

We are dedicated to peace with the imperium.

Can-- can I have--

can--

Can-- can I--

Caleb.

Caleb?

You can't be here. Not like this.

Can I...

Where's your wheelchair?

Oi, you two. Come get rid of his rubbish.

No, no, mine.

Come on, let's get you out of here.

Here comes trouble.

Enter.

Minister, there's someone here to see you.

On Shavuot? No, Mara, not today.

Please tell them that today is--

Is significantly inconsequential.

Or so my teacher always said.

-Saul. Saul, my boy! -Mr. Gamaliel.

Oh, it is so good to see you again.

Likewise, master. Likewise.

It's been too long.

I was expecting you at Passover.

It's unlike you to miss the festival.

I was held up back home.

- You were in Tarsus. - Mm-hmm.

My mother, she finally passed.

I am so sorry, my dear boy.

It was time.

An end to her suffering.

And one day, her new life.

-But I'm here now. -Mm. Hm.

You heard about Minister Yusef.

I did.

The mysterious disappearing act.

Any ideas what happened?

No. No one is saying anything.

So...

I take it his spot in the Sanhedrin

will be up for grabs next year?

-Here it comes. -You know I'm ready.

Saul, you haven't been here regularly for some time.

-The local synagogues are one thing-- -You're the one

who keeps sending me out on the road

to sharpen my skills, my mind. I'm ready, Gamaliel.

I surpassed every other minister in training when I was here.

And out there in the provincial towns and villages, it's too easy.

I need a challenge.

You'd be up against the High Minister's man.

As you know, he's been preparing him for years.

-You mean? -Yes. Yes,

I'll meet with necessary members of the party,

and we can go from there. As long as you can

prove you're as sharp as you indeed claim.

A friendly game for old time's sake?

Compete against the great Gamaliel,

whose mastery of the law is second to none?

That's what they say.

They won't for long.

What happened here?

You got all excited and jumped right in, huh?

You're young. You'll be fine.

My age or my faith?

Both, either.

Regardless, a beautiful thing.

Ah, Philip.

Steven.

It's nice to meet you.

Hi, everyone. I'm James.

I'm just going to get changed, and then we can meet

outside by the benches in five, ten minutes?

Great.

Can you believe this is real?

I never imagined it could happen in my time.

The Messiah has come.

And gone.

Did you ever meet him?

The Messiah?

No. I never did.

Me neither. I was back home.

How blessed we still get to be a part of it all, huh?

OK, OK. I need you to listen up!

Peter is preaching down that way--

this group, this group. You're heading up the hill.

You'll see Andrew. Come.

-John, John, I can take more. -How many?

As many as you want.

Matthew has space. So do Thad and Nat.

You're a little late.

-Hundreds of people hearing about-- -Where are they now?

Oh, um, they headed to the Siloam pools

a couple of hours ago, but I don't think they'll still--

Hello, can everyone hear me?

Next group of baptisms,

-if you could follow-- -Me. Let's go. Follow.

Where are all these people coming from?

The Festival, and half are just visiting.

-Where is it? There? -Out there.

Thank you.

Excuse me!

Excuse me.

Can I help?

I'm-- I'm James Zebedee, one of the twelve.

I know I've met some of you already.

Um, oh, this is Mary Magdalene,

- one of the first followers. - Stephen! Stephen!

Hi.

-I'm guessing you're looking for-- -I'm looking for my son.

-Is he here? -I don't know if--

- Do we have a Stephen? - Mum?

-My boy. You had me worried sick. -I'm here.

You're OK.

You're OK. Come on, let's go home.

It’s time to go home. We have to finish Shavuot.

Why don't we stay?

-Excuse me? -Mum, it's OK.

Honestly, today has been...

We're... all of us here.

We've heard the good news.

And what news is this?

The Messiah.

He's alive.

Jesus is alive.

Jesus.

So that's what this is about.

You're feeding these people lies about that blasphemer.

He's dead.

You were there. We were all there at his trial.

We all shouted "crucify him" to the Imperium. What--

Now you're here playing pretend.

Well, my son will have no part in your heresy.

Mum, it's hard to explain, but

-but Jesus is-- -Is dead. He's dead,

-so you come home now. -I saw Him.

Jesus.

I saw Him the day He was resurrected.

I sat and spoke with Him. And then I--

James, John, Peter, many of us--

we spent the next 40 days with Him until he returned to heaven.

And now He's given us His spirit,

the Spirit of the Living God.

Why not stay?

If your father was still alive,

he would be ashamed.

Shield up.

Come on, temple guard.

Stay alert, temple guard.

Watch the ricochet counter!

Shield up.

Captain.

What is it, Mara?

Requesting permission to pursue a lead, sir.

What lead?

I believe there's a new stimulant in circulation.

Branded.

Sounds like an Imperium problem.

It was being used on temple grounds.

You have proof?

It's empty, but smell.

It's different.

New.

Have you seen this mark before?

No, sir.

Leave it with me.

Captain, I am more than capable to investigate this--

No, Mara, you're not.

You're lucky you got as far as you have.

But don't for a moment think you're deserving of more.

Go play temple guard.

And let me get on with my job.

Again, shield up! There you go.

That's it. That's it. Again!

I'm seeing suspicious movement from a woman dressed in green.

You're supposed to be guarding the entrance to the office.

I'm nearby. I've got her.

Have you quite finished?

Gloating? Not even close.

I'm sorry. I'm really sorry to intrude, but Gamaliel-- Minister, I mean--

Apologies, Minister. She ran past--

It's all right, Mara.

Esther's the wife of an old friend. Thank you.

What is it, Esther?

They-- they're all in the lower streets.

-Who? -They're hundreds of them. More.

Who, Esther? Who are in the lower streets?

- The Imperium? - No.

Jesus' followers.

Are you sure?

They were followers of the Nazarene. Yes.

Isn't that the false Messiah you wrote to me about?

-Yes. -Wasn't he killed?

- Crucified. - Now they're saying

he rose from the dead.

Gamaliel, they're worshipping him.

How many exactly? I'm not sure.

I only spoke to one of the smaller groups where Stephen was.

Your son?

Your son is with them?

Gamaliel, please, keep my son safe. Help me bring him home.

I'll do everything I can, Esther.

Inform the chief of staff.

I'm calling an emergency meeting with the chief ministers.

God willing, the High Minister will know what to do.

Then take Esther to the minor chambers and wait for us there.

Go.

Us?

-Are you wanting me to investigate? -No, no. Not yet.

This is the capital. We'll have to tread carefully.

This Jesus caused a huge stir when he was alive.

His followers could do the same.

- Simon, how are the others doing? - Managing.

Talking to as many people as they can.

And?

Things are good, Peter. Things are very good.

We'll spread the word.

Let everyone know that John and I are going to be at the temple tomorrow.

Tell them to bring whoever wants to hear.

The temple?

Do what?

We're gonna preach.

OK.

I think it might be best to start, Gamaliel.

I doubt Caiaphas will break custom to attend.

Rise.

Minister Gamaliel, speak.

High Minister, firstly, thank you for making the time

to come at such short notice.

-I know this is highly-- -Gamaliel, cut the pleasantries.

We should not be meeting today on Shavuot.

I-- we are only here because you said it was urgent. So speak.

High Minister,

a report of a large commotion this morning in the lower streets

involving hundreds of people claiming faith in Jesus.

The Nazarene.

Yes, the one we had the Imperium crucify.

They're saying he's their Messiah.

Is that all they claim?

They're saying he's raised from the dead!

- That he's been seen! - Silence!

You have no voice here. Another word and we will have you thrown out.

Do you understand?

They claim he is raised from the dead. Esther here is witness.

She went to find her son earlier today and found him with a group of these followers.

She says they were worshipping him

and declaring the Spirit of God is among them.

- This was today? - Yes, High Minister.

How many?

We believe it to be over 1,000 at least.

Her son is one of them?

He is associated for now,

but probably just got carried away with the excitement.

This Nazarene was a heretic,

as are his followers.

Clearly, this little... growing movement has new leadership.

- Bring them in. - High Minister,

we don't yet know who the leaders are.

No.

But I have a good idea how to find out.

There is one hour left until festival curfew begins.

The district would like to thank you

for your continued cooperation during your short stay for the Pentecost.

The District of Salem is grateful to the Sovereign Emperor

for his generosity and governance.

We are dedicated to peace with the Imperium.

Again, there is one hour left...

OK, everyone, listen up.

That's it for today. And remember, tomorrow afternoon,

Peter, who preached at the start of the day, will be at the temple with John.

Otherwise, the rest of us will be on the lower streets like today.

Oh, also, can I get some local volunteers who have a spare room?

Lots of people are visiting the city and will need somewhere to stay for a--

I didn't think you were from there.

I'm not, but my family's got a few homes spotted around.

OK, could you come forward, please?

Sorry.

Stephen, right?

I know your heart's in the right place,

but I think it might be best you check in with your mother.

-You live at home, right? -Yeah.

I don't think she'd be too keen on housing a bunch of us after this afternoon.

Yeah um, I guess.

Hey, there's always tomorrow. God willing.

OK.

Wonderful insights this afternoon.

I wanted to keep it simple, and just get the message across...

-High Minister. -Gamaliel.

Good catch today. Well done.

Thank you, High Minister.

It all goes to plan, we should put this matter to bed in a couple of days.

Caiaphas, there was something else I wanted to ask.

It's been a long day, old friend.

Can't we pick this up another time?

You're hiding something.

You and the other chief ministers.

None of you seem surprised when I mentioned the Nazarene followers

or what they were saying.

Caiaphas, what are you not telling me?

Not here.

Come to my place tomorrow lunchtime.

We'll talk there.

If you say "The Lord is my refuge," and make the Most High your dwelling,

No harm will overtake you.

No disaster will come near your tent.

For He will command His angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways. They will--

-Mum. -Think nothing of it. You're back now.

There's leftovers in the fridge and a slice of cheesecake.

-I can heat up some soup. You must be fr-- -Mum.

-We need to talk. -No, we don't.

We've all done stupid things we don't mean and got carried away.

I know. But you're back now, so there's nothing to talk about.

I didn't get carried away.

What they're saying about Jesus.

It's true, Mum. I know it is.

Sweetheart, I know what those people are telling you sounds wonderful.

And of course you want to believe it. But Stephen, you're smarter than this.

Look around. If that Jesus was the Messiah,

why is the Imperium still here?

Where was the victorious battle? Where is he now?

-I don't know. -You see,

God gave you a brilliant mind.

I knew it from the day you started reading on your own.

Two years old. That's when your father and I started saving

everything we could for your schooling.

Don't waste it.

It's deeper than that, Mum.

It's...

I can't quite explain it just yet.

But I will one day. Just--

I know it's true.

Here is--

It's something old and yet something new.

I'm not making any sense. We can go to the temple tomorrow afternoon.

Two of Jesus's friends are going to be preaching there.

Peter, he's the one who spoke to us all this morning. He'll be there.

Just come and listen. He can explain.

Ask him anything you want.

-Please. -Get out.

-What? -I said leave.

-But, Mum-- -No, if you're going to believe

these ridiculous lies, you're not welcome here.

How dare you?

After all our people have been through for centuries,

carrying our faith, our God, our very existence,

I have seen movements like this come and go.

Time and time again. They are nothing. You are nothing.

If you choose to believe these blasphemers, you're not my son.

-Mum, I'm sorry. -No, this is for your own good.

You come home when you're back to your senses.

- Come on. - Out.

The temple. Tomorrow.

Please.

Well done, Esther.

You have the High Minister's thanks.

Tomorrow afternoon, it is.

District-wide festival curfew is in session.

Now seven hours remaining.

All citizens are to be indoors

and all loiterers will be treated with suspicion.

All zealots and other rebels will be prosecuted. Praise the Sovereign.

You there. Stop.

Sorry, sir. I'm unarmed.

You're in breach of festival curfew.

What's your business?

Sorry, sir. I'm just trying to stay with some friends that they live--

Identification.

It says you live in Orange Sector. Zone eight.

As I was just saying, sir, my mum kicked me out.

-So I just need to-- -Your own mother?

I'll never understand you people.

If you don't have a place to stay already,

I suggest you move on to Green Sector.

But that's-- that's where the homeless and--

If you don't have a place to stay

and it's past curfew,

Green Sector. Now.

Yes, sir.

Right away.

Praise the Sovereign!

Pray the Sovereign.

Pray the Sovereign is overthrown and the Imperium crumbles.

It's a waste of your time, Saul.

We deal with rogue factions like these every other week in the city.

They die as quickly as they begin.

It's the resurgence of this one I'm more interested in.

I haven't seen that before.

Mara, I was just asking the captain if I could tag along tomorrow.

I want to hear what these Nazarene followers are preaching.

- You have a report? - Yes, Captain.

Their leaders will be in the temple courtyard tomorrow day,

I assume for prayer time.

You certain it's their leaders?

One is the same person who was preaching

this morning in the lower streets, Peter.

Give notice to Silver Guard.

They are to be ready by morning.

Yes, Saul, you can come along, too.

But to watch only, you don't make the orders out there.

I wouldn't want to get in your way, Captain. Thank you.

-Hey! -I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to--

Caleb?

Stevie, what you doing here?

It's good to see you too, buddy.

You got any spare change you're throwing away?

Food?

Actually, now you mention it.

Thank you, buddy.

Did you have a good Shavuot?

Don't remember much.

The highs

make it bearable.

Hardly even remember them throwing me out the temple grounds.

Yeah, the thing is,

I was gonna make a fortune today.

Well, tomorrow should be good for it.

Why is that?

Let's just say there's going to be a lot of people there at some point.

What sort of people?

Rich?

Uh... maybe.

Oh, I sold my chair.

What?

My wheelchair.

Sold it.

OK, sorry?

You're gonna help me get there tomorrow? To the temple?

-How? -Come on, Stevie, please.

Um,

if I can figure out a way, I will.

-Promise? -I promise.

- Why are you here? - Got kicked out after curfew.

- What, you? - Yeah.

Let me explain.

Wake up.

Mum?

What's wrong?

Wake up!

- Steven. Steven. - What?

-Philip. -Hey.

What are you doing here?

Got kicked out after festival curfew.

Happens.

How did you find me?

Oh, accident. We're-- we're here with Mary.

You want to come and help?

Come on.

Thought you said you were out today.

I'm heading off now, but I wanted to catch you before--

Well, you know.

Everything OK?

Be careful out there today, Saul.

Something tells me this is just the beginning.

I doubt that.

Keep a close eye and try not to dismiss anything just yet.

Saul, be wise.

It's me, Master. Your clever student. I don't miss a thing.

Wisdom is not the same as--

They're not the same thing.

You move on my command.

Alongside you, representatives will be stationed from

both the Pharisee and the Sadducee parties.

To question and draw out their speakers.

And this is Mr. Saul,

back from his rural postings. He'll be joining us today

to observe these rogue preachers, but that is all.

Let's move.

Mara, I need you to do something for me.

Fancy a challenge?

OK, everyone. If you want to hear Peter and John,

we've got to get a move on to the temple, yeah?

Caleb...

You alright?

Yeah, uh... You guys go ahead.

I'll meet you there.

I've got an idea.

Do you trust me?

Does it get me to the temple?

Coming through!

Caleb, Caleb! Hold on! Excuse me, coming through!

-You sure this is a good spot? -Yeah. It's perfect.

Thanks, Stevie.

Caleb, try and listen to what they're saying today.

-It's life changing, honestly. -You do you, fella.

I got this.

Steven, we're over here.

I've got to go, but I'll see you after, OK?

Do you have money?

Any spare money? Anything?

Guys, take a look.

Oh, here they come.

Everyone on Amber, this could be them.

Money?

Anything to spare?

Anything at all?

I don't have any money, I'm afraid.

But what I do have,

I give you.

Hm?

In the name of Jesus of Nazareth,

walk.

You what?

You serious?

Oh, oh!

Oh, oh!

Whoa!

I can walk!

Look at me, woo!

My legs work! Oh, yes!

Oh, look at me!

I can walk. My legs, look at me!

Look at me. Look at my legs. Look at me.

Thank you, God! And thank you!

And thank you.

Why do you look so surprised?

You are looking at us as if we did this,

as if we made him walk with our own power.

We didn't.

-What's your name? -Caleb.

Caleb here was healed by the Holy and Righteous One,

the same one you denied and had the Imperium kill.

But the God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

raised him from the dead. We here, we witnessed it.

And in His name, in Jesus's name, Caleb is healed.

I know you acted out of ignorance,

as did your leaders, killing the Author of Life Himself.

Remember, that is what the prophets foretold, that the Messiah would suffer.

But now, now His resurrection life is for us all.

Turn back to God, and to his only Son Jesus,

who offers everlasting life.

Blasphemy!

Move! Move, move, move now! Move, move!

You are arrested on the authority of the temple

for blasphemy against the Most High.

You will be tried.

And you will plead forgiveness.

Do you understand?

We do.

Take them to the cells.

The rest of you, get out of here now! Move!

Get out of here! Out! Move!

-Go home! -There's nothing here!

Go home!