- 15 minutes ago
Saul: The Journey to Damascus tells the powerful story of Saul of Tarsus, a fierce persecutor of early Christians whose life changes forever after a dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus. As Saul hunts down followers of Jesus, he is struck by a blinding light and hears the voice of Christ, an event that shakes him to his core. Unable to see and overwhelmed by guilt and confusion, he is taken in by believers who help him understand his divine calling. Through inner struggle, forgiveness, and spiritual awakening, Saul transforms into Paul—the man who would become one of Christianity’s most influential apostles, spreading a message of faith, redemption, and hope across the ancient world.
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00:00:00By the fifth year after the death of Christ, the council of the high priests in Jerusalem
00:00:06was still striving to eradicate all memory of Benezarene.
00:00:10The teachings of Jesus were spreading all over Judea,
00:00:14thanks to the clandestine efforts of the apostles who traveled the land,
00:00:17spreading the word and appointing deacons to help organize their followers.
00:00:22The deacon in Jerusalem was an outspoken young man named Stephen.
00:00:26Faith is the evidence of things not seen.
00:00:31Faith humbles us.
00:00:33It helps us accept what can never be explained.
00:00:37But what is the use of faith if all that surrounds us is clear and solid to touch?
00:00:49Moses told the Israelites,
00:00:52God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.
00:00:56But our ancestors refused to obey him.
00:01:00Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
00:01:06Nothing has changed since the time of Moses.
00:01:10For those in our temple today have little faith.
00:01:13They have refused the prophet, raised by God from our own people.
00:01:20They ignored the prophet to perform wonders and signs.
00:01:25They crucified the Son of God.
00:01:29Arrest him.
00:01:32Leave him alone!
00:01:34Leave him!
00:01:35Leave him!
00:01:35Leave him!
00:01:35Leave him!
00:01:35Leave him!
00:01:35Leave him!
00:01:36Leave him!
00:01:36Leave him!
00:01:37Leave him!
00:01:37Leave him!
00:01:38Leave him!
00:01:39Leave him!
00:01:40Leave him!
00:01:41Leave him!
00:01:42Leave him!
00:01:42Leave him!
00:01:50Leave him!
00:01:51I was told of a farm near the gates of Jerusalem ...
00:01:55I was told of a farm near the gates of Jerusalem
00:02:09that had the most perfect nectarines.
00:02:15My nectarines are indeed very good.
00:02:19You are Nathaniel?
00:02:25I am Levi, and this is my daughter, Johanna.
00:02:34We have been traveling for four days from Damascus.
00:02:44Adai, go get them some nectarines.
00:02:55Please be with you.
00:03:04He's not of the way, but he's a good man.
00:03:07I am too old to care for the farm on my own.
00:03:10He helps.
00:03:11How can I help you, brother?
00:03:13We seek a man. Perhaps you know him.
00:03:15His name is Stephen.
00:03:16Many have come forward to testify as to your blasphemies
00:03:21that you believe that Jesus of Nazareth was a son of God
00:03:25able to forgive sins.
00:03:30Lord Caiaphas,
00:03:31which of the prophets didn't your fathers persecute?
00:03:36You follow in their footsteps,
00:03:38and you resist the Holy Spirit.
00:03:40You killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One,
00:03:43of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.
00:03:46What's your letter with him?
00:03:52Allow me a moment alone.
00:04:09Why do you do this?
00:04:13Why do you undermine your own faith?
00:04:16It keeps us together as one people.
00:04:18It is what unites us against Rome
00:04:19and helps us bear their tyranny and injustice.
00:04:23Why would you want to take this away from us?
00:04:26Forgiveness is our strength, not weakness.
00:04:30When you talk of forgiveness,
00:04:31do you intend us to forgive all our enemies,
00:04:34including Rome?
00:04:38He said love one another.
00:04:39Sins are forgiven only by God.
00:04:53Yet you believe the Nazarene could forgive sins.
00:04:58He still does, and will do so to the end of time.
00:05:01It was his gift to us, for he was of God.
00:05:05Why do you blaspheme like this?
00:05:09I have tried to reason with you,
00:05:11but you continue to insult me.
00:05:14Why do you insist on spreading falsehoods,
00:05:16inciting people to reject what for us is...
00:05:19what for us is sacred?
00:05:25You are a traitor to your own people.
00:05:26Get him out of my sight.
00:05:45You're from the north?
00:05:47We have a farm just outside the gates of Damascus.
00:05:50Came all the way from Damascus to search for this man.
00:05:52Yes.
00:05:53Miss Stephen, he is your husband.
00:05:58I am not married.
00:06:00Engage now.
00:06:02No.
00:06:03I live with my father.
00:06:08Come on, Gat.
00:06:08Move on, move on, come on.
00:06:12No!
00:06:14Miss Stephen!
00:06:16Lord have mercy.
00:06:17Why? Why are they doing this?
00:06:18This is the Stephen you speak of.
00:06:20He is a traitor, how do you mean?
00:06:21He is a traitor, how do you think?
00:06:23He is a traitor.
00:06:25Come on, Gat.
00:06:26Come on, Gat.
00:06:26Come on.
00:06:41David!
00:06:44David!
00:06:44David!
00:06:48What the fuck?
00:06:50One stone, that is all.
00:07:18All I hold, one lifeless stone.
00:07:22Yet empires have begun with one stone, mansions and monuments, roads and temples, all with
00:07:32a single stone.
00:07:35Likewise one stone can bring down all that is holy.
00:07:38We have seen one stone, a carpenter from Nazareth who chose to destroy rather than build, who
00:07:45wanted to tear down our temple rather than fortify it, blaspheme our laws rather than
00:07:51honor them.
00:07:52Before you stands a second stone, and if we do not crush it today, it will double and triple
00:08:03until it sweeps over us like a plague.
00:08:10Joana!
00:08:11Joana!
00:08:12Stop her dying!
00:08:13Stop her!
00:08:14Spare him!
00:08:15Spare him!
00:08:16Please, Rabbi!
00:08:17Who is this man to you?
00:08:18Oh, he is nothing.
00:08:19She is just a merciful woman.
00:08:20Then tell her to hold her tongue lest I not be a merciful man.
00:08:25Spare him!
00:08:26Spare him!
00:08:27Spare him!
00:08:28Please, Rabbi!
00:08:29Who is this man to you?
00:08:30Oh, he is nothing.
00:08:31She is just a merciful woman.
00:08:32Then tell her to hold her tongue lest I not be a merciful man.
00:08:36I see the heavens open, and the Son of Man stands, and I see the heavens open, and the
00:09:05Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.
00:09:22Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
00:09:32No!
00:09:33I forgive you.
00:09:55Lord, do not hold this against them!
00:09:58I'm going to hold this against them.
00:10:28I'm going to hold this against them.
00:10:58I'm going to hold this against them.
00:11:28I'm going to hold this against them.
00:11:35They will not rest with Stephen.
00:11:37We must leave.
00:11:38Yes, I know.
00:11:39Just gather what you need and come with us.
00:11:41But you must hurry.
00:11:42And where will you go?
00:11:43Damascus.
00:11:44It is under Roman law, not temple law.
00:11:46The Sanhedrin will have no jurisdiction there.
00:11:48They will not harm us there.
00:11:49It's a four-day journey.
00:11:51It's too hard for me.
00:11:53You cannot stay here.
00:11:54I'm an old man.
00:11:55They wouldn't bother with me.
00:11:57No, Nathaniel, you are wrong.
00:12:07If I come with you, I'll slow you down.
00:12:09And you must hurry.
00:12:10You should already have left.
00:12:11Now go.
00:12:12I'll take care of myself.
00:12:17Let's go.
00:12:19Let's go.
00:12:20Let's go.
00:12:21Let's go.
00:12:22Let's go.
00:12:23Let's go.
00:12:24Let's go.
00:12:36Couldn't a measure of mercy have been the wiser path?
00:12:39Mercy for whom?
00:12:40We condemned a follower of the Nazarene that was crucified years ago.
00:12:45They both died uttering words of forgiveness, defying our law.
00:12:49An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
00:12:51I forgive you.
00:12:52By lawfully executing Stephen,
00:12:55we have created the first martyr in the name of the Nazarene.
00:12:59Well, what would you have us do, Gamaliel?
00:13:02Shall we allow blasphemers freely to walk our streets?
00:13:05Shall we suspend the laws of Moses?
00:13:08My advice is to ignore these followers.
00:13:10For if their movement is of human origin like many others before it,
00:13:13it will collapse on its own.
00:13:14But if it is from God,
00:13:17there are no man, Roman or Jew.
00:13:21Can't stop it.
00:13:23What Gamaliel counsels is wise.
00:13:26I know because I have been his student since I was a boy.
00:13:30We owe deference to his age and wisdom.
00:13:34He is right.
00:13:36If this movement of followers is of God, then no man can stop it.
00:13:41But what if it is not?
00:13:43Does the shepherd stand by while the wolf attacks his flock and call it God's will?
00:13:49Does the physician turn away and let the patient die and call it God's will?
00:13:57No.
00:13:58I put it to you that our faith is under attack by those who would pervert the laws of God for the sake of this self-proclaimed chosen one.
00:14:05Chosen for what?
00:14:07To tear down our temple, his own words.
00:14:11Let God be the judge if our actions are just.
00:14:17We must strike this poison and cut it out before it infects the body of our nation.
00:14:22I too have taken an oath.
00:14:25I will not watch our faith die and call it the will of God.
00:14:28I will be the tip of his sword.
00:14:30I will not stand by.
00:14:32You are playing a dangerous game.
00:14:35The preservation of our faith is no game.
00:14:38We must both decide whose side we are on.
00:14:40Side?
00:14:41This is not a matter of sides.
00:14:43Enough, Gamaliel.
00:14:45Saul, you know what you must do.
00:14:54You have the blessing of the council.
00:14:57God is with you.
00:14:59Leave him alone!
00:15:14Leave him alone!
00:15:15Leave him alone!
00:15:16Leave him alone!
00:15:17Leave him alone!
00:15:19How are you?
00:15:20My name is Adai.
00:15:21I was with your regiment.
00:15:22I will consider this a misunderstanding.
00:15:24Stand.
00:15:25Be gone.
00:15:26Why do you arrest this man?
00:15:27I work for him.
00:15:28He is a follower of the Nazarene, a blasphemer.
00:15:31We have orders to bring him to the temple to stand trial.
00:15:33No, he is a good man.
00:15:34That will be determined by others, not by you or me.
00:15:38But what about you?
00:15:39Are you a follower?
00:15:43Or are you a follower of the Nazarene?
00:15:49No.
00:15:50Nathanael!
00:15:51Adai!
00:15:54Go back!
00:15:55Go home!
00:15:56Nathaniel!
00:15:58Adai! Go back! Go home!
00:16:14What we face are not merely misguided men and women,
00:16:18but a real threat to our survival as Jews, the people of God.
00:16:26They would have you believe that the Nazarene was the Messiah.
00:16:30But I ask you, are we free people?
00:16:34No!
00:16:36We are still answering to pagan lords and masters.
00:16:39We are still struggling against foreign tyranny.
00:16:44Declaring Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah is nothing short of treason,
00:16:49for they would rather bow their heads in submission
00:16:52than rally with their own people to fight for our freedom.
00:16:56Deny he is the prophesied Messiah.
00:17:08No, I cannot.
00:17:10Denounce this Nazarene, deny he is the Son of God,
00:17:13and tonight you will sleep in your own bed.
00:17:15I have nothing left.
00:17:17The world of the Nazarene is my only hope.
00:17:21We have offered them mercy, and they reject it!
00:17:31No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No!
00:17:37You are brought before this Council on charges of blasphemy.
00:17:41You will be kept in chains and beaten until you come to your right minds.
00:18:09What have we begun, Thor?
00:18:12I do not recognize us anymore.
00:18:16I forgive you.
00:18:31Damascus.
00:18:32What have we done?
00:18:33What have we done?
00:18:35I thank you.
00:18:36I thank you.
00:18:37It's all for you.
00:18:38It's all for you.
00:18:39I thank you.
00:18:40It's all for you.
00:18:41Oh, God.
00:18:42Mary of Nazareth!
00:18:44Hananias!
00:18:45Joseph saw you enter Damascus and ran to tell me right away.
00:18:48I'm so glad to see you.
00:18:49It's been a long four days' journey from Jerusalem.
00:18:51Come. Come to my house. You must rest.
00:18:53Please, all of you, come.
00:19:12We were horrified when we heard.
00:19:15I'm so sorry, Esther.
00:19:17The Butcher of Judea is rounding up anyone's suspect of being a follower.
00:19:20The Butcher of Judea? Is that what Saul is being called?
00:19:23It's caused much grief in Jerusalem.
00:19:25But we have nothing to fear, do we?
00:19:29The Lord will protect us all.
00:19:37I came here the moment I received news that you'd arrived in Damascus.
00:19:42I'm so relieved you are here.
00:19:44Johanna, it's so good to see you. How's your father?
00:19:46He is well.
00:19:50Do you happen to know what became of the young man who worked for Nathaniel?
00:19:54He walked with a limp.
00:19:55Was he the one that was with you when...
00:19:59Why do you stop?
00:20:01Continue.
00:20:02When my husband Stephen was stoned to death,
00:20:05murdered,
00:20:07and nobody helped.
00:20:09Abandoned to die like a criminal.
00:20:10Is that what's to become of us?
00:20:12To die like criminals, stoned or crucified?
00:20:15No.
00:20:16Esther.
00:20:18That is not our fate.
00:20:20Then why have we run away?
00:20:29I must go comfort her.
00:20:30We have covered the entire outlying area from here to here.
00:20:41At first it was easy.
00:20:43No one knew we were coming,
00:20:44and people would inform on them,
00:20:45especially if it meant saving themselves
00:20:47or taking over their neighbor's land.
00:20:51But word has spread.
00:20:53Many have fled north to Damascus where they believe they can live more openly under Roman rule.
00:20:58I doubt very much that the Romans would appreciate our guards marching into their city.
00:21:03I have Roman lineage.
00:21:06And I'm therefore a Roman citizen. Nothing can stop me from entering Damascus.
00:21:10As far as the tower guard is concerned, all I need is an official request from you asking the governor to allow us into the city to weed out threats to the security of Rome.
00:21:21So be it.
00:21:22I'll take it.
00:21:52You work too much.
00:21:57Jordan.
00:22:04Kyphus sent you.
00:22:06At your service.
00:22:08My men are eager to serve you.
00:22:10I, on the other hand, am not so certain of taking orders from someone I used to knock about in school.
00:22:15I can't believe they made you a captain.
00:22:17Stranger than you, a Pharisee?
00:22:19God has smiled upon both of us.
00:22:20Yes.
00:22:21Well, I keep my hand on my sword just in case he turns his back.
00:22:26Now what is this talk I hear of dangerous rebels in Damascus?
00:22:30The cult of the Nazarene.
00:22:33I have never seen anything like it.
00:22:35Well, there's always some charlatan ready to preach to the weak.
00:22:39Stay strong. That's all you can do.
00:22:41No, that is not all you can do. You can fight back.
00:22:44Root it out and destroy its insidious message before it infects us all.
00:22:46There must be no faltering, no hesitation.
00:22:51Well, you know you can count on me.
00:22:53Yes, as a friend.
00:22:55But I need to know that I can count on you as a soldier in my command.
00:22:59I am a soldier, Saul.
00:23:02I know how to give orders and how to take them.
00:23:09It's late. There's much to repair.
00:23:12I'll return to my men.
00:23:13I'll return to my men.
00:23:17Captain.
00:23:20We are doing God's work.
00:23:23That is an issue that is above my rank.
00:23:30I forgive you.
00:23:32What did you just say?
00:23:35Say?
00:23:37Just now, as you were going, you said...
00:23:40You said, I forgive you. Forgive me of what?
00:23:44I said nothing.
00:23:46I heard you clear as day.
00:23:48Saul, I didn't say anything.
00:23:52Good night.
00:23:58I forgive you.
00:24:01Who's there?
00:24:02Who's there?
00:24:06Who's there?
00:24:10Show yourself.
00:24:15Show yourself!
00:24:17Show yourself!
00:24:18My Lord.
00:24:35Give me the strength that I need to serve you.
00:24:42Defend me against Satan's disease.
00:24:49I submit to thy will, my Lord.
00:24:57I submit to thy will.
00:25:18My Lord.
00:25:19That is not my friend.
00:25:26We have heard about Nathaniel.
00:25:28We've heard about Nathaniel.
00:25:29We heard about Nathaniel.
00:25:47I would like to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage.
00:25:59I'm sorry, I do not have time for lectures.
00:26:08And I have none to give.
00:26:09I'm about to leave for Damascus.
00:26:10Only a word with your teacher, Saul.
00:26:16Remember that the people you seek are our brethren.
00:26:19They are Jews, like you and me.
00:26:21They do not carry any weapons.
00:26:22No disrespect, Rabbi, but I cannot leave my men waiting.
00:26:25Your men, once the Sanhedrin were the guardians of the temple.
00:26:29Now it seems they are the personal guard of Saul of Tarsus.
00:26:33I act on behalf of the temple.
00:26:34I have only the power granted to me by the high priests.
00:26:37I take their counsel in all things.
00:26:39Then perhaps you should seek less the counsel of men
00:26:41and more the counsel of God.
00:26:43And where might that voice come from you?
00:26:46I would never presume to speak for God.
00:26:49Don't make that mistake yourself.
00:26:55Don't make that mistake.
00:27:00Exactly.
00:27:01doin'.
00:27:04Hey!
00:27:05Hey!
00:27:06Don't be me to here, man.
00:27:08Don't get me to your side this Over there.
00:27:10If you need a sane awareness, sit outside theноtes.
00:27:12Please sit.
00:27:42The goat isn't mine, I just took it from Nathaniel's house because I, uh...
00:28:05It's what he would have wanted.
00:28:10I have nothing else to offer.
00:28:14But I promise I will take care of you.
00:28:19You have enough.
00:28:33I wanted...
00:28:35I wish to learn more about what Nathaniel and Stephen talked about because I think, I think that they chose to die rather than...
00:28:47And one can only do that when they know the truth.
00:28:56Will you teach me?
00:29:00I am glad you came.
00:29:19He is a good man.
00:29:21He is.
00:29:23He was also a Sanhedrin guard.
00:29:28We all have a past, Johanna.
00:29:31We can't change that.
00:29:32But what's important is what lies ahead.
00:29:35He says he loves me.
00:29:38Do you feel the same?
00:29:41We've only known each other a short time.
00:29:44We'll be one of the shortest courtships I ever knew.
00:29:47My father agrees to the marriage.
00:29:50How do you feel?
00:29:54I feel safe with him.
00:30:01Have you ever loved a man that way?
00:30:05I have.
00:30:09But you never married?
00:30:12Mary, is something wrong?
00:30:18Why are we talking about me when it is you who is getting married?
00:30:42May God bless your journey through this life together.
00:31:12May God bless your children.
00:31:22I'll leave you alone.
00:31:25She's so happy.
00:31:30Mary.
00:31:32Congratulations.
00:31:42May you live a long and prosperous life.
00:31:46For the water and for the bride.
00:31:56Thank you, Rabbi.
00:32:00Do I know you?
00:32:02Many a traveller passes on their way to Damascus.
00:32:11And you always allow them water.
00:32:14If they are in need of it.
00:32:19Because you are a merciful woman.
00:32:22Be you therefore merciful,
00:32:25as your father is also merciful.
00:32:27You were there at the stoning of Stephen.
00:32:40As were you.
00:32:44And you.
00:32:47You, old man, what is your name?
00:32:48Have you been somewhere from Damascus?
00:32:53And what brought you to Jerusalem on that day?
00:33:04Are you a follower of the Nazarene?
00:33:05Let me hear you deny him now.
00:33:20All you have to do is deny him.
00:33:21That's all anyone has to do.
00:33:23We are all sons and daughters of Abraham, like you.
00:33:32So we are all brothers and sisters.
00:33:34We all worship the same true God,
00:33:36the same God that you pray to.
00:33:39And you.
00:33:40What is your name?
00:33:44Mary.
00:33:46From Magdala.
00:33:46The one who claims to have seen the carpenter come back from the dead.
00:33:51I am.
00:33:53I did.
00:33:55Let me hear each and every one of you deny this nonsense.
00:33:59Let me hear that and I will be on my way.
00:34:04Levi Ben Samuel.
00:34:06Are you a follower?
00:34:10Yes.
00:34:12I am a follower of the promised Messiah.
00:34:16Jesus.
00:34:16And you.
00:34:20Are you as big a fool as your father on your wedding day?
00:34:31Yes.
00:34:33I am a follower.
00:34:38And you.
00:34:40You are not yet baptized.
00:34:43Save yourself.
00:34:44God does not condone such as you who would so readily forsake your lives.
00:35:03What have we done to you?
00:35:05We mean no harm to anyone.
00:35:07I am nothing but God's instrument.
00:35:10I do not cause your misery.
00:35:12You condemn yourselves.
00:35:15Arrest them.
00:35:17Arrest them all.
00:35:18Do not condone seem without any info.
00:35:20Good a long way.
00:35:36Come back!
00:35:37Be ahead.
00:35:38Come back!
00:35:39Come on!
00:35:43Joanna!
00:36:03Joanna!
00:36:03Oh, no!
00:36:04Oh, no!
00:36:05Oh, no!
00:36:06Oh, no!
00:36:07Oh, no!
00:36:08Oh, no!
00:36:09Oh, no!
00:36:10Oh!
00:36:11Oh, no!
00:36:12Oh, no!
00:36:13Oh!
00:36:14Oh!
00:36:15Oh!
00:36:17Captain, what is it?
00:36:23Yeah!
00:36:33Oh!
00:36:34Oh.
00:36:35Okay.
00:36:36Oh, man.
00:36:37Oh, man.
00:36:41Oh!
00:36:43Oh, God!
00:36:44Oh, God!
00:36:49Oh, god!
00:36:53Oh, man!
00:36:55Oh, oh.
00:36:59Whoa!
00:37:00Oh, man.
00:37:01Oh, girl.
00:37:03Saul!
00:37:11Saul!
00:37:14Saul!
00:37:16Saul!
00:37:19Saul!
00:37:22Saul!
00:37:24Who are you?
00:37:25Why are you persecuting me?
00:37:27Who are you?
00:37:28I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
00:37:59Saul!
00:38:02Saul!
00:38:05Saul!
00:38:06Lord, what would you have me do?
00:38:11What would you have me do?
00:38:20We put on to Damascus.
00:38:22You ride ahead.
00:38:24You present these papers to the Roman guard.
00:38:26You tell them this gives us unencumbered passage into the city.
00:38:29Find a physician at an inn.
00:38:30Go!
00:38:31Now!
00:38:33You stand.
00:38:39You stand.
00:38:40You stand.
00:39:10You stand.
00:39:11You stand.
00:39:12No, you sit.
00:39:14No!
00:39:16No!
00:39:22On the bed.
00:39:33I brought the position.
00:39:36Come.
00:39:37What's your name?
00:39:38Luke, my lord.
00:39:40It's his eyes.
00:39:45We were all caught in the same sandstorm, but only he was injured.
00:39:55Huh?
00:39:57I cannot say.
00:40:00What is the cure?
00:40:02If I don't know the cause, I can't really...
00:40:04He's blind! What more do you need to know?
00:40:07There is no cure for blindness, my lord.
00:40:11There must be a cure.
00:40:13Find it!
00:40:34Ananias!
00:40:35Ananias!
00:40:37Ananias.
00:40:39Ananias.
00:40:41Go to a street called Straight.
00:40:44There you will find Saul of Tarsus.
00:40:47What would you have me do?
00:40:49Why do you persecute me?
00:40:51I...
00:40:53I cannot see you.
00:40:55Place your hands upon him, so that he may receive his sight and bear witness to my salvation.
00:41:00Aanias!
00:41:01Aanias!
00:41:02Aanias!
00:41:03Aanias!
00:41:04I'm a liar!
00:41:06I'm a liar!
00:41:16I'm a liar!
00:41:22Ten nights.
00:41:24The soul of Tarsus is in Damascus.
00:41:26They have arrested Mary Magdalene and the others.
00:41:28Guys, the soul of Tarsus is in Damascus.
00:41:31They have arrested Mary Magdalene and the others.
00:41:53And I...
00:41:58Hi.
00:42:00Joanna.
00:42:01My father.
00:42:03My father.
00:42:09Joanna.
00:42:12Your father is not with us.
00:42:15Where is he?
00:42:18Joanna.
00:42:22Is he dead?
00:42:24He is with God.
00:42:32God?
00:42:34What does God have to do with any of this anymore?
00:42:38He has left us here in chains to die.
00:42:42Why has he forsaken us?
00:42:47It is fear and anger that keeps us in these chains, not God.
00:42:51I believed in him.
00:42:53I trusted in him.
00:42:55And it is because of my belief and my trust that I am in these chains.
00:42:59There would be no chains anywhere if all men and women learned to love each other.
00:43:01Listen to yourselves.
00:43:03All men and all women, including the blind murderer in that room?
00:43:08We must all be fools.
00:43:10That just could never happen.
00:43:12No.
00:43:14Joanna, rest and I speak.
00:43:16Esther.
00:43:18You must not think that way.
00:43:19You must doubt him now.
00:43:26I cannot.
00:43:28I cannot.
00:43:29I will not sacrifice my son.
00:43:31I am not Abraham.
00:43:33Esther.
00:43:35Let's pray together.
00:43:36Pray?
00:43:38He has forsaken us.
00:43:39What is the use of praying?
00:43:45God!
00:43:46What's wrong?
00:43:47What's going on here?
00:43:49I renounce him.
00:44:05I deny him.
00:44:09I want to go home.
00:44:10At last.
00:44:15Some sense.
00:44:40She is in so much pain.
00:44:51Won't we all?
00:44:53She will come back.
00:44:55Why should she?
00:44:59Joanna, I'm not as strong as you.
00:45:06I'm like her.
00:45:07Her.
00:45:10I can't forgive this beast for what he has done to you.
00:45:13To Levi.
00:45:18To Nathaniel.
00:45:20But I...
00:45:22Look at me.
00:45:27I forgive you.
00:45:30No.
00:45:35But I...
00:45:38It's the only...
00:45:39It's the only way.
00:45:45However hard...
00:45:46It may seem...
00:45:49Like...
00:45:50You have to believe me.
00:45:51Okay.
00:45:53It's Jesus.
00:45:54You must have truly been the son of God,
00:45:55because it takes a God to do what you ask of me.
00:45:57What did the physician say?
00:45:58I'm here, Saul. I'm here.
00:46:15I'm here, Saul. I'm here.
00:46:16They don't know what happened to you.
00:46:18I dreamt of a man who would come to lay his hands on me and restore me.
00:46:20This man is afraid.
00:46:21Afraid of what?
00:46:22Afraid of what?
00:46:24Of me.
00:46:25Of what I am.
00:46:56She won't survive.
00:46:57She won't survive.
00:47:03Uh...
00:47:05Saul, what's wrong?
00:47:07Everything is wrong.
00:47:10I'll get the physician.
00:47:15No.
00:47:16It's not necessary.
00:47:19I know the reason for my blindness.
00:47:22What is it?
00:47:23I am the reason.
00:47:27I am being punished.
00:47:32She's out.
00:47:34She's out.
00:47:36She's out.
00:47:37I'll be there.
00:47:39I'll be there.
00:47:43She's out.
00:47:44She's right.
00:47:45She's right.
00:47:52Get off the wall of me here.
00:47:54Just... just...
00:47:56Move on.
00:47:59Please!
00:48:00I must speak with Saul!
00:48:02Get out of here!
00:48:03Get out of here!
00:48:04Move it!
00:48:05Move it!
00:48:06Get out of here!
00:48:07Get out of here!
00:48:08Get off!
00:48:09Get out of here!
00:48:10Get out of here!
00:48:11Get out of here!
00:48:12I must speak with...
00:48:13What is this noise?
00:48:14We found the smell lurking about!
00:48:16I must speak with Saul!
00:48:17Throw him out in the street!
00:48:19Please!
00:48:20You do not understand!
00:48:21What is it?
00:48:22Some vagrant.
00:48:24What is his name?
00:48:26What does it matter?
00:48:28Ask him.
00:48:29I must speak with Saul!
00:48:31Get out of here!
00:48:32Saul!
00:48:34What is his name?
00:48:36Ananias.
00:48:38Ananias!
00:48:39Wake!
00:48:43He says it's Ananias.
00:48:46Have him come up.
00:48:48Why?
00:48:49Have him come up.
00:48:50I want to speak to him.
00:48:58Bring him up!
00:49:00No!
00:49:01You were Ananias.
00:49:16I am.
00:49:17You're Ananias.
00:49:28Go get the physician.
00:49:30Jordan, I have no need for the physician.
00:49:31Have him minister to the young woman.
00:49:33You are not well, sir.
00:49:34I want him to minister to the young woman.
00:49:36Now.
00:49:37Go.
00:49:39Please.
00:49:47Do you know who I am?
00:49:51I do.
00:49:56You will come to no harm.
00:50:02Thank you, Rabbi.
00:50:06Do not fear.
00:50:13Now it is I who must thank you.
00:50:17You were told to come here, were you not?
00:50:28I was.
00:50:29The same voice that told you to come here told me that you will restore my sight.
00:50:35I've heard his will on a choppy soul.
00:50:39Why am I being shown so much mercy after causing so much pain?
00:50:45Yeah.
00:50:45You have been chosen to bear his name.
00:50:57He forgave me.
00:51:00Before he died, he looked into my eyes and forgave me.
00:51:05You talk of Stephen.
00:51:06I can never be forgiven.
00:51:12Not for you.
00:51:13No.
00:51:19Saul of Tarsus.
00:51:22Do you ask for forgiveness?
00:51:26I do.
00:51:27Did you?
00:51:50I do.
00:51:51I do.
00:51:52Brother of Saul, the Lord Jesus, who has appeared to you,
00:52:22has sent me, so that you may regain your sight.
00:52:35Look at the light.
00:52:39Don't you see it?
00:52:41Don't you feel it?
00:52:45It's so beautiful.
00:52:52Saul of Tarsus, I baptize you in the name of Lord Jesus Christ,
00:52:58that you may be cleansed of your sins.
00:53:03In Jesus' name, amen.
00:53:06Amen.
00:53:26Ah!
00:53:26Ah!
00:53:27Ah!
00:53:28Ah!
00:53:28Ah, ah, ah.
00:53:38Ah.
00:53:38Here, here.
00:53:38Here, here.
00:53:40Let's go.
00:53:58Oh, my God.
00:54:28Oh, my God.
00:54:58Oh, my God.
00:55:08Saul!
00:55:13Saul!
00:55:17You healed my brother.
00:55:21You can see!
00:55:23Yes, I can see.
00:55:33Impossible.
00:55:35You were there with me on the road.
00:55:41You did not hear him.
00:55:43I heard only the wind.
00:55:47He spoke in a clear, true voice.
00:55:51Who did?
00:55:55Say his name.
00:55:57The Nazarene.
00:56:01Who was that old man?
00:56:08He gave you back your sight, but he put a curse on you.
00:56:12I'm going to arrest him.
00:56:13Stop, Jordan.
00:56:14Stop.
00:56:15There is no curse.
00:56:17You are not the same man I met a week ago in Jerusalem.
00:56:21That man is dead.
00:56:23And who are you?
00:56:25Who am I speaking with?
00:56:27Who do I see before me?
00:56:29Yesterday I was blind.
00:56:31Can't you see what has happened?
00:56:33No!
00:56:34I do not!
00:56:35Jordan.
00:56:36Captain!
00:56:40Dress me by my rank, not my name.
00:56:43Captain.
00:56:45You and I have a mission to accomplish.
00:56:48Tomorrow we will continue with our task.
00:56:51Good night.
00:56:52Night-bye.
00:56:53Good night.
00:56:54Night-bye.
00:57:21Give me the keys.
00:57:24Give me the keys.
00:57:35What are you doing?
00:57:36These people are innocent.
00:57:38Make sure they have whatever provisions they need
00:57:40and let them go back to their homes.
00:57:42Are you mad?
00:57:43I was.
00:57:46I have done you much harm.
00:57:48I do not know how to make it up to you.
00:57:49This is only for the beginning.
00:57:51Saul.
00:57:52Stop!
00:57:56I have wronged you above all others.
00:58:00I cannot expect you to understand.
00:58:01Please allow me.
00:58:05Arrest him.
00:58:08Arrest him!
00:58:12I am relieving you of your command
00:58:14and placing you under arrest.
00:58:16Jordan, you are in Damascus.
00:58:17Jordan, you are in Damascus!
00:58:18You have no authority over me.
00:58:21You cannot arrest me.
00:58:22I am a Roman citizen.
00:58:23Let me go.
00:58:27Let me go.
00:58:28They, on the other hand, are not Roman citizens.
00:58:40They are criminals.
00:58:41Please.
00:58:42And I am under orders from Jerusalem to bring them back.
00:58:45I will do that, no matter the cost, with or without you.
00:58:50Take them back up now!
00:58:52Up!
00:58:53Everybody up!
00:58:54Up!
00:58:55Everyone!
00:58:56Up!
00:58:57Everyone!
00:58:58We leave for Jerusalem immediately!
00:58:59Hurry up!
00:59:00Hurry up!
00:59:01Hurry up!
00:59:02Get them out!
00:59:03Come on!
00:59:04Come on!
00:59:05Get up!
00:59:06Get up!
00:59:07Move it!
00:59:08Move it!
00:59:09Move it!
00:59:10Come on!
00:59:11Move it!
00:59:12Come on!
00:59:13Move it!
00:59:14Come on!
00:59:15Move it!
00:59:16Move it!
00:59:17Go move it!
00:59:18Come on!
00:59:20Come on!
00:59:21I cursed the day I called your friend.
00:59:23I cursed the day I called your friend.
00:59:34You're out!
00:59:48Forward!
00:59:53Forward!
00:59:57Hurry up!
00:59:58Faster!
01:00:00Come on!
01:00:04Hurry up!
01:00:08Hurry up!
01:00:13Everyone move!
01:00:14Come on!
01:00:34We are sent by Lord Caiaphas of Jerusalem.
01:00:36We're here to prevent sedition against both our laws and the laws of Rome.
01:00:40Well, that's commendable.
01:00:41And Rome appreciates your efforts.
01:00:44Even so, I'm afraid you're not within your jurisdiction.
01:00:48We presented our papers when first we came to Damascus.
01:00:52Let me see them.
01:00:54The man who has them is no longer with us.
01:00:58Hmm.
01:00:59So you don't have the documents?
01:01:01No.
01:01:02But if you find him, I'm sure he would be happy to show you.
01:01:05Right.
01:01:07Now, who is this man and where can we find him?
01:01:09I am here.
01:01:10These documents give me and only me the authority to arrest a number of people in Damascus suspected of sedition.
01:01:21We arrested these people and found the charges against them were baseless.
01:01:24Why are they still under arrest?
01:01:36Nothing but a misunderstanding, isn't it, Captain?
01:01:43No, this is not a misunderstanding.
01:01:52Unchain them!
01:01:54Unchain them!
01:02:12Hopefully this will be the first and last of Sushka's understandings.
01:02:19It will be.
01:02:21Get them out of here as fast as you can.
01:02:22make sure they stay in Damascus for the next little while.
01:02:24Stop!
01:02:26I know this was your doing.
01:02:29Pray we never meet again.
01:02:52They do not trust me.
01:03:17I do not blame them.
01:03:19You have removed the chains from their feet.
01:03:22They want to make sure you've removed yours from your heart.
01:03:26How do I do that?
01:03:28You have received much guidance already.
01:03:32Now it is time to choose.
01:03:36We will be waiting for you when you are ready.
01:03:49You can see?
01:04:04Yes, I was cured.
01:04:06I denied him.
01:04:08I do not follow the Nazarene.
01:04:10No, no, no.
01:04:11Wait, wait.
01:04:12You don't understand.
01:04:13No, no, no.
01:04:14You don't understand.
01:04:15Let me explain to you.
01:04:24Please, wait.
01:04:25Please.
01:04:30Leave me alone.
01:04:31Wait.
01:04:32Wait.
01:04:33Wait.
01:04:34Please.
01:04:36Please, stop.
01:04:37Please.
01:04:42Go.
01:04:43Go.
01:04:44Nessa.
01:04:45You're hurt.
01:04:57It's nothing.
01:04:58I'll be fine.
01:05:03Adai.
01:05:05Adai, I need to ask you to...
01:05:06Do not ask me.
01:05:07Don't ask me to forgive you.
01:05:11Because if you ask me to forgive you, I am bound to.
01:05:15And I can't.
01:05:16I won't.
01:05:19I understand.
01:05:20You do not understand.
01:05:21You can't understand me!
01:05:29Then help me.
01:05:33Help me understand.
01:05:36What exactly happened?
01:05:41We entered the sandstorm.
01:05:44He became blind and mad.
01:05:47Why him?
01:05:49Why only him?
01:05:51I do not know, my lord.
01:05:53There's more to this than meets the eye.
01:05:55I will look into the matter myself.
01:05:58Have your men ready to ride at dawn tomorrow?
01:06:01Yes, Lord Kaifus.
01:06:02Yes, Lord Kaifus.
01:06:11Why not send the guard to arrest him?
01:06:14The Romans would consent to it, if you request it.
01:06:16Because, my dear Gamaliel, if he has become a traitor, that is what he will expect me to do.
01:06:24He will try to provoke me, use his Roman connections to depose me and get appointed in my place.
01:06:33So this is nothing but a political charade, is it?
01:06:35All the men and women that he put to death in defense of our faith, all those debts, to remove you from office.
01:06:43Well, you will find that persuading a Roman governor to do anything is not easy.
01:06:50I'm an old man, Kaifus.
01:06:55I have seen waves of change upon change roll over us, leaving everything as it was before.
01:07:01But I fear this wave is different.
01:07:04It's stronger, more powerful.
01:07:08This time, we cannot stop it rolling over us any more than we can stop the tides.
01:07:13Perhaps you would be best employed making sure that the wave does not wash you overboard.
01:07:37Are you certain this is safe?
01:07:40He doesn't know where we are and we weren't followed. I made sure of that.
01:07:44Welcome.
01:07:45You are Saul of Tarsus?
01:07:47I am.
01:07:49The Butcher of Judea.
01:07:51I was.
01:07:52What I remember most is how I felt when I was in his presence. There was peace, comfort, tears of joy. Whatever our hardship, our despair, it all just melted away when we gazed into his eyes.
01:08:19And when he looked back at you, he looked deep within your soul, wiping out all pain and replacing it with hope and the strength to believe that you were safe, never forgotten that I was of value to him.
01:08:50Saul!
01:08:52Saul!
01:08:54Saul!
01:08:59He's in here.
01:09:11Leave us.
01:09:12You've traveled a great distance. You honor me, dear Caiaphas.
01:09:22And you confuse me, my dear young friend.
01:09:25You ask for permission to do God's work in Damascus. You come, you find the blasphemers, you arrest them, and then you let them go.
01:09:41Now, what am I to make of that, hmm?
01:09:45Everything you say is true. Think what you must.
01:09:49There is a tale going around that, during the sandstorm, you, and only you, heard a voice.
01:09:57It was the voice of God.
01:10:03It was the voice of God.
01:10:06You heard the voice of God?
01:10:10Tell me, what did the voice of God say?
01:10:15It was the voice of the Nazarene.
01:10:19You mean the one that was crucified, the carpenter Jesus of Nazareth?
01:10:22Yes.
01:10:25So, are you saying Jesus is God?
01:10:35And I killed his innocent servant, Stephen.
01:10:45I took Stephen's life. I must replace it.
01:10:50I am Stephen.
01:10:51Enough!
01:10:58Look, if you stand up and say that Jesus is God, you give me no other choice than to exterminate all the Nazarenes. Do you understand that?
01:11:10This is what is going to happen. You, you, Saul, are going to go to the synagogue and profess the faith of your fathers.
01:11:21The faith of Israel.
01:11:22The faith of Israel.
01:11:23And you will exhort the Nazarenes to return to the faith of their fathers.
01:11:28Mistakes have been made on both sides.
01:11:31You will tell them that if their land has been taken, it will be returned.
01:11:35If their property has been destroyed, it will be restored.
01:11:38They must come back to our faith and all their mistakes will be overlooked.
01:11:48So, Saul, the responsibility for what happens next is in your hands, my friend.
01:12:02Do not disappoint me, Saul.
01:12:09Do not turn your back on your people, your faith, and your God.
01:12:17Do not turn your back on your mind on your God.
01:12:39It is said you will speak at the synagogue.
01:13:07I have been summoned.
01:13:08Will you go?
01:13:09I am praying for guidance.
01:13:21Before she died, she forgave you.
01:13:39Lord Caiaphas, they told me you were in Damascus.
01:13:57Prefect Marcus Quintus, so good of you to see me at short notice.
01:14:01Yes, what can we do for you?
01:14:03Prefect, as you know, the Sanhedrin is responsible for maintaining civil peace.
01:14:10It is in connection with that that I have come to request your assistance.
01:14:17Speak.
01:14:18How can I be of assistance?
01:14:20A man will shortly address the people of Damascus.
01:14:24He is both a Pharisee and also a Roman citizen.
01:14:28Saul of Tarsus, also known as the Butcher of Judea, is he not?
01:14:32For some unknown reason, he has come to his senses and stopped butchering all the defenseless
01:14:36farmers.
01:14:37Butcher of Tarsus liars and enemies of Rome is a more apt description.
01:14:42Enemies of Rome?
01:14:43Is that what they are, these followers of the Nazarene?
01:14:46He was the one who called himself the son of God.
01:14:48He was crucified for it.
01:14:50If we were to do that in Rome, we'd crucify a dozen hotheads every day.
01:14:54The Nazarene defied us and threatened us.
01:14:57In doing so, he defied and threatened Rome itself.
01:15:01Stop, Lord Caiaphas.
01:15:04Clearly the Nazarene is more troublesome dead than he was alive.
01:15:11My stay in Judea is gladly coming to an end.
01:15:14Believe me, it couldn't be soon enough.
01:15:17Soon I will return to civilization after two long years in this forgotten waste.
01:15:20All we do here is make sure that all of you pay your taxes and serve the emperor and
01:15:25Rome in a manner that is both expected and demanded of you.
01:15:29Apart from that, we don't give a damn about your petty squabbles, your beliefs, or your traditions.
01:15:35Rest assured that this backward excuse of a country serves no purpose and is of no significance
01:15:41to the emperor or Rome.
01:15:45Serve them both well, we'll let you tear each other apart.
01:15:47We just don't give a damn.
01:15:49But rest assured, Lord Caiaphas, don't be so misguided as to think that any one of you
01:15:56could be a threat to Rome.
01:15:58You're more of a nuisance, like a tiny mosquito, easily wiped out with a simple slap.
01:16:08Prefect Marcus Quintus, Saul of Tarsus, a Jew and a Roman citizen will shortly be talking
01:16:18to the people of Damascus.
01:16:20I believe he may incite them to open rebellion.
01:16:24Should he do so, I request the right to arrest him and bring him to justice.
01:16:30If he breaks the laws of Rome, he will suffer the consequences.
01:16:35That is all I require.
01:16:38Hear me well, Lord Caiaphas.
01:16:40What happened five years ago was a mistake.
01:16:43Pontius Pilatus let you have your own way and now you're turning against your own people,
01:16:47stoning them to death for pining over a dead rabbi.
01:16:50It is causing too much unrest and that is not in the interest of Rome.
01:16:54It will stop immediately all over Judea.
01:16:56Am I understood?
01:16:58Perfectly.
01:16:59I'll hold you to that, rabbi.
01:17:03Remember, we appointed you by the grace of the emperor.
01:17:09And by the grace of the emperor, we can just as easily remove you.
01:17:24You may not know me, I am Saul, Saul of Tarsus, the
01:17:54butcher of Judea.
01:18:01I have dedicated my life to God's work and fought against those that would threaten his law.
01:18:08There is a movement in our land today, a movement of followers of a carpenter named Jesus.
01:18:15Though this man was crucified nearly five years past, he is still considered a threat.
01:18:19Why?
01:18:22He no longer speaks nor rallies crowds to watch him perform his miracles.
01:18:27These are things of the past, yet we still fear him.
01:18:30Why?
01:18:31He was a false prophet.
01:18:32A false prophet.
01:18:33A scourge in our midst to be eradicated without mercy.
01:18:39This Jesus, this false messiah, preached a very simple word.
01:18:48Nothing profound needing scholars to interpret or explain.
01:18:52Everything he spoke can be put into one simple word.
01:18:56Just one.
01:18:58Love.
01:18:59The simplest of words and yet the most dangerous.
01:19:04For it disarms the fighting man.
01:19:06It defeats armies.
01:19:07It is sedition at its most perverse.
01:19:09It is so insidious, it can sweep across our land like a plague over Egypt.
01:19:15And so I stand before you today as Saul of Tarsus entrusted by the elders of the Temple of Jerusalem to come here and rid your city of this disease.
01:19:32On my way to this fair city I rode down a young woman with my horse on her wedding day.
01:19:36That same day I had her father killed and her wedding guests placed in chains.
01:19:41They were all followers of the false messiah.
01:19:45I was ready to have them dragged back to Jerusalem to stand trial.
01:19:49I was ready to be present at their stoning just as I was present at the stoning of Stephen, another follower of the Nazarene.
01:19:57I remember that day well.
01:20:00For just as he died he turned to me and forgave me.
01:20:04As did the bride before she died.
01:20:08I was forgiven.
01:20:13Not because they were abiding by some sacred laws, not because they feared repercussions,
01:20:18but because they valued the word of this false prophet more than they valued life itself.
01:20:23Was this the disease, the scourge that I, Saul of Tarsus, had committed my life to destroying?
01:20:29I was blind.
01:20:35And then here in Damascus I was given my sight back and I could see every cruelty, every crime, every murder I inflicted were nothing but acts of defiance against the very God that I had pledged to serve.
01:20:50For how can God will vengeance upon the innocent?
01:20:54How can he insist on retribution for those that have fallen and needed to be helped up again?
01:21:03Because of this false prophet, this bride offered me a hand up out of the abyss of hate.
01:21:09As the Nazarene agonized on the cross, in keeping with his word he cried out,
01:21:19Forgive them for they know not what they do.
01:21:24Through dying on the cross he showed us that our way to God is not by the sword, not by law, not by dogmas,
01:21:31but by that one simple, that one simple, powerful, beautiful word, love.
01:21:41Saul of Tarsus spilled innocent blood, but Saul of Tarsus is dead.
01:21:44From this day forward I shall be known as Paul, a follower of Jesus, the Son of God.
01:21:50Oh, call him!
01:22:10Get out of my way!
01:22:11Saul!
01:22:12Get out of my way!
01:22:13Stop!
01:22:14Stop!
01:22:15Stop!
01:22:16Quick!
01:22:17No!
01:22:18This is the price I must pay.
01:22:19Let me atone for my sin.
01:22:20Here, you've asked for forgiveness, and you've been forgiven.
01:22:23You must bear witness.
01:22:26It is why you were called.
01:22:27It is why you were chosen.
01:22:29Not to die here.
01:22:31I don't want to lie!
01:22:32Take him away.
01:22:33Saul!
01:22:35Let's not get out of my way.
01:22:47Go!
01:22:48I don't want to lie.
01:22:54Go!
01:22:55Go!
01:22:56I don't want to lie!
01:22:59I don't want to lie!
01:23:05Oh!
01:23:35Close the gate!
01:23:41My order of Marcus Quintus, no one leaves this city without permission.
01:23:52There must be other ways out of the city.
01:23:54Rabbi, if I can help you.
01:23:58My name is Luke.
01:24:02I must seek the men who stood around him.
01:24:05There is still much I must learn.
01:24:07They will doubt you and still fear you,
01:24:09but I will speak on your behalf,
01:24:11and I'll bring you to them when it is safe.
01:24:14I'll see you in Jerusalem.
01:24:16In Jerusalem.
01:24:35The Apostle Paul went on to spread the word to Turkey and Greece and Rome.
01:24:46He wrote much of the New Testament and became the greatest spokesman in the history of Christianity,
01:24:51second only to Jesus himself.
01:24:52Jesus himself.
01:25:22Jesus himself.
01:25:52Jesus himself.
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