Jesus’ Arrest and Trial

Use these Immersive Bible Study resources to explore the story of Jesus’ life and death from the perspective of directors, actors, musicians, photographers and a whole host of volunteers. People who have taken part in Passion Plays around the UK leave a rich legacy of fascinating insights into the Gospel story after bringing it to life on the streets and city centres every Easter. What can we learn from them in this Immersive Bible Study? Find out more about Immersive Bible Studies here. 

Readings:

  • Matthew 26
  • Mark 14
  • Luke 22
  • John 13
Roman soldiers raise the cross on which Jesus is crucified and a group of his followers and friends stand behind weeping.

Getting to know the text

  • Read the passage out aloud more than once.
  • Listen as someone else reads another passage from a different Gospel.
  • Identify key words or phrases and discus with others how you would want to emphasise these in a stage production.
  • Re-write this passage as a short story or as a short script. Remember that the Gospels are written as eye-witness accounts, so they are concise and factual, without the descriptive details of a fictional narrative.

Getting to know the characters

How would you embody these characters if you were acting in this scene?

  • Read out the passage and make notes on how different characters are responding to seeing Roman soldiers arrest Jesus.
  • Choose one person and make notes on the use of voice, body language and gesture for your character.  

 

Watch a demonstration from historical re-enactors as they show how Roman soldiers would have arrested someone in first-century Palestine.

Jesus stands with his hands held out and two Roman soldiers with red cloaks, helmets and spears stand on either side of him. In the background are the rooftops of Edinburgh city.

Director’s notes

How would you stage this if you were a director?

  • Write stage directions for key moments in this passage for the actors playing each part.
  • Write an aside for some of the onlookers such as the Roman soldiers or Jesus’ disciples to show more about what is happening and what they are feeling. (Remember, an aside is when a character voices his or her thoughts to the audience without the other characters overhearing.)
  • Write notes on casting for some of the main characters other than Jesus – what would they look or sound like? 
  • How would you advise the rest of actors to behave on stage as they watch and respond to what is happening? 

 

Gallery

Below are images taken from various Passion Play productions. You can see how Jesus is arrested and you can also see the reactions of the crowd, especially the soldiers who arrest him and his closest friends and followers who try to stop them. How would you want to stage these scenes? Where in your local community would these events be best staged? 

  • Jesus wears contemporary costume and walks down the high street in Stafford with his hands tied behind him and two men in ceremonial dress marching before him with drums. A crowd of people are following them.
  • A man in black holds Jesus back as he is arrested. Other men in black carry plastic shields and in the background are the glass shop fronts of the high street.
  • Jesus is held by two roman soldiers as part of the Belper Passion Play 2018
  • Roman soldiers in full armour and weapons march down the high street.
  • A group of seven Roman soldiers led by a Centurion in the foreground with a helmet with red feathers.
  • A close up of a Roman soldier showing his shoulders covered in armour and a helmet on his head.
  • Jesus stands with his hands held out and two Roman soldiers with red cloaks, helmets and spears stand on either side of him. In the background are the rooftops of Edinburgh city.
  • A close up of a Roman Centurion in profile with helmet and cheek guards. Another soldier stands behind him.
  • A Roman centurion procession as part of the Passion Play outside the Tate Gallery at Trafalgar Square in London
  • Jesus is kneeling before Pilate who is questioning him. Pilate stands over Jesus with his hands behind his back.
  • Jesus is kneeling before Pilate who is questioning him. Pilate stands over Jesus and two men in dark black suits stand behind him.
  • Jesus is in a white shirt and he is led away by two people in dark clothing and security vests.
  • Pilate in purple cloak interrogates Jesus in long white robe.
  • A roman soldier holds Jesus in front of Pilate who looks at him threateningly.
  • A group of actors on an outdoor stage perform in the Leek passion play.
  • Jesus is surrounded by guards carrying riot shields in a park in Stafford.

HOW CAN I TAKE PART IN A PASSION PLAY?

WHERE CAN I SEE A PASSION PLAY AT EASTER?

HOW CAN I START A NEW PASSION PLAY?

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