Jesus: Darkness is not needed, for there are secret ways known to us alone. (To Paul.) Have no fear for Timothy; a shepherd put him on the way to Caesarea soon after he missed thee.
PAUL (turning from Jesus): For the safety of my beloved son, Timothy, I give thanks to thee, Lord. (Turning to Jesus.) Thou'rt sure of what thou sayest, so let us away, for there is a great burning in me to see my son's face again. (Turning to the Essenes.) Farewell, brethren, to whom I was led unwittingly. Let the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom you have heard this day for the first time, thrive in your spirit, and let those among you who would preach the Gospel of his death and resurrection from the dead take up my work where I have left it in Asia. . . . (He turns and looks into Jesus face.)
Jesus: Why dost thou look into my face so steadfastly?
PAUL: So thou'rt from Nazareth?
Sappoc: Yea, the one of us that preached in Galilee and afterwards went up to Jerusalem and was crucified by Pilate. The very Lord Jesus whom thou preachest.
PAUL (to Jesus): Saddoc is making a mock of thee.
Jesus: I know naught of the Lord Jesus, but I was baptized in Jordan by John and left the brethren to preach the kingdom of heaven in Galilee, and afterwards came to Jerusalem with followers. The people strewed palms before me, and at hearing myself called the Son of David, I said to those who would have reproved the people: If they did not call it forth the stones themselves would. And pride having lifted me above myself, I turned to my followers, saying: Who am I? Am I Moses, Elijah, or the Messiah promised to the Jews?
(Paul stares at Jesus in bewilderment, and then as if to break a spell cries out.)
Paul: A madman! A madman! Or possessed by an evil spirit!
(Paul rushes out of the cenoby, and the Essenes flock on to the balcony.)
CALEB (Speaking from the balcony): He runs quickly; he is nigh the bridge already.
Saddoc: A man of paunch and short legs runs quickly, like a stoat but he runs not for long.
MANAHEM: With him goes our last hope of escape.
