As long as people pay, we don't ask questions.
It's just, what business does someone from Nazareth have?
You mean besides that a woman can't travel alone?
Her parents asked us to be discreet.
Then start talking quieter, Tzofi.
Why the need for discretion? Why choose us for passage?
-As long as people pay, we don't... -Sometimes...
Sometimes when a virgin gets sent away to stay with relatives for a while,
it is because...
she's not.
-You are so crude. -[scoffs]
Well, this is your stop.
Hill country.
Thank you.
Oh. May God go with you on the rest of your journey.
God be with you.
On the rest of your journey.
-Shalom. -Farewell.
-[knocking on door] -[Mary] Elizabeth!
Zechariah! Shalom!
Elizabeth, I'm here!
Zechariah!
Uncle?
Oh, Elizabeth!
-Look at you. -He can't talk right now.
I'll explain later.
-Okay, careful, careful, careful. -[Elizabeth laughing]
-I'm fine. Don't fuss. -Sit, sit, sit.
-You sit. Just sit. -Okay. Okay. I sit, I sit.
Blessed are you among women.
And blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Wait. How did you know?
Ah. I suppose nothing should surprise me anymore.
Something better than that is happening.
So humbling.
Why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
-Did a messenger tell you about me? -When I heard your voice,
just the sound of your greeting, my baby leaped for joy.
And blessed are you who believed there would be a fulfillment
from what was spoken to you from Adonai.
So a messenger did tell you about me.
The messenger came to my husband.
-Zechariah said, "I don't believe it." -Just slow down a moment.
You're in no condition to be losing your breath.
When my messenger told me about your news, I was so happy,
knowing how long you'd suffered.
I want to hear all about it.
The reason Zechariah could not speak with you
is that he did not believe the message from God about me.
-I wasn't sure at first either. -I feel bad he has to go through this.
But I must admit, sometimes, I don't mind the quiet.
-[both laughing] -Stop it.
But he wrote down for me what was spoken,
and I memorized every word, that his name will be John.
Not Zechariah? Why John?
Perhaps he will not be a priest like his father,
a different path for God, for Zech was also told
John will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
And he will go before him, in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.
And to make ready for the Lord, a people prepared.
To prepare the way for...
Oh! There he goes again.
Feel it.
Oh!
Yes.
It's like he can't wait to get started.
[theme music playing]
♪ Oh, child, come on in Jump in the water ♪
♪ Got no trouble with the mess you been ♪
♪ Walk on the water, ooh ♪
♪ You walk on the water, ooh ♪
♪ You walk on the water ♪
♪ Oh, child ♪
♪ You walk on the water ♪
♪ Got no trouble ♪
♪ You walk on the water ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh ♪
♪ Walk on the water ♪
Four long fingers closed.
There.
Thumb resting at the side of the first knuckle.
Yes. More feminine.
More purposeful.
Flip the palm, but not too flat.
Cupped as if to catch the rain.
Yes.
Too flat. Raise your heel.
Higher! Higher.
Up. Up on your toes.
The moment you feel yourself start to fall,
bend your knees and swivel at the hips so that your left foot can catch you.
No.
It cannot look like a mistake.
You must be in control at all times, even if you are not.
Again.
Again!
No!
Again.
Closer.
Still, we are not all the way there.
This mark is the last place your hands make contact with the floor before the final flips.
-Do you understand? -Yes.
From the end of section two through the finale.
And go.
Too far away. Again.
Include the instruments this time. The timing must be precise.
[drums banging]
And go.
[drumming stops]
-That's my girl. Take the measurement. -[sighs]
And now...
lower, lower, hips back.
Slower.
Make him wait.
Make it hurt.
There.
That wasn't so difficult.
Now, let's paint your face.
[Herodias] Not yet.
Do it one more time.
-[teacher] The bow? -The whole dance.
-From the top. -My queen.
You heard me.
It must be perfect.
Ah! These jars cannot break, you understand me?
-Yes. -Yes.
Our very first press.
The sacred first fruits, holy to Adonai.
The way that James has them situated,
they won't even make it to the synagogue tasting in one piece.
[Big James] I was going to place them and you already complained.
[John] Yes, but they're not secure. They're going to break along the way.
[Big James] Why don't you wait until we get on the road?
[John] Every road is riddled with potholes.
I don't even know what our taxes are paying for.
Are my eyes lying?
Oh, it's so good to have you back.
Oh, I know.
-But I want to hear everything. -There's straw between them.
They're not going to break.
Straw will not do us any good if they bounce out of the cart.
That is not happening.
Strap them down with rope.
Ah. Okay.
You have the rope, then?
No, I didn't think so.
We're not fishermen anymore.
-So nothing has changed, huh? -Been at it since you left.
Ramah! You aren't doing anything. Come over here and lend a hand.
-Ramah! -When did you get here?
Oh, I've been here. But you were busy.
You know, arguing like this is not good for the oil.
What?
This will be used in sacrificial offerings as a pleasing aroma to Adonai.
To anoint the high priest and his sons.
Not if it's seeping into the cracks of Capernaum's streets.
-What are we supposed to do? Carry them? -Ha! You'll trip.
[Big James] Abba, I'm not Andrew.
-My footing is solid. -Yes, but your hands are filthy.
Rope.
-So much to do. So much to tell you. -Oh, my goodness.
By the way, can you read this?
Abba, the blessing. They're expecting us on the hour.
Ah, of course.
[grunts]
As best I can remember.
Blessed are you, Lord, our God,
king of the universe, who is good and bestows good.
Let the favor of the Lord, our God, be upon us and establish the work of our hands upon us.
Yes. Establish the work of our hands.
What? What are you looking at? Did I mess up the prayer?
No. No, it's not that. It's just, um...
The Greeks. They put on plays, right?
We don't talk about that sort of filth in this house.
[John] Yes, I know.
But my point is, they break up the plays into acts and, uh...
And you, Abba, It's like...
It's like you're starting a new act.
Hmm.
Comedy or tragedy?
I guess we'll find out.
Sorry to interrupt, but we heard Ramah's back.
How did you hear that?
Well, we hear everything. It's what we do.
And we also know that if she is back, Thomas would like to see her.
-He cannot be alone with her. -Oh, Barnaby and I will chaperone.
She's in the mission house.
[speaks in Hebrew]
Okay, let's go.
-Be careful. -Yes.
-Don't go too fast. -Yes, Abba.
-Don't go too slow. -Abba.
[people chattering]
[Chuza] Joanna?
Chuza, I'm here.
What are you doing here? It's the middle of the day.
A man has to explain what he's doing in his own quarters?
What are you doing here?
A wife has to explain what she's doing in her own quarters?
I've been looking for you, but I didn't expect you here.
You haven't slept here in weeks.
And I wonder why that could be.
Listen, I don't want to fight.
I came to make sure that you're fine for the banquet tonight.
Why wouldn't I be?
No reason.
Is that what you're wearing? It looks great.
I'll consider something else, then.
Fine.
Let's just be sure to have a good time tonight, and...
And?
And nothing.
Have a good time.
Cooperate, regardless how the evening goes, let's have a good time.
Cooperate? What is this about, Chuza?
-Hmm? -What do you mean?
I just want us to have a good time...
You are not a good liar.
You're not a good liar either, Joanna.
We know you've spoken privately with the Baptizer.
What does that have to do with anything?
-Who sent you to talk to me? -No one.
Never mind. I just wanted my wife to...
Don't say "have a good time" again.
We both know that since you met Cassandra, you don't care about that.
-Is Herod doing something with John? -No.
No.
Herod finds John entertaining and interesting.
-You know that. -Yes.
And I know that it would be unwise for him to do something rash
when the people consider him a prophet.
He should be cautious.
I'm aware of your support for him.
Just smile and pretend tonight.
That's all I'm asking.
I understand smiling and pretending, Chuza.
I've had a lot of practice doing both.
Have you really never done this before?
Hadad and I always had the laundry sent out.
And you have no savings left?
I had to divest my shares in the company in order to follow Jesus.
-Wise choice. -Sure. I mean, that's an understatement.
But one wise decision only highlights how much practical wisdom I don't have.
Like how to wash clothes.
Well, lucky for you, it's not that hard.
What is that?
Some salts, oil extracted from plants, and animal fat.
[retches]
I, uh, wish I hadn't asked.
[Zee] Have to stir it well.
See, it's saturated?
Good.
Now, take the garment out and dip it into the source water.
You know, if our funds weren't so low, we could hire people to do the wash,
giving us more time to get to the real work and expanding the ministry.
How would that look to people?
Like we're maximizing the time and resources
to our task of building the Kingdom of the Messiah.
So you think the followers of Jesus will not do mundane tasks?
You're imagining a contingency for something unsaid.
No one's examining Jesus's books, Zee.
We should be out there, spreading the word, gathering more followers.
This is what the people we talk to do: laundry.
If we appear too lofty or important for daily tasks,
we will no longer be relatable.
So you ball up the garments and knead it hard against the rock.
Knead it.
Harder.
It gets the water out and dislodges any dirt that is collected in between the fibers.
I'm not saying there couldn't be a perception problem.
I'm just saying we could cross that bridge when we get to it.
For now, we could do more if we had more funding.
There's Zebedee's olive oil business.
-Which has not brought in a shekel. -Yet.
Yet.
Judas, you are learned.
Oh, thank you.
But you're not wise.
Oh, okay. Uh...
Thanks for that.
I like the learned part.
You have dedicated your life to a teacher, yes?
He walks on water and commands the wind and waves.
But sure, he's a teacher.
And yet you are overlooking his lessons
to find fault in something you don't understand.
There is a lesson in everything he shares and asks.
Fine.
Where do I start?
You rinse away what was scrubbed out.
You're making the garment new again.
Now my favorite part.
This is for the most stubborn bits of what was there before.
[both laughing]
Ultimately, it helps it dry faster.
You know, I always wondered why you never stink,
even though you, you know, you'd always...
exercise all the time.
Even sweat is no match to your strength when it comes to this part.
Well, I have to do something with my physical strength now that I don't need it anymore.
Or at least not the way I thought I would.
You see? You have it too.
-Have what? -An old way of being in the world.
And you left it behind. But you can't really shake all of it.
So you've adapted it.
Third and last rinse.
-I'm not sure I follow. -I left behind a way of life.
And even though I'm living radically different than before...
I just can't stop seeing how we could be doing things faster
and more efficiently.
-Were you asked to run it more efficiently? -No, just to keep the purse.
Then keep the purse.
But, Zee...
all the people he fed in the Decapolis, they weren't all poor.
Some were just far from home with nothing to eat.
If we had taken up a collection of just 10% of the 5,000, 10%.
Accepted a fraction...
of people's offerings of gratitude, those who could afford it,
we wouldn't be in such dire straits waiting to do important work until...
revenue kicks in from Zebedee's olive oil.
If he wanted to take up an offering, he would have.
But he didn't.
You're asking why he didn't do it the way that you would have done it before you met him?
The old me would have sold the loaves.
You should be asking to whom his charity was a lesson.
I believe his words and his lessons.
They changed my life. But they're not where this ends.
He's the Messiah, Zee.
-I know. -Do you?
If he is the son of David, and if he is to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy that,
"The mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on top of the mountains,
and be exalted above the hills and all nations flow to it,"
it's time to move faster.
He won't be king by amassing no resources or power.
-It's unheard of. -He's unheard of.
Prophesied, but never seen.
It's still dirty, Judas.
Come on, Zee. It's my first time.
Plus, I'm not as...
as strong as you.
Then put your ingenuity into it.
Jesus asks us to get it done. There is a reason.
Are you sure about that?
Because I'm pretty sure clean clothes are their own virtue.
It will become more clear.
When I was new to this, I had some tough lessons to learn, believe me.
Animal fat.
How? Wouldn't there be chunks?
No, it's heated and melted and run through a sieve
to separate the solid from the liquid fat.
It's sort of like when you sift wheat to get rid of the impurities
and separate the good grain from the bad.
[Jairus] Shalom. Shalom.
Right upon the hour as agreed.
Good sign already.
Of course, I should expect nothing less from his followers.
Shh.
We haven't the time for pleasantries.
The woman will wait outside.
-But I helped make the oil. -Tamar.
Just for the transaction, hmm?
I'll stay back and watch over the cart with you.
Hmm.
First, can you confirm this anointing oil was blended by the perfumer
according to the formula laid out by the Book of Moses?
To the letter, Rabbi.
Recite it, please.
Of liquid myrrh, 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon, half as much.
That is 250 and 250 of aromatic cane and 500 of cassia,
according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hint of olive oil.
Word for word.
Extremely well racked and purged.
[Jairus] It's clear and bright.
[Akiva] It does stay on my fingers.
With all respect, Rabbi,
we believe the viscosity is due to the correct amount of myrrh.
The gum resin is expensive. It has binding qualities necessary...
Jairus, why are we considering a new oil supplier?
Our current vendor travels a great distance from Judea.
From the Gethsemane groves nearest the Holy City.
There are none better.
Rome has demarcated Judea as a separate province from Galilee.
They imposed an import tax on goods from Judea.
In addition to the tariff, we currently also pay for shipping and labor.
Zebedee is local.
You will never charge us a shipping fee?
Never, Rabbi. I will put it in writing.
I don't know much about economics, Rabbi,
but supporting a local small business can help Capernaum...
You may drop the facade, Yussif.
You honestly think I don't know who your father is?
Yussif makes a point.
It's about responsible stewardship.
I am the chief administrator of the synagogue.
The matter is settled.
Zebedee, congratulations on fine work.
[Akiva] Let the record state that I voiced reticence at the notion
of abandoning the Gethsemane vendor,
so that future generations will know that at least one person
advocated for preeminence of tradition and precedent over finance and practicality.
Please reflect the rabbi's dissent on the record.
It is so noted.
Zebedee, please, accompany me to my office where we may discuss a fee structure.
Queen Herodias. I believe we are ready.
I'm sure you are.
We must make sure that Salome is.
Go, lead her through it one more time.
If I may.
We are pushing her too hard.
-We must rest her before... -It must be perfect.
We must overwhelm him.
I will do it with drink, you will do it with her performance.
My queen, I know the Baptizer insulted you, but there are...
"Insulted"?
Insulted.
Do you believe my marriage to the king is wicked?
Of course not. I...
Do you believe I should be returned to that pauper, Philip,
and his meager Judean territory?
And give up my marriage to Antipas who rules the entire region?
-No, my queen. -Why not?
If the Baptizer's comments in front of the whole royal court were just an insult,
as you put it, why not endorse him?
Perhaps I should just ignore this little insult
and allow for the entire region to publicly rebuke all of my decisions.
I apologize, my queen.
I will work with Salome right away.
Come.
No visitors today.
Why?
A high-profile inmate is being transferred to a cell near ground level
so that we're ready to take action at a moment's notice.
-Take action? -Are you hard of hearing?
Sorry. That won't work today, I'm afraid.
By "take action at a moment's notice," what do you mean?
-What is happening? -I can't be certain,
but usually this sort of thing means the inmate is about to be freed...
or executed.
By whose orders?
Herodias.
John!
-John, something's happening! -Stop!
-John, there's a plot. They're going to kill you. -Stop!
The blind see, the lame walk.
Lepers are cleansed.
The poor have good news preached to them.
No. No!
[John the Baptizer] The hearts of the fathers are turned to the children,
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.
The way of the Lord is prepared.
Finally separate enough to have a moment together.
-Bless Barnaby and Shula. -Mm-hm.
[Ramah chuckles]
Before we went away to the Decapolis and everything happened there,
which, to be honest...
From what I've heard,
you're probably still having a bit of a hard time accepting.
I'm getting better, right?
-At accepting things I cannot explain? -You are.
You're not the same man from the wedding at Cana.
So, there is actually somebody
who is still the same man that he's always been.
Mm.
My father.
Tell me, how did it go? Talking to him after I left.
That good, huh?
He loves you very, very much. There is no denying that.
No denying it.
And he knew what I was going to ask him, actually, before I fully did.
He made that clear to me back in Samaria.
Nothing gets past him.
-Kafni is a hard man, Ramah. -I was hoping he'd understand.
I thought he'd be able to do this. Let me grow up.
He finds Jesus objectionable,
and he disagrees with our choice to leave the profession and follow Jesus.
I truly love you, Ramah.
There's got to be some way to make this work.
I was hoping you'd say this.
-You were? -Of course.
-I have an idea. -You do?
I've carefully researched every detail, every rabbinic tradition, every minor detail.
You did?
Mm-hm. According to the Halakhah,
in the event of an absentee father or exceptionally uncommon circumstances,
which I believe our following of Jesus constitutes,
there is a special dispensation for validating a marriage.
A male who is at least 13 years old...
verbalizes the formula...
[speaking Hebrew]
"You are hereby consecrated to me according to the law of Moses and Israel."
Upon recital, the groom must give the bride some object of value.
If she accepts it, she thus validates the quiddushin as a legal act
and is designated as betrothed, consecrated to him alone.
So, wait.
Is that it? That's all you have to...
The formula must be spoken in the presence of two competent male witnesses,
one representing the groom and one representing the bride.
I will ask John to be my witness.
And we both know there really is only one man who can represent me.
[both] Jesus.
The only one who can give me away.
-We'll ask him. -And then it's done.
It will take some time to draw up the contracts.
I assume they must be signed by an official rabbi
who can confirm the circumstances are indeed extenuating and unique.
Yes.
If only we knew where we could find a rabbi who could do that.
Can this really happen within our faith?
It feels right. But is it?
I suppose it wouldn't be the first unorthodox betrothal
in the history of our people.
Esther married a Gentile king to save Israel.
David didn't wait for his father to pick his bride.
Even Jesus told us about his parents' unconventional arrangement.
-He could be... -Thomas.
Yes?
We don't compare to them, but we do have Jesus to ask.
He can decide.
Yes, of course.
Well, one unconventional arrangement will not be ours.
Mm.
Ruth was a Gentile and she snuck into the place where Boaz was sleeping.
We're not going that route.
-I'm asking you. -Ah.
I forgot that part.
Well, we'll see how that goes.
Will you forever walk with me,
and read with me,
and rattle off endless rules and extenuating circumstances with me?
Hmm.
Yes!
Ah-ah-ah.
[Barnaby] My boy.
The one time I wish she still couldn't see.
We're getting married! It's all right!
I had one job.
[drummers playing rhythmic beat]
Listen to me, okay?
First thing we're going to do, first thing is...
I want to see you eat that whole bone.
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct chatter]
That woman.
[crowd cheering]
-Oh, boy. -Why don't you drink?
-I feel better. -Oh!
Only you drink. You drink.
If I can't see it, it did not happen.
Dropping crumbs in my lap. Go searching...
-[Cassandra] What do you want me to...? -Go searching.
[whispering] Our father, who is in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.
...temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[indistinct chatter]
[clangs]
-[servant] Sir? -Go on.
-You're right. Mm? -My love.
You'll see.
I'm fine. I can do this myself.
Honorable guests, noblemen,
military generals, commanders, and leading men of Galilee.
I present to you, for the king's pleasure,
and in the venerable tradition,
a special offering by Salome,
daughter of our most high queen, Herodias.
[crowd applauding]
-Exciting. What's Herodias' angle? -Mm.
I have a feeling I know, but let's wait and see.
You know that if Herod is pleased, he can't say no to anything.
[rhythmic drumming]
[panting]
[all applauding]
Ask of me anything you wish for, and I will give it to you.
Anything?
Up to half my kingdom.
[Salome whispering]
[rabbi] Blessed are you, Adonai our God, ruler of the universe,
who has sanctified us through your mitzvot
and has commanded us to bring our sons
into the covenant of Abraham, our Father.
[crowd] May this little one grow to be great.
[rabbi] God of all our ancestors, sustain this child.
Let him be known among the people and in these parts,
as Zechariah, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth.
No, Rabbi, per God's command, his name will be John.
Oh.
That's a nice plate.
Silver?
Only the finest.
Only intended for a royal wedding banquet,
requested by King Herod himself.
[chuckling]
Why are you laughing?
I've never been to a wedding banquet.
But I'm on my way to one.
What's that mean?
Oh, never mind.
You wouldn't get it.
Are those your final words?
"You wouldn't get it."
Just a few more miles.
Elizabeth, none of your relatives is called John.
-I know. -Zechariah, what is this about?
Is she doing this because of what happened to you?
Jesus the Nazarene.
Avner.
Shalom.
[grunts]
[gasps]
Blessed are you...
Blessed are you, Lord, our God,
king of the universe.
John, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth of Judea,
here on this day, by order of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch,
you are hereby sentenced to death by beheading...
[guard continues indistinctly]
Thank you.
[sobbing]
[Jesus] Oh, John...
-An ox, we can get. -Right.
-Later. -What?
For the camel. That's all.
What's the morning report?
The ones with the news aren't back yet.
Which might be a good indication. Perhaps there are details to work out.
Or they got rejected yesterday
and they're drinking away their sorrows at The Hammer.
Sleeping it off. I hope not.
Hey, there they are.
What is this I see?
We got the account.
[all chuckling]
-They bought every last jar, huh! -[Simon] The old man comes through, huh?
[Big James] It was a tough crowd. It was Adonai alone that got us through it.
Yes, but Abba wasn't the only one trying to close a deal yesterday.
You can ask her.
[Nathanael] Ah, yes.
I'm curious about the little songbirds.
-It's lovebirds. -It's songbirds.
It's always been songbirds.
-[Little James] What are you talking about? -Well, out with it. How did it go?
Yes!
-Yes! -Mazel tov!
Mazel tov!
So it's really going to happen?
There are a couple of steps we have to take care of,
one of which involves you.
Hey, just don't ask me to sew the chuppah, huh?
-[Big James] I don't want to do that either. -Congratulations.
-So, this is very good news. -Yeah.
[Zechariah] Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for He has visited and redeemed His people
and has raised up for us a horn of salvation
in the house of His servant, David.
[indistinct chatter]
[Joanna] Andrew!
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old,
that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
-[knocking on door] -Andrew, are you home?
Joanna.
[sobbing]
No, no, no.
-No, no, no. -I'm sorry.
-Andrew, what's wrong? -No. It's... It's John.
-Are you Philip? -[Judas] No.
I'm Judas. Philip is away.
-I'll tell Philip. I'll tell Philip. -Okay.
John is...
To show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father, Abraham.
[Judas] Please, Andrew.
Oh, no.
We knew this day would come.
We should have been prepared.
We were.
John came to prepare the way.
And he did.
He was not the Messiah,
but John came to bear witness that he would be here soon.
[Andrew] Now we have to...
We have to find Jesus and tell him.
I'll go with you.
You don't have to.
[Zechariah] To grant us that we,
being delivered from the hands of our enemies,
might serve Him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
And you, child,
you will be called the prophet of the Most High.
For you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God.
Whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way...
of peace.
[theme music playing]