A5- PART U

A gospel in blank verse with rhymed parables
What’s more, the plan came instantly to grief.
The High Priest’s party had made sure that folk,
despite the early hour, had been induced,
cajoled, prevailed upon, and organised
in such a way that Pilate would believe
the orchestrated baying of the crowd
must represent the feelings of the Jews
in general not only that of priests.
When Pilate still seemed likely to reject
the calls for Jesus to be crucified
he faced the likelihood that there would be
a riot – and besides that, something else –
a subtler threat. There might be a complaint
made to the Emperor himself, no less.
A group of Hebrew notables might make
the trip to Rome to tell Tiberius –
to tell him what? – a priestly voice yelled out
above the noise – ‘Jesus proclaimed himself
a king! If you release this man, you are
siding with enemies of Caesar. One
who dubs himself a monarch is a threat
to Rome’. “Maiestas populi Romani.”
That was a principle of Roman rule –
the preservation of the dignity
and superiority of Romans
everywhere. Since Tiberius was ‘The State’
he could take the insult personally.
The Governor, indeed, had much to fear.
This would not be the first complaint. A list
of briberies, of wanton injuries,
of tantrums, theft, injustice and much else
had reached the ears in Rome: this priestly straw
might break the camel’s back. Pilate took stock.
The longer he delayed the more the crowd
displayed the likelihood there’d be a riot.
‘Fetch me a bowl,’ he ordered hurriedly,
‘with water and a towel.’ When this was done
in full view of the crowd, he washed his hands
and from his Judgement Seat he solemnly
disowned responsibility for what
he was about to do. ‘I’m not to blame
for shedding this man’s blood’, he said. ‘You are!’
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