Trial Before Pilate (Including the Thirty-Nine Lashes) Jesus Christ Superstar — 1970
TRIAL BEFORE PILATE PILATE. And so the King is once again my guest And why is this? Was Herod unimpressed? CAIAPHAS. We turn to Rome to sentence Nazareth We have no law to put a man to death We need him crucified — it’s all you have to do (×2) PILATE. Talk to me Jesus Christ You have been brought here — manacled, beaten By your own people — do you have the first idea why you deserve it? Listen, King of the Jews Where is your Kingdom? Look at me — am I a Jew? JESUS. I have got no Kingdom in this world — I’m through, through, through MOB. Talk to me Jesus Christ JESUS. There may be a Kingdom for me somewhere — if I only knew PILATE. Then you’re a king? JESUS. It’s you that say I am I look for truth and find that I get damned PILATE. But what is truth? Is truth unchanging law? We both have truths-are mine the same as yours? MOB. Crucify him! Crucify him! PILATE. What do you mean? You’d crucify your King? MOB. We have no King but Caesar! PILATE. He’s done no wrong — no not the slightest thing MOB. We have no King but Caesar! Crucify him! PILATE. Well this is new — respect for Caesar — Till now this has been noticeably lacking Who is this Jesus? Why is he different? You Jews produce Messiahs by the sackful MOB. We need him crucified — it’s all you have to do We need him crucified-it’s all you have to do PILATE. Talk to me Jesus Christ Look at your Jesus Christ I’ll agree he’s mad — ought to be locked up But that is not a reason to destroy him He’s a sad little man Not a King or God Not a thief — I need a crime MOB. Kill him he says he’s God — a blasphemer He’ll conquer you and us and even Caesar Crucify him! Crucify him! PILATE. Behold the man Behold your shattered King MOB. We have no King but Caesar PILATE. You hypocrites You hate us more than him MOB. We have no King but Caesar Crucify him! PILATE. I see no reason — I find no evil This man is harmless, so why does he upset you? He’s just misguided — thinks he’s important But to keep you vultures happy, I shall flog him MOB. Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify! Crucify! Crucify! Crucify! (×3) (Thirty-nine lashes) PILATE. Where are you from Jesus? What do you want Jesus? Tell me You’ve got to be careful — you could be dead soon — could well be Why do you not speak when I have your life in my hands? How can you stay quiet? I don’t believe you understand JESUS. You have nothing in your hands Any power you have comes to you from far beyond Everything is fixed and you can’t change it PILATE. You’re a fool Jesus Christ — how can I help you? MOB. Pilate! Crucify him! Crucify! Remember Caesar — you have a duty To keep the peace so crucify him! Remember Caesar — you’ll be demoted You’ll be deported Crucify him! (×3) PILATE. Don’t let me stop your great self-destruction Die if you want to you misguided martyr I wash my hands of your demolition Die if you want to you innocent puppet!