John 18:14 – 19:16
POY! SKIT GUIDELINES:
- In a small group, participants might simply read their lines, or glance at their lines to get the idea so they can speak in their own words.
- Most POY! skits require no practice in advance.
- Have any small children play a brief part. Most scripts have an optional part for children, listed last under Participants.
- Most scripts have a Narrator who should read the script beforehand to see how to keep moving the story along.
- It is not necessary to employ costumes and objects, unless the skit recommends such.
- It is not required to have an audience watch the skit. All present may participate.
- Scripture and paraphrases, if any, usually appear in bold.
PARTICIPANTS:
Narrator
Pilate
Peter
Girl
Voice (of Jesus) Stand to one side, read slowly and loudly.
AccuserPrompter (Optional). Prompter shouts a brief line and Companions repeat it.
Companions (Optional): children and all adults that want to take part. Make sure Companions know who the Prompter is, and that they are to repeat Prompter’s words.
SCRIPT:
| Narrator |
We will watch Jesus’ mock trial, as recorded in John 18 and 19. During Jesus’ trial, Peter entered court and was warming himself by a fire. |
| Girl |
(Point your finger close to Peter’s face.) Hey! You’re one of that man’s disciples! |
| Peter |
(Push her hand away.) I am not! |
| Narrator |
They held the trial at night in the dark, as they did not want folk to see its falseness, but Peter was close enough to hear the voices. The High Priest questioned Jesus about His teaching. |
| Voice | I have spoken openly in synagogues and in the temple, and spoke nothing in secret. So why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them. |
| Narrator |
An officer struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?†|
| Accuser |
Hey you! (Point at Peter.) You’re one of that man’s followers. I saw you with him! |
| Peter |
You’re mistaken. I don’t know that man, I tell you! |
| Accuser |
(Stand closer to Peter, peering at his face) Oh, yes, you are one of His followers! Aha! You cut my cousin’s ear off when we arrested that imposter in Gethsemane. |
| Narrator |
Peter was shocked at what he heard next. Jesus had told Peter that he would deny Jesus before the rooster crowed, and it had happened. A rooster was crowing! |
| Prompter & Companions |
Cock-a-doodle-doo! |
| Narrator |
Peter hurried out and wept bitterly. |
| Peter |
(Hurry away, moaning.) |
| Narrator | Â They led Jesus into the Roman court to be tried by Pilate, the Roman Governor. |
| Pilate |
(Step up to Accuser, put hands on hips.) Okay, so what accusation do you bring against that Man? |
| Accuser |
If He weren’t an evildoer, we would not have brought Him to you. |
| Pilate |
Oh? Very well. Then take Him and judge Him according to your own law! Go!†|
| Accuser | We would judge Him, but we’re not permitted to put anyone to death. |
| Pilate | To death? (Turn sharply to face Voice.) You, whom people call the King of the Jews… Are you? Are you a king? |
| Voice |
My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to protect me. You say correctly that I am a king. For this I was born, and came into the world, to testify to the truth. All who are of the truth hear My voice. |
| Pilate |
Ha! Truth! What is truth? Listen, you Jews… I find no guilt in this man. You have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews, or should I release the insurrectionist Barabbas? |
| Accuser | Barabbas! Release Barabbas. |
| Narrator |
The soldiers took Jesus and whipped Him. They twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, put a purple robe on Him and slapped Him in the face, crying, “Hail, King of the Jews!†|
| Pilate |
All of you, know that I find no guilt in Him. Just look how He’s already been beaten! |
| Accuser |
Crucify Him, crucify Him! |
| Pilate |
Take Him yourselves, you Jewish rulers, and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him. |
| Accuser |
By our law, He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God. |
| Pilate |
What? The Son of God? Oh, what have I gotten into? (Face voice.) You, Jesus, Where are You from? (After a pause) Why don’t you answer me? Don’t you know I have authority to free You, and I have authority to crucify You? |
| Voice | Â You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin. |
| Accuser |
(Shout angrily and shake a fist in the air.) If you free Him, you’re no friend of Caesar! Anyone who pretends to be king defies Caesar! |
| Narrator | Â After Pilate heard these disturbing words, he took a basin in front of the Jews. |
| Pilate |
I wash my hands of this affair. Do as you wish to this man. |
| Accuser |
Correct! Let His blood be on us and on our children. |
| Prompter & Companions |
How sad, those words! How sad! |
DISCUSS:
In what way did Pilate practice a form of democracy (government by the people) to avoid taking responsibility?
In what way was the criminal Barabbas a symbol of every sinner that Jesus saves?
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