This Jesus Must Die
Brian Keith Lyrics
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Good Caiaphas, the council waits for you.
The Pharisees and priests are here for you.
CAIAPHAS
Ah gentlemen, you know why we are here.
MOB (outside)
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
ANNAS
Listen to that howling mob of blockheads in the street!
A trick or two with lepers, and the whole town's on its feet.
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Jesus Christ Superstar!
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Tell us that you're who they say you are.
PRIEST TWO
The man is in town right now to whip up some support.
PRIEST THREE
A rabble rousing mission that I think we must abort.
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Jesus Christ Superstar!
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
PRIEST TWO
Look Caiaphas, they're right outside our yard.
PRIEST THREE
Quick Caiaphas, go call the Roman guard.
CAIAPHAS
No, wait!
We need a more permanent solution to our problem.
ANNAS
What then to do about Jesus of Nazareth?
Miracle wonderman, hero of fools.
PRIEST THREE
No riots, no army, no fighting, no slogans.
CAIAPHAS
One thing I'll say for him -- Jesus is cool.
ANNAS
We dare not leave him to his own devices.
His half-witted fans will get out of control.
PRIESTS
But how can we stop him?
His glamour increases
By leaps every moment; he's top of the poll.
CAIAPHAS
I see bad things arising.
The crowd crown him king; which the Romans would ban.
I see blood and destruction,
Our elimination because of one man.
Blood and destruction because of one man.
ALL (inside)
Because, because, because of one man.
CAIAPHAS
Our elimination because of one man.
ALL (inside)
Because, because, because of one, 'cause of one, 'cause of one man.
PRIEST THREE
What then to do about this Jesus-mania?
ANNAS
How do we deal with a carpenter king?
PRIESTS
Where do we start with a man who is bigger
Than John was when John did his baptism thing?
CAIAPHAS
Fools, you have no perception!
The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high!
We must crush him completely,
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
For the sake of the nation, this Jesus must die.
ALL (inside)
Must die, must die, this Jesus must die.
CAIAPHAS
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
ALL (inside)
Must die, must die, this Jesus must, Jesus must, Jesus must die!
The lyrics of the song "This Jesus Must Die" from the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" mainly show the conversation between Caiaphas, one of the Jewish high priests of Jerusalem, and his colleagues, who are discussing whether to stop Jesus Christ's growing popularity before it becomes a threat to their authority. The song begins with one of the priests informing Caiaphas about the presence of the Pharisees and other priests, indicating that they are there to discuss their problem concerning Jesus Christ. Caiaphas then acknowledges that they are running out of time, and there is a significant problem that needs to be addressed.
The song proceeds with the discussion of the priests regarding what to do about Jesus' presence in the city, especially with his growing support from the people. The song highlights the concern of the Jewish ruling class regarding Jesus Christ's ability to gather support easily and how it could result in the loss of the Jewish nation's power. The chorus repeats a few times, showing the rising influence of Jesus Christ and how people perceive him as a superstar. Caiaphas expresses his concern about Jesus' increasing glamour, which would lead the Romans to ban their activities in the city. In the end, Caiaphas decides that for the sake of their nation, Jesus Christ must die.
Facts:
Line by Line Meaning
Good Caiaphas, the council waits for you.
The council is waiting for you, Caiaphas.
Ah gentlemen, you know why we are here.
Gentlemen, we are here because of a problem that needs to be solved.
Listen to that howling mob of blockheads in the street!
That blockheaded mob is making a lot of noise outside!
The man is in town right now to whip up some support.
The man is in town now to get more support.
A rabble rousing mission that I think we must abort.
We must stop his mission of rousing the rabble.
Look Caiaphas, they're right outside our yard.
Caiaphas, they're right outside our yard.
Quick Caiaphas, go call the Roman guard.
Caiaphas, go get the Roman guard quickly.
What then to do about Jesus of Nazareth?
What should we do about Jesus of Nazareth?
No riots, no army, no fighting, no slogans.
We need to find a way to stop Jesus without causing riots or fighting.
One thing I'll say for him -- Jesus is cool.
I have to admit, Jesus is pretty cool.
We dare not leave him to his own devices.
We can't let Jesus do what he wants.
How do we deal with a carpenter king?
How do we deal with a king who is a carpenter?
Where do we start with a man who is bigger
Where do we begin with a man who is so influential?
Fools, you have no perception!
You fools don't understand!
The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high!
The stakes are very high, and we are taking a risk.
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
Like John before him, we must eliminate Jesus.
For the sake of the nation, this Jesus must die.
We need to kill Jesus for the good of the nation.
Must die, must die, this Jesus must die.
Jesus must die.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind