Titus is a young boy, born to a down on his luck fisherman who has turned towards violent crime and a downtrodden mother. His main companion, his brother Stephen is crippled as a result of being beaten by their cruel father, however he remains kind and sweet. After hearing of Jesus Titus is brusque at first, dismissing the possibility that Jesus would help them as 'heathen greeks'. He warns Stephen off his hopes of healing and he is hostile and wary of the people of Jerusalem and fears that they would not benefit from the new preacher in the area. He even looks forward to fighting the Jews although he does not approve of the theft his father is involved in. In their quest to escape their father and find peace, Stephen and Titus strike out, prompted by a terrible accident suffered by a neighbour's infant. They brush the Roman empire the wrong way, consider the cause of Barabbus, are imprisoned and consider carefully the idea of rebellion before finally coming as new and liberated people, together at the foot of the cross at history's most significant crucifixion.