Joel (played by John Beal) is a protagonist in The Great Commandment.
Elder son of Rabbi Lamech and secret leader of the village zealots. Secretly in love with Tamar, he initially seeks Jesus's military leadership against the Romans but is transformed by Jesus's teachings on love and non-violence. He ultimately protects the Roman centurion Longinus, gets imprisoned, and eventually embraces the Christian faith. Longinus (played by Albert Dekker) appears in The Great Commandment.
Roman centurion tasked with collecting taxes, initially threatening village massacres and ordering Joel's arrest. After witnessing Jesus's crucifixion and plunging the spear into His side, he experiences a profound conversion, abandons his military role, and ultimately embraces the Christian faith alongside Joel and Tamar. Lamech (played by Maurice Moscovitch) appears in The Great Commandment.
The village rabbi and father of Joel and Zadok. He expects Joel to follow his footsteps as a scribe and attempts to arrange a marriage between Tamar and his younger son Zadok. He later engages Jesus in a theological discussion regarding the greatest commandment. Tamar (played by Marjorie Cooley) appears in The Great Commandment.
Daughter of carpet merchant Jemuel and Joel's secret love interest. Her marriage to Joel's brother Zadok is arranged by their fathers. She visits Joel in prison and ultimately joins him and Longinus in embracing the Christian faith after witnessing the impact of Jesus's teachings. Jemuel (played by Lloyd Corrigan) appears in The Great Commandment.
A local carpet merchant and father of Tamar. He collaborates with Rabbi Lamech to arrange a marriage between his daughter Tamar and Lamech's younger son, Zadok. Zadok (played by Warren McCollum) appears in The Great Commandment.
The impetuous younger son of Rabbi Lamech and Joel's brother. A zealous rebel who organizes prisoner releases and seeks immediate violent action against the Romans. He is betrothed to Tamar and ultimately dies after attacking the Roman centurion Longinus. Judas (played by Marc Loebell) appears in The Great Commandment.
One of Jesus's disciples who shares the zealots' expectation that Jesus will act as a military and political leader to liberate the Jewish people from Roman rule. Nathan (played by Olaf Hytten) appears in The Great Commandment.
The local innkeeper who informs Zadok of Longinus's sleeping location. He later alerts Lamech and Joel when Longinus defends himself by killing Zadok during the assassination attempt.
The Great Commandment (1939) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Joel
(played by John Beal) — protagonist
Elder son of Rabbi Lamech and secret leader of the village zealots. Secretly in love with Tamar, he initially seeks Jesus's military leadership against the Romans but is transformed by Jesus's teachin...
Longinus
(played by Albert Dekker) — supporting
Roman centurion tasked with collecting taxes, initially threatening village massacres and ordering Joel's arrest. After witnessing Jesus's crucifixion and plunging the spear into His side, he experien...
Lamech
(played by Maurice Moscovitch) — supporting
The village rabbi and father of Joel and Zadok. He expects Joel to follow his footsteps as a scribe and attempts to arrange a marriage between Tamar and his younger son Zadok. He later engages Jesus i...
Tamar
(played by Marjorie Cooley) — supporting
Daughter of carpet merchant Jemuel and Joel's secret love interest. Her marriage to Joel's brother Zadok is arranged by their fathers. She visits Joel in prison and ultimately joins him and Longinus i...
Jemuel
(played by Lloyd Corrigan) — supporting
A local carpet merchant and father of Tamar. He collaborates with Rabbi Lamech to arrange a marriage between his daughter Tamar and Lamech's younger son, Zadok.
Zadok
(played by Warren McCollum) — supporting
The impetuous younger son of Rabbi Lamech and Joel's brother. A zealous rebel who organizes prisoner releases and seeks immediate violent action against the Romans. He is betrothed to Tamar and ultima...
Judas
(played by Marc Loebell) — supporting
One of Jesus's disciples who shares the zealots' expectation that Jesus will act as a military and political leader to liberate the Jewish people from Roman rule.
Nathan
(played by Olaf Hytten) — supporting
The local innkeeper who informs Zadok of Longinus's sleeping location. He later alerts Lamech and Joel when Longinus defends himself by killing Zadok during the assassination attempt.
Key Relationships
Nathan → Longinus
(Social Innkeeper/Guest)
Nathan → Joel
(Social Informant/Ally)
Joel → Judas
(Alliance Ideological Peer)
Joel → Longinus
(Conflict Political Enemy)
Zadok → Longinus
(Conflict Armed Enemy)
Joel → Tamar
(Romantic Interest)
Joel → Zadok
(Family Brother)
Jemuel → Tamar
(Family Father)
Lamech → Zadok
(Family Father)
Lamech → Joel
(Family Father)
Story Analysis
A zealot leader seeks Jesus for military salvation but discovers a message of peace and love.
