Brian Cohen is born in a stable next door to the one in which Jesus is born, which initially confuses the Biblical Magi who come to praise the future King of the Jews. Brian later grows up an idealistic young man who resents the continuing Iudaea province. While attending Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, Brian becomes infatuated with an attractive young rebel, Judith. His desire for her and hatred for the Romans lead him to join the "People's Front of Judea", one of many fractious and bickering Zealots, who spend more time fighting each other than the Romans.