Tags
Barabas, Biblical fiction, Easter, Jesus, King Herod, Longinus, Pontius Pilate, Roman centurion, terrorist
A stunning story of Holy Week through the eyes of a Roman centurion
Watch the triumphal entry of the donkey-riding king through the eyes of Marcus Longinus, the centurion charged with keeping the streets from erupting into open rebellion.
Look behind the scenes at the political plotting of King Herod, known as the scheming Fox for his ruthless shrewdness.
Get a front-row seat to the confrontation between the Jewish high priest Caiaphas and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
Understand as never before the horror of the decision to save a brutal terrorist in order to condemn the peaceful Jew to death.
If you’ve heard the story of Passion Week so often it’s become stale, now is the time to rediscover the terrible events leading from Jesus’s humble ride into the city to his crucifixion. The Soldier Who Killed a King will stun you afresh with how completely Christ’s resurrection changed history, one life at a time.
A Review by Laura Davis 
I love Biblical Fiction and this story, written from the perspective of the Roman centurion who nailed Jesus to the cross, is a keeper. We don’t often get a glimpse into the minds of those who had contact with Jesus, and the author, David Kitz, did an excellent job in drawing me into the story.
Kitz did an incredible job of making me feel like I was there. I could clearly see the blood on the centurion’s hand and feel his anger over having to kill what he considered, an innocent man. I never considered before how the soldiers would have reacted at having to release a known terrorist – Barabas – in favour of a “harmless” prophet from Galilee. And when Marcus (the centurion) realizes who Jesus really is and his subsequent transformation because of it, well . . . you almost forget it is fiction.
I loved this story and you will too! A great novel to read at Easter, but more importantly at any time of the year.
as Christ was crucified. This book really brings to life the Biblical and the historical detail. As I watched the Roman centurion who was tasked with awful task, I found myself with tears in my eyes, both for him, and for Christ. It was a heart-wrenching, gut twisting, thought provoking story of sacrifice and pain.
When it comes to fiction books that are centered around Biblical times, it takes a really good author to hook me into the story line. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading my Bible, however, not every author can create a story that brings the Biblical portion off the book pages and to the reader like a movie screen. David Kitz, however, truly hooked me with this book, and took me on a first-class whirlwind ride through history. 
I have no idea whether there will be a movie, but the book is written in a way easily suited to the transition. This first person storytelling, by the centurion who initially saw Jesus during the commotion of His triumphal donkey-riding Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem and was days later ordered to drive the spikes into Christ’s outstretched palms, effortlessly created in my mind’s eye, images of Marcus Longinus, his family and both friends and foes encountered in this particularly demanding week of his Roman military service in the Judean outpost of Jerusalem. Kitz’s vibrant words breathed life into fictional and non-fictional names in this re-telling of the Holy Week story.
It was a pleasure to work with the dedicated team at Kregel Publications to bring this literary project to fruition. From the editors to the design and marketing team, I felt heard and respected every step of the way. Thanks to everyone at Kregel for the time and effort they put into my novel. (I have decided to avoid listing names for fear of missing someone.) Your dedication and hard work is much appreciated.
Of course every new baby needs a name. The title for this new baby of dual American/Canadian citizenship is The Soldier Who Killed a King.
I think it’s safe to say that after years of reading about Christ, I found the most gripping, dramatic account of His passion that I’ve ever read. It arrived in the form of a novel called THE SOLDIER WHO KILLED A KING, written by David Kitz, whom I wholeheartedly thank for the signed copy of the novel. I also hereby declare that the views you are about to read are entirely my own. This is what this book fully deserves, ’cause, to say it briefly, it’s awesome!
