In ancient Jerusalem, a struggling yet charismatic local man named Clarence becomes fascinated by the burgeoning influence of a radical preacher. Witnessing the preacher's growing following, Clarence sees an opportunity to improve his own life by securing fame and fortune. Despite lacking any true spiritual conviction, he decides to mimic this figure's style, attempting to position himself as a rival messianic leader. Clarence gathers a group of loyal companions, who are drawn in by his persuasive personality and the promise of glory. As he navigates this new path, Clarence is soon entangled in both comedic and dangerous situations, balancing on the thin line between deception and accidental enlightenment. Jerusalem's complex social and religious landscape challenges Clarence’s ambitions as he grapples with the magnitude and myth behind religious fervor.

As Clarence's charade expands, it increasingly impacts the people around him, blending moments of self-discovery and unintended consequences. He encounters Bertha, a reticent but insightful woman whose wisdom forces him to confront his own motivations. Meanwhile, tension within his followers builds, revealing diverse responses to their own desires for meaning and belonging in a tumultuous era. Amidst growing suspicion from established authorities wary of uprising, Clarence's journey inadvertently prompts deeper, unintended reflections among his followers and enemies alike. Faced with these escalating pressures, Clarence is pushed towards a reckoning with the very beliefs he pretends to espouse, as influences beyond his control challenge his evolving narrative of self-stylized spirituality and pursuit of truth.