The play had its premiere in an English translation performed at New York City's New Theatre on December 5, 1910.

Her tempter and lover, Lucius Verus, the Roman General, labors under the delusion that the Nazarene is his rival, so when the woman begs Verus to save Jesus from crucifixion, he names as his price the Magdalene's complete surrender to him.

The glory of her reformation has been too complete to permit her to accede to Verus' wishes, and Mary vainly turns to those who have been cured by the Nazarene and urges them to save Him, but they shrink from her in cowardice.

With her refusal, the Roman officer charges the Magdalene with having been the Savior's undoing, and the crowd revile her, linking her name with that of Judas.

The final scene shows Verus leaving the Magdalene, a motionless statue, as he goes out to join the screeching, cursing mob stoning Christ as he stumbles toward the cross.