Brother Jero endures a number of trials throughout the play. For instance, Jero must deal with the insistent demands of the bad-tempered Amope and he gives her the money he owes her for a velvet cape. In case we hadn't already realized it after Jero's opening monologue, this self-proclaimed prophet is not a genuine holy man but a complete charlatan obsessed with grabbing as much money and property as he can.

Amope doesn't take no for an answer and camps outside Jero's house until he pays her what he owes. In the meantime, Amope's hen-pecked husband Chume comes to see Jero on the beach and pours out his heart concerning his unhappy marriage. Such pastoral work may not be to Jero's liking, but being a religious prophet has its fair share of responsibilities, and offering support to one's followers is a very onerous responsibility indeed. A trial, one might say.

The title of the play is an ironic reference to the trials that Jesus underwent in the desert. Jero is no Jesus, of course, but he certainly acts like he is. In fact, Jero is almost like Jesus in reverse. Whereas Jesus didn't succumb to temptation, despite all the earthly delights offered him by Satan, Jero's whole world is based on the acquisition of wealth and power.

Appropriately enough, his life has more than its fair share of trials, such as having to run for his life when an enraged Chume realizes that Jero is the one who owes Amope some money. But this trial, like all the others he has to endure, is entirely the result of his greed and dishonesty.