Under the joint oppression of the Roman Empire and King Herod the Great, the Jewish people of Judea yearn for a Messiah. A young girl called Mary is betrothed to Joseph, but her divine pregnancy strains their relationship, until the truth is revealed to Joseph by an angelic visitation. Forced by the calling of a Roman census, the couple make a treacherous journey to Bethlehem. In Jerusalem, Jewish rebels are arrested and meet the full extent of King Herod’s wrath. In Bethlehem, a heavily pregnant Mary and Joseph find shelter with a relative.
Amongst the animals, Mary gives birth to a baby boy called Jesus, and shepherds come to pay their respects after receiving divine guidance from the Angel Gabriel. Meanwhile, three Magi –wise men– from the East arrive at King Herod’s palace in Jerusalem, seeking the newborn “King of the Jews.” Herod, in a state of deteriorating health and paranoia, fears this child will be a threat to his reign. When the Magi do not return to him as promised, he orders a brutal massacre in an attempt to wipe out the child. Forewarned in a dream, the Holy Family flees to Egypt out of Herod’s grasps.
In a dream, Joseph learns of King Herod’s death, prompting the Holy Family to return to Nazareth. In Rome, Herod’s sons, Archelaus and Antipas, vie for control of their father’s kingdom before the emperor. Meanwhile, back in Judea, a rebel leader ignites a protest with devastating consequences. When one of Herod’s sons struggles to govern Jerusalem, the Romans replace him with Pontius Pilate as governor, whose own controversial actions within the Temple incite a protest. On the banks of the Jordan River, John the Baptist preaches a fiery message. After the death of Joseph, Jesus sets out on his own.
Jesus meets John the Baptist on the banks of the Jordan River, and he joins him and his followers. Pilate’s allocation of Temple funds for an aqueduct sparks further protest. Meanwhile, at the River Jordan, Jesus is baptised by John. Jesus then sets out alone into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights, facing Satan’s temptations. John the Baptist grows bolder, and takes his preaching to Antipas and Herodias’ doorstep, daring to denounce their incestuous marriage.
John the Baptist is imprisoned within Antipas’ desert fortress. John’s prophetic words increasingly infuriate Herodias, while Antipas grows more conflicted. Jesus returns from the wilderness to find Andrew at John’s deserted camp. Together, Jesus and Andrew journey to Capernaum, where Jesus encounters the disillusioned fisherman Simon, and orchestrates a miraculous catch of fish. Matthew the tax collector is called as a disciple. Andrew visits John in prison, and John asks an important question of Jesus.
Jesus reunites with his mother Mary at a wedding in Cana. When the wine runs dry, Mary urges her miraculous son to help. Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth and declares himself the Messiah which provokes violent uproar. Undeterred, he goes on to heal a leper. Meanwhile, Antipas faces invasion from a neighboring kingdom. Jesus dines with Mary and his brother James, who express their concerns about his growing fame. In the desert fortress, Antipas’ unsavory affections for his stepdaughter Salome become clear.
John the Baptist’s stay in prison escalates tension within Antipas’ family. In Capernaum, the Pharisees lay a number of traps for Jesus. Mary and James, Jesus’ brother, try to intervene and rescue him but Jesus has no intention of coming home. Andrew conveys Jesus’ message to John, who now recognizes him as the Messiah. Herodias begins to plot a deadly scheme.
In a Capernaum synagogue, Jesus teaches the parable of The Good Samaritan. Antipas hosts a lavish party, attended by friends and dignitaries, and under the instruction of Herodias, Salome performs a seductive dance so enticing that Antipas offers her anything she wants. She requests John’s head on a platter, sealing his fate. Jesus, deeply affected by John’s death, retreats from his followers, while Antipas’s forces face down military disaster. Simon Peter realizes that Jesus is the Messiah.
Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea, confronts Jewish high priests with a bloody warning of what Romes attitude is towards figures who inspire rebellion.
Jesus struggles with growing crowds & their expectations, seeking solitude. Meanwhile Herod Antipas grows increasingly paranoid as he learns of Jesus’ rising popularity.
Jesus and his disciples reunite in Judea to begin their journey to Jerusalem. When Peter and John announce Jesus’ arrival at a Samaritan village, they are met with hostility and rejection.
Jesus returns to Jerusalem, this time with his disciples. At the Pool of Bethesda, he heals a paralyzed man, attracting the attention of Malchus, who reports it to Caiaphas
As tensions rise in Jerusalem amongst the high priests, Caiaphas urges Nicodemus to test Jesus and expose him as a false teacher.
Jesus receives news that his friend Lazarus is near to death. Despite the urgency, Jesus delays travelling to Bethany to help his friend, leaving his disciples confused.
The Sanhedrin Council debate whether Jesus is a threat. Meanwhile, Jesus takes Peter, John, & Andrew up a mountain & where they witness his Transfiguration.
Jesus heroic entry into Jerusalem is witnessed by Caiaphas and Annas. Jesus enters the Temple & violently overturns the tables of money changers.
Passover festival approaches. Caiaphas & Annas plot to capture Jesus with help of Judas Iscariot. Pilate gets to Jerusalem for the festival, but is rattled after a patron in Rome is executed
Claudia, Pilate’s wife, wakes suddenly from a disturbing dream. Meanwhile, Herod Antipas and his wife, Herodias, arrive in Jerusalem, preoccupied by the man who others call the ‘Messiah’
As the disciples argue over who is the betrayer of their teacher, Jesus makes further damning predictions. Meanwhile, Judas meets with Caiaphas, agreeing to lead the Temple Guards to Jesus
Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin Council, but they lack the power to pass the death sentence. Jesus is brought to Pilate, but the governor is reluctant to and sends Jesus to Herod Antipas
