Jesus: Crown of Thorns

Under Roman and Herodian rule, Judean Jews await a Messiah. Mary's divine pregnancy creates tension with her betrothed Joseph.

Mary delivers baby Jesus in an animal shelter. Following Angel Gabriel's message, shepherds arrive to honor the newborn.

Through a dream, Joseph discovers Herod has died, leading the Holy Family back to Nazareth, while Herod's sons Archelaus and Antipas battle for their father's throne in Rome.

Jesus meets John at Jordan River, gets baptized, spends 40 days in wilderness facing Satan's temptations. Pilate's aqueduct project causes unrest. John condemns Antipas and Herodias' marriage.

John is imprisoned in Antipas' fortress; his words anger Herodias, but Antipas' is conflicted; Jesus returns to find Andrew alone; they journey to Capernaum and find a disillusioned fisherman, Simon

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.

The Pharisees lay a number of traps for Jesus. Mary and James, 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.

Jesus teaches the parable of The Good Samaritan. Antipas hosts a lavish party under the instruction of Herodias. Salome performs a seductive dance so enticing that Antipas offers her anything she wants. Jesus retreats from his followers.