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Ainsley Earhart
The Life of Jesus podcast is sponsored by Riverbend Ranch. Hello everyone, this is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you so much for joining me for episode 10 of the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of Jesus. This episode will begin in the tenth chapter of Mark. Mark's story will take us through the last days of Jesus ministry on earth and give us his account of Jesus final days. Though his disciples remained unaware of the events that would soon overtake them, Jesus began preparing them for the fearful time ahead. Blair Underwood and Neil McDonough will once again take us on a journey back in time to the beginning of the end. They were about to experience the chaotic hours that impacted humanity more than any others through the one life that would change the world forever.
Narrator
Foreign.
Ainsley Earhart
You'Re listening to the Life of Jesus.
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Narrator
They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the 12 again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him.
Jesus and Disciples
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death and deliver him to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit upon him and scourge him and kill him. And after three days he. He will rise.
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James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him.
Jesus and Disciples
Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. What do you want me to do for you? Grant us to sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your glory. You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or to be baptized? With the baptism with which I am baptized, we are able. We are. The cup that I drink you will drink. And with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized. But to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.
Narrator
When the 10 heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and.
Jesus and Disciples
Said to them, you know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles, Lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant. And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man also came, not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
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And they came to Jericho. As he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude. Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus and Disciples
He began to cry out, jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.
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And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more.
Jesus and Disciples
Son of David, have mercy on me. Call him. Take heart. Rise. He is calling you.
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And throwing off his mantle, he sprang up and came to Jesus.
Jesus and Disciples
What do you want me to do for you? Master, let me receive my sight. Go your way. Your faith has made you well. And immediately he received his sight and.
Narrator
Followed him on the way. When they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples.
Jesus and Disciples
Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, why are you doing this? Say the Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.
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And they went away and found a colt tied at the door out in the open street, and they untied it. Those who stood there said to them.
Jesus and Disciples
What are you doing?
Narrator
Untying the colt. They told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments on it. And he sat upon it. And many spread their garments on the road. And others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. Those who went before and those who.
Jesus and Disciples
Followed cried out, hosanna.
Lauren Green
Blessed is he who comes in the.
Jesus and Disciples
Name of the Lord. Blessed is he. Blessed is the kingdom of our Father David that is coming. Hosanna. In the highest.
Narrator
He entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked round at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the 12. On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
Jesus and Disciples
And he said to it, may no one ever eat fruit from you again.
Narrator
And his disciples heard it. They came to Jerusalem. And Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple. And he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple.
Jesus and Disciples
Is it not written, my house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.
Narrator
The chief priests and the scribes heard it and sought a way to destroy him, for they feared him because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city. As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered, master, look.
Jesus and Disciples
The fig tree which you cursed has withered. Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain be taken up and cast into the sea. And does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone so that your Father also, who is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses.
Narrator
And they came again to Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him.
Jesus and Disciples
By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them? I will ask you a question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer me.
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And they argued with one another.
Jesus and Disciples
If we say from heaven, he will say, why then did you not believe him? But shall we say from men?
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They were afraid of the people. For all held that John was a real prophet. So they answered Jesus, we do not know.
Jesus and Disciples
Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Narrator
Jesus began to speak to them in parables.
Jesus and Disciples
A man planted a vineyard, set a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built a tower, let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty handed. Again he sent to them another servant. And they wounded him in the head and treated him shamefully. And he sent another. And him they killed. And so with many others. Some they beat and some they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying they will respect my son. But those tenants said to one another, this is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours. They took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read the Scripture? The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
Narrator
And they tried to arrest him, but feared the multitude, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away. And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians to entrap him in his talk.
Pharisees/Questioners
Teacher, we know that you are true.
Jesus and Disciples
And care for no man. For you do not regard the position of men, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or should we not?
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But knowing their hypocrisy, Jesus said to.
Jesus and Disciples
Them, why, put me to the test? Bring me a coin and let me look at it. Whose likeness and inscription is this? Caesar's. Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's.
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And they were amazed at him. Sadducees came to him who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question.
Pharisees/Questioners
Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but leaves no child, the man must take the wife and raise up children for his brother. There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and when he died, left no children. And the second took her and died, leaving no children. And the third likewise. And the seven left no children. Last of all, the woman also died in the resurrection. Whose wife will she be, for the seven had her as wife?
Jesus and Disciples
Is not this why you are wrong? That you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush how God said to him, I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.
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And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another. And seeing that, he answered them well.
Jesus and Disciples
Asked, which commandment is the first of all. The first is here, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
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You are right, teacher.
Jesus and Disciples
You have truly said that he is.
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One, and there is no other but He. And to love him with all the.
Jesus and Disciples
Heart and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love.
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One'S neighbor as oneself is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. When Jesus saw that, he answered wisely. He said to him, you are not.
Jesus and Disciples
Far from the kingdom of God.
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And after that, no one dared to ask him any question. As Jesus taught in the temple, he.
Jesus and Disciples
Said, how can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declared, the Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand till I put thy enemies under thy feet. David himself calls him Lord, so how is he his son?
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And the great throng heard him gladly.
Jesus and Disciples
Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes and to have salutations in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows, houses, and for a pretense, make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.
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Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. Jesus called his disciples to him, truly.
Jesus and Disciples
I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury, for they all contributed out of their abundance. But she, out of her poverty, has put in everything she had, her whole living.
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As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him.
Jesus and Disciples
Look, teacher, what wonderful stones. And what wonderful buildings. Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here, one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.
Narrator
As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately.
Jesus and Disciples
Tell us, when will this be? And what will be the sign when these things are all to be accomplished? Take heed, and no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, I am he, and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place. But the end is not yet for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs. But take heed to yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake to bear testimony before them. And the Gospel must first be preached to all nations when they bring you to trial and deliver you up. Do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit and brother will deliver a brother to death, and the father, his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be, let the listener understand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down nor enter his house to take anything away. And let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. Alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days. Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until now and never will be. And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect whom he chose, he shortened the days. Then if anyone says to you, look, here is the Christ, or look, there he is, do not believe it. False Christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed, I have told you all things beforehand. In those days after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven, from the fig tree learn its lesson. As soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all These things take place, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the sun, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house will come in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning, lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you, I say to all. Watch.
Narrator
It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of unleavened bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.
Jesus and Disciples
For, they said, not during the feast.
Narrator
Lest there be a tumult of the people. While Jesus was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the Leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly. And she broke the flask and poison poured it over his head. But there were some who said to themselves indignantly, why was the ointment thus wasted?
Jesus and Disciples
For this ointment might have been sold for more than 300 denarii and given to the poor.
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And they reproached her.
Jesus and Disciples
But Jesus said, let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for burying. And truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.
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Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the 12, went to the chief priests in order to betray Jesus to them. When they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And Judas sought an opportunity to betray Jesus. On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus disciples said to him, where will you.
Jesus and Disciples
Have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?
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He sent two of his disciples and.
Jesus and Disciples
Said to them, go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the householder. The teacher says, where is my guest room where I am to eat the Passover with my disciples, and he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. There prepare for us.
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And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he came with the 12. As they were at table eating, Jesus.
Jesus and Disciples
Said, truly I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.
Narrator
They began to be sorrowful and to say to him, one after another, is it I?
Jesus and Disciples
It is one of the 12. One who is dipping bread into the dish with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.
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As they were eating, he took bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
Jesus and Disciples
Take, this is my body.
Narrator
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.
Jesus and Disciples
This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day or when I drink it. New in the Kingdom of God. I'm Lauren Green, FOX News chief religion correspondent. I hope this podcast series blesses and.
Narrator
Leaves you with tangible reminders of God's presence in your life.
Jesus and Disciples
Thank you for listening.
Narrator
We'll be back with more after this.
Jesus and Disciples
So good, so good, so good.
Lauren Green
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Ainsley Earhart
The greatest commandment found in the Word of God is love God with all you have and are and love your neighbors as yourselves. Allowing these two mandatory decrees from God Almighty to direct your course will result in a life that gives life. The truth is made clearer through a very simple analogy. The light from a single candle can be seen for nearly two miles. It puts off enough light to dispel the darkness of an entire room. We are like candles in the world that radiate the light of God's love. The difference between us and the rest of the world should be seen easily as our love for others extends far beyond our own little worlds and lights up any space we inhabit. Love is the most potent force in the universe because God is love. Father, teach me to love others more completely and fervently. Make me a light that helps others see you. Thank you for listening to episode 10 of the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of Jesus. Make sure to spread the word. Listen ad free With a Fox News Podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcasts, Amazon prime members can listen ad free on the Amazon Music app.
Date: November 30, 2025
Host: Fox Audio Network
Notable Cast: Blair Underwood (Mark), Neal McDonough (Jesus), John Rhys-Davies (Narrator), Lauren Green, Ainsley Earhardt (Introduction/Narration)
This immersive episode takes listeners through the final days of Jesus as told in the Book of Mark. Centering on Jesus’s approach to Jerusalem, his teachings about humility, sacrifice, and the coming tribulation, and culminating in the Last Supper, the episode powerfully dramatizes the key moments leading up to the crucifixion. Featuring standout performances and clarifying narration, the scriptural account comes alive with emphasis on servanthood, prophecy, betrayal, and the kingdom of God.
On Servant Leadership:
“For the Son of Man also came, not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (03:44, Neal McDonough as Jesus)
On Faith:
“Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (07:50, Jesus)
On Love:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (14:00, Jesus)
On Watchfulness:
“Watch, therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house will come…And what I say to you, I say to all. Watch.” (22:58, Jesus)
On the Widow’s Offering:
“She, out of her poverty, has put in everything she had, her whole living.” (16:19, Jesus)
On the Woman’s Act of Devotion:
“She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for burying…what she has done will be told in memory of her.” (23:44–24:23, Jesus)
This episode poignantly dramatizes the gravity, tension, and tenderness of Jesus’s final days. Through moving performances and faithful adaptation of scripture, listeners are drawn into themes of servanthood, faith, love, warning, and sacrifice, culminating in the institution of Communion and the foreshadowing of the Passion. The call to emulate Jesus’s servant-heart and to remain vigilant and loving rings clear, inviting all to reflect on the magnitude of these events.
End Note:
Ainsley Earhardt concludes with a reminder: “The greatest commandment found in the Word of God is love God with all you have and are and love your neighbors as yourselves...Love is the most potent force in the universe because God is love.” (27:44)