Loading summary
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 11 of the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of Jesus. This episode will begin in the 14th chapter of Mark and end with the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Mark's story will take us through the last days of Jesus ministry on earth. Blair Underwood and Neil McDonough will once again take us on a journey back in time to the chaotic hours that impacted humanity more than any others, through the one life that would change the world forever. The first chapter of the Gospel of Luke will immediately follow. The words of Luke, played by Michael York, present a very logical, factual account of Jesus time on earth. Let's listen in as Jesus begins his walk toward the cross. More of the life of Jesus next. Marshall's buyers are hustling hard to get amazing new gifts into stores right up to the last minute. Like a designer perfume for that friend who never RSVP'd wishlist topping toys for her kids who came too.
Narrator
Mm.
Ainsley Earhart
Belgian chocolates for the neighbor, a cozy scarf for your boss, and a wool jacket for your husband that you definitely did not almost forget. Marshalls, we get the deals, you give the good stuff, even at the last minute.
Mary Magdalene
Phew.
Ainsley Earhart
Find a marshal's near you.
Jesus
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, you will all fall away.
Peter
For it is written, I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered. But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.
Jesus
Peter said to him, even though they all fall away, I will not.
Peter
Truly, I say to you this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.
Jesus
If I must die with you, I will not deny you. And they all said the same. They went to a place which was called Gethsemane. And Jesus said to his disciples, sit.
Peter
Here while I pray.
Jesus
And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.
Peter
My soul is very sorrowful even to death. Remain here and watch.
Jesus
And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Peter
Abba, Father, all are possible to thee. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Jesus
And he came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, simon, are you asleep?
Peter
Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the.
Jesus
Flesh is weak and Again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy. They did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time and.
Peter
Said to them, are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise. Let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.
Jesus
And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the 12. And with him a crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign. The one I shall kiss is the man.
Angel Gabriel
Seize him and lead him away under guard.
Jesus
And when he came, he went up to Jesus at once, master, and he kissed him. They laid hands on Jesus and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.
Peter
Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple, teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.
Jesus
And they all forsook him and fled. A young man followed him with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him. But he left the linen cloth and ran away naked. They led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled. Peter had followed him at a distance right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death. But they found none. For many bore false witness against him. And their witness did not agree. Some stood up and bore false witness against him. We heard him say, I will destroy.
Narrator
This temple that is made with hands.
Jesus
And in three days I will build.
Narrator
Another not made with hands.
Jesus
Yet not even so did their testimony agree. The high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you? But Jesus was silent and made no answer. Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
Peter
I am.
Jesus
And you will see the Son of.
Peter
Man seated at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven.
Jesus
The high priest tore his garments. Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision? And they all condemned him as deserving death. Some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, prophesy. And the guards received him with blows, as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the maids of the high priest came. And seeing Peter warming himself, she looked.
Ainsley Earhart
At him, were with the Nazarene Jesus.
Jesus
But he denied it. I neither know nor understand what you mean. And he went out into the gateway. The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, this man.
Ainsley Earhart
Is one of them.
Jesus
But again he denied it. And after a little while, again the bystanders said to Peter, certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean. But Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, I do not know this man of whom you speak. Peter remembered.
Peter
Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.
Jesus
And he broke down and wept. As soon as it was morning, the chief priests, with the elders and scribes and the whole council, held a consultation. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, are you the.
Narrator
King of the Jews?
Peter
You have said so.
Jesus
The chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate again asked him, have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you. But Jesus made no further answer. So that Pilate wondered. Now, at the feast, he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he was wont to do for them. He answered them, do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews? For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. Then what shall I do with the man whom you call the King of the Jews? Crucify him. Crucify him. What. What ev.
Peter
What evil has he done?
Jesus
But they shouted all the more, crucify him.
Narrator
Crucify him.
Jesus
Crucify him. So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas. And having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away inside the palace that is the praetorium. And they called together the whole battalion. They clothed him in a purple plating, a crown of thorns. They put it on him. They began to salute him. Hail, King of the Jews. And they struck his head with a reed and spat upon him. And they knelt down in homage to him. When they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him, and they led him out to crucify him. They compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrena, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry, as they brought him, to the place called Golgotha, which means the place of a skull, they offered him wine mingled with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. And divided his garments among them, casting lots for them to decide what each should. It was the third hour when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, the king of the Jews. With him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads, aha.
Mary Magdalene
You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself and come down from the cross.
Jesus
So also the chief priests mocked him to one another. With the scribes he saved others.
Narrator
He cannot save himself.
Jesus
Let the Christ the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe. Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice.
Mary Magdalene
Eloi, eloi.
Jesus
Lani, which means, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of the bystanders, hearing it, said.
Narrator
Behold, he is calling Elijah.
Jesus
One ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down. And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed, breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion who stood facing him saw that he thus breathed his last, he said, truly, this man was the Son of God. There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the Younger, and of Joses and Salome, who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and ministered to him, and also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem when evening had come, since it was the day of preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath. Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate wondered if he were already dead. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. When he learned from the centurion that Jesus was dead, he granted the body To Joseph. Joseph brought a linen shroud. And taking Jesus down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. When the Sabbath was passed, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb. When the sun had risen, they were saying to one another, who will roll.
Elizabeth
Away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?
Jesus
Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back. It was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe. And they were amazed.
Mary Magdalene
Do not be amazed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen. He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him as he told you.
Jesus
And they went out and fled from the tomb. For trembling and astonishment had come upon them. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Now, when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that Jesus was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After this, he appeared in another form to two of them as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Afterward he appeared to the 11 themselves as they sat at table. And he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart. Because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, go into.
Peter
All the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved. But he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe in my name. They will cast out demons. They will speak in new tongues. They will pick up serpents. And if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them. They will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.
Jesus
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere. While the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs. That attended it. Amen.
Narrator
The gospel according to luke. Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed. In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the division of Abijah, and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, but they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now, while he was serving as priest before God, when his division was on duty according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. The whole multitud multitude of the people were praying outside of the hour of incense, and there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said, do not be.
Angel Gabriel
Afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John, and you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.
Mary Magdalene
How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.
Angel Gabriel
I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. Behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.
Narrator
The people were waiting for Zechariah, and they wondered at his delay in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he made signs to them and remained dumb. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived. And for five months she hid herself.
Elizabeth
Saying, thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me to take away my reproach among men.
Narrator
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. Gabriel came to her.
Angel Gabriel
Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Narrator
But she was greatly troubled at the saying and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.
Angel Gabriel
Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son. And you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there will be no end.
Elizabeth
How shall this be, since I have no husband?
Angel Gabriel
The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth, in her old age has also conceived a son. And this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.
Elizabeth
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.
Narrator
And the angel departed from her. In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country to a city of Judah. And she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her win. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she exclaimed with a loud cry.
Elizabeth
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why is this granted me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For, behold, henceforth, all generations will call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is his name and his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and ignorance exalted those of low degree. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his posterity forever.
Narrator
And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home. Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbours and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her. And they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have named him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said, not so.
Ainsley Earhart
He shall be called John.
Jesus
None of your kindred is called by this name.
Narrator
And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, his name is John. And they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke blessing God. Fear came on all their neighbours. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea. All who heard them laid them up.
Jesus
In their hearts saying, what then will this child be?
Narrator
For the hand of the Lord was with him, and his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.
Mary Magdalene
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath which he swore to our father Abraham to grant us, that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Narrator
And the child grew and became strong in spirit. And he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Ainsley Earhart
I'm Shannon Bream, host of the Live in the Bream Podcast and author of the Love Stories of the Bible Speak. We'll be back with more from the Life of Jesus podcast series after this.
Narrator
Shopping is hard.
Jesus
I can never find anything in my size. I don't even know my size.
Elizabeth
I buy my clothes the same place I buy my groceries.
Ainsley Earhart
There's a better way.
Jesus
Make it easy with Stitch Fix.
Ainsley Earhart
Just share your size, style, budget and done. Your personal stylist sends pieces picked just for you. That was easy. Stitch Fix Online Personal styling for everyone.
Elizabeth
Free shipping and returns.
Ainsley Earhart
No subscription required. Get started today@stitchfix.com the greatest commandment found in the Word of God is Love God with all you have and are, and love your neighbor as yourself. Allowing these two mandatory decrees from God Almighty to direct your course will result in a life that gives life. 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 11 of the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of Jesus Us. 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.
Fox Audio Network | November 30, 2025
This immersive episode chronicles the tumultuous final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, beginning in Mark 14 and leading through the arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection, before transitioning to the opening of the Gospel of Luke. Voiced by an ensemble of renowned actors, the narrative balances poignant dramatizations and direct scripture readings, depicting both the chaos of Jesus’ final hours and the promises of hope ignited by his resurrection. The latter half introduces the careful, factual prologue of Luke, centering on the precursors to Jesus’ birth—Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary.
(Mark 14, 00:30-05:41)
(Mark 14-15, 05:41-08:34)
(Mark 15, 09:00-15:36)
(Mark 16, 15:36-17:58)
(Luke 1, 18:29-28:47)
The narration is reverent, intimate, and immersive. Biblical dialogue is dramatized with gravity and emotion, drawing listeners into both the agony and hope central to the Christian narrative. The transition to Luke signals a shift toward careful investigation, setting the stage for further exploration in subsequent episodes.
For listeners, Episode 11 delivers a powerful blending of drama and scripture, portraying the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus and inaugurating the Gospel of Luke’s orderly retelling—a pivotal moment in the series.