The Life of Jesus – Episode 17: "Pride Goeth Before The Fall"

Podcast: The Life of Jesus
Host: Fox Audio Network
Date: December 21, 2025
Episode Focus: Luke Chapters 20-22 – The Authority of Jesus, Warnings Against Pride, Prophecy of the End Times, The Last Supper, Betrayal and Denial

Episode Overview

This episode immerses listeners in the later chapters of Luke, exploring Jesus' confrontations with religious authorities, teachings on humility, forewarnings of suffering, the institution of the Last Supper, and the pivotal beginnings of his Passion—betrayal by Judas and denial by Peter. Through dramatic performances, especially by Neal McDonough (Jesus), the narrative underscores the repeating dangers of pride and the paradoxical power found in humility and servanthood.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Challenge to Jesus’ Authority

[01:02–02:00]

• Jesus is approached in the temple by chief priests and scribes who question his authority.
• He deftly counters by questioning them about the origin of John’s baptism, exposing their duplicity.

  “Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” — Jesus ([01:21])

• The religious leaders evade the question, prompting Jesus to withhold a direct answer about his own authority.

2. The Parable of the Wicked Tenants & Rejection of the Messiah

[02:02–03:41]

• Jesus tells a parable about tenants who abuse and kill servants sent by their master, even murdering the master's son.

  “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.” — Jesus ([03:20])

• The parable is a thinly veiled indictment of the religious leaders’ rejection of God’s messengers and, ultimately, Jesus himself.
• The authorities realize the parable is about them and seek to arrest Jesus, but fear the crowd.

3. Traps Set by the Authorities: “Render to Caesar…”

[04:12–04:44]

• Spies ask if it is lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, intending to trap Jesus.
• Jesus’ answer reframes the matter:

  “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” — Jesus ([04:37])

4. The Sadducees and the Resurrection

[05:04–06:23]

• Sadducees (who deny the resurrection) try to confound Jesus with a hypothetical about marriage in the afterlife.
• Jesus reveals the transformed state in the resurrection (“equal to angels”), emphasizing God is God of the living, not the dead.

  “Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” — Jesus ([06:13])

5. Jesus Questions the Interpretations of the Messiah

[06:34–06:56]

• Jesus challenges the common belief of the Messiah being merely “David’s son,” quoting the psalms to suggest the Messiah’s greater nature.

6. Warnings Against Religious Pride

[07:03–07:31]

• Jesus teaches openly against the prideful behavior of the scribes:

  “Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes and love salutations... They will receive the greater condemnation.” — Jesus ([07:03])

• Highlights the hypocrisy and greed masked by pious appearances.

7. The Widow’s Offering: True Humility and Generosity

[07:31–07:58]

• Observing rich donors and a poor widow, Jesus remarks:

  “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she… put in all the living that she had.” — Jesus ([07:43])

• This contrasts external acts of giving with genuine sacrifice and humility.

8. Prophecy of the Temple’s Destruction and Signs of the End

[08:04–12:46]

• Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and a series of woes: wars, persecution, and cosmic signs.
• He cautions about coming false messiahs and urges endurance and vigilance.

  “By your endurance you will gain your lives.” — Jesus ([10:01]) “Look up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.” — Jesus ([11:08])

• Advocates for prayerful readiness rather than anxious preparation.

9. The Plot to Betray Jesus and Preparations for Passover

[12:46–14:52]

• The religious leaders seek a way to kill Jesus. Judas agrees to betray him for money.
• Jesus instructs Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal, giving them specific signs to follow.

10. The Last Supper: Institution & Betrayal Foretold

[14:52–16:06]

• Jesus shares the Passover meal, instituting the Eucharist:

  “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” — Jesus ([15:29]) “This cup… is the new covenant in my blood.” — Jesus ([15:42])

• Jesus announces that one who dines with him will betray him, causing the disciples to question one another.

11. Teaching on True Greatness & Peter’s Forthcoming Denial

[16:20–18:01]

• The disciples argue about status; Jesus redefines greatness as servanthood.

  “Let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves… But I am among you as one who serves.” — Jesus ([16:22])

• Foretells Peter’s denial, even as Peter protests his loyalty.

  “The cock will not crow this day until you three times deny that you know me.” — Jesus ([17:52])

12. The Agony in Gethsemane and Arrest

[18:33–20:45]

• Jesus prays in deep distress, asking that the “cup” might pass but submits to God’s will.

  “Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.” — Jesus ([18:59])

• Judas leads the arresting party, identifies Jesus with a kiss; Jesus is seized but heals a wounded servant.

13. Peter’s Denial and Jesus’ Mockery

[21:01–22:35]

• Peter, as predicted, denies knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crows.

  “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” — Jesus ([22:12])

• Peter weeps bitterly; Jesus is mocked and beaten by his captors.

14. The Council’s Interrogation & Jesus Affirms His Identity

[22:59–23:24]

• Brought before the council, Jesus asserts that the “Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
• When pressed, he subtly affirms his identity as the Son of God:

  “Then you say that I am.” — Jesus ([23:20])

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Authority:
  “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” — Jesus ([01:53])
• On Giving and Sacrifice:
  “This poor widow has put in more than all of them… she, out of her poverty, put in all the living that she had.” — Jesus ([07:43])
• On Endurance and Hope:
  “By your endurance you will gain your lives.” — Jesus ([10:01]) “Look up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.” — Jesus ([11:08])
• On Servant Leadership:
  “But I am among you as one who serves.” — Jesus ([16:28])
• On Betrayal and Denial:
  “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” — Jesus ([20:12]) “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” — Jesus ([22:12])
• On Identity:
  “Then you say that I am.” — Jesus ([23:20])

Reflective Epilogue on Pride

[23:51–24:50]
Ainsley Earhart closes with a reflection on pride as “a sin that will forever haunt the souls of humanity,” relating it to the pride of the Pharisees and the importance of humility, self-examination, and love as modeled by Jesus.

“No pride can exist where love rules. Father, reveal any pride that exists within me and help me walk free from its hold.” — Ainsley Earhart ([24:30])

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• Challenge to Authority: [01:02–02:00]
• Parable of the Tenants: [02:02–03:41]
• Taxes & Caesar: [04:12–04:44]
• Sadducees/Resurrection: [05:04–06:23]
• David’s Son: [06:34–06:56]
• Warnings Against Scribes: [07:03–07:31]
• The Widow’s Mite: [07:31–07:58]
• Temple Destruction & End Time Signs: [08:04–12:46]
• Judas Betrays: [12:46–14:52]
• Last Supper: [14:52–16:06]
• Greatness and Peter’s Denial: [16:20–18:01]
• Gethsemane & Betrayal: [18:33–20:45]
• Peter’s Denial: [21:01–22:35]
• Council Interrogation: [22:59–23:24]
• Reflection on Pride: [23:51–end]

Summary Takeaways

• The episode powerfully dramatizes some of Jesus' most important teachings on humility, the nature of true greatness, and the cost of discipleship.
• Themes of pride and hypocrisy versus humility and sacrificial love run throughout, culminating in solemn foreshadowings of Jesus’s passion and his challenge to stay faithful under trial.
• By juxtaposing religious leaders’ pride with Jesus’ example of humility and service, the episode encourages listeners to self-examine and emulate Christ’s selfless love.