Episode 18: A Crown Of Thorns

Summary

The Life of Jesus - Episode 18: A Crown Of Thorns

Podcast: The Life of Jesus
Host: Fox Audio Network
Featured Cast: Sean Astin (Matthew), Kristen Bell (Mary Magdalene), Neal McDonough (Jesus), Blair Underwood (Mark), Malcolm McDowell (Caiaphas), Stacy Keach (John), Hill Harper, Julia Ormond, Michael York (Luke), Brian Cox, John Rhys-Davies, Ainsley Earhardt (Narration)
Release Date: December 21, 2025
Episode Length: ~30 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode immerses listeners in the final hours of Jesus Christ's life according to the Gospel of Luke, dramatizing the events leading up to His crucifixion, His death, and the stunning aftermath of the empty tomb and resurrection appearances. Moving beyond the agony and injustice of the Passion, the episode transitions into hope and vindication, culminating in Jesus’ post-resurrection encounters and teachings, and a powerful introduction from the Gospel of John.

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Key Discussion Points & Recap

1. Jesus on Trial and the Road to Crucifixion

• (01:03-03:30):
  • Jesus is brought before Pilate, accused of perverting the nation and proclaiming Himself as Christ the King.
  • Pilate finds no guilt but is pressured by the crowd.
  • Jesus is sent to Herod, who mocks Him and sends Him back to Pilate.
• (03:30-04:13):
  • Pilate, despite stating Jesus’ innocence, eventually yields to the crowd’s cries for crucifixion, releasing Barabbas instead.
    • Pilate (as read by Michael York): “I find no crime in this man.” (01:34)
• (04:13-05:55):
  • Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry the cross behind Jesus.
  • Jesus speaks to the “daughters of Jerusalem,” warning them of coming judgement.
    • Jesus (Neal McDonough): “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” (05:10)

2. The Crucifixion at Golgotha (“the Skull”)

• (06:19-08:38):
  • Jesus is crucified between two criminals.
  • He prays for His executioners:
    • Jesus: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (06:19)
  • One criminal mocks, the other defends Jesus and asks to be remembered in His kingdom.
    • Jesus: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (07:57)
  • Darkness falls, the temple curtain is torn. Jesus dies after commending His spirit to God.
    • Jesus: “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” (08:27)
  • The centurion declares:
    • Centurion: “Certainly this man was innocent.” (08:38)

3. The Burial and Discovery of the Empty Tomb

• (09:40-11:47):
  • Joseph of Arimathea, described as a righteous council member, claims Jesus’ body and places it in a tomb.
  • Women prepare burial spices; on the first day of the week, they find the tomb open and Jesus’ body gone.
  • Two angels appear and declare:
    • Angel: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (11:27)
  • The women relay this news to the apostles, who initially doubt, but Peter rushes to see for himself.

4. The Road to Emmaus and Resurrection Appearances

• (12:56-17:24):
  • Two disciples encounter the unrecognized, risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus. He explains the necessity of His suffering and how Scripture pointed to Himself.
    • Jesus: “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (14:03)
  • At dinner, Jesus is revealed in the “breaking of the bread” (14:40-15:14).
    • Cleopas: “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” (15:08)
  • Jesus appears among His disciples, showing them His wounds and eating fish to demonstrate His bodily resurrection.
    • Jesus: “Peace to you… See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (15:44-16:13)
  • He commissions them to preach repentance and forgiveness beginning from Jerusalem, promising the gift of the Holy Spirit.

5. The Ascension

• (17:24-18:10):
  • Jesus blesses the disciples in Bethany and is carried up into heaven. The disciples return to Jerusalem in joy.

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6. Transition: The Prologue of John’s Gospel

• (18:10-21:47):
  • The tone shifts with the iconic opening of John’s Gospel, introducing profound themes of incarnation:
    • John (Stacy Keach): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” (18:10-19:09)
  • John the Baptist testifies that he is “not the Christ,” but the voice preparing the way.
    • John the Baptist (Malcolm McDowell): “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord.” (20:51)
    • “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (21:31)

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7. Early Encounters and the First Miracle

• (21:47-27:11):
  • Jesus gathers His first followers: Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip, Nathanael—He sees and calls them by name.
    • Nathanael to Jesus: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.” (24:29)
    • Jesus: “Because I said I saw you under the fig tree…you shall see greater things than these…You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” (24:39)
  • Wedding at Cana—His first miracle: turning water into wine at His mother’s request.
    • Mary (Julia Ormond): “Do whatever he tells you.” (25:29)
    • The miracle is described as the first sign of His glory (26:18).

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8. Cleansing of the Temple and Signs

• (27:11-28:23):
  • Jesus drives out money changers from the temple, declaring:
    • Jesus: “You shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” (27:11)
  • He cryptically foretells His death and resurrection:
    • Jesus: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (27:31)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Christ’s Innocence and the Injustice of the Crucifixion:

  • Pilate: “I find no crime in this man.” (01:34)
  • Centurion: “Certainly this man was innocent.” (08:38)

• On Forgiveness and Redemption:

  • Jesus (on the cross): “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (06:19)
  • Jesus (to the thief): “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (07:57)

• On Despair and Joy:

  • Cleopas (after recognizing Jesus): “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road?” (15:08)

• On Resurrection and Commission:

  • Jesus: “Peace to you…Handle me and see. For a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (15:44-16:13)
  • Jesus: “…that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (16:53-17:06)

• On Identity and Mission:

  • John the Baptist: “I baptize with water. But among you stands one whom you do not know…This is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” (21:09-21:21)
  • Jesus (to Nathanael): “You shall see greater things than these.” (24:39)

• On the Nature of Christ:

  • John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…” (18:10)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:03 – Jesus before Pilate; accusations and questioning
• 03:30 – Barabbas released, Jesus sentenced
• 04:13 – The walk to Calvary, Jesus speaks to the women
• 06:19 – The crucifixion begins; prayer for His executioners
• 07:57 – Promise to the penitent thief
• 08:27 – Jesus’ final words and death
• 09:40 – The burial and discovery of the empty tomb
• 11:27 – Angel’s message: “He is not here, but has risen”
• 14:03 – Jesus’ teaching on the road to Emmaus
• 15:44 – Jesus’ first appearance to the assembled disciples
• 17:24 – Ascension
• 18:10 – Prologue to John’s Gospel
• 21:31 – John the Baptist points to Jesus: “Behold the Lamb of God…”
• 25:29 – Wedding at Cana, water into wine
• 27:11 – Cleansing the temple

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Tone and Style

Dramatic, reverent, and immersive—this episode uses acclaimed actors to breathe new life into scripture, focusing on both intense sorrow and radiant hope. The narration combines solemnity with emotional depth, echoing the gravity of the Passion and the awe of the Resurrection. Dialogue is delivered in a timeless, scripture-based register.

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Summary for New Listeners

Episode 18 covers the emotional and pivotal conclusion of Luke’s Gospel: Jesus’ unjust trial, crucifixion, and the universal despair of His followers. The narrative then turns to resurrection hope as Jesus is revealed alive—first to women, then to disciples, opening their understanding and foreshadowing the spread of His message. The episode transitions into the spiritual majesty of John’s Gospel, setting up the divine scope of Jesus’ identity.

Listeners are drawn through Jesus’ suffering, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection, ending with assurance and commission to share the joy and forgiveness that Christ brings. Through powerful performances and carefully curated scripture, the episode captures both the tragedy and the triumph at the heart of the New Testament.

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Transcript

[Ainsley Earhart]

The Life of Jesus podcast is sponsored by Riverbend Ranch. Hello everyone, this is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for this episode of the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of Jesus. Today's podcast picks up in chapter 23 of Luke. @ the end of Luke's Gospel, we will hear Stacy Keach as John, the beloved Apostle. In Luke's narrative, Jesus has been arrested and beaten by the religious leaders and temple guards. All of Jesus followers have deserted him out of fear. Peter has denied three times that he even knows Jesus. At the moment Jesus most needed the ones who had sworn to be with him always, Jesus was horribly and irredeemably alone. Let's join Michael York as Luke and Neil McDonough as Jesus as they continue their powerful presentation of Luke's narrative of Jesus final hours. You're listening to the Life of Jesus. We'll be right.

[Narrator]

Back. Then the whole company of them arose and brought Jesus before Pilate, and they began to accuse him. We found this man perverting our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar and saying that he himself is Christ the King. Pilate asked Jesus, are you the King of the.

[Jesus]

Jews? You have said so, Pilate said.

[Narrator]

To the chief priests and the multitudes, I find no crime in this man, but they were urgent. He stirs up the people teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee, even to this place. When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man, this man, was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So Herod questioned him at some length, but Jesus made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers, treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in gorgeous apparel, he sent Jesus back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day. For before this, they had been at enmity with each other. Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people.

[Jesus]

You brought me this man as one.

[Narrator]

Who was perverting the people, and after.

[Jesus]

Examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Behold, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore chastise him and release.

[Narrator]

Him. But they all cried out together, away with this man and release to us Barabbas. Barabbas. Barabbas was a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus. But they shouted, crucify. Crucify.

[Jesus]

Him. Crucify.

[Narrator]

Him. A third.

[Jesus]

Time. Pilate said to them, why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no crime deserving death. I will therefore chastise him and release.

[Narrator]

Him. But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave sentence that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, whom they asked for. But Jesus, he delivered up to their will. And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyme, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. There followed Jesus a great multitude of the people and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus, turning to them, said.

[Jesus]

Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your.

[Narrator]

Children. For.

[Jesus]

Behold, the days are coming when they will say, blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never gave suck. Then they will begin to say to the mountains fall on us, and to the hills cover us. For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is.

[Narrator]

Dry? Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place which is called the Skull, there they crucified him and the criminal, one on the right and one on the.

[Jesus]

Left. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they.

[Narrator]

Do. And they cast lots to divide his garments. The people stood by watching, but the rulers scoffed at him. He saved others. Let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his chosen one. The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him.

[Cleopas]

Vinegar. If you are the King of the Jews, save.

[Narrator]

Yourself. There was also an inscription over him. This is the King of the Jews. One of the criminals who were hanged railed at.

[Jesus]

Him. Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and.

[Narrator]

Us. But the other rebuked him. Do you not fear God, since you're under the same sentence of.

[John the Baptist]

Condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing.

[Narrator]

Wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your.

[Jesus]

Kingdom. Truly, I say to you.

[Disciple]

Today.

[Jesus]

You will be with me in.

[Narrator]

Paradise. It Was now about the sixth hour. And there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. I am Jesus, crying with a loud voice.

[Jesus]

Said, father, into thy hands I commit my.

[Narrator]

Spirit. And having said this, he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God. Certainly this man was innocent. And all the multitudes were assembled to see the sight. When they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. All his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance and saw these things. Now there was a man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man who had not consented to their purpose and deed. And he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a rock hewn tomb where no one had ever yet been laid. It was the day of preparation and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. But when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the.

[Disciple]

Ground. Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has.

[Narrator]

Risen. Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be.

[Disciple]

Crucified. And on the third day.

[Narrator]

Rise. And they remembered his words. Returning from the tomb, they told all this to the 11 and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary, the mother of James and the other women with them, who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb, stooping and looking in. He saw the linen clothes by themselves. And he went home, wondering at what had happened. That very day, Peter, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, what.

[Jesus]

Is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you.

[Narrator]

Walk? And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas.

[Cleopas]

Answered. Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these.

[Jesus]

Days? What.

[Cleopas]

Things? Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body. They came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it, just as the women had said. But him they did not.

[Jesus]

See. O foolish men and slow of heart. To believe all that the prophets have spoken. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his.

[Narrator]

Glory? And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained.

[Cleopas]

Him. Stay with us. For it is toward evening and the day is now far.

[Narrator]

Spent. So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, did.

[Cleopas]

Not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the.

[Narrator]

Scriptures? They rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the 11 gathered together and those who were with.

[Disciple]

Them. The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to.

[Narrator]

Simon. Then they told what had happened on the road and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread, as they were saying this, Jesus Himself stood among.

[Jesus]

Them. Peace to.

[Narrator]

You. They were startled and frightened and supposed that they saw a.

[Jesus]

Spirit. Why are you troubled? And why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me and see. For a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I.

[Narrator]

Have. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and.

[Jesus]

Wondered. He said to them, have you anything here to.

[Narrator]

Eat? I gave him a piece of of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before.

[Jesus]

Them. These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you. That everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be.

[Narrator]

Fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the.

[Jesus]

Scriptures. Thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. And that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on.

[Narrator]

High. Then he led them out as far as Bethany. And lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And were continually in the temple blessing God. The Gospel according to.

[Disciple]

John. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. And the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. And without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him. Yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God who were born not of, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth. We have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. John bore witness to him and cried. This was he of whom I said, he who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me. And from his fullness have we all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son who is in the bosom of the Father. He has made him known. And this is the testimony Of John. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, who are you? He confessed. He did not deny, but confessed.

[John the Baptist]

I am not the.

[Narrator]

Christ. What then? Are you.

[John the Baptist]

Elijah? I am.

[Narrator]

Not. Are you the.

[Cleopas]

Prophet? No. Who are.

[Narrator]

You? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about.

[John the Baptist]

Yourself? I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord. As the prophet Isaiah said.

[Disciple]

Now. They had been sent from the.

[Narrator]

Pharisees. Then why are you baptizing if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah, nor the.

[John the Baptist]

Prophet? I baptize with water. But among you stands one whom you do not know. Even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to.

[Disciple]

Untie. This took place in Bethany, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward.

[John the Baptist]

Him. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, after me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me. I myself did not know him. But for this I came baptizing with water that he might be revealed to Israel. I see, saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him. But he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, he on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain. This is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have borne witness to that. This is the Son of.

[Disciple]

God. The next day again, John was standing with two of his disciples. And he looked at Jesus as he.

[John the Baptist]

Walked. Behold the Lamb of.

[Disciple]

God. The two disciples heard him say this. And they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them.

[Narrator]

Following. What do you seek, Rabbi? Where are you.

[Disciple]

Staying? Rabbi means.

[Jesus]

Teacher. Jesus answered them, come and.

[Disciple]

See. They came and saw where he was staying. And they stayed with him that day. For it was about the 10th hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his brother.

[John the Baptist]

Simon. We have found the.

[Disciple]

Messiah. Messiah means Christ. Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at.

[Jesus]

Him. So you are Simon, the son of John. You shall be called.

[Disciple]

Cephas. Cephas means Peter. The next day, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found.

[Jesus]

Philip. Follow.

[Disciple]

Me. Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found.

[Narrator]

Nathaniel. We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets, wrote. Jesus of Nazareth, the son of.

[Cleopas]

Joseph. Nathaniel said to him, can anything good come out of.

[Disciple]

Nazareth? Come and see Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and said of him.

[Jesus]

Behold, an Israelite indeed in whom is no.

[Disciple]

Guile. Nathanael said to him, how do you know.

[Jesus]

Me? Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw.

[Cleopas]

You, Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of.

[Jesus]

Israel. Because I said to you. I saw you under the fig tree.

[Disciple]

Tree. Do you.

[Jesus]

Believe you shall see greater things than these? Truly, truly, I say to you. You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of.

[Disciple]

Man. On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee. And the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the marriage with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, they have no.

[Jesus]

Wine. Oh, woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet.

[Disciple]

Come. His mother said to the servants.

[Narrator]

Do whatever he tells.

[Disciple]

You. Now six stone jars were standing there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each holding 20 or 30.

[Jesus]

Gallons. Fill the jars with.

[Disciple]

Water. And they filled them to the.

[Jesus]

Brim. Now draw some out and take it to the steward of the.

[Disciple]

Feast. So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the. The water now become wine. And did not know where it came from. Though the servants who had drawn the water knew. The steward of the feast called the.

[Jesus]

Bridegroom. Every man serves the good wine first. And when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until.

[Disciple]

Now. This the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee. And manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After this, he went down to Capernaum. With his mother and his brothers and his disciples. And there they stayed for a few days. The passover of the Jews was at hand. And Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons. And the money changers at their business, making a whip of cords. He drove them all with the sheep and oxen out of the temple. And he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold.

[Jesus]

The pigeons, take these things away. You shall not make my father's house a house of.

[Disciple]

Trade. His disciples remembered that it was written, zeal for thy house will consume me. The Jews then said to him.

[Narrator]

What sign have you to show us for doing.

[Jesus]

This? Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it.

[Narrator]

Up. It has taken 46 years to build this temple. And will you raise it up in three.

[Disciple]

Days? But Jesus spoke of the temple, of his body. When Therefore he was raised from the dead. His disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. Now, when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs, which he did. But Jesus did not trust himself to them because he knew all men and needed no one to bear witness of man. For he himself knew what was in.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Man. I'm Shannon Bream, host of the Live in the Bream Podcast and author of the Love Stories of the Bible series Speak. We'll be back with more from the Life of Jesus podcast series after this. Imagine how distraught Jesus followers were after he breathed his last. This man to whom they had given their love and loyalty was gone. This man whose presence had filled them with a dynamic hope had died as a common criminal. To top it all off, they were frightened that they too would be arrested and killed. Their despair was incalculable. Their sorrow was immense, but could not compare with the enormity of their joy when Jesus appeared before them alive and hungry. This same joy is available to all of us who will allow God to open our eyes so we too can see Jesus. Father, help me to clearly see all that you have done for me. Especially Lord, may I see Jesus in all you have created and all the lives that touch mine. Thank you for listening to episode 18 of the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of Jesus. Make sure to spread the word heard. Listen ad free with a Fox News podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcasts. Amazon prime members can listen ad free on the Amazon Music.