The Life of Jesus — Episode 7: The Lord’s Prayer

Fox Audio Network | November 30, 2025
Featured Voices:

• John Rhys-Davies (Narrator)
• Neal McDonough (Jesus)
• Sean Astin (Matthew)
• Kristen Bell (Mary Magdalene)
• Blair Underwood (Mark)
• Malcolm McDowell (Caiaphas)
• Stacy Keach (John)
• Hill Harper (Angel of the Lord)
• Julia Ormond (Mother Mary)
• Michael York (Luke)
• Brian Cox (Voice of God)
• Ainsley Earhardt (Host/Additional Narration)

Overview:

Episode 7 traces the dramatic conclusion of Jesus’ earthly ministry as chronicled in the final chapters of Matthew and the transition into Mark. Through immersive scripture readings and vivid performances, the episode brings listeners to the heart of Jesus’s betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection, then the new beginning of his ministry as retold in the Gospel of Mark. The episode’s central focus is on moments of betrayal, suffering, forgiveness, and ultimate hope.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesus’s Betrayal and Arrest

• Setting: The Garden of Gethsemane, immediately after Jesus’s fervent prayer and his disciples’ inability to keep watch.
• Judas’s betrayal:
  • Judas arrives with a mob carrying swords and clubs, signaling Jesus’s identity with a kiss.
  • Memorable line:
    • Jesus (to Judas):
      “Friend, why are you here?” (02:00)
• Violence and Restraint:
  • Peter lashes out, cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant.
  • Jesus calms him, teaching about peace:
    • “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (02:19)
    • He reminds his followers he could summon “more than 12 legions of angels” but submits for the fulfillment of scripture.
• Fulfillment of Prophecy:
  • Jesus emphasizes that these events must happen to fulfill what was foretold by the prophets.
  • The disciples scatter, leaving Jesus to be taken.

2. The Trial Before the Sanhedrin and Peter’s Denial

• Unjust Accusations:
  • False testimony is sought against Jesus, but none is sufficient.
  • High priest challenges Jesus directly:
    • “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” (04:05)
  • Jesus responds:
    • “You have said so, but I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (04:12)
• Condemnation:
  • The council charges him with blasphemy, calling for his death.
  • Jesus is mocked, beaten, and spat upon.
• Peter’s Three Denials:
  • Peter, watching from the courtyard, denies knowing Jesus three times as predicted.
    • “I do not know the man.” (05:33)
    • The cock crows, and Peter remembers Jesus’s words, fleeing in bitter sorrow.

3. Judas’s Remorse and Death

• Judas returns the blood money:
  • Judas, stricken with guilt, tries to undo his betrayal.
    • “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” (06:24)
  • The priests dismiss him; Judas hangs himself, and the silver is used to buy the "field of blood," fulfilling prophecy.

4. Jesus Before Pilate and the Crowd's Choice

• Pilate’s Dilemma:
  • Accused by religious leaders, Jesus remains largely silent.
    • “You have said so,” (07:38) in reply to being asked: “Are you the King of the Jews?”
  • The crowd chooses to free Barabbas, a notorious prisoner, over Jesus.
  • Pilate’s symbolic act:
    • Washing his hands:
      "I am innocent of this righteous man's blood. See to yourselves.” (09:24)
  • The crowd insists:
    • “His blood be on us and on our children.” (09:31)

5. The Crucifixion of Jesus

• Mockery and Suffering:
  • Jesus is mocked by soldiers, crowned with thorns, stripped, and led to Golgotha for crucifixion.
• The Cross:
  • Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry Jesus’s cross.
  • Jesus is crucified between two criminals; charges read: "This is Jesus, King of the Jews."
  • Passersby, priests, and others taunt Jesus to save himself.
• Jesus’s Final Words:
  • “Eli, eli, lama sabachthani?” ("My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?") (13:01)
  • Jesus dies, the temple curtain tears, earth shakes, and holy people are seen resurrected.
• Recognition by the Centurion:
  • “Truly, this was the Son of God.” (14:34)
• Burial:
  • Joseph of Arimathea lays Jesus in a new tomb; women followers watch over the burial.

6. The Resurrection

• Securing the Tomb:
  • Authorities seal the tomb and set guards to prevent any claims of resurrection.
• The Empty Tomb:
  • Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” find the stone rolled away, witness an angel:
    • "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen.” (17:05)
  • Jesus appears to the women:
    • “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (17:51)
• Chief Priests' Cover-up:
  • Guards are bribed to report the disciples stole the body—an enduring false narrative.

7. The Great Commission

• Reunion with Disciples in Galilee:
  • Jesus appears and commissions them:
    • “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations...” (18:56)
    • He promises: “I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

Transition to the Gospel of Mark (19:40)

1. Mark’s Opening: Preparation & Baptism

• John the Baptist:
  • Prophesied messenger, living simply, calling for repentance.
    • “After me comes he who is mightier than I... I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (20:29)
• Jesus’s Baptism:
  • Heavens open, Spirit descends “like a dove,” a voice proclaims:
    • “Thou art my beloved son; with thee I am well pleased.” (21:06)
• Temptation in the Wilderness:
  • Jesus tempted for 40 days; angels minister to him.

2. Call of the First Disciples & Early Ministry

• Call to Simon, Andrew, James, and John:
  • “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” (21:51)
• Authority:
  • Jesus’s teaching in the synagogue astonishes: “A new teaching with authority...” (23:08)
  • Exorcism: Jesus heals a man with an unclean spirit.
• Miracles:
  • Healing of Simon’s mother-in-law.
  • Many are brought to Jesus for healing and exorcism.
  • Healing the leper:
    • “If you will, you can make me clean.” (24:45)
    • Jesus: “I will; be clean.” (24:54)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Jesus’s Peace:
  • "Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword." (02:19)
• Prophetic Fulfillment:
  • “But all this has taken place that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” (02:55)
• Jesus to High Priest:
  • “You have said so, but I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (04:12)
• Peter’s Denial:
  • “I do not know the man.” (05:33)
• Pilate washing hands:
  • "I am innocent of this righteous man's blood. See to yourselves.” (09:24)
• Jesus’s cry from the cross:
  • “Eli, eli, lama sabachthani?” (13:01)
• Centurion’s recognition:
  • “Truly, this was the Son of God.” (14:34)
• Angel’s assurance:
  • “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen.” (17:05)
• Jesus’s commission:
  • “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations... I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (18:56)
• God’s affirmation at Jesus’s baptism:
  • “Thou art my beloved son; with thee I am well pleased.” (21:06)

Concluding Reflections (26:24)

• Host’s commentary (Ainsley Earhardt):
  • Connects the ongoing theme of betrayal to personal experience, noting Jesus’s radical choice to forgive rather than seek retribution, even at the cost of his own life.
  • “Betrayal is such a cruel assault that leaves our hearts in tatters. Help me learn to refuse retribution and choose to forgive like Jesus.”

Timestamps of Key Segments:

• Betrayal & Arrest: 01:33 – 03:04
• Trials and Denial: 03:04 – 06:24
• Judas’s Remorse & Death: 06:24 – 07:28
• Pilate, Barabbas & Sentencing: 07:28 – 09:36
• Crucifixion Narration: 09:36 – 14:40
• Resurrection & Empty Tomb: 16:17 – 18:30
• The Great Commission: 18:56 – 19:40
• Mark’s Gospel Introduction: 19:40 – 25:40
• Personal Reflection / Closing: 26:24 – 28:01

Final Takeaway

This episode poignantly dramatizes the agony, injustice, and ultimate hope surrounding Jesus’s final hours and resurrection. It highlights the core of the Gospel: the response to betrayal, the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, and the inauguration of a mission to share the message of forgiveness and new life across the world. Through captivating voices and reverent storytelling, it invites listeners to reflect on the power of forgiveness and steadfast hope, even in the face of unimaginable betrayal.