Episode 8 kicks off with a vivid Old Testament flashback, transporting us to the momentous occasion of David's grand entrance into Jerusalem, met with resounding hosannas echoing through the air – a foreshadowing of the jubilant welcome that awaited Jesus during his triumphal entry (John 12:13). David is joyfully reunited with his second wife, Abigail, and their son Daniel (1 Chronicles 3:1), and together, they select a lamb for the upcoming Passover festivities. This poignant scene serves as a crucial backdrop, as David imparts wisdom to Daniel about the Passover sacrifice, emphasizing the necessity of anointing the lamb's feet six days prior to the offering (Exodus 12:1-28, Exodus 13:3-16). Moreover, we witness David in possession of the bridle, destined to be bestowed upon Jesus by Joseph, symbolizing a lineage that spans generations.
Following the episode titles, our gaze shifts to Veronica – the woman whose bleeding was miraculously healed in Season 3, Episode 5 – and Jesse, Simon Z's brother, whom Jesus cured by the pool of Bethesda in Season 2, Episode 4. They stand outside the Temple, regaling a gathered crowd with tales of Jesus' wondrous deeds. A Sadducee attempts to discredit Jesus as a mere sorcerer, questioning his bravery in venturing into Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. Veronica and Jesse firmly rebut these claims, highlighting the Sadducee's fear of submitting to the king's authority. The crowd, captivated by their narratives, clamors for more.
As the episode draws to a close, we revisit Veronica and Jesse at the Temple's doorstep. The servant, whose donkey was borrowed for Jesus' journey, announces his impending arrival. The throng eagerly surges towards the eastern gates, their anticipation palpable. Veronica leads the chorus, her voice soaring as they sing, "Hosanna to the Son of David."
Meanwhile, Pilate surveys the bustling streets of Jerusalem from above, puzzled by the annual pilgrimage of Jews from across the Roman Empire to this overcrowded, uncomfortable city. Atticus cautions him to focus not on the multitude but on their fervent spirit. He warns Pilate that Emperor Tiberius might be testing his mettle to manage the week without incident. Pilate mocks the notion of the ghost of Bethany (Lazarus) and is taken aback when Atticus, based on his own observations, entertains the possibility of the rumors' truth. Dismissing it all as superstitious hogwash, Pilate fails to heed Atticus's reminder that the Jews' beliefs and the unity they inspire are what truly matter, regardless of the facts.
Elsewhere, Herod, Herodias, Joanna, and Chuza navigate the dense throngs of Jerusalem. Upon entering their lodging, Joanna notices Chuza receiving a message for Herod from Caiaphas, adding another layer to the intricate tapestry of events unfolding in the holy city.
Later, Joanna joins Pilate, Claudia, Herod, Herodias, Chuza, and his mistress, Cassandra, for an evening repast. Pilate's curiosity piques as he inquiries about Herod's perception of Jesus. Initially, Herod dismisses him as a mere nobody. However, troubled by whispers that some hail Jesus as a king, Herod mentions that Caiaphas alleges he could incite an uprising akin to that of the Maccabees. This revelation troubles Pilate, prompting him to propose that Caiaphas eliminate Lazarus – to squash any rumors surrounding his resurrection. When Claudia ponders aloud if Jesus might merely resurrect Lazarus once more, Pilate dismisses the notion with a chuckle.
After the meal, Claudia seeks out Joanna outdoors. As they gaze upon the bustling streets below, Claudia marvels at the faith that prompts the Jews to undertake arduous journeys to visit an overcrowded, uncomfortable city, wondering what it might feel like to possess such conviction. She also expresses empathy for Joanna, having witnessed Chuza's brazen affair. Joanna reveals she hasn't shared a bed with Chuza for some time – a sentiment Claudia can relate to, albeit for different reasons; her restless dreams and movements have disrupted Pilate's slumber. Joanna wonders if the men are taking Jesus seriously. Claudia clarifies that Pilate's appointment was secured by his family's influence, not his prowess, leading him to overcompensate. If he does so again, Tiberias will depose him, and she hopes the tension in the air doesn't herald an insurrection orchestrated by Jesus. However, both harbor an uneasy premonition about the future. Joanna feels like a mere pawn in the men's power game, but Claudia insists they can be more if they embrace their faith with the same fervor as the Jews.
As the crowd swells and excitement mounts over Jesus' impending arrival, Pilate and Claudia look on with trepidation. Caught in the throng, the litter bearing Joanna and Chuza struggles to move. Chuza grumbles about the chaos, but Joanna finds inspiration. She bids Chuza farewell – effectively dissolving their marriage – and ventures into the crowd. She procures a bunch of palms from a vendor and distributes them in anticipation of Jesus' coming.
Mary's journey begins at the stall of an Asian perfumer. Dissatisfied with several of the elite fragrances offered, she pulls out a substantial bag of money and requests access to even more exclusive perfumes. Reluctantly, the perfumer produces a flask of pure nard, utilized in the anointing of kings in China and India. To her astonishment, Mary produces even more money and offers to pay a year's worth of wages for the entire flask – a gift for the most esteemed king the world has ever known.
As Jesus dines with his disciples, as well as Shmuel and Yussif, Mary arrives, tears of joy streaming down her face. To the amazement of Martha and the disciples, Mary approaches Jesus and anoints his feet with the nard, wiping them with her hair. This provokes stern rebukes from Shmuel for her immodesty and Judas for her wastefulness. To compound matters, Mary addresses Jesus using the traditional formula for praying to God: "Blessed are you, King of the Universe, for you make all things one." Jesus acknowledges that she is preparing his body for burial – a detail only Lazarus seems to notice.
Later, as Jesus and his companions prepare to depart for Jerusalem, Lazarus grapples with the decision to accompany them or remain. Jesus encourages him to stay. They watch as Jesus sets off for Jerusalem.
During the session of the Sanhedrin, Gederah vehemently voiced his concerns against the escalating instances of "sorcery" and "deception" attributed to Jesus. Yussif, standing firm, recounted that his father had witnessed Lazarus being raised from the dead and was not easily deceived. As others clung to the belief that only Elijah possessed such power, Shmuel proposed a radical thought—perhaps Jesus was Elijah himself—and offered to delve into the matter personally. However, Gederah's anxieties persisted, worrying about Pilate's reaction if he perceived any threat.
Emerging from his throne, the High Priest Caiaphas addressed the assembly, revealing a prophecy he had received: a man must die to spare the nation from destruction. He interpreted this as a sign that, upon Herod Antipas's arrival in Jerusalem, they must devise a plan to deliver Jesus into Roman hands. Shammai expressed his discomfort with collaborating with Herod, but Caiaphas clarified that using Herod did not equate to endorsing him.
After the meeting adjourned, Shmuel expressed his disappointment to Yussif, lamenting the lack of conscience and goodwill among the Sanhedrin leaders. They both agreed that they must visit Jesus immediately, approaching him with an open mind and without any preconceived notions, unlike Shmuel's previous encounters.
Upon reaching Bethany, Adnan introduced Shmuel and Yussif to Jesus and his disciples as they shared a feast at Lazarus's table. The disciples were tense around Shmuel, but Jesus welcomed him warmly. Shmuel was surprised that Jesus remembered him and congratulated him on his appointment to the Sanhedrin. He also discovered that Yussif had warned the disciples about his efforts to find Jesus in the past.
Shmuel and Yussif warned Jesus about the discussions in the Sanhedrin and the negative scrutiny he was attracting, despite their openness to exploring his identity. Judas attempted to persuade them to advocate for Jesus within the Sanhedrin, envisioning a united Jewish community under a new Davidic Kingdom. However, Jesus challenged Shmuel, asking him what his fate would be on the day the Messiah judged the nations, separating the sheep from the goats.
Shmuel struggled to embrace the idea that the Messiah would align himself with the humble—the poor, strangers, and outcasts—rather than prioritizing strict obedience to the Torah's laws (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Jesus reminded him of Micah's prophecy, highlighting what the Lord truly required (Micah 6:8), and imparted the new commandment (John 13:34-35). He declared himself the embodiment of the Temple, the sacrifices, and the feasts. As Shmuel grappled with these revelations, Mary entered and began to anoint Jesus' feet.
Yussif endeavored to keep Shmuel's mind open, but Mary's actions—letting down her hair, touching Jesus' feet, and pouring out precious ointment while addressing him as God—pushed Shmuel to his breaking point. He insisted that he had wanted to believe but that Jesus had ruined everything. Jesus expressed regret for not being able to help Shmuel and allowed him to depart.
On his way out, Shmuel encountered Judas, whom he deemed the only sensible disciple. Judas confessed his belief in Jesus but expressed concern that things were going awry and needed to change to unite the Jews against their oppressors. Shmuel concurred and asked Judas to find him in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Yussif and Adnan apologized to Lazarus and prepared to leave with Shmuel.
Returning to Jerusalem, Shmuel was offered a palm branch to greet Jesus but disdainfully discarded it.
As Eden, Salome, Jairus, Shula, and Barnaby prepared to embark on their journey to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, Gaius unexpectedly crossed their path. With a warm invitation, Eden extended an open hand, urging him to join their pilgrimage. However, Gaius, steadfast in his duty, declined gracefully, explaining his obligation to remain with his family and oversee the city affairs, though his heart yearned to accompany them. He dispatched heartfelt greetings of peace to Peter and Matthew before bidding them farewell as they set forth.
Upon their arrival in Bethany, the group stumbled upon a delightful scene: James and John, guilty of a playful deceit against their mother, indulged in Martha's alluring cinnamon cakes, hastily concealing their indulgence upon her approach. The two brothers eagerly joined the disciples' caravan as they prepared to venture further towards Jerusalem.
Under the cloak of night, as the disciples succumbed to slumber, Judas slipped silently from his bed, his actions cloaked in darkness. With dexterous hands, he pilfered funds from the communal purse, diverting them into his own coffers and cleverly manipulating the accounts to conceal his theft. In the midst of his deceit, his eyes caught sight of Thomas stealthily exiting. Intrigued, Judas followed at a discreet distance, hiding in shadows as Thomas solemnly buried a sun dial, a token of betrothal bestowed upon Ramah.
Later, with the arrival of Shmuel and Yussif to confer with Jesus, Judas perceived an auspicious opening to forge an alliance with the religious hierarchy. He passionately exhorted Shmuel and Yussif to champion Jesus' cause before the Sanhedrin, envisioning a revitalized Davidic Kingdom that would overthrow Roman tyranny and herald a resplendent golden era, where Israel would shine as a beacon to the nations.
To Judas' astonishment, rather than aiding him in smoothing relations with the Pharisees, Jesus deliberately provoked Shmuel with a parable of sheep and goats. His outrage deepened when Mary lavishly "wasted" 300 denarii worth of nard in anointing Jesus' feet. Desperately, Judas tried to persuade Jesus that alienating Shmuel was unwise, but Jesus remained unmoved by his pleas.
Outside the feast hall, Judas encountered Shmuel, who echoed his disdain for the wasted nard, commending Judas as the only disciple with sense. Undeterred, Judas clung to his conviction that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, insisting that they merely needed to discover the right path to unite the people against their oppressors. Shmuel concurred, encouraging Judas to seek him out in Jerusalem.
As Jesus prepared to embark on his journey to Jerusalem, he entrusted Simon Peter and Matthew with a special task: to seek out an unridden donkey in a nearby village, explaining that their Master had a need for it. Atticus, watching from a distance, followed their every move as they scoured the area in accordance with Jesus' instructions, eventually stumbling upon the perfect donkey. The servant in charge, initially wary, quickly changed his tune upon realizing that these men were disciples of Jesus. They reminisced about the prophecy foretelling the Messiah's arrival atop a donkey (Zechariah 9:9-10), a moment that seemed to resonate deeply with the servant. With the donkey secured, the servant eagerly dashed off to spread the news in Jerusalem, while Atticus, with a different agenda, hurried to inform Pontius Pilate.
Upon completing their mission, Matthew and Simon Peter returned to Jesus with the donkey, its back ready to carry the Son of God. Meanwhile, Mary, Jesus' mother, approached him with his bag in hand. She retrieved the bridle, a relic from earlier days (as seen in Season 3 Episode 3), and explained that it would serve as a symbol of Joseph, uniting them all on this long-anticipated day. Mary's voice wavered as she expressed the difficulty of hearing Jesus speak of being prepared for burial, prompting he to acknowledge that he could no longer shield her from the truth. He pondered whether she should stay behind, but her resolve was firm; she would enter the city by his side, her hand gripping his tightly.
With Matthew and Simon Peter back and the donkey now adorned with the bridle, Jesus donned his cloak. As the rest of the disciples gathered, he imparted a solemn message: the time had come. He acknowledged their myriad questions but asked simply for their companionship. Peter's affirmation echoed loudly, asserting that Jesus alone possessed words of eternal life (John 6:68-69). Moved by Peter's words, Jesus reassured them of his unwavering love, promising that come what may, he had cherished them as his own and would continue to do so until the end (John 13:1). With these comforting words, Jesus mounted the donkey, its steps marking the beginning of their journey towards Jerusalem, each stride laden with anticipation and significance.
