After shortening his journey by four days, Shmuel finds himself back in Jerusalem, still haunted by the disastrous encounter with Jesus as he navigates through the bustling crowds of eager Jewish pilgrims. Upon entering the residence of Caiaphas and washing himself, he declares that the situation is precisely as he had feared.
Atticus, meanwhile, witnesses Jesus' triumphant entry and subsequently makes his way to Pilate's palace. Pilate dismisses Jesus' arrival as a pathetic spectacle, mocking his use of a donkey and the absence of soldiers among his followers. However, Atticus is less certain, recalling how Antiochus Epiphanes once underestimated the Maccabean rebels to their detriment. As if to further emphasize his disdain, Pilate orders a platter of ceremonially unclean shellfish - shrimp and clams - despite personally disliking their taste. Claudia scolds Pilate for offending the Jews, but he ignores her and she departs in frustration.
Having had his fill of the day's "pageantry," Atticus prepares to leave when Caiaphas arrives for his tri-annual meeting with Pilate. Pilate facetiously offers Caiaphas shrimp as well, much to the priest's consternation. Initially, Caiaphas insists that Pilate should wash his feet out of gratitude for the order and peace he maintains during the festivals. But Pilate turns the tables, reminding Caiaphas that Rome tolerates Judaism only because it views it as a mere variation among many religions. Rome has taken their priestly breastplate during their conquest of Judea and can now withhold it - or defile it just before it is needed.
Caiaphas promises to prevent riots and expresses confidence that he will be able to deliver more revenue than ever due to the high turnout of pilgrims. Pleased with this assurance, Pilate begins to dismiss him, but not before urging him to ensure that people are present for the execution of three zealot murderers on Friday.
Picking up precisely where Season 4 concluded, Jesus and His disciples step forth from the shadows of the trees, their gaze fixed upon a vast sea of people gathered outside Jerusalem. The air resonates with melodies, as the multitude chants, "Hosanna to the Son of David" (Psalm 118:25-26), igniting a spark of exhilaration within the disciples' hearts—particularly Judas', who perceives this as the long-awaited cusp of destiny. However, their exhilaration is momentarily tempered by the appearance of a small contingent of Pharisees, led by Rabbi Zebadiah (the very one who once attempted to stone Jesus), accompanied by a visibly hesitant Yussif.
The disciples instinctively rush to shield Jesus, with John even drawing a knife, but Judas urges restraint, imploring them to heed the Pharisees' words. Zebadiah solemnly warns that they must turn back immediately if Jesus wishes to preserve His life. His companion emphasizes that the crowd yearns to crown Jesus king, a notion Rome will not tolerate. Despite Jesus' denial of seeking an earthly kingdom, they persist, contending that His decision to enter on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of the incoming King (Zechariah 9:9), speaks volumes. They press Jesus to silence His followers' "Hosanna" chants, but He stands firm, asserting that if they refrained, even the stones would cry out in His defense (Luke 19:39-40). With that, the Pharisees depart, opting to take the circuitous route back to Jerusalem to avoid association with Jesus' followers. Tamar beckons Yussif to join the disciples, but fear grips him, causing him to follow Zebadiah instead.
As they draw nearer to the city, amidst the jubilant crowds and rejoicing disciples, Jesus notices a trace of blood on the wall, plunging Him into introspective contemplation and sensing Jerusalem's impending calamity. His mother and Mary Magdalene, sensing His distress, are filled with worry, but He swiftly regains composure and enters the city gates. En route, Jesus is scrutinized by the Mysterious Watcher from beyond Lazarus' tomb (as seen in Season 4 Episode 7), along with Atticus, who also takes note of Veronica, Simon Z's brother Jesse (the once-paralyzed man now healed), and Caiaphas peering from his window.
Upon arriving at the Temple, recollections of Jesus' call to become fishers of men flood Peter's mind, prompting him to inform Andrew of his intention to preach during the festival. Thomas, ever cautious, reminds them of Shmuel's opposition and warns of both welcoming arms and concealed daggers awaiting them. As the disciples reunite with Jesse, Shula, and Barnaby, the Watcher observes intently, catching a glimpse of Yussif disguising himself in plain street clothes, intent on following Jesus and absorbing His teachings in secret.
Inside the sacred confines of the Temple, as the Watcher and an assortment of disciples observe intently, Jesus stands before a gathered multitude and declares that the fateful hour has arrived for the Son of Man to be glorified. He proceeds to elucidate the necessity of a grain of wheat falling into the earth to bear fruit, using it as a metaphor for his impending destiny (John 12:23-26).
As his teachings unfold, Joanna whispers to Tamar that Phoebe, their wealthy Roman acquaintance mentioned in Romans 16:1, has offered her opulent abode as a refuge, for she prefers to steer clear of the city's tumultuous festivals. Suddenly, a chilling grip envelops Jesus' heart, instilling a wave of anxiety among his followers. He confides that his soul is deeply troubled, contemplating whether to implore the Father to spare him this hour of trial. Instead, he chooses to pray for the glorification of God's name, a supplication that is met with a resounding thunderclap, beneath which a barely discernible voice echoes, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again" (John 12:27-28). While many merely perceive the thunder, a select few disciples, including Andrew, who wonders if an angel might be speaking, catch the divine whisper (John 12:29).
After affirming that the time has come for the Son of Man to be exalted and the ruler of this world cast out (John 12:31-32), Jesus concludes his discourse with an urgent exhortation to walk and believe in the light, while it still shines upon them (John 12:35-36). Amidst another thunderous clap, his smile reveals that this time, it is indeed a natural phenomenon, prompting them to seek shelter. As the others disperse, Mary and John are deeply perturbed by the stark implications of Jesus' words, an understanding that escapes the notice of their fellow disciples.
Later, when the disciples reconvene, Jesus urges them to disseminate his teachings throughout the city, emphasizing that Passover looms just days away. Judas senses a sense of urgency in Jesus' words, interpreting them as a deadline. Having entrusted them with this mission, Jesus withdraws to seek solitude. Peter, meanwhile, plans to preach alongside Matthew, who will document his sermons and note any shortcomings, acknowledging his own early ineptitude.
Arriving at Phoebe's mansion, the disciples marvel at their luxurious accommodations, the finest they have ever experienced during Passover. Simon Z, however, feels uneasy amidst the opulence, particularly as he ponders the possibility that Rome might overlook the subtlety in Jesus' teachings. Yet, most of the disciples remain unperturbed, confident that all events unfold according to Jesus' divine plan. They recall his dual predictions of suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests but dismiss the notion of death and resurrection as mere metaphors. Mary and John, however, continue to grapple with profound unease. Seated in a garden adorned with exquisite Greek art, they recall entering through the Sheep Gate, the very path taken by lambs destined for slaughter. Terrified by the implications, they feel helpless and powerless.
As Jesus sought solitude, he wandered through the bustling streets, his ears attuned to the pilgrims' melodic chanting of Psalm 136. His journey led him unexpectedly to a scene of betrothal festivities, where he was warmly welcomed to partake in the rejoicing. However, the revelry abruptly stilled when a youthful voice pierced through the crowd, crying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Though Jesus endeavored to deflect the gathering's attention, Ruthy, the bride-to-be, earnestly beseeched him to bless her union with Reuben, a request he granted with genuine delight. He exhorted the gathering to let the luminous spirit of the Paschal feast ignite within them, kindling celestial aspirations and purifying their hearts, before quietly departing. Meanwhile, the boy's vociferous "Hosanna" echoed through the air.
Perching himself atop a wall overlooking the Temple court, Jesus beheld the tumultuous scene below with a heart heavy with sorrow. He mournfully foretold the impending days when the city would be encircled and not a single stone would remain upright (Luke 19:41-44). His gaze extended beyond the present, envisioning the catastrophic year 70 AD, when Rome would lay waste to Jerusalem and reduce the Temple to ashes.
Upon returning to his abode, Jesus stealthily approached Zebedee, charging him with escorting his mother and the other women out of the city at the break of dawn, ensuring their safety in Bethany for the ensuing days. Overhearing this conversation, John, driven by curiosity, followed Jesus in secret. He witnessed Jesus tenderly kissing his mother Mary and retrieving a box containing Joseph's bridle. Bringing it to a table, Jesus meticulously stripped the leather from the bridle, transforming it with dexterous hands into a whip's flail.
A group of men, their voices resonating with the recitation of Psalm 11:5-7, march into Jerusalem, convinced of their own righteousness and anticipating God's trial, while casting Jesus in the role of the "wicked" upon whom the Lord will unleash a torrent of coals and fire. They encounter the Mysterious Watcher, who endeavors to convey that this is not an era for bloodshed. However, Kafni insists that a false prophet is perpetuating heresy and death. When the Watcher discloses that Jesus has already arrived in Jerusalem and been met with immense praise, Kafni wonders whether they have crossed paths, and the Watcher concedes that they have yet to meet. As Kafni and his comrades proceed through the streets, the Watcher looks on with a sense of foreboding.
Later, under the shroud of night, Kafni and his compatriots gather around a blazing fire, pondering whether Herod will take any action against Jesus. Although Herod had ruthlessly executed John the Baptist, they doubt that Jesus poses a significant threat to him, given Herod's perceived cowardice in confronting either Herod or Tiberius Caesar, as a true Messiah should. Kafni realizes that the religious leaders lack the personal stake in opposing Jesus that he holds, being more preoccupied with their own standing. Yet, he persists in his conviction that they must devise a means to make this struggle personal for them.
