Episode 3 seamlessly continues from where Episode 2 concluded, depicting Jesus confronting Caiaphas and the Pharisees amidst the hallowed precincts of the Temple courts. As Roman soldiers arrive to apprehend Jesus, Atticus commands them to hold their ground and invites Jesus to voice his message before proceeding. Turning his gaze upon the religious leaders, Jesus quotes God's word, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations," yet laments how they have turned it into "a den of thieves" (Mark 11:17). Citing their dishonesty, Jesus insists that the practice of purchasing animals for sacrifice must cease, despite the impending Passover festival.
As Jesus speaks, Simon Z's mind drifts back to the Scriptures, echoing the words, "Zeal for your house will consume me" (John 2:17, Psalm 69:9). When the leaders inquisitively challenge Jesus about the authority behind his actions, he boldly asserts it is his own. To emphasize his point, he dares them to demolish "this temple" and promises to rebuild it within three days – a cryptic pronouncement that leaves them utterly baffled, given that the Temple's construction had taken forty-six years (John 2:18-21). Witnessing the defeat of the religious leaders, the children take the lead, chanting, "Hosanna to the Son of David" (Matthew 21:15), amid the crowd.
As the leaders retreat indoors, Shmuel insists on meticulously documenting Jesus' "threat" to demolish the Temple (cf. Mark 14:58), while others ponder if it was more a prophecy than a threat. Nevertheless, they all conclude that Jesus has blasphemed, except for Yussif, whom Shmuel scorns for his belief. Despite their differences, they recognize that Jesus has garnered the support of the people. Believing in his honesty, they devise a plan to trap him with intricate questions, aiming to expose him as a fraud before the masses.
Upon exiting the Temple, Jesus and his disciples are met with discussions among Judas and the other disciples about how the people will observe Passover without the sacrifices traditionally offered at the Temple. They reluctantly agree that Jesus should depart, but Peter urges caution. Simon Z expresses his concern that the Pharisees are searching for Jesus, to which Jesus responds cryptically, hinting that they might indeed find him. This comment fuels Z's eagerness to follow, though James urges him to stay with the group.
Back at Phoebe's residence, John queries Thaddeus if he has ever witnessed Jesus in such a state. None of them have seen Jesus display such vehemence – Thomas, still nursing a bitter resentment stemming from the violence Jesus unleashed and its detrimental impact on Ramah. Judas is perturbed by the assault on the sacrificial system, but Philip clarifies that it is an assault on a corrupt version of their cherished tradition. Judas wonders how they can defend Jesus, clarifying that he wishes to uphold him but fears they might be missing an opportunity to unite their people. Troubled by the events, Mary excuses herself, explaining to Andrew that she needs to seek assistance.
As the discourse among the disciples continued, Andrew pondered what life would be like if he could view the world without being shackled to his role as a follower. Nathanael interjected, suggesting that had he been a mere bystander in the marketplace, he might have mistakenly presumed Jesus was enduring a trying day—a notion contradicted by the others, who reminded him of the crowds departing in jubilant chants.
Amongst their animated conversation, Matthew quietly expressed his gratitude to Jesus for allowing him to assist with the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus, in turn, invited Matthew to accompany him to hear another sermon, querying whether it might be beneficial for him to venture out on his own. Reflecting on the week's events, which had proven both surprising and even startling to them all, Matthew admitted that while he cherished surprises as they fostered deeper learning and comprehension, he harbored a fear of genuine shocks. With a note of sorrow, Jesus revealed that individual teachings would cease but exhorted Matthew to persist in his diligent listening and observing.
As the other disciples reappeared, their faces lighting up with anticipation, Jesus announced his intention to impart the Parable of the Vineyard. Inside the Temple, amidst a gathering crowd that included Yussif in disguise, the Watcher (under Simon Z's watchful eye), Shula, and Barnaby, Jesus embarked on teaching the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The narrative was momentarily halted by Shmuel and the religious leaders, who sought to exploit the public forum to quiz Jesus on his authority's origin.
In response, Jesus cleverly deflected, posing the same question regarding John the Baptist's authority. The Pharisees huddled together, realizing they were cornered: either concede John's legitimacy and their own error or incur the crowd's wrath by denying him. Following Shmuel's counsel, they feigned ignorance, prompting Jesus to refuse to entertain their inquiry further (Matthew 21:23-27).
Seizing the opportunity, Jesus embarked on the Parable of the Vineyard (Matthew 21:33-41), while his disciples enacted the tale on the Temple steps. Initially, Shmuel and his cronies failed to grasp the parable's implicit critique of them and the Temple, but Jesus eventually clarified, quoting, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (Matthew 21:42, echoing Psalm 118:22-23) and asserting that the Kingdom was being wrested from them and bestowed upon those who bore fruit (Matthew 21:43).
The religious leaders were outraged but swiftly concocted a new strategy (Matthew 22:15-22). After paying lip service to Jesus' candor, they posed a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Examining a denarius, Jesus noted the image of Tiberius Caesar and the inscription declaring him "son of the divine," eliciting boos from the crowd. Jesus pondered aloud how they could justify paying taxes to a foreign occupier who blasphemously styled himself a god. Yet, he acknowledged that taxes also funded essential services like roads. Regardless of what was inscribed on coins, the world ultimately belonged to God. He concluded by challenging them to give to Caesar what was Caesar's and to God what was God's. This reply visibly unsettled Judas and a segment of the crowd, who began chanting against Jesus.
As Jesus recommenced the Parable of the Talents, his discourse was once more interrupted by Shmuel, who inquired about the Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:34-40). Amidst Shula's curiosity regarding the Pharisees' stricter demands, Jesus acknowledged the authority vested in their teachings but then transitioned into pronouncing solemn woes upon them, his heart heavy with lament for the impending desolation of Jerusalem (Matthew 23). As he prepared to depart, Jesus insisted with finality that his teaching ministry was concluded, hinting that they would not witness his presence again until theyuttered, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 23:39).
Upon encountering Jesus, lost in contemplation of the Temple's majestic beauty for one final time, Peter marveled at its grandeur. However, Jesus's subsequent warning that it would soon be demolished cast a somber tone over their moment (Matthew 24:1-2). As they ventured further through the city, the other disciples debated whether Jesus had truly meant what he said about cessation of his preaching, with John standing firm in his conviction. Peter dispatched the others back home but accompanied James, John, and Andrew to seek further clarification from Jesus. Finding him perched on the Mount of Olives, gazing out over Jerusalem, they implored him for a sign to herald the advent of the Kingdom. In response, Jesus unveiled his lengthy prophecy, delineating the impending trials, tribulations, and persecution awaiting his followers, alongside the Gospel of the Kingdom's dissemination to all nations prior to the End (Matthew 24:3-14). He emphasized that no one, save the Father, knew the day or hour, urging them to remain vigilant (Matthew 24:36).
The weight of Jesus's revelations left the four disciples reeling, prompting Jesus to send them back to Jerusalem to afford himself some solitude. Seated in quiet contemplation, he mourned over Jerusalem's blissful ignorance of the peace it was destined to embrace (Luke 19:41-42). His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of sheep and the melodic strains of a harp. He discovered a youthful figure, strumming and singing Psalm 5, realizing it was a visionary encounter with David. Suddenly, the vision dissolved, leaving Jesus once again in solitude.
Following the Temple's cleansing, Kafni confronted a man whose lambs had been released by Jesus, probing him to ascertain the financial loss incurred due to the disturbance. Recognizing Jesus's modest finances, the man deemed him an unworthy target for litigation. However, Kafni hinted at alternative means to exact revenge. Later, when Jesus addressed the question of paying taxes to Caesar, Kafni incited a furious chorus, denouncing Jesus as a false Messiah for aligning with Rome.
