At the dawn of Episode 4, Atticus finds himself entranced by Kafni, who continues to stir the masses by highlighting how Jesus has not only shuttered the market but also tacitly endorsed Rome's taxation policies. Kafni vows justice to the vendor whom he encountered in Episode 3. Meanwhile, Yussif eavesdrops on a conversation between Jesse and Veronica, who muse on how the religious elite attempted to ensnare Jesus with treacherous questions. Although they concur that Jesus sidestepped their traps, they acknowledge that his remarks have alienated the religious leaders and some within the gathered multitude.
Elsewhere in Jerusalem, Mary searches frantically for Yussif and crosses paths with Shmuel. When she implores him for assistance in locating her friend, Shmuel hesitates, referring to Yussif not as a friend but as someone who failed to confront Jesus. He derides Mary, branding her as a demon-possessed woman from the notorious Red Quarter. In response, Mary stands her ground, asserting with confidence that she hails from Magdala by the sea and is possessed solely by her creator. Shmuel insists that Jesus' recent utterances amount to a death warrant, hinting that he might soon long for the solitude of a leper colony. Mary counters by noting that if Jesus were in such a colony, he would heal it, but she empathizes with Shmuel's plight, understanding that Jesus' words must strike a chord of truth that others ignore.
Upon Yussif's arrival, Shmuel lambasts him for associating with a woman from the Red Quarter. Yussif retaliates by accusing Shmuel of indecency, to which Shmuel responds by reprimanding Yussif for his silence in Lazarus' house. As Shmuel storms off, Yussif is summoned to an urgent meeting. However, Mary seeks a moment of his time, both aware of the ominous implications looming overhead. The nature of her request to Yussif remains shrouded in mystery until Episode 5 unfolds.
When Mary returns to Phoebe's abode, she discovers Tamar and Joanna engrossed in a discussion about Passover and their yearning to deepen their understanding. With a tone tinged with regret, Mary informs them that their journey will also lead them to Bethany, where they will reside with Mother Mary, Martha, and Mary of Bethany during the Passover Seder.
In Bethany, Jesus convenes a special meal, gathering all his female disciples around the table. As he goes around the circle, he expresses heartfelt gratitude to each for their devoted service: to Mary Magdalene for courageously hosting a Shabbat despite her feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness; to Mother Mary for her enduring patience and forgiveness after he stayed in the Temple until he was twelve; to Mary and Martha for their steadfast belief in his purpose amidst the agony of Lazarus' demise; to Eden for bearing the sacrifices entailed in supporting Peter's ministry; to Tamar, a stranger in a foreign land, for withstanding slander and demonstrating a beautiful faith; and to Joanna for facilitating Andrew's encounter with John in prison and steadfastly supporting his ministry. As a final request, he asks them to maintain a distance from him during the upcoming days and Passover, a time when he intends to impart special teachings to the Apostles. Although the others ponder the reason behind this request, Mary Magdalene, ever attentive, comprehends the situation.
After Peter returns from his conversation with Jesus, Judas inquiries if Jesus elaborated further on his stance regarding the payment of taxes to Rome. Peter notes that with Roman soldiers present, Jesus couldn't openly denounce taxes. Judas contends that the same Jesus who walked on water and raised Lazarus could have summoned swords for protection with just a snap of his fingers. Peter counters that Jesus was evading capture, akin to David fleeing from Saul. He rebukes Judas for professing belief in Jesus yet doubting his wisdom. Judas insists that Jesus chose him for a specific purpose, perhaps to challenge him. Peter warns Judas that his ego might overshadow his faith if he remains so consumed by his own ideas.
Later, Jesus finds John admiring frescos in Phoebe's house and prompts him to narrate the Greek tales depicted. John points out the parallels between the depicted story and Jephthah's ill-advised vow leading to his daughter's sacrifice (Judges 11) – an act Jesus emphasizes was never commanded by his Father but occurred due to the people's misguided sense of righteousness (Judges 21:25). John proceeds to recount the tale of Agamemnon sacrificing his daughter Iphigenia to Artemis for favorable winds, only to be betrayed by his wife, who was subsequently killed by their vengeful son, haunted by the Furies for the rest of his life, unable to forgive himself. John observes that both religious leaders and disciples act according to their own perceptions of righteousness, unaware of the consequences, and wonders how they can find peace or forgive themselves. Urging John to stay close, Jesus assures him of forgiveness and that his Spirit will forever remain with them.
As Jesus remains in the garden atrium, Judas approaches him to discuss the dwindling opportunity to unite the Jewish people and counteract their adversaries' lies. Drawing upon his business acumen, Judas insists they stand at a critical juncture, poised either to seal the deal or lose it. When Judas urges Jesus to reclaim his birthright as the son of David, Jesus questions whether Judas will maintain his faith if Jesus doesn't act as he desires. Judas persists that Jesus chose him to contribute to his Kingdom, asserting his own significance. Turning the tables, Jesus warns Judas that he too stands at a pivotal moment, faced with the decision of whom his heart truly serves. Despite Judas' insistence on continuing to follow Jesus, the meeting concludes on a sour note, with Judas curtly thanking Jesus for his time and leaving him to pray, tears streaming down his face.
Later, within the hallowed halls of the Sanhedrin, Shimon of the House of Hillel urges Zebadiah and the members of the House of Shammai to unite against Jesus, who operates beyond their jurisdiction and teaches doctrines that contradict tradition and their interpretation of the Torah. When Shmuel rises to testify, claiming to be the chronicler of Jesus' deeds for the longest time, Yussif objects, affirming that he has witnessed Jesus' actions equally as long, albeit without documentation, as Shmuel points out. The debate escalates as they ponder the authenticity of Lazarus' resurrection, with Shmuel growing so enraged that he urges the Sanhedrin to execute Lazarus for blasphemy, citing Leviticus 24:16. Even Zebadiah deems this proposal excessive, considering Lazarus' upstanding status as a Jew. When Yussif attempts to defend Lazarus and Jesus, Shmuel scorns him for being ensnared by the belief in Jesus' divine powers and dares the Sanhedrin to vote on their allegiance to Scripture or the Nazarene.
To Judas' profound dismay, Jesus issued a command to the disciples, instructing them to accompany him and the women back to Bethany, rather than remaining in the bustling city of Jerusalem. Judas voiced his confusion, wondering aloud why the other disciples stood by, inebriated and unresponsive, as the opportune moment to fulfill the prophecies surrounding the Messiah slipped through their fingers. Yet, his inquiries fell on deaf ears.
Upon their arrival, Jesus sensed the looming peril his presence posed to Lazarus and the women, and thus ordered his disciples to remain vigilant. He tasked Z with the responsibility of posting guards. That very night, as the women shared a meal with Jesus, John stood nervously near the window, his heart pounding as he overheard the grave warnings Jesus imparted to them.
Meanwhile, Gederah relayed to Caiaphas how Jesus had silenced the religious leaders by responding to their queries with questions of his own. The High Priest sneered at the Pharisees, mocking their narrow-mindedness and inability to counter such an age-old tactic. While he dismissed Jesus' belief in the resurrection, Caiaphas was deeply concerned about the potential threat to the Temple. However, Gederah harbored doubts that this would be the Sanhedrin's primary concern – their focus lay more on undermining Jesus' authority among the people. Caiaphas deemed their efforts to ensnare Jesus futile, yet insisted that he could still salvage the situation by arresting Jesus quietly during the night preceding Passover. As he donned his priestly ephod, he tasked Gederah with devising a plan to locate Jesus.
As the Sanhedrin deliberated on their next course of action regarding Jesus, Yanni and Zebadiah exited the meeting to meet with Caiaphas, who desired to oversee the proceedings personally. They insisted that his presence would sway the votes, as many would seek to curry his favor. Simultaneously, they praised Caiaphas' predecessor and father-in-law, Annas, for his steadfastness and courage, even when it led to his unjust dismissal. In an attempt to provoke Caiaphas, they pondered aloud why Annas' equally capable children had not been chosen to succeed him and urged Caiaphas to seek counsel from his brother-in-law, Ananus, to bolster their case. Caiaphas was far from pleased, scorning Yanni as a man of limited power but vast connections. Despite his displeasure, he reluctantly agreed to seek Ananus' input.
