As the curtain rises on the main episode, Yanni and an assembly of religious leaders stroll alongside Ananus, the son of Annas and Caiaphas' brother-in-law, engaged in animated discourse regarding the dilemma posed by Jesus. Overhearing their hushed deliberations, Barnaby cannot resist taunting Ananus subtly, reminding him how his father, perceiving Caiaphas' limp, had also bestowed upon him the family inheritance. Ananus dismisses the furor surrounding Jesus, believing that if the Messiah fails to deliver tangible transformation, the harsh realities of Roman taxation will soon disillusion the masses from their fanatical devotion. He harbors doubts about Caiaphas' grasp of human nature and secretly hopes that his mismanagement of the situation will prompt their father to regret bestowing the priesthood upon him.
Upon his arrival at Caiaphas' residence, the barely concealed tension between the two brothers-in-law is palpable, prompting Caiaphas' wife, Ananus' sister, to implore her brother to cooperate. However, Caiaphas reveals to Ananus that his visit is redundant, as he has already resolved to apprehend Jesus. When the religious leaders protest, citing the impending Shabbat and festival, which leave insufficient time for a lawful trial, Caiaphas brushes aside their worries, assuring them that his agents are actively searching for Jesus as they speak.
Later, the debate within the Sanhedrin rages on concerning Jesus' fate. The House of Shammai pushes for a severe response, while Shimon begins to voice his reservations, empathizing with the need to adapt practices to the evolving world. Ironically, Shmuel recites the same verse that Simon Z employed in Jesus' favor, "Zeal for your house has consumed me" (Psalm 69:9), though Yussif points out that David's own practices might very well incite the wrath of the Sanhedrin. Caiaphas finally intervenes, declaring that their sole hope lies in quietly arresting Jesus. As he prays for divine assistance, he paradoxically draws focus to how God's "eternal word" has been defamed and his "holy temple" desecrated, while falsely accusing Jesus of necromancy and sorcery. Upon concluding his prayer and dismissing the assembly, Shmuel finds himself torn, realizing what must be done to quietly apprehend Jesus.
That very night, Shmuel arrives at Caiaphas' abode and confesses that following Caiaphas' prayer, he has identified a potential asset who could lead them to Jesus. Pleased with this revelation, Caiaphas instructs him to bring in this asset and agrees to deal with whatever necessities arise. Obedient to his orders, Shmuel brings Judas to Caiaphas' home.
As Jesus and his disciples made their way back from Bethany, they came upon the fig tree that Jesus had cursed, and Peter was astonished to witness its overnight decay (Mark 11:20-21). Jesus gently reprimanded Peter for his amazement, clarifying that this miracle served as a testament to the power of prayer—a force capable of shifting mountains and accomplishing the impossible (Mark 11:22-24). Furthermore, the tree embodied the Temple, which Jesus had visited in search of fruit but found barren of any good. He warned his followers of impending tribulations, hatred, and death, reiterating his prophecy of being betrayed on Passover, crucified, and perishing—a revelation that startled the disciples, given the taboo against executions on sacred days.
Back in Jerusalem, the disciples grappled with Jesus' words, offering mutual solace, except for Judas, who remained apart. Peter clung to the hope that Jesus was merely enduring a difficult phase and didn't mean what he had said. Andrew pondered if it might be a test, while Simon Z questioned if it was merely a preparatory warning. However, John insisted that they were wilfully blind and deaf (cf. John 12:38-40) to the unfolding reality. Matthew urged taking Jesus at his word, but Thomas countered that accepting this would mean acknowledging their deception and Jesus' non-Messiah status. Judas proposed a middle ground: perhaps Jesus would be betrayed, yet use his divine might at the eleventh hour to evade death, vanquish his adversaries, and herald the Messianic Age. This sparked a fierce debate among the disciples. Determined not to have wasted three years following a false Messiah, Simon Z stepped outside—narrowly avoiding a collision with Atticus and a patrol of Roman soldiers. Intrigued, Simon followed Atticus and witnessed him apprehending Kafni.
Elsewhere in Jerusalem, Mary Magdalene wandered through the streets until she was abruptly confronted by a group of men led by the Mysterious Watcher. He assured her of their benevolent intentions, promising to assist her, albeit under the condition that she be blindfolded and transported elsewhere. Agreeing, she boarded their cart. Initially, it seemed they were heading to Caiaphas' residence, but this was a deceptive edit; they had arrived at the abode of Nicodemus.
Claudia, visibly weary and disheveled, sinks onto her bed, her ears enveloped by the soothing melodies of her personal musicians, who repeat their calming tunes incessantly. In the adjacent chamber, Pilate struggles to concentrate on his work, yet his frustration grows until it boils over, prompting him to storm into her room and demand an explanation for her distress. Claudia, unable to coherently convey the nightmarish visions that plague her sleep, senses an impending calamity looming over the city and urges Pilate to escort her to Caesarea. Resolute, Pilate refuses, citing the city's pressing matters and his reluctance to separate her, fearing it might cast aspersions on his reputation. Claudia, mindful of his tumultuous past marked by violence, reluctantly concedes that she wouldn't abandon him in Jerusalem alone. This comment only fuels Pilate's irritation, who accuses her of having never faced the burden of making tough decisions before.
As Pilate exits the room, he encounters Atticus awaiting him with a grave revelation: the Pharisees intend to apprehend Jesus. Pilate attempts to brush off the concern, hoping to dismiss the situation with a mere fine against the Pharisees, thereby reclaiming some of his lost finances. However, Atticus confronts him head-on, lambasting him for his levity towards the situation and his duties. He elucidates that while he has a strategy in place, a critical juncture is approaching where Pilate must seize the initiative and fulfill his responsibilities.
Subsequently, Atticus leads a contingent of Roman soldiers to raid Kafni's dwelling, where he and his rowdy associates are harbored. Kafni submits to their authority, but one of his men resists, ultimately suffering a brutal subdual by Atticus' own hands.
