Jesus prays alone, sweating blood, as Judas approaches with armed men to betray him.
The episode is a modern audio drama adaptation of the Passion narrative, structured as an auto sacramental, a traditional Spanish religious play. It begins with Jesus praying in anguish at Gethsemane, where Judas betrays him with a kiss. Peter cuts off a guard's ear, which Jesus heals. After his arrest, Jesus is taken before the high priest Caiaphas, where he affirms he is the Son of God. Peter denies knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crows. Jesus is then brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate questions Jesus about his kingship, to which Jesus responds that his kingdom is not of this world. Pilate finds no fault in him and sends him to Herod Antipas, who mocks him and returns him. Pilate offers to release a prisoner for Passover, but the crowd chooses the insurrectionist Barabbas over Jesus. Pilate orders Jesus to be scourged and crowned with thorns. Despite his wife's warnings, Pilate yields to the crowd's demands for crucifixion. Jesus is forced to carry his cross but collapses; Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry it for him. Women, including Veronica, mourn for him. At Golgotha, Jesus is crucified between two thieves. One thief, Dimas, asks for remembrance, and Jesus promises him paradise. Jesus speaks to his mother and the disciple John, entrusting her care to him. After crying out and declaring his mission accomplished, Jesus dies. The temple veil tears, earthquakes occur, and tombs open. A soldier pierces Jesus's side. Joseph of Arimathea requests Jesus's body and, with Nicodemus, prepares it for burial in a new tomb. The episode concludes with credits for the cast, musicians, and recording details, dedicated to persecuted Christians.
