Isaiah prophesies a suffering servant who will be pierced for our sins and bring healing through his wounds.
The episode opens with a reading from the Book of Isaiah, describing a suffering servant who will be despised yet bring healing through his wounds. This is followed by Psalm 31, where the speaker entrusts their spirit to God amidst persecution. The letter to the Hebrews presents Jesus as a high priest who sympathizes with human weaknesses and learned obedience through suffering. The main narrative is from the Gospel of John, detailing Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane after Judas betrays him with a cohort of soldiers. Jesus identifies himself with 'I am,' causing the soldiers to fall back. Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest, but Jesus tells him to put away his sword. Jesus is taken to Annas and then Caiaphas for questioning, while Peter denies knowing him three times by a fire. Jesus is brought before Pilate, who questions him about being king of the Jews. Jesus explains his kingdom is not of this world and speaks about truth, leading Pilate to ask 'What is truth?' Pilate finds no fault in Jesus but, pressured by the Jewish leaders, hands him over for crucifixion. Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, and mocked as king. He carries his cross to Golgotha, where he is crucified between two others. Soldiers divide his garments and cast lots for his tunic. Jesus sees his mother and the beloved disciple, entrusting them to each other. After tasting vinegar, he says 'It is finished' and gives up his spirit. To prevent bodies remaining on the cross during the Sabbath, soldiers break the legs of the others but pierce Jesus' side, fulfilling scripture. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus bury Jesus in a new tomb in a garden.
