Jesus Crown of Thorns

Under the joint oppression of the Roman Empire and King Herod the Great, the Jewish people of Judea yearn for a Messiah. A young girl called Mary is betrothed to Joseph, but her divine pregnancy strains their relationship, until the truth is revealed to Joseph by an angelic visitation. Forced by the calling of a Roman census, the couple make a treacherous journey to Bethlehem. In Jerusalem, Jewish rebels are arrested and meet the full extent of King Herod's wrath. In Bethlehem, a heavily pregnant Mary and Joseph find shelter with a relative.

Amongst the animals, Mary gives birth to a baby boy called Jesus, and shepherds come to pay their respects after receiving divine guidance from the Angel Gabriel. Meanwhile, three Magi –wise men– from the East arrive at King Herod's palace in Jerusalem, seeking the newborn "King of the Jews." Herod, in a state of deteriorating health and paranoia, fears this child will be a threat to his reign. When the Magi do not return to him as promised, he orders a brutal massacre in an attempt to wipe out the child. Forewarned in a dream, the Holy Family flees to Egypt out of Herod's grasps.

In a dream, Joseph learns of King Herod's death, prompting the Holy Family to return to Nazareth. In Rome, Herod's sons, Archelaus and Antipas, vie for control of their father's kingdom before the emperor. Meanwhile, back in Judea, a rebel leader ignites a protest with devastating consequences. When one of Herod's sons struggles to govern Jerusalem, the Romans replace him with Pontius Pilate as governor, whose own controversial actions within the Temple incite a protest. On the banks of the Jordan River, John the Baptist preaches a fiery message. After the death of Joseph, Jesus sets out on his own.

Jesus meets John the Baptist on the banks of the Jordan River, and he joins him and his followers. Pilate's allocation of Temple funds for an aqueduct sparks further protest. Meanwhile, at the River Jordan, Jesus is baptised by John. Jesus then sets out alone into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights, facing Satan's temptations. John the Baptist grows bolder, and takes his preaching to Antipas and Herodias' doorstep, daring to denounce their incestuous marriage.