The Roman Empire occupies the land of Judea in a time of turbulent unrest, as a simple craftsman named Joseph faces a personal test of faith in the small town of Nazareth, when his fianc e Mary tells him she is expecting a child, who is the Son of God. Joseph vows to love and protect his son Jesus through many dangers: his birth in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi, and the flight to Egypt to escape death at the hands of mad King Herod.

Some 30 years after Jesus is born, his life intersects with that of John the Baptist, a radical preaching in the desert against Judea's rulers; John baptizes Jesus, starting his divine mission, but loses his own life.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is torn between wanting to protect her son and letting him fulfill his destiny; Jesus performs his first public miracle and reaches and important crossroad.

Caiaphas, religious leader of the Jewish people, must judge how great a provocation Jesus might pose; Lazarus is raised from the dead.

Jesus and his disciples enter Jerusalem for Passover and what will become the Last Supper; devoted disciple Judas ultimately betrays Jesus.

Pontius Pilate is under pressure to execute Jesus, but his wife has a prophetic nightmare and urges him to leave Jesus alone.