1. Each main character—Judah, Caleb, Eleazar, and Pilate—has his own motivations for his choices. Did you find yourself becoming sympathetic with any of them? If so, did this surprise you?
2. Numerous stereotypes of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots exist among Christians. How did this book challenge these stereotypes? How did it help you better understand these Jewish sects and their beliefs?
3. If you were a Jewish leader such as Caiaphas or Eleazar, how do you think you would respond to Jesus and his influence among the people?
4. What stood out to you about the way Jesus and his actions are portrayed in this book?
5. Before reading this book, had you ever considered the political implications of the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus? How has this book informed or challenged how you understand the way both of these figures affected the politics of first-century Judea?
6. How do different characters in the story understand “the kingdom of God”? How do their views compare to what you know about Jesus’ teaching on the kingdom?
7. How does the portrayal of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) in this book compare to the way you have seen it portrayed in Christian teaching and writing?
8. What did you think about Pilate’s reactions to Jesus in the story? How do these two men and their conceptions of power compare?
9. In what ways do anti-Semitic interpretations of Jesus’ death fail to fit the biblical and historical evidence?
10. How does learning about the political, social, and economic realities of first-century Jerusalem shed light on your reading of the Gospels?
11. What aspects of the author’s interpretation of the events surrounding Jesus’ death do you find convincing? What do you find unconvincing?
12. What topics or questions raised by this book would you like to explore further?