The pinnacle of the Gospels is the passion week of Christ. But those texts often leave readers with lingering questions: What do we know about Pontius Pilate or the chief priests? How do the discoveries of historians and archaeologists illuminate the final days of Jesus and their current relevance? Why do people often claim that Jews killed Jesus when the Gospels are clear that Romans did? By combining the expertise of a classical scholar and archaeologist (Mark Smith) with a biblical scholar and pastor (Dan Lewis), this book explores the most important week in history in an engaging and revealing way. The result is an unusual perspective, one that enhances our understanding and brings freshness to an old story, making it richer, more colorful, more vital.