In this episode of Under the Hood, Sam and Will dive deep into the story of Gideon from Judges 6–7—a reluctant hero hiding in a winepress whom God calls a “mighty man of valor.” Through history, archaeology, and careful biblical theology, they unpack Israel’s cycle of idolatry, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, showing how Gideon’s unlikely victory points forward to a bigger gospel pattern. From the tearing down of idols, to the mysterious fleece, to the shocking reduction of Israel’s army from 32,000 to just 300, this episode explores how God brings victory—not through human strength, but through faith, obedience, and praise.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, outnumbered, or unqualified, Gideon’s story has something powerful to say to you.

In Matthew 22, Jesus gets cornered with a trap question: “Should we pay taxes to Caesar?” Sam and Will walk through why it was a no-win setup (Pharisees vs. Herodians), why Jesus asks for the denarius, and how the coin’s blasphemous titles (“son of god,” “high priest”) expose the hypocrisy in the room. From Tiberius’ image to Rome’s “gospel” propaganda (Pax Romana, imperial “savior” language), you’ll see how Jesus flips the question into something bigger: what bears Caesar’s image… and what bears God’s image.

In this episode of Under the Hood, Sam and Will piece together the night of Jesus’ arrest and the five back-to-back trials before Annas, Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, and Pilate again. We trace why the leaders pushed for crucifixion (not stoning), unpack the crowd’s choice of Barabbas, and walk through 12 ways the proceedings broke Jewish legal norms—revealing just how rushed and irregular the whole night was. Stick around for the timeline, historical context, and why Jesus endured this injustice on purpose.

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