Martin Scorsese Presents The Saint 'John the Bapitist' On Fox Nation

FOX Nation’s highly anticipated new series, Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints will feature John the Baptist this Sunday, November 24th. Hosted, narrated and executive produced by celebrated Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese, the exclusive docudrama explores the remarkable stories of eight men and women who risked everything to embody humanity’s most noble and complex trait — faith. 

With each episode focusing on a singular saint, including Joan of Arc, Francis of Assisi, John the Baptist, Thomas Becket, Mary Magdalene, Moses the Black, Sebastian, and Maximillian Kolbe, Scorsese journeys over 2,000 years of history focusing on these extraordinary figures and their extreme acts of kindness, selflessness, and sacrifice.

This Sunday, Yahya Mahayni takes on the role of John the Baptist in the second episode, which explores the first century of Galilee when Judea is under Roman rule and a puppet ruler named Herod Antipas holds power. 

While the aristocratic Pharisees and Sadducees kowtow to Antipas, the rank-and-file Jews of the era long for delivery from foreign oppression and for salvation. It is here, John the Baptist, son of a Levite, a member of the priestly class, walks away from his father’s traditions and begins to proclaim the coming of the Messiah, baptizing new followers and urging them to repent. He even baptizes Jesus and recognizes that he is the fulfillment of the prophecy. 

When John publicly decries Antipas for stealing his brother’s wife and marrying her, a grave sin in Jewish tradition, he is arrested and imprisoned. Antipas’ wife and stepdaughter, Herodias and Salome, are scandalized by the accusation and want him executed, but Antipas will not order his death. Until a feast is thrown in Antipas’ honor and beautiful young Salome does a dance so enrapturing that Antipas says he’ll grant her anything she wishes. The young princess asks for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. 

John the Baptist was the voice crying out in the wilderness, the one who made the path straight and prepared the way for Jesus. Today, he is the patron saint of converts. *Screeners available upon request

• WHEN: Sunday, November 24th
• WHERE: FOX Nation (www.FOXNation.com)