The Passion of Christ

[Ddavid from NC]

All of of Western Christianity seemed to embrace the Mel Gibson epic "The Passion of Christ". Now that some time has passed and most either have seen the movie or own a copy and have seen it several times. How accurate is the movie's betrayal of the arrest, trial, and crucifixon of Jesus, in your opinion?

[OneLight]

* dawns flame retardant suit *

I stopped watching it after I counted well over the 40 minus 1 lashes He received in the movie, so I can't really discuss this matter. I think it was over 80 or so before I turned it off.

I Love Jesus more then I can ever say, but to me, the truth is the truth.

[minnow]

All of of Western Christianity seemed to embrace the Mel Gibson epic "The Passion of Christ". Now that some time has passed and most either have seen the movie or own a copy and have seen it several times. How accurate is the movie's betrayal of the arrest, trial, and crucifixon of Jesus, in your opinion?

Well David, I notice you use the term "betrayal" where "portrayal" could be expected. Are you coming into this topic with a pre-conceived mindset?

It is unlikely that the purists and faultfinders will ever be satisfied with the movie, as the only exact replication of events that could have been achieved would have been by having film cameras at the events almost 2000 years ago, however, the film does provide an illustrative example of just what Christ went through to achieve our atonement and salvation.

In spite of some of the criticisms, I found the movie to give me an enhanced appreciation of certain parts of the Bible that deal with the events leading up to the crucifiction. For me, in particular, the time when Christ restored the man who had his ear cut off by Peter - seeing it in a film setting gave a greater impact than reading it in a written form.

[minnow]

I stopped watching it after I counted well over the 40 minus 1 lashes He received in the movie

Could you please tell me where "40 minus 1 lashes" comes into the crucifiction of Christ?

[oak]

Yes unfortunately betrayal should be changed to portrayal in your post and you can always re-edit your post. I saw the movie once. It had one unfortunate part that is very true, the Pharisees play a very big part in the crucifixion and the Roman's a lesser one. However from my studies we are all standing there as one, and due to Adam's fall, all are responsible. For the very simple minded the film is dangerous - oh it's the Jews, let's go get them. For those with half heart it's the world that is at fault which in my opinion is correct. That being said, there will be endless depictions but Gibson doesn't do a bad job. That is he does the best he can with the truth. Is there ever that an actor that can portray Christ's kindness and meekness accurately? NO! But if with our talents, we give our full measure, what more can be asked from us?

Lastly the film didn't to do anything on the surface to intentionally pervert the story of Christ, and that's a step in the right direction. On a very strange personal note a fireman who I used to meet on occasion, said, "How can you not cry about or during the film?" Me being from a denomination where suffering is prescribed was caught by surprise. But the guy's words stuck in my mind, three days (or so) he died while trying to save people from a fire....

- Oak

[nebula]

Well, first of all, Gibson treated the movie as a work of art. Thus, some scenes showed symbolic elements rather than historically accurate elements. Examples would include Jesus' stand-off with Satan in the Garden of Gethsemane and the crushing of the snake's head, Judas being chased by demons, and the two Mary's reciting the Passover lines to each other ("Why is this night different from any other night?").

Some elements came from Roman Catholic tradition (the stations of the cross - i.e. the woman wiping Jesus' face).

And there were some thrown-in pieces to add to the drama - Pilot's wife giving Mary the cloths to wipe up Jesus' blood for example or having Jesus beaten with a rod before being flogged.

Then there was the resurrection scene . . . in the buff?

In the end, though, I give it more thumbs up than thumbs down. I did like the scene in the Garden and the tear drop falling from Heaven when Jesus died. I also appreciated how Gibson threw in elements of why He went to the cross - such as when the cross was being lifted there was a flashback to when Jesus spoke to His disciples about I think it was either the wine or the bread being His blood/body. In addition, I appreciated how the movie showed that the arrest and trial of Jesus was a rushed, secret meeting where not all of the Sanhedrin were present.

[Trusting Jesus]

I find that I really do not like movies about Christ. There is so much "artistic license" taken when a movie is made that I just would rather read the Book! The things that Nebua point out were real concerns of mine, too. I'm glad I saw it, but once is enough and I won't buy it.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[OneLight]

I stopped watching it after I counted well over the 40 minus 1 lashes He received in the movie

Could you please tell me where "40 minus 1 lashes" comes into the crucifiction of Christ?

There was a very gruesome scene where they scourged, or whipped Jesus. It was common practice to give forty minus one lashings when scourging a person in those times. To give more lashes then this could kill the person they are whipping.

Paul give this count of his stripes.

2 Corinthians 11:24 (New King James Version)

From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.

We find that Jesus was also scourged the same way.

Matthew 27:26

Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Mark 15:15

And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

John 19:1

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

In the movie, they whipped Jesus so many times, I lost count after awhile, well over 40. Hollywood at their best!

[Massorite]

All of of Western Christianity seemed to embrace the Mel Gibson epic "The Passion of Christ". Now that some time has passed and most either have seen the movie or own a copy and have seen it several times. How accurate is the movie's betrayal of the arrest, trial, and crucifixon of Jesus, in your opinion?

Ddavid

I saw the movie only once and I thought it was a great movie. Though it was not totally accurate it inflamed my passion for Christ, helped me to better understand the physical pain that Christ suffered through and touched my heart.

Movies are just that. Movies, and movies are not always accurate so even though there were more then 40 lashes and there is no biblical record of Mary wiping the blood from Christs face on the way to the cross and so on. The movie made an impression.

The flesh was pulled off of Christ by the whipping and He was looking hideous when they were finished with Him just like the bible depicts.

The most important thing about the movie was the message and that message caused people to rethink their lives, turn themselves in to the police for crimes they committed and caused people around the world to become Christians.

Not all movies about Christ have done that but the Passion did. If only one single soul was saved because that soul watched that movie it was worth it.

[OneLight]

All of of Western Christianity seemed to embrace the Mel Gibson epic "The Passion of Christ". Now that some time has passed and most either have seen the movie or own a copy and have seen it several times. How accurate is the movie's betrayal of the arrest, trial, and crucifixon of Jesus, in your opinion?

Ddavid

I saw the movie only once and I thought it was a great movie. Though it was not totally accurate it inflamed my passion for Christ, helped me to better understand the physical pain that Christ suffered through and touched my heart.

Movies are just that. Movies, and movies are not always accurate so even though there were more then 40 lashes and there is no biblical record of Mary wiping the blood from Christs face on the way to the cross and so on. The movie made an impression.

The flesh was pulled off of Christ by the whipping and He was looking hideous when they were finished with Him just like the bible depicts.

The most important thing about the movie was the message and that message caused people to rethink their lives, turn themselves in to the police for crimes they committed and caused people around the world to become Christians.

Not all movies about Christ have done that but the Passion did. If only one single soul was saved because that soul watched that movie it was worth it.

The Holy Spirit can and will use what He will to convict people of their sins. No argument there.

As I said, I did not watch the whole movie, only a little bit. The reason I chose not to watch it was for the inaccurate account to that point. That is just who I am ...