The gospel writers wrote no less than a generation after Jesus’ death–between 75 and 100 C.E. Paul knows almost nothing about Jesus’ life, but only about his death. However, he knows that Jesus was crucified, and this event is the central event for Paul’s faith. Paul is the earliest Christian writer, and he never met Jesus. I am writing, however, not as a movie critic, but as a scholar, and want therefore to look at the following questions raised by the film:Ģ) What role did the Jews actually play in the death of Jesus?Ĥ) What is wrong with Mel Gibson’s take on the story? What Really Happened?įirst: We have no documents contemporary to the event that record the death of Jesus. Pontius Pilate is a handsome, gentle, and wise ruler, who regretfully gives into the wishes of the uncontrollable Jews, in order to avert a rebellion.

In a hallucination suffered by Judas, little Jewish boys turn into little demon children.

The film depicts Jews as inexplicably hateful, rejecting a holy man, seemingly for no reason except their hatefulness. It is adapted with permission from a sermon Lenk delivered at a synagogue in Newton, Mass., on March 6, 2004.Īfter seeing Mel Gibson’s film I feel no hesitation calling it anti-Semitic.

In the following piece, the author separates fact from fiction in the Passion story, offers her personal thoughts, and calls for Jews as well as Christians to learn more about each other’s religion and beliefs. Mel Gibson’s 2004 film The Passion of the Christ provoked intense controversy, with Jews and many Christians saying it depicted Jews in an anti-Semitic fashion, perpetuating the belief that Jews were responsible for Jesus’ death. My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help Donate

How to watch passion of the christ