The Passion Of The Christ

1. Outline the major events in the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth

His Birth: Jesus’s birth was a miraculous one, being the son of God, he was born from Mary,
who was a virgin at the time, in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, it describes Jesus’s birth
through the holy spirit. Mary’s Husband, Joseph was Jesus’s earthly father, who took care of
him.

His Baptism and Ministry Beginnings: Jesus traveled to the Jordan River to be baptized by
John the Baptist, who preached forgiveness and repentance. Although Jesus is sinless, he
participates in this baptism as a sign of his connection with humanity. As Jesus came out of the
Water, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove, and a
voice from the heaven was heard saying “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well
pleased”, following this Baptism, Jesus was lead to the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where he
fasted for 40 days and resisted Satan’s temptations, demonstrating his commitment to God.

Teachings and Miracles: After this, Jesus began in the public ministry in Galilee, teaching in
Synagogues and proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God. He delivered powerful sermons
and challenged some religious interpretations, he also performed numerous miracles such as
healing the sick, casting out demons, calming storms and more, serving signs of the Kingdoms
presence and his place as the Son of God

Gathering of Disciples: Jesus’s ministry involved not only miracles and teachings, but the
selection and training of a group of followers who will carry on his message after his death, 12
disciples were selected, consisting of Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas. Jesus trained these disciples,
bestowing upon them the principles of his message and preparing them.

Conflict with Religious Beliefs and Authorities: Jesus faced conflict with several religious
authorities in his ministry, his message of love and compassion challenged traditional
interpretations of Jewish laws, provoking the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes and Chief Priests
(Ancient Judaism), Jesus’s claims of his place as a King and Son of God further escalated this
conflict and attempts to silence him didn’t work.

The Last Supper: Taking place during the Jewish festival of Passover, Jesus shared a final meal
with his disciples, breaking bread and sharing wine. This establishes the Christian tradition of
Thanksgiving. He washes his disciples' feet in an act of humility and service.
His Betrayal: Jesus is betrayed by one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who hands Jesus over to
the Religious authorities for the price of 30 silver, Jesus leads his followers to the Garden of
Gethsemane to pray where Judas leads a group of soldiers and officials to arrest Jesus, Jesus
obediently turns himself in as he knew of this.

His trial and crucifixion: Following his arrest, Jesus faces both Jewish and Roman authorities
who accuse him of blasphemy. After being sent to the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, who
finds no fault in him, but the fear of a revolution still results in Jesus being sent to be crucified,
Jesus is whipped and scourged over 30 times, is forced to wear a crown of barbed wire, and then
is forced to walk a large distance carrying the cross on his shoulder, he is finally crucified on the
cross where his death brings a massive storm and earthquake.

His Resurrection: On the third day of his death, Jesus raised from his grave, he appears to his
disciples, providing them with reassurance and hope and reminding them of their mission to
spread the gospel across the world, 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus ascends into the heavens.
2. Describe and outline the main features and themes of Jesus' teachings and
ministry

The Kingdom of God: The Kingdom of God is the spiritual realm in which God reigns as King
or the fulfillment on Earth of God’s will.

Love and Compassion: Jesus constantly taught to love God with all your heart, soul and mind,
and to love your neighbor as oneself, he demonstrated compassion for the sick, poor, outcasts,
sinners and even his own enemies.

Forgiveness: Jesus constantly preached the concept of forgiveness, both receiving it from God
and extending it to others, he showed forgiveness through many interactions with sinners and his
own enemies, even up to his death.

Repentance: Jesus called people to show repentance, urging them away from committing sin
and embrace God’s grace and forgiveness

Miracles: Jesus displayed many miracles, that served as signs of presence and power in God’s
Kingdom, these miracles included the healing the sick, casting out demons, calming storms and
raising the dead
 3. Outline how Jesus was received by the different groups in Jesus time, such as

The Ordinary People

In the film “The Passion of the Christ,” the perspective of Jesus amongst the common people is
mixed and varied. The film shows that a significant number of the ordinary people are swayed by
the teachings and edicts of their religious leaders and religious beliefs. This influence is so
profound that it shapes their perceptions and actions towards Jesus.

A minority of individuals, however, are depicted as being empathetic and compassionate towards
Jesus, especially as they witness his suffering. Notable among these compassionate figures are
his disciples, who remain steadfast in their support; St. Veronica, who was moved by the sight of
Jesus carrying the cross, Simon of Cyrene, who assists Jesus by helping to carry the cross; and
St. Dismas, the good thief, who requested Jesus to remember him when he comes into his
kingdom.

Despite these instances of kindness and compassion, the film portrays the majority as followers
to the teachings and statements of the Jewish leaders. They choose to free Barabbas, a convicted
murderer, over Jesus, take pleasure in the brutal whipping of Jesus, and call for his crucifixion.
All because they blindly followed whatever their religious leaders said, This majority is depicted
as being steadfast in their loyalty to their religious leaders and the established religious order, to
the extent that they are unable or unwilling to embrace Jesus’ teachings or acknowledge his
relationships with those who are moved by his message.

The Religious Leaders

In “The Passion of the Christ,” the film’s portrayal of the religious leaders’ perspective of Jesus'
is one of negativity and antagonism. The film illustrates that the religious leaders are too
steadfast and influenced by their own teachings and authority, which shapes their perception and
treatment of Jesus, who posed a threat to the teachings of ancient Judaism.

The religious leaders are depicted as a group with no show of empathy or compassion towards
Jesus. They were willing to choose convicted murder Barabbas over Jesus, demonstrating just
how much they dislike him and find satisfaction in Jesus’ suffering, which is still not enough
when they further want Jesus to be crucified as well, their conviction to the Judaism laws and
teachings reaches to the extent that they are completely closed off to Jesus’ teachings and reject
those who follow his teachings as well

The leaders go as far to reject Jesus’s miracles completely, they attribute it not to the power of
God or divine power, but rather accuse Jesus of conspiring with devils and Satans, and creating
these miracles through them. Attempting to undermine him.

The Romans
In “The Passion of the Christ,” The perspective of Jesus from the Roman Authorities is also
shown clearly, Pontius Pilate is one such. As the governor, the film portrays him as a man of
authority, yet one who is internally conflicted when faced with the decision regarding Jesus’ fate,
who he sympathizes with and feels bad for. Pilate realizes that Caesar may execute him if he
causes another revolution, so he is shown to be aware of the delicate balance he must maintain
between the Roman law and the Jewish leaders’ demands. Despite his initial reluctance to
condemn an innocent man, Pilate ultimately yields to the mounting pressure, but agrees on only
whipping Jesus but sparing his life, when the Jews want to further see the crucifiction, he says
the sin is on them, and he will not have the blood of an innocent on his hands, displaying his
sympathy for Jesus and the power his political standing has over his own opinions.

The Roman soldiers on the other hand, represent the Roman authorities’ more ruthless and
brutal side, they are the direct opposite to Pilate and execute their duties with a brutal
indifference, taking a clear pleasure in the physical torment inflicted upon Jesus. The film
graphically depicts their cruelty, from the relentless whipping while laughing to the mocking
placement of a crown of thorns upon Jesus’ head and even laughing as he was being crucified.
This group clearly shows the empire’s brutality and ruthlessness, displaying neither mercy nor
remorse as they carry out the severe punishment, and enjoying the physical torment towards
Jesus with no sympathy or remorse to him.