“Passion of the Christ”
In this film “Passion of the Christ” the scene begins with Jesus being brought into a Roman court yard bound in shackles and chains, limping and visibly beaten from the night before. Jesus was arrested in the early am hours so that any protest of the Pharisees behaviors would not be made. The elders of the Synagogue want to be in full control of what happens to Jesus. In this analysis I will explain my viewpoint of “Why it was so vital for bad things to happen to this man” and “What good can come from violence being displayed in this manner?”
Jesus is brought in to stand trial before Pilate a Roman governor. Pilate clearly does not want to condemn this man; this was partly because he sees no real crime committed and partly because of a vision his wife had in a dream. Pilate first asks the Jewish High Priests “Do you always punish your prisoners before they’re judged?” Pilate questions Caiaphas and Jesus and finds no merit worthy of death and tries to pass the decision of Jesus’ fate off to King Herod. However, King Herod gets nowhere with his line of questioning towards Jesus so he sends the decision back to Pilate. Pilate undeniably does not wish to crucify this man and attempts to free him by allowing a choice for a prisoner to be freed. Yet, to his surprise the people decide to free Barabbas, a murder, over freeing Jesus, a non-violent man. This decision was thanks to the persuasion of Caiaphas and the other “men of the cloth.” Once again, Pilate
In Jerusalem, Jesus was treated fairly by everyone, but Romans and Jews didn’t except him, so he had to be executed. This shows that Romans and Jews would kill anyone who was dangerous, or threatening. Till this day, Jesus is a major part of believe and religion.
For Jefferson, he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. “The defense argued that Jefferson was innocent of all charges except being at the wrong place at the wrong time.” (Gaines, 7). For Jesus, Pontius Pilate asks the crowd he and Jesus were in front of, what they wanted to happen with him. “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.” (Luke 23:22). In a way Pilate seems to be defending Jesus like the defendant in Jefferson’s trial, trying to see what the jury wants to happen, also trying to bail him out; “Though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9) “But this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41). “The fact that Mr. Gropé shot only Brother and Bear was proof of Jefferson’s innocence.” (Gaines, 7). Both Jesus and Jefferson were recognized as innocent by some and yet still received a death sentence. In the Old Testament, it was prophesized that Jesus would have done nothing wrong but still be convicted, as well as Jefferson was convicted for something he did not do.
* Most of Antioch’s discussion regarding Pontius Pilate revolved around him being a “ruthless prefect” in his treatment of the Jews. Even so, Antioch seemed somewhat upset with the way the people forced Pilate into sentencing Jesus to death for the sake of his on position and reputation.
In the bible each other has specific things and people groups he cares about. They each have a message that they want to send to those audiences. Because of this, the bible and the Gospels specifically don't tell us everything that was happening during those times. For the most part their emphasis was on Jesus. Thus, each of their accounts follows Jesus and wherever he goes. So certain characters in the story get brief reference or mention, characters like Pontius Pilate. In the bible Pontius is mentioned for only a few brief moments when he interacts with Jesus. Where he is known as the man who sentences Jesus to death. Although the Bible mentions Pilate's distaste and small voiced protest against the death penalty, he eventually gives into the Jew's request and sentences him to death (John 18-19). This book makes an attempt to understand Pilate's motives and perspectives. According to the book Pontius was a decent man who tried repeatedly tried to do the right thing and avoid despicable acts. He is said to be a good husband (158). a man disgusted by dishonorable acts such as John's beheading (153). On the same page it states he is a practical man who frequently tempered absolutes to suit circumstances. This book offers many insights to his character, but it
Pontius Pilate did not want to sentence Jesus’s death and even tried saving him couple of times. For example, when Pilate was reminded that it was customary to free a prisoner during the festival, he tried to use this as an excuse to release Jesus. However, the people chose another person, Barabbas. Barabbas was a criminal who committed robbery and murder. People chose to save this criminal over someone who did not commit any sin. Pontius Pilate must have been really frustrated with this decision and how stubborn these people
when jesus let the jerusalem soldiers “kill” him, he did it for the greater good, he sacrificed
Jesus' decision to physically cast out the moneylenders from the temple stands as one of the most interesting events of his life, because it represents what seems to be the only moment in the Gospel narratives where he becomes visibly angry to the point of physical action. While one could argue that Jesus is frequently (and justifiably) angry with the disciples from time to time, this is the only moment that Jesus' anger moves him to physical force. Although the event is recorded in all four of the Gospels, this study will focus specifically on its rendering in Matthew, because when considered in the context of Matthew's larger narrative, one can see how Jesus' decision to cleanse the temple does not represent an aberration in either his character or theological message, but rather the natural culmination of Jesus' life and works prior to that point, and demonstrates a kind of revolutionary, anti-authoritarian element of Jesus' message of salvation that is all too often overlooked by Christians and critics alike.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus’ story of his crucifixion plays out. His case is brought before Pontius Pilate who rules in Judaea as a judge. Usually at these events “the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted” (Matthew 27:15). The crowd has two choices: Jesus, someone who had had a history of healing and teaching or Barabbas, a convicted murderer and rebel; they choose Barabbas. Pilate wonders why the crowd wants Jesus to be killed so badly. Although Pilate tries to challenge them, they start to riot. He then washes his hands and proclaims to the crowd that he is “innocent of this man's blood” (Matthew 27:24), sentencing Jesus to be crucified and Barabbas to be released.
In The Judaeo-Christian Tradition by Jack H. Hexter, the trial of Jesus is addressed in an unorthodox perspective. The trial of Jesus incorporates two trials: the Roman trial and the Jewish trial. In Hexter's book the Roman trial is addressed in great length while the Jewish trial is almost unaddressed. Hexter provides a perspective of the trial of Jesus with only one cause: the charge of sedition, for claiming to be king of the Jews. By using the four gospel texts, Hexter's view is illuminated and we find crucial aspects to the trial that not only counter Hexter's view on the sedition charge but also provide evidence for other important charges. Themes other than the charge of sedition supporting Hexter's perspective include, the
Unlike Socrates, Jesus did not defend himself when he was being tried. He did not argue with the governor nor did he have a jury, at least a fair one. He was arrested forcefully and beaten. “They spat him in his face and struck him with their fist and beat him up.” (The New Testament, Matthew 26, pp 898) Jesus never retaliated back. Jesus mentions to the high priests of their wrong doing by arresting him as if he were a “highwayman.”
The severity of the humiliation that was precedent to the death of Jesus is strategically diminished when it is recounted in order to
Pilate fear that the people would consider him a traitor to Caesar, instead of a friend. Moreover, Pilate could not ignore the charges brought against Jesus. The Jewish council did not only charge him with blasphemy, besides, the political charges brought against him (misleading the people saying that he was Christ, the king). Such charge that was consider treason, Pilate could not ignore. Which lead to Pilate reacting in such manner. However, after finding no fault against Jesus Pilate refused the verdict. Nonetheless, they sought more charges against Jesus. Leaving Pilate with no choice but to hand him over to them.
Many Americans flocked to see Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” On over 2.000 screens across America the viewed the “harrowing depiction of Jesus' last 12 hours in wide-screen vivid color.” (Allen 2004) People viewed images of Jesus being flogged, crucified and left to die. This violence caused some Christians discomfort with theology, and some Jews’ fear that it will “incite violence against them because of its portrayal of Jews’ involvement in Jesus’ death.” (Allen 2004)
Just when it looks to the crowd as though Jesus will prove He is the Messiah by overthrowing the Roman government of Israel, the King is arrested, betrayed by a
The film also depicted that crucifixion was typically a form of death that was harsh, violent, and humiliating, which is accurate in comparison to crucifixions in history. In the film, Jesus was spit on, and the Romans mocked him, saying that if were really the king, that he would save himself. This picture of the Jesus’ crucifixion, and the violence that forced upon him, that was displayed in the film, The Passion of the Christ was an accurate description of what actually happened during crucifixions during the ancient times (Religions).