Film · 2004
The Passion of the Christ
Mel Gibson's film follows Jesus from the agony in the garden to his death on the cross, with flashbacks to earlier moments such as the Last Supper and a brief final scene of the Resurrection. The dialogue is in Aramaic and Latin with subtitles. Some details come from later devotional tradition, like Veronica's veil, and Satan appears as a figure in scenes where the Gospels do not mention him.
Facts
About The Passion of the Christ
- Directed by Mel Gibson; produced by Icon Productions and released by Icon Distribution and Newmarket Films.1
- Runtime 126 minutes; the dialogue is in Latin and Aramaic.1
- It opened in Los Angeles and New York on February 25, 2004.1
- Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn called Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane the most important scene of the film.2
- A later “Passion Recut” trims about six minutes of the most intense violence.3
- A sequel in two parts, The Resurrection of the Christ, is scheduled for May 6, 2027, and May 25, 2028.45
At a glance
| Type | Film |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Directed by | Mel Gibson |
| Studio | Icon Productions; released by Icon Distribution and Newmarket Films |
| Running time | 126 min |
Where to watch in the US
Scenes
The Bible behind the scenes
For each scene: what the production shows, the Bible passages it is based on and what it adds to the Gospels. Each reference links to the chapter in the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
Compare scenes withThe ChosenJesus of NazarethNativity StorySon of God
| Scene | What the film shows | Bible | What the film adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Sermon on the Mount Compare the Gospels → | Flashback A brief flashback shows Jesus teaching on the mount.67 | Mt 5:1–7:29 | – |
| The woman caught in adultery | Flashback In a flashback Jesus saves a woman from being stoned.87 | Jn 8:1–11 | The film identifies the woman with Mary Magdalene; the Gospels do not. |
| The entry into Jerusalem Compare the Gospels → | Flashback A flashback recalls the crowd welcoming Jesus with palms.87 | Jn 12:12–13 | – |
| The Last Supper Compare the Gospels → | Flashbacks Shown in flashbacks intercut with the crucifixion, including Peter's protest that he will never deny Jesus.987 | Lk 22:14–20Mt 26:33–35 | – |
| The agony in the garden Compare the Gospels → | Opening scene The film opens with Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane.921087 | Lk 22:39–46Mk 14:32–42 | An androgynous figure of Satan tempts Jesus in the garden; it is the film's own invention. |
| The arrest Compare the Gospels → | Shown Judas betrays Jesus in Gethsemane; a young man flees, a detail only Mark records.87 | Mk 14:43–52 | – |
| Jesus before the Sanhedrin Compare the Gospels → | Shown At a night trial before the Sanhedrin, Caiaphas accuses Jesus of blasphemy.9117 | Mk 14:53–65 | Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus speak up for Jesus, which the Gospels do not report (cf. Lk 23:50–51; Jn 7:50–51). |
| Peter's denial Compare the Gospels → | Shown Peter denies being a follower of Jesus and weeps bitterly.67 | Mt 26:69–75 | – |
| The death of Judas | Shown In despair Judas returns the thirty pieces of silver; tormented by children, he hangs himself.867 | Mt 27:3–10 | The children who torment him are the film's addition. |
| Jesus before Pilate Compare the Gospels → | Shown Pilate questions Jesus and asks, “What is truth?”87 | Jn 18:28–38 | – |
| Jesus before Herod Compare the Gospels → | Shown Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas.67 | Lk 23:6–12 | – |
| Barabbas and the death sentence Compare the Gospels → | Shown The crowd follows Caiaphas in calling for Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus; Pilate gives in.1187 | Mt 27:15–26 | Pilate's conversation with his wife is invented; Matthew mentions only her message (Mt 27:19). |
| The scourging and the crown of thorns | Shown at length The scourging at the pillar is shown at length; the crown of thorns follows.10967 | Jn 19:1–3Mk 15:15–20 | Caiaphas watching the scourging and the two Marys mopping up his blood afterward are not in the Gospels; the latter comes from the writings of Anne Catherine Emmerich. |
| The way to Golgotha Compare the Gospels → | Shown Jesus carries his cross through a jeering crowd; Simon of Cyrene helps him, and he meets the women of Jerusalem.89117 | Lk 23:26–32 | Veronica wiping his face is not in the Gospels; it comes from later tradition and is kept in the Sixth Station of the Way of the Cross. |
| The crucifixion Compare the Gospels → | Shown Jesus is nailed to the cross between two criminals and entrusts his mother to the beloved disciple: “Woman, behold, your son.”89107 | Lk 23:33–43Jn 19:25–27 | Satan watches, holding a child, and a crow attacks the criminal who mocks Jesus; both are the film's additions. |
| The death of Jesus Compare the Gospels → | Shown At his death the earth quakes and the veil of the temple is torn; his side is pierced with a lance.897 | Mt 27:50–54Jn 19:34 | In John an unnamed soldier pierces his side (Jn 19:34); in the film it is the centurion. |
| The burial Compare the Gospels → | Shown Jesus' body is taken down from the cross.67 | Jn 19:38–42 | – |
| The Resurrection | Final scene In a brief final scene Jesus rises and walks out of the tomb.67 | cf. Mt 28:1–7 | The Gospels tell of the empty tomb and the appearances but do not describe the moment of rising; the film shows it. |
Bible Behind the Screen is independent and not affiliated with the makers or the distributors of this production. We describe it in our own words and show no clips, stills, posters or photos of actors.
Sources
- AFI Catalog: The Passion of the Christ (2004) (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Catholic News Agency: Jesus in the garden is most important scene in 'Passion,' says bishop, March 11, 2004 (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Decent Films, Steven D. Greydanus: The Passion of the Christ: A Note on the DVD “Definitive Edition” (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Variety, Rebecca Rubin: Mel Gibson Unveils 'Resurrection of the Christ' First Look, Delays Release Dates for Two-Part Biblical Epic, May 22, 2026 (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Catholic World Report, Francesca Pollio Fenton (EWTN News): Release dates for Mel Gibson's 'Resurrection of the Christ' announced, May 23, 2026 (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Wikipedia: The Passion of the Christ, plot summary (used only where no Catholic or trade source describes the scene) (checked on October 21, 2026)
- New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Bible references (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales: The Passion of the Christ, film review (PDF) (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Decent Films, Steven D. Greydanus: Understanding the Catholic Meaning of The Passion of the Christ (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Decent Films, Steven D. Greydanus: The Passion of the Christ: First Impressions (2004) (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Decent Films, Steven D. Greydanus: Jesus movies and antisemitism: Jesus of Nazareth and The Passion of the Christ (checked on October 21, 2026)
Bible references follow the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), the Catholic Bible translation of the U.S. bishops. We give the references and sum up the passages in our own words; each reference links to the full text on the bishops' website. Found a mistake? Write to us at hello@biblebehindthescreen.com.
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