The Passion of the Christ

The Passion of the Christ

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ present theological and creedal precedence that shaped the foundation of the Christian faith. Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of Christ (2004), illustrates each event that occurred during the last week of Jesus' life. The movie allowed entry into the heart of the social and political dynamics at work in Jesus' betrayals, trials, and crucifixion. The key players of these events were the Betrayers, the Sanhedrin, and the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate. This analysis will show the social and/or political thought of their actions that led Jesus to His death by way of what Cicero, the Roman statesman-philosopher calls "the most cruel and shameful of all punishments" (The Wiersbe NT Bible Commentary, 2007).

Jesus' journey to the cross started when He was betrayed with a kiss (social dynamic). He told his disciples, "...one of you will betray me" (Matthew 26:21; Mark 14:18; John 13:21). Jesus identifiedJudas Iscariot as one who would betray Him and encourages him to do it expeditiously (John 13:21-27). The other betrayer was Peter. Jesus knew Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed (Mark 14:30). When Jesus made Peter aware of this, Peter asserted that he would never deny Jesus. But the events unfolded just as Jesus predicted (Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43-46). These incidents draw much attention to the social ramifications of being associated with Jesus. I believe Jesus was in His greatest need for a friend during this time in His life, but the scriptures had to be fulfilled.

The political dynamics of The Passion is clearly seen as Jesus is taken from judgment hall to judgment hall. He was taken by The Sanhedrin to stand before Caiaphus, the High Priest. When questioned about the charges against Him, He did not respond. The Sanhedrin sought out witnesses to testify against Him. However, the witnesses' accounts did not sound the same, therefore unaccepted. By law, Jesus could not be convicted without evidence (Mark 14:55-59). Then Caiaphus asked Jesus, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus spoke. "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the cloud of heaven" (vv.61,62). Caiaphus then rend his clothes and those with him agreed that this was blasphemy (social dynamic). Caiaphus' tearing his clothes was a "formal judicial act" substantiating the person was guilty (Stein, 1996). The judicial system of that day upheld blasphemy as a crime punishable by death. This is when Peter denied Jesus as predicted. He was taken to stand before Pilate.

Pilate, the Roman Governor in Judea, questioned the High Priest about Jesus' crime. They told Pilate that Jesus had seduced people, taught foul doctrine and violated the Sabbath. But more importantly, He would not allow