Summary of "The Passion of the Christ" Movie

"The Passion of the Christ" is a movie directed by Mel Gibson. It stars James Caviezel as Jesus Christ. The movie portrays the last few hours of Jesus life, as he is arrested, deserted by his disciples, beaten, arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to death. However, what seems like a dismal story ends in triumph.

Gethsemane

Jesus and the disciples have already had the Lord's Supper. The movie begins in the middle of the night in a garden called Gethsemane. Jesus' disciples are asleep as he prays and Satan taunts him. Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus and reveals his location. A Roman detachment arrives to arrest Jesus. Judas kisses Jesus to identify him for the guards. Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus, who is a servant of the High Priest. Jesus rebukes Peter and restores Malchus' ear.

Disciple Activity

Most of the disciples flee after the guards arrest Jesus. The exceptions are Peter and John. John goes to let Mary, Jesus' mother, and Mary Magdalene know about Jesus' arrest. Peter follows Jesus at a distance. At the Temple, many people accuse Peter of knowing Jesus, but he denies it three times. When Jesus looks at him, Peter feels remorse and runs out sobbing. Meanwhile, Judas reconsiders and tries to return the money he received for betraying Jesus. When they will not take it, Judas hangs himself.

Trial Before Caiaphas

The guards take Jesus to Jerusalem and beat him along the way. At the Temple, the High Priest, Caiaphas, questions Jesus. Some of the leaders don't like Caiaphas' methods, so he puts them out. Caiaphas asks Jesus whether it's true that he is the son of God. When Jesus replies, "I Am," Caiaphas tears his clothes as a sign of disgust. He declares that Jesus has committed blasphemy and should be sentenced to death.

Trial Before Pilate

Caiaphas and his men bring Jesus to Pilate because he's the only one who can order a death sentence. Pilate questions Jesus about his identity, but concludes that Jesus has done nothing to deserve death. Pilate sends Jesus to Herod, who only mocks Jesus and then sends him back to Pilate. Pilate continues to try to set Jesus free, but the crowd demands that he crucify Jesus, even after he has Jesus beaten. Pilate finally gives in and sentences Jesus to death.

Crucifixion

Jesus struggles to carry his cross, so the guards force Simon of Cyrene to carry it for him. The guards crucify Jesus on a hill outside of Jerusalem called Golgotha. They crucify Jesus between two criminals. One of the criminals mock Jesus, but the other asks Jesus to remember him in his Kingdom. Jesus prays that God will forgive those responsible for his crucifixion. He then gives up his spirit and dies.

Aftermath

After Jesus' death, Satan howls in defeat. A violent earthquake destroys the Temple and rips the veil of the Temple in two. Caiaphas and the other leaders are stunned. A soldier pierces Jesus' side with a sword to make sure that he is dead. Mary and Mary Magdalene mourn as the guards take Jesus down from the cross and bury him. Later, Jesus returns to life, with the wounds in his hands, feet and side still visible. Having defeated death, he exits the tomb.