Movie Guide for The Passion of the Christ: Questions and Answers
by Rich Deem

Introduction

Do you have questions about Mel Gibson's Movie, The Passion of the Christ? Unless you are very familiar with the Bible (and even if you are), the movie did not explain many of the scenes (especially the flashbacks). This page will attempt to answer your questions about The Passion. If your particular question is not answered, e-mail me, and I will provide an answer and post it on this page. The page also includes the biblical texts that go along with each scene, so you will know when Mel Gibson took artistic license and what is authentic history.

Disclaimer

If you have not seen the movie and don't want it to be "spoiled," you should read the review and see the movie first.

The scenes are described in order of appearance in the movie, so if you are looking for a particular answer, click the scene name or the player to go there directly.

The Passion of the Christ
Scenes Players
The prophecy Jesus
Garden of Gethsemane Satan
The trial Caiaphas
Peter's Denial Peter
Judas Judas
Pilate (first scene) Pilate
King Herod Herod
Pilate (second scene) Mary
The scourging Mary Magdalene
Pilate (third scene)
Bearing the cross Simon
The crucifixion John
The resurrection

Frequently Asked Questions:

Movie Scenes (in order of appearance)

The prophecy

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Before we see any actors, the movie opens with the prophecy of Isaiah, written 700 years before the actual events took place. Jesus' death was not without purpose. He came to die and take the punishment for our sins so that we might have peace with God through faith in Him.

Garden of Gethsemane

The movie begins in the garden of Gethsemane as Jesus seems to be talking to Himself. There are no subtitles, but we later learn that Jesus is praying for the courage to face what He knows is about to take place. Jesus is obviously distressed. The Bible says that He was sweating profusely1 and fell to the ground as He prayed.2 He awakes the disciples (Peter, James and John) and tells them to watch and pray that they might not fall into temptation.3

Judas, one of the disciples, is then shown accepting 30 pieces of silver from the chief priests and religious rulers.4 The scene cuts back to the garden, where Jesus is again praying. Satan makes his entrance - which is not in any of the gospel accounts. However, I believe Mel Gibson is using the appearance of Satan to explain what Jesus is going through and why. One of Satan's most important lines is "Saving their souls is too costly." Jesus knew that He came to die for the sins of mankind and that during that time, God would have to turn His back on Him and deliver to Him the punishment we all deserved.5 A snake appears and slithers towards Jesus. The snake, of course, represents the serpent from the garden of Eden, when Satan took on the form of a snake to tempt Adam and Eve into sin. The snake is not in the gospel accounts either, but is used to demonstrate the literal fulfillment of Genesis 3:15,6 as Jesus crushes the snake's head in resisting the words of Satan by submitting to the will of the Father.7

Judas then leads the temple guards (soldiers) to Gethsemane, where Jesus often went with the disciples to pray.8  Judas had indicated to the soldiers that he would identify Jesus by kissing Him,9 which was a customary greeting at the time. When the soldiers tried to seize Jesus, Peter gets out his sword and tries the kill one of the men, Malchus, but succeeds in only cutting off his ear.10 Jesus heals Malchus' ear11 as he kneels in disbelief. The soldiers bind Jesus and lead Him off to the Jewish religious leaders.12

Illegal trial

As Jesus is led off by the soldiers, the disciples flee,13 with Peter following the soldiers in secret.14 Mary, the mother of Jesus awakens with a start and asks her roommate, Mary Magdalene, "Why is this night different from all other nights?" This is a standard question asked at Passover, which had occurred earlier that evening. Magdalene replies with the standard answer referring to the celebration of how the Lord had led them forth from Egypt. John burst through the door of the house telling the women that Jesus has been taken to the religious leaders. The women go with John to the trial. This scene does not appear in the gospels and no mention is made of Mary being involved until the crucifixion.

The trial scene itself is pretty much right out of the gospel accounts, including almost all of the dialog. Caiaphas, the high priest, and the council solicits testimony attempting to convict Jesus of blasphemy.15 As pointed out in the movie, the gospels indicate that their testimony was not consistent.16 Jesus questions the legality of the trial, since it is held at night and in secret. He points out that He Himself had spoken openly to the people and that the leaders should question the people.17 This leads to a reprimand and a blow from one of the soldiers.18 At this point there is a flashback showing Jesus making a table for a rich man. Mary questions the height of the table, because, at the time, people ate from low tables while reclining on pillows. Returning to the trial, Jesus remains silent during much of the questioning. Finally, Caiaphas, the high priest asks Jesus directly if He is the Messiah.19 Jesus not only affirms that He is the Messiah, but says He will be at the right hand of God and will return from the clouds of heaven.20 The high priest tears his clothes and declares Jesus guilty of blasphemy.21 Several people slap, punch, and spit on Jesus before He is led away.22

Peter's Denial

Peter, watching the events at the trial, is then shown denying that he knew Jesus.23 A flashback shows some of the conversation that had ensued at the Passover meal (i.e., the "last supper") celebrated by all the disciples just hours before. Jesus says that all the disciples will flee and deny Him.24 Peter insists that he will never deny Jesus25 and is even willing to die with Him.26 However, Jesus indicates that Peter will deny Him three times before the cock crows.27 Leaving the flashback, Peter is seen denying Jesus two more times, the cock crows,28 and Peter runs into John and Mary, says he is unworthy, and flees weeping bitterly.29

Judas

Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, tries to return the money to the leaders,30 saying that he had sinned by betraying innocent blood.31 The leaders indicate that they don't care about his plight,31 so Judas throws the money at them and leaves.32 Gibson, at this point strays from the gospels and adds a long scene where Judas is pursued by little demon boys and Satan. He finds the rotting corpse of a camel and takes the rope from it and hangs himself.32

Pontius Pilate (first scene)

Jesus is taken to the Praetorium to Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea.33 Pilate asks what accusation is made against Jesus34 and suggests that the leaders judge Him by their own laws.35 However, the Jews were not allowed to inflict capital punishment,35 so they had brought Jesus to Pilate so that he might condemn Him. So, Pilate summons Jesus into the Praetorium and begins questioning Him, asking if He is the king of the Jews.36 Jesus asks Pilate if this is his own question or from somebody else.37 Pilate then says that Jesus' own nation delivered Him to be tried and asks what He has done.38 Jesus replies that His kingdom is not of this world,39 and that He was born to bear witness to the truth and those who want the truth will listen to Him.40 Pilate asks the famous question, "What is truth?" and leads Jesus back outside to the religious leaders, where he declares that Jesus is not guilty of any crime.41 The leaders try to convince Pilate that Jesus is guilty of crimes against the emperor and mention that He is from Galilee.42 Since Galilee is part of Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate sends Jesus to Herod.43

King Herod

Herod is glad to see Jesus, because he thinks Jesus might perform a miracle for him.44 In the movie, Herod asks Jesus where He gets His power (probably because he would have wanted some of that power for himself). Herod asks many other questions, but Jesus does not answer any of them.45 Herod calls Jesus a fool while, the religious leaders continued to accuse Him.46 Receiving no answers, Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate.47

Pilate (second scene)

Pilate is distressed that Jesus is back and the crowd still wants him executed. Pilate says that neither he nor Herod found any guilt in Jesus.48 However, he fears the people will riot, so he promises to punish Jesus and then release Him.49 Pilate then indicates that he is willing to release Jesus as an act of mercy for the Passover feast.50 However, the crowd asks that Barabbas, a insurrectionists and murderer,51 be released instead.52 When Pilate asks what should be done with Jesus, the crowd shouts "crucify Him."53 Pilate orders that Jesus be severely chastised but not killed, so sends Him to be scourged.54

Scourging

The scourging scene is the most emotional and most difficult to watch. Mel Gibson portrays the sadistic evil of the Roman soldiers in gruesome detail. The scene will make shivers run up and down your spine. At the end, there is blood everywhere. Even the religious leaders who wanted Jesus executed looked horrified at the degree of Roman cruelty. The manner in which Jesus was scourged is not detailed in the Bible, although the prophecy from Isaiah indicates that "His appearance was marred more than any man."55 By the end of the scourging scene, Jesus fits that description exactly. In addition to the Bible, historical accounts of the time reveal that the Romans were quite adept at punishment.

Jesus is first whipped with rods until there are stripes all over His body. Then the soldiers use cat-of-nine tails with metal and glass embedded in the ropes. Halfway through Jesus' scourging, Mary and her friend can stand no more and leave the punishment area. Claudia, the wife of Pilate has sympathy for the women and gives them some linens.

Gibson again takes artistic license in portraying the Roman soldiers as being pawns of Satan. He does this by showing Satan holding in his arms a "baby" that looks just like one of the soldiers who is scourging Jesus.

Showing the soldiers blood-stained feet as they are scourging Jesus, Gibson cuts to a flashback of a disciple's feet. The custom during Passover was to have the servant of the house pour water so that the guests might participate in the ceremonial washing of their hands. However, Jesus, the master, takes the part of the servant by washing the feet of his disciples. He then tells the disciples, "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also." (John 15:20)

The scourging is finally ended as one of Pilate's soldiers comes and reminds Jesus' punishers that He is not to be killed. At the end of the scourging, Jesus is drug off.

Mary and Mary Magdalene enter the scourging area and begin wiping up the blood. There is no account of this in the Bible, but it is used through an artistic transition to find out who Mary's friend is. As Magdalene is on her knees toweling up the blood, the scene changes to a dirt road near the Temple.56 A gang of angry men holding rocks is faced off against Jesus, shouting and gesturing angry mannerisms. Jesus draws a line in the dirt and begins writing with his finger. One by one, the men throw down their rocks and leave. A woman, previously off-camera, crawls over to Jesus, touches His feet and looks up. Jesus helps her to her feet. This scene comes from the eighth chapter of the gospel of John. The woman has been "caught in the act of adultery"57 and has been brought to Jesus by some of the religious leaders to try to trap Him. The men who brought her to Jesus quoted the Law of Moses, which required the death penalty for the woman (and also the man).58 They ask Jesus what He would say. But instead of answering, Jesus starts writing with His finger in the dirt.59 When they continue to ask Him, Jesus says, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."60 Then Jesus continues writing in the dirt, as the men leave one by one.61 It seems likely that one of the woman's accusers was also her partner in sin (which was how she was "caught"). The fact that the man with whom she was caught was not brought to Jesus to be condemned indicated there was some major hypocrisy going on. We don't know for sure what Jesus was writing in the dirt, but it seems likely that He was detailing every man's sin, which is why they felt compelled to drop their stones and leave.

Pilate (third scene)

The soldiers are not finished torturing and mocking Jesus after His scourging. They make a crown of thorns, put it on His head and pretended to hail Him as king.62 They continue to beat and punch and spit on Him until He is led out to the crowd again.63 Pilate leads Jesus out to the crowd64 and presents Him as having been sufficiently punished.65 However, the crowd keeps calling for Him to be crucified,66 claiming that He broke the Jewish law.67 Pilate takes Jesus back into the Praetorium and asks Him where He is from68 (most likely from His claim in the first scene, when he told Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world). Jesus doesn't answer, so Pilate tells Him that he has the power to release Him or crucify Him.69 Jesus replies that Pilate would have no power over Him unless it were given from above.70 Pilate then tries to release Jesus again, but the crowd says that he would be an enemy of Caesar if he releases somebody who claimed to be a king.71 Pilate asks if they should crucify their king.72 The priests say that they have no king but Caesar.73 Pilate, seeing that the crowd will not give in and that a riot is starting, washes his hands, declaring himself innocent, but nonetheless sentences Jesus to crucifixion.74

Bearing the cross

It was customary for condemned criminals to carry the crossbar of their cross to the execution site, Golgotha. In the movie, Gibson portrays the two condemned criminals carrying their own crossbars,75 but Jesus carrying the entire cross. The Bible isn't clear about what Jesus actually carried, other than referring to Him bearing His cross to the execution site.76

In a flashback, Gibson uses Jesus exit from Jerusalem to contrast His entrance just five days earlier. Whereas Jesus is trying to get through a sea of people (many of them angry) in carrying His cross to Golgotha, the flashback shows Him being welcomed by a sea of people who were laying palm branches in His path as He rides triumphantly into Jerusalem the Sunday before ("Palm Sunday").77

Mary and other women are seen following Jesus as He carries His cross to Golgotha. While we don't know for sure if Mary was following Jesus along the road to Golgotha, the gospels tells us that many people followed Jesus and the women were mourning over His fate.78 Since Mary was at the crucifixion, it would not be unreasonable to assume she was part of the crowd following Jesus. At one point in the movie, Satan appears in the crowd opposite Mary. Again, this is not in any of the gospel accounts, but was added for effect.

At one point, Jesus falls in the street under the weight of the cross as His mother watches. A flashback shows Mary comforting the toddler Jesus after He falls while running. Although not in the gospels, it seems likely to have occurred, since I don't know of any mother who has not been in that situation. Even myself, a father of three boys, has helped our sons when they fell as toddlers. After the flashback, Mary runs to Jesus and attempts to comfort Him. Jesus tells her, "See mother, I make all things new." This statement is probably confusing to most viewers, since it seems at the time that Jesus is just a victim of His circumstances. However, Jesus was in the process of instituting the new covenant, which would be completed at the cross. In addition, the statement is likely a prophecy of events to come at the end of the world, when this creation is destroyed and an entirely new creation is made for those who love God.79

At one point, Jesus falls again, and it is apparent that He is unable to carry His cross any further. A Jewish man, Simon, who is traveling from Cyrene into Jerusalem, is compelled by the Roman cohort to carry Jesus' cross.80 In the movie, both Simon and Jesus carry the cross together. However, the gospels indicate that Simon carried Jesus' cross following behind Him.81 The movie portrays Simon as a reluctant man who, eventually, feels sympathy for Jesus. It is likely that the experience brought Simon to believe that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah, since the gospel of Mark tells us that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus,82 two believers who are later mentioned by Paul.83

Gibson adds another scene not found in the gospels, when a young mother attempts to give Jesus a drink of water after falling again while carrying the cross. This scene comes from the sixth station of the cross, when Veronica gives Jesus a wet cloth to wipe His face (a Roman Catholic legend from apocryphal works). Finally, Jesus makes it out of the city and up the hill to Golgotha.

The crucifixion

When Jesus arrives at Golgotha, He is tied to the crossbar and His arms are stretched out as His hands are nailed to the crossbar. Although not described in the account of Jesus' crucifixion, Jesus Himself, after His resurrection, provided a description of Peter's crucifixion, which would happen many years in the future.84 In order to emphasize who killed Jesus, Mel Gibson himself plays the cameo role of the arm that nailed Jesus to the cross. In a sense, we all nailed Jesus to the cross, since He died for all of our sins.5 Historically, Jesus was most likely nailed to the cross through the wrists, instead of the palm of the hand, since the bones and flesh of the hand would not provide the support to hold the body on the cross. Jesus' feet were also nailed to the cross. The discovery of the remains of a man killed through crucifixion showed the presence of a nail through one of his ankle bones, including bending the nail back over, confirming the Roman practice.85 

The time Jesus spent on the cross was about six hours.86 In the movie, Mel Gibson uses this time to describe the significance of Jesus ministry through several flashbacks. The first is from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapters 5-7. Jesus' exhortation represents the most powerful sermon in history. It is how I came to believe that Jesus is the Messiah and that I need Him to redeem me from my sin. Gibson picks out the section on love:

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, and hate your enemy.' "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? "And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)

In this flashback, Jesus teaches that we are to love all people, since they are all God's creation. Jesus also says that He is the good shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep.87 Jesus' purpose in coming to earth was to lay down His life for us, His "sheep." Jesus says that He lays down His life on His own initiative and He has the power to take it up again (referring to the resurrection).88

In another flashback, Jesus is seen breaking the Passover bread with His disciples. He is talking about no longer being the disciples' master, but now being their friends.89 Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) Jesus was demonstrating this principle by dying on the cross. Jesus then tells His disciples that they should love one another as He had loved them. In this way, others would know that they were His disciples.90 Not only should Jesus' followers love everyone, they should be willing to give up their lives for them. Jesus then indicates that He is going away91 and Peter wants to know where He is going.92 Jesus says they cannot go now, but will follow later.92 The disciple Thomas wants to know the way.93 Jesus answers, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." (John 14:6) This is a bold claim - that all people must follow Jesus in order to see God in heaven.

Back to the crucifixion, a sign is nailed on Jesus' cross above His head. The movie does not explain the sign, but the gospels do. The sign was written by Pilate and said, "JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS" written in Hebrew, Latin, and in Greek.94 The Jewish leaders didn't like the sign and wanted to change it to "He said, 'I am King of the Jews.'"95 But Pilate said, "What I have written I have written."96

There is another flashback to the Passover meal ("last supper") celebrated between Jesus and His disciples. Jesus institutes holy communion and explains the new covenant. First, He breaks the unleavened bread, distributes it to the disciples, and says, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."97 The cracker or wafer represents the body of Jesus, sacrificed on the cross.

Returning from the flashback, Jesus is finally nailed completely to the cross, which is raised and planted in a hole in the ground. Gibson continues with the Passover flashback. Jesus takes the fourth cup of the Passover meal (the cup of redemption) and declares, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins."98 The fruit of the vine (wine or grape juice) represents the blood sacrifice that cleanses us from sin,99 as Jesus became the perfect lamb of God on the cross.100 The new covenant was first foretold by the prophet Jeremiah, 700 years before the birth of Jesus.101

As the scene returns from the flashback to the cross, the criminal on the right (traditionally known as Gesmas) says in a mocking manner, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!"102 Others from the crowd are saying, "Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!"103 Likewise, the religious leaders come along saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!"104 In a stunning act of love, Jesus responds by praying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."105 The criminal on the left (traditionally known as Dismas) tells the religious leader, "He prays for you!" He responds to the criminal on the right, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."106 Then, in an act of faith, he says, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!"107 Jesus responds by telling him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."108 An admittedly guilty criminal promised entrance into heaven on the basis of faith in Jesus.

A crow appears over the criminal who mocks Jesus and begins to peck at him. This scene is not in the Bible, but was probably added as a way of showing God's displeasure with the criminal's words. In addition, a medical article has noted that it was common for birds to pick at victims on a cross.109

A scene looking down from the cross shows the soldiers gambling below. The movie doesn't explain what was happening, but the gospels do. When Jesus was nailed to the cross, his outer garments and tunic were removed. The soldiers had divided His outer garments into four parts (one for each soldier).109 However, the tunic was woven as one piece, so the soldiers gambled to determine who got it,110 which was in fulfillment of a prophecy by King David from Psalm 22,111 which describes the crucifixion in detail.

At this point, the sky becomes very dark for the last three hours of the crucifixion.112 Jesus, near death, says, "I thirst." One of the Roman soldiers puts some wine vinegar on a sponge and pushes it into Jesus' face.113 Jesus, seeing His mother Mary at the foot of the cross,114 says, "Woman, behold, your son!"115 And to the disciple John, Jesus says, "Behold, your mother!",116 since John was to take Mary into his household to care for her.

Nearing death, Jesus cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"117 Because Jesus is taking the sin of the world, the Holy God could not look upon Him. When atonement is accomplished, Jesus says, "It is finished.118 His work of redemption on the cross is completed. Then dying, His last words are, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."119

Creation itself responds to the death of Jesus with an earthquake.120 The Temple is damaged and the veil, which hides the Holy of Holies, is ripped in two.120 Access to God, which was limited to the high priest once a year as he entered into the Holy of Holies to present a sacrifice for the peoples' sin, is now opened to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

The Roman soldiers, terrified by the earthquake, take large wooden clubs and break the legs of the two criminals.121 Why did the Romans break the legs of the victims? Death by crucifixion occurred through exhaustion asphyxia - the victim eventually suffocated. The position of the body on the cross left the chest muscles used for breathing in a permanent inhalation position. In order to exhale, the victim would have to actively push his body up against the nails holding his feet to the cross. By breaking the victims legs, the only way he could breathe was by using his arm and shoulder muscles to pull against the nails in his hands to lift his body. This maneuver was extremely painful and tiring, so that the victim died relatively quickly.

Since Jesus is already dead, there is no need to break His legs to hasten death.122 However, to make sure Jesus was dead, one of the soldiers takes a spear and pierces His side, and water and blood flow out.123 

In another scene not in the Bible, Satan is seen having a major temper tantrum. He thinks he has thwarted God's plans by killing the Messiah. However, it was prophesied that the Messiah must die for the sins of mankind.124 This act of sacrifice would bring humanity back into a relationship with the Holy God.5

The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross and Mary mourns over her son. Maia Morgenstern, the Jewish actress who plays Mary in the film suggested that in the Middle East, as an act of expressing great grief, the women grab handfuls of dirt and rocks and toss them over their backs. Gibson decided to modify that gesture the way it was filmed because it would have been too distracting to have Mary throw the dirt and rocks over her shoulders and onto the people behind her.

All the Roman soldiers flee in terror except one. The centurion (traditionally known as Cassius), in watching the events at the cross realizes the significance of what has happened. In the gospels, he says, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"125

The resurrection

The scene changes to a dark tomb. We see and hear a large stone being rolled away126 from the opening as light floods in. On a flat stone, the grave coverings that Jesus is wrapped in127 are seen deflating as the body is no longer bound. Jesus is seen standing, and we see the scar in His hand128 as He leaves the tomb,129 as prophesied by King David in the Psalms.130 The rest is history, as the disciples "turned the world upside down"131 with the news of Jesus' resurrection.

Major players

Jesus

Depending upon one's beliefs, Jesus is either God,132 who became human, or just a Jewish teacher133 from the first century. The Bible says Jesus is the eternal God,134 who took the form of a man135 to redeem mankind from their sin.136 The Passion of the Christ presents Jesus as both human and divine. Jesus is the one who tells Pontius Pilate that His "kingdom is not of this world,"39 who can heal injuries at will,11 and rise from the dead."129 Still, being in a human body, He feels all the emotions and pain of any other man. Jesus' purpose in coming to earth was to provide a means by which we could spend eternity with Him. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Satan

Satan, by Lewis Sperry ChaferSatan seems to be a popular character and plays an even larger role in The Passion of the Christ than in the pages of the gospels. Why is Satan popping up regularly in the movie? The Bible says Satan "prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."137 It seems reasonable that Satan would go after large quarry, such as Jesus and those who surround Him. That is probably the reason Mel Gibson puts Satan throughout the movie.

Who is Satan and why does he hate Jesus? Satan was created by God as a cherub, the most powerful angelic being.138 Some time after his creation and before the creation of mankind,139 Satan rebelled against God and took one third of the angels (then referred to as demons) with him into rebellion.140 He took on the form of a snake in the garden of Eden to tempt Eve.138, 141

In the movie, Satan is portrayed by a woman, although she looks somewhat masculinized, with no eyebrows. The voice in the garden of Gethsemane is distinctly male. Angels, including Satan, don't have any sexual characteristics in their heavenly state (which Jesus told us through His teaching142). However, when they come to earth, they can take on human form. In the Bible, all angels who take on human form are males. All biblical references address Satan by the personal pronoun "he." However, the Bible describes Satan as having beauty and splendor.138 This is why Mel Gibson chose a female for the role. According to Mel Gibson, "I believe the Devil is real, but I don't believe he shows up too often with horns and smoke and a forked tail. The devil is smarter than that. Evil is alluring, attractive. It looks almost normal, almost good, but not quite. That's what I tried to do with the Devil in the film. The actor's face is symmetric, beautiful in a certain sense, but not completely."

Part of the reason for a feminized version of Satan might have been as a counter to Mary, since there were some scenes where Satan was holding a baby, who in real life, was doing Satan's bidding. So we had Mary with Jesus as opposed to Satan with an evil "baby." Mel Gibson said of this scene, "Again, it's evil distorting what's good. What is more tender and beautiful than a mother and a child? So the Devil takes that and distorts it just a little bit. Instead of a normal mother and child you have an androgynous figure holding a 40-year-old 'baby' with hair on his back."

Pride caused Satan to fall, ("your heart was lifted up because of your beauty")138 as he wanted to receive the worship due to God alone.143 For this reason, He hates God and His plans. He wants people to worship him and follow his evil ways. He does this through lies144 and deception.145 He opposes Jesus, God who took on the form of a man to redeem humanity from their sin, and restore their relationship with Him. Ultimately, he will be thrown into the Lake of Fire for all eternity.146

Mary, Mother of Jesus

Mary was a normal Jewish girl growing up in Nazareth, Israel. Soon after being betrothed (a one year "engagement") to a man named Joseph, she was greeted as the "favored one" by the angel Gabriel.147 This greeting troubled Mary greatly,148 since one is not usually approached by an angel. Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to the Son of God, who would reign on the throne of David.149 This was even more troubling, since Mary was a virgin.150 Gabriel Told Mary that she would become pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.151 In an act of extreme faith, Mary agreed, saying, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."152 

Mary's faith and godliness can be seen in her praise of God in talking to her relative Elizabeth,153 who was to give birth to John the Baptist.154

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation." (Luke 1:46-50)

Mary remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus,155 then gave birth to and raised at least four sons and an unspecified number of daughters.156

Peter

Passion of the Christ DVDPeter is famous in The Passion as the one who denied Jesus three times during his trial.29 However, to leave his life at that is doing a great injustice. Peter, originally named Simon,157 was a fisherman by trade.158 Jesus got his attention by performing a miracle by causing him to catch a great haul of fish after fishing all night and catching nothing.159 Of all the disciples, Peter was the impetuous one, who would act first and think later. He was the one who reacted to Jesus' arrest by trying to kill the soldiers with a sword.10 His most famous example occurred when Jesus came to the disciples in a boat walking on water. Peter got out of the boat and started walking toward Him until he realized what he had done, lost faith and began to sink.160 After His resurrection, Jesus restored Peter,161 and he became the head of the church at Jerusalem.162

References Top of page

  1. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:44)
  2. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39)
  3. And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? "Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41)
  4. Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, and said, "What are you willing to give me to deliver Him up to you?" And they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14-15)
  5. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; (1 Peter 3:18)
  6. And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." (Genesis 3:15)
  7. Going a little farther, He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39)
  8. Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place; for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. (John 18:2)
  9. Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one; seize Him." And immediately he went to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. (Matthew 26:48-49)
  10. Simon Peter therefore having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus. (John 18:10)
  11. But Jesus answered and said, "Stop! No more of this." And He touched his ear and healed him. (Luke 22:51)
  12. Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. (John 18:12-13)
  13. "But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left Him and fled. (Matthew 26:56)
  14. But Peter also was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome. (Matthew 26:58)
  15. Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, in order that they might put Him to death; (Matthew 26:59)
  16. For many were giving false testimony against Him, and yet their testimony was not consistent. (Mark 14:56)
  17. Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. "Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; behold, these know what I said." (John 18:20-21)
  18. And when He had said this, one of the officers standing by gave Jesus a blow, saying, "Is that the way You answer the high priest?" Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?" (John 18:22-23)
  19. But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, "I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God." (Matthew 26:63)
  20. Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN." (Matthew 26:64)
  21. Then the high priest tore his robes, saying, "He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; (Matthew 26:65)
  22. what do you think?" They answered and said, "He is deserving of death!" Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, (Matthew 26:66-67)
  23. Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a certain servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." (Matthew 26:69)
  24. Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.' (Matthew 26:31)
  25. But Peter answered and said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away." (Matthew 26:33)
  26. Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." All the disciples said the same thing too. (Matthew 26:35)
  27. Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that this very night, before a cock crows, you shall deny Me three times." (Matthew 26:34)
  28. And when he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." And again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man." And a little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; for the way you talk gives you away." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a cock crowed. (Matthew 26:71-74)
  29. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a cock crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:75)
  30. Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, (Matthew 27:3)
  31. saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself!" (Matthew 27:4)
  32. And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:5)
  33. They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium in order that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. (John 18:28)
  34. Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?" (John 18:29)
  35. Pilate therefore said to them, "Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law." The Jews said to him, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death," (John 18:31)
  36. Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" (John 18:33)
  37. Jesus answered, "Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?" (John 18:34)
  38. Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You up to me; what have You done?" (John 18:35)
  39. Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." (John 18:36)
  40. Pilate therefore said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." (John 18:37)
  41. Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no guilt in Him. (John 18:38)
  42. But they kept on insisting, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee, even as far as this place." But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. (Luke 23:5-6)
  43. And when he learned that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time. (Luke 23:7)
  44. Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. (Luke 23:8)
  45. And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. (Luke 23:9)
  46. And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. (Luke 23:10)
  47. And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. (Luke 23:11)
  48. and [Pilate] said to them, "You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. "No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. (Luke 23:14-15)
  49. "I will therefore punish Him and release Him." (Luke 23:16)
  50. "But you have a custom, that I should release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?" (John 18:39)
  51. And the man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. (Mark 15:7)
  52. But the governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas." (Matthew 27:21)
  53. Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Let Him be crucified!" (Matthew 27:22)
  54. Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. (John 19:1)
  55. Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men. (Isaiah 52:14)
  56. And early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. (John 8:2)
  57. And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. (John 8:3-4)
  58. "Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" (John 8:5)
  59. And they were saying this, testing Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground. (John 8:6)
  60. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." (John 8:7)
  61. And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And when they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst. (John 8:8-9)
  62. And after weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they kneeled down before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" (Matthew 27:29)
  63. And they spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. (Matthew 27:30)
    and they began to come up to Him, and say, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and to give Him blows in the face. (John 19:3)
  64. And Pilate came out again, and said to them, "Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no guilt in Him." (John 19:4)
  65. Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold, the Man!" (John 19:5)
  66. When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, "Crucify, crucify!" Pilate said to them, "Take Him yourselves, and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him." (John 19:6)
  67. The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God." (John 19:7)
  68. When Pilate therefore heard this statement, he was the more afraid; (John 19:8)
  69. and he entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. (John 19:9)
  70. Pilate therefore said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" (John 19:10)
  71. Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me up to you has the greater sin." (John 19:11)
  72. As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar." (John 19:12)
  73. They therefore cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." (John 19:15)
  74. And when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves." (Matthew 27:24)
  75. And two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him. (Luke 23:32)
  76. They took Jesus therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. (John 19:17)
  77. On the next day the great multitude who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet Him, and began to cry out, "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel." (John 12:12-13)
  78. And there were following Him a great multitude of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him. (Luke 23:27)
  79. And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." (Revelation 21:5)
    And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (Revelation 21:1)
  80. And as they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross. (Matthew 27:32)
  81. And when they led Him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)
  82. And they pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross. (Mark 15:21)
  83. Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. (Romans 16:13)
  84. "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!" (John 21:18-19)
  85. Bible Archeology - Proofs from the Earth (Crucified Man)
  86. And it was the third hour when they crucified Him. (Mark 15:25)
    And it was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, (Luke 23:44)
  87. "I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15)
  88. "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father." (John 10:17-18)
  89. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)
  90. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)
  91. "Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You shall seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, I now say to you also, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.'" (John 13:33)
  92. Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you shall follow later." (John 13:36)
  93. Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" (John 14:5)
  94. And Pilate wrote an inscription also, and put it on the cross. And it was written, "JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS." Therefore this inscription many of the Jews read, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and in Greek. (John 19:19-20)
  95. And so the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews'; but that He said, 'I am King of the Jews.'" (John 19:21)
  96. Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." (John 19:22)
  97. And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19)
  98. And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:27-28)
  99. but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
  100. The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
  101. "Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, (Jeremiah 31:31)
  102. And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" (Luke 23:39)
  103. And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!" (Mark 15:29-30)
  104. In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself. "Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!" And those who were crucified with Him were casting the same insult at Him. (Mark 15:31-32)
  105. But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. (Luke 23:34)
  106. But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? "And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." (Luke 23:41)
  107. And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" (Luke 23:42)
  108. And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)
  109. Edwards, W.D., W.J. Gabel, and F.E. Hosmer. 1986. On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ. JAMA 255:1455-1463.
  110. The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. They said therefore to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be"; that the Scripture might be fulfilled, "THEY DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS." (John 19:23-24)
  111. They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots. (Psalm 22:18)
  112. Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. (Matthew 27:45)
  113. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. (John 19:28)
  114. Therefore the soldiers did these things. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (John 19:25)
  115. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" (John 19:26)
  116. Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household. (John 19:27)
  117. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34)
  118. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)
  119. When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit. (John 19:30)
  120. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook; and the rocks were split, (Matthew 27:51)
  121. The soldiers therefore came, and broke the legs of the first man, and of the other man who was crucified with Him; (John 19:32)
  122. but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs; (John 19:33)
  123. but one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water. (John 19:34)
  124. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
  125. And when the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39)
  126. And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. (Mark 16:4)
  127. And Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. (Mark 15:46)
  128. The other disciples therefore were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." (John 20:25)
  129. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. (Mark 16:6)
  130. For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay. (Psalm 16:10)
  131. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (Acts 17:6)
  132. In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
  133. And a certain ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 18:18)
  134. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
  135. ...Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:5-7)
  136. knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:19)
  137. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
  138. "Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. "You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz, and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx, and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise, and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared. "You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire. "You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created, Until unrighteousness was found in you. "By the abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire. "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, That they may see you. "By the multitude of your iniquities, In the unrighteousness of your trade, You profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; It has consumed you, And I have turned you to ashes on the earth In the eyes of all who see you. (Ezekiel 28:12-18)
  139. According to the Bible all of the sons of God (i.e., all the angels, including Satan) shouted for joy at the creation of the Earth. However, Satan had fallen by the time humans were created.
    "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding... When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4, 7)
  140. And another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven, and threw them to the earth. (Revelation 12:3-4)
  141. And the serpent said to the woman, "You surely shall not die! "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:3-5)
  142. "For in the resurrection they [believers] neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." (Matthew 22:30)
  143. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:12-14)
  144. "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
  145. Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." (Genesis 3:13)
    And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:9)
  146. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)
  147. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:26-28)
  148. But she was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be. (Luke 1:29)
  149. "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; (Luke 1:32)
  150. And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34)
  151. And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
  152. "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:38)
  153. "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. (Luke 1:36)
  154. Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she brought forth a son... And his mother answered and said, "No indeed; but he shall be called John." (Luke 1:57, 60)
  155. And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife, and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25)
  156. Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. (Mark 6:3)
  157. And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), (Mark 3:16)
  158. And walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. (Matthew 4:18)
  159. And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but at Your bidding I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish; and their nets began to break... But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" (Luke 5:4-8)
  160. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:26-30)
  161. So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep. "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!" (John 21:15-19)
  162. But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give heed to my words. (Acts 2:14)

Reflections
We are what we think.

Science News Flash
Science News Flash

http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/passionquestions.html
Last Modified August 13, 2004

Apologetics

Search

Info

General

Site Helps

 

Rich's Blog