The Passion of the Christ - Trivia, Questions and Fun Facts

[discussimdb]

Fan of The Passion of the Christ or just want to share your movie knowledge? This topic is dedicated to all trivia and questions related to The Passion of the Christ

[willard]

This is the highest grossing foreign language film and/or subtitled film in US box office history. It is also the highest grossing religious film in worldwide box office of all time.

[marc]

The names of Jim Caviezel and Jesus Christ share the same initials. "Christ" was Jesus of Nazareth's title, not his surname. It means "Anointed One".

[richard]

A year after the film's initial release, a "toned-down" version retitled as "The Passion Recut" was released. Though some of the more graphic elements were removed, the MPAA still assigned the movie an "R" rating - so the version was distributed to theaters as "unrated".

[maureen]

Contrary to popular rumor, Malaysia did not ban the film. The Malaysian government allowed Christians to see it, and only Christian churches could sell tickets.

[fred]

Certain information was derived from the supposed visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich.

[jeffrey]

The line mentioned by Jesus to High Priest Caiaphas and others in this film - "I AM and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven." comes from Mark 14:62. This is also a reference to Jeremiah 4:13 where it says "Behold, he (God) shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled." This is interesting to note, because Elijah was taken by a chariot of fire in 2 Kings 2:11-12 and Elijah being taken by a chariot is also mentioned by Annas the priest in this film. Right before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD (which was prophesied by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21), chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities. This incident was recorded by Josephus in Jewish Wars (Book Six), Tacitus in Histories (Book 5), Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History (Book 3), and Jewish History Document "Sepher Yosippon" (Chapter 87 - Burning of the temple) written in Hebrew. God and his chariots are also mentioned in Isaiah 66:15, 2 Kings 6:17, Zachariah 6:1-6, and other verses in the bible. It must be noted that God is called "Lord of Hosts" more than 275 times in the bible. In New Testament, God is called "Lord of Hosts" in Romans 9:29 and in James 5:4.

[cassandra]

Although many Jews consider this film Anti-Semitic, several Rabbis don't agree. Judaism began with the completion of Babylonian Talmud in sixth century AD. Judaism is not the religion of the bible, and Jews are different from Hebrews.

[violet]

The Mexican release was moved from March 25 to March 19 because pirate copies were available a few days after it premiered in the USA.

[jamie]

Assistant director Jan Michelini was also hit twice by lightning during filming.

[alyssa]

When Jesus speaks the words "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" as he looks up to the sky, his pupils dilate. This is a common sign of death, as all the muscles in one's body relax completely.

[jamie]

It would usually take over 10 hours to put Jim Caviezel into the scourged makeup. On some of those days, it would happen that the weather conditions turned out to be unsuitable for filming. To avoid spending more hours to have it removed and re-applied the next day, he kept it on and went to bed in full make-up.

[jamie]

Although Sadducees are not mentioned in this film, still the High Priest and all of his associates (seen in this film) belonged to the sect of Sadducees. This can be read in Acts 5:17. James, a disciple of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:19) was murdered by High Priest Ananus who belonged to the sect of Sadducees. This was mentioned by Josephus in his "Antiquities 20.9.1."In Matthew 22 & Mark 12, Jesus Christ criticized Sadducees for their lack of the knowledge in the scriptures and the power of God. Sadducees' lack of knowledge in the scriptures can be seen in both bible and in this film.When the High Priest asked "Are you the Christ, the son of Blessed?" Jesus Christ told the High Priest and his associates with him this - "Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven" (Mark 14:61-62). When Jesus Christ said this to the High Priest and his associates with him, the High Priest tore his garments (Matthew 26:65, Mark 14:63). When High Priest tore his garments, he violated Leviticus 21:10 which prohibited the High Priest from tearing his clothes. The sect of Sadducees completely disappeared with the destruction of Jerusalem and Jerusalem temple in 70 AD which was prophesied by Jesus Christ (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21).

[bryan]

The film has several specifically Catholic influences, such as: the prominent role of Mary, the Stations of the Cross, the floating cross on which Jesus was crucified, the depiction of Satan, and the Veil of Veronica as she wipes Christ's face on his way to the crucifixion.

[lynn]

A new type of fake blood with added viscosity was developed for Jesus' scourging makeup. It contained red dyes suspended in glycerin, fatty gums, and a stabilizing base. It had to be rubbed off with alcohol, and made Jim Caviezel's skin smell very sweet for days afterward.

[aaron]

Western Christian Traditions believe that Jesus spoke Greek, and New Testament was written in Greek. Several Christian traditions in the Middle East and South India believe that Jesus spoke Aramaic, and New Testament is written in Aramaic.

[ruby]

Jim Caviezel experienced a shoulder separation when the 150lb cross dropped on his shoulder. The scene is still in the movie.

[tammy]

In this film, Jesus Christ (Yeshua Meshikha in Aramaic) calls Peter "Kaypha" which means stone in Aramaic. The name "Peter" comes from Greek name "petros" which is the translation of Aramaic word "Kaypha." In New Testament English Bible, Kaypha is written as Cephas in John 1:42, Galatians 2:9, 1 Corinthians 1:12, 1 Corinthians 9:5, and other verses in the Bible.

[tom]

Aramaic was the most used language spoken by the Hebrews in this film. Aramaic was the language of the Jews in Israel during first century AD. "Bar"tholomew, "Bar"abbas, "Bar"nabbas, "Bar" Jesus, Simon "Bar" Jonas, "Bar"sabbas, and "Bar"timaeus are examples of names in the New Testament which use the Aramaic word Bar meaning 'Son' rather than Ben in Hebrew. When Jews say "Hebrew" in New Testament, they were referring to their Hebrew tongue which was Aramaic in first century AD. "Golgotha" in John 19:17 is a Greek transliteration of an Aramaic word. In Hebrew, Golgotha will become 'Ha Gulgoleth'.

[ethel]

Rated #1 of the 25 most controversial movies of all time. Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2006.