The Passion of the Christ

The Passion of the Christ

Year: 2004

Runtime: 127 min

Language: Aramaic

DramaHistory

This film portrays the final hours of Jesus Christ, from his arrest to his crucifixion and resurrection. It’s a deeply emotional and intense depiction of his suffering, exploring themes of faith, sacrifice, and divine love. The story follows his agonizing journey through betrayal, mockery, and ultimately, his death by crucifixion, culminating in a portrayal of his miraculous return.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Passion of the Christ yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

The Passion of the Christ (2004) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Passion of the Christ (2004), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

The film begins in the quiet hours of the night in Gethsemane, right after the last supper. Here, Jesus prays, facing temptations from Satan, while his apostles, Peter, James, and John, succumb to sleep. Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ apostles, betrays his teacher after receiving thirty pieces of silver from the fearsome Jewish priests in Jerusalem. He reveals Jesus’ location, prompting the priests to dispatch guards to arrest him on charges of heresy.

As Judas approaches with the guards in the woods just outside Gethsemane, he betrays Jesus with a kiss. In a moment of chaos, Peter intervenes, attacking the guards and cutting off the ear of Malchus, one of them. Jesus, however, admonishes Peter to avoid violence and miraculously heals Malchus’ ear. The guards proceed to arrest Jesus, leading the other apostles to flee in terror.

John quickly dashes to inform Jesus’ mother, Mary, and Mary Magdalene about the arrest, while Peter follows Jesus from a distance, witnessing him getting brutally beaten by the guards. At the Jewish Temple, the chief priest, Caiaphas, conducts an illegal trial that faces dissent from other priests, who are expelled from the assembly. When Caiaphas questions Jesus about his identity as the Son of God, Jesus answers with a profound “I am,” horrifying Caiaphas, who tears his robes. Consequently, Jesus is condemned to death for blasphemy. As Peter enters the Temple, he is accosted by a crowd that recognizes him as a follower of Jesus. Fearful, Peter denies Jesus three times before he flees, overwhelmed with remorse.

Meanwhile, the guilt-ridden Judas attempts to return the blood money to the priests in a desperate effort to save Jesus but is rebuffed. Tormented by his guilt, he escapes to the city outskirts where he hangs himself from a dead donkey at dawn.

In a twist of fate, Caiaphas brings Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, to be sentenced to death. Pilate, questioning Jesus, finds no merit in the accusations, especially after being warned by his wife, Claudia, who shares a troubling dream she had involving the condemnation of a holy man. Thus, Pilate sends Jesus to King Herod Antipas, whose jurisdiction includes Nazareth, but upon Jesus’ return, Pilate offers to chastise him and release him to appease the crowd. He presents them with a choice: free Jesus or the violent criminal, Barabbas. To Pilate’s horror, the bloodthirsty mob chooses Barabbas, demanding the crucifixion of Jesus instead. Struck by the crowd’s fervor, Pilate reluctantly orders Jesus to be scourged and mocked, yet the calls for crucifixion grow louder.

As Jesus carries the heavy cross along the Via Dolorosa, he is briefly comforted when Veronica wipes his bloodied face with her veil, only to be shoved away by Roman guards. Unable to bear the weight any longer, Simon of Cyrene is pressed into service to carry the cross for Jesus.

On the hill known as Golgotha, the place of skulls, Jesus is crucified, his wrists and feet nailed to the wooden beam. One of the criminals beside him mocks his helplessness, but Jesus, in an extraordinary act of forgiveness, asks God to pardon those who sentenced him. In his final moments, he redeems one of the criminals that hang next to him. As Jesus breathes his last, a solitary drop of rain falls, leading to an earthquake that tears the Temple’s veil and horrifies Caiaphas and the priests. In this moment of despair, Satan is depicted in agony.

As Roman soldiers hasten to end the criminals’ lives by breaking their legs, one soldier thrusts a spear into Jesus’ side to confirm his death. His lifeless body is tenderly taken down from the cross, as Mary and Mary Magdalene mourn.

In the concluding scene, Jesus makes his miraculous resurrection from the tomb, the wounds in his hands, feet, and side still visible, signifying the profound sacrifice he made.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 12:21

Unlock the Full Story of The Passion of the Christ

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Passion of the Christ in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Passion of the Christ is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Passion of the Christ Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Passion of the Christ with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Passion of the Christ Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Passion of the Christ

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Passion of the Christ. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Passion of the Christ

More About The Passion of the Christ

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Passion of the Christ: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Passion of the Christ

Similar Movies to The Passion of the Christ

Discover movies like The Passion of the Christ that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.