Shifting towards examining the film through a historically critical perspective, it is arguable that if it had been created with an outlook of the Gospels as historical texts, rather than sacred scripture, a majority of elements would be characterized differently. In case, many components of the film are questionable in their historical accuracy. Further, scholars generally agree that the authors of the Gospels were not eyewitnesses to encompassing events throughout, but rather were part an already established, growing Christian community (M. Tokarek LaFosse, personal communication, January 14, 2016). With that frame of reference, the film’s production takes place some 2,000 years after the written Gospels of Jesus death, which are based
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Keeping in mind the importance of honour being of the highest “core value of the ancient Mediterranean world” (Rohrbaugh, 2010, p. 109), some moments in the film loosely reflect the hierarchal context attached to honour. Indeed, ones position in society was determined by ones honour ranking. Displayed in film, when people were entering this secret meeting of Jesus before Caiaphas, a temple guard throws an observer out saying “This is not your party, you toothless vermin.” (Gibson, 2004, scene 2). Additionally, when facing Caiaphas, Jesus is sarcastically asked, “What line of kings do you descend from? You’re just the son of some obscure carpenter, no?” (Gibson, 2004, scene 3), publicly setting an understanding to the crowd that Jesus was lower in societal standards, positioning His honour status. Furthermore, while people were giving false witness about Jesus, a Pharisee elder complains about how all the Sanhedrin council members were not present, an apparent indication that proper procedures were not followed. Results of his vocalization were a forcible exit from the meeting. While being escorted out, the elder yells “A travesty! That’s what this is, a beastly travesty!” (Gibson, 2004, scene 3). Perhaps, this could be highlighting that the Ancient Mediterranean World was a collectivistic society (Malina, 2010, p. 22), and not respecting that was an unwelcomed …show more content…
To begin, Jesus refuses to speak up in His own defense (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1-5). Pilate commands the religious rulers to judge Jesus by their own laws, but since thy lack the authority to commission a sentence of death on someone, Pilate decrees for them to take Jesus before Herod, from his own jurisdiction, to be judged (John 18:29-37). Upon meeting Jesus, Herod is hoping for a performance of the magical miracles he has heard about. After questioning Jesus with no response in return, he sends Him back to Pilate, refusing to place judgment (Luke 25:7-12). Scenes involving the freeing of Barabbas in exchange for having Jesus crucified are enacted (Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:38-40). Consequently, weaving together pieces of four Gospels, written at different periodical times, by different authors with varying thematic approaches to who Jesus was, for the purpose of telling one story, it becomes somewhat incomprehensible that what is portrayed in the film could be a credible account of what happened to the historical
Keeping in mind the importance of honour being of the highest “core value of the ancient Mediterranean world” (Rohrbaugh, 2010, p. 109), some moments in the film loosely reflect the hierarchal context attached to honour. Indeed, ones position in society was determined by ones honour ranking. Displayed in film, when people were entering this secret meeting of Jesus before Caiaphas, a temple guard throws an observer out saying “This is not your party, you toothless vermin.” (Gibson, 2004, scene 2). Additionally, when facing Caiaphas, Jesus is sarcastically asked, “What line of kings do you descend from? You’re just the son of some obscure carpenter, no?” (Gibson, 2004, scene 3), publicly setting an understanding to the crowd that Jesus was lower in societal standards, positioning His honour status. Furthermore, while people were giving false witness about Jesus, a Pharisee elder complains about how all the Sanhedrin council members were not present, an apparent indication that proper procedures were not followed. Results of his vocalization were a forcible exit from the meeting. While being escorted out, the elder yells “A travesty! That’s what this is, a beastly travesty!” (Gibson, 2004, scene 3). Perhaps, this could be highlighting that the Ancient Mediterranean World was a collectivistic society (Malina, 2010, p. 22), and not respecting that was an unwelcomed …show more content…
To begin, Jesus refuses to speak up in His own defense (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1-5). Pilate commands the religious rulers to judge Jesus by their own laws, but since thy lack the authority to commission a sentence of death on someone, Pilate decrees for them to take Jesus before Herod, from his own jurisdiction, to be judged (John 18:29-37). Upon meeting Jesus, Herod is hoping for a performance of the magical miracles he has heard about. After questioning Jesus with no response in return, he sends Him back to Pilate, refusing to place judgment (Luke 25:7-12). Scenes involving the freeing of Barabbas in exchange for having Jesus crucified are enacted (Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:38-40). Consequently, weaving together pieces of four Gospels, written at different periodical times, by different authors with varying thematic approaches to who Jesus was, for the purpose of telling one story, it becomes somewhat incomprehensible that what is portrayed in the film could be a credible account of what happened to the historical