The Passion of the Christ -- Great Movie... but what does the Baby with the Devil towards the end of the movie symbolize?

I just came back from watching this much talked about movie -- it's a fabulous movie, I think. It's a very good portrayal of the "real story" (or at least as real as the story we have documentation on) and shows each of the characters well. The messages and motifs are left in tact, and it appears that Mel Gibson still had some artistic interpretation inserted in.

One thing confused me -- I don't understand what the Devil carrying the sort of old, evilish baby at the end symbolizes? Anyone got any takes on that?

Great movie, go see it, and especially see the movie if you have read the old and new testaments.

22 Comments

  • Thanks, very useful.



    So the androygenous baby was a mockery of Christ's birth?





    BTW, I truly do not think this movie is anti-semitic in any way, so all of you Jewish people out there should go see it too!

  • I think it is funny how groups have attacked this film before seeing it just as other groups did (without seeing) The Last Temptation of Christ. Regarding Last Temptation, yes, there were "bad" and "wrong" things in the film but the point that was so publicly attacked was so completely different than it was portrayed by those who attacked the movie, almost opposite, in fact. I honestly thing that Last Temptation won over a few people. It certainly wouldn't have made anyone stray from the flock, it made Jesus real, understandable, human (which he was, something that is usually ignored) for the first time. The Catholic Church and other others who fought against the Last Temptation did their congregations a great disservice.



    I think The Passion of Christ will be the same. Those who see it will be moved but will see the "artistic license" moments as just that. Those who believe will come out feeling more confident in their beliefs, those who don't will come out moved but unchanged, those on the borderline may come out different beings than they went in.



    I think that the untested faith is weak, a true faith can handle any test, a 2 hour film being the very least of them. Those who would fight such a thing are living in fear of their house of cards tumbling down.

  • ...and one more useful post is pushed off the page. Off-topic posts to the main feed are bad enough, but this is the very last thing I want to read about.



    I can't wait until people forget about this movie and start arguing over something interesting, like, say, ANYTHING.

  • Sometimes, it takes the smallest thing for us to really get it. My heart rejoices that there are other believers out there in the developer cyber world, they seem so few.



    The group in the Netherlands is sort of right. It is prophecised that Israel will be punished for turning away from God. But this is only part of His plan to bring them back to him.



    All this anti-semitic talk is sort of ironic, as it is prophecied that in the end days the ENTIRE world, that is every nation, will turn against Israel.



    Any real Christian does not have any form of hate or such emotion toward a descendent of Israel. In fact, since recommiting my life to Christ, I have found a warm compassion for them that was before I was saved, was almost hate, not for the people, but as a race.



    Theology is such a great topic of debate, but I agree, this probably isn't the best place to discuss it.



    It is just a movie in this case, but it turns out to be a very powerful and moving movie on the very foundation of my faith. For without this willing sacrifice, I would not be able to approach God in worship and prayer.



    So anyway, the only thing I do not like about keeping the mainfeed filtered is that I miss some very nice posts, like this one if it was not on there.

  • Remember, Adam, that anti-Israel != anti-Semitic. Either way, I thought it was terrible how much people were worried that this film would re-ignite millenia-old hatred on Jews. I don't think any Scots killed any English people after watching Braveheart.

  • were all friends here


  • I think that the Devil was trying to make a statement. Our pastor said that the devil was trying to show God that he could have a son too.

  • But what about the ugly baby?



    "Again," said Gibson, "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. It is weird, it is shocking, it's almost too much—just like turning Jesus over to continue scourging him on his chest is shocking and almost too much, which is the exact moment when this appearance of the Devil and the baby takes place."



    Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.



  • The Baby means...



    Satan from the begining to the end of the movie is all about discouraging Jesus to go thru with GOD's will. By fullfiling His Fathers will he will conquer Satan(who has the power of death)Satan starts of the movie in the Garden telling Jesus that no man can do what Jesus is goin to do. Satan tells Jesus don't bother , that it is too heavy a burden. When Jesus is in the middle of being scourged He is facing the brutality of the world, "The world hates me", as he says many times. Satan is holding the child Anti-christ. Satan is saying that even though Jesus is saving souls by suffering now, He will never win because after Jesus will die the devil will continue His plan to lead men away from God. Satan was trying to discourage Jesus by doing that. That is what I think Mel had in mind on that. Peace & God Bless

  • I watched this great movie last night (Good Friday). My heart went out to our Holy Mother, her suffering must've been enormous, as any mother would tell you, your heart tears when your child is in pain. The moments Jesus spend with his mother were so tender, beautiful and showed us the strong bond between them. Thank you Mel Gibson and everyone involved. On the way home, I said a prayer for al those you have denounced the Lord as their saviour, and wondered how they'd feel watching this movie and knowing that they have denounced his sacrifice, but then He would've forgiven them and took back into his flock. I pray that they go back and learn more about the truth of this man, for he is The Truth, The Way and the Redemtion of mankind. With all the hate, violence and terrorism currently gripping the world Jesus's love and message are more relevant and needed than ever. God's peace and blessings to you all.

  • i think the devil will rule us and we will all go to hell i want to go to hell. let satan live!!!!


  • to answer the question of the baby satan is holding. My opinion is that the baby is symbolic of the world which he rules on earth. the reason i guess they chose a baby is that if u think about it a child when born is pure and innocent like the way jesus wants us to be. as u see the baby that satan is holding looks old and evil that is his baby the corruption of the world.

  • Am I the only one who hated this movie?



    To tell the truth, I found The Last Temptation of Christ and even Jesus Christ Superstar to be more convincing accounts of what is supposed to have happened at the time.



    The way Judas was portrayed as a total loser (for example) was too much. Dropping his coins, then bending down to pick them up, the sores on his lips (don't know if they were supposed to be from kissing Jesus or rubbing them against a wall) was just a pathetic attempt to demonize him yet again.



    This movie didn't stir a single emotion in me, whereas Jesus Christ Superstar and Last Temptation did. And the public response to this one made me lose a lot of respect for christians. I still respect christianity, but now I just think that these self-proclaimed "christians" aren't really that, but cowards on a guilt trip. Which pretty much sums up my opinion of the film.



    Nietzsche may have had christianity wrong, but he sure as hell had the christians right.

  • I believe the baby that satan was holding meant. I have my father where is yours in time of need.

  • The movie was brutal, too much blood. Mel Gibson went too far with the blood scenes. I don't understand the point, what did Christ change by dying on the cross, christians say that my sins will be forgiven. I'm confused, why is that my sins have to be forgiven? what's the purpose? I didn't do nothing wrong, why should anyone die, and especially in such a horror way, just so I can be forgiven, for what? I think Satan had nothing to do with this, God made the plan, Jesus only completed it. What I hate the most is that people hate Judas because he betrayed Jesus, it was God's plan, Judas was only like a marionett on the strings. However, if there is a God in this World, this story would've never happened, because a real God would have never watched his own son beeing tormented, crucified and killed. And if God really exists then I would rather be in hell with Satan, then with a cold hearted God, who only loves to see others while they suffer.



    I would agree to the last comment about the little baby in Satan's hand.

  • afdter watching the film im was touched,the night i seemed restless not one moment of sleep i gained. it was as if light had shone on me. i could actually feel his pain. my hands were throbbing as were my feet. i wept for a good 5 minutes. then i prayed i asked the lord to make it rain to no avail.....woken up later in thhe evening by showers,,,,it had never rained like that in my town before. my faith has been rekindled and i thank this film for that. i have never experienced anything like i did that night i watched passion of the christ. i swear these words are true.believe ......................

  • let me watch this movie

  • For those of you that either want to go to hell
    or wonder how God could have sent His son to die for us...it's because He is Holy and we are not. He formed us, every bit of us.
    We are fearfully & wonderfully made. Heaven is were we should all want to be when we pass away. With our Father. Hell is void of any good- Even "sinful good"... Just pure torture & everlasting torment. He sent His Son-because He loves us. He isn't human- He is devine. His ways surpass any-thing that we can imagine. Don't be fooled by Satan. Be on the winning team where you belong. It's not easy, but it's is worth it, very worth it.
    Now you know. You can never say you weren't told. In Him. God Bless You!

  • It resembles the future anti-christ.

  • I believe it was just Satan trying to discourage Jesus yet again and I agree with Michelle, well said. I also want to add that Jesus Christ is alive and he is a real person. He is on fire with an ardent love for us he waits for us everyday in the tabernacle. He loves us beyond all human understanding. When we fail he waiting to pick us up and console us. Read Gods blue books messages sent by God to Rita ring for the whole world, that will explain everything. God Bless all

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