There’s a vivid spiritual dimension in the movie. The anthropomorphic portrayal of Satan as a player in the events pulls the proceedings into the supernatural realm - a fact that should have quelled the much-publicized cries of anti-Semitism since it shows a diabolical force at work beyond any political and religious agendas of the Jews and Romans.

It seems that the charges of 'anti-Semitism' are just a smokescreen in an attempt to malign a movie that has the audacity to portray Christ as not only as an historical figure, but as the Savior of mankind. The fact that Mel Gibson actually hopes to use his movie as a vehicle for evangelism only adds fuel to the fire. But is it ever surprising when the story of Christ - depicted in any medium - creates controversy?