MovieChat Forums > Jesus of Nazareth (1977) Discussion > The characters who aren't in the Gospels...

The characters who aren't in the Gospels.

posted 14 years ago by Mithrandir-Olorin888
9 replies | jump to latest

Wikipedia says

The film introduces a number of “fictional” (non-biblical) characters. Of these, Ian Holm's Sarah has the most screen time. (Zerah is used primarily to supply Judas Iscariot with a motive for his treachery: he persuades him that an appearance before the Sanhedrin will offer Jesus an opportunity to prove himself.) Other invented characters include Quintillius, Yehuda, and Amos.

My confusion here is I remember vaguely watching some people talking during a commercial break as this aired on the History Channel years ago implying that one of these, I think probably Zerah was someone known from other history just not the Gospels.

I wouldn't surprised if the History channel was just spewing bullcrap, but it's a memory that's been confusing me for awhile as one who wants to study as much about this time period as I can.

Of course all of those sound like fairly common names from the era, Josephus and the Talmud probably mention a number of people one could try to Identify as such characters if they wanted.

P.S. I had no Idea way back then that this mysterious character causing me such confusion was played by Bilbo Baggins.

When the chips are down... these "Civilized" people... will Eat each Other

[–] Mithrandir-Olorin888 14 years ago

BVMP

When the chips are down... these "Civilized" people... will Eat each Other

[–] life4all 14 years ago

This is not a fiction of the History channel. During an interview, Franco Zeffirelli indicated that this production was based largely on the Book of John (the only Gospel writer to report the resurrection of Lazarus). As you scan the Internet searching for a Jesus-era Zerah, you will continuously find him (Zerah) referred to as a fictional character found only in this particular miniseries. Zerah was more or less a composite Pharisee. He is a screenplay writer's device to help move the story along by succinctly stating the adversary position Jesus confronts. Ian Holm portrays him almost as masterfully as Powell portrays Jesus. Even Caiaphas has little screen time in the miniseries.

You have your work cut out for you trying to find a specific antagonist in the New Testament books (specifically, the four Gospel accounts) or anywhere else that fits the bill for Zerah.

Good luck.

[–] Mithrandir-Olorin888 13 years ago

Yes I could tell that much.

[–] Mithrandir-Olorin888 13 years ago

From the recent studying I've done, I'd have had the Zerah role played by Shammi. The Crucifixion is usually dated to 33 AD after he was Dead, but I date it to Passover 30 AD when he'd still have been alive.

Contrary to what people assume, Yeshua didn't oppose all Pharasies, technically he was one, it's he Uber-Strict Shammi branch that was in opposition to Yeshua, Hillel's followers would have agreed with allot of Yehsua's teaching actually, but they weren't in power during his Ministry.

The Preists, Annas and Ciaphas would have been Sadduces, who weren't fond of Yeshua either.

[–] hbenthow 13 years ago

It wasn't just that many of the Pharisees were two strict that he disliked. There were some things not that many of them were just plain "wrong" about that weren't really aobut strictness..

Courage, men! We've not sunk before, and we'll not sink now!

[–] Mithrandir-Olorin888 13 years ago

It's a big part, what Yeshua says about them is basically what I'd say about the Westbro Baptist Church.

[–] Clusium 14 years ago

"Zerah is used primarily to supply Judas Iscariot with a motive for his treachery: he persuades him than an appearance before the Sanhedrin will offer Jesus an opportunity to prove himself."

Yes, although I have always loved this series(it is one of my favourite movies about Jesus, alongside the Passion of the Christ), I have always felt that Zefferelli was a little too soft on Judas Iscariot & portrayed him as being naive in what he was doing when he betrayed Our Lord. St. John clearly spelled out Iscariot's motives for betraying the Christ: For money, pure & simple. Judas would steal from their money bags, & it got to the point where he became too greedy for it, & decided to get rid of Christ once & for all, so that he could have it.

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[–] gray187-1 13 years ago

I saw that on the History Channel too about ten years ago and I think your just remembering it wrong like we all do sometimes. The author of the book "Jesus At The Movies" who was a part of that discussion said Zerah was a character you won't find in your Bible, I believe.

If I'm wrong about that, I can tell you that in the book "Franco Zeffirelli's Jesus: A Spiritual Diary" Zeffirelli says that Zerah was a fictional character that he and the other writers came up with to have Judas betray Jesus to.

I hope that helped.

[–] Mithrandir-Olorin888 13 years ago

I see, I just took only saying "Bibles" as meaning you could find him elsewhere, and my Memory manipulated me form there. He should have added "Or any other historical sources".