Jesus Christ: The central character in "The Passion" and indeed, all of human history. Everything about His life was miraculous, from his conception by the Holy Spirit in the womb of His mother Mary, who was a virgin, to His rising from the dead. Jesus came as Messiah to fulfill all the prophecies spoken of Him through the Jewish Scriptures. He is the Savior and Judge of the World and the only way to be restored to the true God. You can read about Him in the Holy Bible from Genesis to Revelation, but especially in the four gospels of the New Testament.

James and John: James and John were brothers, known as the "Sons of Thunder;" a nickname given to them by Jesus Himself. These two brothers, along with Peter, composed Jesus’ inner circle. They had the privilege of being with Jesus during many of His most profound experiences. In "The Passion," we find these three accompanying Jesus as He went deeper into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Though the Lord greatly desired their company and encouragement in this darkest trial of His life, they fell asleep as He prayed. John is most famous for being known as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" who leaned against His chest at the last supper. He also wrote several books of the New Testament, including the book of Revelation when he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. He was a pillar in the early church. His brother James is most famous for being one of the first martyrs of the early church, as he was "slain by the sword" under the orders of Herod Agrippa around AD 44 (Acts 12:2).

Peter: This apostle is most famous for walking on the water with Jesus, being given the "keys to the kingdom" and denying Christ three times on the night of His crucifixion. He was a great leader in the early church, but prior to becoming a disciple of Jesus, he was a fisherman on the sea of Galilee. Tradition teaches that he died a martyr’s death; crucified upside-down because he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same way as his Lord.

Judas Iscariot: Judas was the only one of the Twelve who was not from Galilee. He was from the area around Jerusalem. While following Jesus, he was the keeper of the money bag, from which he was known to steal (John 12:6). He is most famous for betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. After realizing what he had done under Satan’s influence, he hung himself and his body fell headlong and burst open (Matthew 27:3-10, Acts 1:18-19).

Mary, mother of Jesus: Mary was chosen by God to bring forth the Christ into the world. While betrothed to Joseph (while she was in her teens) she became pregnant with Jesus while she was still a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit as prophesied in scripture (Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:26-38). After she married her husband Joseph, they had other children together (Matthew 13:55-56, Mark 6:3, Galatians 1:19). Mary is called "blessed among women" for the honor of being the mother of Christ. We find Mary a "believer" and receiving the Holy Spirit along with the 120 in Acts Chapters 1& 2.

Mary Magdalene: Jesus cast seven demons out of Mary Magdalene and she was one of His most loyal followers (Luke 8:1-3). She shared from her wealth with Jesus and others who followed Him. When others fled from Jesus during the crucifixion, Mary was loyal to the end. She was among the first to see Him after He rose from the dead when she went to His tomb to embalm His body with spices (John 20:1-18).

Simon from Cyrene: Little is known about this man, except that he was ordered to carry the cross of Jesus for him (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26). He was probably a visitor to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, which was being celebrated as Jesus was crucified. That he is noted as the "father of Alexander and Rufus" may indicate that his sons were known as Christians in the early church.

Pontius Pilate and his wife: Pilate was the Roman governor over Israel in the time of Christ. He had the power to decide whether to release Jesus or sentence him to death. Pilate’s wife was a spiritual woman who was shown in a dream the greatness of Jesus Christ. She sent a note to her husband warning him to let Christ go, but he refused (Matthew 27:19). Though he found in Jesus nothing worthy of death, he gave into the demands of the crowd and washed his hands of the matter. He released a criminal, Barabbas, rather than a man who he knew was innocent. Thus, Jesus Christ was flogged and sentenced to die by crucifixion (Matthew 27, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23, John 18:28-John 19:16).

Annas and Caiphas: Annas and Caiphas were Jewish High priests in the time of Christ. Annas was the father in law of Caiphas, though of the two Caiphas appeared to have the greater power. It is Caiphas who prophesied that it would be better for one man to die for the people as he called for the death of Christ (Matthew 26:57-58, John 18:24). Both Annas and Caiphas presided over the trial of Jesus, and later they presided over the trials of Peter and John (Acts 4).

The Two Thieves: Their names are not recorded in the Bible, but their lives will forever be remembered as the two were crucified along with Jesus Christ, one on either side of him. At first, they both mocked him, but later one of them had a change of heart. God gave unto him the revelation that the Man who was being crucified next to him was none other than the Christ. He gathered his courage and asked the Lord to "remember him" when He came into His kingdom. And Jesus responded with the famous words, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:39-43).

Malchus: This man was servant to the High Priest (probably Caiphas) and was in the party that came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter, in an attempt to defend Jesus, cut off Malchus’ ear. Jesus chastised Peter, healed Malchus’ ear and submitted to the arrest (John 18:10, Luke 22:51).

Barabbas: This criminal was both a robber and murderer–the leader of an insurrection. He was arrested and condemned to die by crucifixion. Can you imagine his surprise when another was condemned to die in his place? Jesus, who committed no crime, was sentenced to die in the place of Barabbas, while he was released to go free (Matthew 27:16-26).

Joseph of Arimathaea: This wealthy Israelite was a member of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish governing body) and a secret follower of Jesus (Luke 23:51, John 19:38). After Jesus died, Joseph received a new boldness to make a public stand for the Lord. He got the body of Jesus from Pilate (normally the bodies of crucified men were cast out without a decent burial) and placed Him in his own unused tomb (Mark 15:43-44, Matthew 27:58-60).