JESUS
Worth watching: faithful, sincere, and muddled by extras.
Should You Watch It?
JESUS is a sincere attempt to lift up Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Way, the Truth and the Life. Its miracles are presented as unique and definitive, and its passion, death, and Resurrection are treated as real events rather than symbols or memories.
The production's main weakness is that it adds extra-biblical material and a contemporary slant. Making Jesus more playful, youthful, and down to earth slightly diminishes the tension of His being fully God as well as fully human. The story also wanders, and some details may aggravate viewers who know the Gospel accounts well.
For a family-friendly drama about Jesus, it is worth watching, especially if you can discuss its additions and glitches alongside the biblical text.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESThis television drama tells the story of Jesus, presenting His ministry, miracles, teachings, suffering, and death. It portrays Him as the Messiah and Son of God while giving the Gospel story a contemporary dramatic treatment.
The production also adds material beyond the biblical accounts, shaping Jesus as more playful, youthful, and down to earth. Its central aim remains clear: to present Jesus Christ and the truth of His saving work.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a worthwhile but uneven production. The intention is strong, and the story ultimately reaches orthodox Christian truth. The miracles are definitive, the Resurrection is presented as completely real, and the production clearly wants to honor Jesus.
The dramatization does not always find a steady line through the Gospel story. Extra-biblical scenes and dialogue diminish some of the story's power, while conflicting Scottish, American, and other regional accents can distract from the drama. One line about Jesus being present in His followers' memories also weakens the beauty and reality of the Resurrection scene.
The Worldview
JESUS presents an orthodox Christian worldview in its central claims. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and fully divine as well as fully human. His miracles are unique, pronounced, and definitive. His passion reflects His divinity, and His death culminates in a real Resurrection.
The production complicates that portrait with extra-biblical details. It includes a contemporary Satan, flash-forwards, a strange combination of sectarian doctrine, and a baptism in which Jesus is sprinkled rather than immersed. Its childlike portrait of Jesus may confuse the truth that He was fully God and fully man. The story also leans toward antinomianism, according to the source review.
Even so, the production's purpose is plainly to lift up Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Its additions do not erase the central confession, but they make the Gospel story less clear than it could have been. Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Christian worldview with some extra biblical details that diminish the story including a contemporary Satan & some flash forwards as well as a strange combination of sectarian doctrine such as Jesus being sprinkled in his baptism by John instead of immersed, a leaning toward antinomianism & an overall childlike portrait of Jesus which may confuse the fact that he was fully God & fully man, although the Resurrection is clear & the miracles are definitive.
Talk About It
Four questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
What does this production present as the clearest truth about Jesus, and how does that compare with what the Gospels say about Him?
John 1:1, 14 · John 14:6Why does it matter that Jesus is fully God and fully human?
Philippians 2:5–8 · Hebrews 4:15How should we respond when a dramatization adds details that are not in the Bible?
2 Timothy 3:16–17 · Acts 17:11What does the reality of the Resurrection mean for Christian faith?
1 Corinthians 15:3–4, 17–20The Final Word
JESUS is a sincere, family-friendly production that clearly proclaims Christ, even though extra-biblical material and uneven choices weaken its dramatic clarity. Watch it with an open Bible and a discerning eye. Our answer is WORTH WATCHING.
