Directed by
Cyrus Nowrasteh
Made by
Focus Features
Discover the intricate plot of The Young Messiah (2016). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In the bright, sun-drenched streets of Alexandria, seven-year-old Jesus (Adam Greaves-Neal) plays joyfully with his cousins. Trouble arises when Eliezer, a cruel bully, attacks Jesus and his female cousin. Just then, Satan steps in, enticing Eliezer with an apple that leads to a tragic end for him. In the chaos that follows, the local crowd turns on Jesus, but his mother, Mary (Sara Lazzaro), shows up just in time to save her son from the angry mob. Seeking refuge, Jesus and his cousins hide in their home where they implore him to replicate his earlier miracle of reviving a dead bird.
With great stealth, Jesus ventures into Eliezer’s house, where a grim burial is being prepared. Defying the natural order, he brings Eliezer back to life, only for the resurrected bully to immediately return to his malicious ways. Eliezer’s parents, outraged, demand that Joseph (Sean Bean), Mary, and Jesus vacate Alexandria, claiming that their time there has reached its limit.
A divine dream prompts Joseph to lead his family back to Israel following Herod’s death, although Mary expresses her desire to pick Nazareth over Bethlehem as their destination, and thus they set off together.
Their journey becomes perilous when Jesus’s uncle Cleopas becomes gravely ill, his cough worsening with each step. Despite Jesus’s inner conflict about healing him, he ultimately cannot ignore the man’s desperate cries. Along the way, they stumble upon a group of rebels waiting to ambush Roman cavalry. A valiant rebel sacrifices himself to protect Jesus, while another Centurion intervenes, shielding him from a Roman soldier’s aggression.
Upon rejoining his family, Jesus discovers Cleopas in a delirious state by the banks of the Jordan River. Unable to resist the man’s heartfelt pleas, Jesus assures him of his miraculous powers. As word spreads of Jesus’s abilities, it reaches the ears of the new Jewish King who dispatches a Centurion to stop the boy’s so-called “witchcraft.”
In their approach to Nazareth, Jesus and his family witness a woman brutally defending herself and killing her attacker. Joseph and Cleopas ensure that the body receives a proper burial, and the woman, having survived her harrowing experience, joins their journey.
As they near Nazareth, they witness the brutal crucifixion of Jewish rebels at the hands of the Roman Empire. Upon arrival, they find themselves accused of banditry, but Sarah (no specific actress credited), Joseph’s wife, manages to appease the Roman soldiers with her kind hospitality, offering them sweet cakes and fine wine. In the meantime, the Centurion reports back to Herod, interrupting a belly dancing show with news of having executed a man who claimed that Jesus would return bearing a gift camel.
As Jesus is taken to the Temple for his education, he effortlessly impresses the rabbis with his immense wisdom and knowledge. However, this takes a toll on him, leading to exhaustion on his way back home. In his weakened state, Satan seizes the moment to mock Jesus, chastising him with the assertion that his modest miracles may ultimately leads to nothing.
Once he has regained his strength, Jesus seeks his parents’ permission to attend Passover celebrations in Jerusalem. His parents, however, must hunt him down after he mysteriously vanishes from Sarah’s home. Meanwhile, the Centurions track Jesus with leads obtained from a group of traveling pilgrims.
Determined to find guidance, Jesus decides to make his way to Jerusalem alone under the cover of night. Upon entering the city, he is greeted by pilgrims who generously offer him coins, which he uses to release a sacrificial dove. His path soon crosses with that of a blind rabbi, prompting Jesus to inquire about a significant incident that occurred in Bethlehem seven years ago.
Unbeknownst to him, Satan discreetly directs the Centurions to his location using the rabbi. However, the rabbi receives immediate healing from Jesus’s miraculous touch. As word spreads of this miracle, Centurion Severus confronts Jesus and his group in the temple, but he is swayed from taking any aggressive actions by the crowd that passionately identifies Jesus as the healer.
Severus, desperate to maintain his authority, concocts a story to inform Herod that Jesus has been brutally murdered at his command. Back in Nazareth, Mary enlightens Jesus with the answers he had long sought, and with a new sense of clarity, he rushes back to his family.
Track the key events of The Young Messiah (2016) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Jesus Plays with His Cousins
In the sun-drenched streets of Alexandria, seven-year-old Jesus enjoys a carefree day playing with his cousins. The atmosphere is joyful, filled with laughter and youthful energy as the children engage in their games.
Encounter with Eliezer
Trouble arises when Eliezer, a cruel bully, attacks Jesus and one of his female cousins. This confrontation escalates, leading to chaos in the street and drawing the attention of the local crowd.
Satan's Intervention
Just as the situation gets tense, Satan appears and lures Eliezer with an apple, symbolizing temptation. This encounter results in a tragic fate for Eliezer, shocking the crowd and escalating the conflict.
Mary Saves Jesus
As the mob turns its anger towards Jesus, his mother, Mary, intervenes just in time. She boldly confronts the crowd, ensuring her son's safety and leading him away from the chaos to find refuge.
Reviving the Dead Bird
In the safety of their home, Jesus’ cousins urge him to perform another miracle to replicate an earlier incident where he revived a dead bird. This moment fosters a sense of expectation and belief in Jesus's abilities.
Bringing Eliezer Back to Life
In a daring move, Jesus sneaks into Eliezer's house to perform the impossible—bringing the bully back to life. Although initially joyful, Eliezer quickly resumes his malevolent behavior, much to the dismay of his parents.
The Family is Exiled
Eliezer's parents, enraged by Jesus's actions, demand that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus leave Alexandria. This dramatic turn of events forces the family to abandon their home and seek a new beginning elsewhere.
Journey to Israel
After Joseph receives a divine dream, the family sets off for Israel following the death of King Herod. Mary expresses her preference for Nazareth over Bethlehem, and they begin their journey together.
Uncle Cleopas Falls Ill
During their journey, Uncle Cleopas becomes seriously ill, his condition worsening as they travel. Jesus grapples with the decision to heal him, torn between following his inner voice and the desperate pleas of his uncle.
Encounter with Rebels
The family comes across a band of rebels poised to ambush Roman cavalry. A rebellious act occurs as one rebel sacrifices himself while another Centurion intervenes, highlighting the tensions between the Romans and the people.
Healing by the Jordan River
Upon reaching the banks of the Jordan River, Jesus finds Cleopas in a delirious state. Compelled by empathy and his miraculous powers, Jesus heals his uncle, causing whispers of his abilities to spread among those nearby.
Accusation of Witchcraft
As news of Jesus's miracles spreads, the new Jewish King grows concerned and sends a Centurion to investigate. This marks the beginning of Jesus being perceived as a threat due to his extraordinary abilities.
Witnessing Violence
As the family approaches Nazareth, they witness a woman fighting off an attacker, ultimately killing him. This violent scene serves as a grim reminder of the lawless world they inhabit and solidifies their resolve to stick together.
Arrival in Nazareth
Upon reaching Nazareth, the family faces accusations of banditry from the local Roman soldiers. However, Sarah's hospitality manages to appease the soldiers, showcasing the tension between the families and their Roman oppressors.
Jesus at the Temple
Jesus is taken to the Temple for his education, where he impresses the rabbis with his profound knowledge and wisdom. This impressive display, however, also leads him to feel physically drained, foreshadowing the challenges he will face ahead.
Meet the characters that bring The Young Messiah (2016) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Jesus
A seven-year-old boy with extraordinary gifts, Jesus exhibits profound wisdom and miraculous powers that mystify those around him. His character is marked by innocence, curiosity, and an inner struggle to understand his purpose in a world filled with conflict. He faces both adoration and hostility as he navigates his early life milestones.
Mary
Mary is depicted as a devoted and protective mother, exhibiting strength and compassion as she navigates the challenges of raising Jesus in a tumultuous era. Her unwavering support for Jesus is paramount, showing her deep love and dedication as she rescues him from danger. Mary embodies the virtues of nurturing and resilience.
Joseph
Joseph appears as a caring father and a figure of authority within the family. He is depicted as wise and adaptive, willing to heed divine guidance to ensure the safety and well-being of his family. His journey as a protector highlights the significance of faith in family leadership during perilous times.
Eliezer
Eliezer is portrayed as a cruel bully whose actions lead to tragic consequences. His character symbolizes the darker sides of human nature and the challenges Jesus faces. Despite being revived by Jesus, Eliezer’s return to malice underscores a recurring theme of moral choice and the impacts of influence on character.
Cleopas
Cleopas serves as a crucial supporting character who, although sick, seeks assistance from Jesus, showcasing the desperation people feel during crises. His interactions with Jesus highlight the bond of uncle and nephew while emphasizing the theme of healing and miraculous intervention.
Uncover the settings of The Young Messiah (2016), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
Late 1st Century BC
Set in the Late 1st Century BC, this period was marked by political instability and the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire. It was a time of social turmoil, where both the Jewish community and rebels faced challenges to their beliefs and existence. The emerging stories of figureheads and miracles began to shape the religious landscape of the future.
Location
Alexandria, Israel, Nazareth, Bethlehem
The story unfolds in the vibrant, sun-soaked streets of Alexandria, known for its rich cultural heritage and significance as a center of learning in ancient times. As the characters journey to Israel, they traverse various places, including the humble town of Nazareth and the historical significance of Bethlehem, a key location in the nativity story. Each place holds its own stories of hope, struggle, and resilience.
Explore the core themes of The Young Messiah (2016). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Miracles
The theme of miracles is central to the narrative, beginning with Jesus's youthful acts of wonder as he revives a dead bird and later a boy. These miracles serve as both a testament to his divine nature and a source of conflict as they attract attention from those in power. The miraculous acts challenge the characters' understanding of faith and the natural order.
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Conflict
Conflict is portrayed through both interpersonal struggles, such as the antagonism faced by Jesus from Eliezer, and the broader socio-political strife during Roman rule. The brutal treatment of rebels and the presence of Centurions reflect the harsh realities of the time. This conflict drives Jesus and his family on their journey, challenging their beliefs and resolve.
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Family
Family plays a vital role in the plot, showcasing the bond between Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and his cousins. Their journey is filled with trials that test their unity and love for one another, particularly in moments of danger and loss. The supportive presence of family provides solace and strength amidst adversity.
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