Trivia: Maia Morgenstern plays Jim Caviezel's mother in the movie, even though in real life she's only six years older than him.
Trivia: There is a lot of debate about where the nails went during crucifixion, through the palms or the wrists. In the film, director Mel Gibson chose the palms. The Shroud of Turin has the nails through the wrists and skeletal remains of other people crucified (mentioned in books about the Shroud) had the nail through the wrist also.
Trivia: The hand holding the nail as it is being driven into Christ's hand is none other then director Mel Gibson's.
Trivia: As of September 5, 2004, the film has become the highest-grossing independent (not owned by a major Hollywood studio) film of all time, surpassing "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (2003).
Trivia: James Caviezel spent between four to eight hours in the makeup chair each shooting day transforming into his role as Jesus.
Trivia: Aside from being struck by lightning and a scourge, accidentally, Jim Caveziel also suffered from hypothermia during the filming of the crucifixion.
Trivia: There is a 15 cert cut of this movie with parts of the flogging and crucifixion scenes removed to make it slightly more palatable.
Answer: Hebrew would have been the main language for Jewish residents, especially in religious teachings. However, Aramaic was a common language in Judea and it's believed that Jesus and his disciples spoke Aramaic. The land of Israel also had heavy Greek influences, and the Romans spoke Latin and Greek. The New Testament says the title Pilate wrote to put on the cross was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
Bishop73