Netflix has reversed its controversial removal of Isaiah 53:5 from Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ after intense backlash from Christian viewers who accused the platform of religious censorship.
At a Glance
- Netflix initially removed Isaiah 53:5 from The Passion of the Christ
- Viewers launched a national protest accusing the company of anti-Christian bias
- The verse, key to Christian theology, was replaced by a blank screen
- Netflix restored the text by Good Friday following public pressure
Controversial Removal Sparks Outrage
The controversy began when viewers noticed the Netflix version of Mel Gibson’s 2004 film opened not with scripture but with 13 seconds of blank screen. Missing was Isaiah 53:5, a verse widely considered a prophetic cornerstone of Christian theology: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities… and by His wounds we are healed.” As reported by LifeSiteNews, Catholic viewers first flagged the omission online on April 14, sparking a viral protest across Christian media circles.
Faith leaders and influencers quickly mobilized. Conservative commentator Benny Johnson declared on social media, “You can’t silence the Truth. Christ is King.” Petitions circulated, hashtags trended, and thousands of subscribers threatened to cancel their Netflix accounts unless the verse was restored.
Theological Importance of Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53 holds deep meaning in Christian theology as a prophetic vision of the Messiah’s suffering. The omitted verse underpins the spiritual framework of the entire film, which graphically depicts Christ’s final hours. As Gospel Herald notes, the passage is often called “the forbidden chapter” by Jewish scholars due to its perceived parallels to Jesus’ crucifixion.
John-Henry Westen, Editor-in-Chief of LifeSiteNews, explained: “You hear this passage, you know it’s talking about Jesus. Whether you believe he’s the Messiah or not. That’s why it was so powerful for Mel Gibson to open the film with it.”
Watch video coverage at Netflix restores Isaiah quote to The Passion of the Christ after backlash.
Netflix Reverses Course
By April 17, with pressure mounting and Good Friday approaching, Netflix quietly restored the verse to the film’s opening. According to LifeSiteNews, some viewers had already noticed the reappearance of Isaiah 53 in their streams by the morning of April 18. Netflix did not issue a formal statement regarding either the removal or the restoration.
This ambiguity led to speculation that the initial omission may have been a regional test or technical decision rather than an explicit act of censorship. Regardless of the motive, the timing of the reversal—just ahead of one of Christianity’s holiest days—was seen as a strategic move to mitigate backlash.
A Win for Faith Audiences
The reversal represents a rare and highly visible victory for religious viewers advocating for the preservation of faith-based content. While the original version of The Passion of the Christ is nearly two decades old, it remains a deeply influential film in Christian communities, especially during Holy Week.
“He was wounded for our transgressions… and by His wounds we are healed.” The restoration of this verse was not just a correction of text—it was, for many, a reaffirmation of religious integrity and cultural respect in modern media.
