Well I never read the bible (long story) and I am not Christian (even longer story) but I did understand the movie and thought it interesting to start the movie when it did. I tried to watch the movie from an objective point of view (my father had tried using it as a way to convert me to Christianity) I enjoyed it for what it was, a movie. It was very emotional, it was touching and regardless if it was true or not or if it was the correct interpretation of the bible or not, is not for me to say. All I know was that it was a movie that made me think and made me feel.
And the fact that the actor that played Jesus (I forget his name) learned Aramaic, was struck by lightning (while on the cross), dislocated his shoulder (when he was being crucified) and suffered a host of injuries from the elements as well as overzelous actors and stunt peoples all because he felt passionately about the project made me look at it on a religious and philosphical level. I'm still not Christian, but I have a new found understanding and respect for Christ.
I have lots of friends that are Jewish. Some saw many problems with this movie and some didn't. I know that there has been an outcry by a lot of Jewish people about this movie. I had a friend, who is Jewish tell me that he felt that the movie accurately portrayed Christ's last 12 hours, according to the bible. He enjoyed the movie and left it at that. That to argue that the movie was painting the Jews to be horrible people was to argue religion and that was not the point of the movie. The movie was to entertain an audience. Nothing more.
...and Mary Magdelane was hot.
