The Passover Plot

The Passover Plot is a 1965 book by British biblical scholar Hugh J. Schonfield, who also published a translation of the New Testament from a Jewish perspective.

Based on his research into the social and religious culture in which Jesus was born, lived and died, and into other literature, including the source documents of the Gospels, Schonfield reached the following conclusions: The culmination of his plan was to be his death (the crucifixion), his resurrection and his reign as the true kingly and priestly messiah, not in heaven but on earth—the realized king of the Jews.

Among other things, that he would not be on the cross for more than a few hours before the Sabbath arrived, when it was required by law that crucified Jews be taken down; that one of his supporters, who was on hand, would give him water (to quench his thirst) that was actually laced with a drug to make him unconscious; and that Joseph of Arimathea, a well-connected supporter, would collect him off the cross while still alive (but appearing dead) so that he could be secretly nursed back to health.

The film stars Zalman King as Yeshua (Jesus), and the cast includes Harry Andrews, Dan Hedaya, and Donald Pleasence.

Schonfield also featured in the dramatised documentary television series, Jesus: The Evidence (1984: LWT for Channel 4).