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Behold... the Man!: The Pathway of His Passion
The truthful Man . . . falsely accused. The innocent Man . . . illegally tried and wrongly convicted. The gentle Man . . . who suffered punishment few could imagine, much less endure. The murdered Man . . . who forgave His own merciless killers. The divine Man . . . who died as a common criminal. The willing Man . . . who gave His life for others. The ordinary Man . . . who was, in fact, the extraordinary Son of God. The pathway Jesus took to the cross of Calvary is commonly called "the Passion." This sorrowful path weaved through soul-wrenching prayers and illicit deals made in shadowy darkness. It descended into corrupted courts bereft of justice and circled by prejudiced rulers stripped of power. On this pathway of His passion, Jesus paused for a torturous scourging and plodded on doggedly to a horrific death on a hillside called the Skull. But why? In this incredible, historically accurate account, you will come face to face with Jesus-the Man of Sorrows. If you're honest, you'll find the amazing answer to why . . . and you'll change. When you stop long enough to look, to think, to imagine, and to truly Behold the Man , you'll never be the same again. Chuck Swindoll leads us through a detailed examination of the events surrounding Jesus as he follows the winding pathway of his passion to the cross. This story-based investigation of the last week of Jesus's life-from the Last Supper to his death-focuses on "Why?" And in his Epilogue to this powerful, insightful book, Swindoll clearly explains to the unchurched and non-Christian reader why Jesus was willing to walk this sacrificial path to die-he did it for them. Releasing simultaneously with Mel Gibson's stirring movie The Passion of The Christ, Swindoll's book provides Christians an excellent evangelistic follow-up tool to give to their unchurched or non-Christian friends and families who see the film. As Chuck said after a private viewing of the movie, "You'll never be the same again." And Behold . . . the Man will help ensure that fact.
128 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2004
22 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Charles R. Swindoll
968 books844 followersCharles Swindoll has devoted over four decades to two passions: an unwavering commitment to the practical communication and application of God's Word, and an untiring devotion to seeing lives transformed by God's grace. Chuck graduated magna cum laude from Dallas Theological Seminary and has since been honored with four doctorates. For his teaching on Insight for Living, he has received the Program of the Year award and the Hall of Fame award from the National Religious Broadcasters as well as multiple book awards.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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March 24, 2016Though I've heard and read the story of the Jesus' death many times over the course of many years, it's amazing how much there is still left to learn.
Swindoll hits many lesser known backgrounds and details of Jesus' final day leading up to the crucifixion. He bases most on the four gospels with some historical accounts.
The book begins with the Last Supper and ends at the cross. A short Epilogue addresses the question of why it all happened. The whole book is fairly concise at only 108 pages.
Especially helpful were the included charts in chapter four on the chronology of events and on Jesus' six trials. Most fascinating was chapter five: "The Man Who Missed His Cross" (focusing on the released Barabbas).
My only criticism is merely a personal one. I've never been the biggest fan of Swindoll's writing style--it feels slightly dated. Still, the book is very readable and the content makes it a valuable piece.
Worth the read. You will never view the cross the same again.
Swindoll hits many lesser known backgrounds and details of Jesus' final day leading up to the crucifixion. He bases most on the four gospels with some historical accounts.
The book begins with the Last Supper and ends at the cross. A short Epilogue addresses the question of why it all happened. The whole book is fairly concise at only 108 pages.
Especially helpful were the included charts in chapter four on the chronology of events and on Jesus' six trials. Most fascinating was chapter five: "The Man Who Missed His Cross" (focusing on the released Barabbas).
My only criticism is merely a personal one. I've never been the biggest fan of Swindoll's writing style--it feels slightly dated. Still, the book is very readable and the content makes it a valuable piece.
Worth the read. You will never view the cross the same again.
August 5, 2015
Le dio a este libro entre 3 y 4 estrellas.
De los libros que he leído sobre la pasión de Jesús (no muchos), este es una buena opción, ya que el libro es pequeño y rápido en lectura, pero bastante conciso y detallado donde debe de serlo. El autor trabaja bastante bien en presentarnos la REALIDAD de lo que fue la pasión de Jesús, separar la verdad de la ficción (que ha sido estimulada por el arte, la imaginaría colectiva y las películas de Jesús).
El acercamiento es bastante bueno, la lectura amable, agradable y muy equilibrada entre contenido y detalle, pero sin caer en lo pesado.
Tuviera una mejor calificación de mi parte porque, existe mucho énfasis en el sufrimiento físico y la descripción de la crucifixión, pero menos énfasis en lo más importante, que fue el sufrimiento por el castigo del Padre Celestial que obtiene realmente nuestra salvación. Aunque cierra en el epílogo con una pregunta muy valida (¿Porqué lo hizo?) y creo que cierra bien, la invitación a la oración del pecador le quita brillo a un buen libro.
De los libros que he leído sobre la pasión de Jesús (no muchos), este es una buena opción, ya que el libro es pequeño y rápido en lectura, pero bastante conciso y detallado donde debe de serlo. El autor trabaja bastante bien en presentarnos la REALIDAD de lo que fue la pasión de Jesús, separar la verdad de la ficción (que ha sido estimulada por el arte, la imaginaría colectiva y las películas de Jesús).
El acercamiento es bastante bueno, la lectura amable, agradable y muy equilibrada entre contenido y detalle, pero sin caer en lo pesado.
Tuviera una mejor calificación de mi parte porque, existe mucho énfasis en el sufrimiento físico y la descripción de la crucifixión, pero menos énfasis en lo más importante, que fue el sufrimiento por el castigo del Padre Celestial que obtiene realmente nuestra salvación. Aunque cierra en el epílogo con una pregunta muy valida (¿Porqué lo hizo?) y creo que cierra bien, la invitación a la oración del pecador le quita brillo a un buen libro.
August 9, 2008
William Barclay offers unexpected insight regarding Jesus's mention of the cock crowing.
It may well be that the cock-crow was not the voice of a bird; and from the begining it was not to mean that. After all, the house of the High Priest was right in the centre of Jerusalem. And there was not likely to be poultry in the centre of the city. There was, infact, a regulation in the Jewish law that it was illegal to keep cocks and hens in the Holy City because they defiled holy things. But the hour of 3 a.m. was called cock-crow, and for this reason. At that hour the Roman guard was changed in the Castle of Antonia; and the sign of the changing of the guard was
a trumpet call. The Latin for the trumpet call was gallicinium, which means cock-crow. It is at least possible that just as Peter made his third denial the trumpet from the castle battlements rang out over the sleeping city . . . and Peter remembered; and thereupon he went and wept his heart out.
It may well be that the cock-crow was not the voice of a bird; and from the begining it was not to mean that. After all, the house of the High Priest was right in the centre of Jerusalem. And there was not likely to be poultry in the centre of the city. There was, infact, a regulation in the Jewish law that it was illegal to keep cocks and hens in the Holy City because they defiled holy things. But the hour of 3 a.m. was called cock-crow, and for this reason. At that hour the Roman guard was changed in the Castle of Antonia; and the sign of the changing of the guard was
a trumpet call. The Latin for the trumpet call was gallicinium, which means cock-crow. It is at least possible that just as Peter made his third denial the trumpet from the castle battlements rang out over the sleeping city . . . and Peter remembered; and thereupon he went and wept his heart out.
February 20, 2017
Excellent insight into the final hours of Christ's life, judgement, torture, and execution via crucifixion. I have been studying the crucifixion as of late, in order to truly understand the agony suffered by those who undergo such a terrible death. Swindoll's Behold...the Man! is an excellent resource, and one I will keep for future reference as he offers several very good historical and cultural insights, as well as his own subjective, yet interesting, interpretation of some events. While they are of Swindoll's speculation, they provide interesting material for meditation.
The final chapter of the book is tacked on, though I can understand why they have it there. All in all, a good, quick, read for those who wish to delve into Christ's final hours a bit more than the Gospels.
The final chapter of the book is tacked on, though I can understand why they have it there. All in all, a good, quick, read for those who wish to delve into Christ's final hours a bit more than the Gospels.
March 23, 2015
This book is short, but chock full of information that you may or may not know about the Passion of Jesus Christ. There's a chapter with information regarding Barabbas that I didn't know. All in all, an excellent book to prepare you for Easter.
April 2, 2018
Excellent book to read at Easter. It explains all the interesting details surrounding the last supper, the garden of gethsemane, Jesus's arrest, trials, and crucifixion. I have read it a dozen times and will continue to read it annually.
July 10, 2012
Another outstanding book by Swindoll. A piercing view of Jesus as a man,who endured unimaginable pain and suffering for mankind.
July 8, 2014
A great book that really makes you think of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross & the agony he felt.
April 4, 2025
FOREVER GRATEFUL TO GOD THROUGH MESSAH
60 years ago my wonderful Savior set beside me as I cried out in desperation, filthy in my sin, Jesus showed me the way out! He transformed my life and I’ve never be the same. I’m so very thankful for His sacrifice for each of us who say “Yes” I’ll live in You Jesus Christ for the rest of my life. This book “Behold the Man” brought the reality back to me full force. Jesus suffered all this for my salvation, for your salvation. So we can live in Him now and in eternity praising Him.
60 years ago my wonderful Savior set beside me as I cried out in desperation, filthy in my sin, Jesus showed me the way out! He transformed my life and I’ve never be the same. I’m so very thankful for His sacrifice for each of us who say “Yes” I’ll live in You Jesus Christ for the rest of my life. This book “Behold the Man” brought the reality back to me full force. Jesus suffered all this for my salvation, for your salvation. So we can live in Him now and in eternity praising Him.
May 29, 2025
Excellent explanation of Christ’s Passion
There are few books by Swindoll that I haven’t completely enjoyed. He is such a knowledgeable teacher of the original language and context of scripture. I really appreciated his telling of the Passion.
There are few books by Swindoll that I haven’t completely enjoyed. He is such a knowledgeable teacher of the original language and context of scripture. I really appreciated his telling of the Passion.
May 1, 2017
I had read this before, shortly after it came out.
It was nice to return to in preparation for Good Friday services this year.
I have always loved how Swindoll brings light and deeper insight to a scriptural text. The full balance of the human suffering of the Son of God for our good and His glory was once again a rich place for my soul to land during this season.
It was nice to return to in preparation for Good Friday services this year.
I have always loved how Swindoll brings light and deeper insight to a scriptural text. The full balance of the human suffering of the Son of God for our good and His glory was once again a rich place for my soul to land during this season.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews