Netflix has come under fire from Christian audiences after viewers noticed that a significant Bible verse—Isaiah 53:5—appears to be missing from the opening scene of The Passion of the Christ on the platform.

The film, originally released in 2004 and directed by Mel Gibson, opens with the prophetic verse: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” However, according to multiple social media users, the Netflix version begins with 13 seconds of black screen instead of the scripture.

According to CP, it is unclear whether the omission is specific to Netflix’s platform or varies based on geographic location or account settings. The Christian Post reached out to Netflix for clarification, but the company did not respond to the inquiry at the time of reporting.

Interestingly, one CP reporter confirmed that the verse did appear on their personal Netflix account, adding another layer of ambiguity to the situation.

Isaiah 53 is often described as one of the most Christ-centered passages in the Hebrew Scriptures, widely cited in Christian theology for its depiction of the suffering servant. As CP notes, some Jewish scholars have referred to the chapter as “the forbidden chapter” due to its omission in traditional synagogue readings. Eitan Bar, a Jewish-Israeli scholar quoted by CP, pointed out that the chapter’s resemblance to the New Testament portrayal of Jesus has historically made it a controversial text.

The possible removal—or inconsistency—of this verse from a film so deeply rooted in biblical narrative has raised concerns among faith communities. While no official statement has been made by Netflix or the filmmakers, the issue continues to prompt discussion about how sacred texts are presented—or omitted—in modern media platforms.

For the original report, visit Christian Post.