Our Bible Museum explores the history of the English Bible as well as a history of the Bible in general.

​Great Bible (1539): “For God so loued the worlde, that he gaue his only begotten sonne, that whosoeuer  beleueth in him, shulde not perisshe, but haue euerlasting lyfe.”
Tyndale (1534): “For God so loveth the worlde, that he hath geven his only sonne, that none that beleve in him, shuld perisshe: but shuld have everlastinge lyfe.”
Wycliff (1380): “for god loued so the world; that he gaf his oon bigetun sone, that eche man that bileueth in him perisch not: but haue euerlastynge liif.”
Anglo-Saxon Proto-English Manuscripts (955 AD): “God lufode middan eard swa,dat he seade his an-cennedan sunu, dat nan ne  forweorde de on hine gely achabbe dat ece lif.”
 
Consider the following textual comparison of the earliest English translations of John 3:16, as shown in the English Hexapla Parallel New Testament:
1st Ed. King James (1611): “For God so loued the world, that he gaue his only begotten Sonne: that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life.”
Rheims (1582): “For so God loued the vvorld, that he gaue his only-begotten sonne: that euery one that beleeueth in him, perish not, but may haue life euerlasting.”
Geneva (1560): “For God so loueth the world, that he hath geuen his only begotten Sonne: that
none that beleue in him should peryshe, but haue euerlasting lyfe.” 

Here are some notes and observations on costumes:
1. We need more variety especially in the neck area of the costume that allow for very small grommets, rope, and leather stitches (as is pictures in the chosen pictures).
2. Reducing the intensity of the colors will be helpful in making the Play appear more modern. Currently, many of our costume colors really "pop." Reducing the saturation of some of the colors will be helpful.
3. Making a variety of sizes will also be super helpful.
4. Unlike the Chosen (and more like the Passion of the Christ), garments need to reach the ankle. Sleeves need to at least pass the elbow/midway between elbow and wrist. Most should go to the wrist.
5. Notice that each disciple and person has a different "featured" color, but they all remain within a similar family of color hues.

Men: Simple inner garments, varying lengths with 4-5 different muted color choices. 3-4 outer shape options with  options for belts, satchel, or some other accessories such as walking sticks or a burlap sack that looks dense. These can be picked up on set from market and from cart.

​Women: Longer flowing inner garments with 3-4 pretty color choices (pastels and muted lavender). Outer garments with small accents like string and bead ties at the sleeves and bottom seams. Accessories for women being water pots, flowers, wool/pretty fabrics that they can pick up from market or fabric salesmen by East Gate.

The three pictures with muted colors are from the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany from 2022. Their approach is very muted in colors and mostly devoid of bright.

Notes on the costumes made:
Great work on the one on the left. The only thing you might change is the amount of material in the arms.  The one on the right might be a little too big. I think we need a greater variety of sizes. Rather than approaching from a one-size fits all approach like we have in the past. We need more of small, mediums, large, and extra large. Previously, we have just roped up costumes so they could fit someone, but we need to take a slightly more tailored approach.

I think the commercial patterns will run large. The ones that Judy made from the Chosen basis are much better. We want all costumes to go down to a person's ankles. Notice too that in the Chosen picture that not everything is tailored. The bottom edge is sometimes left unraveled.

We have several mission trip groups with seamstresses with them! We are working to update and rejuvenate our costuming. 

Play all the video to see their work!

The First Christian Church from Stilwell, Oklahoma was here this past week to volunteer at the Great Passion Play. “We bring as many 6th graders and up as we can,” says Rick Eubanks. The group of 13 consisted of 3 adults, 3 college & career and 6 youth. Some of the past projects were, a greatly needed dorm room above the Eastern Gate, building the stone retaining wall on the set, the tearing down and rebuilding of a new fishing shack by the Sea of Galilee, and weeding and watering by the front entrance. This week, along with helping out with meal preparations as usual, the volunteers focused on laying pavers for the flogging post on the set and helped to build a retaining wall by the Snack Shack . And we don’t want to forget while they were here last year, Kent did some matchmaking. He will be marrying Natalie Gaches and Benjamin Johnson in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on July 19th.

​We at the Passion Play never say goodbye to our family of volunteers. We just say “until next time.”

We are looking at specs to entirely redo the worn and unlevel areas of concrete on the Passion Play property. This page is currently under development.

As an enrichment to our performance birds and petting zoo birds, we feed them Meal Worms. This will be a very good mission project, and as anything in the Passion Play...we plan to grow it big!

​Larry & Cathy Handley moved to Eureka Springs from Bentonville, Arkansas to retire in 2006, “which I did not do,” recalls Larry. His unique Snow Village & Train exhibit was set up here in the Great Hall in 2021-2023 for viewers to tour from November 27-December 31st. The Snow Village’s history began in 1994 when Handley’s daughter Hope gave him his first piece, The Church, that made up the starter set. “After that,” says Larry, “I added new pieces I bought and Christmas gifts people gave me.”

The Hadley’s collection has grown to over 1,322 pieces and an extensive electric model train exhibit all on a snowy setting. The Great Passion Play is officially the new home for this one of a kind display. When asked why they decided to donate their collection to the non-profit, Larry acknowledged some concerns as to who to donate to. “We considered locations around Eureka Springs to give the collection to, but as large as it is, storage is a problem.”

Larry recalls, “After our second year at the Play we approached Kent, Director of Operations, about making the exhibit a donation, and he & his wife Mallory were pleased with the idea.” To have volunteers to help him set up and take down the collection was a concern the Hadley’s had, but the voluntary mission group, Arkansas Campers on Mission, was here to assist him in late November. And in January they came back to build storage containers to keep the Snow Village in mint condition. With over a dozen volunteers, they worked tirelessly along with staff and other volunteers to disassemble and pack away the display. That was a confirmation to the Hadley's that they were moving in the right direction.

We believe that throughout the years the public will enjoy having access to this remarkable collection that presents the spirit of Christmas past in miniature. We’re pleased to say that many who came to enjoy the light displays we put up for the Christmas season and view the Passion of the Christ Statue, also visited the Snow Village and Train Exhibit. The numbers are increasing each year the collection has been displayed in the Great Hall.
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Thank you, Larry & Cathy, for entrusting the Great Passion Play with your incredible Snow Village collection and Train Exhibit. We will earnestly continue with your tradition and desire to share the joy of the Christmas holidays. The display amazes young and old alike and aligns with our goal of proclaiming to everyone, the Reason for the Season, Jesus Christ.