A wealthy former art dealer and professional classical singer Edward Schneider gets his one chance to perform the part of Jesus Christ in the St. Matthew Passion by Johan Sebastiaan Bach. This is a great opportunity for him and together with his musical companion Jan Wynands he prepares himself of this onerous assignment. Soon it becomes clear that he is unable to perform the task. In his struggle to overcome his limitations he tries to experience the pain and suffering of Jesus and pushes himself beyond reality.