When given a chance to set Jesus free, the people of Jerusalem choose the thief Barabbas (Anthony Quinn), instead. Going home, Barabbas finds his woman has become a Christian. When she's stoned to death, Barabbas returns to a life of crime, but is caught and sentenced to the sulfur mines. Twenty years later, he and fellow slave Sahak (Vittorio Gassman) escape a cave-in and are sent to a Roman gladiator school. Sahak, a Christian, refuses to fight and is slain by Torvald (Jack Palance), a sadistic warrior. Barabbas, however, kills Torvald and is freed. Finding Rome in flames, Barabbas helps the Christians in their uprising, but is caught and crucified.