A Jewish nobleman embraces the Christian faith after witnessing the life and death of Jesus Christ. When Judah Ben-Hur is falsely accused of attempting to assassinate a Roman governor, he is imprisoned and enslaved, and his family's property is forfeited to the government. Bent on revenge against his accuser, his childhood friend Massala, Ben-Hur works to attain his freedom, but upon his return journey encounters the Christ, who teaches Ben-Hur the power of forgiveness.