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Although Godspell is "based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew," a number of plot points reference portions of Luke's Gospel; script writers had gathered the best-known of Jesus' stories and parables in one show. There are many more biblical allusions of one or two verses that, obviously, cannot all be posted here.

Matthew 3:1-15--John the Baptist Prepares the Way and the Baptism of Jesus
Matthew 13:1-23--The Parable of the Sower
Luke 18:1-8--The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Luke 18:10-14--The Story of the Publican and the Pharisee
Matthew 18:21-25--The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Luke 10:25-37--The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 16:19-31--The Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Matthew 5:1-48--The Sermon on the Mount
Luke 12:16-20--The Parable of the Rich Fool
Exodus 20:1-17/Deuteronomy 5:6-21--The Ten Commandments
Luke 15:11-32--The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Matthew 25:31-46--The Sheep and the Goats


Much of the music of Godspell is also based on biblical passages, though not necessarily from the same place as the plot at the same point.

"Prologue": Genesis 11:1-9
"Prepare Ye": Matthew 3:3 (which itself references Isaiah 40:3)
"Save the People": similar to Psalm 107
"Day by Day": John 14:20-21 and/or Psalm 119:34; 1 Peter 2:21; 2 Peter 3:18
"Bless the Lord": Psalm 103
"All Good Gifts": Matthew 7:9-12; v. 1=Psalm 145:16, Ezekiel 34:26-27; v. 2=Genesis 8:22
"Light of the World": Matthew 5:13-16
"Turn Back, O Man": repentance, especially Luke 15:11-32
"Alas for You": Matthew 23:13-37
"We Beseech Thee": original song in 1871 had 24 verses in three parts, each part with a different tune; it is a litany structured much like the classic litanies from hundreds of years ago; while there are no distinct biblical allusions in the song, one can see the prayerful theology in nearly every line.
"On the Willows": Psalm 137
"Finale": Matthew 3:3
References:
"Biblical References in Godspell." MS Word document. http://www.brisbanejuniortheatre.com/smt/Biblical%20References%20in%20Godspell.doc (accessed December 13, 2009).

de Giere, Carol, and Terry de Giere. "Godspell Lyrics and Lyrics History." MusicalSchwartz.com. http:/wwwzperiodzmusicalschwartzzperiodzcom/godspellzhyphenzlyricsourceszperiodzhtm (accessed December 13, 2009).

Haynes, Peter L. "Valley Fellowship Players production of Godspell." www.rockhay.org. http:/wwwzperiodzrockhayzperiodzorg/godspell (accessed December 13, 2009).

Hymnary.org: a Comprehensive Index of Hymns and Hymnals. http:/wwwzperiodzhymnaryzperiodzorg (accessed December 13, 2009).

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Some of the biblical references and allusions in Godspell include the parables of Jesus, such as the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, the Last Supper, the Sermon on the Mount, and the crucifixion of Jesus. The musical also incorporates the Lord's Prayer and themes of love, forgiveness, and redemption commonly found in The Bible.

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Q: What are the biblical references or allusions in Godspell?
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