The claims circulating about Mel Gibson asserting that the Ethiopian Bible contains a “sharply different” version of Jesus—with “vivid and unexpected details” that were “sidelined” or “intentionally simplified” in Western religious history—appear to be largely sensationalized misinformation or clickbait, primarily from viral YouTube videos and social media posts in late 2025–early 2026. There is no verifiable evidence of Gibson making such statements in recent interviews, podcasts, or public appearances. Instead, these narratives often use Gibson’s name (and sometimes AI-generated voices or edited clips) to draw views, blending real historical facts about the Ethiopian Bible with unsubstantiated speculation. Below, I’ll break this down factually, based on available sources, and address the key elements of the query.

Mel Gibson’s Actual Statements on the Ethiopian Bible

• No Recent Claims (2025–2026): Gibson has discussed biblical themes in interviews (e.g., his January 2025 Joe Rogan podcast appearance, where he talked about his upcoming The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection sequel as an “acid trip” exploring spiritual dimensions). However, he did not mention the Ethiopian Bible, “hidden” post-resurrection details, or challenges to “accepted religious history.” His focus was on creative interpretations of canonical texts (e.g., Gospels, Revelation), not Ethiopian-specific content.
• Historical Context from Gibson: Gibson has long expressed interest in ancient Christian traditions and apocrypha (e.g., in 2004 Passion promotions, he referenced Jewish and Christian mysticism). But he has never publicly claimed the Ethiopian Bible reveals a “deeper, more complex” Jesus “sidelined” by Western canons. Viral videos (e.g., from channels like “Mystery Decoded” or “HeavenlyGiftedVoice” in January 2026) attribute quotes to him like “The Ethiopian Bible describes Jesus in incredible detail and it’s not what you think,” but these are fabricated or misattributed—often using stock footage of Gibson from old interviews overlaid with dramatic narration.

The Ethiopian Bible and Its Portrayal of Jesus

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Bible (in Ge’ez, an ancient Semitic language) is one of the oldest Christian canons (dating to the 4th century CE), with 81 books—broader than Protestant (66) or Catholic (73) versions. It includes:

• Unique Texts: Books like 1 Enoch (with apocalyptic visions), Jubilees, and the Ascension of Isaiah, which expand on Old Testament themes and include messianic prophecies. These were part of early Christian traditions but excluded from Western canons during councils like Carthage (397 CE) due to debates over authenticity, Jewish origins, or doctrinal alignment.
• Jesus’ Portrayal: The Ethiopian New Testament aligns closely with Eastern Orthodox views—Jesus as divine, human, miracle-worker, teacher, crucified, resurrected, and ascending. No “sharply different” or “complex” version exists that’s “sidelined” or “hidden.” For example:
  • Post-resurrection details are in canonical Gospels (e.g., John 20–21, Acts 1), similar to Western Bibles.
  • Enoch’s visions (e.g., “Son of Man”) parallel New Testament messianic titles but don’t contradict core Jesus narratives.
• Why “Sidelined”?: Western Christianity (post-Reformation) narrowed the canon to focus on “inspired” texts, excluding apocrypha deemed non-essential or heretical. Ethiopian tradition preserved a broader canon due to cultural isolation and Axumite Christian roots. No evidence of “intentional simplification” for control; it’s more about historical/theological divergence (e.g., Enoch’s exclusion at Jamnia ~90 CE influenced later Christian decisions).

Scholars (e.g., Alessandro Bausi, director of the Beta Maṣāḥǝft project digitizing Ethiopian manuscripts) note the canon is well-studied; no “resurfacing questions” in 2025–2026 suggest major cover-ups. AI scans (e.g., hyperspectral imaging on Garima Gospels) have revealed artistic details but no “lost” Jesus passages.

Why This Speculation Resurfaces

• Viral Misinformation: 2025–2026 YouTube/Facebook content (e.g., “Mel Gibson Reveals Ethiopian Bible Secrets”) uses Gibson’s name for clicks, often with AI narration. These claim “shocking” or “terrifying” details (e.g., “vast angelic presence” from Enoch) as “hidden,” but they’re long-known and publicly available (e.g., in English translations like R.H. Charles’s 1917 Enoch edition).
• Cultural Appeal: Gibson’s Passion (2004) and sequel plans (potentially 2027 release) fuel interest in “alternative” Christianity. Debates about “simplified history” echo conspiracy theories (e.g., Vatican suppression), but lack historical basis.
• No Scholarly Debate: No recent academic “resurfacing” or challenges to history from Ethiopian texts. The canon is studied (e.g., 2024 UNESCO digitization efforts), but no 2025–2026 breakthroughs.

In summary, Gibson hasn’t made these claims, and the Ethiopian Bible doesn’t present a “sharply different” Jesus—it’s consistent with Orthodox traditions, with “sidelined” texts being known apocrypha, not hidden secrets. Treat viral videos with skepticism; they prioritize sensationalism over facts. For reliable reading, try The Apocrypha of the Ethiopian Bible (translated editions) or Bausi’s scholarly works. If you have a specific source/video, share it for deeper analysis!