Jim Caviezel says a surreal encounter with Jesus convinced him to star in 'The Passion of the Christ'

Actor Jim Caviezel said he nearly turned down the role of Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ," but an encounter he described as a visit from Jesus convinced him to reconsider.

"About 5 something in the morning, this presence came over me, and I know it was him," Caviezel, 58, told Sean Hannity on his "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast.

"I was awake, but my eyes were closed, and he was sitting Indian style on the foot of my bed, and he said, 'It is not a requirement of you as a Catholic… to play this role.' And I said...