Alec Green portrayed Jesus in the modern adaption of the Easter story in Martin Place on Good Friday. The event was organised by Wesley Mission.

"It's hard for anyone to put themselves in that sort of position," Mr Green told AAP.

"You are in front of large audiences, and in front of the whole world, realistically, and you get betrayed. It's very hard emotionally."

Mr Green said he thought the open-air drama, which featured a range of modern songs, was a good way to make the story seem more real to Sydneysiders.

He said homeless people, wealthy people, religious leaders and even underworld criminals were characters in the play.

"It's just trying to bring it to a modern audience, to sort of help them understand," he said.

Australian Associated Press