Passion Narrative

1. Passion narratives in Mark & John compared

2. Historical and theological causes of Jesus’ death

3. Resurrection.

Passion Narrative in Mark & John

Scenes Passion narrative in Mark

Passion narrative in John

Prayer before arrest

14: 32-42 12: 20-36, 18: 1

Arrest 14: 43-52 18: 2-11

Trial before Jewish authorities

14: 53-65 18: 12-24

Trial before Pilate 15: 1-15 18: 28- 19: 16

Crucifixion & Death

15: 21-41 19: 16-37

Resurrection 16: 1-8 20: 1-31

El Greco, Agony in the Garden

Kiss of Judas.

Judas’ betrayal: the greatest sin or personal drama?

Pilate’s question

Quid est veritas?

Silent answer:Est vir qui ad est

Immediate Historical Causes of Jesus’ Death

• Conspiracy of Jewish leaders (their misdirected religious zeal, envy, ignorance, fear to lose power)

• Charges: – violated Sabbath rest – threatened to destroy the Temple – put himself in God’s place (blasphemy)

Deeper Causes of Jesus’ Death

• The world’s captivity to the demonic powers

• Humanity’s sin• Will of God the

Father

Objections to Resurrection

• Miracles don’t happen• Apparent death• Hallucinations hypothesis• The Wrong Tomb hypothesis• Incomplete & inconsistent

evidence