← Passion and Resurrection

Crucifixion

  • CTD034 The wording of the titulus?

    The article deals with the variations in the Gospels concerning the titulus of Jesus, explaining that they reflect different linguistic versions and are in fact complementary, not contradictory.

    John 19.21-22 (King James Version) :
    Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • CTD047 The burial of Jesus: spices and linen shroud

    The article examines the alleged contradiction between the Gospels of John and Mark on the burial of Jesus. John reports an initial funerary preparation by Nicodemus before the Sabbath, while Mark describes an intention of the women, after the Sabbath, to complete this preparation. The article concludes that the accounts are complementary, illustrating a common tribute paid to Jesus.

    Mark 16.1 (King James Version) :
    And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER352 The Crucifixion

    Pericope PER352 analyzes the crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Golgotha through the four Gospels. It places the event around 9 a.m. on a Friday morning, examines the fulfillment of prophecies (Isaiah 53,12; Psalm 22,19), the technical details of the crucifixion, the royal inscription and the mockery of the witnesses. A rigorous synoptic reading that links history, chronology and theology.

    Psalms 22.18 (King James Version) :
    They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER353 The division of the garments and the mockery

    The passage PER353 analyzes the division of Jesus’ garments and the mockery during his crucifixion at Golgotha. The four Gospels agree on this episode: the soldiers cast lots for the seamless tunic, fulfilling Psalm 22.19. Luke reports Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness for his executioners, Mark his cry of abandonment, and Matthew the taunts of the passersby and the religious leaders. This synoptic article brings out the theological richness of each Gospel account.

    Matthew 27.31-56 (King James Version) :
    And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.And sitting down they watched him there;And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER354 The dialogue with the two criminals beside him

    Pericope 354 analyzes the unique dialogue reported by Luke between Jesus and the two criminals crucified beside him (Lk 23,39-43). One mocks Jesus; the other acknowledges his guilt, affirms Jesus' innocence and asks to be welcomed into his kingdom. Jesus promises him paradise “today.” This passage reveals a central theological paradox: Jesus saves from the cross, displaying a spiritual authority precisely where everything seems to contradict it.

    Luke 23.26-49 (King James Version) :
    And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER356 The Night at Noon

    Pericope 356 analyzes the darkness that fell during the crucifixion of Jesus, from noon to 3 p.m., as reported by the three Synoptic Gospels. This cosmic event is studied in its chronological and theological dimensions: a sign of divine judgment, a prophetic fulfillment (Amos 8:9, Isaiah 53) and a modest veil over the ignominy of the cross. It precedes the last words of Jesus and his death.

    1 Peter 2.24 (King James Version) :
    Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER359 The extraordinary signs accompanying the death of Jesus

    At the death of Jesus on Golgotha, several extraordinary signs occur: the veil of the Temple is torn from top to bottom, symbolizing direct access to God; an earthquake shakes the region; rocks are split and tombs are opened. These phenomena, reported mainly by Matthew, signify the end of the old covenant, the coming of a new one, and Christ's victory over death, confirmed by the confession of the Roman centurion.

    Matthew 27.53 (King James Version) :
    And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER360 The disciples present at the crucifixion

    PER360 analyzes the disciples present at the crucifixion of Jesus at Golgotha, comparing the four Gospels. They were mostly women — Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Salome, Mary the wife of Clopas — and the apostle John, the only man mentioned. Their courage contrasts with the flight of the male disciples. Jesus entrusts his mother to John, a gesture of profound humanity. A supernatural darkness covers the scene from noon until 3 p.m., on Friday, April 1, AD 33.

    Luke 23.44 (King James Version) :
    And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER362 Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus place the body of Jesus in the tomb

    Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two members of the Sanhedrin favorable to Jesus, bury his body on Friday, April 1, AD 33, before the Sabbath. Nicodemus brings a large quantity of spices, and Joseph provides his new tomb. Their courageous and public act, carried out according to Jewish rites, gives the Messiah's burial a royal and honorable dimension, marking their emergence from discretion after the crucifixion.

    Matthew 27.45 (King James Version) :
    Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

Further reading
  • ANN026 The hour of the crucifixion

    The article explores the differences in timing in the Gospels concerning the crucifixion of Jesus. The Synoptic Gospels and John give different hours, raising debates…

  • ANN091 The women at the foot of the cross

    The article analyzes the presence and role of the women at the crucifixion of Jesus. These women, notably Mary Magdalene, show an…