Passion: The Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Hey everyone! Welcome to your study notes for a very important chapter. We're going to explore the final hours of Jesus' life: his crucifixion, death, and burial. Don't worry if this sounds heavy – we'll break it down step-by-step. Understanding these events is crucial because they form the absolute core of Christian belief about God's love, sacrifice, and salvation. Let's get started!
1. The Crucifixion: What Happened? (Mark 15:16-41)
After Jesus was condemned by Pontius Pilate, he was handed over to Roman soldiers for execution. The events that followed were brutal, public, and full of meaning.
The Journey to Golgotha
The soldiers first mocked Jesus. They dressed him in a purple robe (a colour for royalty) and pressed a crown of thorns onto his head, sarcastically calling him "King of the Jews". This was to humiliate him and make a political statement.
Because he was so weak from being flogged, Jesus couldn't carry his own cross. The soldiers forced a man from the crowd to help.
- Key Person: Simon of Cyrene. Simon was just an ordinary man, a visitor to Jerusalem, who was randomly pulled from the crowd to carry Jesus' cross. He is a powerful symbol of how ordinary people can be drawn into God's story and share the burden of suffering.
What is Crucifixion?
Crucifixion was a common Roman method of execution for non-Roman citizens, slaves, and rebels. It was designed to be as slow, painful, and publicly shameful as possible. The victim was nailed or tied to a large wooden cross and left to die from blood loss, shock, and suffocation. The public nature of it was a warning to others: "Don't challenge Rome."
At Golgotha ("The Place of the Skull")
Jesus was crucified between two bandits. Above his head, the soldiers placed a sign that read, "The King of the Jews". This was Pilate's official charge against him, but for Christians, it's a statement of truth, even if it was meant as an insult.
The soldiers gambled for his clothes, an action that Christians believe fulfilled a prophecy from the Old Testament (Psalm 22:18).
Key Takeaway: The crucifixion was a real, historical event of extreme brutality. Every detail, from the mocking to Simon's help, is recorded to show the depth of Jesus' suffering and humiliation.
2. Reactions at the Cross: Who Saw What?
The syllabus asks us to compare how different people reacted to the crucifixion. This is important because it shows how people can witness the same event and see completely different things. Think of it like a crowd watching a controversial football match – everyone has a different opinion!
Here’s a breakdown of the key groups:
- The Soldiers, Priests, and Scribes (The Mockers):
These groups actively insulted Jesus. The religious leaders shouted, "He saved others, but he can't save himself!" They saw the crucifixion as proof that Jesus was a fraud. If he was truly the Messiah, he should be able to use divine power to escape. - The Two Bandits (The Fellow Sufferers):
According to Mark's Gospel, both bandits who were crucified with Jesus also hurled insults at him. Even those sharing his fate didn't understand who he was. - The Bystanders (The Crowd):
These were the general public who had gathered to watch. They also mocked Jesus, repeating the challenges of the religious leaders. Their reaction shows how easily a crowd can be swayed. - The Women (The Faithful Watchers):
While most of Jesus' male disciples had fled in fear, a group of women, including Mary Magdalene, watched from a distance. They couldn't stop what was happening, but their presence was an act of loyalty, love, and courage. They are crucial witnesses to the end. - The Roman Officer (The Convinced Centurion):
This is a huge turning point! A centurion was a tough, experienced Roman soldier in charge of 100 men. After seeing how Jesus died, he declared, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" It is incredibly significant that a non-Jew, a Roman soldier, is the first person in Mark’s Gospel to correctly identify Jesus at the very moment of his death.
Memory Aid! To remember the different groups, think of the "S.C.R.E.A.M." at the cross:
S - Scribes & Priests (mockers)
C - Crowd (bystanders)
R - Robbers (bandits)
E - Enforcers (soldiers)
A - Admirers (the women)
M - Man-in-charge (the Centurion)
3. Jesus' Words and Death on the Cross
The Gospels record several things Jesus said from the cross. In Mark's Gospel, he cries out a single, powerful line:
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Some people think this means Jesus lost his faith. But it's actually the first line of Psalm 22, an Old Testament prayer that starts with despair but ends with triumphant hope and trust in God. By saying this, Jesus was:
- Expressing his very real, human feeling of agony and abandonment.
- Identifying with all of humanity's suffering.
- Connecting his suffering directly to the prophecies in Jewish scripture.
At about three in the afternoon, after a strange darkness covered the land, Jesus cried out and died. His death was confirmed by the Roman centurion.
Key Takeaway: The reactions to the cross ranged from total rejection to faithful love, and finally to a stunning confession of faith from a Roman soldier. Jesus' final words show his deep connection to both human suffering and Jewish scripture.
4. The Burial: An Act of Respect and Courage (Mark 15:42-47)
What happened next was just as important. An honourable burial would prove that Jesus was truly dead, setting the stage for the Resurrection.
Joseph of Arimathea
A man named Joseph of Arimathea stepped forward. He was a wealthy and respected member of the Sanhedrin (the same Jewish council that had condemned Jesus!). He was also secretly a follower of Jesus.
Joseph showed immense courage by going to Pilate and asking for Jesus' body. This was risky – he was associating himself with an executed criminal and could have lost his reputation, status, or even his life.
Analogy: Imagine a top government advisor today publicly siding with a person the government has just executed as an enemy of the state. It was a bold and dangerous move.
The Jewish Burial Process
Pilate gave Joseph permission. Following Jewish burial customs, the body had to be buried before sunset, as the Sabbath was about to begin.
- Joseph bought a clean linen shroud.
- He took Jesus' body down from the cross.
- He wrapped the body in the linen.
- He laid the body in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock.
- He rolled a large stone to seal the entrance.
The Witnesses: Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary watched where Jesus was laid. Once again, women are the key witnesses, ensuring the story is grounded in eyewitness testimony.
Did you know? The women planned to come back after the Sabbath was over (on Sunday morning) to properly anoint the body with spices, as the burial had to be done so quickly. This is why they are the first to discover the empty tomb!
5. Good Friday: The Meaning of it All
The day of Jesus' crucifixion is known as Good Friday. This can be confusing – how can such a terrible day be called "good"?
For Christians, it is 'good' because they believe that through his death, Jesus paid the price for humanity's sins. His sacrifice was the ultimate act of God's love, opening the way for forgiveness and eternal life. It is a day of deep sadness, but it is also the necessary step towards the joy and victory of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Key Takeaway: The burial of Jesus was a courageous act performed by Joseph of Arimathea. It was done respectfully according to Jewish customs and witnessed by the faithful women. This confirms Jesus' death and prepares us for the events of Easter. The entire event is remembered on Good Friday as a solemn but hopeful day.