Crucifixion, Death and Burial of Jesus Christ – SS3 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was his execution on a cross at Golgotha, followed by his death, his burial in Joseph of Arimathea’s new tomb and his resurrection.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. describe the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ according to Matthew 27:32-61;
2. narrate how Jesus was buried and state the significance of Joseph’s action;
3. compare the accounts of the resurrection in Matthew, Mark and Luke;
4. state the significance of the resurrection;
5. describe the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection and their significance.

What are the key terms in this topic?

• Crucifixion: a method of execution in which a person was fixed to a cross until death.
• Golgotha: the place of crucifixion, which means “the place of the skull”.
• Synoptic gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke, which give similar accounts of the life of Jesus.
• Sepulchre: another word for a tomb.
• Resurrection: coming back to life after death.
• Passover: the Jewish feast at which the paschal lamb was slain.

What happened at the crucifixion and death of Jesus? (Matthew 27:32-61)

Jesus was led to Golgotha, crucified between two robbers and died at about the ninth hour.

What happened on the way to Golgotha?

1. Soldiers led Jesus away after he had been condemned to death.
2. Jesus was too exhausted to carry his cross.
3. The soldiers met Simon of Cyrene on the way and made him carry the cross.
4. They reached Golgotha, the place of the skull.
5. They offered Jesus wine mixed with gall. He tasted it but refused to drink.

How was Jesus crucified?

• Two robbers: Jesus was crucified with one robber on his right and the other on his left.
• His garments: the soldiers shared them among themselves by drawing lots.
• The charge: a notice over his head read “This is Jesus the king of the Jews.”
• The mockery: passers-by, Pharisees, scribes and chief priests mocked him, each in his own way.

What happened when Jesus died?

• Darkness: from about the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness covered the land.
• The loud cry: at about the ninth hour Jesus cried, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani”, meaning “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
• His death: he cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
• The temple curtain: it was torn in two from top to bottom.
• The earthquake: the earth shook and rocks were split.
• The tombs: they were opened, and the bodies of saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
• The watchers: those keeping watch were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the son of God.”

Who watched from afar?

• Many women: they had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him.
• Mary Magdalene: one of the women present.
• Mary: the mother of James and Joseph.
• The mother of the sons of Zebedee: also among the women.

How was Jesus buried? (Matthew 27:57-61)

Joseph of Arimathea, a rich disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for the body and buried it in his own new tomb.

1. In the evening of the day of crucifixion, Joseph went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
2. Pilate ordered that the body be given to him.
3. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linen.
4. He laid it in his own new tomb.
5. He rolled a stone over the entrance of the tomb and departed.
6. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat opposite the sepulchre.

What is the significance of Joseph’s action in the burial of Jesus?

• True friendship: he was a friend in need.
• Kindness: he made up for the friendship denied Jesus by his enemies.
• Respect for the Sabbath: it would have been sad to leave Jesus hanging on the cross on the Sabbath day as if he were a common criminal.
• Respect for the Passover: it would have been worse to leave him until the Passover night, when the paschal lamb was being slain.
• Dignity: he did not allow the body to be buried in a common burial ground meant for criminals.
• Faith: he honoured Jesus by burying him in a new grave.

What is the resurrection of Jesus? (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-6; Luke 24:1-11)

The resurrection of Jesus is his rising from the dead on the third day, which showed his victory over death.

• Common point: all three synoptic gospels record that the women found the tomb empty.
• Common point: in each account the women were told that Jesus had risen.
• Women named in all three: Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James.
• Purpose of the visit: in Mark and Luke the women went to the tomb with spices for the body. In Matthew they went to see the tomb.

How do the gospel accounts differ?

Each gospel describes the empty tomb in its own way.

Matthew’s account

• There was a great earthquake.
• The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
• The angel told the women that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Mark’s account

• Mark reports no earthquake.
• The women wondered who would roll away the stone, but found it already removed.
• Mark names Salome among the women.
• Inside the tomb they met a young man in a white robe, who is taken to be an angel. They were amazed.
• The angel told them to inform the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee.
• The women left trembling and astonished, and said nothing to anybody.

The angel said: “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him.” (Mark 16:6)

Luke’s account

• Luke reports no earthquake.
• His account is like Mark’s, but he names Joanna among the women.
• The women were perplexed about the missing body.
• Two men in dazzling apparel stood by them and announced the resurrection.
• The disciples did not believe the women when they told them.

Comparison of the three accounts

What is the significance of the resurrection?

• Basis of faith: without the resurrection there would be no Christian faith.
• Sonship confirmed: God raised Jesus from the dead, confirming him as his Son.
• Hope of salvation: as God raised Jesus, he will raise Christians to eternal life.
• A living Lord: it shows that the Lord Christians serve is alive.
• Bold preaching: it encouraged the early apostles to preach the gospel with boldness.
• Promises fulfilled: it fulfilled all that Jesus had promised, which gave the disciples confidence and trust in him.
• Victory: it assures Christians of Christ’s victory over sin and death.

Why do Christians worship on Sunday?

• The day of the resurrection became the day of the Lord and the day of salvation.
• Christians therefore moved from the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) to the first day of the week.
• Sunday became the day of devotion to God and the most memorable day.

How did Jesus appear after the resurrection? (Matthew 28:9-20; Luke 24:13-49)

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples several times and gave them their duties.

What did Matthew record?

• To the women: Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary on their way to tell the disciples.
• His message: he asked them to tell the disciples to meet him in Galilee.
• The bribed guards: the chief priests and elders bribed the guards to say the disciples had stolen the body at night.
• The Great Commission: Jesus told the disciples to go and make disciples of all nations.
• Baptism: they were to baptise in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
• Teaching: they were to teach all that he had commanded.
• His promise: he would be with them to the close of the age.

What did Luke record?

• The Emmaus road: Jesus appeared to Cleopas and his friend on their way to Emmaus.
• In the room: while the disciples discussed this, Jesus stood among them. They were afraid and thought he was a spirit.
• Proof of his body: he showed his hands and feet and asked them to handle him.
• Food: he asked, “Have you anything here to eat?” and ate a piece of boiled fish before them.
• His charge: they were to preach repentance and forgiveness in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
• His instruction: they were to wait first for power (the Holy Spirit) from above.

Jesus said: “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see me; for a spirit has no flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (Luke 24:38-39)

What is the significance of the appearances of Jesus Christ?

• Confidence: his physical appearance strengthened the confidence of the disciples.
• Responsibility: he told them their duties after his departure.
• Promise of the Holy Spirit: he promised them power from on high.
• Fulfilment: the promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.
• Boldness: the power gave the disciples boldness to preach to all nations.

Evaluation

1. Describe how Jesus was led to Golgotha and crucified.
2. State four events that happened when Jesus died.
3. Give four reasons why Joseph of Arimathea’s action in burying Jesus was significant.
4. State two differences between the resurrection accounts of Matthew and Mark.
5. What did Jesus tell his disciples when he appeared to them in Matthew 28:16-20?

Assignment

1. (a) Explain four ways in which the resurrection of Jesus is important to Christians. (b) Describe the appearance of Jesus to the disciples in Luke 24:36-49.