Life of ChristLife of Christ

Part Twelve: The Death of Part Twelve: The Death of ChristChrist

Overview of Christ’s Public Overview of Christ’s Public MinistryMinistry

Birt

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First Year

OPENINGEVENTS

4 months

Joh

n in

trod

uces

Jesu

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EARLYMINISTRIES

OBSCURITY(VANISHING)

Largely in Judea

8 months

POPULARITY(DECLINING)

Jesu

s re

turn

s to

G

alile

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Jesu

s a

pp

oin

ts th

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Tw

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4 mos. 10 mos.

Galilee

Second Year

PRIVATEPREPARATION

Around Galilee

6 months

To T

yre

an

d

Sid

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CONCLUDINGMINISTRIES

3 Mos. 3 Mos.

OPPOSITION(INCREASING)

Third Year

Judea Perea

Tab

ern

acle

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hal

En

try

Ascen

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esu

rrecti

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Death

1.5 Mos.

PUBLICPRESENTATION

City of JerusalemCity of Jerusalem

Betrayal and ArrestBetrayal and Arrest Jesus betrayed, arrested, and Jesus betrayed, arrested, and

forsaken – (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark forsaken – (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12)12) After deciding to put Jesus to death the After deciding to put Jesus to death the

Sanhedrin, represented by the Pharisees Sanhedrin, represented by the Pharisees and the chief priests, called upon the and the chief priests, called upon the Romans to help in the arrest.Romans to help in the arrest.

A Roman cohort was normally made up A Roman cohort was normally made up of 600 soldiers. While the entire cohort of 600 soldiers. While the entire cohort may not have been involved here, the may not have been involved here, the number was still substantial.number was still substantial.

Trial – Three Jewish PhasesTrial – Three Jewish Phases First Jewish Phase, before Annas (John First Jewish Phase, before Annas (John

18:13-24)18:13-24) Caiaphas was the official high priest, having Caiaphas was the official high priest, having

taken the office in A.D. 18, three years after his taken the office in A.D. 18, three years after his father-in-law Annas had been deposed. John father-in-law Annas had been deposed. John calls Annas “high priest” because he still wielded calls Annas “high priest” because he still wielded considerable influence and retained the title as a considerable influence and retained the title as a show of respect.show of respect.

John places this first denial in the courtyard of John places this first denial in the courtyard of Annas; both John and the other Gospel writers Annas; both John and the other Gospel writers place the other denials in the courtyard of place the other denials in the courtyard of Caiaphas.Caiaphas.

Second Jewish phase, before Caiaphas and Second Jewish phase, before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin (Matt 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-the Sanhedrin (Matt 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:54)65; Luke 22:54) In meeting at the house of Caiaphas rather than In meeting at the house of Caiaphas rather than

their usual meeting place, the Sanhedrin their usual meeting place, the Sanhedrin demonstrated its haste to carry out its demonstrated its haste to carry out its predetermined plan to kill Jesus.predetermined plan to kill Jesus.

Trial – Three Jewish PhasesTrial – Three Jewish Phases Peter’s denials (Matt 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-Peter’s denials (Matt 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-

72; Luke 22:55-65; John 18:25-27)72; Luke 22:55-65; John 18:25-27) Jesus’ prediction of a threefold denial by Peter Jesus’ prediction of a threefold denial by Peter

need not exclude a fourth denial. Each writer, need not exclude a fourth denial. Each writer, including John, records three denials, but John puts including John, records three denials, but John puts one of his in the courtyard of Annas. According to one of his in the courtyard of Annas. According to the combined accounts, Peter apparently denied the combined accounts, Peter apparently denied Jesus four times.Jesus four times.

Third Jewish phase, before the Sanhedrin Third Jewish phase, before the Sanhedrin (Matt 27:1; Mark 15:1a; Luke 22:66-71)(Matt 27:1; Mark 15:1a; Luke 22:66-71) The traditional explanation is that no trial of the The traditional explanation is that no trial of the

Jewish Sanhedrin was legal if held during the hours Jewish Sanhedrin was legal if held during the hours of darkness. Thus the council had to meet again of darkness. Thus the council had to meet again to formalize its verdict. The question of legality is to formalize its verdict. The question of legality is a moot point, however, as discussed in Essay 12. a moot point, however, as discussed in Essay 12.

Trial – Three Roman PhasesTrial – Three Roman Phases Remorse and suicide of Judas Iscariot (Acts Remorse and suicide of Judas Iscariot (Acts

1:18-19; Matt 27:3-10)1:18-19; Matt 27:3-10) The two accounts in Acts and Matthew can be The two accounts in Acts and Matthew can be

harmonized. Judas hanged himself from a tree harmonized. Judas hanged himself from a tree on a cliff overlooking a valley. When the limb on a cliff overlooking a valley. When the limb or rope broke, he plunged into the valley or rope broke, he plunged into the valley below.below.

First Roman phase, before Pilate (Matt First Roman phase, before Pilate (Matt 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1b-5; Luke 23:1-5; 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1b-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38)John 18:28-38) Though Jesus denied that His kingdom had an Though Jesus denied that His kingdom had an

earthly earthly originorigin, He did not deny that it would , He did not deny that it would take place in an earthly realm, as the OT take place in an earthly realm, as the OT plainly anticipated (Dan 7:13-14, 22-23, 27).plainly anticipated (Dan 7:13-14, 22-23, 27).

Since this kingdom on earth did not represent Since this kingdom on earth did not represent a threat to his Roman authority, Pilate was a threat to his Roman authority, Pilate was willing to release Him.willing to release Him.

Trial – Three Roman PhasesTrial – Three Roman Phases Second Roman phase, before Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12)Second Roman phase, before Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12)

Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, was the one who Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, was the one who had John the Baptist beheaded.had John the Baptist beheaded.

Since much of Jesus’ public ministry had taken place in Galilee, Since much of Jesus’ public ministry had taken place in Galilee, Pilate thought he had a way to avoid condemning an innocent Pilate thought he had a way to avoid condemning an innocent man. But Pilate failed to find Jesus innocent or guilty.man. But Pilate failed to find Jesus innocent or guilty.

Third Roman Phase, before Pilate (Matt 27:15-26; Mark Third Roman Phase, before Pilate (Matt 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39 – 19:16)15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39 – 19:16) Barabbas was a well-known member of a local resistance Barabbas was a well-known member of a local resistance

movement committed to overthrowing Roman rule in Judea. movement committed to overthrowing Roman rule in Judea. Even though he was a thief and murderer, he was a hero to Even though he was a thief and murderer, he was a hero to many Jews who despised Roman rule. Thus the Jewish leaders many Jews who despised Roman rule. Thus the Jewish leaders had little trouble convincing the crowd to call for his release.had little trouble convincing the crowd to call for his release.

It is ironic that these leaders sought the release of one who It is ironic that these leaders sought the release of one who was clearly guilty of the crime that they had accused Jesus of was clearly guilty of the crime that they had accused Jesus of committing, namely, insurrection (Luke 23:2).committing, namely, insurrection (Luke 23:2).

The Jews had no authority to carry out capital punishment. The Jews had no authority to carry out capital punishment. Pilate ultimately yielded to the cries of the mob and handed Pilate ultimately yielded to the cries of the mob and handed Jesus over to the Roman soldiers for crucifixion.Jesus over to the Roman soldiers for crucifixion.

CrucifixionCrucifixion Mockery by the Roman soldiers (Matt Mockery by the Roman soldiers (Matt

27:27-30, Mark 15:16-19)27:27-30, Mark 15:16-19) Before His condemnation, Pilate seems to have Before His condemnation, Pilate seems to have

allowed ill-treatment in hopes of provoking allowed ill-treatment in hopes of provoking sympathy toward Jesus and thereby sympathy toward Jesus and thereby persuading the crowd to ask for His release persuading the crowd to ask for His release (John 19:1-5).(John 19:1-5).

Following His condemnation the soldiers took Following His condemnation the soldiers took the initiative and were much more brutal.the initiative and were much more brutal.

Journey to Golgotha (Matt 27:31-34; Mark Journey to Golgotha (Matt 27:31-34; Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-33a; John 19:17)15:20-23; Luke 23:26-33a; John 19:17) Jesus carried His own cross initially. Weakened Jesus carried His own cross initially. Weakened

by a lack of sleep and cruel scourging, He was by a lack of sleep and cruel scourging, He was unable to finish the journey. The soldiers then unable to finish the journey. The soldiers then forced Simon of Cyrene to carry it.forced Simon of Cyrene to carry it.

CrucifixionCrucifixion First three hours of crucifixion (Matt 27:35-44; First three hours of crucifixion (Matt 27:35-44;

Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:33b-43; John 19:18-27)Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:33b-43; John 19:18-27) The prayer for forgiveness was the first of Jesus’ sayings The prayer for forgiveness was the first of Jesus’ sayings

from the cross. The ones that followed were:from the cross. The ones that followed were: a promise to the repentant criminal (Luke 23:43);a promise to the repentant criminal (Luke 23:43); the provisions for His mother (John 19:26-27);the provisions for His mother (John 19:26-27); the cry of separation from the Father (Matt 27:46; Mark the cry of separation from the Father (Matt 27:46; Mark

13:54);13:54); the acknowledgement of thirst (John 19:28);the acknowledgement of thirst (John 19:28); the cry of accomplishment (John 19:30);the cry of accomplishment (John 19:30); the cry of resignation (Luke 23:46). the cry of resignation (Luke 23:46).

Last three hours of crucifixion (Matt 27:45-50; Last three hours of crucifixion (Matt 27:45-50; Mark 15:33-37; Luke 23:44-45a, 46; John 19:28-Mark 15:33-37; Luke 23:44-45a, 46; John 19:28-30)30) Jesus’ hours on the cross were from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Jesus’ hours on the cross were from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The last 3 hours were unique because of the darkness The last 3 hours were unique because of the darkness that surrounded the area.that surrounded the area.

Combining the accounts, the full inscription above Jesus’ Combining the accounts, the full inscription above Jesus’ head must have read, “This is Jesus the Nazarene, the head must have read, “This is Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.”King of the Jews.”

CrucifixionCrucifixion Witnesses of Jesus’ death (Matt 27:51-Witnesses of Jesus’ death (Matt 27:51-

56; Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:45b, 47-56; Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:45b, 47-49)49) The centurion was impressed not only by The centurion was impressed not only by

the earthquake and other signs, but also the earthquake and other signs, but also by the manner of Jesus’ death. That by the manner of Jesus’ death. That Jesus possessed the strength to cry out Jesus possessed the strength to cry out loudly at the moment of His death was loudly at the moment of His death was remarkable to one who had seen many remarkable to one who had seen many crucified criminals die from exhaustion.crucified criminals die from exhaustion.

The women mentioned here were The women mentioned here were eyewitnesses to the events that compose eyewitnesses to the events that compose the heart of the Gospel message: the the heart of the Gospel message: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

BurialBurial Certification of death and procurement of the body Certification of death and procurement of the body

(Matt 27:57-58; Mark 15:42-45; Luke 23:50-52; John (Matt 27:57-58; Mark 15:42-45; Luke 23:50-52; John 19:31-36)19:31-36) The blood and water that flowed out of Jesus is difficult to The blood and water that flowed out of Jesus is difficult to

explain medically; perhaps Jesus died from a ruptured explain medically; perhaps Jesus died from a ruptured heart.heart.

Jesus’ body placed in a tomb (Matt 27:59-60; Mark Jesus’ body placed in a tomb (Matt 27:59-60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53-54; John 19:39-42)15:46; Luke 23:53-54; John 19:39-42) The disciples who had openly followed Jesus during His The disciples who had openly followed Jesus during His

lifetime were not present at the end. However, two who lifetime were not present at the end. However, two who had kept their faith secret now stepped forward to give Him had kept their faith secret now stepped forward to give Him a proper burial.a proper burial.

Tomb watched by the women and guarded by the Tomb watched by the women and guarded by the soldiers (Matt 27:61-66; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55-56)soldiers (Matt 27:61-66; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55-56) How ironic that Jesus’ disciples failed to grasp His plainly How ironic that Jesus’ disciples failed to grasp His plainly

spoken predictions of His resurrection, whereas the spoken predictions of His resurrection, whereas the Pharisees and Sadducees understood and remembered the Pharisees and Sadducees understood and remembered the ones He had spoken to them in figurative language.ones He had spoken to them in figurative language.

Next Week: Part Thirteen: Next Week: Part Thirteen: The Resurrection and The Resurrection and Ascension of ChristAscension of Christ