The Crucifixion and Resurrection in Luke Flashcards
The Passion
references to the passion are referring to the last few days of Jesus’ life- his arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection
The Gospels on the Passion and Death of Jesus
• although the Passion narrative of all four gospels are similar in many ways, there are also significant differences among them
• in many respects the synoptics agree with each other (since Matthew and Luke are almost certainly based on Mark), while John’s account is quite different, especially in matters of chronology
• in other respects, while Matthew and Mark are nearly identical, Luke may differ from them and be much closer to John
None of the Gospels seem to tell the full story
Overall Emphases in each Gospel with regards to the passion and death
• Mark: the suffering of Jesus, how he was tragically rejected, unfairly condemned, viciously beaten, horribly insulted, and cruelly mistreated by multiple groups
• Matthew: the kingship of Jesus, how the de-facto ruling powers (especially Pilate and Caiaphas) conspired to get rid of someone they saw as a political threat
• Luke: the innocence of Jesus, how Pilate said he did not deserve death, and others also recognised his innocence
• John: the exaltation of Jesus, how he remains in charge, driving the action, completing God’s will and being glorified
The crucifixion narrative (general)
- the crucifixion narrative in Luke reflects many of the themes and symbols elsewhere in the Gospel- especially highlighting the innocence of Jesus
- Luke 23:26: “they led him away.” shows Luke lays responsibility on the religious authorities, not Pilate
- Luke also adds extra detail to the scene such as the place of the execution, a hill outside of Jerusalem called the ‘Skull’ (Golgotha or Calvary)
- the crowds mocked him and make fun of the fact he will not save himself
The road to Golgotha
- those being crucified were forced to walk through the streets and face abuse and humiliation
- normally prisoners would carry the cross-beam on their shoulders, in Luke Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry it for Jesus (23:26)
- Jesus passed some women mourners and said “…do not weep for me, weep for yourselves and you children” (23:28)
- references Hosea: “…they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’”- the sins of the people have reached their climax in Jesus’ crucifixion and punishment will follow
- may have been referring to the destruction of the temple as Luke may have been written after
Jesus with the criminals
• Jesus was crucified along with ‘two other men, both criminals’ (23:32
• this language is important because it again distinguishes Jesus as innocent- not a criminal
• fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9 and 12: “He was assigned a grave with the wicked…numbered with the transgressors”
• Jesus is presented as an innocent martyr
• his famous last words of forgiveness of those who’d killed him: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34)
• Jesus’ forgiveness in the face of death is a primary theme of the Gospel
OT references and Symbolism in the Crucifixion narrative
OT references in crucifixion narrative:
• Isaiah 53:9-12: “He was assigned a grave with the wicked…numbered with the transgressors”
• Hosea : “…they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’”
Symbolism in crucifixion narrative:
• the criminals beside Jesus are used to distinguish his innocence from their guilt
• the public insulting him reflects unbelief
Crucifixion background
• was a particularly violent and cruel form of execution
• any Jew dying in this way was denied entry into heaven: “…anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse” (Deuteronomy 21:23)
• when nailed to the cross Jesus is offered wine vinegar as a painkiller- possibly symbolic of the
‘sour wine of Judaism’ as opposed to the ‘rich wine which is the blood of Christ’- wine is often symbolic, wine vinegar is gone-off wine
• it was custom for Roman soldiers to draw lots for the possessions of the crucified- this was done for Jesus’ clothes
The sign on the cross
• the sign above him, which is the charge he was crucified for read: ‘This is the King of the Jews’ (Luke 23:38)
• this was an ironic taunt by Pilate to those who wanted Jesus dead
Psalm 22:16-18
“a band of evil men has circled me, they have pierced my hands and feet…They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing”
The Criminals and salvation
• one of them sneered at Jesus (Luke 23:35)
• after this, he says: “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong…Jesus, remember me when you come into you kingdom” (Luke 23:41-43)
• Morna Hooker: “Jesus’ response is an indication of the salvation and forgiveness which he offers to those who repent” (Not ashamed of the Gospel 2004)
• highlights the Gospel’s theme of seeking and saving the lost- even on the cross he continues to reach out to those who come to him
Morna Hooker on the Crucifixion
• “…to human eyes, what has happened looks like utter disaster, but to the eyes of faith it is a cause for praising God” (Not ashamed of the Gospel 2004)
• “it is the story of how Jesus was glorified and how he glorified God through his death…the story of Christ triumphant on the cross, at one with God” (Not Ashamed of the Gospel 2004)
Frank Matera on the crucifixion
• “Luke portrays Jesus as the Messiah who refuses to save himself, but continues to save others even at the moment of death” (Passion Narratives and Gospel Theologies; 1986)
• “The suffering righteous one who peacefully entrusts his life to the Father” (Passion Narratives and Gospel Theologies; 1986)
After Jesus Died
• from the 6th hour to the 9th hour (traditionally 12 noon til 3 pm) darkness covered the whole land
• symbolically linked to Exodus 10:22 when darkness was a sign of God’s displeasure with Egypt during the time of Moses
• at the 9th hour the curtain was torn in two
• profoundly symbolic- the curtain separated the ’Holy of Holies’- the presence of God- from humanity. It was a barrier between the two
• with the death of Jesus, that separation was no longer there: salvation was available to everyone
Jesus’ last words
• “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46)
• from the Old Testament- Psalm 31:5 -was a phrase commonly used by mothers putting their children to bed
• Jesus is not dying alone and in anguish but in triumph and in the hands of the Father (very different to “Why have you forsaken me?”- not included in Luke)
• a watching Roman centurion recognises Jesus’ righteousness and innocence and praises God as Jesus dies
God’s saving plan and the religious significance of the crucifixion
• one sacrifice to end the need for further atonement sacrifices
• the curtain being turn symbolises the removal of the barriers involved in the Jewish tradition
• recognition from the Centurion is significant- shows gentiles may have faith also
• the sky going dark and the tearing of the temple confirm Jesus’ relationship with God
• even the criminals were offered salvation, implications for Christian attitude to forgiveness
The Burial
• Pilate agreed to give Jesus’ body to a prominent Jew- Joseph of Arimathea
• the body could not be buried with proper ritual because of the Sabbath beginning soon
• Jews were not allowed to work on the Sabbath (e.g. burial) because of the Law of Moses- “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8)
• The body is buried temporarily in a new tomb
• Isaiah 53:9: the suffering servant being “with the rich in his death”
• Joseph would have wrapped the body in cloth and laid it to rest in the tomb before the Sabbath
• Deuteronomy 21:22-23: “If someone guilty of capital offence is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole…Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land”
• Burial in a garden: the garden of eden was where life began, this is where life was renewed- links to God’s saving plan
Psalm 22: 1-31
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
• not used in Luke
The Significance of Jesus’ death
the death of Jesus had great religious and theological significance for early (and modern) believers
• the supreme act of God’s love- Christ’s death cleansed the people from sin and restored the loving relationship between God and humanity
• it broke the power of evil, sin and darkness- His life is an example to believers- live with humility and love
• Jesus died as a sacrifice- taking the punishment due to the sins of humanity, so humanity can be forgiven and be free
• this act of atonement shows God accepting the sacrifice and forgiving the sins of humanity
• the rituals of sacrifice in Judaism were elaborate- animals were offered as a reminder that people were sinners and deserved to die- this was possibly a replacement of human or child sacrifices
• Leviticus 5:17-18: “If anyone sins and does what is forbidden…even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible. They are to bring to the priest as a guilt offering a ram”
The Crucifixion and atonement
• the act of atonement is not about God as a judgemental figure, demanding death as a punishment for sins
• it is about love and righteousness
• sins must be dealt with through an act of punishment but the punishment is too great for humanity to take itself
• Jesus’ death means that he takes the punishment for humanity
-Kevin O’Donnell: “His death was believed to bring perfect forgiveness and was a perfect offering of obedience to the father” (Introduction to the New Testament 1999)
Resurrection
• the action or fact of resurrecting or being resurrected’ raising from the dead, restoration to life
• (in Christian belief) the raising of Christ form the dead
• the Resurrection (also in Christian belief) the raising of the dead at the Last Judgement
Luke on the Resurrection
• Luke tells us that on the Sunday morning, three women (Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joanna) come to the tomb to anoint the body with spices after the Sabbath
• At the tomb, the stone was rolled away and two men in white shining clothes ask them why they are looking among the dead for one who is living
• the significance of this- Jesus is not dead so can’t be found among the dead
• the angels remind them of Jesus’ words- “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again” (Luke 24:7)
The women tell the disciples
• the women tell the disciples who don’t believe them at first
• Peter rushes to the tomb to see for himself
• he sees only the strips of linen Jesus was dressed in
• he goes away wondering
• John Drane: “The resurrection, as well as the cross, was an indispensable part of the arrival of God’s kingdom” (Introducing the New Testament 1999)
The road to Emmaus
• Emmaus as a town a few miles away from Jerusalem
• named only in Luke, a similar event is mentioned in Mark without the destination
• This event in Luke takes place after the crucifixion and the discovery of the empty tomb
• two travellers do not recognise Jesus, their spiritual eyes are kept shut until they grasp the significance of the teachings- that Jesus’ death was part of the divine plan
• Jesus appears to an outer circle of disciples before his inner circle so that the message spreads- the inner circle wouldn’t be so convincing to others
Jesus appears to the 11
• Jesus later appears to the 11 disciples and says “Peace be with you”
• they don’t recognise him, they think he is a ghost
• Morna Hooker points out that it is only the women who seem to have no doubts
• once they do recognise him they are filled with joy and Jesus is able to open their minds to understand the scriptures- how his mission has fulfilled the prophecies
• Luke 24:46-48: “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
The Ascension
• finally, after opening their eyes to the meaning of the scriptures, Jesus leads his disciples into Bethany where he blesses them and is taken into heaven
• John Drane: “Without the resurrection, the cross might have been an interesting theological talking point, but would have been powerless to have any lasting effect on the lives of ordinary people”
The importance of the Resurrection
- It was the final sign- it marked the completion of God’s saving work. The empty tomb was proof of its reality.
- The resurrection was the fulfilment of scripture- confirming that Jesus was the Son of God, that his teaching were true. It enabled the disciples to got out and preach the good news.
- The barrier between God and humanity was broken.
- God’s gift of atonement and salvation was ushered in by the resurrection- the dawning of a new age.
Scholars on the importance of the Resurrection
• Some scholars question the importance of the resurrection.
• They highlight the fact that little time is spent in Luke describing it.
• It was possibly more symbolic than real- meant to encourage the faith of the early believers.
• However, I.H. Marshall: “For Luke the resurrection is the crucial event in salvation-history” (Luke: Historian and Theologian 1995)
OT references in and Significance of the Resurrection
• 3 days; fulfilment of Jonah and the Whale; temple clearing- Jesus is a sign as Jonah was and he is the new focus of worship and point of atonement
• Isaiah 53: “pierced for our transgressions”
• present Kingdom, fulfilment of the Kingdom of God with eternal life
