Important Terms and Concepts for Christology
Passion - Refers to the final part of Jesus' story once he enters Jerusalem,
including his arrest, trial, and death on the cross.
Paschal Mystery - Refers to the mystery of Jesus' death on the cross and
Resurrection. It's based on the question why did God choose to do this and what
does this mean for us?
Crucifixion - Jesus' death on the cross.
Resurrection - Jesus' rising from the dead. This event is celebrated on Easter,
which is considered to be the most important religious day for Catholics.
Incarnation - The Catholic belief that God became a human being in Jesus Christ
and that Jesus was both fully human and divine (God)
Jesus' Contemporaries - Important Groups of People
Disciples - Followers of Jesus who were committed to living his teachings and
often traveled with him.
Apostles - Refers to the group of twelve closest disciples to Jesus who became
leaders for early Christians.
Pharisees - Group of Middle class Jewish people who strongly followed the
Torah (part of the Old Testament).
- Believed that being holy means following the laws very strictly
- Often disliked and judged people who didn't follow the law and separated
themselves from those people like the sinners, Samaritans and Romans
- Were very religious and deeply believed that their way of life was in
accordance to God's will. Many of them weren't priests or Temple officials.
Thoughts towards Jesus: They were originally curious about Jesus but
eventually turn against him because he criticized them and taught beliefs
different from theirs. They not only supported but helped to lead the effort to
have Jesus killed.
Sadducees - Upper class Jewish conservative priestly officials.
- Many were very wealthy and were priests or officials in the Temple.
They have much control over the Temple worship.
- Looked down on the Pharisees and others who weren't priests and who
thought differently.
- Want to maintain status quo, generally cooperated with the Romans well to
keep their wealth and power.
- Don't really take their faith that seriously; see religion as a way of gaining power
and status.
Thoughts towards Jesus:
- They find him to be a threat to their way of life and support his death. They help
to manipulate the situation to have Jesus killed in a way that won't upset the
balance of power.
Zealots - Extremely fanatical Jews who wanted their own independent country
- Despised the Romans and believed in the use of violent tactics to overthrow
them.
- Believed that the Kingdom of God meant God would help them form a new
Jewish kingdom like in the Old Testament.
Thoughts towards Jesus:
They originally supported Jesus to become their king and leader against the
Romans. After they find out he was different they become seriously disappointed
and turn against Jesus.
Sanhedrin - The assembly of leaders of the Jewish people in Israel that also
basically served as the court. They end up deciding Jesus' fate when he gets put
on trial.
Thoughts towards Jesus:
Most of the Sanhedrin were made up of the High Priests and Sadducees. They
found Jesus to be a threat and disruption and help coordinate the effort to have
him killed.
Significant People in the Passion Stories
Apostles and Disciples
Peter - The leader of Apostles who is eventually appointed by Jesus to become
the leader of the early Church.
- Although he denies knows Jesus and makes many mistakes, he is able to admit
his faults and constantly grow from his experiences.
- He is the first to acknowledge and understand Jesus as the Messiah.
Matthew - One of the twelve Apostles who becomes one of the four evangelists.
- He originally began as a tax collector before leaving his old ways and following
Jesus.
Thomas - One of the twelve who often experiences and doubts about his faith
unless he can see or have proof.
Judas - He originally began as a zealot before he became an Apostle.
- He betrays Jesus because he wants to put Jesus in a situation where he is
forced to accept his role as a strong powerful savior.
- His real mistake is not fully accepting or understanding who Jesus was.
Joseph of Arimathea - He originally is one of the leaders of the Pharisees. He
eventually becomes a follower of Jesus, who took care of Jesus' burial after the
crucifixion.
Other Individuals involved:
Barabbas - One of the zealots who was a convicted criminal for crimes against
the Romans. During Jesus' trial he is selected to be released.
Simon of Cyrene - A spectator in the crowd during Jesus' crucifixion. He is
chosen by the Romans to help Jesus carry his cross. He later converts and
becomes a disciple.
Pontius Pilate – The Roman governor of Jerusalem. His main goal was to make
sure the Jewish people remained peaceful. During Jesus’ trial he tried several
times to set Jesus free. Finally he gives into the crowd in fear that they may be
rebel and word would get back to his Roman superiors that he wasn’t doing his
job effectively.
Notes on Jesus’ Passion Story
- The Pharisees' plan is to have Jesus convicted as criminal so that he will be executed by
the Romans. They try to show that he spoke of destroying the temple and blasphemed taught untrue beliefs about God. However, to get the Romans involved they had to show
that he broke Roman laws. They do this by saying that Jesus claimed to be a king.
- Jesus' prediction about Peter comes true and even as the leader of the disciples he too is
going to betray Jesus and prove to be flawed.
Jesus on Trial with Pontius Pilate
- Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Jerusalem. His
job was to keep the Jews under control and maintain peace between them and
the Romans. This was a very difficult task since many of the Jews were eager to
rebel and very volatile.
- The Pharisees plan begins to unravel. Jesus doesn't give them clear answers
and they cannot prove that he was a criminal.
- Pilate sees this and continually tries to get Jesus set free: 1) By finding Jesus to
be innocent; 2) sending him to Herod to try him; 3) Agreeing to release one
prisoner (Jesus or Barabbas).
- Despite his efforts, in the end Pilate agrees to give in to the crowd and to crucify
Jesus. He tries to deny responsibility by saying "I am innocent of this man's
blood. Look to it yourselves (Matthew 27:24)," but still had a role in Jesus' death.
Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (Matthew 27:33-61)
- After his conviction Jesus was beaten and mocked by the Roman soldiers.
- A man named Simon of Cyrene was sent to help Jesus carry his cross.
- Right before his death Jesus cries out to God his last words which the Gospel
writers don't agree on. (Matthew and Mark quote him saying, "My God my God,
why have you forsaken me?") (Luke quotes, "Into your hands I commend my
Spirit") (John quotes, "It is finished.")
- The only one's to stay by Jesus' side during his death were Mary his mother,
Mary Magdalene, and the Apostle John.
- After his death there was a great earthquake and storm possibly demonstrating
that Jesus was really God.
- Jesus' body was given to the disciple Joseph of Arimathea and was buried in a
tomb. A large boulder was rolled in front of the entrance to block anyone from
entering.
Resurrection and Ascension (Matthew 27:62-66, 28:1-20)
- 3 days after his death, Jesus' tomb was found to be empty with the boulder
rolled aside. The women to first witness this were visited by the risen Jesus and
told that he was resurrected.
- Eventually the rest of the disciples and Apostles learn that Jesus has risen.
Some doubt this at first but come to accept it. Eventually Jesus appears to his
disciples several times. Thomas the most skeptical one, finally comes to believe
when he sees Jesus' risen body with the wounds from his crucifixion.
- After continuing to appear and teach his disciples for several more stories,
Jesus officially commissions them to spread the word of God and faith, finally
ascending into heaven.
- Following the Ascension, the disciples got scared and hid. As Jesus promised,
on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to the disciples giving them the courage to
continue God's mission and the ability to "speak" and communicate to all people.
Implications from the Resurrection (According to the Catholic Church)
1) God forgives us from all of our sins. Despite being rejected, betrayed,
abandoned and killed, Jesus still forgave all.
2) God gives us eternal life. The Resurrection shows that death is not the end of
existence but the transformation into a new deeper life with God.
3) Jesus shows us the best way to live; which is to allow ourselves to become
vulnerable and truly love by giving of ourselves to others.