Jesus’ Interpretation of his Death
Sepphoris in Galilee
Heel Bone of Crucified Man
Mosaic Floor in House in Jerusalem
Jesus' References to his Impending Death
Jesus' Three Predictions of his Death and Resurrection in
the Synoptic Gospels
Mark 8:31 He then began to teach them that the son of man must
suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and
teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days
rise again.
Mark 9:30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did
not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was
teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The son of man is going to be
betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days
he will rise." 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were
afraid to ask him about it.
Jesus' References to his Impending Death
Jesus' Three Predictions of his Death and Resurrection in
the Synoptic Gospels
32 They were on their way up to
Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the
way, and the disciples were
astonished, while those who followed
were afraid. Again he took the twelve
aside and told them what was going to
happen to him. 33 "We are going up to
Jerusalem," he said, "and the son of
man will be betrayed to the chief
priests and teachers of the law. They
will condemn him to death and will
hand him over to the gentiles, 34 who
will mock him and spit on him, flog him
and kill him. Three days later he will
rise."
Luke 18:31 Jesus took the Twelve
aside and told them, "We are going up
to Jerusalem, and everything that is
written by the prophets about the son
of an will be fulfilled. 32 He will be
handed over to the gentiles. They will
mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog
him and kill him. 33 On the third day
he will rise again." 34 The disciples did
not understand any of this. Its
meaning was hidden from them, and
they did not know what he was talking
about.
What does Jesus say about his impending death in these three sayings?
Jesus' References to his Impending Death
Jesus' "Hour" in the Synoptic Gospels
Mark 14:35: Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed
that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 "Abba, Father,"
he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet
not what I will, but what you will."
41b The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the
hands of sinners.
What does Jesus mean by his “hour”? What does this imply
about Jesus’ self-understanding?
Jesus' References to his Impending Death
Jesus' Prediction of his Death in the Gospel of John
John 2:19: Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in
three days I will raise it up."20 The Jews then said, "It has taken
forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in
three days?" 21 But he spoke of the temple of his body. 22
When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples
remembered that he had said this; and they believed the
scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.
John 3:14: Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so
the Son of Man must be lifted up.
John 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20; 12:23: Jesus’ “time” (kairos) and “hour”
(hora)
How does Jesus understand his death in these passages?
Jesus' References to his Impending Death
Jesus' Prediction of his Death in the Gospel of John
John 7:33-36: I am with you for only a short time, and then I
will go to the one who sent me. You will look for me but you
will not find me and where I am you cannot come.
John 8:21: I am going away, and you will look for me, and
you will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.
John 10:11: I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays
down his life for the sheep….15 I lay down my life for the
sheep.
John 12:5, 7: Why was this perfume not sold for three
hundred denarii and given to poor people?....Let her alone, in
order that she may keep it for the day of my burial.
Jesus' References to his Impending Death
Jesus' Prediction of his Death in the Gospel of John
But now they have seen, and hated me and my Father as well.
But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their
Law: “They hated me without reason.” (Psalms 35:19; 69:4)
During his last Passover meal, Jesus explains to his disciples
that he is leaving them; he adds that if he leaves, he will
prepare a "place" (topos) for them, and will return to take them
to himself (John 13:33; 14:3; 16:16-22).
What are the ways that Jesus speaks about his impending
death?
Question
How does Jesus understand his death in relation to his mission as
the one who proclaims the Kingdom of God?
The Salvation-Historical Purpose of Jesus' Death
Gospel of John
John 17:1: Father, the hour has come; glorify your son, in
order that the son may glorify you (see 12:23; 13:31).
John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this, that one lay
down his life for his friends."
John 12:24: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat
falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it
bears much fruit.
John 12:31: Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler
of this world will be cast out.
What are the ways that Jesus understands the purpose of his
impending death?
The Salvation-Historical Purpose of Jesus' Death
Synoptic Gospels
Jesus as the Isaian Suffering Servant
Isa 53:10 Yet it was Yahweh's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though Yahweh makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his
offspring and prolong his days, and the will of Yahweh will prosper in his
hand. 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be
satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will make many
righteous, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a
portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the
transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for
the transgressors.
The Salvation-Historical Purpose of Jesus' Death
Synoptic Gospels
Jesus as the Isaian Suffering Servant
Ransom for Many
Mark 10:45: For even the son of man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Isa 53:10: “Yahweh makes his life a guilt offering”
Isa 53:11 “And he will bear their iniquities”
Isa 53:12 “For he bore the sin of many”
The Salvation-Historical Purpose of Jesus' Death
Synoptic Gospels
Jesus as the Isaian Suffering Servant
Numbered among Transgressors
Luke 22:37: It is written: "And he was numbered with the
transgressors" (Isa 53:12); and I tell you that this must be fulfilled
in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
The Salvation-Historical Purpose of Jesus' Death
Synoptic Gospels
Jesus as the Isaian Suffering Servant
Son of Man Rejected
Mark 9:12: “How is it written about the son of man that he is to
suffer many things and be rejected?”
Isa 53:3: "He was rejected and forsaken of men"
The Salvation-Historical Purpose of Jesus' Death
Synoptic Gospels
Jesus as the Isaian Suffering Servant
Removal of Bridegroom
Mark 2:19-20: “The days will come, when the bridegroom is
taken away (aparthê) from them.
Isa 53:8: "By oppression and judgment he was taken away
(erthê); and as for his generation, who considered that he was
cut off (LXX airetai) from of the land of the living; for the
transgression of my people he was stricken"
How does Jesus use Isa 53 to interpret his impending death?
The Salvation-Historical Purpose of Jesus' Death
Synoptic Gospels
The Word over the Bread
Luke 22:19-20: 14 When the hour had come, He reclined at
the table, and the apostles with him.15 And he said to them, "I
have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I
suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is
fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17 And when He had taken a
cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among
yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the
vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes." And he
took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and
gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you. Do this
in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after supper,
saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new
covenant in my blood."
The Salvation-Historical Purpose of Jesus' Death
Synoptic Gospels
The Word over the Bread
"This is my body (or myself) (given) for you."
Questions
How does Jesus understand the salvation-historical
significance of his death in the Gospel of John? How does
Jesus understand the salvation-historical significance of his
death in the synoptic gospels?