Death of Jesus Christ

Discussion Questions: “Death of Jesus Christ”

This study is broken up in four sections:  The Death of Jesus, Witnesses of the Crucifixion, Jesus’ Side is Pierced, the Burial of Jesus and Guarding of the Tomb.

The Death of Jesus

 Matthew 27:45-54, Mark 15:33-39, Luke 23-44-47, and John 19:28-30.

1.    Darkness covers the land (Read the verses outlined in red: Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, and Luke 23:44). All three authors state darkness covered the land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour.  Using today’s clock, what time of day were they talking about?  ____________________________________________________

2.    God forsakes Jesus. (Read verses outlined in yellow: Matthew 27:46-47, and Mark 15:34-35) Why did Jesus say, “My God, My God, why have your forsaken Me?” What does this mean?  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.    Jesus thirsts. (Read verses outlined in green: Matthew 27:48-49, Mark 15:36, John 19:28-30).  As we combine these three passages together, Jesus said, “I thirst!”, then immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on the reed (or hyssop), and offered it to Him to drink.  Why did they give Jesus sour wine to drink?    _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.    Jesus dies.  (Read verses outlined in blue: Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46, and John 19:30).  All four gospels describe Jesus’ death similarly.  Breathed His last breath, cried out in a loud voice, and gave up His spirit.  What does it mean in John 19:30, when Jesus said, “It is finished!”?  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5.    The temple veil was torn in two. (Read verses outlined in purple: Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, and Luke 23:45) What is the significance of the temple veil being torn in two?  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.    The Roman soldiers feared Jesus. (Read verses outlined in black: Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39, and Luke 23:47) Why did the Roman soldiers say this man was the Son of God?  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Witnesses of the Crucifixion

(Read verses outlined in gray: Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:49, and John 19:25-27)

7.    Who were witnesses of the Crucifixion? 

(1)  ______________________________________________

(2)  ______________________________________________

(3)  ______________________________________________

(4)  ______________________________________________

(5)  ______________________________________________

(6)  ______________________________________________

(7)  ______________________________________________

(8)  __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jesus’ Side Pierced

(John 19:31-37) Although there is no other reference than John to Jesus’ side being pierced, it is significant enough to study here.

8.    Roman soldiers go to break the legs of the crucified.  (John 19:31-33) Why did the Jews ask Pilate to have Jesus and the two robber’s legs broken when they were being crucified? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9.    Breaking the crucified legs hastens their death. (John 19:32) Why would breaking the legs of the crucified hasten the time of their death?  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10.                Blood and water came out.  (John 19:34) Why did blood and water come out of Jesus when the Roman soldier pierced His side? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11.                “Not one of His bones shall be broken.”  (John 19:36) Where is this scripture written so this prophecy may be fulfilled?  ___________________________________________________________

12.                “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” (John 19:37) Where is this scripture written so this prophecy may be fulfilled?  ___________________________________________________________

The Burial of Jesus

(Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56 and John 19:38-42)

13.                Preparation Day.  (Read verses outlined in orange: Mark, 15:42, Luke 23:54, and John 19:31) Mark, Luke, and John talk about the haste of completing the burial of Jesus because it was “Preparation Day.”  What is the significance of this day, and what was the Jew’s activity on this day?  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14.                Joseph of Arimathea Revealed.  (Read verses outlined in light green: Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:43-46, Luke 23:50-53, and John 19:38-42) All four gospels talk about Joseph of Arimathea asking Pilate for Jesus’ body.  Pilate agrees to give Jesus’ body to Joseph.  Great care is taken of His body, wrapping it in linen cloth and laying it in a new tomb carved in the rock.  Matthew and John mention Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but only John mentions Joseph did it secretly.  

Three Questions: 

1.    Why was Joseph a disciple secretly?  ______________________

2.    Why does the Lord not want us to have a secret relationship with Him? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.    What scripture does it state we are not ashamed of Him? Hint: Mark… _______________

The Guarding at the Tomb

(Matthew 27:62-66)

15.                Only Matthew details events of the necessity to guard the tomb of Jesus. (Read verses outlined in light blue: Matthew 27:62-66) Why did the chief priests and Pharisees ask Pilate to place Roman guards in front of the tomb of Jesus?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was the misinterpretation the chief priests and Pharisees concluded in Matthew 27:63?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________