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This eBook contains all the articles published on the original GospelMysteries Website. Unless otherwise noted, all biblical quotations are fromthe New International Version of the Bible.All images in this ebook are public domain works reproduced courtesy ofWikiMedia Commons. The left image above is the painting
Madonna dell Granduca 
by Raphael (1483-1520). The right image above is a detail from
Carrying the Cross 
by Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516).
Table of Contents 
Why Was Jesus Crucified?
What was the real reason he was put on the cross?
Where Was Golgotha?
Has the site of the crucifixion been located?
Mary Magdalene
Did other followers of Jesus try to ostracize her?
The Original Ending of Mark
Was it accidentally lost? Was a new ending added later?
The Devil
Does he really exist?
Stigmata?
What causes these mysterious wounds?
Barabbas
Why was he released instead of Jesus?
The Fate of the Nazarenes
What finally happened to the original believers in the resurrection?
Judas Iscariot
Why did he betray Jesus?
The Family of Jesus
Did other members of his family initially disapprove of his activities?
 
Who Was at the Cross?
Which followers of Jesus actually saw him die?
The Resurrection of the Dead Saints
How can we explain this mysterious passage in the Gospel ofMatthew?
The Second Coming
Will Jesus come again?
The Virgin Birth
Is there an explanation?
First Witness to the Resurrection
Who was the first person to see Jesus after he left the tomb?
The Teachings of Jesus
Why are some of his teachings so hard to follow?
Speaking in Tongues
Can some people speak in a divine language?
The Son of Man
Why did Jesus give himself this unusual title?
The Atonement
Why was it necessary for Jesus to suffer and die?
The Beloved Disciple
Can he (or she) be identified?
Resurrection Theories
Are there other possible explanations for the belief in theresurrection?
Secret Gospels
Did some early gospels contain secret knowledge?
Demonic Possession
Can people be possessed by evil spirits?
James the Just
Why do the gospels say so little about this very important early churchleader?
The Eucharist
What is the purpose of this sacrament?
How Did Jesus Die?
What was the actual cause of his death?
 
Why Was Jesus Crucified?
According to the gospels, the main charge against Jesus was that heclaimed to be the king of the Jews. The Roman soldiers were mocking thisidea when they dressed him in a purple robe and pressed a crown of thornsonto his head. This was also the charge written on the sign at the top of thecross.But the charge was false. The enemies of Jesus had concocted it bytwisting the meaning of the old Jewish prophesies about the coming of theMessiah.According to those prophesies, the Messiah was a great future leader whowould appear during a period of extreme desperation and crisis known asthe End Times (or Last days). Assisted by God, he would overthrow all eviloppressors and set up a perfect kingdom on earth, where righteous peoplecould live forever in peace and joy.During the years when Jesus was growing up, many people believed thatthe End Times had already arrived, and that the Messiah would soonappear. This belief was especially strong in Galilee, the region of Palestinewhere Jesus lived. And the belief grew even stronger when John theBaptist began proclaiming that all the prophesies about the Messiah wouldsoon be fulfilled.But those prophesies could be interpreted in different ways. Somescriptures, such as Isaiah 53, depict a devout non-violent person who willhave to go through a period of rejection and suffering. Other scriptures referto a future descendent of King David, and indicate that God will help himcreate a glorious new kingdom. Many common people believed that theMessiah's first task was to drive out the hated Romans, and so they wereexpecting someone with military abilities who would lead a successful revoltand then establish a totally new order.The Romans were fully aware of the discontent in the country and the hopefor a liberator. There were more riots and uprisings in Palestine than in anyother part of their empire. Because of the constant difficulties, they werealways on the lookout for potential rebel leaders.Actually, during his ministry in Galilee, Jesus never openly called himselfthe Messiah. He probably realized that it would be dangerous to do so,because even though he clearly didn't plan any type of military action, theauthorities could have misunderstood his intentions and arrested himanyway. Matthew 16:20 says that "he warned his disciples not to tellanyone that he was the Christ." (The word Christ is the English translationof the Aramaic word for Messiah.)When Jesus and his disciples set out for Jerusalem, they traveled with alarge group of other Galileans who were going there for the annualPassover festival. Many of these people believed that Jesus was theMessiah, even though he still hadn't publicly said so. According to Luke19:11, his presence among these travelers caused so much excitement
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