PASSION,

DEATH, AND
RESURRECTION
 The whole
earthly life of
Christ came
into its climax
in His
PASCHAL
MYSTERY CCC 571
PRELUDE TO THE
PASSION
Jesus spoke of His
death. He
understood his
passion and death
as a mission from
the Father.
Jesus came into
conflict with the
religious and
secular
authorities.
 His association with outcasts
and sinners such as tax collectors
and women of ill-repute.

His divergence in interpreting

the Law of Moses such as healing
the sick on the Sabbath.
 Jesus addressed God in the
most intimate of terms as his
“Abba”.

Jesus is considered a threat to

the security of the nation.
THE WEEK
OF THE
PASSION
 Overview of the Passion
• The Evangelists agree on
Narratives
essential details of the
events of the Passion:
– Jesus’ arrest
– Questioning by the
high priest
– Trials before Sanhedrin
and Pontius Pilate
– Condemnation
– Crucifixion
– Death
– Burial
 Matthew and Mark
• Stress Jesus’ abandonment
– Judas’ betrayal
– Disciples falling asleep in garden
– Peter’s denial
– Disciples flee upon arrest
– Jesus mocked by soldiers
• Vindication in the end
– Temple veil torn in two
– Roman centurion
confesses, “Truly this
man was the Son of
God!”
 Luke
• Portrays apostles more
favorably:
– Disciples fall asleep only once
(because of grief)
• Emphasizes Jesus’ compassion
during his Passion:
– Jesus healing servant’s ear in
garden
– Comforts women on way to
Calvary
– Promises paradise to Good Thief
– Prays for forgiveness for his
executioners
 John
• Portrays Jesus in control
of events:
– “I lay down my life in
order to take it up again”
(Jn 10:17)

– When asked his identity, Jesus says “I AM” (the

divine name), causing the soldiers to fall to the
ground
– Jesus tells Peter to put sword away
– He entrusts Mary to John
– His last words: “It is finished” (Jn 19:30)
 Discussion: How do you
think the differing
emphases of each Gospel
enhance our overall
understanding of Christ’s
Passion and Death?
 Tracing the Events of
Our Salvation
• The Paschal Mystery of Christ’s Passion,
Death, and Resurrection are the central
part of God’s eternal plan and are
revealed in each of the Gospels.

• Matthew 26-27 provides an especially

descriptive account of these events:
 Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21:1-13)

• Jesus arrives in Jerusalem

during the week of Passover,
the Jewish feast celebrating
God’s delivery of the Israelites
from slavery in Egypt.
• He sends two disciples ahead to
retrieve a colt for him to ride.
• People lay down palms as he
enters the city.
• Jesus chases moneychangers out
of the Temple.
 Conspiracy against
Jesus (Mt 26:1-5)

• Jewish authorities
scheme how to arrest
Jesus without causing a
riot.
• High priest, Joseph Caiaphas, says better
for one man to die than whole nation.
 Jesus’ anointing at Bethany
(Mt 26:6-13)

• Woman anoints Jesus’

with expensive oil
• Disciples criticize the
waste, but Jesus
commends the woman
for anointing him for
burial
 Judas’ betrayal
(Mt 26:14-16)

• Betrays Jesus for 30

pieces of silver

• His actions were

influenced by Satan
 Last Supper (Mt 26:17-35)

• Jesus plans the meal (shows he is in control)

• At the meal Jesus foretells his betrayal
• Jesus celebrates Passover meal and institutes
the Eucharist as the memorial of his sacrifice
 Agony in the Garden and Jesus’ arrest
(Mt 26:36-56)

• Jesus prays that the cup pass from him, yet

resolves to obey God’s will.
• Disciples fall asleep
three times
• Judas leads armed
crowd and betrays
Jesus with a kiss
• Jesus reprimands
Peter for drawing his
sword
 Jesus before the
Sanhedrin and Peter’s
denial
(Mt 26:57-27:10)

• Hearings before former high priest Annas, current

high priest Caiaphas, and Sanhedrin
• False witnesses brought against Jesus
• Jesus convicted of blasphemy in the end
• Meanwhile Peter denies Jesus three times
 Jesus before Pilate
(Mt 27:11-31)

• Jesus brought to Pontius Pilate on charges of sedition

• Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, who sends Jesus
back without condemning him
• Pilate gives the crowd the choice to have Jesus or
Barabbas released—Barabbas is chosen
• Pilate gives in to crowd’s chants to crucify Jesus
• Soldiers mock and abuse Jesus
 Christ’s Redemptive Death

Jesus’ redemptive
Death and
Resurrection is the
high point of human
history, promised
from the time of
Adam and Eve’s sin.
Christ’s Redemptive Death

The theological and

historical
understandings of
the events
surrounding Christ’s
Death help to reveal
its meaning:
 Theological Meaning
of the Death of Jesus

Representing all humanity

like Adam, Jesus took on
the sins of the world and
died the death we deserve.
 Christ’s humanity became the
instrument of divine love, suffering
so that we might be forgiven for our
sins and be restored to communion
with God.
Jesus’ motive for accepting Death
was the desire to free humans
from sin and to buy our freedom
with his very Person and his
eternal love.
Who is Responsible for Jesus’ Death?
Roman authorities:
The Roman prefect,
Pontius Pilate, gave in to
the pressure of the crowd
because he viewed Jesus
as a threat to Roman
authority and peaceful
relations between Jewish
and Roman authorities.
 Who Is Responsible for Jesus’ Death?
Jewish Authorities:
• Certain Jewish officials
wanted Jesus condemned for
many reasons:
– Jesus’ association with sinners
– His exorcisms
– Jesus’ teaching on dietary and
ritual laws
– His teaching with authority
– His claims to be the Messiah and
even God
– His forgiving sins
– Fear of disruption of relations
with Roman authorities
 • Ultimately, all
people bear
responsibility for
Jesus’ Death since
he died for the sins
of us all.
 Crucifixion and
Death of Jesus
(Mt 27:32-56)

• Simon of Cyrene forced to help carry the cross

because Jesus so weak
• Jesus refuses wine mixed with gall (painkiller)
• soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ garments
 Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

• Jesus is crucified between two criminals

• Inscription placed above his head: “King of the Jews”
• Before dying Jesus recites a line from Psalm 22: “My God, my
God, why have you abandoned me?”
• Jesus dies and the Temple veil is rent
• Jesus’ mother Mary, apostle John, and some other disciples
present at cross
 Burial
(Mt 27:57-66)
• Joseph of Arimathea
goes to Pilate to ask
for Jesus’ body

• The body is hurriedly

prepared since
Sabbath began at
sundown