Jesus’ death and resurrection
Each of the four gospelThe teachings of Jesus and the apostles. in the New TestamentThe second part of the Christian Bible containing 27 books consisting of four types of literature: letters (epistles), gospels, history and prophecy. gives an account of the events that led to Jesus' death by crucifixionRoman method of execution by nailing someone to a cross, often until they die of asphyxiation; used on Jesus and many others., and his resurrectionThe Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after the crucifixion. The rising from the dead of believers on the Last Day in a new, or risen, life..
Mark's gospel reports that after Jesus was betrayed by his disciple and friend, Judas Iscariot, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of GethsemaneThe garden close to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem where Jesus spent the night before his capture and crucifixion.. He was put on trial by the high priests and found guilty of blasphemySpeaking about God in a sacrilegious way..
He was taken to see Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who was responsible for deciding who could be put to death. Pilate wanted to release Jesus and presented him to the crowd in the hope that they would want him to be freed.
However, they chanted crucify him (Mark 15:13) because they were heavily influenced by the religious leaders who wanted Jesus to be executed. Pilate was therefore pressured into sentencing Jesus to be crucified.
Jesus was floggingA punishment that involves a public beating, usually with a flexible stick. and crucified at the site of Golgotha on the day that Christians know as Good Friday.
On the cross above his head a sign was attached that mockingly read “King of the Jews”.
Jesus suffered on the cross for over six hours and called out My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34).
Mark's gospel states that the sky then turned dark, and darkness fell over the land for the last three hours of Jesus' life.
At the moment when Jesus died, the temple curtain ripped in two, which Christians understand to be a sign from God to show that Jesus’ death had atoneA person atones when they show they are sorry for doing something wrong. for the sins of humanity.
Resurrection
After his death, Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross and placed into a rock tomb with a heavy stone covering its entrance. Jesus’ death teaches Christians that God is with humans even when they die.
When his female followers, including Mary MagdaleneOne of the female followers of Jesus who were the first to meet him after his resurrection., visited the tomb the Sunday after his crucifixion, they saw that the stone had been rolled away from its entrance. Inside, Jesus’ body was missing.
In the garden surrounding the tomb, there appeared a man dressed in white. The women pled with him to return Jesus’ body, but the man explained that he was Jesus. Mary Magdalene returned to the disciples to tell them the news that Jesus had risen from the dead. Christians call these events the resurrection of Jesus.
Jesus is mentioned in the gospelThe teachings of Jesus and the apostles. as appearing many times over the next 40 days.
Ascension
Jesus greeted and blessed his disciples 40 days after his resurrection. He then ascensionFor Christians, when Jesus went up to Heaven 40 days after he rose from the dead. to Heaven.
The resurrection and ascension of Jesus prove to Christians that he is the Son of God. His sacrificeThe act of giving something precious to another person or to God. overcame sin and offers humans hope of eternal life.