R E revision notes Mark's gospel is about good news. The good news is about Jesus. Jesus is the Christ, the promised messiah

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Christ is Greek for Messiah.

Gospel means good news.

Mark’s gospel is about good news.

The good news is about Jesus.

Jesus is the Christ, the promised messiah.

Jesus is the Son of God.

He wrote to tell us: what Jesus said and did, who Jesus was and the impact Jesus made on the people.

He wrote it because people all across the world needed to know more about Jesus and Jesus original followers were dying out. He needed to record what he did for future generations.

Mark wrote the gospel in Greek but used some Aramaic quotes e.g. eloi eloi lama sabachthani.

These Aramaic quotes indicate marks gospels authority because he had to get the information from an eyewitness.

Conservatives: they believe that the bible is inspired but not scientific.

Fundamentalists: they believe that the bible is inspired completely by God and can’t contain error.

Liberals: believe writers inspired by God but human mistakes made.

Literalists: fundamentalists who take exact literal interpretation.

Gospels are precious to Christians.
Christians believe the bible is relevant even today.

Jews believe that their God is the one true God.
God made a covenant with the Jews.
A covenant is an agreement that is sacred and binding.

Sadducees were a party of priests at the temple in Jerusalem.
The Pharisees believed in the Law of Moses and they live by it. *****
The Sanhedrin was the religious council of the Jews.

Son of David: title for messiah-descendant of King David-great leader to be.
Son of God: title given to Jesus - emphasises that he always existed even before he was born.
Son of Man: a heavenly being with special authority from God.
Jesus, when called Son of God, was seen as a blasphemer.
Jesus spoke of himself as the son of man in the third person.
At the trial before the high priest he said he was the Son of God.
Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration was when God said Son of God.
Son of God - Transfiguration: Took Peter, James and John up a mountain. He transfigured and his clothes became dazzling white and Moses and Elijah appeared before them. Jesus was talking to them when the disciples said, “Rabbi let us put up 3 shelters one for you Moses and Elijah.” Then a voice said from heaven, “This is my Son whom I love so listen to what he says. They looked back and Jesus was there himself.
Trial: at the trial after Jesus was arrested he high priest asked Jesus, “Are you the Christ, Son of the blessed one?” Jesus answered, “I am! And you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of God and coming on the clouds of heaven!” The high priest tore his clothes and said,” Do you need anymore evidence? This man is blaspheming!” Jesus was accused of blasphemy and was taken to Pilate.

Son of man – Paralyzed Man: Jesus entered Capernaum. He went home. Many people gathered there and he preached to them. Some men came with a paralyzed man but could not get passed the crowds so went on the roof and lowered him through an opening. When Jesus saw their faith he said, “ Your sins are forgiven.” Some teachers of the law were there and said he was blaspheming. Jesus knew they thought this so he said to them, “Is it easier to say your sins are forgiven or take up your bed and walk?” the ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

Son of man – Paralyzed Man: Jesus entered Capernaum. He went home. Many people gathered there and he preached to them. Some men came with a paralyzed man but could not get passed the crowds so went on the roof and lowered him through an opening. When Jesus saw their faith he said, “ Your sins are forgiven.” Some teachers of the law were there and said he was blaspheming. Jesus knew they thought this so he said to them, “Is it easier to say your sins are forgiven or take up your bed and walk?” the man got up and walked away.
Son of man refers to one who is human and more. He has power that comes from God.

Jesus, Saviour – Calming of the storm: It was nighttime and Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the river.” They all got into the boat but then suddenly a large wave broke over the boat. Jesus was in the back of the boat sleeping but one of the disciples woke him saying, “Do you not care if we drown?” he got up rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Be still! Quiet!” Then the wind died down. He then said to them, “Do you have no faith? Why are you so afraid?” they were very afraid and they thought to themselves who is he, even the seas obey him!
The name Jesus means Saviour.
Jesus used his powers to save e.g. paralyzed man
Christians believe that Jesus saved us from sin and death and hell.
Christians believe that Jesus was the messiah.

Bartimaeus called Jesus son of David because he had faith in him.
By his entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey this showed he was a messiah.
Son of David – Entry into Jerusalem: As they approached and came to Bethpage Jesus sent two disciples ahead to Jerusalem and said to them, “Go in to the town and you will find a colt tied there and bring it to me and if anyone asks why say that the lords needs it and will come shortly.” They went and go it and when they brought it back to Jesus they threw their cloaks over it and he sat on it. Many people on the road in done the same and shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our Father David! Hosanna is the highest!” Jesus went to the temple. He looked at everything but it was late so he went on to Bethany.

Christians have to know and understand who Jesus is.
Modern Christians use ideas used by Jesus to interpret them in a relevant way.
Sometimes the language is difficult to comprehend.

Jesus knew he had to die so when he was being arrested he did not try to run away.
The Arrest -Jesus was in the garden praying when the Judas came with a crowd armed with clubs and swords. He said to them, “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and take him away.” Judas went over to Jesus and kissed him on the cheek and said, “Rabbi.” The men seized him but then one of those standing near drew his sword and cut the ear of one of the high priests servants and Jesus said, “Am I leading a rebellion? That you have to come with clubs to arrest me?” He was taken away.
Jesus did not resist arrest.

The trial before the high priest was about Jesus authority.
Jesus was sentenced to blasphemy.

The Roman Trial – Trial before Pilate – Very early in the morning all the people with power e.g. Sanhedrin made a decision. They handed Jesus over to Pilate. Pilate said, “Are you the King of the Jews?” “Yes it is as you say it is,” Jesus replied. He was accused of many things in the first trial so Pilate asked him, “Are you not going to answer? Look how many things they have accused you of.” Jesus didn’t reply and Pilate was amazed. It was custom at the time to release a prisoner who the people wanted. Pilate said, “Do you want me to release the king of the Jews?” but the high priests stirred it and Barabbas was released. Pilate then asked, “What will I do with the one you call king of the Jews?” The crowd replied, “Crucify him!” Pilate then said, “What crime has he committed?” But they just shouted louder, “Crucify him!” Pilate handed him over to be crucified.
Pilate gave the crowd what they wanted so that there would not be a riot.
The soldiers made fun of the idea he was King.
Golgotha - they brought Jesus to Golgotha and offered him wine mixed with myrrh but he refused it and so they crucified him and then divided his clothes up between them. It was the third hour when they crucified him. The charge was written on a notice INRI meaning King of the Jews. Two robbers were crucified along with him one on the right and one on the left.
Jesus refused anything that would ease his death.

The empty tomb – when the Sabbath was over Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James brought spices to the tomb to anoint Jesus with. When they were on their way they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the tomb?” but when they go there it was rolled away. As they entered the tomb they saw a young man dressed in white sitting on the right side. They were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said, “You are looking for the Jesus of Nazarene who was crucified! He has risen! He is not here. Tell the disciples that he is going ahead to Galilee and he will see him there.” They women fled and told no one because they were afraid.