Why did Jesus have to die?

Question 1

List the three conflicts in John

Answer 1

• Jesus vs the Jews (religious)
• Jesus vs the Romans (political)
• Jesus vs the reader - realised eschatology (spiritual)

Question 2

Why did Jesus have to die according to John?

Answer 2

He entered as God in a dysfunctional world and made many enemies. His goodness drew out human sin and he was crushed by the evil of the world

Question 3

What does the resurrection mean according to John?

Answer 3

God’s love and forgiveness overcomes all - in this case the sin of the world

Question 4

How old was Jewish tradition when Jesus was born?

Answer 4

4,000 years old, with Moses coming 2,000 years before

Question 5

What was the centre point of the Jewish tradition when Jesus was born?

Answer 5

The temple cult, the obsession with law would only take off after the destruction of the temple

Question 6

What did the Jews manage to do 160 years before Jesus was born?

Answer 6

Regained independence from the Greek empire that had ruled over them for 200 years

Question 7

What two groups were in political conflict when Jesus was born?

Answer 7

There was conflict between the hellenised and those wanting independent rule from the Romans

Question 8

What was Judea?

Answer 8

The land around Jerusalem that acted as the centre of Jewish tradition at this time

Question 9

Why was it inevitable that Jesus would come into conflict with the religious and political authorities?

Answer 9

• They didn’t understand who he was
• His message challenged their power and authority
• He was seen as a threat to the peace and power of the region

Question 9

Why was it inevitable that Jesus would come into conflict with the religious and political authorities?

Answer 9

• They didn’t understand who he was
• His message challenged their power and authority
• He was seen as a threat to the peace and power of the region

Question 10

What were the three main reasons for the conflict in John?

Answer 10

• Jesus challenged the system of Jewish law
• Jesus challenged power and authority
• Jesus claimed equality with God

Question 11

How did Jesus challenge the system of Jewish law?

Answer 11

He spoke against the rituals of worship and sacrifice and domination by the temple

Question 12

How did Jesus challenge authority and power?

Answer 12

He called them hypocrites and questioned their position in the kingdom of God

Question 13

What did the religious authorities see as their three main duties?

Answer 13

• Following the law of Moses
• Keeping the covenant
• Keeping peace with the Romans

Question 14

What Leviticus verse explains why Jesus has to die?

Answer 14

24:16

Question 15

State Leviticus 24:16

Answer 15

‘Anyone who blasphemes the name of the lord is to be put to death’

Question 16

Where does the religious conflict begin in John?

Answer 16

With the cleansing of the temple

Question 17

Where was the cleansing of the the temple referenced in the OT?

Answer 17

Malachi 3:1

Question 18

State Malachi 3:1

Answer 18

‘Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come t his temple’

Question 19

What does Morna Hooker say about the religious confilct created by the cleansing of the temple?

Answer 19

The temple is destroyed and replaced by the temple of Jesus’ body. Worship will now be centred around the risen lord and not on the temple in Jerusalem

Question 20

Why does Alan Culpepper think that Jesus dying at the hands of the religious authorities was inevitable?

Answer 20

They saw Jesus as a physical man and so could not grasp his spiritual significance. By not having seen or heard the father they are Jesus’ opposite and the opposite of disciples

Question 21

How did Jesus anger the religious authorities at the healing at the pool?

Answer 21

• Questioning their authority
• Questioning their interpretation of the Law of Moses
• Healing someone on the Sabbath
• They did not see it as an act of God but a deliberate and punishable breaking of the commandments

Question 22

How did Jesus question the religious authority of those in charge at the healing at the pool?

Answer 22

By speaking about his special relationship with God