The Christ Commission Ch 12

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Questions and Answers

What was Mary Magdalene doing when Joseph and Matthias approached her?

Shelling dried peas into a wooden bowl (correct)

Reading a book

Cooking a meal for the guests

Praying under the pomegranate trees

What physical feature distinguished Mary Magdalene's appearance?

Her hair was short and she had dark skin

She wore a colorful dress and a headscarf

Her hair was of antique bronze and her skin was very fair (correct)

She had long silver hair and freckles

What significant event took place in Mary Magdalene's life prior to the moment described?

She returned from the empty tomb after Jesus' resurrection (correct)

She had a confrontation with the Roman authorities

She became a merchant in Jerusalem

She was present at Jesus' crucifixion

How did Mary Magdalene perceive Romans, particularly when speaking to Matthias?

She associated them with harm and violence Signup and view all the answers

What advice did Joseph give Matthias about talking to Mary Magdalene?

To keep his questions simple and talk softly Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial reaction of Mary Magdalene after Jesus told the crowd that he who is without sin should cast the first stone?

She was furious and thought Jesus had sealed her fate. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Mary Magdalene and the other women go to the tomb early in the morning?

They wished to prepare Jesus' body for burial properly. Signup and view all the answers

What caused Mary Magdalene and her companions to initially speculate that Jesus' body had been taken from the tomb?

They feared someone had stolen it after seeing the stone rolled away. Signup and view all the answers

What did the young man in white say to Mary Magdalene and her companions when they found him in the tomb?

He told them not to be afraid and mentioned seeking Jesus. Signup and view all the answers

What was John’s response when Mary Magdalene asked him to accompany her to the tomb?

He refused, saying he could not leave Peter. Signup and view all the answers

What was Mary's reaction when asked about seeing an angel at the tomb?

She claimed she had never viewed an angel. Signup and view all the answers

What significant detail did Mark recall about the last meal Jesus had?

He brought food to Jesus from the kitchen. Signup and view all the answers

What did Matthias infer about the young man mentioned in Mark's Gospel?

He was likely an accomplice to the body removal. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mark react when asked if he remembered much about Jesus?

He remained silent and tense. Signup and view all the answers

What was notable about Mark's demeanor during the conversation?

He displayed a strange intensity and sadness. Signup and view all the answers

What did Mark proudly state about his activities on the night of the last supper?

He had waited downstairs for his Uncle Peter. Signup and view all the answers

What did Jesus say to his followers as they approached the gate?

You shall all be offended because of me. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the only one, besides the apostles, that Mark said had heard Jesus' announcement?

Himself Signup and view all the answers

What prevented Mark from immediately confessing his encounter at the tomb?

Fear of punishment Signup and view all the answers

What was Mark doing when he first heard the soldiers at his house?

Sleeping Signup and view all the answers

What did the Roman soldiers search for in Mark's house?

Jesus Signup and view all the answers

How was Mark described at the time of Jesus' arrest?

As a frightened youth Signup and view all the answers

What did Mark's mother do when he wanted to warn Jesus?

Held him back Signup and view all the answers

What significant event does Mark's experience at the tomb relate to?

The resurrection Signup and view all the answers

What caused Mark to jump to his feet in surprise?

The shaking of the earth Signup and view all the answers

What did the guards shout as they rushed past Mark?

He has departed from his grave! Signup and view all the answers

What item did Mark carry as a torch toward the grave?

A log from the fire Signup and view all the answers

What did Mark see inside the tomb when he first looked in?

Linen cloth of burial Signup and view all the answers

What did Mark call out to the fleeing women?

Fear not! Signup and view all the answers

How did Mark describe his emotional state upon hearing the guards' announcement?

Filled with great joy Signup and view all the answers

What does Mark agree to share with the others as long as it remains a secret?

What he saw near Golgotha that night Signup and view all the answers

Where did Mark sleep on the night after the events at the garden of Gethsemane?

Outside on the terrace Signup and view all the answers

What unusual event does Matthias suggest Mark should have noticed from the terrace?

A fire burning near Golgotha Signup and view all the answers

How does Mark feel about sharing his story?

Ashamed and anxious about the consequences Signup and view all the answers

What does Mark recall hearing from the house on the night after the Sabbath?

Women wailing and crying Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mark insist on keeping his story a secret for now?

To preserve the faith of others Signup and view all the answers

What does Matthias observe about Peter's condition during that time?

He was still sick with fever Signup and view all the answers

What does Mark say about his habit of watching the city from the terrace?

He liked sitting and observing, even when he wasn't sleeping outside Signup and view all the answers

What was located directly below the terrace where Mark slept?

The road leading to Golgotha Signup and view all the answers

What reassurance does Matthias provide to Mark about sharing his story?

That it'll remain safe with him Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

### Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene is a prominent figure in the Gospels, known for her devotion to Jesus and her experiences after his resurrection.
She is described as a "sinner" or "reformed prostitute" in some sources.
Mary Magdalene witnessed the events of Jesus's arrest and crucifixion.

### Mary Magdalene's Testimony

Mary Magdalene's story of the empty tomb includes a detail that conflicts with other Gospel accounts.
Unlike other accounts, she encountered a young man in the tomb.
This contradicts accounts of angels being found in the tomb.
She remembered that the young man had shouted after her and her companions.
The shouts included these phrases: "Be not afraid. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified...He is risen; he is not here."
She described the young man as being frightened by their sudden appearance.

### John Mark

John Mark is a young apostle, around twenty years old.
He witnessed events surrounding Jesus's death and resurrection, including the arrest of Jesus and the women's visit to the empty tomb.
His account of the empty tomb aligns with Mary Magdalene's description of a young man in the tomb.
He was present on the night of the Last Supper and accompanied the disciples part of the way on their journey to the Temple.
He witnessed Jesus's pronouncement that the disciples would be scattered after his death and his promise that he would rise.
John Mark was also present when Roman soldiers stormed the house and searched for Jesus.
He was told by his mother not to go to Gethsemane to warn Jesus because of the danger he was facing.
He confirmed that his mother and other women were weeping in their room, while soldiers searched for Jesus.
He confirmed that the soldiers, who had searched the house, were going to Gethsemane.

### John Mark's Discrepancies

John Mark's account of the empty tomb differs from other accounts in several key details.
He describes the young man in the tomb as being frightened, which is not mentioned in other accounts.
He states that the young man was the one who shouted "He is risen, he is not here," while the other accounts credit the angel or angels with this statement.

### Mark's Account

Mark's Gospel differs from Mathew, Luke, and John in its description of the individual at the tomb, stating that it was a young man, not angels.
The author of Mark's Gospel refers to the young man in the tomb directly.
Mark's Gospel contains the full statement made by the young man in the tomb.

### The Discrepancies

The discrepancies in the Gospel accounts of the individuals at the tomb raise key questions.
Did Mark witness an event that the other Gospels missed or omitted?
Was he deliberately omitting details to protect himself, his identity, or his reputation?
Was John Mark present at the tomb and did he actually encounter the young man?
Or were his memories and stories altered, exaggerated, or influenced by other accounts, events, or personal interpretations?

Mark's Testimony

Mark, a young boy at the time, was sleeping outside on the terrace when he saw torches moving towards the city from Golgotha.
He heard guards shout "He has departed from his grave, he has departed from his grave!"
He was filled with joy, remembering Jesus's words about rising again.
Mark went to the tomb and confirmed that Jesus was gone, finding only the burial cloth.
He encountered women at the tomb but couldn't recognize them in the dim light.
Mark said he called after them to "be not afraid" and told them that Jesus was risen and going before them to Galilee.
Mark returned to the house, pretending to be asleep.

John's Testimony

John, along with Peter, returned to Bethany where they brought news of Jesus' resurrection.
John was met with disbelief and ridicule.
He returned to Jerusalem to find Mary (Jesus’s mother) had also told the disciples about Jesus’s resurrection.
All the disciples gathered in the house but were skeptical.
The house was locked to avoid being accused of removing Jesus’s body.
The disciples were in despair, leaderless, and frightened.
Thomas left the house to check the tomb for himself.
Many disciples prepared to flee to Galilee.### The disciples' transformation
The disciples, initially disheartened, were transformed into powerful figures, spreading the word of Jesus and eventually conquering the Roman empire.
Jesus’s post-resurrection appearance convinced the disciples to spread his teachings.
The disciples were initially afraid and doubtful of Jesus’s resurrection.
Jesus appeared to the disciples after his resurrection, despite the door being locked.
Jesus reassured the disciples, showing them the wounds from his crucifixion, and commanded them to spread his message.
The disciples were initially skeptical about Jesus’s resurrection, but their doubt was dispelled through his appearance.
Thomas was a disciple who initially doubted Jesus’s resurrection, but later believed after seeing Jesus’s wounds.
Jesus told Thomas that those who have not seen him, but still believe, are blessed.

The investigation of Joseph of Arimathea

Joseph of Arimathea, who helped prepare Jesus’s body for burial, is a suspect for the Christ Commission.
The Christ Commission is still searching for the missing body of Jesus and investigating potential suspects.
Only two suspects remain in the Christ Commission’s investigation, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.
Joseph suggests that if Matthias is not satisfied with his or Nicodemus’s answers, he should continue investigating and visit Nicodemus’s impressive garden.
Matthias's investigation has led him to Joseph of Arimathea, who is a wealthy man.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the significant figures of Mary Magdalene and John Mark as described in the Gospels. This quiz covers their testimonies, the events surrounding Jesus's resurrection, and the differing accounts found in the scriptures. Dive into the intriguing details of their stories and explore their roles in the early Christian narrative.