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In which Gospel does the centurion exclaim that Jesus is God’s Son after seeing the earth shake and why?
- Mark, because throughout his Gospel people have been attracted to Jesus because of his mighty deeds.
- Matthew; it is another case of a Gentile learning about Jesus through observing a natural phenomenon.
- Luke, because it shows that the earth itself agonizes over the death of the innocent one.
- John, because it is a manifestation of the power that Jesus, the One from Above, has over the world below.
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How does Luke’s Gospel depict Jesus as Reconciling Savior in the execution scene?
- When Jesus dies, an earthquake opens the tombs of some dead people and they come alive.
- The manner of Jesus’ death reconciles the Gentile centurion with the God of Israel. This is apparent in his exclamation, “Truly, this was God’s Son!”
- Jesus forgives his executioners and another crucifixion victim becomes reconciled with God.
- The execution charge being presented in multiple languages shows that Jesus’ death reconciles the whole world with God.
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What is the most important implication of the Marcan centurion’s exclamation, “Truly, this was God’s Son!”?
- Since he is a Gentile, Mark’s portrayal emphasizes that Jesus is important for Gentiles as well as Jews.
- No one can truly comprehend the reality of Jesus’ divinity unless they encounter the reality of the cross.
- Mark’s persecuted church should not automatically condemn all agents of the Roman Empire. Some of them can become believers, too.
- Since similar statements came more than once from the mouths of demons earlier in the Gospel, the centurion’s words suggest that he is demonically possessed. This is part of Mark’s polemic against the persecuting Empire.
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Which of the following elements are found only in the Gospel of John?
- The seamless tunic, the mother of Jesus is present, Jesus’ corpse is speared.
- The lamenting women of Jerusalem, the seamless tunic, “It is finished!”
- Jesus carries his cross alone, an earthquake occurs, “It is finished!”
- The seamless tunic, “Why have you abandoned me?” Jesus’ corpse is speared
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Early in Luke’s Gospel, Simeon prophesies that Jesus is “destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel” (2:34). How is this motif of Israel being divided (according to whether or not people hear Jesus) visible in the Lucan execution narrative?
- By not showing the Roman soldiers crowning Jesus with thorns, Luke focuses the reader on the reactions of Jewish characters.
- The tearing of the Temple curtain symbolizes the people being torn asunder.
- The dividing of Jesus’ garments represents the separation of Israel into believing and unbelieving camps.
- Luke distinguishes between the Jewish leaders and people, and shows one of the crucifixion victims mocking Jesus while the other defends him.