CHARACTERS AT THE CRUCIFIXION
A Podcast Series
On Select Characters At The Crucifixion
Through History and Scripture
On Select Characters At The Crucifixion
Through History and Scripture
Who were the two criminals executed along with Jesus? What do we know about robbers then? What do the legends say? Why did one repent? What did Jesus mean when he said he would be with him in Paradise that day?
(Length: 1 hr. 22 min.)
Who was the Centurion at the foot of the Cross? What do we know about centurions in history and in Scripture? What do we make of his words, "Truly, this was God's Son?"
(Length: 2 hr. 1 min.)
Jesus’ followers included many women from Galilee who supported him out of their means. They followed him to Calvary. Who were these extraordinary women and what do the different Gospel accounts say about them? Did Jesus have an "Aunt Mary" who was there, too?
(Length: 1 hr. 11 min.)
Mary of Clopus was at the Cross. Who was she and who Clopus? Mary Magdalen was there, too. Was she the "Sinner Woman" mentioned elsewhere in the Gospels? And another Mary was there, too, Mary, the Mother of James and Joses. What do we know about her? And finally, Salome, who was she?
(Length: 1 hr. 4 min.)
Who were these wealthy women who followed Jesus? What can we know about Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward? Was she the one whom Paul called "outstanding among the apostles"?
(Length: 1 hr. 7 min.)
John in his Gospel tells us that he and Jesus' mother were standing by the Cross. When Jesus spoke to him, was Jesus asking him to take care of His mother? If not, what was Jesus meaning? When Jesus spoke to his mother, why did He call her "Woman," and not "Mother?" Who are John and Mary meant to symbolize and why?
(Length: 1 hr. 31 min.)
Nicodemus was a rich Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews who met with Jesus and who helped bury Jesus. Many have questioned his faith over the years, but many others see him as a believer, though one in development. The Gospel of John tells us three things about him – his meeting with Jesus at night, his defense of Jesus at Sukkoth, and his lavish burial of Jesus. On careful reading, each of these incidents tells us much about him. And much we can learn from him.
(Length: 1 hr. 22 min.)
Scholars say we know less about the Pharisees than we once thought we did. But we do know some things. Things from history, Josephus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the rabbinic literature. And those things make Nicodemus one of the most intriguing characters in all of the Gospels. A compelling case can be made to call him “St. Nicodemus.”
(Length: 1 hr. 57 min.)
Jesus called James and John "Sons of Thunder." And we can see why from examples in Scripture. But if John was a kind of "hothead," why did he not go berserk at the Crucifixion? What pulled him back? When did he become the "Apostle of Love" that he is so well-known for? There's lots to know about his background to explain why and how this transformation occurred. Faithful attention to Scripture and history will show why. Plus, are there sudden storms on Lake Galilee? Did Peter really catch a fish with a shekel in its mouth? Did archeologists really recover a boat from Jesus' era?
(Length: 56 min.)
Bethsaida was a rough fishing village on the north shore of Lake Galilee. Zebedee (and his sons James and John) were business partners with Peter and Andrew there. Jesus would eventually curse the place. But there's lots to know about John and his background growing up there in a devout Jewish family -- how he was raised, how he prayed, how he learned the family trade in the commercial fishing industry. Indeed, the special skill set he got as a fisherman would prove to be exactly what Jesus would need of him when he called him to be an Apostle.
(Length: 58 min.)
John was likely the "other disciple" of John, the Baptist, along with Andrew, which explains why he followed Jesus immediately at Lake Galilee. Jesus singled out John (along with Peter and James) to experience three secret events -- the raising of Jarius' daughter from the dead, the Transfiguration, and the Agony in the Garden. Why?
(Length: 1 hr. 24 min.)
Jesus had good reason to call John a "Son of Thunder." John was fiery, impetuous, and we see that from different events in the Gospels. He was also the "Beloved Disciple" mentioned in the Fourth Gospel and the arguments that say otherwise just don't hold up. At some point, he became known as the "Apostle of Love." Is it plausible that change occurred at the scene of the Crucifixion?
(Length: 1 hr. 18 min.)