Welcome to Your Revision Guide: The Death and Resurrection of Jesus
Welcome! This chapter is one of the most crucial parts of CCEA GCSE Religious Studies Unit 5 (Gospel of Mark). The events of Jesus' final days—often referred to as the Passion Narrative—form the very heartbeat of Mark's Gospel and Christian belief today.
Don't worry if this topic seems heavy with details at first. We will break down every key story, uncover the deeper theological meanings, and point out the exact traps students often fall into in the exam. Let's take it step by step!
Quick Exam Tip: In Unit 5, you are tested on two assessment objectives:
• AO1: Describing what happened clearly and accurately using Mark's Gospel.
• AO2: Explaining why it matters (theological meaning and relevance for believers).
1. Events Leading to the Arrest
The Plot to Kill Jesus & Anointing at Bethany (Mark 14:1–11)
As the festival of Passover approached, the religious authorities (the Chief Priests and teachers of the law) were actively looking for a sneaky, secret way to arrest Jesus and have Him executed because they feared a riot among the crowds.
While Jesus was eating in Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper, an unnamed woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the ointment over Jesus' head.
• The Reaction: Some people present complained angrily, saying the perfume was wasted and could have been sold for more than a year's wages to give to the poor.
• Jesus' Defence: Jesus told them to leave her alone, saying, "She has done a beautiful thing to me." He explained that she was anointing His body in advance for burial.
• The Betrayal: Immediately after this, Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve disciples, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus in exchange for money.
Analogy to remember this: Think of the woman's action like buying the absolute best, most priceless gift you could ever afford for someone's farewell. She recognised Jesus' true worth when nobody else did.
The Last Supper & The Institution of the Eucharist (Mark 14:12–26)
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Jesus and His disciples gathered in an upper room for the traditional Passover meal.
During the meal, Jesus dropped a bombshell: He predicted that one of the Twelve eating with Him would betray Him. Then, He gave new meaning to the traditional bread and wine:
• The Bread: Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said: "Take it; this is my body."
• The Wine: He took a cup, gave thanks, offered it to them, and said: "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."
Theological Significance:
• Jesus established the New Covenant between God and humanity.
• His death is understood as an act of atonement (paying the price to restore human friendship with God).
• This event forms the historical and spiritual foundation for modern Christian Holy Communion / Eucharist / Mass.
Agony in Gethsemane & The Arrest (Mark 14:32–52)
After the meal, Jesus went with His disciples to an olive grove named Gethsemane. Taking Peter, James, and John further in, Jesus experienced intense emotional distress and sorrow.
• Jesus' Prayer: He fell to the ground and prayed: "Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (The word "cup" represents the suffering and wrath He was about to endure).
• The Sleeping Disciples: Three separate times Jesus returned to find Peter, James, and John asleep. Jesus warned them: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
• The Arrest: Judas arrived with an armed crowd sent by the religious leaders. Judas identified Jesus with a pre-arranged signal: a kiss. One of Jesus' followers drew a sword and cut off the ear of the High Priest's servant. Jesus challenged the mob for coming with swords and clubs as if He were a bandit. At this point, all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
Key Takeaway for Section 1: Jesus knew full well what was coming. He submitted completely to God's will in Gethsemane, while His closest friends failed Him and ran away.
---2. The Trials of Jesus and Peter's Denial
The Jewish Trial before the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:53–65)
Jesus was led away to the High Priest's house, where the entire Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council) assembled at night.
• Many brought false witness against Jesus, but their stories contradicted each other.
• Finally, the High Priest asked Him directly: "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?"
• Jesus answered clearly: "I am." He added that they would see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.
• The High Priest tore his clothes in outrage and declared Jesus guilty of blasphemy (insulting God's honor), which carried the death penalty under Jewish law. The guards spat on Him, blindfolded Him, and struck Him.
Peter's Denial (Mark 14:66–72)
While Jesus was being tried inside, Peter was down in the courtyard warming himself by the fire.
• A servant girl of the high priest noticed Peter and accused him of being with Jesus. Peter denied it.
• Twice more, bystanders identified Peter by his Galilean accent. Peter cursed and swore, "I don't know this man you're talking about!"
• Immediately, the rooster crowed for the second time. Peter remembered Jesus' prediction ("Before the rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times"), broke down, and wept bitterly.
The Roman Trial before Pontius Pilate (Mark 15:1–15)
Because the Jewish authorities under Roman occupation lacked the legal right to carry out capital punishment, they brought Jesus early in the morning to the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate.
• Pilate questioned Him: "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus replied simply: "You have said so."
• It was Pilate's custom at the festival to release one prisoner chosen by the crowd. Pilate offered them Jesus, knowing the chief priests handed Him over out of envy.
• However, the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask for Barabbas (a murderer and rebel) instead.
• When Pilate asked what he should do with Jesus, the crowd shouted: "Crucify him!"
• Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas, had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.
Key Takeaway for Section 2: Jesus openly declared His identity as Messiah and Son of God to the High Priest, facing rejection from religious leaders, civil authorities, the public, and His own closest disciple.
---3. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
The Journey to Golgotha (Mark 15:21–32)
• Weakened by the severe flogging, Jesus could not carry the crossbeam alone. A passer-by, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), was forced by Roman soldiers to carry Jesus' cross.
• They brought Jesus to Golgotha, which translates to "The Place of the Skull".
• Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh (a mild painkiller), but He refused it, choosing to remain fully conscious.
• He was crucified at the third hour (around 9:00 a.m.).
• The written charge above His head stated His alleged political crime: "The King of the Jews".
• Two insurrectionists/robbers were crucified alongside Him, one on His right and one on His left. Passers-by, chief priests, and teachers mocked Him, saying: "He saved others, but he can't save himself!"
The Death of Jesus (Mark 15:33–41)
• Darkness: At the sixth hour (noon), darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.).
• The Cry of Dereliction: At 3:00 p.m., Jesus cried out in Aramaic with a loud voice: "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (This is a direct quotation of Psalm 22:1, showing His real suffering and identification with human pain).
• With a final loud cry, Jesus breathed His last.
Two Vital Miracles/Signs at Jesus' Death:
1. The Tearing of the Temple Curtain: The heavy curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This symbolises that Jesus' death destroyed the barrier between God and all humanity—God is now directly accessible to everyone without animal sacrifices.
2. The Roman Centurion's Confession: When the Roman centurion standing opposite Jesus saw how He died, he exclaimed: "Truly this man was God's Son!" (Mark 15:39).
Why this is huge: In Mark's Gospel, this Roman soldier—a pagan Gentile—is the very first human character to openly recognise and confess Jesus as the Son of God after His death!
• The Women Witnesses: Watching from a distance were faithful women followers who had cared for Jesus in Galilee, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
Key Takeaway for Section 3: Jesus' death was marked by supernatural darkness, the removal of the barrier between God and humanity (torn curtain), and the recognition of Jesus' divinity by a Gentile centurion.
---4. The Burial and the Empty Tomb
The Burial of Jesus (Mark 15:42–47)
As evening approached before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Jewish Council who was himself waiting for the Kingdom of God, boldly asked Pilate for Jesus' body.
• Pilate was surprised Jesus had died so quickly, but after checking with the centurion, he granted the body.
• Joseph bought a clean linen sheet, took Jesus down, wrapped Him in the linen, and placed Him in a tomb cut out of rock.
• He rolled a large stone against the entrance.
• Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid.
The Resurrection / The Empty Tomb (Mark 16:1–8)
When the Sabbath was over, very early on the first day of the week (Sunday morning), Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices to anoint Jesus' body.
• They worried about who would roll away the heavy stone from the tomb entrance.
• When they looked up, they saw that the stone had already been rolled back.
• Entering the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
• The young man said to them: "Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'"
• The Abrupt Ending (Mark 16:8): The women fled from the tomb trembling and bewildered, saying nothing to anyone at first because they were afraid.
Did you know? Mark's Gospel originally finishes at verse 16:8 with the empty tomb and the angel's proclamation. Mark emphasises faith in the message rather than relying on spectacular visual appearances.
---5. Core Theological Themes to Use in AO2 Answers
To score top marks in evaluation questions, you must link the story to major Christian doctrines:
1. Atonement and Ransom (Mark 10:45):
Jesus explained His mission earlier in Mark: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." His death pays the price for human sin, reconciling people to God.
2. The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53):
Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies of the innocent servant who suffers silently on behalf of the guilty to bring healing and forgiveness.
3. Soteriology (Salvation) & Eschatology (Victory over Death):
The Resurrection proves that Jesus conquered physical death and the power of evil. For Christians, this offers guaranteed hope of their own eternal life.
4. Meaning for Persecuted and Modern Christians:
• For early Christians (suffering Roman persecution): Mark showed them that suffering is not defeat; following Jesus means taking up the cross.
• For Christians today: The Passion and Resurrection are celebrated in the Eucharist (Communion) and at Easter, giving daily hope and strength during tough times.
6. Common Exam Mistakes to Avoid!
Examiners frequently note these specific errors in CCEA Unit 5 papers:
Mistake 1: Blending Gospels (Gospel Harmonisation)
Wrong: Writing that an earthquake happened and guards fainted (Matthew), or that Jesus forgave the repentant thief on the cross (Luke), or that a soldier pierced Jesus' side (John).
Right: Stick strictly to Mark's account! In Mark, both criminals mock Him; there are no guards mentioned at the tomb; and the angel is described simply as a "young man dressed in a white robe".
Mistake 2: Missing the Centurion's Identity
Wrong: Saying Peter or John declared Jesus was God's Son at the cross.
Right: It was the Roman Centurion (a Gentile soldier) who made this declaration in Mark 15:39.
Mistake 3: Just Retelling the Story (AO1) without Explaining the Meaning (AO2)
Wrong: Only writing a narrative of the crucifixion.
Right: Always explain the symbolism! For example, explain that the torn temple curtain shows that ordinary people now have direct access to God.
Quick Revision Summary Checklist
Can you explain these 7 key points in your own words?
• 1. Bethany Anointing: An unnamed woman prepares Jesus for burial with pure nard.
• 2. Last Supper: Bread (body) and wine (blood of the covenant) establish the New Covenant.
• 3. Gethsemane: Jesus submits His will to the Father ("Abba, Father"); disciples sleep.
• 4. Sanhedrin & Pilate: Jesus admits "I am" to the High Priest; Barabbas is freed instead of Jesus.
• 5. Golgotha: Jesus cries "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" (Psalm 22); curtain tears; Centurion confesses.
• 6. Burial: Joseph of Arimathea places Jesus in a rock-hewn tomb.
• 7. Empty Tomb: Women visit on Sunday; young man in white proclaims "He has been raised" (Mark 16:6).