Deck 15: Jesus, the Apocalyptic Prophet

Question 1

Describe the "Temple incident" and explain how the apocalyptic perspective would interpret Jesus' actions.

Answer 1

Jesus predicted that the Temple would soon be destroyed by God, and some days before his death, he entered the Temple, overturned some of the tables, and generally caused a disturbance. In one account of this event, Jesus displays superhuman powers, shutting down the entire Temple complex by force of will, despite armed guards. He is quoted as calling the Temple a "den of thieves" and may have felt that the Sadducees in control had abused their power.
The apocalyptic perspective suggests that these actions may have been a kind of enacted parable, foreshadowing the destruction of the Temple that he had predicted. Jesus may have believed that in the new age to come, there would be a new Temple, or perhaps he believed there would be no need for a Temple at all. The apocalyptic perspective suggests, in short, that the Temple incident was an indication by Jesus of the coming end of days, destruction, and rebirth.

Question 2

Explain the apocalyptic significance of the twelve followers Jesus chose as his special disciples. How does the description of these disciples in Mark, Matthew, and Luke point to this significance?

Answer 2

Israel had started out with twelve tribes headed by twelve Patriarchs. The fact that Jesus chose twelve of his followers as special disciples, not eight, not fourteen, and not some other number, suggests a connection with Israel's original kingdom. The apocalyptic perspective is that Jesus' twelve disciples signify a new Kingdom of Israel that God would bring to his people.
The Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke point to the significance of the number of Jesus' disciples because they all agree on the specific number, suggesting that it was an intentional choice that Jesus made.

Question 3

Why did the Romans execute Jesus? Be sure to note the legal justification as well as a possible underlying reason for the execution.

Answer 3

Jesus was handed over to the Roman authorities, who tried him on the charge that he called himself King of the Jews. This claim amounted to insurrection or treason against the state, and this is why Jesus was executed by the Romans under Pontius Pilate. Pilate may also have seen Jesus as a potential troublemaker and been as eager to be rid of him as the chief priests were.

Question 4

The historical Jesus is best understood as a Jewish Cynic philosopher. Pick a side and argue. Keep in mind that the most persuasive arguments anticipate (and answer) counterarguments.

Question 5

The criterion of dissimilarity proves Jesus was an apocalypticist.

Question 6

Celibacy or bachelorhood was virtually unheard of among Jewish men of Jesus' day.

Question 7

Our earliest sources do not interpret Jesus' miracles as evidence that he was God.

Question 8

Jesus predicted the cosmic Son of Man would bring justice to the world.

Question 9

Jesus' family rejected his message during his public ministry.

Question 10

Which of the following texts does not portray Jesus as an apocalypticist?

A) Q
B) Mark
C) M
D) Thomas

Question 11

Which of the following clearly portrays Jesus as an apocalypticist?

A) The Gospel of Peter
B) Mark
C) The Gospel of the Hebrews
D) The "Egerton Gospel"

Question 12

All of the following are true of Jesus' understanding of the Kingdom of God except:

A) It was coming soon.
B) It would be on earth.
C) It would be brought by the Son of Man.
D) Peter would rule over it.

Question 13

Subversive teachers from Jesus' day were labeled:

A) Prophets
B) Apocalypticists
C) Messiahs
D) Secessionists

Question 14

Jesus was crucified during:

A) Yom Kippur
B) Pentecost
C) Passover
D) The Feast of Unleavened Bread

Question 15

Which of the following indicates that Jesus was most likely an apocalypticist?

A) His reputation as an exorcist and healer
B) His reputation as a moral teacher
C) His emphasis on forgiveness
D) None of the above

Question 16

Which of the following events strongly suggests that Jesus was an apocalypticist?

A) His preaching in the Temple
B) His baptism by John
C) His disputes with the Pharisees
D) His participation in the Essene community

Question 17

The historical Jesus seems to have taught that

A) God's enemies would be annihilated, soul and body
B) God's enemies would suffer in hell forever
C) God had no enemies-all are beloved by him
D) God's enemies will inevitably be converted by God's overpowering love

Question 18

All of the following are true of the stories of Jesus' miracles except:

A) They pass the criterion of contextual credibility.
B) They pass the criterion of independent attestation.
C) They pass the criterion of dissimilarity.
D) Historians cannot prove they happened.

Question 19

Which of the disciples betrayed Jesus?

A) Peter
B) James
C) Judas
D) John

Question 20

All of the following are true about Jesus' Last Supper except:

A) It was a Passover meal.
B) It is the act remembered by Christians in the Eucharist (Lord's Supper/Communion).
C) It is multiply attested.
D) Historians know that it did not happen.

Question 21

Before condemning someone to death, Roman governors:

A) Had to hold a public trial
B) Had to ask the emperor for permission
C) Had to receive approval from the Sanhedrin
D) Were not required to do anything

Question 22

What was one way Jesus was like the Cynic philosophers?

A) He taught people not to concern themselves with wealth and other trappings of society.
B) He taught people the necessity of embedding themselves fully in their society, including gaining a respectable profession, house, income, etc.
C) He taught modesty (e.g., to be private concerning bodily functions).
D) He advocated a structured interdependence among people in a society.

Question 23

What was one way Jesus was not like the Cynic philosophers?

A) He taught that people were not to be concerned about what to eat.
B) He taught people to live as naturally as possible.
C) He taught that this world was coming to an end, introducing a new age.
D) He taught that his disciples were to condemn those who rejected his message.

Question 24

Which of the following groups was apocalyptic and tended to be closest to Jesus' own views?

A) The Sadducees
B) The Pharisees
C) Herod
D) Pilate

Question 25

In the time of Jesus, to die and be cast into Gehenna probably meant

A) To suffer in hell forever
B) To die by crucifixion
C) To have your dead body thrown onto unholy land without proper burial
D) To be buried in the Sea of Gehenna

Question 26

On what charge was Jesus executed?

A) Slandering the Pharisees
B) Prophesying against the Temple
C) Blasphemy
D) Insurrection against Rome

Question 27

Which tradition passes the criterion of contextual credibility but not the criterion of dissimilarity?

A) Jesus' exorcisms
B) Jesus' baptism
C) The virgin birth
D) The crucifixion

Question 28

Which of the following incidents of Jesus' life cannot be established as most likely being historical?

A) The Temple incident
B) Jesus' baptism
C) The Sermon on the Mount
D) Jesus' association with tax collectors and "sinners"