The Crucifixion: Why Did Jesus Die?

YEAR 10 · UNIT 20: CHRISTIANITY — BELIEFS & TEACHINGS (PART 2) · LESSON 1

What You'll Learn

Understand why Jesus died and what Christians believe his death means.

Recall: Key Events in Jesus's Life

Last unit you explored Unit 19
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Last term you explored Jesus's early life, teachings, and conflicts with Jewish leaders. Here are 4 questions to warm up.

What was the main reason Jewish leaders wanted to stop Jesus?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: They saw him as a threat to their authority and accused him of blasphemy (claiming to be God's son).

What were Jesus's main teachings about the Kingdom of God?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: He taught that God's kingdom is about love, forgiveness, serving the poor, and turning away from sin.

What happened when Jesus entered Jerusalem?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: He rode on a donkey and was welcomed by crowds who saw him as a potential saviour, but leaders plotted against him.

What event triggered Jesus's arrest?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Judas, one of his 12 disciples, betrayed him to the authorities for money.

The Last Days of Jesus (Mark 15:33–39)

Jesus was arrested, tried, and executed by Roman crucifixion. Here's the biblical account:

The Crucifixion: Jesus was nailed to a wooden cross on a hill called Golgotha ("the place of the skull"). The gospel says there was darkness from noon until 3 p.m. At 3 p.m., Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). Then he died. The Roman centurion (officer) who watched said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39).

Why crucifixion? This was the Roman method for executing criminals—slow, painful, and humiliating. Being "cursed" on a cross meant being rejected by God in Jewish understanding.

Key scripture: "When the sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" (Mark 15:33–34).

Jesus as the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53)

Christians see Jesus's death as fulfilment of prophecy. The Old Testament book of Isaiah describes a "Suffering Servant":

  • He would be despised and rejected — "He was despised and rejected by men"
  • He would suffer for others' sins — "He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows"
  • He would be pierced — "He was pierced for our transgressions"
  • His suffering would bring healing — "By his wounds we are healed"

Christian interpretation: These words, written 700 years before Jesus, describe Jesus perfectly. This is why Christians believe Jesus's death was not accidental—it was God's plan.

Three Views on Why Jesus Died

Christians have interpreted Jesus's death in different ways:

RANSOM THEORY Jesus's death paid a ransom to free humans from sin and Satan's power. His death was the price of redemption.
MORAL EXAMPLE Jesus showed us how to live and die—with love and sacrifice. His death inspires us to follow his values. (Abelard)
PENAL SUBSTITUTION Jesus died as a substitute for human sin. God punished Jesus instead of us. His death satisfies God's justice. (Calvin, Martin Luther)

Different Christian Perspectives on the Crucifixion

Catholic Perspective

Catholics emphasise Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away sin. The crucifixion is central to the Eucharist (Mass), where the sacrifice is symbolically re-enacted. They balance Jesus's suffering with his triumph over death through resurrection.

Protestant Perspective

Protestants stress penal substitution—Jesus paid the penalty for sin so believers don't have to. This is why "faith alone" is central: believers receive Jesus's sacrifice by trusting him.

Orthodox Perspective

Orthodox Christians see the crucifixion as deification—God becoming human so humans can become united with God. They emphasise theosis (union with God), not just forgiveness of sin.

Liberal Christian Perspective

Some modern Christians see the crucifixion as Jesus standing against injustice. He challenged Roman power and Jewish religious authority, and was executed for it. His death shows commitment to justice, not just sacrifice.

Events & Significance of the Crucifixion

Drag each event to show its spiritual significance for Christians.

Jesus is nailed to the cross Darkness falls at noon Jesus cries 'My God, why have you forsaken me?' Jesus dies The Roman centurion says 'This man is the Son of God' Jesus fulfils the Suffering Servant prophecy (Isaiah 53)

ATONEMENT: Jesus pays the price for sin

HUMILIATION: Jesus suffers and is rejected

REDEMPTION: Jesus frees humanity from sin

REVELATION: God's love and sacrifice revealed

GCSE 12-Mark Evaluation: Jesus's Death

Statement: "'Jesus's death was an act of love, not defeat.' Evaluate."

What this means: Does Jesus's crucifixion show God's love, or was it a tragic failure?

Structure:

  • Intro: State the argument and your position
  • Arguments for: Explain why it IS an act of love (Scripture, atonement theology, sacrifice)
  • Arguments against: Explain challenges (suffering, why God needed a death, whether it was truly voluntary)
  • Conclusion: Weigh evidence and reach a judgement
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Review: Key Concepts

What is the Crucifixion, and when did it happen?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Jesus's execution by Roman crucifixion outside Jerusalem around 30 CE. He was nailed to a wooden cross and died in public.

What is the Suffering Servant prophecy (Isaiah 53)?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Old Testament prediction that a servant would suffer for others' sins. Christians believe this describes Jesus.

What is the Ransom Theory of atonement?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: The theory that Jesus's death paid a ransom to free humanity from sin and Satan's power.

What is Penal Substitution?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Jesus died as a substitute for human sin. God punished Jesus instead of us to satisfy divine justice.

Why do Christians see the crucifixion as victory, not defeat?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Because it defeated sin and death, showed God's love, and fulfilled prophecy. Resurrection proved it was victory.