"Anguish and Glory: Diverse Portrayals of Jesus's Death in the Gospels"
Yung Suk Kim
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus's approach to his impending suffering and death is characterized by profound anguish and a reluctant submission. His mission, as articulated in Mark 10:45, involves serving the lowly and marginalized, a path that inevitably leads to conflict. The Gethsemane narrative (Mark 14:32-42) powerfully illustrates this internal struggle, where Jesus prays for the "cup" of suffering to be removed, yet ultimately acquiesces to divine will, recognizing the absence of an alternative path. This Markan portrayal suggests that Jesus foresaw the rejection of his radical teachings and ministry by the established powers and populace, implying that his death became a necessary consequence of his unwavering commitment. Thus, the question of the necessity of Jesus's death in Mark presents a paradoxical answer: it is necessary given the unyielding nature of his mission, yet it would have been avoidable had his message been embraced. Consequently, Mark presents Jesus's death as a profoundly difficult and costly event, a perspective largely echoed in the Gospel of Matthew.
In stark contrast, the Gospel of John presents Jesus's death as an essential act of divine love and an occasion for glory, a moment Jesus willingly embraces as the culmination of his mission. The Johannine Jesus exhibits no discernible anguish or lamentation, unlike Mark's depiction; instead, he appears to accept his crucifixion as the fulfillment of his purpose. This divergence highlights two extreme theological interpretations of Jesus's passion: one of suffering and reluctant acceptance (Mark), and the other of triumphant fulfillment and divine purpose (John). The question of which portrayal aligns more closely with the "historical Jesus" remains a subject of scholarly debate, often suggesting that the truth may lie in a more nuanced synthesis. Notably, Luke's Gospel shares an affinity with John's in its depiction of Jesus's death. Luke portrays Jesus's death as a prophetic and willing sacrifice, devoid of significant anguish. Instead, the Lukan Jesus demonstrates composure and compassion, exemplified by his prayer, "Father, forgive them because they don't know what they do" (Luke 23:34).
Consequently, the synoptic Gospels of Mark and Matthew largely converge in their presentation of Jesus's death as a profoundly difficult and costly event, far from an ideal outcome. They characterize the crucifixion as a tragedy and an act of profound injustice. From this perspective, Jesus's demise was an inevitable consequence of his unwavering commitment to a mission that challenged established social and religious norms. His advocacy for the poor, the marginalized, and social outcasts directly contributed to his confrontation with authority, ultimately costing him his life.
On the other hand, in Luke and John, the death of Jesus is depicted not as a tragic inevitability but as a purposeful event, willingly embraced as integral to God's redemptive design. While the Lukan Jesus faces death with remarkable serenity and absence of lament, the Johannine Jesus actively embraces it as the pinnacle of his earthly mission—a moment of ultimate glory and the supreme expression of divine love.
Ultimately, the striking textual divergences concerning Jesus's death across the Gospels compel further critical inquiry. These narratives invite theological reflection on profound questions: Is Jesus's death to be understood primarily as a necessary, triumphant act of divine love and glory, or as a tragic consequence of human injustice and a costly adherence to a radical mission? Reconciling these distinct portrayals, both within each Gospel's unique theological framework and through the lens of historical context, remains a central challenge and ongoing endeavor in New Testament scholarship.