Crucifixion 
Duccio di Buoninsegna. Siena, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
http://complit.rutgers.edu/mwatts/duccio.html
 CRUCIFIXION, execution of a criminal by nailing or binding to a cross. It was a common form of capital  punishment from the 6th century BC to the 4th century AD, especially among the Persians, Egyptians,  Carthaginians, and Romans. The Romans used crucifixion for slaves and criminals but never for their own  citizens. Roman law provided that the criminal be scourged before being put to death; the accused also had
 to carry either the entire cross or, more commonly, the crossbeam from the place of scourging to the place of
execution. The practice was abolished in 337 by Constantine I out of respect for Jesus Christ, who died on  the cross. 

The crucifixion of Christ between two thieves is recorded in the New Testament by all four evangelists (see  Matt. 27:33-44; Mark 15:22-32; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:17-30). The significance of the crucifixion has been  a subject for theological discussion throughout church history. 

(from http://www.fwkc.com/encyclopedia/low/articles/c/c005002364f.html)

The magnificent painting "Resurrection" by El Greco: http://sunsite.auc.dk/cgfa/greco/p-greco14.htm
works of art about the passion and resurrection:
http://www.execpc.com/~tmuth/easter/art.htm

 
 
Introduction to Resurrection

 
A list of the events in the last week of Jesus's life: http://www.efn.org/~kcarson/grace/study/100/Christianity_102_Passion.html

A site by the Catholic Encyclopedia about the Resurrection: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12789a.htm

Resurrection of Christ
http://ccel.org/pager.cgi?file=e/easton/ebd/ebd/T0003100.html&from=T0003114&up=e/easton/ebd/ebd.html

Evidence for the Resurrection: http://ovcollege.edu/terry/gospels/evidence.htm
 

 
 
Discussion of Resurrection

 
An essay "The Passion according to Luke":  http://www.cptryon.org/xpipassio/passio/luke/index.html

Essay "The Passion according to John":  http://www.cptryon.org/xpipassio/passio/john/index.html

Discussion about the Passion as it is presented in the four gospels: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11530a.htm

A meditation on John 19: http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/john19.htm

 
Study Questions 
generously provided by Sister Heliena Krenn

 
Lk 22.1-24.1-12, 24.50-53; Jh 19.38-20.1-18: PASSION DRAMA AND THE RESURRECTION & ASCENSION: Jesus knew the prophecies of the OT about the Messiah's death and resurrection. Repeatedly He had spoken to His apostles about these impending events.

1. Lk 22.1; The timing of Jesus's death: Review the OT event of the Passover (Ex 12.21-32); can you see a symbolic connection between the Passover celebration of the Jews and the death of Jesus?
2. Lk 22.14-20: In the account of the Lord's Supper (also 'Last Supper') the term 'new covenant' is used. What does this term mean in the OT? What may it mean here?
3. Lk 22.19-20: When a priest celebrates mass he does so in obedience to Jesus who said "Do this in memory of me." Do you know what we mean when we speak of 'mass'?
4. Lk 23.32-33: Crucifixion was the most shameful form of execution at that time; so much so that a Roman citizen could not be executed by crucifixion. Consider the dying words of Jesus (Lk 23.46); what do they express?
5. How do women figure in the passion drama and in the story of the resurrection?
6. In medieval times the reading of the resurrection event was one of the first that developed into drama. It is rich in dramatic potential. Why?
7. Consider how the different people respond to the discovery and news that Jesus is no longer in the tomb: the women, the apostles, the authorities. What do these different responses reveal about the psychology, motivations, and relations to Jesus of those people?

TERMS TO REMEMBER: cross, passion, crucifixion, Last Supper, Mass, New Covenant, Mount of Olives, Judas, Messiah, Pilate, Resurrection