BIBLE CHARACTERS MENTIONED IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON* April 16, 2006 For CSDirectory.com. SUBJECT: Doctrine of Atonement

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1 BIBLE CHARACTERS MENTIONED IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON* April 16, 2006 For CSDirectory.com Compiled by C. Norman Wood, 5440 Mt Corcoran Place, Burke, VA , SUBJECT: Doctrine of Atonement SECTION II: A Demoniac Healed in the Synagogue at Capernaum (Mark 1: 21-27) man with an unclean spirit TIME LINE: The Year of Popularity and Fundamental Principles (Jesus 2 nd year of ministry), April-May 28 AD in Capernaum PARALLEL GOSPEL: Luke 4: Demons, in the Old Testament, were usually believed to be gods. In the New Testament, they were called an evil or unclean spirit believed to be the cause of the illness, insanity, or disaster. Demon-possession was prevalent in [Jesus ] time, and on numerous occasions [he cast them out]. (King James Commentary) This story is told both in Mark and Luke. In Mark it is called a demoniac healed in the synagogue at Capernaum [modern Tabgha, Israel], and in Luke it is called demoniac healed in the synagogue. Mark omits the contrast between Jesus teaching and that of the scribes. Luke here seems to be following Mark who begins his story of Jesus ministry with a quick survey of what has been called a typical day. (Oxford Bible Commentary) Capernaum, a prosperous fishing village, lay on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, and was the center of much of Jesus activity. The foundation of an ancient synagogue has been excavated, perhaps on the site of the one visited by Jesus. The narrator informs us that Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath. With the other Synoptic Gospels, Luke mentions Jesus authority, but our author twice emphasizes that his word was with power 4:32,36). (Eerdmans Bible Commentary)

2 Having withstood Satan s testing in the wilderness (1:12-13), Jesus is now in position to launch his offensive against Satan s kingdom. (Ibid) A striking point in this miracle is the testimony of the demon to Christ s Messiahship, which, however, he refused to accept. (Dummelow Commentary) The demon seeks to gain power over Jesus or at least to neutralize Jesus advantage by the ancient practice of pronouncing an opponent s name. If the possession was real, the demon s confession of Christ as the Holy One of God was probably extorted by fear. If the possession was not real, but imagined by the insane man, the confession was probably due to the man s instinctive sense that a person with supernatural powers was present, ready to heal him. The battle lines are drawn, the man convulses, and the demon is exorcised. All the witnesses are amazed at the power of Jesus word, and the news spreads rapidly. Mattox, Willard S., Error Rebuked, Christian Science Sentinel (18 December 1902), p Christian Scientists do not merely say that "sickness is not real" and leave the question there without further qualification. This point is made clear by Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health, p. 460: "Sickness is neither imaginary nor unreal,-that is, to the frightened, false sense of the patient. It is more than fancy, for it is solid conviction. It is therefore to be dealt with through right apprehension of the Truth of being." --[Christian Scientists] so completely believe in his teachings as to disease, and they understand so much of his methods of healing sin and sickness, that they are able to imitate, in a degree, his works and fulfil his command to "heal the sick." --That which can be destroyed is, according to Christian Science, not real, for whatever is real is created by God, and is, therefore, eternal. That discord of every nature, could be destroyed, Jesus proved beyond doubt, without resort to any of the so-called physical sciences, or without the use of drugs, medicines, hygiene, or other material methods. Speakman, Mary E., With Authority, Christian Science Sentinel (13 November 1902), p "AND they were all amazed, and spake among themselves-saying, What a word is 2

3 out." this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come --Every step in the journey of Jesus was marked by this-assurance of authority. In the Temple his child-wisdom shrank not from, voicing itself in the midst of the doctors. ---Ecclesiastical learning and high estate had no power to intimidate him or silence the words of Truth that proved him to be already about his Father's business. --The words of authority spoken in profound faith and perfect trust by the Nazarene seem almost to have lost themselves in the lapse of centuries until the Discoverer of Christian Science, exalted above the limiting faith in a personal Jesus, perceived, then demonstrated and taught to sinning, suffering humanity, that the impersonal Christ is ever present with the same authority, and but awaits the recognition and utterance of man through faith, and prayer, and a consecrated life. SECTION IV: Trial Before Pilate; Crucifixion; and Burial (John 18: 12-38) TIME LINE: The Last Months (just prior to Passion Week), 30 AD PARALLEL GOSPELS: Matt 26: 36-57; Mark 14: 32-53; Luke 22: The events of Jesus arrest and trial receive emphasis in this chapter. Since John s purpose was to present Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, he produced evidence to substantiate this purpose throughout his account of Jesus passion. Through all of the debasing, shameful acts that were directed toward Jesus, John skillfully shows that these events rather than detracting from His person and mission, actually constitute decisive evidence confirming who He was and the reason for which He came (1:29; II Cor 5:21). (MacArthur Commentary) In verses 36 and 37 John quoted from either Exodus 12:46 or Numbers 9:12, both of which specify that no bone of the Passover lamb may be broken. Since the NT portrays Jesus as the Passover Lamb that takes away the sin of the world (1:29; cf. I Cor 5:7; I Pet 1:19), these verses have special typologically prophetic significance for him. (Ibid) Annas [An uhs] 3

4 Annas = Wife Son Grandson Son Son Son Son Daughter = Caiaphas Annas was the high priest 7-17 AD, and was one of the high priests at Jerusalem, along with Caiaphas, when John the Baptist began his ministry, about AD 26 (Luke 3:2). Who Was Who in the Bible) Caiaphas, who had married the daughter of Annas (John 18:13), was raised to the office of high priest in 18 AD, and probably Annas was now made president of the Sanhedrim, or deputy or coadjutor of the high priest, and thus was also called high priest along with Caiaphas. By the Mosaic law the highpriesthood was held for life (Numbers 3:10); and although Annas had been deposed by the Roman procurator, the Jews may still have regarded him as legally the high priest. Jesus was first brought before Annas, and after a brief questioning of him (John 18:19-23) was sent to Caiaphas, when some members of the Sanhedrim had met, and the first trial of Jesus took place (Matthew 26:57-68). This examination before Annas is recorded only by John. Annas was president of the Sanhedrim before which Peter and John were brought (Acts 4:6). Caiaphas/Joseph [Kay uh fuhs] TIME LINE: 6-66 AD (High AD) Caiaphas, also named Joseph, was the high priest of Israel at the time of Jesus death. According to Josephus, he was appointed in 18 AD by the Roman Procurator, Valerius Gratus, the Roman procurator before Pilate; his father-inlaw, Annas, had preceded him, as had, for very short terms, several of Annas sons. (Oxford Guide to People & Places). He was deposed by Vitellius, Pontius Pilate s successor, in the year (HarperCollins Dictionary) Caiaphas and Annas were high priests when John the Baptist began his preaching. Caiaphas also was a Sadducee. 4

5 After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Jewish leaders became alarmed at Jesus increasing popularity. The Sanhedrin quickly called a meeting, during which Caiaphas called for Jesus death. As High Priest, Caiaphas words carried great authority, and his counsel was followed. Subsequently, Caiaphas plotted the arrest of Jesus and was a participant in the illegal trial of Jesus. The final appearance of Caiaphas in the New Testament was at the trial of Peter and John. He was one of the leaders who questioned the two disciples about the miraculous healing of the lame man in Acts. TIME LINE: AD Pontius Pilate = Claudia Procula Pilate [P_ luht] Pontius Pilate was the Roman prefect (Governor) of Judea [modern southern Israel] under the emperor Tiberius Caesar. He was the fifth governor of the province; and the second longest holder of the office. His term included the time of John the Baptist s activity, as well as that of the public ministry and crucifixion of Jesus. In addition to the New Testament references where Pilate plays a central role in events surrounding the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, we have information about Pilate and his rule in the historical writings of Philo Judaeus and Flavius Josephus. An important piece of archaeological evidence is a dedication inscription, found in Caesarea Maritima [Mediterranean port city of modern Israel] in 1961, where Pilate is given his correct title of prefect (not procurator). Pilate s character is represented very negatively in the Jewish sources: he is presented as insensitive to Jewish religious scruples and all too ready to use brutal force to repress any dissent. He is also charged with incompetence and venality; however, since Pilate governed Judea for an unusually long term, it indicates that the Roman government was not displeased with his performance. The first mention of Pilate, in Luke 13:1, concerns the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled wit their sacrifices who were presumably visiting Jerusalem for Passover. (Oxford Guide to People & Places) In addition, Josephus reports that when Pilate first brought Roman troops to Jerusalem from 5

6 Caesarea, he committed an unprecedented violation of Jewish sensibilities by allowing the troops to bring into the city their military standards with the busts of the emperor, which were considered idolatrous images by the Jews; and this was done in an underhanded manner, the troops bring in and setting up the images by night. A massive protest demonstration in Caesarea s stadium forced the removal of the standards, but only after the Jews used tactics of nonviolent mass resistance, lying down and barring their necks when Pilate s soldiers, swords in hand, surrounded and attempted to disperse them. Pilate s part in the trial and execution of Jesus is the focus of most later interest in him. Since the Jews could not execute a person without approval from the Roman authorities (John 18:31), the Jewish leaders brought Jesus to Pilate to pronounce the death sentence (Mark 14:64). Pilate seemed convinced that Jesus was not guilty of anything deserving death, and he sought to release Jesus (Matt 27:24; Mark 15:9-11; Luke 23:14; John 18:38-40; 19:12). (Who Was Who in the Bible) His role is presented somewhat differently in each of the Gospels, reflecting the diversity of theological agendas of the various authors as well as a growing tendency, as time passed, for Christians to exonerate the Romans and to lay blame for Jesus crucifixion on the Jews. Leishman, Thomas L., Betrayal, Arrest, and Trial, THE CONTINUITY OF THE BIBLE, Christian Science Journal (January 1974), p At the command of the captain of the guard, Jesus was seized and bound (see John 18:12), though he reminded his captors that all these military precautions were needless. He was no thief, he pointed out. ---There was no need to search for him at midnight; day after day they could have found him in the temple teaching the people. --The Master was to undergo several different examinations, or stages of trial, before his final condemnation. First, he was taken before Annas, who had formerly been high priest, one who, because of his age and experience, was highly esteemed by the Jewish authorities (see John 18:13). --When asked about his teaching, Jesus repeated to Annas what he had said in the garden, that he had taught the people openly. Engelhardt, Janice, Answering Pilate s Question, Christian Science Sentinel (1 September 1962), p

7 --When on trial before Pilate, Jesus declared (John 18:37), To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. --Reacting as the world might to such a declaration, Pilate replied, What is truth? --Over the years this question has reverberated in every thinking heart. Its answer has never been more passionately sought than at present in a world apparently torn by conflicting ideologies, frightened by confused prophecies, and betrayed by false hopes. --Those who claim they cannot know Truth are really stating that they cannot know God, for God is Truth. --In the late nineteenth century Mrs. Eddy presented to the world a religion founded on Jesus teachings which offered the demonstration as well as the profession of Truth. Death Warrant of Jesus Christ, Christian Science Journal (January 1896), p (Reprinted from the Philadelphia Gazette) --Of the many interesting relics and fragments of antiquity which have been brought to the light by the persevering researches of modern philosophers, none could have been more interesting to the philanthropist and believer, than the one we publish below. "Chance," says the Courier des Etats Unis, "has just put into our hands the most imposing and interesting judicial document to all Christians that ever has been recorded in human annals;" that is, the identical Death Warrant of our Lord Jesus Christ. ---The document was faithfully transcribed by the editor in these words: --Sentence rendered by Pontius Pilate, acting Governor of Lower Galilee, stating that Jesus of Nazareth shall suffer death on the cross --In the year seventeen of the Emperor Tiberius Caesar, and the 27th day of March, the city of Holy Jerusalem, Anna[s] and Caiaphus being priests, sacrificators of the people of God. Pontius Pilate, Governor of Lower Galilee, sitting in the presidential chair, of the Praetory, condemns Jesus of Nazareth to die on the cross between two thieves the great and notorious evidence of the people saying 1. Jesus is a seducer. 2. He is seditious. 3. He is the enemy of the law. 7

8 4. He calls himself falsely the Son of God. 5. He calls himself falsely the King of Israel. 6. He entered into the temple, followed by a multitude bearing palm branches in their hands. WAGERS, RALPH E. (CSB, Lecturer, Associate Editor, President, and Normal Class Teacher), Is It Real, or Is It Only Apparent?, EDITORIAL, Christian Science Sentinel (27 August 1960), p Not everything that is apparent is what we believe it to be. If what we observe is an effect, it must have a cause. --a wholly good cause must express itself in a wholly good effect. --Jesus said, For this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. (John 18:37) He did this by repudiating what was apparent if it did not testify to God as the one and only cause. ---His reasoning induced by love and deduced from God, Spirit, consistently made manifest the infinite nature. It included all law and supplied all the needs of men. --The divine order has never been interfered with. Douglas, Mrs. Colleen Feldmann (CSB, Los Angeles, CA), The message and triumph of Easter, SEEING THROUGH EVIL TO THE POWER OF GOOD, Christian Science Journal (April 2004), p the point of [Jesus ] life is missed by focusing on his crucifixion, rather than on his life, resurrection, and ascension. --That which caused Jesus crucifixion in the first place and continues to fuel the animosity is hatred, which comes under the umbrella of animal magnetism, a term Mary Baker Eddy used in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures to describe the sum total of all evil. love and the conscious recognition of the power and presence of good can neutralize its effect. ---This is the promise and triumph of Easter. --Jesus life shows that purity of thought is possible for everyone and is the antidote for all hatred, no matter what form it takes or how entrenched it has been in a society or religious body. The Resurrection and Appearance to the Women (Matt 28: 1-8) 8

9 TIME LINE: Sunday, 9 April 30 AD in Jerusalem (Peloubet s Dictionary) PARALLEL GOSPELS: Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-11; John 20:1-18 If it be remembered that a considerable number of women visited the tomb Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, Salome (Mark), Joanna (Luke), and the other woman with them (Luke) the fragmentary accounts of the evangelists are not very difficult to arrange in order. (1) Mary Magdalene and the other woman visit the tomb immediately after the resurrection, and see one angel (Matthew, Mark), or two (Luke). (2) See runs at once to Peter and John, who were probably alone at Peter s house, and thus misses the appearance of Christ to the women recorded by St. Matthew. (3) The other women returning more leisurely are met by Christ Himself (Matthew), and report what they have seen to the other apostles. (4) Mary returns to the tomb, and after the departure of Peter and John, sees Jesus in the garden (John). Other arrangements of the events are also possible. (Dummelow Commentary) The Jewish Sabbath officially ended with sundown on Saturday. At that time, the women could purchase and prepare spices (Luke 24:1). The event described here occurs the next morning, at dawn on Sunday, the first day of the week. (MacArthur Commentary) The other Mary was the mother of James the Less (Ibid) and Joses. Mary Magdalene [Mair ee Mag de leen ] (from Magdala) This elusive figure is the most famous of Jesus women disciples and the one who has been misinterpreted in Christian history. (Women in Scriptures) Different explanations have been given of her name; but the most natural is that she came from the town of Magdala, an important agricultural, fishing, and trade center of ancient Galilee [modern northern Israel]. (Holman Dictionary) Mark 16:9 and Luke 8:2 indicate that this Mary, from Magdala, was exorcised of some seven demons. (Ibid) She is mentioned first in every listing of Jesus female disciples. She, therefore, seems to have been the leader of a group of women who followed and served Jesus constantly from the outset of his ministry in Galilee to his death and beyond. 9

10 Mary Magdalene is mentioned sparingly but at crucial points in all four Gospels. (Oxford Guide to People & Places) She appears before us for the first time in Luke, among the women who minister unto Jesus. Matthew and Mark acknowledge them only immediately after Jesus death, but Luke mentions their presence with the Twelve in Jesus ministry in Galilee (8:1-3). All appear to have occupied a position of comparative wealth. The Scriptures do not describe her illness, but of Mary it is said specifically that seven devils went out of her, and the number indicates a possession of more than ordinary malignity. Mary Magdalene has been associated with the woman in the city who was a sinner (Luke 7: 37) who washed Jesus feet, but there is no scriptural basis for this. (Who Was Who in the Bible) She was present during the closing hours of the agony on the cross. She remained by the cross till all was over, and waited till the body was taken down and placed in the garden sepulcher of Joseph of Arimathea. All three Synoptic Gospels mention the two Mary s arriving at the tomb early on the Easter morning. (Ibid) They found the sepulcher empty. To her first of all Jesus appeared after his resurrection. (Peloubet s Dictionary) Only John tells the story of Mary s meeting with the risen Jesus in the garden. (Who s Who in the New Testament) the other Mary Joachim = Anna Mary = Joseph Elizabeth (cousin) Jesus (firstborn) John (the Baptist) Judas}(these other children may not have been Mary s) Simon} (unspecified number of sisters) Salome Mary (wife of Cleopas) James (the less) Joses The mother of James the Younger and Joses; [she was] a Galilean follower and financial supporter (Mark 15:40; Luke 8:3) of Jesus. (Interpreter s Dictionary) Mary the wife of Cleopas is mentioned as standing at the cross in company with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus. By comparing Matthew and Mark, we find that this Mary and "Mary the mother of James the 10

11 less and Joses" are one and the same person, and that she was the sister of Jesus' mother. She was that "other Mary" who was present with Mary Magdalene at the burial of Jesus; and she was one of those who went early in the morning of the first day of the week to anoint the body, and thus became one of the first witnesses of the resurrection. Her name does not appear in the group of women disciples mentioned by Luke during the Galilean ministry (Luke 8:2-3). (Women in Scripture) There is some school of thought that she might be the daughter of Cleopas, and therefore the wife of Alphaeus. There is considerable uncertainty concerning Mary, the wife of Cleophas; and Mary, the mother of James. Barratt, Geoffrey J. (CSB and Editor), Resurrection from Burial in Material Sense, Christian Science Journal (April 1974), p Notwithstanding the extraordinary high tide of technological innovation reached in this century instanced in the density of communications and orbital satellites that which can have the most practical implications in the life of each of us occurred two thousand years ago. --Christ Jesus resurrection has contemporary meaning and application in Christian Science it signifies that life is not, never was, and never will be in matter. --The divine metaphysics of this Science rests on this indubitable fact. It bases the demonstration of Truth, which all of us can make. ---No words can fully define its significance, for the import of Jesus resurrection must be lived and can be through scientific understanding. Mrs. Eddy states the possibilities: Divine metaphysics is not to be scoffed at; it is Truth with us, God manifest in the flesh, not alone by miracle and parable, but by proof; it is the divine nature of God, which belongs not to a dispensation now ended, but is ever present, casting out evils, healing the sick, and raising the dead resurrecting individuals buried above-ground in material sense. --To appearances, each of us is in some degree buried in material sense. Marks, Lillian Turner, Mary Magdalene, POEM, Christian Science Journal (November 1949), p Not without reason did the Master first Appear to her on resurrection day. 11

12 Of those who followed him, none did more thirst For deeper knowledge of the Christly way. Mary remained alone and wept and sought And found beside the sepulcher that hour, Not person, but the Principle he taught And proved for all to be the only power. So ready to believe and understand Not without reason he chose her to be The one to tell the others not at hand, Of the ascension and the victory. Hers was the true receptive state of mind, The ever-risen Christ first seeks to find. Vernon, Frank S., The Stone Rolled Away, Christian Science Sentinel (11 April 1936), p The same Christ, or Truth, which made possible the Master s mighty works and finally rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulcher, is here today. Proportionately as we grasp and understand this truth the stone will be rolled away for us, and we shall be freed from the bondage of belief in a power apart from God. --With what comfort and assurance do we read our beloved Leader s lines in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (p.45): Glory be to God, and peace to the struggling hearts! Christ hath rolled away the stone from the door of human hope and faith, and through the revelation and demonstration of life in God, hath elevated them to possible at-one-ment with the spiritual idea of man and his divine Principle, Love. Thus, with the stone rolled away, there is nothing to hinder our spiritual perception of the everlasting light of infinite Truth and Love. ---Then shall we be ready to receive the illumination which came to the faithful Mary, and to behold in our garden our own consciousness the risen Saviour. Townsend, Flint Lewis, He is not here: for he is risen, Christian Science Sentinel (21 April 1962), p

13 --A beautiful hymn tells us (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 381): What brightness dawned in resurrection And shone in Mary's wondering eyes! Her heart was thrilled with new affection, She saw her Lord in life arise. --On that great day when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to Jesus sepulcher, and angel, or spiritual message, appeared to them and said: Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen as he said (Matt 28:5,6) As we know, they did see the risen Saviour and went and told his disciples. --In those joy-bringing words, He is risen, lay proof of Jesus victory over the aggressive mental suggestions of hatred, sin, sorrow, sickness, and death. He showed that these claims of the carnal, or mortal, mind were utterly powerless to bring his ministry to an end. ---The advocates of scholastic theology were envious of Jesus understanding of God and his many evidences of superiority over sin and sickness and had tied in vain to kill him. BIBLIOGRAPHY The Bibliography is shown only in the notes of the first Sunday of each month. *The weekly Bible Lessons are made up of selections from the King James Version of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science. 13