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The Crucifixion Across Biblical Writings

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The Crucifixion across Biblical Writings
The Bible has been a major cultural influence throughout the world for centuries. This work has taken roots in movies, music, literature, art, and more, and as a result the interpretations and spin-offs are endless. The Gospel According to Jesus Christ by José Saramago is one of these interpretations. Saramago is knowledgeable on the Bible as well as information about the historical circumstances of the time period. Putting these two factors together, he created a novel that humanizes the characters to make it more understandable to readers, as well as sculpt a unique backstory that differs from anything Christians would find acceptable. However, he was so efficient in doing so, that some would …show more content…

Judas betrays Jesus and he is brought to the Prefect Pilate after being arrested based on the suspicion of acting treasonably by declaring himself King of the Jews. Pilate interrogates him several times and continuously finds that Jesus has done nothing wrong. After much time and the suggestions of the crowd, Pilate sentences Jesus to death by crucifixion, and he ultimately ends up on the cross. Jesus requests that Pilate write a specific inscription on the cross that says; “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Pilate tells the others that what he had written he had written, and then Jesus begins to declare that he is thirsty. At this point someone put of sponge of wine to his mouth and he says: “It is finished” (John, 19:30). Then, Jesus dies and the soldiers pierced him in the side with a spear.
Saramago version of the story is much different. The scene starts by Jesus explaining to everyone how they are going to die. He cooks up a plan that he thinks will save the people. So, instead of die on the cross as God’s son, he asks one of his followers to get him arrested for treason. His followers do not agree with his plan and think that if he is the Son of God, he should die as the Son of God. Judas ultimately volunteered to help, Jesus thanks him, and he is arrested. When questioned by Pilate, Pilate shows much less compassion than the one in John’s telling. He questions Jesus for some time asking how Jesus could possibly be a

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