The Early Ministry of Jesus (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards

Bartimaeus, when Jesus healed him (Mark 10:46-52) — the title links Jesus to the Messiah, descended from King David.

'For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.'

Mark's Gospel opens: 'The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God' (Mark 1:1).

Some believe they were dictated by the Holy Spirit; others believe the writers were inspired but their writing reveals their own interpretation of Jesus.

False.

Jesus did not use the title Messiah of himself (it was dangerous) — though he did not deny it; he most often used 'Son of Man'.

As an unusual figure dressed in camel's hair with a leather belt, who ate locusts and wild honey.

To prepare the way for Jesus's coming — fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of a messenger who would announce the Messiah.

The prophet Elijah — Mark presents John the Baptist as like Elijah, preparing the way.

The Essenes, a Jewish monastic community living in the desert near the Dead Sea.

Being washed with water as a sign of repentance, of washing away sins and making a fresh start.

In the River Jordan, which runs from the Judean Desert into the Dead Sea.

By encouraging people to repent, baptising them for a new life, and announcing one much greater and more powerful was coming.

'I have baptised you with water; but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit' — John said he was not worthy to untie his sandals.

John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

The third person of the Holy Trinity — meaning God is always with believers, strengthening them for challenges.

The prophet Isaiah — 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'

False.

Baptism began before Christianity — the Christian Church later adopted it as the sign of entering the faith.

The start of his public ministry — it is the first event Mark records of Jesus's life (there is no birth or childhood account).

Cleansing and new life — water also symbolises life and blessings from God, and salvation/new beginnings (e.g. crossing the Red Sea).

A sign of God's presence — fulfilling Isaiah's words 'O that you would tear open the heavens and come down' (Isaiah 64:1).

The Holy Spirit and God's presence — doves also symbolise peace (e.g. Noah's dove); the Spirit came to give Jesus strength for his ministry.

'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased' — showing Jesus's importance to God and giving him his mission.

A 'voice from heaven' in Jewish teaching that symbolises God's presence.

He went into the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan, with wild beasts, and angels waited on him.

The wild beasts are often interpreted as demons (against God); the angels symbolise that God kept Jesus safe as he resisted temptation.

All three persons are present: God the Father (the voice), God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit (the dove).

Baptism is their initiation into God's family; Jesus's baptism shows he identified with humans as one needing cleansing, though he had no sin.

It shows they are not alone in facing temptation; Jesus set the example of resisting it — remembered during Lent, when many give something up.

The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus 'like a dove' at his baptism (Mark 1:10).

False.

Mark tells it very concisely — the detailed accounts are in Matthew and Luke.

The house was so crowded they could not get in, so they dismantled the roof and lowered him down on his mat.

Their strong faith — 'When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."'

He first forgave the man's sins, before healing him — to Jesus, forgiving sins was the more important act.

They thought it was blasphemy — 'Who can forgive sins but God alone?' (Mark 2:7) — so Jesus was claiming God's authority.

By performing the visible miracle (healing), Jesus showed he was also powerful enough to do the invisible miracle (forgiving sins).

Over illness (healing the man) and over sin (forgiving him) — both evidence his power and authority come from God.

At that time many saw illness and suffering as a punishment for sin — so forgiving his sins would enable his cure.

'Son of Man' — 'so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins' (Mark 2:10).

They were amazed and glorified God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!' (Mark 2:12).

As a historical event, as a metaphor for Jesus's authority to forgive and free people spiritually, or as evidence that strong faith can heal even today.

Jesus said to the paralytic: 'Stand up, take your mat and go to your home.'

False.

It is not clear whether the man himself had faith — Jesus responded to the faith of the men who carried him.

Many were astounded at his wisdom, but they took offence at him — they knew him only as 'the carpenter, the son of Mary'.

They knew him as an ordinary person — the local carpenter and Mary's son — not as God's chosen one.

'Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house' (Mark 6:4).

He could do no deed of power there, except heal a few sick people — showing that faith is important for great miracles.

Jesus was amazed at the unbelief of the people of Nazareth.

It foreshadows the far greater rejection and persecution he suffered at his trial and crucifixion, and gives strength to persecuted Christians.

They were persecuted, especially in Rome under Emperor Nero (when the Gospel was written) — this story gave them strength and courage.

In parts of the Middle East, where it can be dangerous to practise Christianity, with attacks on churches and people.

Strong faith enables greater miracles — rejection and unbelief limited what Jesus could do among his own people.

Yes — he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them, showing he still had some power, just less.

Historical figures like St Paul or St Peter, or modern ones like Dietrich Bonhoeffer or Archbishop Oscar Romero.

True.

Jesus' words at Nazareth (Mark 6:4) became a well-known proverb about people who know someone well struggling to accept they are special.

A nature miracle — Jesus demonstrated God's power by breaking the rules of nature.

It is retold in all four gospels — that amount of evidence leads many to believe it is true rather than a metaphor.

Five loaves and two fish — Jesus blessed and broke them and had the disciples share them among the people.

They were dismayed at the scale — realising the crowd was so large they could never afford food for all of them.

Twelve baskets of broken pieces — showing there was more than enough, God's abundant provision.

Moses — who prayed in a deserted place and God provided manna for the Israelites in the wilderness.

The Old Testament idea that the Messiah would ensure everyone was fed — the feeding of the five thousand fulfils this prophecy.

The Last Supper, remembered today in Holy Communion.

The five loaves represent the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament); the two fish may represent the disciples' fishing origins or the two tablets of the Ten Commandments.

God's care for his people — that he will feed them both physically and spiritually — and that small offerings can lead to great things.

Because they were 'like sheep without a shepherd' — so he began to teach them many things.

Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.

That God would raise up a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).

False.

The disciples raised the practical concern, found the food, and shared it out among the people at Jesus's command.