Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea: Secret Disciples of Jesus
- 1. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were two prominent figures in the New Testament, both of whom secretly followed Jesus during His ministry. Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, was a learned man who initially approached Jesus under the cover of night to discuss spiritual matters, leading to the well-known discourse about being 'born again.' Although he faced ridicule and potential ostracism from his peers for his association with Jesus, his respect for the teachings of Christ brought him to defend Jesus during a council meeting, showcasing his quiet bravery and conviction. Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and influential member of the same council, was described as a good and righteous man who, unlike many of his contemporaries, did not consent to the decision to condemn Jesus. After the crucifixion, he boldly approached Pontius Pilate to request the body of Jesus, demonstrating his devotion despite the risks of being linked to a man executed as a criminal. Together, these two secret disciples exemplify the theme of faith in the face of societal pressure, as they took it upon themselves to provide a proper burial for Jesus, laying him in Joseph's own tomb, an act that would forever link them to the narrative of Christ's resurrection and the unfolding of early Christianity.
What significant act did Joseph of Arimathea perform after Jesus' crucifixion?
A) He provided his own tomb for Jesus' burial
B) He resurrected Jesus himself
C) He denied knowing Jesus
D) He betrayed Jesus for silver
- 2. Which Gospel mentions Nicodemus visiting Jesus at night?
A) The Gospel of Matthew
B) The Gospel of Mark
C) The Gospel of Luke
D) The Gospel of John
- 3. What did Nicodemus learn about being 'born again'?
A) It refers to reincarnation
B) It means to be physically reborn
C) It means to have a second chance at life
D) It means being born of water and the Spirit
- 4. What was Joseph of Arimathea's status?
A) A wealthy member of the council
B) A servant in the temple
C) A soldier in the Roman army
D) A fisherman from Galilee
- 5. In addition to Joseph of Arimathea, who else helped with Jesus' burial?
A) John
B) Judas
C) Peter
D) Nicodemus
- 6. How did Joseph of Arimathea obtain the tomb?
A) He purchased it
B) He built it himself
C) He inherited it
D) He found it abandoned
- 7. What did Jesus' teachings challenge for Nicodemus?
A) Greek philosophy
B) Roman law
C) Traditional Jewish beliefs
D) Rituals
- 8. In which chapter of John does the conversation with Nicodemus occur?
A) John 5
B) John 7
C) John 3
D) John 10
- 9. What significant item did Nicodemus bring to Jesus' burial?
A) A mixture of myrrh and aloes
B) Gold and silver
C) Wine and bread
D) A crown of thorns
- 10. What did Nicodemus defend Jesus against?
A) The Romans
B) The Pharisees
C) The disciples
D) The Sadducees
- 11. What do we know about the burial of Jesus?
A) It was in a public grave
B) It was in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea
C) It was in a cave of thieves
D) It was performed by the Romans
- 12. What key theme does the story of Nicodemus represent?
A) The importance of understanding faith and rebirth
B) The futility of secrets
C) The finality of death
D) The power of wealth
|