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 denied knowing Jesus
B) He resurrected Jesus himself
C) He betrayed Jesus for silver
D) He provided his own tomb for Jesus' burial
- 2. Which Gospel mentions Nicodemus visiting Jesus at night?
A) The Gospel of Mark
B) The Gospel of John
C) The Gospel of Luke
D) The Gospel of Matthew
- 3. What did Nicodemus learn about being 'born again'?
A) It means to be physically reborn
B) It means being born of water and the Spirit
C) It means to have a second chance at life
D) It refers to reincarnation
- 4. What was Joseph of Arimathea's status?
A) A soldier in the Roman army
B) A fisherman from Galilee
C) A wealthy member of the council
D) A servant in the temple
- 5. In which chapter of John does the conversation with Nicodemus occur?
A) John 3
B) John 10
C) John 7
D) John 5
- 6. What significant item did Nicodemus bring to Jesus' burial?
A) Gold and silver
B) A crown of thorns
C) A mixture of myrrh and aloes
D) Wine and bread
- 7. 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
- 8. In addition to Joseph of Arimathea, who else helped with Jesus' burial?
A) Judas
B) Peter
C) Nicodemus
D) John
- 9. What key theme does the story of Nicodemus represent?
A) The importance of understanding faith and rebirth
B) The power of wealth
C) The finality of death
D) The futility of secrets
- 10. How did Joseph of Arimathea obtain the tomb?
A) He purchased it
B) He found it abandoned
C) He inherited it
D) He built it himself
- 11. What did Nicodemus defend Jesus against?
A) The disciples
B) The Pharisees
C) The Romans
D) The Sadducees
- 12. What did Jesus' teachings challenge for Nicodemus?
A) Roman law
B) Rituals
C) Traditional Jewish beliefs
D) Greek philosophy
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