Witnesses to Jesus Risen! – the Eleven, a Passing Witness

Answer Key

1. In which decade was Christ most likely crucified and Risen?
   • A.D. 30’s, most likely between AD29-AD33
2. Which Gospels had Jewish authors?
   • Matthew & John [Mark & Luke are gentile believers]
3. What was Jesus’ hometown after Nazareth?
   • Capernaum in Galilee on Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee)
4. What year did Rome burn down the Temple and destroy Jerusalem?
   • A.D. 70
5. Who was the last Apostle to survive into old age?
   • The Apostle John, youngest of the Twelve and only Disciple to escape martyrdom.

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You will find the answer to the bonus question after the chronology below of events in Rome & Jerusalem.
See their relevance to early readers of John's Gospel.
In the link below you may find additional answers to the
'who's who' of Rome & Jerusalem of the 1st c. A.D.

1st c. A.D. – Events

The Herodian dynasty began with Herod the Great!

Political Turmoil & Martyrdom of the Apostles

Take a look at the events above which preceded the GOOD NEWS written by the last surviving DISCIPLE of the Twelve.

John wrote this ‘Good News’ to the saints of the Church AFTER A.D. 85, most likely between A.D. 90 and A.D. 100.

talkofJesus.com

In addition to those martyrdoms dated above you may add others from times before A.D. 100 at dates uncertain:

• James the Less
  • At the age of ninety-four he was beat and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.
• Matthias (who replaced Judas Iscariot)
  • He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.
• Andrew, brother of Simon Peter
  • on his arrival at Edessa he was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground.
• Thomas, called Didymus the twin
  • preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.

"After the Bible itself, no book so profoundly influenced early Protestant sentiment as the Book of Martyrs. - quoted source

Simon Peter

John writes about Peter in the A.D. 90’s. Some Christians had met him and most knew of him. ALL are first century readers. Christians who heard John’s ‘Good News’ all understood the symbolism and sufferings of “taking up their CROSS” to follow Christ Jesus.

Before returning to John’s Gospel written sometime after A.D. 85, I want you, a twenty-first century reader, to understand what John writes about Peter.

The saints of the Church knew that Peter, named the Rock by Jesus, had already suffered death. His was a cruel death, along with the martyrdoms of many other saints of the church — friends they knew and loved — saints who testified to the resurrection through Christ Jesus — Good News to sinners.

Hear now with their first century hearts of the saints ..

Foxes description of Peter’s death.

Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; albeit some others, and not without cause, do doubt thereof.

Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would fly the city.

Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said, “Lord, whither dost Thou go?”

To whom He answered and said, “I am come again to be crucified.”

By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city.

Jerome saith that he was crucified,

his head being down and his feet upward,

himself so requiring, because he was (he said)

unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.

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Next: We return to the Gospel of John and Peter’s encounter with the risen Christ Jesus along the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

To be continued...

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