The Resurrection: An Overview
Most Biblical scholars believe Paul's epistles were written AD 50-60, Mark AD 65-80, Matthew AD 80-100, Luke AD 80-130 and John AD 90-120 (dates from here ). This is, in my view, very important in understanding what might have happened. Jesus' crucified? I am not going to dispute the crucifixion; I find it perfectly reasonable. I find it hard to see how Christianity could start without it and no reason for anyone to invent it. However, it is important to realise that Jesus was crucified for claiming to be the messiah (or perhaps for being proclaimed the messiah). The messiah was understood to be the new king who would lead the Jews to glory - and from the Roman perspective that meant someone who would lead the entire Jewish people into rebellion against the state. Mark tells us clearly what his crime was: Mark 15:26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews. To be sure, the gospels do also put the blame on the Jews, and there is a definite trend t...