What happened at the death of Jesus and why is it central to Christian belief?
The death of Jesus: the Last Supper, Gethsemane, the trials before the Sanhedrin and Pilate, the crucifixion, and Christian beliefs about salvation and sacrifice.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the death of Jesus in Unit 3. Covers the Last Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, the trials before the Sanhedrin and Pilate, the crucifixion and the words from the cross, and Christian beliefs about salvation, sacrifice and atonement.
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What this dot point is asking
You need to explain the events of the death of Jesus, from the Last Supper to the crucifixion, and the Christian beliefs about why it matters: salvation, sacrifice and atonement. CCEA examiners reward precise knowledge of the events, Gethsemane, the trials before the Sanhedrin and Pilate, and the crucifixion, and an understanding that Christians see the death of Jesus not as a meaningless tragedy but as the means by which God saves people from sin. The strongest answers explain the meaning, not just the sequence.
The Last Supper and Gethsemane
The Last Supper links the bread and wine to Jesus' coming sacrifice and is the origin of the Christian celebration of Holy Communion, while Gethsemane shows Jesus freely choosing to obey God despite his fear.
The trials and the crucifixion
Jesus faced two sets of trials.
- Before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, Jesus was accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Messiah and the Son of God, and was condemned.
- Before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, the religious leaders pressed for his death. Pilate found no real guilt but, fearing the crowd, handed Jesus over to be crucified.
- Jesus was mocked, given a crown of thorns and crucified between two criminals. He spoke words from the cross, including "Father, forgive them," and "It is finished," before he died. The temple curtain tore in two.
The trials show Jesus condemned despite his innocence, and the crucifixion is the central event of the Christian faith.
Christian beliefs about the death of Jesus
For Christians the death of Jesus is far more than a Roman execution. They believe Jesus died as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, an act of atonement that restores the relationship between God and humanity. Because Jesus was innocent, his death is understood as taking the punishment that others deserved, bringing salvation to all who believe. The torn temple curtain symbolises that the way to God is now open. Far from a defeat, Christians see the cross as the supreme act of God's love.
How to answer a question on the death of Jesus
A model paragraph from this method: "Christians believe the death of Jesus is important because it brings salvation. They teach that Jesus died as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, taking the punishment others deserved, so that those who believe can be forgiven and restored to God. The tearing of the temple curtain symbolises that the way to God is now open, which is why the cross, rather than being a defeat, is seen as the supreme act of God's love." This scores well because beliefs are explained, not just listed.
Try this
Q1. What did Jesus say over the bread and wine at the Last Supper? [2 marks]
- Cue. "This is my body" and "This is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many", linking the meal to his death.
Q2. Who condemned Jesus for blasphemy, and who ordered his crucifixion? [2 marks]
- Cue. The Sanhedrin condemned him for blasphemy; Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, ordered the crucifixion.
Q3. What do Christians believe the death of Jesus achieved? [2 marks]
- Cue. Salvation: Jesus died as a sacrifice for sin, an act of atonement restoring the relationship between God and people.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
CCEA Unit 3 (style)5 marksExplain the importance of the Last Supper for Christians.Show worked answer →
A five-mark AO1 question. Give two or three developed points.
The bread and wine: Jesus took bread and said, "This is my body", and wine, saying, "This is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many", linking the meal to his coming death.
A new covenant: the meal established a new relationship between God and people through Jesus' sacrifice.
The basis of Holy Communion: Christians remember the Last Supper in the Eucharist or Lord's Supper, so it shapes worship to this day.
Develop each point with its meaning. Two or three explained points reach the top of the band.
CCEA Unit 3 (style)10 marks'The death of Jesus was a defeat.' Consider different points of view.Show worked answer →
A ten-mark AO2 evaluation question. Give different points of view, refer to the statement and judge.
Agree it looked like defeat: Jesus was betrayed, abandoned, condemned and crucified as a criminal, and cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Other views: Christians believe the cross was a victory, a willing sacrifice that brought salvation and defeated sin and death, confirmed by the resurrection; Jesus said, "It is finished," meaning his work was complete.
Judgement: argue that although the death appeared to be a defeat, Christians see it as the means of salvation and therefore a victory. A balanced judgement that refers to the statement reaches the top level.
Related dot points
- The identity of Jesus: his baptism, the temptations, the titles Son of God, Son of Man and Messiah, Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi and the Transfiguration.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the identity of Jesus in Unit 3. Covers the baptism, the temptations in the wilderness, the titles Son of God, Son of Man and Messiah, Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi, and the Transfiguration, and how they reveal Jesus as both human and divine.
- The teaching of Jesus: the Kingdom of God in parables such as the Sower and the Mustard Seed, and teaching on forgiveness through the parables of the Lost Son and the Unforgiving Servant.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the teaching of Jesus in Unit 3. Covers the Kingdom of God in the parables of the Sower and the Mustard Seed, and Jesus' teaching on forgiveness through the Lost Son and the Unforgiving Servant, and what they reveal about God and how people should live.
- The encounters of Jesus with others: Jairus and the woman with the haemorrhage, the rich young man, and Zacchaeus, and what they reveal about faith, wealth and repentance.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the encounters of Jesus in Unit 3. Covers the healing of Jairus' daughter and the woman with the haemorrhage, the rich young man, and Zacchaeus the tax collector, and what these encounters reveal about faith, wealth, repentance and the mission of Jesus.
- The resurrection of Jesus: the empty tomb, the appearances of the risen Jesus, the ascension, and Christian beliefs about life after death and the significance of the resurrection.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the resurrection of Jesus in Unit 3. Covers the empty tomb, the appearances of the risen Jesus to Mary Magdalene and the disciples, the ascension, and Christian beliefs about the significance of the resurrection and life after death.
- The Christian Church: forms of worship, the festivals of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, and the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to Christian worship and festivals in Unit 3. Covers liturgical and non-liturgical worship, prayer, the festivals of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, and the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion, and their meaning for Christians.
Sources & how we know this
- CCEA GCSE Religious Studies specification — CCEA (2017)