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New
New
Year 10
AQA

The crucifixion of Jesus

I can explain Christian beliefs surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and the importance and influence of these beliefs.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
AQA

The crucifixion of Jesus

I can explain Christian beliefs surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and the importance and influence of these beliefs.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Crucifixion was a Roman method of execution and refers to Jesus' death on the cross.
  2. Jesus was accused of blasphemy by the Jewish leaders, and they wanted to arrest him as a criminal.
  3. Judas, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, betrayed Jesus on the night of Passover and the Last Supper.
  4. The Gospels record Jesus’ crucifixion with some variations, but all confirm his death on the cross.
  5. Most Christians believe that the crucifixion was the ultimate sacrifice, leading to salvation and atonement.

Keywords

  • Atonement - the belief that reconciliation between God and humanity was brought about by the death of Jesus as a sacrifice

  • Betrayal/betrayed - to break a persons’ trust or confidence

  • Crucifixion - the death of Jesus; a form of the death penalty used by the Romans

  • Disciples - a follower of Jesus; commonly used to refer to the twelve chosen followers of Jesus during his lifetime

  • Salvation - being saved; belief that through God’s grace, Jesus’ death and resurrection brought about salvation for humanity

Common misconception

Jesus did not suffer during his crucifixion.

The Gospels recall Jesus crying out loudly during his crucifixion, which many Christians interpret as a sign of Jesus' pain.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: The crucifixion of Jesus, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to provide students with copies of the accounts of Jesus' crucifixion from the Gospels, particularly Luke 22-23 and Matthew 26-27.
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Equipment

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
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Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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5 Questions

Q1.
Which Old Testament prophet is believed to have predicted Jesus’ incarnation?
Correct answer: Isaiah
Moses
Elijah
Q2.
What does the title 'Son of God' suggest about Jesus?
that he was a prophet but not divine
that he was only a spiritual being with some divinity
Correct answer: that he had divine authority and was God in human form
Q3.
According to the Gospel of John, how does ‘The Word’ relate to Jesus?
Jesus was a prophet who preached about ‘The Word’
Correct answer: Jesus himself was ‘The Word’ that became flesh
‘The Word’ was only spoken by Jesus’ followers
Q4.
John 1:14 states that ‘The Word became and lived among us.’.
Correct Answer: flesh, Flesh
Q5.
Isaiah’s prophecy said that Jesus would be called ' ', which means ‘God with us'.
Correct Answer: Immanuel, immanuel

6 Questions

Q1.
Who betrayed Jesus and helped the authorities to arrest him?
Peter
Correct answer: Judas
John
Q2.
What Jewish festival was Jesus celebrating at the Last Supper?
Hanukkah
Yom Kippur
Correct answer: Passover
Q3.
What event occurred at the moment of Jesus’ death, according to the Gospels?
an earthquake shook Jerusalem
Correct answer: the temple curtain tore in two
a voice from heaven was heard
Q4.
Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion by the Roman governor .
Correct Answer: Pontius Pilate, Pilate
Q5.
At the Last Supper, Jesus took a cup and said it represented his .
Correct Answer: blood, Blood
Q6.
Many Christians believe that Jesus’ crucifixion led to for humanity.
Correct Answer: salvation, Salvation