You are here

Easter and the Death of Jesus

Explore Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, his trial, passion, death and burial, and the disciples’ astonishment and confusion as they encounter the resurrected Jesus. Why did the Romans arrest Jesus? What happened at Gethsemane? Which route did Jesus follow to Golgotha? How did the earliest Christians interpret his passion? Where was Jesus buried? In this special section, archaeologists and Bible scholars come together to discuss what happened to Jesus—from the Last Supper to the empty tomb. Plus, learn how Jesus’ cup from the last supper became the Holy Grail.

The articles below were hand-selected by Biblical Archaeology Society editors especially for members of the BAS Library.

What Did Jesus’ Tomb Look Like?

BAR, Jan/Feb 2006
by Jodi Magness

Did a Rolling Stone Close Jesus’ Tomb?

BAR, Sep/Oct 1999
by Amos Kloner

The Garden Tomb: Was Jesus Buried Here?

BAR, Mar/Apr 1986
by Gabriel Barkay

The Resurrection of Resurrection

Bible Review, Aug 2000
by N. T. Wright

Thinking About Easter

Bible Review, Apr 1994
by Marcus J. Borg

Was Jesus’ Last Supper A Passover Seder?

Bible Review, Oct 2001
by Jonathan Klawans

The Eucharist: Exploring its Origins

Bible Review, Dec 1994
by Bruce Chilton

What Really Happened at Gethsemane?

Bible Review, Apr 1998
by Jerome Murphy-O’Connor

The Garden of Gethsemane: Not the Place of Jesus’ Arrest

BAR, Jul/Aug 1995
by Joan E. Taylor

Jesus’ Triumphal March to Crucifixion

Bible Review, Feb 1997
by Thomas Schmidt

The Geography of Faith: Tracing the Via Dolorosa

Bible Review, Dec 1996
by Jerome Murphy-O’Connor

Crucifixion—The Archaeological Evidence

BAR, Jan/Feb 1985
by Vassilios Tzaferis

New Analysis of the Crucified Man

BAR, Nov/Dec 1985
by Hershel Shanks

Does the Holy Sepulchre Church Mark the Burial of Jesus?

BAR, May/June 1986
by Dan Bahat

The Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection

The Search for Jesus (1994)
by John Dominic Crossan

To Be Continued: The Many Endings of the Gospel of Mark

Bible Review, Aug 2001
by Michael W. Holmes

Emmaus: Where Christ Appeared

Bible Review, Mar/Apr 2008
by Hershel Shanks

From Symbol to Relic: How Jesus’ Cup Became the Grail

Bible Review, Aug 2004
by Eric Wargo