Bible crossword: Jesus in the Gospel accounts by Matthew and Mark

Based on material in chapter 20, Discovering the Bible by Alex Varughese

Challenge: Can you solve this puzzle even if you do not have the book by Varughese?

" I really love puzzles and appreciate your creativity in teaching." -- Marian D., Nazarene Bible College student

ACROSS

2 The nine opening statements of the Sermon on the Mount that all begin with the word "blessed"
4 The Old Testament prophet quoted by Jewish religious leaders when King Herod asked them where the long-looked-for Messiah was to be born
5 The disciple who first proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ, the long-expected Messiah
7 The gospel that portrays Jesus as a royal Messiah and authoritative Teacher; it is the most Jewish of the gospels and was written by a former tax collector
8 Greek word translated as "church"
9 The Roman governor of Judea who imposed the death sentence on Jesus and had him crucified

DOWN

1 The final words of Jesus in Matthew's gospel in which He tells his followers to "go and make disciples of all peoples" (Matthew 28:19-20)
3 The Jewish governing group to which Jesus answered "I am" when they asked Him point-blank if He was "the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One."
6 The gospel that announced the good news of Jesus as the Son of God, even though it involved conflict, misunderstanding, opposition, suffering, and even death. This gospel is the shortest of the four gospels and was written by a man who traveled with the Apostle Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey

This crossword puzzle was created for use in the course Introduction to Biblical Literature. The words and clues come from the textbook Discovering the Bible: Story and Faith of the Biblical Communities edited by Alex Varughese and published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, now called The Foundry.

-- Howard Culbertson,

Compareison of the Gospels of Matthew and Mark

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark offer narratives of the life, teachings, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. However, they do that with distinct perspectives and emphases. Matthew's Gospel, often regarded as more structured and comprehensive, emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. It points to his role as the long-awaited Messiah. It meticulously traces Jesus' genealogy back to Abraham and emphasizes his teachings on righteousness and the kingdom of God. In contrast, Mark's Gospel is marked by its brevity and urgency. It focuses on Jesus' actions more than on his teachings. It portrays Jesus as a powerful authority figure. It emphasizes his miracles and the opposition he faced from religious leaders. A fast-paced narrative style characterizes Mark's Gospel. Mark casptures the dynamic energy of Jesus' ministry. While both Gospels share many commonalities, including the core events of Jesus' life, they offer unique perspectives that enrich our understanding of his identity and mission.

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