AboutRev C.Brian Ross Expertise I am happy to offer answers to anyone with a question that refers to the Christian Faith in its widest possible sense. I believe that the Bible is the living Word of God, and seek to base all of my life on its teaching. I also have some knowledge of some of the cults, and of Islam and Judaism. Of course, my answers are just one man's thoughts, and I would always advise a questioner to check with others, and with the Word of God.
Experience Served as a full-time parish minister in Scotland for about six years, and then spent the last thirty as a teacher (now 'retired') of Religious Education in Secondary Comprehensive schools (ages 11-17) while continuing my own preaching and teaching ministry. I also believe that learning is a life-time process, and have recently completed a Master's degree in Divinity.
Organizations Former Presenter on Revival FM - a local Christian, community radio station, broadcasting in west central Scotland, and online at revival.fm Involved with a number of organisations that support Christians who are currently suffering persecution in some 70 countries around the world.
Publications Various articles in Christian magazines. I also have two blogsites - www.crazyrev.blogspot.com and (with audio messages) www.revcbross.blogspot.com
Education/Credentials Diploma of The Bible Training Institute, Glasgow;
Licentiate in Theology of the University of Glasgow;
Associateship of The Philosophical Society of England;
Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in History from The Open University;
Post-grad Certificate of Education - Religious Education and History;
Post-grad Cetificate in Learning and Teaching;
Post-grad Diploma in Management and Learning in Education;
Master of Science Degree from the University of Strathclyde;
Master of Divinity Degree (Hons) from Trinity College and Seminary (accredited by the University of Liverpool)
I am not really a religious person, but i was wondering if you could tell me who was at the deposition of christ from the cross, because i need to write an essay on a visual source. I would be sooooo grateful if you could help. Thank you
Answer Hi Carmel,
My apologies for taking longer than I would usually do to respond but, unfortunately, I lost my internet connection last night, and have only just discovered your question!! :-)
It's certainly one of the most interesting question that I have been asked, and opens up a lot of possibilities. For example, the "standard" deposition is, to the best of my knowledge, a simple sculpting of Mary, the mother of Jesus, with the crucified body of the Lord, His head resting on her lap.
However, some artists and sculptors have added additional figures. The Michaelangelo version has, in addition to the dead body of Jesus, three figures. Two of these are female and one is male - possibly to provide a gender balance (although I claim absolutely no expertise in Art History!). The male may well be intended to represent either Joseph of Arimathea, or Nicodemus (see John 19:38-39); whilst the female figures are likely to be Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene (see John 19:25). However, two other women are mentioned, and it could be that Michaelangelo intended the second female figure to represent one of these. My personal opinion would be that it was Mary Magdalene, as she is the best-known of the additional three women.
If we turn to the Raphel oil painting, we have a representation, not of the Deposition itself (in the strict definition of the "taking down from the cross"), but of the carrying of the dead body of the Lord Jesus away from the cross - which may be seen in the background. The problem, from the point of view of your question, is in the number of figures that Raphael has incorporated into his scene. One may assume, from the Biblical record, that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are the two men carrying the body, although it is highly unlikely that they were as youthful as the artist has depicted them and, of course, they would not have been dressed as Florentine gentry! However, the younger one who is carrying the legs may be a servant, and either Joesph or Nicodemus would then be the bearded character with the curly hair who may be seen at the head of the body. The female figure to the right of that bearded male, and who is leaning towards the body with hand outstretched is, judging by the halo with the appearance of decoration (stars?), Mary the mother of Jesus, and this would leave four other female figures, three of whom would be the other three women whom John records as having been standing near to the cross - Mary's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. The latter would probably be the other female who has a halo, and who is standing at the head. We do know that the disciple John was also present (see John 19:26-27), and the younger man carrying the legs, may well be him! The identity of the fifth female is a mystery. However, Luke refers to "... the women from Galilee ..." (23:55) who followed the body as it was taken to the tomb, and she could be any one of those. As Luke also records that it was "... Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several others ..." (24:10) who went to the tomb on the Sunday morning, there are plenty of possibilities! Mark adds the name of Salome (15:40); and Matthew makes mention of "... Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and Zebedee's wife, the mother of James and John." (27:56), thus providing yet more contenders for the identity of that fifth woman.
I suspect that I have provided more than you really asked for, but I hope that I have been of some assistance, and that you will be able to complete your own work.
You say that you are not religious, and I would not wish you ever to be (!), but I would commend a sincere reading of the whole of the Gospel according to John, and I trust that you might then meet, not a crucified Man, but a resurrected Saviour, and enter into a faith-relationship with Him.
If I can be of any further assistnace, please do not hesitate to ask a supplementary question.
