Expert: Thurman C. Petty, Jr. - 11/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I have a few questions concerning the Descent from the cross, it is for an Art History paper and while I am fully capable of writing on the stylistic qualities - having never read the bible - I am having trouble on the Iconography!

I do plan on reading the Bible very shortly, just reading a few passages have inspired me to do so.

It seems that in this group of figures, in ivory, present is Mary, Jesus' Mother, Josephe of Arimathaed and Nicodemus. And of course, Jesus. I would like to know what these three people represent, because I have read that Mary really is a symbol for the church - and the other two Joseph and Nicodemus I am unfamiliar with. What are their roles in Jesus' life? What exactly is Nidodemus doing with the piece of cloth? And what would you make of the figure on the far left, is this St. Anne?

It is really one of the most beautiful sculptures I have ever seen, capturing the dignity and deep faith of all the figures so exquisitly.

Here are some images:
http://worldvisitguide.com/oeuvre/photo_ME0000021054.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairity/3837610742/


Thank you for your help,
Holly

ANSWER: Dear Holly,

Thank you for your question.

I’ve looked at the picture of the ivory carving, and it is indeed a beautiful work of art.

However, Holly, we cannot build our understanding of God upon a work of art. It is, after all, merely the interpretation of an event through the mind of the artist. He/she may or may not have been correct.

But we can be sure of the truth by reading the Bible narrative of the events surrounding Jesus and the cross. This is the only way to be sure that we have the facts straight.

I’m happy to hear that you’ve begun reading the Bible. You’ll see the story of Jesus the way that God intended us to know it. There are lots of other things that you’ll discover: what Jesus said, and how/when/where/to whom He said them. This will tell you a lot about the truth that Jesus wants us to know.

Now, what about the carving and the descent of Jesus from the cross. You’ll find the story in all of the gospels. Read the whole story in each book. You’ll discover that each writer adds some details that others didn’t mention, because each author saw it from a different perspective. Here are the references:

Matt. 26:30-27:61; Mark 14:32-15:37; Luke 22:39-23:56; John 18:1-19:42.

Joseph of Aramathea is mentioned only at the cross and the tomb. He was evidently a wealthy man, and a member of the Jewish ruling council—more-or-less the equivalent of congress, the president, and the supreme court all wrapped into one.

Nicodemus, also a member of the council, came to Jesus early in His ministry and had an interview with Him during the night. You’d do well to read the story in John 3:1-36. Pay especial attention to what Jesus told Him. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3:14, 15  

Nicodemus knew the story of the serpent being lifted up in the wilderness (read the story in Numbers 21:4-9). When Nicodemus saw Jesus lifted up on the cross, he remembered what Jesus had said, and this caused Nicodemus to become converted--at the cross. So when everyone else who had believed in Jesus seemed to run away (His disciples), Nicodemus believed, and came to Jesus at the cross.

There were at least 3 (perhaps 4) Marys at the cross: Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Mary the wife of Clopas (this may be the same Mary as the mother of James). The person the church calls “St. Anne” was 87 years old at the birth of Jesus. She would have died many years before. This statue, though perhaps not understood by the artist, was probably one of the Marys.

There is no mention of the mother of Jesus after He asked John to take care of her, and since John is not mentioned at the tomb, it’s not likely that Mary helped in taking Jesus off the cross or in His burial. It may be that John took her away from the cross right after Jesus asked him to take care of her.

It was forbidden for Jews to touch a dead body, and even though Nicodemus and Joseph made themselves unclean by burying Jesus, it’s unlikely that any of the Marys actually had any direct contact. (Luke 23:54-56 indicates that they planned to do their part in the burial after the Sabbath--on Sunday morning.) Taking Jesus off the cross and placing Him in the tomb was men’s work.

The cloth that the carving of Nicodemus holds is very small, but may represent the strips of cloth that the men used to wrap Jesus up before placing Him in the tomb—a custom in those days.

In one account, it mentions that Nicodemus brought about 100 pounds of spices to put with Jesus’ body. In those days there was no way to embalm the body, so it began to decay right away. In a matter of hours the tomb would become filled with the stench of rotting flesh. The spices and perfumes buried with the corpse (wrapped up with the strips of cloth that they wound around the body) helped for a time to cover the odor.

There is so much more we could discuss in relation to this. But the best way to learn about it is to read the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These tell the story of Jesus’ life, and a great deal about what He said. Read it as a story, and then go back and read it carefully. It will change your life and give you a peace in your heart that you’ve never known before.

I would be most happy to tell you more about what Jesus has done for me, and show you what He can do for you. We could also explore in the Bible the major subjects that God wants us to know and what they mean to us.

But that’s up to you. If you’d like for me to help you learn more about the Bible, write me at my personal address: pettypress@gmail.com.

Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
pettypress@gmail.com
www.PettyPress.com (Where I’ve posted 18 e-books and 42 Bible Study Guides.)


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much. Don't worry. I am not building my understanding of God upon a work of art.

A follow-up question: (There is a lot I don't yet know about the Bible, so bear with me.)
Why is it that Joseph of Aramathea takes down the body of Christ? He goes to Pilate and begs to take the body...but why did no one else offer to do this? It just seems bizarre to me that these two, not completely random, but a little off the radar - men were the two to take on this job. Joseph was just rich, out of towner - why were no other followers, maybe ones closer to Jesus, present? And if Joseph hadn't asked for the body - what would have happened?

You mentioned his disciples all ran away - why?

I will be able to start answering questions on my own once I begin my readings of the Bible. Looking forward to it.

Thanks for your help,
Holly

Answer
Dear Holly,

Good to hear from you again on this important topic (anything having to do with the cross of Jesus is important).

Joseph and Nicodemus obviously knew each other because both were members of the council. Of course there were 70 members, and it could be feasible that they were merely acquaintances. Whatever. But it does seem that both had been following—at a distance—the work of Jesus, and had a “hunch” that He might be the Messiah. It was only when Jesus was crucified, when nearly all Judea and Galilee had forsaken Him, that these two learned men saw the evidence they needed to know in order to accept Jesus as the Messiah.

For these two men to do what they did was tantamount to Vice President Biden and Secretary Clinton becoming Muslims at the execution of Osama bin Laden. (Sorry, but that seems so bizarre. But accepting Jesus as He died on the cross was way out!)Of course they lost their positions on the council, and their standing in the community. These were big hurdles in a society that put great stock in these things.

Only the worst criminals were crucified and then they were more or less tossed into a common grave with no name on the headstone, as it were, buried with other criminals. Even if the disciples did stay with Jesus, none of them had the political clout needed to get the permission of the governor to take the body of Jesus. But Joseph had that kind of importance that Pilate listened to him, and granted his request.

The disciples had all run away when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. They all feared that they would be arrested too and, perhaps, be executed with Him. Foolish, but true. Only John stayed with Jesus, but merely in the background. Peter followed somewhat further back, not even having the courage of John, who went right into Caiaphas’ judgment hall. Peter, on the other hand, denied Jesus, and spent the next couple of days weeping and virtually beating his head against the wall over his performance.

Spend time in the Bible. Learn more about Jesus. You’ll have tons of questions—more as you get closer to Him. I know . . . I have questions too.

Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
pettypress@gmail.com
www.PettyPress.com (read my small book Quest for the Super Leader)