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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Pilate initially refuse to be provoked into crucifying Jesus?

2. Which of Jesus's disciples wants to return to Galilee, while they are all hiding in Jerusalem?

3. What does Peter see on Jesus's forehead as he describes his time in the desert?

4. Why does Jesus get frustrated with his disciples in Chapter 21?

5. Who invites Jesus in and feeds him when he arrives in Bethany?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jesus declare in Jerusalem that makes Simeon afraid?

2. What does the angel who visits Matthew in Capernaum demand of him?

3. What visions does Jesus see while he is in the desert?

4. How do Annas, Caiaphas, and Pilate feel about Jesus after meeting him?

5. What does a bird tell Jesus about Heaven and Hell?

6. Why does Barabbas confront Jesus at Simon's Inn?

7. What does Judas see in Jesus's hand that makes him want to follow Jesus?

8. What do Jesus's disciples do after Jesus is captured by the mob at Gethsemane?

9. How is Jerusalem described in Chapter 16?

10. What does Jesus ask of Judas before he sees Pilate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kazantzakis portrays Jesus as a man who is in a constant battle with God and wants to go against God's will. How is this depiction of Jesus different from the commonly-accepted Biblical account of Jesus? Why does Jesus constantly try to force God to leave him alone? What would happen to him without God's intervening in his life? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

When Jesus wakes up on the cross, realizing that he is not a coward or traitor, he shouts "IT IS ACCOMPLISHED!" However, Kazantzakis comments that he could have instead shouted, "Everything has begun." What is the significance of this statement? What does Kazantzakis mean by this? What is Jesus's legacy? How did he change the world? What, specifically, began with his crucifixion, and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Jesus goes into the desert in an attempt to communicate directly with God. Abbot Joachim starves himself in a similar attempt. Who else performs extreme actions to gain the attention of God? Why do they find it necessary to go to such extreme measures to communicate with God? How effective are these methods? What is the final result of their attempts? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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