In this “Theology Unpacked” episode, Dr John Moffatt SJ explores how John portrays Jesus’ death as a deliberate fulfilment of Scripture, culminating in his final words, “It is accomplished,” as he surrenders his spirit.

Reprising John’s language of Jesus being “lifted up” throughout the Gospel, the Crucifixion is shown as a parodied enthronement that becomes a paradox: what looks like shameful humiliation is, in truth, the Son of Man’s exaltation and rightful kingship.

The pierced side, the flow of blood and water, and the careful burial by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus serve as both fulfilment of prophecy and trustworthy witness that Jesus truly died, completing the work that renews creation.

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In this “Theology Unpacked” episode, Dr John Moffatt SJ shows how St. John prepares readers for the Passion by tracing the Gospel’s recurring sacrificial imagery, above all Jesus as the Passover lamb, so that the crucifixion can be read as God’s saving work and true liberation.

John then elaborates the crucifixion through a series of highly visual, localised scenes, presenting Jesus as in full control and repeatedly framing events as the fulfilment of Scripture. Amid this liturgical and theological depth, the narrative also holds moments of striking tenderness and mutual love at the foot of the cross.

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In this “Theology Unpacked” episode, Dr John Moffatt SJ contrasts Matthew’s Passion narrative, which closely follows Mark, with Luke’s more expansive account that elaborates the crucifixion scene to foreground reconciliation with the Father, the forgiveness of sins, and the presence of Jesus’ faithful disciples among the witnesses.

Luke also foreshadows the coming destruction of Jerusalem, as Jesus speaks prophetically to the women on the road and shares in the city’s future suffering with a striking note of solidarity.

Dr John also explores the creative tensions in Luke’s theology of the cross, God’s saving plan unfolding through human violence, while centring Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness and the promise of paradise as signs that salvation is already being accomplished.

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In this episode, Dr John compares Mark and Matthew’s accounts of Jesus’ Crucifixion and burial, showing how the evangelists grapple with the apparent failure and scandal of the Cross.

By weaving in Isaiah’s suffering servant, the distress psalms, especially Psalm 22, the evangelists present Jesus’ death as the decisive moment of God’s saving work and the dawn of a new creation. Listen to the full episode now.

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In this “Theology Unpacked” episode, Dr John Moffatt SJ compares the two significantly different Gospel accounts of the Roman trial, with Luke focusing on the legal process and the distinctive episode of Jesus before Herod, while John centres the drama on an extended, searching dialogue between Jesus and Pilate.

Luke presents Jesus as repeatedly declared innocent by Roman and Jewish authorities, situating his trial within a wider theme of reconciliation and a divinely guided history, even as political pressure leads to a serious failure of justice. John, by contrast, frames the trial as a cosmic confrontation about kingship, truth, and authority, in which Jesus knowingly accepts being handed over, revealing that beneath human decisions and guilt, the events unfold according to the saving will of God.

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In this “Theology Unpacked” episode, Dr John Moffatt SJ compares the parallel accounts of Jesus’ trial before Pilate in Mark and Matthew, the summary highlights how Matthew elaborates the scene by shifting responsibility onto the Jerusalem crowds while still exposing Pilate’s weakness in the face of pressure.

He reflects on how Matthew's details were later misread with deadly consequences, fuelling the false and tragic claim that the Jewish people across all ages bore collective guilt for Jesus’ death. At the same time, he underlines that the governor’s own soldiers ultimately mock and lead Jesus to execution, drawing together the theological nuances and historical reverberations of the Gospel narratives.

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In this “Theology Unpacked” episode, Dr John Moffatt SJ follows the story to Jesus’ first trial before the high priest and the council, comparing how each Gospel narrates this moment and drawing out the theological importance of the judgment theme.

Mark and Matthew present an informal trial focused on Jesus’ identity, Luke reshapes the scene to emphasise political motives, and John offers a uniquely fragmented account in which Jesus’ claims have already provoked judgment long before the hearing.

Across all four versions, Jesus’ self-revelation in a moment of utter vulnerability becomes the catalyst for condemnation, while the leaders frame him as a political threat to be handed over to Rome.

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In this “Theology Unpacked” episode, Dr John Moffatt SJ shows how all four Gospels share the same basic sequence of Jesus’ agony, betrayal and arrest, yet each narrates the garden scene with a distinct theological emphasis. Mark highlights Jesus’ fear and humanity, John presents him as taking divine initiative, Luke underscores healing and cosmic conflict, and Matthew (though less discussed) frames the moment through fulfilment of Scripture and obedient surrender.

These approaches, along with shared details such as cutting of the servant’s ear and Mark’s detail of a fleeing young man, offer complementary perspectives on Jesus’ anguish, agency and mission in the garden and at his arrest.

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In this “Theology Unpacked” episode, Dr John Moffatt SJ reflects on what the Eucharist may have meant to early Christians by beginning with Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians and then tracing Eucharistic themes across all four Gospels.

It shows that the Last Supper was understood not only as a memorial of Jesus’ saving action but also as a sign of intimate union with him, expressed through themes of service, unity, and imitation, especially in John’s symbolic actions and dialogues.

The post-resurrection dialogue between Jesus with Peter brings these themes to a climax, revealing the Eucharist as both the presence of the risen Christ and a call to live and love as he did in the world.

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In this “Theology Unpacked” episode, Dr John Moffatt SJ explores how the Gospel accounts structure the Last Supper within the themes of covenant, sacrifice and divine love, while also allowing for a comparative look at the three synoptic accounts and their shared institution of the Eucharist.

It shows how Jesus’ actions and words are rooted in Passover, the covenant at Sinai and the prophetic promises of a renewed covenant written on transformed hearts.

While Mark, Matthew and Luke each offer distinct emphases, they collectively reveal Jesus as the Passover lamb, the suffering servant and the mediator of the new covenant. John, reinforces the call to humble love.

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