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Abstract

In Mark's Gospel, Jesus suffers for as long as six hours apparently without resistance or complaint and says nothing until he shrieks just before dying. The way he died makes a favorable impression on the centurion who witnessed the execution (14:39). With the aid of two social science models, it is possible to offer a plausible, Mediterranean cultural explanation for this pagan's reaction. The basic personality model (Cook) would explain that Jesus' behavior at death is the result of his training in suffering during his youth. Jesus' death proves that he was reared well. The cultural ideology model (McClelland) argues that Mediterranean ideology—that is, its norms and values reinforced by its maintenance system—is the central determining factor of adult personality and child-rearing practices. Jesus dies honorably as one would expect of an adult, Mediterranean male.

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Death with Honor: The Mediterranean Style Death of Jesus in Mark

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