Originally posted by psstein
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Just to be clear here, the Cross Gospel is a very specific version of the passion narrative, and as far as I know even Koester is dubious. I am talking about a pre-Markan passion narrative, and your mention of the Cross Gospel looks, to be frank, like a straw man. As far as I can tell, the pre-Markan passion narrative is pretty well accepted.
Nevertheless, the idea of a pre-Markan passion narrative continues to seem probable to a majority of scholars. One recent study is presented by Gerd Theissen in The Gospels in Context, on which I am dependent for the following observations.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/passion.html
Despite a few dissenters, the pre-Markan Passion Narrative it is a widely accepted theory. It remains plausible to most scholars
https://jamesbishopblog.com/2015/06/...ion-narrative/
Whether it is based on eye witness accounts or scripture is certainly debatable. There are clearly parts that report scenes when no disciples were present, and there are numerous bits that seem to draw on scripture. Further it seems highly likely that the disciples would flee Jerusalem when Jesus was arrested, plus, of course, Jesus prophesised exactly that happening. I guess Jesus was wrong on that one.
Secondly, the Romans, while generally unsympathetic to Jewish practice, would not be so obtuse as to leave the body on the cross overnight. Even Ehrman and Crossan, both of whom deny that Jesus was buried in a distinctive tomb, accept that Jesus's body was taken down from the cross before nightfall.
If you are basing your argument on Roman practice, however, then it is certaion that Jesus' body was disposed of as a criminal, and not given homnourable burial in a rock tomb. The Roman's would certainly not allow the body of someone crucified for treason to be buried with honour. Further, the Jesus authorities would not allow someone accused of blasphemy to be buried with honour. Wrapped in a cloth and dumped in a common grave near the site of the crucifixion is believable. Burial in a garden tomb with 75 lbs of spices is certainly not!
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