Magyar Egyház, 2007 (86. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2007-10-01 / 3-4. szám
6. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ are essential informations, and we have knowledge about the prevailing guidelines of such executions. Collectively these will help in understanding what Munkácsy felt are important and expressive details. The leading Sanhedrin members appeared as witnesses at the execution (Mark 15:31) Furthermore, Caiaphas had priestly functions also. According to Jewish custom, the high priest awaits the false witness’ confession for a while; in this case he also hopes that the crucified Jesus retracts his allegations of being the Son of God, thereby validating the grand council’s death sentence. At this point the high priest could absolve the sectarian preacher, who then could expire on the cross with a “clear conscience”. In Jesus’ case, however, the expected repentance does not take place, but quite the opposite, something entirely different: the recital of the Messianic Psalm, the words of Psalm 22. Caiaphas is baffled and this is unexplainable for him; as he is starts heading home to attend to the important matters of the Passover meal preparations, voices his perplexity with open hands and a puzzled look to the distinguished member of the grand council, perhaps Annas himself. His “what ifs” and “whys” press his old rabbi colleague in deep thought. Something took place here that did not go according to customary Jewish rituals. Up to this point the drama followed the manner he has envisioned it, however something happened transcending the scrutiny of any religious laws. Above and to the right of the two chief religious leaders are two other respectable figures viewing the crucified. Perhaps they are one of the scribes, the theologians or elders saying with their high and mighty arrogance: “He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.” (Matthew 27:42) This is where the chosen people ended up, - they would only build their faith upon obvious experience and expect the Messiah to pass their examination. Jesus answers this only after his resurrection, speaking to Thomas, who he has, the same attitude: "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29) We might notice an oddity: Munkácsy has placed the most malevolent, most gloating figure in the most prestigious central location of the painting. In his brick-colored garbs he mocks Christ from there. This short man casts upon the sufferer his soul’s entire bitterness, all of his ugly thoughts, taking advantage of the dark sentiments of the mob behind him and the victim’s vulnerable position: "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:40) In the right lower corner the Roman soldier is already seated. According to their orders they should have awaited the onset of death. These could have been the events of the first hour of Jesus’ suffering. The characters correspond to the verifiable facts of the story. Although there is a continuum, Munkácsy illustrates the flow of the chronological events with three spatially discernible spheres. As we previously noted, the first small circle around the cross is made up of people closely related to him. Evidently this sobbing coming from the heart preceded all else. The previously analyzed “spokespeople” and their closer perimeter of characters form a larger circle set apart from the earlier. Their manifestations were heard during this first hour or so. After this, many of them went home. An ever-expanding circle in time of a larger radius is ready to be discovered on the canvas. There is the centurion almost facing Jesus. He does not look at the people; - his gaze is directed at the cross. He watches! He almost expects the moment of death to speak the first testimony of Christ: "Surely he was the Son of God!”(Matth. 27:54) The background gets darker by the minute; there is hardly anything visible of the reddish Sun. The culmination of Consummatum est! Is projected nearer. Signaling this there is a person from the group already heading home. The runner in blue clothing in the left lower corner is this person. On the picture he is ahead of Caiaphas and Annas. He did wait until Jesus’ death, and only the extraordinary changes in nature reversed his original sentiments. His face reflects that he is taken aback and has gotten a different prospective on the issues, beating his chest as a sign of Jewish atonement. This does not mean a change of heart yet, but only the stunned regret of having been mistaken. To the extent that he does not even realizes just yet! This represents chronologically the last scene occurring at Golgotha. We made no mention of the two others crucified along with Jesus. Perhaps the one nearer to us understands something of the majesty possessed by Christ, who is able to pray for his enemies, or senses that this “Someone” agonizing next to him accepted him and his companionship. The words of the prophet Isaiah get fulfilled in Jesus:”and was numbered with the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12), but this only aided in expressing the greatness of his sacrifice, similarly the manner in which Munkácsy was able to “illuminate” Christ's cross.
