Cambridge International AS Level

DIVINITY 8041/21
Paper 2 The Four Gospels October/November 2022

3 hours

You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.

* 1 3 7 3 8 7 2 0 3 3 *

You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer four questions in total:
● If you choose to answer Question 1, answer in one version only.
Revised Standard Version of Question 1 is printed on page 2.
New International Version of Question 1 is printed on page 3.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 100.
● All questions are worth 25 marks.

This document has 4 pages.

DC (SLM) 321521
© UCLES 2022 [Turn over
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REVISED STANDARD VERSION

1 Comment on points of interest or difficulty in four of the following passages (wherever possible
answers should refer to the context of the passage but should not retell the story from which the
passage is taken): [25]

(a) And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John
his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.
(Matthew 4:21)

(b) And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of
heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (Matthew 13:11)

(c) So he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the swine; and the
herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were
drowned in the sea. (Mark 5:13)

(d) And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and
Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. (Mark 16:1)

(e) And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all
in the synagogue were fixed on him. (Luke 4:20)

(f) And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people
to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited
shall taste my banquet.’ (Luke 14:23–24)

(g) So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people, “Come,
see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” (John 4:28–29)

(h) Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the Father
has given me?” (John 18:11)

© UCLES 2022 8041/21/O/N/22

 3

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

1 Comment on points of interest or difficulty in four of the following passages (wherever possible
answers should refer to the context of the passage but should not retell the story from which the
passage is taken): [25]

(a) Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John.
They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them…
(Matthew 4:21)

(b) He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given
to you, but not to them.” (Matthew 13:11)

(c) He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd,
about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
(Mark 5:13)

(d) When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome
bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. (Mark 16:1)

(e) Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone
in the synagogue were fastened on him. (Luke 4:20)

(f) Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to
come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a
taste of my banquet.’ (Luke 14: 23–24)

(g) Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come,
see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:28–29)

(h) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has
given me?” (John 18:11)

© UCLES 2022 8041/21/O/N/22 [Turn over

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2 ‘… store up for yourselves treasures in heaven … for where your treasure is, there your heart will
be also.’ (Matthew 6:20a–21) How far does Matthew’s Gospel provide guidance for this command?
[25]

3 Discuss the date, context, purpose and authorship of Matthew’s Gospel. [25]

4 Examine Mark’s use of sources in the writing of his gospel. [25]

5 Examine how Mark’s Gospel portrays Jesus as one who serves rather than one who rules. [25]

6 ‘There is more history than theology in Luke’s Gospel.’ Discuss. [25]

7 ‘In Luke’s Gospel Jesus’ teachings are for everyone.’ How far do you agree? [25]

8 ‘John’s Gospel portrays women as active participants in the ministry of Jesus.’ Evaluate this claim.
[25]

9 Consider the arguments for and against the theory that the author of the Gospel of John was an
apostle. [25]

10 Assess the role of John the Baptist in the gospel traditions. [25]

11 ‘The Jewish title ‘Rabbi’ adequately reflects the role of Jesus.’ Discuss. [25]

12 Examine the significance of Peter, James and John being set apart from the other disciples. [25]

13 ‘The Roman authorities were solely responsible for the death of Jesus.’ Discuss. [25]

14 ‘The mission of Jesus was to the Jewish people only.’ In response to this, consider the teaching
found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. [25]

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© UCLES 2022 8041/21/O/N/22