1. Jesus's public activity begins with what?

2. Pope Benedict discusses the fact that Luke places the baptism of Jesus within the larger context of secular history (that is to say, in this case, Roman history).  What significance does Pope Benedict find in this?

3. Describe the beliefs of the following Jewish groups:
a) the Zealots
b) the Pharisees
c) the Saducees
d) the Essenes

4. According to Pope Benedict, John the Baptist is something new.  How is the Baptism that John the Baptist enjoined different from the usual religious ablutions (washings, cleansings) of the time?

5. Discuss the relationship between the ritual of baptism and Jesus's death and resurrection.

6. On p. 16 of his text, Pope Benedict poses the following query: "We have just heard that the confession of sins is a component of Baptism.  Baptism itself was a confession of sins and the attempt to put off an old, failed life and to receive a new one.  Is that something Jesus could do?"  What is the Pope's interpretation of the scene in which John the Baptist says to Jesus: "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" – to which Jesus replies: "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness"?

7. The Pope points out that, according to John's Gospel, when John the Baptist first sees Jesus, he says, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."  What is the Pope's interpretation of this passage?  (Note: In this, he is following the interpretation of the New Testament scholar Joachim Jeremias.)

8. As Jesus arises from the water, the Gospels say that the Spirit came down upon him "like a dove" and a voice from heaven says "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."  Pope Benedict underscores three aspects of this scene.  What are these three aspects?