Jesus continues His emphasis on being ready when the end comes. He gives us the parable of the ten virgins, Matthew 25:1-13. This is a typical Palestinian wedding. Following the wedding, there would be a parade through the streets ending up at the home of the groom, where there would be a big banquet.
The bridesmaids are at the groom’s home waiting for the procession to come. They had their oil lamps with them, Matthew 25:1-2. Such lamps only held a small amount of oil; thus, it was important to carry extra oil just in case the groom was delayed.
Five of the virgins had brought extra oil with them, but the others had only what was presently in their lamps, Matthew 25:3-4. They have fallen asleep, Matthew 25:5.
Unexpectedly, it is announced that the groom is coming, Matthew 25:6-7. The five foolish virgins beg for oil from the five wise virgins as their oil is running out, Matthew 25:8. But they are refused, Matthew 25:9. So they leave to buy more oil.
While they are gone, the groom arrives, and the door has been shut, Matthew 25:10. The foolish five beat on the door, begging to come in, but the groom said, “I do not know you,” Matthew 25:11-12. This may sound callous, but their lack of preparation betrays their lack of love and respect for the groom and bride.
When Christ, the bridegroom, returns, there will be no shared preparation. I cannot prepare for you, and you cannot prepare for me. Each of us must give an account of himself to God.
Again, the emphasis is on being prepared for the coming of the Lord, Matthew 25:14-30. A master entrusted three of his servants with his possessions, Matthew 25:14.
He gave one servant five talents, to a second, two and to a third, he gave one, Matthew 25:15. The word talent refers to one’s abilities. Each servant is endowed according to his ability.
The first two servants lived up to their ability by earning one hundred per cent on what was entrusted to them, Matthew 25:16-17. The last servant refused to do anything. He went out and buried his one talent, Matthew 25:18.
This “wicked” servant lied when he told his master he was afraid of him, Matthew 25:24-25. Had he really been afraid, he would have earned interest with the talent he had.
He hid the money, thinking that the master would not return. Then he could dig it up later and use it for himself. His master referred to him as “You wicked and slothful servant,” Matthew 25:26.
The lesson is clear. When Jesus returns, He will require that each give an account of himself of his stewardship of life. Those who have prepared will be rewarded, Matthew 25:21 / Matthew 25:23. Those who have counted on His delay will be shocked, judged and punished, Matthew 25:28-30.
The Olivet discourse closes with a graphic picture of the return of Jesus, Matthew 25:31-46. Some think Jesus will return to set up an earthly kingdom and that He will reign on David’s throne for a thousand years.
Jesus, however, teaches that His return will be sudden and it will be immediately followed by judgment. When He comes, he will divide mankind as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats, Matthew 25:31-33.
The parable teaches the basis of that separation. Those who assist the unfortunate by helping the hungry, the homeless, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned will be the sheep, Matthew 25:34-40.
Those who fail to do these things will be among the goats, Matthew 25:41-46. Those who were among the sheep seem surprised. Jesus points out that when they helped or mistreated a brother, they are helping or mistreating Jesus, Matthew 25:40.
Jesus makes it clear that those who did not do these things will go away into “everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life,” Matthew 25:46. With this parable, Jesus completes his fifth and final discourse of the book of Matthew, as indicated by the words “when Jesus had finished saying all these things,” Matthew 26:1. These last discussions probably took place as Jesus and His disciples made their way back to Bethany.
Either late Tuesday evening, which, according to Jewish reckoning, would have already been Wednesday or early Wednesday morning, Jesus said to the apostles, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of man will be betrayed to be crucified,” Matthew 26:1-16 / Mark 14:1-2 / Mark 14:10-12 / Luke 22:1-6 / John 13:1.
Other than this, we do not have any record of how he spent Wednesday or the first part of Thursday. Maybe this is the calm before the storm. Jesus must endure unbelievable suffering and pain in the coming hours.
Perhaps he is resting, gaining strength so that he can endure all that will happen in the next two days. So during Wednesday and most of Thursday, Jesus must have continued to prepare His disciples, whom He loved, for what was ahead. No doubt he communed with His Father for strength.
The Lord may have rested on Wednesday, but the chief priest and elders were busy. This seems to be a secret meeting at the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, Matthew 26:3-5 / Matthew 26:14-16 / Mark 14:1-2 / Mark 14:10-11 / Luke 22:1-2 / Luke 22:3-6. Caiaphas had presided over a previous meeting, when a decision was made to kill Jesus, John 11:51-52.
They had failed miserably on Tuesday when they tried to trap Jesus in a war of words. They are determined more than ever that He must die, Matthew 26:4. The problem was that they could not do this publicly because they feared the crowd, Matthew 26:5. At night, they did not know where He was staying.
Their dilemma was solved in a way they could not have anticipated. One of the apostles shows up with a solution. Judas Iscariot has the solution, Matthew 26:14. Luke tells us that “Satan entered Judas,” Luke 23:3.
Evidently, he had slipped away under some pretext. He found out where the council was meeting. He bluntly asks, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” Matthew 26:15.
He then discusses with them how he might betray Jesus to them. Judas would be familiar with the schedule of Jesus. Also, if they wanted to do it at night, he would know where He would be and could lead them to Him.
They weighed out thirty pieces of silver and gave them to him, Matthew 26:15. It has been estimated that this would have been worth about four months’ wages for a common labourer.
Some think this may have only been a partial payment, with the remaining amount to be given after Jesus was for sure delivered into their hands. His wicked act was spoken many years before in Zechariah 11:12.
There has been much speculation as to why Judas betrayed Jesus. Was he jealous of Jesus or disgruntled over the rebuke the Lord gave him when Mary anointed His feet? John 12:4-5. Some even think he was impatient and was trying to force Jesus to take action on establishing His kingdom.
Others think he became disillusioned that Jesus did not turn out to be the Messiah that he was expecting. He could have been trying to save himself, as he evidently saw that the conflict between Jesus and the religious hierarchy was becoming serious and Jesus might be killed.
The fact that the first thing he asked the Sanhedrin was how much they would pay him for betraying the Lord would certainly indicate there was greed connected with his wicked deed. His love of money is indicated by John at the time Mary had anointed the feet of Jesus, John 12:4-5.
John quotes Judas. “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box, and used to take what was put in it,” John 12:5-6.
The fact that Satan entered the heart of Judas, Luke 22:3, does not mean it was in some irresistible way. Satan put the idea into his heart, but he does that to all of us. We have the option of resisting what he puts in our hearts (temptation).
Considering how closely Judas had been associated with Jesus and had seen his miracles, you would think he would have been afraid to do this. Why then was he so bold? Why was Satan able to influence him to do such a thing?
Judas left himself open to the deceiver’s control. To begin with, Judas was a thief, John 12:6. So he was already under Satan’s control. Betraying Jesus was just another step in submission to the devil.
On Wednesday night, Jesus would go to bed for the last time on earth. On Thursday morning, he woke up never to sleep again. Thursday was known as “the first day of Unleavened Bread.”
It was the day during which the people in Jerusalem would make preparations for the Passover feast. On this 14th day of Nisan, the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed in preparation for the feast of the Passover.
The disciples came to Jesus and wanted to know where he wanted to have the feast, Matthew 26:17-19 / Mark 14:12-16 / Luke 22:7-13. Jesus gave them some very unusual instructions.
Peter and John were to go into the city, and they would see a man carrying a pitcher of water, Mark 14:12. They were to follow the man, “And wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, the Teacher says: Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” Mark 14:14.
Just as Jesus had said, they found the man and the place where it is said they (Peter and John) prepared the Passover, Mark 14:16. The Feast of Unleavened Bread began officially on the 15th day of Nisan and lasted for seven days.
It has been suggested that Jesus may have ordered this procedure so Judas could not reveal to the Sanhedrin where he was until late in the evening on Thursday. God’s timetable had to be worked out according to His precise schedule.
Jesus had much to say to His apostles before He would be taken captive in the Garden of Gethsemane. He would also give instructions for instituting the Lord’s Supper during the Passover supper.
Judas must have listened with the utmost attention as Jesus gave instructions to Peter and John as to where He intended to observe the Passover, Matthew 26:20-35 / Mark 14:17-31 / Luke 22:1438 / John 13:2-17:26.
This would be the ideal time for him to keep his bargain with the chief priests. However, he learned little. Even Peter and John would not know until a man led them to a house where they would secure permission to use the guest chamber for the Passover Supper. There were several things that were needed to fulfil the requirement for the supper.
1. A roasted lamb, Exodus 12:8-19.
Care was to be taken that none of its bones was broken during preparation or during the feast, Exodus 1246, which ties in with the fact that none of Jesus’ bones was broken on the cross, John 19:36.
2. Unleavened bread, Exodus 12:8.
3. Wine.
In Jesus’ day, the ceremony used four cups of wine.
4. Bitter herbs to represent the bitterness of Egyptian slavery, Exodus 12:8.
5. A thick, pasty dip made from crushed fruit and nuts moistened with vinegar or wine, representing the clay from which Israel made bricks in Egypt, Exodus 5:7.
Worshipers gathered in Jerusalem from all over the Roman Empire. Some estimate as many as a million Jews packed the city, requiring some one hundred thousand sacrificial lambs.
The Jews were only allowed to eat the Passover in Jerusalem. Each house celebrated this feast. They would gather enough people to consume an entire lamb.
During the meal, four ceremonial cups of wine were passed around the table, separated by singing the “Hallel”, Psalm 113-118. After the second cup of wine, the youngest in the house was instructed to ask the meaning of the Passover. The patriarch of the family then explained the story of how God delivered Israel from their Egyptian bondage.
Shortly before sundown, Jesus came with the twelve to the place that had been prepared. The artists’ pictures of the upper room and supper are in error. They gathered around a U-shaped table, which was about six or eight inches off the ground. The custom of the first century was for the guest to recline on cushions, Matthew 26:20, resting on the left elbow with the right hand free to provide food.
It has been estimated that Jesus and the disciples sat down to eat the Passover about sundown or shortly afterwards. This feast commemorated the great deliverance from the death of the firstborn in Egypt.
By sprinkling the blood of a lamb on their doorposts, each firstborn was spared, Exodus 12:7. How typical all this was of the great sacrifice made shortly by Christ (the Lamb of God) to deliver man from sin and death.
This was to be a night never to be forgotten. The evening started with the Passover feast. Each lamb was to be eaten by no less than ten people and not more than twenty, Exodus 12:4.
In the upper room, there will be thirteen who will share the roasted lamb. It was cut into small pieces so it could be eaten by hand. No eating utensils, such as knives and forks, were used during this meal.
Jesus reclined beside the low table spread with the meal. John was on His right, and Judas may have been on His left with the rest of the disciples scattered around the table.
Suddenly, a dispute arose again among the disciples as to which of them was the greatest, Luke 22:24. It may be that this argument was prompted by the seating arrangements. This childishness and selfishness must have broken Jesus’ heart.
Patiently, He reminds them that greatness in His kingdom would be based on service and not on position, Luke 22:26-27. He assures them that their faithfulness to Him would not be forgotten, Luke 22:28-30.
In those days, it was common courtesy to wash a guest’s feet when he entered your house. Usually, this was done by servants. People wore sandals and walked on dirt pathways. When they reclined to eat. The feet of one guest would not be far from the face of another.
The apostles probably had bathed in preparation for the Passover, but in walking to the upper room, their feet would be dirty from the dust in the streets. Interestingly, everything needed to wash feet was available in the upper room, John 13:4-5.
They had been arguing over who was the greatest, Luke 22:24. Jesus demonstrates what it means to serve by doing the menial task of washing their feet, John 13:4-5.
Wonder what Judas felt as Jesus carefully washed his feet? Jesus certainly demonstrated what it means to “love your enemies,” Matthew 5:43-48. We know what Peter was thinking. Peter strenuously objects.
In fact, he orders Jesus to back off, “You will never wash my feet,” John 13:6-8. Jesus rebukes Peter, saying, “If I don’t wash your feet, you have no part with me,” John 13:8. So Peter goes to the other extreme, asking that he be washed all over, John 13:9. Jesus was not instituting “foot washing” to be observed by the church later on.
Christ was not primarily interested in the dirt on their feet. He was more concerned with the selfish ambition of their hearts. Some think this may have been an effort on Jesus’ part to reach Judas and change his evil heart before it was too late. Even though the Lord knew what he was going to do, he could change if he wanted to. Although Satan entered his heart, he was not forced to betray Jesus.
After washing their feet, Jesus announced that “one of you will betray Me,” Matthew 26:21. They seemed stunned and began to discuss the matter as to who would do such a thing.
It is said, “Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, `Surely not I, Lord?” Matthew 26:22. They may have thought one of them might unwittingly do something that would result in His betrayal.
Jesus becomes more specific. He said it would be the one He would “dip the morsel and give it to him,” Matthew 26:23-24. Even Judas asked, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus replied, “You have said it yourself,” Matthew 26:25.
You would think this would have shaken Judas, that he knows Jesus has exposed his plot. Evidently, it did not faze him. Jesus told him, “What you do, do quickly,” John 13:27. Judas then left, John 13:27. The others thought he was going to buy supplies for the feast, John 13:28-29.
Jesus now feels it is safe to let Judas go do his wicked deed. The Lord will still have time to say what needs to be said to the apostles before Judas can complete his plans to betray Him.
It is probably at this time that Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him, John 13:31-38. It seems this prediction was made twice, once during the supper and a second time after they left the room, Mark 14:30 / Matthew 26:31.
Peter strongly denies this. He declares he would lay down his life for the Lord, John 13:35. Jesus tells him that Satan wanted to sift him like wheat, Luke 22:31. He told Peter he had prayed for him that his faith would not fail him, Luke 22:32.
Peter says he was willing to go to prison, even die for the Lord, Luke 22:33. Jesus tells him that before the rooster crows that day, Peter will have denied him three times, Luke 22:34.
Jesus now tells the others that they would “all fall away (desert Him) because of Me this night,” Matthew 26:31. Peter is even more adamant that he will not fall away, Matthew 26:33.
The apostles had no idea what lay ahead that night. It will become apparent that they were not yet prepared for the hard times ahead. It is not until after His resurrection that we see a dramatic change in their faith.
As the Passover feast draws to a close, Jesus instituted the most enduring memorial of all time: the Lord’s Supper. We are told that while eating, Jesus took some unleavened bread and said a prayer of thanksgiving.
He told the disciples to “Take, eat; this is My body,” Matthew 26:26. He also took one of the four wine cups used in the Passover feast. Again giving thanks, He told them, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins,” Matthew 26:27-28. Thus Christ gave to us a perpetual memorial to continue until His return, 1 Corinthians 11:26.
Jesus told them He would not partake of Himself until that day He would drink it anew in the kingdom of God, Matthew 26:29. This meant He would have communion with His disciples when they are eating the Lord’s Supper in his church.
It would be new in that the Passover elements would now be used in a different way than formerly. When He told them to eat the bread, that it was His body, Matthew 26:26.
He did not mean it was His literal flesh. He was using figurative language. The same is true of the cup which contained the fruit of the vine, Matthew 26:27. It was not His literal blood, but represented His blood.
Since Jesus was standing before His disciples with His body intact and the blood flowing through His veins, He could not have meant that the bread and wine were His literal flesh and blood.
Jesus often used figures of speech to describe Himself. He said, “I am the vine, you are the branches,” John 15:5. Once, He said, “I am the door,” John 10:9. He did not mean by these expressions that he was literally a vine or a door. He was comparing himself to these things.
Of all the memorials that could have been chosen (marble, precious metals, jewels, etc.), the Lord chose two of the most common and most perishable items that one could choose.
Yet, nothing could better represent his body and blood. Leaven is often in the Bible to represent the influence of sin. Unleavened bread was a fitting symbol of Christ’s sinless body. The fruit of the grapevine, with its reddish tint, seems most appropriate to represent the blood of Jesus.
There are four terms in the Scriptures which refer to this memorial: “the Lord’s Supper,” “the breaking of bread,” “communion”, and “the table of the Lord.” Later on, Paul said, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death,” 1 Corinthians 11:26. How often or frequently is this?
In Acts 20:7, we discover that Christians partook “on the first day of the week.” Every week has a first day. So, every Sunday. There is no biblical precedent for having it on any other day than the first day of the week.
In these three chapters from John’s gospel, John 14-16, we are given an insight into the emotional life of the Lord. John is the only one to give us this farewell speech. Jesus’ heart is heavy with grief. He must now leave these men to finish the work He had been sent to do. Jesus will impress upon their minds three things.
1. He is leaving them, John 14:1-11.
2. In His absence, they must continue His mission, John 14:12-14.
3. He will send the Holy Spirit to assist them in their work, John 14:15-31.
Since Jesus had told them that they would desert Him, Mark 14:50, they were probably a little low. Now he is telling them he is going away, John 14:1-4. They are disturbed by this.
Thomas wants to know how they can follow Him if they do not know where He is going, John 14:5. Jesus begins with words of encouragement. His entire discourse is filled with words of comfort.
He assures them of His love for them, calling them “friends,” John 15:15. He promised their sadness would be turned into joy, John 16:20. They are not to worry.
He gives them His peace, John 14:27. He is also going to prepare a place for them, John 14:3. He will come back to take them with Him to this prepared place, John 14:3.
He says His leaving was necessary. He must return to His father, John 16:28, at which time he will be restored to His former glory. At God’s right hand, He could do more for them than if he remained on earth.
He talks about praying in His name, John 14:13-14. This had never been done before. He promised that whenever they asked anything in His name, He would grant it to them, John 14:13-14.
He is not going to leave them as orphans, John 14:18. In fact, one of the main reasons He was leaving was that He had to go, so the Holy Spirit could come, John 16:7. It seems the Holy Spirit could not come until Jesus left.
He refers to the Holy Spirit as a “helper” or “comforter,” John 14:26. They needed to know about the coming of the Holy Spirit. More is said in John 14-17 about the Holy Spirit than in the rest of the Gospels. Jesus had to die, be raised, and ascend to the Father before the Spirit could come.
He told them that those who believed in Him would do “greater works than these,” John 14:12. These works may refer to the preaching of the gospel and the conversion of thousands.
Converting souls is far greater (more important) than all the miracles that were performed. In that sense, their works would be greater. Jesus knew that the disciples would not remember everything He had said and taught them, John 16:4.
Also, they would need additional information that they had not yet received, John 16:13. Thus, when the Holy Spirit comes, He will reveal to them everything God wanted them to know.
He would guide them “into all the truth,” John 16:13. This would apply to what they spoke and also to what they wrote. The Bible is inspired because the Holy Spirit directed its writing so there would be no errors in it, 2 Timothy 3:16. The main thrust of the Holy Spirit’s work would be to bear witness to Jesus, John 14:26-27.
When the Holy Spirit would come, He would also do something for the unbelieving world. He would “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment,” John 16:8.
The conviction would be through the Word. The gospel is so powerful that it can take the most hardened heart and change it so that it can have eternal life. He wants them to know He would be with them again.
He spoke of returning in at least three ways.
1. After His resurrection, He appeared to them at different times and places over a period of forty days, Acts 1:3.
2. After His ascension, He would be with them spiritually, Matthew 28:20.
3. Someday, He will return to claim His own. This will be at His second and only coming, John 14:3.
They must retain a close relationship with Him as a vine does with its branches. As life-giving nutrients flow through the grapevine into the branches, so one’s spiritual life comes from the Lord, who is our vine, and we are His branches, John 15:5.
As branches, we must bear fruit, John 15:4. Thus, we are to lead fruitful lives and share our faith with others. Jesus had much to say about love in His final discourse with the apostles. God loved Him, He loved the Father, He loved the disciples, and they were to love Him, John 15:9.
They were also to love each other. He said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you,” John 15:12. So there would be no misunderstanding of what He meant by their loving as He had loved, He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends,” John 15:13.
Very shortly, he would be laying down His life for them as He died on the cross. In doing this, he was also laying down His life for His enemies. He warned of the persecution that awaited them.
The hatred of the world had focused on Him, John 15:18-25, but after He leaves, that hatred would be transferred to them. He warned, “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God,” John 16:2.
We often think of the model prayer Jesus gave to His disciples as the Lord’s Prayer, but John 17 is really the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer has three parts to it.
1. Jesus prayed regarding His relationship with His father, John 17:1-5.
He only asked that He might be glorified, John 17:5.
2. He prayed for the apostles that God would protect them, sanctify them and love them, John 17:6-19.
3. Finally, He prayed for those who believe in Him through their word, John 17:20-26.
He prayed for all future believers that they might “be one” like He and the Father were one, John 17:23.
The reason being that the world would believe He had been sent by the Father, John 17:23. There is nothing more destructive to the preaching of the gospel than for the world to see those who claim to be followers of Christ, are in a divided condition.
The upper room session now closes with a song. It is said, “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives,” Matthew 26:30 / Mark 14:26. Traditionally, the Passover feast would conclude with the singing of the Hallel Psalms, Psalms 113-118.
Hallel is the transliteration of a Hebrew word for “praise.” They probably sang the final Hallel Psalm, which begins, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His loving kindness is everlasting,” Psalm 118.
It may appear that what Jesus is about to endure in the next twenty-four hours does not seem in any way the kindness of God. But actually, it will be the greatest show of loving kindness ever to be manifested toward mankind.
The Lord with His apostles now walk through the narrow streets of Jerusalem and pass through one of the gates of the city, and then cross the Kidron valley over onto the slopes of the Mount of Olives. There they enter a place called Gethsemane, Matthew 26:36-46 / Mark 14:32-42 / Luke 22:39-46 / John 18:1.
There was a garden there where Jesus had often met with His disciples. The word “Gethsemane” means “oil press.” Probably at one time, an oil press was located there to be used to press the olives that came from the trees, which gave it its name, Mount of Olives.
The disciples may get a few hours of sleep, but it will be a sleepless night for the Lord. At this point, his thoughts were not conducive to sleep. Later on, he will be forced to stay awake.
Arriving at the garden, Jesus leaves eight of His disciples, admonishing them to “Pray that you may not enter into temptation,” Luke 22:40. Then, taking Peter, James and John, He goes farther into the garden, Matthew 26:37.
He is overwhelmed with the physical and spiritual agony that lies ahead. We are told that He “began to be very distressed and troubled,” Matthew 26:37. He told His friends, “My soul is deeply grieved; remain here and keep watch with Me,” Matthew 26:38.
Jesus now moves farther into the garden, falling on his face and praying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as You will,” Matthew 26:39.
The “cup” referred to all the trials he will go through and all the anguish and suffering that He will have to endure on the cross. We cannot help but notice the humanity of Jesus here. He is speaking as a human, just as human as anyone on earth.
He felt like we would have felt if we had faced such an ordeal. He was fully God, but He was also fully man, Philippians 2:5-8. There is much we cannot fathom about the Incarnation. From time to time, there must have been tension between Christ’s Godhood and His manhood. This tension was never more evident than here in the garden.
When Jesus told the disciples that “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” Matthew 26:41, He was not just talking about them. He was also talking about himself. Yet He respects the Father’s will.
So He prays that above all, the will of His Father be done. Jesus returns to the three disciples and finds them asleep. He asks, “Could you not watch one hour?” Matthew 26:40.
Jesus returns a second time and prays to the Father. “O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done,” Matthew 26:42. He returns to the three again and finds them asleep. It is said that their eyes were heavy, Mark 14:40.
A third time, Jesus goes and prays. Luke tells us, “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground,” Luke 22:4. We are also told that an angel came to Him from heaven and strengthened Him, Luke 22:43. He returns to the disciples the third time.
He said, “Sleep on now and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, he who betrays Me is at hand,” Mark 14:41-42.
Judas probably goes to the upper room first. Not finding Jesus and the apostles, he seems to know where to go next, Matthew 26:47-58 / Mark 14:43-52 / Luke 22:47-53 / John 18:1-12.
Being late at night, it would not be likely that they would have tried to make their way to Bethany. So, where is the most likely place they would go? The garden of Gethsemane was a favourite place with Jesus. He often met and talked with His disciples there, John 18:2. It was not unusual for Jesus and His disciples to sleep out in the open.
In the summer months, people who had houses often slept on their flat roofs because it was cooler there. Judas comes with a mob of people to arrest Jesus, John 18:3.
There are some questions as to the composition of the mob. John tells us there was a cohort, John 18:3. This would consist of six hundred men. It is doubtful that many would have been rounded up at night. The answer seems to be that there were Roman soldiers and representatives of the high priests, John 18:3.
But why would Pilate dispatch Roman soldiers? Probably to stop any potential riot or revolt. He no doubt already knew about the conflict between the Jewish leaders and Jesus.
This would explain why they were able to get Jesus before Pilate so early the next morning and why the Sanhedrin worked too hard to trump up charges to present to Pilate. It would also explain why Pilate’s wife had a bad dream about Jesus while all these events were taking place.
Around midnight or later, the mob led by Judas arrived at the garden. They were carrying torches, lanterns, swords, clubs and other weapons, John 18:3. Jesus asks who they were seeking. They reply, “Jesus of Nazareth,” John 18:4-7.
Immediately, Jesus identifies Himself. He says, “I am He,” John 18:8. Why so many to capture one man? Perhaps due to His reputation for being able to do such powerful miracles.
The first reaction of the mob was to fall back, John 18:6. They seem shocked to come upon Jesus so quickly and must be reacting out of fear of what He might do. It is obvious He is not going to offer any resistance.
Judas does not need to kiss Him now because He has already identified Himself. But he does anyway! He does it with great pretence. He may have kissed Him multiple times on each cheek, Mark 14:44-45.
This is the height of hypocrisy. The soldiers now move to bind Jesus as if He were a criminal. From this moment on, Jesus’ hands would seldom be free. The actions of the mob violated a law which clearly stated one could not be arrested without a clear charge. All of His trials will be a travesty of justice.
Peter is ready to fight. He draws a sword, John 18:10. He and the other apostles evidently felt Jesus was ready to establish His kingdom. Knowing the powerful miracles He had performed, they perhaps felt they would be victorious over the mob. In the process, Peter cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, John 18:10. He probably meant to do more than this, but Malchus ducked.
Some say the sword was a large butcher knife used to carve the Passover lamb. Jesus tells Peter to put the sword away because this is not the way His kingdom fights, Matthew 26:52.
He could have called for twelve legions of angels (seventy two thousand) if He had wanted, Matthew 26:53, but it was necessary that He fulfil the Scriptures which said He must submit to this, Matthew 26:54.
The Lord then restores the ear to Malchus, Luke 22:51. It would seem this miracle alone would have made the mob back off, but it may be they were unaware of what the Lord did.
Immediately, the disciples flee, Mark 14:50. Perhaps it has become apparent to them that there will be no fight for the kingdom, and what else could they do? Mark records an interesting incident.
Among those fleeing was a young man who had on nothing but a linen garment. As he flees, a guard grabs his cloak, and He runs away naked, Mark 14:51-52. Many speculate that this was none other than John Mark. Jesus is now left alone with only His enemies. He will now undergo six trials. Three of them will be before the Jews, and three before the Romans.
Jesus is now escorted from Gethsemane to the palace of Annas, who had served as high priest before Caiaphas, John 18:12-14. However, the Romans had replaced him with his son-in-law Caiaphas, who was presently the high priest.
Since it was considered that the high priest was to hold his office for a lifetime time many would consider Annas as still being the high priest. To say the least, he had a lot of control and influence among the Jews.
Annas begins asking Jesus about his disciples and His teachings, John 18:19-24. According to the law, it was not legal to conduct a court at night, only in the daytime.
Jesus pointed out that He had spoken openly both in the synagogues and the temple, where all were able to hear, John 18:20. Why ask not ask those who heard Him speak, tell Annas what he had taught? John 18:21.
One of the officials, probably thinking Jesus spoke disrespectfully, struck Jesus in the face, John 18:22. Jesus asks for an explanation from the guard, which He did not receive, John 18:23-24. This is only the beginning of the physical abuse Jesus would endure that day.
Jesus is now transferred to the palace where Caiaphas lived, John 18:28. Caiaphas was the one who had said that one man must die to save their nation, John 11:50.
So, it had already been determined that Jesus must die. Looking for false evidence, it seems a number of people volunteered to testify to the Lord again, Matthew 26:59. The only problem was that they did not agree with each other about what they said. Then two come forward with the same story, Matthew 26:60-61.
They remember that three years ago, Jesus had said he could rebuild the temple. However, the witnesses said that he said he would destroy the temple, which was a lie, Matthew 26:61. Jesus had said, “If you destroy this temple (His body) He would raise it on the third day,” John 2:19.
Caiaphas must have been embarrassed by all the conflicting lies of the witnesses. Frustrated, he asked Jesus to take an oath. “I adjure You by the living God that you tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God,” Matthew 26:63.
Jesus answered that He was and that they would see Him seated at the right hand of God, Matthew 26:64. This was all they needed. He has now openly declared it before the Jewish leaders.
Caiaphas put on a great show as if He were in total shock. He tore his robes, which was a symbol of deep distress and said, “He has spoken blasphemy!” Matthew 26:65.
Jesus was then blindfolded, spit upon, hit with their fists, slapped, and then asked to tell them which one had hit Him if He were a prophet, Matthew 26:67-68. The mistreatment of Jesus indicates they had lost any fear they might have had of Him, as He did not resist in any way.
While Peter, along with other disciples, had fled when Jesus was arrested by the mob, Mark 14:50, Peter had followed at some distance with another disciple, who seems to be John, John 18:15.
John is able to enter the court just below where the Sanhedrin met, but Peter is left outside, 15-John 18:16. John talks to a girl at the door and then ushers Peter in, John 18:15.
On the way in, she gets a good look at Peter. A fire has been built, and Peter is warming himself by the fire, Luke 22:55. Jesus had told Peter a few hours before that, before the rooster who crow two times, Peter would deny him three times, Matthew 26:34 / Luke 22:34 / John 13:38.
The girl who had admitted Peter comes up to him and said, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not,” John 18:17. This is denial number one.
The girl would not give up. Looking directly at Peter, she says, “This man was also with Him,” Matthew 26:71. Again, Peter denies, Matthew 26:72. Why did Peter deny the Lord?
He had proven his bravery when he drew the sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, John 18:10. Maybe he is struggling with doubt. The fact that Jesus had been arrested and was now being tried by the Jews to be put to death did not match up with his concept of a Messiah who would be strong enough to overcome any opposition.
About an hour later, a man insists, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean,” Mark 14:70. Now comes the third denial. “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Luke 22:60.
We are told that Peter even began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the man,” and immediately the rooster crowed, Luke 22:60. The Lord turned and looked at Peter, and Peter remembered what He had told Him earlier that night, Luke 22:61. Peter left and began to weep bitterly, Luke 22:62.
It is probably around 5:30 to 6:00 a.m. when Jesus is led before the Sanhedrin. This was the high court of the land, very much like our Supreme Court. Mark says the whole council was present, Mark 14:55.
This would have included Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who no doubt were already believers in Jesus. Did they have anything to say, or was it such a cut-and-dry matter that they had no opportunity to say or do anything?
The Council had a twofold purpose.
1. They needed formal confirmation of the sentence passed during the night.
If Jesus had not said he was the Son of God, there would have been no testimony that morning.
2. They could not legally kill Jesus.
Only the Roman governor could authorise this. So they had to concoct some political charge serious enough to warrant Jesus’ death under Roman law. Jesus is now led to the Praetorium to face Pilate, Mark 15:1.
At this point, Judas commits suicide, Matthew 27:3-10 / Acts 1:18-19. The final verdict of the Sanhedrin had been officially announced. How Judas found out, we do not know.
Seeing that Jesus is going to be condemned to die, he feels awful about the terrible thing he has done. It may be that he never expected things to go as far as they did. He says, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood,” Matthew 27:4. What tragic words.
He seems to try to undo his deed by returning the thirty pieces of silver to the high priests, Matthew 27:3-5, but it is too late. The chief priests cared nothing about Judas, nor did they care about the truth.
In a spiteful way, Judas throws the silver into the temple, Matthew 27:5. He goes to the potter’s field and hangs himself, Matthew 27:5. Since this was blood money, they decided to use the money to purchase the field where he hung himself as a burial place, renaming it “The field of blood,” Matthew 27:6-10 / Zechariah 11:12-13 / Jeremiah 19:1-13 / Jeremiah 32:6-9.
The Sanhedrin delivers Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor over Judea, Matthew 27:11-31 / Mark 15:2-20 / Luke 23:2-25 / John 18:28-19:16. The duties of a governor were to keep peace and to collect taxes for Rome.
He was procurator of Palestine, which gave him absolute power of life and death. The only higher court would be Caesar. Appeals to the emperor were reserved only for Roman citizens.
The “Praetorian” was the official residence of the Roman governor. It was occupied primarily by Gentiles. Therefore, the Jews did not go inside the compound for fear they would be defiled.
Due to the deep resentment of the Jews toward Rome, Judea had been a trouble spot. If there were too many revolts, Rome might decide to remove the governor. So he had to be careful to keep down any disturbance.
This definitely plays a role in his three trials that involved Jesus. Normally, Pilate resided in Caesarea, but during the feasts, he would often come to Jerusalem to keep a close eye on an explosive Jewish population.
Jesus is brought to Pilate early in the morning, but the Jews would not enter the Praetorium, John 18:28. The scene is incredible! They ask Pilate to condemn Jesus without even presenting a charge against him, John 18:29-30.
They expect him to accept their own conclusions of guilt. He does not fall for this at all, John 18:31. He would have already known of the arrest made the previous night, as Roman soldiers had participated in the arrest.
Also, he would have known of some of the antagonism between the Jewish leaders and Jesus. He was not aware they wanted him executed. So he tells them to “Take Him yourself,” John 18:31.
Their response was that they could not do this, as Rome had stripped them of any authority to execute a person, John 18:31. This situation made possible the fulfilment of Jesus’ words that he would die by crucifixion, at the hands of the Gentiles, John 18:32. If the Jews had executed Him, it would have been by stoning. The Romans preferred crucifixion.
They now bring three specific charges against Jesus.
1. He was perverting the nation, Luke 23:2.
2. He was teaching the people that they should not pay taxes, Luke 23:2.
3. He claims to be their king, Luke 23:2.
Pilate now interviews the defendant. He directly asks Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?” John 18:33. This is the only serious charge as far as Pilate is concerned.
Christ replied in the affirmative. He then asks Pilate the source of the accusation, John 18:34. Pilate acknowledges that the charge came from the Jews and urges Jesus to explain why they were so provoked with Him, John 18:35.
Jesus replied that His kingdom was not a worldly kingdom, John 18:36. He proves it by saying if it were of this world, then His servants would be fighting to keep Him from being turned over to the Jews for execution, John 18:36.
Pilate did not understand who Jesus was, but he certainly knew He had done nothing worthy of death, Luke 23:22. So he goes outside and announces his verdict: “I find no fault in Him at all,” John 18:38.
The crowd becomes very vocal. They said Jesus was stirring up the people all the way from Galilee to Judea, Luke 23:5. Pilate is in a dilemma. He has pronounced Jesus not guilty, but he did not want to antagonise the Jews.
If a major disturbance were to happen, he could be called back to Rome. Thus, it was politically expedient for Pilate to keep the Jews happy. He must have recognised the Galilean accent of Jesus and asked if he was a Galilean, Luke 23:6.
When he found out He was, then this put Jesus under Herod’s jurisdiction. So he sends him to Herod, Luke 23:7, who was also in Jerusalem due to the Passover, no doubt to impress the Jews.
Herod Antipas was eager to see Jesus. He had heard much about Him. He had heard all about the miracles of Jesus, so he was hoping that Jesus would entertain him with a miracle, Luke 23:8.
Also, Herod had killed the cousin of Jesus, John the Baptist, Luke 3:19-20. Being superstitious, he assumed John’s spirit was somehow in Jesus and had empowered Jesus to perform miracles, Matthew 14:1-2.
Herod questioned Him at some length, but Jesus did not answer him one word, Luke 23:9. He is the only person in the gospels to whom Jesus refused to speak. When Jesus refused to entertain Herod, it infuriated him, and he delivered Jesus to his guards to insult Him, Luke 23:10-11. Herod himself even joins in with the abuse and mockery, Luke 23:11.
They put a robe on Him and ridiculed him, Luke 23:11. At the same time, the chief priests and teachers of the law were screaming out accusations against Him, Luke 23:10. Jesus is then sent back to Pilate, Luke 23:11.
Jesus is returned to Pilate wearing a royal robe of mockery, Luke 23:11. To Pilate’s dismay, Herod did not render any verdict, Luke 23:13-14. There remains only the accusation of the chief priests.
He assembles the leaders, saying that neither He nor Herod had found any substance to their accusations, Luke 23:15. He now takes a new position. He will punish Jesus and then let Him go, Luke 23:16.
Suddenly, another crowd shows up. It was a custom to release one prisoner each year that the Jews were permitted to name, John 18:39. They had come to ask Pilate to do what he had been doing in the past.
Barabbas, a notorious criminal, guilty of insurrection and murder, was in custody and due for execution, Luke 23:18-19. Surely the leaders would choose Jesus over Barabbas.
Pilate offered them a choice. He puts the question to them. “Which one shall I release to you? The leaders urged the people to call for the release of Barabbas. Then, what about Jesus’? Matthew 27:17.
“They cried out again, `crucify Him!” Matthew 27:22. While Pilate is seated on his judgment seat, his wife sends him a message. “Have nothing to do with that, just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him,” Matthew 27:19.
This probably means the night before, she had a nightmare about Him. Also, how did she know Jesus was a just man? Matthew 27:19. The crowds, urged on by their leaders, are told to ask for Barabbas.
Pilate continues to appeal to them. Again, he asks which of the two they want released? They cried out Barabbas! Matthew 27:17. Pilate asks: “What then shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?” Their answer was, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Luke 23:20. The judicial process has now broken down, and reason is completely gone.
Pilate now returns to an earlier plan, to beat Jesus badly as an act of punishment, then maybe the mob will show some pity and let Him be released, Matthew 27:26.
Jesus is taken back inside the Praetorium by the guards, where He is flogged, John 19:1. Flogging was so horrible that it was illegal to flog a Roman citizen without a direct edict from Caesar.
The victim was usually tied to a post or hung from a wall. This stretched the muscles across the victim’s back. A soldier would use a flagellum, a wooden stick with thong strands attached to it.
At the end of each strand was tied something sharp, like bone, metal, glass or even metal balls. In flogging, a soldier would lash the back, buttocks and legs. The sharp objects literally shredded the muscles.
So severe was the lashing that the victim’s vertebrae were often exposed and sometimes even his intestines. Flogging was so lethal that six out of ten would die. Those who survived were carried away on a stretcher with permanent mutilation. In the case of Jesus, they took the punishment even further.
They find a thorny branch and weave it into a crown, then place it on his head, pressing it down on His brow, Matthew 27:29. The result would be a bloody mess that would mat His hair, fill His ears with blood and cloud His vision.
They perform a mock coronation. They strip Him of his clothes; put a purple robe on Him, Matthew 27:28, and a rod in His hand to imitate a ruler’s staff, Matthew 27:28.
They kneel down before him mockingly saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Matthew 27:29. They spit in His face, slap him upside the head, grab the rod and drive the crown of thorns deeper into his brow, Matthew 27:30.
Pilate goes out and again affirms that Jesus is innocent, Matthew 27:24. He calls for Jesus, who is barely recognisable by now. Surely they will have pity on Him now.
Nothing has changed with the mob. Pilate tells them they should crucify Him, as he had not found anything to charge Him with, John 19:6. They answer that He must die because he claimed to be the Son of God, John 19:7.
The truth has come out. They wanted Him executed not for sedition but for blasphemy. So Pilate interrogates Jesus again. How does he deal with such a charge?
He couldn’t care less that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, John 19:7. Jesus remains silent, John 19:9. Pilate lashes out that he had the power to crucify Him, John 19:10. Jesus then tells Pilate he had no power, were it not given to him from above, John 19:11.
The leaders continue to shout for the crucifixion of Jesus. They bring up the issue of Jesus claiming to be a king, John 19:12. They say they have no king but Caesar, John 19:12.
They intimidate Pilate with the charge that if he were to release Jesus, he was no friend of Caesar, for he is allowing a man to be set free who claimed to be their king, John 19:12.
The mob prevails. Barabbas is released. Pilate took water and washed his hands, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” Matthew 27:24. The crowd responded, “Let His blood be on us and on our children!” Matthew 27:25.
Jesus is now prepared for execution, Matthew 27:31-34 / Mark 15:20-22 / Luke 23:26-32 / John 19:16-17. First, the soldiers mock Jesus. They take the purple robe off his back, Matthew 27:31, taking with it shreds of flesh that had been glued to his robe by the coagulated blood.
He is handed over to the execution squad, Matthew 27:31. This normally consisted of one centurion and four legionnaires. They put His clothes back on Him and begin the march to the place of execution.
Jesus is forced to carry the patibulum, the horizontal beam of the cross. It weighed around seventy-five pounds. Jesus is too weak from the flogging to bear it all the way to Golgotha, John 19:17. Thus, we are not surprised that He falls to the ground.
They pull a man from the crowd. Simon of Cyrene (located on the North Shore of Africa) was forced to carry it, Luke 23:26. A large number of people followed, including women who mourned, Luke 23:27.
Freed from the cross, Jesus turns to them and forewarns them that they should weep for Him, but they should be mourning for themselves and their children in view of the coming doom of Jerusalem, Luke 23:28-30. Two other men, criminals, are also led out with Jesus to be executed, Luke 23:32.