Splice

Jesus’s life and ministry spliced together from all accounts

The Resurrection of Jesus: Part One

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Scripture Used to Create “The Resurrection of Jesus” Splice Series

 

Matthew 28:1-20 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 28:1)

Mark 16:1-20 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 16:1)

Luke 24:1-53 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 24:1)

John 20 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 20:1)

John 21 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 21:1)

Acts 1:1-14 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Acts 1:1)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Burial of Jesus”, click here.

 

Acts 17:31
“…because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

 

THE SPLICE

 

Now on the 1 first day of the week, when the Sabbath was over, while it was still 2 dark, as it began to dawn before sunrise, Mary Magdalene and 3 Mary the mother of James, and 4 Salome5 bought spices, and brought the spices that 6 they had prepared to the tomb, so that they might come and anoint Jesus and they also wanted to look at the grave. Before the women arrived at the tomb, 7 a severe earthquake had occurred, because an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled away the stone. He then sat down upon the stone. And8 this angel’s appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as pure snow. 9 The guards were so afraid of the angel, that they were shaking and then they became like they were dead men.

As the women were walking to the tomb, 10 they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” When they got there, they were looking up towards it, and they saw that the stone had already been rolled away and taken away from the tomb, although the stone was extremely large. Entering the tomb, the women did not find the body of the Lord Jesus and were perplexed about this. Two men suddenly stood near them, with one wearing a white robe, and both in 11 dazzling clothing; one of them, a  12 young man wearing the white robe, then was sitting at the right. The women were amazed; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how 13 He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” And the women remembered Jesus’s words. The specific words of the angel sitting to the right in the white robe were, “Do not be amazed; Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go quickly, tell His disciples and Peter that He has risen from the dead and behold, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee; there you will see Him, 14 just as He told you. Behold, I have told you.”’ Then, Mary Magdalene, with the other women, ran and returned from the tomb to the place where the disciples were gathered and came to Simon Peter and to the 15 other disciple whom Jesus loved, and reported all these things to the 16 eleven and to all the rest. And Mary Magdalene said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” The women told everyone in attendance that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Now the women were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also 17 the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. But these words appeared to the disciples and others as nonsense, and they would not believe the women. But Peter got up and with 18 the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not understand 19 the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their 20 own homes, Peter marveling at what had happened. It was after this that Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene (she was the first one He appeared to), from whom He had cast out seven demons. Here’s how His appearance to Mary happened: After Peter and John had left, Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping (we do not know where the other women were at the time); and as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”  When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and 21 I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” At some point after this, the other women joined Mary, and together, they left the tomb quickly, trembling and fleeing in fear, astonishment and great joy and 22 they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid to tell anyone. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” Mary Magdalene went and reported this message. She announced to the disciples, the people who had been with Jesus during His ministry, while they were all mourning and weeping, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her. When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.

Now while the women had run to tell everyone that Jesus was risen and seen by them, some of the guard that had been at the tomb came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “you are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ And if this should come to the governor’s ears, 23 we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” And the guards took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews for at least 50 years (and even today, 2000 years later, it is still spread around as a “theory” by those who claim that the Gospel is false or that God does not exist).

When Jesus had died on the cross, the earth had shook and the rocks were split, as well as some tombs were opened. And many of His saints that had died had been buried in these opened tombs. Now that Jesus had been resurrected, those saints who had fallen asleep were also raised and were coming of out the tombs after His resurrection. 24 These raised saints went into Jerusalem, the holy city, and appeared to many.

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “The Resurrection of Jesus: Part Two”, click here.

 

NOTES

 

1 first day of the week: The first day of the week is Sunday.  This particular Sunday would be Nissan/Abib 16. Both Nissan (Nisan) and Abib are correct names for the first month of the year. (Back)

2 dark, as it began to dawn before sunrise: Dawn and sunrise are not the same things. Sunrises happen at an exact moment, such as 5:42am. Dawn happens before sunrise and is a gradual event, taking around 15-20 minutes, ending at the moment of sunrise. April sunrises in Jerusalem, Israel occur at approximately 6:30am, give or take a few minutes. Since it is still dark and at early dawn when the women go to the tomb, it is fair to think that the ladies were setting out at around 6am, but we cannot know that for certain. These surmises on the timing assume that April sunrises were exactly the same 2,000 years ago as they are today. (Back)

3 Mary the mother of James: From Mark 16:1. She is possibly the same Mary who was the mother of both James the Less and Joseph/Joses (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40), but the Bible doesn’t say that. (Back)

4 Salome: Some Bible scholars insist that Salome is Zebedee’s wife (Zebedee is the father of James and John, the apostles, see Matthew 4:21; Mark 10:35). The Bible never mentions any children/husband for Salome. Salome is only mentioned twice in the Bible, both times in Mark (see Mark 15:40 and 16:1). Zebedee’s wife’s name is never mentioned, nor is John and James the disciples’ mother’s name given to us. The mother of John and James is also only mentioned twice in the Bible, both times in Matthew (see Matthew 2o:20-21 and 27:56). Salome could very well be Zebedee’s wife.  It’s also possible that Salome is not Zebedee’s wife. We have no idea who Zebedee’s wife is and to insist that Salome is Zebedee’s wife is making the Bible say something that it doesn’t say. It is incredibly important that we do not “help” God by filling in what we consider to be blank spaces or to take a “logical jump” in the Bible and state it as truth. It’s ok to add our logical jumps for pondering’s sake, as long as we are clear that we are giving our own opinion and not stating something found in the Bible. Besides, our logical jumps are no match for God (Isaiah 55:8-9). (Back)

5 bought spices, and brought the spices: Mark 16:1 tells us that Mary Mags, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices after the Sabbath. Luke 23:55-56 tells us that the women who had come with Jesus out of Galilee returned (presumably to where they were staying for the Passover week) and prepared spices and perfumes and on the Sabbath they rested. The simplest explanation is that the women had prepared some spices on Friday, and then for reasons unstated, bought some spices after the Sabbath ended. (Back)

6 they: The women already mentioned, plus Joanna and some other unnamed women, because of Luke 24:10.  (Back)

7 severe earthquake had occurred:  The earthquake happened before the ladies got to the tomb because of Luke 24:2.  It’s possible that the angel removed the stone in accordance with the earthquake (Matthew 28:2) as soon as Jesus was resurrected, but the Bible does not mention this as a truth. I believe the removal of the stone was not done to let Jesus out of the tomb because I believe that Jesus was instantly resurrected and vanished from the tomb, like He vanished from sight in Luke 24:31 or how He instantly appeared as in John 20:19, 26 or as John says, “revealed” Himself (Greek word phaneroó) in 21:1, 14. I think that the reason that the tomb stone was removed from the entrance of the tomb was to show that Jesus was no longer there in the tomb; to let people come in and see that He was risen. No Roman seal or Roman guards’ lies would put a stop to that (Matthew 27:62-66, 28:11-15). (Back)

8 his appearance: From Matthew 28:3. The Greek word used for appearance is idea meaning “form, countenance, appearance”. It is from the Greek word eido meaning “to perceive”. The Greek word used for lightning is astrapé and means “a flash of lightning, brightness, luster”. The Greek word for white is leukos and means “white, bright, brilliant”. I believe that the brightness and lightning, and the brilliant white are supernatural-looking, like Jesus’s appearance as described in Revelation 1:14-15. The writers of the books of the Bible only have human languages to describe things, but I believe these supernatural sights are supernatural indeed, and do not consist of “normal” lightning or “normal” whiteness, because of Mark 9:3. (Back)

9 The guards: The guards that were present at the tomb on Sunday are only mentioned in Matthew 28:4 and in Matthew 28:11-15. They could be a completely different set of guards from the ones mentioned in Matthew 27:65-66, but we don’t know. We don’t know when the guards stopped being like “dead men”. We know that they went into the city of Jerusalem to report to the chief priests while the women were on their way back to the disciples (Matthew 28:11). We don’t know if the women had any interactions with the guards. We do know that the women were not at the tomb when the angel rolled away the stone in front of the guards because of Mark 16:4. (Back)

10 They were saying to one another: I believe they held this conversation during the walk to the tomb somewhere along the line because of Mark 16:4. (Back)

11 dazzling clothing: Luke uses this descriptor in Luke 24:4. It is the same Greek word that Matthew uses in Matthew 28:3, astraptó, and means “to lighten, to flash, I flash (with lightning, like lightning), am lustrous”. (Back)

12 young man wearing the white robe: This is probably the same angel that removed the stone from the tomb, as Matthew 28:2-7 tells it. Matthew 28:2-7, Mark 16:5-7, Luke 24:4-7, and John 20:12-13 tell us about the angels and their conversations with the women. The Greek word used here for robe is stolé and the word is used to describe a long, flowing robe that was used for the wealthy/elite classes. The angels were dressed rather nicely.  (Back)

13 He spoke to you: Jesus told His disciples many times that He was to be crucified, see Matthew 10:38, 16:21; 20:17-19, 26:1-2, 12 and Mark 10:32-34. (Back)

14 just as He told you: Jesus tells the disciples that He will go ahead of them to Galilee when He has been resurrected in Matthew 26:32. (Back)

15 other disciple whom Jesus loved: This would be John, the Gospel writer, as well as the writer of 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. We know that the “disciple whom Jesus loved” is John because he is introduced as this disciple in John 21:24 after the conversation and then rumor of John 21:20-23. (Back)

16 eleven and to all the rest: From Luke 24:9. It is not clear whom “all the rest” is. We know that the eleven had other people with them because of Luke 24:33, however the wording is different for the two verses. Luke 24:9 says “…to all the rest” in the Greek, and Luke 24:33 says “…those with them”. There is a difference and it does matter. “All the rest” could mean that the women not only told the disciples at the place where they were staying, but that they also went to other believers’ homes/saw them on the street and told them the news. It isn’t even clear that the eleven were all staying in the same place. It seems they were gathering together some of the time at the very least, because of Mark 16:10 and Luke 24:33.
In John 20:10, the transliteral Greek says this: “Went away therefore again to their the disciples.” The Greek word for their is hautou and means “her own, his own, their own, themselves, they”. It could mean that the disciples all returned back to the place where they were all staying together, or it could mean that they returned to different places to stay. (Back)

17 the other women: Luke 24:10 says that there were “other women” there with Mary Mags: Mary the mother of James, and Joanna. Joanna (if this is the same person; it seems very likely) is mentioned in Luke 8:3 as being the wife of Herod’s steward. One of the other women that could have gone with to tell the disciples could be Salome, who was there at the start of the trip to the tomb (Mark 16:1). It could also be “the other Mary” (we don’t know which “Mary” Matthew is referring to in Matthew 28:1).  In short, we don’t really know how many women ran back to tell the group about Jesus’s “missing” body. (Back)

18 the other disciple: John is the other disciple, because of John 20:2. It is mentioned in John 20:3 that Peter is running with “the other disciple”. (Back)

19 the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead: Jesus told the disciples many times that He would be killed and then raised on the third day, see Note 13. The Old Testament Scripture reference that describes that Jesus would have to die could have been from Isaiah 53. (Back)

20 own homes: Not back to Galilee, but to where the disciples were staying for the Sabbath/Passover. Because of Luke 24:33, and John 20:19, they were meeting together for at least part of the time, possibly in the Jerusalem upper room from Thursday (see Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:13-16,Luke 22:7-13) because it was large and would hold many people (Mark 14:15).  Where they were actually staying and sleeping is debatable. (Back)

21 I will take Him away: I’m not sure how strong women were back in those days, but how does Mary plan to drag/carry a body of literal dead weight back to a tomb? In her grief, she doesn’t seem to care about that. The good news (for us all) is she wouldn’t have to figure it out. (Back)

22 they said nothing to anyone: From Mark 16:8. This phrasing is a little ambiguous. It could mean that they had planned on not saying anything to anyone, including the disciples, and then changed their minds when they met Jesus on the road or it could mean that they told no one that they saw on the road on their way back to the disciples. We do know that the women did tell the disciples, because Mark says so himself in Mark 16:10. (Back)

23 we will win him over and keep you out of trouble: These chief priests had already proven that they could get Pontius Pilate to do whatever they wanted, with enough pressure (see Matthew 27:20-24), but still, the guards are taking a large risk in spreading around a report that they fell asleep on the job. (Back)

24 These raised saints: This part of the account of events surrounding Jesus’s resurrection was told in Matthew 27:51-53. (Back)

 

The Burial of Jesus

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Scripture Used to Create the Splice “The Burial of Jesus”

Matthew 27:57-66 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 27:57)

Mark 15:42-47 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 15:42)

Luke 23:50-56 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 23:50)

John 19:31-42 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 19:31)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Crucifixion: Part Two”, click here.

 

Revelation 21:4
“…and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

 

THE SPLICE

Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, so that the 1 bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (2 for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that 3 their 4 legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.  But one of the soldiers 5 pierced His side with a spear, and immediately 6 blood and water came out. And 7 he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, 8 “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.” And again another Scripture says, 9 “THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.” After these things, when it was still evening, a rich man named Joseph of Arimathea (Arimathea is a city of the Jews), who was a prominent member of the 10 Council,  a good and righteous man (he had not consented to their plan and action against Jesus), himself had 11 also become a disciple of Jesus/being a disciple of Jesus/waiting for the kingdom of God, but a secret disciple for 12 fear of the Jews, he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus that he might take away the body of Jesus; Pilate 13 wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. And ascertaining this from the centurion, Pilate 14 granted permission/ordered it to be given, the body of Jesus, to Joseph. Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down from the cross. 15 Nicodemus (a Pharisee), who had first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a 16 mixture of myrrh and aloes, about 17 a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in clean linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb. This was Joseph of Arimathea’s own new tomb, which he had hewn and cut out in the rock, in which no one had yet been laid for burial. Therefore because of the 18 Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, 19 he/they laid the body of Jesus inside the new tomb; and 20 Joseph rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away (as did Nicodemus, but it is unclear when he left).  There were women who had been at the crucifixion, who among them was 21 Mary Magdalene and 22 Mary, the mother of Joses 23 and the other Mary. 24 These women had come with Him out of Galilee. They followed Joseph to see where Jesus was buried, and saw the tomb and was looking on to see how His body was prepared for burial. While the body was being prepared for burial, at least Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting opposite the grave. Then 25 they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested 26 according to the commandment.  Now on the next day, the day after the preparation the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, 27 “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a 28 seal on the stone that Joseph had rolled against the entrance.

 

Impression of Night

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “The Resurrection: Part One”, click here.

 

Notes

 

bodies would not remain on the cross: The reason why the Jews did not want the bodies of the dead hanging on the crosses after sundown was because of Deuteronomy 21:23. However, Deuteronomy 21:23 does not specify that only Sabbaths and high days are to observe this mandate. Joshua obeys the mandate, with no mention of the day of the week in Joshua 8:29 and 10:26-27. Roman crucifixion practices normally left people to hang there on the cross until they died, and that could take days. (Back)

2 for that Sabbath was a high day:  This high day was in accordance with Exodus 12:16, Leviticus 23:5-8. (Back)

3 their: Referring to Jesus and the two thieves that were crucified that day, too (Matthew 27:38). (Back)

4 legs might be broken: This detail is found in John 19:32. The legs of victims of crucifixion were broken or smashed by an iron club. This practice was called crurifragium. It was used to expedite the deaths of the crucifixion victims. With smashed legs, the victim could no longer use their leg muscles to push themselves upwards to breathe. Thus, many of the deaths of crucifixion victims were due to asphyxiation. (Back)

5 pierced His side with a spear: The soldiers already knew that Jesus was dead; this is why they didn’t break His legs (John 19:33). This seems to be a sadistic act, with no apparent use other than to amuse the soldiers. But the real reason is because God allowed it to happen, to show that Jesus was truly dead. A piercing through the side with a spear would most certainly puncture vital organs. (Back)

6  blood and water came out: A medical explanation for this event would be because the soldier stabbed through Jesus’s heart. For a comprehensive explanation, view this article.  (Back)

7 he who has seen has testified: From John 19:35. “He who has seen and testified” is John, the writer of the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John,  and Revelation. (Back)

8 NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN: From Psalm 34:20. In Exodus 12:46 and in Numbers 9:12, God gives the command that none of the Passover lamb’s bones should be broken. Jesus is our Passover Lamb, as written by Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:7. (Back)

9 THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED: Zechariah 12:10. (Back)

10 Council: The Council, which was made up of the members of the Sanhedrin, was the exact group orchestrating the death of Jesus (Matthew 26:3-4, 59, Mark 14:1, 55, Luke 19:47, John 11:47-53). (Back)

11 disciple of Jesus/being a disciple/waiting for the kingdom of God: Matthew 27:57 says “also became a disciple of Jesus”, Mark 15:43 and Luke 23:51 says “waiting for the kingdom of God”, and John 19:38 says “being a disciple”. (Back)

12 fear of the Jews: The Pharisees were excommunicating people for loyalty to Jesus (see John 12:42). Excommunication excluded a person from all religious participation, social participation and even from business participation.  An excommunicated person became a total pariah; even the family members had to stop all association with that person, or the family would also risk excommunication (see John 9:1-41 on one man’s story of excommunication). The hate of others is a byproduct of faith in Christ (see Luke 21:16-17). (Back)

13 wondered if He was dead: Victims of crucifixion didn’t normally have a mercifully quick death, and six hours was comparatively quick. Victims could be hanging on the cross for days. To die in a matter of 6-ish hours was rare, if not unprecedented.  (Back)

14 granted permission/ordered it to be given: Matthew 27:58 says “ordered it to be given”, Mark 15:45 and John 19:38 say “granted permission”. (Back)

15 Nicodemus: Nicodemus’s story can be found in John 3:1-21. (Back)

16 mixture of myrrh and aloes: The Jewish people, as well as the Romans, did not use the embalming practices of the Egyptians. The myrrh and aloes were used for the burial materials in place of embalming, on Friday afternoon/towards evening. Mary Magdalene and the Galilean ladies bring spices and perfumes on Sunday morning for anointing (Greek word aleipho), but also due to the assumed decay, and therefore subsequent smell, of the body (see Mark 16:1, Luke 23:56, 24:1). (Back)

17 a hundred pounds weight: A Roman pound was 12 ounces, so this weight would be about 75 pounds in today’s current conventional measurement, where 16 ounces equals 1 pound. In metrics (24.35 grams equals an ounce), the weight would be around 30 kilograms. (Back)

18 Jewish day of preparation: The day before the Sabbath. (Back)

19 he/they laid the body of Jesus: Matthew 27:60 and Mark 15:46 mention only Joseph and John 19:42 says “they” (Back)

20 Joseph rolled a large stone: In all likelihood, Joseph ordered several slaves to do the rolling (he’s rich, Matthew 27:57), but the Bible doesn’t say that. Joseph most certainly couldn’t have rolled the stone by himself. This stone is so large, that the ladies going to the burial site on Sunday morning don’t know how they will move it away from the tomb’s entrance (Mark 16:3-4). An angel removes it before they get to the tomb (Matthew 28:2). (Back)

21 Mary Magdalene: Poor Mary M! Ugly rumors have circled around her for centuries, such as claims that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. There is absolutely nothing in the Bible to suggest that Ms. Magdalene was a prostitute. We know that she followed Jesus on His travels, just like the Twelve disciples did, due to Luke 8:1-2; we know that she had seven demons cast out of her due to Luke 8:2, and she was probably supporting Jesus’s ministry with her personal funds, due to Luke 8:3. She was not the only woman in the traveling group. Luke 8:3 tells us there were several women traveling with Jesus and The Twelve. Because of John 6:9, I think there were children traveling with the group, as well and because of 1 Corinthians 9:5, I believe it possible that the married disciples brought their (believing) wives even early in the ministry (1 Corinthians 9:5 refers to a time much later), which also lends credence to children being present. In any case the women that were present could have possibly been utilized to spread the word about Jesus to the women in the villages where Jesus taught. We do know that, at the very least, the ladies ministered to Him (Matthew 27:55). The Greek word for minister is diakoneó and means “to serve or minister”. It generally means to “care for others” and was also used to mean “serving at the table”. Mary Magdalene is mentioned in Matthew 27:56, 61, Matthew 28:1; Mark 15:40, 47, Mark 16:1, 9; Luke 8:2, Luke 24:10; John 19:25, 20:1, 11-18 and she is possibly included in Acts 1:14, but she is not mentioned by name. (Back)

22 Mary, the mother of Joses: Mary, the mother of James and Joseph/Joses is also called Mary, the mother of James the Less (see Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40). I’ve been kicking around the idea that it’s possible that Mary the mother of Joses/Joseph and James, as well as Jude, whose book is placed before Revelation, is Mary, the mother of Jesus. See Matthew 13:55, 27:56, Mark 6:3, 15:40 and see Jude 1. James the disciple, son of Alphaeus, is never called James the Less in any account, and the phrase “James the Less” is only used in Mark. Here’s a link to my study on the whole James debate. Unless there is a direct identity provided in the Bible, we are speculating on which James is which. Just like there were so many people named “Mary” mentioned, there were probably lots of people named “James”, too. (Back)

23 and the other Mary: The other Mary may be Mary the mother of James and Joseph/Joses, but it is unclear. See Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47, Luke 23:55-56 for mention of these women. (Back)

24 These women: We can safely assume that Mary Magdalene came from Magdala which was on the western side of the Sea of Galilee. (Back)

25 they returned: It is assumed that the ladies returned to wherever they were staying during the Passover and Sabbath, but the Bible does not say where that is at. (Back)

26 according to the commandment: Exodus 20:8-11; 31:12-17 where resting on the seventh day is recorded as a commandment from God. (Back)

27 You have a guard: This is the group of Roman soldiers that was granted to the Jews. See Matthew 28:12, 14. One could say that this Roman guard came from the Herodians’ influence, because they had been conspiring to put Jesus to death along with the Pharisees. Pilate really only comes into the story during Jesus’s trial but Herod and his Herodians are mentioned a few times before (Matthew 22:15, 16, Mark 3:6, 8:15, 12:13, Luke 13:31-32 and Acts 4:27).We really don’t know much about the guard or who they came from because the Bible doesn’t say. (Back)

28 seal on the stone: I believe this seal is Roman, because the guard is Roman. I believe the guard is Roman because of Matthew 27:65-66 and 28:12, 14. Also, the relevance of a Jewish seal on such an important tomb seems silly, as the Jews didn’t have much power of their own. However, one could argue that the Jews sure had enough power to pressure Pontius Pilate into crucifying people. Simply put, the Bible doesn’t state whether the seal was Roman or Jewish. If it was a Roman seal on Jesus’s tomb, it was an object of authority. (Back)

The Last Supper: Part Seven

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

 

Matthew 26:17-36 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 26:17)

Mark 14:12-32 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 14:12)

Luke 22:7-39(Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 22:7)

John 13:1-18:1 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 13:1)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Six”, click here.

 

Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

 

THE SPLICE

1 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as 2 You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, 3 He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and 4 Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the 5 glory which I had with You before the world was. I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.  I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom  You have given Me; for they are Yours; and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them 6 perished but 7 the son of perdition, so that the 8 Scripture would be fulfilled. But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 9 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me 10 through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for  You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” And He said to them, “When I sent you out 11 without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to 12 take it along , likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, 13 AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” They said, “Lord, look, here are 14 two swords.” And He said to them, 15 “It is enough.” He went forth with His 16 disciples over the 17 ravine of the Kidron, to the 18 Mount of Olives where there was a garden, a place called 19 Gethsemane, in which He entered with His disciples. When He arrived at the place, He said to His disciples, 20“Sit here while I go over there and pray; Sit here until I have prayed. Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane”, click here

 

NOTES

 

1 Jesus spoke these things: This prayer from Jesus makes up the whole of John 17. The group had not yet arrived at the Mount of Olives (see John 18:1).  Jesus doesn’t need to remind God the Father that all things are Jesus’s and God’s together (John 17:10) or that Jesus has guarded His disciples from death (John 17:12) or that God has loved Him from before the beginning of the world (John 17:24). By the wording and the repeating of words and ideas, we can conclude that this prayer is said out loud for the disciples’ benefit, so that they can comprehend their protection, the fulfillment of Scripture, and the glory belonging to Jesus. (BACK)

2 You gave Him authority: The crowds that Jesus had been healing and teaching had definitely noticed how He had authority, and they were amazed by it (see Matthew 7:28-29; 9:6-8; Mark 1:27). Jesus even delegated some of that authority to His disciples earlier in His ministry (Matthew 10:1).(BACK)

3 He may give eternal life: : From John 17:2. John wrote his entire gospel, so that people may understand this truth, that they can have eternal life in Jesus Christ (John 20:30-31). Also see John 3:14-18, 36; 5:24; 6:40; 1 John 5:11-13.(BACK)

4 Jesus Christ: : The name Jesus in the Greek is Iésous and means “Jesus”. It’s Hebrew form is Yehoshua or Joshua, which means “Yahweh delivers/saves”. The title of Christ in the Greek is Christos and it means “Christ, Anointed One, Messiah”. It’s corresponding Hebrew term is mashiach.  (BACK)

5 glory with I had with You before the world was: : From John 17:5. The Greek word for glory is doxa and it means “glory, majesty, splendor, honor”. The eternality of God is mentioned throughout the Bible, including in Psalm 90, where it also mentions the transitory fate of human beings. (BACK)

6 perished: : From John 17:12. The Greek word for perished is apollumi and it means “lose (by death), perish, destroy”. The word has the feel of a complete loss and ruin. This kind of destruction is irreversible. It can be applied to both the physical world and spiritual world. (BACK)

7 the son of perdition: Judas Iscariot is the son of perdition. The Greek word used for perdition is apóleia and it means “destruction, perdition”.(BACK)

8 Scripture would be fulfilled: : The Scripture Jesus is making reference to is Psalm 41:9. (BACK)

9 Sanctify them in the truth: : The Greek word for sanctify is hagiazó and it means “to set apart, make holy”. Making someone (or something) holy means to dedicate that person (or thing) to God. (BACK)

10 through their word: This would mean believers today, as well. When we read the books of Matthew, John, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation, we are hearing about Jesus and believing in Him through their (written) word. (BACK)

11 without money belt: From Luke 22:35. The  recorded “sending out” of the Twelve in the Bible can be found in Matthew 10; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6. There were 72 others that were sent out, as recorded in Luke 10:1-24.  Please note, that some English translations say that “seventy” were sent out in Luke 10:1, but the Greek is very clear that 72 were sent by Jesus. It is possible that Jesus sent the disciples out to the cities several times over the years of His ministry, with similar instructions or with variations to the instructions, as His instructions to the Twelve and then to the other 72 are very similar. Regardless, Jesus is reminding the disciples that they were (miraculously) provided for by Him when they had absolutely nothing with them. (BACK)

12 take it along: From Luke 22:36. Jesus is reiterating for the disciples that He is now going away, as the follow up sentence tells us in Luke 22:37. Since Jesus was now going away, He would not be there anymore to make the miracles happen, miracles such as not having to provide one single thing for themselves on a trip, not even money. Having the disciples now bring their money with them doesn’t mean that Jesus was telling the disciples that God wouldn’t provide for them anymore or that “God helps those who help themselves” (which is not a Biblical statement). God provides for His people and we are to do logically sound things, such as bring money with on a trip.  (BACK)

13 AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS: from Isaiah 53:12  (BACK)

14 two swords: Jesus had no need for weapons against beast, man or otherwise (see Matthew 26:52-53). The swords were small, possibly more like daggers. The Greek word used to describe them in Luke 22:36, 38 is machaira which means “a short sword or dagger”. These were multi-functionary tools, but they were used as weapons, too. This statement from Jesus is not permission to use weapons in some sort of justice seeking mission or even in self-defense (see Matthew 5:38-39; 26:52). The sword of the faithful and devoted person to Christ is the word of God, see Ephesians 6:17. (BACK)

15 “It is enough”: From Luke 22:38. The Greek word used for enough is hikanos and it means “enough, sufficient, adequate”.  See Note 14 for more on the swords. (BACK)

16 disciples: It is assumed that only the remaining eleven inner circle disciples were with Jesus in Gethsemane. It is very possible that this is the case, but Jesus had more than just the immediate twelve disciples traveling with Him during His entire ministry, including at this time. There were also several women from Galilee, following along as He traveled, taught, and performed miracles (Luke 8:1-3, 23:55, Mark 15:41). It is possible that these women were present at the Passover meal. It is possible that, if the women were at the Passover meal, they went with to Gethsemane. The Bible doesn’t say anything about these possibilities. The Bible does mention women lamenting and mourning Him on the road to Golgotha where He was crucified, which possibly included the ladies that followed Him (Luke 23:27). Several women who followed Him throughout His ministry are specifically mentioned at the cross (Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41; John 19:25), at His burial (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47) and then, at His resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-11, Luke 24:1-11; John 20:1-18). (BACK)

17 ravine of the Kidron: John 18:1. The Greek text says “winter stream of Kidron”, and it is called this because the stream would be full and flowing through the rainy (autumn through spring) season, and otherwise it is absorbed into the landscape. Roughly 1,000 years earlier, King David also crossed over the ravine/stream/brook/valley, traveling up to the summit of Mount Olive to meet God’s will in 2 Samuel 15:23-30. The stream is also mentioned as a place of throwing away of the ashes of idols and altars in 1 Kings 15:13/2 Chronicles 15:16; 2 Kings 23:6, 12; 2 Chronicles 30:14. In Jeremiah 31:40, God uses the stream as part of His measurement of land that will eventually be made holy to Him forever. Today, Kidron Valley runs with open sewage from Jerusalem.  (BACK)

18 Mount of Olives: : The Mount of Olives is mentioned many times during Jesus’s ministry, the most recognized being what is commonly called the Olivet Discourse (See Matthew 24:3-25:46; Mark 13:3-37; Luke 21:7-36). In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus teaches John, James, Andrew and Peter (and possibly any others who were within hearing distance) about His Parousia, the tribulation that must occur beforehand and He instructs them (and us: “let the reader understand” — Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14) to be prepared and alert for His return. Today, the Mount of Olives is a heavily visited landmark. If you decide to take a tour, you can see the Jewish cemetery which has centuries-old gravesites, the Garden of Gethsemane at it’s western base, and a number of churches. Some guides mention that the view of Jerusalem, as well as the surrounding dessert, is the best from the mountain’s top.  (BACK)

19 Gethsemane: The Garden of Gethsemane is located on the west-side slope of the Mount of Olives. It does still have olive trees in it, although (very sadly) none quite as old as 2,000 years old. You can go there for free and wander about, but there are also guided tours for hire, which usually include a tour of Gethsemane as a part of their Mount of Olives tour. (BACK)

20 “Sit here…”: Matthew 26:36 says “Sit here while I go over there and pray” and Mark 14:32 says “Sit here until I have prayed”, with minor variations for the different English translations. Luke 22:40 says that when Jesus and the disciples arrived at “the place”, He instructed them to “Pray that you may not enter into temptation”. (BACK)

Jesus Before Pilate, the Second Time

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Scripture Used to Create the Splice “Jesus Before Pilate, the Second Time”

Matthew 27:15-31 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 27:15)

Mark 15:6-20 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 15:6)

Luke 23:13-25 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 23:13)

John 18:38 – 19:16 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 18:38)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “Jesus Before Pilate, the First Time” click here

 

Psalm 17:5
My steps have held fast to Your paths. My feet have not slipped.

 

THE SPLICE

1 Pilate went out to the Jews, summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought this Man to me as one who 2 incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. 3 No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold nothing deserving death has been done by Him. Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” Now at the 4 feast the governor, Pilate, was 5 accustomed/obliged to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. The crowd went up and began asking Pilate to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. So when the people gathered together, Pilate answered and said to them, “You have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews? Which of the two do you want me to release for you?  Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For Pilate knew that it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. At that time the Romans were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. The man named Barabbas, who was a robber, had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection at Jerusalem. But the chief priests and elders stirred up and persuaded the crowds to ask Pilate to release Barabbas for them instead and to put Jesus to death, and so they cried out all together, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas. Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” Answering again and wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them a second time and said, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews? What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” The people in the crowds all shouted back, 6 “Crucify Him!” But Pilate said to them the third time he addressed them, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”

And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released 7 Barabbas for them, the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder. Pilate then took Jesus and 8 scourged Him/had Him scourged. After the scourging, the soldiers of Pilate took Jesus away into the 9 Praetorium, and the soldiers called the 10 whole Roman cohort to gather around Him. They 11 stripped Jesus of all His clothes, dressed Him up in a 12 purple/scarlet robe, twisted together a 13 crown of thorns and put it on His head as if it were a king’s crown, and gave Him a reed for His right hand to hold as a mock 14 scepter; and they began to come up, 15 mockingly kneeling and bowing before Him and saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face. They also took back the reed they made Him hold in His right hand and beat Him repeatedly in the head with it, all the while they were also spitting on Him. After these abuses, Pilate came out again said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple/crimson 16 robe. Pilate said to them, 17 Behold, the Man!” So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for 18 I find no guilt in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and 19 by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.” Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, 20 he was even more afraid; and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “ You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been 21 given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the 22 greater sin.”

As a result of this, Pilate made efforts again to release Him but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.” Therefore when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the 23 judgement seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, 24 Pilate’s wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” Now it was the 25 day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the 26 sixth hour . And Pilate said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!” So they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” They kept shouting all the more, they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified, saying “Crucify Him!” And their voices began to prevail, along with the voices 27 of the chief priests. When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd saying, 28 “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted. So he then handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. Pilate delivered Jesus to their (the chief priests, the rulers; the whole crowd of people) will. The soldiers of Pilate 29 Jesus’s own clothes back on Him and led Him out to be crucified.

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “The Crucifixion: Part One” click here

 

NOTES

 

1  Pilate went out to the Jews:  At the time of Jesus’s trial, the chief priests, elders, disciples and Jesus had probably been awake all night. See Matthew 26:17-27:14; Mark 14:12-15:5; Luke 22:1-23:17; John 13:1-18:38) to read about the previous evening. During this last trip to Jerusalem, it was Jesus’s custom to spend His days teaching in the temple and to spend His nights on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37) which is out by Bethany (Matthew 21:17; Luke 19:29). People were getting up early so they could listen to Him (Luke 21:38), which means Jesus was up early. He had been awake a really long time by the time He was crucified, assuming He took no naps, which He had done at least once before on a boat. See Luke 8:23; Mark 4:38; Matthew 8:24 regarding the boat. To read the Splice about that time on the boat, “Jesus Calms the Storm on the Sea of Galilee”, click here. (Back)

2  incites the people to rebellion: This is the human reason why Jesus was crucified. The ultimate reason is because it was God’s will (Isaiah 53:10, John 18:11) that Jesus die in this manner (Deuteronomy 21:23, Galatians 3:13) for the sake of those who would believe, for the forgiveness of their sins (Ephesians 1:4-7). Although anyone and everyone is invited and called to believe and receive this salvation (John 3:15-18), only those whom He has given the God-gifted faith can actually believe (John 6:44, Ephesians 2:8-9). This is because the idea of the cross, salvation or sin is foolishness to people without this faith that is God-instilled and not human conjured. (Back)

3 No, nor has Herod: Pilate sent Jesus to Herod when he found out that Jesus was a Galilean. To read about Jesus’s visit to Herod, see Luke 23:6-12. (Back)

4 feast: The Passover feast. (Back)

5 accustomed/obliged: Matthew 27:15 says accustomed (Greek word: ethó) and Luke 23:17 says of necessity (obliged) (Greek word: anagké). Mark 15:8 says as usually he did (Greek word: kathos) and John 18:39 says custom (Greek word: sunétheia). By the words used, we can know that Pilate was accustomed to releasing a prisoner for the Jews every Passover because he was forced to, not because he was a caring, considerate person. (Back)

6 “Crucify Him!”: Jesus had told His disciples that this would happen. Many times He mentioned that He would have to suffer and die, and told them that they too would have to take up their crosses, if they were going to follow Him. See Matthew 10:38, 16:21, 24, 17:22-23; Mark 8:31, 34, 10:32-34; Luke 9:22-23, 18:31-33; John 12:32-33. (Back)

7  Barabbas:  The Bible confirms that Barabbas was a violent person (John 18:40), and it says that he was jailed with the insurrectionists who had committed murder (Mark 15:7), that he was a notorious prisoner (Matthew 27:16), that he had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder (Luke 23:19). Acts 3:14 tells us (through Peter) that Barabbas was a murderer. What became of Barabbas? With this freedom granted by Pilate, did he become a repeat offender, meeting his end in a crucifixion anyway (robbers/thieves, insurrectionists, and murderers were crucified by the Romans)? Did he thank God for the release from prison and start learning about Jesus, perhaps from some of the disciples, themselves? Did Barabbas ever think about Jesus and what happened that day? Did he realize what was done for him, and respond to the call for repentance and salvation in Jesus? (Back)

8  scourged Him: Scourging was the usual pre-crucifixion punishment, in order to weaken the victim and humiliate him. The Romans used whips made of leather, with several strands of braided leather and those strands had bits of metal or bone attached to the ends of them. These whips were called “flagrum”. The person to be scourged was stripped naked and flogged across the entire backside of his body. This beating tore the flesh off very quickly and sometimes exposed the bones and organs.  (Back)

9 Praetorium: This was Pilate’s residence when he was visiting Jerusalem, as he normally ruled from Caesarea Maritima. Scholars debate on where the Praetorium was at in Jerusalem, some stating Herod’s palace and some saying it was at Antonia fortress. We don’t know, because the Bible doesn’t give coordinates, but a nice house (whether it was Herod’s palace or not is up for debate) is more in order than a military barracks for someone like Pontius Pilate. (Back)

10 whole Roman cohort: This could be the whole Roman cohort that was afforded to the Sanhedrin (John 18:3) or the entire cohort that was standing in Pilate’s court or possibly both of them; it’s even possible that they are one in the same. Just the same, it isn’t clear if the Sanhedrin’s cohort had accompanied Jesus, the chief priests, scribes and elders to the Praetorium. We only know that the Roman cohort was present for the arrest of Jesus (John 18:12). (Back)

11 stripped Jesus of all His clothes: Jesus had His clothes forcibly removed from Him several times that day. All floggings took place without clothes, so He was stripped then. He was then stripped afterwards when the Roman soldiers put a scarlet robe on Him (Matthew 27:28). He was then again stripped at the cross, before His crucifixion. Stripping was done for humiliation purposes. (Back)

12 purple/scarlet: Matthew 27:28 uses the word scarlet and the Greek word used for scarlet is kokkinos which means “crimson or scarlet”. Mark 15:20 uses the word purple and the Greek word for purple is porphýra which means “a purple garment indicating wealth”. Helps Word-studies© explains a little more in depth. There were three familiar shades of purple in the ancient world: deep violet, deep scarlet (or crimson), and deep blue. John 19:5 uses the Greek word porphyroús which means a purple (reddish-purple) cloth or dye. All three of these together tells us that the robe was a purple-scarlet color, maybe akin to red-violet or violet-red from a crayons box. We can only speculate on the exact color.(Back)

HELPS Word-studies taken from The Discovery Bible, available at discoverybible.com, copyright © 2021, HELPS Ministries Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

13 crown of thorns: The crown of thorns is mentioned in Matthew 27:29, Mark 15:17, and John 19:2. All three accounts use the word akanthinos or akantha meaning “thorns/thorny bush” or “prickly plant”. There is speculation that these thorns were date palm thorns. Assuming that date palms haven’t changed in the past 2,000 years, date palms have strong spine-type thorns at the base of the leaves. The spines are around 4 inches long. There was even a relatively recent study done on date palm thorn injuries! The Bible does not specify what type of thorns were used. (Back)

14 scepter: Jesus’s next scepter will be made of iron, and He will shepherd the nations with it. Iron scepters would be a symbol of strength (iron) and authority (scepter) (Revelation 19:15). (Back)

15 mockingly kneeling and bowing before Him: There will be a time, when every person will bow down on their knees and confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord. See Philippians 2:9-11. (Back)

16 robe: The Greek word for robe, used in Matthew 27:28 is chlamus which was a short cloak, worn by military officers and soldiers. The Greek word for robe used in John 19:5 is himation and means “a long, loose and flowing outer robe or cloak”. It’s possible that they are both meaning the word “cloak”. It’s also possible that they dressed Jesus in two garments—the one from Herod which is mentioned in Luke 23:11, and uses the word esthés meaning “clothing” or “robe”, and then they threw the cloak on over that. (Back)

17 Behold, the Man: Pilate was probably hoping that the crowd, seeing Jesus beaten, scourged, spit on, and mocked, would be satisfied with that and stop asking for His crucifixion. It didn’t work, if that was what he was aiming for. (Back)

18 I find no guilt in Him: This is proof of Pilate’s sin of murder. He knows Jesus is not guilty of any crimes, making the crucifixion a murder (Exodus 20:13, Leviticus 24:17). (Back)

19 by that law He ought to die: The law that the Jews are referring to is Leviticus 24:16. This law requires stoning, though, not hanging. Regardless, if it had been anyone else that had claimed to be God, they would be correct—a blasphemy against God deserving death had occurred. However, Jesus is God (John 1:1). (Back)

20 he was even more afraid: From John 19:8. In English we might take this to mean that Pilate was afraid to begin with. However, the Greek word used for more is mallon and although its meaning does mean “more”, it also means “much” or “rather”.  Perhaps a better translation (for modern English readers) for this sentence would be “he was very afraid”.  (Back)

21 given you from above: All authority on earth is granted by God. See Romans 13:1. (Back)

22 greater sin: That is, the Jews had the greater sin. Pilates’s sin was lesser because he was placed there in authority by God, and was given the authority as judge. Those bringing Jesus to him have the greater sin in presenting Jesus to Pilate in the first place. However, Pontius Pilate will put to death an innocent Man, see note 18. (Back)

23 judgement seat at a place called The Pavement: The Greek word for judgment seat is béma and it means “an elevated place” and has the feeling of the judge looking down on the accused. God also has a béma seat of judgment. See 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Romans 14:10 which should be read with the understanding of Revelation 20:11-15. In reading the aforementioned verses, it’s important to understand that the only good that anyone can do is submit, repent and have faith in Christ (Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9, 2 Peter 3:9, James 4:6-7), as Christ removes all sin from the person who believes, “as far as the east is from the west”, see Psalm 103:10-14 (this is the Psalm to read when you are feeling weary and downtrodden from your own sins). The bad that people commit is rejection of Him (John 3:18). Therefore, those who reject Jesus have the full weight of the Law and therefore the full weight of all their sin. The penalty for rejection of Jesus is eternal damnation (Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15). (Back)

24 Pilate’s wife sent him a message: We only hear about Pilate’s wife in Matthew 27:19. It is unknown what her dream was about, or how she suffered, but here was a chance for Pilate to stop the judgment, to take a step back and consider his wife’s advice. He fails to listen. (Back)

25 day of preparation for the Passover: The day of preparation for the Passover is only called so in John 19:14. It is called the day of preparation before the Sabbath in Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54 and John 19:31, 42. It is both things at once. John also mentions that this Sabbath was a high day (John 19:31). The high day refers back to Exodus 12:14-21, where God instructs Israel (through Moses and Aaron) that on the 14th day of the first month (Nisan) until the 21st day of the same month, no one eats leavened bread. On the 15th day is the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6). On the 14th is the day that the Passover lambs are slain and eaten, along with the 1st day of observance of no leaven. This particular Sabbath is a high day, as it is during the Passover’s/Feast of Unleavened Bread’s observance. See Leviticus 23 for more on the laws of the Jewish religious feasts and festivals. (Back)

26 sixth hour: Mark 15:25 tells us that Jesus was crucified at 9 am or the third hour. Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44, tell us that darkness falls over the land from about the sixth hour until the ninth (noon to 3pm). John can’t possibly mean noontime, because of these times as recorded.  John is possibly using Roman time-keeping whereas, Matthew, Mark and Luke are using Jewish time-keeping. Jewish time-keeping began at sunrise and Romans began counting the hours of the day at midnight, so the sixth hour would be 6am. This would fit with the rest of the time-keeping, as recorded. It’s also possible that John means it was the sixth hour since the trials began or sixth hour since Jesus’s arrest. (Back)

27 of the chief priests: From Luke 23:23. This part of the sentence “and of the chief priests” was in the original Greek, but some English translations omit it.  (Back)

28 “I am innocent of this Man’s blood: Not true. God will hold him accountable for killing an innocent man (Exodus 23:7, Proverbs 6:16-17) (Back)

29 Jesus’s own clothes back on Him: His clothes must be full of blood and gore from the flogging He endured, and the subsequent beating. These will be the clothes that the soldiers will divide up (the outer clothing into 4 pieces) and cast lots for (they cast for the under-tunic) later on (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23-24), as prophesied in Psalm 22:18. (Back)

Jesus Before Pilate, the First Time

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Scripture Used to Create the Splice “Jesus Before Pilate, the First Time”

Matthew 27:1-2 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 27:1 )

Matthew 27:11-14 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 27:11)

Mark 15:1-5 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 15:1 )

Luke 23:1-12 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 23:1 )

John 18:28-38 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 18:28)

 

Need to catch up? To read the Splice “Jesus Before the High Priest and Peter’s Denial”, click here.

 

Psalm 17:8
Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings.

 

THE SPLICE

Early in the morning, all the chief priests, scribes, the whole Council, and the elders of the people immediately held a consultation and 1 conferred together against Jesus to put Him to 2 death. Then the whole body of them got up, they bound Him, and led Him away from Caiaphas, into the 3 Praetorium and delivered Him to Pilate the governor. 4 They themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be 5 defiled, but might eat the Passover, so Pilate came out of the Praetorium to this crowd of priests, scribes, elders and the whole Council. Pilate said to them, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 6 They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” So, they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this Man misleading our nation and 7 forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, 8 signifying by what kind of death He was about to die. Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, 9 “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” Now Jesus stood before the governor, and 10 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. It is as you say. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. 11 Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, 12 “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he a went out again to the Jews, to the chief priests and the crowds and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him, this Man.” The chief priests began to accuse Him harshly. And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, 13 “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?  Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!”  And 14 He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed at Jesus’s refusal to defend Himself. But the crowd of Jews kept insisting, saying, 15 “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place.” When Pilate heard that Jesus started in Galilee, he asked whether Jesus was a Galilean. And when he learned that Jesus belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, 16 he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because 17 he had been hearing about Him and was 18 hoping to see some sign performed by Him. And he questioned Him at some length; but Jesus answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a 19 gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.

 

Want to keep going? To read the Splice “Jesus Before Pilate, the Second Time”, click here.

 

NOTES

 

1  conferred together against Jesus: They had been planning this day for a long time, with the help of the Herodians. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. See Matthew 12:14, 26:3-5, Mark 3:6 for examples. (Back)

2 death: In order to condemn Jesus to death, the Council tried to find some false witnesses to say Jesus called Himself God, but the witnesses couldn’t shore up their stories. Finally the high priest just asked Jesus Himself, “Are You the Son of God?” and Jesus answered “Yes, I am.” After tearing his robe, the high priest and the rest of the Council settled on death for Jesus.  See Matthew 26:59-66; Mark 14:55-64; Luke 22:66-71. (Back)

3  Praetorium: the Roman governor’s official residence, when in Jerusalem. (Back)

4 They themselves did not enter:  Jesus already celebrated the Passover and ate the Passover meal; John tells us this is the case, as do the other gospel writers (Matthew 26:19; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:7-8, 13-15; John 13:1,2). John also tells us that after the Passover meal night, the next day, the priests were afraid to enter Pilate’s Praetorium, because they didn’t want to be defiled so they could eat the Passover (John 18:28), with no distinction that this is the Passover meal with the lamb. The Passover meal with the lamb was eaten on the 14th, and could not be eaten twice, (“leftovers” in current jargon) as the lambs had to be eaten that same night and nothing could be left over (Exodus 12:8-10). There are some simple explanations. The first explanation, and most logical to me, is that the entire seven days of the Passover is called “The Passover” (Ezekiel 45:21), and John is making this generalization. This particular day, the 15th, is called the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) and John is possibly referring to this observance, which is a part of Passover. Another explanation that some people see as plausible, was that there was more than one Passover observation going on, due to the different Jewish sects. See this article for more information on that possibility.  (Back)

5 defiled: It is not clear what defilement the priests are trying to avoid. It is possible that they have in mind Numbers 9:1-14, where “due to a dead body” some men had to wait a month to celebrate the Passover. It’s a bit of a stretch, but since the priests were intent on killing Jesus, it’s possible they had it in their collective minds that entering the Praetorium would “defile” them. Whatever it is, they are ignoring God’s law by seeking to kill an innocent Man (Exodus 23:7), plus  all the false witness stuff they tried to pull earlier (Matthew 26:59; Exodus 20:16). To read about defilement and the priesthood: Leviticus 21:1-22:16.  (Back)

6  They answered: It seems the chief priests were trying to pressure Pilate into just condemning Jesus to death without any accusation or explanation at all. Three possible reasons would be as follows:
A: They had an unsteady relationship with Pilate, and so anything could and did spark resistance and an argument, and the statement (which I think was made by a spokesman but agreed upon by the entire Council—people simply don’t speak in unison like that) was a hot-headed reply in annoyance at being questioned for a reason as to why they brought Jesus to Pilate.
B: Very unlikely, but they knew that they were lying and making stories up and it tugged just a little bit on some of the priests’ hearts, and they were hoping not to have to bring up the accusations. It seems that if this was the reason, the guilt wore off pretty quickly.
C: A third reason would be a combo of the first and second reasons. Click here to read about Pontius Pilate from a historical view. (Back)

7  forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar: This is an outright lie. See Matthew 17:24-27 and Matthew 22:15-22 on what Jesus said about paying taxes, for the temple and to Caesar. (Back)

8  signifying by what kind of death: There was only one type of punishment/death for insurrectionists or those trying to displace Caesar: crucifixion. (Back)

9  Are You the King of the Jews:  Pilate’s starting question seems to be a testing of the waters, to see if Jesus is an insurrectionist. If Jesus had been a regular person and then said, “Yeah, and soon Rome will be under Israel’s feet!”, then that would be some proof of insurrection-type intentions. (Back)

10  Jesus answered: Jesus’s answer gives Pilate enough information so that he can be sure that Jesus wasn’t trying to incite riots to take over Caesar’s position. Jesus is stating that since His kingdom isn’t here on earth, He isn’t vying for a kingship and therefore, He is not trying to overthrow Rome. (Back)

11 Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice: This is because God’s Word, His laws, His ways, are all foolishness to anyone but those who have been given the God-gifted faith that it takes to believe Him. That faith is continuous, through the Holy Spirit, Who is the promise and pledge that is our proof to believe; He is that reassurance that you have all the time, knowing your Savior has you close to Him and won’t let go. Those who were chosen by God for this incredible grace and blessing, were chosen in eternity past, before the foundations of the world. See 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; Ephesians 1:4, 5, 13, 14; 2:8, 2 Timothy 1:9. (Back)

12 What is truth: Pilate is done questioning Jesus on the insurrection charges. Despite Pilate’s cynical and sarcastic answer and despite the weird politics of today, there is truth. Human beings are (in)famous for twisting facts, “softening” words, leaving out information, giving “alternate facts”, and changing the details to fit an agenda, regardless of the truth. God is the truth. The Bible is the truth. Beyond that, if human beings are involved, you can never be sure. (Back)

13 Do You not hear: Pilate is amazed at Jesus’s silence to all of these harsh accusations. Pilate probably saw most of the accused that were brought before him panicking, doing everything possible to combat accusations and defend themselves. People would probably try to plead Pilate in every way possible. Jesus’s dignity truly stands out here. He’s not on His knees begging, He’s not crying, He’s not panicked, He’s not grasping at straws to stay alive. Silence was certainly not the way most people faced a trial with the result of crucifixion as the most-assured sentence. (Back)

14 He did not answer him: This was to fulfill Isaiah 53:7. (Back)

15  He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place: “as far as this place” means Jerusalem. And, these “accusations” are actually true! Jesus began His ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:12-17), had been teaching all over Judea and as far as Jerusalem (Matthew 4:25), and He certainly “stirred up” the people (Matthew 4:24-5:1; 8:1; 8:34; 9:31;14:35, 36; 15:30-31, and 21:10 for examples), but not for the purposes of overthrowing the Roman government, which is what the priests were implying. (Back)

16 he sent Him to Herod: Only Luke tells us about the visit to Herod and what happened there. See Luke 23:6-12. It is interesting that there is no mention of Herodians being present at Pilate’s since the Herodians were helping to orchestrate the plot to kill Jesus (see Mark 3:6) and had an interest in the outcome, as Herod seemed to want Jesus dead, too (see Luke 13:31), possibly due to his fear that Jesus was John the Baptist back from the dead (Matthew 14:1-2). The Herodians weren’t mentioned by name at Jesus’s arrest in Gethsemane or at the trial in front of the high priest, either. It is possible that they were present at those two places, but just not specified. Herodians would have had no business with Pilate and would have had zero influence with him, because Pilate and Herod were enemies until later that day (Luke 23:12). (Back)

17 he had been hearing about Him: Possibly through Chuza, his steward. Chuza’s wife, Joanna, was following Jesus in His ministry and contributing monetary support (Luke 8:3). Many women (and probably men, too) were giving money for the ministry. All this money was being turned over to Judas to hold onto, which he pilfers (John 12:4-6). (Back)

18  hoping to see some sign: This is what most people seem to want from Jesus. They also want Him to fix their lives. True Christianity is not about getting something from God. It is about the created beings (humans) worshiping the Creator. It is about God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). God does give His elected believers eternal life to be with Him eternally (John 3:16). But a true believer would still worship Him, even if they got nothing from Him, because He is God. If you can go through horrible events in your life (see Paul’s examples! 2 Corinthians 11:23-27) and at each event say “I’m not separated from God, so this is nothing”, that’s one point (among many) to help you figure out if your faith is real or not. This kind of faith is a gift from God and not conjured by humans themselves (Ephesians 2:8-9). (Back)

19 gorgeous robe: See Luke 23:11. The Greek text says “apparel splendid”. The Greek word used for apparel is esthés and means “clothing or robe”. The Greek word used for splendid is lampros and means “radiant, splendid, bright”. (Back)

The Last Supper: Part Four

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

Matthew 26:17-36 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 26:17)

Mark 14:12-32 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 14:12)

Luke 22:7-39(Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 22:7)

John 13:1-18:1 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 13:1)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Three,” click here.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

 

THE SPLICE

 

As the disciples and Jesus were walking towards the Mount of Olives, Jesus said, “ I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 1 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He 2 prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for 3 apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and 4 they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, 5 ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.  This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Five” click here.

 

NOTES

 

1  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away: We are saved by the gift of grace and not by good deeds. The good works or deeds (fruit) that we do are the things we do in service to God, because we were created to do good things for Him (see Ephesians 2:8-9). To see a list of these good things, a.k.a. The Fruit of the Spirit, see Galatians 5:22-23. Conversely, the evil things, the things “of the flesh” that are not from God, are listed in Galatians 5:19-21. See Romans 1:18-32 for more detail on the practice of these things.  (Back)

2  prunes: The Greek word used for prunes (from John 15:2) is kathairó and it means “to cleanse, purify, prune”. The “cleansing, purifying, pruning” is done by purging or removing that which is unclean or undesired and therefore, making that object pure. As a person grows in their faith in Christ and learns more about Him, they find that sin is no longer welcome in their life, and they are even ashamed of the time spent basking in it (Romans 6:20-21). See Romans 7:14-25 for Paul’s lament regarding sin. It is a lament shared by other true believers in Christ.   (Back)

3  apart from Me you can do nothing:  A person cannot conjure their new thoughts and ways in Christ on their own, see 1 Corinthians 2:12-14. Just going through the motions to look like you are following God’s ways isn’t enough. See Matthew 23:27-28 regarding the “white-washed tomb” analogy given by Jesus. It’s important to remember that God isn’t fooled by hypocrisy (1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 1:24. (Back)

4 they gather them, and cast them into the fire: See Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8. People go to hell because of their rejection of salvation through Jesus (John 3:18). Jesus paid the price for believers (Ephesians 1:7), so that they do not have to endure God’s wrath for sin (John 3: 36). (Back)

5 ask whatever you wish:  As long as it is within His will. See Note 16 from the Splice The Last Supper: Part Three. (Back)

 

The Last Supper: Part Six

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

Matthew 26:17-36 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 26:17)

Mark 14:12-32 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 14:12)

Luke 22:7-39(Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 22:7)

John 13:1-18:1 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 13:1)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Five”, click here.

 

Isaiah 65:18
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing and her people for gladness.

 

THE SPLICE

 

Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?  So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? 1 We do not know what He is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 2 Truly, truly, I say to you, that 3 you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but 4 your grief will be turned into joy. Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and 5 no one will take your joy away away from you. 6 In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in 7 My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be 8 scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet 9 I am not alone because the Father is with Me. You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 10 I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’ But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” 11 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, yet I will not; I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice  “The Last Supper: Part Seven”, click here.

NOTES

 

1  We do not know what He is talking about:  The disciples are referring to what Jesus had said in John 16:16. Jesus had told the disciples (and others) a couple of times that He was going to die and rise again (see Matthew 17:9, 12, 22-23; Mark 9:31; Luke 9:44, John 7:33-34; 10:15-18) and He even tells them how He will die in John 12:32-33. In Mark 9:32 and Luke 9:45 we are told that the disciples didn’t understand the previous statements of death because the meaning was concealed from them and they were afraid to ask about it. Things will become a little clearer to the disciples by John 16:29, but it is doubtful they have a complete understanding. (BACK)

2  Truly, truly, I say to you: The Greek word for truly is amén and it means “verily, truly, amen”. It’s meant to express “so be it”. This phrasing is important, because in using the word amén, a person is placing emphasis on the truth of their statement or they are nodding in agreement with a statement that is called truth. Jesus uses amén twice, almost like an “extra strength” amén, proclaiming the truth of His words. (BACK)

3 You will weep and lament: See Mark 16:10. (BACK)

4 your grief will be turned into joy: See John 20:20. There is also the future joy, as described in Revelation 21:1-22:5. (BACK)

5 no one will take your joy away: John 16:22. The Greek word used for joy is chara and it means “joy, gladness”. This kind of joy is not fleeting happiness, which is a changing emotion. Joy is bigger than happiness and is sustained by the Holy Spirit as a fruit of the Spirit (see Romans 14:17 and  Galatians 5:22). Joy does not depend on any emotions or your situation in the world. It is the kind of joy that allowed Paul and Silas sing praises to God while imprisoned, even after being beaten with rods (see Acts 16:22-25).  (BACK)

6 In that day you will not question Me about anything: John 16:23. The Greek word used for question is erótaó and it means “ask, request”. It means to present a request, whether humbly or otherwise.  (BACK)

7  My Name: It is important to understand that a person’s name in Jesus’s era was unseparated from their character. Therefore, going to the Father in Jesus’s name means in His will, see 1 John 5:14. Whatever your prayers are about, thankfulness should be the crowning attitude (Philippians 4:6).  (BACK)

8 scattered, each to his own home: This scattering takes place in Gethsemane (see Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). Since they are in Jerusalem, we can assume that the disciples scatter to the place/s they are staying at in/around Jerusalem, not all the way back to Capernaum, as would be the situation in Peter’s and Andrew’s cases (see Matthew 8:5, 14; Mark 1:21, 29; Luke 4:31, 38). Regardless of where they are scattered to, they are all together again, at least for a partial amount of time, by Sunday (Luke 24:33).  (BACK)

9 I am not alone: Just like Jesus, we can say that we never alone when we belong to God. Psalm 34:4-7 and Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 are striking reminders of His protection and deliverance in times of trouble. We can take comfort in knowing that when He allows us to go through difficulties, He will sustain us. See 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 for Paul’s declaration on the sufficiency of God’s grace. (BACK)

10 I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD: Jesus is referencing Zechariah 13:7 (BACK)

11 But Peter said: See Matthew 26:30-35; Mark 14:26-31. This is the return to the conversation Jesus and Peter had earlier as described in John 13:36-38 and Luke 22: 31-34. We know that Matthew/Mark and Luke/John are describing two different conversations because in Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26 it is stated that Jesus and the disciples have already left for the Mount of Olives. Luke and John describe the conversation they are giving the account for as taking place before leaving the upper room. Jesus and the disciples are described as leaving the upper room for Luke in Luke 22:39 and for John in John 14:31. (BACK)

The Last Supper: Part Five

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

 

Matthew 26:17-36 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 26:17)

Mark 14:12-32 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 14:12)

Luke 22:7-39(Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 22:7)

John 13:1-18:1 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 13:1)

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Four”, click here.

 

Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

 

THE SPLICE

1 You did not choose Me but I chose you,and appointed you that you would go and 2 bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in 3 My Name He may give to you. 4 This I command you that you love one another.  If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world,5 the world would love its own but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you,6 ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they7 persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but 8 now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did,  they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law,9 THEY HATED ME WITHOUT CAUSE. When the 10 Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning. These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. They will make you11 outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is12 offering service to God.  These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, “Where are You going?” But because I have said these things to you,13 sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the14 Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 15 concerning sin 16 because they do not 17 believe in Me; and 18 concerning righteousness , because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the 19 ruler of this world has been judged. I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 20 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you. A little while, and 21 you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.”

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Six” click here.

 

NOTES

 

1 You did not choose Me but I chose you:  This is true for all of us who belong to God, not just the Twelve. God chose us, long before the world was even created. (see Ephesians 1:4) (BACK)

2 bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain: We were made to do good works for God (Ephesians 2:10). These good works run in accordance with the fruit that we are to bear, as described in Galatians 5:22-23.  In contrast, the things of the world or of the flesh are described in Galatians 5:19-21. It is in our nature to do the worldly things described in Galatians 5:19-21 (see Romans 1:29-31 for more worldly attitudes). When we become the adopted sons of God, it is the things of the Spirit that we strive to do, and by the grace of God, we actually do them (at least in some capacity). It is important to understand that because we are still under the curse (recorded in Genesis 3), we fight within ourselves NOT to be slaves to the things of the world, and yet, we fail (see Paul’s comments on this struggle in Romans 7:21-23). With Christ, we are not under the Law for these sins, but if you are a true, faithful doulos of Christ, it should be bothering you if you do them, just like Paul’s lament in Romans 7:24. See Romans 8 for more on on our deliverance and victory in Jesus.(BACK)

3 My Name: It is important to understand that asking anything of the Father in the name of Jesus means within the character and will of God (1 John 5:14). If you are a slave of Jesus (Romans 6:22), you do have the inheritance of Christ (Colossians 3:24), as you are now an adopted son (“son” is a general term, there is no male or female within the spiritual realm, Galatians 3:28) of God (Ephesians 1:5). But it is apparent and logical that both sons and slaves have no power over the Father or Owner of them (John 13:16). After all, it is He who saved us, not the other way around (Titus 3:5). (BACK)

4 This I command you: This commandment was also given way back in Leviticus 19:18. What does it mean to love? Jesus said that there was no greater love than to lay down one’s life for their friends in John 15:13. God loved us so much, He gave His own Son to reconcile sinners to Himself (John 3:16). We can definitely gather that love is sacrificial and unselfish. To understand more about love, see 1 Corinthians 13. Also, see the analysis, All About Love, for explanation on 1 Corinthians 13.(BACK)

5 the world would love its own: See Romans 1:21-32. This portion of Romans sounds very familiar even in today’s world, especially if you really think about what is given general approval in society. None of the ungodly behaviors mentioned in Romans 1:21-31 should be the practice of those claiming to belong to Christ.(BACK)

6 ‘A slave is not greater than his master’: John 15:20. Jesus had mentioned this to the disciples earlier that night in John 13:16, but He had also said something very similar earlier in His ministry, as recorded in Matthew 10:24.(BACK)

7 persecuted Me: The persecution began when Jesus was just a baby, with Herod’s slaughter of all boys under the age of two, as described in Matthew 2:16. We don’t get any reports of persecution until Jesus’s ministry, which He began when He was around 30 years old (Luke 3:23). Throughout His ministry, persecution was from the people in the synagogues (Luke 4:28-30), the religious leaders, (John 8:48, 52, 10:31, 11:47-53) and even people in His own family (John 7:3-5) and supposed friends (John 13:2). The disciples were also probably harassed along side with Him, if you judge by the these comments in John 9:27-28; 11:16; 12:10. The harassment and persecution would get worse for the apostles (as well as any follower of Jesus’s) after Jesus’s resurrection, as told throughout Acts. Here are some specific spots were you can read about the apostles’ persecution and the persecution of other followers as well: Acts 4:1-21; 5:17-44; 6:8-14; 7:54-8:3; 9:1; 11:19; 12:1-6; 16:22-24; 25:1-26:32. For believers today who refuse to back down from what is truth in God’s word, the persecution is mostly kept to name-calling and “canceling”. However, the persecution is expected to increase in time, see Revelation 6:9-11; 20:4.(BACK)

8 now they have no excuse:Their sin is disbelief in Christ. Some actually attributed His miracles to Satan (Matthew 12:22-24; Mark 3:22). Even at the most basic level, no one has any excuse for their disbelief in God, because He has given us enough to know that He exists, see Romans 1:18-20.(BACK)

9 THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE: Jesus is referencing Psalm 35:19 and Psalm 69:4. (BACK)

10 Helper comes: The Helper is the Holy Spirit. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is as follows (this list is not exhaustive): to convict people of their sin and to show them what righteousness means (John 16:8). For those who heed the conviction of their sin, He regenerates us for our justification by Jesus (Titus 3:5-7). He guides believers in all truth (John 16:13). He enables us and causes us to live in obedience to God’s moral laws (Ezekiel 36:27). He gives us our spiritual life (John 6:63; 2 Corinthians 3:6) and dwells within us (1 Corinthians 6:19). He helps us in our weakness, and intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27). To sum it up, the Holy Spirit, Who investigates all things (even God, see 1 Corinthians 2:10)  is the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, truth and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2; 1 John 5:6). (BACK)

11 outcasts from the synagogue: The synagogue was the place where everyone in a town gathered. Inside the synagogue, the Jews conducted religious teaching as well as the worship of God, but they also conducted public court appearances and other general town assemblies there. Outcasting a person from the synagogue was condemning them to total pariah-hood from daily and normal Jewish life. To read about some recent archaeological excavations that surfaced some ancient synagogues in Israel, click here.(BACK)

12 offering service to God: An example of such an erroneous demonstration can be found in Saul (a.k.a Paul, see Acts 13:9) at the martyring of Stephen and afterwards of other followers of Christ (Acts 7:58-8:3, 9:1-2).  Paul eventually changes his ways (Acts 9:3-30), and does end up on the receiving end of the same persecution that he meted out to others, as pronounced by Jesus in Acts 9:16. We don’t know exactly how Paul died, but many hold to the tradition that he was martyred by Nero after the fire in Rome (a fire that was blamed on Christians). To read about some of the persecution experienced by Paul after his conversion, see Acts 9:20-29; 13:50; 16:19-24. Paul gives us a description of his sufferings for Christ in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. We also know Paul wrote, at the very least, these books from prison: Ephesians (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1; 6:20), Philippians (Philippians 1:7, 13, 14, 17), Colossians (Colossians 4:18), 2 Timothy (2 Timothy 1:8, 16, 2:9),  and Philemon (Philemon 1:1, 9, 13).(BACK)

13 sorrow has filled your heart: The sorrow of the disciples seems to last through the night.  The verses of Matthew 26:43 and Mark 14:40 say that in Gethsemane, the disciples’ eyes were very heavy and they were falling asleep. It is in Luke 22:45 where we learn that the sleepiness is due to sorrow. Their sorrow was caused by many things. Jesus has told  the disciples that He will be leaving and the disciples cannot come with Him (John 13:33, 36). Earlier that night, they were told by Jesus that one of them would be betraying Him. Peter is even told that he will be tested by Satan and due to this testing, Peter will deny his friendship (as well as his discipleship) with Jesus that very night. If that weren’t enough, each and every disciple will “fall away”, deserting Him while He is taken under arrest. See Matthew 26:21, 22, 31-35; Mark 14:18-20, 27-31; Luke 22:21-23, 31-34; John 13:21-22, 37-38; 16:32). The disciples have also been told that they will be hated and persecuted (John 15:18-25), but they’ve been experiencing all sorts of hate and persecution already, see Note 7.  Jesus has been forthcoming about His own feelings at the impending betrayal of Judas (John 13:21) and the grief He feels about the subsequent sacrifice that will follow (Matthew 26:37-39; Mark 14:33-36; Luke 22:41-44). For the disciples, all of these things would certainly lend itself to feeling sorrow throughout the entire evening, even before all of the horrors unfold on the next day.(BACK)

14 Helper: John 16:7. The Greek word used for Helper is paraklétos and it means “Advocate, Counselor, Comforter, Helper”. The word can be used in a general sense or a legal sense. Generally, it means someone who gives support, encouragement, or assistance to another. It even applies to someone who intercedes for another. Legally, it means an advocate. The word paraklétos has the feeling of personal involvement and understanding on the part of the helper.   (BACK)

15 concerning sin: John 16:9. The Greek phrasing of John 16:9 transliterally says “about sin, truly, because/since they not have faith/trust in Me”. The Greek word used for sin is hamartia which means “missing the mark, sin, guilt”.  Sin is the leaving off from God’s ways and choosing to pursue your own ways. The Greek word for truly is men and it means “truly, indeed” and is used as an emphasis for the next clause in the sentence. The Greek word for faith (or trust) is pisteuó and it means “to believe, faith, trust, reliance upon”.  This kind of belief has strong personal connection and persuasion; it isn’t a casual or shallow knowledge. Because of the way this sentence is structured, we can understand that the sin Jesus is speaking about is rejecting God-given faith and trust in Jesus. Rejecting faith in Christ is the sin that equals eternal death (John 3:16). All the other sins will be forgiven, except for the one where the Holy Spirit is blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32). This is because the Holy Spirit is the Guide of all truth (John 16:13) and the Witness of Christ (Acts 5:32), and blasphemy would be rejection of the truth. All who belong to Christ have the Holy Spirit and He is the One that lets you know in that proof-positive way that you belong to God (Romans 8:9, 16; Ephesians 1:13-14). Also see Note 17. (BACK)

16 because: John 16:9. The Greek word for because is hoti and it means “that, since, for, because”. It might be more clear for some readers to insert “since” instead of  “because” when reading John 16:9-11. (BACK)

17 believe Me: Not having that trust and faith in Christ is the one sin that cannot be forgiven (see Note 15). If one chooses to keep to the side of sin, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin in Christ (Hebrews 10:26-27). This is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. His testimony regarding Jesus and regarding sin is irrefutable (see Matthew 16:15-17 and then see 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 which cites it is through the Spirit that God imparts wisdom and knowledge of Him). However, you have to be empowered by God to repent and have this faith in the Holy Spirit’s testimony (John 6:44; Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:25). (BACK)

18 concerning righteousness: John 16:10. The Greek word for righteousness is dikaiosuné and it means “just/justified or right”. A believer’s “rightness” is not their own righteousness that they have conjured up themselves or earned in any way. A saved person’s  righteousness has been granted to them through Jesus (Romans 3:21-28).(BACK)

19 ruler of this world: The ruler of this world is Satan (1 John 5:19). Satan means “adversary”. Here are some basic things we know about the devil: we know there is a battle in heaven, (Revelation 12:7-9). We know that by the beginning of the human race, Satan was on earth, because he was mobile in the body of a serpent, spreading lies with murderous intent (Genesis 3:1-5; John 8:44). We know that on at least two occasions, when holy angels presented themselves to God, he showed up as well (Job 1:6, 2:1). We know he is always looking for someone to destroy (1 Peter 5:8) and using his minions of humans, he will try to destroy those who belong to God, even though that cannot happen (Matthew 24:24; Romans 8:29-39). Still, he doesn’t mind trying, and will even pretend to be a believer and give all the outward appearances of one (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). We also know his destruction is imminent (Revelation 20:10). In order to stand against all of Satan’s temptations and deception, we have two defenses: we are to submit to God, standing firm in our faith and resist Satan (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9) and we are to stand in the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17).(BACK)

20 All things that the Father has are Mine: Jesus mentions in Matthew 11:27 that God has handed all things over to Him. This is probably because all things were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).(BACK)

21 You will no longer see Me…see Me: Of course, the disciples did not see Jesus while He was in the grave. After Jesus’s resurrection, He appeared to them and talked with them for 40 days. See Acts 1:3.(BACK)

 

 

The Last Supper: Part Two

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

Matthew 26:17-36 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 26:17)

Mark 14:12-32 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 14:12)

Luke 22:7-40 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 22:7)

John 13:1-18:1 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 13:1)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part One”, click here

 

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

 

THE SPLICE

While they were eating, 1 Jesus took some bread and after a blessing and having given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it and eat; 2 this is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way, after they had eaten, He took the cup, and giving thanks, and He gave it to them saying, while they all drank from it, “Drink from it, all of you; this cup which is poured out for you is the 3 new covenant in My blood; My blood of the covenant, which is poured out 4 for many for forgiveness of sins; 5 do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table.” And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing. And there arose also 6 a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. Jesus had dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 7 After the morsel, Satan then entered into Judas. Therefore Jesus said to Judas, “What you do, do quickly.” 8 Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. For some were supposing, because 9 Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of 10 for the feast” or else, that he should give something to the poor. So after receiving the morsel Judas went out immediately; and it was night.

 

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Three” click here

 

 

NOTES

1  Jesus took some bread: Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, and Luke 22:17-20 introduce us to the memorial of Holy Communion. John does not mention it at all. Because of Luke’s account (particularly in verse 21 with the usage of the Greek word meta), we could, with relative confidence, list Judas as “in attendance” for this church-wide ordinance, with the understanding that the Bible does not explicitly give the particulars of his whereabouts during that aspect of the night. (Back)

2 this is My body which is given for you: There are certain Christian sects that insist that this is a literal transformation: that the communion wafer turns into the actual body of Jesus, and the wine turns into the actual blood of Jesus, during Holy Communion. This idea is called transubstantiation. Holy Communion is a symbolic, not a literal, transformation. First of all, cannibalism is spoken of as a judgment from God in the Bible, and therefore by extension, forbidden as a practice for God-fearing people (Jeremiah 19:9; Ezekiel 5:10; Micah 3:3-4) and Jesus would never entertain forbidden practices (John 8:29) or introduce them into the church. Drinking animal blood is forbidden, much less from human beings (Leviticus 17:14). Jesus Himself tells us that the eating of His flesh and drinking of His blood is a metaphoric idea: He has come down from heaven and is the Way to eternal life with God, as explained in John 6:41-65. Plus, you can see it in your hand and taste it in your mouth. It’s unleavened bread in the form of oyster crackers (or whatever your church uses) and grape juice (or wine) in a tiny cup. (Back)

3 new covenant in My blood: There was an original or old covenant with the people of Israel, see Exodus 24, in particular verses 6-8. Hebrews 9 and 10:1-18 give a thorough explanation on the old and new covenants. Jesus’s sacrifice is once and for all (Hebrews 10:10) and there is no need to sacrifice any animals, especially since their blood never took away sins (Hebrews 10:4). Why have the old covenant, with the Law of God and animal sacrifices in the first place? The Law shows us that we are sinners and are under judgment by God (Romans 3:19-20). The animal sacrifices show that only blood will atone for sin (Hebrews 9:22). The old covenant was a preview of the perfect covenant in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:4-10). (Back)

4 for many for forgiveness of sins: This is only applicable to those who will accept the forgiveness, not a blanket statement for everyone in the entire world (Hebrews 10:26-30, 1 John 1:9). Forgiveness is offered to the entire world (John 3:16), and God doesn’t want anyone to perish in hell (1 Timothy 2:4), but many just won’t let go of their own ideals/identities, admit to their sin (1 John 1:8, 10) and repent of their sin (Luke 5:32), and take the only Way to God (Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:6). If we confess our sins (this is a part of repentance), acknowledging that God is right and we are wrong, He is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9). (Back)

5  do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me: This instruction of Jesus’s is from 1 Corinthians 11:25. None of the gospel writers include this statement in their accounts, but Paul received this information from Jesus Himself. Luke does include Jesus’s words “in remembrance of Me” concerning the bread, but not the wine, in Luke 22:19. See 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 for Paul’s account. (Back)

6  a dispute among them: From Luke 22:24. It is possible that the disciples were debating for someone other than themselves (John arguing Peter’s merits, for example), but human nature says that they were arguing the case for themselves (John for John’s merits, Peter for Peter’s merits). This seems especially probable, as they have had these arguments before (Luke 9:46-48). And then, there was that audacious request from the Zebedee family: that Jesus would seat John and James at Jesus’s right and left hand (Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45) in His kingdom.  The argument of “I am the best” would be what the world calls “tooting your own horn”. In reality, it is a gross and blatant display of pride. Pride is a world view and is not of God (Proverbs 11:2, 25:27; 2 Corinthians 10:18; 1 Peter 5:5.  (Back)

7  After the morsel: This is from John 13:26-27.  It never says if Judas actually eats this bit of food.  (Back)

8  Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him: Did the others not see the morsel passed or hear the conversation? It would seem that the words of Jesus and the action of giving the morsel would be enough to give a hint as to who the culprit is. Perhaps they were purposely blinded from the meaning of the conversation, as a provision from God, so that they would not try to stop Judas. (see Note 29 in The Last Supper: Part One) (Back)

9 Judas had the money box: The money box was full of donations, and the donations we know about are from women (Luke 8:3). Judas’s grip on the money box began long before this night (John 12:4-6). Also see 1 Timothy 6:9-10. (Back)

10 for the feast: Passover is a feast that lasts for seven days. There is the first night of Passover (on the 14th), where the lamb is eaten, along with the bitter herbs. The next day, on the 15th, The Feast of Unleavened Bread is observed. Since the Passover meal has already been consumed, it is possible that the feast meant is for the next day/rest of the days of Passover. See Exodus 12:1-20; Leviticus 23:5-6; Numbers 28:16-25; Deuteronomy 16:1-8; Ezekiel 45:21. (Back)

The Last Supper: Part Three

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

Matthew 26:17-36 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 26:17)

Mark 14:12-32 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 14:12)

Luke 22:7-39(Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 22:7)

John 13:1-18:1 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 13:1)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Two”, click here.

 

1 Corinthians 2:9
Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined what God has prepared for those who who love Him.”

 

THE SPLICE

After Judas had left to go betray Him, Jesus said, 1 “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you 2 must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? 3 But I am among you as the one who serves. You are those who have 4 stood by Me in My trials; and just as My Father has 5 granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at 6 My table in My kingdom, and 7 you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. Simon, Simon, behold, 8 Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, 9 strengthen your brothers.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; 10 but you will follow later.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You. Lord, with You 11 I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” And Jesus said, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you deny Me three times, until you denied three times that you know Me.” Jesus continued and said to them, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” 12 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 13 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the 14 works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 15 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. 16 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because 17 He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but 18 you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, 19 he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. 20 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 21 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. 22 Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, 23 you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe. I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. 24 Get up, let us go from here.” When Jesus had spoken these words and after 25 singing a hymn, He went out and proceeded as was 26 His custom to the Mount of Olives. And His disciples went with Him.

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “The Last Supper: Part Four”, click here.

NOTES

 

1  “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them: Jesus said this while the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest in the group (Luke 22:24-25). This is similar to something Jesus said to the disciples after John’s and James’s mother asked Jesus for preferment for her two sons. See Matthew 20:20-28. (Back)

2 must become like the youngest: The youngest person in a family did all the jobs no one else wanted to do. Their position was in the “least” category. For example, see 1 Samuel 16:10-13, where David didn’t even count enough to show to Samuel. But God often uses/reveals Himself to those who aren’t as wise or as important to the rest of the world (Matthew 11:25-26). He used lowly fishermen (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:2-12) and even a hated tax collector (Matthew 9:9-11; Mark 2:14-16; Luke 5:27-30), to spread His Gospel. The beginnings of Jesus’s life here on earth were quite lowly and humble: He was born to a not-so-elegant mother and adoptive father, who were from not-so-posh Nazareth (John 1:46), with a food trough for animals as His first bed (Luke 2:7). The fantastic and glorious announcement of Jesus’s birth was heralded by God’s angels (Luke 2:8-20), not to the wealthy Pharisees or some king, but to simple shepherds. (Back)

3 But I am among you as the one who serves: Jesus had just given them the example of serving in one of the lowliest of positions when He washed their feet. Even today, we can imagine how humble a person must be to wash people’s feet voluntarily, expecting nothing in return. But ask yourself this (as I ask myself): can you wash a person’s feet who is receiving money to betray you so that you will be murdered in the most horrendous way?  See John 13:3-18 for the foot-washing event. (Back)

4 stood by Me in My trials: See John 6:66-69, alongside Matthew 12:48-50 for the relationship structure. The disciples had certainly seen much over the years in Jesus’s ministry, especially with all of the human suffering they witnessed (Matthew 4:23-25), including Jesus’s (Isaiah 53:3; John 11:35). But more than that, the risk they took in following Jesus was immense. Being a disciple of Jesus was not particularly exalted (John 9:27-28) and the Pharisees put people out of the synagogue for believing Him (John 9:22, 12:42), making those people whom they removed absolute pariahs. The chief priests of the Jews even wanted to kill people who had experienced blessing from Him (John 12:9-11).  The disciples, as declared by Thomas, had pretty much resigned themselves to dying along side Jesus (John 11:16). And although most of the information that we have on the death of the disciples is traditional and not Biblical, we know that at least two of the disciples were martyred (John 21:17-19; Acts 12:2). (Back)

5 granted Me a kingdom: The kingdom that Jesus is referring to is described in Revelation 21:1-22:6. Also see Revelation 11:15-19. But this is not the first time we hear about the kingdom. Daniel makes  mention about it in Daniel 2:44, 7:18, 27. When you read Jesus’s instructions on how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4), there is the verse “Your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2).  This is referring to the kingdom as described in Revelation.  As a side note, these verses on prayer are commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer” or the “Our Father”, in some denominations. (Back)

6 My table in My kingdom: This is probably a reference to what is known as the marriage supper of the Lamb. See Revelation 19:9. (Back)

7 you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel: They will also receive the honor of having their names inscribed on the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem, see Revelation 21:14. It is interesting to note that it will be the names of the 12 apostles, not the 12 disciples that will be inscribed on these stones. The difference is that an apostle is a sent messenger of God; a disciple is a student. There were 13 particular apostles of Jesus, after His resurrection, that catapulted the church era: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Matthias (who took Judas the traitor’s place), and Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. See Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-18; Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:16-26; Acts 9:1-19 for the conversion of Paul and Acts 9:15 in particular where Jesus calls him “chosen”. See Romans 11:13, Galatians 2:7-10; 1 Timothy 2:7. (Back)

8 Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat: It is important to understand that Satan only has the power that God allows for him to have and can only wreak havoc in human lives when God allows for him to do so (see the example in Job 1:6-2:7). Peter will have this sifting after his three denials of Christ. To read the Scripture concerning Peter’s denials, see Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-27. To read the Splice containing Peter’s denials, click here. (Back)

9 strengthen your brothers: Peter really starts to take a leadership position among the disciples-turned-apostles in Acts 1:15. Peter, originally name Simon by his parents, is an interesting character study. Jesus called him Peter/Cephas right away upon Peter’s introduction to Him (John 1:42). Explaining why Simon is now called Peter, he is given the ministry of church-building in Matthew 16:18.  It is obvious that Peter is being prepared for his difficult road to build the church, as well as given the preview as to how he will die, in John 21:15-19.  Peter is also the guy who gets a frightening rebuke from Jesus (Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33). Peter also shows a bit of bending to peer pressure, receiving a prompt response from Paul (see Galatians 2:11-21). Peter, the apostle to the Jews (Galatians 2:7-8), wrote two epistolary books that are included in the New Testament, 1 Peter and 2 Peter. (Back)

10 but you will follow later: We know that Peter is martyred due to John 21:18-19, but the exact style of execution is unknown, as it is not stated in the Bible. The tradition that most Christians subscribe to is that Peter was crucified upside down. The only apostle’s martyrdom that is recorded in the Bible is James’s, which was by the sword (probably meaning beheading) as ordered by Herod, see Acts 12:2. (Back)

11 I am ready to go both to prison and to death: See note 10 regarding Peter’s death. You can read about some of Peter’s prison time in Acts 12:3-11.(Back)

12 Thomas said: The name Thomas means “twin”. It is very possible that Thomas did have a twin, but we can’t be sure. However, names were considered inseparable from a person’s character, and therefore names were chosen very carefully. It is most certain that Thomas said many things over his three years with Jesus, but he is most remembered for being a doubter (John 20:24-29). Thomas has only two other recorded speaking parts in the Bible: John 11:16, and John 20:25. (Back)

13 If you had known Me: Because Jesus has always been with God the Father, and has always been, Himself, God. See John 1:1-2; John 8:56-59 along side Exodus 3:14; and see Luke 10:18 along with Revelation 12:7-9. (Back)

14 works themselves: The miracles of Jesus were so vast, deep, wide and tall that the apostle John didn’t think that the world could hold all of the detailed recordings of them (John 21:25). For reference, here are a few examples of Jesus’s miracles: Matthew 8:1-17; 24-27; 28-34; 9:2-8; 14:13-33; Mark 8:1-9; 9:1-8; 10:46-52; Luke 13:10-13; 14:1-4; 17:11-19; John 2:1-11; 5:1-9; 9:1-7; 11:1-44. The disciples will see a more glorious work in His own resurrection three days later, as well as His bodily ascension into heaven (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21). (Back)

15  Whatever you ask in My name: (see John 16:23; 1 John 5:14) There seems to be confusion on how asking for things in Jesus’s name works. First, it is important to understand that a person’s name (in ancient Israel and Biblically) is unseparated from their character, their reputation, what they stand for, or what they are. Therefore, going to the Father with Jesus’s name means with Jesus’s character, authority and will. Praying for selfish gain is not in accordance with Jesus’s character or will. “In Jesus’s name we pray” is not the preclude to “Amen”, a word which now seems to be used as a signal for finishing a prayer. The Greek word Amen means “truly, verily, so let it be”. If you say “Amen”, you are signifying your agreement that what has just been said is the truth.   (Back)

16  If you love Me, you will keep My commandments: What are Jesus’s commandments? They are the same as His word, see John 14:15, 21-25. Jesus is telling His disciples to obey Him; that goes for all of us who call ourselves followers of Christ. What are we supposed to be obeying Him in? Primarily, He wants us to love God/Himself with everything that we are, then to love each other just like we love ourselves, because all of God’s laws are stemming from these two commandments (see Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-33). All of our obedience (or disobedience) to the moral laws of God begin in our mind (see Matthew 5:28, Romans 8:5-7, and James 1:14-15 to expand on this concept). See Matthew 23:25-28 on the hypocrisy of looking right on the outside but filled with wrong on the inside. (Back)

17 He abides with you: See John 14:16-17. The Holy Spirit is the seal of guarantee that the inheritance (salvation and all that this entails) we are promised in Christ will come to pass (Ephesians 1:13-14). A good indicator of the Holy Spirit working within you would be the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in your mind and therefore behavior, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23. This will work in tandem with Romans 8:11-16.  (Back)

18 you will see Me: The disciples will be with Jesus after His resurrection over a time slice of 40 days (Acts 1:3) but not necessarily the entire 40 days in a 24/7 sense. (Back)

19 he will keep My word: See note 16. (Back)

20 He who does not love Me does not keep My words: No person living in habitual sin is an inheritor of the kingdom of God because no person who is an actual follower of Jesus would do such things (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:16-24; 1 John 3:4-10). There are many people who consider themselves Christians who aren’t actually followers of Christ at all, and therefore, aren’t known by Him or justified by Him (see Matthew 7:21-23). How do we know if we are one of those people?  See Note 16 and Note 17. (Back)

21 Peace I leave with you: The peace that comes from Jesus is peace with God (Philippians 4:7, Romans 5:1, and Galatians 5:22), not necessarily peace in our daily lives. Our lives may be perfectly chaotic and restless and filled with grieving and misery, but our peace (and joy) rests in our trust in Him, our dependence on and faithfulness to the will of God, because He is faithful and trustworthy (2 Timothy 2:13) and He is with us (Psalm 91). He loves us and cares about us (Romans 8:38-39; 1 Peter 5:7). Because of this, we do not need to be fearful of any circumstance that comes our way. (Back)

22 Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful: John 14:27, also see John 14:1. There is absolutely nothing for the believer in Christ to fear. No matter what happens to you or around you, God has allowed it to happen for your good (Isaiah 45:7, Romans 8:28). There is only God to fear, as He holds all the power, even over life and death (Matthew 10:28). For a few verses on fear, see Psalm 112:7, 118:6; Isaiah 35:4; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 13:6. (Back)

23 you would have rejoiced: This should actually be our reaction for any person belonging to Christ. To leave the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:1-8). (Back)

24 Get up, let us go from here: This statement is from John 14:31. This means that the words of Jesus located in John 15:1-17:26 (and by extension Matthew 26:31-35 and Mark 14:27-31) are said either while preparing to leave the upper room or during the walk to the Garden of Gethsemane, or a combo of both. It is not clear what the situation is because the wording of John 18:1 in the Greek is a little ambiguous. (Back)

25 singing a hymn: We do not know which hymn was sung, but it was possibly The Hallel, which is Psalms 113-118.  (Back)

26 His custom to the Mount of Olives: During the day, Jesus taught in the temple in Jerusalem and during the night He stayed on the Mount of Olives, with at least some of the disciples, for at least some of the time (Luke 21:37-38, 22:39; Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3). It is not known if this was His custom every time He was in Jerusalem or if it was just this last week before the crucifixion. Just a few days before this, Jesus had arrived in Bethany (Bethany was very close to Jerusalem) and raised Lazarus from the dead (see John 11 to read about Lazarus’s amazing experience with Jesus). To read about what Jesus talked about with His disciples when they were alone on the Mount at night, see Matthew 24:3-25:46; Mark 13; Luke 21:7-36.  (Back)