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Jesus’s Olivet Discourse: Part Three

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Scripture Used to Create the Splice Series “Jesus’s Olivet Discourse”

Matthew 24:3-25:46 (Greek Text Analysis beginning with Matthew 24:3)

Mark 13:3-37 (Greek Text Analysis beginning with Mark 13:3)

Luke 21:7-36 (Greek Text Analysis beginning with Luke 21:7)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “Jesus’s Olivet Discourse: Part Two”, click here.

 

Revelation 19:16
And He has a name written on His robe
and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

 

THE SPLICE

 

And 1 He, (Jesus) told them a 2parable, : “Look at the fig tree and all of the trees. Now, learn this parable from the fig tree: When the 3 fig tree’s branch becomes tender and brings forth its leaves, you see for yourselves that 4 summer is near. So when you see 5 all of these things happen, know that He is near and at the door; the 6 kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you that 7 this generation will not have passed away until all of these things have happened. 8 Heaven and earth will pass away , but My words will never pass away. But concerning that day 9 and/or the hour no one knows not even the 10 angels 11 of the heavens/in heaven nor the Son, but the Father only. Just as things were in the 12 days of Noah, so will be the arrival of the Son of Man. Just like they were in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until that day 13Noah entered into the ark. And they didn’t understand until the flood came and took everything away; so it will be also with the arrival of the Son of Man. At that time there will be two in the field: 14one is taken and one is left. Two will be 15grinding at the mill: one is taken and one is left. Therefore look and 16keep watch because you don’t know when the time is; you don’t know on which day your Lord comes.

But understand this: If the master of the house had known at 17what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. Because of this you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect. It is like a man going on a 18journey who left his house, having given to each of his 19slaves authority over each one’s own work, and commanded the 20doorkeeper that he keep watch. Who then is the 21faithful and wise slave whom the master has appointed to be in charge of his household to give the others their food at the proper time? 22blessed is that slave whose master finds him doing so when the master returns. 23truly I tell you, [the master] will put [that faithful slave] in charge of all his possessions. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—24whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. Otherwise, he may arrive suddenly and find you sleeping. If, however, the 25wicked slave says in his heart, ‘My master delays [in returning]’ and he begins to beat his fellow slaves and then to 26eat and drink with drunkards, the 27master of that slave will arrive on a day [the slave] does not expect and at an hour [the slave] does not know of. Then [the master] will 28cut [the slave] to pieces and will place [that slave’s] portion with the 29hypocrites where there will be 30weeping and gnashing of teeth. But 31watch yourselves, or your 32hearts will be 33weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the 34worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a 35snare. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. Now keep watch at all times, 36praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that are 37about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man. And what I now say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!

 

 

NOTES

 

1 He: Jesus has just told the disciples about His Parousia at the end of the age and about the mourning experienced by those left upon the earth (the un-redeemed) while they witness His glorious return (also see Revelation 1:7). Jesus has also told the disciples about the joyful gathering that all of God’s redeemed people look forward to at His return. Jesus tells us that this gathering of His people happens at the end of the tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27). Many people refer to this gathering of the elect as ‘the rapture’. Jesus and Paul refer to the anticipated event (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:52) as ‘gathering‘ or ‘gathering together’ in Matthew 24:31 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Paul uses the term harpazó which means “catch, seize, snatch”. Harpazó brings together the idea that the gathering/rapture is a taking by force that is also abrupt or sudden. Paul also warns that this harpazó will not happen until the Antichrist has had his time (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). The events of the Antichrist’s rule has been prophesied in Daniel 11 and Revelation 13. (BACK)

2 parable: The Greek word used for the English word parable is parabole and it means “a comparison or allegory”. Parables are stories that are meant to teach a lesson about morality or truth. Why did Jesus use them (Matthew 13:10)? Matthew 13:13-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:40 says that Jesus used parables to fulfill the prophesy given in Isaiah 6:9-10. To read some of Jesus’s other parables, see Matthew 18:23-35; 20:1-16;  22:1-14; Mark 4:2-34; 12:1-12; Luke 5:36-39; 10:30-37; 12:16-21; 13:6-9; 15:3–16:31; 18:1-14; 19:11-27. (BACK)

3 fig tree…tender: Fig trees are mentioned a number of times in the Bible. Adam and Eve made some ‘bottoms’ by sewing the leaves of figs together in Genesis 3:7. Each man having his own fig tree (and grapevine) was linked with safety and prosperity in 1 Kings 4:25.  Jesus uses the fig tree to teach a parable in Luke 13:6-9. Fig trees have no leaves in winter and the soft/tender shoots start growing in spring when all the winter rains are finished. Some information on Israeli fig trees can be seen here, here or here. (BACK)

4 summer: We are assured in Psalm 74:17 that God has made both summer and winter. In Genesis 8:22 God promised that as long as the earth remains, summer and winter will always continue (along with planting time, harvest time, heat, cold, day and night). Summer in ancient Israel was the time of harvest and abundance (Proverbs 10:5). And here, while Jesus is using summer as the symbolized season of His Parousia and the hope of His elect, this also means that this symbolized summer is the season of dread for those who do not belong to Christ. Another time summer is thought of with a negative theme is in Psalm 32:4, when sin is compared to draining vitality away as with the heat of summer. (BACK)

5 all of these things: Jesus had just explained “all of these things” that would happen in Matthew 24:5-29; Mark 13:6-25; Luke 21:8-28. A quick rundown: wars, rumors of wars, nations against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms, false Christs and false prophets along with their fake signs and wonders, famines, plagues, earthquakes, terrors and great signs from heaven, a terrible and great tribulation that has never been seen before nor will ever be seen again. For the elect specifically there will be persecution, hate, arrest, prison, delivery to the courts, flogging in synagogues, and murder; people will fall away from the faith, betray each other and hate each other (non-elect who were ‘in the faith’ betraying those whom they congregated with). Family members will betray each other and have each other put to death. Also, we can expect increased lawlessness (God’s laws, specifically), love  growing cold (towards God), the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place, armies surrounding Jerusalem, Gentiles trampling Jerusalem underfoot, a great and hurried exodus from Judea, supernatural darkening of the sun and moon, the stars falling from the view of our sky, dismay among the nations, perplexity, men fainting from fear, and the powers of the heavens shaken. (BACK)

6 kingdom of God: What do we know about the kingdom of God? There are several Bible verses that tell us about the kingdom of God, but here are some highlights: it will crush any human kingdoms, even those considered strong (Daniel 2:44); it cannot be destroyed and is designed to last forever (Daniel 7:14) it will be inherited by God’s elect (Daniel 7:18, 27; Matthew 5:10; Hebrews 12:28) and has been prepared for the elect since the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34); it will belong to Jesus (Daniel 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7); it cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28); the elect should be praying for its arrival (Matthew 6:10); it is a place of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Also, there is no way we can possibly understand it or try to imagine it at this time (1 Corinthians 2:9). Jesus uses two tiny parables to tell us about what the kingdom of God is like in Luke 13:18-21. (BACK)

7 this generation will not have passed away: From Matthew 24:34 and Mark 13:30. The Greek word used for the English word generation is genea and it means “generation”. Genea is not just a measure of what year or decade a person was born in. Genea also refers to the background, heritage, race or common link of the people referred to. The Greek word used for pass away is parerchomai and it means “pass away, to pass by, come to an end”. There have been a few interpretations for the meaning of this statement. We know for sure that Jesus does not mean that the people living at the exact same time as His statement was made will live to see the things described in Matthew 24:5-29; Mark 13:6-25; Luke 21:8-28 for Jesus has not come back yet! Therefore, Jesus is not referring to the siege of Jerusalem in 70 A.D, as many have claimed. Jesus probably means that the Jewish people will not pass out of existence as a race before His return and/or He means that people at that time will be alive during the Great Tribulation and that those alive will not all die off before His return.  Both of these things we know to be true because of the redeemed people of Israel in Revelation 7:1-8 and because there are unredeemed people mourning when they see Christ’s return (Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27). (BACK)

8 Heaven and earth will pass away: From Matthew 24:35 and Mark 13:31. The Greek word used for the English word heaven is ouranos and it means “heaven, sky” and refers both to the sky we can see and the place where God’s throne is located (Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 5:34) and where He resides. Peter tells us that the current heaven and earth are being reserved for the day of judgment in 2 Peter 3:7. In 2 Peter 3:10-13, Peter reminds us that while heaven and earth will pass way in, we are waiting for a new heaven and earth. Revelation 21:1–22:5 tells us about the new heaven and earth that will be put in place of what we have now. (BACK)

9 and/or the hour: Matthew 24:36 says “and” (kai); Mark 13:32 says “or” (é). (BACK)

10 angels: It is important to understand that angels are not equal with God (Revelation 22:8-9). And, although much is made of Michael and Gabriel in contemporary Christianity, Michael is only mentioned by name 5 times in the Bible (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7) and Gabriel is mentioned only in conjunction with the visitation to Zacharias (Luke 1:11-20), the visitation to Mary (Luke 1:26-38) and the visions of Daniel (Daniel 8:16-26; 9:21-27). It is important to note that no other angel (except the fallen one called Satan) is mentioned in the Bible by name. What do we know about angels? They are often specified as male and looking human (Daniel 8:15; Mark 16:5 in conjunction with Matthew 28:2-5 and Luke 24:4-5, 23). Sometimes their sex is not really specified, as in Acts 5:19. No matter, for we know that angels are not procreating beings, so their sex doesn’t seem to matter (Matthew 22:30). We know that angels in their angelic form are a little higher than us in our human form, for Jesus was made a “little lower” than the angels when He was born as a fleshly being (Hebrews 2:9). We also know angels are more powerful than humans because of 2 Peter 2:11. Angels ministered to Christ at least twice while He was on earth (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43). We know that angels are sent by God to watch over those who belong to God (Psalm 91:11), to clarify messages for God’s people (Daniel 9:22; Acts 1:11), to bring messages of import (Luke 1:11-38); to fight against evil (Revelation 12:7-9) and even to strengthen and minister to those belonging to God (Daniel 10:18; Hebrews 1:14). It seems that the elect may ‘have’ angels because of Matthew 18:10 and Acts 12:15. In both of these verses, the word angel (aggelos) has the word autos alongside it, marking some sort of identification with the human self and/or in participation in some capacity. These verses along with Psalm 91:11 is surely where the idea of guardian angels developed from. Matthew 22:30 and Acts 12:15 are probably why it is thought that the elect will have similar attributes as angels in heaven and this is surely the case, although we cannot know exactly what that means. Regardless of what it means, it is more important to understand that God is the font of all revelation, provision, protection, safety and security however He chooses to bestow it (Psalm 23). (BACK)

11 of the heavens/in heaven: Matthew 24:36 says “(of) the heavens” and Mark 13:32 says “in heaven”. (BACK)

12 days of Noah: Only Matthew mentions Jesus’s comparison to the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39). Noah’s (selected) history is told in Genesis 6-9. (BACK)

13 Noah entered into the ark: Noah and his adventure on the ark is one of the most popular histories recounted from the Old Testament, especially for children. The Bible tells us a few things about God’s ark. The ark was made of gopher wood . Some believe gopher wood is cypress, some believe it to be cedar, but we don’t know for sure. Also, the ark was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high or approximately 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high (cubit = approx. 18 inches).The ark was also covered inside and out with pitch and it had rooms built into it. There was a singular window approximately 18 inches from the top of the ark. There was a door in the side of the ark and the ark had 3 levels (Genesis 6:14-16). People and animals were vegetarian at this time, so Noah was instructed to bring the foods that were edible for both his family and the animals (Genesis 1:29-30; 6:21). People and possibly animals (the Bible doesn’t specifically say) did not become carnivores until after the flood (Genesis 9:2-4). Everything about this event is miraculous. I love how God closed the door of the ark Himself, demonstrating love and care in securing His people from the floods about to happen (Genesis 7:16).  (BACK)

14 one is taken and one is left: From Matthew 24:40-41. There are some who teach that this particular passage speaks of the gathering of the unbelievers. It is possible, but then the words used don’t make sense. The Greek word used for the English word taken is paralambanó and it means “to take, receive, to take with”. It has an underlining feel of receiving something to oneself or of being alongside someone/joined along with someone. This most certainly cannot apply to the unbelieving person because they have no participation with Christ and nowhere in the Bible does it say Jesus is alongside or joined with unbelievers. The Greek word used for the English word left is aphiémi and it means “leave, send away, abandon”. It also means “forgiven” with the idea of leaving sin behind or abandoning sin. Forgiven people will aphiémi sin by the power of God and God will not aphiémi His forgiven people! It is helpful, though, to read the parables of Jesus explaining the difference between wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43) and His parable regarding the dragnet (Matthew 13:47-50). Both of these parables do talk about the angels gathering up the unbelieving to throw them into the furnace of fire (Matthew 13:42, 50) and in Matthew 24:38-39, Jesus is speaking about unbelievers. But because of the words used in Matthew 24:40-41 we can logically assume Jesus is speaking of gathering His people, not the unbelievers. (BACK)

15 grinding at the mill: Until fairly recently, people ground wheat for bread by using millstones. Large mills used a bottom stone and a top millstone, grinding the wheat between the two stones. Animals were used to operate the grinding mechanism. There were also smaller grinding mills which were left to women to operate; it was heavy work and took hours every day. Bread has arguably been the most important food source throughout human history, even being used as currency during certain time periods. Mills were so important that God commanded that no millstone, upper or lower, could be taken as a pledge (Deuteronomy 24:6). For a quick read on Roman mills, click here. Here is how wheat is made into flour today. (BACK)

16 keep watch: The Greek word used for the English phrase keep watch is grégoreó and it means “stay awake, be alert, keep watch”. This is an active-guarding watch not a passive-nonchalant sort of watch. Paul also speaks of alertness in Ephesians 6:18 after providing the full armor of God, which an alert (elect) person should be clothed in: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes that are the preparation of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:13-17). After the elect have put on their armor of God, they should persevere and pray (Ephesians 6:18).  (BACK)

17 what time of the night: In Jesus’s time, people did not have clocks. They told time by the position of the sun or moon and they estimated their time. During the night time guards had watches that were divided up into four time frames:  the first watch (6pm-9pm), the second watch (9pm-12am), the third watch (12am-3am) and the fourth watch (3am -6am). (BACK)

18 journey: Journeys were long, arduous and dangerous back in Jesus’s day. People would be gone for many days, months and even years. If you were very wealthy, you might have a wagon/carriage you could ride in and had more wagons (or servants/slaves) that could carry your provisions. But those who weren’t wealthy had to walk and carry their own provisions. Some of the dangers for travelers included (not in any particular order): robbers, wild animals, bad/extreme weather, bad roads/dangerous footing over precarious pathways, counting on a spring/well for water and finding it had dried up. (BACK)

19 slaves: From Mark 13:34. The Greek word used for the English word slave is doulos and it means “slave, bond-slave”. Many English translations use the word servant in place of slave probably because of the images prompted by the word slave: the horrendous abduction and selling of people especially surrounding the trans-Atlantic slave trade (also see Exodus 21:16). The word servant also presents images: persons who have choices, voices, get paid, can leave if they don’t like the job and they are free to marry, have children, stay single and child-free, etc. This idea of a servant doesn’t fit what the Bible means by doulos . Doulos, whether you translate the word as ‘bond-servant’ or ‘bond-slave”, the word really focuses on the relationship between master and slave. The doulos/slave has no rights, no voice of their own and no will of their own. They are subject to the whims and abuses of a master without recourse or redress. They are dependent on their master for food, clothing, shelter and medical care. In short, the doulos is not a free person. True elect in God are bond-slaves/doúloi of Christ (Luke 1:38; Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1; James 1:1; 1 Peter 2:16; 2 Peter 1:1), having been purchased/redeemed with His blood at the cross (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 7:22-23; Titus 2:14). Unlike the usual human master, our Master cares deeply for us (Matthew 10:29-30; 1 Peter 5:7), loves us (1 John 4:9-10), will hear our petitions and give us peace (Philippians 4:6-7) and provides all things for us (Matthew 6:30-33). We can trust Him for everything even when we don’t understand the ‘how’ (Proverbs 3:5-6). See Jesus’s own example to us as doulos (Philippians 2:5-8) and His statement on how the greatest will be bond-slaves of all (Mark 9:34-35). To read about God’s allowance of slavery in the Bible, click here. (BACK)

20 doorkeeper: A doorkeeper’s/gatekeeper’s job description was simple: they watched the doors/gates, allowing people in or keeping people out. In the rich man’s house this was the job of a slave and gaining access to the rich man depended very much on the keeper of the door (see Peter’s struggle with a doorkeeper in John 18:16-17). Being the doorkeeper wasn’t a very glamorous job and it had some risks involved: if you denied someone access, there was always the possibility that they would hurt you in order to get in. The Old Testament talks about the doorkeepers to the temple in 1 Chronicles 9:17-27. (BACK)

21 faithful and wise: From Matthew 24:45. The Greek word used for the English word faithful is pistos and it means “faithful, trustworthy”. This is the faith that is gifted to the elect when called by God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith of this kind is not a superficial faith; pistos faith is trust, not just belief. It isn’t enough to just ‘believe’ that God exists (James 2:19). The pistos faith from God enables you to trust Him to save you; you don’t doubt Him or the saving blood of Christ. This faith enables you to embody Proverbs 3:5-6. Do you trust God to do what He says He will do? This kind of faith will lead to obedience to do the work that God has set for you to do (James 2:18, 20-26), even if it means that you die in the process. This kind of faith is saving faith. The Greek word used for the English word wise is phronimos and it means “wise”. Phronimos is the wisdom that acts on its intellect and knowledge. Phronimos is not a passive understanding, it is active in its employment. It is important to understand that wisdom begins by fearing God (Proverbs 9:10). (BACK)

22 blessed:  From Matthew 24:46. The Greek word used for the English word blessed is makarios and it means “blessed, happy”. To be blessed is to be in favor with God and filled with joy because of this favored relationship with God. This blessed joy is not because there are circumstances to be joyful about, but because God graciously has favored and bestowed joy. (BACK)

23 truly: The Greek word used for the English word truly is amén and it means “amen, truly, verily”. Amén is a word used to express undeniable confidence in what is being said. Amén says that there is no doubt, no discrepancy, no reservation in the information provided. Sometimes the Bible records that Jesus said amén twice before making His statement (see John 3:3). Using the word twice is a vehement underscore for Jesus’s words which is interesting because amén is already an emphatic word in itself.  It is best to understand that Jesus’s usage of amén rests in His own authority to declare ‘true and sure’ His statements. Jesus is called ‘The Amen’ in Revelation 3:14 meaning He is the living guarantee of God’s word. (BACK)

24 whether in the evening: From Mark 13:35. Here, Jesus names all four watches of the night (see Note 17 regarding the watches of the night). It is important to note that Jesus does not name a daytime watch for His return. One might argue that there are no daytime watches, and therefore Jesus did not use them in His analogy, but this is not true; guards were on duty ‘guarding’ and ‘watching’ during the daytime, too! It is probable that no daytime watches were used in Jesus’s analogies due to the continuous theme in poetic figure throughout Scripture that daytime is the time of joy and spiritual awakening, reconciliation and salvation (see Romans 13:11-12; Revelation 22:5). (BACK)

25 wicked: From Matthew 24:48. The Greek word used for the English word wicked is kakos and it means “evil, wicked, bad”. This would be a morally corrupt, rotten-on-the-inside sort of slave. It is important to understand that wickedness is really a personal affront towards God who is holy and expects holy behavior from His people (1 Peter 1:15-16). (BACK)

26 eat and drink with drunkards: Eating and drinking in itself is not evil. It is the attitude we have when we eat and drink (1 Corinthians 10:31) and who we are keeping company with that matters. The good slave (i.e. the elect and beloved of God) would never seek out anyone immoral for intimate companionship nor would he be drinking to the point of drunkenness. With the beating of his fellow slaves and hanging out with drunks/getting drunk, this wicked slave continues to prove his moral corruption and therefore confirming that he is not the good slave (i.e. the elect and beloved of God). See Jesus’s commentary on how to know who belongs to God in Matthew 7:15-20, which is expanded on in James 2:14-26 . The verses in Matthew 7 are particularly about prophets, but can be applied to anyone claiming to be from God. (BACK)

27 master: The Greek word used for the English word master is kurios meaning “lord, owner, master”. There is no doubt as to what the word  means: the owner of a human being with absolute authority over that person. Jesus is often addressed with this title of kurios (Matthew 8:2; John 20:28, Romans 6:23). The Bible tells us to confess that Jesus is kurios with the promise that if we do (along with believing God raised Him from the dead) that we shall be saved (Romans 10:9). Jesus tells us that not everyone who calls him kurios will enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21). Why? I think Luke 6:46 and Matthew 7:21 (see John 6:40 alongside Matthew 7:21) explain it perfectly together: a true doulos of Jesus will do what He says, if Jesus is truly Kurios. We also know that every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord, but that does not mean they do so willingly or with that saving faith as described in Note 21. (see Philippians 2:9-11). (BACK)

28 cut [the slave] to pieces: Matthew 24:51. The Greek word used for the English word cut is dichotomeó and it means “to cut into two, divide”. This word also refers to being flogged severely. In today’s world we do not (normally) witness such violent executions such as dichotomeó and therefore in reading about this slave’s punishment today we don’t really have a picture of the violence inflicted upon him embedded in our mental image. However, in Jesus’s day people would have been exposed to executions such as dichotomeó (or stauroó): Jesus’s listeners would have experienced real-life illustrations of this slave’s execution. (BACK)

29 hypocrites: Matthew 24:51. The Greek word used for the English word hypocrite is hupokrités and it means “hypocrite”. This word was originally used to describe a performer or actor who wears a mask. It was then adapted to describe a person who pretends to ‘being good’ or religious conviction. (BACK)

30 weeping and gnashing of teeth: Matthew 24:51. It is important to understand what weeping and gnashing mean. The Greek word used for the English word weeping is klauthmos and means “lamentation”. This kind of weeping stems from grief so deep that it is audibly/visually experienced by those who witness it…and witnesses cannot help but be moved by it. It is not simple crying, it is anguish. Anguish is inconsolable and it is raw. The Greek word used for the English word gnashing is brugmos and it means “gnashing”. Gnashing of teeth in hell is due to rabid rage and mortified misery. This rage in hell is twofold: it is aimed at God for the punishment and at the self who disregarded God in the first place. When Jesus says that those in hell will experience weeping and gnashing of teeth, He describes the inconsolable anguish, rage and misery that those persons experience in the ‘outer darkness’. Hell isn’t meant to be gentle: it is meant to be an eternal torturous punishment of the worst kind; it is the worst nightmare of all nightmares that has not the benefit of waking up to discover it was just a dream. (BACK)

31 watch yourselves: The Greek word used in Luke 21:34 for the English word watch is prosechó and it means to “give heed, pay attention, be cautious”. The word prosechó gives the sense that we should be guarding ourselves with diligent, purposeful and constant caution. (BACK)

32 hearts: From Luke 21:34. The Greek word used for the English word heart is kardia and it means “heart”. In the Bible the usage of the word kardia means the place inside the person: the thoughts, emotions and intellect. This “inside the person” would be in the mind where all decisions, thoughts, emotions and intellect/reasoning stem from. Although we, in the modern day era, seem to separate intellect, reasoning and thoughts from emotions, this is not the case in the Bible. Intellect, reasoning, thought and emotions all originate and take shape in one place: the mind. (BACK)

33 weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness: The Greek word used for the English phrase weighed down is bareó and it means “burden”.  Bareó conveys the sense of being crushed down with a great heaviness, whether literally or figuratively used. The Greek word used for the English word dissipation is kraipalé and it properly means a headache from drunkenness. The word extends to the excessive debauchery that goes along with the drunkenness. The Greek word for the English word drunkenness is methé and it means “intoxication, drunkenness”. It must be understood that drinking wine (or any alcoholic drink) in itself is not a sin (Psalm 104:15; Ecclesiastes 9:7; Isaiah 25:6; 1 Timothy 5:23) but the excess of drunkenness and clouding of the mind with intoxication is a sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:18). This would extend to any drug usage. If any substance clouds your mind and judgment or renders you intoxicated/out of control, it is a sin. There are many who might say they can use certain drugs and still keep a clear head. As long as one is keeping in mind Romans 13:1-3; 14; 1 Corinthians 8 and 9 and also 1 Peter 2:13-14, that is between them and God. When in doubt, consider 1 Corinthians 10:23 and remember it is never a sin to abstain and to exercise self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23). (BACK)

34 worries of life: From Luke 21:34. Earlier, in Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-31, Jesus had mentioned that worry was not a useful mental exercise. Jesus had also mentioned before that the ‘worries of life’ is one of the things that drags a person from God and His word (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14). Other Bible verses that tell us not to worry: Proverbs 12:25; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7.(BACK)

35 snare: Some English versions of the Bible include the word ‘snare’ in Luke 21:34 and some include the word in Luke 21:35. It is important to remember that the chapters and verse numbers in the Bible were not in the original writings—they were added in much later on. This is also true for any cross-references, maps, notes, background information pages, title pages, prefaces, explanations, concordances, content pages, forewords, copyright information, indices, introductions, histories (those not found in the actual Scriptures), record-keeping pages such as Marriages or Deaths, presentation pages, charts, how-to’s, ‘features’, tabs, essays, theological theses, etc. It is helpful (sometimes) that these things are included, but they are not God’s Word and therefore should not be equated to God’s Word. (BACK)

36 praying: The Greek word used for the English word pray is deomai and it means “to beseech, beg, pray”. This word deomai has weight to it: it is not prayer in general (see proseuchomai and euchomai). Deomai contains urgency or begging in the requests placed before God. In general, prayer is to be conducted continuously with devotion, humility, praise, truth, thanksgiving and trust/faith in God (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 145:2; Mark 11:24; Romans 12:12; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). People often wonder why their prayers are not answered. The first thing to understand is that God is not obligated to hear anyone’s prayers or to answer for Himself (see Job 38:1-42:6) . After that, it must be understood that all prayer must be in accordance with God’s will, within the name (character/reputation) of Jesus, while abiding (continuing with, existing in permanent unison) in Jesus and not actively/continuously participating and harboring in sin (John 14:13-15; 15:7; James 4:3; 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 5:14-15). To read more on prayer see Matthew 6:5-13; Luke 18:1-14; Romans 8:26 in hand with Ephesians 6:18. (BACK)

37 about to happen: What is about to happen is described in Matthew 24:5-26; Mark 13:6-22; Luke 21:8-24; also see Revelation 6 and 13. (BACK)

 

 

English Bible translation used: Berean Standard Bible

 

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)

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 One

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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)

 

1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.

 

THE SPLICE

Now before the 1 Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, 2 having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 3 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, Jesus was sending Peter and John out to prepare for the Passover,  and He said to them, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.” Peter and John said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?”  Jesus said to them, 4 “Go into Jerusalem and when you have entered the city, a certain man will meet you and 5 he will be carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples. Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ And the owner of the house himself will show you a 6 large upper room that is furnished and ready; prepare the Passover for us there.” Peter and John did as Jesus had directed them; they left Jesus and went into the city and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, Jesus went to the upper room with the twelve. When the supper hour had come, 7 He reclined at the table, and with Him, the twelve disciples/the apostles. And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I 8 suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it 9 until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes , until the day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” During supper, 10 the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given 11 all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, He got up from supper, and laid aside 12 His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to 13 wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” Peter said to Him, 14“Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, then wash 15 my feet, but also my hands and my head.” Jesus said to him, “16 He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “17 Not all of you are clean.” When He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, 18 you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 19 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. I do not speak of all of you . I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 20 ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’ From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. Truly, truly, I say to you, 21 he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and 22 he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” After Jesus had said this and while they all were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus became troubled in spirit, and testified and said,  “Truly, truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom 23 one of His disciples whom Jesus loved. So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.”  He leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus then answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” Being 24 deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” And He answered, “It is one of the twelve; 25 he who dipped and dips his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. For the Son of Man is to go 26 just as it is written of Him, as it has been determined; but 27 woe to the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man 28 if he had not been born.” 29 And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “ You have said it yourself.”

 

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

 

“Picked for a Charoset”

 

NOTES

 

1  Feast of the Passover: To read about the history of The Feast of the Passover and about the Passover Lamb, see Exodus 12:1-20, 42-50, 23:15; Leviticus 23:5-7; Numbers 9:1-14, 28:16-25; Deuteronomy 16:1-8 and Ezekiel 45:21. (Back)

2 having loved His own: From John 13:1. The Greek word used for loved in this verse is agapaó and it means “to love”. Agapé love is unconditional, made by choice and on purpose. God’s love for His elect begins before the person has even been given the gift of faith to believe (see Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:19). This love cannot be separated from those whom God has chosen as His own (Romans 8:38-39). Contrary to the teachings of some sects, the Bible says you cannot lose your salvation nor God’s love. Jesus’s sacrifice was sufficient and complete (Hebrews 10:10). (Back)

3 On the first day of Unleavened Bread: The first day of Unleavened Bread is a part of the seven days of Passover. From the 14th of Abib/Nisan (the first day of Passover and when the Passover lambs are sacrificed) until the 21st, no leaven is eaten. On the 15th is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. See Note 1.  (Back)

4  Go into Jerusalem: This event is included to show us the divinity of Christ. It is possible that the water-man or the owner of the house believed that Christ is the Messiah or heard Him teach on an occasion or two, but the Bible does not mention these possibilities, nor does it mention that Jesus, Peter, John, or any of the disciples had physically met these people before. See Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13. (Back)

5 he will be carrying a pitcher of water: People had to fetch their water every day, drawing it from wells or springs, and carrying it home in jars. To read some articles on the water supply of ancient Israel, click here and here. (Back)

6 large upper room: Was this the same upper room that the disciples were meeting in later on in Acts 1:13?  It is very possible; they would have needed a very large room, because by that time there were about 120 people gathering in it (Acts 1:12-15).(Back)

7 He reclined at the table: In ancient Rome and Israel, it was customary for people to lay down while eating. They leaned on their side, with their feet away from the table. To read about this ancient practice, click here. (Back)

8 Suffer:  Crucifixion was the worst way to die in ancient Rome. You can read about Jesus’s crucifixion in Matthew 27:26-56; Mark 15:15-39; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:16-30. To read the Splice on the crucifixion, click here.  (Back)

9 until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God: It is possible that Jesus is referring to the marriage supper of the Lamb (see Revelation 19:9). Since the Bible is not clear on the meaning, this is a guess. (Back)

10 the devil had already put into the heart: The devil can tempt anyone to do anything, but people always have the choice to resist, and to rely on the power of God (James 4:7-8). There are always lots of little steps that lead up to the committing of sin. At any of those steps, we can turn to God and ask for help to endure the temptation, and flee from it. See 1 Corinthians 10:13. (Back)

11 all things into His hands: With the understanding of John 1:1, 1 Corinthians 15:27,  Colossians 1:15-20 and Hebrews 1:2-4 see these verses: Matthew 11:27, 28:18; Luke 10:22; John 3:35, 16:15; Ephesians 1:22. We might ask why it is this way. The only answer available to us to consider is that the Father loves the Son (John 3:35) and because of  Revelation 5:9-10. I’m sure the full answer is vast and wide and beyond our comprehension (Isaiah 55:8-9). (Back)

12  His garments:  The Greek word used for garments in John 13:4 is himation which is an outer cloak or robe; the word is in the plural for this verse, so probably both a cloak and a robe. These are probably the outer clothes that the guards will divide up between the four of them (John 19:23) approximately 12-15 hours later. People did not own multiple cloaks or robes back then unless they were wealthy. See Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34 and John 19:23-24 for the account of the guards dividing up Jesus’s outer clothes and casting lots for Jesus’s tunic. (Back)

13 wash the disciples’ feet: Washing feet was a servant’s job, if you had one. To read about this custom in ancient Israel, click here and here. (Back)

14  Never shall You wash my feet!: Some believe this statement of Peter’s was an example of Peter’s pride. I don’t believe this to be true, because then Peter wouldn’t have been so quick to say, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head” in John 13:9. I believe the reason why Peter says “Never shall You wash my feet!” is because he was shocked at Jesus’s positioning as a lowly slave, washing feet. Knowing that Jesus was the Messiah, (see Matthew 16:16 and Mark 8:29), Peter was finding feet-washing an unfathomable position for Jesus and he didn’t understand yet that it was an object lesson. Jesus explains to him that he will understand it eventually. See John 13:4-10. (Back)

15 not only my feet, but also my hands and my head. In my opinion, Peter says Feet, Hands and Head because: Feet carry us to where we go (whether walking towards good or towards bad, metaphorically or physically), Hands are the tools we use to do work (whether good or bad, whether metaphorically or physically), and in the Head is where we first decide whether or not to sin, whether to do the Lord’s work or our own. (Back)

16 He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean:  Here, Jesus is saying that once you are saved (clean) you don’t need to be saved again. Allegorically, He is saying that this washing of the feet is the continued work that He performs in our lives, and the intercession that He makes on our behalf (Romans 8:30, 33, 34; Hebrews 7:25). (Back)

17 Not all of you are clean: Lookin’ at you, Judas Iscariot! Matthew 10:4, Luke 6:16; John 6:64, 70-71; Acts 1:16-17. (Back)

18 you also ought to wash one another’s feet: The idea of being a servant or a slave in God’s kingdom is an honored and elevated position, quite contrary to our nature as human beings and how the world views (and uses) slavery and servitude. See Matthew 20:20-28; 23:11. (Back)

19 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master: The Greek word used for truly is amén and it means “verily, truly”. It is used to emphatically mark the sentence as truth. It is used twice in a row in John 13:16. (Back)

20  HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME: Jesus is quoting from Psalm 41:9. (Back)

21 he who receives whomever I send receives Me: Jesus teaches this lesson vividly in Matthew 25:31-46. (Back)

22 he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me: See John 1:1, 14:6-11. (Back)

23 one of His disciples: John, writer of the gospel of John, 1st, 2nd and 3rd epistles of John and Revelation. John recalls this as a memory in John 21:20. (Back)

24  deeply grieved: The Greek text says “grieved exceedingly”. The Greek word used for grieved in Matthew 26:22 is lupeó and this kind of grief means “to experience an intense, deep grief, or an overwhelming sorrow”. Jesus was called “a man of sorrows” in Isaiah 53:3. See Isaiah 53 for an almost poetical description on the sufferings and sorrows of the Messiah.  (Back)

25 he who dipped and dips: It is important to understand that at the Passover meal, Jesus would be residing over it and would have given pieces of food to everyone there and everyone would have been dipping in the bowl with Him. (Back)

26 just as it is written of Him: See Isaiah 53. (Back)

27 woe to the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed: This would be Judas Iscariot. At least one of Judas’s duties was steward of the coffers (John 12:6, 13:29) for Jesus’s ministry. He, like so many others when given the opportunity, was stealing from the funds (John 12:4-6). Some of that money was from private donations from women (Luke 8:3), a group of people that were disregarded and marginalized by society, so it makes the crime even more distasteful, if that’s possible. He arranged with some of the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus, for a price of 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:1-6). When he realized his sin, he went out and tried to give the money back to the priests. Then he hanged himself and in the process, his body fell headlong and burst open on the ground (Matthew 27:3-10; Acts 1:16-20) . The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:9-10). (Back)

28 if he had not been born.: There are worse things than not being born. Being born and then dying into eternal damnation is far worse than not being born at all. Hell is eternal separation from God, eternal pain and suffering, eternal shame and darkness. See Isaiah 66:24; Daniel 12:2; Mark 9:47-48; Luke 16:19-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Jude 1:13; Revelation 14:11, 20:10-15. (Back)

29 And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “ You have said it yourself.”:  John 13:21-30 says that Jesus explains who the betrayer will be, and it also explains that no one recognizes that the betrayer is Judas. They don’t even recognize it when in Matthew 26:25, Jesus outright and out loud says, Yes, it’s you, Judas (I’m paraphrasing here). Why? There were several times where the Bible records that the disciples were kept from recognizing truth for God’s purposes. For an example, see John 20:9. It is possible that the other 11 disciples were too wrapped up in their own grief in hearing that one of them was to betray Jesus to pay any attention to what Jesus was saying to Judas, or it was kept from their sight because they might have tried to stop Judas. Peter was fairly quick with that sword in John 18:10, after all. It was for God’s purpose that Judas be the betrayer and actually go through with betraying Jesus. (Back)

The Betrayal and Illegal Arrest of Jesus

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Scripture Used to Create the Splice “The Betrayal and Illegal Arrest of Jesus”

Matthew 26:47-56 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 26:47)

Mark 14:43-52 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 14:43)

Luke 22:47-53 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 22:47)

John 18:2-11 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 18:2)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane”, click here

 

Zechariah 11:13
Then the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.” So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

 

THE SPLICE

Now 1 Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, who was betraying Jesus, knew the place of Gethsemane, for 2 Jesus had often met there with His disciples. Immediately while Jesus was still 3 speaking to the disciples, 4 behold, Judas, who was one of the twelve, came up. Judas was leading the way, followed by a large crowd which was comprised of a Roman 5 cohort (he had received them from the chief priests, scribes, elders of the people and the Pharisees), some chief priests, elders, and officers. This large crowd was carrying weapons, specifically 6 swords and clubs. They also had torches and lanterns. Judas approached Jesus to 7 kiss Him. Now Judas, who was betraying Jesus, had at an unspecified time previous, gave the crowd 8 a sign, a signal saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away under guard.” 9 Immediately Judas went up to Jesus saying, “Hail, 10 Rabbi!”. At the same time Judas was approaching Him, Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to Judas, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? 11 Friend, do what you have come for.” 12 And Judas kissed Him. Jesus turned His attention back to the crowd and said to the crowd, 13 “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas was now standing with the crowd. So when He said to them, “I am He,” 14 they drew back and fell to the ground. Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And 15 they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” When the disciples who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the 16 sword?” Then the crowd came forward and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. 17 And Simon Peter, having a sword, reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and 18 cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was 19 Malchus. Then Jesus answered, and said to Peter, “Stop! No more of this. Put your sword back into its place, into the sheath; 20 for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? The cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” 21 And He touched Malchus’s ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, to this crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I was with you; and while I was with you daily in the temple, I used to sit in the temple teaching, and you did not lay hands on Me and seize Me. But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets. This hour and the power of darkness are yours.” So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, 22 arrested Jesus and bound Him. 23 Then all the disciples left Him and fled. 24 A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him, too. But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked.

 

Want to keep reading? To read the Splice “Jesus Before the High Priest and Peter’s Denial” click here

 

NOTES

 

1  Judas Iscariot: It must be remembered that lots of people were named Judas, not just this infamous one, including a second disciple and Jesus’s half-brother. Judas in the Hebrew is “Yehudah” from a root word meaning “praised”. (Back)

2  Jesus had often met there with His disciples: See Luke 21:37 and 22:39. (Back)

3  speaking to the disciples: In the garden (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46). To see the Splice about the garden of Gethsemane, click here. (Back)

4  behold: The Greek word used in Matthew 26:47 for behold is horaó and means “to see, perceive, attend to, discern”. This word can be used to mean metaphorically “look” or physically “look”. (Back)

5  cohort: John 18:3 uses the word cohort. The Greek word for cohort is speira and means anything wound up or coiled, or a body of soldiers. It also means “a tenth part of a legion”. A legion is 6,000 men. A tenth of 6,000 is 600. The Bible does not specify the exact number of people that were there in the mob. (Back)

6  swords and clubs: The Greek word for sword used in Matthew 26:47 is machaira which is a short sword or dagger. The Greek word for club used in Matthew 26:47 is xulon meaning “wood”. The word xulon can be applied to anything made of wood or a piece of wood, such as a club, staff, the trunk of a tree, or even the wood used to support the crossbar of a cross in crucifixion. (Back)

7  kiss Him: Matthew 26:49 and Mark 14:45 use the Greek word kataphileó and it means “to kiss affectionately”. Luke 22:47 uses the Greek word phileó and it means “to love”. Kisses were used as signs of respect back in the ancient world. But this kiss was also done with (false) affection and friendship. (Back)

8  a sign, a signal: The signal was worked out presumably when Judas and his thugs were still with the chief priests at their unspecified location, since Mark 14:43 says that Judas immediately went to Jesus as they walked up. The sign was established either when Judas worked out the price of the betrayal with the chief priests (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6) or that night when he left the disciples and Jesus to go get his mob (John 13:30). Matthew, Mark and Luke don’t mention when Judas leaves supper to betray Jesus. John says that Judas left after receiving the morsel (see John 13:26-30). (Back)

9  text in italics: For the entire section in italics: this section of the event may have happened all at the same time, or in quick succession or in a different order. We can’t be sure because the Bible isn’t clear on the order or timing. (Back)

10  Rabbi: Matthew 26:49 and Mark 14:45 tell us that Judas used the word rabbi. The Greek word for rabbi is rhabbi and means “my master” or “my teacher”. (Back)

11  Friend, do what you have come for: From Matthew 26:50. The Greek word used here for friend is hetairos which means “a companion”. This can also mean “comrade”. (Back)

12  And Judas kissed Him: See Note 7. By using the Greek word kataphileó (meaning “to kiss fervently”), this allows for the possibility of Judas kissing Him repeatedly. (Back)

13  “Whom do you seek?”: Only John 18:4-8 tells us about this exchange. No one dragged Jesus off, Jesus didn’t try to hide, He didn’t even try to defend Himself; He simply stepped forward. He could have walked away, had He wanted to (Matthew 26:53). (Back)

14  they drew back and fell to the ground: People who don’t want to believe God will not believe no matter how much proof you give them, even with falls to the ground (John 18:6) and the healing of cut off ears (Luke 22:50-51). People who hate God and don’t want God in their lives would attribute these things to hallucinations or to a dream—anything but Jesus Himself. It’s good to remember that salvation and faith are gifts from God and we cannot conjure up such faith on our own (Ephesians 2:8-9). (Back)

15  they said, “Jesus the Nazarene”: I think a spokesman from the crowd said this (perhaps a Roman guard or someone with the authority to perform the arrest) or perhaps several people answered at once, some saying “Jesus” some saying “Jesus the Nazarene”, some saying something else, maybe even “The Rabbi”. People didn’t say the exact same thing in unison back then, just like they don’t today. Whenever the writers in the Bible say “they said,” I always assume a spokesperson said what everyone else was in agreement with, or else several people were talking over each other or at each other, speaking about the same idea while using their own words, all meaning the same thing and the writer picked the phrase that best described the idea at hand. (Back)

16  sword: It is nonsense to say that Jesus had the disciples carrying the swords to defend themselves against humans or even animals. Jesus had no use for any weapon and didn’t need one, Matthew 26:53. People carried these short swords (Greek: machaira, see John 18:10, Luke 22:49, Mark 14:47, Matthew 26:51) for usage other than as a weapon, like someone might carry a pocket knife today. The disciples had two of these short swords/daggers (see Luke 22:38) available to them. (Back)

17  And Simon Peter, having a sword, reached and drew out his sword: Matthew 26:51, Mark 14:47, Luke 22:49-50, John:18:10. It doesn’t seem that Peter waited for an answer from Jesus to the question “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” The question and the action could have been taking place at the same time. Also, it says in Luke that Jesus answers (Greek word: apokrinomai meaning “to answer or take up the conversation”) after the use of the sword (Luke 22:49-51). Only Luke mentions that the disciples asked Jesus if they should strike with the sword and it doesn’t say which disciples spoke out loud. They all could have been saying something out loud and meaning the same thing, speaking over each other in the panic of seeing a weaponized crowd grabbing at Jesus.  (Back)

18  cut off his right ear: There are some that say Peter was aiming for Malchus’s head or neck in order to decapitate him, but missed and caught his ear. This could be entirely true, but the Bible doesn’t say that. We do not know if Peter was an experienced swordsman or just a “slash and hack” kind of a guy. We do not know if there were enough lanterns/torches present in Peter’s vicinity to make the area bright enough to see someone’s ear or neck. We don’t even know if Peter was aiming for Malchus and we don’t know how close Peter was to Malchus. In any case, the point is that Peter took a sword and maimed Malchus by cutting off and completely removing his ear, and Jesus either put the ear back or regenerated a new ear or a little of both and healed it.  (Back)

19  Malchus: Later on that night one of Malchus’s relatives will see Peter at Jesus’s trial before the priests and give Peter a little trouble (see John 18:26). (Back)

20  for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword: See Genesis 9:6 and Revelation 13:10 for more on this idea. There is nothing in the Bible justifying any sort of lethal defense, even to save the life of Jesus, much less ourselves. (Back)

21  And He touched Malchus’s ear and healed him: How does this crowd see this action, (as well as being knocked to the ground when Jesus speaks to them) and still go ahead with the arrest? And why wasn’t Peter arrested for cutting someone? Was this not an arrestable offense? Was the fact that the ear was healed a mitigating factor? Or were they all just so caught up in arresting Jesus that an assault didn’t matter enough to report it to the owner of Malchus (who was Caiaphas the high priest: see Luke 22:50 and Matthew 26:57 naming Caiaphas as the high priest)? Peter was the one who committed a crime that night and he went without an arrest—Jesus saved him from jail. I also wonder if Malchus turned to Christ after this happened or sometime later, when he perhaps thought about what happened that night. Most people didn’t seem to give Jesus a second thought after they got what they wanted from Him, but that wasn’t always the case (see Luke 17:17-18). (Back)

22  arrested Jesus and bound Him: This arrest was illegal, as well as the trial by the high priest and the conviction. Not one charge was brought up nor one point proved to make this disaster a legal and proper proceeding. Also, it was conducted in the middle of the night and not during the day when legal proceedings took place. (Back)

23  Then all the disciples left Him and fled: This was prophesied by Jesus in John 16:32. See John 18:10-12, to note that this fact of fleeing is missing. Matthew, the other gospel-writing eyewitness to the arrest (along with the possibility of Mark being an eyewitness, but we can’t be sure) however, does mention it in Matthew 26:56. (Back)

24  A young man: This information is from Mark 14:51-52. Many people think this was Mark himself. We can’t be sure.  If it was Mark, why didn’t he just write that he himself was there as an eyewitness to the travesty of this arrest? If it isn’t Mark, why would he include the information at all? It can be certain that the information wasn’t included for comedy relief, but it was included to show the franticness and seriousness of the situation. One point to remember: it was cold out. It’s April, and there is mention of the cold in Mark 14:54, 67, Luke 22:55, John 18:18, 25. This young man was in such a hurry that he threw a linen sheet around himself (instead of getting fully dressed when it is cold out) to see what this crowd was up to, perhaps as they were marching themselves out of Jerusalem. At the mountain, the situation turned serious, and it was enough to run away from this crowd, abandoning the previously mentioned sheet. I heard a pastor say the young man was already on the mountain, sleeping, when this crowd came along to arrest Jesus but that doesn’t make sense. He wouldn’t have been “naked” with just a sheet on himself out on a cold mountain. He would have been fully dressed, using his cloak as a blanket. (Back)