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Jesus’s Olivet Discourse: Part Two

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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 One”, 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

Whenever, then, you see Jerusalem surrounded by 1military encampments, then know that the desolation of her has drawn near. But when you see the 2 ‘abomination of the desolation’, that was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it should not, standing in the holy place—3 the one reading, let them understand—then those in 4 Judea, let them escape to the mountains and those in the middle of the city, let them depart and those in the 5 countries, don’t let them enter into the city. The one on the 6 housetop, don’t let him go down to remove anything out of his house, and the one in the field, don’t let him return back to take his cloak. For these are the days of 7 vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 8 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those nursing babies in those days! Moreover, 9 pray that your escape will not happen in winter nor on a Sabbath. For there will be in those days 10great tribulation , the kind never seen from the 11beginning of the world, the beginning of creation , until now and never to be seen again. There will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the 12sword and be led captive into all the 13nations and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the13Gentiles , until the times of the 13Gentiles are fulfilled. And, if the Lord had not cut short those days, there would not have been anybody saved. But for the sake of the 14elect , whom He chose, He has shortened those days.

And then if anyone says to you ‘15behold , here is the Christ!’ or ‘15behold , there He is!’ do not believe it.  For there will arise 16false Christs and false prophets and they will give great signs and wonders so as to 17mislead, if possible, even the elect . But you take heed; see, I have told you everything beforehand. If, therefore, they say to you, ‘See, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or ‘Look, in the inner rooms’ do not believe it. For just as the lightning comes forth from the east and is visible as far as the west, so will be the return of the Son of Man. 18Wherever there is a carcass, there the 19eagles will be gathered.

But immediately then in those days, after the tribulation, there will be 26 signs in the sun and moon and stars: 20the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light and the 21 stars will be falling from the sky, and on the earth: 22distress among the nations with 23confusion by the 24roaring of the sea and the 25rolling surge. Men will faint from fear and (the) anticipation over what is coming upon the earth, 26and/because the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. And then will appear the 27sign of the 28Son of Man in heaven and then all the tribes of the earth will 29mourn, and then they will see the Son of Man coming 30in a cloud/on (in) the clouds of heaven with great power and glory. And He will send His angels with a 31great trumpet call, and 32they will gather His elect 33from the four winds, from the ends of the heavens to the ends of them; from end of earth to end of heaven. Beginning when these things happen, look up and lift up your heads because your 34redemption draws near.”

 

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “Jesus’s Olivet Discourse: Part Three”, click here.

 

NOTES

1  military encampments: These military encampments are ready to strike. Many believe that this surrounding of Jerusalem happened when Rome surrounded Jerusalem in 70 AD; therefore they believe that this prophesy has already been fulfilled. This does not seem likely. When reading Matthew 24:15-18, Mark 13:14-16 and Luke 21:20-22 together with Daniel 11:31, we can link the desolation of Jerusalem to the abomination of desolation; Luke’s usage of the word tote, meaning “at that time” and Daniel’s vivid descriptions in chapter 11 particularly 11:15, 31 help support this idea. Daniel 9:26-27, makes it clear that Jerusalem will be destroyed and the abomination of desolation will occur. Revelation makes no mention of Jerusalem being surrounded by armies or destroyed by armies, so we only have the information that Jesus gave in the gospel accounts and Daniel’s account. (BACK)

2 ‘abomination of the desolation’: The prophet Daniel also talks about this idea of abomination and desolation in Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11. What is the ‘abomination of the desolation’? By looking at 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 we can see that the ‘man of lawlessness’ seats himself in the temple of God, and displays himself as God. The Greek word for abomination is bdelugma, which means “abomination, detestable”. Bdelugma is any act that is hated by God; the word bdelugma is also described as a nauseating and repulsive stench. Idolatry is particularly indicated by God in Deuteronomy 7:25-26 as an abomination (Using the Hebrew word toebah). By using 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 and Deuteronomy 7:25-26, we can draw a logical conclusion that the abomination of the desolation meant here in Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14 (and comparing to the activity of Revelation 13) is the man of lawlessness presenting himself as God right within God’s own temple. It is interesting to note that the temple will be restored at this future date and sacrifices will resume for the Jewish people (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). (BACK)

3 the one reading: The one reading from the prophet Daniel’s book, not Matthew’s  or Mark’s books. Matthew and Mark had not written their gospel books yet. (BACK)

4 Judea: Judea (a.k.a Judah) was the region of Israel that contained Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It’s territory ran East-West from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and North-South from Joppa to Beersheba (roughly) in Jesus’s time. Samaria was the region that separated Galilee (Jesus’s home region) from Judea. Today, the mountains in Judea are collectively called the Judean Mountains. (BACK)

5 countries: From Luke 21:21. The Greek word used for country is chóra and it means “country, regions, land”. It refers to wide open spaces or the countryside; not within the city limits. In Luke 21:21, the word chóra is plural. (BACK)

6 housetop: From Matthew 24:17. Back in Jesus’s day, housetops or roofs, were treated like another room in the house. Some Scripture that features roofs: Joshua 2:6; 1 Samuel 9:25-26; 2 Samuel 11:2; Matthew 10:27; Luke 5:19; 12:3; Acts 10:9. (BACK)

7 vengeance: From Luke 21:22. This is Holy vengeance or God’s punishment. God does not sanction human vengeance. See Romans 12:19. For more regarding the vengeance/wrath of God, a.k.a the day of the Lord, see Isaiah 13:6-13; Isaiah 63:2-6; Zephaniah 1:7-18; Malachi 4:1, 5; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; 2 Peter 3:7, 10; Revelation 6:12-17; 8:7-12; 9:1-21; 16:1-12, 17-21. (BACK)

8 Woe: From Matthew 24:19; Mark 13:17; Luke 21:23. The Greek word used for woe is ouai, and it means “woe” which expresses grief, sorrow, or even rebuke.  And why would Jesus express sorrow for only pregnant women and nursing mothers and not all mothers? Wouldn’t a mother have difficulty in running from calamity, whether her child were 7 years old, or an infant? Wouldn’t a mother fear for her children, no matter their age? The answer is undoubtedly ‘yes’. What would the other reason be? In running from the immense calamity that will be taking place, people will be hiding to escape death (Luke 21:24). Pregnant women and women with nursing infants pose a very real risk to those they may be hiding with: noise. Hiding requires silence and therefore people will see pregnant women and babies as liabilities to their own safety. Pregnant women cry and scream when they are giving birth and infants will cry for a multitude of reasons. Pregnant women and those with babies will be on their own, in a time of great distress and wrath (Luke 21:23). It brings to mind the TV show “M*A*S*H” and its episode with the smothered baby. (BACK)

9 pray that your escape: The mountains, where Jesus is telling people to run to, can get snow in the winter and nighttime can get cold. Otherwise, the climate in Judea is rather mild in winter albeit the rainy season. During the winter months, the Kidron Valley can flood, with flash flooding included, making for very dangerous conditions in escape attempts. On the Sabbath (Friday sundown to Saturday sundown), many of Israel’s shops, public transport, and other businesses are closed. Therefore, if someone is trying to take transportation out of the cities of Judea (in order to get out fast), it would be very difficult. You might think that because the shops are closed, people also wouldn’t be able to get supplies. This wouldn’t matter, because in distressing times people will loot stores. Also remember, people of this time are trying to get out of the cities of Judea so fast that they shouldn’t even stop to grab necessities out of their homes (Matthew 24:17, Mark 13:15) or even go back into the city (if they’ve been out in the countryside) to get something like a coat (Matthew 24:18; Mark 13:16; Luke 21:21). (BACK)

10 great tribulation: See Matthew 24:21; Mark 13:19. The Greek word for great is megas and means “large, great, big”. It has a very wide application, as is seen when comparing its usage in Matthew 27:46 to Mark 14:15. The Greek word for tribulation is thlipsis and it means “tribulation, affliction, persecution.” The word is meant to describe anguish, hardship or even torment and agony. We do not know exactly what this great tribulation will be like, but Revelation 6 tells us that the tribulation will have war, famine and death.  (BACK)

11 beginning of the world, the beginning of creation: Matthew 24:21 says world (kosmos), Mark 13:19 says creation (ktisis). Also see Daniel 12:1. To read about the beginning of  the world/creation, see Genesis 1-2.  (BACK)

12 sword: From Luke 21:24. The Greek word used for sword is machaira which describes a short sword or dagger. This is the same word that was used to describe the sword that Peter used to cut off Malchus’s ear in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50; John 18:10). To read the splice containing Peter’s erroneous maiming of Malchus and Jesus’s subsequent healing, click here.  (BACK)

13 nations: From Luke 21:24. The Greek word for nations is ethnos and it means “nation, Gentile”. The word refers to any nation, religion or ethnic group that is not Israel, i.e. Gentile nations. According to Revelation 11:2, the Gentiles will trample down Jerusalem for 42 months.  (BACK)

14 elect: It is in Matthew 24:22 and Mark 13:20 where we learn that God cut short the time of tribulation for the sake of the elect. The Greek word for elect is eklektos and it means “elect, chosen”. Scripture is very clear: God chose/elected those whom He would save before the foundation of the world was set (Ephesians 1:4-5). The elected people are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 13:8; 21:27). Many are called, but few are chosen, as the parable in Matthew 22:1-14 shows us. This is in line with John 3:16, that whomever will trust/believe in Jesus will be saved. Who will believe? All who were appointed to be saved (Acts 13:48), as elected by God, before we were even born (2 Timothy 1:9). The proof of our election is in our God-gifted faith and not by our works or a faith/belief conjured by ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9). Also, we receive the pledge of the Holy Spirit; that promise and that presence in our hearts (which is our minds) that tells us, without doubt, we are God’s by the blood and resurrection of Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). It must be understood: it isn’t enough to just believe that God exists or that Jesus exists (James 2:19). The God-gifted faith is a loving trust in the Savior, a trust that transcends your own understanding, your own eyesight, your own wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-7). God-gifted faith is not a human-inspired trust, such as how one might have “faith” in a justice system or “belief” in another person’s ability to perform a task. And we can be sure that God, who began this amazing work within us, will be faithful to complete it and bring us to glory in Him (Romans 8:28-39; Philippians 1:6). In addition, we cannot lose our salvation (John 6:37-40; 10:28-30; Romans 11:29). (BACK)

15 behold: Matthew 24:23; Mark 13:21. The Greek word for behold is horaó and it means, in its literal sense, “to stare at”. Its broad meaning is “see clearly, perceive, look at, behold”. (BACK)

16 false Christs and false prophets: In Jeremiah 29:8, God warns that not everyone who says that their prophesies are from God are actually from God. How do we tell who is from God and who isn’t?  1 John 4:1-3 tells us to test the spirits. How? Blatant false prophets/false Christs are easy to spot: they claim to be God/Jesus or tell you to worship someone other than God (usually themselves). But we must always be testing people who claim to be pastors, evangelists, shepherds of God, prophets etc. even when they look and sound the part because it is easy to pepper one’s words with cherry-picked verses, ideas twisted just enough to fit and omitting a few things to sound better. True elect people of God will maintain clearly that Jesus was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:27-35), crediting the conception to the Holy Spirit’s work, as described in Luke 1:35. A true person of God will also state clearly that Jesus is equal with God (John 1:1; John 8:58; Colossians 1:15-17), has redeemed the elect by His death on the cross (Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:24), was raised from the dead by God (Ephesians 1:20) on the third day after His crucifixion (Matthew 12:40; Acts 10:40). The elect person will not mince words or tell you there are grey areas in the Bible: there are no grey areas in the Bible. There are things we do not know yet for they are future events or things we just can’t be sure of because the Bible is silent on those things. But the Bible is clear on sin (Romans 1:22-32, 3:23; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 3:4-15) and without the saving blood of Jesus the sin-filled person will end up eternally in hell (Romans 6:21-23; Revelation 20:11-15). The Bible is also very clear that no human being can justify themselves with God (Romans 3:24) nor can they conjure up their faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). The faith, the justification and place in heaven are all God’s work, His doing alone and was decided long before any of us were born (Ephesians 1:4-12). (BACK)

17 mislead, if possible, even the elect: Not possible, please see Note 14 above. (BACK)

18 Wherever… gathered: From Matthew 24:28. With Jesus using this phrase, we can understand that He is saying: without a doubt, His return will happen and we should watch for the signs He has given us. It is in line with the fig tree parable that Jesus uses in Matthew 24:32-33; Mark 13:28-29; Luke 21:29-31. (BACK)

19 eagles: From Matthew 24:28. The Greek word used for eagles is aetos and it means “eagle“. Almost every English translation of the Bible use the word “vultures” in the place of ‘eagles‘ but aetos does not mean “vulture” (see Revelation 4:7 where the word is used properly). This is important because we should never try to ‘fix’ the Bible by replacing words with a substitute word that isn’t in the original text. We should use the word that is there and leave it at that; after all, if Jesus can handle the creation of all things (Colossians 1:16), and handle removing our sins (1 John 1:9), He certainly handled choosing the right word to use in His Word. Eagles it is. (BACK)

20 the sun will be darkened: Mentioned in Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24-25; Luke 21:25. There are many verses that speak of the wrath of God on what is called The Day of the Lord, a day that is still in the future (with specific verses speaking of the sun and moon’s condition): Isaiah 13:6-16 (13:10); Isaiah 24:1-23 (24:23); Joel 2:1-11, 30-32, 3:1-17 (2:10, 31; 3:15)/Acts 2:16-21 (2:20); 2 Peter 3:7-12 (3:10, 12); Rev 6:12-17 (6:12-13), 8:12. (BACK)

21 stars will be falling from the sky : There are mentions of stars going dark (Isaiah 13:10; Joel 2:10, 3:15; Revelation 8:12) and mentions of stars falling from the sky (Isaiah 34:4; Daniel 8:10; Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:25; Revelation 6:13) for this eschatological event. We have two examples of stars who fall from the sky and have further action in the events. In Revelation 8:10-11 we learn that the great burning star, Wormwood, falls upon a third of the rivers and on the springs of water; Wormwood makes the water bitter and the water becomes lethal. In Revelation 9:1 another star that fell to the earth is given the key to the bottomless pit in order to open it. Out of the pit comes smoke and torturous locusts (Revelation 9:2-3). In Revelation 12:4 the red dragon uses his tail to sweep a third of the stars of heaven to earth. It is likely that we are seeing both figurative usage of the word “star” and literal usage of the word “star”. The figurative usage of the word star could be reference to fallen angels, meteors, even bombs dropping from the sky. We really don’t know and can only speculate: these are future events and not yet fully revealed. (BACK)

22 distress: From Luke 21:25. The Greek word used for distress is sunoché and it means “anguish, distress”.  Anguish is extreme and profound emotional pain. It isn’t disappointment, stress, depression or feeling sad. Here is an example of anguish in art. The best example I’ve ever seen of real human anguish was during a news clip of Jeannine Boulanger at the airport, waiting for her daughter’s flight to come in. She was then told/found out that the plane had crashed. It is ghoulish to record such a private moment of shattering, but someone did so at the time. Jeannine is mother to Nicole Boulanger, one of 270 people who died due to the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. (BACK)

23 confusion: From Luke 21:25. The Greek word used for confusion is aporia and means “perplexity, confusion”. This kind of confusion nullifies any plausible way towards conclusions. A person with this kind of perplexity simply cannot find a way with their understanding to become ‘unconfused’ and therefore is kept in this state. (BACK)

24 roaring: From Luke 21:25. The Greek word used for roaring is échos and it means “sound, noise”. However, this noise is not ordinary. The word concentrates on the effect of the noise: this noise inspires amazement because of how sonorous it is or how fierce it is. To be clear: this word does not denote speech. (BACK)

25 rolling surge: From Luke 21:25. The Greek word used for rolling wave is salos and it means “wave, surge”. This is an intense wave such as from a hurricane. (BACK)

26 and/because: The Greek word used in Matthew 24:29 and Mark 13:25 say and, however the Greek word used in Luke 21:26 says because. (BACK)

27 sign: Matthew 24:30 and Luke 21:25. The Greek word used for sign is sémeion and it means “miracle, sign”. The sun, moon and stars will display miraculous manifestations (Isaiah 13:10, 13; Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15; Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:25; Revelation 6:12-13). Also, Jesus’s arrival with the clouds of the sky (Daniel 7:13; Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:9-11) is a sign (a miraculous sign and a sign in the sense of clear evidence) of His power and glory. (BACK)

28 Son of Man: Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27. Why does Jesus refer to Himself as the Son of Man? Daniel also uses the phrase in Daniel 7:13. Jesus’s usage of the phrase definitely points a person back to Daniel 7:13-14, identifying Him as the Savior and approved of by God. We might also find a clue in Isaiah 50:4-6 or perhaps even in the birth of Jesus, the temptation of Jesus or even in His crucifixion. These events all point to the human experiences of Jesus; they are the display of His humanity and the phrase ‘Son of Man’ definitely paints a picture of humanness. (BACK)

29 mourn: Matthew 24:30.  The Greek word used for mourn is koptó and it means “to mourn, to cut”. Why will people mourn? Revelation 1:7 tells us the mourning will be because of Jesus. People will see the Savior that they have denied and realize that they chose to believe and do the  wrong things. It is also probable that they will mourn due to the wrath they are about to endure. Also see Isaiah 13:6-8; Joel 2:6. In accompaniment, Luke 21:26 says that at this time people will be fainting from fear. Isaiah 13:8 mentions the fear as well. (BACK)

30 in a cloud/on (in) the clouds: Matthew 24:30 says ‘on the clouds’, Mark 13:26 says ‘in clouds’ and Luke 21:27 says ‘in a cloud’. These particular clouds are also mentioned in Daniel 7:13; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 1:7 (which is a reaffirmation of Daniel 7:13). In 1 Thessalonians 4:17, it mentions that those who are still alive at the end of the tribulation will be caught up to join Jesus in the clouds (see Revelation 14:14-16 to see another view of Jesus upon the cloud)  that He has incorporated to accompany His return. We are told that the tribulation has been cut short on account of these elect who are still alive (Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20).  The Bible is very clear as to when Jesus will gather His elect that are still alive upon the earth or what is commonly referred to as “the rapture”. The gathering of the elect will happen immediately after the tribulation, when Jesus is seen arriving with these clouds (Matthew 24:29-30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27),  Jesus will then send forth His angels to gather the elect (Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27; also see Revelation 19:7-9). It is important to understand that the tribulation and God’s wrath are not the same things. God’s people will not face the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 5:9), but they will be subjected to the tribulation (Revelation 7:9-14). For more regarding the gathering of the elect, see Note 31.  (BACK)

31 great trumpet call The mention of God using this great trumpet sound that announces the Lord’s descent from heaven and the gathering of God’s people is also spoken about in 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16. There are 7 trumpets mentioned in Revelation (Revelation 8:1-9:21; 11:15-19). The 7th trumpet is mentioned in Revelation 11:15, when the twenty-four elders in heaven worship God with a doxology surrounding the return of Jesus (Revelation 11:16-18). (BACK)

32  they will gather: The gathering of the elect, mentioned in Matthew 24:31 and Mark 13:27 (as well as 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16) is what people colloquially refer to as “the rapture”. This event isn’t particularly mentioned by name in Revelation, meaning there is no verse that we can point to in Revelation and say “the gathering of the elect happens HERE”. Some might argue that Revelation 7:9-17; 11:15-19; 14:14-16 or even 19:1-15 are descriptions of the gathering of the elect, but none of these verses say that; 14:14-16 comes the closest. The book of Daniel, a good side-by-side to Revelation (particularly Daniel 7-12), mentions the gathering of the elect in Daniel 12:1-3 (compare to 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Daniel says in 12:1 that at the time of the tribulation, the elect will be rescued (malat). Jesus pointedly says ‘immediately (eutheós) after (meta) the tribulation’ in Matthew 24:29. We know that some of the elect are murdered during the tribulation because of Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:12. The sections of Revelation that do mention the elect are 6:9-11; 7:4-17; 11:18; 14:1-5; 19:8-9; 20:4, 6; 21:3-4, 7. Any or all of these verses could be describing the event or the results from the event (except Revelation 6:9-11, due to the fact that there are more ‘brothers’ to be killed) of the gathering of God’s people to Jesus at the time of the Parousia of Christ. For more on the elect see Note 14. (BACK)

33  from… heaven: “From the four winds” is used in both Matthew 24:31 and Mark 13:27. This phrase is similar to our idiom “four corners of the earth”. It means from everywhere. Matthew 24:31 says “from ends of the heavens to the ends of them” meaning “from one end the heavens/skies to the other end of the heavens/skies” which means from everywhere. Mark 13:27 says “from end of earth to end of heaven” meaning from everywhere. It is well-covered between these two verses that no elect will be left out or forgotten; no elect person belonging to God is too far way or in too obscure a place to be gathered by the angels, as directed by our Lord. (BACK)

34 redemption: From Luke 21:28. The Greek word used for redemption is apolutrósis and it means “redemption”. Redemption means to buy/take something back that was lost to you. In the purport of Godly redemption, the *something* is the elect of God from their sins (Titus 2:14). Who are the elect? See Note 14. Sins left to the sinner to pay for himself equals death for eternity (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8). Godly redemption was/is/will be accomplished using the currency of Jesus’s blood through His death on the cross (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:18-19). (BACK)

 

English Bible translation used: Berean Standard Bible

Jesus Heals the Centurion’s Servant

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Scripture Used to Create the Splice “Jesus Heals the Centurion’s Servant”

Matthew 8:5-13 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 8:5)

Luke 7:1-10 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 7:1)

 

2 Corinthians 5:7
for we walk by faith, not by sight

 

THE SPLICE

When He had completed all 1 His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to 2 Capernaum. And a 3 centurion’s 4 slave, who was 5 highly regarded by the centurion, was 6 sick and about to die. The centurion 7 heard about Jesus, and when Jesus entered Capernaum, the centurion came to Jesus by sending some 8 Jewish elders to Him. The centurion was imploring Him to come and 9 save the life of his 10 slave, saying, 11“Lord, my 12 servant is lying 13 paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” The Jewish elders, earnestly implored Him on the centurion’s behalf, saying 14“He is worthy for You to grant this to him;  for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.” Jesus said to the centurion through the Jewish elders, “I will come and 15 heal him.” Now Jesus started on His way with the Jewish elders; and when He was not far from the house, the 16 centurion sent friends to meet Jesus and said to Jesus through these friends he had sent to Him, “Lord do not trouble Yourself further, for 17 I am not worthy for You to come under my roof; for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but 18 just say the word, and my servant will be 19 healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my 20 slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, 21 He marveled at the centurion and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “Truly I say to you I have not found such great 22 faith with anyone in Israel/not even in Israel have I found such great faith. I say to you that many will come from 23 east and west, and 24 recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the 25 sons of the kingdom will be 26 cast out into the 27 outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And Jesus said to the centurion’s friends as a message for the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have 28 believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment. When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in 29 good health.

 

NOTES

1 His discourse: Jesus had just finished giving the Sermon on the Mount, which included the Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7; Luke 6:20-49). He had also healed people, including a man with leprosy (Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-15).  To read the Splice about the man with leprosy, click here. (Back)

 

2 Capernaum: Capernaum was Jesus’s base of operations. He had moved there from His hometown of Nazareth at the beginning of His ministry. Peter had a house in Capernaum, which seems to have been a suburb of or a part of Bethsaida. Peter’s brother Andrew also lived at Peter’s house. It could be logically assumed that James and John (the sons of Zebedee), who were fishing partners of Peter’s and Andrew’s, had their homes in Capernaum as well, but the Bible doesn’t mention where James or John lived. We do know that Jesus didn’t have a home of His own. See Matthew 4:13, 18-21, 8:20; Mark 1:16-19, 21-29, 2:1;  Luke 5:10,  9:58, John 1:44. (Back)

 

3 centurion: A centurion was a Roman army captain in charge of one hundred soldier subordinates. (Back)

 

4 slave: The slave belongs to a Roman, and not a Jew. It seems this Roman may be a Jewish proselyte of sorts, but the Bible doesn’t state that. God allowed slavery for the Israel of Old Testament times. It is important to understand the distinction of OT Israel only, and to understand that the Bible is not talking about the world of today; it isn’t even talking about the Romans and their slavery practices way back then. Today, slavery is a difficult topic to talk about because of the ugly and wrong justifications that were used by Europeans to kidnap people from Africa and sell them as property, which the Bible makes NO allowance for (Exodus 21:16). To get a basic understanding about what the Bible says about slavery for the Israelites of old, see Leviticus 25:35-55. (Back)

 

5 highly regarded: The Greek text says “valued highly” and the Greek word used in Luke 7:2 is entimos and it means “held precious, honored, honorable in rank”. (Back)

 

6 sick and about to die: The Greek word used for “sick” in Luke 7:2 is kakós and means “badly, grievously or diseased”. (Back)

 

7 heard about Jesus: It must be remembered that EVERYONE was hearing about Jesus, the Man who was preaching with authority about the kingdom of God and about repentance, healing people’s bodies of horrible ailments, and casting out demons (an unimaginable torture) and the crowds were amazed by it. Jesus was causing quite a stir in Israel. See Matthew 4:17, 23-25, 7:28-29, 8:16, 17, 28-33 for a sample of these events. (Back)

 

8 Jewish elders: The Sanhedrin (see Greek word presbuteros). The Sanhedrin was the group with all the power in Israel—under the authority of the Romans, that is. The Sanhedrin was headed up by the High Priest (Annas and Caiaphas at the time of Jesus’s ministry, see Matthew 26:57, Luke 3:2, John 18:13), and was comprised of scribes and the Pharisees, among others. The Sanhedrin will later be the group responsible (along with some input from the Herodians, see Mark 3:6 and Matthew 22:15-16) for demanding Jesus’s crucifixion, after an illegal arrest in the dark, and a fake trial with phony witnesses. See Matthew 26:3-5; 47-68, 27:11-26; Mark 14:1, 10-11, 43-65; 15:1-20; Luke 22:4-5, 47-53, 66-71; 23:1-25; John 11:47-57; John 18 and 19. Here’s a fair explanation about the Sanhedrin from Wikipedia and one from Britannica.com. (Back)

 

9 save the life: The Greek word used for save in Luke 7:3 is diasózó and means to “escape safely, perfectly whole” or “to save all the way across”. (Back)

 

10 slave: Luke 7:2, 3, 10 tells us that this person is an actual slave, a person owned by another person. The Greek word for slave used in the Luke verses is doulos and means “slave”. Many Bible translations like to use the word “bondservant” or simply “servant” and that is true, it does mean “servant/bondservant”. However, the English word servant gives the feeling of a person free to make their own choices or able to quit the job, if they don’t like the pay or the boss. The truth is, a bondservant/doulos, is a bondslave. A bondslave has no rights, no personal ownership or freedoms; a bondslave has no legal personhood. (Back)

 

11 Lord: The Greek word used for Lord in Matthew 8:6 is kurios and means “lord, master, sir” and gives the implication that the person being called “lord” is the owner of or master over the person using the word kurios. When you call Jesus “Lord”, you are saying He is the absolute owner of you, over any other authority including your own free will, just like the centurion was saying here. (Back)

 

12 servant: The centurion never calls the person that he owns (that is also dying) a “doulos” (slave). He uses a different word, pais, which means “a child, boy, youth” and implies a youthful slave, possibly still in training. We can tell from this word, which the centurion uses several times, that this slave is probably a child. Just to be clear, Luke never uses the word pais himself, even though he quotes the centurion as using it; Luke always refers to the ill person as “doulos”. Matthew does use the word pais apart from the centurion, in Matthew 8:13. Matthew does not use the word “doulos” in describing this ill person at all. (Back)

 

13 paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented: It is very difficult to watch someone that you love suffer in agony, even more so when that person is a child. The Greek word used in Matthew 8:6 for fearfully is deinós and means “vehemently, terribly, grievously”. The Greek word used in Matthew 8:6 for the word tormented is basanizó and means “to torture.” We don’t know what illness this young person had, but whatever it was it left him paralyzed, tormented and about to die. (Back)

 

14 He is worthy: It sounds like these Jewish elders felt like they had to qualify the Gentile centurion’s request, and this was because most Jews, especially religious Jews, didn’t like to associate with Gentiles. It’s actually surprising that these Sanhedrin members affiliated with this Roman guy at all. While it is true that Jesus was preaching to and healing the Israelites exclusively (He didn’t go to Rome or China to preach/heal, see Matthew 15:24), He clearly helped non-Jews as well, as this event shows, as does the story of the Canaanite woman (see Matthew 15:21-28). Jesus also tells the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37, after a lawyer asked Jesus to define who he should consider as a neighbor. (Back)

 

15 heal him: The Greek word for heal used in Matthew 8:7 is therapeuó and means to cure or heal, like a doctor’s healing. (Back)

 

16 centurion sent friends: Although the Bible does not mention it, we can safely assume that at least one of the Jewish elders (or a servant of one of the elders or of the centurion) ran back ahead of the others to let the centurion know that Jesus was on the way, going to this centurion’s house. How else would the centurion have known that Jesus would be on His way? The centurion’s knowledge is born from a natural event: someone told him! There is not one shred of evidence or Biblical back-up to state that this was some sort of a supernatural event, with the centurion displaying a “second sight” gift. (Back)

 

17 I am not worthy: The centurion is not alone, because none of us are worthy of Christ. The reason why we are not worthy of God is because of our sin and our sinful nature (Romans 3:9-20, 23). Our sin and sinful nature is something we can never hope to fix for ourselves, it is something only Jesus can fix (Romans 3:24-26; Ephesians 1:5-7, 2:1-9) . Realizing this and admitting it is a preliminary step towards salvation. (Back)

 

18 just say the word: One of the powers of God is the ability to simply speak things into existence, including wellness. See Genesis 1 for the most popularly known example of God’s usage of this ability. (Back)

 

19 healed: The centurion uses a different word for healed, than the word that Jesus used in Matthew 8:7. In both Matthew 8:8 and Luke 7:7, the centurion uses the Greek word iaomai, which means “to heal”, but it also does have spiritual implications. Perhaps the centurion was not asking so much for a physical healing but a spiritual healing for the child, since he was dying. Maybe the centurion was asking for both types of healing. We are all in need of spiritual healing (Romans 3:23), which is what salvation really is (Isaiah 53:5). (Back)

 

20 slave: The centurion does indeed use the Greek word for slave here, doulos meaning “slave”, when referring to the example slave he uses in his explanation to Jesus. He does not use this word when referring to the young, sick person whom he holds in high regard, even though Luke made it clear that this dying child is a slave in Luke 7:2-3. (Back)

 

21 He marveled: Jesus didn’t stand awe-struck by human beings very often. The Greek word used in Matthew 8:10 and Luke 7:9 for marveled is thaumazó and means “to wonder, marvel” and can also mean to “admire”. The only other time I can find that Jesus “marveled” at people would be in Mark 6:6, which also uses the Greek word thaumazó . In this scene, Jesus is amazed at the lack of faith in Nazareth. He still healed a few sick people, even though the town was offended by Him (see Mark 6:1-6). (Back)

 

22 faith: Faith in Jesus is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). It is granted to all of the elect of God (Romans 12:3), and it is through this faith that makes us children of God (Galatians 3:26-29). The Greek word for faith is pistis and means “faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness”. For examples on what this kind of faith can enable a person to see, experience and believe (where otherwise they wouldn’t), see Hebrews 11. (Back)

 

23 east and west: From Matthew 8:11. The Greek phrasing used here for “east and west” is anatolōn kai dysmōn and means “rising (of the sun) and setting (of the sun)” and therefore, east and west. (Back)

 

24 recline: Reclining to eat is almost an absurdity for modern diners. It involved leaning back, propped up on an arm, feet away from the table. Here’s a good explanation on eating in ancient Roman times. (Back)

 

25 sons of the kingdom: Jesus is speaking of the Jews, in a general sense. Jesus is underlining that faith is the requirement for salvation, faith in Him specifically, and not faith in one’s lineage. All people, whether Jew or Gentile are called to Christ individually, not as a nation or creed. Each person is responsible for their own reactions to God’s calling (Galatians 6:5, Philippians 2:12). See Galatians 3 to expand a little on Jesus’s statement. (Back)

 

26 cast out: The Greek word used for cast out in Matthew 8:12 is ekballo and means to “banish, cast out, expel, throw”. It has the feeling of driving someone out and away, with an aura of contempt. (Back)

 

27 outer darkness: The outer darkness is hell. It is the most extreme of all darkness, because the light of God, both physical light and moral light, does not shine there. See Matthew 22:13, 25:30, 2 Peter 2:4 for examples on the darkness representing hell. (Back)

 

28 believed: It is important to understand that “just as you believed” is not a call to positive thinking. The centurion’s faith was pistis faith, the God-gifted faith, and not a human-conjured faith. (Back)

 

29 good health: Matthew 8:13 says that the servant was healed that very moment. Luke 7:10 says the child was found in good health. Matthew uses the Greek word iaomai, which gives the healing from Jesus the supernatural credit it deserves, and Luke uses the Greek word hugiainó which tells us the slave was found totally healthy, sound and whole. (Back)

The Last Supper: Part Three

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

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

 

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

NOTES

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Crucifixion: Part Two

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Scripture Used to Create the Splice Series “The Crucifixion”

Matthew 27:31-56 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 27:31)

Mark 15:20-41 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 15:20)

Luke 23:25-49 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 23:25)

John 19:16-30(Greek Text Analysis starting with John 19:16)

 

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

 

Isaiah 53:6
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

 

THE SPLICE

And 1 the people stood by looking on. Standing by the cross of Jesus were 2 His mother Mary, and His mother’s sister Mary the wife of Clopas, John the disciple, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother, and 3 John, the disciple whom He loved, standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to John, “Behold, your mother!” From  that hour John took Mary into his own household.

And those passing by were hurling abuse at Jesus, wagging and shaking their heads, mocking Him, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to 4 destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! 5 If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” In the same way the 6 Jewish rulers, the chief priests, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and 5 we will believe in Him. 7 HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, 5 so that we may see and believe!” They also said,  “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 8 The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words. But at some point, 9 one of the robbers had a change of heart because when the other robber was hurling abuse at Jesus, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”. The other robber answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

It was now about the 10 sixth hour, and 11 darkness fell over the whole land until the 12 ninth hour, because the sun was obscured; About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, 13 “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, 14 “I am thirsty.” And the rest of the onlookers said, “Let us see whether 15 Elijah will come to save Him.” Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, 16 he filled it with sour wine from a jar of sour wine that was standing there. They put the sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of 17 hyssop/reed and brought it up to His mouth and gave Him a drink, and said “Let us see whether 15 will come to take Him down.” After this when Jesus had received the sour wine, Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, uttered a loud cry and He said, 18 “FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT. 19 It is finished!” And He bowed His head and 20 gave up/yielded His spirit; 21 He breathed His last.

And behold, the 22 veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 23 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now the centurion, who was standing right in front of Jesus, 24 saw the way He breathed His last, saw what had happened with the earthquake and the other things that were happening, began praising God, as well as becoming frightened, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent. Truly this man was the Son of God.”  And those who were keeping guard with the centurion also became frightened and 25 also said that Jesus was the Son of God.  And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, 26 began to return, beating their breasts. All of His acquaintances and many women who came up with Him to Jerusalem were there looking on from a distance, seeing these things. Also among them was Mary Magdalene (who had been at the foot of the cross earlier), Mary the mother of James the Less and 27 Joseph/Joses, the mother of the 28 sons of Zebedee, and Salome. When Jesus was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him.

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “The Burial of Jesus”, click here.

 

Notes

1 the people stood by looking on: The people standing around were the chief priests, the scribes, the elders/rulers, and possibly some general rubberneckers who enjoyed a gruesome scene. (Back)

2  His mother: What must have been going through Mary’s mind this entire time, while her Son was being crucified? When Jesus was a baby, Simeon told Mary that “a sword will pierce even your own soul…” and these words must have come to her mind watching Jesus suffer. See Luke 2:25-35 to learn about Simeon and his message to Mary. (Back)

3 John, the disciple whom He loved: This is John, the writer of the gospel of John, as well as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd letters of John and the book of Revelation. After all the disciples scattered to their homes, John must have come back. Some think that he came back with Peter (John 18:15-16). But the truth is we don’t know which disciple came back with Peter; we don’t even know if it was one of the remaining 10 out of the 12 disciples (minus Peter and Judas), as anyone who was learning from Him and following Him could be a disciple. We know that the “disciple that Jesus loved” is John because of John 21:20-24, and this connects it with any other verse that states “disciple that Jesus loved”. But John 18:15-16 does not use that phrasing. It is possible it was John; it is possible it was another disciple. And, although John is mentioned at the cross (did he walk beside Jesus to Golgotha?), we do not know if he was the only disciple there. (Back)

4 destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days: This is a twisting of Jesus’s words. See John 2:18-22. Jesus said He would “raise up” the temple in three days. He uses the word egeiró to mean “raise up, arouse, to waken”. The Jews are saying rebuild in Matthew 27:40, using the Greek word oikodomeó, which means “to build, to build a house”. The difference between the two words is important. (Back)

5 If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross: Jesus performed many miracles and showed many signs that the Jews, scribes and Pharisees were witness to. They wouldn’t have believed Him to be the Messiah, even if He chose to disobey God and come down off the cross. It’s the same way with people today. We are all given enough in our lives in order to believe Him (Romans 1:18-20).  No miracle or even a visitation from the dead will change any person’s mind (see Luke 16:30-31) . I think that a person who doesn’t want to believe God would attribute such a miracle of visitation from the dead to mental hallucinations, the bad sushi they ate last night, anything but a miracle from God. For a sampling of miracles witnessed by the Jews and religious elders, see Matthew 8:1-3; 9:2-8; 12:10-15; Luke 13:10-17; 14:1-6; John 6:1-14; John 9:1-34, 11:1-46. (Back)

6 Jewish rulers: These people had been up late into the night and up in the early morning (it is possible they were up all night), arresting Jesus, trying to catch Him in some sort of blasphemy, consulting with each other, obtaining false testimonies (Matthew 26:47-68; Mark 14:43-65; Luke 22:54-71; John 18:2-13, 19-24 ) and then convincing Pilate to crucify Him (Matthew 27:1-2, 11-26; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:1-5, 13-24; John 18:28-40, 19:4-16). Their hate for and jealousy of Jesus never runs its course. It is still fueling them, through that day, to ridicule and mock Him. (Back)

7 HE TRUSTS IN GOD: This is in reference to Psalm 22:8. (Back)

8 The robbers who had been crucified: These robbers walked with Jesus, presumably carrying their cross beams/walking in front of a conscripted beam-bearer (Luke 23:32-33). Were they in cahoots with Barabbas, who was also a robber (but also a murderer and insurrectionist, see Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19, 25; John 18:40)? Was Barabbas supposed to be crucified with these two that very day? Very possible, but the Bible doesn’t specify. (Back)

9 one of the robbers had a change of heart: Matthew 27:44 says that both robbers were insulting Jesus, but Luke clarifies that at least one of the robbers changed his mind about Jesus after some time on the cross (Luke 23:39-43). Horrible experiences can do two things, spiritually speaking: they can drive you to Jesus or drive you away from Him. (Back)

10 sixth hour: or, 12pm. (Back)

11 darkness fell over the whole land: We can consider this darkness as a supernatural event, not a natural event such as an eclipse. It brings to mind what the Egyptians experienced as the last plague before God struck down the first born of every household. See Exodus 10:21-23. (Back)

12 ninth hour: or, 3pm. (Back)

13 MY GOD, MY GOD: Jesus is repeating Psalm 22:1. (Back)

14 “I am thirsty.”: The Scripture that was fulfilled was Psalm 69:21. (Back)

15 Elijah: Elijah was a prophet, who had a chariot of fire take him to heaven in 2 Kings 2:11. Perhaps these people think that Elijah will come back down in the chariot to take Jesus to heaven. You can read about Elijah in 1 Kings 17-19; 2 Kings 1:1-2:11. (Back)

16 he filled it with sour wine: This was a cheap wine kept for the soldiers to drink. They didn’t care if Jesus was actually thirsty; this was just a way to extend the life of the sufferer. For anyone who would take part in hammering people to crosses, it was probably amusing to them, as well. You could say that they didn’t have a choice (everyone has a choice), as they were lowly soldiers with a centurion over them (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47) but they seem to be gleeful as they mocked Jesus and beat on Him (Matthew 27:27-30; Mark 15:16-20; Luke 23:36) and nonchalant as they gambled for Jesus’s clothing (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34; John 19:23-25). And the soldier who pierced Jesus’s side didn’t have to stab Him—they could see He was already dead (John 19:33-34). (Back)

17 hyssop/reed: Matthew 27:48 and Mark 15:36 say reed, using the Greek word kalamos which means “a reed, reed staff, measuring rod, a reed pen”. John 19:29 says hyssop, using the Greek word hussópos which means “hyssop, a stalk of hyssop”. Reed is a general term and hyssop is specific. It’s a stalk/reed of hyssop. (Back)

18 FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS: Jesus references Psalm 31:5 (Back)

19 It is finished: John 19:30. The Greek word used for finished is tetelestai and it means “to bring to an end, complete, fulfill, I pay, to discharge a debt”. (Back)

20 gave up/yielded His spirit: Matthew 27:50 uses the Greek word aphiémi for the word yielded or gave up. Luke 23:46, and John 19:30 use the same word for yielded. The Greek word they use is paratithémi and it means “to hand over, pledge, deliver, commit”. It’s important to understand that Jesus gave His life—it wasn’t taken from Him. This was all part of the work that He was born into the world to fulfill. See John 10:18; 18:37. (Back)

21 He breathed His last: He breathed His last with quite a bit of strength left, as He was using a loud voice (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Luke 23:46). After a scourging that left His entire back flesh-less, the loss of blood, carrying a cross beam weighing around 100lbs for about 1/2 a mile, being nailed to the cross and hanging for 6 hours in an awkward position, pushing Himself up for each breath, Jesus still had the strength for a loud voice. Most victims of crucifixion would have no strength to talk at the end of all of this trauma. Jesus could talk and could do so loudly.(Back)

22 veil of the temple was torn in two: The importance of this imagery cannot be stressed enough. The veil was the partition between the Holy Place and Holy of Holies (Exodus 26:33). The Holy of Holies was where God was present, above the mercy seat which was on the top of the Ark of the Covenant. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-34). The veil was torn from top to bottom, as God (top) is granting freedom to people (bottom) to come into His presence through Christ. To read about the veil and mercy seat, see Exodus 26:31-34. To read about the purposes and ceremony of atonement, see Leviticus 16. The ceremony itself was quite intricate. (Back)

23 The tombs were opened: Only Matthew tells us this detail. He says that the bodies of the saints were raised, but they only came out of the tombs after Jesus’s resurrection, appearing to many in Jerusalem. See Matthew 27:52-53. (Back)

24 saw the way He breathed His last: With strength. In the modern era, we cannot appreciate what a crucifixion or flogging entailed . See Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Luke 23:46. (Back)

25 also said that Jesus was the Son of God: This is only the beginning of walking towards a God-gifted faith in Christ. Even the demons recognize God as God (James 2:19) and knew Jesus was the Son of God (Matthew 8:29). It’s not enough to just “know” this. God’s faith that He gives as a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9) is different than human-conjured faith. This article has a nice layout of the evidence of salvation and as does this piece. (Back)

26 began to return, beating their breasts: This is a fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10. (Back)

27 Joseph/Joses: Matthew 27:56 says Joseph, Mark 15:47 says Joses. Both names are similar, although not exactly the same. It is possible that Joseph went by the nickname Joses. It’s also possible that they are two different people. (Back)

28 sons of Zebedee, and Salome: Because we are not told specifically that Salome is the mother of James and John or the wife of Zebedee, I treat her as a separate person. Many writers and pastors insist that Salome was the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee and therefore, she was the wife of Zebedee. It’s possible, but there isn’t a shred of proof for that, in the English or the Greek. Places where James and John are mentioned as the sons of Zebedee: Matthew 4:21; 10:2; Mark 1:19; 10:35; Luke 5:10; John 21:2. Mentions of their mother: Matthew 20:20-23; Matthew 27:56. Mentions of Zebedee himself: Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:20. (Back)

The Crucifixion: Part One

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Scripture Used to Create the Splice Series “The Crucifixion”

Matthew 27:31-56 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 27:31)

Mark 15:20-41 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 15:20)

Luke 23:25-49 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 23:25)

John 19:16-30(Greek Text Analysis starting with John 19:16)

 

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

 

Psalm 22:14
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within me.

 

THE SPLICE

And Pilate released 1 Barabbas who had been thrown into 2 prison for 3 insurrection and murder, but Pilate delivered Jesus to the Jews’ will, that is, to have Him 4crucified. Pilate gave Jesus to the soldiers and 5 after they had mocked Him, they took the 6 scarlet/purple robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him. Sometime during the start of the walk to the site of the crucifixion, the soldiers seized and pressed into service, a passer-by coming into Jerusalem from the country, 7 Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), 8 to bear His cross. The soldiers put the cross on Simon so he could carry it behind Jesus.

And following Jesus was a large crowd of the people, and 9 women who were mourning and lamenting Him. But Jesus, turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 10 ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin 11 TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS, ‘FALL ON US,’ AND TO THE HILLS, ‘COVER US.’ For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Two others, also, who were 12 criminals/robbers, were being led away to be put to death with Him.  And Jesus went out, 8 bearing His own cross, and when they came to a place called 13 Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, the soldiers tried to give Him wine to drink mixed with 14 gall/myrrh; and after tasting it 15 He was unwilling to drink; He would not take it. And there 16 they crucified Him and the criminals/robbers, one robber on the right side of Jesus and the other robber on His left side. And by being crucified with the robbers, the Scripture was fulfilled which says,17 “And He was numbered with transgressors.”. But during this time, Jesus was saying a prayer, concerning the  soldiers carrying out this duty of crucifying Him, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross, above His head. Pilate’s inscription was the charge against Him and it said:

“THIS IS JESUS THE NAZARENE THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; but that He said , ‘I am King of the Jews.’ “ Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

It was the 18 third hour when they crucified Him. After the soldiers had nailed Jesus to the cross, then put Pilate’s inscription above Jesus’s head, and lifted the cross up off the ground in order to stand it upright, the soldiers took Jesus’s outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be”; this was to fulfill the Scripture: 19 “THEY DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.

After dividing up Jesus’s clothes, they sat down, and they began to keep watch and guard over Him there.

 

 

Sketch of a branch

 

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

 

COMMENTS

 

1 Barabbas: This is what we know about Barabbas: He was a notorious prisoner (Matthew 27:16) and he was a robber (John 18:40). Some English translations say that Barabbas was an insurrectionist in John 18:40, but the Greek word used is léstés and it means “robber, thief”. But he did also take place in an insurrection as we learn in (Luke 23:19), as well as commit at least one murder. Barabbas was in prison at this time, being jailed with other insurrectionists who had also committed murder (numbers unknown) during this uprising (Mark 15:7). Acts 3:14 confirms (through Peter’s narration) that Barabbas was a murderer. (Back)

2 prison: Prison was synonymous with misery. To read a quick run-down on prison life in ancient Rome, click here. (Back)

3 insurrection and murder: It is important to understand that during Jesus’s time, the Romans ruled quite a bit the world, including Israel. Many Jewish people were resentful over this invasion of Roman power and the polytheism they brought with them. Therefore, there were many insurrections and consequently, murders, committed by the Jewish people during this time. All this unrest eventually led up to the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Jesus never became involved with these acts of violence and never sanctioned them. The Bible pointedly tells us to pay our taxes, pray for our government officials, obey the laws of the land (as long as they don’t conflict with God’s laws) and that any authority or ruler on earth was put into power by God. See Matthew 17:24-27, Mark 12:13-17, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-3, Titus 3:1-2, 1 Peter 2:13-15. (Back)

4  crucified: Why did God allow Jesus to be crucified? Jesus was ultimately crucified because God the Father deemed it right as the substitute payment for the sins of the elect He calls to be His own (see Galatians 4:4-5). But what about the human justification for Jesus’s crucifixion? The human reason and human method of death was political. The chief priests told Pilate that Jesus called Himself a King and Rome didn’t like self-styled kings (especially with faithful followers) or anyone else who made a move towards overthrowing the government. Therefore, even though Pilate knew Jesus to be innocent of the insurrection charges, Jesus was “officially” murdered for insurrection/conspiring to get others to take part in an insurrection. Insurrectionists/enemies of the state were crucified. (Back)

5 after they had mocked Him: See Matthew 27:27-30; Mark 15:16-19, and John 19:1-3. He had also been mocked by Herod and his soldiers when Pilate had sent Him over there (Luke 23:11). (Back)

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

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

7 Simon of Cyrene: It is unknown if Simon was a true disciple of Jesus. Simon is mentioned in Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26. Mark tells us that Simon was the father of Rufus and Alexander. It is possible that the Rufus mentioned in Romans 16:13 is the same person as Simon’s son, but we can’t know for sure. There are mentions of Alexander, as well, in Acts 4:6, Acts 19:33, 1 Timothy 1:20, 2 Timothy 4:14. It is unknown if any of the Alexanders mentioned in these verses are Simon’s son. (Back)

8 to bear His cross: John 19:17 says that Jesus went out bearing His own cross to Golgotha. Luke 23:26 says that when the soldiers led Him away, they conscripted Simon and Matthew 27:32 says “as they were coming out” they took hold of Simon to bear the cross for Jesus.  Mark doesn’t really clear up when Jesus carried His cross or when Simon does in Mark 15:20-21. The simplest answer is that when the soldiers were leading Jesus out, seeing Simon, they forced him to take up the cross at first, thinking Jesus would be too weak to carry it on His own. Perhaps it was just something they customarily and automatically did because victims of flogging were too weak to carry the heavy beams themselves. But Jesus was not weak; He cried out in a loud voice even at the very end of this flagrant injustice (Luke 23:46). How He took the cross back is up for grabs, (maybe He told the guards He could carry it Himself), but He definitely carried His own cross, by Himself, all the way to Golgotha, as John pointedly says. Why bring Simon into the story at all, then? I think Mark 15:21 clears that up: Simon’s sons were prominent members of the early Christian church, and people could identify with this information. It is unknown if Simon was involved with the Christian church at all.  (Back)

9 women who were mourning: We don’t know who the women are. We can guess that they were Jesus’s female followers, perhaps even His mother included, but it is only speculation. We only know from Luke 23:28-31 that Jesus spoke to them directly, with a warning. (Back)

10  Blessed are the barren: Jesus is referring to the tribulation at the very end of the current era, where He says that the blessed women would be the ones not nursing or pregnant. This is quite a change from the common view of the day that shame accompanied women who had no children (Luke 1:25). To see Jesus’s warnings concerning the end times, see Matthew 24:3-51, Mark 13:3-37, Luke 17:20-37, 21:7-36. (Back)

11  TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS: Jesus is quoting from Hosea 10:8. (Back)

12 Criminals/robbers: Matthew 27:38 and Mark 15:27 say “robbers” and Luke 23:32-33 says “criminals“. John 19:18 says “two others”. (Back)

13 Golgotha: There is no current-day Golgotha. It’s ancient whereabouts is speculated upon, but we don’t know exactly where it stood. (Back)

14 gall/myrrh: Matthew 27:34 says “gall” and uses the Greek word cholé which means “gall, bitter herbs”. Mark 15:23 says “myrrh” and  uses the Greek word smurnizó which means “mixed with myrrh” or “to be like myrrh” “to embitter (as a narcotic)”. This concoction of myrrh/gall was given to help deaden pain. It was made of wine (unknown what kind of wine) and then the painkiller. No drink or drug available back then (or now) would deaden that kind of pain— enduring a flogging and a crucifixion. This concoction was probably all that could be done for a crucifixion victim, other than not using such a cruel form of capital punishment. Also, since it couldn’t make much difference in the torture being inflicted, it may have been given in mockery, for the amusement of the soldiers, to see a desperate soul drinking it in hope. (Back)

15  He was unwilling to drink: Jesus refused the help of this laced wine, because drunkenness/being out of one’s senses (such as with narcotics or alcohol) is not Godly, but sound mind and soberness of mind is (see Ephesians 5:18, 1 Peter 4:7). Jesus was strong, even up to the very end (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37, 39;Luke 23:46), and He still had work to do on the cross, such as giving His mother over to John (John 19:26-27) and speaking to the repentant criminal (Luke 23:39-43). It would only be fitting that Jesus would face His death in all consciousness and sagacity. (Back)

16  they crucified Him: Crucifixion was the worst way to die in Roman times, and a most disgraceful curse to the Jews (see Deuteronomy 21:22-23; 1 Corinthians 1:23). What is important to know is that Jesus became the disgraceful curse in our place, by His death on the cross, in order to reconcile us with God (Galatians 3:13). To read about the horrors of crucifixion, click here. (Back)

17  And He was numbered with transgressors:  This is a reference to Isaiah 53:12. Isaiah 53 contains a lot of information about the Messiah. (Back)

18  third hour: Mark 15:25 tells us that Jesus was crucified at the third hour (9am). Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44 says that from 12pm to 3pm there was darkness over the land and Luke 23:45 says it was because the sun was obscured. Jesus died around 3pm (Matthew 27:46-50, Mark 15:34-37; Luke 23:44-46). Darkness is symbolic of judgment from God. For a sampling of this symbolism see Isaiah 5:30; Job 5:14; Nahum 1:8; Matthew 22:13; 2 Peter 2:17 and Revelation 16:10. Also, there seems to be a discrepancy in the time keeping, as John 19:14 says it was the sixth hour while Jesus was still with Pilate. John is possibly using Roman time-keeping or keeping track of how many hours passed by since Jesus’s arrest. Matthew, Mark and Luke are using Jewish time-keeping. See this article for a great explanation. (Back)

19  “THEY DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS: This is from Psalm 22:18. (Back)