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Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law and As the Sun Set That Night

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Scripture Used to Create the Splice “Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-In-Law and As the Sun Set That Night”

Matthew 8:14-17 (Greek Text Analysis beginning with Matthew 8:14)

Mark 1:29-34 (Greek Text Analysis beginning with Mark 1:29)

Luke 4:38-41 (Greek Text Analysis beginning with Luke 4:38)

 

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 

THE SPLICE

Then Jesus got up and 1 left the synagogue. And immediately after 2 they came out of the synagogue, they went into the house of Simon Peter and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick, suffering with a high fever. When Jesus entered into Simon’s home, immediately 3 they spoke to Jesus about her and they asked Him to help her. Jesus saw Simon Peter’s mother-in-law 4 lying sick in bed with the fever. Jesus went to her, and 5 standing over her, He 6 rebuked the fever and taking her by the hand, He raised her up, and the fever left her. And she got up immediately and 7 waited on Jesus and the others. When evening came, while the sun was setting and after the sun had set, the 8 whole city had gathered at the door. All those who had friends or loved ones who were 9 sick with various diseases, brought the sick to Him; they brought to Him all who were ill and many of those who were  10 demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were ill by laying His hands on each one of them.  Demons were coming out of the possessed people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But rebuking them, He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ. And all of this took place to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “11 HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES.”

 

A Flower for My Mom

 

NOTES

1 left the synagogue: Both Mark and Luke tell us that just before this event with Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus and at least Peter, Andrew, James and John had been in the Capernaum synagogue on the Sabbath (Saturday), where Jesus amazed the people there with His teaching. There was also a possessed man there in the synagogue, whom Jesus cleansed of the evil spirit. See Mark 1:21-27 and Luke 4:31-37. (Back)

 

2 they: Jesus and the disciples that were with Him. (Back)

 

3 they spoke to Jesus about her: We don’t know who “they” are; the Bible doesn’t specify. We will have to guess. My guess is that it was relatives and possibly servants in the household who had been caring for the lady, while Jesus and the disciples were at the synagogue. (Back)

 

4 lying sick in bed: For the common family, a bed could be anything from just the person’s cloak or possibly a straw mat or a thin mattress stuffed with wool or cotton. These beds were portable and were placed on the floor for sleep at night and rolled away during the day. Privacy in homes back then was non-existent and everyone slept in the same room. I found this page, which gives a nice description about ancient Israeli houses. (Back)

 

5 standing over her: People slept on the floor. See note #4. (Back)

 

6 rebuked the fever: The Greek word used for rebuked in Luke 4:39 is epitimaó and means “rebuke, charge, admonish, censure, to tax upon” and sometimes means “to honor”, but it certainly doesn’t mean “honor” here. (Back)

 

7 waited on Jesus: The Greek word used for waited is diakoneó and means “to minister, to serve”. It is used to describe someone serving others in general, providing for their general needs of life, but was particularly used to describe someone waiting on others at the table. The English word deacon is rooted in this word. To read about the qualifications needed for serving God as a pastor or deacon of a congregation, even in our current age, see 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Peter 5:1-3.  (Back)

 

8 whole city: Capernaum. Some have estimated a city population of 1200 or so during Jesus’s time there. There have been some interesting archaeological digs concerning Capernaum. (Back)

 

9 sick with various diseases: The Greek word used for sick is kakós and means “badly” and explains the miserable condition of the person who is experiencing illness. The Greek word used for various is poikilos and means “many colored”, giving us an idea of the diversity of the illnesses. The Greek word used for diseases is nosos and means “disease, sickness”. HELPS Word-studies says that the word nosos refers to (usually) chronic, incurable diseases. Although Jesus did just cure Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever, which was not necessarily life-threatening or life-altering, He was also curing people of illnesses that would not typically “cure” over time by using the sick person’s immune system. (Back)

 

10 demon-possessed: The topic of demon possession is a source of entertainment for some and ridicule for others. We really don’t know that much about it, as the Bible doesn’t give much information on demon-possession’s “how, what, when, where or why”. Too much of what is cited as facts about the subject is legend and lore, brewed by superstition and served with garnish by popular culture. Jesus Himself tells us that to remove a demon, prayer is required as well as faith (faith provided by God, not human-conjured faith), and is done by the Spirit of God, see Matthew 12:28, 17:19-21, and Mark 9:29. For information on the behavior of a demon looking to possess someone, see Matthew 12:43-45. For examples on what demons do to people when they possess them, see Matthew 8:28, Mark 5:2-20, and Acts 19:13-16. (Back)

 

11 HE HIMSELF: This quote is from Isaiah 53:4. The English translations of Isaiah 53:4  usually looking something like this: “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried;”. This is correct word usage, but the Hebrew word used for grief in Isaiah 53:4 is choli and means “disease, grief, sickness”. And the Hebrew word used for sorrows is makob and means “pain, grief, sorrow”, and allows usage for mental or physical pain, grief or sorrow. The Hebrew word used for bore is nasa and means to “take away, lift, carry”. (Back)

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)

Jesus Cleanses A Man with Leprosy

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Scripture Used to Create the Splice “Jesus Cleanses a Man with Leprosy”

Matthew 8:1-4 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 8:1)

Mark 1:40-45 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 1:40)

Luke 5:12-15 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 5:12)

 

Leviticus 13:45-46
45 A diseased person must wear torn clothes and let his hair hang loose, and he must cover his mouth and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp.

 

THE SPLICE

When Jesus came down from the 1 mountain, large crowds followed Him. While He was in one of the cities there was a man 2 covered with 3 leprosy, and when the man saw Him, he came to Him, and bowed down before Him, falling on his knees and to then to his face, beseeching and imploring Him, saying “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and 4 touched him, and said to him, “I am willing, be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left the man and he was cleansed of it. And Jesus 5 sternly warned and ordered him to tell no one, saying to him, “See that you tell no one, say nothing to anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest and 6 present the offering, that Moses commanded/make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” And Jesus immediately sent him away. But the formerly leprous man went out  and began to proclaim it freely and to  spread the news around, to such an extent that 7 Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but He stayed out in unpopulated areas; and people were coming to Him from everywhere.  The news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

 

NOTES

1  mountain: Jesus had just finished teaching what we call “The Sermon on the Mount” and the inspiring Beatitudes. To read about The Sermon on the Mount and The Beatitudes, see Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6:20-49. (Back)

 

2  covered: The Greek word for covered used in Luke 5:12 is plérés and means “full, abounding in, complete, completely occupied with”. This tells us that the person who came to Jesus was in an advanced state of leprosy. (Back)

 

3  leprosy: The Greek word for leprosy is lepra and comes from the Greek word lepis which means “a scale (of a fish)”. The Hebrew priests had a procedure to follow, as ordered by God, in order to deem a person a leper. A person with leprosy amongst the Jews could expect an unhappy, humiliating, and lonely existence (Leviticus 13:45-46). If the person with leprosy happened to become cleansed or cured of the skin ailment, the priest performed a lengthy ceremony which deemed the formerly leprous person ceremonially clean and re-introduced them to social life, as commanded by God. Current-day leprosy, or Hansen’s Disease is rare and not easily transmitted. (Back)

 

4  touched him: This was a huge deal! This poor person had been cut off from all social aspects. No one touched him while he had leprosy and he had been saddled with it for a long time, since he was completely covered in it. (Back)

 

5  sternly: The Greek word used in Mark 1:43 for sternly is embrimaomai and means “to be moved with anger, to admonish sternly”. Jesus was not giving out gentle warnings to people, regarding keeping quiet about their encounters with Him. They rarely seemed to listen. (Back)

 

6  present the offering: See Leviticus 14. (Back)

 

7  Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city: Because of the formerly leprous man’s disobedience, Jesus couldn’t move around in the cities to actually go to the sick people who needed Him. The sick had to be traveled out to Him to be cured, making a miserable person even more so and putting an unneeded stress and strain on those who loved them/carried them out there. (Back)

The Transfiguration of Jesus and Leaving the Mountain

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Scripture Used in Creating “The Transfiguration of Jesus and Leaving the Mountain”

Matthew 17:1-13 (Greek Text Analysis beginning with Matthew 17:1)

Mark 9:2-13 (Greek Text Analysis beginning with Mark 9:2)

Luke 9:28-36 (Greek Text Analysis beginning with Luke 9:28)

2 Peter 1:16-18
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”—18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

THE SPLICE

1 Six to eight days later 2 after these sayings, 3 Jesus took along with Him, 4 Peter, James and John (James’s brother), and led them up on a 5 high mountain by themselves. Jesus had gone up on the mountain to pray. While they were on the mountain and while Jesus was praying, 6 Peter, James and John had been overcome with sleep. But when they were 7fully awake from their sleep, and saw that while Jesus was continuing His prayer, He was 8 transfigured before them. In His glory, the appearance of His face became 9different, 10 shining like the sun. His garments became 11white as light, exceedingly white as no launderer on earth can whiten them, and His clothes were also 12 radiant and 13gleaming. And 14 behold, two men were standing with Him, talking with Him. The two men were 15 Moses and 16 Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking with Him regarding 17 His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

As Moses and Elijah were leaving Jesus, Peter said to Jesus, “18 Lord/Master/Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make three 19tabernacles; I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”. 20 Peter had not realized what he was saying, for he did not know what to 21 answer because the three disciples had become terrified. While Peter was still speaking, a 22bright cloud formed, and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they were enveloped, entering in the cloud. And, behold, a voice came out of the cloud, and said, 23“This is My beloved Son, My Chosen One with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell face down on the ground and were terrified. After the voice had spoken, 24Jesus went to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.”  And lifting up their eyes, all at once they looked around, and they saw no one with them any more, except Jesus Himself alone. 25 The next day, as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, giving them orders, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the 26 Son of Man has risen from the dead.” They seized upon that statement, 27 discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant. And they asked Him, “Why is it then that the scribes say that 28 Elijah must come first?” And He answered and said to them, “Elijah does come first;29 Elijah is coming and will restore all things; yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has indeed already come, and they did not recognized him, but 30 did to him whatever they wished 31just as it is written of him. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about 32 John the Baptist. And Peter, James and John kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

 

NOTES

1 Six to eight days later: Matthew and Mark tell us it was six days, and Luke says it was about or around eight days. Most Biblical scholars agree that Matthew and Mark did not count the “half days”: the day of the discussion, or the day of the transfiguration itself. Luke did count those partial days in his time-figuring, and he was approximating by using the Greek word hósei, which means “nearly or about” when the word is placed before numbers.  Although I’ve seen that some scholars state that the use of half-days or not is due to cultural influence, I have not found any proof for culture playing a part in the counting of the days. I cite how the Jewish Gospel writers (Matthew, John and probably Mark), and especially Jesus Himself, describe Jesus’s three days in the grave, which include the partial days of Friday and Sunday. See Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23; 20:17-19; Mark 8:31,10:32-34; Luke 24:21; John 2:19-22.  (Back)

 

2 after these sayings: Jesus had been speaking to His disciples about the fact that He would have to suffer and die at the hands of the Jewish elders and He also mentioned the cost that the disciples would have to pay if they would follow Him. He then said that there were those who would not experience death without seeing Him in His kingdom or (also translated as) His royal power/splendor. See Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27. (Back)

 

3 Jesus took along with Him: Peter, James and John are touted by many as “the inner circle” of Jesus, but the Bible never states that.  James, John and Peter are noted as “pillars” in Galatians 2:9, but this is not during their time with Jesus. During their time with Jesus, the Bible does say that Peter was the rock on which Christ would build His church (Matthew 16:18) and that He had given James and John a nickname together: Boanerges, see Mark 3:17. James and John also asked for special privileges/placement above everyone else, along with their mom’s request for the same preferment for them (Matthew 20:20-24; Mark 10:35-41). Peter and John are also the ones who prepared the last Passover for Jesus, see Luke 22:8. Jesus could have isolated other disciples to accompany Him on different occasions or to do special jobs for Him, but we just don’t know about because it isn’t recorded in the Bible. It is important to understand that not everything that Jesus did or said is recorded in the Bible, see John 21:25. The only two incidents where P, J & J collectively are mentioned with Jesus by themselves, are here at the transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane (see Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33) on the night that Jesus was betrayed. It also says that P, J, & J along with Andrew questioned Jesus on the Mount of Olives regarding the end of the current world order, ushering in the Parousia of Christ, see Mark 13:3. (Back)

 

4 Peter, James and John: James and John are the sons of Zebedee and former fishing partners of Peter and Peter’s brother Andrew, see Matthew 4:18-21; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:10. It is possible that Peter, Andrew, James and John were cousins. There is no Biblical or secular testimony to this idea, but the fact that they were partners in the fishing trade lend to the possibility of a family connection through their fathers, Zebedee and John (Peter’s and Andrew’s father was named John, see John 1:42), although it is equally possible that Zebedee and the mother of Peter and Andrew were somehow related. I found this article informative, as it describes ancient fishing practices around the Sea of Galilee; it also touches on the idea of relatives working together, as a guild of sorts, in order to sustain themselves economically. (Back)

 

5 high mountain: We know that Jesus and the disciples were somewhere between Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13; Mark 8:27) and the region of Galilee (Matthew 17:22; Mark 9:30). Caesarea Philippi and Capernaum, as a straight shot (not using the current road system) are roughly 25 miles apart. There are several mountains that exist between all of Galilee and Caesarea Philippi, even today, so we don’t know which mountain they were visiting. (Back)

 

6 Peter, James and John had been overcome with sleep: These three are overcome with sleep again in the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus is praying about His upcoming work on the cross, see Matthew 26:37-45; Mark 14:33-41. Luke also mentions the disciples sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane, but not P, J & J specifically, see Luke 22:45-46. John does not mention the transfiguration at all in his Gospel, and he barely mentions the Garden of Gethsemane in John 18:1.  John, therefore, never mentions that he was one of the three who couldn’t stay awake for these events. (Back)

 

7 fully awake: The Greek transliteral says having awoken fully. The Greek word used for having awoken fully in Luke 9:32 is diagrégoreó and means “thoroughly awake”. Luke makes sure that since he mentioned that the disciples were asleep, we understand they weren’t dreaming, they were “thoroughly awake”. Matthew and Mark don’t mention the sleeping. (Back)

 

8 transfigured: The Greek word used for transfigured in Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2 is metamorphoó and means “to transform”. It is where we get the English word metamorphosis from. Luke doesn’t use the word at all in his account of the event. (Back)

 

9 different: The Greek word used here in Luke 9:29 for different is heteros and has a distinct meaning in “other”. It underlines that the other is “another of a different kind” and not “another of the same kind”. (Back)

 

10 shining like the sun: This description is reminiscent of when Moses saw the back of God’s glory and his face was shining. To read about this event, see Exodus 33:18-23; 34:5-9; 29-35(Back)

 

11 white as light: This description of “white” and/or “light” is also used in Scripture for angels, sometimes. See Matthew 28:2-3, Mark 16:5, Luke 24:4, John 20:12, Acts 1:10. There are other times where the description of the angel’s clothing is not mentioned at all, such as in Genesis 19:1, 32:1 or Luke 1:11. In Daniel 3:25, the angel is said to have an appearance like “a son of the gods”. In Luke 2:9, it says that an angel before the shepherds stood there with the glory of the Lord shining around them.  (Back)

 

12 radiant: Mark 9:3 uses the Greek word stilbó meaning “shining, glisten, flash, radiant”.(Back)

 

13 gleaming: Luke 9:29 uses the Greek word exastraptó meaning “flash like lightning, gleam like lightning, radiant”. Some translators also use the English word “dazzling” for the interpretation. (Back)

 

14 behold: The English word behold is old-fashioned, perhaps even silly sounding, to modern readers. The Greek word for behold is horaó and means “to see, look, perceive” and is often used metaphorically. When I read the word “behold”, I like to equate it to someone emphasizing their speech  with “Look” as in “Look, I told you not to max out your credit cards!” or even sometimes “wow!” depending on the sentence. (Back)

 

15 Moses: God gave Moses His Law on Mount Sinai, after leading Israel out of Egypt (see Exodus 19-20). The Law of God is given to us to show us we can’t be good enough nor can we keep the Law perfectly, as God requires, which is why we need a Savior, who is Jesus (see John 1:17, Romans 2-3). To read about Moses and his amazing experiences, see Exodus-Deuteronomy, which also includes the laws that God gave to Moses and the Israelites to follow. To specifically read about the Ten Commandments, see Exodus 20:1-17. (Back)

 

16 Elijah: Elijah was a prophet of Israel who performed miracles and delivered the word of God to others, such as in 2 Chronicles 21:12-15. He is most remembered for his proof to Israel that Yahweh is God and Baal is not (1 Kings 18:19-40), turning the people back to God. To read about Elijah see 1 Kings 17-19, 21:17-29; 2 Kings 1:1-2:12. (Back)

 

17 His departure: His death on the cross. The Greek word used in Luke 9:31 for the English word departure is exodos and means “a departure or exodus” and also has the figurative meaning of “death”. To read about the Crucifixion of Jesus, see Matthew 27:33-56; Mark 15:22-41; Luke 23:33-49; John 19:16-30. To read the Splice about the Crucifixion, click here. (Back)

 

18 Lord/Master/Rabbi: Matthew 17:4 says Peter called Jesus “Lord”, Mark 9:5 says he called Jesus “Rabbi” and Luke 9:33 says he called Jesus “Master”. All three of these titles carry the meaning of “master”. Peter could have used any one of the words, or even all three, during the course of his speech.(Back)

See the Greek words: kurios (lord); rhabbi (rabbi); epistates (master)

 

19 tabernacles: The Greek word used for tabernacle is skéné and means “a tent, dwelling, abode”. Tabernacles were portable and made of cloth or skins and tree boughs. (Back)

 

20 Peter had not realize: The Greek word used in Luke 9:33 for realize is eidó and means “aware, consider, perceive”. Mark 9:6 tells us that Peter wasn’t aware of his words because the 3 disciples were terrified. (Back)

 

21 answer: Mark 9:6 tells us that Peter didn’t know what to answer. The Greek word used in Mark 9:6 for answer is apokrinomai and means “to take up the conversation, answer, reply”. It is possible that here is where Jesus told them that the two men were Elijah and Moses, and Peter simply did not know how to answer to that so he came up with the tabernacle idea. Luke 9:33 tells us that Elijah and Moses were in the process of leaving when Peter said this about the tabernacles. It is possible that Peter was trying to get them to stay, but the Bible is not exactly clear on this. It could have been that Peter didn’t realize the weight of what he was asking when asking them to stay or it could mean that Peter was so confused and terrified that he didn’t realize what words he was “babbling on” with, as if he was just trying to say something, anything, in response. (Back)

 

22 bright cloud: Matthew 17:5 tells us that the cloud was bright. The Greek word used for bright is phóteinos and means “bright, full of light”. This miraculous cloud was luminous, giving off a shining light. (Back)

 

23 This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased: 2 Peter 1:17-18 also mentions this event. God is also well-pleased with Jesus during His baptism. To read about the baptism of Jesus see Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22. John the Baptist’s witness to the event is recorded in John 1:32-34, although he does not specifically mention that he baptized Jesus. To read the Splice about Jesus’s baptism, click here. (Back)

 

24 Jesus went to them…Jesus Himself alone: This is a beautiful picture of what Christianity actually is. There are no other reassurances, no other eyes, no other love, no other comfort that you need except in Jesus alone. (Back)

 

25 The next day: We are told that Jesus, Peter, James and John come down from the mountain the next day in Luke 9:37. (Back)

 

26 Son of Man: Jesus refers to Himself as the “Son of Man” several times (for examples see Matthew 8:20; 9:6). He uses this sobriquet for Himself in reference to Daniel 7:13-14. (Back)

 

27 discussing with one another: Note that they didn’t ask Jesus what “rising from the dead” meant. Asking Jesus would have been more useful than just discussing it amongst themselves. (Back)

 

28 Elijah must come first: (See Malachi 4:5) Malachi 4 is the last chapter of the Old Testament. It speaks of the great and terrible day of the Lord which is the time that the book of Revelation reveals as the tribulation. To read about the tribulation that is to come, as well as the hope that is to come for the believers and followers of Christ, see Revelation 4-21. (Back)

 

29 Elijah is coming: Malachi 4:5 applies to John the Baptist and, I believe, the future witness in Revelation 11. I believe it does apply to the future witness, as well as John the Baptist, because Malachi 4:5 refers to the “great and terrible day of the Lord” which most Biblical scholars agree to be the Second Parousia of Jesus. Also, Jesus’s wording that “Elijah is coming…Elijah has already come” is indicative of two separate events. John the Baptist made ready the way for Christ’s First Parousia and at least one of the future witnesses (there are two – it is possible they are both considered to be Elijah, or “in the spirit of” Elijah) makes ready the way for the Second Parousia of Christ. It is important to understand that “Elijah” does not mean that the actual prophet Elijah was re-incarnated as John the Baptist nor are the future witnesses reincarnations of him, but rather that the message of Elijah, the power of Elijah and the spirit of Elijah’s ministry was brought back through John and the future person/people. See Luke 1:17 where the angel tells Zacharias (John’s father) that John is in the power and spirit of Elijah and see John 1:21 where John the Baptist stresses that he is not a re-incarnated Elijah. (Back)

 

30 did to him: Herod put John the Baptist in jail and had him beheaded, see Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:9. (Back)

 

31 just as it is written of him: I’m not sure what this statement refers to. If it is in reference to Isaiah 40:3, there is no mention of anything being “done” to him. If it is in reference to what we understand now from the Gospels regarding John the Baptist’s death (see Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:9), it hadn’t been written yet. John was dead by this time of the transfiguration, so perhaps there had been things written about him that were in circulation amongst the population. If there were current day writings about him, it’s possible that those records would be used to create the accounts of John’s death in the Gospels, but we don’t know this for sure. (Back)

 

32 John the Baptist: You can read about John the Baptist’s story/mentions of him in Matthew 3:1-17, 11:1-19, 14:1-13; Mark 1:1-9, 6:14-29; Luke 1:5-24, 41, 44,3:1-20, 7:18-34, 9:7-9; John 1:6-8, 19-37, 5:33-36. (Back)

The Resurrection of Jesus: Part One

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

NOTES

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

The Burial of Jesus

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

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

 

Impression of Night

 

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

 

Notes

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus Before Pilate, the First Time

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

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

 

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

 

NOTES

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The 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)