luke

NASB References to Messianic Mentions in the Law/Moses, Prophets and Psalms

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Luke 24:27

NASB: 27 Then beginning with a Moses and with all the b prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

Parallel Greek: καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωϋσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν διερμήνευσεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ.

Transliteral Greek: And having begun from Moses and from all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Cross References

a Gen 3:15; 12:3; Num 21:9 [John 3:14]; Deut 18:15 [John 1:45]; John 4:46

Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.”

Genesis 12:3  And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

Numbers 21:9  And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.

John 3:14   “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;

Deuteronomy 18:15  “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.

John 1:45  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

John 4:46  Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum.

b 2 Sam 7:12-16; Is 7:14 [Mt 1:23]; Is 9:1f [Mt 4:15f]; Is 42:1 [Mt 12:18ff]; Is 53:4 [Mt 8:17; Lk 22:37]; Dan 7:13 [Mt 24:30]; Mic 5:2 [Mt 2:6]; Zech 9:9 [Mt 21:5]; Acts 13:27

2 Samuel 7:12-16  12 “When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, 15 but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”

Isaiah 7:14  “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sing: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23  “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”

Isaiah 9:1,2  1 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. 2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.

Matthew 4:15, 16 15 “THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES—16 THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON HTEM A LIGHT DAWNED.”

Isaiah 42:1 “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring froth justice to the nations.

Matthew 12:18-21 18 “BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL-PLEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES. 19 HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS. 20 A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY. 21 AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE.” 

Isaiah 53:4 4 Surely our griefs (or sickness) He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. (I added verse 5 to finish the idea)

Matthew 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES.”

Luke 22:37  “For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.”

Daniel 7:13 13 “I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. 14 And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.  (I added verse 14 to finish the idea)

Matthew 24:30  30 “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET AND THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (I added verse 31 to finish the idea)

Micah 5:2  2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity. 3 Therefore He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne a child. The remainder of His brethren will return to the sons of Israel. 4 And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will remain, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth 5 This One will be our peace. (I added verse 3-5 to finish the idea)

Matthew 2:6  ‘AND YOU BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”

Zechariah 9:9  9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the hose from Jerusalem; and the bow of war will be cut off. And He will speak peace to the nations; and His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River (the Euphrates) to the ends of the earth. (I added verse 10 to finish the idea)

Matthew 21:5 “SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, ‘BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.’ “

Acts 13:27  “For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him.

Luke 24:44

NASB: 44 Now He said to them, “a These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the b Law of Moses and the Prophets and c the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Parallel Greek:  Εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς “Οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι μου οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔτι ὢν σὺν ὑμῖν, ὅτι δεῖ πληρωθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωϋσέως καὶ τοῖς προφήταις καὶ ψαλμοῖς περὶ ἐμοῦ.”

Transliteral Greek: He said now unto to them, These [are] the words of Me, which I spoke to you still being with you, that it behooves to be fulfilled all things – having been written in the law of Moses, and the Prophets and [the] Psalms concerning Me.

Cross References

a Luke 9:22, 44f; 18:31-34; 22:37

Luke 9:22  saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”

Luke 9:44, 45  44 “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. 45 But they did not  understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.

Luke 18:31-34 31 Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and  mistreated and spit upon, 33 and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.” 34 But the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them and they did not comprehend the things that were said.

Luke 22:37 “For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.”

b Luke 24:27

Luke 24:27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

c Ps 2:7ff [Acts 13:33]; Ps 16:10 [Acts 2:27]; Ps 22:1-18 [Mt 27:34-46]; Ps 69:1-21 [Jn 19:28ff]; Ps 72; 110:1 [Mt 22:43f]; Ps 118:22f [Mt 21:42]

Psalm 2:7-9 7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

Acts 13:33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.’

Psalm 16:10  For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. (or, decay can also be corruption)

Acts 2:27 BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.

Psalm 22:1-18 1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. 2 O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; and by night, but I have no rest. 3 Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 4 In You our fathers trusted; they trusted and You delivered them. 5 To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed. 6But I am a worm and not a man, a reproach of men and despised by the people. 7All who see me sneer at me; they separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying, 8 “Commit yourself to the LORD; let Him deliver him.” 9 Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb; You made me trust when upon my mother’s breasts. 10 Upon You I was cast from birth; You have been my God from my mother’s womb. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have surrounded me; strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me. 13 They open wide their mouth at me, as a ravening and a roaring lion. 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. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and You lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; 18 They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Matthew 27:33-46  33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, 34 they have Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink. 35 And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. 37 And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 38 At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their head 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You re the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 “HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words. 45 Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

Psalm 69:1-21  1 Save me, O God, for the waters have threatened my life. 2 I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me. 3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; my eyes fail while I wait for my God. 4 Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; those who would destroy me are powerful, being wrongfully my enemies; what I did not steal, I then have to restore. 5 O God, it is You who knows my folly, and my wrongs are not hidden from You. 6 May those who wait for You not be ashamed through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; May those who seek You not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel, 7 because for Your sake I have borne reproach; dishonor has covered mt face. 8 I have become estranged from my brothers and an alien to my mother’s sons. 9 For zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. 10 When I wept in my soul with fasting, it became my reproach. 11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. 12 Those who sit in the gate talk about me, and I am the song of drunkards. 13 But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, at an acceptable time; O God , in the greatness of Your loving kindness, answer me with Your saving truth. 14 Deliver me from the mire and do not let me sink; may I be delivered from my foes and from the deep waters. 15 May the flood of water not overflow me nor the deep swallow me up, nor the pit shut its mouth on me. 16 Answer me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good; according to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me, 17 and do not hide Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress; answer me quickly. 18 Oh draw near to my soul and redeem it; ransom me because of my enemies! 19 You know my reproach and my shame and my dishonor; all  my adversaries are before You. 20 Reproach has broken my heart and I am so sick. And I looked for sympathy, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. 21 They also gave me gall for my food and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

John 19:28-30 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that al things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

Psalm 72  1 Give the king Your judgments, O God, and Your righteousness to the king’s son. 2 May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice. 3 Let the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills, in righteousness. 4 May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. 5 Let them fear You while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. 6 May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. 7 In his days may the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon is no more. 8 May he also rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. 9 Let the nomads of the desert bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust. 10 Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. 11 And let all kings bow down before him, all nations serve him. 12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help, the afflicted also, and him who has no helper. 13 He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and the lives of the needy he will save. 14 He will rescue their life from oppression and violence, and their blood will be precious in his sight; 15 So may he live, and may the gold of Sheba be given to him; and let them pray for him continually; let them bless him all day long. 16 May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains; its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon; and may those from the city flourish like vegetation of the earth. 17 May his name endure forever; may his name increase as long as the sun shines; and let men bless themselves by him; let all nations call him blessed. 18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders. 19 And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen. 20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

Psalm 110:1 The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Matthew 22:43, 44  43 He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying, 44 ‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET” ‘?

Psalm 118:22, 23  22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. 23 This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’?

 

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

The Last Supper: Part Seven

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

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

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

 

NOTES

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Last Supper: Part Four

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

 

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

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

 

NOTES

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

The Last Supper: Part Six

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

 

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

 

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

NOTES

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Last Supper: Part Five

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

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

 

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

 

NOTES

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

The Last Supper: Part Two

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

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

 

 

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

 

 

NOTES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Last Supper: Part Three

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

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

 

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

NOTES

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus Before the High Priest and Peter’s Denial

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Scripture Used to Create the Splice “Jesus Before the High Priest and Peter’s Denial”

Matthew 26:57-75 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Matthew 26:57)

Mark 14:53-72 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Mark 14:53)

Luke 22:54-71 (Greek Text Analysis starting with Luke 22:54)

John 18:12-27 (Greek Text Analysis starting with John 18:12)

 

Need to catch up first? To read the Splice “The Betrayal and Illegal Arrest of Jesus”, click here.

 

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

 

THE SPLICE

1 The Roman cohort, their commander and the officers of the Jews 2 arrested Jesus and bound Him. 3 Peter and another disciple followed after Jesus at a distance. Those arresting Jesus took Him to the house of the high priest. The high priest that year was 4 Caiaphas. Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was 5 expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people. All of the chief priests, scribes, and elders were gathered there with Caiaphas at his house; 6 Annas, a previous high priest and Caiaphas’s father-in-law, was also there.  Those who arrested Jesus led Him to Annas first. During this time, Peter and 7 the other disciple had followed Jesus all the way up to the courtyard of the high priest. The other disciple was known to the high priest, and he was able to enter with Jesus into the high priest’s court, but Peter was standing at the door, outside. So the other disciple went over and spoke to the doorkeeper (who was a female slave) and 8 he brought Peter in. Then the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You are not 9 also one of His disciples, are you?” Peter denied it and said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the officers were sitting there, in the courtyard, having made a charcoal fire in the middle of it, for the night was cold and they were all warming themselves. 10 Peter was below in the courtyard, amongst them, 11 sometimes standing/sometimes sitting and warming himself, awaiting the outcome of Jesus’s trial before the high priest. Now during this time, Jesus was before Annas, and Annas then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question Me? 12 Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” When He said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer 13 the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. (The rest of Peter’s denial of Jesus and Jesus’s time before Caiaphas probably happened simultaneously). While Jesus was before Caiaphas, Peter was below in the courtyard, still warming himself by the fire with the officers and some of the slaves. Now a servant-girl of the high priest came to him, seeing him in the firelight, warming himself, and she was 14 intently looking at him and said directly to Peter, “You too were with Jesus the Nazarene, the Galilean.” And she said to the others around “This man was with Him, too”. But 15 denied it before all of the officers and slaves, saying to her, “Woman, I do not know Him. 16 I do not know, nor do I understand what you are talking about.” Then Peter went out onto the porch. When he had gone out to the gateway, the servant-girl saw him again and with another servant-girl, said to the bystanders who were there, “This man is one of them! He was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again, he denied it with 17 an oath, 18 “I do not know the man.” And during this exchange with the servant-girls, another man was also there who was saying along with the servant girls, “You are one of them too!” And Peter answered him directly and said, “Man, I am not!” After about an hour had passed, the bystanders from earlier saw Peter and one of the men in the group said to the others, in Peter’s hearing, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” And this group then addressed Peter directly, saying, “Surely you too are one of them for you are a Galilean too; for even the 19 way you talk gives you away.” Then he began to 20 curse and swear, addressing the individual man and the whole group saying, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about; I do not know the man, this man you are talking about!” One of the slaves of the high priest, who was a relative of 21 Malchus, who may have been with the group of bystanders, was in near proximity to Peter at this time. He said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” Peter then denied it again, and immediately, while Peter was still talking, a rooster crowed for the second time. The Lord Jesus turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “22 Before a rooster crows today, crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Meanwhile, the chief priests and the whole Council/Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death, and they were not finding any testimony that they could use.  Even though many false witnesses came forward and many were giving false testimony against Him, their testimony was not consistent. But later on, 23 two false witnesses came forward, stood up, and gave false testimony. One said “This man stated, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” And the other said, “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another 24 made without hands.’” 25 Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent.   The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus kept silent and did not answer. 26 When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Jesus away to their council chamber. They were saying to Him, “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “27 If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I ask a question, you will not answer.” And again, the high priest was questioning Him, and said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God. Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; I am; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter, from now on, you will see 28 THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER of God, and COMING WITH THE 29 CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I am.”  Then the high priest 30tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy. What do you think? How does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Jesus to be deserving of death and answered, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth. He deserves death!” Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him, and then some began 31 spit at Him, they spat in His face and then blindfolded Him, beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?” And they were saying many other things against Him, blaspheming. Then the officers received Him with slaps in the face.

 

 

 

Want to continue reading? To read the Splice “Jesus Before Pilate, the First Time” click here

 

NOTES

 

1  Roman cohort: Although there have been debates as to whether or not the Romans were involved in the arrest of Jesus, John 18:12 is clear that there were Roman soldiers present. The Greek word used in John 18:3, 12 for cohort is speira which means “a body of soldiers”. The Greek word used in John 18:12 for the word commander is chiliarchos which means “a commander of a thousand”. Mark 14:54, 65 and Matthew 26:58 uses the word officers which is the Greek word hupéretés meaning “officer, underling, attendant”. It is unknown how the Pharisees came into possession of this Roman cohort in the first place, but it certainly could have been the Herodians that arranged for it. The Herodians had been in partnership with the Pharisees, plotting Jesus’s murder (see Matthew 22:15, 16; Mark 3:6, 8:15, 12:13). The Jews and Pontius Pilate had a shaky relationship, but it is possible that at some point Pilate had given the guard to the Sanhedrin/Pharisees just to make them happy.  (Back)

2 arrested Jesus: The arrest happened in the Garden of Gethsemane, after the Last Supper. To read about Jesus’s time right before the arrest, see Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46. To read the Splice about Gethsemane, click here. (Back)

3  Peter and another disciple followed Jesus at a distance: Peter and the unknown disciple were at a distance because all of the disciples had run away when Jesus was being arrested (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). At some point, Peter and the other guy returned and decided to follow Jesus to the high priest’s house (Matthew 26:58; Mark 14:54; Luke 22:54; John 18:15). It is unknown what happened to the other 9 disciples at that time and we don’t know where traitor Judas went, either. We do know that at the very least, John shows back up at the foot of the cross (John 19:26) and all of Jesus’s friends were there at His death, looking on from a distance (Luke 23:49).  (Back)

4 Caiaphas: Having the office of high priest was quite a position to have, reaping respect and deference from the Jewish people. As high priest, Caiaphas would be responsible for entering the Holy of Holies and making atonement for the people of Israel once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Leviticus 16 gives information on this holiest of days. The reason why we no longer observe this holy day, as Christians, is because Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:15; 5:9-10) and His sacrifice was once and for all; atonement never needs to be made again (Hebrews 10:1-18; Romans 6:10). As a side note, the very first high priest of Israel was Aaron, Moses’s brother (Exodus 28:41; 29:9). (Back)

5  expedient for one man to die: This conversation happened when the Pharisees had gone to Caiaphas because they had were quite upset by Jesus’s miracles, particularly the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46). They went to the high priest, complaining that if Jesus went on performing miracles then everyone would believe in Him, and they feared that if this happened, then Rome would take their nation away. Caiaphas basically gave the stamp of approval for killing Jesus, to save the nation of Israel. See John 11:47-52 to read about this meeting. (Back)

6  Annas: It is unknown whether or not Annas lived with his daughter and son-in-law, Caiaphas. It is unknown whether or not his daughter was still alive. We do know that Annas was high priest at one time, in conjunction with Caiaphas, at the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry (Luke 3:2), during the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1). Annas and Caiaphas show up again, in Acts 4:1-23, when John and Peter are preaching about Jesus’s resurrection. They even recognized John and Peter as having been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).  (Back)

7 the other disciple: Many people assume that the “other disciple” has to be John the disciple/apostle and writer of the gospel of John (as well as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd letters of John and Revelation). Only John records that Peter had a fellow disciple with him, following Jesus to the high priest’s house (John 18:15). John may or may not have been the apostle accompanying Peter to Jesus’s trial. Why would John mention this disciple if it wasn’t him? On the other hand, John does not refer to the “other disciple” with Peter as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (see John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:20-24). John’s usage of  “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is the only confirmed reference to himself throughout his book, as he explains in John 21:24, in reference for John 13:23; 21:20-24 and therefore by relation for 19:26 and 20:2. Another thing to think about is that John and Peter (along with James and Andrew) were fishermen at the Sea of Galilee and therefore probably not highly esteemed among the upper classes in Jerusalem, nor were they probably wealthy. Why would John be known to the high priest of the Sanhedrin at all (John 18:16)? The high priest had the top job over the Sanhedrin, which was the high court of Israel, and he was highly esteemed and wealthy. Back then (just like all through history), common/poor did not mingle with esteemed/wealthy. It is more probable that the relationship that the “other disciple” had with the high priest would have existed before this person became a disciple of Jesus. The word used for known John 18:15 is the Greek word gnóstos which means “known; an acquaintance”. This does suggest an actual relationship, even if a shallow one, and not just “known” by reputation. Besides these two disciples, we can also wonder if traitor Judas was there for the trial proceedings at the house of Caiaphas. The Bible never mentions Judas’s presence at any of the trials of Jesus (there were 5), except possibly in Matthew 27:3 by saying that Judas “saw” that Jesus had been condemned.  The Greek word used for saw in Matthew 27:3 is horaó which means to “see, look upon, experience, perceive”. The word can be used literally or metaphorically, so we can’t know for sure if Judas was physically present at Jesus’s illegal trial. (Back)

8  he brought Peter in: The other disciple is never mentioned again, after this verse in John 18:16.  (Back)

9 also one of this man’s disciples: The Greek word used in John 18:17 for also is kai which means “and, even, also, namely”. In saying “also”, she might have known the other disciple and known about his conversion to becoming a disciple of Jesus’s (another possible indication that perhaps the disciple knew the high priest before his days of following Jesus). But this asks the question: why was Peter afraid, if the other disciple wasn’t? Perhaps Peter didn’t feel he had the same immunity or protection that the other disciple might have had, since this other disciple was known to the high priest (John 18:15). However, there probably wasn’t any protection for anyone from this angry, vengeful mob. Even members of the Sanhedrin who believed in Jesus were afraid of saying so out loud because of the Pharisees and their ire (John 12:42-43). Also, it’s possible that the other disciple was just as afraid as Peter, but had decided he didn’t care anymore if he was arrested for his affiliation with Jesus. (Back)

10 Peter was below in the courtyard: The Greek word used for below in Mark 14:66 is kató meaning “beneath, bottom, down, under”.  This wording suggests that the trial before the high priest was held on an upper floor that looked out and down into the outside courtyard. We know the courtyard is outside because Matthew 26:69 says the courtyard is outside using the Greek word exó meaning “outside or without”. This courtyard is large enough to hold at least some of the officers from the crowd that arrested Jesus, some slaves, and possibly some animals (the Bible only mentions a rooster alongside Peter’s denials, but we don’t know if the rooster is in the courtyard). The room where Jesus’s trial is held must be big enough to hold some more officers and the Council and some false witnesses. This gives us the picture that the high priest’s house is larger than a common house.   (Back)

11 sometimes standing/sometimes sitting: Matthew 26:69 and Luke 22:55 say that Peter was sitting and John 18:25 says he was standing. Logic dictates that he did both while he was there. (Back)

12 Question those who have heard: This answer of Jesus’s, if acted upon, would have done a remarkable thing: given first-hand eyewitness testimony of what He actually said and taught. However, no one at this ridiculous excuse for a trial was truly interested in real testimony. The Council were interested in their agenda and the agenda was killing Jesus (Matthew 26:59; Mark 14:55, John 11:47-53).  (Back)

13 the high priest: Although it is stated that Caiaphas was that year’s high priest (John 18:13), perhaps it was also a title of respect kept for the rest of one’s life, after serving officially as the high priest. Maybe they meant “former high priest”, but the “former” is implied. In any case, Annas had some sort of perceived authority to the Jews (see note 6).  (Back)

14 intently looking at him: The Greek word for intently used in Luke 22:56 is atenizó and it means “to direct the gaze at; to look steadfastly” and has the feel of being “completely fixed” on someone. (Back)

15 Peter denied it: In each of the accounts, the word denial uses the Greek word arneomai and it means to “reject, disown, deny”. Jesus also uses the word deny in the accounts, but He uses a stronger version of the word: aparneomai. It means a strong rejection, or the act of disowning someone. See Matthew 26:70, 72, 75; Mark 14:68, 70, 72; Luke 22:57, 61; John 18:25, 27. (Back)

16 I do not know, nor do I understand: Mark 14:68. The Greek words used here for know (eidó) and understand (epistamai) show us that Peter is saying he has no concept or perception of Jesus. He wants the courtyard folks to believe that he is there, dressed not like a solider or a slave (legitimate people who would be there besides the Sanhedrin) and speaking in a Galilean accent, awaiting the results of Someone’s trial when he has no perception of that Person being in existence. No one is buying it. (Back)

17 an oath: Peter is “swearing to God” or “swearing by God”. Oaths or vows were taken very seriously in Jewish culture. They were used to prove honesty and truthfulness. A false oath is a serious offense against God and this was most certainly a false oath. See Leviticus 19:12; Zechariah 8:17. See Matthew 5:33-37 where Jesus says we are not to make any oaths at all. (Back)

18 “I do not know the man.” See note 15 for usage of the Greek word eidó (Back)

19 way you talk: Peter was from Bethsaida (John 1:44) in Galilee. He had a house in Capernaum, also in Galilee, see Mark 1:21-29; Luke 4:31-38. Galileans were probably plain folk, Galilee being a fishing region, and therefore probably not especially elegant, particularly in speech. The dialect used in Galilee may have sounded a bit rustic to finely tuned ears and/or it had a specific “Galilean” accent.  (Back)

20 curse and swear: See Mark 14:71. The Greek word for curse used in Mark 14:71 is anathematizó and it’s simple definition is to “invoke a curse” and “to devote someone or something to destruction”. A human curse (not divine curses) in its most simplistic idea, wishes evil and bad things upon someone or something. The Greek word for swear used in Mark 14:71 is omnuó, and its simple definition is “to promise with an oath”. Peter did not necessarily use obscenities, but he was invoking curses upon himself, perhaps even Jesus, and promising under an oath that he did not know Jesus. To summarize, Christians shouldn’t be cursing, which is an expression of wrath and vengeance. See Romans 12:14, 17, 19, 21 on curses and vengeance. We should not be taking oaths (Matthew 5:34-37; James 5:12), nor using obscenities (Ephesians 5:4, Colossians 3:8). For a few more verses about the tongue/what we say, see Proverbs 18:6-7; Proverbs 21:23; James 3:3-12.  (Back)

21 Malchus: Malchus was also a slave of the high priest (John 18:10). In summary, Peter had cut off Malchus’s right ear with a sword while the arrest of Jesus was about to happen in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away because He would allow this arrest to happen and then He healed Malchus’s ear. See Matthew 26:51-54; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50-51; John 18:10-11. Only Luke tells us that Jesus healed the cut off ear.  (Back)

22 Before a rooster crows today, before a rooster crows twice: The accounts about the prediction of the rooster and the actual crowing of the rooster are found in the following: Matthew 26:34, 74; Mark 14:30, 72; Luke 22:34, 60; John 13:38, 18:27. Only Mark tells us that the rooster crowed twice. It should be understood that the Greek word used for twice in Mark 14:30 is dis which means “twice, utterly or entirely” and in Mark 14:72 the Greek word for second is deuteros which means “afterward, again, secondarily, second, in the second place, the second time”. It should also be understood that in none of the accounts is the word “rooster” actually proceeded by “a” or “the” because there is no distinction. It could be “the rooster” (specific rooster or a representative rooster for all roosters) or it could be “a rooster” (unspecific rooster). Roosters begin crowing before sunrise, sometime between 4am and 6am, called Anticipatory Predawn Crowing, and it’s not just one “crow”.  If there is more than one rooster in a flock, there is a pecking order for when each rooster is allowed to crow. What does all this mean? I think it means that Jesus meant that before the main rooster of the high priest’s courtyard finished his morning announcement of the impending sunrise, Peter would have denied Him three grouped-up times (with several denials per grouping, as several people were accusing him). I think Mark is making the distinction that this rooster crows twice for his morning hello, maybe even after all the other roosters have had their turn. The other 3 gospel writers just tell us that the rooster crowed, giving us the finished product without any of the crowing details, so to speak (Back)

23 two false witnesses: Both of these witnesses were misquoting Jesus. To see what Jesus actually said, 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 witnesses are saying rebuild in Matthew 26:61 and Mark 14:58, using the Greek word oikodomeó, which means “to build, to build a house”. As a side note, Jesus will have two witnesses again, this time testifying for Him. See Revelation 11 (Back)

24 made without hands: The Greek word used for this phrase is acheiropoiétos and it is meant to be interpreted as divine design. The false witnesses are proclaiming that Jesus called Himself God. This would be a problem if any other person said they were God (Isaiah 44:6); we know that Jesus is God (John 10:30). Regardless, He didn’t actually use these words. See  John 2:18-22 (Back)

25 Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent: This is the crime that the Sanhedrin want to pin on Jesus, that He called Himself God. In reality, they are envious of Jesus (Matthew 27:18; Mark 15:10) and the miracles He has performed and the following He had acquired (Matthew 4:24-25). Jesus was also healing on the Sabbath, which they didn’t like (John 5:18) and Jesus didn’t mince words regarding the Pharisees’ hypocrisy to everyone (Matthew 23:1-36; Luke 12:1-3). To make the charge more palatable for Pilate, they tell him that Jesus is a troublemaker, stirring up the general population to revolt against Rome, calling Himself the King of the Jews (Luke 23:2, 5, 13, 14). (Back)

26 When it was day: It is possible that it took all night to find the false witnesses and it turned to day when they took Jesus to their council chamber. It is also possible that Jesus waited in prison while the council dispersed for a bit and when the council regathered a couple of hours later, it was considered “day”.  (Back) (Back)

27 If I tell you, you will not believe: It’s a worthless effort, trying to talk someone into believing about Jesus. We can only pray for people who do not believe Him and we can present the truth of the Bible. (Back)

28  THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER: Jesus is referring to Psalm 110:1.  (Back)

29  CLOUDS OF HEAVEN: Jesus is quoting from Daniel 7:13. I do not believe that the “clouds of heaven” are ordinary clouds, such as a cumulus cloud—something we would normally see in our atmosphere. I believe that there will be no mistaking these as supernatural clouds when they are seen.  (Back)

30 tore his robes: This was a traditional way to show mourning or grief. Many Jewish people still practice this tradition. In Joel 2:13, God instructs those who would turn to Him to rend their hearts, not their garments. This is what the repentance of sin is about. (Back)

31 to spit at Him: It was a disgrace to be spit on, particularly in the face (Numbers 12:14). Jesus was spit on, to fulfill the prophesy of Isaiah 50:6. (Back)

The Last Supper: Part One

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Scripture Used to Create “The Last Supper” Splice Series

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

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

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

 

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

 

“Picked for a Charoset”

 

NOTES

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Betrayal and Illegal Arrest of Jesus

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

THE SPLICE

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

 

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

 

NOTES

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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