Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

I remembered that I wanted to do a more thorough analysis of the Sermon on the Mount.  I plan to do one or two verses every day or so.

The picture (Matthew 5:1-2)
Jesus sits down on a mountainside, after seeing a large crowd.  His disciples come and listen to him.

I picture Jesus sitting partway up on a large hill with a crowd of people sitting below him.  They have come to listen to what Jesus has to say.


The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.  (Matthew 5:3)

What is being poor in spirit?

I can think of a few possibilities:

• Come to God to replenish your spirit.  For example, in John 4:14 Jesus states "the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

• Being apart from God leads to spiritual poverty.  Separation from God drains our spirit.

• Humility to ask God for replenishment.  Jesus answered the requests of people who expressed humility.  (See, e.g., Mark 9:24, a sick boy's father expressed doubt by declaring "I believe, help me my unbelief")

• Awareness of one's spiritual poverty.  Awareness of the problem may itself be a blessing.  (See, e.g., Ephesians 2:8-9, that faith is a gift from God.  Hence, faith itself is a blessing).

• Summation of Jesus' ministry.  It is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, but actually provides the basis of Jesus' ministry on earth.  In short, everyone is poor in spirit.  Jesus came to restore the relationship between God and mankind.  It could be viewed that Jesus is saying, "blessed are you, those poor in spirit, because I am here."

Christ, from Revelations

In my life, I went from loving Revelations, to hating and avoiding it, and now I find it beautiful.

I am currently doing the Jesuit prayer guide.  Today, we looked at the description of Jesus from Revelations.  I used an hour to draw the crazy description of Jesus.  Here is the text from Revelations plus the picture I drew.

On a white page, I could not draw white hair.  Also, I colored the hands the same color as the feet and face, i.e., burned bronze and like the sun, even though the hands are not described.

"I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ¹⁴ His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; ¹⁵ His feetwere like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;¹⁶ He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. ¹⁷ And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me,^[h] “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

Revelations 1:12-18 (NIV)

The Dawn of Dawns - The Bible (Genesis 1)

The Dawn of the Bible

The Bible opens with a description of the light of a dawn. Verses 1-2 describe a darkness before the dawn.  The heavens and earth exist, but "the earth was formless and empty, darkness over the surface of the deep".  Darkness is present and needs subjugation by "light".

Dawn breaks in when God said, "Let there be light" and the result - "there was light".  (Verse 3).

If we consider this as the "dawn" of the Bible, what would be the "sunset?".  Relatedly, how does this pattern work elsewhere in the Bible.

The Biblical text itself as well as the organizers of the Bible provide several answers.

A sunset over Israel: Malachi

Malachi is the final book of the Old Testament.  Historically, several centuries spanned between the life of the prophet Malachi and the birth of Jesus.  Thus, that makes it a "sunset".  

In Malachi, we see God' frustration with the people of Israel.  For instance, the sacrifices the priests use are crippled and diseased animals  (1:8).  Malachi points out that even by human standards, this is unacceptable.  ("Try offering them to your governor").  

Likewise, Malachi also emphasizes a coming day of immense action by God.  Granted, the emphasis is on the day of judgment, but also speaks of God in the temple.  (3:1)

A New Dawn:  The Birth of Jesus

The Gospels are the dawn of the new day.  They primarily do this by drawing elements from the Old Testament to show that this is the promised day.  But we also see reminders of Creation Week and the beginning of Man.  Here is what we have:

1.  Genealogies - a link to the prior days

• Matthew 1:2-16 - a genealogy of Jesus extending to Abraham (connection with the past, the prior days)
• Luke 3:23-38 - the genealogy connects Jesus with Adam, the first of man.  This literally connects Jesus with Genesis and the Dawn of Man.

2.  Light and stars

The Gospels also use the element of "light", which was a predominant focus in Creation Week.  This literally shows us a new light for a new day.

• Matthew 2:2-11 - a star in the east directs the magi to the home of Jesus
• John 1:5 - Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness

3.  "In the beginning" (John 1:1-5)

The literal text of John 1 explicitly links Jesus to Creation Week.  In fact, John 1 seems modeled after Genesis 1 with its verbatim use of "In the beginning".  Verses 2-3 state that Jesus not only was in the beginning with God, but also had a hand in the creation of everything else.  

4.  A messenger to prepare the way

We saw this in Malachi, the sunset of the Old Testament.  Here, the Gospels state that John the Baptist is the messenger predicted by the prophets.

• Matthew 3:1-12 - citing Isaiah 40:3
• Mark 1:1-8 - citing Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3
• Luke 3:1-6, citing Isaiah 40:3-5
• John 1:19-28, citing Isaiah 40

A Sunset:  The Book of Revelations

The Book of Revelations is the final book of the Bible.  It is the revelation to the last living apostle, the Apostle John.  He writes a letter to the seven churches of Asia detailing what he sees.  

The Book of Revelations provides a sunset to the overall Biblical narrative. It is the last revelation to the last apostle who knew Christ in the person.  Its placement as the final book highlights this finality.

Like the sunset of the Old Testament, Malachi, it looks forward to a future day.  According to Revelations, there will be a New Heaven, a New Earth, and a New Jerusalem.  (21:1-4).  The final words of Jesus in the Bible are recorded in the penultimate verse of Revelations, making it the penultimate verse of the entire Bible.  

At the sunset of the Bible, we look forward to a new dawn and a new day with these words:

"Yes, I am coming soon."

A New Priest for a New Covenant (Hebrews 7-8)

The logic of the proceeding chapters seem to coalesce around chapters 7-8.

Here, author further discusses Melchizedek.  For instance, we do not know much about him as a person.  Yet, Melchizedek was greater than Abraham because Abraham gave him a 10% as a tithe.  This became the standard for the Levite priests to collect.  Indirectly, Levi paid homage to Melchizedek because Levi was still within Abraham.

The author of Hebrews likens Jesus to Melchizedek in connection with Psalm 110.

The author transitions to since there is a change in priesthood, there must be a change in the law.  This is the New Covenant, as outlined in 8.

The New Covenant is characterized by the following:

1.  An individual personal knowledge (i.e., relationship) God (v. 11, "they will all know me")
2.  People's hearts will change and God's laws will be written on their hears (v. 10)
3.  It makes the "Old" Covenant obsolete.  (v. 13)

Some implications of this that come to my mind.

First, Christians still disagree about what is "Old Covenant" and what is "New Covenant".  In other words, what laws, principles, or examples in the Old Testament are applicable today?  It is a very common disagreement among Christians.

Second, we can infer a causality relationship from the writing of the laws on the heart and personal relationship with God.  Inviting God into one's life is a step into having the laws written on one's heart.  This is what I think of when the New Testament authors write of "fruits of the Holy Spirit".

Jesus, the High Priest like Melchizedek (Hebrews 4:14-5:10)

At the end of chapter 4, Hebrews seems to transition to discussing Jesus' role as High Priest, following the "Order of Melchizedek".

Melchizedek was the priest and king of Salem who met with Abraham.  Later, the author of Hebrews points out that this priest did not come from the line of Levite priests, which was instituted in the law of Moses.  Similarly, Jesus takes on the role of High Priest from outside the Levite line, but rather as a descendant of David.

So, God is going outside the Levite line and returning to something that even preceded that, Melchizedek.

In some ways, we can probably even think of Melchizedek as a "Gentile priest", since the Hebrew people of Israel were all descendants of Abraham.

Here, the author of Hebrews traces the order of Jesus' priesthood to Melchizedek.  The author refers to Psalm 110, which is an interesting psalm that has Messianic undertone of conquest.

Hebrews 4:16 really stands out to me as it states "let us approach the throne of grace with confidence".  What interests me about that is that the high priest must do his own sacrifices to clean himself before doing sacrifices for others.  Here, that is circumvented - WE can approach the throne of grace.

Thank you Jesus!

Allusions with Moses (Hebrews 3)

In Hebrews 3, the writer alludes to the experience with Moses.

Jesus is superior to Moses
First, the writer states that Jesus is/was superior to Moses.  The writer uses the analogy of the builder of the home is superior to the home itself.

This does not denigrate the importance of Moses in the tradition, but just states that Jesus is superior.  This follows the pattern of supremacy of Jesus to others, in particular angels in chapters 1-2.

The writer could have picked any Old Testament prophet to compare Jesus to.  However, the selection of Moses sends a strong message about the "Law of Moses".  In a nutshell, Jesus is superior to the Law of Moses as well.  At this time, and to some degree today, there was a debate about the relationship and applicability of the Law of Moses and its traditions to the New Testament church.  This writer implicitly aligns with the other writings that Jesus is superior.


Analogy of faith to Moses leading the people
The writer then uses the analogy of Moses leading the people in the desert.  The writer states that many people could not enter the promised land because of their lack of faith.  The writer urges us to have the faithful obedience to go where God is leading us.

The analogy of this point of Israel's history affirms the importance of Moses.  In other words, the writer does not discount the contribution of Moses, or implicitly the law of Moses, but nevertheless these are not as important as Jesus.

Why do you look for the living among the dead? (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21)

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the third day, an angel descends from heaven and rolls away the large stone in front of the tomb of Jesus.  He then sits on the stone.  

This action caused a mighty earthquake.  The Roman guards stationed at the tomb shook and became like dead men.  Later, the guards tell the chief priests about this.  The priests give the guards money and to change their story to that the disciples stole the body.

Meanwhile, various disciples of Jesus come to the tomb and find it empty.  Each Gospel has a slightly different account of who came, but each one resulting in excitement, joy, and confusion.  Different people go and encounter something different.  

Figuring out the exact sequence of events is a little difficult, probably because the whole time the disciples were confused.  

Here are the summaries of the first appearances in the Gospels:

1.  John 20:1-18

Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb while it is still dark.  She finds it empty and runs back to Simon Peter and Lazarus (the disciple Jesus loved).  Lazarus outruns Simon Peter and when they arrive at the tomb, it is empty.  Simon Peter and Lazarus leave and Mary stays behind and cries.  She then sees two angels sitting in the tomb.  Jesus then appears to her, but she cannot touch him because he has not returned to the Father.  

2.  Mark 16:1-11

Mary Magdalene, Mother Mary, and Salome buy spices after the Sabbath.  This might have been Saturday night.

They go to the tomb and find the stone rolled away.  Inside is an angel who tells them that Jesus has risen and the disciples will meet him at Galilee.

This appears to be a summary while Mark 16:9 does clarify that Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene.  

3.  Matthew 28:1-10

Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary" go to the tomb.  The angel that rolled away the stone and sat it  talks to them.  The angel instructs them to go tell the disciples that Jesus will meet them in Galilee.

They leave, hurried, afraid, but filled with joy.  Jesus meets them and they clasp his feet.  So, now Jesus has returned from the Father.

4.  Luke 24:1-12

The "women" go to the tomb and find the stone rolled away and the body was gone.  Suddenly, two men appear beside them and tell them that Jesus has risen.  They then return to the disciples.  

The "women" are later identified as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mother Mary, and the "others with them".

Simon Peter returns to the tomb and finds it empty except for the strips of linen lying by themselves.

What can we say what happened?  This seems to be clear:

The tomb was empty

Angels instructed those who came to the tomb about why it is empty

Mary Magdalene was probably the first to go check it out.  

Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene

Simon Peter returned to the tomb and did not see Jesus, nor see an angel telling him about what happened.

What is difficult to parse together is the role of the other people.  A simple way to harmonize the accounts is that perhaps multiple groups of women went at slightly different times and had slightly different, but similar experiences.  They then compiled their testimonies as a group before the other disciples.  

Another possible explanation of the discrepancies in the text of the Resurrection with regard to the angels is that angels do not appear to everyone within the same group.  For instance, one person might see an angel while the person next to him might see the angel, more angels, or none at all.  The appearance of angels in the Old Testament fits this pattern.

So, it is quite possible that in the witnesses to the empty tomb, one witness saw one angel (Roman soldiers) while another witness saw two angels (Mary Magdalene), or none at all (Simon Peter).

The same can be said about angels speaking.  One person might hear it, while another hears nothing.

Further, all these superficial details seemed to have been consolidated or overlooked at the expense of telling the more important part of the story - Jesus was alive!

Other appearances by Jesus

Jesus also makes a few other appearances.  He appears on the road to Emmaus to Cleopas and another unnamed disciple.  They do not recognize him and Jesus pretends to not know what happened in Jerusalem.  Jesus explains to them how the Old Testament prophecies fit together with Jesus as the Messiah.  They realize it is Jesus when he breaks bread with them and he immediately disappears.  (Luke 24:13-35)

On the evening of Resurrection Day, after the disciples had heard about the reports of the Resurrection, the disciples are hiding in a house with the door locked for fear of the Jews when Jesus appeared with them.  Thomas is not with them.  He will not believe unless he has seen the nail marks.

A week later, Jesus appears in the same house, this time Thomas is there.  Thomas sees the nail marks and puts his hand in Jesus' side.  He is amazed and believes.  Jesus also explains that ghosts do not have corporal bodies, so having a corporal body, he cannot be a ghost.

Jesus appears to them in Galilee.  The disciples are fishing and have nothing.  Jesus shouts from shore, calling them "friends", to throw a net over the right side.  The net brings in a haul of 153 fish fills the net.  Lazarus shouts, "it is the Lord!". 

They go back to the shore where Jesus recommissions Peter.  Jesus asks Peter three times if Peter loves him.  Peter is hurt by this, but I think this parallels the three denials by Peter.  With each answer, Jesus tells Peter to act as the shepherd of the flock.  Jesus also suggests that Peter will have a martyr's death because when he is old "someone will lead you to where you do not want to go".

Epilogue: 

The Apostles' stories will continue in the Book of Acts.  However, this concludes the Gospels themselves.

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark conclude with the great commission - go unto all the world, preach the Gospel, baptize disciples, and signs will accompany you.  The signs include healing the sick, casting out demons, and protection from poisonous drinks and poisonous snakes.

The Gospel of Luke concludes with the Ascension and the promise of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel of John concludes by saying that it is based on the testimony and eye witness of accounts of the disciple that Jesus loved.  As I pointed out, this seems to be Lazarus.  The also notes that there were a lot of other stories about Jesus that could not fit into the book.

Jesus dies on the cross (Matthew 27:32-66; Mark 15:21-47; Luke 23:26-55; John 19:16-42)

Time:  between 9 AM and noon (I will discuss the time discrepancies later)

Pilate has released Jesus to be crucified.

The Roman soldiers lead Jesus to an area known as Golgatha, which means the Place of the Skull.  There, he will be crucified.  The soldiers encounter a man en route named Simon of Cyrene.  They force him to carry the cross of Jesus.

Note, the Gospel of John states that Jesus carried his own cross with no mention of Simon helping out.  John could just be providing a general summary of the event, whereas the Synoptic Gospels are focusing on it with extra detail.  Likewise, both Simon and Jesus could be carrying the cross.  

Jesus is offered wine mixed with myrrh, but he refuses.  The general consensus is that it was offered to him in contemplation of the execution in order to dull the pain of the nails being driven through his hands.  Thus, by refusing it, his senses would be clear and he would be conscious of all this happening to him.

The Romans then crucified Jesus.  Jesus is hung up and says "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.".  In such extreme conditions, Jesus expresses love, forgiveness, and hope for the very people destroying his body.

The Roman soldiers cast lots to see who would get Jesus' garment.

They installed a sign on the cross that read "Jesus of Nazareth, The King Of The Jews".  The chief priests objected to this sign and told Pilate that it should read "he claimed to be the king of the Jews".  Pilate declines to change the sign and in fact, takes ownership and responsibility saying "what I have written, I have written".  

Again, this shows what an ambivalent character Pilate is.  Perhaps this gesture was in mock homage to either Jesus or the Jewish leaders.  Perhaps he was reasserting Roman control over the situation when the Jews had forced his hand.   Perhaps he even was asserting an ambivalent expression of faith in Jesus - on one hand, he felt forced to do this, but on the other, knew that there was something very special about Jesus.

Jesus is crucified in between two criminals.  One mocks Jesus while the other rebukes the mocker.  The same criminal then asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes into his kingdom.

Jesus turns to the man and says "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise".  Then is popularly understood to refer to salvation and heaven.  However, there is a debate whether it means that the man will immediately go to heaven or from the soul sleep theorist, that from his perspective, his next conscious thought is that he will be in heaven.

Jesus sees his mother and the "disciple whom he loved".  This probably referred to Lazarus, thus making him and Mother Mary eyewitnesses to the crucifixion.  Jesus instructs the disciple with an important duty - look after his mother.

Jesus is thirsty and states this.  He also states "why have you forsaken me", citing Psalm 22, which is a psalm of lamenting the distance between God and man.

 The Roman soldiers a put a vinegar-soaked on a hyssop stalk and lift it near Jesus.  Jesus drinks and declares, "it is finished".

Between about noon and mid-afternoon, darkness fell on the land.  Finally, Jesus states "Father into your hands I commit my spirit".  This is only recorded in Luke, whereas the other Gospels suggest that this last utterance was unintelligible.  

After saying this, Jesus dies.  

Back in the city, there were two major miracles that coincided with Jesus' death.  First, the curtain in the temple is torn in two from top to bottom.  

Second, a major earthquake happens, which breaks open nearby tombs.  In a similar fashion to Lazarus coming back to life, dead people of faith emerge from their tombs and make appearances throughout the city.  We know nothing of who they were, were they patriarchs or were they people who had recently died.  However, we know the effect of this on the Roman soldiers in charge of guarding Jesus.  They declare:  "surely, this was a man of God".

Later, a Roman soldier comes around to break the legs of the condemned criminals to hasten their deaths.  He comes to Jesus and seeing that he is dead, stabs him with a spear to ensure that he is actually dead.  John 19:36 highlights that this fulfills a requirement in that the bones of the lamb were not to be broken.  

John 19 also states that when the side of Jesus was pierced, out came blood and water.  John 19 is silent as to why water came out, but it emphasizes in verse 35 that the man who saw it says it happened.  Thus suggests the man really was surprised by what came out and that it was literal water.

Stabbing Jesus with a spear is only recorded in John 19.  This chapter is also silent as to another famous legend - the Holy Grail.  There is no mention of a cup that contained the blood of Jesus as it flowed out.

After the death, Nicodemus (from John 3) and Joseph of Arimethea take away the body of Jesus.   Pilate is surprised that Jesus has already died.  It was the Jewish Day of Preparation, i.e., Friday, and sunset was drawing near.  So, they did not have a lot time to prepare the body for burial.  They did wrap Jesus in linens and spices.  According to the NIV translation, the spices were about 34 kilograms of myrrh and aloes. 

They put the body of Jesus in a tomb that had never been used before.  They then roll a large stone in front of the tomb.

The next day, the Jewish leaders request that an extra guard and seal be placed in the tomb.  This is because they knew that Jesus predicted his own resurrection and suspect that the disciples will steal the body of Jesus and claim that he was resurrected.  Pilate agrees and orders a guard and seal on the tomb.

One final note on the day and time of these events - we cannot read these accounts with our modern understanding and standards of time.  Otherwise, it is not make any sense at all.

John 19:14 states that Pilate finished interrogating Jesus at noon whereas Mark 15:25 states that Jesus was put on the cross at around 9 AM. Clearly, there is an irreconcilable difference.  However, I would state that these accounts are based on at least two different eye witnesses at a time when they did not have clocks.  

So, one person looking at the sun's position in the sky would say it is 9 AM whereas another might say it was noon.  Likewise, the accounts only used intervals of 3 hour.  So, a discrepancy of three hours is understandable since they are based on differing subjective estimates of what time it is.  This is similar issue whether the Roman soldiers gave him a purple or scarlet robe in mock homage.

Also, some people believe the events happened on Wednesday because Jesus was to be in the tomb for three days and three nights.  The issue being whether days were inclusive, regardless o the time of the day (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) or whether it represented 72 hours in the modern concept.  However, John 19 makes it clear that it was a Preparation Day, which was the weekly Sabbath routine, i.e., Friday.  Luke 23:56 also states that the Preparation was for the weekly Sabbath.

Jesus before Pilate (crucifixion day, between dawn and noon) (Mark 15:1-20; Matthew 27:11-31; Luke 23:1-24; John 18:28-19:16)

Jesus was handed over to Pilate by the Jewish leaders.  Pilate is the regional administrator of the Roman province of Judea.  According to Wikipedia, he was appointed in 26 AD, which is roughly 4-7 years before the crucifixion Jesus.  Pilate was recalled to Rome in 37 AD after violently suppressing a rebellion of the Samaritan.

Interesting people who have played Pilate in modern cinema include Michael Palin (Monty Python's Life of Brian, 1979), David Bowie (The Last Temptation of Christ, 1988) and Gary Oldman (Jesus, 1999).

The Jewish leaders could not enter the palace because this would have rendered them unclean for the Passover.  So, Pilate went out to meet with them.

The Jewish leaders claimed that Jesus was inciting a revolt, that he was a king, and urging discontinuing paying taxes to Caesar.  They also say that they do not have the power to kill anyone.  This may be true, but it did not stop them from wanting to kill the adulterous woman.

Jesus remains silent during these accusations and this silence amazes Pilate.  Pilate then takes Jesus away for a private conversation.  

Meanwhile, Pilate's wife tells Pilate not to have anything to do with this innocent man.  She had a dream the night before about Jesus and she was really spooked.

Pilate interrogates Jesus.  Jesus says a few things that might have sounded a little strange and religious, but he is otherwise innocent.  Pilate sees through the charges of the Jewish leaders and think that their motivation is envy. 

Pilate finds out that Jesus is from Galilee, which is an area under the jurisdiction of Herod.  Herod just so happens to be in town, probably because of the Feast and the Passover.  Pilate in turn sends Jesus to Herod.

Herod is happy about this because he had wanted to meet Jesus for a while.  He had thought that Jesus was the resurrected John the Baptist and hoped Jesus would perform a miracle.  Herod interrogates Jesus, but not privately.  Instead, he allows the chief priests to listen in.  

Jesus remains silent and this seems to disappoint Herod, who starts mocking Jesus.  He then sends Jesus back to Pilate.

Pilate has Jesus beaten and flogged.  The soldiers make a crown of thorns put them on Jesus.  They also put a purple cloak on Jesus in mock homage of being a king.

Note, the Gospel of Matthew says that the robe was scarlet, while the Gospels of Mark and John say it was purple.  The Gospel of Luke says it was "elegant".  So, was the robe purple or scarlet? Both purple and scarlet are similar hues and there are some hues in between them that might appear purple to some people whereas might call the same hue scarlet.  It might have even been purplish-scarlet.  

Pilate has a custom to release one prisoner.  He thinks this might be his escape.  Unfortunately, he makes the mistake of asking the crowd who they want released.  If it were up to Pilate, he would have released Jesus.  He should not have asked the crowd.  But since the practice was to appease the crowd, asking the crowd what they want has logic.

The crowd is stirred up by the priests.  They begin to shout for Barrabas. Barrabasis a murderer who participated in a recent revolt and is awaiting execution.  Clearly, there are two separate and sufficient reasons to execute Barrabas whereas Jesus is innocent.

The crowd grows more rowdy and excited and Pilate feels he has no choice but to appease the crowd, lest a riot ensue.  Presumably, Pilate thought that having Jesus flogged and beaten would be enough to appease the crowd, but it is not.

He washes his hands over a water basin to symbolize that is the crowds to decision to kill Jesus, not his.

Around noon, Pilate sends Jesus off to be crucified.  

All four Gospels agree that Pilate was reluctant to execute Jesus.  But nevertheless, he agrees and orders it.  Does his reluctance exonerate him?  Jesus himself says to Pilate that those who gave Jesus to Pilate were guilty of a greater son.  (John 19:11).  But nevertheless, he failed to stand up to the crowd or even pursue other options.  Perhaps he could have imprisoned Jesus or delayed deciding what to do with Jesus until after Passover and when the crowds would have left.

Further, Jesus had made so many predictions that he was about to die.  If this was the ordained time, then one wonders if Pilate even had the free will to let Jesus go.

around 6 AM, execution day (Mark 15:1; Matthew 27:1-10; Luke 22:67-71)

At dawn, the religious leaders decide to hand Jesus over to Pilate and Herod.  On one hand, this is a little surprising because if they believed that Jesus is guilty of blasphemy, they probably do not need Roman approval to kill him.  For instance, religious leaders were ready to stone the adulterous woman.

However, they know they would need the Roman army to put down any riot that might result if they killed Jesus.  So, they need Roman cooperation and participation.  That said, Pilate and Herod have the power to release Jesus.

Regardless, this action serves an important religious symbolic function.  Both the Pharisees and the Romans will have ultimate responsibility for the death of Jesus.  In a very literal way, the death of Jesus will be at the hands of both Jews and Gentiles.

Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot feels tremendous guilt.  He returns the 30 pieces of silver.  The priests know this is blood money and they cannot directly take it.  So, they use the money to buy the "potter's field" which they use to bury foreigners.  

Judas Iscariot then hangs himself.

Looking ahead, Saul (Apostle Paul) will have doubts about Jesus because the Mosaic Law states that people hung from a tree are cursed.  Under that principle, Judas Iscariot is "cursed" because he is hung from a tree.

Jesus is beaten before the high priest (Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-61; John 18:12-27)

It is still late at night and the crowd takes Jesus to Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest.  Then they take him to the high priest, Caiaphas.  Caiaphas wants Jesus dead.

People falsely testify about things Jesus said and did, but no two testimonies agree.  Under Jewish law, they need the testimony of two witnesses.  It is a little strange that they cannot even agree on their false charges.

Finally, two people somewhat agree that Jesus said that he could destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days.  Jesus did say something very similar to this, but it was in reference to his own body.  Coming of the testimony of people wanting to kill him, I wonder if they had in their mind the text of the non-canonical Wisdom of Solomon, in which Solomon used demons to build the temple.

The high priest then just plainly asks Jesus if he is the Messiah.  Jesus says yes and that they will see the Son of Man next to the throne of God.  The high priest considers this to be enough testimony and people around Jesus start beating him with their fists.

Meanwhile, Simon Peter and an unnamed disciple are nearby.  The unnamed disciple actually makes it into the interrogation area while Peter must wait outside.  There, he is question by a servant girl and a man who saw him at the Mount of Olive if he knows Jesus and three times, he denies it.

A rooster crows and Simon Peter and Jesus make eye contact.  Simon Peter is humiliated and goes away to cry.

Things are only going to get worse for Jesus.  

As for the unnamed disciple by Jesus, the only thing we know about him is that he was familiar with the high priest.

Jesus' last hours with the disciples (before crucifixion) (John 14-17)

In between the Last Supper and being arrested, Jesus had a lot to say to his disciples.  The Gospel of John records four chapters of teaching, encouragement, and prayer in the last moments before Jesus' arrest.  The teachings are generally pretty theologically heavy and sometimes confuse the disciples.

Who was present?  Probably those that were at the Last Supper, minus Judas Iscariot. This would be the remaining Eleven (Twelve minus Judas) and Lazarus (the disciple whom Jesus loved).  We also can infer that the author of the Gospel of Mark may have been there.  

Other reasonable possibilities include the sisters of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, because they seem to be present wherever Lazarus is.  They also live near Jerusalem and Jesus ate with them before having his body prepared for burial by Mary.

I prepare a place (14:1-14)

Jesus says he is going away to prepare a place for them.  He also outlines that he is going to the Father and the places for them are in the Father's house.  

This seems to be a reference to his death.  He will return to the Father to prepare the places for the disciples.  This confuses Thomas, who states he cannot follow Jesus if does not know where he is going.

Philip and Jesus have an interesting discussion in which Jesus states that if you have seen Jesus, then you have seen the Father.  For us living centuries later, we cannot see Jesus the way the disciples did as Jesus walked on earth, but we can read and follow Jesus' example, knowing that it is what the Father would have done on earth as well.

Jesus also says something peculiar - anyone who has faith in Jesus will do what Jesus has been doing.  What does this entail?  The things that Jesus commanded were:

1.  Love God

2.  Love your neighbor

3.  Go unto all the world and preach the Gospel

4.  Heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead

The promise of the Holy Spirit (14:15-31)

Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come to empower the disciples.  The Holy Spirit will do a number of things, one of which is to remind the disciples of what Jesus had said.  Presumably, no one was writing down what Jesus had said during the ministry.  The Holy Spirit will help with this.

The Vine and the Branches (15:1-17)

Jesus uses an analogy with a vine to illustrate the relationships between Jesus, the Father, and the disciples.  Jesus is the vine and the disciples are the branches.  The branches must remain in the vine to bear fruit.  The gardner comes and either prunes the branches to grow more fruit, or if there is no fruit, the branch is discarded.  

We all go through seasons of either being pruned or possibly even disconnecting from Jesus and the fruit begins to dry out.  We might not be in control of how much the gardner prunes us, but we are in control of how much we connect with Jesus.  In turn, we are in somewhat of control of how much fruit we have.

With regard to disconnecting from Jesus, we know from other passages of Jesus grace and mercy.  In fact, Simon Peter is about to publicly disown Jesus three times, clearly a disconnection.  Likewise, the other disciples will scatter and be disillusioned.  But Jesus will forgive them and even reinstate Simon Peter.  

In this passage, Jesus makes a few other interesting points.

First, Jesus calls his disciples friends and no longer servants.  Likewise, they are all appointed to do something.  As I mentioned, this group probably was not just the remaining Eleven, but his general disciples.  Jesus calls all his disciples friends, which means us too.

Second, Jesus said that he "chose you".  This raises the issue of whether faith is a free will, task, or gift.  Yes, all of the above.  Further, Christians disagree.

On one hand, we have faith traditions that leans towards salvation by works.  Here, I would include Catholicism, saying Hail Mary, and the concept of Purgatory.  

On another, we have some of the concepts of election and predestination espoused by John Calvin.

Personally, I am not an expert on the reasoning of either group, but what from I have seen, I find not persuasive.  Rather, it must be in the middle somewhere and perhaps is one of the dichotomies of the Christian faith that live in tension.  

On one hand, choice and free will must exist - both in the world of angels and man - in order for anything to make sense.  If there were none, then we can trace the only real choice as to God's decision to make the universe or not.  If God created the world knowing that angels and humans will fall away, and still removed the ability for them to make the choice, then God is to blame for sin.  That is the implicit result if there were no free will.

On the other hand, if free will were absolute, then God would be paralyzed and do nothing - ever.  God's actions by necessity mean the absence of free will for anyone else because God's will is supreme over everyone else's - angels or man.

Rather, I think it is a blend.  Sometimes God acts and sometimes not.  Sometimes God delegates choice, to angels and men.  Sometimes God chooses and sometimes angels and men choose.  Sometimes God tells angels and men what they should do, but allows them go their own way.  Sometimes angels and men follow God's ideas.

This is what I think the parable of the Prodigal Son was about, for angels and men.  But at least for men, we have the option of turning back to God for forgiveness for going our own way and messing up our own lives.  I am not aware if the angels have that option.

Persecution and the Holy Spirit (15:18-16:33)

Jesus warns is disciples that the world will hate them on account of him.  However, the Holy Spirit will come and lead and encourage them.  

Jesus also commissions the disciples that have been with him since the beginning to testifh about him. 

Jesus' Prayer (17)

John 17 covers a long prayer by Jesus for himself, his disciples, and all believers.

After saying all this, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane, where he was arrested.

The Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-35; Mark 14:12-31; Luke 22:7-38; John 13)

The Passover feast draws near and Jesus sends his disciples to make preparations for the Passover.

At the Passover, Jesus washes the feet of all his disciples.  He uses this to demonstrate the importance of service and love.  Meanwhile, Peter tells Jesus to not wash his feet, but then Jesus says if he does not, then Peter has no part with Jesus.  Peter then states that Jesus can wash his whole body.  This interaction shows that to be part of Jesus, we must let Jesus serve us.  Otherwise, if Jesus does not serve us, we are not a part of him.

Interestingly, this account is recorded in John 13, but not the other Gospels.  In fact, in Luke 22:24, a dispute arises among the disciples as to which disciple is greatest.

Again, Jesus is essentially preparing to die and is passing on the mission to his disciples, but they are concerned about their own self-importance.

Also, in John 13, we see the emergence of the "disciple whom Jesus loved".  Knowing what we know from the rest of John, this could refer to Lazarus.  Lazarus was referred to as someone Jesus loved when Lazarus died.

If this is the case, then it also means that there were more than 13 people at the Last Supper.  There would have to been at least Jesus, core Twelve, and Lazarus.  It is popularly conceptualized that there were only 13 people at the Last Supper, for instance the painting Last Supper.

Jesus also implements a new law, which is actually an old law, but Jesus gives it a new spin. The new law is that they are to love another.  The new spin is that this is how people will know they are his disciples, if they love another.

This appears in John, but it might be the clue to understanding the parable of the sheep and the goats, which is in Matthew.  In the parable, the defining difference between he sheep and the goats was the way they treated one another.  Here, Jesus is saying that this is that people know that one follows Jesus, by their love for one another.  Like I mention before, it is this kindness that is the indicator of Jesus' presence in one's life and ultimately, salvation.

What is not addressed here is the converse - are nice people automatically followers of Jesus and hence, automatically saved?  Again, this would be a works-based faith.

In Mark, Matthew, and Luke, Jesus also implements what comes to be known as Communion.  He had talked about people eating his buoy and drinking his blood, and here, he gives an action that people can do without actually resorting to cannibalism.  Out of remembrance for Christ, his followers are to drink wine and eat bread.

Meanwhile, Jesus starts talking about how one of the Twelve will betray him.  This confuses the disciples, but eventually singles out Judas Iscariot, telling him that whatever he was planning on doing, they do quickly.

Jesus also warns Peter that he will disown Jesus three times before the rooster crows at dawn.  Obviously, this denial of Jesus is not the same as the intention betrayal that Judas Iscariot is currently undergoing.  

The Gospel of Luke includes an interesting post-dinner detail.  Jesus tells them to buy some swords.  They find two swords and this enough.  We do not know what exactly Jesus has in mind for the swords, but armed resistance is not one of them, otherwise they should get enough swords for all the disciples.

After the meal, they sing a hymn and go to the Mount of Olives.  This is where Jesus went every night of the week to escape the crowd.  Judas knows where to find Jesus.