November 9: Matthew 26, Mark 14

November 9, Matthew 26, Mark 14

Matthew & Mark continued…

Matthew 26 The Plot to Kill Jesus. Jesus had just got finished teaching about being prepared for His return and living in light of that. He tells His disciples a 4th and final time that he is to be crucified. Only the True Prophet would have known that. Meanwhile, the chief priests and elders were gathered with Caiaphas, the high priest. We know him to be rude and crude. They were literally plotting how to arrest and kill Jesus. They were too afraid of the people, as many liked Him, so they chose not to do it during the feast. Sometimes the feasts got rowdy and they didn’t want to have an uproar. Picture this scene… they were literally premeditating the murder of Jesus!

Jesus Anointed at Bethany. Also recorded in John 12. John is more descriptive about who and what than Matthew was. Let me try to paint a picture for you through Scripture… Where was Mary, referred to here as a woman? She was getting a jar of extremely expensive ointment. From Bakers commentary, “The essence of this ointment was derived from pure nard, which is an aromatic herb grown in the high pasture-land of the Himalayas, between Tibet and India. In view of the fact that it had to be procured in a region so remote, and carried on camel-back through miles and miles of mountain-passes, it was very high-priced. Note, moreover, that this nard was no substitute. On the contrary, it was the genuine article. The ointment was extracted from pure nard.” It is easy to see that Mary loved Jesus much, as did her siblings - not in a romantic way, but in a way that we are to love Jesus as well. She then opens the jar and anoints Jesus with it and pours it over His head. Think about how the house must have smelled - full of beautiful ointment. Matthew does not record who said this, but John did… Here is a classic example of someone playing Christianity but having his heart far from Jesus, “But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” Do you see what I mean? It sounds holy, but it is demonic. Judas had his mind on himself and on money. We learn that he often helped himself - stole - to the offerings that they received because he was the treasurer in charge of their money that they received for Jesus’ ministry. He was not concerned about the poor as he states, but about himself being poor. Mary must have felt inadequate at this point, until Jesus came to her defense and said, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” .” Again, I learned this again about how much Mary loved Jesus from the Word and it helped me understand when I read this from Bakers Commentary on John 12, “According to Matthew and Mark she pours it on his head (cf. Ps. 23:5); according to John she anoints his feet. There is no conflict, for Matthew and Mark clearly indicate that the perfume was poured over Christ’s body (Matt. 26:12; Mark 14:8). Evidently there was enough for the entire body: head, neck, shoulders, and feet. Simon’s house was filled with fragrance…Mary knew what she was doing. She actually believed that before long Jesus would be put to death by his enemies. Would his friends be given the opportunity to anoint his body? Yet, this honor must not be withheld. Mary owes so much, so very much, to Jesus! To him she owes her salvation, and … the recovery of her brother Lazarus from the very realm of the dead. Hence, she had decided to keep the ointment for the day of her Lord’s burial. Not, however, in the sense that she literally wanted to keep the jar tightly closed until that day had actually arrived, for that might be too late; but thus, that she would keep it until a good opportunity would present itself, and then she would anoint him in anticipation of his burial. It was now or never!”

Judas to Betray Jesus. Mathew just showed us the loyalty and love Mary had for Jesus, only to now have it contrasted with the hate and selfishness of Judas Iscariot. We have had many hints already that Judas was the betrayer. Matthew shows us what really was in his heart. “Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests  and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.” This exact amount was the Old Testament penalty that one was to pay if your ox gored a slave to death and it was minimal amount of money. Not very much to betray the Messiah. Some say that is how little the priests valued Jesus… What is so disgusting, is that Judas was one of the 12 - one of Jesus’ own disciples. Judas was fulfilling prophecy, most likely without knowing it (Zechariah 11). Judas now had the money in his pocket and was looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. 

The Passover with the Disciples. It is time to celebrate what God had done, many years before, for the Israelites getting them out of Egypt. Where were they to celebrate it? Jesus had it all lined up for them and told His disciples (Peter & John) to go into town and a certain man would help them (Luke supplies more detail than Matthew on this account). From Bakers Commentary, “Jesus instructs them to follow this man into whatever house he enters, and then to bring Christ’s message to the master or owner of that house: and say to him, The Teacher says, My time is near; at your house I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples. It was the rule in Israel that if anyone at this time had space available it must be given free of charge to whatever family or group wished to make sacred use of it. Besides, this particular person, the owner of the house, may well have been one of Christ’s followers, who accordingly would be glad to accommodate the Master and his disciples.” That insight helps us understand the Sovereignty of God! Just as Jesus said, it was so. Now it is evening and they are all reclining at the table celebrating Passover. Jesus told them what was about to happen. “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” This made them sorrowful and greatly distressed, because they loved Him (11 did). Each one of the 11 in turn asked him, “Is it I, Lord?” Jesus answered that is will be one of them who shared the meal with Him and dipped their bread in the sauce with Him (they all had done that… not very helpful! He was emphasizing that the betrayer just shared a meal with Him - very personal). Then Jesus gets real with them, “The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Jesus must be betrayed but it would have been better for the betrayer to not even been born. “Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” Notice, all the others call Jesus Lord and Judas refers to him as teacher. Not Lord. Jesus was not his Lord, only a teacher. Jesus answered Judas in typical form. Yes - it is you, you have said it. As you are aware, I utilize Bakers Commentary as one of my study resources. How do we reconcile God Sovereignly ordaining everything and somehow we have freedom within that? He puts it this way, “However, nowhere in Scripture does predestination and prophecy cancel human responsibility. So also here: the expression “Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed” fully maintains the guilt and establishes the doom of the traitor. Not to have been born would have been better for such a man. But he was born, and is in the process of committing the gruesome deed. Therefore the entire statement, “It would have been better for that man if he had not been born” is an expression of unreality—a situation that can be changed only if Judas, who remains fully responsible, still repents. We know that he did not repent. Hence he faces everlasting damnation (25:46). What makes his guilt all the heavier is the fact that he not only planned the treachery and took the next step—volunteering to deliver Jesus to the enemy—and the next—accepting the thirty pieces of silver—but even now, in spite of Christ’s impressive warnings, goes right ahead.”

Institution of the Lord’s Supper. They are still reclining at the table and Jesus basically instituted what they were to do after He was gone - The Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist. “Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Allow me for a quick rant… This is where Christ followers and Catholics differ. Just so you know, Catholics will not allow Christians to partake in their communions. “According to the Code of Canon Law, receiving communion in a Protestant church is generally not permissible. According to canon 844, “Catholic ministers may licitly administer the sacraments to Catholic members of the Christian faithful only and, likewise, the latter may licitly receive the sacraments only from Catholic ministers.” The key term here is licit. If a Catholic receives communion from a Protestant minister, it is generally considered “illicit” or unlawful.” See more here. According to Catholics, “The Holy Eucharist is a sacrament and a sacrifice. In the Holy Eucharist, under the appearances of bread and wine, the Lord Christ is contained, offered, and received. The whole Christ is really, truly, and substantially present in the Holy Eucharist.” I do not agree that Jesus is in the bread or the wine, but that it is symbolic and representing what Christ did for us. They also believe that Jesus was basically re-crucified each time you take communion. He sacrificed Himself once for us and God accepted His sacrifice and raised Him from death. This is part of our faith and we are to anticipate His return and remember what He did for us. 

Back to it! All 4 Gospels record the ‘breaking of the bread’ and this shows the importance of the bread. Not pizza. Not steak. Not donuts. Bread. That is what we are to do. Also, Jesus used wine. Not grape juice or beer or milk. Wine. This is highly symbolic. Again, from Bakers Commentary, “In all four accounts a relation is established between Christ’s blood and his covenant. As reported by Matthew and Mark, Jesus said, “my blood of the covenant.” The expression goes back to Exod. 24:8. See also the significant passage Lev. 17:11. And note: “Apart from the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Heb. 9:22; cf. Eph. 1:7); therefore also no covenant, no special relation of friendship between God and his people. Reconciliation with God always requires blood, an atoning sacrifice. And since man himself is unable to render such a sacrifice, a substitutionary offering, accepted by faith, is required (Isa. 53:6, 8, 10, 12; Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 3:16; 6:51; Rom. 4:19; 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:20, 21; Gal. 2:20; 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24). Thus the covenant comes into being. Scripture refers again and again to God’s covenant with his people. The Lord established it with Abraham (Gen. 17:7; Ps. 105:9); hence, also with all who share Abraham’s faith (Gal. 3:7, 29).”

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial. They got done and they sang a hymn together and then they left to the Mount of Olives.  Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Again - prophecy being fulfilled in and through Christ. It was imminent and urgent. It was time. Peter, famous for speaking a lot, said “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.” They had convictions and their convictions were tried that very night. 11 of them loved Jesus and this was going to grow their faith. Just because they failed doesn't mean that the are not saved. There is some discrepancies with the gospels on how many times the rooster crowed. The point is - a rooster (typically) crows before dawn, which is when these events for them will take place. Again, Jesus the Prophet. 

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane. Gethsemane was a garden of sorts. From Bakers, “Out of the eastern gate, located north of the temple, Jesus and his disciples proceed along the road that crosses the winter brook Kedron (see N.T.C. on John 18:1). They continue to a point near the place where this road divides into three branches, each leading to the Mount of Olives. Somewhere near this fork was a grove called Gethsemane, in all probability meaning “oil-press.” It must have been a secluded spot, fenced in and containing some olive trees and perhaps a grotto used in the fall of the year for an olive oil-press. Was the owner of the grove a follower of Jesus? That would almost seem so, for Jesus went there often with his disciples (John 18:2). It was therefore a quiet place, a place to teach, pray, rest, and sleep.” I hope that is helpful in painting a picture… Jesus took with him Peter, James & John to go and isolate and pray. Jesus was full of sorrow because He knew what was coming up and how it was going to play out. No doubt you would be full of sorrow if you knew what was coming… He was going to be betrayed, abandoned by your friends, beaten, mocked and killed for sins He didn't commit. Ben H. Price wrote a poem about this:

It was alone the Savior prayed

In dark Gethsemane;

Alone he drained the bitter cup

And suffered there for me.

Alone, alone, He bore it all alone;

He gave himself to save his own,

He suffered, bled, and died alone, alone.

Jesus told the 3, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” That is not Jesus being dramatic or anything of the sort. He was not one to exaggerate. He was taking on the curse of man. He went and prayed to God, after telling His 3 to stay with Him and watch with Him. In deep awe and reverence Jesus comes before God Almighty and prays, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus wanted whatever God wanted, no matter how horrible it would be. Jesus was sinless and had to take on the nasty sins of man - men like me. “And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Peter and the boys were sleepy. They wanted to do right but they were weak. This same thing happened 2 more times. He would go pray and then come back to find them sleeping. He is full of sorrow and they were full of sleep. Jesus was referring to their human nature and proclivities. That is what is meant by flesh (not skin…). After getting His prayer time in and praying the same prayer, “Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” The time has come. This is the moments that Jesus was born for - and also what was causing his distress.

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus. “While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him.” Picture this scene! Judas did not take long to do what he had been paid to do. He knew where Jesus often went and hung out. But, great crowd, swords, clubs? What did they expect? With Judas were temple police and soldiers, as well as some religious leaders. Pry a large crowd… Regardless, the enemies were prepared for whatever came their way. Jesus told Judas, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Then Jesus was arrested by them. “And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.” We know this from the other Gospels to be Peter. Of course, Peter! A fisherman, now disciple, ready to battle for his Savior. Literally cut a guys ear off! “Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”Again, Jesus was the fulfillment of Prophesies. He could have asked God for 1,000’s of angels to come down and conquer these mere mortal men, but He did not as to fulfill what was said about Him. Peter was reacting and not thinking about the things of God - but he will someday! Then Jesus addressed the crowds. “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.  But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” They had many chances to take Jesus but they were too afraid of the people to do it in public… “Then all the disciples left him and fled.” Just like Jesus said - they abandoned Him. 

Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council. Now it was time for the enemies to take Jesus to the high priest, Caiaphas, as well as the elders and scribes = all the Jewish religious leaders. Peter was following Jesus at a distance. The chief priest and all the Council were seeking false testimonies against Jesus - they had nothing on Him that they could pin on Him (He hadn't done anything wrong, except for going against their evil ways). In reality, this was no trial at all, it just looked like one. They couldn't find anybody, even though many came before them to falsely testify. Their stories wouldn't collaborate. “At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” Well, that was something that they had! A threat…“And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”  But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” What do you have to say for yourself, is what he was asking. Jesus gave him an answer, one that fueled the fire even more! “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” He was basically placing Jesus under oath. Not only did Jesus say yes I am He - but Jesus told him where He was going - to sit next to God in Heaven in Glory! Jesus was fulfilling what Daniel said in chapter 7. 

“I saw in the night visions, 

and behold, with the clouds of heaven 

there came one like a son of man, 

and he came to the Ancient of Days 

and was presented before him. 

  And to him was given dominion 

and glory and a kingdom, 

that all peoples, nations, and languages 

should serve him; 

his dominion is an everlasting dominion, 

which shall not pass away, 

and his kingdom one 

that shall not be destroyed.”

Oh, how I love Jesus Christ - and the religious leaders would have been aware of what Daniel had spoken. Then the scene starts to get real ugly. “Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” They spit in His face. Oh my, I could not imagine that. They hit Him and slapped Him. They mocked His Divinity. They will be held accountable for such atrocious acts. If they didn't believe in Him, which they didn’t, then it is easier to see their disdain and hate for Him - He was against them and their treacherous ways. 

Peter Denies Jesus. Remember, Peter had been following Jesus at a distance. Now we learn about Peter denying Jesus 3 times by the time the rooster crowed. He denied knowing Jesus at all. Even swore to it. His accent gave him away. At the last denial, immediately the rooster crowed,“ And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” He felt the pain of his disobedience and he wept over his sin - a proper response for us to take note of.

Mark 14 The Plot to Kill Jesus, Jesus anointed at Bethany, Judas betrayal, Passover, the Lords Supper, Jesus prophesying Peter’s denial, Jesus praying in Gethsemane, Jesus getting betrayed, Jesus before the council, & Peter’s denial of Jesus. These accounts are all similar to Matthew 26. See above. The only added Scripture, and only in the Gospel of Mark is found in vs 51 & 52. “And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.” Many a theologian have tried to explain this. But none are convincing! The way I lean is towards the young man being Mark, the author. We get insight into the veracity of the situation - it really happened and it was a dreadful scary night. The young man escaped capture at any and all costs… 

To sum it all up: 

• I placed a lot of the summary in the dialogue above… I think you have read enough for one day!