§ 140. JESUS PREDICTS HIS CRUCIFIXION TWO DAYS HENCE (JEWISH FRIDAY)

Probably at Bethany on Tuesday evening (beginning of Jewish Wednesday). The Rulers in Jerusalem plot His death


Mark 14:1-2 Matt. 26:1-5 Luke 22:1-2
1    Now after two
days was the feast of
the passover and the
unleavened bread:






                         and
the chief priests and
the scribes



                    sought
how they might take
him with subtilty,
and kill him: 2 for they
said, Not during the
feast, lest haply there
shall be a tumult of
the people.
1    And it came to
pass, when Jesus had
finished all these
words, he said unto his
disciples, 2 Ye know
that after two days
the passover cometh,
and the Son of man
is delivered up to be
crucified. 3 Then were
gathered together the
chief priests, and the
elders of the people,
unto the court of the
high priest, who was
called Caiaphas; 4 and
they took counsel
together that they
might take Jesus by
subtilty, and kill him.
5 But they said, Not
during the feast, lest
a tumult arise among
the people.
1    Now the feast of
unleavened bread
drew nigh, which is
called the Passover.






2                And the
chief priests and the





scribes sought how
they might put him
to death; for they



feared the people.





§ 141. AT THE FEAST IN THE HOUSE OF SIMON THE LEPER MARY OF BETHANY ANOINTS JESUS FOR HIS BURIAL

At Bethany (Tuesday evening, Jewish Wednesday)


Mark 14:3-9 Matt. 26:6-13 John 12:2-8
3    And while he was
in Bethany in the
house of Simon the
leper, as he sat at
meat, there came a
woman having 1an
alabaster cruse of
ointment of 2spikenard
very costly; and
she brake the cruse,
and poured it over
his head. 4 But there
were some that had
indignation among
themselves, saying,
To what purpose hath
this waste of the
ointment been made?
5 For this ointment
might have been sold
for above three
hundred 3pence, and
given to the poor.
And they murmured
against her. 6 But
Jesus said, Let her
alone; why trouble ye
her? she hath wrought
a good work on me.
7 For ye have the poor
always with you, and
whensoever ye will
ye can do them good:
but me ye have not
always. 8 She hath
done what she could:
she hath anointed my
body aforehand for
the burying. 9 And
verily I say unto you,
Wheresoever the gospel
shall be preached
throughout the whole
world, that also which
this woman hath done
shall be spoken of for
a memorial of her.
6    Now when Jesus
was in Bethany, in
the house of Simon
the leper, 7 there came
unto him a woman
having 1an alabaster
cruse of exceeding
precious ointment,
and she poured it
upon his head, as he
sat at meat. 8 But
when the disciples
saw it, they had
indignation, saying,

                To what
purpose is this waste?
9 For this ointment
might have been sold
for much, and given
to the poor.



10 But Jesus perceiving
it said unto them,
Why trouble ye the
woman? for she hath
wrought a good work
upon me. 11 For ye
have the poor always
with you; but me you
have not always.
12 For in that she poured
this ointment upon
my body, she did it to
prepare me for burial.
13 Verily I say unto you,
Wheresoever this gospel
shall be preached
in the whole world,
that also which this
woman hath done
shall be spoken of for
a memorial of her.
2    So they made him
a supper there: and
Martha served; but
Lazarus was one of
them that sat at meat
with him. 3 Marya
therefore took a
pound of ointment
of 2spikenard, very
precious, and anointed
the feet of Jesus,
and wiped his feet
with her hair: and the
house was filled with
the odour of the
ointment. 4 But Judas
Iscariot, one of his
disciples, which
should betray him,
saith, 5 Why was not
this ointment sold for
three hundred 3pence,
and given to the
poor? 6 Now this he
said, not because he
cared for the poor;
but because he was a
thief, and having the
4bag 5took away what
was put therein.
7 Jesus therefore said,
6Suffer her to keep
it against the day of
my burying. 8 For
the poor ye have
always with you; but
me ye have not
always.
1 Or, a flask.
2 Gr. pistic nard, pistic being perhaps a local name. Some take it to mean genuine; others, liquid.
3 The word in the Greek denotes a coin worth about seventeen cents.
4 Or, box.
5 Or, carried what was put therein.
6 Or, Let her alone: it was that she might keep it.

a This anointing has nothing in common with that given by Luke (§ 59), except the fact of a woman anointing the Saviour's feet, and the name Simon, which was common. The former was in Galilee, this is at Bethany near Jerusalem. There the host despised the woman who anointed, here her brother is one of the guests, and her sister an active attendant. There the woman was "a sinner," a notoriously bad woman, here it is the devout Mary who "sat at the Lord's feet and heard his word" months before (§ 104). There the host thought strange that Jesus allowed her to touch him, here the disciples complain of the waste. There the Saviour gave assurance of forgiveness, here of perpetual and world-wide honor. Especially notice that here the woman who anoints is anticipating his speedy death and burial, of which at the former time he had never distinctly spoken. In view of all these differences it is absurd to represent the two anointings as the same, and outrageous on such slender ground to cast reproach on Mary of Bethany.





§ 142. JUDAS, STUNG BY THE REBUKE OF JESUS AT THE FEAST, BARGAINS WITH THE RULERS TO BETRAY JESUS

Tuesday Night in Jerusalem


Mark 14:10-11 Matt. 26:14-16 Luke 22:3-6
10    And Judas Iscariot,
1he that was one of
the twelve, went away


unto the chief priests,


that he might deliver
him unto them.



11                     And
they, when they
heard it, were glad,
and promised to give
him money.



                     And he
sought how he might
conveniently deliver
him unto them.
14    Then one of the
twelve, who was
called Judas Iscariot,


went unto the chief
priests, 15 and said,



What are ye willing
to give me, and I will
deliver him unto you?

And they weighed
unto him thirty pieces
of silver [see Zech.
11:12]
. 16 And from
that time he sought
opportunity to
deliver him unto
them
.
3    And Satan entered
into Judas who was
called Iscariot, being
of the number of the
twelve. 4 And he went
away, and communed
with the chief priests
and captains, how he
might deliver him
unto them.




5                 And they
were glad, and
covenanted to give
him money. 6 And he
consented,


                         and
sought opportunity
to deliver him unto
them 2in the absence
of the multitude.
1 Gr. the one of the twelve.
2 Or, without tumult.




§ 143. THE PREPARATION FOR THE PASCHAL MEAL AT THE HOME OF A FRIEND (POSSIBLY THAT OF JOHN MARK'S FATHER AND MOTHER)

Jerusalem, Thursdaya afternoon. (A Day of Preparation)


Mark 14:12-16 Matt. 26:17-19 Luke 22:7-13
12    And on the first
day of unleavened
bread, when they
sacrificed the passover,
his disciples say
unto him, Where wilt
thou that we go and
make ready that thou
mayest eat the passover
[see Ex. 12:18-20]?
13 And he sendeth
two of his disciples,
and saith unto them,








                Go into
the city, and there
shall meet you a man
bearing a pitcher of
water: follow him;
14 and wheresoever he
shall enter in, say to
the goodman of the
house, The 1Master
saith, Where is my
guest-chamber, where
I shall eat the passover
with my disciples?
15 And he will himself
shew you a large
upper room furnished
and ready: and
there make ready for
us. 16 And the disciples
went forth, and came
into the city, and
found as he had said
unto them: and they
made ready the
passover.
17    Now on the first
day of unleavened
bread the disciples
came to Jesus,
saying,
        Where wilt thou
that we make ready
for thee to eat the
passover? 18 And he
said,











        Go into the city
to such a man, and
say unto him,




                         The
1Master saith, My
time is at hand; I
keep the passover at
thy house with my
disciples.





19                     And
the disciples did as
Jesus appointed them;


        and they made
ready the passover.
7    And the day of
unleavened bread
came, on which the
passover must be
sacrificed.





8            And he sent
Peter and John, saying,
Go and make ready
for us the passover,
that we may
eat. 9 And they said
unto him, Where wilt
thou that we make
ready? 10 And he said
unto them, Behold,
when ye are entered
into the city, there
shall meet you a man
bearing a pitcher of
water; follow him into
the house whereinto
he goeth. 11 And
ye shall say unto the
goodman of the
house, The 1Master
saith unto thee,
Where is the
guest-chamber, where I
shall eat the passover
with my disciples?
12 And he will shew you
a large upper room
furnished: there make
ready.

13 And they went, and

found as he had said
unto them: and they
made ready the
passover.
1 Or, Teacher.

a Wednesday (A Day of Rest) was apparently spent with the disciples in retirement in Bethany. Thursday was spent wholly with the disciples till the arrest in Gethsemane after midnight.





§ 144. JESUS PARTAKES OF THE PASCHAL MEAL WITH THE TWELVE APOSTLES AND REBUKES THEIR JEALOUSY

Jerusalem, Thursday evening after sunset (beginning of Jewish Friday)


Mark 14:17 Matt. 26:20 Luke 22:14-16, 24-30
17    And when it was
evening he cometh
with the twelve.
20    Now when even
was come, he was
sitting at meat with the
twelve 1disciples;




14    And when the hour
was come, he sat down,
and the apostles with
him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this
passovera with you before I suffer: 16 for I say unto you, I will not eat
it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
24    And there arose also a contention among them, which of them is
accounted to be 2greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the
Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over
them are called Benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is
the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is
chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that 3sitteth at
meat, or he that serveth? is not he that 3sitteth at meat? but I am in the
midst of you as he that serveth. 28 But ye are they which have
continued with me in my temptations; 29 and 4I appoint unto you a
kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me, 30 that ye may eat
and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
1 Many authorities, some ancient, omit disciples.
2 Gr. greater.
3 Gr. reclineth.
4 Or, I appoint unto you, even as my Father appointed unto me a kingdom, that ye may eat and drink etc.

a Some regard certain expressions in the Gospel of John as showing that Jesus did not eat the Paschal meal, thus hopelessly contradicting the other Gospels. But no one of John's expressions shows what is supposed, and one of them really indicates the contrary. See note at end of volume. Matthew, Mark, and Luke clearly show that he did eat the regular Passover meal.





§ 145. DURING THE PASCHAL MEAL, JESUS WASHES THE FEET OF HIS DISCIPLES

Evening before the Crucifixion (our Thursday, Jewish Friday)


John 13:1-20

1    Now beforea the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them 1unto the end. 2 And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God, 4 riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments; and he took a towel, and girded himself. 5 Then he poureth water into the bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 So he cometh to Simon Peter. He saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is bathed needeth not 2save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew him that should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

12    So when he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and 3sat down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me, 4Master, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the 4Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, A 5servant is not greater than his lord; neither 6one that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them. 18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I 7have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth 8my bread lifted up his heel against me [see Ps. 41:9]. 19 From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that 9I am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

1 Or, to the uttermost.
2 Some ancient authorities omit save, and his feet.
3 Gr. reclined.
4 Or, Teacher.
5 Gr. bondservant.
6 Gr. an apostle.
7 Or, chose.
8 Many ancient authorities read his bread with me.
9 Or, I am.

a It is needlessly inferred that John by this expression means that it was a full day before the passover meal. In fact, the words in verse 2 "during supper" rather imply that "before passover" was just before the meal began.





§ 146. AT THE PASCHAL MEAL JESUS POINTS OUT JUDAS AS THE BETRAYER

Thursday evening (Jewish Friday)


Mark 14:18-21 Matt. 26:21-25 Luke 22:21-23 John 13:21-30
18    And as they
2sat and were
eating, Jesus
said, Verily I
say unto you,
One of you
shall betray
me, even he
that eateth
with me [see
Ps. 41:9
].



19            They
began to be
sorrowful, and
to say unto
him one by
one, Is it I?


20        And he
said unto
them, It is one
of the twelve,
he that dippeth
with me
in the dish.
21 For the Son
of man goeth,
even as it is
written of him:
but woe unto
that man
through whom
the Son of man
is betrayed!
good were it
1for that man
if he had not
been born.

21 and as they
were eating, he
said, Verily I
say unto you,
that one of you
shall betray
me.






22        And they
were exceeding
sorrowful,
and began to
say unto him
every one, Is
it I, Lord?
23        And he
answered and
said, He that
dipped his
hand with me
in the dish,
the same shall
betray me.
24 The Son of
man goeth,
even as it is
written of him:
but woe unto
that man
through whom
the Son of man
is betrayed!
good were it
1for that man
if he had not
been born.
21    But behold,
the hand of
him that
betrayeth me is
with me on the
table. 22 For the
Son of man
indeed goeth,
as it hath been
determined:
but woe unto
that man
through whom
he is betrayed!
23 And they
began to
question among
themselves,
which of them
it was that
should do this
thing.
21    When Jesus
had thus said,
he was troubled
in the spirit,
and testified,
and said, Verily,
verily, I say
unto you, that
one of you
shall betray
me.



22            The
disciples looked
one on another,
doubting
of whom
he spake.






















23        There
was at the
table reclining
 












25        And
Judas, which
betrayed him,
answered and
said, Is it I,
Rabbi? He
saith unto
him, Thou
hast said.
in Jesus' bosom one of his
disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24
Simon Peter therefore beckoneth
to him, and saith unto him, Tell us
who it is of whom he speaketh.
25 He leaning back, as he was, on
Jesus' breast saith unto him,
Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus therefore
answereth, He it is, for whom I
shall dip the sop, and give it him.
So when he had dipped the sop,
he taketh and giveth it to Judas,
the son of Simon Iscariot.









27 And after the sop, then entered
Satan into him. Jesus therefore
saith unto him, That thou doest,
do quickly. 28 Now no man at the
table knew for what intent he
spake this unto him. 29 For some
thought, because Judas had the
3bag, that Jesus said unto him, Buy
what things we have need of for
the feast; or, that he should give
something to the poor. 30 He then
having received the sop went out
straightway: and it was night.
1 Gr. for him if that man.
2 Gr. reclined.
3 Or, box.




§ 147. AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF JUDAS JESUS WARNS THE DISCIPLES (PETER IN PARTICULAR) AGAINST DESERTION, WHILE ALL PROTEST THEIR LOYALTY


Mark 14:27-31 Matt. 26:31-35 Luke 22:31-38 John 13:31-38








































27    And Jesus
saith unto
them, All ye
shall be
3offended: for it
is written [see
Zech. 13:7
],
I will smite the
shepherd, and
the sheep shall
be scattered
abroad.
28 Howbeit,
after I am raised
up, I will go
before you into
Galilee.
29    But Peter
said unto
him, Although
all shall be
3offended, yet
will not I.
30 And Jesus
saith unto
him, Verily I
say unto thee,
that thou
to-day, even this
night, before
the cock crow
twice, shalt
deny me thrice.
31 But he spake
exceeding
vehemently, If
I must die with
thee, I will not
deny thee. And
in like manner
also said they
all.








































31    Then saith
Jesus unto
them, All ye
shall be
3offended in me
this night: for
it is written,
I will smite the
shepherd, and
the sheep of the
flock shall
be scattered
abroad. 32 But
after I am
raised up, I
will go before
you into Galilee.
33 But Peter
answered and
said unto him,
If all shall be
3offended in
thee, I will never
be 3offended.
34 Jesus said
unto him, Verily
I say unto
thee, that this
night, before
the cock
crow, thou
shalt deny me
thrice. 35 Peter
saith unto
him, Even if I
must die with
thee, yet will
I not deny
thee. Likewise
also said all
the disciples.








































31    Simon,
Simon, behold,
Satan 4asked
to have you, that
he might sift
you as wheat:
32 but I made
supplication
for thee,
that thy faith
fail not: and
do thou, when
once thou hast
turned again,
stablish thy
brethren.

33        And he
said unto him,
Lord, with thee
I am ready to
go both to
prison and to
death. 34 And he
said, I tell thee,
Peter, the cock
shall not crow
this day, until
thou shalt
thrice deny
that thou
knowest me.
31    When
therefore he was
gone out, Jesus
saith, Now 1is
the Son of man
glorified, and
God 1is glorified
in him; 32 and
God shall
glorify him in
himself, and
straightway
shall he glorify
him. 33 Little
children, yet a
little while I
am with you.
Ye shall seek
me: and as I
said unto the
Jews, Whither
I go, ye cannot
come; 34 so now
I say unto you,
A new
commandment I
give unto you,
that ye love
one another;
2even as I have
loved you,
that ye also
love one another.
35 By this
shall all men
know that ye
are my disciples,
if ye have
love one to
another.
36    Simon Peter
saith unto
him, Lord,
whither goest
thou? Jesus
answered,
Whither I go,
thou canst not
follow me now;
but thou shalt
follow
afterwards.





37            Peter
saith unto
him, Lord, why
cannot I follow
thee even now?
I will lay
down my life
for thee. 38 Jesus
answereth,
Wilt thou
lay down thy
life for me?
Verily, verily,
I say unto
thee, The cock
shall not crow,
till thou hast
denied me
thrice.
    35    And he said unto them, When
I sent you forth without purse,
and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye
any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36 And he said unto them, But
now, he that hath a purse, let him
take it, and likewise a wallet: 5and
he that hath none, let him sell his
cloke, and buy a sword. 37 For I
say unto you, that this which is
written must be fulfilled in me [see
Isa. 53:12
], And he was reckoned
with transgressors: for that which
concerneth me hath 6fulfilment.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here
are two swords. And he said unto
them, It is enough.
1 Or, was.
2 Or, even as I loved you, that ye also may love one another.
3 Gr. caused to stumble.
4 Or, obtained you by asking.
5 Or, and he that hath no sword, let him sell his cloke, and buy one.
6 Gr. end.




§ 148. JESUS INSTITUTES THE MEMORIAL OF EATING BREAD AND DRINKING WINE

Jerusalem. Evening before the Crucifixion


Mark 14:22-25 Matt. 26:26-29 Lukea 22:17-20 1 Cor.b 11:23-26

















22    And as they
were eating,
he took 1bread,
and when he
had blessed, he
brake it, and
gave to them,
and said, Take
ye: this is my
body.

23        And he
took a cup, and
when he had
given thanks,
he gave to
them: and they
all drank of it.
24 And he said
unto them,
This is my
blood of 3the
4covenant,
which is shed
for many [see
Ex. 24:8; Lev.
4:18-20; Jer.
31:31; Zech.
9:11
]. 25 Verily
I say unto you,
I will no more
drink of the
fruit of the
vine, until that
day when I
drink it new
in the kingdom
of God.

















26    And as they
were eating,
Jesus took
1bread, and
blessed, and
brake it; and
he gave to the
disciples, and
said, Take, eat;
this is my
body.
27        And he
took 2a cup,
and gave
thanks, and
gave to them,
saying, Drink
ye all of it;

28            for
this is my
blood of 3the
4covenant,
which is shed
for many unto
remission of
sins. 29 But I
say unto you,
I will not drink
henceforth
of this
fruit of the
vine, until that
day when I
drink it new
with you in my
Father's
kingdom.
17    And he
received a cup,
and when he
had given
thanks, he said,
Take this, and
divide it among
yourselves:
18 for I
say unto you,
I will not
drink from
henceforth of
the fruit of the
vine, until the
kingdom of
God shall come.
19    And he
took 1bread, and
when he had
given thanks,
he brake it,
and gave to
them, saying,
This is my
body 5which is
given for you:
this do in
remembrance of
me. 20 And the
cup in like
manner after
supper, saying,




This cup is the
new 6covenant
in my blood,
even that
which is poured
out for you.

















23    For I
received of the
Lord that
which also I
delivered unto
you, how that
the Lord Jesus
in the night in
which he was
betrayed took
bread; 24 and
when he had
given thanks,
he brake it,
and said, This
is my body,
which 7is for
you: this do
in remembrance
of me. 25 In
like manner
also the cup,
after supper,
saying, This
cup is the new
6covenant in
my blood: this
do, as oft as ye
drink it, in
remembrance of
me. 26 For as
often as ye eat
this bread, and
drink the cup,
ye proclaim
the Lord's
death till he
come.
1 Or, a loaf.
2 Some ancient authorities read the cup.
3 Or, the testament.
4 Many ancient authorities insert new.
5 Some ancient authorities omit which is given for you ... which is poured out for you.
6 Or, testament.
7 Many ancient authorities read is broken for you.

a Luke here (see § 144) departs from the order of Mark (and Matthew) and mentions the institution of the supper earlier in the evening. It seems best to follow the chronology of Mark, who places it after the departure of Judas.

b These are two parallel reports of the institution of the supper. Mark is followed by Matthew and 1 Corinthians (about A.D. 56) by Luke (not earlier than A.D. 58).