Song for the afflicted - 5

The passion comparisons

I’ll do something i suspect people don’t do often enough. Lay the different versions next to each other, and really look at what each is saying. I want to emphasize the progression that i see taking place.

Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36-52

At that time Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” 

Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.” And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping—for their eyes were heavy. So He left them and went away once more and prayed a third time, saying the same thing. Then He returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! See, My betrayer is approaching!”

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. “Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him. At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 

Mark 14:32-50

Then they came to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” 

Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from Him. “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping—for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him. When Jesus returned the third time, He said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go. See, My betrayer is approaching!”

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Then the men seized Jesus and arrested Him. And one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus asked the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has happened that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted Him and fled. One young man who had been following Jesus was wearing a linen cloth around his body. They caught hold of him, but he pulled free of the linen cloth and ran away naked.

Luke 22:38-51

So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered.

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.”

And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.”

While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.

John 18:1-11

After Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden. Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them. When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.” Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

“Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”

The cup

Matthew -

All sit, Jesus takes the three apart. Soul sorrowful to point of death, goes a little further.

Says Let the cup  pass, couldn’t you keep watch, pray you will not enter into temptation.

Second time again says Let the cup pass, still sleeping.

Third time (just mentioned saying the same thing), Still sleeping? Rise, let us go!

Mark -

All sit, Jesus takes the three apart. Soul sorrowful to point of death, goes a little further.

Says Let the cup pass, couldn’t you keep watch, pray you will not enter into temptation.

(second time) Again (just mentioned) He prayed and found them sleeping.

Third time still sleeping? Rise, let us go!

Luke -

All sit. Jesus says Pray you will not enter into temptation. Goes stone’s throw away.

Let the cup pass, sweat blood. why are you asleep? Pray you will not enter into temptation.

John -

Shall i not drink the cup?

• The progression is from sorrow to death, with repeated request to let cup pass, to the same but only once, to once ‘only’ sweating blood, still request for cup to pass, to no mention of desire not to drink the cup (at last!).

Judas

Matthew -

“Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. “Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.”

Mark -

he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 

Luke -

He approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus asked him, “Judas, betraying me with a kiss?” 

John -

Judas was with them. When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

• A clear progression of distancing from the betrayer’s kiss, and then no acknowledging of betrayer at all, except that his presence is recorded.

Swords and ears

Matthew -

A companion drew his sword and cut off the ear of the servant. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 

Mark -

A bystander drew his sword and cut off the ear of the servant.

Young man pulled free of the linen cloth and ran away naked.

Luke -

“Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered.

“Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of those around cut off the right ear of the servant. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He healed the man’s ear.

John -

Simon Peter cut off the right ear of the servant named Malchus.

“Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter.

• Lovely progression here, companion, bystander, one of those around, and then boom, simon peter. 
• Btw, naked young man is a ‘hook’ to the second phase of the joseph story…clothing, or lack of, animal skins, dirty rags or white robes…

Before the high priest(s)

Matthew 26:59-66

Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ” So the high priest stood up and asked Him, “Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?”

But Jesus remained silent.

Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.“

At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

“He deserves to die,” they answered.

Mark 14:55-64

Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple, and in three days I will build another that is made without hands.’ ” But even their testimony was inconsistent. So the high priest stood up before them and questioned Jesus, “Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?”

But Jesus remained silent and made no reply.

Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

“I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.“

At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What is your verdict?”

And they all condemned Him as deserving of death.

Luke 22:66-71

At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said, “If You are the Christ, tell us.”

Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe. And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.“

So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?”

He replied, “You say that I am.”

“Why do we need any more testimony?” they declared. “We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips.”

John 18:19-24

Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.

“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.”

When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, “Is this how You answer the high priest?”

Jesus replied, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what was wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why did you strike Me?”

Then Annas sent Him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

The accusation

Matthew -

Two come forward and talk of GOD’s temple destroyed and rebuilt.

Mark -

Some stand up and say the man-made temple destroyed and rebuilt without hands, but even this testimony was inconsistent.

Luke and john do not have accusations, in fact, these accusations are told by liars in the two grounds under the power of the adversary. The first ground being of knowledge of God, they are acknowledging God’s existence, ‘His’ temple, but the second ground immediately makes a golden calf, idolatry, ‘man-made’ temple.

The question

Matthew -

Charging under oath by the living God, the high priest asks if Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus does not answer under an oath.

“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.“

They find He has to die for this blasphemy.

Mark - 

The high priest (simply, not under oath) asks if Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One.

“I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.“

They find He has to die for this blasphemy.

Luke -

The priests and the scribes together ask if Jesus is the Christ.

Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe. And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.“

Then they ask if He then is the Son of God.

He replied, “You say that I am.”

They’re happy to now accuse Him before pilate of being King, but no talk of blasphemy at all or even death until the priests, the rulers and the people together shout for Him to be crucified, after He’s been returned from herod.

Because the question is split here, there is an implication that the blasphemy worthy of death in the first two grounds is in part the issue of Jesus being the Christ, the Saviour, or not. but now the problem here is lack of belief that He is, but this only translates to death once they ask if He is the Son of God, because they can’t handle that part. Even so, the main gist of the accusation that crucifies Him by the romans is that He is the King of the jews, the messiah…

John -

Annas the high priest, not caiaphas (who thinks it’s better for one to die for the nation), asks about His disciples and His teaching. There’s NO questioning if he is the Christ or not.

“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.”

Jesus gets slapped in the face and replies

Jesus replied, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what was wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why did you strike Me?”

Jesus says ask those who heard My message. Only the ones who hear AND understand can know what He said…one hears with understanding or else one hears only noise.

Then they take Jesus to caiaphas, there nothing is recounted but that He is then taken to pilate.

Before pilate

Matthew 27:11-14

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?” But Jesus gave no answer, not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement.

Mark 15:1-5

Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate. So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. Then Pilate questioned Him again, “Have You no answer? Look how many charges they are bringing against You!” But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply.

Luke 23:1-12

Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle. Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer. Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him. And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.

John 18:28-32

Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?”

“If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.”

“You take Him and judge Him by your own law,” Pilate told them.

“We are not permitted to execute anyone,” the Jews replied. This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.

Let’s meander

Let me meander a second here, and show you a note i made for myself to get a handle on the ‘contradictions’, also, to follow this you just have to go flip pages in the Book, what my desire is for you to do all along…

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Timing of the sacrifice

Synoptics

Matthew 26:17 mark 14:12 luke 22:7

The last supper was on the day of preparation (of the passover), therefore it was the 14th (thursday).

Mark 15:42 luke 23:54

the crucifixion was on preparation day (for normal sabbath, therefore friday, but it was also the 15th, a high sabbath day)

Matthew 27:62

The next day after preparation day (meaning this next day was in fact the 16th, the normal sabbath itself) they ask for the tomb to be secured.

Matthew 28:1 mark 16:1 luke 24:1

After the sabbath (16th), on the first day of the week (the 17th), mary magdalene and the other mary (matthew 28:1), mary magdalene, mary mother of james and salome (mark 16:1), mary magdalene, joanna, mary mother of james and the other women (luke 24:10) went - sunday therefore.

john

John 13:1 The last supper was on the 13th (wednesday), just before the passover feast, because of what is said next

John - 19:31 the crucifixion was on the day of preparation (of the passover) and the next day was a high sabbath

Therefore it was the 14th (thursday), the 15th (friday), high sabbath, would start that evening.

John 20:1 just says mary magdalene went on the first day of the week - sunday (17th) therefore.

This says, according to the synoptics, Jesus was resurrected during the course of the second day from His death (late on friday the 15th till already resurrected by midway (early in the morning) on sunday the 17th), 

But, according to John, He was resurrected during the course of the third day from His death (late on thursday the 14th till already resurrected by midway (early in the morning) on sunday the 17th) which corresponds to what is said in Hosea 6:2, and in fact all the three predictions of the passion in each of the synoptics (also mark 8:31, wrong translation option is mostly chosen, tsktsk).

Also, very important, think about it, note that neither the high sabbath nor the normal sabbath were desecrated in john’s account…

But the high sabbath in all synoptics, even the normal sabbath in matthew, were desecrated. 

?

The last crucifixion is the ‘true’ crucifixion.

It also means that year passover fell on thursday the 14th, and the (week of the) feast of unleavened bread started on friday the 15th, a high sabbath, and the feast of firstfruits occurred on the sabbath of the 16th. That’s how i get the days in my description, and i shall make the assumption, quite reasonably i think, that all four gospels are recording the same event in the same year it occurred, if it didn’t then we really are talking about different gospels and therefore as paul says what pathetic fools we are to believe…

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I’ll get back to that ‘true crucifixion’ as we cover the subsequent events.

Back on track

In fact, not much is happening.

In the synoptics Jesus only says “You have said so,” to each accusation, which is of being King of the jews. And there fully ends His words with pilate.

In john, He is not interrogated initially by pilate at all. I’m comparing here to what takes place before pilate talks to the ‘mob’. Read john carefully, the synoptics distinguish between priests, elders, and then after the discourse with pilate the crowd or people, but john only talks of ‘the jews’. And his version differentiates because of the (collective) need of the jews not to defile themselves.