Jesus and His disciples arrive at a home prepared for them to partake of the Passover. They will keep this feast in an upper room. Although the name of the homeowner is not mentioned in any of the gospels, many authorities believe he may have been the father of John Mark. (Mt. 26:20)
***
As they enter the upper room, the disciples are arguing over power and status as well as who will be the greatest in the Kingdom (Lk. 22:14-30). Regrettably, this was a recurring dispute among them. A few weeks earlier, the mother of James and John actually lobbied for her sons to sit at Jesus’ right and left side in the Kingdom (Mt. 20:20-28). Although their arguing is clearly a distraction, Jesus addresses this issue, and in doing so, offers a profound lesson about power and greatness in His Father’s Kingdom.
***
While teaching His disciples about true greatness and what it means to govern in God’s Kingdom, Jesus gives a graphic example of how a King leads. He does so by kneeling before His disciples and washing their feet. So shocking is this act that Peter at first refuses to allow Jesus to perform it on him. However, he later consents. (Jn. 13:1-20)
***
As the meal progresses, Jesus indicates that He will be betrayed by one of His disciples (Mt. 26:21-25). He later identifies that disciple by saying, “He it is for whom I shall dip the sop and give it to him.”
Given the eating styles of the day, everyone present may have dipped their hands in the dish with Jesus. Therefore, His words may have been of little use to the disciples in determining who the betrayer was. The point the Messiah may very well have been making was that His betrayal would come from a friend, with whom He had shared His food just as it was prophesied (Psa. 41:9).
***
Satan then enters into Judas Iscariot (Jn. 13:27), causing him to leave the upper room. However, the disciples are unaware of what he is about to do. They think he is going to purchase provisions for the feast or perhaps give something to the poor. (Jn. 13:27-30)
***
The Messiah then makes a powerful statement regarding Judas and his act of treachery. Jesus says that although His betrayal was prophesied in the scriptures, this did not mean that the one who would betray Him was not responsible for this act. Jesus then reveals that it would actually have been better if Judas Iscariot had never been born. (Mt. 26:24)
***
Quoting from the book of Zechariah (Zech. 13:7), Jesus then informs the disciples that they will all desert Him. (Mt. 26:31-32)
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Peter rebukes Jesus for even thinking such a thing. He then declares that he is prepared to go to prison and even face death for the Messiah. (Lk. 22:33)
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Jesus responds by informing Peter that he (Peter) will deny his Lord three times before the cock crows the following morning (Lk. 22:34). Peter must have been genuinely mystified by these words. He was totally convinced that his loyalty to the Messiah was unwavering.
***
At this point, Jesus introduces new elements to the Passover. He institutes the symbols of the bread and wine as types of His body which would be broken (1Cor. 11:24) and His blood which would be shed (Mt. 26:26-28; 1Cor. 11:25).
***
After instituting the symbols of the New Covenant, Jesus teaches His disciples about their responsibilities as leaders in the New Testament Church. This is often referred to as His “Farewell Discourse.” At this point, Jesus promises the disciples that He will send the holy spirit to guide them. He also speaks of the connection between obedience and love. The point He makes is that you cannot have one without the other (Jn. 14).
***
Jesus and His disciples now prepare to leave the upper room. However, before they go, they sing a hymn (Mt. 26:30). The scriptures do not identify the specific song they sang; however, the one normally sung at the Passover was the last part of the “Hallel” (Psa. 114-118). During this song, the leader would sing the verses while the followers would respond with “Hallelujah.”
***
At some point during this period, Judas Iscariot is meeting with the chief priests and the Pharisees and plotting the capture of Jesus. Additionally, Judas has received thirty pieces of silver for his betrayal just as it was prophesied (Zech. 11:12).
On the Way to Gethsemanae
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
After leaving the upper room, Jesus and His disciples begin to walk toward the Mount of Olives. Little do the disciples know that their time with the Messiah can now be measured in hours. (Mk. 14:26).
***
During this journey, the Messiah provides His disciples with instructions concerning their relationship to Him and His Father. He exhorts them to bear fruit and to keep His Commandments. He also warns them that they will be persecuted because of their loyalty to Him.
Jesus then speaks powerfully concerning the great sacrifice He will make in just a few short hours. His words are deep and very moving: “Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do the things I command you” (Jn. 15:1-27).
***
As Jesus and His disciples continue to walk toward the mount of Olives, He informs them that after His death, He will return to the Father in Heaven. However, He will not leave his disciples alone. Jesus explains that He will send the holy spirit to guide and comfort them. The Messiah then emphasizes that although He will not be with them physically, He will always be connected to them and that they can count on His love and the love of the Father (Jn. 16:1-33).
***
As the Messiah and His disciples approach the garden of Gethsemanae, He offers up a very moving intercessory prayer. In it, He acknowledges that His end is near. He then appeals to the Father to restore to Him the glory he had before the world began. Additionally, Jesus asks His Father to bless the disciples as well as those who will believe because of what the disciples will teach. He concludes this prayer with words of great hope: “O righteous Father, the world has not known You: but I have known You, and these (the disciples) have known that You have sent me. And I have declared unto them Your Name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith You have loved me may be in them and I in them” (Jn. 17:1-26).
***
Jesus and His disciples then proceed to enter the garden of Gethsemanae.
In the Garden of Gethsemanae
10:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Upon their arrival at Gethsemanae, Jesus instructs eight of His disciples to wait and pray while He, as well as Peter, James, and John go further into the garden (Mt. 26:36-37).
***
Jesus then reveals to these three men that His soul was exceedingly sorrowful, “even unto death” (Mk. 14:34). With these words, Jesus is not suggesting that He wants to die, but rather that the great emotional stress He is experiencing at this time is so severe it is actually life threatening.
***
Jesus then leaves these three very close friends and goes further into the garden by Himself. There He falls to the ground and pours out His heart to the Father. Jesus appeals to Him to remove the “cup” containing the horror of His impending death. However, the Messiah also acknowledges that the decision regarding what would happen was up to the Father and that whatever His Father choose, He would honor it without hesitation (Mk. 24:35-36).
At this point, it is important to understand that never once did the Messiah consider abandoning the course He was on. There was not one ounce of doubt in Jesus concerning His commitment to His Father’s will. To suggest otherwise is simply ignorant of God’s great Plan and how it would play out. What Jesus was seeking was clarity. He would accept another course only IF it would achieve the same end (Mt. 26:39).
***
As Jesus suffers in the garden, His perspiration becomes as it were “great drops of blood.” In response to this incredible mental anguish, an angel is sent to strengthen Him (Lk. 22:44).
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The Messiah will offer up His appeal for the Father to intervene three different times. After each prayer, He will return to His disciples, only to find them sleeping (Mt. 26:39-46).
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Upon the conclusion of His third and final prayer in Gethsemanae, Jesus hears the sounds of soldiers approaching. He quickly gathers His disciples and goes out to meet them (Mt. 26:46).
The Arrest of the Messiah
Between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM
Wednesday Morning
While still in the garden of Gethsemanae, Jesus and His disciples meet up with Judas Iscariot and a contingent of soldiers dispatched by the chief priests and the Pharisees (Jn. 18:2).
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Jesus asks the arresting party whom they seek. When they inform Him they are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah informs them “I am He” (Jn. 18:3).
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Upon hearing Jesus’ words, the soldiers stagger backwards and fall to the ground (Jn. 18:6).
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Judas Iscariot then moves toward Jesus and kisses Him as a sign to the soldiers that this is, in fact, the one they seek (Mt.26:48).
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At this point, Jesus requests that His disciples be allowed to go because it is Him they are looking for. Furthermore, He will offer no resistance to those who had come to seize Him (Jn. 18:8-9).
***
As the soldiers begin to arrest the Messiah, Peter draws his sword and attempts to defend his Lord. During the commotion he cuts off the ear of the servant of the high priest. His name is Malchus (Mt. 26:50-51).
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Jesus rebukes Peter for his attack and informs him that He does not require the protection of His disciples. He explains to Peter that if He wished to be delivered from this situation, He could summon twelve legions of angels to come to His defense. However, this is not what the Messiah has in mind. He clearly knows what lies ahead and His heart is ready for it. (Mt 26:52-53).
***
After this rebuke, Jesus touches the ear of Malchus and heals him of the wound he received by Peter. This is the last miracle Jesus will perform before His death (Lk. 22:51).
***
The Messiah then questions the tactics used by the chief priests and the elders when arresting Him. He says, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?” (Mt. 25:55). The point the Messiah is making is that if He had been leading such a rebellion, this action might have made sense.
However, because Jesus openly taught in the temple, this clandestine arrest simply defied logic. Therefore, those who orchestrated it must have been motivated by something else, perhaps fear. In reality, taking the action they did revealed a great lack of moral courage on the part of these “spiritual leaders.” Jesus was exposing this truth.
***
At this point, the Messiah is bound and taken back to the city to be tried by the Jewish leadership under the direction of the high priests. As Jesus is being led away, all the disciples flee just as He had predicted they would (Mt. 26:31; Mk. 14:50-52).
As He proceeds toward the site of His trial, Jesus most assuredly pondered the events that were about to play out in the next several hours. This could not have been easy to do.
The Interrogation of Jesus
at the Home of Annas
2:00 AM – 3:00AM
Jesus is first taken to the home of Annas, where He will be briefly interrogated. Annas was the former high priest prior to Caiaphas. As such, he is regarded with great respect and seen as an expert in the religious matters of the Jews. Additionally, he is Caiaphas’ father-in-law.
Annas begins his interrogation by asking Jesus about His doctrine as well as His disciples (Jn. 18:19). It is possible that he is attempting to ascertain Jesus’ sphere of influence. Perhaps the Jewish leadership was even considering taking action against loyalists to the Messiah. After all, they had even plotted to kill Lazarus after Jesus had raised him from the dead (Jn. 12:10). They may have considered doing the same to Jesus’ inner circle of followers.
***
Jesus explains to Annas that His message was no secret. It was, in fact, declared openly in the temple. He then goes on to say that if Annas is truly interested in what Jesus taught, all he would have to do is ask any of the numerous people who had heard His message (Jn. 18:20-21).
***
At this point, a soldier strikes Jesus and rebukes Him for speaking to the high priest in such a disrespectful manner (Jn. 18:22). It is interesting to note that the act of striking a man who had not been condemned was illegal. However, this did not deter the guard.
The meeting with Annas is brief but speaks volumes concerning the legitimacy of the trial that awaits the Messiah. It is now clear that the Jewish leadership is interested in only one thing. They intend to condemn the Christ.
***
At the conclusion of His interrogation by Annas, Jesus is bound and sent to the home of Caiaphas, the current high priest. It is here that He will be formally tried (Jn. 18:24).
On the Way to
the Palace of Caiaphas
3:00 AM – 3:30 AM
As Jesus is being led to the home of Caiaphas, Peter and a second disciple return and follow at a distance. Most authorities believe this second disciple is John, the son of Zebedee. (Jn. 18:15)
***
Because John knows the high priest, he is allowed to enter into the court. He then requests that Peter also be allowed to enter. (Jn. 18:15-16). His request is granted.
***
A young girl attending the gate at Caiaphas’ palace asks Peter if he is one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter responds, “I am not” (Jn. 18:17). This is his first denial of the Messiah. But it will not be the last.
***
As Jesus’ trial begins, Peter waits in an open courtyard with some officers who have just started a fire to warm themselves (Lk. 22:55). Although it is a spring evening, it is very chilly. Jerusalem lies at an altitude of 2800 feet above sea level. This fact, along with the time (well after midnight), would explain why a fire would be started.
The Trial Before the Sanhedrin
The Palace of Caiaphas, the High Priest
2:00 AM – 5:00 AM
As the trial begins, a group referred to as the scribes, elders, and chief priests gather at the palace of Caiaphas. This group, which most authorities believe comprises the Great Sanhedrin, seeks to bring charges against Jesus. They begin by presenting several witnesses accusing the Messiah of crimes worthy of death. This is done in an attempt to secure a quick verdict. However, although many witnesses speak, their testimony only conflicts with that given by other witnesses (Mk. 14:55-56). This frustrates the chief priest which only intensifies the emotionally charged atmosphere of the trial. In an attempt to recover from this legal blunder, Jesus’ accusers are forced to bring forth still more testimony.
***
Two additional witnesses come forth and testify that Jesus threatened to destroy the temple and then raise it up in three days. This appears to be the most compelling evidence of the trial thus far. The argument being advanced by the Jewish leadership at this point is that Jesus intends to desecrate the physical temple.
The temple was an exquisite building and stood as the most significant structure in Jewish life. Furthermore, any desecration of a sacred place was almost universally considered a capital offense in the ancient world. Even pagans agreed with the Jews on this point.
In reality, Jesus did make such a claim early in His ministry. But the temple He spoke of was the temple of His body (Jn. 2:19-21)
***
Unfortunately for the Jewish leadership, their star witnesses are unable to agree with each other (Mk. 14:57-58). This clearly was not anticipated and only serves to exacerbate the situation.
***
As the case against Jesus appears to be falling apart, the religous leadership turns to the high priest. Caiaphas is a highly skilled Jewish scholar and an expert interrogator. He begins his examination of the Messiah with a long pause. This strategy is employed in hopes that Jesus will explain His actions without Ciaphas having to utter a word.
***
Unfortunately for the high priest, Jesus stays silent. It is possible this silence may have lasted several minutes. Additionally, it must have created a very unsettling atmosphere in the trial. However, the silence is broken when Caiaphas demands that the Messiah respond to the accusations being leveled against Him (Mk. 14:60-61).
The emotional pitch at this point is extremely high. The incredibly disciplined high priest was clearly outmatched by this young Galilean. Despite his talents, Caiaphas was being embarrassed by the Messiah – in his own home no less. As a result, he quickly abandons his earlier strategy. The high priest is not in any mood for games. Therefore, his questioning of Jesus becomes filled with intensity. He may even have been screaming at this point.
***
Meanwhile, as the Messiah is being threatened in what can only be described as a kangaroo court, Peter is accused of being one of Jesus’ disciples as he warms himself by the fire in Caiaphas’ courtyard. Once again, Peter denies having any association with Jesus (Jn. 18:25). This is Peter’s second denial of the Messah. But there is another yet to come.
***
Caiaphas now intensifies his interrogation of Jesus. The next question he asks is very direct and cuts through any doubt concerning his opinion of the Messiah. With all the intensity of a passionate prosecutor, Caiaphas says , “I adjure you by the living God that you tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God!” (Mt. 26:63). The phrase “I adjure you by the living God” is a legal formula. Here Caiaphas is demanding an answer in the strongest language he can use. This is done by imposing an oath. If Jesus refuses to answer, He will be breaking a legally imposed order to testify. However, if he responds, Caiaphas is convinced Jesus will still be ruined. If Jesus denies He is the Christ, the crisis will be over, but so will His influence. If, on the other hand, Jesus affirms that He is the promised Messiah, then He must be considered a liar because He has not delivered the Jews from Roman tyranny.
Caiaphas’ ploy is simple. Since the false testimony of witnesses had failed to prove Jesus was guilty of blasphemy, the high priest is hoping that Jesus will openly blaspheme when He responds to this question, and thus Jesus will condemn Himself with His own words.
***
At this point, Jesus provides a very interesting response to Caiaphas’ question. He says, “It is as you said” (Mt. 26:64). This answer is affirmative in nature but indirect in form. Essentially, what Jesus is doing is testifying to what Caiaphas has said. In essence, Jesus is agreeing with the assertion of Caiaphas. This response is an insult to the high priest, but the best is yet to come.
***
Jesus then speaks words that are brazen with confidence and strength. He says, “Nevertheless, I say unto you, henceforth you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mt. 26:64). Once again, Jesus does not use the name of God in His testimony. Instead He uses the term “power.”
***
Upon hearing these words, Caiaphas is infuriated. He rips his clothes and shouts “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need have we of witnesses?” (Mt. 26:65). He then asks the council, “What do you think?” They respond, “He is worthy of death!” (Mt. 26:66).
***
It is now approaching dawn and Peter is still outside trying to gain a glimpse of his Lord. At this point, one of the servants of the high priest notices him. This servant reveals that Peter was in Gethsemanae with Jesus during the Messiah’s arrest, and accuses him of being a disciple. Then someone else says that Peter’s speech reveals that he is a Galilean. This is further evidence that links Peter to Jesus of Nazareth. However, Peter continues to deny any relationship with the Messiah. He even begins to “curse and sware” in an attempt to distance himself from his Master (Mk. 14:70-71, Jn.18:26).
The words “curse and sware” do not refer to obscene or profane language as it is thought of today. What Peter was doing was invoking a solemn oath in which he places a curse on himself if he is lying. He may also have appealed to something sacred in an attempt to persuade his accuser that he was telling the truth, which he wasn’t.
***
Immediately after Peter’s third denial of the Messiah the cock crows (Mt. 26:74).
***
Although Jesus does not hear Peter’s denials of Him, He does hear the rooster crowing. This sound prompts Him to glance out a window and look upon Peter. As their eyes meet, Peter remembers what Jesus had predicted about his loyalty. Now devastated with guilt and shame, Peter leaves Caiaphas’ courtyard and weeps bitterly (Lk. 22:61-62).
***
As Jesus turns back toward His accusers, He is spit upon and then struck. At this point, the Messiah is blindfolded. His accusers then resume mocking Him and continue to strike Him. As this indignity continues, Jesus is silent. (Mt. 26:67-68, Mk. 14:65)
***
Shortly after daybreak, the Messiah is formally condemned by the full council (Lk. 22:66-71).
***
After being condemned by the high court of the Jews, the Messiah is bound and delivered to the palace of Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea (Mt. 27:2).
The First Appearance of Jesus
Before Pontus Pilate
6:00 AM – to 6:30 AM
Jesus is taken to appear before Pontius Pilate by the Jewish leadership who had just condemned Him (Lk. 23:1). However, these men refuse to enter into the governor’s palace because they are afraid of being defiled and not being able to take the Passover. Therefore, as Jesus is brought into the palace, Pilate goes out to meet His accusers. He then inquires about the charges these Jewish leaders are bringing against the Messiah (Jn. 18:28-29).
***
The elders of the people advise Pilate that Jesus is an evil man deserving of death. His crimes include perverting the nation, forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying He is Christ the King (Lk. 23:2; Jn. 18:30).
