Gospels in Chronological Order
DavidM.Colburn
A Daily Bible Study in 7-Day Sections with a
Summary-Commentary, Discussion Questions, and DailyApplication
The Parallel Gospels in Chronological Order
Week Eleven of Twelve
Matthew 26:1-46; Mark 14:1-42; Luke 22:1-46; John 13:18–17:26
Sunday (Matthew 26:1-16; Mark 14:1-11; Luke 22:1-6; John 13:18-30)
Matthew
The Plot Against Jesus
26:1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he told his disciples, 26:2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 26:3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met together in the palace of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas. 26:4 They planned to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 26:5 But they said, “Not during the feast, so that there won’t be a riot among the people.”
Jesus’ Anointing
26:6 Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 26:7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfumed oil, and she poured it on his head as he was at the table. 26:8 When the disciples saw this, they became indignant and said, “Why this waste? 26:9 It could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor!” 26:10 When Jesus learned of this, he said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a good service for me. 26:11 For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me! 26:12 When she poured this oil on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 26:13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
The Plan to Betray Jesus
26:14 Then one of the twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 26:15 and said, “What will you give me to betray him into your hands?” So they set out thirty silver coins for him. 26:16 From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray him.
Mark
The Plot Against Jesus
14:1 Two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 14:2 For they said, “Not during the feast, so there won’t be a riot among the people.”
Jesus’ Anointing
14:3 Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of costly aromatic oil from pure nard. After breaking open the jar, she poured it on his head. 14:4 But some who were present indignantly said to one another, “Why this waste of expensive ointment? 14:5 It could have been sold for more than three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor!” So they spoke angrily to her. 14:6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a good service for me. 14:7 For you will always have the poor with you, and you can do good for them whenever you want. But you will not always have me! 14:8 She did what she could. She anointed my body beforehand for burial. 14:9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
The Plan to Betray Jesus
14:10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus into their hands. 14:11 When they heard this, they were delighted and promised to give him money. So Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray him.
Luke
Judas’ Decision to Betray Jesus
22:1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. 22:2 The chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find some way to execute Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.
22:3 Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. 22:4 He went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he might betray Jesus, handing him over to them. 22:5 They were delighted and arranged to give him money. 22:6 So Judas agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus when no crowd was present.
John
The Announcement of Jesus’ Betrayal
13:18 “What I am saying does not refer to all of you. I know the ones I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who eats my bread has turned against me.’ 13:19 I am telling you this now, before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I am he. 13:20 I tell you the solemn truth, whoever accepts the one I send accepts me, and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
13:21 When he had said these things, Jesus was greatly distressed in spirit, and testified, “I tell you the solemn truth, one of you will betray me.” 13:22 The disciples began to look at one another, worried and perplexed to know which of them he was talking about. 13:23 One of his disciples, the one Jesus loved, was at the table to the right of Jesus in a place of honor. 13:24 So Simon Peter gestured to this disciple to ask Jesus who it was he was referring to. 13:25 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved leaned back against Jesus’ chest and asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 13:26 Jesus replied, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread after I have dipped it in the dish.” Then he dipped the piece of bread in the dish and gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son. 13:27 And after Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 13:28 (Now none of those present at the table understood why Jesus said this to Judas. 13:29 Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him to buy whatever they needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.) 13:30 Judas took the piece of bread and went out immediately. (Now it was night.)
Prayer
Lord, such contrasts of awareness and faithfulness all around You; the woman anointing You for death, the apostles still clueless, Judas inviting Satan to control him – then assisting the evil religious leaders. And in the midst of it all Your plan unfolded to restore Your Creation to our intended purpose in relationship with You.
Summary and Commentary
The plot against Jesus unfolded, with Jesus identifying the traitor as Judas (“the one to whom I will give this piece of bread,” John 13:26) and the apostles missing the meaning of His words (“none of those present at the table understood,” vs. 28). Satan entered Judas, who then went to the religious leaders to finalize his evil plan. Judas asked them, “What will you give me to betray him?” (Matt. 26:15) — the leaders gave him money. [Note: Judas had a history of betraying God by stealing from the collections for the poor, thus he had already opened a gateway for Satan, and so was readily able to rationalize betraying Jesus based on any number of pretexts.]
Jesus was anointed with precious oil by the woman at the home of “Simon the Leper” or Simon the jar mason or jar merchant (incorrectly rendered “Leper”), who was also very likely the father of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
[Note: See discussion
[Note: If “leper” was a correct rendering then were Simon still a Leper he would not have been allowed within the city limits, unless his name referred to a healed condition from leprosy. A incorrect rendering seems more likely in this case.].
The disciples were indignant and corporately identified as challenging her poor stewardship by saying, “Why this waste?” (Matt. 26:8). Judas was identified as the speaker who said, “Why wasn’t this oil sold...and the money given to the poor?” (John 12:5). John pointed out that Judas said this “because he was a thief” (vs. 6) and concerned he would have less to rob from the till, not because he was concerned for the poor.
Jesus informed His disciples that her sacrifice was “to prepare Me for burial” (Matt. 26:12). Her action would be retold “in memory of her” (vs. 13) spiritual perception and faithful action.
Interaction
Consider
The humility of the woman allowed her to foresee, albeit subconsciously, Jesus’ imminent death, whereas the sometimes-pompous apostles missed seeing it altogether.
Discuss
Ponder a situation where you recognized God at work and acted in a profoundly faithful and sacrificial way. How did God bless that? Share this story as an encouragement and a witness to others.
Reflect
There are times and places in life where we may rationalize something we think of as ‘small sin.’ If you have ever rationalized a sin, have you repented and reconciled yourself with God?
Share
Have you observed a leader in Christian fellowship wrongly challenging the faith-based actions of a fellow Believer?
KTALZ
Jesus anointed for death with oil while all about Him failed to understand.
Source: Public domain here
Faith In Action
Pray
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you are rationalizing sin. Pray for the strength to repent and be restored by God.
Act
I will ask a fellow Believer to pray with me as I partner with the Holy Spirit to stop rationalizing sin, even the smallest sin. I will pray the Lord’s blessing upon someone who is responding to Him in a sacrificial manner and ask to be shown how to encourage them.
Be Specific ______
Monday (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-20)
Matthew
The Passover
26:17 Now on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 26:18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I will observe the Passover with my disciples at your house.”‘“ 26:19 So the disciples did as Jesus had instructed them, and they prepared the Passover. 26:20 When it was evening, he took his place at the table with the twelve. 26:21 And while they were eating he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” 26:22 They became greatly distressed and each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 26:23 He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 26:24 The Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born.” 26:25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus replied, “You have said it yourself.”
The Lord’s Supper
26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” 26:27 And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 26:28 for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 26:29 I tell you, from now on I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 26:30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Mark
The Passover
14:12 Now on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 14:13 He sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14:14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”‘ 14:15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 14:16 So the disciples left, went into the city, and found things just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
14:17 Then, when it was evening, he came to the house with the twelve. 14:18 While they were at the table eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me will betray me.” 14:19 They were distressed, and one by one said to him, “Surely not I?” 14:20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who dips his hand with me into the bowl. 14:21 For the Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born.”
The Lord’s Supper
14:22 While they were eating, he took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it. This is my body.” 14:23 And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 14:24 He said to them, “This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, that is poured out for many. 14:25 I tell you the truth, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 14:26 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Luke
The Passover
22:7 Then the day for the feast of Unleavened Bread came, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 22:8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us to eat.” 22:9 They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?” 22:10 He said to them, “Listen, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters, 22:11 and tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”‘ 22:12 Then he will show you a large furnished room upstairs. Make preparations there.” 22:13 So they went and found things just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
The Lord’s Supper
22:14 Now when the hour came, Jesus took his place at the table and the apostles joined him. 22:15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 22:16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 22:17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves. 22:18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 22:19 Then he took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 22:20 And in the same way he took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Prayer
Lord, may I always remember the forgiveness Jesus made alive through His sacrifice, as is made clear to me through the taking of the bread and the wine. And may my taking communion never become mere ritual.
Summary and Commentary
Jesus used the occasion of the Passover celebration to release Judas to his evil intent. He said of Judas, who would soon betray Him, “it would be better for him if he had never been born” (Matt. 26:24).
According to John 13:30 Judas did not participate in the breaking of the dry/hard “Feast of the Unleavened Bread” and wine in what has come to be known as the “Last Supper” - therefore it appears that there were two sequential events – the eating of what may have been leavened bread (baked using yeast) dipped in a bowl (the text does not describe what was the presumed liquid or paste in the bowl), later followed by the ritual breaking of the round flat hard/dry bread (baked without yeast) and the passing of the cup (not bowl) of ceremonial wine.
Sharing with His apostles the traditional Passover meal and singing hymns with them (reportedly, Psalms 113-118), Jesus provided a symbolic understanding of how, in both an individual and corporate manner, they would become like Him:
He took the bread [He is the bread of life] and had the disciples divide it among themselves [He was distributing Himself among them]. Their eating of the bread made it a profound internalized relationship experience for them. Jesus then shared the wine [His blood of the new covenant] with His faithful disciples. He re-framed the Passover as the time when He would “make a new agreement [covenant] with the people” (Jer. 31:31), an agreement sealed by two reciprocal acts: First, His life blood poured out during His crucifixion, which provided the Way to be reconciled to God; second, His living blood poured into His followers during their taking of the wine, which provided eternal fellowship with the Father.