On Line Bible Study - For the week October 6-12, 2008

Lesson 356

First, a "structural" consideration. Note the following as we head in to the Passion Narrative:

Part 1: The Anointing in Bethany (Matthew 26:6-13). This is the part we will look at this week.
Part 2: The Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-29).
Part 3: Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46).
Part 4: Jesus Before the Council (Matthew 26:57-68)
Part 5: Jesus Before Pilate (Matthew 27:11-26).
Part 6: Jesus' Death on the Cross (Matthew 27:45-53).

The Anointing ....

Jesus' anointing is framed as follows:
1. Conspiracy to do away with Jesus - Matthew 26:3-5, 14-16
2. Passover Preparation Matthew 26:1-2, 17-19

Put another way, it looks like this:

1. Reference to Passover (Verses 1-2)
2. Conspiracy against Jesus (Verses 3-5)
3. Anointing in Bethany (Verses 6-13)
2. Conspiracy against Jesus (Verses 14-16)
1. Celebration of Passover (Verses 17-19

Something to Ponder . . . . Supposing this structure is intentional on the part of Matthew, what reasons would he have for organizing the material in this way? What relationship might there be between Passover, Betrayal and Anointing?

Matthew 26: 1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 "As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."

Matthew wants to convey the sense at this point that Jesus' teaching is finished. From now on, the lessons Jesus teaches will be intimately tied to his experience of betrayal and suffering. The lessons won't be like those shared in The Sermon on the Mount. Up till now Jesus' movement toward Jerusalem has been associated with his Passion (see Matthew 16:21ff, 17:22ff, and 20:17ff). But here, we suddenly find it is also associated with Passover.

Passover is a carefully scripted feast. The "script" has to do with God's saving actions on behalf of the people of Israel. The Passover (Paschal) Lamb is slain in a certain way, its shed blood smeared on the lintels, and the prayers prayed are the ones provided by the liturgy.

In Matthew 26:18 Jesus is quoted as indicating his appointed time is near.

Passover is not to be taken lightly! There is lively debate as to exactly when Jesus was crucified in relation to Passover; but there is wide consensus that the Crucifixion and the Passover are intimately intertwined.

Matthew 26: 4. .... and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him.

Matthew may be intentionally alluding to what, in Psalm 31:13 (30:14 in the Septuagint) is the nemesis of the righteous person - For I hear many whispering, 'Terror on every side!' They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

An Extravagant Gesture . . .

Matthew 26: 6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. 9 "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."

Jesus does not equate sensitivity to the needs of the poor with austerity. The unnamed woman - who is also silent as the story is told - may have simply wanted to serve Jesus in an extravagant way. Jesus interprets her actions as specific to his coming death and burial, and he states that her actions will be reported whenever and wherever the Gospel is proclaimed. Unnamed and silent - but ever remembered by people of faith . . .

Next time we will look at The Last Supper. Read Matthew 26:17ff if you get the chance.