On Line Bible Study - For the Week September 17-23, 2012

Lesson 554 - Passion 3

The Meal … Some Similarities

Here is the link to the Gospel Parallels.  Once there, go to the column under Matthew and scroll down to Matthew 26:20.  The heading will read: “The One Who Hands Jesus Over”.  In that same column, click on the small blue, green and red books – this will harmonize Mark, Luke and John in their respective columns.

In our previous lesson we acknowledged some differences in the accounts of the supper in the various gospels.  Let’s consider some important similarities – the details that are reported in each of the gospels.

First: Each gospel writer gives an account of Jesus announcing the betrayal by Judas.  One of the interesting things to note is that Luke gives the account after the “Memorial Meal”, while Mark and Matthew say that Jesus shared this before that part of the meal we would call the “Eucharist”.  Only John tells us Judas left immediately.  The Synoptics don’t tell us when Judas left the table.  John’s account of this scene is the most dramatic.

Second: Each gospel writer tells of Jesus anticipating the denial of Peter.  In Mark and Matthew this happens after the meal is over and they are going to the Mount of Olives.  In Luke and John, Jesus foretells of Peter’s denial while still at the supper.

Third:  A reference to the “fruit of the vine”.  This reference is found in Mark (14:25) and John (15:1).

Fourth:   The prediction of the scattering of the disciples.  It’s found in John (16:32), Mark (14:27), and Matthew (26:31).

Enough of “details” – what might they mean for us?

One of the most troubling pieces of the Passion has to do with Judas’ betrayal – or his having “handed Jesus over to them”.  There is plenty of speculation as to Judas’ motive.  And the texts themselves reveal both sorrow and confusion on the part of the disciples.  One theory is that Judas wanted to force Jesus’ hand – to make him be the “messiah” of power.  Perhaps.  I find myself wondering, however, with regard to how different people react to the same set of circumstances.

You might notice as you compare the texts with regard to Judas that only John does not have Jesus say the condemning word of woe with regard to “that man by whom [I] am betrayed”.  In Matthew and Mark, Jesus says it would be better had he not been born! (Matthew 26:24 and Mark 14:21.)  It is difficult to reconcile those words with all that Jesus says about forgiveness.

We don’t know that Judas “denied” Jesus as Peter did – why not harsh words for Peter?  And … why does John not record this ominous saying of Jesus concerning Judas?

Did those who wanted to kill Jesus really need Judas to give Jesus a kiss?  They certainly knew who Jesus was, and they seldom had any trouble knowing where Jesus was.  What exactly does it mean to “betray” Christ?  Have I ever done it?

Have you?