1 road to gethsemani

The Death of the The Death of the MessiahMessiah

Episode IEpisode I

THE ROAD TO THE ROAD TO GETHSEMANIGETHSEMANI

SERIES OUTLINESERIES OUTLINE

Episode I:Episode I: Jesus prays and is arrested in Jesus prays and is arrested in Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley.across the Kidron Valley. Mark 14:26-52; Matt 26:30-56; Luke 22:39-Mark 14:26-52; Matt 26:30-56; Luke 22:39-

53; John 18:1-1153; John 18:1-11

Episode II:Episode II: Jesus stands before the Jesus stands before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish authorities).Sanhedrin (the Jewish authorities). Mark 14:53—15:1; Matt 26:57—27:10; Mark 14:53—15:1; Matt 26:57—27:10;

Luke 22:54—23:1; John 18:12-28a Luke 22:54—23:1; John 18:12-28a


Episode III:Episode III: Jesus stands before Pilate, Jesus stands before Pilate, the Roman Governor.the Roman Governor. Mark 15:2-20a; Matt 27:11-31a; Luke Mark 15:2-20a; Matt 27:11-31a; Luke

23:2-25; John 18:28b—19:16a23:2-25; John 18:28b—19:16a

Episode IV:Episode IV: Jesus is crucified and dies Jesus is crucified and dies on Golgotha. He is buried nearby.on Golgotha. He is buried nearby. Mark 15:20b-47; Matt 27:31b-66; Luke Mark 15:20b-47; Matt 27:31b-66; Luke

23:26-56; John 19:16b-4223:26-56; John 19:16b-42


Episode V:Episode V: The Liturgies of Holy Week The Liturgies of Holy Week Palm SundayPalm Sunday The Chrism MassThe Chrism Mass The Evening Mass of the Lord’s SupperThe Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper THE HOLY TRIDUUM: Good Friday,THE HOLY TRIDUUM: Good Friday,

Holy Saturday and Easter SundayHoly Saturday and Easter Sunday

General General Observations on Observations on

the Passion the Passion NarrativesNarratives

Formation of the Gospel Formation of the Gospel TraditionTradition

The gospel tradition formed The gospel tradition formed backwards,backwards, starting from Jesus’ starting from Jesus’ resurrection, working towards his birthresurrection, working towards his birth Early Christians focused on the Early Christians focused on the crucifixioncrucifixion

and and resurrectionresurrection Accounts of Jesus’ public ministry emerged Accounts of Jesus’ public ministry emerged

after reflection on the career of the after reflection on the career of the crucified onecrucified one

Finally, accounts of his birth emerged in the Finally, accounts of his birth emerged in the infancy narratives infancy narratives (in Luke and Matthew)(in Luke and Matthew)

Narrative and PlotNarrative and Plot

The order of events led to a real The order of events led to a real narrative and plotnarrative and plot Arrest had to precede trial, which had to Arrest had to precede trial, which had to

precede sentence and executionprecede sentence and execution We read of the actions of Jesus, as well We read of the actions of Jesus, as well

as surrounding charactersas surrounding characters Peter, Judas, Pilate, Barabbas, and the Peter, Judas, Pilate, Barabbas, and the

Roman soldier who recognizes Jesus as the Roman soldier who recognizes Jesus as the Son of GodSon of God

Encourages the acting out of the Passion Encourages the acting out of the Passion narratives as drama and filmnarratives as drama and film

Audience ParticipationAudience Participation

Where would Where would wewe have stood as part have stood as part of the Passion narratives?of the Passion narratives? With the disciples who fled from danger, With the disciples who fled from danger,

abandoning Jesus?abandoning Jesus? With Peter, denying Jesus?With Peter, denying Jesus? With Judas, betraying Jesus?With Judas, betraying Jesus? With the Pilate of John, trying to avoid a With the Pilate of John, trying to avoid a

decision between good and evil?decision between good and evil?

Audience ParticipationAudience Participation

With the Pilate of Matthew, washing our With the Pilate of Matthew, washing our hands of a bad decision so to appear hands of a bad decision so to appear blameless?blameless?

With the religious leaders who With the religious leaders who condemned Jesus?condemned Jesus? Many were sincerely religious people with a Many were sincerely religious people with a

deep attachment to their tradition, which deep attachment to their tradition, which Jesus Jesus had publicly challengedhad publicly challenged

Coloring FactorsColoring Factors

Apologetic (explanatory) motives likely Apologetic (explanatory) motives likely colored the Gospelscolored the Gospels

There was a desire to justify Jesus’ innocence There was a desire to justify Jesus’ innocence before Roman hearers of the Gospelbefore Roman hearers of the Gospel Tacitus, a Roman historian: Jesus was a criminal Tacitus, a Roman historian: Jesus was a criminal

put to death by the procurator of Judea, put to death by the procurator of Judea, Pontius PilatePontius Pilate

Mark Mark →→ Matthew Matthew →→ Luke Luke →→ John: Pilate is John: Pilate is portrayed increasingly as a fair judge who portrayed increasingly as a fair judge who recognized Jesus’ innocencerecognized Jesus’ innocence

Coloring FactorsColoring Factors There was a bitter relationship between There was a bitter relationship between

the early Church and synagoguethe early Church and synagogue Attitudes of some Jewish authorities may Attitudes of some Jewish authorities may

have been attributed to “all” the Jewshave been attributed to “all” the Jews There likely were corrupt “ecclesiastical” There likely were corrupt “ecclesiastical”

politicians who saw Jesus as a danger to politicians who saw Jesus as a danger to their positiontheir position

Vast majority were likely sincerely religious Vast majority were likely sincerely religious people who felt they were ridding Israel of people who felt they were ridding Israel of a false propheta false prophet

Deuteronomy 13:1-5: false prophets must be Deuteronomy 13:1-5: false prophets must be put to death, lest they seduce Israel from the put to death, lest they seduce Israel from the true Godtrue God

Factors in the Death of Factors in the Death of JesusJesus

Involvement of Jewish authorities in Jesus’ Involvement of Jewish authorities in Jesus’ death is a complicated issuedeath is a complicated issue

Gospel writers tended to generalize blame Gospel writers tended to generalize blame onto “all” Jews, influenced by the onto “all” Jews, influenced by the relationship between early Church and relationship between early Church and synagoguesynagogue

Some famous Christian theologians Some famous Christian theologians (Augustine, John Chrysostom, Thomas (Augustine, John Chrysostom, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther) wrote of a Christian Aquinas, Martin Luther) wrote of a Christian duty to duty to hate or punishhate or punish the Jews because the Jews because they killed Jesus (the crime of they killed Jesus (the crime of deicidedeicide – – killing God)killing God)


Babylonian Talmud, Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 43aSanhedrin 43a, , written ~200 A.D., admits written ~200 A.D., admits responsibility responsibility for “hanging” Jesus on Passover eve for “hanging” Jesus on Passover eve because “he seduced Israel, leading because “he seduced Israel, leading her astray”her astray”

However, modern Jewish writers However, modern Jewish writers reject major Jewish involvement in reject major Jewish involvement in the crucifixionthe crucifixion


Some have argued the Sanhedrin legal Some have argued the Sanhedrin legal proceedings in the Gospels don’t follow proceedings in the Gospels don’t follow Jewish law in the Jewish law in the MishnahMishnah MishnahMishnah was a compilation of rabbinic oral was a compilation of rabbinic oral

law (Rabbis are the successors to the law (Rabbis are the successors to the Pharisees)Pharisees)

However, the Sanhedrin of Jesus’ day was However, the Sanhedrin of Jesus’ day was dominated by Sadducee priests, who dominated by Sadducee priests, who rejected rejected oraloral law. The trial itself did not law. The trial itself did not violate the violate the writtenwritten law. law.


Confusion in the accounts of the questioning Confusion in the accounts of the questioning of Jesus by Jewish authorities (Sanhedrin)of Jesus by Jewish authorities (Sanhedrin) Mark and Matthew:Mark and Matthew: formal Sanhedrin trial at formal Sanhedrin trial at

nightnight Matthew notes high priest was CaiaphasMatthew notes high priest was Caiaphas

Luke:Luke: informal Sanhedrin questioning of Jesus in informal Sanhedrin questioning of Jesus in morningmorning

John:John: no Sanhedrin questioning, but instead no Sanhedrin questioning, but instead police interrogation by high priest Annaspolice interrogation by high priest Annas

John:John: Jesus’ arrest included both Jewish police Jesus’ arrest included both Jewish police and Roman soldiersand Roman soldiers

Roman soldiers would only have participated at the Roman soldiers would only have participated at the command of Pilatecommand of Pilate


Any hostility between Christians and Jews Any hostility between Christians and Jews today over the death of Jesus is today over the death of Jesus is wrongwrong,,and against our fundamental and against our fundamental understanding of Christianity (cf. understanding of Christianity (cf. Nostra Nostra AetateAetate))

God has revealed Himself in the God has revealed Himself in the compositions and words of human beingscompositions and words of human beings Therefore some attitudes in the Scripture, Therefore some attitudes in the Scripture,

colored by the humanity of the authors, colored by the humanity of the authors, may be may be wrongwrong if repeated todayif repeated today

How did Jesus view his How did Jesus view his death?death?

Roman 4:25: Jesus died for our sinsRoman 4:25: Jesus died for our sins Would Jesus have said this? Did he foresee the Would Jesus have said this? Did he foresee the

manner of his death and victory?manner of his death and victory? Apparent predictions in the Gospels may Apparent predictions in the Gospels may

have been written “more exactly” in have been written “more exactly” in hindsighthindsight

Jesus may have had only general Jesus may have had only general premonitions about his suffering and premonitions about his suffering and death, and a firm trust that God would death, and a firm trust that God would somehow make him victorioussomehow make him victorious


Hebrews 5:7-8:Hebrews 5:7-8:

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his and he was heard because of his reverent submission. reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. obedience through what he suffered. . .. .


Jesus preached:Jesus preached: That God’s Kingdom requires we That God’s Kingdom requires we

acknowledge our dependence on Godacknowledge our dependence on God That a model for the Kingdom was the That a model for the Kingdom was the

helplessness and trust of the little childhelplessness and trust of the little child In facing death, we in our humanity In facing death, we in our humanity

feel most deeply our helplessnessfeel most deeply our helplessness


““Did Jesus . . . himself have to experience Did Jesus . . . himself have to experience the vulnerability of dying before the the vulnerability of dying before the Kingdom could be achieved in and Kingdom could be achieved in and through him?”through him?”

Coming of the Kingdom would involve the Coming of the Kingdom would involve the ultimate destruction of the power of evilultimate destruction of the power of evil The realization that a confrontation with Satan The realization that a confrontation with Satan

was imminent may explain Jesus’ anguishwas imminent may explain Jesus’ anguish His trust in God’s power to defeat Satan may His trust in God’s power to defeat Satan may

have been his conscious sense of the truth have been his conscious sense of the truth that his death would remove sinsthat his death would remove sins

Early Christian Views of Jesus’ Early Christian Views of Jesus’ DeathDeath

Theology of the time determined the Theology of the time determined the choice of events describedchoice of events described Pain and suffering, pathos and emotion did Pain and suffering, pathos and emotion did

not drive evangelists, who report, laconically, not drive evangelists, who report, laconically,

“They crucified him”“They crucified him” Details anticipated in Old Testament Details anticipated in Old Testament

described:described: Division of garmentsDivision of garments Placement of criminals crucified with himPlacement of criminals crucified with him

Emphasis:Emphasis: through the Scriptures of Israel, through the Scriptures of Israel, God had taught about the SonGod had taught about the Son

Early Christian Views of Jesus’ Early Christian Views of Jesus’ DeathDeath

Each of the Gospel writers had a Each of the Gospel writers had a distinctive outlook on the Passiondistinctive outlook on the Passion

Jesus prays and is Jesus prays and is then arrested in then arrested in

Gethsemane on the Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, Mount of Olives, across the Kidron across the Kidron

ValleyValley

MarkMark

Jesus had come to terms with the Jesus had come to terms with the necessity of the fact that he must necessity of the fact that he must suffer and die before the Kingdom of suffer and die before the Kingdom of God can comeGod can come

His disciples had not accepted thisHis disciples had not accepted this Jesus tells them: Jesus tells them: “You will all “You will all

become deserters”become deserters” (NRSV 14:27) (NRSV 14:27) Peter claims: Peter claims: “I will not” “I will not” (NRSV (NRSV

14:20)14:20)

MarkMark The darkness and gloom of this beginning The darkness and gloom of this beginning

only intensifies until Jesus has diedonly intensifies until Jesus has died He will have He will have nono support from his followers; support from his followers;

he will die he will die alonealone He separates himself from the larger body He separates himself from the larger body

of the disciples; then further separates of the disciples; then further separates himself from Peter, James and Johnhimself from Peter, James and John

He confesses in prayer: He confesses in prayer: “I am deeply “I am deeply grieved, even to death.”grieved, even to death.” (NRSV 14:34) (NRSV 14:34)

MarkMark

Jesus, who had preached Jesus, who had preached “Whoever “Whoever would save his life will lose it”would save his life will lose it” now now prays, more poignantly than any other prays, more poignantly than any other Gospel: Gospel: “Abba, Father . . . remove “Abba, Father . . . remove this cup from me . . .”this cup from me . . .” (NRSV 14:36) (NRSV 14:36)

There is no apparent response from GodThere is no apparent response from God Jesus finally arises, resolved to meet his Jesus finally arises, resolved to meet his

betrayerbetrayer

MarkMark Jesus’ resignation to his fate is seen in Jesus’ resignation to his fate is seen in

his lack of response (in contrast to the his lack of response (in contrast to the other gospels) to:other gospels) to: Judas’ kissJudas’ kiss A bystander cutting off the ear of the slave A bystander cutting off the ear of the slave

of the High Priestof the High Priest ““. . . Let the scriptures be fulfilled.”. . . Let the scriptures be fulfilled.”

(14:49)(14:49) Seeing Jesus’ resignation, Seeing Jesus’ resignation, “All of them “All of them

[his disciples][his disciples] deserted and fled.” deserted and fled.” (14:50)(14:50)

MarkMark

Totality of Jesus’ abandonment Totality of Jesus’ abandonment illustrated illustrated in unique story in Mark of a young in unique story in Mark of a young disciple who seeks to follow:disciple who seeks to follow: When seized like Jesus, this disciple When seized like Jesus, this disciple

escapes by slipping out of his clothes and escapes by slipping out of his clothes and running off nakedrunning off naked

First disciples left work and family (1:18, First disciples left work and family (1:18, 20), everything (10:28) for Jesus; this last 20), everything (10:28) for Jesus; this last disciple leaves everything to get awaydisciple leaves everything to get away

MarkMark

Challenges posed by Mark’s portrayal Challenges posed by Mark’s portrayal of Jesus in Gethsemane:of Jesus in Gethsemane: How could a Jesus who so feared to die How could a Jesus who so feared to die

actually be divine?actually be divine? How could a Jesus so devoted to God How could a Jesus so devoted to God

pray to avoid the cross he had pray to avoid the cross he had proclaimed as necessary for others?proclaimed as necessary for others?

Contrast with Socrates: A calm Contrast with Socrates: A calm acceptance of death as deliverance from acceptance of death as deliverance from this world of shadows to a better realmthis world of shadows to a better realm

MarkMark

Death as seen in Old and New Death as seen in Old and New Testaments:Testaments: Human beings meant to enjoy God’s Human beings meant to enjoy God’s

presence in this life and not to diepresence in this life and not to die Death an evil imposed on Adam and Eve, Death an evil imposed on Adam and Eve,

a distortion of God’s original intentionsa distortion of God’s original intentions Israelites came to view death as a realm of Israelites came to view death as a realm of

alienation from Godalienation from God New Testament (1 Cor 15:26): New Testament (1 Cor 15:26): “The last “The last

enemy to be destroyed is death”enemy to be destroyed is death” (NRSV) (NRSV)

MarkMark

Death is not a welcome deliverance, but Death is not a welcome deliverance, but an enemyan enemy – one that cannot conquer – one that cannot conquer because of Jesus’ victory – but still an because of Jesus’ victory – but still an enemyenemy

MatthewMatthew Matthew’s Passion narrative is very close Matthew’s Passion narrative is very close

to Mark’sto Mark’s Unlike Mark, in Matthew Jesus’ disciples Unlike Mark, in Matthew Jesus’ disciples

had already professed Jesus was the Son had already professed Jesus was the Son of Godof God Thus their flight from Gethsemane even more Thus their flight from Gethsemane even more

shockingshocking Unlike Mark, in Matthew Peter had Unlike Mark, in Matthew Peter had

declared Jesus as the “the Messiah, Son of declared Jesus as the “the Messiah, Son of the Living God.”the Living God.” Thus his later repeated denials even more Thus his later repeated denials even more

scandalousscandalous

MatthewMatthew Matthew’s gospel was intended for Matthew’s gospel was intended for

Jewish readers and frequently cites the Jewish readers and frequently cites the Old TestamentOld Testament

Hymn sang by the apostles possibly a Hymn sang by the apostles possibly a hymn of the Passover liturgyhymn of the Passover liturgy

Mount of Olives in the Old Testament:Mount of Olives in the Old Testament: Zechariah 14:4ff: the site where God will Zechariah 14:4ff: the site where God will

judge the worldjudge the world 2 Samuel 15:30-31: David flees to Mount of 2 Samuel 15:30-31: David flees to Mount of

Olives to weep after betrayal by his trusted Olives to weep after betrayal by his trusted advisor Ahitopheladvisor Ahitophel

MatthewMatthew

Jesus prays alone, sorrowful (Jesus prays alone, sorrowful (“I am “I am deeply grieved. . .”deeply grieved. . .” NRSV 26:38) NRSV 26:38) like the Psalmist in Ps 42:6 ( like the Psalmist in Ps 42:6 ( “My soul “My soul is cast down within me. . .”is cast down within me. . .” NRSV) NRSV)

Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane in Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane in Matthew especially has echoes of the Matthew especially has echoes of the Lord’s Prayer:Lord’s Prayer: ““My Father”My Father” (26:39) (26:39) ““pray that you may not come into pray that you may not come into

the time of trial”the time of trial” (26:41) (26:41) ““your will be done”your will be done” (26:42) (26:42)

MatthewMatthew

Three times Jesus withdraws to pray and Three times Jesus withdraws to pray and returns to find his disciples sleepingreturns to find his disciples sleeping Literary pattern of Literary pattern of “the three”“the three” - stories - stories

effective and balanced if effective and balanced if threethree characters characters or or threethree incidents included incidents included

Underlines the disciples’ continued Underlines the disciples’ continued obliviousness to Jesus’ sufferingobliviousness to Jesus’ suffering

Jesus’ prayer seemingly effective: he Jesus’ prayer seemingly effective: he arises, ready to face his betrayerarises, ready to face his betrayer

MatthewMatthew

Unique in Matthew, Jesus addresses Judas Unique in Matthew, Jesus addresses Judas as “Friend” or “Companion” (26:50)as “Friend” or “Companion” (26:50) Highlights his betrayal by one who had been an Highlights his betrayal by one who had been an

intimate and followerintimate and follower Assailant who cuts off the ear of the high Assailant who cuts off the ear of the high

priest’s slave identified as “one of those priest’s slave identified as “one of those with Jesus” = disciplewith Jesus” = disciple Mark:Mark: “one of those who stood near” = “one of those who stood near” =

bystanderbystander Luke:Luke: “one of those around him” = disciple “one of those around him” = disciple John:John: Simon Peter Simon Peter

MatthewMatthew

Unique in Matthew is Jesus’ rebuke: Unique in Matthew is Jesus’ rebuke: “Put “Put your sword back into its place, for all your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the who take the sword will perish by the sword.”sword.” (NRSV 26:52) (NRSV 26:52)

Jesus seems helpless against those arresting Jesus seems helpless against those arresting him: only in Matthew does Jesus explain: him: only in Matthew does Jesus explain: “Do “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels. But more than twelve legions of angels. But how then would the scriptures be how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?”this way?” (NRSV 26:53-54) (NRSV 26:53-54)

LukeLuke

Luke’s version of the Passion is significantly Luke’s version of the Passion is significantly different from Mark / Matthewdifferent from Mark / Matthew Provides a “bridge” between Mark / Matthew Provides a “bridge” between Mark / Matthew

and and John’s versionJohn’s version

Luke describes the disciples with great Luke describes the disciples with great delicacy during Jesus’ ministry and Passion delicacy during Jesus’ ministry and Passion (unlike Mark, who dwells on their failings)(unlike Mark, who dwells on their failings) Does not mention they flee when Jesus is Does not mention they flee when Jesus is

arrestedarrested Places male acquaintance of Jesus at CalvaryPlaces male acquaintance of Jesus at Calvary

LukeLuke Jesus leads the disciples to a customary Jesus leads the disciples to a customary

place in the Mount of Olivesplace in the Mount of Olives So Judas will have no problem finding himSo Judas will have no problem finding him Luke is writing for Gentile readers, and so avoids Luke is writing for Gentile readers, and so avoids

Semitisms like “Gethsemane” and “Golgotha”Semitisms like “Gethsemane” and “Golgotha” There are There are no no words of rebuke about the words of rebuke about the

disciples becoming deserters. Jesus had just disciples becoming deserters. Jesus had just praised them at the Last Supper: praised them at the Last Supper: “You are “You are those who have stood by me in my those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you … trials; and I confer on you … a kingdom, so that you may eat and a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on the thrones judging the you will sit on the thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”twelve tribes of Israel.” (NRSV 22:28-30) (NRSV 22:28-30)

LukeLuke

Unlike Mark/Matthew, Jesus does not Unlike Mark/Matthew, Jesus does not withdraw from the large group of withdraw from the large group of disciples, and then still further from disciples, and then still further from the three, the three, but simply moves a “stone’s throw” but simply moves a “stone’s throw” (22:41) away(22:41) away

He returns to find them sleeping only He returns to find them sleeping only once, and they sleep “because of once, and they sleep “because of grief” (22:45)grief” (22:45)

LukeLuke Jesus is Jesus is notnot portrayed as grieving, even unto portrayed as grieving, even unto

death. His prayer begins and ends by death. His prayer begins and ends by submission to God’s will (NRSV 22:42)submission to God’s will (NRSV 22:42) Preface: Preface: “Father, if you are willing”“Father, if you are willing” Conclusion: Conclusion: “yet, not my will but yours be “yet, not my will but yours be

done”done” Unlike Mark/Matthew, God Unlike Mark/Matthew, God answersanswers his prayer, his prayer,

by sending an angel to strengthen himby sending an angel to strengthen him ““In his anguish he prayed more In his anguish he prayed more

earnestly…”earnestly…” (NRSV 22:44) (NRSV 22:44) ““Anguish” here is Greek Anguish” here is Greek agoniaagonia: the supreme : the supreme

tension of the athlete covered with sweat at the tension of the athlete covered with sweat at the start of a conteststart of a contest

LukeLuke

The perverse kiss of Judas prevented The perverse kiss of Judas prevented with Jesus saying: with Jesus saying: “Judas, is it with “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?”Son of Man?” (NRSV 22:48) (NRSV 22:48) Only time Judas addressed by nameOnly time Judas addressed by name Shows a foreknowledge of Judas’ strategyShows a foreknowledge of Judas’ strategy

Unique to Luke: Jesus heals the ear of Unique to Luke: Jesus heals the ear of the high priest’s slavethe high priest’s slave As he had so often healed during his As he had so often healed during his

ministry, he heals an opponent…in the ministry, he heals an opponent…in the midst of his own perilmidst of his own peril

LukeLuke

Figures arresting Jesus not a crowd Figures arresting Jesus not a crowd (Mark/Matthew) or police (John) sent (Mark/Matthew) or police (John) sent byby the chief priests, scribes and elders, the chief priests, scribes and elders, but the chief priest, Temple officers but the chief priest, Temple officers and elders and elders themselvesthemselves (22:52)(22:52)

Scene ends with the dramatic Scene ends with the dramatic announcement announcement “… this is your hour, “… this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”and the power of darkness!” (NRSV (NRSV 22:53)22:53)

JohnJohn Johannine portrait of Jesus Johannine portrait of Jesus

dramatically different from the dramatically different from the SynopticSynoptic Gospels (Mark / Matthew / Gospels (Mark / Matthew / Luke)Luke) He is conscious of his pre-existenceHe is conscious of his pre-existence In death, he is returning to the state he In death, he is returning to the state he

temporarily left for this worldtemporarily left for this world He is not a victim at anyone’s mercy; He is not a victim at anyone’s mercy;

he has freely chosen to lay down his lifehe has freely chosen to lay down his life Satan has Satan has nono power over him (14:30) power over him (14:30) He is He is omniscientomniscient; he cannot be caught off ; he cannot be caught off

guard by what will happen nextguard by what will happen next

JohnJohn

There is no prayer at Gethsemane There is no prayer at Gethsemane that this hour and cup might pass that this hour and cup might pass from him. from him. Such human indecision is Such human indecision is inconceivable in the Johannine Jesusinconceivable in the Johannine Jesus He and the Father are one (10:30)He and the Father are one (10:30) He is eager to drink the cup the Father He is eager to drink the cup the Father

has given (18:11)has given (18:11)

JohnJohn

Jesus uses the divine name “Jesus uses the divine name “I AMI AM” ” (18:6) (18:6) at this arrest: no one can take his life at this arrest: no one can take his life unless he permits itunless he permits it At his words, those trying to arrest him At his words, those trying to arrest him

step back…and fall to the groundstep back…and fall to the ground The Roman soldiers and Temple police The Roman soldiers and Temple police

still have power over Jesus’ followers still have power over Jesus’ followers who remain in this world (17:15), so who remain in this world (17:15), so Jesus requests they be let go (18:8)Jesus requests they be let go (18:8)

Next WeekNext Week

Episode II:Episode II:The Trial of the The Trial of the

Century:Century:Jesus Before the Jesus Before the

SanhedrinSanhedrin

1 road to gethsemani

Documents

jesus death

jesus arrest

jesus innocence

jesus resurrection

abandoning jesus

actions of jesus

betraying jesus

death of jesus confusion