Passion Week - Monday

As we come upon Easter Sunday, I wanted to do something I did a long time ago: take a day by day look through Passion Week.

Yesterday, Palm Sunday, was the triumphal entry by Jesus into Jerusalem. In some commentaries, it makes note of Jesus looking into the temple to gauge the level of work he had to do the next day. A scout trip, perhaps. I certainly find it plausible, and looking through the gospels at the events, I've also found a lot of confusion in the chronology. However, after checking out the temple, He spent the night in Bethany and we are going to pick it up on Monday morning.

There were some significant events occurring on Monday. By all accounts, it was a strategic and busy day. And it started with Jesus cursing the fig tree. Why?

The FaithLife Study Bible commentary gives us an indication:

• Cursing of the Fig Tree (Mt 21:18-19)

The fig tree is also symbollic of Israel itself – It often symbolized the health of the nation both spiritually and physically [1]. Hosea 9:10 says,“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.”Later, the Bible tells us of the glorious time when“Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” (1 Kings 4:25)Later still, following the minor prophets we can see warnings to the nation of how God would bring destruction and failure of crops as part of his judgement against them, specifying empty fig trees that were stripped bare and fruitless. (Joel, Habakkuk and Haggai)It’s almost as if the fig was something of a barometer of the health of the nation – taken away as punishment, and flourishing in times of restoration. From Symbolism of Figs One With Israel

Jerusalem’s leaders failed to properly welcome Jesus as a visiting dignitary into their city during the Passover festivities (see v. 10 and note). Consequently, when He re-enters Jerusalem the following morning, He pronounces a curse on a barren fig tree as a symbolic act of judgment against the city and its leaders. Matthew 23:37–24:2 elaborates on this judgment.

•  Jesus Cleans Out the Temple  For ver. 45–47, see Matt. 21:12–16; Mark 11:15–19; John 2:14–16  Did he do this twice?

Mark, however, used more detailed, chronological language. On the first day, Jesus went into Jerusalem and the temple (Mark 11:1-11), then later that day He and His apostles departed for Bethany. “Now the next day, when they had come out of Bethany” (11:12, emp. added), Jesus again went into Jerusalem and into the temple. Unlike His trip to the temple the previous day, this time Jesus entered the temple “to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple” (Mark 11:15-18). Thus, Jesus actually made two trips to the temple: once on the day of His triumphal entry (Mark 11:11), then again “the next day” to cleanse the temple (Mark 11:12,15-18). In this instance, Mark’s account is more sequential, while Matthew’s is more of a summary.

The reaction of the crowd found in Mk 11:18-19 is telling. They're convicted and when a man is under conviction, their rage usually starts with God. (Proverbs 19:3).

From the Faithlife Study Bible:

The popular acclamation of Jesus as the “Son of David,” combined with His forcible occupation of the temple courts, gave these priests ample reason to destroy Him. This reaction parallels that of the Pharisees in Galilee. 

Jesus leaves Jerusalem and heads back to Bethany with the Twelve and some speculation he stayed with Lazarus, Mary, & Martha that night.

A long day, to be sure. A longer one is coming tomorrow...

The Turning Point

YWednesday is a somewhat quiet day during the Passion week. However, what Wednesday lacks in activity is more than matched by the weight of two major events, clearly marked in the point of no return category.

Although most commentaries show little or no activity, a trusted source, Bible.net, have the two events I'm looking at taking place today. 

Scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of the Passover.

Bethany was about two miles east of Jerusalem. Here Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha lived. They were close friends of Jesus, and probably hosted him and the disciples during these final days in Jerusalem.

The Plot To Kill Jesus 

Matthew 26:1-5 Key passage: Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people. 

The word dolō carries the idea of deceitfulness, underhandedness, cunning, or treachery

Mark 14:1-2  Key passage: It was now two days before the Passover. 

The conspirators do not capture Jesus until after Passover; they orchestrate His death during the festival of Unleavened Bread. 

Luke 22:1-2 Key Passage: for they feared the people. 

John 11:47-53 John unpacks the account much more than the other gospels with a lengthy exchange between Caiaphas and the religious leaders. 

Key Passage: Caiaphas says to the leaders, "You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

Caiaphas is exactly right and his prophetic words earlier in the year are right on. 

Judas and The Betrayal Agreement 

Matthew 26:14-16 Key Passage: Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. 

In the Faithlife Study Bible Notes, a plausible reason for Judas wanting to betray Jesus is when Jesus was anointed at Bethany (Matthew 26:6-13), Judas saw it as a huge waste and he had reached his tipping point about how Jesus should be doing things. 

John elaborates on what Judas thought when he records this: "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Mark 14:10-11 Key Passage: And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him. 

Luke 22:3-6 Key Passage: Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. 

Satan and his minions do their best work 1 on 1. 

John 13:2 - Jesus had already explained the devil’s control over the Jewish people: prompting them to believe a lie and follow his evil desires (John 8:44). In this moment, when facing Judas, Jesus is not encountering a mere demon; He is facing the one He has called the “murderer from the beginning” of time - From Faithlife Study Bible Notes

John 13:27 - Here, the term Satanas is used instead of diabolos, as in v. 2. The two are equated in different gospel accounts that exchange the terms in their descriptions of Jesus’ temptations - From Faithlife Study Bible Notes

John 6:70-71 - For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.

Yes, a quiet day with eternal significance. But, isn't that every day? 

Tuesday Is a Long Day or The Game Goes Into Extra Innings

Jesus and the Twelve head out from Bethany to Jerusalem, specifically to the Temple. If the Twelve had known what was coming this day, they may have stayed in Bethany. There is a lot of action in words and deeds today!

I'm working from Mark, as Mark is closer chronologically to the events throughout the week, but including the references from other gospels when applicable. 

The Morning to Mid-afternoon:

The fig tree is withered. Matthew 21:20-22 & Mark 11:20-26

The tree points to something beyond itself as Jesus uses this symbolically, most likely toward the chief priests and elders of Jerusalem, who have not produced fruit in keeping with repentance. Jeremiah 8:1-13 is a good reference. Jesus takes the opportunity to tell the twelve, who are surprised to see the tree withered, to have faith when praying, believing God to do what we've asked with a condition: forgiveness. 

The Question about Authority. Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8

Jesus stays consistent in avoiding the traps laid by the religious leaders by asking his own questions...with a promise to the leaders- If they can answer His questions, He will answer theirs. Of course, up to,this point, they have been unable to match wisdom with the King. The leaders have already declared their intent to destroy Him (v18), they're just looking for some tinder now. Since the leaders are image conscious, they fear looking bad, as do all image conscious people when challenged. Thus they use their authority to avoid challenges. Jesus destroys the carefully held images we have set up. 

The Parables: Two Sons (Only in Mt) , Tenants (appears in Mt, Mk, & Lk), The Wedding Feast (appears in Mt & Lk)

The parable of the tenants was told directly within earshot of the religious leaders but they couldn't act on what they wanted to do. Mark 12:12, And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. Ha! Astute men, they were, as well as frustrated and agitated. 

All three parables have the same message of condemnation against Israel’s religious leaders, as Jesus is taking aim and getting bulls-eyes. 

The Tax Man Cometh (Mt, Mk, Lk) Mark 12:13-17

It's interesting that the leaders praise Jesus for not caring about the very things they're all about: "Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances..."  When this charade was over, all they could do was marvel at Him. 

Sadducees Debate Jesus on the Resurrection and Are Quite Wrong (Mt, Mk, & Lk) Mark 12:18-27

The main point here is one for all of us when we lose our way: "Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?" Most of our problems are the result of no knowledge and no power. Jesus tells the Sadducees that God is the God of the living. 

The Great Commandment (Mt 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-28)

An expert in the law asked Jesus about the most important commandment. This expert seems to be the most thoughtful of any of the leaders and appears to be really seeking an answer, although it still has the form of a test, per Luke. However, in Luke, the leader asks about eternal life while in the previous gospels, it's a commandment question. In all cases, Jesus sincerely says, "You have answered well." in some form or fashion. An exchange that had to be refreshing for Jesus- no contention, truth seeking and satisfaction upon answering. Jesus tells him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God". 

The Question about Who is David's Son (Matthew 22:41-46, Mark 12:35-37, Luke 20:41-44)
While Jesus was still in the Temple Courts teaching, another round with the religious leaders begins with a question initiated by Jesus, which is a great starting question with anyone seeking: 

"What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?"

The Judean society believed in a messianic Son of David, so this question cut right to the heart of a belief deeply and passionately held by the scribes. The Psalms were considered highly prophetic and Jesus uses Psalm 110:1 to further deepen the chasm between himself and the religious leaders.

The Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees or All Hell Breaks Loose  (Matthew 23:1-36, Mark 12:37-40, Luke 20:41-44
Interestingly enough, Mark and Luke use just a small portion of the Jesus' warnings to the disciples and people gathered at the temple about the religious leaders. This discourse follows a barrage of attempts by the scribes and Pharisees to publicly discredit His ministry. As Jesus finished, he looked up and saw people putting in their offerings, both the rich and the poor- one in particular- a widow.
She gave all she had while the rich gave out of their abundance, costing them nothing.

Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem ( Matthew 23:37-39, Luke 13:34-35)

According to Matthew, this follows the seventh woe and illustrates Israel's refusal of God's prophets and unwillingness to believe and repent. "Gathering her brood under her wings" is rich with imagery and found in Psalm 17:8, Psalm 36:7, and Isaiah 31:5





Before Jesus and the Twelve leave the temple for the day and head to the Mount of Olives, John records three events not found in any other gospel. In John 12:20-36, some Greeks had made their way to worship at Temple and found Philip to request a meeting with Jesus. Jesus alluded to his death and the benefits from his death for us. He also pointed out his was "troubled and greatly distressed" (v 27) but made sure they knew it was for a purpose. In John 12:37-43, we find that many rulers did believe on Jesus but because they were so image conscious and feared expulsion from the synagogue, they kept quiet. Why? They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Finally, the last recorded event before the Olivet Discourse is John 12:44-50, in which John writes, "Jesus shouted out..." making it clear that all knew if one believed in Him, they believed in God and if you've seen Him, you've seen God. That had to be enough to send those still opposed to Jesus right over the edge.

Afternoon 

Mount of Olives Discourse (Matthew 24-25, Mark 12-13, Luke 21)
Lots of discourse here and I won't break it down but summarize what Jesus covered. The Mount of Olives overlooks Jerusalem and is east of the Temple.

1. Prediction of Temple's Destruction (as they were leaving the Temple) 
2. Sign before the End: They are now at the Mount of Olives
3. Persecution Predicted/Foretold for the Twelve 
4. Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 8:13- referred to an altar of Zeus erected by Antiochus over the existing altar in 168 B.C.)
5. False Christs & Prophets
6. The Coming of the Son of Man
7. Fig Tree Parable and the Signs. It's interesting he uses the fig tree for fruit to tell if the time has come. 
8. Take Heed and Watch!
9. The Parable of the Flood and relating to "life goes on"
10. The Parable of the Servants and being about our work
11. Sheep & Goats and the Last Judgment

Evening 

Lodged on Mt. Olives (Luke 21:37-39)

There isn't a clear time when Judas Iscariot made the deal with the religious leaders but according to Bible.net, it is Wednesday. Some commentaries point to Tuesday, but for the sake of the timeline from which I'm working, I'm using Wednesday. It was a pretty quiet day and probably for good reason. I'd imaging today was exhausting in all forms- mentally, spiritually, and physically.