Eight Amazing Days. Holy Week in the Gospel of Mark

Eight Amazing Days. Holy Week
A Lessons To Go study series
By Mark Pavlin
Quotations from the New International Version, edited for brevity

This study is in debt to the insights given us by Marcus J. Borg
& John Dominic Crossan in “The Last Week” (HarperOne,
2006), recommended reading for anyone interested in more
detailed commentary than afforded by this study.
Acknowledgment

Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday
 The last week of the earthly life of Jesus of Nazareth
 The most sacred time of the year for Christians
 How do we tell and hear the story? What was it about?

 Was it about the forensic Passion (suffering) of Jesus that
God demanded as payment for the sins of the world?
 If so, Christians might as well just study only the last few
hours of the earthly life of Jesus – what he did before that
doesn’t matter much

 Was it about the forensic Passion (suffering) of Jesus that God
demanded as payment for the sins of the world?
 If so, Christians might as well just study only the last few hours
of the earthly life of Jesus – what he did before that doesn’t
matter much
 But was it, instead, about the passion of Jesus (enthusiasm
and commitment) to the just Kingdom of God, whose
people are called to in a covenantal relationship with God?

 Was it about the forensic Passion (suffering) of Jesus that God
demanded as payment for the sins of the world?
 If so, Christians might as well just study only the last few hours
of the earthly life of Jesus – what he did before that doesn’t
matter much
 But was it, instead, about the passion of Jesus (enthusiasm and
commitment) to the just Kingdom of God, whose people are
called to in a covenantal relationship with God?
If so, we should consider the many more hours of the
earthly life of Jesus before Good Friday.
What did he do that week in Jerusalem to bring down
on his head the most cruel form of Roman execution?

Let us then consider with care what Jesus did that week, using
the Gospel of Mark as our guide.
Alone of the four gospels, Mark’s account is day-by-day and
even adds details such as “morning” and “evening”
It even breaks down the events on Good Friday into 3-hour
military watch intervals.
Let us seek an answer to the questions:
 Did Jesus have to die?
 Who was responsible for killing Jesus?
 Why was Jesus executed?

Eight Amazing Days
Part 1
Sunday-Monday

Before Sunday
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, Jesus leading the way; the
disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid.
Mt. 10:32

Before Sunday
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, Jesus leading the way; the
disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid.
Mt. 10:32
{Jesus} took the Twelve aside
and told them what was going to
happen to him.
“We are going up to Jerusalem.
The Son of Man will be delivered
over to the chief priests and the
teachers of the law.
They will condemn him to death.
- Mk. 10:32-34

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany
at the Mount of Olives.... They brought the colt to Jesus and threw
their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on
the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields..

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany
at the Mount of Olives.... They brought the colt to Jesus and threw
their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on
the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields..
Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” - Mk 11: 1-10

Meanwhile, in came Pilate
About the same time that Jesus entered Jerusalem, crack
Roman soldiers commanded by the Imperial provincial
governor, Pontius Pilate, entered Jerusalem and took up
watch in the Antonia Fortress adjacent to the Temple.

Meanwhile, in came Pilate
The Roman show of force was no coincidence. The
Jewish festival of Passover took place that week, a time
when devout people converged on the capital and spirits
ran high especially against the hated occupation forces.

Two processions, two conquerors
The two processions - one large, showy and well-organized, the
other small, “ad hoc”, and crude - symbolize the conflict that
week that led to the crucifixion by one leader, rich in Power,
of the
other
leader,
rich in
Spirit.

Which procession would
you be watching?
(now, be honest)

The Kingdom v. the Empire
1. Political oppression - - rule by the few powerful, wealthy elite,
those in control of the land, those local officials backed by Rome,
and their hanger-on (scribes, lawyers, tax collectors)
2. Economic strangulation - - an estimated one-half to 2/3rds of all
“gross national product” was funneled into the hands of the very
few powerful people in control via land ownership, taxation,
indentured labor, debt repayment, etc.
3. Religious legitimation - - domination was justified by religious
language, typically by inculcating the concept of the “divine right
of kings” and by centralization of cultic practice in the Jerusalem
Temple.
In that time (and since time immemorial) the masses of Israel suffered –
almost the same as they did in Egypt – under a “domination system” that
regulated society rigidly for the gross benefit of a tiny minority in 3 ways:

The Kingdom v. the Empire
Temple.
“Listen, you leaders of Jacob, rulers of Israel.
Should you not embrace justice,
You who hate good and love evil...
You will cry out to the Lord- He will not answer
He will hide his face from you
Because of the evil you have done...
You leaders...who despise justice
And distort all that is right,
Who build Zion with bloodshed
And Jerusalem with wickedness...
Therefore because of you...
Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble,
The temple a mound overgrown with thickets.
- Micah 3:1-10

Temple.
As the Last Week unfolds,
let us watch Jesus closely,
as did his detractors,
to see if he will seek
a peaceful compromise with
or confront the rulers of Israel...
...whether he will defuse political tensions...
or demand justice for the oppressed.
God’s Kingdom v. the Empire

Or prophetic statement?
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey....
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses
from Jerusalem, the battle bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His rule will extend from sea to sea, from the River to the ends
of the earth. - Zech. 9:9-10

Or prophetic statement?
Not for this ragged band of followers of an itinerant miracle-
working rabbi – not military might, wealth and social oppression.
Jesus’ procession deliberately parodies and counters what was
happening on the other side of the city.
Rather, the vision of the Prophet of peace and justice.

Jesus tourist
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts.
He looked around at everything, but since it was already late,
he went out to
Bethany with
the Twelve.
- Mk. 11:10-11

Got Figs ?
Then he said to
the tree, “May
no one ever eat
fruit from you
again.”
The next day as they were leaving
Bethany, Jesus was hungry.
Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf,
he went to find out if it had any fruit.
When he reached it, he found nothing
but leaves (because it was not the
season for figs).
His disciples heard
him say it.
- Mk. 11:12-14

Was Jesus going bananas?
He found nothing but leaves (because it
was not the season for figs). Not only
was he acting strangely, but Mark does
not explain what he was doing (yet)
We was framed!
No (thank the good Lord)!
Jesus was doing what prophets did in the OT - he
acted out prophesy. Of course he knew all about
figs (everyone’s favorite treat in those days).
Mark will finish this frame story – after what
comes next. The structure is a deliberate literary
device to emphasize the meaning of what goes
in between the “frames”.

On reaching
Jerusalem, Jesus
entered the temple
courts and began
driving out those
who were buying
and selling there.
Temple cleansing?

He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of
those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise
through the temple courts. - Mk. 11: 15-17
On reaching
Jerusalem, Jesus
entered the temple
courts and began
driving out those
who were buying
and selling there.
Temple cleansing?
Prophetic statement?

And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not
written: ‘My house will be called a house of
prayer for all nations’? But you have made it
‘a den of robbers.’ - Mk. 11:15-17
I will ... give them joy
in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings
and sacrifices will be
accepted on my altar;
for my house will be
called a house of
prayer for all nations,”
The Sovereign LORD
declares, He who
gathers the exiles of
Israel, “I will gather
still others to them
besides those already
gathered.”
- Is. 56:6-8

And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not
written: ‘My house will be called a house of
prayer for all nations’? But you have made it
‘a den of robbers.’ - Mk. 11:15-17
I will ... give them joy
in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings
and sacrifices will be
accepted on my altar;
for my house will be
called a house of
prayer for all nations,”
The Sovereign LORD
declares, He who
gathers the exiles of
Israel, “I will gather
still others to them
besides those already
gathered.”
- Is. 56:6-8
“Will you steal and murder, commit adultery
and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow
other gods... and then come and stand
before me in this house, which bears my
Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all
these detestable things? Has this house,
which bears my Name, become a den of
robbers to you? But I have been watching,”
declares the Lord.
- Jer. 7: 9-11

The chief priests and the teachers of
the law heard this and began looking
for a way to kill him;
They feared him, because the whole
crowd was amazed at his teaching.
When evening came, Jesus and his
disciples went out of the city.
- Mk. 11:18-19
It is critically
important to take
note that it is not
the Jewish people
who oppose Jesus
but only the
representatives of
the domination
system.
End Part 1

Eight Amazing Days
Part 2
Tuesday

Sunday and Monday were prophesy days
On Sunday, Jesus acts out a parody, mimicking the “triumphal” entry of a
king, whether a foreign occupier (Rome) or their own (the Herodians)...

....thereby speaking God’s word of condemnation of the use of
power, especially of military might, to dominate God’s people.

On Monday of Passion Week Jesus speaks God’s word of condemnation
of the economic strangulation of the people of Israel by their own Temple
officials and in a dramatic, symbolical act, “overturns” Temple practice of
the time
(but not
Temple
worship).

God’s spoken word of prophesy echoes through the city
and does not fade even as the processional palms are
trodden into dust...
Tensions mount between Jesus and the ruling authorities.
...and the flustered money-changers sweep up their coins
and set their booths in order.

The Gospels
as carefully crafted literature
All of the Gospels are structured with care, the product of a person
who was:
 Educated, literate, fluent in Greek
 A Christian, a part of a devout community of Believers
 Either wealthy or, more likely, commissioned (supported)
by a wealthy church member (e.g. a household scribe)
 Familiar with the stories circulating about Jesus and likely in
possession of a copy of “Q” (earliest written account)
 Had a purpose for writing which heavily influenced the text,
its order, its details, etc.
 (Example follows)

The Gospels
as carefully crafted literature
All of the Gospels are structured with care, the product of a person
who was:
 Educated, literate, fluent in Greek
 A Christian, a part of a devout community of Believers
 Either wealthy or, more likely, commissioned (supported)
by a wealthy church member (e.g. a household scribe)
 Familiar with the stories circulating about Jesus and likely in
possession of a copy of “Q” (earliest written account)
 Had a purpose for writing which heavily influenced the text,
its order, its details, etc.
In the following example, “Mark”
structures his text to contrast the
failure of the Apostles to be true
disciples, highlighting the teaching
of Jesus to his community (and us!)
on how to follow Him rightly.

In the following example, “Mark” structures his
text using three parallel passages to hammer
home his message- to contrast the failure of
the Apostles to be true disciples, highlighting
the teaching of Jesus to his community (and
us!) on how to follow Him rightly.

{Jesus} began to teach them that
the Son of Man must suffer
many things and be rejected by
the elders, the chief priests and
the teachers of the law, and that
he must be killed and after three
days rise again.
Peter took him aside and began
to rebuke him.But Jesus turned
and ... rebuked Peter. “Get
behind me, Satan!” he said. “You
do not have in mind the
concerns of God, but merely
human concerns.”
Then he called the crowd to him
along with his disciples and said:
“Whoever wants to be my
disciple must deny themselves
and take up their cross and
follow me. For whoever wants to
save their life will lose it, but
whoever loses their life for me
and for the gospel will save it.
Mk. 8:31-9:1
...{Jesus} was teaching his
disciples....“The Son of Man is
going to be delivered into the
hands of men. They will kill him,
and after three days he will
rise.”
They did not understand what
he meant and were afraid to
ask ...he asked them, “What
were you arguing about on the
road?” They kept quiet because
on the way they had argued
about who was the greatest.
Jesus called the Twelve... and
said, “Anyone who wants to be
first must be the last, and the
servant of all.” He took a little
child... “Whoever welcomes
one of these children in my
name welcomes me and who-
ever welcomes me welcomes
the one who sent me.”
Mk. 9:31-37
{Jesus} took the Twelve aside and
told them...“We are going up to
Jerusalem and the Son of Man will
be delivered to the chief priests and
the teachers of law. They will
condemn him to death then hand
him to the Gentiles, who will mock
him and spit on him, flog him and
kill him. 3 days later he will rise.”
Then James and John... came to
him....“Let one of us sit at your right
and the other at your left in your
glory.”...When the ten heard about
this, they became indignant...
Jesus called them together. “You
know that those who are regarded
as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over
them, and their high officials
exercise authority over them. Not so
with you. Instead, whoever wants to
become great among you must be
your servant, and whoever wants to
be first must be slave of all.
Mk. 10:33-45

{Jesus} began to teach them that
the Son of Man must suffer
many things and be rejected by
the elders, the chief priests and
the teachers of the law, and that
he must be killed and after three
days rise again.
Peter took him aside and began
to rebuke him.But Jesus turned
and ... rebuked Peter. “Get
behind me, Satan!” he said. “You
do not have in mind the
concerns of God, but merely
human concerns.”
Then he called the crowd to him
along with his disciples and said:
“Whoever wants to be my
disciple must deny themselves
and take up their cross and
follow me. For whoever wants to
save their life will lose it, but
whoever loses their life for me
and for the gospel will save it.
...{Jesus} was teaching his
disciples....“The Son of Man is
going to be delivered into the
hands of men. They will kill him,
and after three days he will
rise.”
They did not understand what
he meant and were afraid to
ask ...he asked them, “What
were you arguing about on the
road?” They kept quiet because
on the way they had argued
about who was the greatest.
Jesus called the Twelve... and
said, “Anyone who wants to be
first must be the last, and the
servant of all.” He took a little
child... “Whoever welcomes
one of these children in my
name welcomes me and who-
ever welcomes me welcomes
the one who sent me.”
{Jesus} took the Twelve aside and
told them...“We are going up to
Jerusalem and the Son of Man will
be delivered to the chief priests and
the teachers of law. They will
condemn him to death then hand
him to the Gentiles, who will mock
him and spit on him, flog him and
kill him. 3 days later he will rise.”
Then James and John... came to
him....“Let one of us sit at your right
and the other at your left in your
glory.”...When the ten heard about
this, they became indignant...
Jesus called them together. “You
know that those who are regarded
as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over
them, and their high officials
exercise authority over them. Not so
with you. Instead, whoever wants to
become great among you must be
your servant, and whoever wants to
be first must be slave of all.
Jesus describes what will happen to him and to his followers
One, two, or all of his closest followers (disciples, apostles) fail
him totally – misunderstand or just argue with him or each other
Jesus gives them/others a lesson in the radical Way of the
Kingdom – new life comes to those who follow him to the death -
of becoming child, servant, slave - dedicated totally for others.

Most of it involves conflict with the representatives of one part
of the domination system- the Temple authorities.
Tuesday
Mark devotes 115 verses in three chapters to the what
amounts to, essentially, conversations, almost twice that of
the next busiest day, Thursday (60 verses).
Tuesday is the busiest day of Holy Week, but we recall no
“events” that match those of Sunday and Monday.
We can imagine that these confrontations build up the tension
between Jesus and the Jewish authorities, increasing their
anxiety to the point of desperate and violent action.

Remember the figs ?
Yesterday Jesus acted out prophesy
by looking for figs on a tree and then
cursing it ritually.
His disciples heard him say it.
- Mk. 11:12-14
The frame closes around – what? – the action in the Temple. By this
action and by his “tantrum” in the Temple, Jesus has dramatically,
memorably, and symbolically castigated the leaders of Israel
because they have not produced fruit, they have not fed Israel!
On {Tuesday} morning, as they went {back to the city}, they
saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered
and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has
withered!” - Mk. 11: 20-21

Confrontation #1: Authority Challenged
They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in
the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and
the elders came to him. “will I tell you by what
“By what author-
ity are you doing
these things?”
they asked.
“And who gave
you authority to
do this?”
- Mk. 11:27-28

Confrontation #1: Authority Challenged
They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in
the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and
the elders came to him. “will I tell you by what
“By what author-
ity are you doing
these things?”
they asked.
“And who gave
you authority to
do this?”
- Mk. 11:27-28
Mark’s use of the plural (“these things”)
tells us that the officials confronting
Jesus are aware that both his Sunday
“entrance” and his Monday “cleansing”
were deliberate provocations.

Confrontation #1
Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I
will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s
baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say,
‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’
But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people,
for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing
these things.” - Mk. 11:27-33

Confrontation #1
Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I
will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s
baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say,
‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’
But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people,
for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
Jesus thereby shows the listening crowd that he will not
cooperate with and become part of the domination system.
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing
these things.” - Mk. 11:27-33
Why doesn’t Jesus just say “Because I am God”?
Or “Because God told me to do these things”?
Jesus dodges the question and provides no answer
but makes the “authorities” look foolish.

Confrontation #2 (a parable)
Jesus then began to speak to them in parables:
“A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall
around it, dug a
pit for the wine-
ress and built
a watchtower.
Then he rented
the vineyard to
some farmers
and moved to
another place. - Mk. 12:1

At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from
them some of the fruit of the vineyard.
But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
He sent another servant.. Struck...treated him shamefully... sent
still another... they killed.... many others... they beat... killed.
“He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last
of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ - Mk. 11:27-33

At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from
them some of the fruit of the vineyard.
But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
He sent another servant.. Struck...treated him shamefully... sent
still another... they killed.... many others... they beat... killed.
“He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last
of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ - Mk. 11:27-33
Should those God entrusts with the care of His people -----
them, great indeed is their wickedness and greed!
“Vineyard” in the OT is always a picture that helps us imagine
the “fruitful” people of Israel. God sends Israel leaders who
are to plant, fertilize, prune, and otherwise tend His vineyard
for Him, not for themselves!

But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill
him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.
What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill
those tenants and give the vineyard to others.
Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders
looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken
the parable against them.
But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went
away. - Mk. 12:7-12
Mark tells us that the Temple authorities get the point- Jesus is
publically, stridently condemning their stewardship of Israel

But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill
him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.
What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill
those tenants and give the vineyard to others.
Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders
looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken
the parable against them.
But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went
away.
- Mk. 12:7-12
We need not read into this a Christological teaching
(Jesus claiming to be the son of God). He is painting a
picture of “how bad can it get” – the owner may risk
everything he has on the vineyard, even to the point of
risking his son, yet the “tenants” persist in evil-doing.
We see here a critical point- Jesus is protected by the
presence of a “crowd” – not his disciples only, but many
people eager to hear him teach and, also, to “tweak”
the Temple officials! Tensions continue to mount.
Mark tells us that the Temple authorities get the point- Jesus is
publically, stridently condemning their stewardship of Israel

...they were
afraid of the
crowd; so
they left
him and
went away.
Later they
sent some
Pharisees
and some
Herodians
to Jesus to
catch him in
his words.

Confrontation #3
They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you
are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others,
because you pay no attention to who they are; but you
teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?
Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”
- Mk. 12:14-15

Confrontation #3
The “imperial tax” was tribute money- not just one more eco-
nomic burden on an already crushed people but a hated symbol
of Roman oppression - that Israel was under foreign control.
Yes or no?
“Yes” (pay up) would discredit Jesus in the eyes of
the crowd – meaning he’s a collaborator after all.
“No” (tax evasion) meant that Jesus was publically
preaching sedition

Pay the Roman tax?
But Jesus knew their hypocrisy.
“Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked.
“Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”
They brought the coin.
He asked them, “Whose image is this?
Whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to
Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God
what is God’s.”
- Mk. 12:16-17

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy.
“Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked.
“Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”
They brought the coin.
He asked them, “Whose image is this? Whose
inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to
Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God
what is God’s.”
- Mk. 12:16-17
Jewish coins bore no “graven
image”. Roman coins bore
images of the Emperor and
even an idolatrous inscription
such as “Son of God.”
Pious Jews would not carry
them.
But the Herodians happened
to have one on them!
What does that tell us about
them?
Pay the Roman tax?

Pay the Roman tax?
Jesus is NOT advocating what many modern Western nations
advocate, a “wall” of separation between “Church” and “State”.
His response is a “non-answer” –
another brilliant evasion that
embarrasses his interrogators.
Jesus is challenging everyone who hears him – you and I
included- what belongs to the State? What belongs to God?
If you are doing this study as Lent draws
to a close and Holy Week begins, it is a
great time to ask yourself, “What shall I
give to the State and what shall I give
through Christ Jesus to God?
End Part 2

Eight Amazing Days
Part 3
Tuesday-Wednesday

On Tuesday of “Holy Week”, Jesus confronted,
condemned, & enraged 6 groups:
Money-changers
Temple officials
Pharisees
Herodians
Sadducees
Scribes

The large crowd listened to him with delight. - Mk. 12:36

{On their way back to Bethany} ... as Jesus was sitting on the Mount
of Olives opposite the temple, Jesus said to them: “Watch out that
no one deceives you.... What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!”

Now {it was Wednesday and} the Passover and the Festival of
Unleavened Bread were only two days away.
The chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to
arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. - Mk. 14: 1
“Not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”
- Mk. 14: 2
Why the need for a betrayer?
If the Jewish people hated Jesus, then why would the
authorities need a traitor to “hand him over”?
The Markan account makes clear that the crowd “delighted” in
Jesus – over many centuries, Jewish people have been hated
for killing Jesus, but the Gospel account is clear – they didn’t.
Quite the contrary: the Jewish people protected Jesus.

“The Thirty Pieces of Silver” Janos Molnar (1909) Hungarian National Gallery

So he watched for an opportunity to hand {Jesus} over.
- Mk. 14:11b
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief
priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear
this and promised to give him money. - Mk. 14:10-11a

You may have noticed
(I hope you did notice) that
I skipped over verses 3-9.
Hey, didn’t you skip something?
I did so to emphasize that
v. 1-2 + 10-11 form a single
narrative element that frames
the story that is in between.

Hey, didn’t you skip something?
Recall that a frame is a literary
device for placing two elements in
dramatic interaction with one
another. Readers then can use the
outer element (frame) to help
interpret the inner element (picture)

Use the outer
frame to help
interpret the....
... the
inner picture

The previous frame (the cursed fig tree)
was a parallel event to the picture
depicting the condemnation of the
fruitless Temple officials.”
This frame [a betrayer’s plot to hand over
Jesus] is a contrasting event to the
picture [a believer’s action to bless Jesus].

A Woman anoints Jesus
Some of those present murmured
indignantly to one another, “Why
this waste of perfume? It could
have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given
to the poor.” Then they rebuked her harshly. - Mk. 14: 3-5
While {Jesus} was in Bethany reclining
at the table in the home of Simon the
Leper, a woman came {to Jesus}
carrying an alabaster jar of expensive
perfume made of pure {exotic
essential oil from the Far East}, nard.
She broke {open} the jar and poured
the perfume on his head.

A Woman anoints Jesus
Some of those present murmured
indignantly to one another, “Why
this waste of perfume? It could
have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given
to the poor.” Then they rebuked her harshly. - Mk. 14: 3-5
While {Jesus} was in Bethany reclining
at the table in the home of Simon the
Leper, a woman came {to Jesus}
carrying an alabaster jar of expensive
perfume made of pure {exotic
essential oil from the Far East}, nard.
She broke {open} the jar and poured
the perfume on his head.
Evidently, Jesus did not go into the city
on Wednesday. Did Judas go by himself?
Mark emphasizes just how costly the
perfume was – literally 300 denarii – why
such extravagance?

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She
has done a beautiful thing to me.
The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them
any time you want. But you will not always have me.
- Mk. 14: 6-9
She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body
beforehand to prepare for my burial.
Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the
world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

We must not rush past examining this stunning and unexpected
reaction from Jesus! He does not join the chorus of criticism but,
instead, bestows high praise on the un-named women,
And while he does not condemn his fellow guests at the meal,
doubtless his disciples, he does rebuke them sharply, and not for
the first time, for their misunderstanding.
Over and over again, his disciples fail to take seriously his words,
that his way is a road to death (and resurrection). The one who
would be his disciple must leave all that is safe, give away or sell
everything, and not look back, lose even life itself to follow him.

She poured perfume on my body to prepare for my burial.
The Apostles? They all fail Jesus – Judas no
more so, no less than Peter, James and John.
This woman - not one of the Twelve - is a model disciple and is set
by Mark in direct contrast with Judas.
She has heard Jesus speak and taken his words heart. He is going
to die and soon. She is one of a handful of first true believers.

“You will all fall away,” Jesus
told them, “for it is written: “‘I
will strike the shepherd, and
the sheep will be scattered....”
Peter declared, “Even if all fall
away, I will not.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied,
“today, yes, tonight—before
the rooster crows twice you
yourself will disown me three
times.”
- Mk. 14: 27-30

“You will all fall away,” Jesus
told them, “for it is written: “‘I
will strike the shepherd, and
the sheep will be scattered....”
Peter declared, “Even if all fall
away, I will not.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied,
“today, yes, tonight—before
the rooster crows twice you
yourself will disown me three
times.”
- Mk. 14: 27-30
Mark gives us no hint of Judas’s motive for his betrayal.
Later writers (of the other Gospels, of many other works
through the ages) made up for this lack! But Mark was not
interested in his motive.
Mark, rather, emphasized two things: (1) Judas was one of
the Twelve, and (2) all of the Apostles failed Jesus

Thursday
On the first day of the Festival of
Unleavened Bread, when it was
customary to sacrifice the Passover
lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him,
“Where do you want us to go and
make preparations for you to eat the
Passover?”
He sent two of his disciples, telling
them, “Go into the city, and a man
carrying a jar of water will meet you...
- Mk. 14: 12

Thursday
Jesus does not go into Jerusalem
during the day on Thursday, as if he
knows he is in danger of arrest.
But he has made “top secret” arrange-
ments for celebrating the Passover
meal, made in secret so that Judas will
not know where they will be.
He must not betray Jesus before Jesus
can share this last important meal with
his disciples.

One last fellowship meal
When evening came, Jesus arrived with
the Twelve. While they were reclining at
the table eating.....” - Mk. 14: 17-21
Shared meals were one of the most distinctive features of the
ministry of Jesus. Recall how the Pharisees would complain,
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” There he
taught his disciples and criticized his opponents.

One last prediction
While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell
you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”
They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you
don’t mean me?”
“It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the
bowl with me.... Woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It
would be better for him if he had not been born.”
- Mk. 14: 17-21
The reaction of the Apostles to this accusation is almost comic
but decidedly sad. Mark again presents the Apostles as a
clueless bunch. It is as if all of them were Judas.

One last prediction
While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell
you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”
They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you
don’t mean me?”
“It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the
bowl with me.... Woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It
would be better for him if he had not been born.”
- Mk. 14: 17-21
And yet he goes ahead with the meal- Judas included. All are
failures, all are in fellowship. Surely there is hope for us all!
Jesus makes a startling accusation- the betrayer is one of the
Apostles. To make sure there no one misunderstands him, he
says it four different ways!

While they were eating, Jesus
took bread and when he had
given thanks, he broke it and
gave it to his disciples, saying,
“Take it; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when
he had given thanks, he gave
it to them and they all drank
from it.
“This is my blood of the
covenant, which is poured out
for many,” he said to them.”
- Mk 14:22-25
One last feeding

1. A fellowship meal, where everyone,
even “failures” eat the together, all
loved of God
2. A distribution of goods (food, drink),
share and share alike, is God’s justice,
all cared for, the poor included
3. Like a Passover meal, it recalls how
God liberates His people from
bondage
4. Participation in the new covenant is
essential, not just a vague
remembering. Doing is what Jesus
wants for his followers- following
through death to life.
One last supper of many meanings

Eight Amazing Days
Part 4
Thursday-Friday

On Tuesday
Jesus
confronted,
condemned,
and enraged
6 groups:
Money-changers
Temple officials
Pharisees
Herodians
Sadducees
Scribes / Lawyers
On Wednesday
Jesus
rebuked his
companions for
criticizing
the nameless
disciple who
anointed him with
costly perfume fully
believing his word,
fully acknowledging
his sacrificial death
was soon
to come.
On Thursday
evening,
Jesus
touchingly ate a last
fellowship meal with
his closest followers,
asking them to do
the same in his
memory,
but then sadly
predicted (it called
for no great insight!)
that every one of
them would betray
or deny or flee from
him- none would
follow in his Way.

The revelation of Jesus
Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.....
I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” - Mk. 13: 37
Tuesday evening, as he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite
the temple, Jesus speaks at length (13: 5-37) of a terrible event, an
apocalypse! He quotes from Isaiah in envisioning the end:
“In those days, following that distress, the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the
sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” - Is. 13:10 and 34:4

Judas went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They
were delighted... and promised to give him money. So Judas
watched for an opportunity to hand {Jesus} over. - Mk. 14:10-11

Thursday evening (conclusion)
{After Jesus shared his last fellowship meal with his disciples} they
sang a hymn and went {just outside the city walls} to the Mount of
Olives, to Gethsemane. There Jesus said, “Sit here while I pray.”
It is odd that Mark makes no comment on the absence of one of
the Twelve (Judas). We can speculate that he stayed behind to
settle the bill with the people renting out the upper room. Only
John’s Gospel notes that Judas left the group to begin the betrayal.
He took Peter, James and John with him. He began to be deeply dis-
tressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the
point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
- Mk. 14: 26, 32-34
At the start of his ministry, Jesus called disciples to himself to teach
them the Good News of the Kingdom and follow him to glory – now
he just wants them to “sit”. He entrusted to his three closest
followers the slightly more challenging task of “keep watch”.

You sure about this?
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible
the hour might pass from him.
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup
from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
It is often noted that Jesus addressed
God intimately as child to dear Father
not formally as one would a powerful
potentate. This was unusual but not
unique in ancient Judaism.
How is it that we can pray “our father”
as spiritual Children one minute and
then act as harsh and judgmental
Parents to our neighbors the next?

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.
“Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch
for one hour?
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. - Mk. 14:35-39
But he is not fatalistic– that is, his torture and death is neither “Fate”
nor is it “God’s will.” Yet, it is likely and, unless the hearts of the Jewish
leaders change, it is inevitable.
Jesus knows that his actions have set in motion forces that will, in one
way or another, kill him. He prays for deliverance.
Peter (representing all of the disciples) cannot carry out even such a
minor “mission” as keeping watch. Jesus this time does not rebuke- he
is gentle in pointing out their continued failure. He repeats his
thematic warning to them all (and to us?) – watch! (and pray!)

That about sums it upWhen he came back, he again
found them sleeping....
Returning the third time, he
{woke them and} said to
them, (with what tone of voice
one may wonder?) “Are you
still sleeping and resting?
They did not know what to
say to him.
“Enough! The hour has come.
Look, the Son of Man is
delivered into the hands
of sinners.
Rise! Let us go! Here comes
my betrayer!”.
- Mk. 14: 40-42
“Sleeping Apostles”, The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Rodez, Spain

- Mk. 14: 3-5
Just then, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared with a squad of
Temple police armed with swords and clubs (sent from the chief
priests, lawyers and elders) with whom he had arranged a signal:
“The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and take him away.”
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The
men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing
near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest,
cutting off his ear.
“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with
swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching
in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures
must be fulfilled.”

- Mk. 14: 3-5
Mark draws attention to the spiritual mission of Jesus by having
him ask a rhetorical question. The answer is no- not a revolution
in the Roman sense. But one much greater?
Mark continues his (by now dreary) theme of “failure” with the
inept, the pathetic attempt of a disciple (“one of those standing
near”) to defend him with force (it had to have been an apostle-
who else was with Jesus? And carrying a knife? Maybe a small
one for eating with?)
Judas has to positively identify Jesus to the “police” because
(1) it’s dark, (2) everyone has dark hair and a beard, (3) they are
just the Temple Goon Squad; they don’t know what Jesus looks
like, and (4) they have orders to arrest only one man and they
better get it right!
The further comment of Jesus about not arresting him during the
day and Scripture being fulfilled seems to be addressed to the
(absent) Temple officials, inserted by Mark as a dramatic touch.

Total failure
- Mk. 14: 3-5
Just then, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared with a squad of
Temple police armed with swords and clubs (sent from the chief
priests, lawyers and elders) with whom he had arranged a signal:
“The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and take him away.”
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The
men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing
near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest,
cutting off his ear.
“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with
swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching
in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures
must be fulfilled.”
Then everyone deserted him and fled.
With this final line the
“Failure of the Disciples” theme is pointedly complete.
We hear no more from or about the disciples
(excepting Judas and Peter)
until after Easter.

{The Temple Goon Squad} took Jesus to the high priest and {then} all
the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came
together {just about everyone Jesus angered with his teaching!}....
Christ Before His Judges, Maurycy Gottlieb, 1878

The chief priests and the Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus
so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many test-
ified falsely against him but their statements did not agree. - Mk. 14: 54-56
#1. Most likely, there was no early Christian witness to what went on
at the notorious “trial” of Jesus. The Apostles had scattered and no
women were present. Servants? A sympathizer like Nicodemus?
What trial?

What trial?
#2. Trial? Hearing? The notorious “trial” of Jesus was more like an
extra-legal hearing of chief priests and advisors, nothing that would
need follow strict legal proceedings. A “kangaroo court”.

#3. Lack of evidence? Of what? Healing on the Sabbath? Not a capi-
tal offense. Conspiracy against Rome? Certainly a capital offense, but
Jesus never preached sedition. Or of blasphemy? Evidently not- Jesus
apparently never made clear and public claims to be Messiah or God.
What trial?
#2. Trial? Hearing? The notorious “trial” of Jesus was more like an
extra-legal hearing of chief priests and advisors, nothing that would
need follow strict legal proceedings. A “kangaroo court”.

Again the high priest {going after a confession} asked him, “Are you
the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting
at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on
the clouds of heaven.”* - Mk. 14: 60-63
They all condemned him as worthy of death.
The high priest stood up and addressed Jesus, “Will you not answer?
What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”
But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
In Greek this “confession” is the ambiguous phrase “ego eimi” which can
be translated as a question - “Am I?” - or, as in the Gospel of Matthew, a
statement - “You have said so”. As noted before, we do not know what
Jesus actually said in Aramaic, if anything. Be that as it may, Mark
indicates that his interrogator took it as an affirmative.
The high priest tore his clothes. “We need no more witnesses” he
asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
*Dan. 7:13-14

On Tuesday
Jesus
confronted,
condemned,
and enraged
6 groups:
Money-changers
Temple officials
Pharisees
Herodians
Sadducees
Scribes (lawyers)
Wednesday
Jesus
rebuked his
companions for
criticizing
an un-named
disciple who
believed him
and honored his
sacrificial death
(to come soon)
by anointing him
with costly
perfume
On Thursday
evening,
Jesus
ate a last
fellowship meal
with his closest
followers, asking
them to do the
same in his
memory,
then predicting
that every one of
them would
betray him, deny
him, or flee from
him.
Friday early
Jesus,
is betrayed and
arrested by
Temple police
The
Temple officials,
Pharisees,
Herodians,
Sadducees, and
Lawyers meet to
condemn him

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, the teachers of
the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans.... - Mk 15:1
Friday
Caution #1 Because we are drawing from the Gospel of Mark
alone, we will resist the temptation to “peek” at other Passion
narratives and conflate them with Mark’s.
Caution #2 We also like to bring in what Paul and the author
of the book of Hebrews write about the Passion (mostly their
language about sacrifice and sin). We will not.
Caution #3 Theologians, preachers and Sun. School teachers
since the Middle Ages have understood the death of Jesus in
certain ways, enshrining this understanding in doctrine. We
will see what Scripture actually says (sans dogma, if possible).
Caution #4 We will keep firmly in mind that we have no unin-
terpreted account of the death of Jesus. Even Mark has a view.

Very early in the morning... they bound Jesus,
led him away and handed him over to {the
Roman governor, Pontius} Pilate.
Friday- early morning
Pontius Pilate was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of
Judaea. He served under Emperor Tiberius from AD 26 - 36.
“Are you the king of the Jews?”
asked Pilate.
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
The chief priests accused him of
many things.
Again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer?
See how many things they are accusing you of.”
But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. - Mk 15: 1-5

Very early in the morning... they bound Jesus,
led him away and handed him over to {the
Roman governor, Pontius} Pilate.
Friday- early morning
Pontius Pilate was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of
Judaea. He served under Emperor Tiberius from AD 26 - 36.
It is not credible that the Governor would hop out of bed at the
beck and call of Jewish authorities. Likely this was a pre-arranged
meeting, set up since the time the betrayal of Jesus was set in
motion. It likely takes place in the lavish palace Herod built,
where Pilate customarily stayed when he came to Jerusalem
“Are you the king of the Jews?”
asked Pilate.
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
The chief priests accused him of
many things.
This time the Greek
phrase is, ”su legeis”, still
ambiguous. “You said it!”
or “You say so”.
Again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer?
See how many things they are accusing you of.”
But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. - Mk 15: 1-5

“What shall I do with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate
asked them {the “crowd” gathered by the Council officials}.
“Crucify him!” the crowd shouted.
“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
Judgment
But they shouted all
the louder, “Crucify
him!”
Wanting to satisfy
the crowd, Pilate...
had Jesus flogged
and handed him
over to be crucified.
- Mk 15:12-15
Christ In Front of Pilate
Mihaly Munkacsy (1881)

Judgment
him!”
Wanting to satisfy
had Jesus flogged
and handed him
- Mk 15:12-15
What “crowd”? This was a high security space; not just anyone was
allowed (or, probably, escorted) into the presence of the Governor.
The painting below might be accurate; a small group of officials and
their friends (Herodians?) there to represent the people, that is,
the right kind of people. Certainly not the people who loved Jesus.

Judgment
him!”
Wanting to satisfy
had Jesus flogged
and handed him
- Mk 15:12-15
What “crowd”? This was a high security space; not just anyone was
allowed (or, probably, escorted) into the presence of the Governor.
Governor Pilate takes only a few moments out of his busy day to
inquire into this potential disturbance in the Festival week
activities. The cooperative local officials appear to have the matter
under control; just another religious fanatic causing trouble.
The painting below might be accurate; a small group of officials and
their friends (Herodians?) there to represent the people, that is,
the right kind of people. Certainly not the people who loved Jesus.
The Governor agrees to execute the miscreant, a minor task to be
discharged promptly by well-practiced Legionnaires.

After {the Roman execution
detail} had mocked him, they...
led him out to crucify him.
They brought Jesus to the
place called... “the place of
the skull” and offered him
wine mixed with myrrh {to
quiet him while they go about
the execution process} but he
did not take it.
Crucifixion
And they crucified him.

Crucifixion
Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each
of them would get.
It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written
notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
And they crucified two rebels {brigands} with him...
- Mk 15:20-27
The text is remarkably terse.
No nails, no spear, no crown of thorns, no words
from Jesus (yet), no women at the cross (three
stood at a distance), no conversation with the
brigands on either side.
No disciples are there; only those who mock him.

Those who passed by hurled insults at him... the chief priests and
the teachers of the law mocked him also, saying, “He saved others,
Humiliation, Shame, Degradation
but he can’t save himself!
Let this Messiah, this king of
Israel, come down now from
the cross, that we may see
and believe.”
Those crucified with him
also heaped insults on him.
- Mk 15:29-33

At noon, darkness came over the whole land. until 3 PM...{when}
Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”
(Aramaic for “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen,
he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar,
put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him
alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. - Mk 15:34
Darkness
Our literal imaginations delight to conjure a dark and stormy
afternoon in Israel that tragic day. The text is, rather, depicting a
spiritual darkness, a darkness of religious symbolism. Darkness is the
only appropriate backdrop for suffering, death and Divine judgment.

At noon, darkness came over the whole land. until 3 PM...{when}
Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”
(Aramaic for “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen,
he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar,
put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him
alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. - Mk 15:34
Darkness
Our literal imaginations delight to conjure a dark and stormy
afternoon in Israel that tragic day. The text is, rather, depicting a
spiritual darkness, a darkness of religious symbolism. Darkness is the
only appropriate backdrop for suffering, death and Divine judgment.
“Who will have pity on you, Jerusalem?
Who will mourn for you?
You have rejected me,” declares the LORD.
“You keep on backsliding.
So I will reach out and destroy you;
I am tired of holding back....
At midday I will bring a destroyer
against the mothers of their young men;
suddenly I will bring down on them
anguish and terror....
The sun will set while it is still day...
I will put the survivors to the sword
before their enemies,” declares the LORD.
- Jer. 15:5-9

Darkness came over the whole land until 3 PM... {when} Jesus
cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”
(Aramaic, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Death
When some of those standing near heard this, they said,
“Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” Someone... filled a sponge with
wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
“Now leave him alone.
Let’s see if Elijah comes to
take him down,” he said.
End Part 4
With a loud cry, Jesus
breathed his last.
- Mk 15:34-37

Eight Amazing Days
Part 5
Friday-Saturday

The 8th century stone Ruthwell Cross,
sculpted when the village of Ruthwell
was in the kingdom of Northumbria,
is the most famous and elaborate
Anglo-Saxon monumental sculpture
and has carved into it the oldest
surviving text of English poetry.
Smashed by Presbyterian iconoclasts in
1642, the pieces (thrown into the
churchyard) were recovered and the
cross restored in 1823.
It was moved into its current location
inside Ruthwell church, Dumfriesshire,
Scotland when an apse was built
specially to preserve it in 1887.
Dream of the Rood

Long ago it was, yet I remember
When I was cut down
From the forest’s edge
Taken from my roots.
Men seized me there, strong enemies-
They made me be a spectacle,
Commanded me to raise up criminals.
Carried me on their shoulders,
Until they set me up upon a hill.
Then I saw the Savior of mankind
Toward me hasten and with zeal,
As if he wished to climb upon me.
I did not dare defy his word to me
To bow not or to break.
I might have felled his enemies;
Even so, I stood fast.
Dream of the Rood

He stripped himself then, young hero
God almighty, strong and resolute;
He ascended on the high gallows,
Brave in the sight of many,
When he went to ransom
humankind.
I trembled when the warrior
embraced me;
Yet stood fast, raised up the powerful
King, the Lord of heaven;
They pierced us with dark nails;
On me are the wounds visible,
Open wounds of malice;
They mocked us both together.
I was drenched with blood
That poured out from the man
After he sent forth his spirit. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
by Christopher Slatoff (2002)

Clouds then covered the world’s ruler,
His gleaming light gone,
All creation weeping,
Lamenting the King's falling.
I beheld all that.
I, too, was drenched in sorrow;
Still, I bowed obedient to men’s hands
Taking from me almighty God,
Lifting him from that oppressive torment
They laid the weary-limbed one down
Stood at the head of his body,
Beheld the Lord of heaven,
He as if he rested there a while,
Weary after great battle.

On
Tuesday
Jesus
confronted,
condemned,
and enraged
every
segment of
the Judean
“domination
system”
(except for
the Romans).
On
Wednesday
Jesus
praised the
un-named
female
disciple
who
anointed
him with
costly
perfume.
On
Thursday
Jesus
ate a last
fellowship
meal with
his closest
followers
and asked
them
to do so in
his memory.
All of them
then betray
or abandon
him to the
police.
On
Friday
morning
The people he
antagonized
judged Jesus
“worthy of
death”. He is
then grilled
(briefly) by
Governor
Pilate
before being
led away to a
shameful
execution.
On
Friday
afternoon
Roman soldiers
efficiently carry
out the
sentence of
crucifixion.
Those who
condemned
him come by to
insult him.
He dies after
only three
hours.

 Placing of a crown of
thorns on Jesus’ head
 Nailing of Jesus to a
cross (victims were
usually tied)
 Jesus speaking (until a
last utterance)
 Attendance by women
or by any disciple
 Conversation of Jesus
and brigands executed
with him
 Breaking of his legs,
thrusting a spear into
his side
There is no mention in the text of the Gospel of Mark....

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
Interpretive Commentary
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
And when the centurion standing there before Jesus, saw how he
died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” - Mk. 15:37-39
The text then helps us appreciate the meaning of the death of Jesus
(these two lines, like the darkness, are not historical in nature)
Tearing the great curtain that isolated the Holy of Holies is Mark’s way
of saying that of God is condemning the action of the Temple authorities
in killing Jesus and at the same time Mark’s statement that the Priesthood
itself as a barrier between God and man is no more because of Jesus.
Again, not history but a statement of Mark’s perspective on the events.
The centurion represents the Romans, who Mark says are not the ones
responsible for the death of Jesus but are the first to acclaim him Messiah.

Some women were watching from a
distance.
Among them were Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of James the younger
and of Joseph, and Salome. In Galilee
these women had followed Jesus and
cared for his needs.
Many other women who had come up
with him to Jerusalem were also there.
- Mk. 15:40-41
Women are key
The last line especially emphasizes the
(already conspicuous) absence of all of
the male disciples of Jesus.

{because it was the day before the Sabbath} As evening approached,
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was
himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and
asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was
already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had
already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he
gave the body to Joseph. - Mk. 15:42-45
Permission granted
Text in a different font is not in Luke or Matthew. This, then, is a
departure from the usual pattern (i.e. Mark simpler than the
others). Why Mark adds this vignette is not clear.
What is clear is that Pilate releasing the body of Jesus for an
honorable burial was a significant departure from the “standard
operating procedure” for a crucifixion, i.e. leaving a body exposed
to the elements and animals as one further shameful humiliation.

So Joseph bought linen cloth,
took down the body, wrapped it
in the linen, and placed it in a
tomb cut out of rock.
Then he rolled a stone against
the entrance of the tomb.
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the
mother of Joseph, watched him
being laid there.
- Mk. 15:46-47
Burial
The tomb is neither a new one nor Joseph’s according to Mark, nor is
the stone too heavy for one old guy to roll across the entrance. Mark
makes sure we know that the women know the location of the tomb.

According to Mark, nothing happened
on Saturday.
The other Gospels agree on this.
Saturday (the Sabbath)
{The Gospel of Matthew
(27:62-66) appends a
conversation in which Jewish
officials ask Pilate to place a
guard at the entrance to
Jesus’ tomb.
“Take a guard,” Pilate ordered,
“make the tomb as secure as
you know how.” So they went
and made the tomb secure by
putting a seal on the stone and
posting the guard.
This is another instance of a
Gospel writer adding
“emphasis” to the basic story.
This is significant in one sense: Jesus
was really dead and he remained so for
at least one entire day.
Where’s the fun in that?
Let us reach beyond the Gospel account
and credit the tradition behind the
statement in the Apostles Creed (but
not in the Nicene Creed):
“...was crucified, dead, and
buried. He descended into hell.”
{Latin: descendit ad infernos}

The Harrowing of Hell
The “descent into hell” or Harrowing of Hell, is the first step in a
triumphant sequence of steps in the Creed that includes the
resurrection of Jesus, his ascension, his “seating” and his judging.

During that event, Jesus
brings salvation to all of
the righteous who had
died since the beginning
of the world, excluding
the damned, of course.
The realm into which
Jesus descended is not
what we today regard as
the place of eternal
punishment of the
damned (“Hell”), but
closer to “Limbo”.
This “breaking into” hell (Hades or Inferno) of the Risen Jesus occurs
on the Saturday between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.
Harrowing = “breaking into”

This event receives its support
(such as it is) from 1Pt. 3:19–20:
{Jesus} was put to death in the
body but made alive in the Spirit.
After being made alive, he went
and made proclamation to the
imprisoned spirits, to those who
were disobedient long ago
when God waited patiently...
The “Harrowing” story first
appears clearly in the Gospel of
Nicodemus in the section called
the Acts of Pilate, but appeared
at an earlier date in the Acts of
Peter and Paul.

From the Gospel of Peter
But early when the Sabbath was dawning..., when the soldiers were
safeguarding it two by two in every watch, there was a loud voice in heaven;
and they saw that the heavens were opened and that two males who had
much radiance had come down from there and come near the sepulcher.
The stone which had been thrust against the door, having rolled by itself,
went a distance off the side; and the sepulcher opened, and both the young
men entered. And so those soldiers... saw three males who have come out
from they sepulcher, with the two supporting the other one {Jesus} and a
cross following them.
And the head of two of them reached unto heaven, but that of the one
being led out by a hand by them reached beyond the heavens
And they heard a voice from the heavens saying, 'Have you made
proclamation to the fallen-asleep?'
And they heard from the cross the answer, 'Yes.'

Jesus rose before the Resurrection
We are not come to Sunday
morning yet but when we do,
I will point out that Scripture
does not tell us when the
Resurrection occurred.
The “descent into hell”
means that Jesus rose
from the dead very soon after
he was entombed.
Why not?
“Death no longer has
mastery over him” - Rom. 6:9

The “descent into hell” is necessary in Jewish and Christian thought
and is consistent with the death of Jesus because for God to be good
to those who love Him, their lives must be meaningful to them and
they must receive justice (wrongs and sufferings made right).
But the “problem of pain” (why do good people suffer) is notoriously
difficult for Christians to solve, so difficult that it drives thinking people
to become atheists.
Jewish writers prior to the time of Jesus “got” that God punishes the
wicked but why did it look like so may wicked people did just fine and
so many righteous people suffered?
“God’s Justice” calls for the righteous to receive justice during their
lifetimes (antemortem) or, in the case of martyrs, it must happen after
they die (postmortem).
Theodicy= God’s Justice
Christians see Jesus as initiating this for all time, past and future.

The most detailed Scriptural passages teaching postmortem theodicy
are in the OT book of Wisdom.
The relevant section is Chapter 2-3 and include what may be the most
beautify and moving passage of Scripture in all the Bible, verses
commonly quoted at memorial services.
It is this kind of justification, postmortem justification, that the Gospel
of Mark relates for us.
Jesus made alive again in God means that what the centurion
proclaimed was incorrect in its verb tense; the correct statement is,
“Surely this man IS the Son of God”
Widom Addresses Theodicy

Let us {the wicked} oppress the righteous poor man;
Let us not spare the widow, or regard the gray hairs of the aged.
Let our might be our law of right, for what is weak proves itself useless.
Let us lie in wait for the righteous man,
He is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions;
He reproaches us for sins against the law,
And accuses us of sins against our training.
He professes to have knowledge of God,
And calls himself a child of the Lord....
Let us see if his words are true,
Let us test what will happen at the end of his life;
For if the righteous man is God’s child, He will help him,
And will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries.
Let us test him with insult and torture,
That we may find out how gentle he is,
Let us condemn him to a shameful death,
For, according to what he says, he will be protected.
- Wisdom 2:10-20
Does this not sound like
the Jewish officials
talking about Jesus?

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
And no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
And their departure was thought to be a disaster,
But they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
Their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
Because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
Like gold in the furnace he tried them,
And like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
And the Lord will reign over them forever.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
And the faithful will abide with him in love,
Because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
And he watches over his elect. - Wisdom 2:1-9
End Part 5

Eight Amazing Days
Part 6
Easter Sunday

And so we come to the Resurrection
Even without
reading Scripture,
non-Christians
know a lot about
the Resurrection.
Their somewhat
irreverent version
might be
something like...

re-appearing inside
his disciples’ secret
hide-away (locked-
but walls don’t
bother him) where
he tells those
disloyal scaredy-
cats, “I told you so”,
but, since all is now
well, he forgives
them and sends
them out to
convert everyone.
The Resurrection was when Jesus- with a bright burst of energy- comes
alive after being dead, but now he is like a superhero, since he easily
rolls back the enormous rock that closed off the entrance to his tomb,
effortlessly overcomes the Roman guard duty and then disapparates,

More importantly, the Resurrection is on Easter when even non-
church-goers go to church dressed in our best clothes and after
church celebrate by eating chocolate, coloring eggs, giving rabbits
as presents to small children
and sneezing a lot from all of
the lily pollen we picked up in
church.

Is that about right for the Resurrection?
Even with reading Scripture, some Christians might agree that this
summary about the Resurrection is pretty-much true and complete.
In line with this entire study, let’s look carefully at what Mark’s
Gospel actually says about the event.
It might surprise you....

Is that about right for the Resurrection?
Even with reading Scripture, some Christians might agree that this
summary about the Resurrection is pretty-much true and complete.
In line with this entire study, let’s look carefully at what Mark’s
Gospel actually says about the event.
Keep in mind what we’ve contended all along about Mark – his is the
earliest and least “augmented” (not
to say un-augmented) of the four
gospels.
Still, we always ask “Why did Mark
write this?”
(Paul writes before Mark and refers
to the Resurrection but does not
give us an account of it)

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of
James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go {to the tomb}
and anoint Jesus’ body.
The women- again
Apparently, it was too late last Friday evening to prepare the body
of Jesus properly for a decent Jewish burial, so the three women
that Mark mentions in v. 15:40 appoint themselves to do the job
ASAP after the end of Sabbath.
Very early on the first day of the week just after sunrise, they were on
the way to the tomb; they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone
{Greek: lithon} away from the entrance of the tomb?” - Mk. 16:1-3
The stone, now a “megalith” when in the previous chapter it was
handled by Joseph of Arimathea alone, is too much for three strong
women to handle. Looks like a case of Mark adding emphasis.

But when they {got there}
and looked, they saw that
the stone, which was very
large (mega), had been
rolled away.
As they entered the tomb,
they saw a young man
dressed in a white robe
sitting on the right side, and
they were alarmed.
- Mk. 16:4-5
Imagine the surprise, puzzlement and (finally) alarm that the
women feel when, first, they see the stone already moved aside so
that they can enter the tomb without difficulty, and second, they
encounter a strange man in bright clothes who speaks to them
(apparently in Aramaic since they understand him).

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are
looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was
crucified. He has risen! He is not here.
See the place where they laid him.
But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is
going ahead of you into Galilee. There
you will see him, just as he told you.’”
- Mk. 16:6-7
What the young man knew
The young man is very knowledgeable- he knows that Jesus
was from Nazareth, was crucified and was entombed there.
Furthermore, he knows something only a close disciple
would know – that Jesus told his disciples to go to Galilee to
meet him (cf. 14:27-28 ”You will all fall away,” Jesus told
them...but after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”)
Mark does not say “angel” but this being is clearly a Divine messenger.

Trembling, bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb.
They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. - Mk. 16:8
What we know so far
What do we know so far?
1. Someone (or something) moved the tomb’s stone door seal.
2. A messenger from God is waiting for the faithful women.
3. The body of Jesus is not there (apparently; we are not told
directly that this is so). The man says “he has risen”.
4. The women are charged by the man to get a specific message
to Peter (explicitly) and the other (presumably male) disciples
(no mention why he couldn’t deliver this message himself).
5. The message is about meeting Jesus in Galilee. But why not
meet him in Bethany? No one has yet seen him - where is he?
6. All of this is too much {spooky!) for the women, who just get
out of there as fast as they can.

Trembling, bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb.
They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. - Mk. 16:8
What we know so far
What do we know so far?
1. Someone (or something) moved the tomb’s stone door seal.
2. A messenger from God is waiting for the faithful women.
3. The body of Jesus is not there (apparently; we are not told
directly that this is so). The man says “he has risen”.
4. The women are charged by the man to get a specific message
to Peter (explicitly) and the other (presumably male) disciples
(no mention why he couldn’t deliver this message himself).
5. The message is about meeting Jesus in Galilee. But why not
meet him in Bethany? No one has yet seen him - where is he?
6. All of this is too much {spooky!) for the women, who just get
out of there as fast as they can.
The account specifically tells us that the
good women disciples are terrified, so
much so, that they tell no one anything.
OK... So what happens next?

The Gospel of Mark ends there!
Surely there is more to the story!
What might have happened to the rest
of the Resurrection account?

What might have happened
to the rest of the Mark’s
Resurrection account?
 Mark was going to write
more but ran out of papyrus
 He wrote more on a second scroll
but his dog ate the scroll
 He wrote more on a second scroll
but accidentally put it in the wash.
Seriously – some scholars think that
Mark DID write an ending that somehow
was separated from the main body and
was lost to Christian history.

The Gist
The other Gospels “augment” Mark’s account, adding fun
details like earthquakes, flattening the guards, flummoxing
the Jewish officials, and appearing suddenly to the disciples.
Yet Mark’s brief account gives us “the gist”, the “take home
lesson” passed on by the earliest Christians to generations
who did not know about Galilee, the Temple, or life in Israel.

The Gist
(1) Jesus the Nazarene was really crucified, dying a
shameful death and was really entombed;
(2) This same Jesus is now really alive, risen from where
they laid him, gone from a tomb that could not hold him;
(3) He is really with all disciples, those in Galilee now and
those living at the ends of the earth in the future.

We Believe
The Resurrection Event as described in
the Nicene Creed includes 9 steps:
And was crucified also for us under
Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried,
And the third day he rose again
according to the Scriptures,
And ascended into heaven,
And sits on the right hand of the
Father.
And he shall come again with glory to
judge both the quick and the dead:
Whose kingdom shall have no end.
The 9 steps include
3 in the past and
3 in the future.
The middle 3 comprise
the Resurrection Event
in which all 3 occur
essentially together.

The extended version
The early church was not happy with the Markan
ending. Some time, ca. 120 AD, a unknown redactor
appended a more satisfactory ending.
The new text, then supplies us with no new “hard”
information about the event but it does give us some
insight into the thinking of early 2nd century Christians.
This scribe borrowed bits from the other Gospels into
which he wove some new text reflecting the
developing theological view of the Resurrection.

When Jesus rose early on {Sunday}, he appeared first to Mary
Magdalene {Jn. 20:10-17}, out of whom he had driven seven demons.
She went and told those who had been with him and who were
mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and
that she had seen him, they did not believe it.{Lk. 24:11}
Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while
they were walking in the country {Lk. 24:13-35}. These returned and
reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked
them for their lack of faith {Lk. 24:38} and their stubborn refusal to
believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
- Mk. 16:9-14
The tone of this ending is strikingly familiar – the lack of faith
shown by the disciples. This “tone” is not in agreement with the
other Gospels. But the message is clear to 2nd century Christians
– stop doubting and believe the messengers of the Gospel!

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all
creation.{Mt. 28:19}
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not
believe will be condemned.
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they
will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up
snakes with their hands;{Lk. 10:19} and when they drink deadly poison,
it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people,
and they will get well.”
- Mk. 16:15-18
The text has a harsh tone (condemnation for all who do not believe)
that is absent from the message of Jesus Himself in Mark’s Gospel.

But then the tone shifts, becomes “triumphant”; the text
echoes but is not identical to other similar Gospel passages.
It is (now) a fitting ending to a Gospel – it is good news!
Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and
the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the
signs that accompanied it. - Mk. 16:20
The Kingdom of God is at hand!
Repent and believe in this good news!
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up
into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.{Lk. 24:51}
Jesus ascends into heaven AND sits at the right hand of God; a
case of separation of the steps of the Resurrection Event in
time - “exaltation” comes after (temporal) “rising”.
End Part 6

Eight amazing days
Sunday, after Sunday

We started with a question
Why was Jesus killed? (according to the Gospel of Mark)
After eight amazing days in Jerusalem...
Coming in, palms waving, cloaks paving the way
Temple cleansing
Confrontation and condemnation of Jewish officialdom
Communion with half-hearted disciples
Betrayal and abandonment by the same
Arrest, mock trial
Crucifixion - Entombment - Resurrection
Can we now answer this question?

According to Mark’s Gospel, Jesus was passionate about the Kingdom
of God. Like the great Jewish prophets before him, he passionately
desired what God desires for humanity- a world of justice for the poor
and powerless administered by rulers who are like caring servants.
The Passion in Passion Week
He came to Jerusalem to confront the Jewish authorities and challenge
them to change their evil ways. Jesus was the kind of person who
would go on condemning them publically, agitating until getting a
positive response from them or being forcibly stopped.

According to Mark’s Gospel, Jesus was passionate about the Kingdom
of God. Like the great Jewish prophets before him, he passionately
desired what God desires for humanity- a world of justice for the poor
and powerless administered by rulers who are like caring servants.
The Passion in Passion Week
He came to Jerusalem to confront the Jewish authorities and challenge
them to change their evil ways. Jesus was the kind of person who
would go on condemning them publically, agitating until getting a
positive response from them or being forcibly stopped.
And so Jesus was stopped. In the cruelest manner possible. According
to the Gospel of Mark, the Jewish authorities killed Jesus (calling upon
the Romans to do the actual dirty work) to shut him up.

But then
comes
astonishing
news:
Jesus is risen.
He is alive.
He is not in
the tomb.
He has gone
to Galilee.
The women
barely hear-
they flee,
terrified.

Mark’s account is unsatisfactory
Surely it is strange that the gospel ends abruptly without
giving any explanation for the exciting words of the man
in the tomb, “He has been raised, he is not here.”
There is no account of Jesus appearing to anyone,
nothing about Jesus in Galilee (did he meet his disciples
there?), nothing about Jesus being “the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world”.
We speculate that Mark wrote more but the scroll was
lost. Surely he would have told us about any post-
Resurrection appearances and- especially- any post-
Resurrection teachings of Jesus?
We have no choice but to look to the other NT writings
for the follow-up the Resurrection....

Sunday isn’t over
Matthew 28:9-17
• 28:9-10- Jesus appears to the frightened
women (“yet filled with joy”) as they flee
from the tomb. They worship him. He
repeats the message they are to give to the
remaining apostles.
• 28:16-17- The Eleven go to Galilee as
ordered. Jesus appears to them there and
instructs them, briefly. There is no account
of an “ascension”.
“Greetings,” he said.
They came to him,
clasped his feet and
worshiped him. Jesus
said to them, “Do not
be afraid. Go and tell
my brothers to go to
Galilee; there they will
see me.”
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus has authority now –
not the false authority of
the Jewish so-called rulers.
From this time and forever,
Jesus is Lord.
Then Jesus came to them
and said, “All authority in
heaven and on earth has
been given to me.
Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey
everything I have
commanded you.
And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of
the age.”
No holding back! The
Kingdom is for all. Go tell
everyone not just the
people of Israel. Baptize as a
sign of commitment to a life
of obedience (note it is not a
matter of belief).
Jesus is alive in an exalted,
immortal, “extra-human”
modality, present now and
forever (“ascension” is, then,
an artistic metaphor).

Two more appearances (1st)
Lk. 24:13-35
On Easter
Sunday, on
the road to
Emmaus from
Jerusalem (not
Galilee).
Ordinary
walking,
earnest
conversation,
Jesus as
traveling
companion.

Two more appearances (1st)
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it
and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they
recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.... “Were not our
hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened
the Scriptures to us?”
The story
reads like a
parable:
Jesus goes
with us, he
gives
meaning to
Scripture,
we see him
in the
breaking of
the bread,
etc.

Two more appearance (2nd)
Lk. 24:36-49 Immediately after the men
from Emmaus report in to the disciples
Jesus appears to them all.
Jesus... said to them, “Peace
be with you.” They were
startled and frightened,
thinking they saw a ghost. He
said to them, “Why are you
troubled, why do doubts rise in
your minds? Look at my hands
and my feet. It is I myself!
Touch me and see; a ghost
does not have flesh and bones,
as you see I have.”... And while
they still did not believe it
because of joy and amaze-
ment, he asked them, “Do you
have anything here to eat?”
They gave him a piece of
broiled fish, and he... ate it in
their presence.

Two more appearance (2nd)
Luke’s account clearly intends to tell his readers that Jesus is still Jesus!
Not a “spirit” (pnuma; yet he appears and vanishes at will?). Still bears-
what? – his death wounds? Still solid (Touch me!) Eating means he is still
in every way human, like us.
The rest (following
slide) reads like a
theology text
(reflecting late 1st
century reflections)
and sets up the
Pentecost account
of Luke’s second
scroll (Acts).

Christians have ever since combed the
OT for the verses that predict these
events, something the Gospel of
Matthew does conspicuously.
Jesus does not use the word
“authority” but does tell of “power”
the Father has promised (when ?)
coming to the apostles (Pentecost).
“This is what is written: the
Messiah will suffer and rise from
the dead... and repentance for
the forgiveness of sins will be
preached in his name to all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
You are witnesses.... I am going
to send you what my Father has
promised; but stay in the city
until you have been clothed with
power from on high.”
When he had led them out to
the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted
up his hands... While he was
blessing them, he left them and
was taken up into heaven.
Then they worshiped him and
returned to Jerusalem with
great joy.
The Ascension here takes place the
day of the Resurrection, which may
reflect faithfully the sense of the
earliest accounts. (Luke himself in
Acts changes the timing to 40 d after)
We note a “triumphalist” tone
absence from Mark but not unlike
the ending in Mt.

John 20
• In Chap. 20, John describes three post-
Resurrection appearances of Jesus at some
length (to Mary Magdalene, to “the
disciples”, and to Thomas)
• None are the same as those described in
Mt. or Lk. (not a surprise for John).
• The “private” appearance to Thomas is
clearly an admonition from John to his
community (to have faith not doubt).
• There is one more in a long Chap. 21 that
comes after the Gospel apparently ends in
20:30-31 (the famous episode of Jesus
confronting Peter).
A week later his
disciples were in the house
again and Thomas was with
them. Though the doors were
locked, Jesus came and stood
among them and said, “Peace
be with you!” Then he said to
Thomas, “Put your finger
here; see my hands. Reach
out your hand and put it into
my side. Stop doubting and
believe.” Thomas said to
him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus told him, “Because you
have seen me, you have
believed; blessed are those
who have not seen and yet
have believed.”
John adds four more appearances

Eight amazing days
Three amazing teachings

(1) The man, Jesus– yes, the same rabbi from Nazareth-
Jesus (not an imposter, not a ghost) is alive (beyond all
human hope) and cannot again be killed!
(2) The Spirit-driven teaching and work of Jesus is
vindicated by God Himself in raising him to life! This
“Way” of the Kingdom is God’s desire for humankind to
walk along (and Jesus will be with you).
(3) Yet- unlike any prophet before him- Jesus is now
exalted, empowered, glorified in a manner beyond
understanding- Christ-followers will proclaim that Jesus
is “at the right hand of God” and call him “Lord”.
Eight amazing days
Three amazing teachings

Eight Amazing Days
The end
More “Lessons To Go” studies of Scripture, Christian history, and other topics of
interest to thoughtful Christians are available on SlideShare, with more being
added each week. All are of the quality and depth of the present study and all
are designed for busy but conscientious leaders like you, who are “on the go.”

Eight Amazing Days. Holy Week in the Gospel of Mark

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