Walk Through the Bible
Lesson 23 – The Passion Week – Sunday/Monday
Introduction:
◼ Fully 1/3 of the gospel accounts deal with the last week of Jesus’ life.
◼ We will approach this with a series of vignettes.
◼ Key resource: The Chronological Life of Christ, Part 2 by Mark Moore (College Press, 1997).
SUNDAY
◼ The triumphal entry (Mt 21:1-11, 14-17; Mk 11:1-11; Lk 19:29-44; Jn 12:12-19)
o This is one of a very few events in Jesus’ life to be recorded in all four gospels. Most of these occur in the final week.
▪ John the Baptist/Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:1-11; Luke 3:122; John 1:19-36).
▪ Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14; Luke 4:14-15; John 4:1-3).
▪ The feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:21; Mark 6:44; Luke 9:14-15; John 6:10-11).
▪ Jesus tells His disciples about the one who would betray Him (Matthew 26:21; Mark 14:18; Luke 22:21; John 13:21).
▪ Peter denies Jesus (Matthew 26:69-74; Mark 14:66-71; Luke 22:55-62; John 18:15-18).
▪ Pilate pronounces judgement (Matthew 27:24-26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:24; John 19:13-16).
▪ Sign that reads JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS (Matthew 27:35-37; Mark 15:25-26; Luke 23:33,37-28; John 19:18-19).
▪ Jesus dies (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30).
▪ Jesus is buried (Matthew 27:59-61; Mark 15:45-47; Luke 23:53; John 19:39-42).
▪ The Resurrection account (Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; 20:1-18).
▪ If Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all record something, it might be something worth paying close attention to.
o The people want a Messiah really badly.
▪ Why do they want a Messiah for? Where do you think they got the idea?
▪ They think he will be a king that will save them from the Romans. There is a reason why the people scream “Hosannah” and “Blessing is he who comes [in the name of the Lord]. This is a Messianic prophecy from Psalm 118:22-26: 22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. 25 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
▪
Even the Pharisees knew that these verses refer to the coming King, so when they heard the people shouting it, it only made them more angry.
o The Pharisees weren’t the only ones watching this event carefully. The Roman army was probably everywhere, trying to keep the peace. It probably wouldn’t take much to set them off, and who knows how many people would be hurt or killed?
o The people were soon to change their heart. Within five days, the shouts of praise would become shouts of “Crucify him!” When Jesus approached Jerusalem, Luke records (19:41-44) that Jesus wept over the city. 41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
o What event is Jesus referring to? This is a reference to the Roman siege of Jerusalem that would culminate in Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 A.D.
o It would be the first of two recorded times that Jesus wept over them. The ones who were supposed to know him best were the ones who would reject him.
◼ Jesus enters the temple courts. He looks around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve (Mark 11:11).
o You have to wonder why Mark emphasizes that “it was already late.” Why do you think he mentions this?
o Jesus returns to spend the night in Bethany as He often will during passion week (Matthew 21:17; Mark 11:11).
MONDAY
◼ Cursing of the fig tree/cleansing of the temple (Mt 21:18-19; Mk 11:12-14)
o Jesus curses the fig tree on Monday. The disciples see the results on Tuesday. In between, Jesus cleanses the temple.
o What is the symbolism of the fig tree? Don’t miss the symbolism between the tree that would not bear fruit and the nation of Israel. If Israel will not do what God wants, God will raise up others to do the work.
o Jesus cleanses the temple (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:12-14)
▪ It is possible that he did it twice (John 2:13-25).
▪ He made a whip out of ropes. Why do you think He did this? It was a good way for Jesus to channel his anger while he worked (to prevent an overreaction that could come back to haunt him). That’s just Tracy’s opinion.
◼ Jesus speaks to some Greeks (John 12:20-36)
o Jesus has just cleansed the temple. More specifically, he changed the troublemakers from the Court of the Gentiles.
o A group of Greeks (perhaps grateful for what Jesus did) approached Philip with the request: “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Why do you think the Greeks approached Philip with this request? It is possible that Philip is Greek (He and Andrew are the only two disciples who are called by their Greek names throughout).
o Jesus doesn’t directly answer their request. Instead he says that He will die for their sins and they have the opportunity to follow Him.
o The full weight of what is about to happen causes Jesus to say that His soul was troubled but that the Father will be glorified through His suffering.
o A voice from heaven (third time this has happened) affirms that God and Jesus will be glorified.
◼ Jesus speaks of unbelief (John 12:37-50)
o Isaiah 6:10 and 53:1 are fulfilled in that Jesus made great signs among the Jews and they still did not believe him.
o Look back at Isaiah 6:1-10. Who did Isaiah see? How is God’s command to Isaiah fulfilled in Jesus?
o Present and future fulfillment in John 12:41 – Isaiah saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him.
o As people turn their backs on God, He withdraws His Spirit from them, making it less likely they will turn and repent. This is a scary proposition. What do you think about this?