Introduction to the Bible
Lesson 26 – The Passion Week – Friday
◼ The two phases of Jesus’ trial
o Phase 1: The religious trial
▪ Annas (John 18:12-13)
• Annas is the Jewish high priest, deposed by the Romans but still looked on as the high priest by many.
• The Roman guards likely took Jesus here to bring legitimacy to the trial.
▪ Caiaphas (Matthew 26:57-69; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:54, 63-65; John 18:14, 24).
• Caiaphas is the Roman high priest, selected to serve for one year. This one-year time frame would keep the people from becoming attached to the high priest and give the Romans control over this important position.
• Caiaphas advised the Jews that it would be good for one man to die instead of the people (John 18:14).
• The false witnesses could not provide any evidence.
• Caiaphas asked Jesus directly, “Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said “yes” (Matthew 26:64).
• They spit in his face, struck him with their fists, and slapped him.
• It is at this point in the trial that Peter denies Jesus three times (Matthew 26:58, 69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:25-27).
o Phase 2: The civil trial
▪ Jesus is formally convicted by the Sanhedrin and brought to Pilate (Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71). John notes that it was early morning and the Jews did not enter the palace because they would become ceremonially unclean and unable to eat the Passover, so Pilate came out to them.
▪ It is at this point that Judas takes his life (Matthew 27:3-10).
• DISCUSS: Could Judas repent or was he the one “doomed to destruction?” (John 17:12)
• D.A. Carson suggests that this verse refers to Judas’ character as well as his destiny.
• NIV Study Bible notes that predestination is not in view here, that Judas belonged to the sphere of damnation and destined for destruction.
▪ Pilate – the first meeting (Matthew 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:2-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38).
• Pilate asked Jesus if he was the King of the Jews. Jesus said “yes.” Pilate keeps referring to Jesus as king, especially when talking to the people.
o John 18:39 – Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews?’
o Later in 19:15 – Shall I crucify your king?
• Pilate finds no fault in Jesus.
▪ Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12)
• Pilate learns that Jesus is a Galilean and sends him to Herod, who was staying in Jerusalem at the time.
• Luke 9:7-9 – Herod was worried about Jesus’ identity after killing John the Baptist.
• Luke 13:31 – He expressed the desire to kill Jesus.
• Herod seemed to view Jesus as a curiosity. He hoped Jesus would perform a miracle in his presence or answer his questions. Jesus did neither.
• Herod mocked Jesus, dressed him in an elegant robe, and sent him back to Pilate. Luke notes (23:12) that Herod and Pilate became friends that day.
▪ Pilate – the second meeting
• Pilate offered the crowd the opportunity to release Jesus, and they instead chose Barabbas (son of the father).
• Matthew alone mentions the dream that Pilate’s wife had.
• Jesus is flogged and given a crown of thorns and a purple robe. Pilate then theatrically washes his hands of the matter and turns Jesus over to be crucified.
◼ The cross
o Though there were several types of crosses, Jesus was probably crucified on the crux immissa, the traditional cross that we see in churches today. The cross was used by the Romans to discourage criminals since it was so gruesome. The cross was usually hung low (crux humilis) because it was cheaper and allowed people to ridicule the victim.
▪ Crux commissa (T-shaped)
▪ Crux decussata (X-shaped)
o Jesus was nailed by his hands and feet. The “hands” were probably the bones between the wrist and forearm, allowing for greater weight support. A nail through the hand would probably just rip from the weight. It is possible that Jesus might have been tied to the cross for support as well.
o The cross was raised and placed in its hole. This “dropping” would cause even more pain (if this were possible). There was probably a small block of wood behind Jesus for him to lean against for a little support. The Romans encouraged this, since most crucifixion victims hung for days before they finally died.
o Most people on the cross died from suffocation. Since their arms were above their heart and lungs, they eventually could not get enough oxygen to survive. They would push themselves up with their legs to get air to their lungs, then fall back down (it sounds painful, and it is). This is why Roman soldiers would eventually break the prisoner’s legs, so he couldn’t push up anymore for air.
◼ Seven (Eight) Sayings of Jesus
o Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, “Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!” Then “they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’” For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry? (Luke 23:27-31)
▪ At this point, Simon of Cyrene had already been forced to carry Jesus’ cross. Jesus is free to speak to those around him without carrying the cross.
▪ The point: this act will not come without retribution. There will be a price to pay for what they (we) have done.
▪ Jewish women would consider it a curse to be barren (without children). The historian Josephus noted that when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D., people had their children taken from them and sold into slavery and prostitution. Many who were left were so hungry they became cannibals, eating their own children to survive.
▪ Verse 32 notes that two criminals walked with Jesus. They were “robbers”, a term which could apply to a variety of offenses. Mark Moore notes (301) that these two could have been partners with Barabbas, who was probably scheduled to die with these two before his release earlier that day.
o Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).
▪ The soldiers divided up his clothes by casting lots.
▪ The people sneered at Jesus and told him to save himself.
▪ They offered him wine vinegar to drink.
o I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43).
▪ Matthew 27:44 tells us that the criminals took part in ridiculing Jesus, at least at first.
▪ One of them tells Jesus to get them all down. He must have thought what so many others were thinking. If you were trying to lead a revolution, you are a miserable failure.
▪ The second criminal responds to this in three ways:
• He realizes that the two thieves deserve to die.
• He admits that Jesus has done nothing wrong.
• He asks Jesus to remember him. If he indeed was a partner with Barabbas trying to cause a revolution, it is possible that in his moment of death, he has finally found the true revolutionary he has been looking for.
▪ Jesus accepts him for who he is, not because of what he has done.
o Dear woman, here is your son (John 19:25)…Here is your mother (John 19:26).
▪ Jesus spoke these words to Mary, pointing to his best friend and disciple John.
▪ John is the only disciple recorded as being at the cross itself. Where were the others?
▪ While Jesus did have four half-brothers (by Mary and Joseph), remember that Jesus considered his family those who did the will of God. While the half-brothers would come around later, John has been faithful the entire time.
o Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani? (Mark 15:33-34)
▪ The phrase means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
▪ The incident was prefaced by darkness covering the land. The Father could not bear to look upon the sin that His son had taken on (Paul notes that Jesus became sin so that we could become the righteousness of God, II Cor. 5:21).
▪ The verse is taken from the Old Testament, Psalm 22:1. It’s amazing for three reasons:
• When you read Psalm 22, you would swear the author is talking about crucifixion. But Psalm 22 was written almost 1000 years before the birth of Christ, and 600 years before crucifixion was even invented!
• Most of know Psalm 23, the shepherd’s psalm. But how many knew that this psalm directly preceded it?
• Psalm 22 starts badly and ends in victory. When you look past the cross, you see the empty tomb.
o I am thirsty (John 19:28).
▪ John treats this as an answer to prophecy (Psalm 69:21). The use of the hyssop plant as a stalk to lift the sponge to Jesus is reminiscent of the hyssop brush used to paint the doors of the Hebrews with blood from the Passover Lamb.
▪ The people called out for Elijah to save him. When he called to God, some people must have misunderstood him and said “Elijah” instead of “Eloi.” Many believed that since Elijah never really died (the chariot of fire), that he would come back alive before the Messiah. They had the right idea, but the wrong person. The Bible tells us that that person was John the Baptist.
o It is finished (John 19:30).
▪ Before the people can say anything else, Jesus has the last word.
▪ This is a loaded phrase. The verb used indicates a completed action with continuing effect. In other words, Jesus’ work on earth is finished, but his legacy is eternal.
o In your hands I commit my spirit (John 19:30).
▪ This is a possible reference to Psalm 31:5. When you read Psalm 31, you have a good idea of a typical Israelite evening prayer.
▪ Matthew records an interesting occurrence (27:51-56).
• The temple curtain is torn in two. This curtain separated the holy place from the holy of holies. This curtain was most likely sixty feet wide, thirty feet high, and as thick as the width of the palm of your hand, as well as seamless! This was no human sabotage. Now we no longer need an earthly high priest to go to God for us. We go to God ourselves, because Jesus is our high priest (10:19-22).
▪ There is a violent earthquake, and the dead are raised and walk the city. While the text is not clear as to whether this happened on Friday (crucifixion) or Sunday (resurrection), it is still miraculous!
◼ Jesus’ burial (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42)
o Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus’ body and placed it in his own tomb.
▪ Joseph was described as a member of the council, a good and upright man who had not consented to the decision (Luke 23:50-51).
▪ Family tombs would often hold multiple bodies. The bodies were kept for one year then whatever remained was placed in an ossuary and kept in the tomb.
▪ John’s account names Nicodemus accompanied Joseph. It was Nicodemus who provided the 75 pounds of spices for Jesus’ body, an amount reserved for royalty.
o The women watch over the tomb through the Sabbath (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55-56).
o Roman soldiers are appointed to watch over the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66).