We must always try and remember when doing any kind of study to always compare scripture with scripture to see if what we are teaching is scriptural.
Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
The Book of Matthew Unit 2: The Gospel of Matthew Session 13 Matthew 19 - 20
Review of Matthew: Unit I
Section I:
Matthew 1 The Genealogy of Christ
2 The Birth of Christ
3 The Baptism of Christ
4 The Temptation of Christ
5,6,7 Sermon on the Mount
Section II:
8 Calming the Storm; Demoniac at Gadara
9 Call of Matthew; Jairus’ Daughter; Woman with issue of blood
10 The 12 sent out
11 Response to John the Baptist
12 Sabbath issues; The Unpardonable Sin
Section III:
13 Seven Kingdom Parables
14 Feeding the 5,000
15 Feeding the 4,000
16 Caesarea Philippi
17 Transfiguration
18 Due Process for Torts
Unit II: The Judean Ministry & The Final Week
Matthew 19 - 28
Matthew 19 The King’s Instructions:
• The King’s withdrawal from the crowds was about to come to an end. But the attacks of the enemy would grow more intense, culminating in His arrest and crucifixion.
• The religious leaders had already tried to ensnare Him with questions about the Sabbath and signs, and they had failed.
• They tried again, this time with a most controversial issue—divorce.
1] And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
2] And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3] The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
• There were two schools of thought:
1) Hillel - anything reason (like bad cooking!) and
2) Shammai - only adultery. This was a dispute among the sects of the Pharisees.
Note: (Troy) I believe that Paul was addressing the Sadducees in 1 Corinthians 1-58, because the Sadducees did not believe in spirits, the supernatural nor the rising of the dead.
Verse 12-15 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
Matthew 19
4] And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them
at the beginning made them male and female,
5] And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
• Quoted from Genesis 2:24.
This is quoted twice by Jesus and twice by Paul. The concept of cleaving also involves the concept of leaving mother and father.
• God’s intended plan was for two people.
• There was to be no polygamy, or bigamy...
• Man and wife, is singular, the intent was to be for their lifetime.
6] Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
The Characteristics of Marriage:
• Marriage is a divinely appointed union.
• No court of law can change what God has established.
• It is a physical union.
• The man and woman become “one flesh.”
• It is a permanent union.
• God’s Law requires that the husband and wife was to enter into marriage without reservations. God’s original Law knows nothing of “trial marriages.”
• Marriage is a union between one man and one woman.
• Any variations are contrary to the will of God, no matter what psychologists and jurists may say.
7] They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
•
This was a misquote of Deuteronomy 24:1-4.
• Moses did not command this, Moses allowed divorce.
(Here Jesus authenticates that Deuteronomy was written by Moses!)
It is the interpretation of this phrase that divided the two schools of Rabbi Hillel and Rabbi Shammai, famous first-century Jewish scholars.
• The Hillel took a very lax view and said that the husband could divorce his wife for almost any reason, while Shammai took the stricter view and said Moses was speaking only about sexual sin.
• No matter which side Jesus took, He would surely offend somebody.
8] He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
(Again Jesus authenticates that Deuteronomy was written by Moses!)
9] And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
• Jesus is putting Himself as deity.
10] His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
• The divorce that Moses permitted in Deuteronomy 24 actually severed the original marriage relationship. God permitted the woman to marry again, and her second marriage was not considered adulterous.
• The second man she married was called a “husband” and not an adulterer.
• This explains how the woman of Samaria could have had five husbands, and yet be living with a man not her husband (John 4:16-18).
• Apparently all five of those marriages had been legal and Scriptural.
11] But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12] For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
• This is not an invitation to celibacy. It is simply an indication that some people have the gift of desire to be celibate.
Marriage:
The basis for marriage is four-fold:
1) Biological; the means by which the human race is to procreate.
2) Psychological; two people sharing life’s joys and burdens together.
3) Sociological; marriage is the basic molecule of the community and the nation.
4) Supernatural; it is also the basis by which God chooses to reveal His most intimate relationship.
• God uses the marriage relationship to communicate His precious truths, namely the relationship between Christ and the Church.
Ephesians 5:31,32 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
— Adam is a “type” of Christ (Genesis 3; 1 Timothy 2:14).
• Adam was not deceived but chose to sacrifice himself to stay with his wife.
1 Timothy 2:14
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
• Fornication before wedlock is forbidden (
Deuteronomy 22:13,14,20,21).
13] Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
• Part of our outreach is to the children.
14] But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15] And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
16] And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
•
Note his basis is on works.
17] And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Why “good”?
There is one of three conclusions:
He is a Liar, a Lunatic or Lord.
“By the Law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20).
The Law is a mirror that reveals what we are (James 1:22).
• The purpose of the Law is to show us that we cannot earn our way to heaven.
18] He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
• Jesus didn’t put His finger on the weak spot yet, which was covetousness in this young man’s life.
20] The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21] Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Discipleship:
Costs all that one has! To live for others. Philippians 3:7,8; Luke 14:33 (26, 27).
• The Law promised life (Leviticus 18:5; Galatians 3:12).
• The Second Commandment (Leviticus 19:18).
It is good to have the things money can buy provided we do not lose the things that money cannot buy.
• Unless this rich ruler eventually turned to Christ, he died without salvation, one of the “richest” men in the cemetery.
22] But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24] And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
• The Queen of England said that she was saved by an “M”.
5:
The Danger of judging a Book by It’s Cover
https://apastorscommentary.com/2016/08/25/the-danger-of-judging-a-book-by-its-cover/
Many people don’t know that Queen Victoria of England was a devout Christian. The story has been told of a conversation she had with her pastor about this very passage in which she said “I was saved by” an “M” and her pastor said, “What do you mean? And she pointed him to this passage and said “it says “not many”; it doesn’t say “not any” noble are called.”
1 Corinthians 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
“...
camel through the eye of the needle”: There are many theories. (Some say that it refers to the small door next to the gate, where a loaded camel could not pass through; I doubt it: The Greek word Rhaphidos means a sewing needle.)
25] When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
• Is it possible to be saved if you are rich? Yes, because of verse 26.
See:
1 Timothy 6:10. Money is not the root of all evil, the LOVE of money is!
(Money is only a unit of measure.) Money can be a blessing (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
26] But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
• There will be 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. The apostles’ destiny was Israel, not Gentiles. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles.
29] And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30] But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
• Those who have faithfully focused on Jesus will be startled by the impact that their lives have had on others. While those who have been “keeping score” may be in for some unpleasant surprises.
Matthew 20
1] For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went
out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2] And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
“...
penny”: A denarion, was the principal silver coin of the Roman empire.
• In those days it was basically a day’s wage.
• It means “containing ten.”
• It took its name from it being equal to ten “asses”;
• The number after 217 B.C. increased to sixteen (about 3.898 grams or .1375 oz.).
3] And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4] And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5] Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
“3rd hour”: 9 a.m.
“6th hour”: noon
“9th hour” : 3 p.m.
6] And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
• The 11th hour is one hour before quitting time.
7] They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8] So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9] And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10] But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11] And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12] Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13] But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
• He did not wrong anyone.
• He gave to everyone that which was bargained for.
• They are not earning their salvation. It doesn’t matter if one worked all day or one hour, you can NOT earn your salvation. Jesus is simply saying that God will deal as He will.
14] Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16] So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
My Wage:
I bargained with life for a penny, And life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening When I counted my scanty store;
For life is just employer, He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages, Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial’s hire, Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of life, Life would have paid.
—
Jessie B. Rittenhouse
17] And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
18] Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
19] And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
• For the third time, Jesus announced His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection (see
Matthew 16:21; 17:22).
• In the previous announcements, He had not specified how He would die. But now He clearly mentioned the cross.
(Did they understand? No. Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.)
20] Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
The Mother of Zebedee’s children; i.e., the mother of James and John (Salome was her name).
• This is not James the brother of Jesus.
21] And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
• The account that occurs in Mark 10:35 indicates that James and John were of the same mind. So this was not a case of the mother embarrassing her two sons.
22] But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
• Some texts omit that last phrase about being “baptized with the baptism.”
“We are able”: They have no idea what He is going to do, the cup that He is about to drink of.
23] And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
24] And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
25] But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
• This is classical worldly hierarchy.
26] But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27] And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
• Jesus mentions here (and demonstrates later with deeds) what the Church should view in terms of its organization:
• It is not a hierarchy; the Church was to be organized with a shepherd.
28] Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
29] And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
• They are leaving Jericho to go to Jerusalem, probably for Passover.
30] And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
31] And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they
cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
32] And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
33] They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
34] So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their
eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Similar Accounts:
• If you compare this with the same accounts of Matthew 20:29-34 and in Luke (18:35-43) and Mark (10:46-52) they are a bit different.
• Luke describes, as they came to Jericho; they met the one beggar as they entered the city.
– Both Matthew and Mark indicate that the healing took place as they were leaving.
• Mark and Luke describe one blind man, while Matthew describes two.
How many were there? Two.
– Mark and Luke focus on the one who had a better witness, while there were still two.
• Also in Matthew 9 there were two blind men healed just before the twelve were sent out to the Kingdom of Israel.
• The idea that they don’t quite agree exactly refutes the idea that they are colluding.
• Yet, if you read it carefully you will discover that what Luke is really saying is that they met the one beggar as they got to the city.
• Here Matthew 20 highlights two blind men were healed at the close of the Galilean ministry and just before the Triumphal Entry.
– Don’t confuse Matthew 9 and Matthew 20, Jesus healed a lot of blind men.
@46:00
Autumn 31 A.D.
Journey northwards Mark 8:27
Caesarea Philippi Mark 8:27-38
Matt 16:13-28
Transfiguration Mark 9:2-13
Matt 17:1-13
Capernaum:
Tribute money question Matt 17:24-27
Who is greatest Matt. 18:1-35
Possessed Boy Mark 9:14-29
Matt 17:14-24
Jerusalem:
Feast of Tabernacles John 7:29
Jesus Living Water John 7:10-53
Woman in adultery John 8:1-11
Jesus Light of the World John 8:12-59
Return to Galilee John 8:59
*
The Gospel of Matthew Session 14 Matthew 21: The Triumphal Entry
Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21: 1-11; Mark 11: 1-10; Luke 19:29-39; John 12:12-19)
1] And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2] Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3] And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4] All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5] Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
Jesus is presenting Himself as a king to Jerusalem.
• Quoting Zechariah 9:9
Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
• Riding this unbroken colt was a miracle in itself!
• There were several times that Jesus became popular and the crowd wanted Him to be King.
• Each time Jesus slips away and notes that “Mine hour has not yet come.” Here Jesus stages the event!
• He does this deliberately to fulfill an Old Testament prophecy.
• This was four days before Passover. Every able-bodied male was required by the Law to go to Jerusalem for the Passover.
• So Jerusalem at this time was a tourist center. (This was not “Palm Sunday” either: the 10th of Nisan was a Saturday.)
• This was the 10th of Nisan (April 6th 32 A.D.), prior to the Passover on the 14th of Nisan, 32 A.D.
6] And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7] And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8] And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9] And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
• The account in Luke notes that they are singing Psalm 118, heralding Jesus as the
Meshiach Nagid, the Messiah the King.
• The Pharisees are upset because they felt that they were blaspheming.
• Did Jesus ever sit on the throne of David? No, it didn’t exist then.
• He will later (
1 Kings 1:38-40: Solomon was brought to his coronation riding on David’s mule.
Psalm 118:19-29
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
• Later in the week, Jesus Himself would refer to this psalm and apply it to Himself (
Psalms 118:22–
23;
Matthew 21:42).
Hosanna:
• “
Save now” is a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew word “Save we pray,” which occurs six times in the Gospels as the cry of the people when our Lord entered Jerusalem as the Messiah (
Matthew 21:9,15;
Mark 11:9;
John 12:13).
• Taken from
Psalms 118, recited at the Feast of Tabernacles in “
the great Hallel,” is found in
Psalms 113-118 they waved willow and palm branches with rejoicings.
• The 7th or last day of the feast was called “
the Great Hosanna,” is especially associated with consummated salvation.
•
Bind the sacrifice?
10] And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
11] And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
• An allusion to
Deuteronomy 18
The Final Week:
Matthew 21 and
Luke 19 The Triumphal Entry
Matthew 22 Luke 20
Matthew 23
Matthew 24 Luke 21 Olivet Discourse they are not the same discourses
Luke 21 was not given at night, it was given in the temple during the day to the believers to get out of town when surrounded by armies, (38 years later).
Matthew 25
Matthew 27 Luke 23 Crucifixion
Matthew 26 Luke 22 Last (Seder) Supper
Matthew 28 Luke 24 Resurrection
Triumphal Entry Luke 19:28-40:
28] And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
29] And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30] Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31] And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
• The password “
the Lord has need of him”.
32] And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
33] And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34] And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35] And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and
they set Jesus thereon.
36] And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37] And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
• Here Jesus has a whole multitude of disciples.
• In the book of Job the angels rejoiced at what they had seen (Troy).
38] Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
• Quoted from
Psalms 118 again.
•
Exodus 12:3
On the tenth day of this month [Nissan]... each man should take a lamb for the household, a lamb for each home....6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
• This was the 10th of Nisan (April 6th 32 A.D.), prior to the Passover on the 14th of Nisan, 32 A.D.
39] And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40] And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
• The Pharisees were upset because they knew that the crowd singing these psalms were declaring Him to be the king of Jerusalem, the Messiah.
• The best bargain in Israel: when you walk down that very road, pick up a stone or two and, when you return home, mount them on a plaque as a trophy: “One of the stones which didn’t cry out!”
(It will always elicit a question from a visitor and you will be obliged to explain Luke 19, Daniel 9, etc.)
Old Testament (Tenach) Texts:
•
Original Hebrew (“Vorlage”): in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah.
•
The Septuagint Translation (LXX) 285-270 B.C., this was the Christian Bible of that day.
• Ptolemy Philadelphus II commissioned 70 top scholars at Alexandria to translate the Hebrew Tenach (Old Testament) into the common Greek of that day
– It is the primary text quoted in the New Testament.
•
Masoretic Text (MT): The Hebrew translation by which we get the English translation derived from the Council of Jamnia in 90 A.D.
• The Septuagint is available and a very valuable baseline for us.
SEE:
Daniel’s 70 Weeks The Precision of Prophecy - by Chuck Missler November 1, 2004
https://www.khouse.org/articles/2004/552/
The “70 Weeks” of Daniel:
There are four verses that we need to master.
9:24 The Scope of the whole thing “what’s it all about”
9:25 The 69 Weeks
9:26 (The Interval) describes things that happen after 69, but before the 70th week
9:27 The Last of the 70th Week is found in Daniel 9:27
The Scope:
Daniel 9:24
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, (1) to finish the transgression, (2) to make an end of sins, (3) to make reconciliation for iniquity, (4) to bring in everlasting righteousness, (5) to seal up the vision and prophecy, and (6) to anoint the most Holy Place.
Shabu’im means sevens, “week.” (
Genesis 29:26-28;
Leviticus 25,26.) hatak - means determined,
or reckoned:
1) The focus of the passage is on the Jews, not the Church or the Gentile world.
2) The six major items listed have yet to be completed…including “to seal up (close authority of) the vision” and to anoint the godesh gadashim, (the Holy of Holies).
This has remained unfulfilled in over 2000 years:
• Verse 26 will detail an intervening Interval between the 69th and 70th Weeks.
• A key to understanding this passage is to realize that the 70 “Weeks” are not all contiguous.
“Weeks” = ?
Days: Sabbath on the 7th Day (
Genesis 2:2;
Exodus 20:11).
Weeks: Feast of Weeks (
Leviticus 23:15,16). Occurs 7 weeks after First Fruits
Months: From Nisan to Tishri (
Exodus 12:2;
Leviticus 23:24). The beginning of months, in the first month you have Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of First Fruits.
Week of Years: Sabbatical Years for the Land (
Leviticus 25:1-22;
26:33-35;
Deuteronomy 15;
Exodus 23:10,11;
2 Chronicles 36:19-21). Sabbath for the land, was for 490 years and they failed to keep it.
Note: focus of entire prophecy is Israel, not the Gentile world (
Daniel 9:24).
Seventy “Sevens” imply weeks of years (
Genesis 29:27, et al.).
• The Sabbath for the land was ordained in (
Leviticus 25:1-22;
26:33-35;
Deuteronomy 15;
Exodus 23:10, 11).
• Failure to keep the sabbath of the land was the very basis for 70 years captivity
(
2 Chronicles 36:19-21).
The 69 Weeks: terminus ad quo = The Trigger:
• While Daniel was reading the book of Jeremiah...
• the angel Gabriel tells Daniel...
Daniel 9:25
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the King shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
This Is A Mathematical Prophecy:
• From this event....the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem.....
• To that event...unto the Messiah the King shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times....
“
7 + 62”
= 69
69 weeks of years
69 x 7 years = 483 years
There Were Four Decrees To Rebuild Jerusalem:
1.
Cyrus in 537 B.C. in the book of
Ezra 1:2-4
2.
Darius in the book of
Ezra 6:1-5, 8,12
3.
Artaxerxes 458 B.C. in the book of
Ezra 7:11-26
4.
Artaxerxes 445 B.C. in the book of
Nehemiah 2:5-8,
17, 18
•
Three Out Of Four Of These Decrees Deal With The Temple!
• (
#1)
Cyrus (
#2)
Darius and (
#3)
Artaxerxes were to build the Temple.
• Only the last one (
#4)
Artaxerxes of 445 B.C. was the trigger to the whole thing to rebuild the city, the walls, etc.
Note:
Rehob, means the “street”; [the city not the temple is the focus of Gabriel’s prophecy]
Charuts, means the moat, fortification. [the city not the temple is the focus of Gabriel’s prophecy]
Was it time to build the city?
Was it time to close the Old Testament canon?
Was there time between Testaments?
Nominal 360-day Years:
Sir Robert Anderson recognized that in the Bible both in Genesis and Revelation God seems to use 360 day years.
• 12, 30 day months made up a year.
•
Biblical Usage:
—
Genesis (
Genesis 7:24;
8:3,4)
—
Daniel (
Daniel 9:27;
12:6)
—
Revelation (
Revelation 11:2,3;
13:5)
• Ancient calendars were based on 360-day years.
• We discover by investigation that all ancient calender's, not all, but at least 14 of them were based on a 360 day year.
There was the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Hebrews, Persians, Greeks, Phoenicians, Chinese, Mayans, Hindus, Carthaginians, Etruscans, Teutons, et al.
• Up until 701 B.C.
• All these calendars were based on a 360-day year; typically, twelve 30- day months.
(In ancient Chaldea, their calendar was based on a 360-day year and it is from this Babylonian tradition that we have 360 degrees in a circle, 60 minutes to an hour, 60 seconds in each minute, etc.)
•
Orbital Changes?
– The long day of Joshua (
Joshua 10:12, 13)
– Due to Mars pass-bys? [Strangely corroborated by Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, which draws on an eye witness account of the two moons of Mars before adequate telescopes were available. See; Joshua Commentary or our briefing package, Signs in the Heavens.]
• In 701 B.C., all calendars appear to have been reorganized. Numa Pompilius, the second King of Rome, reorganized the original calendar of 360 days per year, by adding 5 days per year.
• King Hezekiah, Numa’s contemporary, reorganized his Jewish calendar by adding a month each Jewish leap year (on a cycle of 7 among every 19 years).
The Target “terminus ad quem”:
The Meshiach Nagid:
“The Messiah the King.” The prediction is to the presentation of the Messiah the King (Nagid is first used of King Saul).
• On several occasions in the New Testament when they attempted to take Jesus as a King, He invariably declined, “
Mine hour is not yet come.” (
John 6:15;
7:30,
44; etc.) Then one day, He arranges it.
• Again, all four Gospels record this:
Matthew 21:1-9;
Mark 11:1-10;
Luke 19:29-39;
John 12:12-16. Nisan 10: “take to everyone a lamb.”
• Jesus deliberately arranges to fulfill Zechariah 9:9. This is the only day He allows them to proclaim Him King (Luke 19:
*
Judgment Declared (Luke 19:41-44):
41] And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it,
42] Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43] For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44] And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
• Jesus held them accountable to recognize this very day.
• This was the 10th of Nisan (April 6th 32 A.D.), prior to the Passover on the 14th of Nisan, 32 A.D.
We will explore more of these details when we review the “Olivet Discourse” in Matthew 24 and Luke 21.
The Interval (Daniel 9:26):
Daniel 9:26
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the
end of the war desolations are determined.
An interval, or gap, is clearly required by v. 26: events described are after the 69th and prior to the 70th week.
“...
cut off”: karat, to cut off, eliminate, kill, execute; death penalty (
Leviticus 7:20;
Psalms 37:9;
Proverbs 2:22).
“
not for Himself”: nothingness: rejection, substitution.
The people of “
the prince that shall come” this is historically, the Romans.
Thus, the Prince to come will be of the Roman Empire (but NOT necessarily from Europe!) Sanctuary destroyed, etc. 38 years are included with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Over 1970 years have transpired so far.
“...
flood”: diaspora. Titus Vespasian: 38 years later (not 3½!).
Rabbinical Confirmations:
• This was Messianic; prior to the Temple being destroyed.
– Yalkut, Vol II, 32b, p.79 Nazir edition
• Messiah to exit prior to 33 A.D.
– Midrash Berishit, p.243 Warsaw edition [re: Yakov Prasch].
The Destiny of Israel:
The Missing Key of “Systematic” Theology
Divisions of Theology
• Bibliology The Bible
• Theology Proper Attributes of God
• Christology Lord Jesus Christ
• Pneumatology Holy Spirit
• Angelology Angels, fallen and unfallen
• Anthropology Man
• Soteriology Salvation
• Ecclesiology The Church
• Eschatology End-Times; Last Things
Notice what’s missing? Israelology = the study of Israel as an instrument in God’s program for man.
Israel and the Church:
• There are distinctions: different origins, missions, and destinies.
• “Replacement” views deny Israel its place in God’s program (
Romans 9, 10, 11) and would seem to make God a liar. This laid the basis for Christian anti-Semitism.
• The “70 Weeks” deal specifically with Israel.
• Paul’s trichotomy: Jews, Gentiles, Church (
1 Corinthians 10:32).
• Distinctives reappear after
Revelation 4.
The Church Interval:
• Intervals also implied:
Isaiah 61:1,2 (
Luke 4:18-20);
Revelation 12:5,6. Also:
Isaiah 54:7;
Hosea 3:4,5;
Amos 9:10,11; (
Acts 15:13-18);
Micah 5:2,3;
Zechariah 9:9,10;
Luke 1:31,32;
21:24
• Interval defined:
Luke 19:42 until
Romans 11:25
• This interval is the period of the Church, an era kept secret in Old Testament:
Matthew 13:34,35;
Ephesians 3:5,9
[
Interval implied in 24 references]
• “Israel” is never used of the Church (73 times).
[
Galatians 6:16 is misunderstood, by ignoring the
kai in the Greek which clearly distinguishes the two groups.]
Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule,peace [be] on them, and mercy,
and upon the Israel of God.
It seems that the Lord deals with Israel and the Church mutually exclusively.
[Example: Chess Clock]
The Church:
•
Prerequisites:
–
Atonement: Matthew 16:18, 21
–
Resurrection: Ephesians 1:20-23
–
Ascension: Ephesians 4:7-11
(Spiritual gifts only after ascension)
•
Born at Pentecost: Colossians 1:18;
1 Corinthians 12:13;
Acts 1:5,
11:15-16.
Mystery Character:
•
Body Concept Ephesians 3:3-5,9
•
Indwelling every believer Colossians 1:26-27
•
Bride of Christ Ephesians 5:22-32
•
Harpazo, (“
Rapture”)
1 Corinthians 15:50-58;
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
What is the “harpazo?”
http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/BibleStudies/Definitions/Harpazo.html
The term “rapture” is more commonly used than
harpazo and is not found in the Bible. While you will not find that exact word through a word search, the meaning of the words that are written remains the same and conveys the same idea.
• The term “rapture” comes from the Latin verb rapiemur which means “to seize, snatch, carry away.”
• This is the same meaning behind the Greek word that is found in the Bible,
harpazo.
• It is found in the following scripture, which is the “
harpazo” passage.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
•
One “New Man” Ephesians 2:15; Cf.
Revelation 12:5
•
Distinguished from Jews/Gentiles 1 Corinthians 10:32
The Church:
(Our need is
Ecclesiology, not
Eschatology!)
Blindness Declared
Luke 19:42
Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
For How Long?
Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the Fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
The 70th Week
Daniel 9:27
And he (“the prince that shall come”) shall enforce the covenant with [the] many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
The Covenant Enforced with “The Many”:
This is an idiom for Israel.
• This is the “
Covenant with Hell,”
Isaiah 28:15;
Zechariah 11:15, 16,17 etc.
• “
Midst of the week”: The most documented period of time in the Bible.
Time, times, the dividing of time (
Daniel 7:25;
4:16,
23, 25).
*
The Gospel of Matthew Session 15 Matthew 21b - 22
Matthew 21 (Part 2): Cleansing the Temple
Hypocrisy (Matthew 21:12-22):
• Jesus performed two acts of judgment: He cleansed the Temple, and He cursed a fig tree. Both acts were contrary to His usual manner of ministry, for He did not come to earth to judge, but to save (
John 3:17).
Both of these acts revealed the hypocrisy of Israel:
• The temple was a den of thieves, and the nation (symbolized by the fig tree) was without fruit. Inward corruption and outward fruitlessness were evidences of their hypocrisy.
12] And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
• Jesus had opened His ministry with a similar act (John 2:13-25).
• Now, three years later, the temple was defiled again by the “religious business” of the leaders.
• Annas, the former high priest, was the manager of this enterprise, assisted by his sons. • In order to comply with the requirements of the Temple, you had to have the Temple currency.
• This created the need for moneychangers. The whole practice was corrupt and also in the wrong place.
13] And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
• “
My house,” He was affirming that He is God.
Quoting from
Isaiah 56:7.
• The entire 56th chapter of Isaiah denounces the unfaithful leaders of Israel.
• The phrase “
den of robbers” comes from
Jeremiah 7:11 and is part of a long sermon that Jeremiah delivered in the gate of the temple, rebuking the people for the same sins that Jesus saw and judged in His day.
14] And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
15] And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
16] And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
17] And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Bethany, within a Sabbath days walk from Jerusalem. Some very special times in Bethany, where Lazarus is raised.
18] Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
19] And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever.
• And presently the fig tree withered away.
The Fig Tree:
• In most varieties of fig trees in this part of the country, the figs show up before the leaves.
• So by the time there are leaves, there should be fruit on it. When we consider the time and place of this event, we understand it better.
• Jesus was near Jerusalem in the last week of His public ministry to His people. Jesus was not angry at the tree. Rather, He used this tree to teach several lessons to His disciples.
• Bethphage means “House of unripe figs”
• In the Parable of the Fig Tree (
Luke 13:6-9;
Matthew 21:17-20;
24:32,33), the gardener was given more time to care for the tree, but now the time was up.
• While we can make a personal application of this event, the main interpretation has to do with Israel.
• The fig tree symbolizes the nation of Israel (
Jeremiah 8:13;
Hosea 9:10,16;
Luke 13:6-9)
• Or, specifically, Judah (
Isaiah 24:11,
Hosea 9:10,
Joel 1:12).
• Just as this tree had leaves but no fruit, so Israel had a show of religion but no practical experience of faith resulting in godly living.
• God wants to produce fruit in the lives of His people.
• The lesson here for the disciples is if they don’t bear fruit they are in jeopardy.
• We’re not here to judge gifts, we’re not gift inspectors we’re fruit inspectors.
• One cannot judge the human heart—that is God’s job—however, one can inspect the fruits!
20] And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree
withered away!
21] Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
22] And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
• That’s quite a challenge.
23] And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
• This is late in the game He gave them their chance and they blew it, back in chapter 12 and following!
24] And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
• This series of three parables grew out of the demand of the chief priests and elders for Jesus to explain what authority He had for cleansing the temple.
By what authority?
• He will give them His answer when He is under oath at the trial.
25] The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
26] But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
“Catch-22”:
• No matter how they answer they lose.
• In taking them back to the ministry of John, Jesus was not trying to avoid the issue.
John had prepared the way for Jesus.
• Had the rulers received John’s ministry, they would have received Jesus. Instead, the leaders permitted Herod to arrest John and then to kill him.
• If they would not accept the authority of John, they would not accept the authority of Jesus; for both John and Jesus were sent by God.
• In John 8, they call Him a bastard and He calls them the child of Satan.
• In Chapter 23 Jesus pronounces eight woes upon the Pharisees.
27] And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
28] But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29] He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30] And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
• One says that he is not going to do it, but he does; and the other says he will, but he doesn’t.
• He is talking to the Scribes and Pharisees.
All that the Lord said, we will do (Exodus 24:7 vs. Romans 2:24 vs. John 3:3,5).
31] Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
• Why tax collectors and harlots? Their lifestyle is rebellious, but they might repent. In contrast to the Scribes and Pharisees whose words are supportive and yet their hearts are far from Him.
32] For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
• John had fruit.
Isaiah 5:1-7
• Isaiah was of royalty and was articulate of speech, he had one of the most eloquent vocabularies in the entire Old Testament.
He executed his office before kings.
• Amos was one of the other prophets who came from the hill country, a common man.
The Vineyard:
Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21; Psalms 80:8.
Jerusalem:
Isaiah 5:1-3 Now will I sing to my well beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. 3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.... 7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
• People are crying because of the unrighteous things that are done to them, this applies to America also.
Isaiah 5:18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:
• In other words, they are parading their disregard for God in a parade.
• When you see in the press of what they call “The Gay Pride Parade’s” that’s what is seen in this verse.
• How interesting it is that the Katrina disaster happened on the weekend of the largest Gay Pride Celebration on the planet earth.
Isaiah 5:19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!
• This verse is a taunt, the people are taunting God.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
• Fiction exalted for truth and truth exalted as fiction, an inversion of truth.
• In the Jesus Seminars scholars so called, exchange their subjective guesses for sound scholarship, they vote on what they think Jesus probably said.
Judges That Take Bribes:
22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! 24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
• Other countries have not had the heritage that we had and we failed to protect it.
33] Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
34] And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
35] And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
36] Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
37] But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
“...
His son”: God’s Son.
In
Mark 12:6 notes his beloved son (
John 1:11;
6:38;
7:28,29
“
killed,”
Acts 2:23).
Jewish guilt:
1 Thessalonians 2:2,14,15.
Gentiles guilt:
Acts 4:26,27 (vs. us and our sins).
38] But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
• There are laws were they could gain the property by killing the son or heir of the land. 39] And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. Jesus was killed outside the gate…
40] When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
41] They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
42] Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
• Jesus Himself would refer to Psalm 118 that was sung on His entry and apply it to Himself (Psalms 118:22–23; Matthew 21:42).
• The idea of Jesus being the stone (Isaiah 28; Exodus 17; 33; 1 Corinthians 10; Matthew 21; Isaiah 8; Zechariah 3) Cf. Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:7.
43] Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
44] And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Stumble:
Isaiah 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Ground to Powder:
Daniel 2:34, 35 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
• Mountains are idioms for government. This stone becomes a government.
Stones & Mountains:
• God is referred to as a rock or a stone (
Deuteronomy 32:4, 1
8, 30-31;
Psalms 18:2,31, 46).
• The stone is also a Messianic title.
• To Israel, Jesus was a stumbling stone (I
saiah 8:14-15;
Romans 9:32-33;
1 Corinthians 1:23).
• Israel rejected the Messiah, but in His death and resurrection He created the church.
• To the church, Jesus is the foundation stone, the head of the corner (
Ephesians 2:20-22;
1 Peter 2:4-5).
• At the end of the age, Jesus will come as the smiting stone, destroying the Gentile kingdoms, and establishing His own glorious kingdom
(Daniel 2:34).
• They were the builders who rejected the stone (
Acts 4:11).
What were the consequences?
• For one thing, the kingdom would be taken from Israel and given to another nation, the church (
1 Peter 2:9, and note the context,
1 Peter 2:6-10).
• Those who would attack this stone would be “pulverized”; those whom Christ judges will be crushed to bits.
45] And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
46] But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
Matthew 22 Rejection of the Holy Spirit (verses 1-14):
• When we study the first seven chapters of Acts, we discover that the message is going out to none but the Jews (Acts 2:5, 10, 14, 22, 36; 3:25; 6:7).
“To the Jew first” was God’s plan (Acts 3:26; Romans 1:16).
• How did the nation’s leaders respond to the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles?
• They rejected the Word and persecuted the church.
• The same rulers who permitted John to be killed, and who asked for Jesus to be killed, themselves killed Stephen! Later, Herod killed James (Acts 12:1ff).
1] And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2] The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3] And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
“...to them that were bidden” (John 1:11):
• John is talking about Israel, Jesus came to them.
• The Jews rejected Him. (Yet, remember v. 13 notes that those who received Him.)
• The whole idea is that Jesus came first unto Israel.
4] Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5] But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6] And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
• The remnant slew his servants.
• This can be seen many ways, one is the slaughtering of the prophets.
• Others note the parallel with Peter in Acts 3:19-21 with the stoning of Stephen.
• Clearly, Israel is guilty of not only having rejected the Messiah, but also of the blood of the prophets, etc.
7] But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
• Armies! Exodus 15:3; Numbers 21:14! Jerusalem 70 A.D.?
Stephen’s indictment against the nation:
“You do always resist the Holy Ghost” (Acts 7:51).
• In Acts 8 we read that the message went to the Samaritans, and in Acts 10 we read that it even went to the Gentiles.
The awful “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 12:22-32 was a national sin, committed by Israel.
• When they rejected John, they rejected the Father who sent him; but there remained the ministry of the Son.
• When they rejected the Son, they were forgiven because of their ignorance (Luke 23:34; Acts 3:17).
• No sinner today can be forgiven for rejecting Christ, this rejection is what condemns the soul (John 3:16-22).
• The Spirit of God is bearing witness through the Word to the person and work of Jesus Christ.
• It is the Spirit who convinces the world of sin (John 16:7-11).
• The Spirit can be resisted by unbelievers (Acts 7:51), but nobody knows that crisis hour (if there is one) when the Spirit stops dealing with a lost sinner.
8] Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9] Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10] So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
• The call to the Gentiles.
11] And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
• The Eastern custom in those days was for the host to provide the garments for the guests.
• So that the guests of low status would not be embarrassed on how they were dressed.
• The guests were expected to be wearing the robes provided by the King.
• Garments for the marriage supper: in Romans 10:3, we will be standing before God by Jesus’ righteousness, not our own.
Isaiah 64:6, “our righteousness” is as filthy rags (polite words for “used menstrual cloths”).
13] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14] For many are called, but few are chosen.
• Here is where the idiom, or the mechanic of the parable yields to the reality which Christ is focusing on. He is obviously talking about something far broader in impact than simply a wedding and a breach of etiquette.
Saul of Tarsus:
At first he would have tried to come by his own righteousness, but he was confronted on the Damascus Road and accepted Christ’s robe of righteousness (Romans 10:1-13; Philippians 3:7-9; Acts 4:12).
• This parable shows the need to be properly attired for the wedding feast. A lot of prophetic overtones: the word going out twice, first to Israel and then the Gentiles; the righteousness required...
15] Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
• They are going to trick God, they don’t learn.
16] And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
• The Herodians are pro-Roman Jews. Herod was not Jewish, he was Idumaean, he was established there by Rome.
• They were joined with the Pharisees politically, as both were powerful groups even though they had some very substantial differences (the Pharisees being ultra-Judaistic and the Herodians being pro-Roman).
• The Pharisees and the Herodians were enemies, but their common foe brought them together. Here, they are both trying to entrap Jesus.
• It was necessary for the lamb to be examined before Passover (Exodus 12:3-6).
• If any blemish whatsoever was found on the lamb, it could not be sacrificed.
• Jesus was examined publicly by His enemies, and they could find no fault in Him.
17] Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
• In asking this question, they thought that Jesus would have to side with one of the groups: either pro-Roman or pro-Temple.
The Enemies:
The Pharisees opposed the Roman poll tax for several reasons:
1) They did not want to submit to a Gentile power;
2) Caesar was revered as a god; and
3) They had better uses for the money than to give it to Rome.
• Since the Herodians were the party supporting Herod, they were in favor of the tax.
• Herod’s authority was given to him by Caesar; and Herod would have had a difficult time staying in power without Rome’s support.
• Every tax the poor people had to pay was another reminder that they were not free.
• The Zealots, were an “underground” organization of fanatical Jews, often staged protests against Rome. They would oppose any Roman tax.
• It is easy to see why the Pharisees and Herodians chose the poll tax as the bait for their trap:
— If He opposed the tax, He would be in trouble with Rome.
— If He approved the tax, He would be in trouble with the Jews.
• Jesus immediately saw through their scheme. He knew that their real purpose was not to get an answer to a question, but to try to trap Him.
• They were only acting a part, and this made them hypocrites.
On this basis alone, He could have refused to answer them.
• But He knew the people around Him would not understand.
• Here was an opportunity for Him to silence His enemies and, at the same time, teach the people an important spiritual truth.
18] But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19] Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
“...tribute money”: Were Roman coins; they were more valuable.
20] And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21] They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
Our Dual Citizenship:
Christians must honor and obey rulers (Romans 13; 1 Peter 2:13-17; 1 Timothy 2:1ff)
• Christians have a dual citizenship, in heaven and on earth (Philippians 3:20).
• We must respect our earthly rulers (or elected leaders), obey the law, pay taxes, and pray for all who are in authority.
• Being a soldier was the highest honor, the noblest profession on the earth.
• God and country, John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
• Someone willing to take the uniform and defend his country is a noble endeavor.
• After the 50's and 60's this all changed!
Christians must honor and obey God.
Caesar was not God. While governments cannot enforce religion (Acts 5:29), neither should they restrict freedom of worship. The best citizen honors his country because he worships God.
Man bears God’s image and owes God his all.
Caesar’s image was on the coin; God’s image is on man (Genesis 1:26-27).
• Sin has marred that image, but through Jesus Christ, it can be restored (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10).
22] When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
23] The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24] Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
• The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, etc.
They were the “liberals” of their day…They were quoting Deuteronomy 25:5.
• The Sadducees’ hypothetical illustration was based on the Jewish law of “levirate marriage” from Deuteronomy 25:5-10.
(The word levirate comes form the Latin word levir which means “a husband’s brother.” It has nothing to do with the tribe of Levi.)
• The purpose of this custom was to preserve a man’s name should he die without a male heir. In a nation like Israel, where family inheritance was a major thing, it was important that each home have an heir. It was considered a disgrace for a man to refuse to raise up a family for his dead brother.
25] Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
26] Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27] And last of all the woman died also.
28] Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
• This was obviously a contrived question meant to entrap Jesus. It was also their way of poking fun at the Pharisaical belief of a resurrection.
• They are not trying to get at this Levitical law, but rather the idea of a resurrection.
Jesus does not attack a lot of things here, instead He focuses on one issue. He draws upon the one common base that they all have, the Torah.
• The Sadducees did not accept the rest of the Old Testament, but they did accept the five books of Moses, the Torah or what we call the Pentateuch.
29] Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30] For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
• He does not deal with the issue deeply, He just points out that they are all messed up. • First, Jesus points out that the concept of marriage in the resurrection is just not Scriptural.
(He does not say that angels are sexless, just that they do not marry, no need for procreation.
• In Genesis 6, the angels are not in heaven, they are fallen angels.
31] But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32] I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
33] And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
• The real issue is the resurrection, which Jesus addresses head on.
It is amazing that the God of the universe is calling Himself by the names of these three men.
Note that He does not say that He was the God of, but rather is the God of these men.
• This is present tense, not just that God is in the present tense, but that those three men are in the present tense, not past.
• He also wanted to answer their claim that there was no resurrection; and He did it by referring to Moses!
• He knew that Moses was the only authority they would accept. He reminded them of Exodus 3:6 where God said to Moses, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
• He did not say, “I was the God of Abraham,” for that would mean that Abraham was no more. By saying “I am,” the Lord made it clear that these three men of faith were at that time alive.
• And by repeating “the God of,” the Lord was saying that He knew them and loved them personally and individually.
(For a complete study of the B’nai Elohim, see our Expositional Commentary on Genesis or the briefing packages The Flood of Noah and Return of the Nephilim. Also, Heaven and Hell.)
34] But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
35] Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36] Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38] This is the first and great commandment.
• Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5.
• Phylacteries are leather boxes containing Scriptures that are strapped to their left hand and to their foreheads.
• They had documented 613 commandments in the Law, 248 positive and 365 negative. Note, however, that in Deuteronomy 6 says “with all thy strength” vs. Jesus’ quote of “with all thy mind.”
• Jesus adds the part of mind, and Paul discusses “renewing” one’s mind, a New Testament concept.
39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Quoting Leviticus 19:18.. . Love is the controlling principle (2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:10- 18; 4:7-21; 5:1,2).
• All of the Law is summed up in love (Romans 13:8-10).
• It’s interesting that the Islamic Koran has not one commandment in it cover to cover to love anything.
• But has over a hundred commands to execute the none believer of Islam.
• The law is like a chain: It’s no stronger than its weakest link (James 2:10).
• But Jesus had a deeper meaning to convey in this marvelous answer. The Jews were afraid of idolatry.
• When Jesus claimed to be God, they opposed Him because they could not believe it was right to worship a creature.
• Jesus received worship and did not rebuke those who honored Him. Was this idolatry? No, because He is God!
• But if the Law commands us to love God and our neighbor, then it would not be wrong for the Jews to love Jesus.
• Instead, they were plotting to kill Him. He had said to them one day, “If God were your Father, you would love Me” (John 8:42).
• They accepted the authority of the Law, yet they refused to obey it in their lives.
41] While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42] Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
• On this question hangs our entire life.
“Whose son is he?”
“He is the Son of David.”
Had they been asked, they could have referred to a number of Old Testament Scriptures, including 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Psalms 78:68- 72; and Micah 5:2.
43] He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44] The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45] If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
Quoting Psalms 110 (Cf. Proverbs 30:4!).
• Every orthodox Jewish scholar interpreted this to refer to the Messiah.
• This is the God-Man issue.
• Only the Messiah could sit at the right hand of Jehovah God.
• Jesus believed in the inspiration and accuracy of the Old Testament Scriptures, for He said that David spoke these words “in the Spirit.”
• As God, Messiah is David’s Lord
As man, He is David’s Son.
He is both “the root and the offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16).
Psalm 110:1 teaches the deity and the humanity of Messiah.
46] And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
*
The Gospel of Matthew Session 16 Matthew 23:
Christ’s Major Discourses
1) Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7
– The Manifesto of the Kingdom.
- The Law of the Kingdom.
- Addressed to Believers.
- No Salvation discussed.
2) Mystery Parables Discourse Matthew 13
– The direction that the Kingdom of heaven will take after Christ’s rejection.
3) Olivet Discourse Matthew 24-25
– Prophetic (yet distinct from Luke 21).
4) Upper Room Farewell Address John 14-17
– New relationships in view of Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession.
Review Matthew 5 The Beatitudes:
Matthew 23: Our Lord’s Last Public Message
This was our Lord’s last public message. It is a scathing denunciation of false religion that paraded under the guise of truth. Some of the common people no doubt were shocked at His words, for they considered the Pharisees to be righteous.
False Righteousness:
• Entering the kingdom Matthew 5:3
– Shutting up the kingdom Matthew 23:13
• Mourners comforted Matthew 5:4
– Destroyers condemned Matthew 23:14
• Meek inherit the earth Matthew 5:5
– Proud send souls to hell Matthew 23:15
• Hungering for holiness Matthew 5:6
– Greedy for gain Matthew 23:16-22
• Obtaining mercy Matthew 5:7
– Rejecting mercy Matthew 23:23-24
• Pure in heart Matthew 5:8
– Defiled in heart Matthew 23:25-28
• Peacemakers are God’s children Matthew 5:9
– Persecutors are the devil’s children Matthew 23:29-31
• Persecuted are God’s children Matthew 5:10
– Persecutors are the devil’s children Matthew 23:29-31
1] Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2] Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
• “Moses’ seat” means that they put themselves in the position of Moses’ authority. They would be the first to espouse Moses as an authority.
3] All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
• “Do as I say, not as I do.”
4] For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5] But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
“Phylacteries”: Exodus 13:9-16; Deuteronomy 6:9.
• Jesus’ point is that the Pharisees are doing all this for show.
• He is not saying all that wear phylacteries are for show, nor is He indicting some of the observances were their cultural pattern of style of worship.
• We all are victims of cultural background or style of worship.
• Jesus is referring to the condition of their heart—they are doing these things to be seen of men, not because of their love for God.
“Hem of the garment” was a symbol of rank.
6] And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7] And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8] But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9] And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10] Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11] But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12] And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
• Simply said, difficult to do.
Eight Woes Matthew 23:13-34:
• Most study Bibles say seven, but we count eight.
• Contrast these eight “woes” with the eight beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12. In the Sermon on the Mount the Lord described true righteousness; here He describes a false righteousness.
13] But woe unto you (1), scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
• The “Scribes, Pharisees and hypocrites” are treated as synonyms.
• They have two problems, one that they are missing it themselves, and two, that they are preventing others from going in!
Entering the kingdom—shutting up the kingdom The poor in spirit enter the kingdom, but the proud in spirit keep themselves out and even keep others out.
The Greek verb indicates people trying to get in who cannot.
• It is bad enough to keep yourself out of the kingdom, but worse when you stand in the way of others.
• By teaching man-made traditions instead of God’s truth, they “took away the key of knowledge” and closed the door to salvation (Luke 11:52).
14] Woe unto you (2), scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Proverbs 28:9. The prayer of the wicked is abomination.
While this verse is not in some manuscripts of Matthew, it is found in Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47.
• Instead of mourning over their own sins, and mourning with needy widows, the Pharisees took advantage of people in order to rob them.
• They used their religion as a “cloak of covetousness” (1 Thessalonians 2:5).
15] Woe unto you (3), scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
• A proselyte is a convert to a cause.
• The Pharisees were out to win others to their legalistic system, yet they could not introduce these people tothe living God.
• Instead of saving souls, the Pharisees were condemning souls!
• A “child of hell” is the equivalent of “child of the devil,” which is what Jesus called the Pharisees in; (Matthew 12:34; 23:33; John 8:44).
• A “child of the devil” is a person who has rejected God’s way of salvation (righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ).
• This person parades his own self-righteousness through whatever religious system he belongs to.
• The convert usually shows more zeal than his leader, and this “double devotion” only produces double condemnation.
• How tragic that people can think they are going to heaven, when actually they are going to hell!
16] Woe unto you (4), ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
17] Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
18] And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
19] Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20] Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21] And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth
therein.
22] And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him
that sitteth thereon.
• “Blind guides” is a perfect description, one that must have brought a smile to the lips of the listeners.
• Jesus had used it before (Matthew 15:14).
• The Pharisees were blind to the true values of life.
• Their priorities were confused.
• They would take an oath and use some sacred object to substantiate that oath like the gold in the temple, for example, or the gift on the altar. But they would not swear by the temple itself or the altar.
• It was the temple that sanctified the gold and the altar that sanctified the gift. They were leaving God out of their priorities. All oaths were forbidden (Matthew 5:33-37).
• Jesus knew that the Pharisees wanted both the gold and the gifts on the altar.
• This is why the Pharisees practiced “Corban” anything dedicated to God could not be used for others (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:10-13).
• These men were not seeking for the righteousness of God; they were greedy for gain.
• They worked out a “religious system” that permitted them to rob God and others and still maintain their reputations.
23] Woe unto you (5), scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
• He is referring to the tithing of spices and grains
• Trivia versus the important traits: justice, mercy, and faith (Micah 6:8).
24] Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
• The Pharisees majored on the minors.
• They had rules for every minute area of life, while at the same time they forgot about the important things.
• It is usually the case that legalists are sticklers for details, but blind to great principles.
• This crowd thought nothing of condemning an innocent man, yet they were afraid to enter Pilate’s judgment hall lest they be defiled (John 18:28).
Tithing:
• The Old Testament Law required tithing (Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22ff).
• Abraham had practiced tithing long before the Law was given (Genesis 14:20).
• Jacob followed his grandfather’s example (Genesis 28:20-22).
• The principles of Christian giving are under grace (2 Corinthians 8-9).
• We are not content simply to give a tithe (10%), but we also want to bring offerings to the Lord out of hearts filled with love.
• Justice, mercy, and faithfulness are the important qualities God is seeking. Obeying the rules is no substitute.
• While it is good to pay attention to details, we must never lose our sense of priorities in spiritual matters.
• Jesus did not condemn the practice of tithing.
• But He did condemn those who allowed their legalistic scruples to keep them from developing true Christian character.
25] Woe unto you (6), scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
• Jesus used two illustrations: the cup/platter and the sepulcher.
• They both stated the same truth: it is possible to be clean on the outside and at the
same time defiled on the inside.
• The Pharisees were careful to keep the outside very clean, because that was the part that men would see; and they wanted the praise of men.
• But God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
When God looked within, He saw “greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25, NIV).
27] Woe unto you (7), scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
• Jewish people were careful not to touch dead bodies or anything relating to the dead, because this would make them ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:11ff).
• As Passover approached they would whitewash the tombs lest someone accidentally get defiled, and not be able to participate in the Passover.
• What a graphic picture of the hypocrite: white on the outside, but filled with defilement and death on the inside!
“Blessed are the pure in heart,” was our Lord’s promise. “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23, NASB).
• D.L. Moody used to say, “If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.”
• The Pharisees lived for reputation, not character.
28] Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
29] Woe unto you (8), scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
• There have always been counterfeit believers in the world, starting with Cain (Genesis 4:1-15; 1 John 3:10-15).
• The Pharisees and their kind are guilty of all the righteous blood shed in the name of “religion.”
• The first martyr recorded in the Old Testament Scripture was Abel (Genesis 4), and the last one recorded was the Prophet Zechariah 2 Chronicles 24:20-22
• The Hebrew Bible ends with 2 Chronicles, not Malachi.
• What will be the result of this long history of murders?
Terrible judgment!
“This generation” (the “generation of vipers,” Matthew 23:33) would taste the wrath of God when the cup of iniquity was full (Genesis 15:16; Matthew 23:32).
• Some of this judgment came when Jerusalem was destroyed, and the rest will be meted out in eternity.
30] And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
31] Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
• It was traditional for the Pharisees to build, improve, and embellish the tombs of the martyrs.
• But it was “their fathers” who killed the martyrs!
• Not their biological fathers, of course, but their “spiritual fathers”—the hypocrites of the past ages.
32] Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
33] Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
• When Jesus called the Pharisees “serpents... generation of vipers,” He was identifying them with Satan who is THE serpent (Genesis 3:1 and 3:15).
• In His Parable of the Tares, Jesus made it clear that Satan has a family (Matthew 13:38). • Satan is a murderer and a liar (John 8:44), and his children follow his example.
• The Pharisees were liars (Matthew 23:30) and murderers (Matthew 23:34).
34] Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
“I”: Jesus is doing the sending of the prophets (first person singular).
35] That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
36] Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
• Isaiah: Was sawed asunder.
• Jeremiah: Was imprisoned in a filthy dungeon.
• Zechariah: Was slain between the porch and the altar.
• As we review these tragic woes from the lips of our Lord, we can see why the Pharisees were His enemies.
• He emphasized the inner man; they were concerned with externals.
• He taught a spiritual life based on principles, while the Pharisees majored on rules and regulations.
• Jesus measured spirituality in terms of character, while the Pharisees measured it in terms of religious activities and conformity to external laws.
• Jesus taught humility and sacrificial service, but the Pharisees were proud and used people to accomplish their own purposes.
• The holy life of Jesus exposed their artificial piety and shallow religion. Instead of coming out of the darkness, the Pharisees tried to put out the Light...and they failed.
Matthew’s Primary Theme Matthew 23:37-39:
• The Purpose of all history.
• The Tragedy of all history.
• The Triumph of all history.
The Purpose of All History
37] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings…
• The purpose of all history: that God might gather His children together. (Jerusalem is a synecdoche for all of Israel.)
• The image of the mother bird gathering and covering her brood is a familiar one.
• Moses used it in his farewell sermon (Deuteronomy 32:11).
• It is a picture of love, tender care, and a willingness to die to protect others.
Jesus did die for the sins of the world, including the nation of Israel:
But “His own received Him not” (John 1:11).
The Tragedy of All History:
37] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
38] Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
The purpose of all history:
That God might gather His children together.
“And ye would not”:
The tragedy of all history.
The Triumph of All History:
39] For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
“til”: A logical linkage. Jesus left the nation with a promise:
• He would one day return, and the nation would see Him and say, “Blessed be He that
cometh in the name of the Lord!”
• This is a quotation from Psalm 118:26, that great messianic psalm that was quoted so many times in His last week of ministry.
Even the crowds had used those very words (Matthew 21:9).
Hosea 5:15
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me earnestly.
The Interval Daniel 9:26:
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
• Karat, means to cut off, eliminate, kill, execute.
• This happens after the 69th Week and before the 70th Week:
• The Karat, execution; is a death penalty (Leviticus 7:20; Psalms 37:9; Proverbs 2:22).
“Not for Himself”: nothingness: rejection, substitution.
• This is an interval, or gap, clearly required by v. 26: events described are after the 69th and prior to the 70th week:
• The Messiah shall be “cut off” (karat = executed).
• The people of “the prince that shall come” is historically, the Romans.
• Thus, the Prince to come will be of the Roman Empire (but NOT necessarily from Europe!);
• The Sanctuary will be destroyed, etc.
• Thirty-eight years are included with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
• Over 1970 years have transpired so far.
“Flood”: diaspora. Titus Vespasian: 38 years later (not 3½!).
Rabbinical Confirmations:
• Messianic; prior to the Temple destroyed (Yalkut, Vol II, 32b, p.79; Nazir edition).
• The Messiah was to exit prior to 33 A.D.
(Midrash Berishit, p.243 Warsaw edition; re: Yakov Prasch).
Israel and the Church:
• Distinctions: different origins, missions, destinies.
• “Replacement” views deny Israel its place in God’s program.
Read Romans 9, 10, 11:
Replacement views would seem to make God a Liar; and, laid the basis for Christian Anti-Semitism.
• The “70 Weeks” deal specifically with Israel.
• Paul’s trichotomy: Jews, Gentiles, Church (1 Corinthians 10:32).
• Distinctives reappear after Revelation 4.
The Church Interval:
• The Interval Is Also Implied:
Isaiah 61:1,2 (re: Luke 4:18-20); Revelation 12:5,6.
Also:
Isaiah 54:7; Hosea 3:4,5; Amos 9:10,11; (Acts 15:13-18); Micah 5:2,3; Zechariah 9:9,10; Luke 1:31,32; 21:24.
• The Interval Is Defined:
Luke 19:42... until Romans 11:25.
• This interval is the period of the Church, an era kept secret in the Old Testament:
Matthew 13:34,35; Ephesians 3:5,9.
[Interval implied in 24 references]
“Israel” is never used of the Church (73X).
[Galatians 6:16 is misunderstood, by ignoring the kai in the Greek which clearly distinguishes the two groups.]
It seems that the Lord deals with Israel and the Church mutually exclusively.
[Example: Chess Clock.]
The Church:
• Prerequisites:
• Atonement: Matthew 16:18, 21
• Resurrection: Ephesians 1:20-23
• Ascension: Ephesians 4:7-11 (Spiritual gifts only after ascension)
• Born at Pentecost: Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 1:5, 11:15-16.
Mystery Character The Body Concept (Ephesians 3:3-5,9):
• Indwelling every believer (Colossians 1:26-27).
• The Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32).
• Harpazo, meaning “Rapture” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).
• One “New Man” (Ephesians 2:15; Cf. Revelation 12:5).
• Distinguished from Jews & Gentiles (1 Corinthians 10:32).
Blindness Declared:
Luke 19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
For How Long?
Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the Fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
The 70th Week Daniel 9:27:
And he [“the prince that shall come”] shall enforce the covenant with [the] many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
• The Covenant Enforced with “The Many”: “The many” is an idiom for Israel.
• This is the “Covenant with Hell” (Isaiah 28:15; Zechariah 11:15-17 etc.).
“Midst of the week”: The most documented period of time in the Bible. Time, times, the dividing of time (Daniel 7:25; 4:16, 23, 25).
*
The Gospel of Matthew Session 17 Matthew 24
Christ’s Major Discourses
1) Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7
– The Manifesto of the Kingdom.
2) Mystery Parables Discourse Matthew 13
– The direction that the Kingdom of heaven will take after Christ’s rejection.
3) Olivet Discourse Matthew 24-25
– Prophetic (yet distinct from Luke 21).
4) Upper Room Farewell Address John 14-17
– New relationships in view of Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession.
The Olivet Discourse: Matthew 24; Mark 13 (Luke 21?)
This is one of the most important prophetic passages in the New Testament.
1] And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
2] And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
• A similar remark is made in Luke 19.
Luke 19:43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
3] And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
• The word “End” means a consummation or end of this age, not the end of the world.
A Private Briefing:
This was not a teaching to the multitude this was a private discourse to His in group only Peter, James, John, and Andrew were allowed to hear.
Mark 13:1-6
1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! 2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
The Command: Be not deceived! Epistemological tools?
...many shall come in my name....
• In this context Jesus is not talking to Gentiles, but to a Jewish audience, Jesus is telling them that many will come claiming to be the Messiah.
Mashiach Nagid:
• Messiah of Israel the Prince who would be cut off (Daniel 9:25).
• Note that the word "prince" (nagid) is the same word used when God chose David to be king of Israel.
• Throughout history there were many false Christ’s, this shall continue.
6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8] All these are the beginning of sorrows.
This group is labeled:
The “Beginning of Sorrows” the word used is labor pains.
• The Beginning of Sorrows:
Matthew; Luke; and Revelation
• False Christs 24:4-5 21:4 6:1-2
• Wars 24:6 21:9,10 6:3-4
• Famines 24:7a 21:11 6:5-6
• Pestilences 24:7b-8 21:12 6:7-8
• Earthquakes 24:9 21:24 6:12
Technology and the Bible, Part 2: by Chuck Missler April 1, 2008
http://www.khouse.org/articles/2008/773/
9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14] And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15] When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
• And also in Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
Exodus 20:4-6 NKJV
You shall not make for yourself a carved image any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
In this verse, Jesus does three things:
1) He authenticates Daniel
2) Highlights Daniel 9 (“the 70 Weeks”) as the key to end time prophecy
3) Explains precisely what the “Abomination of Desolation” is and that it stands in the Holy Place (thus, a Temple is standing).
5 Biblical Prophecies Fulfilled in 2018 and 5 Expected in 2019: By Eliana Rudee January 2, 2019 , 1:28 pm
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/119711/biblical-prophecies-fulfilled-2018/
Rabbi Strange Mist on Temple Mount Is War on Spiritual Plane [VIDEO]: By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz October 3, 2018 , 2:06 pm
I wipe away your sins like a cloud, Your transgressions like mist— Come back to Me, for I redeem you. Isaiah 44:22 (The Israel Bible™)
• As this occurs, we have seen various strange phenomena on the Temple Mount – perhaps signaling the prophesied shift that will occur in Jerusalem pre-Messiah – such as an eerie mist, sinkholes and snakes.
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/114568/strange-mist-temple-mount-war-spiritual/
Breaking "Sinkhole Opens At Golden Gate In Holy Land":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXD7KSMDd9I
Historical Background:
• Antiochus IV, son of Antiochus the Great, became the successor of his brother, Seleucus IV, who had been murdered by his minister, Heliodorus, as king of Syria (175-164 B.C.)
• He was a despot; eccentric and unreliable; cruel and tyrannical—“Epiphanes” is an abbreviation of Greek: theos epiphanes, a designation he gave himself: “the god who appears or reveals himself.”
• Antiochus undertook the total eradication of the Jewish religion and the establishment of Greek polytheism in its stead.
• The observance of all Jewish laws, especially those relating to the Sabbath and to circumcision, were forbidden under pain of death.
• All Jewish practices were set aside, and in all cities of Judea, sacrifices were brought to the pagan deities.
• Representatives of the crown everywhere enforced the edict.
• Once a month a search was instituted, and whoever had secreted a copy of the Law or had observed the rite of circumcision was condemned to death.
The Abomination of Desolation:
• In Jerusalem on the 15th of Chislev in December 168 B.C. Antiochus “broke the league that he had made” and a pagan altar was built on the Great Altar of Burnt Sacrifices.
• On the 25th of Chislev (His birthday) a sacrifice was brought on this altar for the first time (1 Maccabees 1:54,59).
He offered a swine in every village (Josephus, Antiquities, XII v4) and erected an idol to Zeus in the Holy of Holies:
“a desolating sacrilege” (1 Maccabees 1:54).
• He called it the “Temple of Jupiter Olympius” (2 Maccabees 6:1-7).
Maccabean Revolt:
• A spontaneous revolt was to turn into a full-scale war: Officers were sent to carry out Antiochus’ decrees at the village of Modein, where an aged priest named Mattathias lived with his five sons.
• Mattathias killed both the first Jew who approached the pagan altar to offer sacrifice and the royal official who presided, and he and his sons fled to the hills…
• Mattathias and his five sons became the nucleus of a growing band of rebels against Antiochus.
• Mattathias died soon after, leaving leadership in the hands of Judas, whose surname “Maccabeus” (Hammer) became the source of the popular name given to the family and its followers.
• Under Judas’ brilliant leadership, what had begun as a guerrilla war turned into full-scale military engagements in which smaller Jewish forces managed to defeat much more powerful Syrian armies.
• Judas’ most notable achievements were the recapture of Jerusalem (except for the Akra fortress, where the Syrian garrison continued to hold out) and the rededication of the Temple, after the defiled altar had been demolished and rebuilt.
• The rededication, on 25 Kislev of 164 B.C., is still celebrated as Hanukkah (John 10:22). • Antiochus’ death also took place in 164.
• Judas continued successfully to press what was now a war for independence.
• His last great victory was over the forces of Nicanor at Beth-horon, in March of 161 B.C.
Chronology:
16] Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17] Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18] Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19] And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20] But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
• How can “them which be in Judea” see that which “stands in the Holy Place”?
Probably on Fox News, of course! (CNN might not survive…)
21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
• “Great Tribulation” = Christ’s label, quoting Daniel 12:1 (the last 3 ½ years)
• “No flesh be saved” is this a technology statement?
• The elect is Israel.
• The Holy Spirit left with the Raptured Saints.
• The Church is promised to be “Joint Heirs” with Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:17 NKJV
... and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
• The Holy Spirit will be in the 144,000 sealed Israelites (Revelation 7:1-8).
Deuteronomy 4:30 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice 31 (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.
Matthew 24
23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
The Counterfeit Christ Movement - Feb 22, 2008
https://gods-kingdom-ministries.net/daily-weblogs/2008/02-2008/the-counterfeit-christ-movement/
• On April 25, 1982 a number of full-page advertisements appeared in major newspapers around the world proclaiming, "The Christ is Now Here." This new "christ" was called Lord Maitreya...
• All of these “New Age Cults” use the same doctrine as in Genesis 3 when Satan tempted Eve.
• Ye shall be as gods, reincarnation.
• They are all Eastern in their roots.
25] Behold, I have told you before.
26] Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27] For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28] For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Daniel’s 70 Weeks:
Daniel 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
• This is part of week 69th Week.
26 And after threescore and two weeks (sixty-two weeks) shall Messiah be cut off (Suffer the death penalty), but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come (Romans) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
• This is when the first temple is destroyed.
• Antiochus Epiphanes, erected an idol of Zeus in the Holy of Holies.
• He slaughtered a sow and spread its blood on the altar.
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations (idols, and spiritual adultery) he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate (desolator).
• This is the 70th Week.
• Isaiah 28:18 Your covenant with death will be annulled, And your agreement with Sheol will not stand; When the overflowing scourge passes through, Then you will be trampled down by it.
Matthew 24
Immediately After The Tribulation:
29] Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
• Revelation 6:12-17
• The powers may be relating to Satan and his hosts, as being cast out.
“Immediately after”…
• Has this happened yet? Of course not!
• But the Preterists insist that this is just allegorical…
“Mid-tribulation” views deny imminency… the 70th week is defined by a covenant enforcement (not the Rapture).
• Imminency, the state or condition of being imminent or impending:
the imminence of war.
something that is imminent, especially an impending evil or danger.
The Return of the Son of Man:
30] And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
• ...shall appear the sign...
Sign 4592, semeÃon – a sign (typically miraculous), given especially to confirm, corroborate or authenticate. 4592 /semeÃon ("sign") then emphasizes the end-purpose which exalts the one giving it.
Daniel 7:13
In my vision in the night I continued to watch: And I saw One like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
Revelation 1:7
Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him--even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.
Matthew 24
31] And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout (call you by name, Lazarus come forth), with the voice of an archangel (this is very Jewish), and with the trumpet (the trumpet was to assemble Israel) of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Prophecy of the End Time:
Daniel 12:1-4 NKJV
At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. 4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase....
The Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ Closes The 70th Week:
Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.
One thousand two hundred and ninety days = 3.534246 years
• 3 ½ years
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
• Only the High Priest is allowed into the Holy of Holies, will he be a Jewish High Priest?
• This will be world wide, but the focus of it will be in Israel.
• Satan knows that the “Remnant” has to cry out for Christ to return, so he is out to get the “Remnant”.
Matthew 24 Parable of the Fig Tree:
32] Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33] So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35] Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37] But as the days of Noah (Genesis 6) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
• The point being, that they were not sensitive to the time that they were living in (a coming flood).
• God promised Eve a deliverer in Genesis 3:15, he had to be a pure Man.
• The Son of Man is the only one who is worthy in Revelation 5.
Revelation 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy...
• To wipe out Mankind a “hybrid race” was planted into human DNA to stop the coming of the Messiah, by attempting to corrupt the entire race of humankind.
• The exception was Noah’s strain of DNA.
38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
• [Genesis 6 prerequisite…]
40] Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43] But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Will Satan to be caught by surprise!?
• The word “goodman” is a translation of the master, or head of the house.
44] Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
45] Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47] Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
• The Doctrine of Imminency…
48] But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49] And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50] The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Are YOU ready?
Luke 21
[Cf. Verses 37-38: This occurred in the Temple during the day…]
5] And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
6] As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
7] And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
8] And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
9] But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
10] Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11] And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
12] But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
13] And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Verse 12 Is a Key verse: Luke focuses on that which will occur prior to the “Beginning of Sorrows.”
14] Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15] For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16] And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
18] But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
“Not a hair of your head”? (Cf. Daniel 3!)
19] In your patience possess ye your souls.
20] And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21] Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
22] For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be
fulfilled.
• Many Christians escaped by following Jesus’ directions… Eusebius indicates that the Christians escaped to (the mountains in) Pella in Perea.
[The mustering of Roman ensigns on the Temple Mount (which some see as the Abomination of Desolation) would be far too late as a triggering “sign”…]
The Siege of Jerusalem:
• Vespasian was commanded by Nero to attack Jerusalem.
• He and his son, Titus, attacked cities in the Galilee area.
• When Nero dies, Galba, Otho, Vitelius vie for the throne.
• Vespasian succeeds as Emperor and Titus is left to complete the siege (Josephus: Wars VI, vi, 1).
• The Christians escaped to the mountains in Pella in Perea (Eusebius, Book III, 5.1).
23] But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
24] And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
• This seems to focus on the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
25] And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26] Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27] And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Notice: There is no mention of “the Great Tribulation”!
• Luke skips to the Second Coming…
28] And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your
heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
“Redemption”: Is translated, apolutrosis; a releasing effected by payment of ransom. • The word is used 9 times and always is used to refer to the redemption of the Body:
Luke 21:28; Romans 3:24; Romans 8:23; 1Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 1:14; Ephesians 4:30; Colossians 1:14; and, Hebrews 9:15.
29] And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30] When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31] So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
• Is “this generation” the generation which saw the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70?
33] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34] And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
• How may they “escape” all these things and “stand before” the Son of Man? Apparently Luke’s “Olivet Discourse” didn’t occur on the Mount of Olives: these are summaries of teachings in the Temple over several days!!
[Contrast Mark’s (Peter’s) rendering which was confined to four insiders.]
Issues:
• The Destruction of Jerusalem: in A.D. 70? Or is it yet future?
• The “Abomination of Desolation”? What is it? When did it happen?
Or has it yet?
• The Great Tribulation
• The Parable of the Fig Tree
• (Which) “Generation shall not pass away”?
• The Doctrine of Imminence...for each of us individually…
Prologue:
• Epistemology—the study of knowledge: its scope and limits.
• “Be Not Deceived”: (HOW?) Establish the integrity of the Word of God and its extraterrestrial origin
• Establish the identity of JesusChrist; and carefully understand precisely what He said.
Epistemological Approach:
Epistemology:
• Epistemology is the study of the nature and scope of knowledge and justified belief.
• It analyzes the nature of knowledge and how it relates to similar notions such as truth, belief and justification.
• It also deals with the means of production of knowledge, as well as skepticism about different knowledge claims.
Hermeneutics:
• Rhetorical devices: Allegorical or Literal? Parallel or Separate?
Precise or Approximate?
– High view of text (Matthew 5:17)
– The “Whole Counsel” of God
• Integrated, Deliberate Design
The Hazard of Presuppostions:
• Traditions & “Tangled Tethers”
– Mosaic Judaism
– Pharisaical Judaism
– Talmudic Judaism
– Kabbalistic Judaism
– Hasidic Judaism
• “Harmonization” vs. Loss of Resolution
– The Olivet Discourse: Past or Future?
– Are they one briefing or several?
*
The Gospel of Matthew Session 18 Matthew 24 vs. Luke 21
Resolving the Olivet Discourse:
• For many students of eschatology—the study of last things—the so called Olivet Discourse has proven to be a troublesome passage, with many finding it confusing and ostensibly self-contradictory;
• A hermeneutical battleground between the dispensationalists and the preterists.
• The preterists insist that this passage—and the Book of Revelation— has already been fulfilled, and much of it is dismissed by them as simply allegorical.
• Yet even those who embrace a dispensational view have difficulty reconciling many of the Olivet Discourse passages.
In this case, we may benefit by setting aside our presumptions and presuppositions and let the several texts speak for themselves.
• It is ironic that Jesus’ opening imperative in His “Olivet Discourse” is “Take heed that no man deceive you.”
• This is His command, but it begs a question of means:
“How do we avoid that?” There seems to be more conjectures and misunderstandings over this passage than almost any other in the New Testament.
• The tools to avoid deception derive from a study of epistemology: the study of knowledge
—its scope and limits.
• Our exploration of this passage will challenge more than simply our hermeneutics alone.
• It will challenge our grasp of the whole eschatological plan in its entirety.
Issues:
• Did the Destruction of Jerusalem referred to in the Olivet Discourse happen in 70 A.D.? • Or is it yet future?
• What is the “Abomination of Desolation”?
• When did it happen? Or has it yet?
• Other issues include the Great Tribulation, the parable of the fig tree, and which is the “generation that shall not pass away...”?
Prologue:
Jesus said “Be not deceived.”
• We must establish the integrity of the Word of God and its extraterrestrial origin.
• We must also establish the identity of Jesus Christ and carefully understand precisely what He said.
Hermeneutics:
• What are rhetorical devices and are they allegorical or literal?
• Are the passages in Matthew, Mark and Luke parallel or separate?
• Are they precise or approximate?
• We must acquire a high view of the text (Matthew 5:17) and heed the “whole counsel” of God, realizing that the Bible is an integrated, deliberate design.
Resolving Power:
“Harmonization” leads to loss of resolution:
• Are the signs described in the Olivet Discourse past or future?
• Are they one briefing or several?
The Presumption That Matthew 24 And Luke 21 Are the Same Account:
• Resolving power is the ability of an imaging device to separate two distinct points of an object. (Such as two stars that seem to be one star) that are located at a small angular distance or it is the power of an optical instrument to separate far away objects, that are close together, into individual images.
Matthew 24 Is describing “”End Time Events”.
Luke 21 Is describing the destruction of “Jerusalem” in 70 A.D.
Eschatology:
Matthew 24:1-3
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mark 13:1-3
And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
Matthew 24:4-8
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
The Beginning of Sorrows:
Matthew; Luke; Revelation
• False Christs 24:4-5 21:8 6:1-2
• Wars 24:6 21:9,10 6:3-4
• Famines 24:7a 21:11 6:5-6
• Pestilences 24:7b-8 21:12 6:7-8
• Earthquakes 24:9 21:24 6:12
Matthew 24:9-15
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Antiochus IV (“Epiphanes”):
• On the 25th of Chislev, (His birthday) sacrifice was brought on this altar for the first time (I Maccabees 1:54,59).
• He offered a swine in every village (Josephus, Antiquities, XII v 4) and erected an idol to Zeus in the Holy of Holies (“a desolating sacrilege”;
1 Maccabees 1:54). “Temple of Jupiter Olympius” (2 Maccabees 6:1-7).
Matthew 24:16-22
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
Daniel 12:1
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Jeremiah 30:7
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Matthew 24:23-30
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Daniel’s 70th Week:
Matthew 24:31-36
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 24:37-51
But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Different Emphasis?
[Remember diagraming sentences in grammar classes?...]
Matthew’s Gospel was directed to the Jews
Luke, was to the Gentiles…
Acts covers about 30 years.
The Letters to the Seven Churches covers the next 1900 years!
The Olivet Discourse? Luke 21
Luke 21:5-11
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
The Beginning of Sorrows:
Matthew Luke Revelation
• False Christs 24:4-5 21:4 6:1-2
• Wars 24:6 21:9,10 6:3-4
• Famines 24:7a 21:11 6:5-6
• Pestilences 24:7b-8 21:12 6:7-8
• Earthquakes 24:9 21:24 6:12
Luke 21:11-22
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
The Siege of Jerusalem:
Vespasian was commanded by Nero to attack Jerusalem. He and his son, Titus, attack cities in the Galilee, et al. Vespasian distracted by Nero’s death and the subsequent political turbulence in Rome; Galba, Otho, Vitelius vie for the throne. Vespasian succeeds as Emperor and Titus is left to complete the siege (Josephus: Wars VI, vi, 1). Christians escaped to the mountains in Pella in Perea (Eusebius, Book III, 5.1).
Luke 21:23-28
But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
This seems to focus on the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Notice: no mention of “the Great Tribulation”! Luke skips to the 2nd Coming…
“Redemption”: apolutrosis; a releasing effected by payment of ransom. The word is used 9 times and always is used to refer to the redemption of the Body: Lk 21:28; Rom 3:24; Rom 8:23; 1Cor 1:30; Eph 1:7; Eph 1:14; Eph 4:30; Col 1:14; and, Heb 9:15.
Luke 21:29-36
And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
The Beginning of Sorrows:
Matthew Luke Revelation
• False Christs 24:4-5 21:4 6:1-2
• Wars 24:6 21:9,10 6:3-4
• Famines 24:7a 21:11 6:5-6
• Pestilences 24:7b-8 21:12 6:7-8
• Earthquakes 24:9 21:24 6:12
Cosmic Upheaval 24:10-13 21:25 6:12-17
Luke 21:11-13
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Resolving Power:
Different Emphasis?
Prophetic Profile?
Luke 21:37, 38
And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.
Apparently Luke’s “Olivet Discourse” didn’t occur on the Mt. of Olives: these are summaries of teachings in the Temple over several days!
[Contrast Mark’s (Peter’s) rendering, which was confined to four insiders.]
Distinctions:
• Matthew: Is speaking to the Jews; Jesus is in a private Briefing on the Mount of Olives.
Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3
• Luke: Is speaking to the Gentiles; In the Temple.
Luke 21:37,38
In Conclusion:
• Eschatology [Abomination of Desolation: “stand in the holy place”]
• Antiochus Epiphanes
• Caligula & Petronius; the hiatus of the siege in 70 A.D.
• Additional Implications; the Deity of Christ.
Issues:
• The Destruction of Jerusalem:
– There are two of them, one happened in 70 A.D.
– One is yet future.
• The “Abomination of Desolation”? What is it? When did it happen? Or has it yet?
• The Great Tribulation
• The Parable of the Fig Tree
• (Which) “Generation shall not pass away”?
• The Doctrine of Imminence...for each of us individually…
Matthew 24:44; Luke 12:40
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
*
The Gospel of Matthew Session 19 Matthew 25
Matthew 25
• Here is a group of teachings that occurred between the “Olivet Discourse” and the “Last Supper”.
• The Ten Virgins
See: Hour 8 notes “Song of Solomon”.
• The Ten Talents
• The “Sheep & Goat” Judgment
The Ten Virgins Matthew 25: 1-13:
1] Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
“...then”: Links with the previous verse.
2] And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3] They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
“Oil fed lamps”:
Like an oil-fed torch, up on a pole. The foolish took no oil with them, they did not run out, they had none!
4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5] While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6] And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
• Suggestive of the early Jewish wedding ceremony.
7] Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8] And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
• The oil is “The Holy Spirit”, every believer receives the Holy Spirit.
9] But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
“...oil” = the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4; Acts 10:38; Hebrews 1:9; Romans 8:9; Zechariah 12:10).
• [How can the five virgins “buy” oil if they need the Mark of the Beast?
• This must be before the mark!]
10] And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11] Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12] But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
• I know you not is from the word Oida: Is an intimate, experiential type of knowledge, not the word for a factual, information type of knowledge.
13] Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
• Were the five saved or not saved?
• The basic story is simple enough:
• Five were ready and five were not.
• The problem is when we start to examine, what does it mean?
• The five foolish had lamps?
• Were they saved?
The Virgins:
• They were set apart, called to give light!
• Five of them had their profession empty (the wick will burn for awhile without oil).
They had no oil.
• Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
• There is no evidence that five are saved..
• How do we know they were not saved?
• They were outside when the door was shut.
• Noah’s neighbors were not saved, that door was shut!
• Also, when they asked the Lord to open the door, He said, “I know you not”!
• The scary part of this is that they thought they were saved and were not.
• They had head knowledge, but they didn’t have the Spirit of God.
• Is the Holy Spirit in your life?
(For a discussion of eternal security, see our briefing package, The Sovereignty of Man.)
The Ten Talents Matthew 25: 14-30:
1 Corinthians 4:2 It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.
14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
• A “talent” is a coin worth about a year’s salary.
• A talent can be skills, influence, money, etc., whatever the Lord has given you to do.
16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
• Two guys, with different talents, and different performances.
24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
• This was the safe route. The other guys took entrepreneurial risks.
26] His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
“...slothful” means failure to act energetically. He also blamed his failure on his master.
27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
• This is one of the ways that God uses “truth” He will give you a little bit of truth and see what you will do with it.
• If you don’t do anything with it you will lose it.
• But, if you use it properly, He will give you some more.
• Does this mean that we can earn our salvation?
• No, salvation isn’t the issue here stewardship is.
“Talents”?
• The talents here are used as figures of speech. There are a few theories as to what the talent symbolizes; they are generally treated as gifts (as in skills).
• The issue is that one views these talents as opportunities, and you will be held accountable. The last guy refused to put to use what the Lord had entrusted Him with.
• Hiding it for safekeeping is not using it.
• Whatever resources the Lord has put at your disposal (money, place in community, skills, musical, artisan, or whatever ).
• What are you doing with your talents for Him? You lose when you don’t put them to use.
• The fruitfulness of it, the Lord will take care of it, whether 10-fold or 100-fold.
• You will take risks, the loser took no risks.
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:
The Three Judgments:
• The Sheep & Goat Judgment
– Judgment of the Nations
• The Bema Seat of Christ Judgment
– The Believer’s Rewards
• The Great White Throne Judgment
– The Final Judgment is at the end of the 1,000 year reign of Christ
Matthew 25:31-46 Sheep & Goat Judgment
This is one of three major judgments in the Bible.
• We will call it the Sheep and Goat judgment (not to be confused with the Bema Seat of Christ where the Christians get their rewards for service, nor to be confused with the Great White Throne judgment, which comes at the end of the Millennium.)
• Who is being judged here? The Gentiles non-Israelites.
• This judgment takes place on earth immediately after the Battle of Armageddon.
• The White Throne Judgment takes place in space somewhere (“the earth and the heaven fled away,” Revelation 20:11).
• The judgment here in Matthew 25 takes place before the kingdom is established on earth, for the saved are told to “inherit the kingdom” (Matthew 25:34).
The White Throne Judgment will take place after the 1,000-year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:7).
31] When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
• ...the throne of his glory...The Mercy Seat.
• Gabriel promised Mary that her son (Jesus) would sit upon the “Throne of David”.
32] And before him shall be gathered all nations (Gentiles): and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33] And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
• Ezekiel 34:17 NKJV And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats..
34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
• There are three groups of people here:
— The Sheep
— The Goats
— The Brethren
41] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43] I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44] Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45] Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
The Sheep & the Goats:
• This is not a resurrection judgment. There are four groups of people that go into Gehenna, or the outer darkness:
1) The Devil’s Pair:
The beast and the false prophet.
2) The unrighteous Gentiles (this judgment).
3) (At the end of the millennium): The Devil and his angels.
4) The wicked dead from the Great White Throne judgment.
• Here Gentile individuals are being judged.
• And they are judged in such a way that even the winners are puzzled…
Who Are The “Brethren”?
• Some consider all believers as this group.
• Perhaps a more specific application:
– The Jewish remnant which will be given the mandate to be His witness throughout the world, the 144,000.
– There is a period of trouble coming, called the “Great Tribulation” (“Time of Jacob’s Trouble”), is focusing on Israel and specifically the 144,000: His ministers proclaiming the gospel.
Daniel 12; Matthew 24, a time of trouble that the world has never seen!
– They will be under great persecution.
– Certain people will choose to protect them, feed them, hide them, etc.
• Jesus said “brethren” He is king of the Jews.
• And they will be surprised that these nations will be singled out and spared.
• We can also see a historical application of this perspective:
– Studies have been published which show how nations rise and fall in relation to their treatment of the Jews:
• The Babylonians vs. the Persians
• The Inquisition and the Armada
• The British Empire
• Nazi Germany
• After the Spanish Inquisition tortured the Jews, the Great Armada of Spain was destroyed by the British; from that point on Britannia, not Spain, ruled the waves.
• When Great Britain abrogated the Balfour Declaration, causing Jews to go to concentration camps instead of to the land promised to them, the sun began to set on the British empire.
• During WWII, the Germans built walls around the Jewish ghettos of Europe; any Jew climbing over the wall to escape was machine-gunned to death.
• Within a few years a wall was built around Berlin; any German climbing over it was machine-gunned to death.
• The Berlin Wall remained standing until the last leader of the generation of Germans responsible for the Holocaust was dead.
• Immediately after the death of Rudolf Hess in Spandau Prison, the Berlin Wall came down.
• But this particular application, however, is yet future, some people will choose to protect them, feed them, hide them, etc.
Matthew 26
• Prediction of His suffering and death vv. 1-5
• His anointing at Bethany vv. 6-13
• Judas’ betrayal vv. 14-16
• The Passover meal vv. 17-25
• The institution of the Lord’s supper vv. 26-35
• The Garden of Gethsemane vv. 36-46
• His arrest and accusations vv. 47-68
• The denial of Peter vv. 69-75
*
The Gospel of Matthew Session 20 Matthew 26: The Last Seder:
Matthew 26
• At Bethany vv. 1-16
– Worship vs. Waste
• In the Upper Room vv. 17-30
– Faithfulness vs Betrayal
• Gethsemane vv. 31-56
– Submission vs Resistance
This Session:
• Prediction of His suffering and death vv. 1-5
• His anointing at Bethany vv. 6-13
• Judas’ betrayal vv. 14-16
• The Passover meal vv. 17-25
• The institution of the Lord’s supper vv. 26-35
The Last Seder Matthew 26:1-35; Mark 14:1-32; Luke 22:1-39:
[Supplemental Session 21: Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17)]
1] And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
2] Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
• Jesus predicted His suffering and death several times but his disciples didn’t get it.
• The women did, but not the guys.
This is the last time. “Betrayed”: We see that happening in this chapter (v. 14-16).
• This was planned before the foundation of the world.
3] Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
“...palace of the high priest”: (What is a priest doing with a palace?)
“Caiaphas”: Was a Roman appointee. (Annas was actually the Aaronic heir to that role, but Romans had entrenched the politics of that day.)
• Caiaphas is the power figure on the Jewish side.
• The Passover was one of the three feasts which was required for every able-bodied male to celebrate it in Jerusalem.
• So Jerusalem at this time would be crowded with strangers, tourists from all over. [This was not the time they had planned to take Him!]
4] And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
5] But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
• They did not plan to take Jesus on this holiday!
• There would be over 1 million tourists and they did not want tot have an uproar with the Romans.
Deuteronomy 16:16
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
• Study the Jewish Calender.
6] Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, Bethany had the unique distinction of being within a Sabbath-day’s journey from Jerusalem. It appears to be Jesus’ favorite place to stay.
• This feast at Bethany took place “six days before the Passover” (John 12:1) in the house of Simon the leper whom Jesus healed.
• Apparently he had been healed by the Lord Jesus.
• There were at least seventeen people at this dinner: Simon, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Jesus, and the 12 Apostles.
• True to her character as the “doer” in the family, Martha did the serving
(Luke 10:38–42).
• The three key persons in this event are Mary, Judas, and Jesus.
7] There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment,
and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
• Only John identifies this woman as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus.
• She is found only three times in the Gospels, and in each instance she is at the feet of Jesus.
– She sat at His feet and listened to the Word (Luke 10:38-42)
– She came to His feet in sorrow after the death of Lazarus (John 11:28-32)
– She worshiped at His feet when she anointed Him with the ointment (John 12:1).
• Mary was a deeply spiritual woman. She found at His feet her blessing, she brought to His feet her burdens, and she gave at His feet her best.
“Ointment”
• This ointment was probably bought for a years salary.
• This would presumably be myrrh (remember the three gifts that the wise men brought Jesus at His birth. This particular ointment could have been sold for 300 denari (a denari was a minimum day’s wage; therefore basically 300, a man day’s of labor), this was very expensive stuff.
• This gift to Him makes us realize that she understood His prediction.
• Somehow she assembled this enormous amount of savings to buy this unique and symbolic gift.
• Here it notes that she anointed His head, in John it notes His feet; this is not contradictory, she did both.
• Matthew is emphasizing the Lord’s Kingship, so it’s His head
• While John is emphasizing the Lord’s deity, so he emphasizes the fact that she anointed His feet. These are complementary insights.
8] But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
• From John we learn that it was Judas who was raising such a fuss. John 12:4.
9] For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
• This was Judas instigating.
Gifts at His Birth:
• Not necessarily all mentioned. These mentioned because they are prophetic:
Gold - Speaks of deity
Frankincense - Speaks of priesthood (mixed into the shewbread by the priests)
Myrrh – When crushed, is an ointment for burial.
• Prophet, Priest, and King.
In the millennium, we find from Isaiah, that he is given gifts: gold and frankincense (but no myrrh because His death is behind Him). Isaiah 60:6.
10] When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
“...good” should be translated “beautiful.”
• She is worshiping Her Lord. Her mind is on Him and she lavished all that she had on Him.
• A woman’s hair is her glory (1 Corinthians 11:15).
• She surrendered her glory to the Lord and worshiped Him with the precious gift that she brought. It was an act of love and devotion that brought fragrance to the whole house.
11] For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
12] For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Jesus explains to the disciples why Mary anointed Him.
Mary Was Always Misunderstood (3 times):
• Her sister Martha misunderstood her when Mary sat at Jesus’ feet to hear Him teach the Word (Luke 10:38-42).
• Judas and the other disciples misunderstood her when she anointed Jesus (Matthew 26:8,9).
• Her friends and neighbors misunderstood her when she came out of the house to meet Jesus after Lazarus had been buried (John 11:28-31).
• When we give Jesus Christ first place in our lives, we can expect to be misunderstood and criticized by those who claim to follow Him.
13] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Song of Solomon 1:2-3
The Shulamite
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth. For your love is better than wine.
3 Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you.
• Because she had listened to His word, Mary knew that soon Jesus would die and be buried. She apparently knew that His body would not need the traditional care given to the dead because His body would not see corruption (Psalms 16:10; Acts 2:22-28). Instead of anointing His body after His death, she did so before His death. It was an act of faith and love. Nothing given to Jesus in love is ever wasted.
14] Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
“Iscariot” means “ish” (man) “carioth” (city in Judea).
• Judas was the the only one of the twelve that was not a Galilean, he was a Judean.
15] And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Exodus 3:
• The price of a servant was 30 pieces of silver. See also Matthew 27:3-4; Zechariah 11:12-13.
Thirty silver coins were the redemption price paid for a slave (Exodus 21:32.)
Silver symbolizes blood. Cf. The tabernacle, the redemption shekel, et al...
16] And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
• The leaders are trying to find a way to take Jesus quietly to avoid a big public uproar.
• They did not plan on taking him that night.
• Back in Zechariah 5 centuries earlier, it was prophesied.
Zechariah 11:12,13
And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
The Passover:
The Passover is prophetic.
• The Akedah at Golgatha (Genesis 22:7): “God will provide Himself a lamb.”
• This is found in John’s Introduction (2 times):
– “Behold the Lamb that taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, 36).
• John was speaking of a Passover Lamb.
• Anticipatory Symbolisms: Leaven, not a bone broken, et al…
• Timing (Genesis 8:4).
• He will leave the tomb on the Anniversary of Noah’s “New Beginning”.
• On the 17th day of the 7th month, they leave the Ark the first calendar.
17] Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
• This is an 8 day celebration.
18] And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
• The man may have been the father of John Mark.
• The undertones seem to imply a password, a prearranged setting. Peter and John would have had to secure the bread and bitter herbs, as well as the wine, for the feast.
• They would have had to find a perfect lamb, and then have had the lamb slain in the court of the temple and the blood put on the altar.
• The lamb would be roasted whole, and then the feast would be ready.
19] And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the Passover.
• The 14th of Nisan is when Passover is celebrated. The day starts at sundown. When is Jesus crucified? “Between the two evenings” (Exodus 12:6), meaning the next afternoon before sundown.
• In Exodus 12 it lays out the Passover commitments, also noting the change of the Hebrew calendar.
[Noah leaves the ark on the 17th day of the 7th month. When the 7th month becomes the first month, which means that Noah exited the ark on the same month that is now called “Nisan.” Jesus was crucified on the 14th of Nisan, He was resurrected three days later on the 17th of Nisan, the anniversary of Noah’s exit from the ark!]
(For an in-depth study of the Jewish Feasts, see The Feasts of Israel briefing package.)
20] Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
21] And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22] And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
23] And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
• The way that it was set up was relaxed. They all share the dip together.
24] The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
• Jesus notes that His death and betrayal were prophesied. Yet that does not release Judas from his sin (Psalms 49; Psalms 41; Ps 69).
This is a complicated issue: couldn’t Judas argue that it was his destiny to betray Jesus? Was Judas accountable? Yes. Cf. Matthew 18:7; Luke 17:1.
25] Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto
him, Thou hast said.
• Notice that Judas does not call Him Lord, both here and in the garden later.
• Judas was not prepared to do this now, but after the Passover.
Time Dimension Paradox Fate vs. Free Will:
• From the divine point of view, from outside the Time Dimension, Judas’ treachery was predicted in Scripture and was included in the plan of God.
• From the human point of view, from within the Time Dimension, Judas was guilty of a base crime and was completely responsible for what he did.
• Matthew 26:24 presents both the human and the divine sides of this event.
• Divine sovereignty and human responsibility are not in conflict, even though we may not be able to understand how they work together to fulfill God’s will.
See Sovereignty of Man briefing package for further discussion.
Who’s in Control Here?
• They said that they would not do this on a feast day “Not on a feast day?” Matthew 26:5
• They did it on a feast day.
• This is the biggest crime of them all! It was done on their most Holy Day!
– This feast day was 1 of 3 that were compulsory
(Deuteronomy 16:16 ...Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles;...).
• Judas now had to “fish or cut bait”
• Arrangements needed to made:
– He had to get with the High Priest to make the arrangements.
– They had to muster the troops.
– Then they had to make a morning appointment with Pilate, etc.
26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
• At this point we infer that Judas leaves before Jesus breaks the bread (John 13:30).
• They are used to saying “the body,” referring to the Passover Lamb, but Jesus is saying this is “my” body. (1 Corinthians 11:23–34)
27] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
• Grape juice or wine?
• It was too early in the season for unfermented grapes.
28] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
“...New Testament” is a New Covenant.
• The Lord’s Supper reminds us to look ahead for Christ’s return.
• We will observe this supper until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).
• The Passover pointed ahead to the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29).
The Lord’s Supper announces that this great work has been accomplished.
Bread and Wine:
• Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18).
• Joseph’s Prophetic Interpretations:
– The Wine Steward (Genesis 40:10)
– The Baker (Genesis 40:16).
• Bread of Life (Jn 6:35f).
• Wine at Cana (Jn 2:6f).
Exodus 6:6, 7
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
The Four “I Wills”:
• I will Bring you out
• I will Rid you out
• I will Redeem you
• I will Take you to me
Four Cups of Passover: Exodus 6:6,7
• The 1st cup of the Bringing Out.
• The 2nd cup of the Delivery.
• The 3rd cup of Redemption or Blessing.
• The 4th cup of the Taking Out.
— It is the third cup, the cup of blessing (1 Corinthians 10:16). that Jesus does this with. This Passover is unfinished. Note verse 29: This will be finished at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
29] But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
• Note that for Jesus this leaves this Passover unfinished, as He stops with the third cup. • The fourth cup will occur at the Marriage supper of the Lamb.
The Lord’s supper links Jesus’ two comings (1 Corinthians 11:26).
The upper room : Cf. John 14, 15, 16, 17.
30] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
• Right at the base of the Mount of Olives today there are Olive groves.
• It is believed that these trees are from the same root system that very likely was Gethsemane.
(On the way to the Mount of Olives...they probably get there about verse 36.)
31] Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
Quoting from Zechariah 13:7.
32] But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
• The disciples must be confused.
• They don’t even realize that He is going to die, now He talks of being raised up.
• Mary was the only one that we have any evidence of that she understood that He was to die.
Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
33] Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of
thee, yet will I never be offended.
• We are all going to stumble.
• Failure is always in our “strong suit!”
34] Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow,
thou shalt deny me thrice.
35] Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
• They all ran away.
Mark 14 The Last Seder:
1] After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
2] But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.
3] And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
4] And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5] For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence (a years salary), and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
• This incident is not be confused with a similar encounter in the home of Simon the Pharisee, where the unnamed woman expressed her love for the forgiveness of her many sins. This incident, in the house of Simon the (healed) leper, is preparation for a funeral.
6] And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7] For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8] She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
10] And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
11] And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
12] And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?
13] And he sendeth forth two of his disciples (Peter and John), and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man (John Marks father?) bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.
14] And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
15] And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
16] And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
• Some scholars suspect that this was the home of John Mark himself
— a center for fellowship in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12).
The man, distinctive for bearing a pitcher, may have been Mark’s father.
17] And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
18] And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
19] And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
20] And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
[In this interval insert the washing of the disciples feet (John 13:1-20). Jesus included Judas.]
• Judas was sitting in the place of honor: at the Lord’s left; John was reclining to His right (John 13:23).
• Confronted, he quickly left to improvise any available arrangements.
21] The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
• Judas was neither a martyr nor a robot.
• Judas was totally responsible for his actions, despite the fact a message from outside the dimensional restrictions of the time dimension had predicted it
Psalm 41:9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.
• Judas was lost for the same reason that millions are today: he did not repent of his sins and believe on Jesus Christ (John 6:64-71; 13:10-11).
Ahithophel:
• At Absalom’s revolt Ahithophel deserted David (Psalms 41:9; 55:12-14) and espoused the cause of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12).
• David sent his old friend Hushai back to Absalom, in order that he might counteract the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31-37).
• This end was so far gained that Ahithophel saw he had no longer any influence, and accordingly he at once left the camp of Absalom and returned to Giloh, his native place, where, after arranging his worldly affairs, he hanged himself, and was buried in the sepulchre of his fathers (2 Samuel 17:1-2).
• He was a type of Judas (Psalms 41:9).
• His hatred of David is more understandable when one realizes that Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather! (2 Samuel 23:34; 11:3).
22] And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
23] And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
24] And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
“This do in remembrance (in memory of) me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
• Present participation in a past (and future!) event. A New “testament” or Covenant, having fulfilled the old (Hebrews 9-10).
25] Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
26] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
27] And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
28] But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29] But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
30] And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
31] But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
32] And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray…
Luke 22 The Last Seder:
• It is ironic that history’s greatest crime was perpetrated during Israel’s holiest festival.
1] Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2] And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
3] Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4] And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5] And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6] And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
7] Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
8] And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we
may eat.
• Psalm 41:9; 55:12-14; (Also, Psalm 69:25 & 109:8 with Acts 1:15-20).
• Jesus had predicted this (Matthew 17:22; 20:18).
[Luke, as a Gentile, is not precise concerning the Jewish holidays. The Passover Lamb is killed “between the evenings” on the 14th of Nisan.]
• The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the 15th.
• The Feast of First Fruits is always on the following Sunday (“the morning after the Sabbath after Passover.”)
9] And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
10] And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
• This seems to be an undercover sign: men rarely carried pitchers of water; this was a woman’s task.
11] And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
12] And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
13] And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
14] And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
• This would include an approved lamb that was roasted, appropriate wine, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs, designed to commemorating their bondage in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-28).
15] And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16] For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18] For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19] And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20] Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
• The Mishna alludes to the mixing of warm water with the wine: (Mishna, Pes. VII 13; John 19:34).
21] But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22] And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
23] And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
24] And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25] And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them;
and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26] But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger;
and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27] For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that
sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
28] Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
29] And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
30] That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging
the twelve tribes of Israel.
31] And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that
he may sift you as wheat:
• “You” is in the plural. Satan desired to have them all to sift as wheat.
• This was both a warning and an encouragement.
32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted,
strengthen thy brethren.
“Converted” means turned around;
• He was already a saved man, but would soon head in the wrong direction
• He didn’t jeopardize his salvation, only his discipleship.
Careful: we always fail in the point of our greatest strength:
Abraham’s faith: He lied about Sarah (Genesis 12:10-13:4).
Moses’ meekness (Numbers 12:3), yet he lost his temper and thus was denied entrance into Canaan (Numbers 20).
33] And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
34] And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
35] And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36] Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
• Things are going to get rough. Self-reliance is important. Self-defense is also an issue.
37] For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38] And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
39] And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
*
The Gospel of Matthew Session 21 Upper Room Discourse John 13 - 17:
http://welcome.pokrov.com/en/video/viewvideo/642/obuchenie/chuck-missler-the-gospel-of-matthew-session-21-john-13-17
Christ’s Major Discourses
1) Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7
– The Manifesto of the Kingdom.
2) Mystery Parables Discourse Matthew 13
– The direction that the Kingdom of heaven will take after Christ’s rejection.
3) Olivet Discourse Matthew 24-25
– Prophetic, (yet distinct from Luke 21).
4) Upper Room Farewell Address John 13-18
– New relationships in view of Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession.
John 13 Upper Room Discourse:
Alone with His own. He was facing sacrificial death, yet His concern was for His disciples! This discourse is the seed plot of all grace teaching.
1] Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2] And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
“Supper being ended”:
The Passover Supper included four “cups.”
The First Cup, “Bringing Out”
The Second Cup, “Delivering”
The Third Cup, “Redemption,” or “Blessing”
[which ended this one]
The Fourth Cup (1 Corinthians 10:16), “Taking Out.”
3] Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he
was come from God, and went to God;
4] He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded
himself.
5] After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet,
and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
• He removed the outer garment (himatia); but was still wearing a tunic (chiton); this was a normal costume for a servant (Luke 22:27).
• A slave of Jewish birth could not be forced to wash feet. Doulos: is translated bondslave (Exodus 21:2-5, 6); cf. kenosis (Philippians 2:5; 11:7,8)
“Wash”: Leloumenos, bathing the entire body (Acts 9:37; 2 Peter 2:22).
Nipsasthai, cleaning a particular soiled area; hands, etc. (Matthew 6:17).
The Bible speaks of being “washed” two different ways:
• Washed “once and for all” (Hebrews 10)
• Washed “daily” (See: 1 John 1:7-10)
• Washing with the Blood: God ward (Leviticus 16: atonement)
Sacrificial cleansing.
• Washing with the Water: (of the Word of God): saint ward
(Numbers 19: water of purification).
• At the Cross: both came out (John 19:34):
– First bath of regeneration, (Titus 3:5).
Relationship; position; guilt.
Once and for all (Hebrews 10:1-12).
– Daily washing: defilement (1 John 1:9).
Water = Word (Psalms 119:9; Ephesians 5:25,26).
Feet speak of our walk (Philippians 2:5-11).
Book of remembrance (Malachi 3:16).
6] Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7] Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8] Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
“I wash thee”: You can’t wash your own feet...
[Doctrinal practice: Roman Catholics; Dunkards; Freewill Baptists, and Moravians.]
9] Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10] Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11] For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12] So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13] Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14] If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
• Never do we find apostles addressing Him as “Jesus” while he was with them on the earth: He exhorted them to call him “Lord” (Matthew 9:28; Luke 19:31; Matthew 26:18). Disciples call him “Lord”: Matthew 14:28; Luke 9:54; Matthew 26:22; Luke 24:33, 34; John 14:5; 21:7.
(“Jesus” in narratives: written by the Holy Spirit!)
Who did call him “Jesus”:
• His Enemies (Matthew 26:71)
• Demons (Mark 1:23,24)
15] For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
• Hathos: example; not an ordinance. There is no reference in any epistle; no evidence prior to the 4th century. Linked to the custom of wearing sandals...
16] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
• Two of seven “double verilies” spoken in this Upper Room spoken in context of this foot washing.
Foot Washing:
1) Example of humility John 13:14
2) Rebuke to pride Luke 22:24-27
3) Picture of our daily cleansing John 13:10
4) Warning to Judas Iscariot John 13:18
5) Picture of His humiliation Philippians 2:5-11
6) Reminder of His union and communion with the believer John 13:8
17] If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
18] I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may
be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
• David was betrayed by Ahithophel (Psalms 41:9). (“...in whom I trusted” omitted);
Jesus had warned them a year earlier (John 6:70,71).
• “Lifted up his heel”: Metaphor of a sudden kick of a mule or a horse.
They were reclining on mats around a 12-inch-high table. John was seated to his right;
Judas to his left.
• John: Is spoken of 5 times “whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). Judas was seated on his left; the place reserved for an honored guest (hence, classical art: right vs. left; dexter vs. sinister; gauche; etc. Cf. Rodin: Hand of God; Cathedral, etc.).
19] Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that
I am he.
20] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
• Honor Him as the Father (John 5:23).
• Jesus is turning their attention away from the traitor to their Master. [The room was supplied with water and a towel: why had they not used them already? (Lk 22:24-27).] Nicolaitanism; cf. 3 John 9...
21] When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22] Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23] Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24] Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
• Peter’s “distance”: Uses John as intermediary; vv. 6, 8, 37 (fellowship?).
In Matthew 26:38 it says he followed “afar off.”
25] He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26] Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27] And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28] Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29] For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30] He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
“It was night”: Indeed. For Judas it still is night…
Gossip: The most painful sin of all: Gossip is also a form of betrayal! (Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 11:13; 18:8; 20:19; 26:20; 26:21; 26:22).
31] Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32] If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
Glorified:
1) Greatest event in the universe.
2) Reversed the conduct of the first man.
3) Through death destroyed him who had the power of death: the Devil (Hebrews 2:14).
4) Purchased for Himself the entire elect of God.
What held Him to the Cross?
Not the nails: the strength of His love.
5) There is now a glorified man at God’s right hand (John 17:22; Philippians 2:9-11).
33] Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
Teknia, is the Greek word for “little children”: Diminutive of tekna. The only occurrence in Gospel of John; used frequently in his first epistle...
34] A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
New commandment? vs. Leviticus 19:18 vs. “Royal Law, (James 2:8).
• Agapao vs. phileo, storge, eros. Read 1 Corinthians 13, but substitute names.
Commentary (1 John 2:7ff). [For more information, see The Way of Agape.]
36] Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37] Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38] Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
“Not I” (Mark 14:29).
• Did he mean it?
• A moment’s weakness and lifetime’s regret.
– Peter was courageous:
– He was at the Transfiguration
– He walked on water;
– He drew his sword in the Garden...
His Lesson:
• Peter failed in his strongest suit.
Our Lesson: Have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3).
John Chapter 14 The Harpazo:
1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
• Who’s comforting who?!
He’s the one facing tomorrow...He must tread the winepress alone.
“Heart”: Cardia, seat of life (moral, intellectual, volitional, emotional aspects. Jesus had spoken about soul, spirit, heart (John 12:27; 13:21; 14:27).
“Believe”: Pisteuete, indicative (fact) or imperative (command)? Most commentators lean to the imperative usage. A troubled heart could eat away at faith; faith can calm a troubled heart...faith is the key to overcoming (1 John 5:4).
Socratic Method:
Questions, focusing on the needs of the student.
2] In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
“...my Fathers house”: Jesus often referred to the Temple as His Father’s house; here He means His Father’s (real) house...Heaven.
• He “disowned” the temple in Matthew 23:38. “Mansions,” monai: Used only 2 times
(14:2, 23). A dwelling or an abode (cf. Isa 26:19ff).
Four Questions:
Question #1 Lord, Where Are You Going? (Matthew 14:1):
The Blessed Hope
1) In my Fathers house there are many mansions:
– Jesus is preparing a place for us
– He will return for us
– We will be where He is. Forever!
2) He will return for us: [the “Harpazo”]
• The phrase “come again” is used four times:
– The Rapture John 14:3
– Spiritual presence: John 14:18
– Indwelling the Believer: John 14:23
– Post-resurrection ministry: John 14:28
3) A new thing: a man is on the “Throne Room” of the universe in heaven!
This was a planned event - Before the foundation of the world.
– Redemption of the purchased possession, in heaven, by better sacrifices
Hebrews 9:23-24 NKJV Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
Ephesians 1:4-5 NKJV just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will; Colossians 1:19-23 NKJV For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
The Jewish Wedding:
• The Ketubah, Betrothal (Isaiah 61:10; Judges 14:10-11; Jeremiah 2:32; Isaiah 49:18;
Psalms 45:8-15):
– Payment of the purchase price for the Bride.
– She is then set apart (sanctified).
This is a binding relationship
• The Bridegroom departs to Father’s House:
– He prepares a room in addition.
– The Bride prepares for his imminent return.
• There is a surprise gathering (Jeremiah 7:34; 16:9; 25:10; Psalms 45:8-15; Matthew 25:1-13):
– Huppah, Wedding.
• Then there was a seven-day Marriage supper (Judges 14:12; Matthew 9:15; 22:11-14; John 2:1).
The Marriage Fulfilled:
• The Covenant was established with us: 1 Corinthians 11:25.
• The purchase price was Jesus: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
• The Bride was to be set apart: Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:11; Hebrews 10:10; 13:12.
• Reminded of the covenant: 1 Corinthians 11:25-26.
• The Bridegroom has left for the Father’s house…
• He has an escort to accompany Him upon His return to gather His Bride (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5] Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Question #2 How Can We Know the Way? (Matthew 14:5-7):
6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
The Way:
• hodos: road, highway.
• The highway to heaven mentioned (7 times: John 14:6; Acts 9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22)
• This phrase speaks of the exclusiveness of Christ (Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Timothy 2:6).
• Also in Gethsemane, 3 times He going to pray, if there be any other way...
• [The word “Zodiac” is from the Sanskrit sodi which means “the way”]
• The Mazzeroth speaks of the plan of God, Psalms 19 opens that door.
See our briefing package, Signs in the Heavens.
Proverbs 14:12: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 4:19: The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
The Truth:
• “Truth”: The Spirit of (the) Truth had not yet been given : John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10,11.
• Pilate: “What is truth?”: John 18:38; Ephesians 4:18; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 3:11; Colossians 2:3.
The Life:
• Prodigal Son: “was dead, and is alive again” Luke 15:24; John 3:36; 5:24
• Adam, before sin, enjoyed communion with his Maker; he knew Him; and he possessed spiritual life.
— In “the day thou eatest...”
Adam had a threefold need:
• Reconciliation
• Illumination
• Regeneration.
8] Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
“Believe,” Pisteuete, plural verb: Philip’s request reflected the other disciples’ thoughts.
Question #3 Show Us the Father (Matthew 14:8-21):
1) The Father Revealed Through Jesus’ Words and Works (14:9-11);
2) The Father Revealed Through Believers (14:12-15);
3) The Father Revealed Through the Indwelling Spirit (14:16-21).
• In the context of answers to prayer, He reveals the greatest thing for which we may ask: • The presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
It was only after the coming of the Holy Spirit that the apostles’ faith was established, power communicated, and love purified and deepened.
12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
“Works”: Erga, used in this gospel and never refers to miracles; but
messianic works. (Second “works” not in original?)
Meizona (greater) works refer to quantity, not quality: Conversion of
greater numbers of sinners, the greatest work in the world. “I go to my
Father”: Isa 53:10.
13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
“...in my name”: On the basis of His credibility. What comfort! “Believe
in me.”
14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15] If ye love me, keep my commandments.
“...keep my commandments”: Teresete, future active verb. Love that expresses itself in obedience. The One who wrote the commandments upon the tables of stone is none other than the One who died on the cross.
16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
“Comforter”: Parakleton, “one summoned along side to help.; to strengthen by companionship
“...another”: Two Greek words for “another”;
allon means, the same kind vs. heteron mrans, a different kind (cf. Acts 7:18...)
17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
“...was “with” you”: Par humin = by your side;
Shall then be “in” you, epe.
“Whom the world cannot receive”: 1 John 2:16; 5:19; 1 Corinthians 2:14.
• Don’t expect the world to see what we “see.”
• When Jesus arose from the dead, it was the “Feast of First Fruits” it’s the morning after Shabbat after Passover.
• Acts 2 Holy Spirit
How Is It Possible For The Holy Spirit To Dwell Where Sin Is Still Present?:
• On the grounds of atoning blood Leviticus 16:16 NKJV So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
The Blood;
Leviticus 8:24 NKJV Then he brought Aaron’s sons. And Moses put some of the blood on the tips of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. And Moses sprinkled the blood all around on the altar.
Leviticus 14:14,17 NKJV The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.
“Oil” Is placed on the blood;
Leviticus 8:30 NKJV Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him; and he consecrated Aaron, his garments, his sons, and the garments of his sons with him.
18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
• I will not leave you orphanous, is a Greek word, as fatherless orphans; comfortless.
[For more information on the Believer being the “Temple of the Holy Spirit, see the book and tape study, The Way of Agape: Chuck & Nancy Missler A More Excellent Way Part 1 of 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s45FORlapT8
and the briefing package,...Architecture of Man:
Dr Chuck Missler Message About The Architecture Of Man Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlsgeDG9ImA ]
19] Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
• After His resurrection He appeared unto none but His own.
20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
• Explained in John Chapter 15: vine + branches. “That day” is Pentecost.
22] Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
• This Judas is sometimes called Thaddaeus, or Lebbaeus.
• This is the only mention of this Judas in the New Testament. This is not Judas Iscariot.
23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24] He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
Question #4 How Can You Manifest Yourself to Us and Not to the World? (Matthew 14:22-31):
“How is it that”: Ti gegonen hoti, this is an expression of surprise.
There are three ways:
1) By Fellowship 14:23
We are the Temple, not only of the Holy Spirit, but also of the Father and the Son. I am in Christ! (Eph 2:6); Christ is in me! (Gal 2:20). Faith does not destroy necessity for obedience; Readiness does not eliminate performance (2 Cor 8:11).
2) By the Indwelling Spirit 14:24,25
“He will teach you all things”:
The Job Description of the Holy Spirit and Christ’s pre-authentication of the New Testament.
3) By Inner Peace 14:26, 27
– Judicial vs. experiential
– reconciliation vs. alienation
– tranquility vs. tumult
“Peace”:
This is not shalom, but eirenen;
• A spiritual peace that only Christ can give:
Peace with God (Romans 5:1); peace of God (Philippians 4:7).
• The Trinity is evident here: Equal in nature, separate in person, subservient in duties.
25] These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
• The job description of the Holy Spirit…
27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
• Judicial vs. experiential peace
• Reconciliation vs. alienation
• Tranquility vs. tumult
John 14:28] Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29] And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30] Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
• The enmity of the Serpent is being readied to vent on the Seed of the Woman.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed;
....He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.....
31] But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
“Arise...”: Did they leave the upper room?
Not necessarily.
• “Let us go”: Is very similar to the word agomen, when armies are getting ready to go into battle to meet certain death;
• This is a motivational charge.
Did they linger?
Or did they go to an intermediate places?
In John 18:1, it reads they “crossed into the Garden...”
John 15 Vine and Branches:
In Chapter 14 we had the presentation of His Grace.
In Chapter 15, we see what our responsibility is to that Grace.
[Note: (this) to intimate believers only!]
Chapter 15 is commonly known as the “Vine and Branches” chapter.
In Chapter 15 we will explore the following relationships:
With Christ 15:1-11
With each other 15:12-17
With the world 15:18-16:4.
1] I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
• Jesus proclaims his seventh “I AM” statement.
True light, John 1:9;
True bread, John 6:32;
(true tabernacle), Hebrews 8:2, 5.
[“Vine”: The national symbol of Israel; golden vine on Temple Gate; symbol on Maccabean coins (Psalms 80:8; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15; 19:10; Hosea10:1).]
“True”: Alethine, distinguishing His reality and genuineness from that which is false and unreal... implying there is a false vine.
• A vine that is cared for and carefully pruned by the husbandman will consistently bear fruit.
The Father is the husbandman (Isaiah 53:2): Protecting care, watchfulness, and faithfulness.
“Taketh away”? John 15:2:
1) The true believer apostatizing?
Arminians: The Christian who does not abide in Christ loses his salvation;
This seems to be refuted by John 4:14; 10:28; 18:9; Romans 5:9-10; 8:35-39.
2) Eternal security position: A mere professor, never truly united to Christ; but were they branches?
• In verse 5, Jesus said; you are the branches...he that abides....“in me”...
“Taketh away”?
3) This involves fruit bearing, not salvation 2 Peter 1:5-7, 8; Titus 3:14.
Fruitful Growth in the Faith:
2 Peter 1:5-7
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
Shortsightedness in the Faith:
2 Peter 1:9-11 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
• Stumble, 4417 occurs 5 times in the Greek
Romans 11:11
NAS: then, they did not stumble so
KJV: Have they stumbled that
INT: then not Did they stumble that they might fall
James 2:10
NAS: and yet stumbles in one
KJV: law, and yet offend in one
INT: law shall keep shall stumble but in
James 3:2
NAS: For we all stumble in many [ways]. If
KJV: in many things we offend all.
INT: much indeed we stumble all If
James 3:2
NAS: anyone does not stumble in what he says,
KJV: all. If any man offend not in
INT: word not stumble this one [is] a perfect
2 Peter 1:10
NAS: these things, you will never stumble;
INT: never not shall you stumble at any time
• The Greek word ptaisete, is shall you stumble.
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's Greek 4417: To stumble, fall, sin, err, transgress. A form of pipto; to trip, i.e. to err, sin, fail.
4) The word Airei, which is “taketh away”
Is the root word from which we get the word “resurrection”: “to take up,” “lift up”
https://biblehub.com/greek/142.htm
Compare Luke 17:13; Acts 4:24; John 11:41; Revelation 10:5.
Fruit bearing: The vinedresser does not necessarily cut away a vine, unless it’s dead but gently lifts it up to the sun so that it has an opportunity to bear fruit.
• It’s not judgment but encouragement that is referenced here;
Daniel 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
• That’s the real point here, abiding cannot come without obedience.
5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
• “Abide, is the Greek word ”meinate:”
• Meaning “To remain” or “stay.”
• Don’t confuse this with the phrase “to be in Christ,” which is a position by new birth (2 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 2:10) with “abiding in Christ,” (vigilance, obedience, etc. John 6:56).
Abiding cannot come without obedience.
• Our entire dependency should be upon Him and Him only.
• The secret of fruitfulness is found in abiding (or remaining) in the True Vine; not in the effort of the branches (trying) to produce grapes (1 John 3:24).
• Apart from its attachment to the vine, the branch is totally useless.
• (The wood of the vine is of such inferior quality, it was not even permitted to be burned on the temple altar.)
“I am the vine, ye are the branches”: Menorah: 1 + 6 = 7.
“Without me ye can do nothing”: It is not a question of our sufficiency: It’s His!
The branches just bear the grapes; it doesn’t produce them.
• Can you sever this union?
Romans 8:38-39 NKJV
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The fellowship, yes. The union, no!
6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7] If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
“...cast forth”: “a” man, singular, ends with “they” are burned, plural = rewards being lost
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NKJV Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Romans 14:10 NKJV But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
The Life Of LOT:
Lot is a key example: 2 Peter 2:7, vs. Genesis 13.
2 Peter 2:6-8
6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)
Genesis 13:8-13 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” 10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.
Various Views:
1) Loss of salvation?
2) Presumption; profession without salvation.
3) Believer losing his reward.
4) Premature death of the non-abider; stripped of gifts (Matthew 5:13; Luke 8:18; 2 John 8).
– Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5:1-11
– Sin at the Lord’s table 1 Corinthians 11:28-30
– Sin unto death 1 John 5:16
9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
“If ye keep my commandments”: Obedience (cf. John 14:15).
The result of a fruitful life is in a sense of personal fulfillment. “under the law to Christ”
1 Corinthians 9:21; “love is the fulfilling of the law” Romans 13:10 (See also John 13:34;
14:15; 15:10; Matthew 28:20.)
Obedience is always the love response; as His was (is).
11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that
your joy might be full.
12] This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
• The nobility of the true patriot/soldier.
14] Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
• Abraham was known as the “Friend of God” (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23): • In Genesis 18:17, Abraham also received a prophetic insight.
• Friendship is associated with being on the inside.
• Daniel was the Old Testament “Beloved prophet”
[Compare with Daniel and John, both called “the Beloved”; both wrote apocalyptic books in the Bible and were given prophetic insights of the “last days.”]
15] Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
• Christ will never forsake His “friends”!
16] Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should
go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17] These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
• Hours before His arrest and crucifixion: a solemn warning. “Hatred” is used seven times. “The world will hate you.”
19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
• No longer “of” the world ; but “out of.”
“The world” = Is mentioned 5 times.
We are “not of this world” (John 8:23).
Sovereign election: Synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:28, 29); Isaiah 61:1,2;
• Elijah and the widow of Zarephath;
• Elisha and Naaman, the Syrian.
• It was the religious world which was enraged by Christ!
The call to separation: Philippians 3:10; 2 Timothy 3:12; Matthew 5:10,12.
21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22] If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
23] He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24] If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25] But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
“Hated without a cause”: Psalms 35:19; 69:4.
Our natural state is that we are “haters of God” (Romans 1:30).
The written Word testified against Israel.
26] But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even
the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27] And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
• Eternal procession of the Spirit. Para tou patros ekporeuetai: “From beside the Father.”
• Equal in nature; separate in person; submissive in duties.
John 16 What to Expect:
1] These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2] They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3] And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
• This is the fulfillment of the previous verses:
1] The persecution always comes from the religious world. It comes from within.
• Opposition comes (apparently) in the name of God;
• blind zeal for God...to be scattered (Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31).
2] The professing Church has boasted that it would convert the world.
• The world has converted the “professing church.” (Proverbs 29:27; Amos 5:10.)
• The persecution of Christ’s people will come from the religious world.
4] But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5] But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6] But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7] Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
“When he is come”: This is a masculine pronoun (three genders in Greek).
Normally pronoun agrees with the gender of the noun it is replacing. The word “spirit” is neuter; the masculine pronoun emphasizes the personhood of the Holy Spirit. (In other places, the neuter pronoun is used in keeping with the correct grammar.) Cf. 2 Thessalonians 2... They did far more for an absent Lord than they ever did while He was with them in the flesh. Taking the place of an absent Christ, the guilt of the world is demonstrated. “...reprove the world of sin”: Elegxei, convict; to refute an adversary completely; to demonstrate guilt so the truth of the charge will be acknowledged.
Objective condemnation, not subjective realization.
9] Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10] Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11] Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
“...of sin”: Peri, (“of”?) “in respect to, concerning.”
Harmartias, missing the mark.
• The general area in which all miss the mark: Is unbelief (16:9).
• Christ is the standard of righteousness (2 Corinthians 1:30).
• Hupago, I am going: emphasizes personal relationship; separating Himself...progressive revelation.
• Men shall be convicted to judgment because Satan has been judged.
• Kekritai, judged, is a perfect passive indicative form of the verb “to judge.”
• Completed actions; refers to the cross judgment of Jesus Christ. Nothing awaits the world but judgment.
12] I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Pasan, “all.” Adverb: “completely.” “He will completely lead you into truth.”
• His revealing to the apostles that the New Testament truth was complete, not partial. • The adverb “complete” implies the inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of the New Testament (Psalms 25:5).
• Their lack of understanding demonstrated the need for the Holy Spirit to come.
• “He will not speak of Himself.” (Cf. Abraham and Eleazer, Genesis 24. Boaz and the unnamed servant, Ruth 2).
“Things to come”: The only occurrence in New Testament.
Not only eschatology but doctrines of ecclesiology, pneumatology, etc. Epistles, Acts, etc.
The past (14:26); the present (15:26); the future (16:13).
Jesus’ Letters to Seven Churches: He that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches...
15] All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16] A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17] Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
• The Holy Spirit will glorify Christ; not Himself.
• And not personalities, preachers, the virgin Mary, a church, ordinances, etc.
• Nowhere in the epistles has the Holy Spirit told us anything about the Father which had not previously been revealed in and by the Lord Jesus.
• He has told us many things about the Son, which Jesus uttered not in the day of His humiliation.
“A little while”: Two hours later...Three days later...They lost sight of Him.
• Remember the Emmaus Road (Hebrews 10:37):
• His disciples should have known: Psalms 68:18; 110:1; Isaiah 26; Hosea 5:15!
18] They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19] Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20] Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21] A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
Thlipseos: “anguish” is the usual word for “tribulation” in New Testament.
22] And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23] And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24] Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
• Seventh and final in Upper Room Discourse of “verily, verily.” “...ask the Father in my name”: “Ask” occurs in two verbs: Erotesete, questioning; Aitesete, make a request or demand.
Present tense of ask: continuous asking.
25] These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
Proverbs: Shepherd and sheep (10:1-6); Vine and branches (15:1-8); Woman and labor (16:21).
26] At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27] For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28] I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
29] His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30] Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31] Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
• Disciples’ oidamen (knowledge) falls short of Jesus’ ginosko knowledge.
[As the blind speak of color...]
32] Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
• Jesus’ life began with a declaration of peace (Luke 2:14);
• He here concludes His final message to His disciples before the Cross with a message of peace... “Be of good cheer”: tharseite, only occurrence: elsewhere it is a verb calling for courage in the face of perceived danger.
He overcame the world that Noah condemned (Hebrews 11:7).
John 17 The Holy of Holies of the New Testament:
Where did Chapter 17 take place? “Arise, let us go hence” (John 14:31).
Jesus still in the upper room: John Calvin, A.C. Gaebelein, Henry Alford. En route to Gethsemane: C.I. Scofield, H.A. Ironside, Merrill Tenny, J.C. Ryle, G. Campbell Moran.
Chapter 17 is the longest recorded prayer of our Lord.
Jesus’ Intercession (Hebrews 7:25).
• We’ll be taking a look “behind the veil” at the personal needs and desires of Jesus as he talks to his Father. It is the simplest passage in language, but the most profound in meaning in the New Testament.
The Importance of Prayer:
• During His baptism Luke 3:21
• At the commencement of public ministry Mark 1:35
• The eve of selecting disciples (all night long) Luke 6:12
• At the Transfiguration Luke 9:29
• When He ceased to breathe Luke 23:46
• Our most important work is prayer!
All Factors of Redemption:
• Salvation John 17:2
• Manifestation John 17:6
• Representation John 17:9
• Preservation John 17:12
• Sanctification John 17:17-19
• Identification John 17:21
• Glorification John 17:22
1] These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Father”: Is the Key word vs. “My God,” (Psalms 22:1).
“The Hour is come”: Seventh and last time. Gen 3:15 is now imminent. “Glorify thy son”: Doxason, aorist active imperative of doxazo, only personal petition in this prayer. • His focus is on the Father...that the Father be glorified in the Son (2 Corinthians 5:19).
2] As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
• If you have eternal life, it’s because the Father gave you to the Son.
3] And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Seven Specific Requests:
• The glorification of the Son John 17:1
• The restoration of His original glory John 17:5
• The protection of His disciples (and future believers) John 17:11,15
• Sanctification John 17:17
• Unification John 17:21-23
• Glorification John 17:24
• That the world would know John 17:21
Jesus Status Report:
• The filial relationship with God John 17:1
• His appointed time had arrived John 17:1
• His authority over all flesh is given John 17:2
• He has bestowed eternal life on the Elect as promised John 17:2
• He would bring them to a knowledge of the Father John 17:3
• He had glorified the Father on the earth John 17:4
• He had finished the work given Him to do John 17:4
4] I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Tetelestai “It is finished:” “Paid in Full.” John 19:30
John 17:5] And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which
I had with thee before the world was.
6] I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world:
thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
If a single one of God’s elect were to perish, the glory of the perfect Servant would be tarnished for all eternity.
7] Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8] For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9] I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
• He prays not for the (unbelieving) world.
• The High Priest prays only for His own (cf. Galatians 6:10).
• On the cross He prayed for His enemies.
• However, It is our duty to pray for the world (Romans 10:1; 1 Timothy 2:1).
10] And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11] And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
“Holy Father.” Only occurrence of this title in the Scriptures.
OUR SECURITY RESTS ON GOD THE FATHER:
God’s holiness is the guarantee that He will keep the saints from the evil of the world.
(The responsibility for us now rests with the Father.)
12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
• Two different words for “kept”: eeteroun, from verb tero: “I keep” or preserve; ephulaxa, “I guarded”: Emphasizing sentinel duty over the souls of the Eleven. Of those so given He has lost none. [Judas: Psalms 41, 109].
13] And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
• A miserable Christian is an oxymoron.
14] I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
• Satan is the author; the world is the bait; sin is the hook. [Three of the only prayers not granted to the saints recorded in Scripture are the prayers of Moses, Elijah, and Jonah to be “taken out of the world.”]
16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
• We have a different citizenship, life, and destiny. It is a grievous inconsistency to even seem to be of the world.
Relationship with the World:
• We have a different standing: in Christ, not Adam.
• We have a different nature: born of the spirit, not the flesh.
• We have a different Master: not of the god of this world.
• We have a different aim: to glorify God, not self.
17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
“Sanctify them”: Haiazo: “to consecrate or set apart a person or thing to God.”
• Sanctification by the Father (Jude 1);
By the Son (Hebrews 10:10);
By the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:2). These are all positional and absolute.
• Sanctification by the truth: Practical and progressive. Blood vs. water.
The Word is truth, not contains, truth.
• The Author cannot lie. Shun those who deny any part of God’s truth as you would a deadly plague.
18] As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
• Christ has given us His place: His place of acceptance on High; His place of witness here below.
The Twelve were sent first to Israel (Matthew 10:5-6)
Then to the world...
21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
“That they may be one”: Used 5 times this chapter.
[hen, neuter singular.
Oneness of will and spirit, not a physical union which would require the masculine heis.]
22] And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23] I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
• The Climax. This is the Heart of the heavenly Bridegroom: “...that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.” (Cf. John 14:3; Psalms 139:6)
25] O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
“O Righteous Father”: Christ left the world without His intercession;
• He turned it over to the justice of the Father (Romans 1:19, 20).
• The Father’s righteousness forbids Him to abandon His saints to the evil of the world.
26] And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
27] When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
The Believer “Same as” Christ in John 17:
The believer has:
• The same life as Christ John 17:2
• The same security as Christ John 17:11
• The same separation as Christ John 17:14
• The same sending into the world as Christ John 17:18
• The same union as Christ John 17:21
• The same glory as Christ John 17:22
• The same love as Christ John 17:23
*
The Gospel of Matthew Session 22 Gethsemane and the Jewish Trials (Matthew 26):
Matthew 26:36-75
• Prediction of His suffering and death vv. 1-5
• His anointing at Bethany vv. 6-13
• Judas’ betrayal vv. 14-16
• The Passover meal vv. 17-25
• The institution of the Lord’s supper vv. 26-35
• The Garden of Gethesmane vv. 36-46
• His arrest and accusations vv. 47-68
• The denial of Peter vv. 69-75
The very definition (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) of the Gospel includes the key fact: “that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures.”
• Not just that He died, but that it met all the specifications spelled out over the centuries.
36] Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
• Olive trees are grown for their oil. They would put the olives into a press, something that would crush the olives to squeeze the oil out of them.
• The press was called a “Gethsemane.”
• Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
37] And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
• Jesus took Peter, James and John, and He left eight behind.
• It is hard for us to see Jesus depressed, we see Him as victorious.
• Why is He depressed?
• He understands what His mission is, what is coming, being separated from His Father.
• He was made sin for us, and sin can have no fellowship with the Father!
38] Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39] And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
“...cup”: What cup? The cup of God’s indignation against sin.
• Jesus prayed this intensely three times.
40] And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41] Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
• Perhaps if Peter had been praying, his flesh would not have stumbled later that evening.
Cups “The cup which my Father hath given me.”:
• Is something implicitly distasteful that you are going to have to endure.
• Cup pass from me Matthew 26:39
• Cup of Salvation Psalms 116:3
• Cup of Tribulation Psalms 11:6; Jeremiah 25:15; cf. Psalms 75:8
42] He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43] And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44] And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
• Three times the Lord Jesus Christ begged the Father, if there is any other way for man to be saved, anything but the cross.
• This proves that there is no other way for man to be saved except by the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Because if there was some other way for a man to get access to the throne of God in Heaven, then Jesus Christ’s prayer was not answered and His death was in vain! (Acts 4:12; 13:38, 39).
• His anxiety was so intense that He sweated great drops of blood. (“Dr.” Luke 22:44).
45] Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
“Sleep on now” = “sleeping still.” Not an instruction but rather an observation.
46] Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
47] And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Judas came in first to identify Jesus.
48] Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
49] And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
50] And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
• Friend here is companion.
• Note that he calls Him, Rabbi (Master), not Lord.“Friend” is actually “companion.” Not the same word as calling the disciples “friends” in the Upper Room discourse.
51] And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
“...one of those with Jesus”: We know this to be Peter from John 18:10.
52] Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53] Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
“...legion”: Around 1000; a Roman legion was between 3000-5000.
• 72,000?
• (Remember that one angel slaughtered 185,000 Assyrians one evening after dinner! Cf. 2 Kings 19:35.)
54] But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
55] In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
56] But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
57] And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
58] But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
• Caiaphas is the Jewish leader appointed by Rome.
• This was basically a Jewish issue, but the Gentiles brought Him into Caiaphas’ hands.
• Almost every detail of this trial is illegal according to Jewish laws.
• They were never to be handled at night, yet this whole thing is over before morning.
• Peter is curious, but keeping his distance, yet he is watching what happens.
59] Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
60] But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
• There were many false witnesses, yet they found none. Why? They could never agree.
61] And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
• This was a misquote.
62] And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
63] But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
The Oath:
• The High Priest is putting Him under oath.
• The full wording would be.
“I adjure thee by the living God, in whose office I stand, under whose power we all are, before whom thou also standest, who knowest the truth, and judgeth between us and thee, that thou tell us, this holy Sanhedrin now here as before God, the truth.”
Jesus was required by law to respond (Leviticus 5:1; 1 Kings 22:16).
64] Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
• This is Jesus saying this under oath before God.
65] Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
• This violates Leviticus 21:10, which states that the High Priest must never tear his clothes.
• The High Priest understood that Jesus was claiming to be God.
• The problem with this logic is that it is self-incrimination, which is also in Jewish law that your own testimony could not be used against you.
66] What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
67] Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
68] Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
69] Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
70] But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
71] And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72] And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
73] And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
“bewrayeth thee” = gives you away. The Galileans had a particular dialect.
74] Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
• Can you imagine Peter, how he felt after doing exactly as Jesus had predicted, this was probably the lowest day of his life.
• But the Lord will restore him.
Mark 14:27-72:
27] And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
28] But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29] But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
30] And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
31] But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
• Peter wasn’t paying attention to the lesson.
32] And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33] And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34] And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
• Gethsemane = oil press. Overtaken with horror. Indeed: He knew what was coming.
• For their instruction. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (Philippians 3:10).”
2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Galatians 3:13
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
• He would bear the entire curse of the Law.
35] And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36] And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
• Was it possible? Was there any other way? If so, His prayer wasn’t answered... It wasn’t the physical aspects: it was the realization that this would involve being forsaken by His Father (Mark 15:34; this is the only time He didn’t address Him as “Father”).
37] And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
38] Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
• A lesson in spiritual warfare; the resulting setback that very evening would echo throughout eternity... “Watch and pray”; an often repeated admonition: Nehemiah 4:9; Mark 13:33; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2.
39] And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
40] And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
41] And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
• “Returning the third time, he said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! • The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.’” (NASB) Lessons of Gethsemane: the need for dependent prayer.
Daily prayer.
A call to discipline.
42] Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
43] And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
44] And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
45] And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
46] And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
47] And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
• You don’t fight spiritual battles with physical weapons (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
• If Jesus had not healed Malchus’s ear, there might have been four crosses on Calvary the next evening...
48] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
49] I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
• Jesus gives them a command: “Let these go their way” (John 18:8).
Who’s in charge here?
50] And they all forsook him, and fled.
• Peter, too, would have been better off had he followed instructions. .
51] And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
52] And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
• Some suspect that this was Mark himself; he is the only one recording this detail.
• If the Upper Room was in the home of the father of John Mark, then Judas may have led the soldiers there first.
• John Mark may have hastily put on an outer garment and followed the mob to the garden...
53] And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
54] And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.
55] And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
56] For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
• The first of six legal confrontations
—I won’t dignify them by calling them “trials”: three Jewish and three Roman (Annas, Caiaphas, Sanhedrin; Pilate, Herod, and Pilate again.)
Witnesses: two were required (Deuteronomy 17:6).
57] And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
58] We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
59] But neither so did their witness agree together.
60] And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
Kept silent: Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:23.
61] But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
62] And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
• “Son of Man” is a Messianic title (Daniel 7:13).
63] Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
64] Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
65] And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
66] And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67] And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
68] But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
69] And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70] And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter,
Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
71] But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72] And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
• Before we judge Peter too severely, let’s examine ourselves.
• How many times have we denied the Lord and lost opportunities to share the Gospel with others?
• Do we talk when we should listen?
• Argue when we should obey?
• Sleep when we should pray?
• Fight when we should submit?
• Peter repented and the Lord, after a private meeting with him (Luke 24:34), forgave him publicly (John 21).
Summary:
• Jesus’ death was no accident.
• Jesus’ words at the Last Supper make no sense at all if Jesus was not master of His own death.
• Jesus maintained sovereign, premeditated, and precise mastery.
• A God who is control when the foundations of His own earthly existence are crumbling is a God who can be trusted to sustain us when it appears our life is tumbling in.
Luke 22:40-71
40] And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41] And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42] Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43] And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
History began in a garden .
“...Cup”: Isaiah 51:17, 22; Psalms 73:10; 75:8; Jeremiah 25:15- 28.
43] Luke emphasizes angels in his gospel and Acts.
44] And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
• Dr. Luke’s diagnosis was: Hematidrosis: under great emotional stress, tiny blood vessels rupture in the sweat glands and produce a mixture of blood and sweat.
45] And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46] And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
47] And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
48] But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
49] When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50] And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51] And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
• (Peter...and it seems he missed: he was probably aiming for the middle of his head!)
• Perhaps responding to his boast in the Upper Room (22:33).
• Peter had been sleeping when he should have been praying. Jesus thus saved Peter’s life.
52] Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
53] When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
54] Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house.
• And Peter followed afar off.
• Jesus gives the orders: “If ye seek me, let these go their way.” Luke 22:52 = leaders themselves).
• The Temple police were also present; the same ones that failed previously (John 7:44,45).
55] And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
56] But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
57] And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
• Why was he even there? He was totally unprepared for what follows.
58] And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
59] And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
60] And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
61] And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62] And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
• Jesus’ prophecy was also a promise of restoration...
• This was before Annas, the former high priest, retained this honorary title (John 18:12-13) and who retained great influence in the nation.
• Annas will then send him to Caiaphas, his son-in-law, who was the official high priest (Matthew 26:57). At daybreak, Jesus will be found guilty before the Sanhedrin (vv.66-71).
63] And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.
64] And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
65] And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.
66] And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
67] Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
68] And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
69] Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
• “Right hand of the power of God”: a clear reference to Psalm 110:1, the very psalm that He used to confound them in Luke 20:41-44 (Cf. Hebrews 1:3; 8:1;
10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet 3:22; Act 2:33; 5:31; 7:55-56; Rom 8:34; Eph 1:20; Col 3:1).
70] Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
71] And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
• Only Luke records the direct question and direct answer. They would use this testimony later before Pilate (John 19:7).
• The Jewish leaders know what Jesus was talking about, and this is why they condemned Him for blasphemy.
• Some “liberal” theologians say that Jesus never claimed to be God; we wonder what they would do with this official trial!
• Self-incrimination was prohibited in their law.
• Virtually all of the aspects of the six trials Jesus endured were illegally administered.
• The religious trial was over.
• The next step was the criminal trial before the civil authorities.
• Only they could execute Him for death—by a method that had been invented only a century earlier; yet prophesied 800 years earlier!
The Sceptre Departs:
• Archelaus was the 2nd son of Herod the Great (the older son, Herod Antipater, was murdered by Herod the Great, along with other family members, cf. Josephus, Antiquities, 17:13 ).
• Archelaus’ mother was a Samaritan (1/4 or less of Jewish blood) and was never accepted.
• After the death of Herod (4 B.C.?), Archelaus had been placed over Judea as “Entharch” by Caesar Augustus.
• Broadly rejected, he was dethroned and banished in A.D. 6-7.
• Herod Archelaus was replaced by a Roman procurator named Caponius.
• The legal power of the Sanhedrin was immediately restricted and the adjudication of capital cases was lost.
• This was normal Roman policy; cf. Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Bk 2, Ch. 8 ; The Jerusalem Talmud, Sanhedrin, folio 24.
• When the members of the Sanhedrin found themselves deprived of their right over life and death, they covered their heads with ashes and their bodies with sackcloth, and they marched around Jerusalem bemoaning, saying. “Woe unto us for the scepter has departed from Judah and the Messiah has not come!”
Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
• Well Shiloh (Jesus) did come and they rejected Him.
cf. Babylonian Talmud, Chapter 4, folio 37.
Also, Augustin Lemann, Jesus before the Sanhedrin, 1886, translated by Julius Magath, NL#0239683, Library of Congress #15-24973.
John 18:1-28:
1] When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
2] And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
3] Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
• These are Jewish temple guards.
• The name Gethsemane omitted: Brook Cedron = “dark (black) waters.”
• This brook divides Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.
Two Gardens Two Contrasts:
All was delightful;
All was terrible.
Adam and Eve parleyed with Satan;
Last Adam sought face of His Father.
Adam sinned;
Savior suffered.
Adam fell;
Redeemer conquered.
By day;
By night.
Adam fell before Satan;
Soldiers fell before Christ.
Race was lost;
“of them.. none lost” (18:9).
Adam took the fruit from Eve’s hand;
Christ received cup from Father’s hand.
Adam hid himself;
Christ boldly showed Himself.
God sought Adam;
Last Adam sought God.
Adam was “driven”;
Christ was “led.”
Sword was drawn;
Sword was sheathed.
4] Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
5] They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6] As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7] Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8] Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
• They intended to seize them all (Mark 14:51,52).
• Who’s giving the orders?
• But Jesus had to suffer alone.
• No one else is allowed in the tabernacle when the High Priest goes in to make an atonement (Leviticus 16:17).
• It was also an emblem and pledge of their acquittal and discharge of their debts.
• The Shepherd was (John 10) protecting His sheep.
9] That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
10] Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11] Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
• Peter: Courageous when he should have been still; cowardly when he should have been courageous.
• It was unlawful to carry a weapon on a feast day; two swords present (Luke 22:38).
His sword was 18" long; weighed 5 lbs. Thick, not sharp: designed for splitting helmeted skulls.
(His aim may have been off.) This is Jesus’ last miracle before the cross.
• No one ever died in Jesus’ presence.
• John apparently knew this servant personally...by name.
12] Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
13] And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
14] Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Annas:
• Annas served from A.D. 6-15; deposed by Pilate’s predecessor, Valerius Gratus.
• Yet, he was still influential: He was the Vice President of the Sanhedrin; patriarch of a family that held the office of the high priest as late as A.D 62, including five sons and a son-in-law.
15] And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
• According to Acts 4:13, the high priest was not personally acquainted with either Peter or John.
• Who was it then?
• Nicodemus?
• Joseph of Arimathea?
16] But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
17] Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.
18] And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
19] The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20] Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
21] Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
22] And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
23] Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
24] Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
25] And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
26] One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
27] Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
• Third watch of the night: 3:00 AM? His disciples could not watch one hour; His enemies continued all night.
28] Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover.
• This was the Roman Hall, Gentile property.
Caiaphas:
• Romans appointed Caiaphas; each year (Acts 4:6)
• vs. Law of God, that states until death (Exodus 40:15; Numbers 35:25).
• Many Jews resented the Roman intrusions into their office; still looked to Annas, not Caiaphas, as their “real” High Priest (they both will stand someday before Christ for judgment!)
• Real name was Joseph; held office from A.D. 18-36
• According to Josephus and later rabbinic writings, he had a reputation for intrigue, bribery and love of money (John 11:49,50; 18:14).
Lessons from Peter:
• The danger of self-confidence.
• The consequences of prayerlessness (Could he not watch for one hour?).
• The perils of companionship with the wicked.
• The influence of the fear of man.
Six Trials
• Jewish Trials:
– Before Annas John 18:12–14
– Before Caiaphas Matthew 26:57–68
– Before the Sanhedrin Matthew 27:1–2
• Roman Trials:
– Before Pilate John 18:28–38
– Before Herod Luke 23:6–12
– Before Pilate John 18:39–19:16
Legal Irregularities:
• The binding of a prisoner before he was condemned was unlawful unless resistance was offered or expected. Jesus offered none (John 18:12,24).
• It was illegal for judges to participate in the arrest of the accused (John 18:3).
• No legal transactions, including a trial, could be conducted at night (John 18:28).
• The arrest was affected through the agency of an informer and a traitor (John 18:5; Exodus 23:6-8).
• While an acquittal could be pronounced the same day, any other verdict required a majority of two and had to come on a subsequent day (Matthew 26:65,66).
• No prisoner could be convicted on his own evidence (Matthew 26:63-65).
• It was the duty of a judge to see that the interest of the accused was fully protected (John 18:14).
• Preliminary hearings before a magistrate were completely foreign to the Jewish legal system (John 18:13).
• The judges sought false witnesses against Jesus (Matthew 26:59; Mark 14:56).
• In a Jewish court the accused was to be assumed innocent until proven guilty by two or more witnesses (Matthew 18:63).
• The Jews failed to find two witnesses agreeing against Jesus (Mark 14:59).
• When the witnesses first disagreed, the prisoner should have been released (Mark 14:56-59).
• The trial under Caiaphas took place in his home rather than the council chamber where it should have been held (John 18:13-16).
• The Court lacked the civil authority to condemn a man to death (John 18:31).
• It was illegal to conduct a session of the court on a feast day (John 18:28).
• A guilty verdict was rendered without evidence (John 18:30).
• The balloting was illegal. It should have been by roll with the youngest voting first (Matthew 26:66).
• The sentence is finally passed in the palace of the high priest, but the law demanded it be pronounced in the temple, in the hall of hewn stone (John 18:28).
• The high priest rends his garment (Matthew 26:65); he was never permitted to tear his official robe (Leviticus 21:10);
• (If he did not have on his priestly robe, he couldn’t have put Christ under oath.)
*
The Gospel of Matthew Session 23: The Crucifixion (Matthew 27)
Session 23
• Before Pilate: Matthew 27:1-26; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:1-28.
• Crucifixion: Matthew 27:27-66; Mark 15:16-47; Luke 23: 26-56; John 18:29-40.
Each segment adds detail; we will attempt to place them in order…
The Roman Trials Matthew 27 Account:
1] When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
2] And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
• They wanted to put Jesus to death, but had no legal authority to do so.
• They had to politic their way to get Jesus put to death.
• In Leviticus 24 the punishment for blasphemy is death, but they still have a problem: they needed the Roman authority to condemn a man to death.
• Pilate’s home was in Caesarea, but at this festival time, so he was in his Jerusalem palace.
Pontius Pilate:
• Pontius Pilate served as 6th Roman procurator of Judea from A.D. 26 to A.D. 36, after which he was deposed by Vitellius and sent to Rome, tried under Caligula, and passed out of official history.
• He was hated by the orthodox Jews and never really understood them.
• He once aroused their fury by putting up pagan banners in the Jewish Temple and was not hesitant to send armed spies into the Temple to silence Jewish protesters
(Luke 13:1).
• A plaque was found in Caesarea bearing his name, which is now in the Israel Museum.
• Tradition: Says that Pilate killed himself. Josephus, Ant. 18:4, sec 1,2; Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, II, ii. 7.
• The Coptic church in Egypt came to believe that Pontius Pilate became a Christian.
3] Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented (don’t confuse remorse with changing his ways) himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
• Repented (occurs 6 times) 3338; metamelomai: to regret, repent, to change his mind, feel remorse, felt remorse, regret, regretted.
2 Corinthians 7:8
NAS: by my letter, I do not regret it; though
KJV: I do not repent, though I did repent:
INT: letter not I do regret [it] if even
2 Corinthians 7:8
NAS: it; though I did regret it -- [for] I see
KJV: though I did repent: for
INT: if even I did regret I see indeed
Hebrews 7:21 KJV: will not repent, Thou [art] a priest
NAS: HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST...
4] Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5] And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6] And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
7] And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
8] Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
• This was prophesied and done 500 years earlier by the prophet Zechariah.
Zechariah 11:12, 13
And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
Specifics:
• Price: 30 pieces of silver
• Location: The Temple “The House of the Lord”
• Who ends up with the Money: The Potter
9] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
10] And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
• We don’t find this in Jeremiah, there is a passage in Jeremiah 19, but it doesn’t quite fit.
• Jeremiah was the first among the prophets, so it’s often used generically for the scrolls of the prophets.
• It’s often is used as a term to represent the prophetic books in general.
• So that is apparently what occurs in the Babylonian Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b).
• So that’s the way the scholars deal with what seems to be a discrepancy, that Jeremiah the prophet being a synecdoche, the general for the specific prophecies, and the specific prophecies for the general that’s a rhetorical device.
[There are similarities between Matthew’s words and the ideas in Jeremiah 19:1, 4, 6, 11.]
Acts 1:18-19
Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
Pilate’s 7 Interviews With Christ:
4 Outside: 3 Inside:
1) John 18:28-32
2) John 18:33-37
3) John 18:38-40
4) John 19:1-3
5) John 19:4-7
6) John 19:8-11
7) John 19:12-46
• Pilate struggles to find a way out of the predicament that he finds himself in.
John 18 Account:
29] Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
30] They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
31] Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
Pilate’s Attempts to Release:
• “You judge Him” John 18:31
• “He is innocent” John 18:38
• Jews substitute Barabbas John 18:39
• Partial punishment John 19:1
• Play on pity John 19:5
• “Behold your King” John 19:14
32] That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
• Stoning was the death according to Jewish Law, but the scriptures said that the Messiah would be killed by crucifixion.
Psalms 22
Matthew 27 Account:
12] And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13] Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
14] And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
John 18
33] Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34] Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35] Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36] Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
37] Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38] Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
Luke 23 Account:
5] And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
6] When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
7] And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
Herod Antipas:
• Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great and Malthace, a Samaritan woman.
• He was half Idumean (Edom), half Samaritan, without a drop of Jewish blood in his veins;
• “Galilee of the Gentiles” seemed a fit dominion for such a prince. He ruled as “tetrarch” of Galilee and Peraea from 4 B.C. till A.D. 39 (Luke 3:1).
• He was superstitious (Matthew 14:1f) and fox like in his cunning (Luke 13:310; he was wholly immoral.
• John the Baptist rebuked him of his gross immorality and defiance of the laws of Moses (Leviticus 18:16 )
• And paid for his courage with his life (Matthew 14:10; Josephus, Ant, XVIII.v.2).
• On the death of his father, although he was younger than his brother, Archelaus, he contested the will of Herod, who had given to the other the major part of the dominion (Ant., XVII, ix, 4 f; BJ, II, ii, 3).
• Rome, however, sustained the will and assigned to him the “tetrarchy” of Galilee and Peraea (Ant., XVII, xi, 4).
• He was educated at Rome with Archelaus and Philip, his half-brother, son of Mariamne, daughter of Simon, he imbibed many of the vices of the Romans.
• Herod Antipas’ first wife was a daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia.
• But he sent her back to her father at Petra, for the sake of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had met and seduced at Rome.
• Since the latter was the daughter of Aristobulus, his half-brother, and therefore his niece, and at the same time the wife of another half-brother, the union between her and Antipas was doubly sinful (Ant., XVIII, v, 1).
8] And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
9] Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
• Jesus had no reason to speak to him, he was neither Jewish nor was he of Jewish leadership.
10] And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
11] And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
12] And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
Herod Antipas:
• Pilate in his perplexity had sent Jesus bound to Herod, and the inefficiency and flippancy of the man is revealed in the Gospel account (Luke 23:7-12; Acts 4:27).
• This served, however, to bridge the chasm of the enmity between Herod and Pilate, both of whom were to be stripped of their power and to die in shameful exile.
• When Caius Caligula became emperor and when his scheming favorite Herod Agrippa I, the bitter enemy of Antipas, was made king in A.D. 37, Herodias prevailed on Herod Antipas to accompany her to Rome to demand a similar favor.
• The machinations of Agrippa and an accusation of high treason against him, however, proved his undoing, and he was banished to Lyons in Gaul, where he died in great misery [Ant., XVIII, vii, 2; BJ, II, ix, 6.]
13] And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14] Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15] No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
16] I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
17] (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
Matthew 27
15] Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
16] And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
17] Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
18] For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
19] When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
• Claudia Procula, a proselyte of the gate: Her designation of Jesus, “that just man,” recalls Plato’s unconscious prophecy (Republic) of “the just man” who after suffering of all kinds restores righteousness.
• She is said to have been a Jewish proselyte at the time of the death of Jesus, and afterward to have become a Christian.
• Her name is honored along with Pilate’s in the Coptic church.
20] But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21] The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22] Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
23] And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24] When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25] Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
26] Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
• A cry that was to echo through all of history (and be widely misunderstood and exploited by anti-Semitists…
Barabbas:
• He stood under the righteous condemnation of the law.
– He knew the One who was to take his cross and take his place was innocent.
– He knew that Jesus Christ was for him a true substitute.
– He knew that he had done nothing to merit going free while another took his place.
Changing Places:
• The murderer’s bonds, curse, disgrace, and mortal agony were transferred to the righteous Jesus...while the liberty, innocence, safety, and well-being of the Nazarene became the lot of the murderer.
• Barabbas is installed in all the rights and privileges of Jesus Christ; while the latter enters upon all the infamy and horror of the rebel’s position.
• The delinquent’s guilt and cross become the lot of the Just One, and all the civil rights and immunities of the later are now the property of the delinquent.
• Where are you and I? …in Barabbas’ shoes!
John 19
1] Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
2] And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
3] And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
• Known as “the halfway death,” the dreaded flagellum whip, consisting of throngs plaited with pieces of bone and lead, “tore open the deep seated veins and arteries so that the hidden contents of the recesses of their bodies, their entrails and organs, were exposed to the light.”
Isaiah 52:14 [Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, IV, XV, 3-5. Cf. also Josephus, Wars of the Jews, II, XXI 5, IV, V.3. ]
Matthew 27
27] Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
28] And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29] And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30] And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31] And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
John 19
4] Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
5] Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
6] When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
7] The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
8] When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
9] And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
10] Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
11] Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
12] And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
13] When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
14] And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
15] But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
• The Jews have renounced all that God had done for them…
Hosea 3:4,5 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
John 19
16] Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
17] And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
• I believe that the location of the Golgotha of today is accurate; not because of the superficial skull-like appearance but because of its topography: it is at the peak of the ridge system called Moriah, the same spot that Abraham offered his son 2,000 years earlier.
Topology of Mount Moriah:
• The Mountain to the West is called Mount Zion.
• The Mount of Olives is to the East and it’s separate from Mount Moriah by the Kidron Valley.
• The base of the Kidron Valley is where Gethsemane is.
• The Hinnom Valley is to the South.
• Melchizedek ruled on the original Salem (Ophel) is now at the southern tip of this, about 600 meters above sea level.
• When David comes along, the plague that the Lord is waging causes David to buy the “Saddleback area on the map” The Threshing Floor of Arunah (of Ornan the Jebusite) that has a prevailing wind for the threshing floor.
• David bought “The Threshing Floor of Arunah (of Ornan the Jebusite)” for 50 shekels of silver.
• There is often confusion with this scripture, many people when they look this up find a contradiction between 1 Chronicles 21; 2 Samuel 24.
1 Chronicles 21:25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
2 Samuel 24:24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
• Originally David just bought the threshing floor site for 50 shekels of silver, he then came back and bought the whole hill area for 600 shekels of gold.
• Which becomes the site of the Temple.
• At the peak of this hill is a place called Akedah, which is called Golgatha.
Golgatha:
• Golgatha is located on the North Side “outside (without) the gate.”
• All the Burnt offerings (Leviticus 1:11) was to be done on the North side.
• All the Sin offerings (Leviticus 6:25) was to be done on the North side..
• Outside the camp (Leviticus 4:12, 21; 16:27)
• “Without the gate” (Hebrews 13:12)
• Not to be confused with the Red Heifer, which was east, on the
Matthew 27
32] And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
John 19
18] Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
“On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ,” Journal of the American Medical Association - March 21, 1986
American Medical Association:
Due to the pain endured by the weight of the body hanging from the nails, which damage the medial nerves and tear at the tarsals, the respiratory torture, the cramping, the pleurel effusions (chest cavity), concluded that “death by crucifixion was in every sense of the word excruciating, literally ‘out of the cross.’” (the whole idea is suffocation).
• A crucifixion could take as many as nine days.
He creates the universe, already foreseeing—or should we say “seeing”? There are no tenses in God—the buzzing cloud of flies about the cross, the flayed back pressed against the uneven stake, the nails driven through the medial nerves, the repeated incipient suffocation as the body droops, the repeated torture of back and arms as it is time after time, for breath’s sake hitched up.
If I may dare the biological image, God is a “host” who deliberately creates His own parasites; causes us to be that we may exploit and “take advantage” of Him. Herein is love. This is the diagram of Love Himself, the inventor of all loves.
— C. S. Lewis, 1960
The Agony of Love Medical Aspects of The Crucifixion:
by Dr. Mark Eastman • April 1, 1998
https://www.khouse.org/articles/1998/113/
19] And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
20] This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.
• John tells us that Pilate personally wrote it: in Hebrew for the Jews; Greek as the common language; Latin as the official language of Rome.
Pilate’s Epitaph:
• The “Acronym on YHWH”!
[Remember, Hebrew goes from right to left.]
• If Pilate had rewritten it in the manner they had requested, it would not have spelled out the Name of God.
• Did Pilate realize this?
• Was it deliberate?
• Did he do it just to upset the Jewish leadership, realizing they had delivered Him up for envy? (Matthew 27:18; Cf. Matthew 27: 65-66)!
• When they requested a special guard for the tomb, he also responded with an enigmatic remark, “Make it as sure as you can.”
• Was he really surprised when Jesus was resurrected after three days later?
One wonders.
• Pilate knew that the Jews were into acrstics, so he wrote this sign in an acrostic style to antagonize the Jews.
Also, there are acrostics in Esther, etc. See Beyond Coincidence, etc.
The Jews The King The Nazarene Jesus
HaYehudim v Melech HaNazarei Yeshua
21] Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews;
but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
22] Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
• (In the Greek): Pilate answered them in the perfect tense: “What I have
written will always remain written.”
23] Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made
four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without
seam, woven from the top throughout.
• There were four soldiers.
24] They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
25] Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26] When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27] Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
The Elect Lady Is Mary The Mother Of Jesus:
2 John 1:1-5,9,13
1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
• Mary and her sister were at the crucifixion.
13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
Matthew 27
38] Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
39] And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
40] And saying, “Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
41] Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
42] “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
43] He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.”
44] The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Luke 23
39] And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40] But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41] And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Matthew 27
45] Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
46] And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
• This is commonly reported in many commentaries as being in the Aramaic; it proves to be a complex linguistic problem; however, Douglas Hamp’s book, Discovering The Language of Jesus insists that Jesus spoke Hebrew, not Aramaic.
[Calvary Chapel Publishing, Santa Ana CA 2005, Chapter 6.]
• Read Psalm 22 written 700 years before crucifixion.
Psalm 22:1-21
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
2 O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
• Bulls of Bashan demons?
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
• Dogs and assembly, demons?
17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
21 Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
47] Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
48] And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
49] The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
50] Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
• Who killed Him?
• Nobody could if they tried. The only way was if He voluntarily yielded His life, which is what He did for you and I.
• Part of the Everlasting Covenant between Jesus and the Father.
“It is finished”: Final words of Jesus (see other Gospels).
• In that day if you were imprisoned, you had a certificate, which would be signed, and your debt marked off.
• When finished with your sentence, they would write Tetelestai, meaning “paid in full.” This is what Jesus said on the cross—Tetelestai—meaning “paid in full” (and can be translated “It is finished”).
John 19
31] The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
• Not the normal Shabbat, but the Feast of Unleavened Bread. (Matthew 28:1 is actually in the plural: “when the Sabbaths were past…”)
32] Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33] But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
• This Roman soldier unknowingly fulfilled scripture, by not breaking His legs.
34] But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
• Is this the reason that Passover cups have warm water added to them?
35] And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
36] For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
37] And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
• Read:
Exodus 12:46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.
Numbers 9:12 They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.
Psalm 34:20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Zechariah 12:9, 10
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me [the one whom] they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
• In a 35-page paper by Dr. William Welty on the erroneous (and inconsistent) rendering of “et asher” in the Jewish Publication Society’s 1917 publication of the Tanakh:
There is a Hebrew construction here “et asher” that occurs 159 times in the Old Testament.
• In 158 of those times the Jewish Scholars always rendered “et asher” with “because they have thrust him through.”
• In this case and only in this case the traditional Jewish rendering, they twist the grammar here to say, “the one whom.” to avoid what it really says “because they have thrust him through.”
• Dr. William Welty shredded that argument, the Jews omitted “et asher” didn’t want this scripture (Zechariah 12:9-10) to sound like Christian New Testament theology 158 to 1.
Text Analysis:
https://biblehub.com/text/zechariah/12-10.htm
• Strong’s “They have pierced” 1856. daqaru; to pierce, pierce through.
(Occurrence 1 of 1)
Aleppo Codex:
https://biblehub.com/texts/zechariah/12-10.htm
And I poured upon the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication, and looked at me what they had pierced and mourned for him, as a eulogy for the individual.
Matthew 27
51] And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52] And the graves were opened; and many bodies (not all of the saints lived here) of the saints which slept arose,
• Jesus is the first of “First Fruits.”
Leviticus 23:9-25;
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Romans 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.
Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.
Matthew 27
53] And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54] Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
55] And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
56] Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
Mark 15
43] Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
44] And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
45] And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Pilate said, amazed: “You’re going to give your new tomb for your family to this criminal?”
• Joseph responded…“Oy Veh, it’s only for the weekend!”
John 19
38] And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly (secreted, in hiding) for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
• secretly, 2928; krupto, to hide.
• He was secreted, he was in hiding because he tried to defend Christ before the Sanhedrin in another meeting, so his life was at risk.
39] And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
40] Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
• Joseph and Nicodemus must have prepared beforehand: the shops were not open to obtain the necessary materials ...
• The grave clothes were critical to be left behind (John 20:1-10).
41] Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
42] There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Matthew 27
59] And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60] And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
61] And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
62] Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
63] Saying, “Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
64] Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.”
65] Pilate said unto them, “Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.”
• ...make it as sure as ye can...if it will hold Him.
66] So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
• Anyone touching that stone would be under penalty of death.
Isaiah 53
1] Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2] For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7] He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8] He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9] And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Note: “Grave with the wicked”: This is not the two thieves; the location of the grave!
• The very spot that criminals were put to death was the where Joseph’s new tomb was hewn out of a rock!
The stony sides of the tomb, the new tomb, “the clean place,” where Jesus was laid, were part of the malefactor’s hill.
His dead body is “with the rich man and with the wicked” in the hour of His death! His grave is the property of a rich man; and yet the rocks which form the partition between His tomb and that of the other Calvary malefactors, are themselves part of Golgotha.
— Andrew Bonar, Leviticus,
• He portrays this picture from the text in the book of Leviticus.
• Andrew Bonar describes the tomb as carved out of rock and that it has to be part of the hill.
Andrew Bonar described this, from only the Torah text, 43 years before its discovery by General Gordon!
• Andrew Bonar wrote this in 1846.
• General Charles George Gordon, a distinguished British general, was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1852.
• He discovered the area, originally derisively called “Gordon’s Calvary,” is now known as “The Garden Tomb,” in 1883.
10] Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11] He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Matthew 27 Summary of Events:
• Jesus arrived at Golgotha (Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; Luke 23:33; John 19:17).
• He refused the offer of wine, vinegar and myrrh (Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23).
• Nailed to the cross between two thieves (Matthew 27:35-38; Mark 15:24-28; Luke
23:33-38; John 19:18).
• The First Cry: from the cross: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
• Garments allocated (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23).
• Jews mocked Jesus (Matthew 27:39-43; Mark 15:29-32; Luke 23:35-37).
• Conversed with two thieves (Luke 23:39-43).
• Second Cry: “You will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
• Third cry: “Woman, behold your son,” “Behold thy mother.” (John 19:26-27).
• Darkness from noon to 3 PM (Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44).
• Fourth Cry: “My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me!”
(Matthew 27:46,47; Mark 15:34-36).
• Fifth Cry: “I am thirsty” (John 19:28).
• He drank wine vinegar (Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; John 19:29).
• Sixth cry: “It is finished” (John 19:30).
• Seventh cry: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
• He dismissed His Spirit (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30).
• Temple curtain torn in twain (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45).
• Roman soldiers declare, “Surely He was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54; Mark
15:39).
Seven Cries from the Cross:
1) “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
2) “Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
3) “Woman, Behold thy Son! Behold thy mother!” (John 19:26-27).
4) My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken me?” (Psalms 22:1).
5) “I thirst” (John 19:28. Cf. Psalms 69:21).
6) “It is finished” Tetelestai! Paid in full (John 19:30).
7) “Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46).
*
The Final Session:
The Resurrection . Read Matthew 28; Mark 16; Leviticus 24; John 20,21; and also 1 Corinthians 15.
The Gospel of Matthew Session 24 Matthew Chapter 28: The Resurrection
The Resurrection: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20,21; also 1 Corinthians 15.
Matthew 28 Early Sunday Morning:
Order of Events;
• Three women, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, start for the sepulchre, followed by other women bearing spices.
• The three find the stone rolled away, and Mary Magdalene goes to tell the disciples (Luke 23:55–24:9; John 20:1, 2).
• Mary, the mother of James and Joses, draws nearer the tomb and sees the angel of the Lord (Matthew 28:2).
• She goes back to meet the other women following with the spices.
• Meanwhile Peter and John, alerted by Mary Magdalene, arrive, look in, and go away (John 20:3–10).
• Mary Magdalene returns weeping, sees the two angels and then Jesus, and then goes, as He bade her, to tell the disciples (John 20:11-18).
• Mary (mother of James and Joses), meanwhile, has met the women with the spices and, returning with them, they see the two angels (Luke 24:4, 5; Mark16:5).
• They also receive the angelic message, and, going to seek the disciples, are met by Jesus (Matthew 28:8-10).
1] In the end of the sabbath[s] , as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
• There should be an s, by Sabbaths because in the Greek there’s a “plural noun.”
• Jesus could not have been crucified on a Friday, Wednesday or Thursday it can be argued.
• sa,bbaton , sabbaths, noun plural. The day after Passover was the Feast of Unleavened Bread, one of the seven “high” sabbaths, and one of three that were compulsory for every able bodied male to come to Jerusalem.
• “the other Mary” = “the mother of James and Joses.”
Sunday = “Lord’s Day”?
• The Seventh Day of the week was ordained in Eden (Genesis 2).
• It was observed before the giving of the Law to Israel:
• The Israelites were instructed not to gather manna on Shabbat (Exodus 16)
• The Law given at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20).
• The Antichrist will seek “to change the times and the laws” (Daniel 7:25).
• “Do not move the ancient landmarks…” (Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17; Proverbs 22:28; 23:10).
• The Millennial Temple will only be open on Shabbat and the new moon (Ezekiel 46:1).
John 20
1] The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark,
unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
• “Do not move the ancient landmarks…” (Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17; Proverbs 22:28; 23:10).
• Maintaining God’s order.
2] Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
• An early visit; Mary Magdalene runs to tell the disciples; the others have an encounter with two witnesses… The stone was not rolled away to permit Jesus to come out, for He had already left the tomb.
• It was rolled back so that the people could see for themselves that the tomb was empty. (Mary Magdalene will visit again later that morning.)
Luke 24
4] And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
• Speaking of the women that were still at the tomb, not Mary Magdalene.
5] And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6] He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7] Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
• Meanwhile, back at the tomb, the remaining women have an encounter…
• Men (or angels?). Always “two witnesses”: at ascension, cf. Revelation 11.
8] And they remembered his words,
9] And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
10] It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
11] And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
Matthew 28
2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
• You don’t mess with angels, one angel killed 185,000 men in one night.
5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9] And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10] Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11] Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch (the soldiers) came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
• The soldiers are smart enough to know that the chief priests did not want the story to be released that Jesus had risen from the dead, and would do and pay anything to keep the event silent.
12] And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13] Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
• The soldiers also knew to follow the money.
14] And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15] So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
• To persuade people, the bribe has got to be large enough.
“...persuade” = bribe, the guards were bribed to be quiet.
• This actually proves the resurrection of Jesus Christ: If Jesus’ body was stolen, then it was taken either by His friends or His enemies.
• His friends could not have done it since they had left the scene and were convinced that Jesus was dead.
• His enemies would not steal His body because belief in His resurrection was what they were trying to prevent.
• They would have defeated their own purposes if they had removed His body. And, if they had taken it, why did they not produce it and silence the witness of the early church?
• The inclusion of this important portion is peculiar to Matthew.
• Mary Magdalene tells Peter and John then they have a race to the tomb to inspect it for themselves…
John 20
3] Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4] So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5] And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
• The empty graveclothes lying in the tomb were in the shape of the body of Christ, like an empty cocoon.
• This proves His body was not stolen, but that He arose through the graveclothes and left them behind as testimonies of a miracle.
• Anyone who stole the body would have taken the body in the graveclothes. Yet the empty graveclothes were left in the tomb in an orderly manner.
• This was hardly the scene of a grave robbery. Even the napkin (which had been wrapped around His face) was folded carefully in a place by itself.
6] Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7] And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
8] Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9] For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10] Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11] But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
• Mary Magdalene comes back to the tomb seeking Jesus, and begins to weep.
12] And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13] And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14] And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16] Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
• He that hath an ear....
17] Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
• Touch me not is actually, “Do not cling to me…”: Did she have an apparent grip on His ankles?
18] Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Sunday Afternoon Luke 24:
13] And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
• About a seven mile walk.
14] And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15] And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16] But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
• ???
17] And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18] And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
• The Lord has a sense of humor, why are you guys so sad, and what things?
• Jesus endured all of the crucifixion, in the grave three days, and He says what things?
19] And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20] And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21] But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22] Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23] And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24] And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25] Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26] Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
• He’s speaking in the third person here.
27] And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
• His first act was to lead a “Small Group Bible Study.”
28] And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29] But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
• They enjoyed His company and His Bible study.
30] And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
• They knew Him in the breaking of the bread, by the nail prints in His hands (wrists).
31] And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32] And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Sunday Evening:
33] And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34] Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
• On that first “Easter” Sunday, Jesus also made a special appearance to Peter (Luke 24:33-35; 1 Corinthians 15:5).
35] And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
• They knew Him in the breaking of the bread, by the nail prints in His hands (wrists).
Zechariah 13:6
And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
36] And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38] And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39] Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
• Dr. Luke emphasizes His physical presence.
40] And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41] And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42] And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43] And he took it, and did eat before them.
John 20
24] But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25] The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26] And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27] Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
• Thomas realized that Jesus had heard every unbelieving word that he spoke.
28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Zechariah 13:6
And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
• Thomas’s unbelief wounded Jesus.
29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30] And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
John 21
1] After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
2] There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
• There are seven here.
3] Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
4] But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
• There must have been a morning haze and they were about 100 yards from the shore.
5] Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
• “Lads, have you caught any fish?”
6] And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
7] Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
8] And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
• Peter recalled a similar experience (Luke 5:4-7) when they had toiled all night without results; then, although at midday(!) they filled two ships…
9] As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
“a fire of coals”: reminiscent for Peter of that fateful eve? (John 18:18)…
10] Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
11] Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
153 Fishes?
• opsarion; implies used for food and used only in John: 6:9,11; 21:9,10,13
• ichthus; does not signify purpose of the fish; used 3 times: John 21:6,8,11
• A Remez? (Hint of something deeper.)
• Jerome claimed that ancient zoologists counted 153 kinds of fish, but extant copies of their writings do not support his hypothesis. Various symbolic interpretations of “153” have been offered (from Hebrew words that total “153” when their numerical value is reckoned, to it being a triangular number that would have impressed ancient Pythagorean philosophers).
• Ed F. Vallowe on page 216 of his book “Biblical Mathematics” believes 153 means “Fruit Bearing.” Since 9 x 17 = 153; and 153 / 9 = 17.
• The number 17 stands for “Victory” complete victory in Jesus Christ.
• It is 6 + 13 = 17.
6 = (Man) + 13 = (Depravity and Rebellion)
[Pythagoreanism:
• Is a mystical philosophy developed by Pythagoras, a Greek thinker of the 6th century B.C. Like other Greek philosophical schools, it had its own unique traits; one of its most basic tenets was the mystical significance of numbers.
Robert Morey, Bible Numerics: Fact or Fancy, Truth Seekers, Newport, Pennsylvania, 1997.
• Eighteen examples are also given by J. A. Emerton, “The One Hundred and Fifty- Three Fishes in John 21:11,” The Journal of Theological Studies, April 1958 (cited by Weldon, p. 38).]
Fishers of Men?
• Their net was effectual It (didn’t break).
• Each fish was counted.
• All were “great” (megas) they were large fish.
• None of the hish were lost.
12] Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
13] Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
14] This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
15] So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16] He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17] He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
• Agapeo to love, wholly committed.
• phileo to be fond of, befriend.
18] Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
19] This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
• Tertullian and Eusebius: State that Peter was crucified in Rome in 67 or 68 A.D.
(Upside down, at his request.)
20] Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
21] Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22] Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
23] Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
24] This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
25] And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Matthew 28
16] Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into [the] mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
• “The” mountain: apparently a specific one.
17] And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
• The entire Gospel of Matthew stresses the authority of Jesus Christ.
• There was authority to His teaching (Matthew 7:29).
• He exercised authority in healing (Matthew 8:1-13), and even in forgiving sins (Matthew 9:6).
• He had authority over Satan, and He delegated that authority to His Apostles (Matthew 10:1).
• At the close of his Gospel, Matthew made it clear that Jesus has ALL authority. The Greek verb translated go is not an imperative, but a present participle (“going”).
• The only command in the entire Great Commission is to “make disciples” (“teach all nations”). Jesus said, “While you are going, make disciples of all the nations.”
“...end of the age”: implies that He has a plan…He is also the Lord of history.
Luke 24
44] And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45] Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Tenackh: Torah + Neviim (the prophets) + Kethuvim (writings).
47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48] And ye are witnesses of these things.
49] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
50] And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51] And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
52] And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53] And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
• This continues in “Luke Volume II,” The Book of Acts (of the Holy Spirit)…
Appearances of Jesus After His Resurrection:
• Three women, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, start for the sepulchre, followed by other women bearing spices.
• The three find the stone rolled away, and Mary Magdalene goes to tell the disciples (Lk 23:55–24:9; Jn 20:1, 2).
• Mary, the mother of James and Joses, draws nearer the tomb and sees the angel of the Lord (Mt 28:2). She goes back to meet the other women following with the spices.
• Meanwhile Peter and John, alerted by Mary Magdalene, arrive, look in, and go away (Jn 20:3–10).
• Mary Magdalene returns weeping, sees the two angels and then Jesus, and then goes, as He bade her, to tell the disciples (Jn 20:11-18).
• Mary (mother of James and Joses), meanwhile, has met the women with the spices and, returning with them, they see the two angels (Lk 24:4, 5; Mk16:5).
• They also receive the angelic message, and, going to seek the disciples, are met by Jesus (Mt 28:8-10).
Subsequent Appearances:
• Two on Emmaus Rd, Sun PM Luke 24:13-32
• Peter, sometime that day Luke 24:34
• Ten, that night (w/o Thomas) Luke 24:36ff
• Eleven, 8 days later (w/ Thomas) John 20:26-31
• Seven, Galilean breakfast John 21:9-14
• Eleven, in Galilee Matthew 28:16-20
• 500, in Galilee 1 Corinthians 15:6
• James in Jerusalem 1 Corinthians 15:7
• Many at the Ascension Luke 24:44f
• Paul, on the Damascus Road Acts 9:3-7
• Stephen when he is stoned Acts 7:55
• Paul in the temple Acts 22:17-19
• John on Patmos Revelation 1:10-19
Significance of the Resurrection:
• Both in the Old Testament and in the teaching of Jesus, His resurrection is clearly taught (see Ps 16:10; 110:1). If Jesus had not come out of the tomb, then these Scriptures would not be true. The remarkable change in the early believers is another proof of His resurrection. If all of this were a manufactured tale, it could never have changed their lives or enabled them to lay down their lives as martyrs.
• Proves that Jesus is God’s Son (Jn 10:17-18).
• Verifies the truth of Scripture (Ps 16:10; 110:1):
• If the body had been stolen by enemies, they would have produced it.
• One day they were discouraged and hiding in defeat. The next day they were declaring • His resurrection and walking in joyful victory.
• In fact, they proved willing to die for the truth of the Resurrection.
• Assures our own future resurrection (1 Thess 4:13-18).
• Proof of a future judgment (Acts 17:31).
• Basis for Christ’s heavenly priesthood (Heb 7:23-28).
• Gives power for Christian living (Rom 6:4).
• Assures our future inheritance (1 Pet 1:3-5).
1 Corinthians 15
The most valid source of expositional comments…
1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
The Gospel Defined:
3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8] And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
9] For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10] But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
11] Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
12] Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23] But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24] Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25] For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27] For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28] And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
29] Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
30] And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
31] I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
32] If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
33] Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
34] Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
35] But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
36] Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37] And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38] But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
39] All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
40] There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Supplemental Issues:
• Last 12 verses of Mark?
– These verses were taken out of the Gospel of Mark by the Gnostics.
• A lingering mystery
• Technology of Resurrection?
Last 12 verses of Mark?
• Doubt generated by the Alexandrian Codices: “Added later”?
• Role of Westcott & Hort
• Expurgated by the Gnostic (these last 12 verses are quoted by the Church Fathers Ireneaus, Hipplatus, et al.)
• They have been authenticated by heptadic structures (over 35 heptadic constraints defy replication, even with computer assistance!
A Lingering Mystery:
Why did they all seem to have trouble recognizing Him after His resurrection?
Why Wasn’t He Recognized?
• By Mary in the Garden? Mary knew Him yet, she did not recognize Him. John 20:11-16
• On the Emmaus Road? These guys had a 7 mile Bible Study with Him and still did not recognize Him. Not until they saw the nail prints. Luke 24:13-32
• In the Upper Room? Why were they astonished, afraid? Luke 24:33-43
• By the Sea of Galilee? John 21:3-12
An Enigmatic Remark:
John 21:12
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
• Had his face changed, was He scarred from the prior beatings and the crucifixion?
Old Testament Descriptions:
• Psalm 22
• Isaiah 53
Isaiah 52:14, 15
As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
• Isaiah 52:14 should read: “so marred from the form of man was his aspect that his appearance was not that of a son of man” (Cf. Isaiah 50:6).
• If we take prophecy seriously, are there details recorded in the Old Testament that are not noted in the New Testament?
An Additional Detail:
Isaiah 50:6
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
• Those Roman soldiers ripped off His beard.
• Maybe, that’s why Mary didn’t recognize Jesus at the Garden Tomb, or His disciples didn’t recognize Jesus on the Emmaus Road? Or the disciples in the Upper Room? Or when they were by the Sea of Galilee?
• Had Jesus features changed that drastically?
Zechariah 12:10....and they shall look upon me (there is an alef = alpha) and a tav = omega) here) whom they have pierced,...
• and they shall look upon me (the alpha and omega) whom they have pierced,...
• Dr. William Welty wrote a 35 page paper to prove this statement.
A Preview in Heaven:
Revelation 5:6
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood the Lamb as it had been slain…
• The marks of His humiliation are the marks of His glory, when we see Him, we will know how much we are loved!
Technology of Resurrection Jurassic Park Insight:
• A mosquito takes blood from a dinosaur, and gets encased in amber, some of these amber crystals with mosquitos in them are thousands of years old.
• Scientists would take the DNA of the mosquito that drank blood from the dinosaur and extract that DNA.
• They could then clone that dinosaur.
The Process (of Resurrection)?
• All atoms (and molecules) are fungible raw materials.
• In economics, fungibility is the property of a good or a commodity whose individual units are essentially interchangeable. For example, since one kilogram of pure gold is equivalent to any other kilogram of pure gold, whether in the form of coins, ingots, or in other states, gold is fungible.
• All that is necessary is information: the DNA of an original creature
• …but there’s also the issue of the nature of “reality” and the dimensions involved
The Boundaries Of Reality:
• We are in a digital reality.
Ephesians 3:17-19
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
• Breadth, length, depth, and height; Four dimensions are talked about here, also the great discovery of Dr. Albert Einstein.
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
• This is a physics statement about dimensionality,
The Boundaries of Reality Quantum Physics: - by Chuck Missler
https://www.khouse.org/articles/1998/62/
Hyper-Dimensional Travel?
The Boundaries of Our Reality Part 1 The Beyond Series: - by Chuck Missler
http://www.khouse.org/articles/2010/935/
• Jesus is able to travel between the dimensions, Nachmonides claimed in the 12th Century that there are 12 dimensions.
Architectural Analysis:
• Hardware
– Microcircuits
– Memory
– Wires, resistors, etc.
• Software - The real you is software, you are eternal and you have no mass, the real you is not restricted to the time dimension, wether you are lost or saved.
– User Interface
– Internal Interfaces
– Machine Language
– Algorithms, etc.
• Physical Body
– Flesh
– Bones
– Circulatory System etc.
• Our Selves
– “Soul”
– “Spirit”
– “Mind”
– Thoughts, etc.
The Real You:
• Software, not “hardware”
• The real you has no mass, so it is not restricted to our physical time dimension.
• The real you is eternal—whether “saved” or not!
• Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior that you may enjoy your eternity.
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