Passion week

1. Preparation for the Passover (Thursday Afternoon) :

• Luke 22:7-13: Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal. They follow Jesus' instructions to find a man carrying a jar of water who will lead them to a large upper room where they can celebrate the Passover.
• This meal is significant because it is the Last Supper that Jesus shares with His disciples. During this meal, He will institute the practice of Holy Communion (the Eucharist).

2. The Last Supper :

• Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:14-20: Jesus gathers His disciples in the upper room to celebrate the Passover meal.
• During the meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas (Matthew 26:21-25), and institutes the Lord's Supper. He takes the bread, breaks it, and says, “This is my body.” He then takes the cup, saying, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28). This act becomes the basis for Christian communion.
• Jesus also teaches His disciples about servanthood, as He washes their feet, exemplifying humility and love (John 13:1-17).

3. Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial :

• Luke 22:31-34, Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:27-31: Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Him three times before the rooster crows. Peter vehemently denies this, but Jesus predicts the betrayal despite Peter’s protests.

4. Jesus Prays in Gethsemane :

• Mark 14:32-42, Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46: After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples go to the Garden of Gethsemane.
• There, Jesus prays earnestly to the Father, asking if it is possible for the cup of suffering to pass from Him, but He submits to God’s will, saying, "Not my will, but Yours be done."
• The disciples struggle to stay awake as Jesus prays, and He rebukes them for not staying vigilant and praying with Him. This time in Gethsemane is a moment of deep emotional anguish for Jesus as He anticipates His coming trial and crucifixion.

5. Judas’ Betrayal (Thursday Night) :

• Mark 14:43-46, Matthew 26:47-50, Luke 22:47-48: While Jesus is in Gethsemane, Judas Iscariot arrives with a crowd of soldiers and officials from the chief priests. He betrays Jesus with a kiss, leading to Jesus' arrest.

6. Jesus’ Arrest (Thursday Night) :

• John 18:1-12, Luke 22:47-53, Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-50: Jesus is arrested after Judas’ betrayal. The disciples, in fear, flee from the scene. Jesus is taken to the high priest’s house, where the trial will begin.

Summary of Thursday's Events:

• Jesus prepares for the Passover meal.
• The Last Supper is held, where Jesus institutes communion.
• He predicts Peter's denial and speaks of His coming suffering.
• He spends time in prayer in Gethsemane, experiencing great distress over the coming events.
• Judas betrays Jesus, and Jesus is arrested, beginning His journey toward the crucifixion.

Thursday, in the context of Passion Week, marks the beginning of the intense events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion the following day (Friday). It's a day filled with significant teachings, sacramental moments, prophecies, and the onset of Jesus' suffering and sacrifice.

Let’s break down the Thursday before the crucifixion by examining the shared elements, differences, developments across Gospel authorship, and your unique interpretive lens. The key passages include:

• Mark 14:12–72
• Matthew 26:17–75
• Luke 22:7–71

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1. Common Elements Shared by the Three Accounts

Each Gospel presents a consistent narrative framework with overlapping events:

1. Preparation for the Passover
   • Disciples are sent to prepare the upper room.
   • Jesus gives instructions that unfold prophetically.
2. The Last Supper
   • Jesus eats with the Twelve.
   • He predicts His betrayal.
   • He institutes the Lord’s Supper (bread and cup).
3. Prediction of Peter’s Denial
   • Jesus tells Peter he will deny Him three times.
4. Prayer in Gethsemane
   • Jesus withdraws to pray.
   • He struggles with the coming cross but submits to the Father’s will.
   • The disciples fall asleep repeatedly.
5. Jesus’ Arrest
   • Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss.
   • A disciple strikes the servant of the high priest.
6. Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
   • Jesus is falsely accused, remains mostly silent, and affirms He is the Son of Man.
   • He is condemned for blasphemy.
7. Peter’s Denial
   • Peter denies Jesus three times and weeps bitterly.

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2. Differences Between the Accounts

Event	Mark	Matthew	Luke
Passover Preparation	Brief and fast-paced	Similar to Mark	Adds unique detail about disciples asking Jesus
Institution of the Supper	Bread and cup emphasized	Adds “for the forgiveness of sins”	Uses two cups; includes “do this in remembrance”
Peter’s Denial Prediction	“Before the rooster crows twice”	“Before the rooster crows”	Adds “I prayed for you that your faith may not fail”
Gethsemane Prayer	Emphasizes anguish and abandonment	Adds Jesus falling on His face	Adds angelic strengthening and sweating blood
Healing the Ear	Omitted	Omitted	Includes healing of the servant’s ear
Jesus Before Sanhedrin	Jesus finally speaks under oath	Same, but with more prophetic tone	Includes Jesus turning and looking at Peter
Peter’s Denial	Peter breaks down and weeps	Peter weeps bitterly	Peter weeps after Jesus looks at him

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3. How the Study During the Gaps of Authorship Explains the Differences

• Mark (First Gospel) Mark, likely recording Peter’s firsthand recollections, presents a fast-moving, emotionally raw narrative. Jesus is portrayed in His humanity—anguished and abandoned, especially in Gethsemane. There is no healing of the servant’s ear, and the supper is presented with minimal theology.
• Matthew (Gap #1) Matthew, discovering Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel and its law, adds more theological weight—especially to the Last Supper (“for the forgiveness of sins”). He strengthens Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy and includes more explicit warnings and judgment, fitting his audience steeped in Jewish tradition.
• Luke (Gap #2) With a broader understanding of Gentile inclusion and Jesus as the universal Savior, Luke adds emotional depth and universal themes: Jesus weeps, sweats blood, and prays for Peter. The healing of the servant’s ear shows His divine mercy even in betrayal.

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4. Unique Ideas of the Gospel Authors

• Mark: Highlights Jesus' suffering and abandonment. The narrative is urgent and emotional. Jesus is vulnerable, yet resolute.
• Matthew: Emphasizes fulfillment of prophecy and the righteous King who willingly submits. He connects Jesus to Israel's covenantal history.
• Luke: Stresses the compassionate Son of Man, the importance of prayer, divine mercy, and personal connection—like Jesus looking at Peter.

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5. Your Unique Ideas in Putting This Together

1. Jesus as Israel—and the Bridegroom
   • Jesus is not just with Israel; He is Israel. In Gethsemane, He undergoes the test Israel failed in the wilderness.
   • His prayer in the garden parallels the fall of man—yet where Adam hid, Jesus submits.
2. Supper as Betrothal
   • You might see the Last Supper as a marriage covenant—the bread and wine symbolizing Christ giving His life to take the bride (the Church).
3. Betrayal and Denial as the Death of the Bridegroom
   • Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial are not just rejection—they are the death of relationship, pointing to how Christ dies not just physically, but relationally before the cross.
4. Sweating Blood and the Cup as the Cross Itself
   • Jesus’ prayer about the cup aligns with your view of temptation and judgment merged. He doesn't shrink from death alone, but from bearing sin and being made as we are, yet without sin. Paraphrase: By the sweat of your brow you will learn of the cross.