Bible Study:
Do the four Gospels contradict each other? Was Jesus' last
Passover & crucifixion on Good Friday & His resurrection on
Easter Sunday? What do the four Gospel accounts really say
when they are correctly put together?
Christianity became divided almost 1,800 years ago over the Passover/Easter controversy. What do the Gospel accounts of the Bible reveal concerning the events of Jesus last Passover and His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension? What is the truth recorded by His disciples?
Many say they can't understand the Bible. Some theologians call it contradictory. The Scriptures reveal that God inspired more than 40 different authors (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:12-20), writing in at least two major ancient languages, to record His instruction and messages to mankind. But because it was written by many authors over a period of thousands of years, much of the knowledge and instruction contained in the 49 books of the Bible (inspired order and version) are like a puzzle of coded messages. God, however, inspired the prophet Isaiah to reveal how the biblical messages may be understood. He wrote:
"Whom shall He (the Lord) teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand the message?…
"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept,
"Line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little…" (Isa 28:9-10…).
Also He inspired the apostle Paul to write in his letter to Timothy:
"Remind them of those things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing ("orthotomeo," correctly cutting and pasting) the Word of God" (2 Tim 2:14-15).
The accounts of the four Gospel books all agree and contain essentially the same message on the life, ministry and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but are written by different authors from slightly different perspectives with each providing some unique details not contained by the others. To get the full story and understanding of their message it is necessary to rightly divide (cut and paste) them together. The following is an attempt to put together in chronological order a single combined narrative of the four Gospel accounts of Jesus' last Passover, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension (see also "Passover…The Beginning of Salvation" and "Good Friday - Easter Sunday Dilemma").
Before the beginning of His final Passover, which was on the 14th of Abib (Nisan) (the first month of the biblical year (Ex 12:1; 13:4; Est 3:7) following the spring equinox in 31 A.D., Matthew's account records:
"Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, He said to his disciples,
"You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son [this] Man is being betrayed to be crucified.
"Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and they plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But they said,
"Not on the holyday ("heorte," feast, holyday, festival), lest there be an uproar among the people…
"Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said,
"What will you give me if I deliver Him to you?' And they agreed to thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him" (Mat 26:1-5,14-16; Mk 14:1,10-11; Lk 22:1-6; Zech 11:12-13).
Now before evening and the beginning of the 14th of Nisan, Matthew writes:
"Now before ("protos," meaning before, beginning, chief, first) the feast of Unleavened Bread…" (Mat 26:17).
John agrees: "Now before ("pro," before) the feast of the Passover, Jesus knew that His hour had come that He must depart out of this world to the Father..." (John 13:1).
"He (Jesus) sent Peter and John, saying, 'Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.' So they said to Him, ''Where do You want us to prepare?'
"And He said to them, 'Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters.
"Then you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, 'Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?'
"Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.
"So they went and found it as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. (Lk 22:8-13; Mat 26:18-19; Mk 14:12-18).
Jesus' last Passover began at sunset Tuesday evening, the beginning of the 14th day of the first month (Ex 12:2-6). In the evening after sunset, Jesus came and sat down with the twelve to eat His last Passover meal (Mat 26:17-20,26,29; Mk 14:12-18,25; Lk 22:7-16).
"Now when evening had come, He sat down with the twelve" (Mat 26:20; Mk 14:17; Lk 22:14).
"When supper [came ("ginomai," to cause to be, come into being, continue)], the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot…to betray Him… Jesus…rose from supper… and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
"Then He came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to Him, 'Lord, are You washing my feet?'
"Jesus answered and said to him, 'What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.'
"Peter said, 'You shall never wash my feet!' Jesus answered him, 'If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.'
"Peter said to Him, 'Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!'
"Jesus said to him, ' He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.'
"For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, 'You are not all clean.'
"So after He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, 'Do you know what I have done to you?
"You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feed, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
"For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you…
"If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.
"I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against Me.'
"Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me" (John 13:2-5-20).
"And when the time came, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him" (Lk 22:14). "And as they were eating (Mat 26:26; Mk 14:22), He said to them, 'With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God." (Lk 22:15-16).
"Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, 'Take, eat, this is My body.'
"Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
"But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's Kingdom" (Mat 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:14-20).
[Note: Jesus at that time instituted the New Covenant Passover with the symbols of the bread and wine to represent Him, as the bread of life (John 6:31-35,47-63), and God's sacrifice for the remission of sins in place of the animal sacrifices that were added to demonstrate the requirements of the law and consequences of sin pointing to the need for a Savior (Gen 14:18; 22:8; Lev Gal 3:19-25; Heb 8:6-13; 9:9-15; 10:1-18 - see "Passover…The Beginning of Salvation," "Old Testament Passover," "New Testament Passover," and "Why Old Testament Sacrifices?")]
"When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit…" (John 13:2-5-22)."Now as they were eating, He (Jesus) said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.'
"And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, 'Lord, is it I?" (Mat 26:21-22).
"Now there was leaning on Jesus' chest one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
"Then, leaning back on Jesus' chest, he said to Him, 'Lord, who is it?'
Jesus answered, 'It is he to whom I give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.' And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the Son of Simon." (John 13:23-26).
"Then He answered and said, 'He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.
"The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.'
"Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, 'Rabbi, is it I?' He said to him, 'You have said it." (Mat 26:21-25; Mk 14:18-21; Lk 22:21-23).
"Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, 'What you do, do quickly.'
"But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, 'Buy those things we need for the feast,' or that he should give some thing to the poor.
"Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night." (John 13:27-30).
After Judas left, Jesus taught and prayed with His disciples. "So, when he (Judas) had gone out, Jesus said, 'Now the Son of Man shall be glorified, and God glorified in Him…'
"Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer, You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you cannot come,' so now I say to you: 'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.'
"Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord, where are You going?' Jesus answered him, 'Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.'
"Peter said to Him, 'Lord why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.'
"Jesus answered him, 'Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow (twice - Mk 14:30) till you have denied Me three times…" (John 13:31-38).
"But there was a rivalry among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
"And He said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors (workers of good).
"But it shall not be so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.
"For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the Servant.
"But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I appoint unto you a Kingdom, just as My Father has appointed unto Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My Kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
"Also the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail, and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.'
"But he said to Him, 'Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." (Lk 22:24-33).
"Then Jesus said to them, 'All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered' (Zech 13:7). "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.
"Peter answered and said to Him, Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not… If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!' And they all said likewise" (Mat 26:31-35; Mk 14:27-31; John 13:36-38).
"Then He said, 'I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow (twice - Mk 14:30) this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.'
"Also He said to them, 'When I sent you without a purse, food sack, and sandals, did you lack anything?' So they said, 'Nothing.'
"But now He said to them, 'Howbeit, hereafter, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a sack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
"For I say to you that which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors' (Isa 53:12). 'For the things concerning Me have a fulfillment (purpose).'
"And they said, 'Lord, look, here are two swords.' And He said to them, 'It is enough" (Lk 22:34-38).
Jesus continued to instruct His disciples as they asked questions (see John 14; 15 and 16) and finally Jesus prayed for Himself and His disciples:
"Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You…
"I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word…
Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one (united) as We are…
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth. As You have sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world…
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be united, as You, Father, are with Me, and I with You; that they also may be united with Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me…
"O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; And these have known that You sent Me.
"And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them" (John 17).
"After Jesus had spoken these words (And when they had sung a hymn, they departed for the Mount of Olives" - Mat 26:30; Mk 14:26; Lk 22:39),
"And, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden (a place called Gethsemane - Mat 26:36; Mk 14:32), which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples." (John 18:1-2).
"When they came to the place called Gethsemane, He (Jesus) said to His disciples, 'Sit here while I pray.' ('Pray that you enter not into temptation' - Lk 22:40). And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.
"Then He said to them, 'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.'
"He went a little farther, (And He was withdrawn from them about a stones throw, and He knelt down... - Lk 22:41) and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said,
"Father ("Abba"), (My - Mat 26:39) Father ("Pater"), all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.'
"Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, 'Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour?' Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.'
"Again he went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him" (Mk 14:32-40).
"So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words" (Mat 26:44).
"Father, if it is Your will, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.
"Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
"But being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
"When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples (the third time - Mk 14:41) He found them sleeping from sorrow.
"Then He said to them, 'Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation" (Lk 22:43-46).
"...It is enough! The hour has come; Behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
"Rise up, let us go. See, My betrayer is at hand." (Mk 14:41-42; Mat 26:45-46).
"And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude (having received a detachment of troops, and officers…with lanterns, torches, and weapons " - John 18:3) with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders (and Pharisees).
"Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, 'Whomever I kiss, He is the One; take Him and lead Him away safely." (Mk 14:43-44; Mat 26:47-48).
"And…Judas…drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to Him, 'Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" (Lk 22:47-48).
"Then immediately he went up to Jesus and said, 'Greetings (grace), Rabbi!' and kissed Him. And Jesus said to Him, 'Friend, why have you come?' Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him" (Mat 26:49-50; Mk 14:45-46).
"When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, 'Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" (Lk 22:49).
"And suddenly, one of those with Jesus (Peter - John 18:10) stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
"Then Jesus said to him, 'Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.' (And He touched his ear and healed him" (Lk 22:50-51).
"Yea, do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
"But how shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, (but) that it must happen thus?
"At that time Jesus said to the multitudes, 'Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. (But this is your hour, and the power of darkness - Lk 22:53). Now all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.'
"Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled" (Mat 26:51-56; Mk 14:45-50; Lk 22:48-53).
"Now a certain young man (Mark) followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked" (Mk 14:51-52).
"Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas (a former high priest) first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year…
"The high priest (Annas - Lk 3:2) then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him,
"I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who heard Me what I said to them…'
"Then…one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus…saying, 'Do You answer the high priest like that?'
"Jesus answered him, 'If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil, but if well, why do you strike Me?'
"Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest" (John 18:12-14,19-24).
"Then those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled" (Mat 26:57; Mk 14:53; Lk 22:54).
"But Peter (and another disciple…known to the high priest - John 18:15) followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard…" (Mat 26:57-58; Mk 14:54; Lk 22:54; John 18:15).
"But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple…went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.
"And the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals, stood there for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself…" (John 18:16,18, 25; Mk 14:54; Lk 22:55).
" Then a servant girl (of the high priest - Mk 14:66-67) who kept the door said to Peter… (John 18:17),
"You also were with Jesus of Galilee.' But he denied it before them all, saying 'I do not know what you are saying.' (And he went out to the porch, and a rooster crowed - Mk 14:68).
"And when He had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, 'This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.' But again he denied with an oath, '(Woman), I do not know the Man!" (Mat 26:69-72; Lk 22:56-57; Mk 14:67-70).
"One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, 'Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" (John 18:26).
"Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, 'Surely, this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.'
"But Peter said, 'Man, I do not know what you are saying." (Lk 22:59-60).
"And after awhile those who stood by came to him and said to Peter, 'Surely you also are one of them, because your speech betrays you" (Mat 26:73; Mk 14:70).
"Then he began to curse and swear, saying, I do not know this Man!" (Mat 26:74-75; Mk 14:71).
"And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed (a second time - Mk 14:72). And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.
"And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows (twice - Mk 14:30,72), you will deny Me three times.' Then Peter went out and wept bitterly" (Lk 22:60-62; Mat 26:73-75; Mk 14:72; John 18:25-27).
By the time the cock crowed twice (about 3 AM) Peter, who had followed Jesus to the high priest's courtyard, had denied Him 3 times (Mat 26:69-75; Mk 14:66-72; Lk 22:54-62; John 18:25-27).
Jesus had been "led…away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes" (Mat 26:53).
"Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, 'Prophesy! Who is it that struck You?' And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him" (Lk 22:63-65; Mat 26:67-68; Mk 14:65).
"And [when it was about] day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying,
"'If you are the Christ, tell us. But He said to them, 'If I tell you, you will by no means believe.
"And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go…" (Lk 22:66-68).
"Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward (but their testimonies did not agree - Mk 14:56)… But at least two false witnesses came forward and said,
"This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.' (I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands, But not even then did their testimony agree - Mk 14:59).
"And the high priest arose and said to Him, 'Do You answer nothing? What is it that these men testify against You?'
"But Jesus kept silent. And (again - Mk 14:61) the high priest…said to Him, 'I adjure You by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.
"Jesus said to him, 'It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."
"Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying 'He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! ('What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth - Lk 22:71).
"What do you think?' They answered and said, 'He is deserving of death.' (And they all condemned Him to be worthy of death - Mk 14:64)" (Mat 26:59-66; Mk 14:63-64; Lk 22:66-71).
"Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him (Mk 14:65), 'Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?' (Mat 26:68). And the officers struck Him with the psalms of their hands" (Mk 14:65).
"Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate" (Mk 15:1; Mat 27:1-2; Lk 23:1).
[Note: The session of the Sanhedrin at night was illegal by their own law, therefore they officially ratified their decision at daylight - Halley's Bible Handbook, p 440)]
"They led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium (Hall of Judgment), and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover" (John 18:28).
"Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, 'I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.'
"And they said, 'What is that to us?… Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went out and hanged himself.
"But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, 'It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.'
"And they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. "Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
"Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet…" (Mat 27:1-10; Jer 32:6-9; Acts 1:16-20).
Now "Jesus stood before the governor" (Mat 27:11; Mk 15:1).
"Pilate then went out to them and said, 'What accusation do you bring against this Man?" (John 18:29),
"They answered and said to him, 'If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you" (John 18:30).
"And they began to accuse Him saying, 'We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King." (Lk 23:2-3; Mat 27:12; Mk 15:3).
"And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, 'Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?' And He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly" (Mat 27:12-14; Mk 15:3-5).
"So Pilate asked Him, saying, 'Are You the King of the Jews?' And He answered him and said, 'It is as you say." (Lk 23:3; Mat 27:11; Mk 15:2).
"Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, 'I find no fault in this Man.'
"But they were more fierce, saying, 'He stirs up the nation, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.
"When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. As soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time."
"Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.
"Then he questioned Him…but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.
"Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked, arraying Him in a gorgeous (bright, goodly, magnificent, or radiant) robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.
"That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for before that they had been at enmity with each other" (Lk 23:4-12)
"Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them,
"You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. But indeed, I have examined Him before you and have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you speak against Him.
"No neither did Herod…and indeed nothing worthy of death has been done by Him.
"I will therefore chastise Him and release Him (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast" (Lk 23:4-17; see also Mat 27:15-17; Mk 15:6-7; Lk 23:16-17; John 18:39).
"And they all cried out at once, saying, 'Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas - who had been thrown into prison for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder" (Lk 23:18).
"Then Pilate said to them, 'You take Him and judge Him according to your law. Therefore the Jews said to him, 'It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,' that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke signifying by what death He would die" (John 18:31-32).
"Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, 'Are You King of the Jews?'
"Jesus answered him, 'Are you speaking for yourself on this, or did others tell you this about Me?
"Pilate answered, 'Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?'
"Jesus answered, 'My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here.'
"Pilate therefore said to Him, 'Are You a King then?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a King. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth, Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.'
"Pilate said to Him, 'What is truth?" (John 18:33-38).
"While he (Pilate) was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, 'Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him" (Mat 27:19).
"Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas (Mat 27:15-16), who was chained with his fellow insurrectionists; they had committed murder and insurrection" (Mk 15:6-7).
"Therefore, when they had gathered together (Mat 27:17), he (Pilate) went out to the Jews, and said to them, 'I find no fault in Him at all. But you have a custom that I release someone to you at the Passover." - John 18:38-39).
"Pilate said to them, 'Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ (the King of the Jews).
"For he knew that because of envy they had delivered Him" (Mat 27:17-18; Mk 15:9-10).
"But the chief priests (had stirred up the crowd and) persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and kill Jesus." (Mat 27:19-21; Mk 15:11).
"And they all cried out at once, saying, 'Away with Him, and release to us Barabbas' - who had been thrown in prison for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder" (Lk 23:18-19).
"Pilate said to them, 'What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ (the King of the Jews - Mk 15:12)?' They all said to him, 'Let Him be crucified!'
"Then the governor said, 'Why, what evil has He done?' But they cried out the more, saying, 'Let Him be crucified!" (Mat 27:18-23; Mk 15:6-14).
"Pilate, therefore wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, 'crucify Him, crucify Him!" (Lk 23:18-21).
"And they all cried again, saying, ''Not this Man, but Barabbas.' Now Barabbas was a robber" (John 18:40).
"So then Pilate took Jesus and had Him scourged ("mastigoo," to flog or whip, scourge)" (John 19:1).
[Note: Under the Roman method of scourging the victim was stripped, stretched with cords on a frame, and beaten or flogged with rods or whips made with rope ends or straps of leather.(Unger's Bible Dictionary, 1961, p 980). The scourging instrument was sometimes a whip made with barbed points of bone or metal (Illustrated Dictionary of Bible Life & Times, p 312).]
[Isaiah's prophecy reveals: "Just as many were astonished…so His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more then the sons of men…" (Isa 52:14).
"He was despised and rejected by men…acquainted with grief… He was dispised, and we did not esteem Him.
"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
"All we like sheep have gone astray…and the Lord laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
"He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter…
"He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people he was stricken.
"And they made His grave with the wicked…" (Isa 53:3-9).]
"Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet (crimson or purple - Mat 27:28) robe on Him.
"When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed (rod or staff) in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'
"Then they spat on Him, and took the rod and struck Him on the head" (Mat 27:27-30; Mk 15:16-19; John 19:1-3).
"Pilate then went out again, and said to them, 'Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.'
"Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, ' Behold the Man!
"When the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying 'crucify Him, crucify Him! Pilate said to them, 'You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.
"The Jews answered him, '…according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.
"When Pilate heard that saying, he was more afraid, and went again into the Praetorium (Hall of Judgment), and said to Jesus, 'Where are You from?…Do You not know that I have power (authority) to crucify You, and power to release You?'
"Jesus answered, 'You could have no power (authority) against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin'.
"Because of this Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, 'If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.'
"When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the Judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement (Gabbatha in Hebrew).
"Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour (12 noon). And he said to the Jews, 'Behold your King!'
"But they cried out, 'Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!' Pilate said to them, 'Shall I crucify your King?' The chief priests answered, 'We have no king but Caesar!" (John 19:1-15).
"Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, 'Crucify Him, Crucify Him!'
"And he said to them a third time, 'Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason of death in Him. I have therefore chastised Him and will let Him go.
"But they were insistent, demanding…that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and the chief priests prevailed" (Lk 23:20-23).
"When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all…he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, 'I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.'
"And all the people answered and said, 'His blood be on us and on our children." (Mat 27:24-25; Mk 15:8-15).
[Note: Pilate tried to get out of crucifying Jesus. He appealed to the Jewish rulers and to Herod and back to the Jewish rulers again, and then to the multitudes. When the multitudes turned against Jesus, Pilate tried to appeal to their pity, by having Jesus scourged, in hope that they would be satisfied with partial punishment, and not require him to go all the way to crucifixion. Failing in that, he did not finally make up his mind to crucify Jesus till the Jews threatened to report him to Caesar. Not till it began to look as if it might cost him his position as Governor of Judea did he at last consent to the death of Jesus - Halley's Bible Handbook, p 414)]
"So Pilate (wanting to gratify the crowd - Mk 15:15), gave sentence that it should be as they requested. And he released to them (Barabbas) the one they requested, who for insurrection and murder had been thrown into prison, but he delivered Jesus to their will (to be crucified)" (Lk 23:24-25; Mat 27:26).
"So he delivered Him to them to be crucified" (John 19:16).
"Then when they (the soldiers) had mocked Him, they took the (purple) robe off Him and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified" (Mat 27:31; Mk 15:20).
"…So they took Jesus and led Him away. And He, bearing His cross ("staroo," a stake or cross), went out to a place called a place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha…" (John 19:16-17).
"Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.
"And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said,
"Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren…"
"Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us!' and to the hills, 'cover us!…"
"There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death" (Lk 23:26-33; Mat 27:32; Mk 15:21; John 19:16-18).
"And when they came to a place called Golgotha, (which translated is Place of a Skull - Mk 15:22; called Calvary ("kranion" in Greek meaning a skull - Lk 23:33),
"they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He tasted it, He would not drink.
[Note: They offered Jesus the wine mixed with gall to stupefy Him, and deaden the sense of pain as they were about to drive the nails in His hands and feet. But He refused it (Halley's Bible Handbook, p 481)]
"Then they crucified Him (and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do' - Lk 23:33-34),
"And they divided His garments (into four parts, to each soldier a part, and also a tunic. Now the tunic was without seam woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be - John 19:23-24), casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet (Psa 22:18)…" (Mat 27:33-35; Mk 15:22; Lk 23:33-4,36).
"Sitting down, they (the soldiers) kept watch over Him there" Mat 27:36).
"Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, 'Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but that, He said, 'I am the King of the Jews.' Pilate answered, 'What I have written, I have written." (John 19:19-22; Lk 23:38).
"And they put over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
"Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left" Mat 27:37-38).
"So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'And He was numbered with the transgressors" (Isa 53:12; Mk 15:28).
"And those who passed by blasphemed (slandered) Him, wagging their heads and saying,
"You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.
"Likewise the chief priests, also mocking with the scribes and elders, said,
"He saved others; Himself He cannot save" (Mk 15:29-31).
"(Let the Christ), If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, (that we may see ) and we will believe Him" (Mat 27:42; Mk 15:32).
"He saved others; Let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." (Lk 23:35),
"He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.'
"Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing" Mat 27:43-44).
"And one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, 'If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.' But the other rebuked him saying, 'Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.' Then he said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.' And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you today, you shall be with Me in Paradise" (Lk 23:39-43).
"And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine and saying, 'If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself" (Lk 23:36-37).
"Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour (12 noon)…" (John 19:14).
"And it was about the sixth hour (12 noon), and there was darkness over all the earth (land) until the ninth hour (3 PM). Indeed the sun was darkened…" (Lk 23:44-45; Mat 27:45; Mk 15:33).
"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ''Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple (John), 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour that disciple took her as his own" (John 19:25-27).
"And about the 9th hour (3 PM) Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?' that is, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'
Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, 'This Man is calling for Elijah!"
(Mat 27:46-47; Mk 15:34-36).
"After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, 'I thirst!
"Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there…" (John 19:28-29).
"Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a (hyssop) reed and gave it to Him to drink. The rest said, 'Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him" (Mat 27:48 Mk 15:48-49; John 19:29).
"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, (He had cried out again with a loud voice - Mat 27:50; Mk 15:37), He said, 'It is finished ("teleo," accomplished, completed, fulfilled, finished, paid in full)!" (John 19:30).
"Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit" (Lk 23:46). "And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit" (John 19:25-30; Mat 27:50). "He breathed His last" (Mk 15:37; Lk 23:46).
"And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
"and graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves, after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
"Now when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, 'Truly this was the Son of God!'
"And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James (the Less) and Joses, and (Salome) the mother of Zebedee's sons" (Mat 27:51-56; Mk 15:38-41; Lk 23:47-49).
"The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs be broken, and that they be taken away.
"Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him.
"But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
"But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out… For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, 'Not one of His bones shall be broken" (Ex 12:46; Num 9:12; Psa 34:20). And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced" (Zech 12:10)" (John 19:31-37).
"And now [before] evening came, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath" (Mk 15:42),
"a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had become a disciple of Jesus - Mat 27:57), but secretly, for fear of the Jews - John 19:38),
"a good and just man, he had not consented to their counsel and deed" (Lk 23:50-51),
"a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the Kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. And when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen…" (Mk 15:42-46).
"So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.
"Then they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.
"Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid" (John 19:38-42).
"And when Joseph had taken the body, and had wrapped it in clean linen cloth, (they) laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed" (Mat 27:59-61; Mk 15:46; Lk 23:53),
"So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby" (John 19:42).
"That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.
"And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.
"Then they returned back to prepare spices and fragrant oils. But indeed they rested that Sabbath according to the commandment" (Lk 23:54-56; Mat 27:61; Mk 15:47).
John's account makes it clear that this day was a special Sabbath, "Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover… the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for THAT Sabbath was a high day)…" (John 19:14,31).
[Note: John is here referring to the Passover as the 1st Day of Unleavened Bread (the 15th of Nisan) when they ate the Passover after killing it on the Preparation Day of the 14th of Nisan (Ex 12:6-17,42; John 18:28).
According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, "high day," from the Greek "megas," meaning great, is here virtually equivalent to "holy." John had already explained that it was "the Preparation Day of the Passover" (John 19:14), not the weekly Sabbath. The Passover on the 14th of Abib or Nisan is not a Sabbath Holy Day or High Day, but is the Preparation Day of the first Holy Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is on the 15th of Nisan (Lev 23:5-8). This High Day Sabbath is also often called the "Passover," which is when the Jews normally ate the Passover Lamb that was killed on the Preparation Day of the 14th (see John 18:28 - see also "The Old Testament Passover"). It is also called "a night of solemn observance to the Lord, for bringing them out of the land of Egypt" (Ex 12:6-17,42)]
The Women who had come to observe the tomb and how Jesus' body was laid, "But indeed rested that Sabbath according to the commandment" (Lk 23:56).
"Now that next day (the High Day Sabbath, 15th of Nisan), which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying,
"Sir, we remember, while He was alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.'
"Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception would be worse than the first.'
"Pilate said to them, 'You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.
"So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard" (Mat 27:62-66).
"Now when the Sabbath (High Holy Day) was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, in order that they might go and anoint Him" (Mk 16:1).
Jesus' disciples rested and kept the weekly Sabbath, as He had taught and set the example: He said,
"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man (Jesus) is Lord of the Sabbath" (Mk 2:27-28).
And He and His disciples kept it, "…as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day…" (Lk 4:16).
"And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment" (Lk 23:56).
[Note: During His ministry, Jesus had said to His disciples and to the scribes and Pharisees that He would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights and the third day rise again from the dead.
"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Mat 12:40).
"Then Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside…and said to them, 'Behold, we are going to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again" (Mat 20:17-19; Lk 24:7…).
"And He began to teach (His disciples) that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again" (Mk 8:31).]
The chief priests and Pharisees remembered what He had said and said to Pilate, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.' Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day…" (Mat 27:63).]
Since Jesus was laid in the tomb on Wednesday evening just before sunset. Three days and three nights (72 hours) later came to Saturday (Sabbath) evening. Therefore, Jesus rose from the dead just before sunset Saturday, near the end of the weekly Sabbath.
When the women came to the tomb on Sunday morning, the first day of the week, Jesus had already risen (Mat 28:1-6; Mk 16:1-6; Lk 24:1-7; John 20:1-16). The angels that met them, said to them,
"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying,
"The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." (Lk 24:5-7).
"Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn into the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were coming to see the tomb" (Mat 28:1).
"… Mary Magdalene going early, being still dark, to the tomb, and seeing the stone had been taken away from the tomb;
"then ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple (John), whom Jesus loved, and said to them, 'They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.'
"Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb.
"So they both ran together and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.
"And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there, and the cloth that was around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
"Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and saw and believed.
"For as yet they did not know (comprehend) the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.
"Then these disciples went away again to their own homes.
"But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb,
"and saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
"Then they said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, 'Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.'
"Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
"Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?'
"She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, 'Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.'
"Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to Him, 'Rabboni!' (which is to say, Master).
"Jesus said to her, 'Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ' I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'
[Note: Jesus then ascended to heaven to God's throne, as the wave sheaf offering to become the first of the firstfruits of salvation, and then after presenting His blood to God to atone for our sins (Lve 23:10-11; Heb 9:12,24,28; 1 Cor 15:20,23 ), He returned to be with His disciples at their most difficult time.]
"Mary Magdalene (then) went to tell the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her" (John 20:1-18).
"Also on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they (the women who had come with Him from Galilee - Lk 23:55) and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared" (Lk 24:1).
"…they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?' But when they looked, they saw that the stone had been rolled away - for it was very large" (Mk 16:2-4; Lk 24:2).
"Indeed, behold, there had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord. descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
"His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
"And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men" (Mat 28:2-5).
"Then before entering the tomb, they saw a youth (angel) clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed" (Mk 16:5).
"Moreover the angel began to speak to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
"He is not here; for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord laid.
"And go quickly and tell His disciples (and Peter) that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you" (Mat 28:5-7; Mk 16:5-7).
"Then they entered in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
"So it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men (angels) stood by them in shining garments.
"Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them,
"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying,
"The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'
Then they remembered His words" (Lk 24:3-8; Mk 16:5-6).
"So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy (for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid - Mk 16:8), and ran to bring His disciples word" (Mat 28:7-8; Mk 16:7-8).
"And as they went to tell His disciples, behold Jesus met them, saying, 'Rejoice!' And they came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him.
"Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me" (Mat 28:9-10; Mk 16:7-8).
"Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.
"When they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying,
"Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole him away while we slept.'
"And if it comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure.'
"So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day" (Mat 28:11-15).
"…He (Jesus) appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
"She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
"And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe" (Mk 16:9-11).
"It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
"But their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.
"But Peter arose and ran to the tomb, and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves, and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened" (Lk 24:9-12).
"After that, He (Jesus) appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country" (Mk 16:12).
"For behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.
"And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.
"But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them,
"What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?'
"Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, 'Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there these days?'
"And He said to them, 'What things?' And they said to Him, 'The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
"And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.
"But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.
"Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us.
"When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.
"And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.
"Then He said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
"Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?'
"And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
"Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.
"But they constrained Him saying, 'Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.' And He went in to stay with them.
"Now it came to pass, as He sat to eat with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
"Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him, and He vanished from their sight.
"And they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'
"So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying,
"The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!'
"And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread" (Lk 24:13-35).
"Likewise they went and told all these things to the rest, but neither did they believe them" (Mk 16:13).
"Then, (Even as they said these things - Lk 24:36), the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you." (John 20:19).
"…He appeared to the eleven as they sat down to eat, and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen" (Mk 16:14).
"But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
"Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.'
"When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
"And they now believed because of joy, and marveled…" (Lk 24:37-41).
"But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus Came.
"The other disciples therefore said to him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them, 'Unless I see in His hands the wound of the nails, and put my finger into the wound of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:20,24-25).
Now "…He (Jesus) said to them, 'Have you any food here?'
"So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate it in their presence.
"Then He said to them, 'These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.'
"And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them,
"Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
"And you are witnesses of these things"
Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on High" (Lk 24:41-49).
"Then Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.
"And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. Anyone whosoever sins are forgiven, are forgiven them; anyone whosoever sins are retained, are retained" (John 20:19-21-23).
[Note: Only God through Jesus Christ can forgive sins against God (Mk2:5-12; John 1:29; Rom 6:10-16,22-23; 8:3-4; Heb 9:26; 10:12-18; 1 John 1:7; Isa 53:5-6,10-12). Jesus taught His disciples that they could know whose sins had been forgiven or not by their fruits - Mat 7:16-20; Gal 5:17-24)].
"And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut; and stood in the midst and said, 'Peace to you.'
"Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your finger here and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving.'
"And Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and My God!'
"Jesus said to him, 'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'
""And truly Jesus did many other signs (miraculous works) in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;
"but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life through His name" (John 20:26-31).
"After these things, Jesus showed Himself again to (7 of) the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (which is the Sea of Galilee - John 6:1), and in this way He showed Himself:
"Simon Peter, Thomas, called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
"Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.' They said to him, 'We are going with you also.' They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
"But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
"Then Jesus said to them, 'Children, have you any food?' They answered Him, 'No.'
"And He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
"Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!' Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his fisher's coat (for he was naked), and plunged into the sea.
"But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.
"Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
"Jesus said to them, 'Bring some of the fish which you have caught.'
"Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
"Jesus said to them, 'Come and eat.' Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, 'Who are You?' - knowing that it was the Lord.
"Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
"This was now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
"So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love ("agapao") Me more than these?' He said to Him, ' 'Yes, Lord You know that I love ("phileo") You.' He said to him, 'Feed My lambs.'
"He said to him again a second time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love ("agapao") Me?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love ("phileo") You.' He said to him, 'Shepherd My sheep.'
"He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love ("phileo") Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love ("phileo") Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord You know all things; You know that I love ("phileo") You.'
"Jesus said to him, 'Feed My sheep. Most assuredly I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.'
"This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, 'Follow Me.'
"Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, 'Lord, who is the one who betrays You?'
"Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, 'But Lord, what about this man?'
"Jesus said to him, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.'
"Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?'
"This is that disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen" (John 21:1-25).
"Then the eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.
"And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted.
"Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them… (see Note],
"teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen" (Mat 28:16-20).
[Note: "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" was added to Matthew's account after the Nicene Council by the Roman Catholic (meaning universal in Latin) Church established by Roman emperor Constantine in 325 A.D. to give credence to the false doctrine of the trinity, which was adopted at that time, according to Oxford theologian Fred C. Conybeare in his article "The Eusebian form of the Text Matthew 28:19," Abgeschlossen, 16, Nov. 1901). All other Scriptures make it clear that baptism, remission of sins and salvation is given only through the name of Jesus Christ who died for our sins. The apostle Peter was therefore inspired on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was given to them, to say to the multitudes:
"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:36-38).
And the next day Peter, when they were taken into custody for healing and preaching the resurrection from the dead in Jesus' name, said to the rulers, elders, scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, who were gathered together at Jerusalem who asked them, "By what power (authority) or by what name have you done this?'
"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, 'Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: …Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands before you whole.
"This is the 'Stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the Chief Cornerstone.'
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:1-12 - see also Mat 3:11; 28:18--19; Mk 16:16-17; Lk 24:46-47; Mat 3:13-15; John 1:31-33; 3:22,26-36; 4:1-2; 20:31; Acts 1:5; 8:16; 9:17-18,29; 10:42-48; 11:13-18; 13:38-39; 16:30-33; 18:8; 19:1-6; 22:16; Rom 6:3-4,8-11; 1 Cor 1:13-15; 10:2-4,16-17; 12:12-13,27; Gal 3:26-27; Col 2:12-13)]
"And He (Jesus) said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be judged.
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak a new language;
"they will take up ("airo," lift up, raise, take up, remove, take away, loose, expiate) serpents ("ophis," sharpness, sly cunning, an artful malicious person, espec. Satan, serpent); and if they imbibe (receive) something deadly, it shall not hinder them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover" (Mk:16:15-18).
"Now He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
"Also it came to pass, He blessed them and parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
"And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continuously in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen" (Lk 24:50-53).
Luke in the book of Acts fills in the details to complete the narrative:
"The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
"until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
"to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
"And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, 'which,' He said, 'you have heard from Me;
"For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'
"Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?'
"He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'
"Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
"And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, Two men stood by them in white apparel,
"Who also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:1-11).
"So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God" (Mk 16:19).
"Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.
"And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with His brothers.
"And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty)…" (Acts 1:12-15).
"And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen" (Mk 16:20).
The apostle Paul adds his comments concerning the events of Christ's death and resurrection:
"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
"and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat, this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'
"In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, [when you drink it], in remembrance of Me.'
"For [when] you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."
[Note: The Passover is to be taken only once each year on Passover day in its season, which is on the 14th of Nisan - Ex 12:6; 13:10]
"Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Cor 11:23-27).
"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel (good news) which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
"by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you - unless you believed in vain.
"For I delivered to you first of all that which I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
"and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
"and that He was seen by Cephas (Simon Peter - John 1:42), then by the twelve.
"After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present (this was written about 55 A.D., 24 years after it happened), but some have fallen asleep.
"After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
"Then last of all He was seen but me also, as by one born out of due time.
"For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was in me.
"Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed" (1 Cor 15:1-11).
Copyright: March 19, 2008, Allen L. Stout - Serf Publishing, Inc.
Updated: 3/27/2016