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Chronological, Epoch 8

Chronological Bible Study – Nov 15

What I Noticed Today (Luke 24; John 20-21)

Luke 24

In verses 1-9, the women from Galilee arrived very early in the morning on Sunday to anoint Jesus' body. When they arrived, they found the large stone covering the tomb rolled aside and the tomb empty. Two men appeared in dazzling clothes. The women were terrified, but the angels reminded them of what Jesus had taught them; that He would be betrayed, crucified, and rise on the third day. The women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary mother of James, returned to the disciples and told them what had happened. The disciples did not believe the women, but Peter got up and ran to the tomb. When he looked in, he saw only the linen cloths. He left, amazed.

In verses 13-35, (See also Mark 16:12-13) that same day two of Jesus's disciples were walking Emmaus (a town about seven miles from Jerusalem). Along the way, they were discussing Jesus and His teaching. Jesus came near and began to walk with them, but they were kept from recognizing Him. Jesus asked them about their dispute.

One man named Cleopas said they were discussing Jesus, a prophet whom the chief priests and elders had put to death. They were hoping Jesus would redeem Israel. They told how the women had found Jesus’ tomb empty; some angels had said Jesus was resurrected, and some of the disciples went and found the same thing.

Jesus rebuked the men for not believing what the prophets had spoken about the Messiah. Jesus then explained what the scriptures said about the Messiah. The men invited Jesus to join them for the evening meal, and when Jesus broke the bread and blessed it, they recognized Him, and He suddenly disappeared.

They immediately got up and reported to the eleven disciples what had happened and how they had recognized Him when He broke the bread.

Note: The men referenced Jesus appearing before Simon after His resurrection earlier that same day. Paul makes a note of this in 1 Corinthians 15:5.

In verses 36-49, (See also Matthew 28:16-20, and Mark 16:14-18), Jesus then appeared in the midst of the disciples. They were terrified, thinking they saw a ghost. But Jesus comforted them and said, look at my hands and feet, touch me. Then He ate a piece of fish to demonstrate that he was not a ghost.

Jesus then reminded them of the Law of Moses, of the Prophets, and the Psalms that spoke of Him as Messiah; that He must suffer, die, and be resurrected. Only then could repentance for the forgiveness of sin be preached in His name to all the nations beginning in Jerusalem. His final instruction to them was to stay in Jerusalem until you are empowered from on High (receive the Holy Spirit, Acts 1:8).

Then Jesus led them out to Bethany and blessed them. While He was blessing them, he was raised up into heaven. The disciples returned to Jerusalem joyful, praising God continually in the temple.

All the notes for the book of Luke have been compiled into a single pdf document. You can download it by clicking here.

John 20

In verses 1-10, (See also Matthew 28:5-8, Mark 16:2-8, and Luke 24:1-11), John describes the empty tomb of Jesus.

On the first day of the week (Sunday), Mary Magdalene came to the tomb while it was still dark and saw that the stone had been removed from in front of the tomb. She ran to report this to Peter and the other disciple (John). Peter and John started running to the tomb, but John got there first and saw the linen cloths lying there. When Peter arrived, he also saw them and went into the tomb. Then John entered the tomb, saw, and believed.

Note: The mention of the head wrapping being folded up seems trivial but indicates that Jesus’ departure was unhurried. Later there would be claims that Jesus’ body was stolen, but it makes no sense for someone to steal His body and then carefully fold the linen headcloth.

In verses 11-18, Mary stood outside the tomb, crying because Jesus was gone. She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’ body had been. Mary thought the angel was a gardener and asked where he had taken Jesus’ body. Jesus called her by name, and she recognized Him and called Him Rabbouni (Teacher). Jesus told her not to cling to Him because He had not yet ascended to the Father but to go and tell the others that He is ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God. Mary went and told the disciples what she had seen and what Jesus had told her about ascending to the Father.

Note: The disciples, Peter and John, had left, but Mary remained. It is then that the angels appeared, and Jesus made Himself known to her. In Jesus’ instruction to Mary, do not miss the personalization that occurs when Jesus says My Father and your Father, My God, and your God.

In verses 19-23, (See also Mark 16:14, and Luke 24:36-43), John describes the commissioning of the disciples.

On the evening of the first day of the week (Sunday), the disciples were together when suddenly Jesus appeared in their midst. He showed them His hands and side, and they rejoiced. He commissioned them saying as the Father sent Me, so also I am sending you. He breathed on them and said receive the Holy Spirit if you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven if you retain the sins of any they are retained.

Note: Verses 22 and 23 are difficult to understand. Did Jesus give the Holy Spirit at that moment when we know from John 7:39, the Holy Spirit would not come until Jesus had been glorified (returned to heaven)? Did Jesus give the disciples the power to forgive sins when scriptures tell us clearly that only God can forgive sin? Most likely, the disciples, based on someone’s confession of faith, were given the authority to declare sins forgiven. If someone rejected Jesus, then their sins stayed with them.

In verses 24-29, Thomas was not in the room when Jesus first appeared, so Thomas said if I don’t personally see the marks on Him, I will never believe. After eight days, when the disciples were together again, Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst. Jesus spoke to Thomas, telling him to look and touch His wounds, to not be an unbeliever, but believe. Thomas believed and said, My Lord, my God.

In verses 30-31, John writes Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of the disciples that are not written, but these were written so you would believe Jesus is Messiah.

John 21

In verses 1-14, John describes Jesus’ third appearance to the disciples.

Note: “After this” in verse 1 refers to the feast of Unleavened Bread the following Sunday. After the Feast was over, the disciples went to Galilee by the Sea of Tiberius (Galilee). Peter, Nathanael, James, John, and two other disciples were together when Peter announced that he was going fishing. They went out in the boat but didn’t catch anything all night. At daybreak, Jesus appeared and told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. They did and caught so many fish they could not pull them all in. John said to Peter; it is the Lord!

Peter jumped overboard and swam to shore to be with Jesus while the rest of the disciples rowed to shore with the net of fish. They had caught 153 large fish. Jesus invited them to join Him for breakfast. Jesus blessed the bread and the fish, and they ate.

In verses 15-19, when they had finished breakfast, Jesus turned to Simon Peter and asked him if Peter loved Him more than these (probably referring to the other disciples). Peter answered, yes, Lord You know that I love You. Jesus said, feed my lambs. Jesus asked a second time, and Peter confirmed his love for Jesus a second time. Jesus said, shepherd my sheep. Jesus asked Peter a third time, and for a third time, Peter confirmed his love for Jesus. Jesus said, feed my sheep. Then Jesus said, follow me.

Note: There are six words for “love” in Greek (agape, phileo, eros, lutus, pragma, philautia). “Agape” means to love in a social or moral sense. “Phileo” means to be fond of or to love in a brotherly sense. When Jesus asked Peter the first time, Jesus asked do you “agape” me and Peter answered he “phileo” Him. Same words in the second question. In the third question, Jesus asked, do you “phileo” me, and Peter responded you know I “phileo” you. Peter had denied the Lord three times. Now the Lord required Peter to affirm Him three times.

Jesus also told Peter when he was young, he could come and go as he pleased, but when he grew old someone would tie him up and lead him where he did not want to go.

Note: In verse 18, Jesus foretold the death of Peter as a martyr.

In verses 20-23, Peter turned around and saw John following them. Peter asked Jesus what about him? Jesus said if I want Him to remain until I come, what is that to you. Do not worry about John; you should just follow Me. So Peter reported to the other disciples that John would not die, but that is not what Jesus said or what He meant.

In verses 24-25, John closed his gospel, attesting to the fact that he wrote the gospel and the truth of what was written. He added that many other things were done by Jesus that were not written down, and all the books in the world couldn’t contain a record of all He did.

Some thoughts for additional consideration:

Peter and some of the disciples returned to Galilee to their old lives as fishermen but were unsuccessful. When they followed Jesus’ direction, they were very successful. Regardless of expertise and years of experience, we will always be more successful in our endeavors when we follow Jesus’ direction!
Despite Peter’s denial of Jesus, Jesus reaffirmed him, calling him again to follow Him. We may slip and fall in our walk with the Lord. We may even deny Him like Peter. But Jesus is full of grace and is willing to redeem us just as He did Peter.

All the notes for the book of John have been compiled into a single pdf document. You can download it by clicking here.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Prayer Request? It is our honor to pray for you. You may write to us with your prayer requests at prayer@biblestudydaily.org.

Tomorrow: Acts 1-3

Chronological, Epoch 8

Chronological Bible Study – Nov 14

What I Noticed Today (Matthew 28; Mark 16)

Matthew 28

In verses 1-10, as dawn was breaking on Sunday morning, the two Mary’s went to the tomb. There was a great earthquake, and an angel from heaven rolled back the stone from the entrance to the tomb. His appearance was like lightning and his clothes as white as snow. The guards trembled. The angel spoke to the women comforting them, saying that Jesus had risen from the dead. The angel told them to tell the disciples and go to Galilee, where you will see Him again. They ran to tell the disciples and along the way Jesus met them, telling them again to tell the disciples and then meet Him in Galilee.

In verses 11-15, the guards went to tell the chief priests what had happened. The elders and the priests gave money to the guards telling them to tell people that the disciples had come in the night and taken Jesus away.

Note: Falling asleep during guard duty was punishable by death according to Roman law. So, for the soldiers to say they had fallen asleep while on duty was an admission of a crime. Of course, this story begs additional questions, like how is it that all the soldiers fell asleep at the same time, if they did fall asleep how did they know it was the disciples who took Jesus’ body, and how is it that in the act of rolling away the stone none of the soldiers woke up?

In verses 16-20, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, found Jesus, and worshiped Him. Jesus then gave the disciples the Great Commission: 1) go, 2) make disciples of all the nations, 3) baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and 4) teach them to observe all that He had commanded them.

Note: “Go” is an imperative verb. It tells us what to do. Making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them are all imperative participles. They tell us how to do it. These are not suggestions from Jesus; these are commands of what and how we are to fulfill His commission.

Some thoughts for additional consideration:

Jesus did not defend himself when he was accused. None of His accusers would have believed Him anyway.
Despite the humiliation, torture, and abuse, Jesus did not retaliate.
In His death on the cross and resurrection, He overcame all His enemies.
Jesus kept His promises to His disciples.
Jesus goes before us.
Jesus has all authority on earth and in heaven.
Jesus will be with us always!

All the notes for the book of Matthew have been compiled into a single pdf document. You can download it by clicking here.

Mark 16

In verses 1-8, (See also Matthew 28:1-8), in the evening when the Sabbath was over Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, and Salome bought spices to anoint Jesus. Early the next morning, they went to the tomb and found the large stone rolled away and a young man dressed in white linen sitting on the right side of the tomb.

The angel told them not to be afraid; Jesus had been resurrected, and to tell His disciples and Peter that Jesus would meet them in Galilee (as promised in Mark 14:28). The women fled from the tomb and said nothing to anyone for a while because they were afraid.

Note: Peter being singled out for this confirming message indicated that despite his denial of Jesus, he was still counted among the disciples.

Mark 16:9-20

Note: These twelve verses are the most problematic and disputed in the New Testament. The writing style is different than previous writing. Mary Magdalene is introduced with some detail as though we had not already been introduced to her, but she was mentioned three times before in Mark 15:40, 47, and Mark 16:1. Modern scholars generally agree that these last twelve verses were written by someone other than Mark and added to his Gospel early on, and thus became part of the canonized version.

In verses 9-13, Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb that same morning, and Jesus appeared to her. She went and told the disciples, but they did not believe her. Jesus also appeared in a different form to two others as they were walking on the road. When these two reported it to the others, they did not believe either.

In verses 14-18, Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples while they were eating. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who told them He had been resurrected.

Note: The word the author used to describe Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples is especially harsh criticism.

Then Jesus commissioned the disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. The signs of a person who believed include casting out demons, speaking other languages, picking up snakes, not being harmed by poison, and being able to heal the sick.

In verses 19-20, after speaking with them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven by God and sat at His right hand. The disciples went as directed into the world, preaching the Gospel.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

All the notes for the book of Mark have been compiled into a single pdf document. You can download it by clicking here.

Prayer Request? It is our honor to pray for you. You may write to us with your prayer requests at prayer@biblestudydaily.org.

Tomorrow: Luke 24; John 20-21

Chronological, Epoch 8

Chronological Bible Study – Nov 13

What I Noticed Today (Luke 23; John 18-19)

Luke 23

In verses 1-7, (See also Matthew 27:1-2 & 11-14, and Mark 15:1-5), the Sanhedrin rose up and took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. They levied three charges against Him: 1) subverting the nation, 2) refusing to pay taxes to Caesar, and 3) claiming to be Messiah, a king. Pilate asked Jesus if His claim to be King of the Jews was true, and Jesus said, you have said so. Pilate told the chief priests and elders he found no grounds to charge Jesus. But because they kept insisting, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee.

Note: The charges the Sanhedrin brought against Jesus were all fabrications or outright lies. Jesus had not spoken to subvert Israel. He had not objected to payment of taxes. Jesus had admitted to being the Messiah, but He had never suggested that He was the king of Israel.

In verses 8-12, Herod was glad to see Jesus because he had heard of Jesus and wanted to see Him do some kind of miracle. Herod asked Jesus questions, but Jesus refused to answer, so Herod mocked Jesus, dressed Him in a robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

Note: The brilliant robe that Herod dressed Jesus in was meant to humiliate Him because of the Sanhedrin’s charge that Jesus claimed to be the king of the Jews.

Note: Herod and Pilate had not gotten along well prior to this incident, but the charges against Jesus seem to have brought them together, both having the opinion that no charges should be brought against Jesus.

In verses 13-25, (See also Matthew 27:15-26, and Mark 15:6-15), Pilate called the chief priests and leaders together and said neither he nor Herod had found any grounds to charge Him. Certainly, He has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, Pilate said he would have Jesus whipped and released.

The chief priests and elders cried out, demanding Jesus be held, and Barabbas released.

Note: The elders, members of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court) demanded Barabbas, a real criminal released and kill Jesus, an innocent man.

Three times Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the crowd continued to demand He be crucified, so Pilate finally relented and gave Jesus over to them.

In verses 26-49, (See also Matthew 27:32-56, and Mark 15:21-41), as they led Jesus away, Simon from Cyrene (Northern Africa) was forced to carry Jesus’ cross. Many people, including women, follow Jesus mourning Him. Jesus told them not to mourn Him but to mourn your own children for the days of Jerusalem’s destruction were near.

In verses 32-43, two criminals were crucified along with Jesus, one on either side of Him. Jesus prayed for the Father to forgive them (the soldiers that carried out the execution order) because they didn’t understand who He was. The soldiers divided His clothes and cast lots for them (fulfilling Psalm 22:18). The people and the soldiers mocked Jesus, saying if He really was King of the Jews, He should save himself. The plaque above His head read, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals even began to mock Jesus. The other one rebuked him, saying they deserved punishment, but Jesus had done nothing wrong. This man asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom, and Jesus assured him he would be with Him in paradise that day.

Note: Both criminals deserved their punishment. One mocked Jesus even as he was about to die, while the other man turned to Jesus and recognized Him as Messiah.

In verses 44-49, Luke notes several things that happened in Jesus’ final hours as He was about to die:

Darkness came over the land for three hours from 12n – 3 pm (see Luke 22:53).
The curtain of the temple that separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Jesus gave up His life as He breathed His last.
A Roman centurion began to glorify God, saying this man was righteous (not a guilty man).
Spectators went home beating their chests (mourning).
The women who had been with Jesus from Galilee stood nearby until the very end (unlike the disciples who had all scattered).

In verses 50-56, (See also Matthew 27:57-61, and Mark 15:42-47), Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, who believed in Jesus, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. He took Jesus, wrapped Him in linen, and placed Him in his own new tomb. It was Preparation Day (Friday before the Sabbath). The women from Galilee who had been following Jesus watched where Jesus was taken. They prepared spices and perfumes to anoint His body after the Sabbath.

John 18

In verses 1-11, (See also Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-50, and Luke 22:47-53), John describes the betrayal of Jesus. Jesus left the Passover dinner with His disciples and went across the Kidron Valley to the olive garden (Gethsemane).

Note: During the Passover celebration, many people camped near Jerusalem. Jesus and the disciples often stayed in the olive garden when they were in the area.

Judas knew where the disciples were staying and went there, leading a group of chief priests, Pharisees, temple police, and soldiers. Jesus met them and asked who they were looking for. They answered Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said I am He. When He said this, they stepped back and fell to the ground.

Note: Falling to the ground was a common response to being in the presence of divinity.

Jesus asked a second time, and they responded a second time that they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth. Simon Peter stepped forward and cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priests’ servant. Jesus told Peter to put away his sword and asked, Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me.

Note: The “cup” Jesus referred to was the suffering and death that He was to experience.

In verses 12-27, (See also Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65, and Luke 22:54), John describes the trials of Jesus and Peter’s denials.

The Jewish temple police seized Jesus, bound Him, and took Him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest.

Note: Annas had also served as a high priest. He served from A.D. 6-15.

Simon Peter was following Jesus along with another disciple (probably John). That disciple (John) was an acquaintance of the high priest and was allowed into the courtyard while Peter remained outside by the door. The other disciple spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper who allowed Peter inside. She accused Peter of being one of Jesus' disciples, and Peter denied it. Peter stood near a fire with the temple police and household slaves to warm himself.

Annas questioned Jesus, who said since He had always taught openly in the temple complex and the synagogue, so Annas should ask those who heard Him teach. Annas bound Jesus and sent Him to Caiaphas.

One of the people warming themselves by the fire asked Simon Peter again if he was one of Jesus’ disciples, and he denied it. Finally, one of the high priests’ slaves, a relative of Malchus, directly accused Peter of being a disciple because she had seen him in the garden. Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

In verses 28-38, (See also Matthew 27:1-14, Mark 15:2-5, and Luke 23:1-5), John describes Jesus being brought before Pilate, the Roman governor.

Note: John did not report the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin (See Mark 14:55-64).

Note: Jews did not have the right to put Jesus to death, so the case had to be brought to Pilate, the Roman governor (A.D. 26-36).

The Jews did not enter Pilate’s quarters because they did not want to become defiled, so Pilate stepped out to meet them. Ultimately, Pilate told them to judge Jesus according to their own law, but they told Pilate it is not legal for us to put this man to death.

Pilate asked for Jesus to be brought to him, asking if He was the King of the Jews. Jesus answered that His kingdom was not of this world. Pilate asked, are you a king. Jesus answered you say that I am, I was born for this: to testify to the truth and everyone who is of truth listens to My voice. Pilate asked what is the truth.

Note: Scholars speculate on Pilate’s intention with his question, what is the truth. Is he asking because he wants to know? Is he asking philosophically? Or is he indifferent, irritated? We can’t be certain, but his reaction is telling.

In verses 39-40, Pilate left Jesus, and went out to the Jews and told them he found no grounds for charging Him. He offered to release Jesus, but the crowd demanded the release of Barabbas.

Note: It was customary for Pilate to release one prisoner. Rather than releasing Jesus, he appealed to the crowd and avoided the Jewish rulers. But the rulers pushed for Barabbas’ release so they could continue their plan to kill Jesus.

Note: Barabbas means “Son of the father.” He was a revolutionary, someone who, in today’s terminology, would be considered a domestic terrorist.

Some thoughts for further consideration:

In His high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed for the unity of believers and the church. I wonder what He would say to us today with all the denominations who legalistically argue amongst themselves, dividing the body even further.
When Peter should have followed, he fought. When he should have led, he denied. We face the same challenge in knowing when to follow and when to lead to fulfilling God’s will today.

John 19

In verses 1-5, (See also Matthew 27:27-56, and Mark 15:16-20), Pilate had Jesus flogged. The soldiers made a crown of thorns, placed it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him. They taunted Jesus and slapped Him.

Pilate went back outside and said for the third time, he found no grounds to charge Jesus with a crime. Jesus was brought out, and Pilate said here is the man.

Note: Pilate may have thought that punishing Jesus by flogging Him would satisfy the crowd.

In verses 6-17, the chief priests and temple police demanded Jesus be crucified, but Pilate again said he found no grounds to charge Jesus. He told them to crucify Jesus themselves, but the Jews said Jesus needed to be crucified because He claimed to be the Son of God.

Note: The claim to be the Son of God was blasphemy according to the Jewish leaders, and this, they said, demanded the death penalty.

Pilate was more afraid than ever, so he asked Jesus where He was from, but Jesus did not answer (fulfilling Isaiah 53:7). Jesus told Pilate he had no authority except that which was given by God. Again Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the Jews said if you release Him, you are no friend of Caesar’s.

Note: Pilate was an appointed Roman governor. Pilate was not about to allow a bad report to go back to Caesar that suggested Pilate was not loyal to Rome.

Pilate had Jesus brought back out, took a seat at his judging bench, and told the Jews, here is your king. It was about 6 am on Passover (Friday).

Note: Friday, the day of Passover, was also called the day of preparation for the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which followed immediately after Passover.

The Jews again cried out they wanted Jesus crucified, claiming they have no king but Caesar. With that, Pilate relented and turned Jesus over to be crucified.

Note: The Jews’ claim that they had no king, but Caesar was certainly ironic since they had just denied their true king and Messiah.

In verses 17-37, (see also Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:20-37, and Luke 23:26-46), John describes the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

They took Jesus to the place of the skull (Golgotha, which means place of the skull or skull place). They crucified Jesus with two others, one on either side of Him. Pilate had a sign made and placed on the cross that said, Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews. It was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. The chief priests objected to the term King of the Jews, but Pilate refused to change it.

The four soldiers divided Jesus' clothes among them and cast lots for His tunic (fulfilling Psalm 22:18).

Standing near the cross was Jesus’ mother, Mary’s sister Salome (the mother of John), Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus said to His disciple (John), here is your mother.

Note: In His final moments, Jesus assigned the care of His mother to John. Mary was likely a widow in her early 50’s with no personal assets or income. Jesus fulfilled the commandment to “honor” His mother by providing for her care.

Note: Between verse 27 and 28 was the three hours of darkness mentioned in Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s gospel.

Jesus realized everything had been fulfilled according to scripture. He said, “It is finished,” bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.

Because it was preparation day and the Jews didn’t want the bodies hanging on the crosses over the Sabbath, they requested Pilate order the legs of the men be broken to speed their death. They broke the legs of the two men who were with Jesus, but when they came to Him, they found He was already dead. To be sure Jesus was dead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, and blood and water came out (fulfilling Zechariah 12:10).

In verses 38-42 (See also Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:43-46, and Luke 23:50-54), John describes the burial of Jesus.

Joseph of Arimathea, who was secretly one of Jesus’ disciples because he was a member of the Sanhedrin, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Pilate permitted him, so Joseph took Jesus’ body. Nicodemus brought a mixture of about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloe, and together with Joseph, they wrapped Jesus’ body in linen cloth along with the spices. They then took Jesus to a new tomb that was nearby and laid Him there.

Note: It was important to care for Jesus’ body before sundown when the Sabbath started, and all work had to stop.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Prayer Request? It is our honor to pray for you. You may write to us with your prayer requests at prayer@biblestudydaily.org.

Tomorrow: Matthew 28; Mark 16

Chronological, Epoch 8

Chronological Bible Study – Nov 12

What I Noticed Today (Matthew 27; Mark 15)

Matthew 27

In verses 1-2, that morning, the chief priests and elders decided to put Jesus to death, so they bound Him and delivered him to Pilate, the governor.

Note: It was against Jewish law to conduct trials at night. So these initial trials by the chief priests and elders were all a violation of Jewish law. Also, under Roman law, Jews did not have the right to pass a death sentence on someone, so they took the trial to Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea.

In verses 3-10, Judas had a change of heart, having realized that he had betrayed an innocent man. He attempted to return the money to the chief priests by throwing it down at their feet. They refused, so Judas went out and hanged himself. The chief priests took the money and bought a potter’s field as a burial place for strangers (called the Field of Blood because it was purchased with blood money). This was in fulfillment of Zechariah 11:12-13, and Jeremiah 32:6-9.

In verses 11-14, Jesus was brought before Pilate, who asked if He was king of the Jews, and Jesus answered only, “You have said so.” When accused by the chief priests and elders, Jesus said nothing.

Note: According to Roman law, refusing to put on a defense was equivalent to an admission of guilt.

In verses 15-23, it was a tradition during the feast of governors to release a prisoner. Pilate asked the crowd do you want me to release Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ. Pilate’s wife warned him not to have anything to do with Jesus’ death, but the chief priests and elders stirred up the crowd so that they shouted for Barabbas’ release, and the crucifixion of Jesus.

In verses 24-26, When Pilate realized the crowd was determined, he washed his hands before them, saying he was innocent of Jesus’ blood. He then had Jesus scourged and released him to be crucified.

Note: Scourging prior to crucifixion was a common Roman punishment. The scourging was done with a whip that had multiple thongs, each with bone or metal shards. When the whip hit the body, it was then pulled away, tearing off pieces of flesh.

In verses 27-30, the battalion of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus to the governor’s palace, stripped him, put on a scarlet robe, and a crown of thorns on his head, and a reed in his hands. They mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews.” They spat on him and hit him with the reed. Finally, they put his own clothes on him and led him away to be crucified.

Note: A Roman battalion was between 420 and 480 men.

Note: Scarlet was associated with sin (Isaiah 1:18). Putting on the scarlet robe is a picture of Jesus taking on our sins.

Note: Jesus said nothing during this time of humiliation.

In verses 32-44, Jesus carried his cross on the way to be crucified. The Romans compelled Simon the Cyrene (in northern Africa) to help carry the cross to Golgotha.

Note: Golgotha is Aramaic for “skull.” So named perhaps because the place was shaped like a skull. Also, Calvary is the Anglicized translation of the Latin for the Greek word kranion.

When Jesus had been lifted up on the cross, they offered him wine mixed with gall, but he refused it. The soldiers divided his garment by casting lots for them in fulfillment of Psalm 22:18. Jesus was crucified with two robbers in fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12. The chief priests, elders, and the crowd continued to mock Him because of His claim to be king of the Jews, the Son of God.

Note: Gall was narcotic used as a pain deadener.

In verses 45-50, between the sixth hour and the ninth hour (12n – 3 pm), there was darkness over all the land, and in the ninth hour, Jesus said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me.”

Note: It was during this time that Jesus had taken on the sins of man. Since God is Holy and cannot be in the presence of sin, Jesus, for the first time, felt separated from the Father.

Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.

Note: Jesus’ life was not taken from Him; He gave it up, releasing His spirit to the Father.

In verses 51-54, three miraculous events occurred at the time of Jesus’ death:

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The curtain separated the place where the priests ministered from the Holy of Holies, where God lived. Rabbinic tradition speaks of the veil being as thick as a man’s hand or about 4 inches.
There was a strong earthquake.
The tombs of many saints were opened. They were raised up and went into the city and appeared to many!

When the centurion watching over Jesus saw all this, he said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

In verses 55-56, many women from Galilee who had been following Jesus and ministering to Him, looked on from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother (Salome) of the sons of Zebedee.

Note: It is telling that these women were faithful in their ministry to Jesus right up until the end. It stands in stark contrast to the disciples who had deserted Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

In verses 57-61, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, and a disciple of Jesus went to Pilate asking for Jesus’ body. He buried Jesus in his own new tomb. Mary Magdalene and the “other” Mary were there by the tomb.

In verses 62-66, the day after the Passover, the chief priests and Pharisees were concerned about Jesus’ claim to be raised on the third day, so they went to Pilate asking for permission to secure Jesus’ tomb. Pilate gave his permission, so they sealed the tomb and posted a guard.

Mark 15

In verses 1-5 (See also Matthew 27:1-2), as soon as it was morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and Sanhedrin met to confirm their guilty verdict. They then led Jesus away to Pilate (the Roman governor of the region).

Note: This second meeting was probably 5-6 am on Friday (April 3, A.D. 33). It was typical for a sentence to be confirmed the day following the verdict. Under Roman law, the Sanhedrin could convict someone, but they had no authority to carry out a death sentence.

Pilate questioned Jesus, asking if He was the King of the Jews, and Jesus confirmed that He was. The chief priests accused Jesus of many things, but He did not answer their charges.

In verses 6-15, (See also Matthew 27:15-26), at the Passover festival, Pilate’s custom was to release one prisoner. He asked the people if he should release Jesus, but the chief priests rallied the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas, a convicted murderer. The crowd then demanded that Jesus be crucified, so Pilate had Jesus flogged and then turned Him over to be crucified.

Note: It was Roman custom to flog a male who was sentenced to death. The prisoner was stripped, usually tied to a post, and then flogged with whips that had pieces of sharp bone and metal embedded in them. Because there was no set limit on the number of blows in a Roman flogging, the flogging itself often led to death.

In verses 16-20, (See also Matthew 27:27-31), the Roman soldiers removed Jesus from the courtyard and took Him inside the palace. There they humiliated Him by dressing Him in a purple robe and placing a crown of thorns on His head. They beat Him with rod and spit on Him. Finally, they dressed Him in His own clothes and led Him away to be crucified.

In verses 21-32, (See also Matthew 27:32-44), the Roman soldiers forced Simon the Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross until they reach Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull). They offered Jesus wine mixed with myrrh, but He refused it.

Note: Myrrh was a narcotic given to deaden the pain and bring about a quicker death.

They crucified Jesus at 9 am (the third hour), casting lots for His clothes (fulfilling Psalm 22:18) and put a sign on the cross “The King of the Jews.” Jesus was crucified between two outlaws (fulfilling Isaiah 53:12).

Passersby, the chief priests, and scribes mocked Jesus so much that even the two men being crucified with Him also mocked Him.

In verses 33-41 (See also Matthew 27:45-56), in the ninth hour (12n), darkness came over the land for three hours until 3 pm. Jesus shouted, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Note: Jesus had taken on the sin of the world, so at this moment, he was separated from the Father who cannot look upon sin (Habakkuk 1:13).

Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. At that moment, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The centurion who was standing near Jesus said certainly this man was the Son of God.

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and Jose, and Salome, mother of Zebedee’s sons were there and had been attending to Jesus.

Note: The devotion of these women who had been ministering to Jesus stands in stark contrast to the disciples who had been scattered just as Jesus predicted.

In verses 42-47 (See also Matthew 27:57-61), it was Preparation Day (Friday before the Sabbath), and Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, went to Pilate and requested Jesus body in order to bury Him. When Pilate confirmed that Jesus was indeed dead, he gave Jesus’ body to Joseph.

Note: Roman custom was to leave a body hanging on the cross for some time. Only the Roman magistrate had the authority to release the body for burial. Jewish custom was to bury the corpse on the day the person died, and this needed to be done before evening.

Joseph wrapped Jesus’ body, placed Him in a tomb, and rolled a large stone across the entrance while Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jose were watching.

Note: The large stone that covered the entrance of the tomb was quite heavy and rolled downhill into a slot in front of the tomb. Moving it away would require it to be rolled uphill, which would require several men.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Prayer Request? It is our honor to pray for you. You may write to us with your prayer requests at prayer@biblestudydaily.org.

Tomorrow: Luke 23; John 18-19

Chronological, Epoch 8

Chronological Bible Study – Nov 11

What I Noticed Today (John 14-17)

John 14

In verses 1-6, Jesus sensed the disciples’ hearts were troubled (He had announced He was going away and they could not follow, He had said one of them would betray Him, and He had told Peter that He would deny Him three times before morning).

Jesus encouraged the disciples, saying, you believe in God, believe also in Me. There are many dwelling places in My Father’s house. I am going away to prepare a place for you that you may be with me.

Note: Jesus’ reference to coming back is not to His resurrection but the rapture of the church when Christ will return for His sheep.

Thomas said, we don’t know where you are going; how will we know the way. Jesus answered I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.

Note: Verse 6 is the sixth of Jesus’ “I am” statements. Jesus said, “I am the way,” not “a way.” There are not many ways to the Father, only one, and that is through believing in His One and Only Son.

In verses 7-11, Jesus continued saying, if you know Me, you also know the Father. Philip said, show us the Father, and that will be enough.

Note: Philip was probably hoping for a theophany (a visible appearance or manifestation of God).

Jesus responded to Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still, you do not know me. The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. Jesus said they should believe because of three things:

The Father is in Me, and I am in the Father (same identity, character).
My words are the Father’s words.
The miracles reveal God working in Him.

Jesus concludes if you believe for no other reason, believe because of the miracles you have seen (the seven signs in John’s gospel).

In verses 12-14, Jesus assured the disciples the ones who believe in Him will also do even greater works than He (not in terms of miracles but in terms of their outreach). Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so the Father may be glorified.

Note: Jesus saying whatever you ask in My name, I will do is not to reduce God to a genie that does what we ask. Jesus says the work we do for the kingdom that glorifies the Father (according to His will) will be done.

In verses 15-31, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, if you love Me, you will keep My commandments. He promised to send the Holy Spirit (the counselor), who is the spirit of truth, who will be with you forever.

Note: In verse 17, the Greek literally says, “spirit of the truth.” Not “one” of the truths, not “a” truth, but “the” truth.

Jesus said the world would not see Him much longer, but they would because He was in them (I am in you, and you are in Me). The one who has my commands and does them is the one who loves me, and I will reveal them to My Father.

Note: Verse 21 is not a call to salvation by works but a reinforcement that if we truly believe and love Jesus for who He is, then we will be obedient to Him.

Another Judas (not Iscariot) asked Jesus how He would reveal Himself to them and not to the world. Jesus answered, if anyone loves me and keeps My word, the Father will also love him, and they will come and make their home in him. The one who doesn’t love Me will not keep My words. In the future, the Father will send the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, to teach you all things and remind you of what I have told you.

Note: God dwelled corporately among the people in the tabernacle in the wilderness and in the temple, but this dwelling in us is personal.

In verses 27-31, Jesus said My peace, I leave you. My peace I give to you. Therefore, do not be troubled or fearful. He told them again, He was going to the Father, and they should rejoice.

Note: The disciples were still thinking of themselves, not of God’s plan for the Son.

Note: Certain faiths (Arians and Jehovah’s Witnesses) argue that Jesus’ statement (verse 28) “the Father is greater than I” is proof that Jesus is a lesser God. But if Jesus were a lesser God, He would also have to be created, which leads to a polytheistic belief. Both of these outcomes are clearly not supported by scripture. The Son is functionally subordinate to the Father during His incarnation.

John 15

In verses 1-8, John records the seventh and last of Jesus’ “I am” statements.

Jesus said I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. Any branch that does not produce fruit the Father removes. He prunes other branches, so they produce more fruit. Remain in Me. Just as the branch must remain attached to the vine to produce fruit, you must remain in me.

Note: “Remain” (some translations use “abide”) is used 40 times in the Gospel of John and another 27 times in John’s epistles. To remain carries several meanings: 1) to accept Jesus as Messiah, 2) to continue to believe or to persevere, and 3) be obedient to. Apart from Jesus, we can bear no fruit.

If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a withered branch, which will be burned in the fire.

Note: There are three explanations offered for Jesus’ reference to the branch being thrown into the fire and burned. I believe the third explanation to be correct:

- The discarded and burned branches are Christians who have lost their salvation.

- The discarded and burned branches represent Christians who will lose rewards in heaven but not their salvation.

- The discarded and burned branches are people who professed Christianity, but like Judas, were not true believers.

In verses 9-17, Jesus says I have loved you as the Father loved Me. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in My love. Jesus said He had spoken these things so that His joy might be in us and that our joy might be complete. The commands we are to keep is to love one another as Jesus has loved us.

Jesus says the disciples are friends. He had chosen them and appointed them to go out and produce fruit so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

Note: Jesus had selected and anointed specific men for a specific task of preaching the Gospel. Whatever they asked the Father, He would give them.

In verses 18-25, Jesus warns the disciples the world would hate them just as it had hated Him. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they keep My word, they will also keep yours. Those who persecute you do so because they do not know the One (God) who sent Me. Now that they have seen and heard Him, they have no excuse for their sin. Now they hate both Him and the Father (fulfilling Psalm 69:4).

In verses 26-27, Jesus reminds them the Father will send the Counselor, the Spirit of Truth, and He will testify about Me.

Note: Believers are being called to testify to Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, whom the Father has sent. We testify (witness), the Spirit persuades, Jesus, saves.

John 16

In verses 1-4, Jesus warns the disciples they will be banned from the synagogue. People will try to kill them, thinking they are serving God. But they do that because they do not really know the Father or Me.

In verses 5-15, John describes the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells the disciples it is to their benefit that He go away because unless he goes, the Holy Spirit cannot come. When He (the Holy Spirit) comes, He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

Sin. Because they do not believe in Me.
Righteousness. Because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me.
Judgment. The ruler of this world has been judged.

Note: Conviction of sin comes before the confession of sin. We must be aware of the sin before we can confess the sin.

When the Spirit comes, He will: 1) guide you into all truth, 2) He will declare what is to come, and 3) He will glorify Me.

In verses 16-24, Jesus says in a little while you will not see Me, and in a little while, you will see Me.

Note: These references to “a little while” are either to the period of time between his crucifixion and His resurrection or the period of time between His resurrection and His ascension. I believe the latter is most likely.

While they would mourn His death, the world would rejoice, but in time, your sorrow will turn to joy, and no one will be able to rob you of your joy.

Jesus tells them again that anything they ask the Father in His name, they will receive.

Note: The disciples had not been praying, asking in Jesus’ name, but going forward, this is what they were to do. Again, this asking is to do the will of the Father.

In verses 25-33, Jesus admitted that He had been teaching the disciples with figures of speech, but the time was coming when He would speak plainly to them.

Note: Jesus says you will pray asking the Father in My name does not mean He will ask the Father on our behalf. Rather, they (we) as children of God have direct access to the Father.

Jesus said I came from the Father into the world and am going to leave the world to return to the Father.

The disciples finally understood that Jesus knew everything (was omniscient) and came from God.

Jesus warned the time was coming when they would all be scattered (fulfilling Zechariah 13:7), and He would be with the Father.

Jesus concluded by saying He had taught these things to give them peace in Him. You will suffer in this world, but be courageous because He has conquered (overcome) the world.

Note: Because Jesus conquered the world and we are in Him, we are also conquerors (Romans 8:37).

Some thoughts for additional consideration:

When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, He did so as an example to us; that we would also love and serve each other.
The distinguishing mark of a Christian is the love we have for each other.
The world continues to oppose Jesus’ truth and celebrates their victories over Him, but in the end, it is Christ who has conquered the world.

John 17

John 17 is known as the High Priestly prayer of Jesus. He prayed for Himself (vv. 1-5), His disciples (vv. 6-19), and for all future believers (vv. 20-26).

In verses 1-5, Jesus prayed for Himself. He recognized that His hour had come and asked the Father to glorify the Son so that the Son might glorify the Father. The Father had given Him authority over all flesh so that He might give eternal life to those whom the Father had given Him. He closed by saying He had glorified the Father by doing the work He was given. He was now asking to be glorified in heaven with the glory He had before the world existed.

In verses 6-19, Jesus prayed for the disciples in three parts:

1) He speaks of His ministry to them (vv. 6-8). He revealed God to those God had given Him. Now they know that I came from You and that You sent Me.

2) He petitions for protection for His followers (vv. 9-19). He intercedes for them, not for the world because He is no longer in the world, but they are in the world. He asks God to protect them as He protected them while He was with them. None was lost except for the son of destruction (Judas). I speak these things so they might have complete joy. They are not of this world as I am not of the world.

3) He prays for their future service to the kingdom (vv. 17-19). He asks the Father to sanctify them (set them apart for special use) by the truth. Your Word is truth. As You sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

In verses 20-26, Jesus prayed for all future believers. Jesus’ prayer is that there be unity among believers; may they all be one, as You Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us. He prayed that we are made completely one, so the world will know You sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me. These You sent Me to know You because I made Your name known to them so the love You loved Me with may be in them, and I may be in them.

Note: Jesus’ prayer for believers asks God to protect and preserve us (v. 11), to sanctify us (v. 17), to unite us as one body (vv. 21-22), and to allow us to participate in His glory (v. 24).

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Prayer Request? It is our honor to pray for you. You may write to us with your prayer requests at prayer@biblestudydaily.org.

Tomorrow: Matthew 27; Mark 15

Chronological, Epoch 8

Chronological Bible Study – Nov 10

What I Noticed Today (Luke 22; John 13)

Luke 22

In verses 1-6, (See also Matthew 26:1-5, and Mark 14:1-2), the Festival of Unleavened Bread and the Passover were coming up, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death.

Note: Passover commemorated the night the angel of death “passed over” the Jewish homes in Egypt marked with blood on the doorposts and lentils (Exodus 12:1-28). The Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorated the Israelite’s exodus from Egypt and occurred right after the Passover.

Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, and he agreed to betray Jesus to the chief priests and scribes for 30 pieces of silver.

In verses 7-38, (See also Matthew 26:17-35, and Mark 14:12-31), Luke reveals details of the preparations for the Passover meal and Jesus’ final teaching to the disciples before His crucifixion.

In verses 7-13, on the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover Lamb was to be slaughtered (Thursday), Jesus gave Peter and John instructions for making preparations for the Passover meal. They were to go into the city where they would find a man carrying water. They were to follow him to his home and ask where the room was for the Teacher to celebrate the Passover.

Note: It would have been unusual to see a man carrying water in the city because this was work usually done by women. Some scholars suggest the man must have been a believer because he didn’t ask questions about the “Teacher” and allowed them to use the room.

In verses 14-20, Jesus began the Passover meal by telling the disciples He would not eat or drink it again until the kingdom of God. He took the bread, broke it, and gave thanks saying it represented His body. Then He took the cup, which represents the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) established by His blood that is shed for you.

Note: The bread, once broken, represented Jesus’ physical body broken on the cross offered as a substitute for sinners. The cup represents His blood shed as payment for sins.

In verses 21-23, Jesus announced the person who would betray Him was sitting at the table with them. The disciples began to argue amongst themselves who the betrayer could be.

In verses 24-30, the disciples argued who among them would be the greatest. Jesus said kings of Gentiles think that way, and they should not. Rather, the greatest among them was the one who served liked Jesus served. Because they served with Him and stood by Him in His trials, He would give them the kingdom just as God had given it to Him. On that day, you will sit on thrones and judge the 12 tribes of Israel.

In verses 31-34, Jesus predicts Simon Peter’s betrayal of Jesus. Jesus also says when Peter returns to Jesus, he is to strengthen his brothers. Peter protests, saying he would go to prison and even die with Jesus, but Jesus says you will deny Him three times before the rooster crows.

Note: The “you” Jesus uses when He says Satan wanted to sift you is plural indicating that Satan wanted to sift all the disciples. Also, Jesus says, “when you return,” indicating he knew Peter would deny Him and return to Him.

In verses 35-38, Jesus reminds the disciples that when He had sent them out previously without a money bag or extra clothes, they had lacked for nothing (Luke 9:3). Now, however, Jesus tells them to take extra supplies, and if you don’t have a sword, go buy one.

Jesus said he would be counted among the outlaws (fulfilling Isaiah 53:12).

Note: There is disagreement among scholars regarding the interpretation of Jesus’ instruction to sell your robe and buy a sword. Some spiritualize the sword saying it refers to the sword of the Spirit. This is unlikely because then one would have to also spiritualize the robes and sandals. Some say the sword would be an offensive weapon against those who might attempt to interfere with Jesus, but this is also unlikely since it goes against Jesus’ own direction (Matthew 26:52). A third possibility is a sword is for defense, but this also seems doubtful (Matthew 5:39). A fourth possibility that goes along with the instruction to take a money bag and sandals is one must be prepared to go back out on a mission.

In verses 39-46, (See also Matthew 26:36-46, and Mark 14:32-42), Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives as usual (in the evening) with the disciples following Him. He told them to pray while he went a bit further and prayed by Himself. An angel appeared and strengthened Him. In anguish, He prayed more fervently until sweat became like drops of blood. When Jesus returned to the disciples, He found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. He told them a second time to get up and pray so they might not fall into temptation.

Note: Jesus addressed God as Father, just as He had instructed the disciples to do. His reference to taking the cup away demonstrates Jesus knew full well what lay in His future.

In verses 47-52, (See also Matthew 26:46-57, and Mark 14:43-50), as Jesus was still talking, a mob appeared with Judas leading them. Judas came near to kiss Jesus, but Jesus said, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss. A disciple cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus said enough and healed the man’s ear.

Note: The disciples’ reaction to brandish a sword and cut off the ear of the servant indicates they took Jesus’ instruction literally, but Jesus’ response indicates they had misunderstood Him.

Jesus challenged the mob asking why they came to arrest Him at night when they could have arrested Him anytime when He was teaching in the temple.

Note: According to Jewish law, the nighttime arrest was illegal. It was also unlawful because the arrest was made based on a paid accuser. The reason for the nighttime arrest seems to be that the officials feared the people’s reactions (Luke 20:19, 22:2).

In verses 54-71, (See also Matthew 26:57-75, and Mark 14:53-72), Luke records the first of Jesus’ trials before the high priest.

In verses 54-62, the mob arrested Jesus and took him to the house of the high priest (Caiaphas). Peter followed at a distance and sat around a fire in the courtyard of the high priest. Peter was accused three separate times of being with Jesus and denied Him three times. Immediately a rooster crowed. Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Lord had said. Peter went outside and wept bitterly.

In verses 63-65, the men holding Jesus began to mock Him, blindfolded Him, and beat Him.

Note: Peter’s denials became more and more emphatic each time he was accused, but as soon as Jesus looked at him, he knew what Jesus had warned him about had come to pass.

In verses 66-71, Jesus was taken before the Sanhedrin (also referred to as the council of elders; they were the Jewish Supreme Court). They met at daybreak because it was illegal for them to meet at night. They asked Jesus if He was the Messiah. Jesus refused to answer directly but said from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1). They asked, are you the Son of God. To which Jesus responded, you say that I am.

The Sanhedrin judged Jesus guilty of blasphemy, claiming to be the Son of God.

Some thoughts for additional consideration:

Satan was present throughout Luke 22. Satan entered Judas’ heart, causing him to betray Jesus. Satan was in the temple when the deal to betray Jesus was made with the chief priests. Satan was in the upper room when Satan desired to sift the disciples. Satan was in the Garden when the mob came to arrest Jesus. And, Satan was certainly in the courts of the officials and elders as the trials against Jesus were conducted.
Jesus began teaching in the temple when He was only 12-years old and taught there His entire last week before His death.

John 13

In verses 1-11, Jesus and the disciples are gathered together in the upper room to celebrate His last Passover with them. Jesus realizes His time is short. Satan had already put it into Judas’ heart to betray Jesus.

Jesus got up from the dinner, took off His robe, and, using a basin of water, began to wash the disciple’s feet. Peter didn’t understand why Jesus was washing their feet, and he objected to Jesus washing his feet. When Jesus explained if you do not let me do this, then you have no part in me. Peter said, then Lord wash my feet, hands, and head.

Jesus said one who has bathed only needs to wash their feet to be completely clean; you are clean, but not all of you.

Note: Foot washing was a menial task typically completed by a household servant.

Note: Most scholars agree the “bath” Jesus refers to is to believe in Christ (He washes away our sins). The foot-washing represents the ongoing confession of sin. The phrase “you are not all clean” is a reference to Judas, which suggests Judas was not a true believer.

In verses 12-19, when Jesus was finished, he put back on His robe and asked if they understood what He had done. It is an example of how the Teacher served the disciples and how they should then serve each other. A messenger is not greater than the person who sent him. Jesus again singles out one person saying He knows who are His, but one who shares His bread will rise up against Him (referring to Judas).

In verses 21-30, Jesus again spoke of the one who would betray Him. The disciple whom Jesus loved (John), at Peter’s urging, leaned toward Jesus and asked who would betray Him. Jesus said the one I give the bread to after I dip it, and He gave the bread to Judas. Speaking to Judas, Jesus told him to do what he was about to do quickly, and Judas immediately got up and left the room.

Note: John made a point to say Judas left, and it was night. This may be his way of saying Judas was leaving the light (Jesus, John 8:12) and going into the darkness of the night (sin, John 3:19).

In verses 31-35, after Judas left, Jesus said the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. He told the disciples He would be with them only a short while longer and gave them a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. By this love, people will know you are My disciples.

In verses 36-38, Peter asked where Jesus was going because he wanted to be with Him. Jesus answered where I am going you cannot go now, but you will follow me later. Ever persistent, Peter said he would lay down his life to follow Jesus. But Jesus said you will deny me three times before the rooster crows.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Prayer Request? It is our honor to pray for you. You may write to us with your prayer requests at prayer@biblestudydaily.org.

Tomorrow: John 14-17

Chronological, Epoch 8

Chronological Bible Study – Nov 9

What I Noticed Today (Matthew 26; Mark 14)

Matthew 26

In verses 1-2, as soon as He was finished with the Olivet discourse (Matthew 24-25), Jesus reminded the disciples that Passover was only two days away and that at that time, he would be delivered to be crucified.

In verses 3-5, the chief priests and elders gathered together with Caiaphas, the high priest, and plotted how to arrest and kill Jesus.

In verses 6-13, Jesus was in Bethany (east of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives) in the home of Simon, the leper. A woman (Mary, John 12:3) anointed Jesus with a jar of expensive ointment (oil worth a year’s wages). A disciple (Judas Iscariot, John 12:4) complained the oil could have been sold to the poor. Jesus commended the woman saying she did it to prepare Him for burial.

In verses 14-16, Judas betrayed Jesus by going to the chief priests and taking 30 pieces of silver to deliver Jesus over to them.

Note: 30 pieces of silver was the common redemption price for a slave (Exodus 21:32).

In verses 17-25, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Thursday of Passion Week), the disciples asked Jesus where they would prepare the Passover. Jesus answered a certain man in the city would host them. They gathered the food, prepared it, and began the Passover meal that evening. Jesus told them the one He dips bread with would betray Him. Judas asked if it was him, and Jesus confirmed it was.

Note: Judas referred to Jesus as Rabbi, not Lord. The other disciples now recognized Jesus as Lord.

In verses 26-29, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper. The bread is representing His body and the cup representing His blood.

Note: The elements of the bread and the cup represent Jesus’ body and blood, a new covenant for the forgiveness of sins.

In verses 30-35, after singing a hymn, they went to the Mount of Olives, and Jesus told them they would all fall away that night, but after He was raised up, He would meet them again in Galilee. Peter said he would never fall away, and Jesus told him he would deny Him three times before the rooster crows (in the morning).

In verses 36-46, Jesus went with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane (means olive vat or olive press). Jesus asked the disciples to sit and wait for Him while He prayed. Taking Peter, James, and John (Matthew 4:21) with Him, he asked them to watch over Him while he went a little further and prayed. He returned to Peter, James, and John and found them asleep. He told them to pray that they might not enter into temptation. When he returned a second time, he found them sleeping again. He left them and went to pray for the third time. When Jesus finished praying, he woke them and told them it was time to go; his betrayer was at hand.

In verses 47-56, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas came with a large crowd, including the chief priests and elders. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, and the soldiers grabbed Him. Peter (John 18:10) grabbed his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest (John 18:10). Jesus reprimanded Peter saying if He desired He could call twelve legions of angels to protect Him, but this must happen to fulfill the scripture.

Note: A Roman legion was 6,000 soldiers, so twelve legions of angels would be 72,000 angels.

Jesus asked them why they came this way at night when they could have captured Him anytime while He was teaching in the synagogue. The disciples abandoned Jesus and fled.

In verses 57-68, Jesus is brought before Caiaphas, the high priest surrounded by the chief priests and elders, with Peter in the background. The chief priests and the Council (the Sanhedrin) solicited false testimony against Jesus, but they could find none. Finally, a man came forward saying that Jesus had said he would destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. Ultimately, the high priest accused Jesus of blasphemy for saying He was Christ, the Son of God, and condemned him to death.

Note: Jesus endured a total of six trials: three religious and three civil trials.

Religious. Before Annas (John 18:12-14).
Religious. Before Caiaphas (Matthew 26:57-68).
Religious. Before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:1-2).
Civil. Before Pilate (John 18:28-38).
Civil. Before Herold (Luke 23: 6-12).
Civil. Before Pilate (John 18:39-19:6).

In verses 69-75, while the trial before the Sanhedrin was going on, Peter was asked three times if he was with Jesus. At first, he denied he was with Jesus, then he took an oath that he was not with Jesus, and finally, he swore a curse upon himself saying he was not with Jesus. As soon as he finished denying Jesus three times, the rooster crowed.

Some thoughts for additional consideration:

When Jesus returns, the righteous and the foolish will be separated.
There will be a time of accountability in which people will be evaluated based on what they did with the gifts God gave them.
Many kingdom-building opportunities come our way to accept or reject. Mary chose to serve while Judas chose to reject.

Mark 14

In verses 1-2, (See also Matthew 26:1-5), two days later was Passover (Thursday) and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and scribes were plotting to have Jesus arrested and killed, but because of His popularity, they delayed acting until after the festival.

Note: Jerusalem would have been crowded with people coming to celebrate Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

In verses 3-11, (See also Matthew 26:6-16), while Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came and anointed Jesus with an expensive jar of oil. Some of the disciples rebuked her extravagance saying the oil could have been sold for about a year’s wages and given to the poor. Jesus rebuked them, saying she had anointed Him for burial. Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and betrayed Jesus promising to hand Him over to them.

Note: Mark is jumping back in time in verses 3-11 to the week prior to Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem (probably Friday).

In verses 12-16, (See also Matthew 26:17-19), on the first day of the Festival of Unleavened bread and the day for preparation for the Passover (Thursday) Jesus sent Peter and John to go into the city (Jerusalem) to meet a man who would have a room prepared for them to prepare for the Passover.

In verses 17-21, (See also Matthew 26:20-25), Jesus joined the disciples in the evening (Friday), and they began to eat the Passover meal when Jesus announced that one of them would betray Him. Each one, in turn, denied it, and Jesus said it was the one with whom he was dipping the bread. This fulfilled Psalm 41:9.

Note: Judas would have been in a place of honor reclining at the left side of Jesus.

In verses 22-26, (See also Matthew 26:26-30), Jesus established the Lord’s Supper explaining the bread was a symbol of His body and the cup of wine a symbol of His blood. The eating and drinking established a new covenant of promised forgiveness through Jesus’ death on the cross.

Note: Jesus gave thanks for the bread and wine. The Greek word for “giving thanks” is eucharistēsas from which we get the word Eucharist.

In verses 27-31, (See also Matthew 26:31-35), Jesus announced the disciples would all scatter (quoting Zechariah 13:7) after His death but that after He was resurrected He would join them in Galilee. Peter vehemently denied that he would fall away. Even if he had to die with Jesus, he said he would not fall away. All the other disciples said the same thing.

Note: It is interesting that all the disciples focused on the first part of Jesus’ statement that they would fall away, but none of them brought up the meaning of resurrection or the fact that Jesus would see them again in Galilee!

In verses 32-42, (See also Matthew 26:36-47), they journeyed to Gethsemane to an olive grove. Jesus told the disciples to sit and wait while he prayed. He took Peter, James, and John with Him a short distance away and told them to keep watch. Jesus went a little further and began to pray. He returned to Peter, James, and John and found them sleeping. He left them a second time to continue praying and returned to find them asleep again. He left them again to pray, and returning found them asleep a third time. He told them it was time to get up because His betrayer was near.

Note: Gethsemane means “olive press, or “press of olives.”

In verses 43-52, (See also Matthew 26:47-56), while Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived with the chief priests, scribes, elders, and a mob of men with weapons. Judas kissed Jesus, referring to Him as Rabbi. They arrested Jesus. One of the disciples standing nearby cut off the ear of the high priest’s slave (from John 18:10 we know it was Peter who cut off the ear of the servant named Malchus).

Jesus rebuked them for coming out at night to capture Him as though He was a criminal when they could have arrested Him anytime He was teaching in the temple. With that, all the disciples ran away.

A young man who was with them attempted to run away and was caught by his linen cloth. He left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.

Note: Most scholars believe that the young man Mark referenced was Mark himself. Jesus was staying at Mark’s father’s house. Mark had gone to bed in a linen sleeping garment, and hearing the commotion had hurried outside into the olive grove.

In verses 53-65, (See also Matthew 26:57-68), Jesus was taken from Gethsemane to Jerusalem to the high priest for trial with the chief priests, scribes, and elders all in attendance. Peter followed at a distance and stood in the courtyard surrounded by the temple police.

The chief priests and the Sanhedrin conducted a trial looking for testimony that they could use to convict Jesus, but none of their false testimonies agreed.

Note: The Sanhedrin was a 71-member court headed by the high priest (Joseph Caiaphas). A quorum of 23 members was needed to conduct a trial.

The high priest asked Jesus two questions: Are you going to answer these charges, and Are you the Messiah?

Note: The first question is stated in emphatic form, meaning a positive response is expected, but Jesus said nothing. According to Jewish custom, not defending yourself was usually taken as an admission of guilt.

In answer to the second question, Jesus answered, yes, He was the Son of Man. With that, the high priest tore his robe and declared Jesus guilty of blasphemy. The court agreed, condemning Jesus to death.

Note: The punishment for blasphemy was stoning (Leviticus 24:15-16).

Some members of the Sanhedrin spit on Jesus, blindfolded Him, and beat Him. The temple police joined by assaulting Jesus.

In verses 66-72, (See also Matthew 26:69-75), while Peter was still in the courtyard of the high priest, one of the high priest’s servants accused Peter of being a Nazarene who was with Jesus. Peter denied it and moved to the entryway. Another servant approached Peter and accused him, and again, he denied being a disciple. A third servant accused Peter of being a Galilean and a disciple of Jesus, and again he denied it calling curses on himself.

Note: Galileans spoke an Aramaic dialect that was different from those in Jerusalem, so his accent stood out.

Note: Peter calling curses on himself was like swearing before God that what he was saying was true, but of course, it was not.

Immediately a rooster crowed, and Peter realized he had denied Jesus three times just as Jesus had said. He wept, realizing what he had done.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Prayer Request? It is our honor to pray for you. You may write to us with your prayer requests at prayer@biblestudydaily.org.

Tomorrow: Luke 22; John 13

Chronological, Epoch 8

Chronological Bible Study – Nov 8

What I Noticed Today (Matthew 25)

Matthew 25

Jesus’ fifth discourse continues through Matthew 25. Here the focus is on being ready for the end times and the judgment that will come upon the nations.

In verses 1-13, the parable of the ten virgins. Ten virgins took their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and took extra oil for their lamps, and five were foolish, having no extra oil for their lamps. When the bridegroom came, the lamps of the foolish virgins went out, and they had to leave to get more oil. The five wise virgins were invited to the wedding feast. When the foolish virgins return, they found the door shut and were denied entrance to the wedding feast.

The lesson of the parable is we do not know when the Lord will return, but we must be ready. Commentators generally agree the bridegroom is Christ; five wise virgins represent true believers, the oil represents the Holy Spirit, the foolish virgins those who believe in a messiah but have not accepted Jesus as Messiah.

In verses 14-30, the parable of the talents. A master who is leaving on a long trip assembles his servants and gives one five talents, one two talents, and to the third one talent, each according to their ability. The servants with five and two talents each made five and two talents more, but the servant with one talent buried it in the ground. When the master returned, he gathered the servants for an accounting. The two servants who doubled what they were given were praised and promised much more. The servant who buried the talent returned it to his master, claiming that he was afraid of the master. The master rebuked him, calling him wicked and lazy. Then the master took the one talent from him and gave it to the servant with ten talents. The worthless servant will be cast into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The lesson of the parable is that we are each given talents according to our ability. They must be invested into the Kingdom while the master is away for when He returns He will demand an accounting for how the gifts were used. To not invest them at all is to reject the gift of the master.

In verses 31- 46, when the Son of Man returns in His glory, he will sit on His throne and judge the nations.

Note: The word translated nations refers to Gentiles, not Jews.

People will be separated in the final judgment like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; Sheep on the right, goats on the left. Those on the right will be invited into the Father’s Kingdom (vv. 32-34).
Those sheep invited in serving the people of God’s kingdom in some way: welcomed me, met physical needs food, clothing, emotional needs visited me when I was sick (vv. 35-36).
They wondered when they had done this for the king, and He said when you did it for the least of my brothers, you did it for me (vv. 37-40).
Then the Father will send those on the left away to be with the Devil, accusing them of not welcoming him or of serving or caring for His brothers (vv. 41-45).
The righteous will go on to eternal life while the wicked will be sent to eternal punishment (v. 46).

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Prayer Request? It is our honor to pray for you. You may write to us with your prayer requests at prayer@biblestudydaily.org.

Tomorrow: Matthew 26; Mark 14

Chronological, Epoch 8

Chronological Bible Study – Nov 7

What I Noticed Today (Matthew 24)

Matthew 24

Matthew 24-25 is Jesus’ fifth discourse.

In verses 1-2, Jesus had just spoken of the desolation of the temple. As they left the temple, the disciples pointed out the building, and Jesus said not one stone would be left upon another.

In verse 3, reaching the Mount of Olives, the disciples then asked Jesus: 1) when will this happen, and 2) what would be the sign of His coming and 3) what would be the sign of the end of the age.

Note: The balance of Matthew 24 and 25 are what is referred to as the Olivet Discourse (because it was given on the Mount of Olives). It is prophetic in that it speaks to the Tribulation period and Christ’s second coming.

In verses 4-14, Jesus answered the disciples, describing the first half of the Tribulation period.

There will be false messiahs (vv. 4-5).
There will be wars and rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes (vv. 6-7).
These are the signs of the beginning of the Tribulation period (birth pains, v. 8).
Believers will be persecuted, hated, and killed. Many will fall away (apostasy) as a result of the persecution (vv. 9-10).
There will be false prophets who will deceive many (v. 11).
There will be lawlessness (v. 12).
BUT, the one who endures and survives will be saved (v. 13).
AND the Gospel will be preached throughout the world (v. 14).

In verses 15-28, Jesus describes the second half of the Tribulation period.

The abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel (Daniel 9:27) occurs in the middle of the 70^th week or at 3-1/2 years (v. 15).
Those in Judea should flee to the mountains (v. 16).
They must flee quickly, leaving everything behind (vv. 17-19).
Pray that it does not come in winter or on a Sabbath (because a Sabbath’s day journey Less than ½ mile) would not get them to safety (v. 20).
The Tribulation will be the worst in the history of mankind (v. 21).
The tribulation will be so severe that unless the days of tribulation are shortened, no one would survive (v. 22).
There will be false prophets and false messiahs that will arise and lead even the elect astray (vv. 23-26).
The coming of the Son of Man will be sudden coming from the east to the west (v. 27).
Vultures will hover wherever there is a corpse (v. 28).

In verses 29-31, the second Advent of Christ is described.

The sun and moon’s light will be darkened. A great heavenly upheaval will occur (v. 29).
The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the clouds of heaven in power and glory, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn (v. 30).
The Son of Man will send His angels to gather the elect from all over the world (v. 31).

In verses 32-35, Jesus gives the parable of the fig tree. When you see leaves and buds on the fig tree, you know, the harvest is near. When the first half of the Tribulation begins, you know that the coming of the Son of Man is near.

In verses 36-44, Jesus says no one knows the day or the hour of the return of the Son of Man. Even the Son does not know, only the Father.

Note: When Jesus says the Son does not know the time, He is speaking from his human perspective, not His perspective as Messiah.

Just as the wicked were removed from the earth in the days of Noah, so will the wicked be removed when Christ returns.

In verses 45-51, Jesus describes the faithful servant who is found working when the master returns. If the servant thinks the master is delayed in coming and engages in sinful behavior, he will be cut off along with the hypocrites in a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Prayer Request? It is our honor to pray for you. You may write to us with your prayer requests at prayer@biblestudydaily.org.

Tomorrow: Matthew 25

Chronological, Epoch 8

Chronological Bible Study – Nov 6

What I Noticed Today (Mark 13)

Mark 13

Mark 13 is known as the Olivet Discourse because it was Jesus’ teaching given on the Mount of Olives.

In verse 1-2, (See also Matthew 24:1-3), as Jesus was leaving the temple, a disciple remarked about the temple stones and Jesus said not one stone would be left on top of another.

In verses 3-8, Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olive across from the temple complex. Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus when this destruction he spoke of would happen. Jesus warned them not to be deceived about those claiming to be Him. Signs of the beginning of the end include wars, earthquakes, and famine.

In verses 9-13, (See also Matthew 24:9-14), Jesus warned the disciples they would face persecution, be handed over to the Sanhedrin (local courts), they would be flogged and brought before governors and kings as a witness to them. The disciples were not to worry about what to say when they were arrested because the Holy Spirit would speak for them. They would be hated by everyone, even their own families, because of their faith in Jesus, but if they persevere, they will be delivered in the end.

In verses 14-23, (See also Matthew 24:15-28), Jesus continued teaching, saying when they see the abomination of desolation (a reference to Daniel 9:25-27), the people must immediately escape Jerusalem and go to Perea. There will be a great tribulation, unlike any seen before. No one would survive if the days of tribulation were not limited by God. They were not to believe those who claim to be Messiah because they are trying to lead the elect astray.

In verses 24-27, (See also Matthew 24:29-31), Jesus continued saying in those days (the days of the great tribulation), the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shine. There will be great upheaval in the heavens. Then the Son of Man will come with great power and glory and will send His angels to gather the elect from all over the earth.

In verses 28-31, (See also Matthew 24:32-36), Jesus continued teaching with the parable of the fig tree. When the fig tree blossoms, you know summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things (the events of Mark 13:14-23), you will know that the end is near.

In verses 32-37, Jesus concluded saying no one knows the hour or day when these things will happen, not even the angels or the Son. Only the Father in Heaven knows. Be alert and be ready at any time.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Prayer Request? It is our honor to pray for you. You may write to us with your prayer requests at prayer@biblestudydaily.org.

Tomorrow: Matthew 24

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