Day #313

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Matt 26, Mark 14 - Reading
Matt 26, Mark 14 - Audio

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Matthew 26 and Mark 14

14:8 – Jesus was eluding to the anointing of dead bodies with spices and perfume, a practice that was widely observed at that time and in that climate. He was not referring to embalming, which was a pagan custom used to ensure better conditions in the afterlife. He attributed the anointing as an announcement of his forthcoming death.

14:10 – Judas would receive 30 silver coins for his betrayal of Jesus – not even half the value of the perfume.

26:15 – In the OT, this was the penalty paid by the owner of an ox that gored a slave to death.

14:13 – “a man carrying a jar of water” – women usually carried the water jars.

26:26-27 – Jesus’ body will be the once-and-for-all fulfillment of the ceremonies surrounding the Passover lamb as he will become the sacrificial atonement for the sins of the people. Most likely the third of four cups at the Passover – the cup of blessing, or the cup of redemption – corresponding to God’s third promise in Ex. 6:6: “I will redeem you with and outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.”

26:28 – “covenant” – The reason for using this term lies in the OT concept of covenant, whereby God formerly declared the nature, terms and sanctions (blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience) of his relationship with Israel. OT covenants ratified by a symbolic death. The new covenant was ratified by the real death of Jesus.

14:27 – “it is written” – Jesus’ prediction of the falling away of the twelve came from his knowledge of Zechariah 13:7.

26:36 – Gethsemane means “oil press”.

26:36-46 and 14:32-42 – Matthew focuses more on Jesus’ agony and distress at facing the cross and Mark focuses more on the disciples’ temptation to succumb to sleep instead of spending time in prayer.

14:36 – “Abba” – a colloquial and intimate Aramaic word for father, which here expressed Jesus’ intimate relationship with God the Father.

26:52 – True disciples of Jesus do not seek to advance or impose God’s will on others through violent means.

14:53 – Jesus is brought before Caiaphas, the high priest, and the Sanhedrin which consisted of prominent Sadducees and Pharisees.

26:63 – “tell us if you are the Christ” – Caiaphas wants Jesus to admit to this charge so that he can be accused of insurrection against Rome and tried before Pilate for treason.

26:69-70 – Peter demonstrates courage by his presence in that hostile environment, but it fails him when his own personal safety is threatened.

14:70 – The Jews of Judea held the Galilean Jews in contempt as their cultural and religious inferiors. Peter’s manor and accent gave him away, especially in the courtyard of a Sadducean aristocrat.