Class Notes, Mark 15-16

· The meaning of the 30 pieces of silver

o Temple money was used to purchase sacrifices. When the Leaders paid Judas 30 pieces of silver for his betrayal of Jesus, they were, unknowingly, purchasing a sacrifice for sin

o Exo 21:32 defines it as the legal price of a dead slave. So, if your ox gored another person's slave (employee), you were required to pay 30 pieces of silver. Jesus' value was defined as that of a slave. But also, it fulfilled Zech 11:12

· The need for Judas

o Everyone knew who Jesus was, they didn't need Judas to pick him out. What they didn't know was how to find him when the crowds weren't around

o Also, Roman law required someone to bring forward and initial formal indictment

o Also, a civil trial required a prosecuting witness

· The outline of the events

o The arrest

o The religious trial

· Trial before Annas (original high priest deposed by the Roman Governor)

· Trial before Caiphas

· Hall of Judgement in the temple compound

o The death of Judas

· In Matt 27 it says he hanged himself and in Acts 1, he fell onto the ground and his insides burst out. He probably did a self-hanging, and the rope did not hold for the whole time, resulting in the bursting of his intestines when he hit the ground

o The civil trial

· First trial before Pilate (also John 18:28-32)

Mark 15:1-5 (NIV) Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.

3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”

5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

· What is missing is the discussion in John where the Jews stumble around with the indictment, because Judas is now dead

· What is Pilate's conclusion (not seen here but in the other gospels)? He has done nothing wrong deserving death (#1)

· What is Pilate's decision (not seen here but in the other gospels)? He finds out he is from Galilee, and passes him off to Herod

· The outline of the events (continued)

o Jesus faces Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12)

o Second trial before Pilate

· Pilate argues that Herod has found him innocent (Luke 23:13-15) (#2)

· Pilate concludes that He agrees that Jesus is innocent (#3)

Mark 15:6-10 (NIV) Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

9 "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.

· The outline of the events (continued)

o In the middle of the proceedings, Pilate receives a message from his wife (Matt 27:17-19)

Mark 15:11-15 (NIV) But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

12 "What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them.

13 "Crucify him!" they shouted.

14 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

· How can a crowd composed of many of the same people who shouted "Hosanna in the Highest; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Father," earlier in the week, now shout "Crucify Him," later in the week?

o The Jewish people knew who he was

o The Jewish people reject Jesus, just as the leaders had

· Verse 15 shortens the story significantly. It is not wrong, it just leaves out a lot of details

· The outline of the events (continued)

o Jews demand Jesus be crucified (first time)

o Pilate has him flogged

o Pilate returns him again to the crowd (#4) (possibly hoping that the crowd would pity him) for release (John 19:1-6). The crowd again demands for Jesus to be crucified (second time)

o Pilate realizes that the reason is not sedition but that he claims to be God (John 19:7)

· There is no denying from this verse that the Jewish people did not understand Jesus' claim

o Pilate now interviews Jesus again (John 19:8-11)

o Pilate brings Jesus out a third time (John 19:12-16) (#5 and #6)

· The Jews demand his crucifixion a third time

· The Jews claim Caesar as their king

Mark 15:25-32 (NIV) It was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!"

31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! 32 Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

· The Passover lamb was taken to the Temple for four days for a specific purpose: it was to be kept under close observation. Why? The Passover lamb had to be a spotless lamb. Around 50 separate tests were performed to insure the lamb's purity. On the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan, after the lamb was officially declared to be pure and free from defect, it was placed upon the altar at 9:00 AM. The lamb remained until 3:00 PM in the afternoon. At that time, the High Priest took a knife and slit the throat of the lamb and said "IT IS FINISHED". After the death of the lamb, it was taken and then thrust on a vertical pole. A horizontal pole was transfixed on this pole and the lamb was layed out on it so that its skin could be flayed. The skin on its back was removed to ensure one thing: that it was as pure on the inside as it was on the outside. The heart of the lamb was removed and all the blood was drained from it. In all of this exercise, not one bone of the lamb was broken. (Pasted from <http://www.threemacs.org/themes/jewish/passover.htm> )

o The third hour is 9am

· I think Bertrand Russell's answer to the question, "what if when you die, you find out that God exists, what will you say to him?" was "you didn't give me enough evidence." How are the response of the people around the cross and the religious leaders similar?

o They wanted a sign

o They refused to believe the sign when it was given

· Is it really about a sign or evidence?

o People choose to believe or to choose to refuse to believe. Both positions require faith

Mark 15:33-39 (NIV) At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"-which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."

36 One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

· The ninth hour is 3pm

o The blood is drained

o Not one bone is broken

· The sayings of Jesus on the cross:

1) “Father, forgive them”

2) “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise”

3) “Woman, behold thy son”

4) “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani”

5) “I thirst”
6) “It is finished”

7) “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit”

· Again, Mark does not include all the sayings, and shortens the story considerably. This does not change its veracity, it just abridges things

Mark 15:40-47 (NIV) Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

· In John, Nicodemus goes secretly to Jesus. In Mark, Joseph goes bodly to Pilate

· Jesus is buried in a rich man's grave hours before the sabbath starts

Mark 16:1-8 (NIV) When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'"

8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

· The ladies buy spices Saturday evening, when the sabbath is over

· Sunday morning, the go to the tomb

· The large stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and angel announces the good news: He is risen

Class Notes, Mark 14:1-72

Review: 1) Book written by Mark, relation to Peter. 2) Theme is Jesus as a servant. 3) We are in the last week of Jesus' life. 4) Likely Wednesday (Apr 1, 33AD, crucifixion then Apr 3, 33 AD, or Mar 29, 33AD, crucifixion then March 31, 30AD). Thursday nt is the Passover meal. Friday is the crucifixion.

Mark 14:1-11 (NIV) Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or the people may riot."

3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.

6 "Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

· Apparently the leader's intelligence is not good. They do not follow Jesus back to Bethany. They really don't know where he when he is not surrounded by people

· Also, they wanted to avoid the feast, because of all the pilgrims. It was never the intent of the Jews to crucify Jesus during the Passover, 14 Nisan, or the feast of unleavened bread, which overlaps

o Apparently, Judas' offer was too good to refuse

· But an important is related here. The time frame is out of chronological order, which is not unusual in an eastern culture

o (John 12) It is Saturday, 4 days prior, Jesus is in Bethany, it is evening, dinner of after dinner (reclining)

o This fits with Mark's words "while he was in Bethany," referring to a previous event

· Who is the woman? From John, we learn that the woman is Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha. Additionally, she anoints Jesus' feet as well as his head (a common way to honor a person during a festive occasion)

o What do we know of Mary? She loved Jesus. She put priority on the relationship. She listened to Jesus. Now, she sacrifices something of great worth to express her devotion

o By the way, Martha served the meal. Lazarus sat at the table

· Verse 3, says they were reclining at the table of a man …, a woman came …

· What is the response of the men to the act of the woman?

o Indignation

o Not logical

· What does Jesus call it?

o John 12:3b (NIV) And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

o Mark 14:6 (NIV) "She has done a beautiful thing to me"

o I've always felt that men don't appreciate beauty to the same degree as women. That our logical, practical, accomplishment-oriented view of life hinders us from understanding the subjective aspects of life. We do appreciate beauty. We do enjoy creation and we wonder at God's handiwork, but sometimes we miss out on the smaller pictures of beauty that are around us

· Who gets the most upset about the waste of money?

o From John we learn, that Judas is the most vocal of the group

· And Mark's point for putting the story in at this point is what?

o This becomes Judas' reason for betraying Jesus -- but WHY?

· Most likely just greed

· Maybe in a greedy way, he wanted to be part of a kingdom where he was rich. Jesus was wasting money, and obviously doing nothing to establish the kingdom. God's plan was not his plan

· Judas' focus is on the physical, earthly part of life: the seen, the material, the temporal

o Judas does not learn from Jesus' teaching

o Judas' act is what changes the Sanhedrin's timetable. Judas also fulfills a role required by Roman law that requires a initial formal indictment with an accusation to be brought before the Roman governor. Judas also is required to be a prosecuting witness. Unfortunately for the Sanhedrin, Judas' death prevents him from fulfilling those roles in the civil trial

Mark 14:32-41 (NIV) They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41 Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

· It is obvious that Jesus is in much pain, he makes that clear to his disciples, yet what happens? And what does that tell us about ourselves?

o His closest disciples, his best friends, fall asleep

o They are weak -- of course, the Holy Spirit has not been given yet. Although, Paul, who has the Holy Spirit makes the same exact argument regarding the flesh

o We will fail God. When we do, we need to get back up, repent of our sin, ask forgiveness, and seek God wholeheartedly once again

· What do you think of Jesus' prayer request?

o It is very human

· It is a most terrible and terrifying moment of Jesus' life

· Jesus pleads for mercy

o Jesus argues that everything is possible for God, so God can somehow save him from the upcoming suffering -- But God doesn't -- Why?

· Because Jesus' suffering and death gives life to us. There is a much bigger purpose

Mark 14:41-52 (NIV) 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

48 "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.

51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

· Interestingly, Peter boasts too much, prays too little, and acts too violently

· Only Mark records the story of the young man. Not sure when he joined in. Maybe he heard the crowd. Maybe he followed the disciples. Not sure why the story is included, except that is the author also fleeing the scene with the disciples

Mark 14:53-65 (NIV) 53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.'" 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"

62 "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

63 The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. 64 "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"

They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.

· There are a number of things that are wrong by Jewish law (Fruchtenbaum, 2005)

1. According to Ex 23:8, no arrest could be affected by a bribe

2. There were to be no steps of criminal proceedings after sunset

3. Judges and Sanhedrin members could not participate in the arrest

4. There were to be no trials before the morning sacrifice

5. All trials were to be public; secret trials were forbidden

6. Sanhedrin trials were only to be held in the Hall of Judgment in the Temple Compound (they actually will hold a third trial here at the break of day to legitimize themselves)

7. The proper procedure: first the defense; then the accusation. The judges who argued for innocence were to speak before the ones who argued for guild

8. While all judges of the Sanhedrin may argue in favor of acquittal, all may not argue in favor of guilt

9. On the basis of Deut 19:15, there were to be two or three witnesses, and their testimonies had to be in perfect agreement

10. There was to be no allowance for the accused to testify against himself

11. Based on Lev 21:10, the high priest was forbidden to tear his garments

12. The charges against the defendant were not to originate with the judges; the could only investigate charges brought to them

13. When the charge was blasphemy, guilt could only be established if the defendant had actually pronounced the very name of God

14. A person could never be condemned on the basis of his words alone

15. The judges verdict could not be announced at night

16. In the cases of capital punishment, the trial and the verdict of guilt could not occur at the same time. They had to be separated by 24 hours

17. Voting for the death penalty had to be done by individual count beginning with the youngest judge so that the younger could not be influenced by the elder

18. A unanimous decision for guilt showed innocence since it was impossible for a minimum of 23 men or a maximum of 71 men to agree without plotting

19. The sentence could only be pronounced three days after the guilty verdict

20. A person condemned to death could not be beaten or scourged beforehand

21. Judges were to be humane and kind

22. No trials are allowed on the eve of the Sabbath or on a feast day

· There are actually two verdicts

o In the religious trial, the charge was blasphemy. There were actually three religious trials, the first ended in failure, the second is recorded here, a third is recorded in the hall of judgment

o In the civic trial, the charge was sedition . There were also three trials, first with Pilate ending in failure, then with Herod (when Pilate learned he was a Galilean) -- also a failure, and finally with a trial before the people (six times Pilate tries to release him, and three times the people ask for him to be crucified).

· Six years later Pilate is exiled to Gaul where he commits suicide

· The details provided by the gospel writers are amazing. They are just what you would expect from eye witness accounts. On the surface, they sometimes don't agree. But when you piece the picture together you see a story that completely agrees

o Our savior lived and died, just as the scriptures describe, for us