The last week before the arrest 8 studies
- 1The return to Bethany
- 2Daily Teaching in the Temple
- 3Returning Once More to Bethany
- 4The fig tree is withered
- 5The questions of the Pharisees and the Herodians
The last day up to the crucifixion 1 study
The last week before the arrest
-
PER281
The return to Bethany
After his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus leaves the city in the evening to return to Bethany with his twelve disciples, including Judas. Related mainly by Mark (11.11) and Matthew (21.17), this episode, set on Sunday, March 27, AD 33, illustrates the rhythm of the last week: days at the Temple, nights near Bethany. The disciples use these journeys to ask their Master about the meaning of his messianic acts.
Matthew 21.17 (King James Version) :And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER286
Daily Teaching in the Temple
Pericope 286 describes Jesus’ daily teaching in the Temple of Jerusalem during Passover week (Monday, March 28, AD 33). Based mainly on Luke 19,47-48, it presents the growing opposition between the admiring crowds and the hostile religious authorities — scribes, chief priests, Sadducees and Pharisees — who seek to silence Jesus, whose message of the Kingdom of God threatens their established power.
Luke 19.47-48 (King James Version) :And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER287
Returning Once More to Bethany
PER287 describes the return of Jesus and his disciples to Bethany after a day at the Temple of Jerusalem, on Monday, March 28, AD 33. Attested mainly by Mark 11.19, this episode sheds light on the group's nightly routine around Martha, Mary and Lazarus. The article deals with the scattered hospitality, the role of the women, the daily round trips between Bethany and Jerusalem, and the disciples' failure to understand the announcements of the Passion.
John 12.1-8 (King James Version) :Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER288
The fig tree is withered
The day after Jesus cursed the fig tree, the disciples discover the tree completely withered. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach about the power of faith and the importance of forgiveness. Beyond this teaching, the fig tree symbolizes Israel in the Scriptures, and its withering foreshadows the judgment that would fall on the nation forty years later with the destruction of the Temple. Faith and forgiveness remain the unshakable values that Jesus puts forward.
Hosea 9.10 (King James Version) :I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER295
The questions of the Pharisees and the Herodians
In the Temple of Jerusalem, the Sadducees try to trap Jesus with a question about the resurrection involving a woman who had seven husbands. Jesus answers by revealing their ignorance of the Scriptures and of the power of God: in the life to come, people no longer marry. He proves the resurrection from the Torah by quoting Exodus 3.6: God is the God of the living, not of the dead. His adversaries are reduced to silence.
Mark 1.22 (King James Version) :And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER296
The questions of the teachers of the law
During the last week before his Passion, Jesus is questioned by teachers of the Law about the greatest commandment. He sums up the whole Law in two principles: loving God and loving one’s neighbor. A sincere scribe acknowledges the rightness of this answer, and Jesus tells him that he is not far from the Kingdom. The article nuances the view of Pharisaism and invites a faith lived in love rather than in legalism.
Mark 12.28-34 (King James Version) :And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER297
The Messiahship of Jesus
At the Temple court in Jerusalem, on the Tuesday before his Passion, Jesus questions the Pharisees about the identity of the Messiah. Citing Psalm 110, he reveals that the Messiah is both Son of David according to the flesh and eternal Lord according to his divinity, confounding his opponents, who are left without an answer. A fundamental Christological statement about the dual nature of Jesus.
Luke 20.41-44 (King James Version) :And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER298
Indictment Against the Religious Leaders
In the courtyard of the Temple in Jerusalem, on the Wednesday before his Passion, Jesus delivers a severe indictment against the scribes and the Pharisees. Through eight proclamations of ‘Woe to you!’, he denounces their hypocrisy, their pride and their outward show of religion, while expressing deep sorrow over Jerusalem. He calls his disciples to a genuine, humble faith that serves others.
Luke 20.45-47 (King James Version) :Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The last day up to the crucifixion
-
PER327
Departure for the Mount of Olives
The article examines the departure of Jesus and his disciples for the Mount of Olives after the Last Supper, where, after singing the psalms, they head to a place full of prophetic significance, near the site of the future crucifixion.
Matthew 26.30 (King James Version) :And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org