* The Events of The Passion Week. Not all activities are listed.
Friday (Six days before Passover meal.)
-Jesus arrives in Bethany, just east of Jerusalem (John 11:54-12:1).
-Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, anoints Jesus' feet at a banquet (John 12:2-11).
Saturday (Sabbath. Started at dusk on Friday.)
-Though it is not recorded, Jesus left Bethany and returned to Ephraim near the Jordan River. (John 11:54-57)
Sunday (Now called Palm Sunday. 1st day of the Passion Week.)
-Jesus heals blind men while approaching Jericho (Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:34-43).
-Jesus eats at Zacchaeus house in Jericho (Luke 19:1-10).
-Jesus continues onto Jerusalem (Mark 10:52; Luke 19:28).
-Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19).
-Jesus's weeps for Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44).
-Jesus looked at the Temple at dusk. Then, left to spend the night at Bethany (Mark 11:11).
Monday (10th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk.)
-Jesus curses the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14).
-Jesus cleanses the Temple courts (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17).
-Jesus healed and taught until dusk. Then, left to spend the night at Bethany (Matthew 21:14-17; Mark 11:18-19).
Tuesday (11th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk.)
-Jesus explains the withered fig tree to his disciples (Matthew 21:20-22; Mark 11:20-26).
-Jesus's authority questioned (Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8).
-Jesus teaches in the temple (Matthew 21:28-22:46; Mark 12:1-44; Luke 20:9-21:4; John 12:20-50).
-Jesus wept over Jerusalem's leader's unbelief and rejecting him as their King (Matthew 23:1-39).
-Jesus anointed at Bethany (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 13:3-9; John 12:2-11).
Wednesday (12th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk.)
-No details about what Jesus did except Luke 21:37-38 which says he taught every day in the Temple.
-The Jews plot to kill Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6).
Thursday (13th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk.)
-The Passover meal begins at dusk, the start of the 14th of the month Abib (see below notes).
-Jesus and the disciples eat Passover meal, now known as the Last Supper. (Matthew 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-20; John 13:1-18).
-Jesus comforts the disciples and prays in the upper room. Then they leave Jerusalem (John 14:1-16:33).
-Jesus prays at Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 26:26-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46).
Friday (14th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk. Now known as Good Friday.)
-According Hebrew time Jesus is arrested and tried during the night to daylight. (Matthew 26:47-27:26; Mark 14:43-15:15; Luke 22:47-23:25; John 18:2-19:16)
-The Jewish leaders turn Jesus over to Pilate at dawn. Pilate questions Jesus then sends him to Herod, who sends Jesus back to Pilate (Matthew 27:11-31; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:15).
-Jesus's crucifixion starts at 3:00pm. He dies just before sunset. (Matthew 27:27-56; Mark 15:16-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-30)
-Jesus is quickly buried at dusk just before Hebrew day end. (Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42)
Saturday (Sabbath. 15th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk. The seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread begins).
-Jesus' body is in the tomb. He appears in Sheol and accompanies the saints previously dead to heaven.
Sunday (Abib 16; day of First Fruits Sheaf Wave) See Resurrection chart below.
-Jesus's morning resurrection and appearing to the women. (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18)
-Jesus appeared to the two on the road. (Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-35)
-Jesus appeared to ten apostles (no Thomas or Judas) in the evening. (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25)
Saturday (Sabbath)
-Jesus appears to Thomas and the rest of the apostles. (John 20:26-31)
A week later
-Jesus talks and eats with seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee. (John 21:1-25)
Forty days since his resurrection.
-Jesus ascends to his Father in heaven from the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 28:15-20; Mark 18:19-20; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11)
* Hebrew days start at sunset/twilight and goes thru the night till the next day's sunset.
* Passover always starts at twilight on the 14th day of the month (Leviticus 23:5), not the same day of the week every year. Therefore, Passover starting on Thursday is rare. Passover usually starts on another day of the week. Passover starting on a Thursday the year Jesus was crucified. This timing made it possible for Jesus to fulfill the feasts associated with the Passover.
1st) Jesus was crucified on Friday (still Passover) and died before sunset that same day.
2nd) Jesus was in the tomb during the Sabbath (Saturday) rest. The Sabbath that Jesus was buried was also the beginning of the seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:15-20, 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:16). The Feast of Unleavened Bread is always on the first Sabbath after Passover.
3rd) Jesus rose on Sunday, the third day since his death. That Sunday was also the day of the First Fruit Sheaf Wave (Leviticus 23:9-15; Exodus 23:16, 19, 34:22). The first fruit (barley harvest) of the land was waved before the Lord. Jesus' resurrected as the first fruit (Acts 26:23; 1 Corinthians 15:4, 20, 23).
All three feasts were thus fulfilled by Jesus and this could have only happened that particular year, the year Passover started Thursday night.
* The Hebrew calendar considered an event lasting for an entire day even though it was only a few hours or even minutes long. Therefore, Jesus died and was buried at the end of the Hebrew day (twilight) on Friday and he is considered to have been buried that day too. The same can be stated for Sunday, the day he rose from the dead. Even though he was in the grave for a few moments after dawn before he rose, he is considered to be in grave Sunday and rise from it on Sunday.
I. Give to God What is God's (12:13-17)
* The woodcarving titled "Christ and the Tribute Money" by Dore, Gustave (1832-1883) was in "The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments, according to the Authorized Version. With illustrations by Gustave Dore."
Jesus is received a coin as a prop to his lesson while a group of men watch. Jesus in typical art his shown with a halo. The artist, Gustave Doré (1832-1883), has placed his signature at the lower left of the woodcut, and the engraver's signature, Adolphe François Pannemaker (1822-1900), is located at the lower right.
>1. Who sent whom to Jesus? (13a)
* Mark 12:13 "Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words."
* Matthew 22:15-22 and Luke 20:20-26 also record the Pharisees trap concerning taxes.
* "Later" -in the day
* "they" -refers to 11:27 and 12;12.
* "sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians" -The chief priests did not go themselves.
* "Pharisees" -Jewish teachers of the Mosaic law, enforcers of the Mosaic law. Commanded respect amongst the Jews.
* "Herodians" -Jews Interested in political power. Interested in keeping Herodians in power. They were not at all religious.
>Why? (13b)
* "to catch him in his words"
* They had set many verbal traps for Jesus. Jesus was not trapped by any of their traps.
* They had already concluded that he was not going to be their King, their Messiah, their Lord.
* They were determined to ruin him.
* Their reaction to Jesus is a fulfillment of prophecy.
* The Old Testament declares that the Passover lamb was to be withuut blemish. It was to be examined in great detail. This chapter shows the great detail that was taken to see if Jesus was qualified to be the Passover lamb or not. The tests given here, unknown to those who gave it, proved that Jesus was without blemish and spot. He was perfect in all ways.
>What is their complement of Jesus? (14)
* Mark 12:14 "They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
* "Teacher" -words of flattery and respect.
* "we know you are a man of integrity" -because every challenge they may to expose the opposite failed.
* They knew what integrity was even though their integrity was of questionable quality.
* "You aren't swayed by men" -What was funny about this statement is that they were talking about themselves. They saw that Jesus was not intimidated by their credentials. Everyone else was and Jesus was not. This infuriated them more than anything. Jesus was not swayed by their power and authority.
* "you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth" -This was everyone knew including those who hated him.
* Elsewhere the authors of the four gospels make it clear that Jesus always knew what was in their hearts and minds.
* Satan's people often hid behind flattery and deceptive words. I have never been comfortable when someone compliments me.
>2. What is their main question? (14-15a)
* Mark 12:14-15a "They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we?"
* They expected a yes or no answer. Other verbal traps were set up as a yes or no answer too.
>Why is paying taxes to Caesar such and important issue to the people of Israel?
* Rome did not conquer Judea by a military victory. Rather a group of Jews (Herodians), lead by Herod and others, had invited their occupation of Israel. Many of the Jews did not want the Romans around. As well, they did not want to pay taxes to Caesar.
* Judea's last king was conquered by the Babylonians. When the Medes and Persians defeated Babylon the Jews were allowed to return to their homeland. However, they never gained control and re-establish a kingdom again. They tried several times only to be defeated; first by the Greeks and then by the Romans.
* Many Jews wanted to rebuild a nation again. Paying high taxes that ended up going to Rome was seen as a humiliation and unjust rule.
>3. What does Jesus discern about them? (15b)
* Mark 12:15b "But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked."
* "hypocrisy" -They paid taxes to Caesar because the Roman's allowed them to have control of religious matters. They were not concerned about getting advice from Jesus, no matter what he answered they would never follow or believe.
* They thought that they were wise and tactful, but they were just hypocrites.
* "Why are you trying to trap me?" -He exposed their hypocrisy. He did not expect an answer. He wanted his disciples to see and learn what was going on.
* Jesus' question challenged them back.
>What does he ask them? (15c-16)
* Mark 12:16 "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied."
* "bring me" -Jesus did not have one himself.
* "a denarius" -a days pay.
* "let me look at it" -he was making a point. He already knew what it looked like.
* "Whose... " -Jesus asked them the obvious to prove his point.
>4. What does Jesus command them to do? (17)
* Mark 12:17 "Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him."
* Jesus did not give them the political or religious answer they they had expected and probably heard from others.
* Later Paul would right, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience." (Rom. 13:1-5)
>What does this mean?
* Human government needs financial support to pay for services rendered to its citizens. It is true that throughout history many leaders have used these taxes for selfish gains. Jesus knew this and still said we should pay taxes.
* A believer in Jesus lives by faith in all things. He believes that God controls history and government leaders. Daniel and Joseph are good examples of men of God who served under selfish and corrupt people over them with faith. David served under Saul who tried to kill him. The apostles also learned this after Jesus ascended to heaven.
* God looks at a persons heart to see if we are living by faith and trust in his love. God works all thing for the good of those who believe him. Hardship comes even in the form of governments, leaders, and any responsibility over us. We are to obey God and live by faith in him even still.
* "give" -God expects.
* We have responsibility to God. We have responsibility to our family. We have responsibility to the congregation that we worship and serve with. We have responsibility to government and society. We have responsibility to the earth and environment.
II. The God of the Living (12:18-27)
* The woodcarving titled "Sadducees and the Resurrection" is in a book by Lossius, Lucas (1508-1582) titled in "Quaestiones Lucae Lossii in Euangelia Dominicalia : & praecipuorum festorum Iesu Christi Nazareni, filii Dei & Mariae, & sanctorum eius / Ex praelectionibus et scriptis Philip. Melanthonis ... ; ab ipso avtore diligenter recognitae & auctae ... ; Vna cum Indice Verborum et Rerum memorabilium"
On the right side Jesus debates with the Sadducees about the resurrection of the dead. The left side depicts the resurrection.
The online edition of this work in the public domain, i.e., not protected by copyright, has been produced by Pitts Theology Library, Emory University.
>5. Who are the Sadducees? (18)
* Mark 12:18 "Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question."
* Matthew 22:23-33 and Luke 20:27-33 also record the confrontation from the Sadducees concerning the resurrection.
* "Sadducees" -The Sadducees were Jews religious leaders who only believed the first five books of the Bible (aka Pentateuch, Law, Torah) were God inspired. They consisted mostly of Levitical priests who served in the temple area. The Levites were in charge the sacrifices and the temple area. Their seats of power were controlled by Rome.
The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, the spiritual world, or God's judgement. They only believed in the here and now. They were basically humanists and materialists who believed living a good life was the most profitable. They only believed in the hear and now. They considered themselves purest of God's law which was shown by God choosing them to serve in his temple.
* "came to him with a question" -The Sadducees were at odds with the Pharisees. They saw Jesus as an upstart Pharisee because he taught the supernatural and often quoted the prophets. The Sadducees had certain points that they said proved that the other books of the Bible were not from God. They said these points conflicted each other. The question they were going to ask Jesus was perhaps their greatest proof of this seemingly counter diction.
>How are they different from the Pharisees? (Acts 23:6-8)
* Acts 23:6-8 "Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead." When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.)"
* Neither the Pharisees nor the Sadducees accepted Jesus' teachings even though his points were irrefutable. Later, as seen by Acts, most of them kept to their stubborn ideas.
* Since this was the Week of Unleavened Bread, also called the Passover, many of the Sadducees would have been very busy with many sacrifices. However, there were so many Levites during Jesus' lifetime that not all were needed to serve at the same time. Some would have had free times.
>6. What is hypothetical situation of the woman? (19-23)
* Mark 12:19-23 ""Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?""
* Her life is a sad story of marriage and lost hopes.
* Marriage, divorce and remarrying was common among many of the religious leaders of the day. Most if not all of the divorces ended up poorly for the woman unless they remarried a rich man which was common.
* "Moses wrote for us" -Deuteronomy 25:5-7 "If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband's brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her. The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel."
* "must marry" -A strange choice of words since the practice had all but disappeared from use.
* "for his brother" -The purpose of the law was to keep a family line active and on going.
* The Sadducees borrow the story line from the Jewish book of Tobit, where the jealous demon Asmodeus killed righteous Sarah's first seven husbands. (Bible Background Commentary - The IVP Bible Background Commentary - New Testament)
* "At the resurrection... married to her?" -Rabbinic literature is full of examples of the "mocking question" posed by pagans, apostates or heretics like the Sadducees. Rabbinic Literature includes the Mishnah, Tosefta, Babylon and Palestinian Talmuds, Mekita on Ezodus, Sifra on Leviticus, and Sifre on Numbers and Deuteronomy. (Bible Background Commentary - The IVP Bible Background Commentary - New Testament>
>What does this story tell us about the inner life of Sadducees? (24)
* Mark 12:24 "Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?"
* "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." (Rom 8:5-6)
* They were concerned about the here and now, about the things of this world.
* They didn't understand nor have faith in the power or will of God.
* They live a life of no hope, or a hope in this world that often faded away.
* People with no hope in the kingdom of God are often the most cruel and selfish people. They do many things for themselves at the expense of others. They don't believe in judgement nor the kindness and rewards of God.
* Their incorrect belief lead them to interpret the Bible incorrectly.
* Colossians 3:1-4 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
>7. What does Jesus teach about the life in heaven? (25)
* Mark 12:25 "When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven."
* "when the dead rise" -It could be said that this is talking about when our current physical body ceases to exist and our spirit goes to heaven. However, Jesus is talking about the resurrection of the dead at the last trumpet. (Daniel 12:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15)
* Daniel 12:1-3 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
* "they will neither marry nor be given in marriage" -we will be married to Jesus the great bridegroom. I talk extensively about this in The Believer's Future - Hope that Inspires.
* "they" -the risen dead. Perhaps Jesus was excluding them because of their unbelief.
* "they will be like the angels in heaven" -Jewish people widely agreed that angels did not procreate (they did not need to replenish their numbers, because they did not die, and also because, in some other traditions, God regularly created new angels), nor did they normally eat or drink. (Bible Background Commentary - The IVP Bible Background Commentary - New Testament)
>What does the story of God's appearing to Moses teach us about God? (26; Ex. 3:13-15)
* Mark 12:26 "Now about the dead rising--have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?
* Exodus 3:13-15 "Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The Lord, the God of your fathers--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob--has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation."
* Hebrews 11:19 "Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death."
* "book of Moses" -The first five books of the Bible (aka Pentateuch, Law, Torah). Jesus quoted from what they said that they believed.
* "I am" -every phrase of the Bible stresses something. In this case the active present tense indicates they are alive.
>8. What does Jesus teach them about God? (27)
* Mark 12:27 "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"
* People do not die after death.
* "You are badly mistaken!" -He said harshly. The exclamation point represents that the when Mark wrote he used the ancient exclamation point which was pushing had with the pen.
* God is personal and loving.
* Those who die in this age (if believers this is before they have received a resurrection body) leave their physical body decaying in this world and their souls go to one of two waiting places; one is in heaven and the other is the torment side of Hades (Sheol in Hebrew). Hades means grave. All non-believers souls go to Hades and stay there until Jesus judges them at the great white throne. As Jesus' believers die before his return they go to heaven to await their marriage to Jesus, receiving a new resurrection body, rewards for acts done in this life, and their Millennium rule under King Jesus. Phil. 1:23 says they wait in “a far better place than this current earth.
>Why is this truth important to know?
* We can have hope in the kingdom of God, a future in paradise. A future that is bliss and exciting, much better than the things of this world. We can have joy and strength in this world.
* Hope in this world eventually amounts to nothing. Hope in the kingdom of God will be a realized hope.
* God is powerful so we can trust him in all things.
