Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.3-4 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
It seems that Judas did not expect Jesus to be condemned. Perhaps Judas tried to push Jesus into revealing his power and authority. And yet Judas didn’t repent or come to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah.
v.3-4 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
It seems that Judas did not expect Jesus to be condemned. Perhaps Judas tried to push Jesus into revealing his power and authority. And yet Judas didn’t repent or come to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah.
v.20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
Probably Barabbas was more like the Messiah that the Jews wanted. Someone who was prepared to take on the Roman empire and try to overthrow it. The crowd followed their Jewish leaders in asking for Barabbas. Most of Jesus supporters would have been in Galilee not Jerusalem.
v.20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
Probably Barabbas was more like the Messiah that the Jews wanted. Someone who was prepared to take on the Roman empire and try to overthrow it. The crowd followed their Jewish leaders in asking for Barabbas. Most of Jesus supporters would have been in Galilee not Jerusalem.
v.40 You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!
Interesting that this inaccurate charge stuck. (26:61)
v.40 You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!
Interesting that this inaccurate charge stuck. (26:61)
v.43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
The chief priests wanted God to rescue Jesus now. We always want God to do things now. God did rescue Jesus on the third day not the first.
v.43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
The chief priests wanted God to rescue Jesus now. We always want God to do things now. God did rescue Jesus on the third day not the first.
v.51-52 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open.
Such amazing events and still the priests did not believe. If we take Jesus’ death to have happened at 3pm the priests would have been in the temple performing the evening sacrifice.
v.51-52 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open.
Such amazing events and still the priests did not believe. If we take Jesus’ death to have happened at 3pm the priests would have been in the temple performing the evening sacrifice.
v.63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
Amazing the Pharisees remembered this when the disciples didn’t.
(From Constable Commentary)"The incongruous, ironical result is that the opponents took Jesus' words about rising from the dead more seriously than did the disciples."
v.63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
Amazing the Pharisees remembered this when the disciples didn’t.
(From Constable Commentary)"The incongruous, ironical result is that the opponents took Jesus' words about rising from the dead more seriously than did the disciples."
v.50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
(From Constable Commentary) “By comparing the Gospel accounts we know that Jesus spoke seven times while hanging on the cross. First, He said, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34). Second, He told one of the insurrectionists crucified with Him, "Today you shall be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). Third, He told His mother, "Woman, behold your son," and He told John, "Behold, your mother" (John 19:26-27). Fourth, He cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34). Fifth, He said, "I thirst" (John 19:28). Sixth, He exclaimed, "It is finished" (John 19:30). Seventh, He cried, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Matt. 27:50; Luke 23:46).”
v.50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
(From Constable Commentary) “By comparing the Gospel accounts we know that Jesus spoke seven times while hanging on the cross. First, He said, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34). Second, He told one of the insurrectionists crucified with Him, "Today you shall be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). Third, He told His mother, "Woman, behold your son," and He told John, "Behold, your mother" (John 19:26-27). Fourth, He cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34). Fifth, He said, "I thirst" (John 19:28). Sixth, He exclaimed, "It is finished" (John 19:30). Seventh, He cried, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Matt. 27:50; Luke 23:46).”