The Gospel Synopsis and Timeline Part 28

THE PASSION NARRATIVE

305. Jesus’ Death is Premeditated

All four of the gospel accounts points to the people in religious authority plot to kill Jesus.

Matthew says it was the leading priests and elders with Caiaphas

Mark and Luke says it was the leading priests and teachers of religious law

John says it was leading priests and Pharisees who called the high council together, Caiaphas’ name was also mentioned.

306. The Anointing at Bethany (See no 114 & 267)

This is something we have already discussed previously.

307. The Betrayal by Judas

All four gospels says it was Judas who was the one who betrayed Jesus.

Matthew and Mark are very similar in their words usage and word order.

Luke has the most detail, including that they “began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.

308. Preparation for the Passover

All four gospels indicate that the Passover/Festival of Unleavened Bread was approaching and the disciples needed to prepare the passover meal.

The synoptics all record the disciples asking where should we prepare the Passover meal? but Luke says it is a response to Jesus telling them to go prepare it.

While all the details are not exactly the same, they do not contradict each other.

309. Washing the Disciples’ Feet

Only John records the episode of Jesus washing his disciples feet.

The point of this story is to be a great leader you have to serve.

This is also seen in the other gospels as well.

310. Jesus Foretells his Betrayal (See no 312)

All four gospel accounts include the betrayal by Judas foretold.

They all include this event at the passover meal.

Matthew and Mark ate the closest in their telling of the event.

They all wondered if it was them who would betray Jesus.

John give the greatest description of the event.

It is also interesting to know that even though Jesus made it plain who would betray him (by giving him the bread) the disciples still didn’t know who it was.

311. The Last Supper

The three synoptic gospels all record the institution of the Lords supper as they were eating the Last Supper.

Matthew and Mark are really close to word for word whereas Luke some similar words but adds extra details, specifically “Do this in remembrance of me.”

While John does not record the what the synoptics do with this event in the last supper, he does record the same idea of his body and blood.

312. Jesus Foretells his Betrayal (See no 310)

We just looked at this one. This follows the order in the gospel of Luke but now Matthew and Mark

313. Precedence among the Disciples and the Reward of Discipleship.

Following Luke’s Gospel there was an argue about who would be the greatest among them.

In Matthew and in Mark the same kind of thing happened but the argument was about James and John being put in places of honor in the afterlife.

The emphasis is on serving others not on being in places of honor.

The same idea is also emphasised in John but after Jesus washes the disciples feet.

314. The New Commandment of Love

Only John records this even so we have nothing to compare it to.

315. Peter’s Denial Predicted

Another incident that is recorded in all four gospels.

Again Matthew and Mark are almost word for word.

While Luke and John are not word for word they do both record these words, “before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

They all agree on the rooster crowing and three denials.

316. The Two Swords

Only Luke records this so we have nothing to compare it with.