The triumphal entry. The Last Supper. The Garden of Gethsemane. The illegal trial. Jesus’ crucifixion and burial.

It’s likely you’re familiar with the events. You’ve been to church or Sunday school or Bible school or youth camp. You’ve heard the stories. But have you ever explored them on your own? Would you like to get a fuller picture of what happened to Jesus in the week before He died and after His death and resurrection?

We celebrate Easter in 4 weeks (Sunday, April 4, 2021) , so let’s start now to prepare our hearts.

Over the next 4 weeks, I’ll post guided readings from the gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – as well as questions to consider that will help you survey the events of Jesus’ Passion week – the week before he was crucified – through His resurrection and ascension. We’ll get a fuller perspective of the events of his last days in the flesh by reading accounts of the events as described in three and sometimes all 4 gospels. This allows us to do a side-by-side comparison and to contrast the information – not to find contradictions, but to give us a more well-rounded look at what took place.

What to do before and during the study:

• Pray to prepare your heart. Ask God to show you new information, something you haven’t seen before in stories that are well-known.
• Read the listed verses. (Reread if you have time). If a verse or group of verses stands out to you, make note in your Bible or your journal.
• Study words in the original Greek that catch your attention or that you’d like to understand better using apps like Blue Letter Bible.
• Follow the cross references listed in your Bible.
• Read commentary on the verses.
• Pray some more.
• Journal about what you’re reading and learning. About what stood out that you hadn’t noticed before. Note any questions you still have.
• If you’d like to engage with me or other readers, comment on the blog or on Facebook when I publish the posts.
• Reach out to me personally through the blog or through Facebook if you’d like to talk about anything.

As you read the gospels remember:

• They highlight major events in Jesus’ life as he carried out his Father’s will.
• They are historical writings – told by eye witnesses or collected from eye witnesses.
• Most are organized topically rather than chronologically. (This is the way many people talked and wrote at the time. They grouped events together that were similar in topic – not necessarily based on the order in which they happened. This is why events aren’t always in the same order in the different books).

{The following are short introductions of each of the four gospels and their authors. Information is taken from the English Standard Version Study Bible and the MacArthur Study Bible}.

Matthew

• one of Jesus’ 12 disciples – an eye-witness to Jesus life. Matthew saw first-hand the things he wrote about because he was there – talking with Jesus, eating with Jesus, walking with Jesus, healing with Jesus, learning from Jesus.
• a former tax collector – a Jew by birth – would have been familiar with Jewish law, the books we call the Old Testament, etc.
• also called Levi
• gospel written between late 50’s and early 60’s AD (after Jesus died)
• Matthew’s purpose in writing down his gospel was to persuade Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
• Events are organized topically. Matthew’s gospel is known for not having events in the same order as the other gospels.
• Although the exact way Matthew died is unknown, it is accepted that he was martyred (died for preaching and teaching the gospel). Many accounts say he was in Ethiopia at the time of his death.

Mark

• not an eye-witness to Jesus’ life, but a close friend and companion to Peter – one of Jesus’ disciples. Mark was Peter’s writer – he wrote down many of the letters and things that Peter dictated to him. He is mentioned in Acts and other New Testament books.
• also called John-Mark
• He wrote his gospel mostly for Gentiles emphasizing discipleship, having a relationship with Christ, trusting God, and letting Jesus be Lord and Savior of believers’ lives.
• gospel written in mid-50’s AD – likely in Rome while working with Peter

Luke

• a Gentile who converted to Christianity (the only Gentile to write any book of the Bible).
• originally a physician/doctor from Antioch
• a close friend of Paul’s
• His gospel isn’t a first-hand account as he was not an eye-witness to the events he wrote about. However, he was known to have researched by talking to people who had been with Jesus and had seen the things Jesus did during his ministry.
• also wrote the book of Acts
• gospel written in 60 of 61 AD in Rome at the same time as Acts was written.
• Luke wrote his gospel for Gentiles. He wanted people to know that the Good News was for everyone.
• {interesting side note – Luke emphasized the central role of women in Christ’s ministry – he talked at length about the women who supported Jesus ministry with money or other forms of assistance}

John

• one of Jesus’ 12 disciples (His gospel is eye-witness testimony.)
• the brother of James – also a disciple. They were known as the sons of Zebedee.
• known as “the beloved” and “the disciple who Jesus loved.” {side note – From the cross, Jesus requested his mother Mary be cared for by John}.
• time frame of writing is hard to pin down – some scholars say between 70 and 100 AD. Others say between 80 and 90 AD
• gospel written well after the other 3 – Matthew, Mark, and Luke, known as the Synoptic Gospels
• John’s gospel supplemented and complimented the other 3 gospels. His account of the events added a unique perspective and fill in other details that aren’t found in the synoptic gospels.
• Most scholars believe John was the only disciple to die of old age although he did spend time exiled on the island of Patmos for preaching the gospel.

I’ll send out the first official readings tomorrow evening, but I wanted to share with you an optional reading to provide some more context for the next 4 weeks of study.

John 11 tells the story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. The chapter ends with the Pharisees plotting to kill Jesus as the Passover week is about to begin.

John provides the only account of this event.