MODULE 10: DEATH OF THE MESSIAH
Chapter 18 returns to the narrative, naturally following end of chapter 14: "Get up, let us go." (Joh 14:31-15:1 NAB) — "When he had said this, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered." (Joh 18:1 NAB) Note the rich detail of the passion narrative. In all 4 gospels the passion narrative is the most detailed. Speculation: the gospels began as passion narratives, life of Jesus was added along the way. cf. Mark
Book recommendation:
Raymond Brown gives detailed commentary on the passion narratives from all four gospels. Great resource.
John’s passion has an important liturgical importance. Palm Sunday: Synoptic gospels on a three year rotation Good Friday: always John’s gospel Consider the possibility of chanting the gospel https://youtu.be/gS53ZBQdYj8
Liturgical significance can also be a drawback. Good Friday homilies are usually pretty short because of the length of the Good Friday liturgy. Recommendation: 1 hour bible study sometime during Lent to help parishioners dig into the passion of St. John
Passion proceeds in 5 major scenes Jesus arrested Jesus before Jewish officials Jesus before Pilate Jesus condemned Jesus crucified
JESUS ARRESTED Since John’s depiction of the death of Jesus is his “hour” of glory, we see a decidedly different tone surrounding his death and resurrection. For example, the synoptics depict Jesus in agony in the garden. John omits entirely. "Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me." He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will."" (Mat 26:38-39 NAB)
ARREST In John’s gospel Jesus is confident and unafraid. "His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, "The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him." Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and he kissed him." (Mat 26:48-49 NAB) "Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, "Whom are you looking for?"" (Joh 18:4 NAB)
I AM Accusers are timid. Jesus presses: "When he said to them, "I AM," they turned away and fell to the ground." (Joh 18:6 NAB)
I AM “I AM” is more than just a phrase. I AM stands for the unspeakable divine name. "God replied to Moses: I am who I am. Then he added: This is what you will tell the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you." (Exo 3:14 NAB) The divine name in Hebrew: הָ֞והְי (Exo 3:15 WTT), normally translated in Greek: κύριος (Exo 3:15 BGT) But in 3:14: I AM statement is translated: ἐγώ εἰμι (Exo 3:14 BGT)
I AM Jesus uses this statement several times: "But he said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid."" (Joh 6:20 NAB) ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτοῖς · ἐγώ εἰμι · μὴ φοβεῖσθε . (Joh 6:20 BGT) "That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins."" (Joh 8:24 NAB) εἶπον οὖν ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀποθανεῖσθε ἐν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ὑμῶν · ἐὰν γὰρ μὴ πιστεύσητε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι , ἀποθανεῖσθε ἐν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ὑμῶν . (Joh 8:24 BGT)
I AM "Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM."" (Joh 8:58 NAB) εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς · ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν , πρὶν Ἀβραὰμ γενέσθαι ἐγὼ εἰμί (Joh 8:58 BGT) "From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM." (Joh 13:19 NAB) ἀπ᾽ ἄρτι λέγω ὑμῖν πρὸ τοῦ γενέσθαι , ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅταν γένηται ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι . (Joh 13:19 BGT) "When he said to them, "I AM," they turned away and fell to the ground." (Joh 18:6 NAB) ὡς οὖν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς · ἐγώ εἰμι , ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω καὶ ἔπεσαν χαμαί . (Joh 18:6 BGT)
ARREST Reaction of the disciples is different as well. In all accounts a sword is drawn, but in John it is Peter who strikes Malchus After Jesus’ command to put away the sword, the synoptics relay that the disciples fled: "And they all left him and fled. Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked." (Mar 14:50-52 NAB)
ARREST In John’s gospel, Peter and another disciple follow after Jesus. Why the different tone?
JESUS BEFORE THE HIGH PRIEST Jesus is placed on trial before the religious leader. In the synoptics there is a notion that it is the whole council (Sanhedrin) In Matthew he is led to Caiaphas, in John it is Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas. Notice that John doesn’t get into specifics about the charges. Instead, all the preceding is the testimony: "I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing." (Joh 18:20 NAB)
HIGH PRIEST Jesus is struck by a guard. de la Potterie comments that the guard represents all humanity that has rejected the revelation of Christ. We hear that Jesus is sent to Caiaphas, but that episode is not presented in the text in any detail.
JESUS BEFORE PILATE Jesus is brought to the praetorium. A praetor is a general or commander. Praetorium is his residence. Jews didn’t enter for fear of defilement. "There were some, however, who were unclean because of a human corpse and so could not celebrate the Passover that day." (Num 9:6 NAB)
PILATE Pilate asks about the accusations Again, no specific accusations are given. Since accusations are not given, Pilate seems ready to release Jesus.
PILATE Are you the king of the Jews? Pilate is principally concerned with politics Jesus, knowing this, responds that his kingdom is not here On earth? In the praetorium? In Jerusalem?
PILATE Only one other mention of “kingdom” in John, though it plays prominently in the synoptics: "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Mat 5:20 NAB) "Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit." (Joh 3:5 NAB)
PILATE My kingdom is not here… Yet. Kingdom is entered by water and the Spirit. Jesus gives water, blood, and Spirit on the cross.
PILATE What is truth? Important, ageless question. Pilate is an interesting historical figure. He attaches the story of Jesus to a time and place that is verifiable outside of the biblical account. Jesus is not a myth, he is not Zeus
PILATE Pilate seems hesitant to condemn Jesus, but he does so eventually. Wants to exchange him for Barabbas Interesting irony with name. Jesus is condemned by Jew and Gentile alike. This way, his resurrection saves both Jew and Gentile as well. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek." (Rom 1:16 NAB)
SENTENCE TO DEATH Jesus scourged Jesus mocked John’s gospel says “purple robe.” Purple was expensive to make, it’s a regal garment signifying wealth and privilege. "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day." (Luk 16:19 NAB)
SENTENCE We have no king but Caesar The rejection of the sovereignty of God goes back to the Garden. It’s the fundamental human flaw that Jesus comes to address. "Now the snake was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the LORD God had made. He asked the woman, "Did God really say, 'You shall not eat from any of the trees in the garden'?"" (Gen 3:1 NAB) "Samuel was displeased when they said, "Give us a king to rule us." But he prayed to the LORD. The LORD said: Listen to whatever the people say. You are not the one they are rejecting. They are rejecting me as their king. They are acting toward you just as they have acted from the day I brought them up from Egypt to this very day, deserting me to serve other gods." (1Sa 8:6-8 NAB)
CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS Relatively sparse detail about the brutality of crucifixion. Not needed? Not in keeping with theme of glorification?
CRUCIFIXION Name of the place: Golgotha. Gulgulta is the Aramaic word for scull. Probably called scull because of it’s rocky nature. The title on the cross contains his condemnation Written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. All the languages of the “modern” world. His condemnation is actually a proclamation: death = glory
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