Jews celebrate several festivals that come from events unique to their history. One of their more well-known festivals is Passover. Jews celebrate this festival to remember how God saved them from slavery in Egypt about 3500 years ago. The story is in the book of exodus. During Passover, Moses told every Israelite family to kill a lamb and put its blood on their door frames. The death would pass over those houses. But houses without the blood on the doors would lose their oldest son.
Jewish Passover
Jewish Passover
The first Passover happened on a special day in the Jewish calendar called Nisan 14. God told Moses to have the Jews celebrate Passover every year on Nisan 14. Today, Jews still celebrate Passover on this day. Because the Jewish calendar is based on the moon and sun (lunisolar), Nisan 14 changes in our modern calendar and usually happens in March or April.
Jesus on Passover
Confronting serpent at Cross has given much
We have been looking at Jesus through his Jewish culture during his last week. Day 6 of that week, Friday, was Nisan 14, the Jewish Passover day. Before we talk about that day, here is a quick review.
Day 6, Friday, started with Jesus sharing his last meal with his disciples. This was probably Thursday evening because the Jewish day starts at sunset. Jesus took a cup, gave thanks, and said,
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26: 27-28
Holy Bread and Wine
This is all recorded here from the Gospel. He taught them to love one another and talked about God’s love. Later, he prayed for his followers (read here).
In the Garden of Gethsemane
After the meal, Jesus went to pray all night in the Garden of Gethsemane outside Jerusalem.
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Matthew 26:36-46
The disciples could not stay awake and the vigil had just begun! The Gospel then describes how Judas betrayed him.
The Arrest in the Garden
Judas leads soldiers to Gethsemane take Jesus
2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
John 18:2-13
Judas, who betrayed Jesus, came with soldiers to arrest him. Jesus knew what was coming and told them, “I am he.” When he said this, the soldiers were surprised, and his disciples escaped. Jesus did not fight back and let them take him away.
Jesus Arrested: Movie Scene
The First Interrogation
The Gospel records how they interrogated him:
19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face.“Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
John 18:19-24
Jesus was taken to the high priest Annas and was asked about his teaching and disciples. Jesus said he taught openly and told them to ask the people who heard him. One official slapped Jesus, but Jesus answered calmly and said if he was wrong, they should show proof. Then Jesus was sent to the high priest Caiaphas.
The Second Interrogation
There they interrogated him in front of all the leaders. The Gospel also recorded this second interrogation:
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
Jesus in front of High Priest
57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
Mark 14:53-65
At Caiaphas’ place, all the Jewish leaders came to question Jesus. They wanted to find something to accuse him so they could put him to death, but they could not agree on false testimony. When asked if he was the Messiah, Jesus said yes and talked about coming in glory. The high priest got angry and said Jesus was guilty of blasphemy. They decided Jesus should die. They insulted and beat him.
Jesus called himself the ‘Son of Man’ here, a title with deep meaning. Even though Jewish leaders condemned Jesus, only the Roman governor could approve his death, so they took Jesus to Pontius Pilate.
Jesus Interrogated by the Roman Governor
11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Jesus or Barabbas was to be executed
15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.
22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Matthew 27:11-26
Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. Jesus said, “You have said so.” Pilate was surprised because Jesus did not answer the charges. During the festival, Pilate usually released one prisoner. There was a man named Jesus Barabbas in prison. Pilate asked the crowd who they wanted to be set free. The leaders told the crowd to choose Barabbas and to crucify Jesus. Pilate washed his hands to show he was not responsible for Jesus’ death, but the people said, “His blood is on us and on our children!” Pilate gave Jesus to be beaten and crucified.
The crucifixion, Death & Burial of Jesus
The Gospel then records the details of Jesus’ crucifixion.
The soldiers made fun of Jesus. They put a crown of thorns on his head and a red robe. They spat on him and hit him. Then they led him to be crucified.
Simon of Cyrene was made to carry Jesus’ cross. Jesus was taken to Golgotha, which means “the place of the skull.” They offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not drink it. Jesus was nailed to the cross between two criminals. People shouted insults, saying if he was the Messiah, he should save himself.
At noon, darkness covered the land until 3 p.m.
Jesus humiliated on the Cross
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Matthew 27: 27-31
The crucifixion of Jesus
21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.
27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Jesus Crucified: The Most Depicted Scene of his life
35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15: 21-39
‘Pierced’ in His Side
The Gospel of John records a fascinating detail of the crucifixion. It states:
Jesus’ side pierced
31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.
John 19:31-35
John’s Gospel says that because the Sabbath was coming, soldiers broke the legs of the other criminals to hasten death. But when they came to Jesus, he was already dead, so they did not break his legs. Instead, a soldier pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water came out. This shows Jesus died from heart failure.
Jesus’ Burial
The Gospel records the final event that day – his burial.
Jesus Burial
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
Matthew 27: 57-61
A rich man named Joseph from Arimathea, who was a follower of Jesus, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. He wrapped it in clean linen and placed it in a new tomb cut from rock. A large stone was rolled in front of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and another Mary sat opposite the tomb.
Day 6 – Good Friday
The Jewish day starts at sunset, so Day 6 began with Jesus’ last supper and ended with his death and burial. It was a day full of pain, sadness, and death, but it is called ‘Good Friday.’ Why? Psalm 22, written 1000 years before Jesus, helps explain this.
Why Good Friday and not ‘Bad Friday’?
Jesus drank the ‘cup’ given by his Father to save the world. His death happened on Nisan 14, the same day as Passover, when lambs were sacrificed to save the people from death long ago. Jesus’ crucifixion and Passover are connected by date and meaning. This is why Passover happens close to Good Friday every year.
The Sign on Mount Moriah at Passover
Jesus was crucified on Mount Moriah near Jerusalem. This is where Abraham offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice long ago. This was the place where 2000 years before, a lamb had substituted for Isaac when Abraham offered him to God. Jesus’ death on Passover and at this place shows God’s plan. It is not just faith but is supported by history. The events of Day 6 in Jesus’ last week fit this plan.
Day 6 – Friday, compared to the Hebrew Torah regulations
Most stories end with a person’s death, but Jesus’ story continues with the Sabbath on Day 7.
Note: Jesus was crucified on Passover, Nisan 14, in the Jewish lunar calendar. The modern calendar used today is different. The church set Easter Sunday as the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21. Since Jewish months follow the moon, Nisan 14 is always on a full moon. Because of the way Easter is calculated, Passover and Easter are usually close but not always on the same day.
