Remember that the Jew's day begins at 6:00pm. Jesus and his disciples had just finished what would be referred to as the Last Supper- Jesus last meal in his mortal, human body on Tuesday evening; Judas Iscariot has gone out to meet up with the religious leaders to plan their destruction of the Messiah. At 6:00pm it became the Jew's Wednesday evening.
Matthew 26:30- And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
On the way out of the city, Jesus began to tell the eleven disciples some of the things that He would accomplish in the future, but also some of the struggles that He would endure in the present.
John 14:1-4- Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Jesus told them not to be troubled. He had to go away, but He was going to get a lovely place ready for them to join Him.
John 14:15-18- If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
He knew that they would be sorrowful when He left this mortal world, but He promised to send them someone who would help them. The Spirit of truth, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost of God that would live inside them and help them understand and do the will of God!
John 14:27- Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus didn't want them to worry. He wanted them to have the Peace of God which passeth all understanding!
John 18:1-2- When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
Matthew 26:31-35- Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Jesus and his disciples went to a specific garden that they were use to going to. On the way, Jesus told them that they would be offended at Him. Peter denied it, and Jesus told him that before the sun rose in the morning he would deny that he knew Jesus three times! But, Peter said that even if they killed him, he would never deny Jesus; and all the rest of the disciples said they, too, would rather die than deny knowing Jesus.
Mark 14:32-34- And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
Jesus took all eleven of the remaining disciples with Him to the garden of Gethsemane. Then, He separated Peter, James, and John and took only these three with Him further into the garden.
But, Jesus needed alone time with the Lord God Almighty. He told the three to watch where they were and he went on a little further.
Luke 22:40-44- And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
As Jesus was praying, He was battling with something inside of Him. You see, He never had sinned. He never knew sin. But, in a little while He would take all the sin from the existence of the entire world and bear them in His sinless body; and, not only that, but He would also bear the wrath and anger of the Lord God Almighty for all those sins.
It was a horrible things to endure. He was in such agony that His sweat was huge drops falling from His body from the terror of it! But, He was willing to endure this if that was the Lord God Almighty's will.
An angel came and helped strengthen Him, but He was still in such anguish!
Matthew 26:40-42- And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
When Jesus went back to where He left the three He found them sleeping. He woke them up and asked why they couldn't watch for just one hour. Then, He told them to watch and pray, so that they could resist temptation.
What temptation? Possibly the temptation to deny Jesus and run away.
Jesus went back to where He was at the first and prayed again asking if there were another way, but submitting to the decision that the Lord God Almighty would make.
Mark 14:40-41- And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Jesus went back to His disciples and found them sleeping again, but this time He told them to go ahead and rest, because He knew that He would now be taken by the wicked men who had plotted his demise.
We don't know how long the disciples slept, but when Jesus woke them up the last time it wouldn't be a good night for any of them!
Mark 14:42- Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
John 18:3- Judas then, having received a band [of men] and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Mark 14:44-45- And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
Luke 22:48- But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
John 18:4-6- Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Jesus was so powerful that just speaking knocked this mob to the ground! He didn't need help to conquer them; He used the strength of an Almighty God to allow them to take Him and destroy Him.
Luke 22:49- When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
John 18:7-10- Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
Matthew 26:52-54- Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Luke 22:51- And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Matthew 26:55-56- In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Jesus knew what was coming. He knew that Judas Iscariot would betray Him with a kiss. He knew that the band of men would haul Him away. And, He knew the disciples would be offended that He didn't let them fight.
John 18:12-14- Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Though all His disciples had fled, two of Jesus' disciples followed from a distance. Soon, they were able to get much closer and see and hear what was happening.
John 18:15-16- And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
John 18:19-23- The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
Jesus answered the High Priest's question by telling Him to ask the ones who had heard Him teach. He knew they had hired liars to say false things about Him. One of the guards smacked Jesus because He didn't answer the question the way they wanted. But, Jesus knew that He didn't do anything wrong!
John 18:27- Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
Mark 14:55-56- And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
Matthew 26:60b-62- At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
In the judgement chamber there were many people accusing Jesus of many things, but everything they said was false. Jesus just sat there quietly letting them lie about HIm.
Matthew 26:63-68- But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
After Jesus answered that He was the Son of God, they didn't accept His answer and beg Him to forgive them. Instead, they started to mock and beat Him. These wicked people even spit in His face!
Luke 22:55-62- And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
Poor Peter! Maybe if he had prayed when Jesus told him then he wouldn't have denied his Lord. But, now there was nothing he could do. He ran off and cried.
It is now 6:00am. The beginning of the Jew's Wednesday daytime.
John was the only disciple present. And, the religious leaders are fixing to bring Jesus to stand before the Gentile leaders.
