How The Events Fit Together

HOW THE EVENTS FIT TOGETHER

        The Four Gospel writers describe the events of Christ’s death and resurrection from their own unique point of view.  By fitting them together we have a better understanding of the things that took place.

        “The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out: 'Here He is, God's Passover Lamb!  He forgives the sins of the world!'"  [Peterson on John 1:29; compare Rev. 5:6-14; 1 Peter 2:24]

        Crucifixion: see Deuteronomy 21:22-23; Gal. 3:13; Matt. 26:63-66; 27:37; John 19:31.

        After Jesus was arrested:

    1. Jesus was taken before Annas, ex-high priest (Luke 3:2) for a preliminary hearing (John 18:13).

    2. Next Jesus was taken to Caiaphas, Peter and John following along (John 18:15,24).  Alford's Greek Testament says both Annas and Caiaphas lived in the same great building, which must have been the Castle of Antonio [Praetorium] - a city within the city.

    3. First stage of the Jewish trial before Caiaphas (John 18:19-24).      

    4. Alford's Greek Testament thinks a second stage of the trial is implied (John 18:24).  It is possible that Jesus was shuffled from room to room, since both Annas and Caiaphas lived in the same castle.  The Jewish trial was illegal by their own laws, since it took place at night.

    5. Peter's three denials during the Jewish trial (Matt. 26:69-75).

    6. After condemning Jesus to death, The Sanhedrin recessed until dawn. 

    7. It is implied that Jesus was cruelly treated during this recess (Mark 14:65).

    8. The Sanhedrin reconvened at dawn (Matt. 27:1).  This would be the third stage of the Jewish trial - to make it appear legal.

    9. Jesus was again questioned and officially condemned to death (Luke 22:66-71).

    10. Jesus was tied with chains and taken to Pilate (Mark 15:1). 

    “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:33-38).

    11. Barabbas (Mark 15:7).  Barabbas was in prison for leading a rebellion against the Roman authorities.  He was justly condemned to be crucified.  The thieves who were crucified with Jesus may have been part of his group (Luke 23:41).  Pilate wanted to please the crowd so he set Barabbas free and sentenced Jesus to be crucified - nailed to the cross (Mark 15:15).  It was ironic to set the guilty man free and crucify the innocent man.  Compare 2 Cor. 5:21; Hebrews 9:28.

    12. Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21; Matt. 27:32-56).  Some think he was a "black man."  He may have been a convert to Judaism (a proselyte), but could have been of Jewish ancestry.

    13. The death of Jesus (Matt. 27:45-56).  "About three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud shout, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? which means ‘My God, My God, Why did You abandon me?’"  (Matt. 27:46; Psalm 22:1). 

    14. It is finished!  The "church fathers" believed that Jesus died voluntarily.  Note John 10:17-18. 

        a. the curtain in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51).

        b. graves were open and dead raised - as Jesus Himself came out of the grave (Matt. 27:52-53; Col. 1:18).  Perhaps three million people were crowded into Jerusalem as these things took place.

        c. There were many women there, among whom were Jesus’ mother, Mary; His mother’s sister [who may also have been named Mary]; Mary, the wife of Clopas; Mary Magdalene; Salome;  (Matt. 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41; John 19:25-27; 20:1).  Women were last at the cross and first at the Resurrection.  [compare Acts 1:13-15]

 

THE RESURRECTION EVENTS

         “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” [Matt. 28:6]   

        “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”  [Romans 1:4]

        “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.  Amen.  And I have the keys of Hades and Death.”  [Rev. 1:18]

        The Empty Tomb is vital to the Gospel.  Note 1 Cor. 15:12-22.  “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”  Christ is the guarantee that all those who sleep in death will also be raised to life again.

        The women came first to the tomb expecting to find the dead body of Jesus.  But He was not there!                                     

        The sequence: The women went first to the tomb with Mary Magdalene taking the lead.  She arrived at the tomb while it was still dark, saw the stone taken away, and ran back to the city by a different route to tell the apostles.  The other women arrived at the tomb, saw the angels, and were told Jesus is risen, and ran back to tell the disciples.  Peter and John, followed by Mary Magdalene, run to the tomb, and then return to the city.  Mary Magdalene remains, sees the angels and then sees Jesus.  A few minutes after this, Jesus appears to the other women before they reach the homes of the apostles.  (The other women had left the tomb before Peter, John and Mary Magdalene came to it.) 

        The Gospel writers give the account of His appearances following the resurrection from the dead.

    After Rising from death, Jesus was seen:

    1. He was first seen by Mary Magdalene.  Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18.

    2. Secondly, He was seen by the women returning from the tomb.  Matt. 28:1-10.

    3. By Simon Peter alone.  Luke 24:34

    4. By two disciples going to Emmaus.  Luke 24:13.

    5. By the apostles at Jerusalem, Thomas absent.  John 20:19.

    6. By the apostles at Jerusalem, Thomas present.  John 20:26,29.

    7. At Lake Tiberias (Galilee).  John 21:1.

    8. By eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee.  Matt. 28:16.

     9. By five hundred followers in Galilee.  (This may have been the same as #8.)  1 Cor. 15:6.

     10. By James only.  1 Cor. 15:7; Gal. 1:19.

     11. By all the apostles on the Mount of Olives.  Luke 24:51

     12. He was also seen by Paul (Acts 9:3-6) to offer him a commission as an apostle; and by John on Patmos (Rev. 1:12-13). 

     13.  He will be seen by everyone at the End of Time.  Rev. 1:7; Phil 2:9-11.

PRAYER

        Almighty God, through the death of Christ Jesus on the cross, You have overcome death for us.  Through His burial and resurrection from the dead You have made the grave a holy place.  You sent Christ Jesus so that the world might be saved.

        In Jesus, who rose from the dead, our hope dawned of being raised to life at the end of the world.  Our great sadness of death gives way to the bright promise of eternal life.  Lord, because of You, life is changed, but not ended.  When this body of our earthly dwelling lies in death, we hope for an everlasting dwelling with You in heaven.

        Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of Your glory.  We come to You, Father, with praise and thanksgiving, through Your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen.