“During the festival seasons the population of the city swelled from ca. 50,000 to 250,000 persons” (NICOTNT, Mark, 490)
(1) Why did so many Jews come to Jerusalem at this time?
(2) Why was the festival so important to them?
(3) What should be the focus of the chief priests and the teachers of law at the festival? What was their focus now and why?
(4) By putting Mark 14:1-10 and John 12:1-8 together with this passage, we understand that it was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus who anointed Jesus at probably his last feast in Bethany. From the incident of the death and resurrection of her brother in John 11, how would you describe Mary’s knowledge and understanding of Jesus?
(5) What might be the motive(s) of Mary in anointing Jesus with such an expensive jar of perfume (which cost about one year’s wages and would dissipate into thin air in seconds)?
- expressed her belief in His words while no one else did, and
- anointed Him in advance
d. All of the above?
(6) Since it would only be two more days before Jesus was arrested, did the disciples take Jesus’ words of His death seriously? If they did, would they chastise Mary for her action? Why or why not?
(7) Jesus rebuked the disciples, contrasting Himself with the poor. Did He not contradict what He taught not long ago in 25:31-46? Did Jesus not care about the poor? Why was He so delighted with Mary’s action, even over the poor whom He certainly cared about? What is the lesson here?
(8) Jesus says, “wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world (which is what He anticipated in advance) what she has done will also be told in memory of her”. What is the core content of the gospel? (Look up Jn. 3:16.) How is Mary’s action connected to the content of the gospel to the point that it needs to be mentioned wherever the gospel is preached?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
(1) The need for an insider is obvious as they tried to arrest Jesus in secret, avoiding a public riot as explained in v. 5. Imagine yourself being Judas:
(2) Jesus arranged to eat His last Passover feast in a place unknown even to the disciples. Judas would only find out the place later and would have to sneak out during dinner to inform the chief priests. Since this was the last Passover meal that Jesus would eat on earth, can you imagine how Jesus felt as He presided over the meal the full meaning of which He was going to fulfill almost immediately?
(3) Jesus pointed out that the one who would betray Him would be one of the Twelve and that he “has dipped his hand into the bowl with me.” The gravity of it caused Him to say, “It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While this was Jesus’ comment on the life of Judas, what might His comment be on yours?
(4) Jesus’ announcement of the betrayal by one of them caused them to grieve and presumably, all twelve asked one by one, “Surely not I?”. Why did the eleven respond by asking Jesus this question? Didn’t they know they were not the one?
(5) And when Judas asked the same, what was he thinking?
(6) Why do you think Jesus felt necessary to announce the betrayal at this point of time?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
(1) As Jesus declares that our worship and relationship with God is one of “spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:23), place, building and rituals are really not as important. Why then would He institute the Lord’s Supper?
(2) As He looked at the bread and said “this is my body”, and took the cup saying, “this is my blood”, both times He gave thanks first. In what sense did He give thanks?
(3) As we now eat of the bread and drink of the cup during our Holy Communion, how can we imitate Jesus in giving thanks?
(4) Just a thought: Would it not be more appropriate for Jesus to pick up a piece of the lamb and said, “It is my body”? After all He is the Passover Lamb! Why did He choose bread as the symbol?
(5) We believe that the Lord’s Supper is meant for “remembrance” and not a re-enactment of the actual event. However, each time as we eat and drink, internalizing the elements, how may it help you to “remember”? Remember what?
(6) Jesus also points us to the day when He would drink it anew in the kingdom of God. How different would that heavenly feast be from this last one He drank on earth?
(7) The New Testament church has continued to “remember” the Lord’s Supper as part of the communal meal, and not as an individual meal. What is its significance?
(8) I think the disciples by now had a growing sense of the reality of Jesus’ suffering and death. Would you have reacted to Jesus’ warning that “you will all fall away” as Peter and the disciples did? Why or why not?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
(1) What was the purpose of Jesus’ praying before His arrest?
(2) Why did He choose to bring Peter, James and John along and share those words in v. 38 privately with them? What was He hoping for or expecting of the three?
(3) Was His desire met?
(4) Consider these words of Jesus: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (Italics mine) Did you ever experience anything close to this? What was the reason for His condition?
(5) Consider the prayers of Jesus carefully and the fact that He prayed the same prayer three times. What can you learn about the following?
(6) Read Hebrews 5:7-10. How has it helped you to gain a better understanding of Jesus’ prayers in the garden?
(7) As Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak,” He was not only referring to the disciples, but probably Himself as well. How did He demonstrate the power of prayer in meeting trials like His?
(8) What if the disciples did “watch and pray” with Him, what might the difference be?
(9) What then is the essential message of today and how may you apply it in your life?
(2) How might Hebrews 2:17 help us understand why Jesus had to be betrayed with a kiss?
(3) We understand from John 18:10 that the one who drew the sword was Peter. Why was he carrying a sword? What did he expect Jesus to do while he defended him? Did Jesus take the opportunity to flee? Why not? (See His last words in v. 56.)
(4) Why did Jesus choose to say at this time, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword”? Many use this as grounds for pacifism. Do you agree? Why or why not?
(5) Jesus asked, “Am I leading a rebellion…” What does this say about the way and mission of Jesus? How may we imitate Him?
(6) “Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.” How could Peter, John and James and the other disciples leave Jesus? Did they not pledge to stick with Him only hours ago (v. 35)?
(7) Again, what if they had joined Jesus in praying in the garden, would the outcome be different?
(8) Why didn’t they?
(9) How important is it to watch and pray, especially in preparation of facing a crisis?
(10) What then is the essential message of today and how may you apply it in your life?
(1) As you read this segment of the scripture, what words can you use to describe the atmosphere?
(2) What words can you use to describe these religious leaders?
(3) These leaders, who were determined to kill Jesus, were trying to legitimize their crime by conducting a trial that involved two or three witnesses as prescribed by the Law of Moses. What kind of false testimonies did they seek that could put Jesus to death?
(4) Why did Jesus remain silent before these false testimonies which he could certainly disprove, and yet, when asked about who He is, He answered right away in no uncertain terms, and more?
(5) Why did the High Priest charge Jesus with blasphemy? How could he have responded differently?
(6) What sins had these religious leaders committed?
(7) What sins had the rest of the crowd who abused Jesus physically committed?
(8) Why didn’t Peter flee and hide, but instead chose to sit down “with the guards”? What does this tell you about Peter?
(9) Peter was sitting and watching the entire event. How would he feel? What was going through his mind?
(10) Of all the above human characters, with whom do you identify most?
(11) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
(1) Can you choose one word to describe the atmosphere of the night?
(2) What was Peter’s intention for being there, taking enormous risks?
(3) Was he aware that people might recognize him? Was he prepared for such a confrontation?
(4) Whether he was prepared or not, he was recognized and confronted. What might be the significance of
(5) Why did Jesus forewarn Peter of his denial?
(6) What impact might this denial have on Peter, both on a short term and also on a long-term basis?
(7) Did you have any similar experience as that of Peter?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?