When we concluded Chapter 9, I stated that Jesus and the apostles were at a dinner at the house of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. I also estimated that the time of the supper was at night, putting it into the next day according to the Jewish method of reckoning of time. I also stated that if we count back from the day of the crucifixion, it will put it at Wednesday evening, making it at the beginning of Thursday. I also said that the “Palm Sunday” is an error that is based upon a teaching of a crucifixion occurring on Friday.
Thursday Morning Near Bethany
(Matthew 21:1-9; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-16) Matthew 21:1-9 1And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Mark 11:1-10 1And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded:
and they let them go. 7And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Luke 19:29-44 29And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. 41And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
John 12:12-16 12On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 16These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
It is now Thursday morning and Jesus instructs two of the disciples to go into Bethany to obtain a colt of a donkey. This colt has never been ridden but it is apparent that he gives no trouble with Jesus riding him. They begin to descent the Mount of Olives. The Scriptures state that there was a multitude of disciples that were awaiting Him. They were praising and honoring Jesus as He passed along the road. Many were cutting down branches off trees and putting them in the path of the colt. Others took off their outer garments and laid them down in the path of the colt. It was this way into Jerusalem.
Luke records that when Jesus approached Jerusalem, He stopped. Some of the Pharisees, being sorely displeased rebuked Him and insisted that Jesus make the multitude stop praising Him. He tells them that if they had withheld their praises, the rocks would have cried out.
As Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem, He wept. He stated that Jerusalem would be completely destroyed in the not-too-distant future. Luke is the only one to record this.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, there were many that asked Who this Man was.
They were answered by the multitude telling them that He was Jesus of Nazareth in Galilee.
Jesus enters the temple and begins to drive out the money changers. He heals those who come to Him. The crowd is still saying Hosanna to Him. This greatly displeased the chief priest and the Pharisees.
It seems that all these events consumed most of the day. Jesus leaves the city and returns to Bethany, probably to the house of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, to spend the night.
Friday Morning On the Road Back to Jerusalem
Jesus and the twelve travel from Bethany back to Jerusalem. On the way, Jesus sees a fig tree that has all leaves. He is hungry because apparently, He has had no breakfast. When He approaches the tree, He sees that even though it has leaves, it has no fruit on it. The significance of this is that if the tree is filled with leaves, it also should have figs. He pronounces a curse on it by saying that it would never again bear any fruit.
The day is filled with Jesus’ teaching in the temple with a multitude of people listening. The Pharisees challenge Him on many things. At the end of the day, Jesus and the twelve depart Jerusalem.
There is no way of telling for certain where Jesus and the twelve spend the night.
I tend to think they returned to Bethany for the night. They take the same road to Jerusalem the next day.
Saturday Morning On the Road Back to Jerusalem
They are on the same road as they were on Friday morning because when they reach the area of the fig tree, Peter observed that the fig tree had withered all the way from its roots. He marvels that it had withered so quickly.
Saturday Morning Through Tuesday Afternoon
These four plus days are filled with many events. Rather than examining each event, I will merely list them since our intent is not to fully consider each of Jesus’
teachings, but to consider the timeline of the events. It is not possible to know for certain the exact order and what day most of these events occurred. The important thing is that during all this time, Jesus is found mostly in the temple teaching, healing, and dealing with the Pharisees and their challenges. There are always spies that are seeking the opportunity to seize Him, Luke 20:20.
A list of most of the events (not necessarily in chronologic order)
Luke records that Jesus is preaching and teaching daily in the temple.
On one of those days after Jesus was preaching the gospel, He is challenged by the Pharisees as to His authority to preach and teach as He does.
The Pharisees challenge concerning John the Baptist’s baptism.
The parable concerning the certain man and his vineyard leased out to husbandmen.
The teaching concerning rendering unto Ceasar.
The Sadducees’ question concerning the resurrection.
Jesus warning His disciples of the actions of the scribes.
The lesson concerning the widow’s mite.
Jesus' prophecy concerning the destruction of the temple.
On the Mount of Olives, Jesus gives signs of the End of Time.
Philip, Andrew, and the Greeks who want to meet Jesus.
God speaking from heaven to glorify His Name.
The supper hosted by Simon the Leper, where Jesus reveals who would betray Him and the washing of the feet of the twelve.
Jesus reveals Peter would deny Him three times.
Jesus tells them He is going away to prepare a place in heaven for them.
Jesus reveals that the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) would come after He is gone.
The true Lord’s Prayer.
The pact between Judas Iscariot and the Chief Priests is made.
The parable of the king and the marriage supper for his son.
The kingdom of Heaven parables.
Luke reveals that on at least one night of these days, Jesus and the twelve spent the night on the Mount of Olives. If you will recall, this was one of His favorite places to retreat and spend some time.
Map depicting the Mount of Olives
Second Map depicting the Mount of Olives
Herod’s Temple in the Time of Jesus
Conclusion for Chapter 10
This brings us to the time of the Feast of the Passover. We will consider the crucifixion of Jesus in the next chapter.
