"Six Days Before The Passover"
(John 12:1).
This Is
Appendix 156 From The Companion Bible.
We
are furnished by Scripture with certain facts and fixed points which,
taken together, enable us (1) to determine the events which filled up
the days of "the last week" of our Lord's life on earth;
(2) to fix the day of His crucifixion; and (3) to ascertain the duration
of the time He remained in the tomb.
The difficulties connected with these three have arisen (1) from not
having noted these fixed points; (2) from the fact of Gentiles' not
having been conversant with the law concerning the three great feasts of
the LORD;
and (3) from not having reckoned the days as commencing (some six hours
before our own) and running from sunset to sunset, instead of from
midnight to midnight.
To remove these difficulties, we must note :-
That
the first day of each of the three feasts. Passover, Pentecost, and
Tabernacles, was " a holy convocation", a "sabbath"
on which no servile work was to be done. See Leviticus 23:7,
24, 35.
Compare Exodus 12:16.
"That
sabbath" and the "high day" of John 19:31,
was the "holy convocation", the first day of the
feast, which quite overshadowed the ordinary weekly sabbath.
It was called by the Jews Yom tov = (Good day), and
this is the greeting on that day throughout Jewry down to the
present time.
This great sabbath, having been mistaken from the
earliest times for the weekly sabbath, has led to all
the confusion.
This
has naturally caused the futher difficulty as to the Lord's
statement that "even as Jonah was in the belly of the fish
three days and three nights, so shall the Son of man be in the heart
of the earth three days and three nights" (Matthew 12:40).
Now, while it is quite correct to speak according to Hebrew idiom of
"three days" or "three years", while
they are only parts of three days or three years, yet that idiom
does not apply in a case like this, where "three nights"
are mentioned in addition to "three days".
It will be noted that the Lord not only definitely states this, but
repeats the full phraseology, so that we may not mistake it. See the
subject fully discussed in Appendix 144.
We
have therefore the following facts furnished for our sure guidance:
-
The "high day" of John 19:31
was the first day of the feast.
-
The "first day of the feast" was on the 15th day
of Nisan.
-
The 15th day of Nisan, commenced at sunset on what we should
call the 14th.
-
"Six days before the passover" (John 12:1)
takes us back to the 9th day of Nisan.
-
"After two days is the passover" (Matthew 26:2.
Mark 14:1)
takes us to the 13th day of Nisan.
-
"The first day of the week", the day of the
resurrection (Matthew 28:1,
etc.), was from our Saturday sunset to our Sunday sunset. This
fixes the days of the week, just as the above fix
the days of the month, for:
-
Reckoning back from this, "three days and three nights"
(Matthew 12:40),
we arrive at the day of the burial, which must have been before
sunset, on the 14th of Nisan; that is to say, before our
Wednesday sunset.
-
This makes the sixth day before the passover (the 9th day of
Nisan) to be our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.
Therefore
Wednesday, Nisan 14th (commencing on the Tuesday at sunset), was
"the preparation day", on which the crucifixion took
place: for all four Gospels difinitely say that this was the day on
which the Lord was buried (before our Wednesday sunset), "because
it was the preparation [day]" the bodies should not remain
upon the cross on the sabbath day, "for that sabbath day was
a high day", and, therefore, not the ordinary seventh day, or
weekly sabbath. See John 19:31.
-
It follows, therefore, that the Lord being crucified on "the
preparation day" could not have eaten of the Passover lamb,
which was not slain until the evening of the 14th of Nisan (that is
to say, afternoon). On that day the daily sacrifice was killed at
the 6th hour (noon) and offered about the 7th hour (1 p.m.). The
killing of the Passover lambs began directly afterwards. Thus it is
clear, that if the killing of the Passover lambs did not
commence until about four hours after our Lord had been
hanging upon the Cross, and would not have been concluded at the
ninth hour (3 p.m.) when "He gave up the ghost;"
-no "Passover lamb" could have been eaten at the "last
supper" on the previous evening.
-
With these facts before us, we are now in a position to fill in the
several days of the Lord's last week with the events recorded in the
Gospels. By noting that the Lord returned to Bethany (or to the
Mount of Olives) each night of that week, we are able to determine
both the several days and the events that took place in them.
THE SIXTH DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 9th DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.) |
|
MATTHEW. |
MARK. |
LUKE. |
JOHN. |
The Lord approaches Jerusalem from Jericho. |
|
|
19:1-10 |
|
He passes our Thursday night at the house of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5)
And delivers the Parable of the Pounds. |
|
|
19:11-27 |
|
He proceeds toward Jerusalem. |
|
|
19:28 |
|
He sends two disciples apenanti for an "ass"
and a "colt" (two animals). |
21:1-7 |
|
|
|
And makes His first entry from Bethphage (not Bethany) (Appendix
153). |
21:8,9 |
|
|
|
He is unexpected, and they ask "Who is this?" |
21:10,
11 |
|
|
|
He cleanses the Temple. |
21:12
- 16 |
|
|
|
HE
RETURNS
TO
BETHANY. |
21:17 |
|
|
12:1 |
THE FIFTH DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 10th DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.) |
|
MATTHEW. |
MARK. |
LUKE. |
JOHN. |
The Lord passes the Sabbath at Bethany; and after sunset (on our
Saturday), the first of three suppers was made, probably at the
house of Lazarus, in Bethany (Appendix 157). |
|
|
|
12:2 |
At this supper the first of two anointings took place (Appendix
158). |
|
|
|
12:3
- 11 |
THE FOURTH DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 11th DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Saturday sunset to Sunday sunset.) the Gentile "Palm
Sunday".
|
|
MATTHEW. |
MARK. |
LUKE. |
JOHN. |
The second, or triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He sends two
disciples (katenanti for a colt (one animal). (See Appendix 153). |
|
11:1
- 7 |
19:29
- 35 |
12:12- |
The Lord starts from Bethany (not Bethphage) and is met by
multitudes from Jerusalem (Appendix
153) |
|
11:8
-10 |
19:36
- 40 |
12:12
- 19 |
He weeps over the city. |
|
|
19:41
- 44 |
|
He enters the Temple, looks around. |
|
11:11- |
|
|
And RETURNS
TO
BETHANY |
|
11:-11 |
|
|
THE THIRD DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 12th DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Sunday sunset to Monday sunset.) |
|
MATTHEW. |
MARK. |
LUKE. |
JOHN. |
In the morning (our Monday a.m.) the Lord returns to Jerusalem. |
21:18 |
11:12 |
|
|
The Fig - tree cursed. |
21:19
- 22 |
11:13
, 14 |
|
|
The Temple. Further cleansing. |
|
11:15
- 17 |
19:45,
46 |
|
In the Temple. Further teaching, "Certain Greeks". |
|
|
19:47- |
12:20
- 50 |
Opposition of Rulers. |
|
11:18 |
19:-47,
48 |
|
He goes out of the city (probably to Bethany; see Luke 21:37,
38
below). |
|
11:19 |
|
|
THE SECOND DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 13th DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Monday sunset to Tuesday sunset.) |
|
MATTHEW. |
MARK. |
LUKE. |
JOHN. |
In the mornig (our Tuesday a.m.) on the way to Jerusalem, the
question of the disciples about the Fig Tree. |
|
11:20
-26 |
|
|
In Jerusalem again: and in the Temple. |
21:23
- 27 |
11:27
- 33 |
20:1
- 8 |
|
In Jerusalem teaching in Parables; and questions. |
21:28 - 23:39 |
12:1
- 44 |
20:9 - 21:4 |
|
The first great prophecy, in the Temple (Appendix
155). |
|
|
21:5
- 36 |
|
(Parenthetical statement as to the Lord's custom during the last
week). |
|
|
21:37,
38 |
|
The second great prophecy, on the Mount of Olives. |
24:1
-51 |
13:1
- 37 |
|
|
The second great prophecy, continued (see Appendix 155). |
25:1
- 46 |
|
|
|
"After two days is the Passover". |
26:1
- 5 |
14:1,
2 |
|
|
HE
RETURNS
TO
BETHATNY,
and is present at the second supper in the house of Simon the
leper. The second Anointing. See
Appendix 157 and Appendix 158. |
26:6
- 13 |
14:3
- 9 |
|
|
THE DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 14th DAY OF NISAN -
"THE PREPARATION DAY" - THE DAY OF THE
CRUCIFIXION.
(Our Tuesday sunset to Wednesday sunset.) |
|
MATTHEW. |
MARK. |
LUKE. |
JOHN. |
The plot of Judas Iscariot to betray the Lord. |
26:14
- 16 |
14:10,
11 |
22:1
- 6 |
|
The "preparation"for the last supper.1 |
26:17
- 19 |
14:121 -16 |
22:71
- 13 |
|
"The even was come" (our Tuesday after sunset)
when the plot for the betrayal was ripe for execution. |
26:20 |
14:17 |
|
|
The last supper, commencing with the washing of the feet. |
|
|
|
13:1
- 20 |
The announcement of the betrayal, etc.. |
26:21
- 25 |
14:18
- 21 |
|
13:21
- 30 |
The supper eaten, the "New Covenant" made
(Jeremiah 31:31).
The lamb abolished, bread and wine substituted. |
26:26
- 29 |
14:22
- 25 |
22:14
- 23 |
|
The first prophecy of Peter's denials (Appendix
160). |
|
|
|
13:31
- 38 |
The strife; who should be the greatest, etc.. |
|
|
22:24
- 30 |
|
The second prophecy of Peter's denials (Appendix
160). |
|
|
22:31
- 34 |
|
The final appeal to His first commission (Luke9:3). |
|
|
22:35
- 38 |
|
The last discourse to the eleven, followed by His prayer. |
|
|
|
14:1 - 17:26 |
They go to Gethsemane. |
26:30
- 35 |
14:26
- 29 |
22:39 |
18:1 |
The third prophecy of Peter's denial. (Appendix
160). |
|
14:30,
31 |
|
|
The agony in the garden. |
26:36
- 46 |
14:32
- 42 |
22:40
- 46 |
|
The apprehension of the Lord (Appendix 165). |
26:47
- 56 |
14:43
- 50 |
22:47
- 54 |
18:2
- 11 |
The escape of Lazarus |
|
14:51,
52 |
|
|
The trials: continued throughout our Tuesday night. |
26:57
- 27:31
|
14:53 - 15:19 |
22:54
- 23:25 |
18:12
- 19:13 |
About the sixth hour (our Tuesday midnight) Pilate said "Behold
your King". |
|
|
|
19:14,
15 |
Led away to be crucified. |
27:31
-34 |
15:20
- 23 |
23:26
- 31 |
19:16,
17 |
And "led with Him" two "malefactors"
(kakourgoi) (Appendix
164). |
|
|
23:32,
33 |
19:18 |
Discussion with Pilate about the Inscriptions (Appendix
163). |
|
|
|
19:19
- 22 |
The dividing of the garments. |
27:35
- 37 |
15:24 |
23:34 |
19:23,
24 |
"It was the third hour, and they crucified Him"
(our 9 a.m. Wednesday). |
|
15:25,
26 |
|
|
"Then were there two robbers" (lestai)
crucified with Him"(Appendix
164). |
27:38 |
15:27,
28 |
|
|
The revilings of the rulers, both "robbers", and
one "malefactor". |
27:39
- 44 |
15:29
- 32 |
23:35
- 43 |
|
The Lord's mother and John. |
|
|
|
19:25
27 |
"The sixth hour" (our Wednesday noon) and the
darkness (Appendix 165). |
27:45
- 49 |
15:33 |
23:44,
45 |
|
"The ninth hour" (our Wednesday 3 p.m.) and the
expiring cry (Appendix 165). |
27:50 |
15:34
- 37 |
23:46 |
19:28
- 30 |
Subsequent events. |
27:51
- 56 |
15:38
- 41 |
23:47
- 49 |
19:31
- 37 |
Buried in haste before sunset (our Wednesday about 6 p.m.),
before the "high day" (the first day of the Feast
began), our Wednesday sunset. |
27:57
- 66 |
15:42
- 47 |
23:50
- 56 |
19:38
- 42 |
"THE FIRST DAY OF THE FEAST" - "THE HIGH DAY" (Yom tov) - THE
15TH DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Wednesday sunset to Thursday sunset.)
THE FIRST NIGHT
AND
FIRST DAY IN THE TOMB.
THE SECOND DAY OF THE FEAST - THE 16TH DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.)
THE SECOND NIGHT
AND
SECOND DAY IN THE TOMB.
THE THIRD DAY OF THE FEAST - "THE (WEEKLY) SABBATH" - THE 17TH DAY OF
NISAN.
(Our Friday susnset to Saturday sunset.)
THE THIRD NIGHT
AND
THIRD DAY IN THE TOMB.
"THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK" - THE 18TH DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Saturday sunset: "the third day" of Matthew 16:21,
etc.;
not the third day of the Feast.)
|
MATTHEW |
MARK |
LUKE |
JOHN |
Thus, the Resurrection of the Lord took place at our Saturday
sunset, or thereabouts, on "the third day";
compare "after three days" (Matthew 27:63.
Mark 8:31). |
28:1
- 10 |
16:1
- 18 |
24:1
- 49 |
20:1
- 23 |
[For the sequence of events connected with and following the
Resurrection, see Appendix 166.]
It
will be seen from the above that we have neither power nor authority to
alter or shift any day or date; or to change the order or position of
any of the events recorded in Holy Writ.
Each day is marked by a return to Bethany during the last week (up to
the Preparation Day); and each day is filled with the recorded events.
It follows, therefore, that the Lord was crucified on our Wednesday;
was buried on that day before sunset; and remained "three days
and three nights" in the tomb, as foretold by Him in Matthew 12:40;
rising from the dead on "the third day", "the first
day of the week".
The fixed days and dates, at either end, hold the whole period as in
a vice, and place the whole subject on a sure foundation.
NOTE
1
The words in Mark 14:12
and Luke 22:7
refer to "the first day of unleavened bread", which was
the 14th day of Nisan, and therefore "the preparation day".
That is why the Lord goes on to tell the two disciples to go and
make preparation for the Passover. |