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Law: Creation Calendar
| Testimony | Day/Night | Spring Feasts | Sign of Jonah |
| Definitions | Seventh Day Sabbaths | Summer Feast | Native Americans |
| Beginnings | New Moons/Months | Fall Feasts | Links |
| Dates/Dateline | Universal Calendars |
I make the following points and discuss each in turn.
1. The anointing for burial was one event and the context is not interrupted in the synoptic accounts.
2. The entries into Jerusalem were two events.
3. The Passover "season" began with the selection of the lambs on the 10th, whereas the actual Passover was on the 14th.
4. The events that happened while Messiah was being held by Pilate could not have occurred in approximately three hours.
1. Traditionally there was one anointing, but it is placed as a recounted deed in a later context in the gospel accounts of Matthew and Mark. This alternate reckoning does not interrupt either of the synoptic accounts. The key is that the synoptic gospels seem to be talking of a Passover season, while John was referring to the actual day of Passover.
Anointing in Bethany
| Synoptic Accounts (Mat 26:6-13; Mar 14:3-9) | John's Account (Joh 12:1-11) | |
| When | "The passover" (Mat 26:2) or "the passover, and of unleavened bread" (Mar 14:1) were to occur after two days | Six days before the passover. 14th - 6 days = 8th |
| Who | Woman | Mary |
| Where | Bethany in the house of Simon the leper. | Bethany |
| Event | Supper (sat at meat after events of day) | Supper, with Lazarus present |
| Anointed feet | Joh 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. | |
| Anointed head | Mat 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat [at meat]. | |
| Reaction of disciples | Mat 26:8 But when his disciples
saw [it], they had indignation,
saying, To what purpose [is] this
waste?
Mat 26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. |
Joh 12:4 Then saith one of his
disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's
[son], which should betray him,
Joh 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? |
| Why | Mat 26:12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did [it] for my burial. | Joh 12:7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. |
2. We know that Messiah lodged in Bethany and went into Jerusalem several times during the period preceding his death on the tree. Were there multiple entries on donkey's colt? The synoptic Gospel accounts and John's record have many similarities, but also differences. John begins his account of the period leading to Messiah's death on the tree with an anointing in Bethany and does not record the cleansing of the temple. The Synoptic accounts of this period appear to begin earlier than John's account. The Synoptic accounts record the initial procuring of the ass and the colt and the crowd's reaction of cutting down branches to put in the road. John's account gives the people coming with branches and then Messiah finding the colt to sit on. In Matthew, the people in Jerusalem are asking "Who is this?" In John, it appears that the people know who he is.
In addition, the traditional reckoning places an unnatural gap between John 12:19 and 20.
Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
This verse is used to "prove" the error of Matthew in that the prophesy spoke of only one animal. Others translate to the effect "riding on an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass." Although the other writers only mention the colt, they do not exclude the fact that their were two animals.
Triumphal Entries
| Synoptic Accounts (Mat 21:1-11; Mar 11:1-11; Luk 19:29-44) | John's Account (Joh 12:12-15) | |
| When | Initial entry into Jerusalem, before cleansing of temple and anointing in Bethany. Was this also the 9th, or was it earlier? A great multitude was already gathered, but the Feast of Unleavened Bread was yet to draw neigh (Luk 22:1). | Day after anointing in Bethany, five days before Passover 14th - 5 days = 9th. |
| Crowd preparation | Not mentioned | Much people there for feast brought branches in preparation for the meeting (Joh 12:13) |
| Procuring of colt | Disciples borrowed ass and colt from person in village | Messiah found colt in reaction to crowd (Joh 12:14) |
| Preparing ass | Put their garments on ass and colt, Messiah rode colt | Messiah sat on colt |
| Crowd reaction | Put their garments in his path and cut down branches to pave way | Not mentioned |
| Route | Bethphage into Jerusalem | Messiah coming to Jerusalem |
| Crowd proclamation | Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest (Mat 21:9). The people in Jerusalem asked "Who is this" (Mat 21:10), the multitude answered "This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee" (Mat 21:11) . | Hosanna: Blessed [is] the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. |
3. The introduction of the Last Supper is different in the Synoptic accounts and John's account. Both relate back to the anointing in Bethany. Mark records the day of the Last Supper as "the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover." We know that the actual first day of Unleavened Bread is the 15th of Aviv and that the Passover was killed on Aviv 14th. From this I conclude that Matthew and Mark are are referring to a "season" rather than the actual day. John records the Last Supper as before the Passover, or still within the six days to the actual Passover announced at the anointing (John 12:1). This fits the Passover season that began before the actual day of the 14th. On the 10th day the Lambs were selected. The lambs were observed the 11th through 13th. On the 14th the lambs were killed. The 15th was the first day of Unleavened Bread and a Sabbath.
The beginning of the Passover season versus the actual Passover.
| Synoptic accounts | John's account | |
| 8th was two days before the lambs are selected and six days until the actual Passover. | Mat 26:2 Ye know that after two
days is [the feast of] the passover,
and the Son of man is betrayed to
be crucified.
Mar 14:1 After two days was [the feast of] the passover, and of unleavened bread: |
Joh 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, |
| 10th is the day the lambs were selected. | Mat 26:17 Now the
first
[day] of
the [feast of] unleavened bread the
disciples came to Jesus, saying
unto him, Where wilt thou that we
prepare for thee to eat the passover?
Mar 14:12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, |
Joh 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. |
| 13th is the preparation (day before) the actual Passover. | Joh 19:14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! | |
| 14th is the actual Passover and the preparation of the first day of Unleavened Bread. | Mar 15:42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, | Joh 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) |
4. Much happened between the time Messiah was turned over to Pilate in the early morning (Mat 27:1) and he was crucified at the third hour or about 9 a.m. (Mar 15:25). Could all this take place in about three hours? No, this was the most important trial in the history of the world. John 18:28 seems to imply that this all happened on the 14th. However, the Jewish leaders may not have wanted to be defiled anytime during the Passover preparation period (10th-14th). I do not believe that these texts exclude the possibility of taking place over three days and thus being the sign of Jonah (Mat 12:40). We see an initial scourging (Joh 19:1) and a later scourging (Mat 27:26). After one "thenceforth Pilate sought to release him" (Joh 19:12) and after the other "he delivered [him] to be crucified" (Mat 27:26). Luke 23:12 indicates a significant day within this period when Herod and Pilate became friends. Pilate's wife had a dream that may have occurred while Messiah was in Pilate's custody. Pilate had weighty issues to decide. I do not believe he made snap decisions. I also believe that the prisoner release during the feast involved a decision one day and the release the next. John's preparation of the passover is logically the day before the passover (Joh 19:14). Pilate's public announcement at the sixth hour, or noon, has long been a difficult Bible text, because Messiah was crucified at the third hour on the 14th (Mar 15:25). This table is not gospel, but gives a basis of looking at this time with a fresh perspective. I use Matthew's gospel primarily for the synoptic accounts, adding references from Mark and Luke only to supply events not recorded in Matthew.
Parallel accounts of Messiah in Pilate's custody.
| Synoptic accounts | John's Account | |
| Into Pilate's custody early in morning (11th). | Mat 27:1 When the
morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the
people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
Mat 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led [him] away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. |
Joh 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. |
| Judas returned silver (11th). | Mat 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, | Not recorded |
| Jewish leaders brought many accusations (11th) | Mat 27:12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. | Joh 18:29 Pilate then went out
unto them, and said, What
accusation bring ye against this
man?
Joh 18:30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. Joh 18:31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: Joh 18:32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. |
| Pilate initially finds no fault after mocking, scourging and questioning Messiah (11th). | Mat 27:13 Then said Pilate unto
him, Hearest thou not how many
things they witness against thee?
Mat 27:14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Luk 23:4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and [to] the people, I find no fault in this man. |
Joh 19:1 Then Pilate therefore took
Jesus, and scourged [him]. Joh 19:2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put [it] on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, Joh 19:3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Joh 19:4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Joh
19:5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and
the purple robe. And [Pilate] saith unto them, Behold the man! Joh 19:12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. |
| Examination by Herod (12th). | Luk 23:7 And as soon as he knew
that he belonged unto Herod's
jurisdiction, he sent him to
Herod, who himself also was at
Jerusalem at that time.
Luk 23:8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long [season], because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Luk 23:9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. Luk 23:10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. Luk 23:11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked [him], and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. Luk 23:12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves. |
Not recorded |
| Prisoner release announcement (13th). |
Mat 27:15 Now at [that] feast the
governor was wont to release unto
the people a prisoner, whom they
would. Mat 27:16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Mat 27:17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? Mat 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. |
Joh 19:13 When Pilate therefore
heard that saying, he brought
Jesus forth, and sat down in the
judgment seat in a place that is
called the Pavement, but in the
Hebrew, Gabbatha.
Joh 19:14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! Joh 19:15 But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. |
| Pilot's wife troubled by dream (13th). | Mat 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. | Not recorded |
| Jewish leaders incite crowd to ask that Barabbas be released (13th). | Mat 27:20 But the chief priests
and elders persuaded the
multitude that they should ask
Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
Mat 27:21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Mat 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? [They] all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
|
Not recorded |
| Pilate's third and final announcement of his innocence (13th). | Mat 27:23 And the governor said,
Why, what evil hath he done? But
they cried out the more, saying,
Let him be crucified.
Luk 23:22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let [him] go. |
Not recorded |
| Pilate washes his hands of the matter (13th). | Mat 27:24 When Pilate saw that
he could prevail nothing, but [that]
rather a tumult was made, he took
water, and washed [his] hands
before the multitude, saying, I am
innocent of the blood of this just
person: see ye [to it].
Mat 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children. |
Not recorded |
| Released Barabbas on day of crucifixion (14th) | Mat 27:26a Then released he Barabbas unto them: | Not recorded |
| Scourged by Pilate's soldiers (14th) | Mat 27:26b and when he had scourged Jesus | Not recorded |
| Turned back over to Jewish leaders (14th) | Mat 27:26c he delivered [him] to be crucified. | Joh 19:16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led [him] away. |
| Mocked by soldiers of governor (14th) | Mat 27:27 Then the soldiers of
the governor took Jesus into the
common hall, and gathered unto
him the whole band [of soldiers].
Mat 27:28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. Mat 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put [it] upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! Mat 27:30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. |
Not recorded |
| Put his own raiment on him (14th) | Mat 27:31a And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, | Not recorded |
| Walked to Golgotha (14th) | Mat 27:31b and led him away to crucify [him]. | Joh 19:17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called [the place] of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: |
| Cross transferred to Cyrene (14th) | Mat 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. | Not recorded |
| Crucifixion 9 a.m. (14th). | Mar 15:25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. | Joh 19:18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. |
Sign of Jonah: Parallel Gospel accounts