This was a day of tragedy and triumph. The tragedy was revealed in the callous betrayal of the Lord by Judas and the Jewish leaders; his cruel execution on the stake of shame; and the lamentable unreadiness of the Apostles to meet a crisis against which they had been warned so frequently. The triumph was seen in the Lord who remained master of every situation that arose; whose conduct in speech and deed honored the Father in heaven; and who won every challenge presented to him, in spite of the greatest provocation.

The circumstances of this day are given in great detail. John devotes no less than seven chapters to it. It is obvious that we cannot afford to hurry over this material if we are to grasp the full significance of what happened. It will be found of the greatest profit to carefully consider that took place.

How Jesus Viewed The Day

Jesus knew that this would be the day of arrest and crucifixion. As the Passover Lamb, it was important that he fulfil the type to the very letter. At the first Passover (Exod. 12), the lamb was selected on the 10th day of Abib, penned up for four days during which it was inspected for any blemishes, and then slain between 3 and 6 o'clock on the 14th, which was a Wednesday.

Jesus, as the antitype, had followed the same timetable. On the 10th day of Abib, he had entered Jerusalem to be met by the rejoicing crowds who sang Passover hymns in his honor. He subsequently had publicly presented himself to the leaders and the people, that they might all see that there was no blemish in him. Now, on the 14th day of Abib (likewise, we believe, a Wednesday), it was important that he stave off any efforts to arrest and kill him until the appointed time.

He knew that Judas was ready to betray him, and was seeking the opportunity of advising the leaders of any secret hiding place that he might use that they might arrest him. For that reason, as we shall see, he used the greatest secrecy in selecting the place for the last supper; and he took care to hold Judas in the room itself, until he adjudged the time was ripe when he should let him go, with the ominous words: "That thou doest, do quickly!"

Christ, therefore, not only had to prepare himself for the coming crisis, not only had to pray for and fortify the Apostles (Luke 22:31-32), but also had to keep a careful check on the time, that everything happened, that the Scripture be not broken.

All this must have involved a tremendous strain upon the Lord, but with faith and fortitude he proved equal to it.

How The Gospel Writers Recorded The Day

Each of the four Gospel writers treat with the events of this day in detail, as befitting the saddest day in the history of humanity. Thus Matthew, Mark and Luke each devote two long chapters to narrating the events that took place, Luke adding details that were omitted by Matthew and Mark. John, however, occupies seven chapters in recording the incidents, supplying details that are lacking in the three other accounts.

It is important, therefore, to synchronise the four Gospel records, in order to obtain an overall view of the events in their sequence. When this is done, and those events are considered in detail, a more complete and intimate picture emerges of the actions and words of the Lord on that most significant day and occasion. We have set this out in order below:

THE LAST DAYS

In the following harmony of the four gospel accounts, we have assumed that the Olivet prophecy and subsequent discussion took place on Tuesday, although no definite indication is given. The Lord's public discussion with the Jewish leaders in the court of the Temple, took place on the 12th Abib, which we believe was a Monday. Subsequently, he left the Temple for the Mount of Olives, where the Apostles plied him with the questions that called forth what is known as the Olivet Prophecy. As the Jews compute the beginning of a new day from sundown, or 6 p.m., we would assume that by the time the Lord had walked from the Temple to the Mount of Olives, and had taken his place there, night would have fallen, and the 12th of Abib would have merged into the 13th. On that basis, we have computed the Olivet Prophecy as being delivered on Tuesday.

Tuesday -- 13th Ahib:

a. The Olivet Prophecy (Matt. 24:3-31; Mark 13:3-27; Luke 21:7-28)

b. Warnings and Parables For Disciples:

Parable of Fig Tree (Matt. 24:32-36; Mark 13:28-33; Luke 21:29-33)

Parable of An Unheeding World (Matt. 24:37-42)

Parable of Household & Porter (Mark 13:34-37)

Parable of The Thief (Matt. 24:43-44)

Parable of Faithful & Evil Servants (Matt. 24:45-51)

c. Three Parables On Judgment:

Parable of Ten Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13)

Parable of The Talents (Matt. 25:14-30)

d. Jesus foretells his death (Matt. 26:1-2; Mark 14:1; Luke 22:1)

e. The Jews Plot to Kill Jesus (Matt. 26:3-5; Mark 14:2; Luke 22:2)

f. Judas Reveals How Jesus Can Be Taken (Luke 22:3-6)

Wednesday -- 14th Abib:

a. To the Guest-chamber (Matt. 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13)

b. Jesus' Introductory Speech at Supper (Matt. 26:20; Mark 14:17; Luke 22:14-18)

c. Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet (John 13:1-20)

d. Warns of Impending Betrayal (Matt. 26:21-25; Mark 14:17-21; John 13:21)

e. Communion After Supper (Matt. 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20)

f. Renewed Warning and Discussion on Betrayal(Luke 22:21-23)

g. Jesus Whispers That Judas Is Betrayer (John 13:22-26)

h. Judas Leaves and Discussion Continues (John 13:27-35)

i. Jesus Warns Peter (first warning) (John 13:36-38)

j. The Other Disciples Dispute Who Is The Greatest (Luke 22:24-30)

k. Jesus Again Warns Peter (second warning) (Luke 22:31-34)

l. A Further Warning For All (Luke 22:35-38)

m. Discourse On The Peace Of God (John 14:1-31)

n. They Sing A hymn And Leave (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26; Luke 22:39)

o. Discourse On The Vine And Comforter (John 15:1-27)

p. Discourse On Overcoming The World (John 16:1-33)

q. The Intercessory Prayer (John 17:1-26)

r. Jesus Again Warns Peter (third warning) (Matt. 26:30-35; Mark 14:27-31)

The Lord and the Disciples then arrive at Gethsemane.

TOWARDS THE GUEST CHAMBER