Vs. 42 Preparation Day- Friday before sunset was called the day of preparation since food and provisions were prepared ahead of time for the Sabbath (Saturday).
     Vs. 43 Joseph of Arimathea was a respected member of the Sanhedrin and a closet follower of Jesus. He was looking for the Kingdom of God and probably [...]

Following his arrest, Jesus was taken to the high priest and before a hastily called session of the Sanhedrin.  The trial of Jesus can be divided into two parts- first the religious trial before the Sanhedrin, and second the legal/political trial before Pilate and Herod Antipas (However, the Gospel of Mark does not include the appearance [...]

     Vs. 43-45  Judas showed up that night with a whole gang of officials and Temple guards fully armed.  He had probably observed Jesus slip away from crowds on numerous occasions and decided to leave nothing to chance.  In the dim light flowing through the orchards on the Mount of Olives at night, it was necessary for Judas to [...]

A continuing series reflecting on the book: “What Jesus Demands from the World”, By John Piper  (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, 2006, 400 pgs.)  
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” -John 3:3;  Jesus answered, …” Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be [...]

John Piper has some great comments about the Gospels and the ‘Quest’ of modern Biblical scholarship for the ‘real’ Jesus. See the section in the intro of his newest book (”What Jesus Demands from the World“) called: “A Word to Biblical Scholars”.
He points out that much of what passes for “the assured results of [...]

     Vs. 22  The guys were still eating and probably talking and enjoying themselves.  Then Jesus took some bread, gave thanks, and broke it, giving some to each one of them.  He said: “Take; this is my body.”  The whole tone of the supper changed in a moment.  I’m sure that all of a sudden you [...]

     Vs. 17-19   The Passover meal was in progress when Jesus proclaimed that one of his closest twelve, who were right there eating with him, would actually end up betraying him.  Each one reacted to the question, whether they might be the one (”is it I?”), only Judas and Jesus really knew the truth.  The rest of [...]

By Bart D. Ehrman (New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 2006, pgs. 198)
This is probably destined to be the definitive book on the subject.  Written by the very able scholar from Chapel Hill.  One may disagree with his conclusions, but Dr. Ehrman is never to be ignored.  I plan to review his book in a ’serial’ fashion, this [...]

     Vs. 12-13  The disciples ask Jesus about preparations for the Passover meal.  This story is similar to the story of the donkey.  Jesus prophetically sends two of his disciples to find the provider of the upper room.  

The Chief priests were looking for a way to do away with Jesus without creating a riot.  Notice that it is Judas who comes to them, and they are glad.  They finally have their opportunity.  But why did Judas decide to betray Jesus?  This a question that has plagued Bible students from the beginning.  Mark does not [...]