Scriptural Highlights

• Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and accused of blasphemy; Peter denies Jesus three times.
• Jesus is sentenced to be crucified.
• Jesus is scouraged and crucified.

A study of this lesson should help us feel the Savior's love for us and increase our love for him and our gratitude for his atoning sacrifice.

Betrayal & Arrest

1. In concluding his narration of the events in Gethsemane, Elder Talmage says: "The further tragedy of the night, and the cruel inflictions that awaited Him on the morrow, to culminate in the frightful tortures of the cross, could not exceed the bitter anguish through which He had successfully passed." (Jesus The Christ, p614)
• Matthew 26:45: "Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."
     
2. Talmage gives this description of the approaching arrest party: "During the period of the Lord's last and most loving communion with the Eleven, Judas had been busy in his treacherous conspiracy with the priestly authorities. It is probable that the determination to make the arrest that night was reached when Judas reported that Jesus was within the city walls and might easily be apprehended. The Jewish rulers assembled a body of temple guardsmen or police, and obtained a band of Roman soldiers under command of a tribune; this band or cohort was probably a detachment from the garrison of Antonia commissioned for the work of the night on requisition of the chief priests. This company of men and officers representing a combination of ecclesiastical and military authority, set forth in the night with Judas at their head, intent on the arrest of Jesus. They were equipped with lanterns, torches, and weapons. It is probable that they were first conducted to the house in which Judas had left his fellow apostles and the Lord, when the traitor had been dismissed; and that finding the little company had gone out, Judas led the multitude to Gethsemane, for he knew the place, and knew also that 'Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples'." (Jesus The Christ, pp614-615)
3. READ MATTHEW 26:46-50. Jesus betrayed.
• John records: "Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way." (John 18:7-8)
• James E. Talmage: "It is possible that had any of the Eleven been apprehended with Jesus and made to share the cruel abuse and torturing humiliation of the next few hours, their faith might have failed them, relatively immature and untried as it then was; even as in succeeding years many who took upon themselves the name of Christ yielded to persecution and went into apostasy." (Jesus The Christ, p616)
4. READ LUKE 22:50-51. The ear of a servant cut off and healed.
• Only Luke reports the healing of the ear.
• Only John reports that it was Peter who smote off the ear.
• What a remarkable demonstration of the character of Jesus. He had just passed through the supreme agony of all time and yet his sensitivity for others was still present, both in his healing of the servant and in his concern for his Apostles.
5. READ LUKE 22:52-53. Jesus identifies his illegal arrest.
• Matthew records that before Jesus was led off to trial "...all the disciples forsook him, and fled." (Matt. 26:56)

The Trial and Condemnation

1. READ JOHN 18:12-13. Jesus led to Annas.
• John was the only one to record the this fact. There is no record of what transpired with Annas.
2. READ MATTHEW 26:57. Jesus led to the home of Caiaphas.
• WHO WERE ANNAS & CAIAPHAS?
• Annas was appointed high priest in 7 AD and deposed in 15 AD.
• Joseph Caiaphas, Annas son-in-law, was high priest from 18-36 AD.
• Annas had immense wealth and during this time continued to exercise a great deal of religious and political control over the Jews. Annas gained much of his wealth from the sale of materials used in temple sacrifices.
• WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE THESE MEN WERE SO THREATENED BY JESUS?
• If the people began to believe and follow Jesus, these men would lose their power and influence.
• "At the palace of Caiaphas, the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people were assembled, in a meeting of the Sanhedrin, informal or otherwise, all eagerly awaiting the result of the expedition led by Judas." (Jesus The Christ, p621)
3. READ MATTHEW 26:59-68. Jesus questioned by the Sanhedrin at the home of Caiaphas.
• In Jesus the Christ, Elder Talmage points out the illegalities involved in Jesus' trial according to Jewish law (see Jesus The Christ, p621-629).
4. READ LUKE 22:54-62. Peter's denial of Christ.
• WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT PETER AS YOU READ THIS ACCOUNT?
• Spencer W. Kimball: "Today I wish to talk about my brother, my colleague, my fellow apostle--Simon Barjona or Cephas or Peter the Rock.
       "Some time ago a newspaper in a distant town carried an Easter sunday religious editorial by a minister who stated that the presiding authority of the early-day church fell because of self-confidence, indecision, evil companions, failure to pray, lack of humility, and fear of man. He then concluded: 'Let us as people, especially those who are Christians and claim to abide by the Word of God, not make make the same mistakes and fall as Peter fell.'
       "As I read this, I had some strange emotions. I was shocked, then I was chilled, then my blood changed its temperature and began to boil. I felt I was attacked viciously, for Peter was my brother, my colleague, my example, my prophet, and God's anointed. I whispered to myself, "This is not true. He is maligning my brother.
       "Then I opened my New Testament. I could find no such character as this modern minister described. Instead, I found a man who had grown perfect through his experiences and sufferings--a man with vision, a man of revelations, a man fully trusted by his Lord Jesus Christ....
       "I do not pretend to know what Peter's mental reactions were nor what compelled him to say what he did that terrible night. But in light of his proven bravery, courage, great devotion, and limitless love for the Master, could we not give him the benefit of the doubt and at least forgive him as his Savior seems to have done so fully. Almost immediately Christ elevated him to the highest position in his church and endowed him with the complete keys of that kingdom.      
       "Simon Barjona did not have long to consider the matter or change his decisions, for he now heard the cock crow twice and was reminded of Christ's prediction. He was humbled to the dust. Hearing the bird's announcement of the dawn reminded him not only that he had denied the Lord but also that all the Lord had said would be fulfilled, even to the crucifixion. He went out and wept bitterly. Were his tears for personal repentance only, or were they mingled with sorrowful tears in realization of the fate of his Lord and Master and his own great loss?" (Speeches of the Year, BYU Press, 1971)
• HOW DO SOME OF US, LIKE PETER, SOMETIMES DENY OUR FAITH? WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM PETER'S LIFE AFTER HE DENIED THE FAITH?
• President Gordon B. Hinckley: "My heart goes out to Peter. So many of us are so much like him. We pledge our loyalty; we affirm our determination to be of good courage; we declare, sometimes even publicly, that come what may we will do the right thing, that we will stand for the right cause, that we will be true to ourselves and to others.
       "Then the pressures begin to build. Sometimes these are social pressures. Sometimes they are personal appetites. Sometimes thay are false ambitions. There is a weakening of the will. There is a softening of discipline. There is capitulation. And then there is remorse, followed by self-accusation and bitter tears of regret...
       "...If there be those throughout the Church who by word or act have denied the faith, I pray that you may draw comfort and resolution from the example of Peter, who, though he had walked daily with Jesus, in an hour of extremity momentarily denied the Lord and also the testimony which he carried in his own heart. But he rose above this and became a mighty defender and a powerful advocate. So, too, there is a way for any person to turn about and add his or her strength and faith to the strength and faith of others in building the kingdom of God." (Ensign, Mar. 1995, pp2-4, 6)
5. Mark 15:1: "And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate."
• WHO WAS PILATE?
• He was the Roman governor or procurator for Judea, Idumea, and Samaria. He was the highest Roman official for this area. He maintained his residence in Caesarea, on the Mediterranean coast, but was usually in Jerusalem during the Jewish feast, possibly to help quell any disturbance.
• WHY WAS CHRIST DELIVERED UP TO PILATE?
• Only Rome held the power of the death penalty.
• READ LUKE 23:2-7. Jesus' first hearing before Pilate.
6. READ LUKE 23:8-11. Jesus before Herod.
• The Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod were all attempting to avoid ultimate responsibility in this matter.
7. READ LUKE 23:13-23. Jesus before Pilate a second time.
• READ MATTHEW 27:24-26. Pilate washes his hands of the matter.
• James E. Talmage: "...finding that he could not prevail, and foreseeing a tumult among the people if he persisted in the defense of Christ, he called for water and washed his hands before the multitude--a symbolic act of disclaiming responsibility, which they all understood--proclaiming the while: 'I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.' Then rose that awful self-condemnatory cry of the covenant people: 'His blood be on us and on our children.' History bears an appalling testimony to the literal fulfilment of that dread invocation." (Jesus The Christ, p638)
• James E. Talmage: "Scourging was a frightful preliminary to death on the cross. The instrument of punishment was a whip of many thongs, loaded with metal and edged with jagged pieces of bone. Instances are of record in which the condemned died under the lash and so escaped the horrors of living crucifixion." (Jesus The Christ, p638)

Crucifixion

1. READ MATTHEW 27:27-31. Soldiers mock Jesus.
2. Matthew 27:32: "And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross."
• James E. Talmage: "The sentence of death by crucifixion required that the Condemned person carry the cross upon which he was to suffer. Jesus started on the way bearing His cross. The terrible strain of the preceding hours, the agony in Gethsemane, the barbarous treatment He had suffered in the palace of the high priest, the humiliation and cruel usage to which He had been subjected before Herod, the frightful scourging under Pilate's order, the brutal treatment by the inhuman soldiery, together with the extreme humiliation and the mental agony of it all, had so weakened His physical organism that He moved but slowly under the burden of the cross. The soldiers, impatient at the delay, peremptorily impressed into service a man whom they met coming into Jerusalem from the country, and him they compelled to carry the cross of Jesus. No Roman or Jew would have voluntarily incurred the ignominy of bearing such a gruesome burden; for every detail connected with the carrying out of a sentence of crucifixion was regarded as degrading. The man so forced to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, bearing the cross upon which the Savior of the world was to consummate His glorious mission, was Simon, a native of Cyrene. From Mark's statement that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus we infer that the two sons were known to the evangelist's readers as members of the early Church, and there is some indication that the household of Simon the Cyrenian came to be numbered with the believers." (Jesus The Christ, pp652-653)
• Consider the contrast between two men who got caught in the events of the day:
• Pontius Pilate: A man who wanted nothing to do with this event and did not have the courage to stand up for that which is right. He is remembered in history as a coward.
• Simon of Cyrene: We know little of him, but he carried more of the Lord's burden in those hours of agony than any other man. He is remembered for this special service he took on that day. It appears he was touched by events and became a follower.
3. Seven statements made by Christ from the Cross.
• These statements made by the Lord from the cross exhibit three great aspects of the Lord's character and divinity. Consider these as we read the last mortal words of the Master:
• His forgiving nature.
• His concern for others.
• His resignation by His own will to die a physical death.
• Luke 23:34: "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
• IS NOT THIS THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE OF FORGIVENESS?
• Joseph Smith Translation: "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Meaning the soldiers who crucified him,) and they parted his raiment and cast lots."
• Elder McConkie says that the Lord is asking for forgiveness for the soldiers who are carrying out their orders. He is not forgiving the Jewish conspirators, Judas, Pilate, or Herod. "Here on the cross Jesus is simply complying with his own command to forgive your enemies and to bless those who curse you." (DNTC, 1:818-19)
• Luke 23:39-43: "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
       "But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
       "And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
       "And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
       "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."
• The Prophet Joseph Smith said that Jesus told the thief, "This day thou shalt be with me in the world of spirits." (TPJS, p309)
• WHAT QUALITY IS THE LORD SHOWING IN THIS INSTANCE?
• His concern for others. He has comforted the dying thief and given him hope. In the spirit world he will be taught and have an opportunity to repent and accept the gospel.
• John 19:25-27: "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
       "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
       "Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."
• After all that the Master had been through and the physical agony which he was suffering, he reveals his true character when he said to John, "Behold thy mother."
• Matthew 27:45-46: "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
       "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
• James E. Talmage: "What mind of man can fathom the significance of that awful cry? It seems, that in addition to the fearful suffering incident to crucifixion, the agony of Gethsemane had recurred, intensified beyond human power to endure. In that bitterest hour the dying Christ was alone, alone in most terrible reality. That the supreme sacrifice of the Son might be consummated in all its fulness, the Father seems to have withdrawn the support of His immediate Presence, leaving to the Savior of men the glory of complete victory over the forces of sin and death." (Jesus The Christ, p660-661)
• Jeffrey R. Holland: "Because he must ultimately tread this winepress of redemption unaided, can he endure the darkest moment of them all, the shock of the greatest pain? This comes not with thorns and with nails, but with the terror of felling utterly alone:...'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' (Mark 15:34). Can he bear all of our sins and our fear and loneliness too? He did and he does and he will." (Ensign, Nov. 1989, p26)
• John 19:28: "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst."
• This was the only recorded utterance expressing physical suffering, an indication that the sacrifice was almost complete.
• John 19:29-30: "Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
       "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."
• Luke 23:45-46: "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."
• James E. Talmage: "Fully realizing that He was no longer forsaken, but that His atoning sacrifice had been accepted by the Father, and that His mission in the flesh had been carried to glorious consummation, He exclaimed in a loud voice of holy triumph: 'It is finished.' In reverence, resignation, and relief, He addressed the Father saying: 'Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.' He bowed His head, and voluntarily gave up His life.
       "Jesus the Christ was dead. His life had not been taken from Him except as He had willed to permit. Sweet and welcome as would have been the relief of death in any of the earlier stages of His suffering from Gethsemane to the cross, He lived until all things were accomplished as had been appointed. In the latter days the voice of the Lord Jesus has been heard affirming the actuality of His suffering and death, and the eternal purpose thereby accomplished. Hear and heed His words: 'For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him'." (Jesus The Christ, pp661-662)
4. James E. Talmage: "The death of Christ was accompanied by terrifying phenomena. There was a violent earthquake; the rocks of the mighty hills were disrupted, and many graves were torn open. But, most portentous of all in Judaistic minds, the veil of the temple which hung between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was rent from top to bottom, and the interior, which none but the high priest had been permitted to see, was thrown open to common gaze. It was the rending of Judaism, the consummation of the Mosaic dispensation, and the inauguration of Christianity under apostolic administration." (Jesus The Christ, p662)
5. READ LUKE 23:47-56. Jesus buried.
6. View Video: To This End Was I Born.

SUMMARY

Human language is insufficient to describe the significance of what happened in these last hours of Jesus life. The plans of eternity were set in force by this ultimate sacrifice. Countless souls, from this earth and worlds without number, may now be freed from the bonds eternity. How can we invoke the blessings of the atonement in our lives? How will we show our gratitude to the Savior for this great sacrifice?

Next Week

Lesson 27: Matthew 28; Luke 24; John 20-21

Additional Reading: Mark 16; Bible Dictionary, "Resurrection," 761