Apr. 08, 2026

Dear Friends,

I hope you can join us tonight for Bible study as we will continue to study some of the events, along with a calendar, of Holy Week. Notes are attached.

"Living the Christlife Wayne Barrett April 8, 2026

Holy Week

The Week that Changed the World pt. 3"

"Day(s)"    "Events (selected)"    "Scripture"    

"Palm Sunday"    "This will be the focus of this Sunday, and so not as much attention will be given to it this evening."    "Matt. 21:1-11; Mk. 11:1-10; Lk. 19:28-40; Jn.

12:12-15"    

"Mon-Tue"    "Many teachings and events"        

"Holy Wednesday"    "Jesus predicts his suffering Supper in Bethany at the house of

Simon the leper

The plot to kill Jesus is finalized"    "Matt. 26:1-2

Matt. 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9; Jn 12:1-6

Matt. 26:3-5,14-16; Mk 14:1-2,10-11; Lk.

22:1-6; Jn. 12:9-11"    

"Maundy Thursday Passover, or Feast of Unleavened Bread"    "Place prepared for Last Supper Judas revealed as the betrayer

Jesus washes the apostles’ feet—and institutes servanthood as a model Jesus blesses the bread and cup—and

institutes the Lord’s Supper Jesus’ words to Peter

Jesus’ vast teachings, including his High Priestly Prayer

The departure to the Mount of Olives, then to Gethsemane

Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane The betrayal of Jesus"    "Matt. 26:17-19; Mk 14:12-16; Lk. 22:7-13

Matt. 26:20-25; Mk. 14:17-21; Lk. 22:21-23;

Jn. 13:2,18,21-30

Jn. 13:1,3-17

Matt. 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20

Matt. 26:33-35; Mk 14:29-31; Luke 22:31-34;

Jn 13:36-38

John 14-17

Matt 26:30-32; Mk 14:26-28;Lk 22:35-39;

Jn 18:1

Matt. 26:36-46; Mk 14:32-42; Lk 22:39-46

Matt. 26:47-56; Mk 14:43-52; Lk 22:47-53;

Jn 18:2-11"    

"Good Friday"    "Jesus in custody and before the council Peter denies Jesus

Jesus before Pilate

Judas hangs himself Jesus is mocked

The crucifixion of Jesus The death of Jesus

The side of Jesus is pierced Jesus is buried"    "Matt. 26:57-68; Mk. 14:53, 55-65; Lk. 22:63-

71; Jn 18:12-14, 19-24

Matt. 26:69-75; Mk. 14:66-72; Lk. 22:54-62;

Jn. 18:15-18, 25-27

Matt 27:1-2, 11-26; Mk. 15:1-15; Lk. 23:1-25;

Jn. 18:28-40, 19:6-16a

Matt. 27:3-10; Acts 1:15-20

Matt. 27:27-31; Mk. 15:16-20; Jn. 19:1-5

Matt 27:32-44; Mk. 15:21-32; Lk. 23:26-43; Jn. 19:16b-27

Matt. 27:45-56; Mk. 15:33-41; Lk. 23:44-49;

Jn. 19:28-30

Jn 19:31-37

Matt. 27:57-61; Mk. 15:42-47; Lk. 23:50-56a;

Jn. 19:38-42"    

"Saturday The Sabbath Passover"    "The chief priests and Pharisees continue to scheme with Pilate

The disciples rested"    "Matt 27:62-66

Luke 23:56b"    

"Resurrection Day"            

" Sunday"                

"Peter denies Jesus

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.—Matt. 26:69-75"

"54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest."    "And he was"            

"sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire"    ". …66 And as Peter was below in the courtyard,"

"one of the servant girls of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.—Mark 14:54, 66-72"

"15 Simon Peter followed Jesus,"    "and so did another disciple"    "."    "Since that disciple was known to the high"        

"priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest"    ", 16 but Peter stood outside at the door"        "."

"So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. … 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”

26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.—Jn 18:15-

18, 25-27"

"Peter’s great failure—yet Jesus knew it would happen, and this this not deter Jesus from his plans for Peter

Peter went from drawing his sword being ready for a fight—to this

Perhaps, when he saw Jesus in what looked like defeat and helplessness against the “powers that be,” this demoralized him and drained him of courage

He failed and wept bitterly … but his story was not finished

Jesus before Pilate

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. … 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But

he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed."

"15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood;a see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourgedb Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.—Matthew 27:1-

2,11-26"

"Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”c

18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he

said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be"

"a Some manuscripts this righteous blood, or this righteous man's blood [ESV]

b A Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing embedded pieces of bone and metal [ESV]

c Here, or after verse 19, some manuscripts add verse 17: Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the festival

[ESV]"

"crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked,

but he delivered Jesus over to their will.—Luke 23:1-15"

"28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters [Gk the praetorium].It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me.

What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” 13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaicd Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him,

crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.—John 18:28-40; 19:6-16a"

"MATTHEW

v 1 – “When morning came …”

“the chief priests and the elders of the people” – made a scheme to murder Jesus, all in the name of …what? the Lord?

v 11 – “Now Jesus stood before the governor …”"

"d Or Hebrew; also verses 17, 20 [ESV]"

"Pilate’s interrogation begins normally enough.

Pilate would not have had detailed knowledge or interest in Jewish theology, practices, and disputes.

“You have said so” – lit. “You say” present, indicative (not imperative). Jesus would not respond to his accusers.

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”—Isaiah 53:7

v 18 – “For he knew … out of envy …”

Pilate could see what was going on v 19 – “Besides, while he was sitting …”

Pilate was warned by his wife

Never named in Scripture, tradition names her as Claudia Procula. In some Eastern churches, she is venerated as a saint.e

v 24 – Pilate seeks to wash his hands of responsibility—what he is now most known for.

“see to it yourselves’ – more lit. “yourselves—you will see” or “you will see for yourselves”—a way of saying “It’s on you.”

v 25 – “And all the people answered …”

This was the crowd, more than the priests and elders alone

“His blood be on us and on our children!”—a very unwise declaration v 26 – Pilate fails in his duty to enforce justice and acquiesces

LUKE

vv 6-12 – Only Luke reports the involvement of Herod Herod was “hoping to see some sign done” by Jesus

Jesus had nothing to say to Herod (This was Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, whose territory included Galilee.) He was probably in Jerusalem for Passover, which only adds to the irony and parody of righteousness that characterizes this whole episode.

The chief priests and scribes had gone along (v. 10)

Herod and his soldiers did their part in ridiculed Jesus, including arraying him in “splendid clothing.”

This appears to be a separate event from the torturing and mocking of Jesus that Pilate’s soldiers did.

“Herod and Pilate became friends …”

Comrades in the persecution of Jesus, the crowning mistake of both their lives Both Pilate’s and Herod’s reigns ended in the late AD 30s under Caligula.

v 19 – More information about Barabbas

JOHN

18:33-38 – An expanded report of Jesus’ words with Pilate

Jesus gives an explanatory witness to Pilate, all the while knowing that Pilate would cave into the pressure to have Jesus crucified.

While Pilate seemed dismissive “What is truth?” he nevertheless was more than uneasy about proceeding with the unjust execution of Jesus

19:9-11 – More witness from Jesus, both by his silence, then by his words

This comes after Jesus had been mocked, tortured, crowned with thorns, and placed in a purple robe by Pilate’s guards—and then presented to the mob by Pilate. (19:1-8)"

"e “After her husband’s death, Claudia Procula is said to have embraced Christianity. After living her life in the utmost goodness and piety, she surrendered her soul in peace. There are other accounts, however, which say that she was a martyr.” Retrieved from https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2018/10/27/103070-saint-claudia-procula."

"Notice, Pilate had “authority” that was “given …from above”—but that authority is not a license to do evil. Pilate was not absolved from his sin, even though his authority was from above.

This is a word to all who are in authority—even if that authority is from above.

But those who delivered Jesus over to Pilate were not acting on any authority, civil or religious.

It was a crime motivated by hate and envy: a murderous conspiracy.

Judas hangs himself

3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.”—Matthew 27:3-10

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlongf he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’—Acts 1:15-20

MATTHEW

v 3 – he “changed his mind” – metamelomai, to repent, regret, change one’s mind

Judas does seem to realize what he had done, but references to him do not give the impression that he repented and received forgiveness

“While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”—John 17:12

v. 4 – “see to it yourself” – lit. “you will see”

vv. 6-7 – the sanctimonious hypocrisy of the chief priests is astonishing … and it did not end here

vv. 8-10 – “Then was fulfilled …”

There are several interpretations of this reference; in any event, it is almost certainly a “composite” quotation, common in the New Testament

Jeremiah 18:1-11 includes “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house” (v. 2). Also,

Jeremiah 19:1-11 mentions the Valley of the Son of Hinnon, which became the Valley of Slaughter—a horrible open-air field for dead bodies.

Zechariah 11:12-13 reads: “Then I said to them, ‘If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.’ And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the LORD said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter’—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took

the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD, to the potter.”"

"cf. Acts"

"f Or swelling up [ESV]"