Smoodock's Blog

Some folks had been against Jesus from the very beginning of his ministry and sought to destroy him even then (Matthew 2:13; Mark 3:6; 9:22). However, no group had made an all-out effort to seize him, until late in his three and a half year ministry, after he had raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:45-53). It was for that reason Jesus hid himself from them (John 11:54). Some commentaries consider all the strange things that occurred later were things Jesus was simply able to see due to his prophetic ability.[1] Nevertheless, this seems farfetched and unnecessary to Mark’s account. Rather, a better understanding would be, since the Jewish authorities wanted to seize Jesus at an opportune time, Jesus made certain prearrangements in secret with folks like Martha, who prepared the meal at Jesus’ arrival (John 12:1), or like the donkey that was tied at a particular spot at the gate of a certain town (Mark 11:2-3), or a man bearing a pitcher of water (Mark 14:13). When one knows his enemies desire to kill him, a wise man will take measures to prevent them from being successful (Proverbs 23:19; John 11:53-54, 55-57).

It was the season of the Passover and the Days of Unleavened bread. Together, they made an eight-day festival, the second day, the fifteenth day of the first month, which was the first Day of Unleavened Bread, was a Sabbath or annual Holy Day. The season celebrated the Lord’s victory over Pharaoh, bringing about the release from bondage and freedom for the Jewish nation under Moses (see Exodus 12 & 13). Similarly, Jesus came offering the good news of freedom from the bondage of the Law, a leading out, as it were, of a people into the Kingdom of God, and, because of his teaching, the Jewish authorities sought to destroy him (Mark 14:1; cp. 11:18).

Originally, the Jewish authorities wanted to seize Jesus immediately and kill him outright (John 11:47-53), and gave an order, if anyone knew where he was, to inform the Jewish authorities, so they could arrest him (John 11:56-67), but after Jesus’ coming to Jerusalem so publicly, and after filling the hearts of the people with so much wonder and anticipation (Matthew 21:9-17), the Jewish authorities had to modify their desire to arrest him immediately. Therefore, they sought to take him by deceit and kill him (Mark 14:1-2). Nevertheless, such a thing would have to be postponed, until after the Feast of Passover (which included the Days of Unleavened Bread).[2] The reason was that the people were so interested in what Jesus said and did (Mark 11:18). Josephus informs us that during the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, there where over two million pilgrims who came to celebrate the Passover that year. Understanding this, puts the apprehension of the Jewish authorities in context. Of course, as in all groups of people, there are those who are more conservative in their approach to unpredictable matters, and there are those who are more willing to take chances (cp. Matthew 27:3-4; Acts 5:33-40). It is a matter of who has the upper hand or the majority of support.

This particular assembly of the Jewish council occurred, according to Mark’s record, two days before the Feast Day (Mark 14:1-2). That is, it occurred on the 13^th day of the first month. According to John 12:1, Jesus arrived at Jerusalem six days before the Feast Day, or on the 9^th day of the first month in the Jewish calendar. Therefore, the Jewish authorities had by this time several confrontations with Jesus, all of which he had gained the upper hand with the people, making the authorities apprehensive about arresting him during the annual festival.

Nevertheless, they would change their minds once more and arrest Jesus during the Passover season, because Judas would give them the opportunity they sought (Mark 14:10-11). Only one of his disciples could know Jesus’ whereabouts, once he left the city, as he had been very cautious, concerning the Jewish authorities’ knowledge of his comings and goings (cp. John 11:54). Moreover, over a million pilgrims in Jerusalem during the Passover season were spread out and not only filled the inns but also camped in open and wooded areas surrounding Jerusalem, how could anyone but one of Jesus’ disciples find him in such a context?

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[1] See Adam Clarke’s Commentary; Joseph Benson’s Commentary; Matthew Henry’s Commentary, The Pulpit Commentary and Utley’s You Can Understand the Bible on Matthew 21:3 and Mark 11:2.

[2] By the first century AD the term Passover was often used for the whole eight day festival: Passover Day (the 14^th of the month) and the Days of Unleavened Bread (the 15^th to the 21^st of the month).