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Verses 32-41  Gethsemane

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32They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

35Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.

36“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

37Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?

38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.

40When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.

42Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

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Concerning Gethsemane,

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1)       Where did Jesus and his disciples go?

o   They went to a place called Gethsemane.

 

2)       What did Jesus say to the disciples?

o   Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”

 

3)       Whom did Jesus take with him?

o   Jesus took Peter, James and John along with him.

 

4)       What was Jesus’ emotional state at that point?

o   He began to be deeply distressed and troubled.

 

5)       What did Jesus say to Peter, James and John?

o   Jesus said to them that his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.

 

6)       How did Jesus express his emotion?

o   Jesus expressed his emotion both by words and demeanor.

 

7)       To which portion of his disciples did Jesus reveal his emotion?

o   Jesus revealed his emotion when he was with his inner circle of disciples.

 

8)       Why did Jesus express his emotion in front of his inner circle of disciples?

o   Jesus wanted his inner circle of disciples to grasp the gravity of what he would soon be facing so that they would keep watch.

 

9)       What did Jesus ask the disciples to do?

o   Jesus asked the disciples to stay there and keep watch.

 

10)   What did Jesus do next?

o   Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed.

 

11)   What did Jesus say in his prayer?

o   Jesus prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 

o   “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

 

12)   What was the hour Jesus was referring to?

o   Jesus was referring to the hour of his crucifixion.

 

13)   What was Jesus’ prayer concerning the hour?

o   Jesus prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.

 

14)   What was the cup Jesus was referring to?

o   Jesus was referring to the cup of God’s wrath that was going to be poured out on him as punishment while he bore the sins of the whole world on the cross.

 

15)   What was Jesus’ will concerning the cup?

o   Jesus wanted the Father to take the cup from him.

 

16)   What was the Father’s will concerning the cup?

o   The Father wanted Jesus to drink the cup.

 

17)   What motivated Jesus to accept the cup regardless of his desire to have the cup taken from him?

o   Jesus accepted the cup because he would rather do the Father’s will over his own.

 

18)   What did Jesus do after he had offered up the prayer?

o   He returned to Peter, James and John.

 

19)   What were Peter, James and John doing when Jesus returned to them?

o   They were sleeping.

 

20)   What did Jesus say to Peter?

o   “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

 

21)   Why did Jesus pick on Peter?

o   Jesus picked on Peter because Peter bragged that he was above reproach compared to the other disciples.

 

22)   Why did Peter, James and John fall asleep?

o   They fell asleep because

§  They did not grasp the gravity of what Jesus would soon be facing even though he had revealed to them how distressed and troubled he was. 

§  The body was weak even though they tried to stay awake.

 

23)   What did Jesus expect Peter, James and John to do while he was praying?

o   He expected them to keep watch with him.

 

24)   What would be the outcome for Peter, James and John if they kept watch?

o   They would not fall into temptation.

 

25)   What was Jesus referring to by falling into temptation?

o   By falling into temptation Jesus was referring to the disciples falling away.

 

26)   What could keep the disciples from falling away?

o   Watching and praying could keep the disciples from falling away.

 

27)   What did Jesus do next?

o   Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.

 

28)   What example did Jesus furnish for the disciples?

o   Jesus furnished the example of watching and praying for the disciples.

 

29)   What were Peter, James and John doing when Jesus returned to them a second time?

o   They were again sleeping because their eyes were heavy.

 

30)   What did Peter, James and John have to say to Jesus?

o   They had nothing to say to Jesus.

 

31)   What did Jesus do when he returned to Peter, James and John a third time?

o   Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

 

32)   Who is the Son of Man?

o   Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man, laying emphasis on his divinity.

 

33)   Why did Jesus apply the title to himself in referring to his being delivered into the hands of sinners?

o   Jesus reminded the disciples that he sovereignly decided as God what was happening to him.

 

34)   What was the inability of Peter, James and John to keep watch and pray foreboding of?

o   The inability of Peter, James and John to keep watch and pray was foreboding of the disciples falling away as Jesus had predicted.

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·  Ask for a volunteer to summarize.

·  Ask for the rest of the participants to supplement the summary.

 

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Verses 32-41  Gethsemane

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Verses 43-52  Jesus Arrested

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43Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

44Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.”

45Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.

46The men seized Jesus and arrested him.

47Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

48“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?

49Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

50Then everyone deserted him and fled.

51A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him,

52he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

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Concerning Jesus being arrested,

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35)   Which disciple appeared while Jesus was speaking to Peter, James and John?

o   Judas, one of the twelve apostles, appeared.

 

36)   Who accompanied Judas?

o   With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs.

 

37)   Who sent the crowd?

o   The chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders did.

 

38)   What signal did the betrayer arrange with the crowd for arresting Jesus?

o   Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.”

 

39)   Who was the betrayer?

o   Judas was.

 

40)   Why was it necessary for Judas to arrange for a signal?

o   It was necessary because

§  It was at night. 

§  The crowd might not recognize who Jesus was even during the day.

 

41)   What did Judas do to Jesus?

o   Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.

 

42)   What did the crowd do?

o   The men seized Jesus and arrested him.

 

43)   What did one of those standing near do?

o   Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

 

44)   Who was the person who cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest?

o   It was Peter according to John 18:10-11.

 

·  Ask a volunteer to read out loud John 18:10-11 that says,

+++++++++++++++++++++

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

+++++++++++++++++++++

 

45)   What did Peter attempt to do in striking the servant of the high priest with his sword?

o   He attempted to rescue Jesus.

 

46)   What preparation did Peter make for handling the situation?

o   He carried a sword with him.

 

47)   From what Peter did what do we make of Peter saying that even if he had to die with Jesus, he would never disown Jesus?

o   Peter was not an empty talker.

 

48)   Was Peter’s attempt to rescue Jesus consistent with the will of God the Father and why?

o   No, because it was the will of God the Father for Jesus to drink the cup.

 

49)   What did Jesus say upon being arrested?

o   “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?  Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

 

50)   How did Jesus portray the hypocrisy of the religious leaders in the way they had him arrested?

o   The religious leaders had Jesus arrested by force as though Jesus were leading a rebellion.

o   The arrest took place in secret to avoid public outcry because it was not justified.

 

51)   What did Jesus say was the ultimate cause for his arrest?

o   His arrest was inevitable because the Scriptures must be fulfilled.

 

52)   What did the disciples do next?

o   Then everyone deserted him and fled.

 

53)   What was on the mind of the disciples as they fled?

o   Their hope had evaporated that

§  Jesus as the Christ would deliver the Jews from the rule of the Romans.

§  They would play important roles in the kingdom that Jesus as the Christ would restore to Israel.

 

54)   Did everyone abandon Jesus and why?

o   No, because a young man was still following Jesus as Jesus was being led away.

 

55)   What did the crowd do to the young man?

o   They tried to seize him.

 

56)   What did the young man do next?

o   He fled naked, leaving his linen garment behind.

 

57)   What was the young man wearing before he fled?

o   He was wearing only a linen cloth about his body.

 

58)   What can we conclude about the age of the young man from the description about him?

o   The young man was just a boy.

 

59)   Who was the boy and why?

o   The boy was the writer of the Gospel of Mark because otherwise the writer would not have been aware of nor recorded such unimportant detail.

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·  Ask for a volunteer to summarize.

·  Ask for the rest of the participants to supplement the summary.

 

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Verses 43-52  Jesus Arrested

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Verses 53-65  Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

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53They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together.

54Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

55The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.

56Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

57Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him:

58“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’”

59Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

60Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”

61But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

63The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked.

64“You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death.

65Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

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Concerning Jesus before the Sanhedrin,

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60)   Where did the crowd take Jesus?

o   They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together.

 

61)   What did Peter do?

o   Peter followed Jesus at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.

o   There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

 

62)   What motivated Peter to follow Jesus at a distance?

o   Peter was

§  Concerned about Jesus.

§  Keeping his word of not falling away.

 

63)   What were the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin trying to do?

o   The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.

 

64)   What was the Sanhedrin?

o   The Sanhedrin was the Jewish high court.

 

65)   How did the crowd try to condemn Jesus?

o   Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

 

66)   What was the false testimony about the temple that some gave against Jesus?

o   Some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’”

 

67)   Was the testimony found to be valid and why?

o   No, because their statements did not agree.

 

68)   What did the high priest say?

o   The high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”

 

69)   What was Jesus’ response?

o   Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

 

70)   What did the high priest say next?

o   Again the high priest asked Jesus, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

 

71)   What might be the ulterior motive with which the high priest asked Jesus if he was the Christ?

o   Jesus’ affirmative answer to the question would be used against him before the ruling Romans that he claimed to be the king of the Jews. 

 

72)   What did the high priest mean when he referred to the Blessed One?

o   The high priest meant God when he referred to the Blessed One. 

o   The Jews did not directly refer to God out of reverence.

 

73)   Who had referred to Jesus as the Christ so far?

o   Only Peter had referred to Jesus as the Christ so far.

 

74)   Who had referred to Jesus as the Son of God so far?

o   Those who had referred to Jesus as the Son of God so far were

§  God the Father.

§  Unclean spirits.

 

75)   What might have become common speculation about Jesus among the people?

o   Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

 

76)   What was Jesus’ response?

o   “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 

o   What Jesus said is a quote from Daniel 7:13-14.

 

·  Ask a volunteer to read out loud Daniel 7:13-14 that says,

+++++++++++++++++++++

13 In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

+++++++++++++++++++++

 

77)   Who is the Mighty One that Jesus was referring to?

o   The Mighty One is a reference to God.

 

78)   What does sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One mean?

o   The seat at the right hand of God is a position of power and honor.

 

79)   What does the title ‘Son of Man’ that Jesus often used come from?

o   It comes from Daniel 7:13.

 

80)   What is the Mighty One that Jesus was referring to referred to as in Daniel 7:13?

o   The Mighty One is referred to as the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7:13.

 

81)   What does the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven mean for Jesus in the context of Daniel 7:13-14?

o   Jesus identified himself as the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven,

§  Who is given authority, glory and sovereign power.

§  Who is worshiped by all nations and peoples of every language.

§  Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away.

§  Whose kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

 

82)   What was the high priest’s response?

o   The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

 

83)   What did the high priest consider Jesus to have committed in what he said?

o   He considered Jesus to have committed blasphemy.

 

84)   What is blasphemy?

o   Blasphemy is the offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things.

 

85)   What was the punishment for blasphemy in the Jewish culture in Jesus’ time?

o   Blasphemy was punishable by death in the Jewish culture in Jesus’ time.

 

86)   Why did the high priest tear his clothes?

o   He tore his clothes as an expression of outrage at what Jesus said that he considered blasphemy.

 

87)   What was the question the high priest raised before the Sanhedrin?

o   “What do you think?”

 

88)   What was the high priest’s intent in raising the question before the Sanhedrin?

o   His intent in raising the question before the Sanhedrin was to secure a consensus on there being sufficient ground for condemning Jesus to death.

 

89)   What was the response of the Sanhedrin?

o   They all condemned Jesus as worthy of death.

 

90)   What happened to Jesus next?

o   Then some began to spit at him.

o   They blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!”

o   And the guards took him and beat him.

 

91)   In what ways was the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin illegal according to Jewish legal practice?

o   The trial for capital offense must not take place

§  At night but during the day.

§  During the Feast.

§  In a private home but in a public place where witnesses were to testify.

o   The high priest was forcing Jesus to testify against himself while every matter was supposed to be settled by two or three witnesses.

o   The Sanhedrin was scrambling to find evidence against Jesus meaning that they did not have witnesses ready to testify to begin with.

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·  Ask for a volunteer to summarize.

·  Ask for the rest of the participants to supplement the summary.

 

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Verses 53-65  Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

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Verses 66-72  Peter Disowns Jesus

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66While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.

67When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

68But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.

69When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.”

70Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

71He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

72Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

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Concerning Peter disowning Jesus,

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92)   Where was Peter?

o   Peter was in the courtyard of the high priest.

 

93)   Who saw Peter in the courtyard of the high priest?

o   One of the servant girls of the high priest came by.

o   When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

 

94)   What did the servant girl say to Peter?

o   “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

 

95)   What did Peter say in response?

o   He denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said.

 

96)   What did Peter do next?

o   He went out into the entryway, getting ready to get out of the place quickly if necessary.

 

97)   How did the servant girl persist in pointing out Peter’s association with Jesus?

o   When she saw Peter in the entryway, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.”

 

98)   How did Peter respond to the servant girl’s second accusation?

o   Again he denied it.

 

99)   What did people standing near say to Peter after a little while?

o   They said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

 

100)     How did the people know that Peter was a Galilean?

o   Perhaps by Peter’s accent.

 

101)     How did Peter respond to the people’s accusation?

o   He

§  Began to call down curses on himself.

§  Swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

 

102)     What happened right at that moment?

o   Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.

 

103)     What did the rooster crowing a second time remind Peter of?

o   Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.”

 

104)     What happened to Peter next?

o   He broke down and wept.

 

105)     Why did Peter break down and weep?

o   Peter was weeping over his disowning Jesus regardless of his attempt trying not to fall away.

 

106)     What could have kept Peter from disowning Jesus?

o   Watching and praying could have.

 

107)     What did Peter do instead?

o   He relied on his own strength.

 

108)     What was the cause of Peter’s failure?

o   He relied on his own strength and therefore failed.

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·  Ask for a volunteer to summarize.

·  Ask for the rest of the participants to supplement the summary.

 

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Verses 66-72  Peter Disowns Jesus

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