The chief priests and elders conspire to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him, but they decide not to do so during the feast to avoid an uproar among the people.
Theological significance
This event highlights the growing opposition to Jesus and the fulfillment of prophetic scriptures regarding His suffering and death.
In the broader story
The plot against Jesus sets the stage for His crucifixion, a central event in God's redemptive plan for humanity.
A woman anoints Jesus with expensive ointment, which the disciples criticize as wasteful. Jesus defends her actions, stating it is preparation for His burial.
Theological significance
This act of devotion foreshadows Jesus' impending death and burial, emphasizing the value of worship and sacrifice.
In the broader story
The anointing signifies Jesus' role as the Messiah and prepares for His sacrificial death, paralleling Old Testament anointing of kings and priests.
Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, agrees to betray Jesus to the chief priests in exchange for thirty pieces of silver.
Theological significance
Judas' betrayal fulfills Old Testament prophecies and highlights themes of human sinfulness and the sovereignty of God in using even betrayal for His purposes.
In the broader story
Judas' betrayal is a pivotal moment leading to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, integral to the fulfillment of God's salvation plan.
Jesus shares the Passover meal with His disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper by breaking bread and sharing the cup, symbolizing His body and blood.
Theological significance
The Last Supper establishes the New Covenant in Jesus' blood, signifying the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life for believers.
In the broader story
This event connects the Passover with Jesus' sacrificial death, fulfilling the Old Covenant and inaugurating the New Covenant.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays fervently, expressing His anguish and submission to the Father's will, while His disciples struggle to stay awake.
Theological significance
This moment reveals Jesus' humanity and His obedience to the Father's will, emphasizing the cost of redemption and the power of prayer.
In the broader story
Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane reflects His role as the Suffering Servant and His commitment to fulfilling God's redemptive plan.
Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin, where false witnesses testify against Him. He remains mostly silent, but affirms His identity as the Messiah, leading to His condemnation.
Theological significance
Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin highlights His fulfillment of messianic prophecies and His role as the suffering servant who is unjustly condemned.
In the broader story
This trial is a key step towards the crucifixion, fulfilling God's plan for Jesus to be the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world.
As Jesus is on trial, Peter denies knowing Him three times, fulfilling Jesus' earlier prediction. After the rooster crows, Peter remembers Jesus' words and weeps bitterly.
Theological significance
Peter's denial illustrates human frailty and the need for repentance, while also highlighting Jesus' prophetic insight and the fulfillment of His words.
In the broader story
Peter's failure and subsequent repentance and restoration are emblematic of the Christian journey of falling and being restored by grace.
In the order the chapter tells them. The corpus records sequence, not dates — biblical chronology is contested, and this does not take a position on it.