Bible Stories for Adults

Jesus in Gethsemane

Matthew 26:30-56; John 18:1-12

Next Week - Jesus is Crucified (Matthew 27:31-61)
Bible Words to Remember:
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him striken by God, smitten by Him and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

How did Jesus begin His last week in Jerusalem?
Matthew 21:1, 6-11 = Welcomed with great fanfare on Palm Sunday
How did the Jewish leaders react to Jesus' wise teachings in the temple?
Matthew 21: 23, 45-46 = They were offended and looked for a way to arrest Him
Were all of the Jewish leaders upset with Jesus?
John 12:42a = No, some believed in Him
Why wouldn't they stand up for Jesus?
John 12:42b-43 = They loved praise from men more than praise from God

How did the Jewish leaders plan to arrest Jesus despite His popularity as a prophet?
Matthew 22:15 = They tried to trap & discredit Him with His own words
What are some examples of traps set by the Jewish leaders?
Matthew 22:16-17 = Pharisees & Herodians asked - pay taxes or give to God?
Matthew 22:23, 28 = Sadducees asked difficult question to disprove resurrection
Matthew 22:34-36 = Pharisees asked Jesus to pick the greatest commandment
How did Jesus put an end to their fruitless efforts?
Matthew 22:41-46 = Asked a question about the Messiah they couldn't answer

How did the Jewish leaders' plans for Jesus change after being unable to trap Him?
Matthew 26:3-4 = Plotted to make a surprise arrest and to kill Jesus
Why didn't they carry out their plan immediately?
Matthew 26:5 = Didn't want a riot with so many people in town for the Passover
Did Jesus know what was going to happen and when?
Matthew 26:1-2 = Yes. Crucified, not murdered. During Passover, not after.

How did the leaders get some unexpected help?
Matthew 26:14-16 = Judas Iscariot (Jesus' treasurer) agreed to turn Jesus over
What was significant about the price Judas was paid for giving Jesus to be killed?
Exodus 21:32 = 30 silver coins was price if a servant was killed

What may have influenced Judas' financial decision to betray Jesus?
Matthew 26:6-12 = The "wastefulness" of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume
Which disciple had voiced this complaint and why?
John 12:4-6 = Judas, because he wanted the money

Did Jesus know what Judas was planning to do?
Matthew 26:20-21 = Yes, He told his disciples that one of them would betray Him
Did they begin to accuse each other or guess who it might be?
Matthew 26:22 = No, each one wondered if it might be him (weak faiths)
How did Jesus identify the betrayer? = John reclined at Jesus' right (leaned back)
John 13:23-26 = By handing the dipped bread to Judas

During Passover ritual, master of feast would take a flat cake of unleavened bread
After adding pieces of lamb & bitter herbs, he'd roll it and dip it onto a bitter sauce
Beginning with the most honored guest, he'd repeat until he gave one to everyone
The lamb anticipated God's Lamb which would bring salvation to sinners
By accepting the bread a guest acknowledged his sin & welcomed forgiveness

Did Judas accept Jesus' forgiveness when it was offered?
John 13:27-30 = No, Satan entered into him and he left to do his job
What comment did Jesus have about the one who would betray Him?
Matthew 26:23-24 = It would be better for him if he had not been born

Could the others be proud of their loyalty, believing that they wouldn't betray Jesus?
Matthew 26:31-32 = No, Jesus said they would all fall away (fulfill Zech 13:7)
Who was overly self-confident in the faith he had built up himself?
Matthew 26:33-34 = Peter claimed he had a stronger faith than all the others
How strong did Peter say his faith and loyalty was?
Matthew 26:35 = He would even die for Jesus; the others said the same
What was wrong about the disciples boasting of their strong faith?
Ephesians 2:8 = Faith comes from God, not from ourselves

After sharing His Last Supper with His disciples, where did Jesus take them and why?
Matthew 26:30, 36 = To pray in Gethsemane (olive press) Garden on Mt of Olives
How did Jesus feel about His impending suffering and the desertion of His disciples?
Matthew 26:37-38 = Revealed His deep sorrow to PJ&J (other 11 stopped earlier)
How were Jesus' feelings similar to those of His ancestor King David?
Psalm 55:1-4 = My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me

How else was Jesus like David in looking for relief from His sorrow?
Matthew 26:39 = He turned to God in prayer
What was the cause of His suffering?
Isaiah 53:3-5 = Weighed down in sorrow by the burden of our sins
How deeply troubled was Jesus according to Luke, the doctor?
Luke 22:44 = His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground

For what did Jesus pray?
Matthew 26:42, 44 = 3 times for cup to be taken from Him if within Father's will
Would it be the Father's will to take this cup from Jesus?
Isaiah 53:10-11 = No, It was the Lord's will to crush Him & cause Him to suffer
How did the Father help Jesus through this time?
Luke 22:43 = Sent an angel to strengthen Him

Did Jesus have a choice of whether to accept His cup or not?
John 10:17-18 = I lay it down of my own accord
What did Jesus' prayer show about Him?
Psalm 40:8 = His perfect obedience and desire to do the Father's will
How does this relate to our own lives?
Philippians 2:5-8 = Same attitude as Jesus - servant, humbled, obedient to death
How was Jesus' submission and obedience critical for us?
Hebrews 5:7-9 = Through them He became the source of eternal salvation

Did the disciples understand the grief that Jesus was experiencing and its cause?
Matthew 26:40, 43 = No, they relaxed and slept
How did Jesus use their lack of vigilance to warn them of upcoming temptations?
Matthew 26:41 = Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation
What temptation was Jesus warning His disciples about?
Isaiah 53:6 = Deserting and betraying Jesus
Did the disciples remain vigilant after Jesus' warning?
Matthew 26:45-46 = No, went back to sleep; Jesus woke them before Judas came

How long did they have to wait for Judas after Jesus predicted the coming of His betrayer?
Matthew 26:47 = While He was still speaking
How did Judas know where to find Jesus?
John 18:2 = Jesus frequently went to Gethsemane to pray
Without photographs, how would the "temple police" know which man to arrest?
Matthew 26:48-49 = Judas identified Jesus with a kiss, a normal form of greeting

How much resistance did Jesus offer to those trying to arrest Him?
John 18:7-9 = None, He told them to let the others go
What other prophesy did Jesus' response fulfill?
Isaiah 53:7 = Led like a lamb to the slaughter...did not open His mouth (in resistance)

Who impetuously seized the opportunity to show Jesus his strong support?
John 18:10 = Peter defended Jesus by cutting off a servant's ear with a sword
Why did Peter have the sword? = A small ceremonial sword to prepare the Passover lamb
Luke 22:36-38 = Jesus told the disciples to bring one to fulfill Isaiah 53:12
How did Jesus thank Peter for defending Him?
Matthew 26:52-54 = He didn't, He scolded Peter for interfering with God's plan
What about the poor servant with the missing ear?
Luke 22:51 = Jesus touched the man's ear and healed him

What did Jesus have to say to those arresting Him?
Matthew 26:55-56a = Why use force to arrest me? Why not in the temple?
What prophesy of Jesus was fulfilled at the end of this story?
Matthew 26:56b = Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled