Mark seems to stress his version to the Romans, proving that Jesus was truly the son of God; that he had authority to represent God as an ambassador in the flesh, first to the Jews and then to the gentiles.
Luke writes his gospel, a summary to all the events from the records he found in addition to his personal experiences as we see by the heading of the first four verses. Luke records events that lead to the birth of John the Baptist, followed by events leading to the birth of Jesus. By comparing different passages it would appear that Luke copied from Matthew or that they both used a common source.
The gospel of John never mentions the name of John but refers to himself as “that other disciple” or “a disciple Jesus loved.” There is no doubt that John wrote the highlights about Jesus from his point of view, not always in the order that Matthew or Luke arranged the events. John stresses the fact that Jesus was the “Lamb of God” that would be slain for the sins of the world. He was very emphatic in his love of Christ and also that he was convinced that Jesus was special, the son of God: the first to rise to resurrection, all others await the day of Christ appearing: “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have ever lasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40. John pointed out that Jesus was an individual apart from God in John 6: 68-69.
Taking up again the journey of Jesus and the apostles as they leave the Mount of Olives and go on their way to Bethany, Jesus makes this known: “Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of Man is betrayed to be crucified.” Matt. 26:2. God had revealed this to His son. The apostles never did grasp the meaning of these words. The phrase “after two days demands an explanation: Jesus makes the statement on Wednesday late in the afternoon, so the two days yet to come would be Thursday and Friday.
Wednesday evening, according to our calendar, found Jesus and the disciples at Bethany having just enjoyed a supper. Quoting from John 13 beginning at the first verse “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”
Before one closely examines the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of John it is most important that the time period is fully understood. The first seventeen verses of this chapter apply to Wednesday, and verses eighteen to the end of the chapter apply to Thursday evening, the beginning of the fourteenth day of the month. The fourteenth being the day of Passover.
Proceeding then with John 13:2, “And supper being ended, the devil (fleshly thought) having now put in the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simons son, to betray Jesus. One weighs with care the act of Judas; was he going to deliberately betray his master for gain or did he wish to make money and at the same time force Jesus to reveal his real or Godly power? One can hardly determine the truth. Judas was aware that the Pharisees were desperate in their effort to make away with Jesus before the feast of Passover, which would be commemorated on the 15th day of the month, therefore he could drive a hard bargain.
The Pharisees had taken in account that Jesus had won the hearts of the common people, for he had taught them good doctrine and administered to their wants. Many were those that had been healed of their afflictions during the 31/2 years that the Lord Jesus had walked over the land of the Jews. Also he had fed many in a manner never before experienced. Jesus was known by both small and great throughout the land and the Pharisees feared what might come to pass if they openly tried to arrest him. The Pharisees knew they must somehow take Jesus and securely hold him in the absence of the common people.
Jesus must now show how his disciples should conduct themselves after his departure so he sets them an example: (John 13:4) Jesus arose from supper and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself; he washed the disciples feet and wiped them with the towel where with he was girded.” When he came to Peter he met a vigorous protest, for Peter did not want the Christ to be a servant to him and wash his feet. “Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said unto him, “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, thou shalt never wash my feet.” John 13:6-7.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One