The Last Week
Summer 2007 Bible Study

Chapter 5

"St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us."

Greetings

It was, as usual, a lively discussion. The group pondered why John's gospel is so different from the others and wondered about metaphors (if the vine is a metaphor, and the Shepherd is a metaphor is the Son of God also a metaphor? oh yes it got lively) We talked about the Eucharist table and who is and who is not invited to our table. We wondered what Jesus, who sat with the undesirables of his time, would think of those not invited to the table now. We wondered if we could ever really know what Jesus said. Mel Gibson's Passion of Christ, Jesus Christ Superstar and even the Life of Brian were added into the mix. Luckily we had chewy, chocolatety brownies from Rita and another round of last week's ice cream to generate enough energy to get through the night..

Here follows the overview. Thank you Maura for your recap and the notes! Bible Study August 21, 2007
The Last Week: Thursday

Themes for this chapter.

Questions at the back of the book and a couple others.
  1. Compare the similarities and differences in Mark's and John's account of Holy Thursday evening

    Mark's and John's accounts of Thursday evening meal. [Mark is thought to be writing just before or around 66-70 CE, a time of civil unrest, revolt and eventually the fall of the temple in 70 CE. John's writing is harder to date. Final editing is thought to be 80-90 CE. However it may have developed over a longer period of time (NRSV)]

    Mark -Passover Meal

    • Meets with the 12 14:17
    • Tells them there is a betrayer among them 18-21
    • Distributes Bread and Wine 22-25
    • Goes to Mount of Olives
    John - Day before Passover
    • Jesus washes the disciples feet,13:1- 11 verses
    • Teaches about following his example 12-20
    • Gives bread to Judas and Judas leaves 21-30
    • Commands (Maundy Thursday from the Latin for mandate) them to love one another 31-35
    • Prophesizes Peter's denial 36-38
    • Tells them he prepares/is the way 14:1-7
    • Teaches his relationship to the father, emphasizes them following in his way 8-31
    • Metaphor of Jesus as the vine 15:1-11
    • Commands to love one another again 12-18
    • Warns they will be hated in the world 18-25
    • Describes an adovate (helper coming) 26-27
    • Warns again of danger ahead and cites again the advocate 16 1-15
    • Tell them he will be gone for a little while and then return 16-25
    • Tells them the hour is coming 25-28
    • Disciples confirm they "know all things"29-33
    • Jesus speaks to God to glorify the son 17:1-5
    • Asks God to protect the disciples 6-19
    • Asks God to protect future believers 20-25
  2. Does Jesus know what will happen because of supernatural foreknowledge (prophesy) or just a good prediction of what is likely to happen next? pg 111, last paragraph.
  3. Explain the complex web of meanings in Mark's version of the last supper READ Mark 14:17-25, pg 112
    • How does this continue and climax the meal practice of Jesus? (eating as part of his ministry, eating with marginalized groups, inclusion, an everyday need). How are his meals similar or different from the Eucharist celebrated the mass/church service.
    • How does it recall Mark 6:30-45, feeding of the 5,000. Read pg 115 middle paragraph.
    • How is it a new Passover meal and what does that mean? (what is Passover, the meaning of the lamb, Read 2nd paragraph pg 117. )
    • What is the meaning of equating bread and wine with body and blood? then and now . Are Mark, Mathew and Luke saying the same thing? Mark Mathew Luke - When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God" Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among ourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

      While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them and said this is my body. While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples and said "Take, eat: this is my body." Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

      Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying,

      He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

      Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom

    READ 120, 1st paragraph.
  4. How and does the story of Jesus I Gethsemane differ in the accounts of Mark and John? page 125 (Jesus distraught in the garden, the sleeping disciples, who comes and how many)
  5. The high priest asked Jesus if he was the Messiah and Son of God, but Jesus, while accepting those titles, affirmed himself, rather, as the Son of Man.
    • What does Son of Man mean in Daniel 7:13-14
    • How does Mark understand the Son of Man
    • READ the 1st paragraph on pg 133, do you agree/disagree with the author?
  6. How does the presence of the Son of Man and the presence of the kingdom of God connect together for Mark, for you?
  7. Explain the function and effect of Mark's framing his account of Jesus confession with Peter's denial see pg 135. What is the message to Mark's immediate audience? What is the message to us?
 Next week we move on to Good Friday Peace out
Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694
Back to Bible Study Reports
Back