The Last Supper
Giampietrino. The Last Supper. ca. 1520. Royal Academy of the Arts, London. Wikipedia. Web. 18 December 2013.
All four Gospels agree that Jesus's final meal was to commemorate the Passover. The meal he ate with his disciples is of critical importance in Church history, as, according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus institutes the Eucharist and tells the Twelve about the coming of the Holy Spirit to assist them in their mission. However, what is said throughout the course of the evening is equally important. All Gospels include Jesus foretelling of his agony and execution, and all have Christ fully aware that Judas was to be his betrayer. When Peter vehemently denies that he would ever be the one to betray his teacher, Jesus prophesizes that Peter will deny him three times before that night ends. Interestingly, Jesus and his apostles do not finish the Seder. They sing hymns and depart for the garden of Gethsemane before the fourth, most important cup is poured.
The Seder Meal. 2013. The Passover Seder Meal. Web. 18 December 2013.
The Seder Meal. 2013. The Passover Seder Meal. Web. 18 December 2013.
Similarities Between Accounts:
The Eucharist is instituted during the meal in all Gospels.
"'Take and eat, this is my body...Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Mt 26:26-28)
In addition, all Gospels depict Jesus predicting his impending betrayal.
"Amen, amen I say to you, one of you will betray me." (Jn 13:21)
Differences Between Accounts:
In John's Gospel, Jesus begins the Passover meal by washing his apostles' feet in a gesture of servitude.
"He took a towel and tied it around his waste. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waste." (Jn 13:4-5)
Jesus refers specifically to Peter and John when he wants to make preparations for the Passover.
"...he sent out Peter and John instructing them, 'Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." (Lk 22:8)
The Eucharist is instituted during the meal in all Gospels.
"'Take and eat, this is my body...Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Mt 26:26-28)
In addition, all Gospels depict Jesus predicting his impending betrayal.
"Amen, amen I say to you, one of you will betray me." (Jn 13:21)
Differences Between Accounts:
In John's Gospel, Jesus begins the Passover meal by washing his apostles' feet in a gesture of servitude.
"He took a towel and tied it around his waste. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waste." (Jn 13:4-5)
Jesus refers specifically to Peter and John when he wants to make preparations for the Passover.
"...he sent out Peter and John instructing them, 'Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." (Lk 22:8)
"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." (Lk 22:15)
Pascal Dagnan-Bouveret. The Last Supper. 1896. Wikipedia. Web. 19 December 2013.
Pascal Dagnan-Bouveret. The Last Supper. 1896. Wikipedia. Web. 19 December 2013.
The Agony in the Garden
Jesus Praying in the Garden. Painting. Web. 18 December 2013.
In a section of the Gospels that significantly humanizes Jesus, he goes with the apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane, which is located at the foot of the Mount of Olives. He asks that the Twelve keep watch while he goes off alone to pray. He desperately beseeches his Father for some escape from his rapidly approaching fate, to the point where he suffers stress induced hematidrosis. When he emerges from his prayer, he finds the Twelve asleep and chastises them. However, within a short time Judas and a group of thugs arrive to arrest Jesus. In all accounts, he submits to them willingly and his disciples flee the scene and leave him. Jesus is arrested and brought to the high priest. In John's account, there is no "agony" in the garden, which could have been a conscious decision meant to portray Jesus in as divine and transcendent a light as possible.
Gethsemane Olive Tree. Photograph. Web. 19 December 2013.
Gethsemane Olive Tree. Photograph. Web. 19 December 2013.
Similarities Between Accounts:
The Garden of Gethsemane is the site of the prayer, located at the foot of the Mount of Olives.
"Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray'." (Mt 26:36)
While Jesus prays, his apostles fall asleep.
"Then he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mt 26:40-41)
Differences Between Accounts:
John lacks an account of Jesus's agonized prayer, instead skipping right to his arrest.
"When he had said this, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden...Judas his betrayer also knew the place...So Jesus got a band of soldiers and guards from the chief priests and the Pharisees." (Jn 18:1-3)
Luke does not name the apostles who accompany Jesus into Gethsemane.
"He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him." (Lk 22:39)
The Garden of Gethsemane is the site of the prayer, located at the foot of the Mount of Olives.
"Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray'." (Mt 26:36)
While Jesus prays, his apostles fall asleep.
"Then he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mt 26:40-41)
Differences Between Accounts:
John lacks an account of Jesus's agonized prayer, instead skipping right to his arrest.
"When he had said this, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden...Judas his betrayer also knew the place...So Jesus got a band of soldiers and guards from the chief priests and the Pharisees." (Jn 18:1-3)
Luke does not name the apostles who accompany Jesus into Gethsemane.
"He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him." (Lk 22:39)
"'Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not by will but yours be done.'" (Lk 22:42)
William Blake. Agony in the Garden. 1799-1800. Tate Gallery, London. Web. Tate Britain. Web. 19 December 2013.
William Blake. Agony in the Garden. 1799-1800. Tate Gallery, London. Web. Tate Britain. Web. 19 December 2013.