SUMMARY
As his passionPassion is the theological term used to describe Jesus' suffering prior to and including his crucifixion. The Passion Narrative (the portions of the Gospels that tell of the Last Supper, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus) are often read in church during Holy Week. More approaches, JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More makes three prophecies regarding his fate and the unfaithfulness of the disciples.
ANALYSIS
From the beginning of the Gospel, Jesus has been linked with the prophetic lineage. This has occurred in a variety of different ways, ranging from quotations of the Old Testament prophets to Jesus’ actions in the TempleThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged... More courtyard to his apocalyptic discourse. As the PassoverPassover commemorates the deliverance of the Hebrew people from Egypt as described in the book of Exodus. It is celebrated with worship and a meal on the fourteenth day of the month called Nisan, which is the first month of the Jewish year. The time... More and Jesus’ passion approach, the theme of prophecyProphecy is the gift, inspired by God, of speaking and interpreting the divine will. Prophets such as Amos, Isaiah, and Ezekiel spoke words of judgment and comfort to the people of Israel on behalf of God. More reemerges as Jesus exhibits yet another mark of his prophetic office, namely “second sight.” Second sight describes the ability of prophets to see the future, and was a mark of prophecy throughout the ancient world. The three instances of second sight in Mark 14 are arranged in a crescendo, moving from the mundane to the tragic.
The first instance mirrors the actions of Jesus before his entry into Jerusalem (11:1-6). Just as Jesus predicted where a donkey could be found, he predicts where his disciples can find a place to celebrate the Passover. Though it represents a mundane instance of seeing the future, this instance of second sight sets up the next two, more serious prophecies.
Jesus gives his next prediction while eating with his disciples. This prediction, while tragic, is not as specific as the prediction that preceded it or the one to follow. Jesus makes clear that he is about to be betrayed and that the betrayer is one of the Twelve. However, he does not name the person.
In contrast, the third prediction points fingers. Jesus begins with a general prediction of abandonment, but then singles out PeterPeter (also known as Cephas, Simon Peter) was the disciple who denied Jesus during his trial but later became a leader in proclaiming Jesus. More. Peter will betray Jesus by denying him, not once, but three times. The increase in specificity of the prophecy heightens its tragedy and poignancy.
