A study of the events leading up to the Resurrection can draw us closer to the Savior and foster a deeper understanding

of the Atonement. As we approach the Easter season, Christians worldwide prepare to commemorate the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ by reading and reflecting upon the scriptural accounts of 23 the last days of His mortal ministry. The most important parts of this storythe Saviors atoning work, consisting of His sufYOU AS HAVE LOVED YOU fering in the Garden ofIGethsemane, His crucifixion,and His triumphant rising from the tombare well known to Latter-day 20 Saints. We are grateful for Restoration scripture that gives us THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY added insights and understanding of their significance. However, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John include additional events that prepare Christians to understand the symbolism of the Atonement and why Jesus was uniquely qualified to work an infinite and eternal sacrifice (Alma 34:10). Occasionally the four Gospel authors differ in their emphasis 24 of certain aspects of these events, but these differences do not 25 UNTO detract from the historical truth of the Saviors actions and MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU teachings. Indeed, they give readers added insights and perspecTHINE, NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE, BE DONE tives into four mosaics1 that function together like different facets of the same diamond. Matthew THE WEEK OF Mark Luke John
THE ATONING Saviors (Reflections on the SACRIFICE Last Week By Eric D. Huntsman) THIRD DAY, continued Jesus Betrayal Foretold The Plot Against Jesus THE WEEK OF Judas Arranges Betrayal THE ATONING SACRIFICE FIFTH DAY FIRST DAY - Thursday 26:1, 2 26:35 Matthew 26:1416 14:1, 2 Mark 14:10, 11 22:1, 2 Luke 22:36

Easer Week t

THE WEEK OF THE ATONING SACRIFICE FIRST DAY - Sunday

Jerusalem and Bethany, Judea Nisan/April Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

WHAT SHALL BE THE SIGN SIGN OF THY COMING?

Matthew Mark Luke 21:111 11:110 19:2944

That Las Week t 22

John

12:1219 12:2036

Certain Greeks Visit Christa Voice from Heaven Return to Bethany SECOND DAY - Monday

Cursing of the Barren Fig Tree

23 YOU AS I HAVE LOVED YOU

11:11 21:1819 21:1216 21:17
Matthew 21:1922

11:1214 11:1518 11:19

Second Cleansing of the Temple Return to Bethany THIRD DAY - Tuesday THE WEEK OF Discourse on Faith THE ATONING SACRIFICE Question of continued THIRD DAY,Authority
Parable of the Two Sons Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen Parable of the Royal Marriage Feast A Question About Tribute to Caesar Marriage After the Resurrection The Great Commandment

19:4548 21:37
Luke 21:38 John

Mark 11:2026

21:2327
21:2832 21:3346 22:114 22:1522 22:2333 22:3440

11:2733
12:112 12:1317 12:1827 12:2834 12:3537 12:3840 Mark 12:4144

20:18
20:918 20:1926 20:2740 20:4144 20:4547 Luke 21:14
21:536

139

Who Is Christs Father? 22:4146 Scribes and Pharisees Are Condemned 23:136 THE WEEK OF Matthew Jesus Laments over Jerusalem 23:3739 THE ATONING SACRIFICE The Widows Mite THIRD DAY, continued Christ Declares the Purpose of His Mission

John

12:3750

THEME

Olivet Discourse

24:151

INTRODUCTION

13:137

Parable of the be Virgins 25:113 Hypocrisy can Tenovercome through acts of service rendered of the Entrusted Talents Parable quietly and privately. 25:1430
THE WEEK OF The Inevitable and Final Judgment THE ATONING SACRIFICE Matthew 25:3146

In these closing chapters of the public ministry of our Lord, you will read about Jesus last public confrontation with the scribes, Pharisees, and Mark Luke John Herodians; it is the last because the Jewish leaders

Also read Joseph SmithMatthew, which is the Prophets inspired revision of Matthew 24. THIRD DAY, continued
Jesus Betrayal Foretold THEME 26:1, 2

145 INTRODUCTION

14:1, 2 22:1, 2 After denouncing the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy, Jesus left the temple. As he and his 14:10, 11 22:36 disciples viewed the buildings of the temple, he confronted the disciples indicate what he did. FIFTH DAY FOURTH DAY -Wednesday - This day is spent outside the city and the scriptures do not with a prophetic statement that must have been startling. Of the temple and its Arrangements for the Passover Meal 26:1719 14:1216 buildings, he said: I 22:713 you, there shall not be say unto

The Plot Against Jesus Those who are aware of the many signs of26:35 the Saviors

second coming will be better prepared for that great Judas Arranges Betrayal 26:1416 event.

John

Strife over Precedence in the Passover Chamber Jesus Washes the Apostles Feet Passover MealIntroduction of the Sacrament Jesus Indicates the Betrayer Judas Leaves the Chamber Jesus Foretells His Own Death Apostles Express Loyalty

26:20

14:17

22:14; 24:30 13:120

151
26:2629 26:2125 14:2225 14:1821 22:1520 22:2123

Arrangements for the Judea Nisan/April 26:1719 Jerusalem and Bethany, Passover Meal 21:111 Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Strife over Precedence in the Passover 26:20 Certain Greeks Visit Christa Voice from Chamber Heaven Jesus Washes the Apostles Feet

26 I FIND NO FAULT IN THIS MAN

14:1216 11:110 14:17 22:713 19:2944 22:14; 24:30 26:2629 26:2125 21:1819 Matthew

12:1219

12:2036 13:120

13:2126 13:2730 13:3135 13:3638

26:3135 159

14:2731

22:3138

Return to Bethany Passover MealIntroduction of the Sacrament SECOND DAY Jesus Indicates the Betrayer Judas Leaves Barren Fig Tree Cursing of the the Chamber THE WEEK OF JesusTHE ATONING SACRIFICE Foretells His Own Death Second Cleansing of the Temple Apostles Express Loyalty FIFTH DAY, continued Return to Bethany Jerusalem, Judea Discourse About the Comforter THIRD DAY

11:11 14:2225
14:1821 11:1214 Mark

22:1520 22:2123 Luke 13:2126 13:2730 John 13:3135 13:3638

14:131

21:1216 26:3135 21:17

159

11:1518 14:2731 11:19

14:26 Mark 11:2026

19:4548 22:3138 21:37

22:39 Luke 21:38

They Sing a HymnProceed to the Mount 26:30 Matthew Discourse on Faith 21:1922 of Olives THE WEEK OF THE ATONING SACRIFICE Question of AuthorityChrist and the World; 21:2327 Their Relationship to FIFTH DAY, continued His Death Explained

John
15:127; 16:133

11:2733

20:18

deliver them from their oppressors. But17:126 even now, as 139 THE WEEK OF Matthew Mark Luke John he sat at supper and instructed those whom he had Agony in of which the Savior spoke, 26:3646 14:3242 22:4046 18:1, 2 The peace Gethsemane SACRIFICE that peace that THE ATONING called and chosen out of the world, the Sanhedrin the world knows not, comes to the true disciple largely SIXTH DAY - Friday plotted for his death and tried to undermine his THEME through the instrumentality of the Comforterthe popularityto the eleven apostles, Iin thedrinkhe more and said among the masses. And will end no Holy Ghost. suffering of Jesus Christ in Gethsemane, The Betrayal 26:4750 22:47, 48 18:29 Through the by Judas would14:4345the vine, untilwould disclaim drink it of thebe alonemultitudes that day that I him. fruit of The Arrest 26:5156 14:4652 22:4953 18:1012 we can receive forgiveness of sins. None in the those who loved him most 14:25.) would new (even kingdom of God. (Mark slept!) He then INTRODUCTION hail his suffering necessary for him to leave them, that Jesus Questioned by Annas 22:54, 55, 18:13, said that it was in Gethsemane, where alone, 1924 INTRODUCTION his mortal life Jesus spoke to In these lastBefore Caiaphas Examined hours of 26:5768 14:5365 18:1416, forsaken, and without the6365them with his Father,18 he might prepare a placepomp of crowds, he would for his apostles of love the week of to the Father for and prayed the atoning sacrifice, win an infinite victory far22:5562 than any defeat of greater but that he would send the Comforter to them, and On the fifth day of Peter Denies Knowing Jesus 26:6975 14:6672 18:17, 2527 them, that they might be one. Throngs the Passover Rome. himself would come to them. He then left his that he Jesus had made arrangements to eat had hailed his appearance atand Condemnation of a king, and 2 Formal Trial Jerusalem as that 15:1 peace with he turned histhem not 23:1 meal with the Twelve. Following this last 27:1, supper, But for now, them, telling22:6671; to be troubled or attention to those whom he shouted hosannas in the expectation that Jesusthen left afraid. go my way to discourse (see John 14), Jesus Jesus indicated who his betrayer was; Judas would loved. IFollowing this him that sent me, he said. Judas Iscariots treachery. After signifying his death, 27:310 said, Arise, let us go hence. A hymn was then sung to carry out his Death Before Pilate 27:1114 15:25 23:25 18:2838 (see Mark 14:26), and Jesus led the eleven apostles Jesus instituted the Lords Supperthe sacrament Before Herod 23:612 165 to the Mount of Olives.
Again Before Pilate Barabbas Released Pilate Sentences Jesus The Way to Calvary 27:1523 27:2630 27:24, 25 171 27:3134, 38 27:37 27:35, 36 27:3944 15:614 15:1519 15:2023, 25, 27, 28 15:26 15:24 15:2932 23:1323 23:25 23:24 23:2633 23:38 23:34 23:34 23:3537 23:3943 27:45 27:46, 47 27:48, 49 27:50 27:5156 27:5761 15:33 15:34, 35 15:36 15:37 15:3841 15:4247 23:46 23:45, 4749 23:5056 23:44, 45 18:39, 40 19:13 19:416 19:1618 19:1922 19:23, 24

High Priestly Prayer THEME

Superscription on the Cross His First Utterance on the Cross Soldiers Divide His Clothing Mocking and Scoffing Second Utterance from the Cross Third Utterance by the Savior Darkness Covers the Earth Fourth Statement Fifth Statement Sixth Utterance Final Utterance; Jesus Dies Centurions Testimony His Side Pierced His Burial

19:2527

19:28, 29 19:30 19:30 19:3137 19:3842

Chart compiled from The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles COURSE MANUAL (Religion 211212) CES 179

From the palace of Pilate, Jesus was led to the place of crucifixion. Matthew 27:2435.

First Day Jesus arrived at Jerusalem. He secured a donkey and a colt, and rode through the city gates into Jerusalem. A very great multitude who knew him to be the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee placed palm branches in his way and greeted him with a hosanna shout:Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. (Matthew 21:9.) He went directly to the temple, and according to Mark, took note of what he saw and retired to Bethany for the night (Mark 11:11). The triumphal entry, remembered today on Palm Sunday, provides a joyful prelude to the many sad events that would intervene between this point and the miracle of the empty tomb. It represents one of the few times during His mortal ministry when Jesus was recognized as the king He is. (Reflections on the Saviors Last Week By Eric D. Huntsman) Second Day Early the next morning Jesus went again to the temple and made a decisive thrust calculated to challenge the Jewish religious leadership. He drove from the outer court area of the temple those who were trading and making money exchange from foreign currency. The money exchange was apparently sanctioned by the Jewish leaders; and by preventing the merchandizing, Jesus was in effect challenging their leadership. The issue was clear: Was the temple to be a place of worship of God or of pursuit of gain? As he cleared the temple courts, he said, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:13.) Again that evening Jesus returned to Bethany.

said. . . . And the high priest exclaimed, He hath spoken blasphemy. The infamous members of the Sanhedrin who were present responded, He is guilty of death! And from that time on they spit upon him, buffeted him, and mocked him. Not long afterwards, the cock crowed for the third time. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. . . . And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. (Matthew 26:57 75; 27:12; Mark 14:5371; 15:1; Luke 22:5471; John 18:1327.)

Third Day Jesus wrath in the temple raised the issue of authority, and the priests were not about to let the incident pass. As Jesus came to the temple the next day, the priests challenged him: By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? (Matthew 21:23.) Jesus responded by relating a series of parables that offended the religious leaders of the Jews. The scribes and Pharisees challenged him again; Jesus openly denounced them and condemned them as hypocrites. From this point on, Jesus did not teach the public, but only the Twelve. Perceiving that Jesus had gained the upper hand in their confrontations, the Jewish leaders consulted again how they might bring about Jesus death. They would have to move quickly before the Passover to avoid a riot, however, since Jesus had become very popular with the Jewish people. How to bring about an arrest without provoking crowd reaction was the problem. An unexpected turn of events that took place abetted their plot. One of Jesus own disciples offered to betray him. Fourth Day Jesus well knew of the plot. The fourth day was spent outside the city, perhaps at Bethany. The record of the gospel writers is silent on the proceedings of this day. Fifth Day Jesus had arranged to commemorate the Passover meal in a home privately reserved for him and the Twelve. Following the Passover meal, Jesus introduced a new ordinance, the sac-

rament, which presaged his atoning sacrifice. He then prophesied of his death and indicated who would betray him. After some instructions, Jesus offered his great intercessory prayer. Then, with the eleven (Judas had left), Jesus led them outside the walls to a familiar spotGethsemane. Then taking Peter, James, and John with him, he went further into the Garden where he then left those three and went off by himself to pray. (See Matthew 26:3639.) There he pled with his Heavenly Father to let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39.) The cup did not pass and Jesus suffered the pain of all men (D&C 18:11), an agony so excruciating that it caused him to bleed at every pore (D&C 19:18). Some time later he rejoined his apostles and indicated that his betrayer was at hand. While he spoke, an armed band led by Judas approached Jesus to seize him. Without resistance Jesus submitted. Jesus was brought to an illegal trial that night. Sixth Day The Jewish leaders now faced another problem. They were not content that Jesus should be put to death; they also wanted to discredit him before his own people. To do this, the leaders arranged to have Jesus charged with two crimes. The first was blasphemy, a capital offense under Jewish law. He was unanimously convicted of this charge solely on the evidence that he had said that he was the Son of God. (See Matthew 26:5766.) Such a conviction would discredit Jesus before the Jews, but the rulers knew well that they could not carry out the death penalty; only the Roman governor could pronounce this. Therefore, they had to find political indictment against Jesus. The surest means of securing this was the charge of sedition against the state, for he had claimed to

4 & 5 Before Pilate, then before Herod, and again before Pilate, the Lord suffered the indescribable abuse and mockery of an illegal and false inquisition. Then Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But

An Appreciation of the Sorrow of the Final Hours

Pilate sent Jesus to Herod (location not definitely known). Herod returned him to Pilate. Luke 23:711

Jesus was taken briefly to the house of Annas and then to Caiaphas, the high priest. John 18:1524.

Probable location of upper room where Jesus and his apostles partook of the Last Supper. John 13:17.

Forced to carry his own cross until he do so no more, to Calvary he was take where the Roman soldiers pierced his wrists, and feet with nails, thus affixi body to the cross. There he hung in a agony, derived from pain, thirst, and with no one to comfort him or relieve anguish of body, mind, or spirit. Then one last experience with the torment o Gethsemane, he cried with a loud voi saying, It is finished. Father, into t I commend my spirit. The Lord Jesu had died for all mankind. Then came of Arimathea with fine linen, and he t Jesus body down, wrapped it in the li and laid him in a sepulchre which w

placate the people, Pilate had the Lor scourged with a whip made of many t which were impregnated with pieces and jagged bone. Then Pilate delivere Lord up to be crucified. (Matthew 27: Mark 15:219; Luke 23:225; John 1 19:116.)

From the house of Caiaphas, Jesus was taken before Pilate. John 18:2838.

Jesus and 11 apostles went to the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:3656.

be a king of the Jews. Though Pilates examination found Jesus guiltless of the charge, the Jewish leaders had incited the crowd to destroy Jesus. (Matthew 27:20.) Fearing a demonstration, Pilate gave in to the clamor to crucify Jesus, and the death sentence was pronounced. And so Jesus was executed by the brutal Roman practice of crucifixion. Later that afternoon he voluntarily gave up his spirit. The next day, which began at sundown, was the Passover, and the Jewish leaders abhorred the idea that a man should remain on a cross on the Sabbath, particularly the paschal Sabbath. Before nightfall, Jesus body was removed from the cross and buried in a sealed tomb by two revering disciples. Seventh Day This was the Jewish Sabbath. Jesus body remained in the tomb, but in spirit he ministered in the realm of departed spirits. (See 1 Peter 3:1820.) Day of the Resurrection Had the gospel ended with Jesus burial, there wouldbe no gospel story, no good news. The great message of these testators is that Jesus was risen and was seen again by many witnesses. On the first day of the week, the most memorable Sunday in history,Jesus Christ emerged alive from the tomb, and appeared before Mary. The testimony of these witnesses constitutes the gospel story, the good news. These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31.) ( The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles COURSE
MANUAL (Religion 211212) CES)

Wit nesses t t Resurrec ed Chris o he t t

Guard: I was bribed to say that Jesus disciples took Him away in the night. (Matthew 28:24, 1115, Matt. 28:24, 1115) Mary Magdalene: I was the first to come to the tombI saw Jesus in the garden, and He called my name. (John 20:1, 1116) Mary: I saw the resurrected Lord and touched His feet. (Matthew 28:1, 510, Matt. 28:1, 510, Luke 24:10) Peter and John: We ran to the empty tomb and found only Jesus burial clothes. (John 20:210) Disciples: The Savior appeared to us, even though the door was shut. (John 20:1920) Discipile: The Savior ate fish and honey, showing that He has a body of flesh and bone. (Luke 24:4143) Thomas: I touched the nail markings on Jesus. (John 20:2429) Paul: Me and more than 500 other people saw Christ after He was resurrected. (1 Corinthians 15: heading, 68, 1 Cor. 15:68) Nephites: The resurrected Christ came to us in the Americas. (3 Ne. 11:612)

The greatest events of history are those which affect the greatest number for the longest periods. By this standard, no event could be more important to individuals or nations than the Resurrection of the Master. The eventual resurrection of every soul who has lived and died on earth is a scriptural certainty, and surely there is no event for which one should make more careful preparation. Nothing is more absolutely universal than the resurrection. Every living being will be resurrected. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Cor. 15:22). Yes, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a glorious reality. He became the first fruits of them that slept. He truly rose from the tomb the third day, as He and His prophets foretold, and became in very deed the resurrection and the life (John 4:6). He broke the bonds of death for all of us. We, too, will be resurrected. Our spirits will be reunited with our bodies (see Alma 11:43). Yes, this same Jesus has already come to earth in our day. The Resurrected Christglorified, exalted, the God of this world under the Fatherappeared to the boy Joseph Smith in 1820. This same Jesus who was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Moses, the Creator of this earth, has come in our day. He was introduced by the Father to Joseph Smith in these words: This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! (JSH 1:17). The appearance of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ to the boy Prophet is the greatest event that has occurred in this world since the Resurrection of the Master. As the restored Church of Jesus Christ we humbly and gratefully bear this witness to all men. This message is a world message. It is the truth.
(The Greatest Event in History, President Ezra Taft Benson)

He is Risen

It has been almost two thousand years since the wondrous occasion when death was conquered. We still do not know how the Savior was able to take upon Himself and bear our transgressions, our foolishness, our grief, our sorrows, and our burdens. It was indefinable and unfathomable. It was almost unbearable. The indescribable agony was so great in Gethsemane that his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44.) The haunting cry on the cross, in a loud voice in His native Aramaic, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mark 15:34) gives but a mere glimpse of His suffering and humiliation. One cannot help wondering how many of those drops of precious blood each of us may be responsible for. (The Supernal Gift of the Atonement, Elder James E. Faust) Now, the next thing of which I am certain, and of which I bear witness, is the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Without it life is meaningless. It is the keystone in the arch of our existence. It affirms that we lived before we were born in mortality. Mortality is but a stepping-stone to a more glorious existence in the future. The sorrow of death is softened with the promise of the Resurrection. There would be no Christmas if there were no Easter. (The Things of Which I Know, President Gordon B. Hinckley)