This etching from a metal plate, measuring almost 22x18", dates to 1636 and was made by Rembrandt. The print is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Here, Jesus is being brought to Pilate for judgment. Pilate, on his judgment throne, is hearing an accusation against Jesus by the high priests who have just conducted an illegal trial of Jesus. Others, consulting with one another in the lower left, are making sure there's a crowd of supporters in the courtyard. The scene is full of hustle, bustle, and disorder, and the soldiers in attendance are clearly flustered. Some are looking on with wonder, possibly thinking there is no reason for Jesus to be there. If you look carefully at some of the upraised spears at the upper right, you will notice they are shrouded with something, creating an appearance of a cross, draped as it would be in a liturgical church after the Maundy Thursday service.
Notice in the Bible we refer to the following:
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 18. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. By this time it is very late at night. Judas brings a group of soldiers who seem to work for the chief priests and Pharisees, about 600 in number. Describe the action and what the arrest party might have thought they were going into. How is the reality different from what they imagined?
2. We learn that Peter was armed when he attempts to defend Jesus. What is significant about his attack, his victim, and what happened there? Why would John give the name of the person who was attacked by Peter, while the other Gospel accounts would not?
3. What is significant about Jesus' trial before Annas and Caiaphas?
4. What develops in the courtyard while Jesus is on trial? Why is it significant?
5. What is significant about Jesus' trial before Pilate? What does it tell you about Jesus, about Pilate, and about the crowd in attendance?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 18. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. By this time it is very late at night. Judas brings a group of soldiers who seem to work for the chief priests and Pharisees, about 600 in number. Describe the action and what the arrest party might have thought they were going into. How is the reality different from what they imagined?
2. We learn that Peter was armed when he attempts to defend Jesus. What is significant about his attack, his victim, and what happened there? Why would John give the name of the person who was attacked by Peter, while the other Gospel accounts would not?
3. What is significant about Jesus' trial before Annas and Caiaphas?
4. What develops in the courtyard while Jesus is on trial? Why is it significant?
5. What is significant about Jesus' trial before Pilate? What does it tell you about Jesus, about Pilate, and about the crowd in attendance?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
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