Then.....why does Judas ask this question: [Matthew 26:24-25] 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
And.....[Mark 14:17-20] 17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. 18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. 19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? 20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
And.....[Luke 22:20-23] 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
But......the same story unfolds here: [John 13:21-30] 21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
Are you saying that these four passages took place on two separate evenings?
How about this: [Matthew 26:30] 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. The arrest is made in verse 57.
And this: [Mark 14:26] 26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. The arrest is made in verse 46.
And.....: [Luke 22:39] 39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. The arrest is made in verse 54.
But.....: [John 18:1] 1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. The arrest is made in verse 12.
So.....does He talk about betrayal on two different nights? Does He deal with Judas on two different nights? Does He go to the garden on two different nights? Is He arrested on two different nights?
Inquiring minds would like to know!
I'm convinced our Lord was one step ahead of the devil at all times. I believe our Lord could easily detected Satan's presence however the disciples appear a bit oblivious to the ramifications.
The verse of John 13:2 says; "And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simons son,to betray him."
Thus being a time immediately after the common supper 'before the feast'.
The verse of Luke 22:3 says; "Then entered Satan into Judas..."
This is clearly before the dinner (Nisan 15th) that is mentioned later in Luke 22:15.
'I have desired to eat this Passover with you'.
The garden scene at St. John 18:1 is in the night of Nisan 15th after the Seder the same date for St. John 18:28 by the judgement hall in the morning and the Chagigah sacrifice in the evening.
Our Lord did talk about betrayal and did deal with Judas and the disciples on two (14th & 15th) different nights. They go to the garden only on the night of Nisan 15th where our Lord was arrested and incarcerated.
The chronological details in the Gospel of John appears sparse in some places.I had heard that the Gospels were recalled and written some 30 to 60 years after the actual events. The author of St. John was reported to have been 90 years old when he recalled upon his memory!
- Best Regards