Read Mark 14-15 at Bible Gateway.
This is the account of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. The chiastic structure is complex, and these are my notes so far:
1a) Mar 14:3-9, The woman broke the alabaster flask of oil of spikenard and anointed Jesus’ body for burial;
1b) Mar 14:10-11, Judas went to the chief priests to betray Him to them;
1c) Mar 14:12-16, Preparation Day for the Passover;
1d) Mar 14:17-26, Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples;
1e) Mar 14:27-40, Jesus tested before the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane;
1f) Mar 14:41-52, Jesus betrayed;
1g) Mar 14:53-65, Jesus tried before the chief priests and the council:
1g.1) Mar 14:53-54, They led Jesus away to the high priest;
1g.2) Mar 14:55-62, The high priest’s questioning:
1g.2.1a) Mar 14:55, The chief priests and the council sought testimony against Jesus put Him to death but found none;
1g.2.1b) Mar 14:60-61a, “Do You not hear what these men testify against You?” But He answered nothing;
1g.2.1c) Mar 14:61b-62, High priest’s question: “Are You the Messiah?” + Jesus’ answer: “I am;”
1g.3) Mar 14:63-64, They condemned Him as deserving of death;
1g.4) Mar 14:65, The officers mocked and abused Him;
central axis) Mar 14:66-72, Peter denied Jesus three times;
2g) Mar 15:1-20, Jesus tried before Pilate:
2g.1) Mar 15:1, They led Jesus away to Pilate;
2g.2) Mar 15:2-14, Pilate’s questioning:
2g.2.2c) Mar 15:2, Pilate’s question: “Are You the King of the Jews?” + Jesus’ answer: “It is as you say;”
2g.2.2b) Mar 15:3-5, “Do You not hear what these men testify against You?” But He answered nothing;
2g.2.2a) Mar 15:6-14, Pilate sought to release Jesus for He found nothing against Him;
2g.3) Mar 15:15, He delivered Jesus to be crucified;
2g.4) Mar 15:16-20, The Praetorian guard mocked and abused Him;
2f) Mar 15:21, They compelled Simon of Cyrene to carry His cross;
2e) Mar 15:22-24, The Romans prepared Him for crucifixion;
2d) Mar 15:25-37, Jesus crucified (He became our Passover Lamb);
2c) Mar 15:42, Preparation Day for the (High Holy) Sabbath;
2b) Mar 15:43-47, Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus;
2a) Mar 16:1, The women brought spices that they might come and anoint His body.
I set the g pair apart as it is complex and can be difficult to visualize. If we take that the two trials, the one before the high priest and the council, and the other before Pilate, are two matching elements, then Peter’s denial of Jesus becomes the central axis. Judas’ betrayal pairs with Simon of Cyrene’s blessing (he blessed Jesus by carrying His cross when He was too weak from sourging and abuse to do so).
The Garden of Gethsemane pairs with the Romans preparing Him for crucifixion. Yes, He prepared His heart and spirit for the coming ordeal by the time He spent in prayer before the Father.
And the Passover meal pairs with His crucifixion. The Passover is the prophetic type and memorial, of the blood of the Passover Lamb, the Messiah, shed for our deliverance from the kingdom of darkness (which is the angel of death and Egypt by type).
Now why would Peter’s denial be the central axis? The other gospel writers who record this incident, add that Peter, when he realized what he had done and his boasting beforehand and everything else, went out and wept bitterly. His failure galled him to the core of his heart. But in Mar 16, when the angel is announcing the resurrection of Jesus to the women, he gives them this instruction:
“But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” Mar 16:7
In other words, our sins have been forgiven, even the most galling and bitter of them, for everyone who repents as Peter repented.
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