This author said as a presbyter himself, he exhorted the presbyters among them. He was a witness to the sufferings of Jesus Christ and shared in the glory to be revealed. They should tend to the flock of God, exercising oversight without compulsion. They should be eager to help, but not for sordid gain. They were not to lord it over their flock, but be examples of good faith. Thus, they will win the crown of glory that never fades. Are presbyters, priests, elders, or ministers good examples?
presbyters
Presbyters (Titus 2:2)
“Tell the presbyters
To be temperate,
Serious,
Prudent,
And sound
In faith,
In love,
And in endurance.”
πρεσβύτας νηφαλίους εἶναι, σεμνούς, σώφρονας, ὑγιαίνοντας τῇ πίστει, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ·
Paul said, “Tell the presbyters (πρεσβύτας) to be temperate (νηφαλίους εἶναι), serious (σεμνούς), prudent (σώφρονας), and sound (ὑγιαίνοντας) in faith (τῇ πίστει), in love (τῇ ἀγάπῃ), and in endurance (τῇ ὑπομονῇ).” Only the Pauline letters used the word νηφαλίους, that means sober, not intoxicated, temperate, and vigilant, and the word σεμνούς, that means reverend, venerable, serious, honorable, grave, or dignified, as well as the word σώφρονας, that means of sound mind, self-controlled, temperate, and modest. This sounds like 1 Timothy, chapter 3:2, when Paul was explaining the qualities of a bishop. Paul told Titus how he wanted the presbyters, the elders, or the priests to act. These older men should be temperate and not drunkards, serious and not frivolous, prudent and not foolish. They had to be sound in faith, love, and patience. The assumption was that the older males or elders were the presbyters of priests of a certain area. How do the old men that you know act?
The chief priests and Scribes wanted Jesus (Lk 20:19-20:19)
“The chief priests
And the Scribes
Wanted
To lay hands
On Jesus
At that very hour.
But they feared
The people.”
Καὶ ἐζήτησαν οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἐπιβαλεῖν ἐπ’ αὐτὸν τὰς χεῖρας ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν τὸν λαόν
Luke said that the Scribes (οἱ γραμματεῖς) and the chief priests (καὶ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς) wanted to lay hands on Jesus (Καὶ ἐζήτησαν…ἐπιβαλεῖν ἐπ’ αὐτὸν τὰς χεῖρας) at that very hour (ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ,). However, they feared the people (καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν τὸν λαόν). There is something similar in Matthew chapter 21:46, and Mark, chapter 12:12. However, there are different groups named in each gospel. Mark said that the unnamed “they” were trying or seeking to get a hold of or arrest Jesus (Καὶ ἐζήτουν αὐτὸν κρατῆσαι). However, they were afraid of the crowd (καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν τὸν ὄχλον). Thus, they left him (καὶ ἀφέντες αὐτὸν) and went away (ἀπῆλθον). Matthew said that the chief priests and the Pharisees wanted to arrest or seize Jesus (καὶ ζητοῦντες αὐτὸν κρατῆσαι). However, they feared the crowds (ἐφοβήθησαν τοὺς ὄχλους) who regarded him as if he were a prophet (ἐπεὶ εἰς προφήτην αὐτὸν εἶχον). In fact, the idea of Jesus as a prophet still exists until today, but Matthew was the only one who called him a prophet. Luke had named the chief priests and the Scribes, but not the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the elders or presbyters. Mark simply used the vague “they”. Matthew, on the other hand, had the chief priests and the Pharisees seeking Jesus, but not the Scribes, the Sadducees, the elders or presbyters. This was an assertion that the various Jewish religious leaders were out to get Jesus. Are you out to get anyone?
Jerusalem officials come to Jesus (Lk 20:1-20:1)
“One day,
Jesus was teaching
The people
In the Temple.
He was preaching
The good news.
The chief priests
And the Scribes
Came
With the elders.”
Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν μιᾷ τῶν ἡμερῶν διδάσκοντος αὐτοῦ τὸν λαὸν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καὶ εὐαγγελιζομένου ἐπέστησαν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς σὺν τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις,
Luke, along with the other synoptics has this confrontation between Jesus and the chief priests and the Scribes about the authority of Jesus. Luke said that one day it happened (Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν μιᾷ τῶν ἡμερῶν), that Jesus was teaching the people (διδάσκοντος αὐτοῦ τὸν λαὸν) in the Temple (ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ). He was preaching the good news or evangelizing (καὶ εὐαγγελιζομένου). However, the chief priests (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς), the Scribes (καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς), with the elders or presbyters (σὺν τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις) came to him (ἐπέστησαν). This questioning of the authority of Jesus can be found in Matthew, chapter 21:23, and Mark, chapter 11:27, almost word for word. Mark said that when Jesus and his disciples again came to Jerusalem (Καὶ ἔρχονται πάλιν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα), Jesus was walking in the Temple (καὶ ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ περιπατοῦντος αὐτοῦ), not teaching as in Luke and Matthew. The chief priests or the high priests (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς) and the Scribes (καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς) with the presbyters or the elders (καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι) approached Jesus (ἔρχονται πρὸς αὐτὸν). Matthew said that when Jesus entered the Temple (Καὶ ἐλθόντος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν), the chief priests (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς) or the high priest with the presbyters or elders of the people (καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τοῦ λαοῦ) approached him as he was teaching (προσῆλθον αὐτῷ διδάσκοντι). Matthew, however, did not mention the Scribes, but the other 2 gospel stories did. Have you ever approached someone as they were teaching?
Prediction about the death and resurrection (Lk 9:22-9:22)
“Jesus said.
‘The Son of Man
Must undergo
Great suffering.
He will be rejected
By the elders,
By the chief priests,
And by the Scribes.
He will be killed.
On the third day,
He will be raised up.’”
εἰπὼν ὅτι Δεῖ τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου πολλὰ παθεῖν καὶ ἀποδοκιμασθῆναι ἀπὸ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων καὶ ἀρχιερέων καὶ γραμματέων καὶ ἀποκτανθῆναι καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθῆνα
Luke indicated that Jesus said to his disciples (εἰπὼν) that the Son of Man had to undergo great suffering (ὅτι Δεῖ τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου πολλὰ παθεῖν). He would be rejected (καὶ ἀποδοκιμασθῆναι) by the elders or presbyters (ἀπὸ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων), the chief priests (καὶ ἀρχιερέων), and by the Scribes (καὶ γραμματέων). He would be killed (καὶ ἀποκτανθῆναι), but on the third day (καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ), he would be raised up (ἐγερθῆνα). Jesus began to talk about his future suffering that can be found in all 3 synoptic gospels, Matthew, chapter 16:21-23, Mark, chapter 8:31-33, and here. All this took place right after Peter’s strong profession of faith. Notice that the synoptics gospel writers did not blame the Pharisees or the Sadducees for the suffering and death of Jesus. There also was no mention of the Roman authorities. Mark said that Jesus began to teach them that it was necessary that the Son of Man undergo many great sufferings. Jesus used the term “Son of Man” in Luke and Mark to refer to himself not “Jesus Christ,” as in Matthew. He was going to be rejected by the elders or presbyters, the chief priests, and the Scribes. Eventually, he would be killed. There was no mention of Jesus going to Jerusalem here. After 3 days, he would rise again. Matthew disliked Jerusalem with everything and everybody attached to it. For the first time he used the full name of Jesus Christ (Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς). From that time on, after Jesus had put Peter in charge, Jesus Christ began to show or let his disciples know that he had to go to Jerusalem. There he would undergo great suffering from the Israelite Jerusalem elders or presbyters, the chief priests, and the Scribes. Eventually, he would be killed, but he would be raised up on the 3rd day. Clearly, this was a prediction about the future suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Whom do you blame for the death of Jesus Christ?
He sent the Jewish elders (Lk 7:3-7:3)
“When he heard
About Jesus,
The centurion sent
Some Jewish elders
To him.
They asked Jesus
To come
And heal
His slave.”
ἀκούσας δὲ περὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς αὐτὸν πρεσβυτέρους τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἐρωτῶν αὐτὸν ὅπως ἐλθὼν διασώσῃ τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ.
Luke uniquely said that when this centurion heard about Jesus (ἀκούσας δὲ περὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ), he sent some Jewish elders or presbyters to him (ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς αὐτὸν πρεσβυτέρους τῶν Ἰουδαίων). They asked or begged Jesus (ἐρωτῶν αὐτὸν) to come and heal or save his slave (ὅπως ἐλθὼν διασώσῃ τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ). In Matthew, chapter 8:6, this Roman centurion came to Jesus himself and called him “Lord,” an honorific title, instead of sending any Jewish elders as here. Have you ever sent someone to ask a favor for you?
Insist on Barabbas (Mk 15:11-15:11)
“But the chief priests
Stirred up the crowd
To have him
Release Barabbas
For them instead.”
οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς ἀνέσεισαν τὸν ὄχλον ἵνα μᾶλλον τὸν Βαραββᾶν ἀπολύσῃ αὐτοῖς.
There is something similar in Matthew, chapter 27:20, but nothing like this in Luke. Mark said that the chief priests alone (οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς), not the elders or presbyters as in Matthew, stirred up or excited the crowd (ἀνέσεισαν τὸν ὄχλον) to have Pilate release Barabbas for them instead of Jesus (μᾶλλον τὸν Βαραββᾶν ἀπολύσῃ αὐτοῖς). The chief priests were the main villains here in Mark. Do you always choose Jesus?
They deliver Jesus to Pilate (Mk 15:1-15:1)
“As soon as it was morning,
The chief priests
Held a consultation
With the elders,
The Scribes,
And the whole council.
They bound Jesus.
They led him away.
They handed him
Over to Pilate.”
Καὶ εὐθὺς πρωῒ συμβούλιον ἑτοιμάσαντες οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς μετὰ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων καὶ γραμματέων καὶ ὅλον τὸ συνέδριον, δήσαντες τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἀπήνεγκαν καὶ παρέδωκαν Πειλάτῳ
This is similar to Matthew, chapter 27:1-2, except that Mark did not mention the decision to bring Jesus to death. In Luke, chapter 23:1, everybody brought Jesus to Pilate. In John, chapter 18:28, there was a long discussion of Pilate with the Jewish leaders, after they brought Jesus to Pilate. However, they had to stay outside the Roman court, so as not to defile themselves during the Passover festival. Mark said that as soon as it was early in the morning (Καὶ εὐθὺς πρωῒ), after the all-nighter evening meeting at the house of the high priest of Jerusalem, the chief priests (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς) with the elders or presbyters (μετὰ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων) and the Scribes (καὶ γραμματέων) conferred together or came to a resolution (συμβούλιον ἑτοιμάσαντες). All of this council, tribunal, or Sanhedrin (καὶ ὅλον τὸ συνέδριον) agreed. They tied up or bound Jesus (δήσαντες τὸν Ἰησοῦν). They led him away (ἀπήγαγον). They delivered him or handed him over to Pilate (καὶ παρέδωκαν Πειλάτῳ). Whether this was an official meeting or not, they did come up with a conclusion that they would hand Jesus over to the Roman governor of Judea. Thus, Pilate had jurisdiction over death penalties, since Judea was within the Roman Empire. Mark did not mention that Pilate was the governor, but this text just assumes that. Who was this Pontius Pilate? He was the rather cruel Roman ruler, prefect, or governor of Judea from 26-36 CE, the exact time frame of Jesus. Interesting enough, a whole literature and artistic presentations of Pontius Pilate developed in the 20th century with movie and TV portrayals of him. He was certainly a central figure in this presentation about the death of Jesus.
False testimony (Mk 14:56-14:57)
“Many gave
False testimony
Against Jesus.
Their testimony
Did not agree.
Some stood up.
They gave
False testimony
Against Jesus.”
πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐψευδομαρτύρουν κατ’ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἴσαι αἱ μαρτυρίαι οὐκ ἦσαν.
καί τινες ἀναστάντες ἐψευδομαρτύρουν κατ’ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες
This is almost word for word in Matthew, chapter 14:60. However, this emphasis on witnesses and testimony was not in Luke, chapter 22, and John, chapter 18. Mark said that many people gave false testimony against Jesus (πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐψευδομαρτύρουν κατ’ αὐτοῦ). Their testimonies did not agree (καὶ ἴσαι αἱ μαρτυρίαι οὐκ ἦσαν). Some people stood up (καί τινες ἀναστάντες) and gave these false testimonies against Jesus (ἐψευδομαρτύρουν κατ’ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες). There is almost a redundancy in these remarks. According to Jewish law in Deuteronomy, chapters 17:6 and 19:15, it took 2 witnesses to convict anyone. This gathering sounds more like a trial than an informal meeting. Not only were they seeking pseudo or false witnesses, the whole council meeting may have been illegal, since they were not allowed to meet during the festivals, including Passover. This council included the elders or presbyters and the Scribes of Jerusalem, along with the priests and the high priests. However, the dreaded Pharisees and Sadducees were not part of this council meeting.
Judas came with a group of people (Mk 14:43-14:43)
“Immediately,
While Jesus
Was still speaking,
Judas,
One of the twelve,
Arrived.
There was
A crowd
With him.
They had swords
And clubs.
They included
The chief priests,
The Scribes,
And the elders.”
Καὶ εὐθὺς ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος παραγίνεται ὁ Ἰούδας εἷς τῶν δώδεκα, καὶ μετ’ αὐτοῦ ὄχλος μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων παρὰ τῶν ἀρχιερέων καὶ τῶν γραμματέων καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων.
This is almost word for word in Matthew, chapter 26:46. Luke, chapter 22:47, is somewhat similar, but does not mention the Jewish religious groups. John, chapter 18:2-3, is more detailed, since he mentioned the police and a detachment of soldiers, as well as the Pharisees. Mark said that immediately as Jesus was still speaking (Καὶ εὐθὺς ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος), Judas, one of the 12 apostles, arrived on the scene (παραγίνεται ὁ Ἰούδας εἷς τῶν δώδεκα). He had with him a large crowd of people (καὶ μετ’ αὐτοῦ ὄχλος) with swords (μετὰ μαχαιρῶν) and clubs (καὶ ξύλων). Mark seems to indicate that the chief priests (παρὰ τῶν ἀρχιερέων), the Scribes (καὶ τῶν γραμματέων) and the elders or presbyters (καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων) were there, while Matthew had these religious leaders sending the crowd. Apparently, these leaders were expecting some resistance from Jesus and his followers. Thus, they had a large armed group of people with Judas. In John’s more descriptive account, Judas knew where to find Jesus because they had often been there at this place. He said that they also brought lanterns and torches. Mark and the other gospel writers never mentioned the Sadducees, while only John mentioned the Pharisees, and Mark was the only one to mention the Scribes.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 