The Three Suppers.

This Is Appendix 157 From The Companion Bible.

That there were three suppers, and not only two, at the close of

our Lord's ministry will be clear from a careful comparison of the

three Scriptures.

1. There was the supper recorded in John 12:1-9. This was

probably in the house of Lazarus1, and, being "six days before the

Passover", must have taken place on the Friday evening, on the

Lord's return from His first entry into Jerusalem from Bethphage

(see Appendix 153).

Having slept there on the Friday night and spent the last Sabbath

in retirement there, this first supper was made after the Sabbath had

ended at 6 p.m. At this supper there was an anointing of the Lord by

Mary (see Appendix 158).

2. The second supper, recorded in Matthew 26:6-13, took place

"two days before the Passover" at the house of Simon the leper,

which was also in Bethany. See Mark 14:1-9. At this supper there

was also an anointing by a woman unknown (see Appendix 158).

3. The supper recorded in John 13:1-20 is the same as that

recorded in Matthew 26:20, Mark 14:17, and Luke 22:14. It was "the

last supper", "the hour was come", and when supper was begun, or

going on (not "ended"; see note on John 13:2), the Lord first

washed the disciples' feet; and, later, the events took place as

recorded in all four Gospels. John's Gospel adds some antecedents;

but gives the same consequents.

The rendering of genomenou in John 13:2, by "ended" instead of

by "taking place", or "beginning", has been the cause of much

confusion.

1 For all the family were present; and "Martha served" (compare

Luke 10:40-42).