S5, E2
The first two episodes of season 5 have been refreshing in that it contains more actual events that I have seen in past episodes. There are still concerning elements, but some helpful things as well.
Biblical- What We Find in Scripture
The instruction of Jesus in the upper room, to the disciples, to go out and preach the gospel, taking along a sword. Certainly there is some paraphrasing here, but this is biblically correct. (Luke 22:36)
Jesus instruction that the sheep would be scattered, Peter’s statement that he will never fall, Jesus statement that Satan requested to sift Peter like wheat, Jesus prediction of Peter’s denial. (Luke 22:31; John 13:36-38)
Caiaphas did prophecy that one man would die for the whole nation. The events of that prophecy are not recorded, only that it happened is recorded. Herod Antipas did execute John the Baptizer, he did think that Jesus might be John reincarnated somehow, but the conversation between Caiaphas and Herod is not recorded in Scripture. (John 18:4)
Jesus did fashion a whip and drive out the money changers. This was not the first time that Jesus did this. He had driven out the money changers before. This might be one reason why the events of passion week were so much more upsetting this time than the last. There is no indication, however, that the disciples were not already with him when this happened. Jesus also did stop, open the cages of the birds, and let them go. This is somewhat represented in this episode. It is an indication that Jesus was not out of control as he turned over the tables and drove out the animals. Jesus interaction with the woman who he would not allow to carry anything through the temple is fictional, but Mark does record that Jesus would not allow people to carry anything through the temple, so that type of interaction could be considered to be true. (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48)
Pilate would have had a palace overlooking the temple.
The Jews refusal to enter Pilate’s house in order to keep from being defiled, which means ceremonially unclean, is recorded in John 18:28.
Unbiblical- What Contradicts Scripture
I think there is reason to believe that Jesus attitude toward the people, even the Pharisees, was one of compassion. I think the context of this exchange indicates that Jesus was sad over all of Israels rejection of him. He seems to be more hostile and out of control in this episode that the gospels might permit us to believe.
Extra-biblical: What Is Made Up but Doesn’t Contradict Scripture
The character Ramah is fictional.
Thomas background is entirely fictional. It seems they present him as having been an orphan. Scripture teaches us nothing about his background other than that he was called “Didymus” which means twin.
At points Gentiles come seeking Jesus, even from the Decapolis. The Gentiles that come here seeking to understand the Passover, is not recorded in Scripture. This scene is helpful because there was a need to change money from foreign to Jewish, however that was only for the temple tax. Sacrifices would likely have been able to be purchased with foreign currency.
While James and John are recorded to be the son of Zebedee, at no point does Zebedee appear as a character in the Scriptures.
Caiaphas conversation with Herod Antipater is fictitious.
There is no record of anything being set fire in the temple when Jesus turned over tables and drove out money changers.
Helpful: What We Might Be Helpful To the Watcher
The need to change foreign currency for Hebrew currency is accurate, but only for the temple tax. While the exact exchange rates aren’t recorded in Scripture, the money changers were taking advantage of foreigners who came for the Passover.
The use of incense to cover up the stench of blood is helpful. What must be understood here is the seriousness of death.
Gentiles were limited to the court of Gentiles. They would not have been allowed to enter the temple proper. Inside that would have been been the court of women. Only Jewish men could have gone into the inner portions of the temple.
Though we have no record of John being ceremonially unclean in the gospels, that scene does show accurately some of the things that would make someone unclean.
Malchus telling John that Caiaphas was worried about a certain rabbi is not found in Scripture.
Dangerous: Things That Have Been Added That Might Be Dangerous to Accept as Fact
This goes back to last season, and the death of Ramah, but there is so much of the storyline connected to that character. The character Ramah is completely fictional, and I believe in some ways problematic. There is record of Jesus leaving areas that rejected him, but there is no record of Jesus refusing to heal anyone who asked him for healing. To have an entirely fictional character carry so much emotional weight in this series isn’t helpful. To have her death be such a cliffhanger in season 4 feels like spiritual manipulation to me. When the extra-biblical elements outweigh the true events, there is danger in focusing on the wrong things.
Anachronisms and errors- Things that are out of place regarding the time, etc.
It seem highly unlikely that Peter would need someone to coach him in preaching. Both in the gospels and in Acts, Peter seems to be the spokesman of the disciples. In the Gospels, he is curious and constantly asking questions. He certainly didn’t seem to understand things before the resurrection, but he appears to be an able communicator from the start.
Somewhere in this episode was the statement that trials were forbidden during passover. I don’t think there is any biblical precedence for that. This may be drawn on historical tradition, but I don’t know. The Mishnah forbids capital trials at night, but it is unknown as to whether or not this rule existed at the time of Jesus death.
Where did Jesus say, no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends??
Trial cannot be held during Passover???? Trails could not be held at night, but I am unsure about a law saying that they couldn’t be held during Passover.
Plot to kill Lazarus????
Did Jesus call the Pharisees a brood of vipers in this exchange?