The first Holy Thursday appeared to begin at a moderate pace: with Christ and his apostles sharing a Passover meal, that went on to represent the mass and illustrate the Eucharist. During this shared repast, Jesus also likely inducted the apostles into the priesthood by asking them to take communion “in remembrance of [him]” and by the act of washing their feet (below).
Jesus also introduced a new commandment that instructed people to “love one another” (below).
Christ also indicated to Peter that he would, in time, have an important ecclesiastical role to fulfil.
As Holy Thursday continued on towards Good Friday, the pace of events would soon quicken and become increasingly darker in mood.
Christ announces to Peter that he will soon deny him (below).
Following further discourse, prayer and a hymn, Christ went on to the Mount of Olives and prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (below).
And it was while he was present in the Garden of Gethsemane, that Christ was betrayed to the authorities by Judas Iscariot, who kissed Jesus in order to identify him.
Jesus was then taken away under arrest and while en route to Pontias Pilate, Christ was said to have healed a man called Malchus, who had his ear amputated (below).
Jesus was then taken before the High Priests, Annas and Caiaphas (below) before being taken to Pilate for sentencing (below).
Images:
Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper, 1498, mixed technique, Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan. Wikimedia Commons.
Attr. Marcantonio Raimondi, Christ kneeling and Washing St Peter’s Feet, c.1500-1534, engraving, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Gift of Henry Walters, 1917.
Duccio di Buoninsegna, Christ Taking Leave of His Apostles, from the Stories of the Passion on the reverse side of the Maestà, 1311, tempera on wood, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, Siena. Wikimedia Commons.
Pietro Perugino, Christ Handing the Keys to Saint Peter, c. 1481–1482, fresco, Sistine Chapel. Rome. Wikimedia Commons.
Caravaggio, The Denial of Saint Peter, 1610, oil on canvas, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Pietro Perugino, Agony in the Garden, c. 1483-1493, oil on panel, Uffizi Gallery, Florence. Wikimedia Commons.
Caravaggio, The Taking of Christ, 1602, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin. Wikimedia Commons.
Fra Angelico, The Arrest of Christ, c.1450, fresco, Museo di San Marco, Cell 33, Florence.
Antonio della Corna, Christ Before Caiaphas, 1470-1475, tempera and gold leaf on wood, The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. Creative Commons Licence.
Duccio di Buoninsegna, Jesus Before Pilate, from the Stories of the Passion on the reverse side of the Maestà, tempera on wood, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, Siena. Web Gallery of Art.
References:
Matthew 26:20-46.
Luke 22:47 – 23:56.
Posted by Samantha Hughes-Johnson.