28 Mar Passion Week Readings | Spy Wednesday

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,  “As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him.  “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”

Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said.  “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

— Matthew 26:1-16

Spy Wednesday at a Glance

• Jesus continues his daily teaching in the temple (Luke 21:37-38).
• With Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread approaching, the chief priests, elders, and scribes plot to kill Jesus (Matthew 26:3-5; Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-2).
• Satan enters Judas, who seeks out the Jewish authorities in order to betray Jesus for monetary gain (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6).

You can download a full timeline of events for the upcoming week here.

Music is an important part of reflection and worship. As you spend some time reflecting on this text and these events, we encourage you to listen to these hymns over the next few days as we lead up to Maundy Thursday.