Spy Wednesday, also known as Holy Wednesday or Wednesday of Holy Week, is the Wednesday before Easter Sunday in Western Christianity. It is part of Holy Week, the week leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The term “Spy Wednesday” comes from the plot by the Jewish leaders to spy on Jesus and kill him (Matthew 26:1-5). After previously clashing with Jesus and failing to trap him, the chief priests and elders of the people conspired together to arrest Jesus stealthily and kill him. They did not want to do it openly during the feast, worried it might cause a riot.
Other key events associated with Spy Wednesday include:
- Judas agreeing to betray Jesus for 30 silver coins (Matthew 26:14-16).
- Jesus predicting Peter’s denial of him 3 times before the rooster crows (Matthew 26:34).
- Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, which Judas objected to (John 12:1-8).
- Judas looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus (Luke 22:1-6).
The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) place the plot to kill Jesus on the Passover feast day, which would be on Thursday (Matthew 26:2). But in the Gospel of John, this event appears to take place earlier, on Wednesday (John 13:1). There are various ways to harmonize this apparent discrepancy.
Regardless of the exact day, Spy Wednesday represents the events leading up to the betrayal and arrest of Jesus Christ. It reminds us how Jesus willingly gave up his life for our sins, despite knowing in advance the suffering he would endure.
The Plot to Kill Jesus
Matthew 26:1-5 describes the Jewish leaders plotting to arrest and kill Jesus:
When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.” (Matthew 26:1-5 ESV)
After repeatedly clashing with Jesus and failing to find grounds to prosecute him, the Jewish leaders decided to secretly arrest and kill him. They did not want to do this openly during Passover, worried it might start a riot.
The chief priests and elders represented the Sanhedrin, the supreme council and tribunal of the Jewish people during Christ’s time. Earlier they had challenged Jesus’ authority (Matthew 21:23), plotted to entrap him on paying taxes (Matthew 22:15) and resurrection and marriage in the afterlife (Matthew 22:23-33), yet Jesus escaped each trap and astonished the crowds.
Now with Jesus’ popularity at its peak, the Sanhedrin met in the palace of Caiaphas the high priest to plot his demise. God used their evil schemes ultimately for good – to redeem mankind from sin.
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
After plotting to arrest and kill Jesus, the Jewish leaders found an insider to help them – Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ own disciples:
Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:14-16 ESV)
Judas, motivated by greed, agreed to betray Jesus in exchange for 30 silver coins. This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah:
Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter. (Zechariah 11:12-13 ESV)
As one of the twelve disciples, Judas had been with Jesus throughout his ministry. Yet he betrayed Jesus for some quick money, highlighting his love of money over everything else.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
At the Last Supper on Thursday evening, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny knowing him three times before the rooster crows:
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. (Matthew 26:31-35 ESV)
Despite Peter’s insistence that he would never deny Jesus, Jesus knew what was to come. Peter would end up denying Jesus 3 times out of fear, before the rooster crowed the next morning after Jesus’ arrest.
Jesus’ prediction highlights his foreknowledge of events, as well as the disciples’ weakness despite their good intentions. Through Peter’s restoration after the resurrection, it also shows God’s love and forgiveness to those who repent.
Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet
Six days before the Passover feast, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, which Judas objected to (John 12:1-8):
Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” (John 12:1-8 ESV)
This extravagant anointing highlights Mary’s love and devotion for Jesus. The expensive perfume was worth around 300 denarii, equivalent to 300 days wages at the time. Judas objected due to his greediness.
But Jesus accepted this honor, saying Mary had prepared his body in advance for burial. He rebuked Judas for being a thief, and declaring the poor will always be around but he would not.
Judas Looks for an Opportunity to Betray Jesus
Luke 22:1-6 highlights Judas looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over:
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. (Luke 22:1-6 ESV)
Motivated by greed and now possessed by Satan, Judas actively looked for a chance to betray Jesus secretly. The Jewish leaders also agreed to pay him for helping them arrest Jesus away from the crowds.
This highlights the true evil of Judas’ betrayal. After being with Jesus for years, performing miracles together and hearing Jesus’ teachings, Judas was willing to betray the son of God for a bit of money as his heart had turned completely cold.
Jesus Knew What Was Coming
Jesus understood fully what was about to happen to him. For instance:
- At Mary and Martha’s house, Jesus remarks that Mary’s perfuming of his feet was to prepare for his burial (John 12:7).
- At the Last Supper, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper to remember his sacrifice on their behalf (Luke 22:19-20).
- Jesus predicts Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crows (Matthew 26:34).
- Jesus willingly surrenders to the soldiers arresting him, stopping Peter from fighting them (Matthew 26:52-54).
Despite the pain, suffering and humiliation Jesus knew he was about to face, he willingly went through with it out of obedience to the Father and love for us. He laid down his life for his sheep (John 10:11).
Lessons From Spy Wednesday
What lessons can we learn from the events of Spy Wednesday / Holy Wednesday?
- God’s sovereign plan – Jesus’ crucifixion was predetermined by God to redeem mankind from sin (Acts 2:23). The schemes of the Jewish leaders only served to fulfill God’s purposes.
- Jesus cares for us – Jesus understood fully what awaited him in the coming days, yet he went through it willingly out of love for us so our sins could be forgiven.
- Guard against greed – Judas betrayed Jesus for mere money. We need to guard our heart against valuing money and possessions over God.
- Satan prowls around – Satan entered Judas to betray Jesus, and also asked to sift Peter like wheat (Luke 22:31). We need to be sober and vigilant against the devil’s schemes.
- God can redeem failures – Peter denied Jesus but repented, and went on to become a pillar of the early church. No matter how badly we fall, God’s grace is bigger.
Spy Wednesday marks the beginning of the climactic events of Holy Week leading to Good Friday and Easter. As we reflect on Jesus’ suffering, let us appreciate the enormous sacrifice he made for us out of love, and stay devoted to him.
Bible Verses Related to Spy Wednesday
Plot to Kill Jesus
- Matthew 26:1-5
- Mark 14:1-2
- Luke 22:1-2
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
- Matthew 26:14-16
- Mark 14:10-11
- Luke 22:3-6
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
- Matthew 26:31-35
- Mark 14:27-31
- Luke 22:31-34
- John 13:36-38
Mary Anoints Jesus
- Matthew 26:6-13
- Mark 14:3-9
- John 12:1-8
Judas Looks for Opportunity to Betray Jesus
- Matthew 26:14-16
- Luke 22:1-6