Since the story has already erected the interpretative framework for the events of the passion narrative, they now simply need to unfold.

Preparation for Jesus' death (14.1–31)

The plot and the anointing (14.1–11)

Each of the three scenes in the initial ‘sandwich’ (14.1–11) prepares for Jesus' death: the first negatively, when the leaders reissue the plot to kill Jesus (vv.1f.; cf. 3.6; 8.31; 9.13; 9.31; 10.31; 12.13) after it had come to a standstill with the ‘defeat’ of the scribe (12.28–34); the second positively, as the woman anoints Jesus in preparation for his burial (vv.3–9); and the third negatively, as Judas provides the high priests with the vehicle by which their plot can become a reality (vv.10f.; cf. 3.19).

It is now clear that Jesus' predictions of his death will be fulfilled. This therefore heightens the expectation that his predictions about the coming resurrection and the kingdom will also be fulfilled, since his death was all that had to occur before the arrival of these major events.

Passover predictions (14.12–31)

During the celebration of the Passover Jesus continues to prepare the disciples for his death and the narrative reinforces the readers' expectations by providing predictions and fulfilments. The preparations unfold as announced (vv.12–16). Jesus tells the disciples of the betrayal of which the readers had learned in the initial scenes (vv.17–21). Their reaction underlines the horrific nature of Jesus' betrayal by one of them.