Matthew 26

Plot to kill Jesus

1 When Jesus finished speaking all these words, he said to his disciples,

2 " You know that the Passover is two days from now. And the Human One will be handed over to be crucified."

3 Then the chief priests and elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of Caiaphas the high priest.

4 They were plotting to arrest Jesus by cunning tricks and to kill him.

5 But they agreed that it shouldn't happen during the feast so there wouldn't be an uproar among the people.

A woman pouring perfume on Jesus

6 When Jesus was at Bethany visiting the house of Simon, who had a skin disease,

7 a woman came to him with a vase made of alabaster containing very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus' head while he was sitting at dinner.

8 Now when the disciples saw it they were angry and said, "Why this waste?

9 This perfume could have been sold for a lot of money and given to the poor."

10 But Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said, " Why do you make trouble for the woman? She's done a good thing for me.

11 You always have the poor with you, but you won't always have me.

12 By pouring this perfume over my body she's prepared me to be buried.

13 I tell you the truth that wherever in the whole world this good news is announced, what she's done will also be told in memory of her."

Judas betrays Jesus

14 Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests

15 and said, "What will you give me if I turn Jesus over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver.

16 From that time on he was looking for an opportunity to turn him in.

Passover with the disciples

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?"

18 He replied, " Go into the city, to a certain man, and say, ‘The teacher says, My time is near. I'm going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house. '"

19 The disciples did just as Jesus instructed them. They prepared the Passover.

20 That evening he took his place at the table with the twelve disciples.

21 As they were eating he said, " I assure you that one of you will betray me."

22 Deeply saddened, each one said to him, "I'm not the one, am I, Lord?"

23 He replied, " The one who will betray me is the one who dips his hand with me into this bowl.

24 The Human One goes to his death just as it is written about him. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays the Human One! It would have been better for him if he had never been born."

25 Now Judas, who would betray him, replied, "It's not me, is it, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, " You said it."

Last supper

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, " Take and eat. This is my body."

27 He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, " Drink from this, all of you.

28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many so that their sins may be forgiven.

29 I tell you, I won't drink wine again until that day when I drink it in a new way with you in my Father's kingdom."

30 Then, after singing songs of praise, they went to the Mount of Olives.

Predictions about disciples leaving Jesus

31 Then Jesus said to his disciples, " Tonight you will all fall away because of me. This is because it is written, I will hit the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will go off in all directions.

32 But after I'm raised up, I'll go before you to Galilee."

33 Peter replied, "If everyone else stumbles because of you, I'll never stumble."

34 Jesus said to him, " I assure you that, before the rooster crows tonight, you will deny me three times."

35 Peter said, "Even if I must die alongside you, I won't deny you." All the disciples said the same thing.

Jesus in prayer

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, " Stay here while I go and pray over there."

37 When he took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, he began to feel sad and anxious.

38 Then he said to them, " I'm very sad. It's as if I'm dying. Stay here and keep alert with me."

39 Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed, " My Father, if it's possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want."

40 He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, " Couldn't you stay alert one hour with me?

41 Stay alert and pray so that you won't give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak."

42 A second time he went away and prayed, " My Father, if it's not possible that this cup be taken away unless I drink it, then let it be what you want."

43 Again he came and found them sleeping. Their eyes were heavy with sleep.

44 But he left them and again went and prayed the same words for the third time.

45 Then he came to his disciples and said to them, " Will you sleep and rest all night? Look, the time has come for the Human One to be betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Get up. Let's go. Look, here comes my betrayer."

Arrest

47 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came. With him was a large crowd carrying swords and clubs. They had been sent by the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 His betrayer had given them a sign: "Arrest the man I kiss."

49 Just then he came to Jesus and said, "Hello, Rabbi." Then he kissed him.

50 But Jesus said to him, " Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

51 One of those with Jesus reached for his sword. Striking the high priest's slave, he cut off his ear.

52 Then Jesus said to him, " Put the sword back into its place. All those who use the sword will die by the sword.

53 Or do you think that I'm not able to ask my Father and he will send to me more than twelve battle groups of angels right away?

54 But if I did that, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this must happen?"

55 Then Jesus said to the crowds, " Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, like a thief? Day after day, I sat in the temple teaching, but you didn't arrest me.

56 But all this has happened so that what the prophets said in the scriptures might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left Jesus and ran away.

Jesus before the council

57 Those who arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest. The legal experts and the elders had gathered there.

58 Peter followed him from a distance until he came to the high priest's courtyard. He entered that area and sat outside with the officers to see how it would turn out.

59 The chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death.

60 They didn't find anything they could use from the many false witnesses who were willing to come forward. But finally they found two

61 who said, "This man said, ‘I can destroy God's temple and rebuild it in three days.'"

62 Then the high priest stood and said to Jesus, "Aren't you going to respond to the testimony these people have brought against you?"

63 But Jesus was silent. The high priest said, "By the living God, I demand that you tell us whether you are the Christ, God's Son."

64 " You said it," Jesus replied. " But I say to you that from now on you'll see the Human One sitting on the right side of the Almighty and coming on the heavenly clouds."

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He's insulting God! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, you've heard his insult against God.

66 What do you think?" And they answered, "He deserves to die!"

67 Then they spit in his face and beat him. They hit him

68 and said, "Prophesy for us, Christ! Who hit you?"

Peter’s denial

69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant woman came and said to him, "You were also with Jesus the Galilean."

70 But he denied it in front of all of them, saying, "I don't know what you are talking about."

71 When he went over to the gate, another woman saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus, the man from Nazareth."

72 With a solemn pledge, he denied it again, saying, "I don't know the man."

73 A short time later those standing there came and said to Peter, "You must be one of them. The way you talk gives you away."

74 Then he cursed and swore, "I don't know the man!" At that very moment the rooster crowed.

75 Peter remembered Jesus' words, " Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times." And Peter went out and cried uncontrollably.

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Matthew 26 Commentary

Chapter 26

The rulers conspire against Christ. (1-5) Christ anointed at Bethany. (6-13) Judas bargains to betray Christ. (14-16) The Passover. (17-25) Christ institutes his holy supper. (26-30) He warns his disciples. (31-35) His agony in the garden. (36-46) He is betrayed. (47-56) Christ before Caiaphas. (57-68) Peter denies him. (69-75)

Verses 1-5 Our Lord had often told of his sufferings as at a distance, now he speaks of them as at hand. At the same time the Jewish council consulted how they might put him to death secretly. But it pleased God to defeat their intention. Jesus, the true paschal Lamb, was to be sacrificed for us at that very time, and his death and resurrection rendered public.

Verses 6-13 The pouring ointment upon the head of Christ was a token of the highest respect. Where there is true love in the heart to Jesus Christ, nothing will be thought too good to bestow upon him. The more Christ's servants and their services are cavilled at, the more he manifests his acceptance. This act of faith and love was so remarkable, that it would be reported, as a memorial of Mary's faith and love, to all future ages, and in all places where the gospel should be preached. This prophecy is fulfilled.

Verses 14-16 There were but twelve called apostles, and one of them was like a devil; surely we must never expect any society to be quite pure on this side heaven. The greater profession men make of religion, the greater opportunity they have of doing mischief, if their hearts be not right with God. Observe, that Christ's own disciple, who knew so well his doctrine and manner of his life, and was false to him, could not charge him with any thing criminal, though it would have served to justify his treachery. What did Judas want? Was not he welcome wherever his Master was? Did he not fare as Christ fared? It is not the lack, but the love of money, that is the root of all evil. After he had made that wicked bargain, Judas had time to repent, and to revoke it; but when lesser acts of dishonesty have hardened the conscience men do without hesitation that which is more shameful.

Verses 17-25 Observe, the place for their eating the passover was pointed out by Christ to the disciples. He knows those hidden ones who favour his cause, and will graciously visit all who are willing to receive him. The disciples did as Jesus had appointed. Those who would have Christ's presence in the gospel passover, must do what he says. It well becomes the disciples of Christ always to be jealous over themselves, especially in trying times. We know not how strongly we may be tempted, nor how far God may leave us to ourselves, therefore we have reason not to be high-minded, but to fear. Heart-searching examination and fervent prayer are especially proper before the Lord's supper, that, as Christ our Passover is now sacrificed for us, we may keep this feast, renewing our repentance, our faith in his blood, and surrendering ourselves to his service.

Verses 26-30 This ordinance of the Lord's supper is to us the passover supper, by which we commemorate a much greater deliverance than that of Israel out of Egypt. Take, eat; accept of Christ as he is offered to you; receive the atonement, approve of it, submit to his grace and his government. Meat looked upon, be the dish ever so well garnished, will not nourish; it must be fed upon: so must the doctrine of Christ. This is my body; that is, spiritually, it signifies and represents his body. We partake of the sun, not by having the sun put into our hands, but the beams of it darted down upon us; so we partake of Christ by partaking of his grace, and the blessed fruits of the breaking of his body. The blood of Christ is signified and represented by the wine. He gave thanks, to teach us to look to God in every part of the ordinance. This cup he gave to the disciples with a command, Drink ye all of it. The pardon of sin is that great blessing which is, in the Lord's supper, conferred on all true believers; it is the foundation of all other blessings. He takes leave of such communion; and assures them of a happy meeting again at last; "Until that day when I drink it new with you", may be understood of the joys and glories of the future state, which the saints shall partake with the Lord Jesus. That will be the kingdom of his Father; the wine of consolation will there be always new. While we look at the outward signs of Christ's body broken and his blood shed for the remission of our sins, let us recollect that the feast cost him as much as though he had literally given his flesh to be eaten and his blood for us to drink.

Verses 31-35 Improper self-confidence, like that of Peter, is the first step to a fall. There is a proneness in all of us to be over-confident. But those fall soonest and foulest, who are the most confident in themselves. Those are least safe, who think themselves most secure. Satan is active to lead such astray; they are most off their guard: God leaves them to themselves, to humble them.

Verses 36-46 He who made atonement for the sins of mankind, submitted himself in a garden of suffering, to the will of God, from which man had revolted in a garden of pleasure. Christ took with him into that part of the garden where he suffered his agony, only those who had witnessed his glory in his transfiguration. Those are best prepared to suffer with Christ, who have by faith beheld his glory. The words used denote the most entire dejection, amazement, anguish, and horror of mind; the state of one surrounded with sorrows, overwhelmed with miseries, and almost swallowed up with terror and dismay. He now began to be sorrowful, and never ceased to be so till he said, It is finished. He prayed that, if possible, the cup might pass from him. But he also showed his perfect readiness to bear the load of his sufferings; he was willing to submit to all for our redemption and salvation. According to this example of Christ, we must drink of the bitterest cup which God puts into our hands; though nature struggle, it must submit. It should be more our care to get troubles sanctified, and our hearts satisfied under them, than to get them taken away. It is well for us that our salvation is in the hand of One who neither slumbers nor sleeps. All are tempted, but we should be much afraid of entering into temptation. To be secured from this, we should watch and pray, and continually look unto the Lord to hold us up that we may be safe. Doubtless our Lord had a clear and full view of the sufferings he was to endure, yet he spoke with the greatest calmness till this time. Christ was a Surety, who undertook to be answerable for our sins. Accordingly he was made sin for us, and suffered for our sins, the Just for the unjust; and Scripture ascribes his heaviest sufferings to the hand of God. He had full knowledge of the infinite evil of sin, and of the immense extent of that guilt for which he was to atone; with awful views of the Divine justice and holiness, and the punishment deserved by the sins of men, such as no tongue can express, or mind conceive. At the same time, Christ suffered being tempted; probably horrible thoughts were suggested by Satan that tended to gloom and every dreadful conclusion: these would be the more hard to bear from his perfect holiness. And did the load of imputed guilt so weigh down the soul of Him of whom it is said, He upholdeth all things by the word of his power? into what misery then must those sink whose sins are left upon their own heads! How will those escape who neglect so great salvation?

Verses 47-56 No enemies are so much to be abhorred as those professed disciples that betray Christ with a kiss. God has no need of our services, much less of our sins, to bring about his purposes. Though Christ was crucified through weakness, it was voluntary weakness; he submitted to death. If he had not been willing to suffer, they could not conquer him. It was a great sin for those who had left all to follow Jesus; now to leave him for they knew not what. What folly, for fear of death to flee from Him, whom they knew and acknowledged to be the Fountain of life!

Verses 57-68 Jesus was hurried into Jerusalem. It looks ill, and bodes worse, when those who are willing to be Christ's disciples, are not willing to be known to be so. Here began Peter's denying him: for to follow Christ afar off, is to begin to go back from him. It is more our concern to prepare for the end, whatever it may be, than curiously to ask what the end will be. The event is God's, but the duty is ours. Now the Scriptures were fulfilled, which said, False witnesses are risen up against me. Christ was accused, that we might not be condemned; and if at any time we suffer thus, let us remember we cannot expect to fare better than our Master. When Christ was made sin for us, he was silent, and left it to his blood to speak. Hitherto Jesus had seldom professed expressly to be the Christ, the Son of God; the tenor of his doctrine spoke it, and his miracles proved it; but now he would not omit to make an open confession of it. It would have looked like declining his sufferings. He thus confessed, as an example and encouragement to his followers, to confess him before men, whatever hazard they ran. Disdain, cruel mocking, and abhorrence, are the sure portion of the disciple as they were of the Master, from such as would buffet and deride the Lord of glory. These things were exactly foretold in the fiftieth chapter of Isaiah. Let us confess Christ's name, and bear the reproach, and he will confess us before his Father's throne.

Verses 69-75 Peter's sin is truly related, for the Scriptures deal faithfully. Bad company leads to sin: those who needlessly thrust themselves into it, may expect to be tempted and insnared, as Peter. They scarcely can come out of such company without guilt or grief, or both. It is a great fault to be shy of Christ; and to dissemble our knowledge of him, when we are called to own him, is, in effect, to deny him. Peter's sin was aggravated; but he fell into the sin by surprise, not as Judas, with design. But conscience should be to us as the crowing of the cock, to put us in mind of the sins we had forgotten. Peter was thus left to fall, to abate his self-confidence, and render him more modest, humble, compassionate, and useful to others. The event has taught believers many things ever since, and if infidels, Pharisees, and hypocrites stumble at it or abuse it, it is at their peril. Little do we know how we should act in very difficult situations, if we were left to ourselves. Let him, therefore, that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall; let us all distrust our own hearts, and rely wholly on the Lord. Peter wept bitterly. Sorrow for sin must not be slight, but great and deep. Peter, who wept so bitterly for denying Christ, never denied him again, but confessed him often in the face of danger. True repentance for any sin will be shown by the contrary grace and duty; that is a sign of our sorrowing not only bitterly, but sincerely.