Matthew 26

1 And it came to pass when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,

2 Ye know that after two days the passover takes place, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified.

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together to the palace of the high priest who was called Caiaphas,

4 and took counsel together in order that they might seize Jesus by subtlety and kill him;

5 but they said, Not in the feast, that there be not a tumult among the people.

6 But Jesus being in Bethany, in Simon the leper's house,

7 a woman, having an alabaster flask of very precious ointment, came to him and poured it out upon his head as he lay at table.

8 But the disciples seeing it became indignant, saying, To what end [was] this waste?

9 for this might have been sold for much and been given to the poor.

10 But Jesus knowing [it] said to them, Why do ye trouble the woman? for she has wrought a good work toward me.

11 For ye have the poor always with you, but me ye have not always.

12 For in pouring out this ointment on my body, she has done it for my burying.

13 Verily I say to you, Wheresoever these glad tidings may be preached in the whole world, that also which this [woman] has done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

14 Then one of the twelve, he who was called Judas Iscariote, went to the chief priests

15 and said, What are ye willing to give me, and *I* will deliver him up to you? And they appointed to him thirty pieces of silver.

16 And from that time he sought a good opportunity that he might deliver him up.

17 Now on the first [day] of [the feast of] unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

18 And he said, Go into the city unto such a one, and say to him, The Teacher says, My time is near, I will keep the passover in thy house with my disciples.

19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the passover.

20 And when the evening was come he lay down at table with the twelve.

21 And as they were eating he said, Verily I say to you, that one of you shall deliver me up.

22 And being exceedingly grieved they began to say to him, each of them, Is it *I*, Lord?

23 But he answering said, He that dips his hand with me in the dish, *he* it is who shall deliver me up.

24 The Son of man goes indeed, according as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is delivered up; it were good for that man if he had not been born.

25 And Judas, who delivered him up, answering said, Is it *I*, Rabbi? He says to him, *Thou* hast said.

26 And as they were eating, Jesus, having taken [the] bread and blessed, broke [it] and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

27 And having taken [the] cup and given thanks, he gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.

28 For this is my blood, that of the [new] covenant, that shed for many for remission of sins.

29 But I say to you, that I will not at all drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.

30 And having sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.

31 Then saith Jesus to them, All *ye* shall be offended in me during this night. For it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

32 But after that I shall be risen, I will go before you to Galilee.

33 And Peter answering said to him, If all shall be offended in thee, *I* will never be offended.

34 Jesus said to him, Verily I say to thee, that during this night, before [the] cock shall crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

35 Peter says to him, If I should needs die with thee, I will in no wise deny thee. Likewise said all the disciples also.

36 Then Jesus comes with them to a place called Gethsemane, and says to the disciples, Sit here until I go away and pray yonder.

37 And taking with [him] Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and deeply depressed.

38 Then he says to them, My soul is very sorrowful even unto death; remain here and watch with me.

39 And going forward a little he fell upon his face, praying and saying, My Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me; but not as *I* will, but as *thou* [wilt].

40 And he comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping, and says to Peter, Thus ye have not been able to watch one hour with me?

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] ready, but the flesh weak.

42 Again going away a second time he prayed saying, My Father, if this cannot pass [from me] unless I drink it, thy will be done.

43 And coming he found them again sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

44 And leaving them, he went away again and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he comes to the disciples and says to them, Sleep on now and take your rest; behold, the hour has drawn nigh, and the Son of man is delivered up into the hands of sinners.

46 Arise, let us go; behold, he that delivers me up has drawn nigh.

47 And while he was yet speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great crowd with swords and sticks from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 Now he that delivered him up had given them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, he it is: seize him.

49 And immediately coming up to Jesus he said, Hail, Rabbi, and covered him with kisses.

50 But Jesus said to him, [My] friend, for what purpose art thou come? Then coming up they laid hands upon Jesus and seized him.

51 And behold, one of those with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and smiting the bondman of the high priest took off his ear.

52 Then saith Jesus to him, Return thy sword to its place; for all who take the sword shall perish by the sword.

53 Or thinkest thou that I cannot now call upon my Father, and he will furnish me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 How then should the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be?

55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowds, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and sticks to take me? I sat daily [with you] teaching in the temple, and ye did not seize me.

56 But all this is come to pass that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him and fled.

57 Now they that had seized Jesus led [him] away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58 And Peter followed him at a distance, even to the palace of the high priest, and entering in sat with the officers to see the end.

59 And the chief priests and the elders and the whole sanhedrim sought false witness against Jesus, so that they might put him to death.

60 And they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. But at the last two false witnesses came forward

61 and said, *He* said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and in three days build it.

62 And the high priest standing up said to him, Answerest thou nothing? What do these witness against thee?

63 But Jesus was silent. And the high priest answering said to him, I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us if *thou* art the Christ the Son of God.

64 Jesus says to him, *Thou* hast said. Moreover, I say to you, From henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.

65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He has blasphemed: what need have we any more of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy.

66 What think ye? And they answering said, He is liable to the penalty of death.

67 Then they spit in his face, and buffeted him, and some struck him with the palms of their hand,

68 saying, Prophesy to us, Christ, Who is it who struck thee?

69 But Peter sat without in the palace-court; and a maid came to him, saying, And *thou* wast with Jesus the Galilaean.

70 But he denied before all, saying, I do not know what thou sayest.

71 And when he had gone out into the entrance, another [maid] saw him, and says to those there, This [man] also was with Jesus the Nazaraean.

72 And again he denied with an oath: I do not know the man.

73 And after a little, those who stood [there], coming to [him], said to Peter, Truly *thou* too art of them, for also thy speech makes thee manifest.

74 Then he began to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And immediately [the] cock crew.

75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who had said [to him], Before [the] cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went forth without, and wept bitterly.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'embalmment:' see Note to John 12.7.
• [b]. Or 'weighed.'
• [c]. See Zech. 11.12.
• [d]. Or 'I keep:' present tense.
• [e]. Lit. 'by thee.'
• [f]. Lit. 'good for him if that man.'
• [g]. Or 'given thanks.'
• [h]. The word 'new' here has very doubtful authority.
• [i]. A strong negative, 'in no wise.'
• [j]. Not 'anew,' but (kainos) 'in a different manner,' 'of another kind:' see Heb. 12.24.
• [k]. Humneo: see Mark 14.26; Acts 16.25; Heb. 2.12.
• [l]. As skandalon, ch. 13.57.
• [m]. Zech. 13.7.
• [n]. As 'full of grief,' Mark 14.34.
• [o]. As Luke 15.20.
• [p]. Hieron, as ch. 4.5.
• [q]. I have translated this as the words of the Lord: compare Mark 14.49. If the words of the evangelist, as chs. 1.22; 21.4, we must say 'came to pass.'
• [r]. The supreme Jewish tribunal.
• [s]. Naos: see Note, ch. 4.5.
• [t]. He adjured him 'to the end that.'
• [u]. i.e. 'to strike with fist,' as Mark 14.65; 1Cor. 4.11; 2Cor. 12.7; 1Pet. 2.20.
• [v]. The word is used both for the palace, as a whole, and the court round which the buildings were.