Mateo 26

1 Conspiración para matar a Jesús
Cuando Jesús terminó de hablar todas esas cosas, dijo a sus discípulos:

2 «Como ya saben, la Pascua comienza en dos días, y el Hijo del Hombre
será entregado para que lo crucifiquen».

3 En ese mismo momento, los principales sacerdotes y los ancianos estaban reunidos en la residencia de Caifás, el sumo sacerdote,

4 tramando cómo capturar a Jesús en secreto y matarlo.

5 «Pero no durante la celebración de la Pascua —acordaron—, no sea que la gente cause disturbios».

6 Jesús es ungido en Betania
Mientras tanto, Jesús se encontraba en Betania, en la casa de Simón, un hombre que había tenido lepra.

7 Mientras comía,
entró una mujer con un hermoso frasco de alabastro que contenía un perfume costoso, y lo derramó sobre la cabeza de Jesús.

8 Los discípulos se indignaron al ver esto. «¡Qué desperdicio! —dijeron—.

9 Podría haberse vendido a un alto precio y el dinero dado a los pobres».

10 Jesús, consciente de esto, les respondió:

11 Siempre habrá pobres entre ustedes, pero a mí no siempre me tendrán.

12 Ella ha derramado este perfume sobre mí a fin de preparar mi cuerpo para el entierro.

13 Les digo la verdad, en cualquier lugar del mundo donde se predique la Buena Noticia, se recordará y se hablará de lo que hizo esta mujer».

14 Judas acuerda traicionar a Jesús
Entonces Judas Iscariote, uno de los doce discípulos, fue a ver a los principales sacerdotes

15 y preguntó: «¿Cuánto me pagarán por traicionar a Jesús?». Y ellos le dieron treinta piezas de plata.

16 A partir de ese momento, Judas comenzó a buscar una oportunidad para traicionar a Jesús.

17 La última cena
El primer día del Festival de los Panes sin Levadura, los discípulos se acercaron a Jesús y le preguntaron:
—¿Dónde quieres que te preparemos la cena de Pascua?

18 —les dijo—,

19 Entonces los discípulos hicieron como Jesús les dijo y prepararon la cena de Pascua allí.

20 Al anochecer, Jesús se sentó a la mesa
con los doce discípulos.

21 Mientras comían, les dijo:

22 Ellos, muy afligidos, le preguntaron uno por uno:
—¿Seré yo, Señor?

23 Jesús contestó:

24 Pues el Hijo del Hombre tiene que morir, tal como lo declararon las Escrituras hace mucho tiempo. ¡Pero qué terrible será para el que lo traiciona! ¡Para ese hombre sería mucho mejor no haber nacido!

25 Judas, el que lo iba a traicionar, también preguntó:
—¿Seré yo, Rabí?
Y Jesús le dijo:

26 Mientras comían, Jesús tomó un poco de pan y lo bendijo. Luego lo partió en trozos, lo dio a sus discípulos y dijo:

27 Y tomó en sus manos una copa de vino y dio gracias a Dios por ella. Se la dio a ellos y dijo:

28 porque esto es mi sangre, la cual confirma el pacto
entre Dios y su pueblo. Es derramada como sacrificio para perdonar los pecados de muchos.

29 Acuérdense de lo que les digo: no volveré a beber vino hasta el día en que lo beba nuevo con ustedes en el reino de mi Padre».

30 Luego cantaron un himno y salieron al monte de los Olivos.

31 Jesús predice la negación de Pedro
En el camino, Jesús les dijo:

32 »Sin embargo, después de ser levantado de los muertos, iré delante de ustedes a Galilea y allí los veré».

33 Pedro declaró:
—Aunque todos te abandonen, yo jamás te abandonaré.

34 Jesús respondió:

35 —¡No! —insistió Pedro—. Aunque tenga que morir contigo, ¡jamás te negaré!
Y los demás discípulos juraron lo mismo.

36 Jesús ora en Getsemaní
Entonces Jesús fue con ellos al huerto de olivos llamado Getsemaní y dijo:

37 Se llevó a Pedro y a los hijos de Zebedeo, Santiago y Juan, y comenzó a afligirse y angustiarse.

38 Les dijo:

39 Él se adelantó un poco más y se inclinó rostro en tierra mientras oraba:

40 Luego volvió a los discípulos y los encontró dormidos. Le dijo a Pedro:

41 Velen y oren para que no cedan ante la tentación, porque el espíritu está dispuesto, pero el cuerpo es débil».

42 Entonces Jesús los dejó por segunda vez y oró:

43 Cuando regresó de nuevo adonde estaban ellos, los encontró dormidos porque no podían mantener los ojos abiertos.

44 Así que se fue a orar por tercera vez y repitió lo mismo.

45 Luego se acercó a sus discípulos y les dijo:

46 Levántense, vamos. ¡Miren, el que me traiciona ya está aquí!».

47 Traicionan y arrestan a Jesús
Mientras Jesús hablaba, llegó Judas, uno de los doce discípulos, junto con una multitud de hombres armados con espadas y palos. Los habían enviado los principales sacerdotes y los ancianos del pueblo.

48 El traidor, Judas, había acordado con ellos una señal: «Sabrán a cuál arrestar cuando lo salude con un beso».

49 Entonces Judas fue directamente a Jesús.
—¡Saludos, Rabí! —exclamó y le dio el beso.

50 Jesús dijo:
Entonces los otros agarraron a Jesús y lo arrestaron;

51 pero uno de los hombres que estaban con Jesús sacó su espada e hirió al esclavo del sumo sacerdote cortándole una oreja.

52 —le dijo Jesús—.

53 ¿No te das cuenta de que yo podría pedirle a mi Padre que enviara miles
de ángeles para que nos protejan, y él los enviaría de inmediato?

54 Pero si lo hiciera, ¿cómo se cumplirían las Escrituras, que describen lo que tiene que suceder ahora?».

55 Luego Jesús le dijo a la multitud:

56 En ese momento, todos los discípulos lo abandonaron y huyeron.

57 Jesús ante el Concilio
Luego la gente que había arrestado a Jesús lo llevó a la casa de Caifás, el sumo sacerdote, donde se habían reunido los maestros de la ley religiosa y los ancianos.

58 Mientras tanto, Pedro lo siguió de lejos y llegó al patio del sumo sacerdote. Entró, se sentó con los guardias y esperó para ver cómo acabaría todo.

59 Adentro, los principales sacerdotes y todo el Concilio Supremo
intentaban encontrar testigos que mintieran acerca de Jesús para poder ejecutarlo.

60 Sin embargo, aunque encontraron a muchos que accedieron a dar un falso testimonio, no pudieron usar el testimonio de ninguno. Finalmente, se presentaron dos hombres

61 y declararon: «Este hombre dijo: “Puedo destruir el templo de Dios y reconstruirlo en tres días”».

62 Entonces el sumo sacerdote se puso de pie y le dijo a Jesús: «Bien, ¿no vas a responder a estos cargos? ¿Qué tienes que decir a tu favor?».

63 Pero Jesús guardó silencio. Entonces el sumo sacerdote le dijo:
—Te exijo, en el nombre del Dios viviente, que nos digas si eres el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios.

64 Jesús respondió:

65 Entonces el sumo sacerdote se rasgó las vestiduras en señal de horror y dijo: «¡Blasfemia! ¿Para qué necesitamos más testigos? Todos han oído la blasfemia que dijo.

66 ¿Cuál es el veredicto?».
«¡Culpable! —gritaron—. ¡Merece morir!».

67 Entonces comenzaron a escupirle en la cara a Jesús y a darle puñetazos. Algunos le daban bofetadas

68 y se burlaban: «¡Profetízanos, Mesías! ¿Quién te golpeó esta vez?».

69 Pedro niega a Jesús
Mientras tanto, Pedro estaba sentado afuera en el patio. Una sirvienta se acercó y le dijo:
—Tú eras uno de los que estaban con Jesús, el galileo.

70 Pero Pedro lo negó frente a todos.
—No sé de qué hablas —le dijo.

71 Más tarde, cerca de la puerta, lo vio otra sirvienta, quien les dijo a los que estaban por ahí: «Este hombre estaba con Jesús de Nazaret
».

72 Nuevamente, Pedro lo negó, esta vez con un juramento. «Ni siquiera conozco al hombre», dijo.

73 Un poco más tarde, algunos de los otros que estaban allí se acercaron a Pedro y dijeron:
—Seguro que tú eres uno de ellos; nos damos cuenta por el acento galileo que tienes.

74 Pedro juró:
—¡Que me caiga una maldición si les miento! ¡No conozco al hombre!
Inmediatamente, el gallo cantó.

75 De repente, las palabras de Jesús pasaron rápidamente por la mente de Pedro:
Y Pedro salió llorando amargamente.

Mateo 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.