Mateus 26

A Conspiração contra Jesus

1 Quando acabou de dizer essas coisas, Jesus disse aos seus discípulos:

2 “Como vocês sabem, estamos a dois dias da Páscoa, e o Filho do homem será entregue para ser crucificado”.

3 Naquela ocasião, os chefes dos sacerdotes e os líderes religiosos do povo se reuniram no palácio do sumo sacerdote, cujo nome era Caifás,

4 e juntos planejaram prender Jesus à traição e matá-lo.

5 Mas diziam: “Não durante a festa, para que não haja tumulto entre o povo”.

Jesus é Ungido em Betânia

6 Estando Jesus em Betânia, na casa de Simão, o leproso,

7 aproximou-se dele uma mulher com um frasco de alabastro contendo um perfume muito caro. Ela o derramou sobre a cabeça de Jesus quando ele se encontrava reclinado à mesa.

8 Os discípulos, ao verem isso, ficaram indignados e perguntaram: “Por que este desperdício?

9 Este perfume poderia ser vendido por alto preço, e o dinheiro dado aos pobres”.

10 Percebendo isso, Jesus lhes disse: “Por que vocês estão perturbando essa mulher? Ela praticou uma boa ação para comigo.

11 Pois os pobres vocês sempre terão consigo, mas a mim vocês nem sempre terão.

12 Quando derramou este perfume sobre o meu corpo, ela o fez a fim de me preparar para o sepultamento.

13 Eu asseguro que em qualquer lugar do mundo inteiro onde este evangelho for anunciado, também o que ela fez será contado, em sua memória”.

A Conspiração

14 Então, um dos Doze, chamado Judas Iscariotes, dirigiu-se aos chefes dos sacerdotes

15 e lhes perguntou: “O que me darão se eu o entregar a vocês?” E fixaram-lhe o preço: trinta moedas de prata.

16 Desse momento em diante Judas passou a procurar uma oportunidade para entregá-lo.

A Ceia do Senhor

17 No primeiro dia da Festa dos Pães sem Fermento, os discípulos dirigiram-se a Jesus e lhe perguntaram: “Onde queres que preparemos a refeição da Páscoa?”

18 Ele respondeu dizendo que entrassem na cidade, procurassem um certo homem e lhe dissessem: “O Mestre diz: O meu tempo está próximo. Vou celebrar a Páscoa com meus discípulos em sua casa”.

19 Os discípulos fizeram como Jesus os havia instruído e prepararam a Páscoa.

20 Ao anoitecer, Jesus estava reclinado à mesa com os Doze.

21 E, enquanto estavam comendo, ele disse: “Digo que certamente um de vocês me trairá”.

22 Eles ficaram muito tristes e começaram a dizer-lhe, um após outro: “Com certeza não sou eu, Senhor!”

23 Afirmou Jesus: “Aquele que comeu comigo do mesmo prato há de me trair.

24 O Filho do homem vai, como está escrito a seu respeito. Mas ai daquele que trai o Filho do homem! Melhor lhe seria não haver nascido”.

25 Então, Judas, que haveria de traí-lo, disse: “Com certeza não sou eu, Mestre!”^[a]Jesus afirmou: “Sim, é você”.^[b]

26 Enquanto comiam, Jesus tomou o pão, deu graças, partiu-o e o deu aos seus discípulos, dizendo: “Tomem e comam; isto é o meu corpo”.

27 Em seguida tomou o cálice, deu graças e o ofereceu aos discípulos, dizendo: “Bebam dele todos vocês.

28 Isto é o meu sangue da aliança,^[c] que é derramado em favor de muitos, para perdão de pecados.

29 Eu digo que, de agora em diante, não beberei deste fruto da videira até aquele dia em que beberei o vinho novo com vocês no Reino de meu Pai”.

30 Depois de terem cantado um hino, saíram para o monte das Oliveiras.

Jesus Prediz que Pedro o Negará

31 Então Jesus lhes disse: “Ainda esta noite todos vocês me abandonarão. Pois está escrito:“ ‘Ferirei o pastor,e as ovelhas do rebanho serão dispersas’.^[d]

32 Mas, depois de ressuscitar, irei adiante de vocês para a Galileia”.

33 Pedro respondeu: “Ainda que todos te abandonem, eu nunca te abandonarei!”

34 Respondeu Jesus: “Asseguro que ainda esta noite, antes que o galo cante, três vezes você me negará”.

35 Mas Pedro declarou: “Mesmo que seja preciso que eu morra contigo, nunca te negarei”. E todos os outros discípulos disseram o mesmo.

Jesus no Getsêmani

36 Então Jesus foi com seus discípulos para um lugar chamado Getsêmani e lhes disse: “Sentem-se aqui enquanto vou ali orar”.

37 Levando consigo Pedro e os dois filhos de Zebedeu, começou a entristecer-se e a angustiar-se.

38 Disse-lhes então: “A minha alma está profundamente triste, numa tristeza mortal. Fiquem aqui e vigiem comigo”.

39 Indo um pouco mais adiante, prostrou-se com o rosto em terra e orou: “Meu Pai, se for possível, afasta de mim este cálice; contudo, não seja como eu quero, mas sim como tu queres”.

40 Depois, voltou aos seus discípulos e os encontrou dormindo. “Vocês não puderam vigiar comigo nem por uma hora?”, perguntou ele a Pedro.

41 “Vigiem e orem para que não caiam em tentação. O espírito está pronto, mas a carne é fraca”.

42 E retirou-se outra vez para orar: “Meu Pai, se não for possível afastar de mim este cálice sem que eu o beba, faça-se a tua vontade”.

43 Quando voltou, de novo os encontrou dormindo, porque seus olhos estavam pesados.

44 Então os deixou novamente e orou pela terceira vez, dizendo as mesmas palavras.

45 Depois voltou aos discípulos e lhes disse: “Vocês ainda dormem e descansam? Chegou a hora! Eis que o Filho do homem está sendo entregue nas mãos de pecadores.

46 Levantem-se e vamos! Aí vem aquele que me trai!”

Jesus é Preso

47 Enquanto ele ainda falava, chegou Judas, um dos Doze. Com ele estava uma grande multidão armada de espadas e varas, enviada pelos chefes dos sacerdotes e líderes religiosos do povo.

48 O traidor havia combinado um sinal com eles, dizendo-lhes: “Aquele a quem eu saudar com um beijo, é ele; prendam-no”.

49 Dirigindo-se imediatamente a Jesus, Judas disse: “Salve, Mestre!”, e o beijou.

50 Jesus perguntou: “Amigo, o que o traz?”^[e]Então os homens se aproximaram, agarraram Jesus e o prenderam.

51 Um dos que estavam com Jesus, estendendo a mão, puxou a espada e feriu o servo do sumo sacerdote, decepando-lhe a orelha.

52 Disse-lhe Jesus: “Guarde a espada! Pois todos os que empunham a espada, pela espada morrerão.

53 Você acha que eu não posso pedir a meu Pai, e ele não colocaria imediatamente à minha disposição mais de doze legiões de anjos?

54 Como então se cumpririam as Escrituras que dizem que as coisas deveriam acontecer desta forma?”

55 Naquela hora, Jesus disse à multidão: “Estou eu chefiando alguma rebelião, para que vocês venham prender-me com espadas e varas? Todos os dias eu estive ensinando no templo, e vocês não me prenderam!

56 Mas tudo isso aconteceu para que se cumprissem as Escrituras dos profetas”. Então todos os discípulos o abandonaram e fugiram.

Jesus diante do Sinédrio

57 Os que prenderam Jesus o levaram a Caifás, o sumo sacerdote, em cuja casa se haviam reunido os mestres da lei e os líderes religiosos.

58 E Pedro o seguiu de longe até o pátio do sumo sacerdote, entrou e sentou-se com os guardas, para ver o que aconteceria.

59 Os chefes dos sacerdotes e todo o Sinédrio^[f] estavam procurando um depoimento falso contra Jesus, para que pudessem condená-lo à morte.

60 Mas nada encontraram, embora se apresentassem muitas falsas testemunhas.Finalmente se apresentaram duas

61 que declararam: “Este homem disse: ‘Sou capaz de destruir o santuário de Deus e reconstruí-lo em três dias’.”

62 Então o sumo sacerdote levantou-se e disse a Jesus: “Você não vai responder à acusação que estes fazem?”

63 Mas Jesus permaneceu em silêncio.O sumo sacerdote lhe disse: “Exijo que você jure pelo Deus vivo: se você é o Cristo, o Filho de Deus, diga-nos”.

64 “Tu mesmo o disseste”,^[g] respondeu Jesus. “Mas eu digo a todos vós: Chegará o dia em que vereis o Filho do homem assentado à direita do Poderoso e vindo sobre as nuvens do céu”.

65 Foi quando o sumo sacerdote rasgou as próprias vestes e disse: “Blasfemou! Por que precisamos de mais testemunhas? Vocês acabaram de ouvir a blasfêmia.

66 O que acham?”“É réu de morte!”, responderam eles.

67 Então alguns lhe cuspiram no rosto e lhe deram murros. Outros lhe davam tapas

68 e diziam: “Profetize-nos, Cristo. Quem foi que bateu em você?”

Pedro Nega Jesus

69 Pedro estava sentado no pátio, e uma criada, aproximando-se dele, disse: “Você também estava com Jesus, o galileu”.

70 Mas ele o negou diante de todos, dizendo: “Não sei do que você está falando”.

71 Depois, saiu em direção à porta, onde outra criada o viu e disse aos que estavam ali: “Este homem estava com Jesus, o Nazareno”.

72 E ele, jurando, o negou outra vez: “Não conheço esse homem!”

73 Pouco tempo depois, os que estavam por ali chegaram a Pedro e disseram: “Certamente você é um deles! O seu modo de falar o denuncia”.

74 Aí ele começou a lançar maldições e a jurar: “Não conheço esse homem!”Imediatamente um galo cantou.

75 Então Pedro se lembrou da palavra que Jesus tinha dito: “Antes que o galo cante, você me negará três vezes”. E, saindo dali, chorou amargamente.

Mateus 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] Isto é, Rabi; também no versículo 49.
• [b] Ou "“Você mesmo o disse!”"
• [c] Outros manuscritos trazem "da nova aliança."
• [d] Zc 13.7
• [e] Ou "“Amigo, para que você veio?”"
• [f] Conselho dos principais líderes do povo judeu.
• [g] Ou "“É como disseste”"