Matthew26

Jesus foretells his crucifixion, and a woman anoints him for burial, an act Jesus commends. Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. During the Passover, Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper and identifies Judas as his betrayer. In Gethsemane, Jesus prays in agony while his disciples sleep, before being arrested following Judas's kiss. He is then condemned by the Sanhedrin for blasphemy, while Peter denies him three times, fulfilling prophecy.

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The Passover and the Betrayal Announced

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, He told His disciples,

“You know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

The Plot to Kill Jesus

At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,

and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,

a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?

This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus asked, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.

The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.

By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial.

Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

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

and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.

So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Preparation for the Passover

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’”

So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

When evening came, Jesus was reclining with the twelve disciples.

And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”

They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?”

Jesus answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me.

The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.”

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.”

Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.

This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Prediction of Peter’s Denial

Then Jesus said to them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

At that time Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.

Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”

Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.

“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”

And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping—for their eyes were heavy.

So He left them and went away once more and prayed a third time, saying the same thing.

Then He returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Rise, let us go! See, My betrayer is approaching!”

The Arrest of Jesus

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.”

Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

“Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him.

At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me.

But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered.

But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.

But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward

and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

So the high priest stood up and asked Him, “Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?”

But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.

What do you think?” “He deserves to die,” they answered.

Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him

and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?”

Peter Denies Jesus

Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.

But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”

When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!”

After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.”

At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.

Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Study Notes for Matthew 26

Verse 2

Jesus’ final prediction frames the entire Passion narrative as a divine necessity. He emphasizes that the Son of Man is betrayed specifically 'to be crucified,' underscoring the manner of his sacrificial death.

Verse 3

Caiaphas was the High Priest appointed by the Romans (A.D. 18–36). The assembly of chief priests, scribes, and elders constituted the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme court.

Verse 5

The leaders feared the large crowds of Passover pilgrims, many of whom viewed Jesus as a popular prophet. They wanted to avoid a riot that might provoke Roman intervention.

Verse 6

Simon the Leper was likely a man Jesus had previously healed. Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, was also the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.

Verse 7

Alabaster boxes were precious containers used for expensive perfumed oils. The quantity of ointment used here indicates a great expense, perhaps a year's wages.

Verse 12

Jesus interprets the act of anointing as preparation for his imminent burial. This act, done out of devotion, was more significant than the disciples’ practical concern for charity.

Verse 13

This verse is a profound promise of universal recognition for the woman’s deed, emphasizing that true devotion, even if seemingly wasteful, will be eternally remembered within the Gospel message.

Verse 14

Judas Iscariot (likely meaning 'man of Kerioth') initiated this meeting, suggesting his betrayal was driven by greed or disillusionment, rather than simple coercion.

Verse 15

Thirty pieces of silver was the price of a slave injured by an ox (Ex. 21:32), emphasizing the low value placed on Jesus' life and fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 11:12.

Verse 17

The Feast of Unleavened Bread began concurrently with the Passover meal. This preparation indicates the disciples were following the requirements for the annual celebration.

Verse 18

Jesus’ knowledge of the specific man shows his divine foresight. 'My time is at hand' underscores his sovereign control over the timing and setting of his final hours.

Verse 21

The announcement of betrayal, made during the sacred Passover meal, heightens the tragedy and treachery of Judas’s act.

Verse 24

This verse balances divine sovereignty (Jesus goes 'as it is written') with human responsibility. Judas’s betrayal fulfills prophecy, but he remains morally accountable for his choice.

Verse 26

Jesus reinterprets the elements of the Passover meal, establishing the Eucharist (Communion) as the central ritual of the New Covenant, replacing the need for animal sacrifice.

Verse 28

This is a pivotal theological statement. The 'new testament' (new covenant) points to Jeremiah 31:31. Jesus’ blood is shed once and for all to achieve the 'remission of sins' for humanity.

Verse 29

Jesus looks forward to the eschatological banquet (the Marriage Supper of the Lamb), signaling that the Lord's Supper is a temporary anticipation of the fullness of the Kingdom.

Verse 31

Jesus quotes Zechariah 13:7, indicating that the disciples’ flight and scattering is a necessary fulfillment of Scripture regarding the suffering Shepherd.

Verse 34

Peter’s overconfidence is checked by Jesus’ precise prophecy. This highlights the contrast between Peter’s bold, yet fragile, human commitment and the certainty of Jesus’ divine knowledge.

Verse 36

Gethsemane means 'oil press.' Jesus takes the three closest disciples (Peter, James, and John) deeper into the garden, indicating the intensity of the struggle about to occur.

Verse 39

The prayer reveals Jesus’ true humanity (desiring to avoid the 'cup' of suffering and God's wrath) and his perfect submission to the Father’s will. This obedience is central to the atonement.

Verse 41

This famous instruction warns against spiritual complacency and temptation. The 'spirit is willing' acknowledges the disciples' intentions, but the 'flesh is weak' emphasizes their human inability to endure without God’s strength.

Verse 45

Jesus’ instruction to 'Sleep on now' is likely ironic or sarcastic, immediately followed by the command to 'Rise, let us be going,' signaling the moment of betrayal has arrived.

Verse 47

The presence of a great multitude with swords and clubs suggests that the Sanhedrin feared resistance or a popular uprising, treating Jesus as a dangerous criminal.

Verse 50

Jesus addresses Judas as 'Friend' (Gk. *hetairos*), a term of ironic courtesy used for companions, emphasizing the depth of the betrayal by one who was considered an intimate.

Verse 52

Jesus rejects the use of violence to advance the Kingdom, establishing a principle of non-retaliation and affirming that His mission must be accomplished through self-sacrifice, not force.

Verse 53

Jesus emphasizes that His submission is voluntary, not coerced. He possesses the power to call twelve legions (over 72,000) of angels, but chooses the path of suffering to fulfill prophecy.

Verse 56

The fulfillment of prophecy is the ultimate justification for these events. The disciples’ flight confirms Jesus' earlier prediction (v. 31), demonstrating the necessary scattering of the flock.

Verse 57

Caiaphas’s palace served as the immediate location for the illegal, rushed night trial before the full Sanhedrin could convene officially the next morning.

Verse 59

The council sought 'false witness' because they needed a capital charge under Jewish law, which required two agreeing witnesses, but Jesus had committed no legitimate crime worthy of death.

Verse 61

This charge is a distorted reference to Jesus’ earlier statement, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up' (John 2:19), referring to his body, not the physical building.

Verse 63

The High Priest uses a solemn oath formula required by Jewish law, forcing Jesus to state his identity under divine obligation, thereby creating the basis for the charge of blasphemy.

Verse 64

Jesus affirms his messianic identity ('Thou hast said') and immediately asserts his divine authority by referencing Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1, claiming power and future judgment.

Verse 65

Tearing the clothes was a traditional sign of distress or horror, used here to demonstrate outrage over perceived blasphemy—the only capital crime Jesus could be convicted of under their law.

Verse 69

Peter’s denial is narrated immediately after Jesus' bold confession, providing a stark contrast between Jesus’ courageous submission and the disciple’s fear and failure.

Verse 73

Peter’s Galilean accent was distinguishable from the dialect spoken in Jerusalem, providing a third and undeniable piece of evidence linking him to Jesus.

Verse 74

Peter descends into cursing and swearing (oaths) to reinforce his denial, confirming the depth of his failure exactly as Jesus had predicted, and marking the final step in his downfall.

Verse 75

The bitter weeping indicates profound repentance (Gk. *epiginosko*). This contrasts sharply with Judas’s regret (Matt. 27:3-5), whose reaction led to despair rather than restoration.

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