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.

The Passover and the Betrayal Announced

When Yeshua had finished all these words, he said to his disciples,

“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.

They took counsel together that they might take Yeshua by deceit, and kill him.

But they said, “Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

Now when Yeshua was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table.

But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?

For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.”

However, knowing this, Yeshua said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? Because she has done a good work for me.

For you always have the poor with you; but you don’t always have me.

For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judah Iscariot, went to the chief priests,

and said, “What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?” They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.

From that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Preparation for the Passover

Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Yeshua, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Rabbi says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’”

The disciples did as Yeshua commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.

Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.

As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”

They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?”

He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me.

The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”

Judah, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

As they were eating, Yeshua took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it,

for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.

But I tell you that 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.”

When they had sung the Hallel, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Prediction of Peter’s Denial

Then Yeshua said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”

But Peter answered him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.”

Yeshua said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

Then Yeshua came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.”

He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled.

Then he said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me.”

He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.”

He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?

Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Again, a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.”

He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words.

Then he came to his disciples, and said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”

The Arrest of Jesus

While he was still speaking, behold, Judah, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priest and elders of the people.

Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.”

Immediately he came to Yeshua, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

Yeshua said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Yeshua, and took him.

Behold, one of those who were with Yeshua stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.

Then Yeshua said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.

Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?

How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?”

In that hour Yeshua said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me.

But all this has happened, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him, and fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

Those who had taken Yeshua led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

But Peter followed him from a distance, to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to see the end.

Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Yeshua, that they might put him to death;

and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward,

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

The high priest stood up, and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?”

But Yeshua held his peace. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Yeshua said to him, “You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.”

Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.

What do you think?” They answered, “He is worthy of death!”

Then they spit in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him,

saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you?”

Peter Denies Jesus

Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Yeshua, the Galilean!”

But he denied it before them all, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him, and said to those who were there, “This man also was with Yeshua of Nazareth.”

Again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the man.”

After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, “Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known.”

Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed.

Peter remembered the word which Yeshua had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out 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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