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

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

Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

The Anointing at Bethany

¶ Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

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

When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

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

For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

¶ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Preparation for the Passover

¶ Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

¶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Prediction of Peter’s Denial

¶ Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

¶ Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto 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.

Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

The Arrest of Jesus

¶ And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

¶ And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

Peter Denies Jesus

¶ Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

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

And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

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

And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

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

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And 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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