¶ And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
And {G2532} it came to pass {G1096}, when {G3753} Jesus {G2424} had finished {G5055} all {G3956} these {G5128} sayings {G3056}, he said {G2036} unto his {G846} disciples {G3101},
When Yeshua had finished speaking, he said to his talmidim,
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, He told His disciples,
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these words, he said unto his disciples,
-
Matthew 7:28
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: -
Matthew 19:1
¶ And it came to pass, [that] when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
Matthew 26:1 (KJV) serves as a pivotal transition point in the Gospel of Matthew, signaling a significant shift from Jesus' extensive public teaching ministry to the events leading directly to His passion, arrest, and crucifixion.
Context of Matthew 26:1
This verse immediately follows what is known as the Olivet Discourse (Matthew chapters 24 and 25). The phrase "all these sayings" refers directly to the profound teachings Jesus delivered on the Mount of Olives, which included prophecies concerning the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, signs of the end of the age, and parables emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and preparedness, such as the Parable of the Ten Virgins and the Parable of the Talents. This verse marks the conclusion of Jesus' final major public discourse before the intense events of Passion Week begin, underscoring the weight and finality of His prophetic and eschatological teachings.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Greek phrase for "had finished all these sayings" is synetelesen pantas tous logous toutous (συνετέλεσεν πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους). The verb synetelesen (from synteleō) means "to bring to an end," "to complete," or "to accomplish." It implies a decisive conclusion, not merely stopping speaking, but bringing a major discourse to its intended close. This highlights the deliberate and purposeful nature of Jesus' teaching ministry, which was now complete in preparation for His final act of redemption.
Practical Application and Reflection
Matthew 26:1 reminds us of the importance of Jesus' teachings as a foundational guide for life. Just as His disciples were called to internalize "all these sayings" before the ultimate sacrifice, so too are we called to deeply understand His words. This verse invites us to reflect on the transition from learning to living out our faith, recognizing that God's plans unfold precisely according to His divine timing. It encourages us to be prepared, vigilant, and ready for whatever comes next in our spiritual journey, rooted in the completed teachings of Christ.